Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

General order, No. 1.

The battle of Shiloh has made famous forever the army of the Ohio and its commander.

Soldiers of the Fifth division, the General Commanding salutes you with admiration, and with his warmest thanks, for the part you took in that ever-to-be-remembered conflict. The patience with which you endured the uncommon exposure, and the valor you have displayed on the field, merit, and will surely receive, the approbation of your country.

Remember, soldiers, that you have a reputation now, and that discipline cannot be relaxed, even after the battle has been won without tarnishing your fame.

Cherish your fame, study how you can best discharge every duty as soldiers, and peace will follow quickly.

sir: I have the honor to inform you that the enemy attacked our lines on our left, the morning of the sixth, at half-past 6 o'clock, and by his overwhelming numbers forced our men to fall back in some confusion. At twenty-five minutes past nine o'clock, finding that the rebels were still driving our left wing back, I steamed up to a point one mile above Pittsburgh, taking a good position to support our troops. At forty-five minutes past ten, the Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Shirk, joined me, having come up from Crump's Landing. After a short time she returned, for the purpose of supporting the command of General Wallace, which occupied that point.

Not having received any instructions from the Commanding General in regard to the service to be rendered by the gunboats, I awaited them patiently, although for an hour or more shot and shell were falling all around us. Feeling that, could some system of communication be established, the Tyler could be of great advantage to our left wing, at twenty-five minutes past one P. M. I sent an officer, requesting that I might be allowed to open on the woods in the direction of the batteries and advancing forces of the rebels. General Hurlburt, who commanded on our left, sent me word to do so, giving me directions how to fire, so that I might do it with no damage to our troops, expressing himself grateful for this offer of support, and saying that without reenforcements he would not be able to maintain the position he then occupied for an hour. Therefore at ten minutes to three o'clock, I opened fire in the line directed, with good effect, silencing their batteries on our left.

At ten minutes to four o'clock, I ceased firing, and dropping down opposite the landing at Pittsburgh, sent Mr. Peters, the gunner, on shore to communicate with General Grant for further instructions. His response was, to use my own judgment in the matter.

At four P. M., the Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Shirk, having arrived from Crump's Landing, the Tyler, in company with the Lexington, took position three quarters of a mile above Pittsburgh, and opened a heavy fire in the direction of the rebel batteries on their right, the missiles of which were falling all around us. We silenced them in thirty-five minutes.

At thirty-five minutes past five o'clock, the rebels having succeeded in gaining a position on the left of our line, an eighth of a mile above the landing at Pittsburgh, and a half-mile from the river, both vessels opened a heavy and well-directed fire on them, and in a short time, in conjunction with our military on shore, succeeded in silencing their artillery, driving them back in confusion.

At six P. M., the Tyler opened deliberate fire in the direction of the rebels' right wing, throwing five and ten-second shells, and at twenty-five minutes past six o'clock, ceased firing. At nine P. M., the Tyler again opened fire by direction of General Nelson--who greatly distinguished himself in yesterday's engagement — throwing five, ten and fifteen-second shells, and an occasional shrapnel shell from the howitzer, at intervals of ten minutes, in the direction of the rebel right wing, until one A. M. At this juncture the Lexington relieved us, and continued the fire at intervals of fifteen minutes until five A. M., when our land forces having attacked the enemy, forcing them gradually back, it made it dangerous for the gunboats to fire.

At seven A. M., I received a communication from General Grant, which prevented the gunboats from taking an active part during the rest of the day.

Lieutenant Commanding Shirk deserves the greatest praise for the efficient manner in which the battery of the Lexington was served.

At thirty-five minutes past five o'clock P. M., the enemy were forced to retreat in haste, having contested every inch of ground with great stubbornness throughout the entire day.

The officers and men of this vessel displayed their usual gallantry and enthusiasm during the entire day and night. Your “old wooden boats,” I feel confident, rendered invaluable service, on the sixth instant, to the land forces. Gunner Herman Peters deserves great credit for the prompt and courageous manner in which he traversed our lines, conveying communication from this vessel to the Commanding Generals. The rebels had a force of one hundred thousand men ; A. S. Johnston, killed — body found on the field — Beauregard, Hardee, Bragg, and Polk, being their Commanding Generals. Governor Johnson, Provisional Governor of Kentucky, is a prisoner in our hands mortally wounded. Loss severe on both sides — ours probably ten thousand. The rebels suffered a much greater one. I think this has been a crushing blow to the rebellion.

I am happy to state no casualties occurred on