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the enemy's cavalry, driving it back. The main force was found to have retreated beyond Lick creek, and our troops returned at night." In recounting the trophies of the day, General Buell enumerates "twenty pieces of artillery, a greater number of caissons, and a considerable number of small arms. Many of the cannon were recaptured from the loss of the previous day. Several stands of colors were also recaptured."

Resuming the official report by General Sherman, after his narrative of the first day's battle, we find the sequel of

a considerable widening of the space between it and Crittenden's right. It was also outflanked on its right by the line of the enemy who made repeated strong attacks on its flanks, but was always gallantly repulsed. The enemy made his last decided stand in front of this division, in the woods beyond Sherman's camp. Two brigades of General Wood's division arrived just at the close of the battle, but only one, that of Colonel Wagner, in time to participate actively in the pursuit. which it continued for about a mile, and until halted by my order. Its skirmishers became engaged for a few minutes the engagement thus narrated: "Genwith skirmishers covering the enemy's eral Wallace arrived from Crump's Landrear guard, which made a momentary ing shortly after dark, and formed his stand. It was also fired upon by the line to my right and rear. It rained enemy's artillery on its right flank, but hard during the night, but our men were without effect. It was well conducted by in good spirits, and lay on their arms, its commanders, and showed great stead- being satisfied with such bread and meat iness. as could be gathered at the neighboring "The pursuit was continued no further camps, and determined to redeem on that day. I was without cavalry, and Monday the losses of Sunday. At daythe different corps had become a good light of Monday, I received General deal scattered in a pursuit in a country Grant's orders to advance and recapture which secreted the enemy's movements, our original camps. I dispatched sevand of the roads of which I knew practi- eral members of my staff to bring up all cally nothing. In the beginning of the the men they could find, and especially pursuit, thinking that the enemy had re- the brigade of Colonel Stuart, which had tired principally by the Hamburg road, I been separated from the division, or, had ordered Nelson's division to follow rather, what remained of it. With the as far as Lick creek on that road, from 13th Missouri and other fragments, we which I afterwards learned the direct moved forward and reoccupied the ground Corinth road was separated by a difficult on the extreme right of General McClerravine which empties into Lick creek. I nand's camp, where we attracted the fire therefore occupied myself with examining of a battery located near Colonel Mcthe ground, getting the different divisions Dowell's headquarters. Here I remained into position, which was not effected un-patiently awaiting the sound of General til some time after dark. The following Buell's advance upon the main Corinth day, in pursuance of the directions of General Grant, General Wood was sent forward with two of his brigades, which arrived the previous evening, and a battery of artillery, to discover the position of the enemy, and to press him if he should be found in retreat. General Sherman, with about the same force from General Grant's army, was on the same service, and had a spirited skirmish with

road. About ten A. M. the heavy firing in this direction, and its steady approach, satisfied me, and leaving General Wallace to hold our right flank with his wellconducted division, I led the head of my column to General McClernand's right, formed line of battle facing south, with Buckland's brigade on its right, in the woods, and thus advanced steadily and slowly under a heavy fire of musketry

GENERAL LEWIS WALLACE'S DIVISION.

and artillery. Taylor had just got to me from the rear, where he had gone for ammunition, and brought up three guns, which I ordered into position to advance by hand firing.

"These guns belonged to Company A, Chicago light artillery, commanded by Lieutenant P. P. Wood, and did most excellent service. Under cover of their fire we advanced till we reached the point where the Corinth road crosses the line of McClernand's camp, and here I saw for the first time the well-ordered and compact columns of General Buell's Kentucky forces, whose soldierly movements at once gave confidence to our newer and less disciplined forces. Here I saw Willich's regiment advance upon a point of water-oaks and thicket, behind which I knew the enemy was in great strength, and enter it in beautiful style. Then arose the severest musketry fire I ever heard, which lasted some twenty minutes, when this splendid regiment had to fall back. This green point of timber is about five hundred yards east of Shiloh meeting-house, and it was evident here was to be the struggle. The enemy could also be seen forming his lines to the south. General McClernand sending to me for artillery, I dispatched to him the three guns of Wood's battery, with which he speedily drove them back; and seeing some others to the rear I sent one of my staff to bring them forward, when, by almost Providential decree, they proved to be two 24-pound howitzers, belonging to McAllister's battery, and served as well as ever guns could be. This was about two P. M. The enemy had one battery close to Shiloh, and another near the Hamburg road, both pouring grape and canister upon my column of troops that advanced upon the green point of water-oaks. Willich's regiment had been repulsed, but a whole brigade of McCook's division advanced beautifully, deployed, and entered this dreaded wood. I ordered my second brigade, then commanded by Colonel T.

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Kilby Smith (Colonel Stewart being wounded), to form on its right, and my fourth brigade, Colonel Buckland, on its left, all to advance abreast with the Kentucky brigade before mentioned, which I afterwards found to be Rousseau's brigade of McCook's division. I gave personal direction to the 24-pounder guns, whose well-directed fire first silenced the enemy's guns to the left, and afterwards at the Shiloh meeting-house. Rousseau's brigade moved in splendid order steadily to the front, sweeping everything before it, and at four P. M. stood upon the ground of our original front line, and the enemy was in full retreat."

General Lewis Wallace's 3d division of Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri troops, composed of the three brigades commanded by Colonels Morgan L. Smith, John M. Thayer, and Charles Whittlesey, after an arduous day's march from Crump's Landing on Sunday, in which they had been compelled to change their course by the falling back of the forces they were coming to support, were about one o'clock of Monday morning ready for battle on the extreme right. Shortly after daybreak a portion of his artillery drove a battery of the enemy from an opposite bluff, and the division moved forward over the ground gained. "I was then," says General Wallace in his official report, "at the edge of an oblong field that extended in a direction parallel with the river. On its right was a narrow strip of wood, and beyond that lay another cleared field, square and very large. Back of both fields to the north was a range of bluffs, overlooking the swampy low grounds of Snake creek, heavily timbered, broken by ravines, and extending in a course diagonal with that of my movement. An examination satisfied me that the low grounds afforded absolute protection to my right flank, being impassable for a column of attack. The enemy's left had rested upon the bluffs, and as it had been driven back, that flank was now exposed. I resolved to

attempt to turn it. For that purpose it face of the enemy aligned as regularly became necessary for me to change a as if on parade. Having changed front, front by a left half wheel of the whole as stated, my movement was now diagodivision. While the movement was in nal to the direction originally started on, progress, across a road through the though the order was still in echelon, woods at the southern end of the field with the centre regiment of each brigade we were resting by, I discovered a heavy dropped behind its place in line as a recolumn of rebels going rapidly to rein- serve. While thus advancing, Colonel force their left, which was still retiring, Whittlesey, as appears from his report, covered by skirmishers, with whom mine in some way lost his position, but soon were engaged. Thompson's battery was recovered it. The position of the eneordered up and shelled the passing col- my was now directly in front, at the umn with excellent effect, but while so edge of the woods fronting and on the engaged he was opened on by a full bat-right of the open field my command was tery planted in the field just beyond the so gallantly crossing. The ground to be strip of woods on the right. He prompt- passed getting at them dipped gradually ly turned his guns at the new enemy. A to the centre of the field, which is there fine artillery duel ensued, very honorable intersected by a small run well fringed to Thompson and his company. His am- with willows. Clearing an abrupt bank munition giving out in the midst of it, I beyond the branch, the surface ascends ordered him to retire, and Lieutenant to the edge of the woods held by the Thurber to take his place. Thurber enemy, and is without obstruction, but obeyed with such alacrity that there was marked by frequent swells that afforded scarcely an intermission in the fire, which protection to the advancing lines, and continued so long and with such warmth was the secret of my small loss. Over as to provoke the attempt on the part of the branch, up the bank, across the risthe rebels to change the position. Dis- ing ground, moved the steady 1st brigcovering the intention, the 1st brigade ade-on its right, with equal alacrity, was brought across the field to occupy marched the 2d; the whole in view, the strip of woods in front of Thurber. their banners gayly decking the scene. The cavalry made the first dash at the The skirmishers in action all the way battery, but the skirmishers of the 8th cleared the rise, and grouped themselves Missouri poured an unexpected fire into behind the ground swells within seventythem, and they retired pell-mell. Next five yards of the rebel lines. As the the infantry attempted a charge; the 1st regiments approached them, suddenly a brigade easily repelled them. All this sheet of musketry blazed from the woods, time my whole division was under a furi- and a battery opened upon them. About ous cannonade, but being well masked the same instant, the regiments supportbehind the bluff or resting in the hollows ing me on my left fell hastily back. To of the wood, the regiments suffered but save my flank, I was compelled to order little. a halt. In a short time, however, the retiring regiments rallied, and repulsed the enemy, and recovered their lost ground. My skirmishers meanwhile clung to their hillocks, sharp-shooting at the battery. Again the brigades advanced, their bayonets fixed for a charge. But, pressed on their flank, and so threatened in front, the rebels removed their guns, and fell back from the

"A handsome line of battle now moved forward on my left to engage the enemy. I supposed it to be Sherman's troops, but was afterward otherwise informed. Simultaneously mine was ordered to advance, the 1st brigade leading. Emerging from the woods, it entered the second field I have mentioned, speedily followed by the 2d brigade, when both marched in

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE.

edge of the woods. In this advance Lieutenant-Colonel J. Gerber was killed, and it is but justice to say of him, 'No man died that day with more glory; yet many died, and there was much glory. Captain McGaffin and Lieutenant Southwick, of the same regiment, also fell-gallant spirits, deserving honorable recollection. Many soldiers equally brave perished, or were wounded on the same field.

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their advantage by the necessary change of front, some fresh troops dashed against them, and once more drove them back. For this favor my acknowledgments are especially due Colonel August Willich and his famous regiment. Pending this struggle, Colonel Thayer pushed on his command and entered the woods, assaulting the rebels simultaneously with Colonel Smith. Here the 58th Ohio and 23d Indiana proved themselves fit com"It was now noon, and the enemy rades in battle with the noble 1st Nehaving been driven so far back, the idea braska. Here, also, the 76th Ohio won of flanking them further had to be given a brilliant fame. The 1st Nebraska fired up. Not wishing to interfere with the away its last cartridge in the heat of the line of operations of the division to my action. At a word, the 76th Ohio rushed left, but relying on it for support, my in and took its place. Off to the right front was again changed, the movement meanwhile arose the music of the 20th beginning with the 1st brigade, taking and 78th Ohio, fighting gallantly in supthe course of attack precisely as it had port of Thurber, to whom the sound of been in the outset. While the maneu- rebel cannon seemed a challenge no ver was being effected, a squadron of re- sooner heard than accepted. From the bel cavalry galloped from the woods on time the wood was entered, forward was the right, to charge the flank temporarily the only order. And step by step, from exposed. Colonel Thayer threw forward tree to tree, position to position, the rethe 23d Indiana, which, aided by an ob- bel lines went back, never stopping again lique fire from a company of the 1st Ne--infantry, horse, and artillery all went braska, repelled the assailants with loss. back. The firing was grand and terriScarcely had the front been changed, ble. Before us was the Crescent regiwhen the supporting force on the left ment of New Orleans-shelling us on the again gave way, closely followed by right was the Washington Artillery of masses of the enemy. My position at Manassas renown, whose last stand was this time became critical, as isolation in front of Colonel Whittlesey's comfrom the rest of the army seemed immi- mand. To and fro, now in my front, nent. The reserves were resorted to. then in Sherman's, rode General BeauColonel Woods, with his regiment, was regard, inciting his troops, and fighting ordered into line on the left. The rem- for his fading prestige of invincibility. nant of a Michigan regiment sent me by The desperation of the struggle may be General McClernand was dispatched to easily imagined. While this was in prothe left of Woods'. Thurber galloped gress, far along the lines to the left the up, and was posted to cover a retreat, contest was raging with equal obstinacy. should such a misfortune become neces- As indicated by the sounds, however, sary. Before the dispositions could be the enemy seemed retiring everywhere. effected, the 11th Indiana, already en- Cheer after cheer rang through the woods. gaged with superior numbers in its front, Each man felt the day was ours. About was attacked on its left flank; but back- four o'clock the enemy to my front broke ward wheeling three companies of his en- into rout, and ran through the camps ocdangered wing, Colonel McGinniss gal- cupied by General Sherman, on Sunday lantly held his ground. Fortunately, be- morning. Their own camp had been fore the enemy could avail themselves of established about two miles beyond.

There, without halting, they fired tents, stores, etc. Throwing out the wounded, they filled their wagons full of arms (Springfield muskets and Enfield rifles), ingloriously thrown away by some of our troops the day before, and hurried on. After following them until nearly nightfall, I brought my division back to Owl creek, and bivouaced it. The conduct of Colonel M. L. Smith and Colonel John M. Thayer, commanding brigades, was beyond the praise of words. Colonel Whittlesey's was not behind them. To them all belong the highest honors of victory."

From these details which might be readily multiplied from the reports of the division and brigade commanders, the interesting narratives of Generals Rousseau, McCook, Nelson, and others, may be gathered some adequate idea of the resolute and determined conflicts of the 6th and 7th of April, by far the most serious engagement yet fought in the war.

The account of the second day's engagement, from the official report of the Confederate General Beauregard, will complete the narrative of this memorable battle. After the death of General Johnston on the afternoon of Sunday, General Beauregard had taken the chief command on the field, "a responsibility," says he, "which, in my physical condition, I would have gladly avoided, though cast upon me when our forces were successfully pushing the enemy back upon the Tennessee river, and though supported on the immediate field by such corps commanders as Major-Generals Polk, Bragg, and Hardee, and Brigadier-General Breckinridge commanding the reserve. It was after six o'clock P. M., when the enemy's last position was carried, and his forces finally broke and sought refuge behind a commanding eminence covering Pittsburg Landing, not more than half a mile distant, and under the guns of the gunboats, which opened on our eager columns a fierce and annoying fire with shot and

shell of the heaviest description. Darkness was close at hand. Officers and men were exhausted by a combat of over twelve hours without food, and jaded by the march of the preceding day, through mud and water; it was therefore impossible to collect the rich and opportune spoils of war scattered broadcast on the field left in our possession, and impracticable to make any effective dispositions for their removal to the rear. I accordingly established my headquarters at the church of Shiloh, in the enemy's encampment, with Major-General Bragg, and directed our troops to sleep on their arms, in such positions in advance and rear as corps commanders should determine, hoping, from news received by a special dispatch, that delays had been encountered by General Buell in his march from Columbia, and that his main forces, therefore, could not reach the field of battle in time to save General Grant's shattered fugitive forces from capture or destruction on the following day.

"During the night the rain fell in torrents, adding to the discomfort and harassed condition of the men; the enemy, moreover, had broken their rest by a discharge, at measured intervals, of heavy shells, thrown from the gunboats; therefore, on the following morning, the troops under my command were not in condition to cope with an equal force of fresh troops, armed and equipped like our adversary, in the immediate possession of his depots, and sheltered by such an auxiliary as the enemy's gunboats. About six o'clock on the morning of the 7th of April, however, a hot fire of musketry and artillary opened from the enemy's quarter on our advanced line, assuring me of the junction of his forces, and soon the battle raged with a fury that satisfied me I was attacked by a largely superior force. But from the onset, our troops, notwithstanding their fatigue and losses from the battle of the day before, exhibited the most cheer ing, veteran-like steadiness. On the right and centre the enemy was repulsed in

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