Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-15
The B.rrLE OF sH1loH.
GEN. BEAUREGARD's OFFICIAL REPORT.
Hr.porARrrRs ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

HEADoUARTERs ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
CoR1NTH, Miss, April IL, 1862
GENERAL On the I'd ultimo, having ascertalned
conclusiVey from the movements OF the enemy on the
Tennessee river, and from reliable sources OF lnforma-
tion that bis aim would be to cut off my communca-
tiops in West Tennessee with the Eastern and South
ern States by operating from the Tennessee river be-
tween Crump's Landing and Eastport, as base, de-
ternoed to foil bis designs by concentrating all my
available forces at and around Corinth.
Meanwhile having called on the Governors OF the
States of Tennessee, Mississippi Alabama and Lousi-
ana to furnish additional troops some of them, chiefly
regiments from Louisiana, soon reached THIS vicinity,
and with two divisions of General Folks command
from Columbus, ard fine corps OF troops from Mobile
and Pensacola, under Major General Bragg, constitu-
ted the Army of the Mississippi. At the same time,
General Johnston being at Murfreesbor0 on the march
to form junction Of his forces with mine, called
on to send at least brigade by rail road, SO that we
might fall and crush the enemy should be attempt
an advance from urdr bis gUnboas. The call on Gen.
Johnston was promptly complied With. His entire
force was also FASTENED in this direction and, by the
ls of April united forces were concentrated along
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad from Bethel to Corinth
and on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad from
Corinth to Iuka.
1t was then determined to assume the offensive and
strike sudden blow at the enemy 10 position under
Gene al Graut on the west bank of the Tennessee at
Pitsbug and in the direction OF Savannah before be
reintorc d by the army under Genela al Buell. then
known to be advancing for that purpose by rapid march
es from Nashville via Columbia. About the same time
General Johnston was advised that such an operation
CONFIRMED to the exDeCtatiOnS of the President
By rapid and vigorous attack General Grant, it
was expected be would be beaten back into bis trans
ports and the river captured in time to enable Us to
profit by the victory and remove to the rear all the
stores and munitions that would fall into hands in
such event. before the arrival of General Bues army
on the scene 1t was never contemplated however, to
retain the position thus gained and abandon COrinth
the strategic point Of the campaign.
| Want of general officers need I'll for the proper or
ganzation of divisions and brgades OF army brought
thus suddenly together and other difficulties in the way
Of an eff ctige organization, delayed the movement until
the night Of The % instant, when it heard from
reliable quarter that the Junction OF the enemy armies
at hand it then, at q late hour, deter
mined that the attack should be attempted at once, in
complete ard imperfect were cur preparations for
| such grave and m0ment0us adventure Accordingly,
that night, at O'Clock, 4. NJ the preliminary orders
to the commanders of corps issued for the move
meut.
On TIE following morning the detailed orders of move
ment, a copy Of which is herewith marked A. were
issued and the movement after delay, commenced,
the troops being in admirable spirits 1t expected
we should be able to reach the enemy lines in time to
attack them early on the 9th inst The men, however,
for the most part unused to marching the roads
narrow, and traversing densely wooded country be-
came almost impossible after rain storm on the
night n the 4h which drenched the troops in bivOuac;
hence cur troops did reach the intersections of the
roads from Pttsburg and Hamburg, in the Immediate
vicinity Of The enemy until late Saturday afternoon.
/ 1t was then decided that the attack should be made
the morning, at the earliest hour practicable In
accordance with the orders OF increment That is in
three lines OF battle tie first and second extending from
Owl Greek on the let TO Lick Creek On the Iight-a
distance OF about three mics supported by the third
aud the reserve. The first lne under Major General
Hardte constituted Of lis corps, augmented his
right by Gaddeus Brigade, of Major General Bragg s
corps, dePoyei in line Of battle, with their respective
artillery, following Immediately by the main road to
Pitsburg and the cavalry in the rear of the wings
The second line composed Of the other troops of Braggs
corps followed the first at distance of FIVE hundred
yards, in the order The first. The army corps
under Gen. Polk followed the second line, the dis
lance of about eight buud.ed yards in lines OF brgades
depOyed with their batteries in OF each brigade,
moving by the Ptsburg road the left wing supported
by cavalry the reserve under Brga6erG General Brock
nrdge followed closely the third line, in the same Or
der, lis right wing supported By cavalry.
These two corps constituted the reserve, and to
support the front lines of battle, by being deployed
when required the right and lett Of the Pittsburg
road otherwise according to tie exgencies of the
battle.
AT ), i. ~. on tie 9Th instant accommodating
party of the enemy, having become engaged with our
advanced pckets the commander of the forces gave
d9rs to begin the movement aud attack determined
upon except that Trabues Brigade Of Disadvantages
Division detached and advanced to support the left
Of Bragg's corps and line OF BATTLE when menaced by
the enemy and the Other two brigades were directed
advance by the road TO Hamburg, to support Braggs
right; and at the same time, MQncy5 r 3gimeAt OF
Folks Corps, advanced by the same road to rein
force the regiment Of cavalry and battery Of four pieces,
already thrown forward to watch ard guard Grery,
Tanners and BorIands Fords of Lick Greek.
J. Thirty minutes after O'clock A. NJ, lires and
columns were 10 motion, all animated evidently by a
promising spirit. The front line was engaged at once,
bat advanced steadily followed in due order with equal
resolution and seadines by the other lines which were
hrnuOht wi
ment and gaantIy, By TIE several corps commanders
as the enemy made stand with his masses, rallied for
the struggle for bis encampments Like pine
anche troops moved forward despite the detcrmn-
ed resistance OF the enemy, until after o'clock, F. NJ
wien Ill possession Of all bis encampments, be-
tween Owl and Lick Creeks but one. Nearly all Of
bis field artillery, about thirty 30) flags, coors and
standards, 5000 prisoners, including a Division
commander lGen. Prentss,) and several Brigade com
manders, thousands OF small arms immense supply oil
subsistence, forage and munitions of war, and large
amount OF means OF tTansportational the substantial
fruits of complete victory, such, indeed as rarely have
followed the most successful battles for never was an
army well provided as that of our enemy
lhe remnant of his army had been driven in utter
disorder to the immediate vicinity Of Pittsburg, under
the shelter OF the heavy guns of his iron clad gunbOats
and we remained undsPuted masters of bis we'll select
ed admirably provided cantonments after twelve
hours of obstinate conflict with his forces who had been
beaten from them and tie contiguous covert, but only
by sustained onset OF all TIE could bring into
action.
Our loss was heavy, as will appear from the accom-
panying return marked +" B." Our COMMANDMENT.
Chief Gen. A. s. Johnston, fell MORALLY wounded and
died on the field at 2:30 P. NJ. after having shown the
highest qualities OF the commander, and personal in
tepidy that inspired all around him, and gave resist
less impulsiOn to his columns at critical moments.
The chief command then devolved upon me, though
at the time greatly Frustrated and suffering from
the prolonged sickness with which had been afflicted