The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-04-16
/ THR UNION FOREVER.


them down in scores, but the smoke no
sooner dispersed than. the breach was
again filed The most desperate fight
ing took place late in the afternoon. e.tr
Gen Buen's forces had by this time
arrived, on the opposite side of the river,
and another portion was comig up the
river from Savannah At five O'Clock the,
rebels had forced our left wing back, so
as to occupy fully two. thirds Of our camp,
and were fighting in their forts to drive
US into the river, and at the same time
heavily engaged our righ. Up to this
time we had received no reinforcements,
Gen. Lew, Wallace failing to come to our
support until the day was over, having
taken the wrong road from Cramps land
ing, and being without other transports
than those had for the Qaartermaster's
and Commissary's stores, which were too
heavily laden to bring any considerable
number OF Gen. Buell's forces across the
river, theboats that were here having been
sent tobring up the troops from Sayan-
nah. iw at - f.~s..5 ,s. ,-.g
We were cohtending against con
siderable odds, our forces not exceeding
SO, 900 men, while that Of the enemy was
upwards of 10000. Our condition at
this moment, was exceedingly critical;
large numbers of our men were panic
struck. and Others worn out by hard fight
ing. with. the average per centsge of
skulkers, had struggled towards the river,
and could not be rallied.
Gen. Grant and staff. who had been
recklessly riding along the lines the en-
tire day, amid an increasing storm of
grape and shell, now rode from the right
to the left. melting our men to stand firm
until the reinforcements could cross the
river.
COL Webster, the chief of the staff, i'm
mediately got into position the heaviest
pieces of artillery, pouring on the enemy s
right, while large number of batteries
were planted along the entire line from
the river bank northwest to our extreme
righs-some q miles distant. m . !.
About an hour before dusk q heavy
cannouadiug was opened upon the enemy
from along our7whole line. with perpet-
ual crack of musketry. For short time
they replied with vigor and some effect.
but their return shots grew less frequent
and destructive, while ours grew more
rapid and terrible. The gunboats Lex
ipgton and Tyler, which lay short dis
tance off. kept raining shell on the rebel
train This last effort was too much for
the enemy. and ere dark the firing had
nearly ceased, when night coming on, the
combatants rested. Our men rested on
their arms in the position they had at the
close of the night, until the forces under
Major General Wallace arrived, and took
position on the right. and Buell's forces
from the opposite side, and Savannah,
now being conveyed to the battle ground,
Gen. Nelson's division was ordered to
form in the right, and the forces under
Gen. Crittenden were ordered to his sup.
port, early in the morning. 5YF.,, ~.
Gen. Buell. having arrived, the ball was
opened at daylight, by Gen. Nelson's di.
vision on the left, and Major General
Wallace's division on the right.
Gen. Nelson's force opened CALLING
fire on the rebels, and advanced rapidly
as they fell back. The fire soon became
general along the whole line and began to
tell with terrible effect on the rebels. n ~
Gems. McClernaEd, Sherm an and Hurl.
butts men. though terribly jaded from the
previous days fighting, still maintained
their honors WOE at Donelson. The re-
sistance of the rebels was terrible, and
worthy better Cause but they were not
enough for our uudaunted bravery, and
the desolation produced by our artillery;
which swept them away like chat. but
knowing that defeat here would befthe
death blow to their hopes, their G GeGerals
still urged them on in the face Of desiruc-
tion, hoping, by h4nkiug US, to, ,usn the
tide of battle. Their success for a. time
was cheering, as they began to gaiu
ground on us, apPeaTiag to have been re
but our left, under General Mel,
son, was driving them back with wonder
forces had succeeded in fahkiDg them
and capturlag their batteries of ar'iiler, |
they. however, again rallied on The left
and recrossed, and the right forced them.
selves forward in another desperate effort,
but reinforcements srom Gea Hnrd and
Gen. Thomas coming in, regimen, after
regiment, they were sent to Gen. Buell..
who again commenced to drive the rebels
back.
About O'Clock in the afternoon. Gen.
GRAFT rode to the left, where fresh regi-
ments had been ordered, ard finding the
rebels to be waverin.s, be sent portion
Of his body guard to each of the FIVE reg
iments. and thea ordered Il charge across
the field, himself lending The canuo.
balls were falling Ike hail arouud him,
The men followed with shous that SQUAD
ed above the roar ard din of thesariiller, !: /
and the rebels iled in disnsy, aud never
made another stand.
Gen Buell. followed the retreating reb-
sls, driving them iu splendid style, aud at