The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-05-15
The Battle of Pittsburg Landing.

By degrees the confusion and uncertainty which
hung upon the jumbled accounts that first reached
here Of the Battle OF Pitisburg Landing, are being
cleared up. The exlggeratiOn of the first report was
followed by a tumble ofcOntradictOry dispatches, from
which IL was impossible to determine whether the
battle had resulted in victory or defeat to our army.
But now we begin 10 see our way through the
maze u incompatible statements. and can discern
sufi tents facts 10 enable Us 10 review the fight with
something like clelrness. There il no doubt that our
trOops we're altogether taken by surprise when they
were attacked on Sunday morning. This is a fault
that cannot be too severely criticised. No good Gene
raj would leave his troops. in the heart OF n hostile
country and within less than n days march OF the
enemy's headquarters. in n position TO be surprised as
ours were at Pittsburg Landing. Whether this
error, which very nearly resulted fatally TO the whole
expedition, is the fault Of Prentiss or Sherman. or
Grant, We cannot determine but, whoever is to
blame, the censure for such cirelessnesss should be
severe. The result Of this surprise was 10 throw a
large portion Of the whole division into confusion for
awhile, and TO give the enemy an advantage which
IL required the most determined courage and endu-
rance TO prevent being turned into a complete rout.
Had il not been fer the assistance Of the gunboats,
which scattered she'll and death in the ranks Of the
Rebels. and Warehouses; and Iaylor's batteries,
which were worked splendidly, the day had been lost.
Alter The first check had been given to the Rebels,
our men we're enabled 10 form end our Generals 10
direct their movements. Ii was known that reinforce
raents were h~urrying along. and this knowledge.
doubtless, made our troops fight with an unconquer-
able desperation against overwhelming odds, so as TO
hold their own until their comrades should come TO
their support u Jay II lOu-s bNNbg III VI
Gus but as evening approached General Wallace ar
rived with his division, and took part in the closing
scenes of the first day. During the night General
Buell. and the balance of the army made their ap-
pearance. and were conveyed across the river by trans
ports. The men stood on heir arms all that night,
and the next morning opened upon the two armies
facing each other and ready for ac.iOn. The field was
| calamity contested on both sides. The Rebels fought
with a desperate courage. and were directed with
! consummate generalship. The incident of the cap
ture, re capture and sur-recapture Of the Michigan
Battery, may be pointed TO As a conclusive evidence of
the reckless bravery exhibited by both armies. Our
/ forces, however, were more than n match for the
enemy, who sounded a general retreat before dark
Our cavalry followed but a short distance, on account
Of the imprac icIble character of the ground leading
towards Coriuth. II is said that the approaches to
this town are over n dense swamp, and that a narrow
road over which the railroad runs - the only sub
stantial causewAy leading to the place. If this be sc
our troops will find no difficulty in shutting uE
Beauregard and the remnant Of his army IN tina
place. If any doubts existed before as to whether w
gained a victory at Pittsburg Landing, they mus
now be dispelled. The enemy attacked Us, unsuccess
fully attempted to dislodge Us. and were forced {
retreat, leaving their killed and wounded on the field
yictorf are no, in the habit of doing this.-CaH.