The National tribune., 1884-04-10
THE SHILOH CAMPAIGN.
TConfinuod from LIST page.

TO be impregnable to infantry alone. We were
repulsed Our men, however, bore their re-
pulse with steadiness. When a larger force OF
infantry and artillery was moved to flank this
position on the right, part of the brigade
formed ON the left of the assaulting line, and a
part held position TO the rear in the old field
near by"
sTuART's GOOD FIGHT.
Colonel David Stuart, with one brigade OF
SherDan's division, detached and in position
on the left of Prentiss, at the lower junction
of the Bark road with the main oorinth read,
saw at 8 O'Clock a Pelican flag, borne at the
head of strong infantry column, advancing
along the Bark road diagonaliy from the front
of Prentiss towards his skirmish-ine. Prompt
action was needed to meet the unbidden guests.
Calling upon Hurlbut and Wallace for re-
endorsements. Colonel Stuart hastily formed
his line of battle. threw ont a strong line OF
skirmishcrs. and just in time, for a moment
later came rain OF grapeshot aud bullets.
Leaving his line holly engaged. Colonel Stuart
rode rapidly TO where he had left a battery OF
flying artillery awaiting his orders, but found
it had flown from the field without firing a
gun, carrying with il its infantry supports.
Looking away TO the right no soldier could be
seen, except an occasional fugitive from Prem
tiss on his way TO swell the rapidly increasing
throng at the foot Of the bluff Soon came a
column Of troops whose lack of uniform and
strange banners spoke plainly of their hostile
origin. No volley was needed to tell him that
the wide gap between him and Prentiss was
heiDg filled by Confederate troops. Johnston
unbroken lines, advancing like the tide all
along the Union 'front.' beat against the jatting
brig2des Of Sherman and Prentiss, and poured
In unresisted volume through every space be-
tween their lines of battle. Returning TO his
brigade, he found that the list Ohio had be-
taken itself to the rear; that he had only the
5ath Ohio and 18th IIlnois-little over 1000
strong-with which 10 confront the enemy, and
that quick work would be required to extricate
his two regiments from their periloIs position.
BY skiilful handling he moved them farther
to the rear. Falling back slowly, turning and
delivering a yoley whenever it could be adj
ministered with effect upon his pursuers, he
soon came to the brow of hill, where he deter
mined 10 make his stand in defense of the left
flank of the army. Chalmers brigade of
Withers division. 900 strong and battery
of artillery with Clinton's cavalry on its right,
formed the attacking force. The deliberate
disposition OF the Confederate forces occupied
fifteen minutes, and as vet the promised re-
endorsements were nowhere in sight. At
length the roar of artillery announced the
opening of the fight From the front and on
each flank came yolleys of musketry; but the
heroes held their ground, returning showers of
.minie balls. For two hours the combat ragged (;
the ground was encountered with their dead
and wounded; the cartridges of the dead were
transferred to the rifles of the living. Finally,
with ammunition nearly exhausted and in
constant danger of capture in case the prudent
enemy should decide to change his position,
Colonel Stuart ordered a retreat. Leaving his
dead and wounded on the well-contested field,
the remnant fell back through ravine and
reformed upon a bill TO the right which, being
raked by artillery fire, was untenable. Moth
ing was now left but to retreat through ravnes
and circuitous paths TO an infantry support,
where the empty cartrid ge-b0xe could be re-
filled and wounds bound up. A cavalry camp was
found. at which the adiutant of the list had
halted eighteen men, who rejoined the brigade
and marched TO the batteries near the river.
McARTHUR's BRAVE DEFENSE
Two regiments of McArthur's brigade-the 9Th
and 18th Illinois OF W H. LWallace division
advancing TO the relief of Stuart, encountered
Jackson's brigade of WitheTs' division, formed
on Chalmers left and which, in the forward
movement in line between Chalmers and Glad
den, found its route lay through the gap be-
tween Prentiss and Stuart. Taking position
TO the right and rear of Stuart. the Illinois
regiments-less than one thousand strong
found themselves confronted by force of z, 200
men. Here the same persistent courage dis
PLAYED by Stuarf's two regiments was exhib-
tied by those of Macarthur The advance upon
the coveted left wing was delayed an hour and
half before the Spartan band retired, leaving
over one-ffth Of their number dead and
wounded upon the field. The retirement Of
Stuart enabled the enemy to turn McArthur's
position, and compel him TO fall back TO ridge
mile and half in his rear, where his conf
mand was turned over TO Colonel Mersv, of the
9Th Illinois, while he sought relief for a pain
ful wound received in the action. After de-
l Tending the new position for over an hour, the
command was Withdrawn and attached to the
division, which by this time Il q. rn.) had be-
come hotly engaged After reinforcing Sher
mans right wing General Wallace forming
/ his division in line OF battle, advanced and
/ took position in front of the gap TO the right
of Prentiss, where he repulsed the charge o
/ Hindman's victorious troops, Immediately afte
! the overthrow of Hildebrand's brigade. Tut
ties Iowa brigade formed the left wing, ant
Sweeney's Illinois brigade the riztt Crafts J
/ Wrigbt's regiment. the 18th Missouri, was with
/ Sherman. The 14th Missouri and 6lst Ohii
guarded Snake Creek Bridge, while the 9Th anC
18th Illinois were dispatched to the support o
/ Stuart.
SOME INTERESTING LETTERS.
81. IL. Cunningham, company B. 18th Wis
consin, writing from Rockbridge, Wis, de
A. 81