Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-04-25

must seIfeftu hs from Tue OtUerS. LOOKING
for the enemy in front. it was not supposed
that he would be discovered almost in the
centre of the line. It is asserted that the
advance regiment of the rebels wore
the blue United States uniform. and carried
the Stars and Stripes, which deceived our
pickets.
When Gen. McClernand discovered the
game of the enemy, he, with great promt-
uess. brought his division into position,
charged right down, upon the rebels in flank
and cut them up with terrible slaughter,
forcing them to flee. By this move he
joined the division of Sherman and Hurl-
burt. and the entire force was brought into
line of battle. Ii was now mid forenoon,
when the great battle-this fierce contest
for ground--became hot and heavy. Sch
wartz's, Drossers and Warehouses; Illi-
nois batteries, two rifled thirty Founders
and another Ohio battery were brought in
to position on the left, where the wedge Of
the enen was still driving in our advance.
| Terrible was the fire. The two armies at
this time had front of about three miles,
The fire was mainly on our left and centre.
1t is impossible to convey description of
the scene, as the conflict ragged from eleven
in the forenoon till four in the afternoon.
The sharp end of the rebel wedge became
blunt under the terrible fire of our forces,
and instead representing an echelon, they
we're forced into line of battle. But though
our batteries were worked with great rapi-
dity, and plowed remorselessly through their
ranks, they replied with larger number of
pieces, and presented an overwhelming
force. Being superior in number they
were enabled TO work their way along the
ravines, and appear on our flanks, subject
ing US TO terrible cross fire Of cannon and
musketry. Flushed with success, confident
OF crushing the inferior force before them,
| and knowing that it was the conflict which
would decide the fate of the Confederscy,
they advanced brsvely upon our lines.
But they were met by heroic men. Every
inch of ground was contested. Whole
squadrons of men went down before the
terrible fire, poured In from right and left
and in front.
1t was like a great seething cauldron.
One hundred thousand men stood over that
cramped territory, stirred with fercest pas
sions. There was an unbroken roll OF
thunder of cannon and musketry. Divisi-
on charged upon division. Again and again
the rebels advanced only to be cut down
by the fire of the federal rifles and muske.
try. Regiments were rolled back reeling
and weavering, but their places we're filled
by fresh troops, while no renforcements
came to the aid of the forces under the
federal generals. Longing eyes were turn.
ed toward the river, watching for the smoke
of transports, or for the advance of rein
forcements from Crumps Landing and from
Savannah, but they did not come. More
iereely ragged the battle. Inch by inch the
federal forces were compelled to give way,
slowly yielding their camp TO the rebels and
tetreating towards the river. Reinforce
ments arrived TO the rebels, and, confident
Of victory, they rushed upon our batteries,
capturing all of those already named upon
our left wing-26 guns in all. 1t was a
sad hour. Thousands of soldiers, weary
and worn, gathered upon the banks of the
stream, sheltered by the bluff. Some had
exhausted their ammunition, some were
exhausted with the hard conflict and ut.
ierly unable to move, and some were faint
hearted but above them still battled the
true hearted men, resolving to fight till the
last before yielding the field. They knew
that reinforcements were at hand, and tina
if they could hold the enemy at bay little
longer all would be well.
ARRIVAL OF GEN. GRANT.
Gen. Grant, as sooswas he was apprisec
of the conflict, issued orders for the advance
of all the forces at Savannah and at Crump'
Landing. All the transports were immedi
ately fred up and everything put in speedy
train to move in support of the six division;
engaged. Gen. Grant arrived upon the
field about three o'clock. Up 10 this time
there had been no commander of the forces
Each division was acting for ITSELF
The arrival of General Grant put new
face upon affairs. He assured the troop;
that reinforcements were al hand. He in
| spred them by his cool daring, riding along
the line under the terrible fire from the re
bel lines with GOODNESS, bringing something
like order out of the great confusion. Al
this time the gunboais moved up stream
and commenced furious and terrible fire
of shells upon the rebels, who swarmed in
the woods along Owl creek. The ten inch
shells exploded in their ranks and hurled
scores into eternity. Gloriously worked
the crews. They had but to load and fire
: and the shell was sure TO do its work. Ii
held the rebels in check. Gen. Grant saw
that favorable time had come. Rallyine