The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-04-06

the caissons loaded down with
muskets and rifles and bearing
off besides thirty pieces of captured artil-
lery, twenty six stands of colors taken from
the enemy and nearly 5000 prisoners, IN
GLIDING division commander, Gen. B. M.
Prentiss. Many of the soldiers had also
their arms for the superior ones
of the Federals captured in the battle OF
the day before.
The retirement of the Confederate Army
was screened from the Federals so far as
such thing could be done by covering
force of less than 5000 men and fifteen
pieces of artillery under Gen. John c.
Breckenridge formerly Vice President OF
the United States) posted on elevated
ground and commanding a wide view. A
staff officer who selected the ground for
this purpose says: "There l remained
until after 4 o'clock, or until the entire
Confederate force had retired, Gen. Brock
inridge's troops being the last, and without
seeing single Federal soldier within the
wide range of my eyes,
The Confederate retreat was discovered
on some parts of the line, but no vigorous
effort was made to interfere with them.
Grant reported his loss in the two days.
fight as 1854 killed, 8,4O8 wounded and
ninety six missing; in all 1O,699. A Con-
federate estimate puts Grants total loss at
$1,000.
The aggregate of Union troops engaged
for the two days was by their own lowest
estimate $4,000 electives.
The total Confederate force engaged was
by the highest estimate at 4O,325. The
loss was 1928 killed, SOL wounded, $50
missing; total, 1921.
Buell., whose timely arrival saved the
army of Grant, says that to the Confede-
rates !" Shiloh did not seem to be defeat,
but rather the disappointment of hope
almost realized"
The Confederates knew they had attack
ed the victors of Forts Henry and Donelson,
stormed and spoiled their camp and brought
them to the verge of ruin. They claimed
even the second day as more of success
to themselves than to the enemy, for the
reason they had fought fresh army as
sisted by the remnant of Grants defeated
troops, and when they found the odds too
great, had marched off the field undisturb-
ed by even the semblance of a pursuit
carrying with them much of the spoil oil
the captured camp.
Buell. says when he arrived on the field
Sunday evening there were of Grants
Army not more than 5000 men in ranks
and available for battle-the rest were
either killed, wounded, captured or scat.
tered in hopeless confusion for miles along
the banks of the river" Gen. William
Nelson leading the advance troops of the
rescuing force describes them as 6 cover.
ing under the river banks-frantic with
fright and utterly demoralized.'
Although the Confederate attempt t.
crush Grants Army and then recover al
that had boen lost by the fall of Fort Don.
elson, had failed, Shiloh put such checl
upon the Federal advance in the West
that after half hearted form and move
ment on their part to Corinth and occupa
ton of that place, the Confederate Army
now under Gen. Braxton Bragg, made .
bold march northward which carried thei
: lines for a while to the Ohio River ant
even within sight of Cincinnati, and check
ed the Federal tide of invasion for nearl,
year.
Y