Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-13

= While the contest ragged the hottest,
the gunboat Taylor passed up the river
to a. pointopposite the enemy, and poured
in a broadside from her immense guns,
greatly aiding in forcing back the enc
my. Up to o'clock the battle ragged
with fury that defies description.
The rebels had found every attempt to
break cur lines unavailable They had
strived to drive in our main column, and
finding that impossible, had turned all
their strength upon our left wing.
Foiled in that quarter they now made
another attack on our centre, and made
every effort TO rout our forces before rein
forcements, which had been sent for,
should come up.
1t 8 o'clock there was a short cessa-
tiOn in the firing Of the enemy, and their
lines falling back on their centre for
nearly half mile, then suddenly
wheeled, and again threw their centre
/ force upon our left wing, determined to
make finaFstruggle in that quarter, but
the gunbOats Tyler and Lexington poured
in their shot thick and fast with terrible
effect.
Meantime, General Wallace, who had
taken a circuitous route from Crump's
Landing, appeared suddenly on the
enemy's right wing, In the face of this
| combination of circumstances, the rebels
felt that their enterprise for the day was
failure, and, as night was approaching,
fell back until they reached an advanta-
geous position somewhat in the rear, yet
occupying the main road to Corinth. The
| gunboats continued to send their shell
after them until they were out of range,
and, after a varied watching of several
hours of intense anxiety, the advance
regiments of Gen. Buell's army appeared
on the opposite bank of the river, and
! the work of crossing the river began.
The Thirty-sixth Indiana and the
Sixth Ohio, being first to cross, were fol-
lowed by the main portions of General
Nelson's and Bruce's divisions. Cheer
after cheer greeted their arrival, and they
were Immediately sent to the advance,
where they rested on their arms for the
night.
All night long steamers were engaged
in bringing Buell's forces across the river,
and when daylight broke in, it was evi-
dent that the rebels too, had been strongly
reinforced.
The battle was opened by the rebels at
o'clock from the Corinth road, and in
half an hour extended along the whole
line. AT 9 o'clock the sound of artil-
lery and muslletry fully equalled that of
the previous day: The enemy was met
~ the reinfprcements, and the still un-
wearied soldiers of yesterday with an
energy that they certainly could not have
expected.
II became evident that the enemy
were avoiding the extreme of our left
wing, and endeavoring with perseverance
and determination to find some weak
point by which to turn our force. They
left one point but to return TO it immedi
ately and then as suddenly they would,
by some masterly stroke of Generalship
direct the most vigorous attack upon
some division where they fancied they
, would not be expected, but the fire OF
our lines was as steady as clock-work
and il soon became evident that the enc
my considered the task they had under
taken hopeless one.
Further reinfOrcements now began &c
arrive and take position on the right Of
the main centre, under Gems Wallace,
Grant, Buell., Nelson, Sherman, and Crit.
tenden, who were everywhere present
directing the movements for a new
! stroke on the enemy. Suddenly bOtf
wings Of our army were turned upon the
! enemy with the intention of driving
them into an extensive ravine. AT tn,
same time a powerful battery wa
I, placed in an open field, which poureC
yolley after volley Of canister into tn,
: rebel ranks At half past eleven th,
! roar of the battle shook the earth Tht
Union guns were fired with all the ener-
gy that the prospect of an enemy's de
; feat inspired, while the rebels fire wa
: not so vigorous and they evinced de
: sire to retire.
9 They finally fell back slowly, keepinl
up the fire from their artillery and mus
u kerry along their whole column as they
= retreated They went in excellent order
:, battling at every advantageous point
{ and delivering their fire with cOnsidera
e BILE effect, but from all the divisions o
Is our lines they were closely pursued,
Il CALLING fire being kept upon their rear.
: Il Z nc enemy had iiow.5ccG driven BE
u yond our former lines, and were in ful
9 retreat for Coriuth pursued by our cav
= airy.
u The forces engaged on both sides ii
y this days battle are estimated at abOu
10000 each.