Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-04-18

stun fought in the ranks until they were actu.
ally forced back by their company officers.
Finding it impossible to drive back tht
center of our column, at twelve o'clock th,
enemy sackened their FIRE upon it, and made
: a most vigorous effort on our left wing, en-
y deavoriug TO outfank it By driving it into the
the river bank at point about ole half mile
above Pittsburg Landing. ibis wing was
under command Of Gen. Hurlburt, and was
composed Of the 18th, 35d, 44th and 57th
Indiana, the 9Th, 2lst and 9Th Illinois Front
ing its entire line, however, was a brigade un.
der Gen. Sherman, composed Of the 54th, 57th
: and 77ih Ohio. I'aylor's 5th Ohio Cavalry
was also in Gen. Hurlbut's division, but from
the improper nature Of tie arms with which
they were provided, they were not able to do
one half the execution the men desired.
With the first demonstration of the enemy
upon the left wing it was to be seen that all
their fury was being poured out uponit with
# the determination that it should give way. For
e nearly two hours sheet of FIRE blaz d from
:, both columns, and could liken the explosion
a of The small arms to nothing save a cane brake
b in a state Of confagration. The Mississippi
ridemen, large and well organized body Of
/ good marlsmen and desperate men, fought
I
who received their uuerring fire, and returned
il with an energy which assured them that
many Of those who had endured the fire of
Donelson was in the ranks before them.
IN this quarter it seemed, for the period Of
nearly an hour, that the enemy would succeed
IN driving in our forces. Three different times
they drove our meG slowly before them, until
they came in sight of the river, and were plain
| ly visible even TO those on the main landing
| below.
While the conflict ragged the hottest in the
quarter we are writing Of, the Tyler passed
slowly up the riyerio point directly oppo-
size tue force of the enemy, and poured 10 a
broadside from her immense guns. The she'll
vent tearing and crashing through the woods,
telling trees in their cousre, and spreading hav-
oc wherever they feel. The explosives were
tremendous, aud the shell falling far inland,
most probably from heir direction In the very
heart of secession force must have told with
startling effect. At any rate, attribute the
the failure Of the foe to carry the left wing,
IN great measure, to the well directed shots
OF the Tyler. The hand force might have been
able TO have successfully kept the immense
weight of the enemy. but from my observations
Of the matter, think they were greatly aided
10y the welidirecied shots from the guuboat.
Up to three o'clock, il will be remembered,
the battle had ragged with fury which de6es
description. At every point, the rebels had
IOund every attempt 10 break our lines unavail-
ing They had striven to drive in our main
column, ard finding that impossible had turn
cd all their strength on the left wing. Fooled
in that quarter, they DOW made another attack
on the center, and fought like tigers They
found our lines we'll prepared for and in ful.
expectation of their commng; every maa TO
his post, and all willing to bring the contest
TO definite conclusion. l.... ef taat
In hourly expectation of the arrival of the
forces under Generals Nelson and Thomas,
who were a. Savannah and to whom messages
had been sent, fact as well known to the
Secessionists as ourselves, they made every
effort 10 route onr forces before the reinforce
nents should have came forwards They were
however, fighting against wall of fire and
steel manned by as brave hearts as ever smell
I'd the essence Of ofgunpowder. VOley answered
to volley, and for time the battle of the morn
ng was re-enac.ed over the same ground, and
With the same vigor on both sides.
Al FIVE O'Clock there was short cessation
n the firing Of the enemy, their lines falling
~N-~A
IF nearly half mile They then suddenly
SAeeled and again thersw their entire forcs
lpon The left wing, determined 10 make the
inal struggle If the day in that quarter
he gunboat Lexington, in the meantime, had
'rriyed from Savannah, and after sending a
nes ienger TO General Grant to ascertain the
Iirection in which the enemy lay from the riv-
r, the two boats took position about halfa
nile above The river on thsir right. The
bots were thick and fast and told with thrill
ng effect.
In the meantime General Wallace bad ta-
en- circui oLs route from Crump's landing
nd appeard suddenly on the right wing of tie
nemy. In the face Of this combination Of
the Rebels felt that their en-
IPrise was for the day failure, and as night
as about at hand they slowly fell back, fight
g as they went until they reached an advan-
lgeous position, somewhat in the rear, and
It occupying the main road to Corinth.-
he gunboats continued to send their she'll
ter them until they bad entirely got beyond
eir reach Thus ends an outline of tle bat
2 Of the frat day.
There is no time or opportunity at this hour
obtain a list, even an accurate knowledge
the loss by killed, wounded or missing
)me OF our Ohio regiments have suffered se-
rely, although the number Of those severely
1unded is comparatively small. Gun shots
the arms aud legs are very plentiful, 4 SEEM
gy have been the object of the enemy to
'und rather than kill outright, being 10 I'D.
renee 10 the policy that it requires four men
take care of the wounded, while none are
luired to look after the dead.
After wearied watching of several hours
the most intense anxiety, the advance regi-
nts OF Gen. Buells division appeared on the
pos t. bank of the river at five O'Clock this
ernoon. Steamers were Immediately sent
sr, and the work Of ferriage began, the 56th
LLAMA and the 9th 0hio being the first to
'ss, followed by the main portion Of Gen
sonis division. They were sacc d by Gen.
uce's command, embracing, among others,
lst and ID Kentucky. Cheer after cheer
eted the arrival of the reinforcements, a
owledge Of their Importance in the crisis
ng firmly impressed upon all who had wit
sed the e7ents of this dreadful day. With
a moments delay, they disembarked and
rchcd TO the advance, where they rested on
ir arms for the night. They had come at a
ble quick from Savannah, but their com
es in the field had sustained an unfinchinV
It for fifteen hours, and they were glad to
eve them aud afford tbe..l u few hours rest,
There is no need of endeavoring TO deny
I this is the battle OF the great rebellion
harder firing has ever been done In any
test which has ever taken place in this or
other country. Soldiers stood at their
os,I I'll