New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-11
THE FAMOUS HORNETS NEST

In the centre of the Union line on the
first day was a wood with thick under
growth. 1anked on either side by open
fields In this woods perhaps a thousand
Of Premises men gathered about 9 o'clock
in the morning, having been forced back
from their first position. Here they remained
until o'clock that afternoon, repeling on
saught after onslaught with ferocity of
fire that caused the Confederates to give
that particular clump Of underground the
name of Hornets Nest. Brigade after brf-
gade was led across the open field I'm front
of 1t. and each time the charging force was
thrown back. Near 1t, following a charge
General Johnston lost his life. 1t was the
Hornets Nest. juttng point OF fire IN
the centre Of the Federal line. that re-
strained the Confederate force throughout
the day and perhaps saved the Union army
for the second days lighting.
One OF the results Of the lack of plan
OF battle and united leadership on the part
Of the Federal army was constant OUT
tlankng by the Confederates as the lines
surged back and forth. Late in the after
noon the Federal troops on either side Of
the left centre. held by Generals Prentiss
and w. II. l.. Wallace gave way to such
an extent that the tanks OF their forces
were sadly exposed. Prentiss had been
directed by General Grant to hold his posi-
ton at any cost and consulting with Wal
lace, they determined to obey the order, not
withstanding the dangerous exposure. The
enemy seized the advantage and they soon
found themselves surrounded Portions OF
their commands cut their way out, but
ANnl1a
and fragments OF the two divisions TO the
number of 300 men were captured and
the Hornets Nest was broken up.
1t Is thought that this wholesale depletion
Of the Federal line. leaving big gap. would
have resulted In the victory for the Con-
federates had not Colonel j. D. Webster
of General Grants staff taken the pre-
caution. described in The Tribune dis
patch. to post line OF from thirty-fiye TO
fifty guns on a ridge al right angles TO tho
river and behind the Federal line He
knew that ultimately the Confederate line
would come 10 the brink of the raviue ex-
tending up from the river near the landing
in front Of this ridge At the foot of tho
ravine had been stationed the gunboa,s
Tyler and Lexington. mentioned in the dis
patch.
The last straw in the rout of the Con-
federates on the second day was the chare,
led by Grant himself in the middle of th.
afternoon. THE enemy was driven b,ck
all day. as We had been the day before "
Grant afterward wrote. until finally no
beat precipitate retreat. The last point
held by him was near the road leading
from the landing to Cornth. on the LEFT
Of Sherman and right of McClerrand About
o'clock. being near that point and seeing
that the enemy was giving way every
where else. | gathered up couple Of repi-
ments from troops near by. formed them 4,
line and marched them forward. goino T.,
front myself to prevent premature or ,ong
range firing. At this point there xy,s -
clearing between us. and the enemy ,vsro
ready to break and only wanted = u,,,o
encouragement from us to go quickly an,
join their friends who had started e,r,,o.
After marching to within musket rappo
stopped and let the troops pass. Tho cn,,,
mand Charge was given. and was ox
ecuted with loud cheers and with q ,,n
when the last OF the enemy broke"
The enemy was not pursued lecouso -, !
the mud and the tired condition CT the mo,
AFTER the two days night. The Union forco.
lost IT. Killed. wounded and missin. 80,
proximately 1900 men. OF whom 7oao u,,
lost tho first day. Tho total loss os ~,
Confederate army was reported IN '
little above 10000. The losses wer. no, -"
fined to the privates and minor I'm
fer General Johnston died on the ao,1 80 80
the Hornets Nest. In the afternoon -, va.
first day. noting ;he stubborn lines -, ."e
enemy In front Of his right centre ,"e
fermined TO lead charge hlmosls We
ia so. "ai
a lew minutes later stray bullet ,ro.,