Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-11
LATE NEWS BY TELEGRAPH
THE GREAT BATTLE OF PITTsBURe.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
Desperate Character of the Centest-Csm.
plete Details Of the Contest.

Desperate Character of the Centest-Csm-
Plete Details OF the Contest.
CINCINNATI, April 1o.-The correspondent Of
the Cincinnati Times gives the following account
Of the Pituburg battle:
"Our forces were stationed In the form Of
mi-cIrcle, the right resting on point north Of
Crump's Landing, our centre being In front ofthe
main road to Corinth, and our left extending to
the river I'm the direction Of Hamburg, four miles
north Of Pittsburg Landing.
At 2 O'Clock on the morning Of the 9Th, 400 men
from General Prentiss Division were attacked
by the enemy, half mile in advance Of our lines
Our men fell back on the Twenty.afth Missouri
swiftly pursued by the enemy.
The advance Of the rebels reached Colonel Pea
body's brigade just as the long roll was sounded
and the men were falling into line. The resis-
tanca was but short and they retreated under a
CALLING fire until they reached the Second Divi-
sion.
Atsx O'Clock the attack had become general
along the entire front Of our lines. The enemy,
In large force, drove In the pickets Of Gen. sher.
mans division, and fell on the Forty eight, Seven
tleth and Seventy second Ohio regiments. These
so unex pectedly attacked, made as able resist.
ance AZ possible, but were, In common with the
forces Of Gen. Prentiss compelled to seek support
on the troops immediately In their rear.
fully engaged. The roar Of cannon and musketry
was without intermission from the main centre 10
a point extending half way down the left wing.
The Rebels made desperate charge on the
ly sustained by infantry II fell into their hands
Another severe fight occurred for the possession
Of Fifth Ohio Battery, and three Of it, guns taken
by the enemy.
By eleven O'Clock commanders of regiments
had fsllen, and In some cases not single field
ofacer remained; vet the fighting continued with
an earnestness which showed that the contest on
both sides was Tor "death or victorvr' Foot by
foot the ground was contested, and finding IL i'm
possible to drive back our center the enemy
slackened their fire and made vigorous effort on
our left wing, endeavoring to outaank and drive
1t to the river bank. This wing was composed
Of the 1ath, Bed, 4ith and 57th Indiana, sth 18TH
2lst Illinois. Fronting its line, however were
the 54th, 57th and 18th Ohio, and 5th Ohio cav.
airy, Of Sherman's division.
For nearly two hours sheet of Are blazed from
both columns, the Rebels fighting with valor
that was only equalled by those contending with
them. While the contest ragged the hottest, the
gunboat Tyler passed up the river to a point
opposite the enemy and poured In broadsides
from her immense guns, greatly aiding in fore
ing the enemy back. Up to three O'Clock, the
battle ragged with fury that deaes description.
The Rebels had found their attempts to break
our lines unavailing. They had strivcn to drive
In our main column, and finding that impossi-
BILE, had turned all their strength upon our left.
Fooled in that quarter, they now made another
rout our forces before the achievements which
had been sent for should come up.
At O'Clock there was short cessation In the
firing OF the enemy, their lines falling back for
nearly half mile. They then suddenly wheeled
and again threw their entire force upon our left
wing, determined to make final struggle In that
quarter; but the gunboats Tyler and Lexington
poured in their shot thick and fast with terrible
effect.
In the meantime Gen. Lew. Wallace, who had
taken circuftcus route for Crump's Landing,
appeared suddenly on the enernY's right wing.
In the face OF this combination Of circumstances
the Rebels felt that their enterprise that day wal
failure, and, as night was approaching, fell
back until they reached an advantageous position
somewhat In the rear Of, vet occupying, the main
road TO COrinth.
The gunboats continued to send their shell
after them until they got out Of range.
After weary watch Of several hours OF intense
anxiety, the advance regiment Of Gen. Buellis
army appeared on the opposite bank OF the river
and the work Of crossing the river began the 36.b
Indiana and 6sth Ohio being the first to cross,
followed by the main portion of Nelson's and
Cheer after cheer greeted their arrival and thew
were immediately sent to the advance where they
rested on their arms
, All night long steamers were engaged In ferry
Ing Gen BuelPs forces across. When daylight
broke II was evident that the rebels too, had been
strongly reinforced.
THE SECOND DAYS FIGHT.
The battle was opened by the rebels at O'Clock
from the Corinth road, and In half an hour ex-
tended along the whole line.
AT nine O'Clock the sound Of arti llery and mus
kerry fully equalled that of the previous day
The enemy was met by the reinforcemens and the
still unwearied soldiers Of yesterday with an ener-
ey they certainly could not have expected. II be-
came evident that they were avoiding the extreme
OF our left wing, and endeavoring with perseyer-
ance and determination to find some weak points
by which to turn our forces. They left one point
but returned TO II Immediately, and then sudden
ly, by some mastery stroke Of Generalship d.
rected most vigorous attack upon some division
where they fancied they would not be expected;
but the IRE OF our lines was al steady az clock
work, and Ii soon became evident that the enemy
considered the task he had undertaken hopeless
one.
Further reinforcements now began to arrive,
and they were posted on the right Of the main
center, under Wallace. Gems Grant Buell. Mel.
son, Sherman and Crittenden were everyw here
present, directing the movements for a new stroke
on the enemy. Suddenly both wings of our army
were turned upon the enemy, with the Intention
OF driving them into an extensive ravine. At the
same time powerful battery was stationed In the
open field, and poured volley after volley of can
lister into the rebel ranks.
At ii O'Clock the roar of the battle shook the
earth. The Union guns were fred with all the
energy that the prospects Of the enemy's defeat
inspired while the rebsls' FIRE was not so vigor-
Gus, and they evinced a desire to withdraw
They finally fell slowly back, keeping up a fire
from their artillery and muske.ry along their
whole column, as they retreated. They moved
In excellent order, battling at every advantage.
GUS point, and delivering thsir FIRE with con-
siderable effect. But from all the divisions Of
our army they Were pursued, CALLING fire being
The enemy had now been driven beyond our
former lines and were in full retreat for Cornth,
pursued by our cavalry.
The forces engaged on both sides In this days
oattie are estimated at about &c, 600 each.