Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-04-18

hEAOOUAATEAH " I
Tuesday, April 8, 1862 !
NgjOr GsnsroI Grant, Commanding army in
the FTsld:
SIN: With the cavalry placed at my COM
mand, and two brigsdes Of my fstigued
troops, went this morning ut on the Cor
inth road. One after another Of the abRn-
doned camps Of the enemy lined the roads,
with hospital flags for their protection. At
ell We found more or less wounded and
dead. At the forks Of the road found the
head Of Geu. Woods Division. at that
point ordered the cavalry to examine both
roads, and found the 6nemy's cavalry. Col
Diokey Of the Illinois cavalry, asked for
reinforoements. / ordered Gen. Wood TO
advance the head Of his column cautiously
on !the left-hand road whilst conducted
the head of the third brigade Of the Fifth
Division up the right hand road.
About half mile from the forks Wss
clear field, through which the road psssed,
and Immediately beyond q space Of some
two hundred yards Of fallen timber, aud
beyond an extensive camp. The enemy's
cavalry osuld be seen in the camp, and
after q reconnaissance, ordered the two ad-
enth, Col. Hildebrsnd, to deploy as skirm-
ishers, and the regiment itself formed into
line, with an interval Of one hundred yards.
In this order I advanced cautiously, until
the skirmishsFs were engaged. Taking IL
for granted this disposition would clear the
camp, held Col Diekey's Fourth Illinois
cavalry ready fonthe charge. The enemy's
cavalry came down boldly to the charge,
breaking down the line of skirmishers, when
the regiment Of infsntry, without cause,
broke, threw away their guns and fed.
The ground was admirably adapted to q
defense Of infantry against cavalry, the
ground being miry and covered with fallen
timber.
As the regiment Of infantry broke, Dick.
ey's cavalry began to discharge their car
bines and fell into disorder. instantly
sent orders to the rear for the brigade TO
form in line Of battle, which was promptly
executed The broken infantry and oavsl-
ry rallied on this line, and IS the enemy's
cavalry came to it, our cavalry in turn
charged and drove them from the field. l
advanced the entire brigade upon the same
ground, and sent Col. Diekey's cavalry 3
mile further on the Fosd.
On examining the ground which had been
occupied by the T7th Ohio, We found fifteen
dead and about twenty-five wounded.
sent for wagons and had all the wounded
carried back TO camp, and the dead buried +;
also, the whole camp to be destroyed. Here,
We found much ammunition for field pieces,
which Was destroyed: also two csisOns and a
general hospital, with about 1s0 Confederate
wounded, and about hfty of our own. Not
having the means of bringing them of, Col.
Dickey, by my order, took surrender, sign
ed by Medical Director Lyle, and all the at
tending Surgeons, and pledge to report
themselves to you as prisoners of war; also,
q pledge thst our wounded. would be care
fully attended and surrendered to US on to-
morrow as soon as ambulances could 90 out
I enclose the within document, and re-
quest that you cause to be sent out wagons
or ambulances for the wounded of ours, 10,
morrow; also, that wagons be sent to bring
in the many tents belonging to us, which are
pitched all along the road for four miles.
L did not dastroy tL---g a-s"Ss--Y knnw thl
| enemy cannot move them. The roads arl
very bad, and the road is streWn with aban,
dOned wagons, ambulances, and timber box
es.
The enemy has succeeded In carrying of
the guns, but has crippled his batteries BY
abandoning the hind timber boxes of at least
twenty guns. am satisfied that the enemy'l
infantry and cavalry passed Lick Greek thil
morning, travelling all last night, aud tha
be left behind all his cavalry which has pro
tected his retreat but the signs of confusion
and disorder mark the whole road. This
check sustained by Us at the fallen timbers
delayed our advance so that night came upor
US before the wounded were provided for ant
the dead buried; and our troops being tagged
out by three days hard fighting, exposure
and priYations, ordered them back where
all now are.
have the honor to be,
Your ooedient servant,
Brig. Gen. W. 7. SHERMAN,