The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-05-24

puOllsneu tnose speclaily Interesting our peOe
pie before. Wegive the summary, however,
Ed. GUARDIAN.
Commissioned officers wounded. $1,000. S
Enlisted men killed, .......4
do do wounded,
do do missing. ----... .-.....l4
Aggregate killed, wounded and missing, 80
l have the honor to be, Captain,
Very Respectfully,
Your most obi. Servant,
JAMES !. GILBERT,
Col. Commanding.
To CHARLES T. GRANGER,
Captain and A. A. A. G., I'd Brig. Sd Div.
The musketry firing was as sharp as
that at any place during the war. if the
testimony of the officers and men who
were at Shiloh and Corinth can be ac-
credied-At dark the firing ceased,
when the Rebels bea, long retreat in
great disorder, for eight miles. Our
forces won the day The enemy lost a
great many more in killed and wounded.
than we did. Their numbers engaged
were far greater than on our side. Dur.
ing the night Of the 9th, Gen. Price
came down with fresh troops from Ark
ansas, and some came up from Texas.
making in all reinforcement OF % reg
iments Of rebels, which We had to fight
on the 9th, together with all not disabled
in the battle OF the 9th. They fought
as bravely as ever men could fight, and
they were in the best of spirits, for they
had gained large prize on the 9th.
1t is little provoking to read commu-
nications from lying correspondents to the
effect that the 18th and 10Th corps did
all the fighting at Pleasant Hill when it
is acknowledged by all that Smiths for
ces, the 10th and 18th, saved the army
aud gained all that was gained. Far be
it from me to detract in the least from
the credit due the 9Th and 10Th. They
fought well and they have as good troops
as can be found in the u. s. service
But facts are facts the 18th corps com
menced their retreat two hours before
the battle commenced. Tie 18th was
our support. and did good fighting after
we fell back, which was just at sunset.
We lay in line Of battle all night. 1t was
intensely cold, and many Of the boys had
lost their blankets during the fight, so
that nothing but light blouse could be
obtained. to keep them warm. The
wounded are being brought up to the
Hospital as fast as they come within our
lines. Although the Rebels have fled,
yet it is not safe to advance by night,
and many OF them with whom we have
spent SO many days Of soldering, are to-
night outside our lines, shivering with
cold and suffering from pain.
A. n. cane, and to our surprise an d
chagrin we we're ordered TO retreat. Ieay-
ing all our dead and wounded uncared for
save few of the wounded who could be
brought in the ambulances. Our brig
ade lost SOC in killed, wounded and mis-
sing. During the nigh. the surgeons
have been busy, and piles Of arms, legs,
hands and feet lay scattered about. This
retreat is the hardest order since we have
been soldiers. We think that we could
pursue the rebels to day, and capture
them by hundreds. but this is not all.
Our men with whom We have associated
for almost two years. whose friendship
has been bound together by all the pri-
vations which a soldier meets on the
weary march, in the lone camp, or on the
stern field Of battle, are left uucared for.
Could we but linger an hour or two, and
care for them, it would stay the grief, but
no, we must 60 at once.
And back we came to Grand Ecore,
sick at heart and discouraged, for the
news Of the rebel rout Is confirmed. But
we must submit. As soon as we reach
ed Grand Ecore, We found that our trans.
porte, which had been ordered up the riv-
er when we marched, had not ye. return
ed. The news from them is altogether
unpleasant, and the distant roar OF ar,ill-
cry tells too plainly that they are in
trouble. We FASTENED to their relief and
found them Il safe, but perforated by
rebel balls and several cannon shots pass
ed entirely through some of the boats.
Co. c have had share 10 the fight, not
wi,hstaudine they are the guards for
Gen. Smith. None Of them are wound
cd, however. and all are now in the very
best of spirits. The feet is safe, the
water is low. When we shall move l
would not pretend to say, and in what di.
rection when We do move do not i'm.
agine.
l will write again as soon as circum-
stances will permit.
G. II. l..