The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-04-22
N O.. 5.

tney were regarded as something like
veterans in the cause, and the greatest
confidence began to grow up as to the
} successful termination of the battle,
whose result had been doubtful more
than once during the struggle of yester-
day.
With the first hours of daylight it was
. evident, however, that the enemy had
also been strongly reinforced, for, not
withstanding they must have known Of
the arrival of the new Union troops, they
were the first to open the battle, which
they did about seven O'Clock, and with
considerable alacrity. The attack then
began from the main Corinlh road, a
point to which they seemed strongly at
tached, and which at no time did they
leav. at all unprotected. 1t matered not
where the main force was engaged, nor
where the fight ragged the fercest, there
was at all times evidence that the safe
security of that thoroughfare was con-
tinually cared for.
General Nelson, on taking his position
on the left wing, last night, had des-
patched messenger to Lieut.. Gwynne,
of the gunbost Tyler, with his compli-
ments, requesting the loan Of box of
cigars aud bottle of wine, and extend
ing an invitation to the gunboat officers
that they should visit him at his head
quarters, under an oak tree, near the riv-
er bank. He also assured them that
they should see some man-of war fight
ing to-day"
AT the conclusion Of Yesterdays fight
ing, General Grant had assured the
soldiers that " they should be in Corinth
tonight" and those who had heard Of
his predictment in regard to the taking
Of Fort Donelson, made three days pre-
vious 10 that time, lookei somewhat
cheerfuly to such a result, although they
felt confident that it would take some
more hard fighting to get there.
ALL THE LINE AGAIN ENGAGED.
Within half an hour from the first fir
ing OF the morning, the contest had
again spread in either direction, and both
the main center and left wing were
actively engaged. The rebels were,
however, not SO anxious to fight their
way to the rivers bank as on the previ-
Gus day, having had slight experience
of what they might again expect, If
brought again under the powerful guns
of the Tyler and Lexington, whose black
hulls steamed slowly along the stream,
keeping careful watchfulness for any
signs they might be able to gather as to
the exact location of the enemy in the
dense forest which stretched away to
their right.
The foe was not. however, lacking in
activity, and they were met by the rein
forcements, together with the still un-
wearied soldiers of yesterday, with an
energy that they certainly could not
have expected. At 8 O'Clock the sound
of the artillery and musketry fully
equalled that Oft day previous, though
1t could not be said 10 continue so long
in one quarter. 1t now became evident
that the rebels were avoiding the extreme
of the left wing, and endeavorins to find
some weak point in the lines by which
10 turn our force, and thus create an ir-
recoverable confusion. 1t is wonderful
with what perseverance and determine
ton they adhered to this purpose They
left one point but 10 return to il immedi-
ately, and then as suddenly would, by
some mastery stroke Of generalship, d.
rect most vigorous assault upon somo
division where they (ancied they would
not be expected. The fire of our lines
was steady as clock work, and it soon
became evident that the enemy almost
considered the task they had undertaken
a hopeless one.
ELEVEN O'CLOCK A. NJ
Notwithstanding the continued rebuff
OF the rebels, wherever they had made
their assaults, up TO eleven O'Clock they
had given no evidence OF retreatng from
the field. Their firing had been as rapid
and vigorous at times as during the most
terrible hours of the previous day, yet
not SO well directed nor SO long con;in-
ued TO one point Of attack.
Still further reintorcements now began
TO arrive. The steamers Crescent City,
| Hiawatha, Louisville, John Warner and
others, having left Savannah. loaded with
troops belonging to Gen. Buell's COM
mand. These Immediately mounted tho
hill and took position upon the right of
the main center, under Gen. Wallace.
So far the fight of the morning had
been waged some one and a half miles
within our former lines. aud but short
distance from tho rivers bank, in duo
westernly direction.
Generals Grant. Buell., Nelson, Shor-
man and Crittenden / learn, though |
have not seen him, were present every
where. directing the movements for
new stroke on our part against the foe.
Gen. Wallace's division, on the right, had
been strongly reinforced, and suddenly
both wings OF our army were turned up.
on the enemy with the intention of driv-
the immense body into an extensive ra-
vine. At the same time a powerful bat
terry had been stationed near an open
field known rs the battalion drill
ground" foI Sherman's division aud this.
loaded wiih canister, poured yolley after
volley upon the somewhat disgus.ed reb.
els. The cannonading of the day previ-
Gus had been mostly confined to shell and
heavy ball, but il was evident that the