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batteries, and I had no artillery.
You are aware that, owing to the want of transportation, I was compelled to leave the three batteries of my division at Savannah.
I asked for artillery to support my infantry.
Gen. Buell sent to my aid the battery of Capt. Mendenhall, of the regular army, belonging to Gen. Crittenden's division, the well directed fire of which gave me most refreshing relief.
After eight the firing of the enemy was tremendous.
They had again been largely reinforced on this point.
Gen. Buell, who rode along the line, saw for himself the behavior of the Fourth division.
The style in which Col. Ammen handled his brigade excited my admiration.
Col. Hagen, commanding the right brigade of the division, carried it into action, and maintained them most gallantly.
The heavy loss of his brigade attests the fierceness of the conflict at this point.
He drove the enemy, captured the battery that so distressed us, but was forced back on his reserves.
The powerful reenforcements which the enemy had again received, which made the woodland in front of us at times a sheet of flame, compelled me at nine A. M. again to ask for support.
The General sent to my aid Capt. Terrill's battery of regular artillery.
This battery was a host in itself.
It consists of four twelve-pounder brass guns and two tenpounder Parrott guns.
Its fire was terrific.
It was handled superbly.
When Capt. Terrill turned his battery silence followed on the part of the enemy.
Capts. Terrill and Mendenhall, and the officers and soldiers of their batteries, are entitled to the thanks of the Fourth division.
The Nineteenth Ohio, Col. Beattie, attached to Crittenden's division, also came to my support.
This regiment was ably handled, and rendered efficient service.
At one P. M., by direction of Gen. Buell, I ordered the division to move, with arms trailed, at “double-quick,” on the rising ground in front, held by the enemy, which the enemy abandoned with much promptness to our use. The firing now diminished much along the front of the division, but at two P. M. was renewed on my right on Crittenden's and McCook's divisions with great fury.
The Fourth division had no more trouble during the action, the attacks on it being feeble and easily repulsed.
They ceased entirely at four P. M.
I desire to call the attention of the General commanding the Army of the Ohio to the distinguished conduct of Col. Ammen, of the Seventh Ohio, commanding the Tenth brigade.
The cool way and vigorous method in which he fought his brigade, protecting all the while the left flank of the army, gave me a profitable lesson in the science of battles.
To Col. Hagen, commanding the Nineteenth brigade, I beg also to invite the General's attention.
The gallantry with which he led his troops to the attack was most conspicuous, and he handled them ably.
During the long and bloody action the fortitude of the Fourth division was sorely tried, pressed as it was by such superior numbers; but it maintained itself gloriously.
I refer the General to the reports of the brigade commanders for the part each regiment took in the action, reserving to myself only to mention that during the action I rode up and thanked the Ninth Indiana for its gallantry, and that the Sixth Ohio and Twentieth Kentucky were posted by to cover the artillery.
This important and arduous duty they performed perfectly, sustaining, during the greater part of this long day, with the coolness of veterans, the firing of the enemy without being permitted to return it.
The loss of the division, I regret to inform you, is heavy.
I went into the action four thousand five hundred and forty-one strong, of whom six officers and eighty-four enlisted men were killed, thirty-three officers and five hundred and fifty-eight enlisted men wounded, and fifty-eight enlisted men missing, making a total loss of seven hundred and thirty-nine, more than half of which occurred in Hagen's brigade.
I would recommend to your attention the officers of my staff, who did their duty well on the field.
They are: Capt. J. Mills Hendrick, A. A. G., Assistant Surgeon Irwin, Regular Army, Medical Inspector, Capt. Chandler, A. Q. M. Lieut. Peck, Sixth Ohio, A. C. S., Lieut. G. W. P. Anderson, Sixth Ohio, R. Southgate, Sixth Ohio, Aids-de-Camp W. Preston Graves, Esq., and H. N. Fiske, and Lieut. Horton, Twenty-fourt: Ohio, Volunteer Ordnance Officer.
The energy of Lieut. Horton, in bringing up ammunition, was conspicuous.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
Account by a participant.
The following narrative and diary was published in the Cincinnati Commercial:battle-field, Pittsburgh Landing, April 11, 1862.It is now the fourth day since hostilities ceased, and yet everything is in confusion. For three nights we have slept without tents or blankets amid rain-storms such as only April can produce, and an additional two, in which though it did not rain, the freezing cold would have made the fires, which were forbidden us, welcome. You might like to hear something of our march through Tennessee, but that I must postpone for the more absorbing topic of the battle. You must not expect to hear from me an accurate account of what took place over a line of battle which report says formed a semi-circle of fifteen miles, but which will probably come more within the range of truth to call eight miles--indeed, I can scarcely tell what took place within the limits of the Tenth brigade. Saturday, A april fifth.--Nelson's division arrived in Savannah. We were wearied with a long march, and expected to have a few days' rest.
