Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-04-15

Two to each regiment, and heavy army
wagons were used to n axe up the def
cie1cy. These ratified along over the
Jagged road, through the mud, over
roots and stones filed to tie top with
wounded and such Of the sick as were
unable to leave tho regimenta' hospi-
tails without assistance.
TEN O'CLOCK.
AT 10 o'clock the entire line on both
sides was engaged in one Of the most
terrible battles ever known 10 this coun-
try. The roar Of the cannon and mus
kerry was without iotcrmssion from the
main centre to a poirt extending half
way down the left wing. The great
struggle was more upon the gathered
forces which had fallen back on Sher-
mans position into the next line of
troops. A desperate charge had inst
been made upon the l4th Ohio Battery,
and it not being sufficiently sustained
by force of infantry, it vas At last re.
linquished, and it fell into the hand, Of
the enemy. Another severe fight &C.
Cured for the possession of the 5tb Ohio
Battery, which resulted in three OF its
guns being taken by the accession
troops.
BY IL o'clock quito a number Of tho
commanders of regiments had fallen,
and in some cases rot single field OF
ficer remained; yet the fighting con-
;inued with an carr estness that plainly
showed that the contest on both sides
vas for death or victory. The almost
deafening sound Of artillery, and the
rattle Of musketry, we're I'll that could
be heard ~ the men stood and silently
delivered their FIRE, evidently bent on
the work Of destruction with fervor
which knew no bounds. Foot by foot
the ground was contested, single mar
row strip # open land dividing the op-
ponents. Not having had time, in their
basty departure from their camps, to
bring forward the hapd'stretche's SO
necessary for the easy transportation OF
the wounded, such available means as
we're at hand we're adopted, and
the soldiers outstretched blanket
received his crippled comrade, az the
only available method by which he could
be carried to the rear. Many who were
manned fell back without help, while
others still fought in the ranks until
they we're actually forced LACK by their
company officers.
STRUGGLE ON THE LEFT WING.
Finding it impossible to drive back
the centre of our column, at IL O'Clock
the enemy slackened their fire upon it,
and made most vigorous effort on our
left wing, endcavoring to out flank it by
driving It into the river bank at point
about one and half miles above Pitts
burg Landing. This wing was under
command Of General Hurlburt, and was
composed of the 18th, 32d, 48th and
57th Indiana, the slh, 2lst, and 18th
illinois. Fronting its entire line, how
ever, was brigade under General Sher-
man, composed Of the saith, 57th and
18th Ohio. L; ylor's 9Th Ohio Cavalry
were also in General Hulburt's division,
but, from the improper nature OF the
arms with which they were provided,
they were not able to do one half the
execution the men desired.
With the first demonstration of the
enemy on the left wing it was to be seen
that all the fury was being poured ont
upon it with the determination that it
should give way. For nearly two
hours sheet of fire blazed from both
columns, and l could lken the expIos-
ion of the small arms to nothing save
cane brake in state of confagratlon.
The Mississippi Rfemen, large and
well organized body Of good marksmen
and desperate men, fought with valor
that was only equaIed by those who re.
ceived their unerring fire and returned
it with an energy which assured them
that many Of those who lad endured
the fire of Donelson were in the ranks
before them.
In this quarter it seemed, for the per-
iod OF nearly an hour, that the enemy
would succeed in driving our forces.
Three different times they drove our
men slowly before them, until they came
in sight of the river, and we're plainly
visible even to those on the landing be-
low.
THE GUN BOAT TAKES HAND.
While the conflict ragged the hottest
in the quarter we a. . writing of,the gun
boat Taylor passed slowly up the river
to a point directly oppo lite the force OF
the enemy, aud poured in broads:de
from her immense guns. The shell
went tearing and crashing through the
woods, telling trees 10 their course, and
spreading havoc wherever they fell
The explosions were tremendous, aud
the shell 'al ing far inland, most proba.
bly, from their direction in he very
heart If the secession force, must have
told with a startling effect. AT any rate,
attribute the failure of the foe to carry
the left wing, in a great measure, to the
accurate shots Of the Taylor. The land
force might have been able to have sue
cessfu'ly kept back the immense wight
Of the enemy, but, from my observation
Of the matter, think they were greatly
aided by the we'll directed shots Of the
gun boat.
ARRIVAL OF GEN. ErELL's FORCES.
After wearied watching of several
hours OF the most intense anxiety, the
advance regiments Of General Buell's
division appeared on the opposite bank
OF the river, at five o'clock this after.
noon. Steamers were Immediately sent
over, the work Of ferriage began, the