The National tribune., 1901-01-31

obtuge angle on the south side of an open
field on Premises left front, with Myers's
18th Ohio Battery on the right, Mann S
Missouri Battery in the center, and Ross
Illinois battery on the left; Hickenlooper's
9Th Ohio and Munchs Minnesota battery
of Premises Division on his right, Rich
ardson's Missouri battery in the center of
w. II. L. Wallace's Division. These po-
sitions were hardly taken before the en-
envy attacked with determined persistence
all along the line on the center and left.
Gen. Grant rode along the front about
10 a. m, noting the positions of the lines
thus formed, giving such instructions to
division commanders as the situation de-
manded, without making any changes in
lines. Deeming Gen. Premises position
the most important, he gave him special
orders to hold it at all hazards. He then
hurried one Of his staff to Gen. Wallace,
at Crump's Landing, with an order for
him to move his division up at once and as
rapidly as possible.
The attack on Hurlbut, Prentiss and
Wallace was repulsed, and was checked
Mt the same time on Sherman and Nc
Clernand's front. The enemy, however,
gained a position which compelled Sher-
man to fall back some distance, and from
his line along the Purdy road, just in rear
of it, his right still reaching out toward
and protected by Owl creek.
McClernand's First, Second and Third
Brigades, with McAllister's, Burrows's,
Dresser's and Schwartz's Batteries, were
in line on Sherman's left. and extending on
the left down toward Tilghman's Branch
on w. III. l.. Wallace's right, but did not
connect with him. This was McCler-
nand's second position at II o'clock, when
the enemy again assaulted. The fighting
was of the most desperate character in
front of McClernand. The action both
by infantry and artillery, became general
along the line. Schwartz's Battery had
silenccd the enemy's battery in front. Bur-
rows opened on the enemy from his po-
sition in the center and McAllister on the
left with deadly effect. But Sherman was
gradually being forced back, and McCler-
nand, being overwhelmed by superior
numbers, was forced back, losing some of
his guns and caissons, but the ground.
thickly strewn with the enemy's dead and
wounded, showed at what fearful cost
this advantage had been gained.
The attack on the left was again
checked by Hurlbut, but the desperate ma
ture of the assault, although heroically
met by both his infantry and artillery,
made it necessary to change his lines to
prevent being outfianked on the left, and
he moved his line back short distance,
reforming parallel with Prentiss. whose
line, in connection with W. III. l.. Wal
lace's, was formed along and in an old
sunken road and extended down to and
across Tilghman's Branch, but did not
connect with Netherlands left. Hicken-
loopers 9th Ohio and Munch's list Min
nesota battery in the center; PrentsS' S
and WallaceS position, with the old sunk
en- road for rife-pits, was the Gibraltar
of Shiloh TO assault this position was
simply suicide.
Between IL and - o'clock McCler-
nand's line, with Sherman still clinging
to Owl Creek with a death grip, was
driven back to and nearly through Me
Clernand's camp. here again reforming
their lines, presenting n defiant front to
the enemy. Sherman was now fighting
his men like a veteran of hundred bat
tlelields. Powder-begrimed. twice wound
cd and after having three horses shot I'M
der him, he rode along the front of his
regiments directing their movements.
Gen. McClcrnand and the gallant men
of his division fought with savage deter
mination, and drove the enemy back, and
again held their camps short time.
Col. Stuart early in the morning re-
ceiyed notice from Gen. PreDtiss that the
enemy was in force i'll front He formed
his three regiments III line of battle and
waited for orders. His position was so
far to the left there was gap of some
thing near one-fourth mile between him
and Hurlbut's left. About 8 o'clock Gen
McArthur's Brigade was sent down the
Hamburg road to close this gap by form
ing on Hurlbut's left. At the same time
Wizards Battery took position on the
road on the left of Col. Williams's Bri-
gade.
Col. Stuart, being informed of these
movements by Gen. Macarthur, supposed
his right safe, not being Informed of the
change in Hurlbut's line causing the NOV
ing back of Wizards Battery, and Nc
Arthur, with the 50th, 18th and 9th ILL.,,
some distance in the rear, thus leaving
Stuart unconnected and nearly a fourth
Of a mile in front and to the left. where
his brigade was drawn up in line. and had
to meet the attack of a brigade of the
enemy, now doube-quicked down to the
right, and fight battle of their own alone
and unsupported. Nor were these all the
mishaps that were to befall this plucky
little command during the two hours it
fought and held lin check overwhelming
numbers. In changing position one regi-
ment became separated fhe list Ohio,
and in this condition continued to fight,
until it effected its retreat down the river,
and late in the evening reached our lines
in roundabout way in the rear and