Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-04-17
THE BATTLE AT PITTsBURG.

following account of the Pittsburg battle
Our forces were stationed in the form of
semicircle, tue right resting on point
north OF Crump's Landing, our center be-
ing in front OF the main road to Corinth,
and our left extending to the river in the |
direction of Hamburg, miles north of
Pittsburg Landing. AT 2 o'clock on the |
morning of the 9th 400 men from Gen.
Prentiss' division were attacked by tho
enemy half a mile in advance of our line.
Our men fell back on the 25th Missouri
Regiment, swiftly pursued by the enemy.
The advance Of the rebels reached Col.
ieaoody's brigade just as the long roll
was sounded and the men were falling in
to line; resistance was but short, and they
retreated under CALLING fire until they
reached the lines of the I'd division. At
6 o'clock the attack had become general
along our whole front. The enemy in
large numbers drove in the pickets of
Gen. Sherman's division, and fell on the
4Sth, 50th and 72d Ohio regiments
These troops were never before in action,
and being so Unexpectedly attacked,
made as able resistance as possible, but
were, in common with the forces of Gen.
Prentiss, forced to seek support of troops
Immediately in their rear.
AT 10 o'clock the entire line on both
sides was fully engaged. The roar of
cannon and musketry was without inter-
mission from the main centre to point
extending half way down the left wing
The rebels made a desperate charge on
the 18th Ohio Battery, which not being
sufficiently supported by infantry, fell into
their hands. Another severe fight &C.
Cured for the 9Th Ohio Battery, and three
guns were taken by the enemy.
BY ii o'clock a number of command
ers OF regiments had fallen, and in some
cases not a single field officer remained
yet the fighting continued with an earnest.
ness which showed that the contest on
both sides was for death or victory Foot
by foot the ground was contested, and find
ing it impossible to drive back our centre
the enemy slackened their fire, and made
vigorous efforts on our left wing, endeav
oring to outfank and drive it to the river
bank. This wing was under Gen. Hurl
burt, and was composed Of the l4th, 32d
44th and 57th Indiana, 9Th, 18th anC
2lst Illinois regiments. Fronting its line
however, was the 14th, 57th and It'll
Ohio and the 5tb Ohio Cavalry of Gen
Sherman's division. For nearly two hour
sheet of fire blazed from both columns
the rebels fighting with vigor that wa
only equaled by those cOntending will
them. While the contest ragged the hot
? test, the gunboat Tyler passed up the riv
er to point opposite the enemy an,
{ poured in broadsides from her immens
. guns, greatly aiding in forcing them back
: Up to o'clock the battle ragged with
t fury that defes description. The rebels ha
found every attempt TO break our lnes VI
avaihng, They had striven TO drive in OF
main column, and finding that impossible
9 had turned all their strength upon our lei
/ Fooled in that quarter, they new made anotl
| er attempt at our centre, and made every G
=, fort to rout our forces before the reinforc
ments which had been sent for should con
up.
the fire of the enemy, their lines falling ba(
S nearly half mile, when they sudden
9 wheeled and again drew their eatire fore
h upon our left wing, determined to make
- final struggle in that quarter; but the gu
Y, boats Tayler and Lexington poured in the
shot thick and fast, with terrible effect.
y In the meanwhile, Gen. Wallace, who h;
re taken a circuitous route from Crump's La
d ding, appeared suddenly on the enemy
i right wing. In the face of this combinati,
Ia of circumstances, the rebels felt that their Q
a terprise Tor the day was failure, and as Il
- night was approaching, fell back until th'
- reached an advantageous position, somewh
3 in the rear, yet occupying the main road
y Corinth. The gunboats continued TO thrC
70 shells after them until out OF range.
1t After wearied watching of several hou
q ! of intense anxiety, the advance regiments
~ Geo. Buell's army appeared on the opposi
" bank Of tn river. The work of passing t
q river began, the S6h Indiana and eSth OF
lie being the FIRST TO cross, followed by the ma
% portions of Gems Nelson's and 6Fuce's di
1t sions. Cheer alter cheer greeted their ar
val, and they we're Immediately sent to t
. advance, where they rested upon their ar
~ for the night. All night long the steam
10 were engaged in ferrying Gen. Buelts foo
across, When dwight broke it was e7idt
H. that the rebels too had bsen strongly reinf
ed + ced.
O. The battle was opened by the rebels a
an o'clock, from the Corinth road, and in b
90 an bor exteudeg along the whole line
At 8 o'clock the sound of artillery a
q, musketry fully equaled that of the previt
ed day. The enemy was met by our relnfor
as ments and The still unwearied soldiers
,r, Yesterday wi an energy they certain
", could not have expected. II became evidt
% that they were avoiding the extreme OF {
-, left wing and endeavoring, with perseverar
:! and determination, to find some weak pc
III By which TO turn our force. They left {
point but TO return it Immediately, a
$500 then as suddenly would, by some mas.e
Is stroke of generalship, direct most viger
=. attack upon some division where they fame
S't 4hoyr vworId Dot no tvpaptad buf the fire