The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-04

away. The heavy guns in the centre coca
sionally belched their thunder, but provoked only
feeble reply. Gen. Buell. was CT opinion that the m
rsnchments in his front could be carried; but Ike Pope
his left, he restrained by strict orders. The
ef5rts and observations Of the day showed that the
greater of tho rebels lay upon wings also the
stronger defensive works. General dispayei
special anxiety protect his tanks from ASSAULT ana
had consequently weakened his centre to considerably
extent he evidently held to the theory that SO long as
the wings of a convex line OF defence remain intact,
demonstration against its centre viii not cause mate
rial injury.
Price and Van Dorm were supposed to DO holding his
right, opposed General Pope while Bragg was on the
left in opposition General Thomas corps. MAJOR
General Polk commanded the CENTRE under the direct
supervision Of General Beaurcgard.
POSITION RIGHT
On tho right General Thomas was keeping up q de-
suitory fire upon the skirmishing and heavy picket
parties OF the enemy, and occasionally from General
Sherman, the extreme right sending missile from
the heavy guns in position, and throwing shell
and round shot plump into the enemy's works.
Major Cayender's battalion Of First Missouri
light artillery under Captains Stone, Welker and Rich
ardson battery range OF the rebel intrench-
ments and made their long PARROT guns toll with con-
siderable effect. Their firing exceedingly Slow in
accordance with orders from headquarters and towards
the middle Of the afternoon II was ceased altogether
Only the heavy guns then permitted to keep up the
encounter ong-taw, and the booming Of these was
only heard at considerable intervals. General
Sherman was secure in his position, the same
that he occupied several days since, and the
chief endeavor to hold safely, aud merely amuse
without annoying the enemy There were but few casu
aies the right wing during the entire day. not more
than half dozen in ALL One Of Captain stones artil
erymen struck by fragment Of an exploding shell
which away nearly half his blouse but inflicted
no injury upon his person. Colonel Sweeny, who was
wounded at Wilson creek and Pittsburg Landing, mar
rowly escaped receiving third wound in the war for
the suppression of the rebellion. AS he riding
the 'front.' to survey thr enemys picket lines Enfield
ball passed between his arm and his horse's neck,
barely missing the former.
TUESDAY NIGHT.
On the night Of Tuesday general attack was appre
hended along the whole line daybrcak should
give sufficient light to enable the enemy to upon
u.s. Information TO this effect was received from few
struggling deserers who came in from time TO time m
the earlier part Of the week. It is now evident that they
were purposely sent here to deceive us with re-
gard TO their movements, and tho sequel shows
that the maneuvrs was successful. The heavy
picket and skirmishing parties thrown out Mon
day and Tuesday only to their real movement
and prevent any intelligence Of their fight from reaching
our ears Had we known Wednesday that the rebels
were withdrawing from Corinth, could have fal
upon them in force and completely cut and destroyed
whatever remained. During the night the men lay
upon their arms, ready at the first tap d the drum
to fall in line and engage in battle. General Haleck
fully expected that front would DO assailcd,
and had made his preparations accordingly. Every
where were strong guards carefully noting every
aspect OF the ground before them, and anx-
iousy awaiting the first sound Of hostile advance
DAWN on WEDNESDAY.
Day dawned with signs Of demonstration on either
side The rebels held their old position Of the day pre-
yious and did not inclined to change il for one
nearer Cornth while strong front rendered it
what hazardous for the rebels 10 towards Pitts
burg Landing The day opened with heavy artillery fire
from both wings shortly followed by q cannonade
from the centre I'm the left was Pope with his
heavy PARROT guns and long thirty -twos, and
on the right, Sherman with his heavy siege
batteries. In the centre Buell. supplied
with heavy Dahlgren guns and anumber Of twenty
four Founders. The rebels replied with twelve and
eighteen pounders the right and left, and with
eight-inch howzers and large field guns in tho
centre There but little musketry firing during the
day the like that Of the day previous being
mainly conducted with heavy guns. Our fire
was slow and steady till shout eleven in
the forenoon, when nearly ceased 10 DO
resumed again with vigor In the afternoon
The firing OF the rebel batteries que feeble though
their guns generally well aimed Their fire, like
ours sIackencd towards midday, ana was once moro
opened In the afternoon. Toward nghtfa few regi-
men,s Of infantry the right became their
contest of short duration each party retiring within
its lines after three or four rounds had been fired
The loss of the day but trling being heaviest
tie left wing The night passed. like the preceding
ticn of offa I,U d,s
army in fell force.
TIE THURSDAY
On the morning of Thursday men patiently waited
the onset for full hour after SUNRISE but fnSing that
the rebels disposed TO act only tho defensive
was at last determined TO against them. General
Pope commenced Smelling the works in his front and at
the same time centre and right opened the force
opposite them. on the right wing, in addition 70 tho
contest Of the heavy guns heard tho sharp rattle Of
musketry which continued at intervals until nine O'Clock
in the morning, when it almost entirely ceased
Nelson ard Mecook's divisions in the cen
tire were engaged for q brief space, but the
results were unimportant. General Sherman, On
the right advanced his position about three hundred
wards and most Of other divisions General Thomas
corus followed his example. About in the morning
General Popo opened vigorous cannonadc q rebel
earthwork in front OF his left wing, using principally his
heavy artillery The enemy returned his fire with six
twelve and eighteen Founders, and though many
their shot fell short, the rebel gunners showed that
they understood the handling Of artillery. At
the commencement Of the cannonade there
was . slight breeze from the northwest, but
the firing had the usual effect Of deadenng the wind and
within fifteen minutes from the beginning Of the action
there was breath Of air stirring occasional
gust sweeping away The clouds Of smoke for a
moment. The wooded ground where the action
took place became shroudcd In q dense fold, but
the firing still went on without interruption. A
large Gag had noatea denanty from the STAR the CEN
tire Of the rebel battery, but after hours
firing IL was hauled down and the guns removed.
The guns were taken away while the battery was en-.
yeloped in smoke. At the moment when the cloud
lifted and General Pope perceived the situation he in.
stantly ordered charge, in the hope Of capturing tho