Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-04-12
sail aaltcr.

by three hundred of the Twenty fifth Mis-
souri, Regiment of Gen. Prcntiss' Division
attacking the advance guard of the Rebels,
which they supposed to be the pickcts OF the
enemy.
The Rebels Immediately advanced on Gen.
Prcntiss' Division, on the left wing, pouring
in vollcy aftor volley of musketry. and rid
| ding our camp with grape, canister and
/ she'll
! Our forces soon formed into line and re-
! turned the fire vigorously, and, by the time
| we were prepared to receive them, they turn
! ed their heaviest fire on the left centre, Gen.
! Shcrman's division, and drove our men back
/ from their. camps, and bringing up q fresh
force, opened fire on our left wing, General
| McClernands. This fire was returned with
terrible effect and determined spirit by both
the infantry and artillery along the whole
| line. a distance of over four miles.
General lIurlburt's Division was thrown
I forward to support the centre when des-
pcratc struggle cnsucd The Rebels were
/ driven back with terrible slaughter, but
soon rallied and drove back our men in
turn.
From about nine o'clock until night closed
there was no discrimination OF the result Of
the struggle.
The most desperate fighting took place
late in the attcr9Qop. So. ...... -
arrived on the opposite side Of The river, and
another portion was coming up the river from
Savannah.
At five O'Clock, the Rebels had forced our
left wing back so a. to occupy fully two.
thirds OF our camp, and We're lighting hard
in their efforts tn drive us into the river,
and at the same time heavily engaged our
right
Up to this time we had received no rein
fnrccmcntS, Gen. Lew Wallace failing TO
come to our support until the day was over,
having taken the wrong road from Crump's
Landing. '.'
We were, therefore, contcndng against
fearful odds our forces not exceeding 3S, 600
while that of the enemy was upwards OF
10000. Our coalition at this moment was
exceedingly critical. Large numbers of our
men were panic-struck, and others worn out
10y hard fighting. The average per centagc
of skulkers had struggled towards the river,
and could not be rallied.
General Grant and staff, who had been
fcarcssly riding along the lines the entire
day, amid an unccasng storm If bullcts,
grape and shell, now rode from the right to
the lett incitng our, men to stand tirm until
the reiniorccmcnts could cross the river
About an hour before dusk, a general
cannonadinT was opened upon the enemy
from along our whole line, with q perpetual
crack Of muskctry. For Il short time, the
Rebels replied with yigor and effect, but
their return shots grew less frequent and
destructive, Willie ours grew more rapid and
terrible.
The gunhoats Lexington and Tyler, which
lay short distance of kept raining shell
) on the Rebel force. This last effort was toe
much for the enemy, and ere dusk the firing
had nearly ceased, when night coming on
: the combatants rested.
Our men rested on their arms in the posi-
: ton they held AT the close Of Tie night, until
the forces under Brigadicr- General Wallace
arrived and took position on the right, and
7 General Buel's forces from the opposite side
and Savannah were being conveyed to the
battle ground.
General Nelson's division was ordered tC
form ON the right, and the forces under G an
Crittcnden were ordered TO his support
Early Ill the morning, General Buell. having
arrived, the ball was opened at daylight by
. General Wilson's Division on the left. and
Brigadier-Gcncral Wallace's division on the
right.
General Nelson's force opened a most
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 .-..,-
Gems McClernand, Sherman and IIurl.
/ burts men, though chiefly jadcd from the
previous days fighting, still maintained their
hOnors won at Donelson, hut tho resistance
of the rebels was terrible and worthy better
cause. Their resistance, however was not
enough for our uhdaunted bravery ind the
dreadful dcsolation produced by our artillery,
which was sweeping them away like chaff
and knowing that defeat here would he the
death blow TO their hopes, their Generals
/ still urged them on in the face of destruc-
! ton, hoping by ilanking us to turn the tide
of battle
Their success was for time cheering as
they began TO gain ground on us appearing
to have been reinforced but our left under
General Nelson, was driving them back with
: wonderful rapidity, and at II o'clock Gen.
Buelrs forces had succeeded in fianking them
and capturing their batteries of artillery.
They, however, again rallied on the l,ft,
and recrosset,N and the right forced themsel-
YES forward in another desperate effort but
reinforcements from General Wood snd Gen
Thomas came in. regiment after regiment.