New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-16

down the river, and the paths were uue" WIN LILO
diving and the dead.
The sound was deafening-the tumut indescrib-
able.
RECKLRssNEss OF LIFE.
No life was worth fartbing; for he who lifted
his Inusket this moment fell the next stifened
corpse. Yonder fresh regiment rushed brgvely
forward, and ere they bad gone twenty yards,
charge Of grape Gent the foremost men bleeding to
the earth. Whole heaps Of corpses lay upon the
murmuring ground, and fixed eyes stared at the sur.
rounding strife with the awful stare Of DEATH Wild
mockery dreadful vision But who cared for il
Death was not to 10 thought Of but to be met with
indifference come when it might. Death was in the
air and bloomed like poison-plant on every foot Of
soil.
STRICKEN REGIMENTS.
During Sunday afternoon, eleven or twelve OF the
Union regiments, after fighting braveiy for two
hours were thrown into disorder by number OF
shells which burst above and around them, ana at
the same moment Rebel battery opened upon them
at distance Of half mile with terrible devastation.
They could not epdurs the murderous fire. They
turned and fed, and several Of their officers en-
desvored in vain to rally them. They were utterly
pauie.stricken at first and they would have run if
the Internal Pit bad opened before their hurryiDs
feet. No appeal, no censure affected them. Many
threw away their arms, and sped as country
schoolboy who thinks he has seen glost in the
village churchyard.
A number Of flying soldiers recovered their
alarm and their pride, and returned to their posts,
fighting more travely than before to wipe ont the
stain; but the greaier par, ran beyond the reach of
the human voice, even crossing the river and
going TO Savannah
ARRIVAL or GEN. BUELL..
Az the sun was sinking toward the West, Gen.
Bues column, so anxously expected, 60 nesdful in
the great emergency appeared on the opposite side
of the river and the enemy redoubled their efforts to
insure cur defeat knowing that on tie morrow, our
numbers would nearly equal their own; and that
they must put the last remnant of strength into tie
contest They did so. They summoned large por-
ton Of their reserve, and fell with urexampcd fury
upon our ranks shouting like madmen, ard striving
in every possible way to extend the panic with which
theunfortunate twelve regiments had been seized.
Every one Of their cannon seemed at play, every
musket performing ito natural oice. The resources
Of their Generals were exhausted. They told their
troops the condition OF affairs; that this was the
golden opportunity; that all depended upon winning
a victory before the darkness should compel sus-
pension Of hostilities.
The Rebels swept like an avalanche upon the loyal
troops, and the shock had its effect. Our soldiers
wsvered, for they were nearly exhausted with the
long, hard fight and the enemy's fresh forces gave
them the advantage. Here was a crisis, and Gen.
Grant rode along the whole line, amid storm Of
balls and encouraged the men, and assured them
that, If they hold on, until the next morning, Buell.
with his Thousands would have crossed the river
His brief remarks added courage to many q faint
heart and strength 10 many tired arm, and our
ranks fought with desperate and nvinciole spirit
Still, they could hardly cope with the overPowerns
force of the Rebels until Col. Webster, chief OF
; Gen. Grants staff, planted several batteries and
brought them to bear directly upon the enemys
tight, and about the ~ mo time the ganboats Lsxing
ton and Taylor, so near were the eonending armies
to the bank opened heavy fire upon the advancing
Rebels.
The foe endeGvored herelcally TO endure this terri
BE double fire bul their columns lad not tho fostude
TO stand aud be moved down by hundreds. Beaure.
gard and Johnston attempted 10 hold them TO their
position and they exposed Themselves most recklessy
10 prevent them from falling back but TO no purpose.
Every discharge Of the batteries every roar Of death
from the gunboats, sent the Rebel regiments reelng
10 the grave, and in less than half an hour, they
moved backward, leaving us in possesson Of all
the ground we bad occupied in the morning.
In this part Of the action Gen. Albert Sidney john
ston fell and Beauregard was seriously wounded in
the left arm Johnston has since died, am assured
by Capt Jackson who ssys he bis corpse prepared
for removal 70 his friends in Virginia.
THE SECOND DAYS FIGHTING.
During the night, Gen. Nelson's division Of Bues 8
army reached the battle field and carly in the morn
ing the engagement was renewed; Nelson occupying
the left and Gen. Wallace the right. Nelson and
Wallace opened upon tho enemy with heavy fire.
and caused them TO fall back. For several hours the
victory seemed to be ours but about I0i the Rebels
who must have been re-enforced, made series Of
gallant charges and caused troops 10 retire for
quarter Of mile, pouring most fearful volleys Of
ketry into our ranks. Again the prospect looked dark
and thousands Of hearts felt alarmed not for them
selves, but for the fortunes Of the great battle on
which so much depended-perhaps the sava;ion of
The Republic and the happiness of unborn generations.
Gen. Buell. had crossed the river below tho point
where Nelson had and at this juncture came up with
ireeu 'rooPr anu Hanheu 'ho cheIy anu captured
number Of pieces Of their artillery The Rebels here
made terrible charge to recover their loss but they
were unsuccessful. They wavered and We're driven
back-ralled, and made q final attempt, but were
repulscd Buels forces meeting and engaging them
in splendid manner. -,
DEFEAT OF THE CONFEDERATEs.
Our army saw their advantage and followed il mp
in magnificent style; aad from that hour tho Rebels
seemed to have lost faith in themselves. They could