The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-11

force not exceeding $4,000 men, while that
Of the enemy was upwards of 10000.
Our condition at this moment was extreme.
~ critical. Large numbers Of men were
panic stricken--others worn out by hard
fighting, while the average per centage of
skulkers had struggled towards the river
and could not be rallied.
Gen. Grant and staff, who had been reck-
lessly riding along the lines during the
entire day, amid the unceasing storm of
bullets, grape and shell, rode from the right
to left melting the men to stand firm until
our reinforcemsnts could cross the river.
Col. Webster, chief of staff, Immediately
got into position the new and heaviest
pieces of artillery, pointing on the enemy's
right, while large number of the batteries
were planted along the entire line, from the
river bank to our extreme right, some two
and half miles distant.
About an hour before dusk general
cannonade was opened upon the enemy
from along our whole line with perpetual
crack of musketry. Such a roar was never
heard on this continent. For short time
the rebels replied with vigor and effect, but
their return shots grew less frequent and
destructive, while ours grew more rapid and
more terrible.
The gunboats Lexington and Tyler,
which lay short distance of, kept raining
shell on the rebel hordes. This last effort
was too much for the enemy, and ere dusk
the firing had nearly ceased, when night
coming on all the combatants rested from
their awful work Of blood and carnage.
Our men rested on their arms in the po.
sition they had at the close of the right,
until the forces under Maj. Gen. Wallace
arrived and took position on the right, and
met Buell's forces from the opposite side,
and Savannah being now converted to the
battle ground. the entire right of General
Nelson's division was ordered to form on
the right, and the forces under General
Crittenden were ordered to his support ear.
ly in the morning.
SECOND DAYS BATTLE.
General Buell. having arrived in the
morning the ball was opened at daylight
simultaneously on the left and Major Gen.
Wallace's division on the right. General
Nelson's force opened most calling fire
and advanced rapidly as they fell back.
the fire soon became general along the whole
line and bhgan to tell with terrible effect on
the enemy.
Generals McClernand, Sherman and Hurl-
butts men, though terribly jaded from the
previous days fighting, still maintained their
honors won at Donelson; but the resistance
of the rebels at all points was terrible and
worthy better cause; but the undaunted
bravery and the dreadful desolation pro-
duced by our artillery which was sweeping
them away like chaff before the wind; but
knowing that defeat here would be a death
blow to their hopes and that their all de-
pended upon this great struggle, their
Generals still urged them on, in the face of
destruction, hoping by fanking us on the
right to turn the tide of battle.
Their success was again for time cheer
ing as they began to gain ground on US,
fearing to have been reinforced, but our left
under Gen. Nelson, was driving them with
wonderful rapidity, and by IL o'clock Gen.
Buell's forces had succeeded in farking
them and capturing their batteries of ar
tillery.
They however again rallied on the left,
and recrossed, aud the right forced them
selves forward in another desperate effort,
but reinforcements from Gen. Wood and
Gen. Thomas were coming in regiment af-
ter regiment, which were sent to Gen. Buell.
who had again commenced to drive them.
About three P. M. General Grant rode to
the left where the fresh regiments had been
ordered, and finding the rebels wavering,
sent portion of bis body guard to the
head OF each regiment, and then ordered
a charge across the fields, himself leading,
as be brandished his sword and waved
them on to tho browning victory, while tie
cannon balls fell like hail around him.
The men followed with a shout that
sounded above the roar and din of artillery,
and the rebels fed in dismay, as from
destroying avalanche, and never made an
other stand.
Gen. Buell. followed the retreatiDg rebels,
driving them 10 splendid style, and by half
past five o'clock the whole rebel army was
10 retreat to Cori1th, with our cavalry in
hot pursuit, with what further result is not
known, not having returned up to this hour.
We have taken large amount of their
artillery and also number of prisoners.
We lost number of our forces as prison.
ers yesterday, among whom is Gen. Prem.
tss. The number of our forces taken has
not been determined yet. 1t is reported at
several hundred. Gen. Prentiss is also re-.
rorted wonnded