Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-13
THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.
Interesting and Vivid Account.

We make the following extracts from
advance sheets of new forthcoming
work, soon to be issued in this city. We
allude to the history of Basil Duke, of
General Morgan's celebrated partisan
rangers, of which Duke was the most eel.
ebrated officer. 1t relates to the battle
of Shiloh, and commences on the morn
ing of the 9th of April:
The afternoon wore away and no sign
in the enemy's camps indicated that he
had discovered our presence. The night
fell, and the stern preparations for the
morrow having been all completed, the
army sank to rest. The forest was soon
almost as still as before it had been ten
anted with the hosts of war. But, before
the day broke, the army was astir; the
bugles sounded the reveille on all sides,
and the long lines began to form. About
FIVE o'clock the first gun rang on the
front--another and another, succeeding
as our skirmshcrs pressed on, until the
mnsketry grew into the cracking, la
bored sound, which precedes the roar of
real battle. The troops seemed excited
to frenzy by the sound. 1t was the first
fight in which the majority of them had
ever been engaged, and they had, as yet,
seen and suffered nothing to abate the
ardor with which the high spirited young
fellows painted for battle.
Every one who witnessed the scene
the marshaling of the Confederate army
for attack upon the morning Of the 9th
of April-must remember, more distinct
ly than anything else, the glowing en-
thusiasm of the men, their buoyancy and
spirited impatience to close with the
enemy. As each regiment formed upon
the ground where it had biyouacked, the
voice of its commander might be heard
as he spoke high words of encourage
ment to his men, and it would ring clear
er as he appealed to their regimental
pride, and bade them think of the fame
they might win. When the lines began
to advance, the wild cheers which arose
made the woods stir as If with the rush
of mighty wind. Nowhere was there
any thought of fear-everywhere we're
the evidences of impetuous and deter
mined valor.
For some distance the woods were open
and clear Of underground, and the troops
passed through, preserving their array
With little difficulty; but as the point,
where the fight between the pickets had
commenced, was neared, the timber be-
came dwarfed into sorubby brush, and at
some places dense thickets impeded the
advance. The ground, too, grew rugged
and difficult of passage In unbroken line.
Frequent halts to reform and dress the
ranks became necessary, and at such
times Gen. Johusons magnificent battle
order was read to the regiments, and
its manly, heroic language was listened
10 with the feeling it was intended to
evoke. The gray, clear morning was ere
long enliyened with a radient sunrise.
As the great light burst in full splendor
above the horizon, sending briillancy
over the scene, many man thought OF
the great conqueror s srgury and pointed
in exultation to the "Sun Of Shiloh.
Breckenridge division went into the
fight last, and, of course, saw or heard q
great deal of il before becoming itself
engaged Not far of, on the left and
centre, the fight soon grew earnest, as
Hardee dashed resolutely on the uneasy
broken rattle Of the skirmishers gave way
to the sustained volleys of the line, and
the artillery Joined in the clamor, while
away on the right, the voice of the strife
swelled hoarser and sngrier, like the
growl of some wounded monster-fuFious
and at bay. Hardee's line carried all
before it. At the first enoampment it
met not even the semblance of check.
Following close and eager upon the fee
ing pickets, it burst upon the startled in
mates as they emerged half clad from
their tents, giving them no time to form,
driving them In rapid panic, bayoneting
the dilatory-on through TIE CAMPS
swept. together, pursuers and pursued.
Rat nov the alarm was thoroughly given,
the "long roll and the bugle were cali
ing the Federals TO arms sli through
their thick encampmenis they we're
hastily forming. !
As HaFdee, close upon the launches OF
the Zoe be had first started, broke into
another camp, a long line of steel aud
flame met him, staggering aud, Tor
little while, stopping his advance. but
his gallant corps vas still teo fresh ior
an enemy, not yet recovered from the
effects of surprise, TO hold u
back long For awhile it writhed ana
surged before the stern barrier suddenly
erected in its front and tkss, gejhering
itself. dashed irresistably forward. Ihe
enemy was beaten beck; bnt the hardy
western men who filled ms ranks-ai-
though raw and foT The FIRST time under
fire-coald not be forced 70 positive
aght They had once formed, and 81
this stage OF the battle they could not be