Yankee account of the battle of Shiloh.
a Tissue of Gross Falsehoods.
We copy from the Philadelphia Inquirer, of the 10th instant, the Yankee account of the great battle in the southwest, the conclusion of which, the reader will perceive, embodies some of the tallest lying on record only relieved by the admission at the outset that their loss is about 20,000.
The statement is headed, in large types, as follows:
‘"The Greatest Battle Fought on the American Continent--One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Men Engaged — A Desperate Contest of Two Days at Pittsburg Landing — Glorious Result to the Union Army — The Rebels Routed in all Directions — Heavy Loss of Life--Generals Grant and Smith Wounded — Very Heavy Loss, of Rebel Troops in Killed Wounded, and Prisoners — Rebel Commander, Albert S. Johnston, Killed — The Renegade Beauregard has an Arm Shot Off — A Terrible Retribution Has Befallen the Rebels,"’ &c, &c, &c,.
Pittsburg Landing April 9 3:20 P M--One of the greatest and bloodiest battles of modern days has just closed, resulting in the complete rout of the enemy, who attacked us at daybreak on Sunday morning. The battle lasted, without intermission, during the entire day, and was renewed on Monday morning, and continued undecided until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy commenced to retreat, and are still flying towards Corinth, pursued by a large force of our cavalry.
The slaughter on both sides has been immense.
We have lost in killed, wounded, and missing, from 18,000 to 20,000 and that of the enemy is estimated at from 35,000 to 40,000.
The fight was brought on by three hundred of the Missouri regiment of Gen. Prentiss's division, attacking the advance guard of the rebels, which they supposed to be the pickets of the enemy.
The rebels immediately advanced on Gen. Prentiss's division, on the left wing, pouring in volley after volley of musketry, and riddling our camp with grape, canister, and shell.
Our forces soon formed into line and returned the fire vigorously, and, by the time we were prepared to receive them, had turned their heaviest fire on the left centre, General Sherman's division, and drove our men back from their camps, and bringing up a fresh force; opened fire on our left wing, General McClernand's. This fire was returned with terrible effect and determined spirit by both the infantry and artillery a long the whole line a distance of over four miles.
General Hurlburt's division was thrown forward to support the centre, when a desperate struggle ensued.
The Rebels were driven back with terrible slaughter, but soon rallied and drove back our men in turn.
From about 9 o'clock until night closed there was no determination of the result of the struggle.
The rebels exhibited remarkable good generalship.
At times engaging the left with apparently their whole strength, they would suddenly open a terrible and destructive fire on the right or centre.
Even our heaviest and most destructive fire upon the enemy did not appear to discourage their solid columns.
The fire of Major Taylor's Chicago Artillery raked them down in scores, but the smoke no sooner dispersed than the breach was again filled.
The most desperate fighting took place late in the afternoon.
Gen. Buell's forces had by this time arrived on the opposite or the river, and another portion was coming up the river from Savannah.
At five o'clock the rebels had forced current wing back so as to occupy fully two-thirds of our camp, and were fighting hard in their efforts to drive us into the river, and at the same time heavily engaged our right.
Up to this time we received no reinforcements Gen. Lew, Wallace falling to come to our support until the day was over, having taken the wrong road from Crump's Landing, and being without other transports than those used for the Quartermaster's and Commissary stores, which were too heavily laden to ferry any considerable number of Gen. Buell's forces across the river, the boats that were here having been sent to bring up the troops from Savannah.
We were, therefore, contending against fearful odds, our forces not exceeding 38,000 while that of the enemy was upwards of 60,000 Our condition at this moment was exceedingly critical.
Large numbers of our men, were panic struck, and others worn out by hard fighting.
The average percentage of skulkers had straggled towards the river, and could not be rallied.
Gen. Grant and staff, who had been fearlessly riding along the lines the entire day, amid an unceasing storm of bullets, grape, and shell, now rode from the right to the left, inciting our men to stand firm until the reinforcements could cross the river.
Col. Webster, the chief of the staff immediately got into position the heaviest pieces of artillery, pouring on the enemy's right; while a large number of batteries were planted along the entire line from the river bank northeast to our extreme right, some two and a half miles distant.
About an hour before dusk, a general cannonading was opened upon the enemy from along our whole life, with a perpetual crack of musketry.
For a short time, the rebels replied with vigor and effect, but their return shots grew less frequent and destructive, while ours grew more rapid and terrible.
The gunboats Lexington and Tyler, which lay a short distance off, kept raining shell on the rebel force.
This last effort was too much for the enemy, and ere dusk the firing had nearly ceased, when night coming on the combatants rested.
Our man rested on their arms in the position they held at the close of the night until the forces under Brigadier General Wallace arrived and took position on the right, and General Buell's forces, from the opposite side and Savannah, were being conveyed to the battle-ground.
General division was ordered to form on the right and the forces under General Crittenden were ordered to his support.
Early in the morning, General Buel having arrived the ball was opened at day light by Wilson's division on the left and Major-General Wallace's division on the right
Gen. Nelson's force opened a most galling fire on the rebels, and advanced rapidly as the fell back.
The fire soon became general along the whole line, and began to tell with terrible effect on the rebels.
Gens. McClernand, Sherman, and Huriburt's men, though chiefly jaded from the previous day's fighting, still maintained their honors won at Donelson; but the resistance of the rebels was terrible, and worthy a better cause.
Their resistance, however, was not enough for our undaunted bravery and the dreadful desolation produced by our artillery, which was sweeping them away like chaff; and knowing that defeat there would be the death blow to their hopes, their Generals still urged them on in the face of destruction, hoping by flanking us to turn the tide of battle.
Their success was for a time cheering, as they began to gain ground on us, appearing to have been reinforced but our left, under General Nelson, was driving them back with wonderful rapidity, and at 11 o'clock General Buell's forces had succeeded in flanking them and capturing their batteries of artillery.
They, however, again rallied on the left, and recrossed, and the right forced themselves forward in another desperate effort; but reinforcements from Gen. Wood and Gen. Thomas came in, regiment after regiment which were sent to General Buell, who had again commenced to drive the rebels.
About three o'clock P. M. Gen. Grant rode to the left, where fresh regiments had been ordered, and finding the rebels to be wavering, he sent a portion of his body-guard to the head of each of the five regiments, and then ordered a charge across the field, himself leading.
The cannon balls were falling like hall around them.
The men followed with a shout that sounded above the roar and of the artillery, and the rebels fled in dismay and never made another stand.
Gen Buell followed the retreating rebels, driving them in splendid style, and at half-past 5 P. M. the whole rebel army was in full retreat to Corinth, with our cavalry in hot pursuit.
We have taken a large amount of artillery, and also a number of prisoners.
We lost a number of prisoners yesterday among them is Gen. Prentice, The number has not been ascertained yet, but is reported at several hundred Gen. Prentiss is reported wounded.
Among the killed on the rebel side is the General-in-Chief, General Albert Sidney Johnston, by a cannon ball, on the afternoon of Sunday.
Of this there is no doubt, as It is corroborated by several rebel officers taken to-day.
It is further reported that Beauregard had his arm shot off. This afternoon Gens. Bragg Breckinridge and Jackson were commanding the rebel forces!
There never has been apparelled to the gallantry and bearing of our officers from the commanding General to the lowest officer.
Gen. Grant and his staff were on the field, and riding along the lines in the thickest of the enemy's fire during the entire two days, and all slept on the ground on Sunday night, during a heavy rain.
On several occasions, General Grant got within range of the enemy's guns, and was discovered and fired upon.
Lieutenant Colousi McPherson had his horse shot from under him when alongside of General Grant Captain Carson was between General Grant and your correspondent, when a cannon ball took of his head, and killed and wound several others.
General Sherman had two horses killed under him, General McClernand shared like dangers, and also General Huriburt, each receiving holes through their clothes.
Gen. Buell remained with his troops during the entire day, and, with Gen, Crittenden and Gen. Nelson, rode continually along the line encouraging their men.
The Disasters
None of the Federal accounts before us make any mention of the wounding of Gen.Buell. The correspondent says: ‘ Our loss in officers is very heavy, but it is impossible as present to procure their names. The following are among the number: Brig Gen, W. H. Wallace, killed. Col. Pegram, Acting--Brigadier General, killed. Col. Ellis, 10th Illinois, killed. Maj. Goddard, 15th Illinois, killed. Lieutenant Canfield, 72d Indiana, mortally wounded, since dead. Lieut Col. Kyle, 41st, Indiana, mortally wounded Col. Davis, 46th Illinois, mortally wounded. Gen. W. T. Sherman, wounded in the hand by a cannon ball. Colonel Sweeny, 52d Illinois, Acting Brigadier-General, wounded. He received two shots in his only remaining arm, having lost one in Mexico. Also, a shot in one leg.--Colonel Sweeny kept the field until the close of the fight, and he excited the admiration of the whole army. Colonel Dave Stuart, 55th Illinois, Acting Brigadier General, was shot through the breast on Sunday. He returned to the field on Monday. Colonel Charles Cratts, Slat Illinois, Acting Brigadier General, shot through the right shoulder — not dangerously Colonel Hayne, 48th Illinois, wounded slightly Col. McKenzey, 17th Kentucky, wounded slightly Lieut-Col. Stout, 18th Kentucky, wounded slightly. Lieut,-Col. Morgan, 25th Indiana, wounded badly in the head. Col. Mason, 71st Ohio, wounded slightly. Major Raton, 18th Illinois, acting Colonel, wounded fatally. Major Nevins, 11th Illinois, wounded slightly Capt. Irving W. Carson, General Grant's scout, head shot off by a cannon ball. Capt. Preston Newlin, killed. Capt. Dellon, 18th Illinois, killed Capt. Meare, 6th Illinois, killed. Capt. Carter, 11th Illinois, killed. Major Page, 57th Illinois, killed. Gen. Prentice, with several hundred of our men, were taken prisoners on Sunday. Another account adds the following to the list of casualties. Gen. Grant, wounded; Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, killed; Gen. Smith, severely wounded, Col. Hall, 16th Illinois, killed; Col. Logan, 32d Illinois, and Col. Davis, 51st Illinois, severely wounded; Major Hunter, 32d Illinois, killed; Col. Peabody, 25th Wisconsin, severely wounded. This account brings down the Yankee loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, to five thousand!! ’ A lying dispatch from Washington says: ‘ Gen. A. Sidney Johnston's body was left on the battle-field, and is now in our possession, as well as the bodies of a large number of other prominent rebel officers. ’Reception of the news in Congress.
Washington April 9
--The synopsis of the report of the Tennessee battle was read both in the Senate and House, and listened to with unusual silence! In the latter branch there was a slight applause, which suddenly ceased on the announcement of the heavy losses suffered. The latest dispatch from Commodore Foote was also read, and this was received enthusiastically by the House.
Still Another account.
Chicago April 9
--The Times account of the battle at Pittsburg Landing, on Sunday and Monday, says that the enemy surprised Gen. Prentiss's brigade, which was in the advance five miles beyond Pittsburg, at five o'clock on Sunday morning, taking two regiments of prisoners and capturing the General.
The fight continued during the entire day, the enemy driving our forces back with fearful loss. Gen. Buell, with Gen. Nelson's division, arrived at four o'clock and turned the side of battle.
The enemy was commanded by Generals Polk and Beauregard, who suspended the attack about six o'clock.
On the morning of Monday, the troops having rested on the field, and reinforced by Gen. Nelson's division, supported by the gunboats; drove the enemy back and occupied their former position, completely routing the rebels, who were immediately followed by several thousand of our cavalry.
At last accounts the latter were some miles beyond Corinth.
Cairo,April 9--An officer who left Pittsburg Landing on Monday evening reports that our forces occupy Corinth [another lie,] and that Gen Johnston's body had been found upon the field.
He also confirms the report that Beauregard's arm had been shot off. [A veracious officer.]
Another specimen.
St. Louis, April 9
--General Halleck, with a portion of his staff, left for the Tennessee river this afternoon; and will immediately assume command in the field.
[Where is Buell?]
The St. Louis Democrat's Chiro special correspondent says: The rebels were pursued by 800 of our cavalry, [ coming down,] The rebel prisoners state that Beauregard made a speech to his troops before entering the fight, saying that he would water his horse in the Tennessee river or in hell, and that the fight before them was hell, unless successful.
[This lie is really too absurd to contradict.
Let the Yankees make the most of it, Of course a fool and a liar invented the statement, and nobody but a fool will believe it]
Another Federal dispatch say: ‘
Our on Monday was heavy, besides the killed and wounded, and embraced our camp equipage and thirty six field pieces. ’
The next morning our forces, now amounting to eighty thousand men, assumed the offensive and by two o'clock we had retaken our camp equipage, together with some rebel guns and a number of prisoners.
Soon after the enemy was in full retreat, pursued by our victorious forces.
[The Yankee public cannot be forever deceived.
They will at some future day find out that at least two-thirds of the foregoing statement is a ‘"weak"’ and wicked ‘"invention"’]
We have given enough to convince any intelligent reader that if the ‘"universal Yankee nation"’ can be outdone in falsehood, it will surprise not only the South, but the whole civilized world. 