The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-04-23

Omclal Report OF Gen'l Grant.

duCc VI luC uCSL UOEcIuuCut S'-A NS''oSHJ
aud the other for its destruction. 1t is
pleasant to record the success of the ar
my contending for the former principle.
On Sunday morning our pickets were
attacked and driven in by the enemy
Immediately the FIVE divisions stationed
at this place were drawn up In line CT
battle to meet them.
The battle soon waxed warm on the
left and center, varying at times to all
parts of the line. There was the most
continuous firing of musketry and artil-
lery ever heard on this Continent kept
up until nightfall.
The enemy having forced the entire
liue to fall back, nearly half way from
their camps to the landing, at late hour
in the afternoon, a desperate effort was
made by the enemy to turn our left, and
get possession of the landing transports,
etc
This point was guarded by the gun
boats Tyler and Lexington, Captains
Gwynne and ShiIk, commanding, with
four "a 4-pounder Parrott guns and bat
terry of lAed guns.
AS there is deep and impossible ra-
vine for artillery or cavalry, aid very
difficult for infantry at this point, no
troops were stationed here except the
necessary artillersts and small infantry
force for their support. Just at this mo-
ment the advance of Major Gen BuelPs
column and part of the division of Gen.
Nelson arrived, the two Generals named
both being present. An advance was
Immediately made upon the point Of at
tack and the enemy was soon driven
back.
In this repulse much is due to the
presence of the gunboats Tyler and Lex
ington and their able commanders, CaDts
Gwynne and Shirk.
During the night the divisions under
Gems Crittenden and McCook arrived
Gen. Lew Wallace, at Camp Landing,
six miles below, was ordered, at az early
hour in the morning, to hold his divis
ion in readiness 20 move in any direction
it might be ordered. At IL o'clock the
order was delivered to move up to Pitts.
burg, but owing to Its being led by d cir
cuitous route, DID not arrive in time to
take part in Sundays action.
During the night all was quiet, and,
feeling that great moral advantage would
be gained by becoming the att0cking par
ty, an advance was ordered as soon as
day dawned. The result was the gradual
repulse of the enemy at all points of the
line, from 9 until probably in the af,
noon, when it became evident the enemy
was retreating.
Before the close of the action, the ad-
vance of Gen. T. j. Woods division ar
rived in time to take part in the action.
My force was 100 much fatigued from
two days hard fighting, and exposure in
the open air to drenching rain during
the intervening night, to pursue imme-
diately
Night closed in cloudy with a heavy
rain, making the roads impracticable for
artillery by the next morng.
Gen. Sherman, however, followed the
enemy, finding that the main part of
their army had retreated in good order.
Hospitals, with the enemy's wounded
were found all along the road as far as
pursuit was made. Dead bodies of the
enemy and many graves were also found.
| cannot take special notice in this re-
port, but will do so more fully when the
reports of the division commanders are
handed in.
Gen. Buell., commanding in the field,
with distinct army long under his com
mand, and which did such efficient SER
vice, commanded by himself in person on
the field, will be much better able to no.
tice those of his command who particu-
larly distinguished themselves than l
possibly can.
| feel it my duty, however, to gallant
and able officer, Brig, Gen w. T. Sher.
man, to make special mention of him i
He not only was with his command DUR
ing the entire two days of the action, but
displayed great judgment and skill in the
management of his men. Although Sc
verely wounded in the hand on the first
day, his place was never vacant He was
again wounded, and had three horses
killed under him. In making this men.
tion of gallant officer, no disparacement
is intended to other Division Comman-
ders, or Maj Gems. John A. McClernard
and Lew Wallace, and Brig, Gems S. A.
Hurlburt, 2. NJ. Prentiss, and W. Fl. L.
Wallace, all of whom maintained their
places with credit to themselves and the
cause.
Gen. Prentiss was taken prisoner on
the first days action, and w. H. LWal- /
lace was severely, and probably mortally
wounded. His Assistant Adjutant-Gen-