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[548] corps, commanded respectively by Chalmers and Jackson, with which to attack the great Federal battery. At the sound of the well-known voice of their chief these troops bravely march up to the assault. They are received by a terrible fire from the whole Federal battery, which is supported by the gun-boats stationed at the mouth of Lick Creek. Nevertheless, at the sight of the enemy's battalions advancing in good order, the soldiers that have been grouped together in haste to give an air of support to Webster's battery become frightened and scatter. It is about to be carried, when a new body of troops, deploying in the rear of the guns with as much regularity as if they were on parade-ground, receives the Confederates with a fire that drives them back in disorder into the ravine. This was the brigade of Ammen, belonging to Nelson's division, that rushed forward so opportunely. Having succeeded, by dint of perseverance, in making his way through swamps almost impassable, Nelson had arrived with his infantry in front of Pittsburg Landing, and had found steamers, which immediately conveyed his soldiers from one side of the river to the other. Not disturbed by seeing the frightened mass that was crowding around the wharves, he had hastened to where the noise of battle called them. It was near sunset, there being just enough daylight left to enable the Confederates to try a last attack. It might have proved more successful than the previous one if it had been made along the whole line at once. Many of the generals, Bragg among the rest, were preparing for it, when an order from Beauregard, who had assumed command, caused a suspension of the battle. This was the debut of the new general-in-chief. Deceived by reports that made him believe Buell's army to be still far away, more impressed by the disorganization of his own army, which he had under his eyes, than of that of the enemy, which he should have been able to discover, he postponed the continuation of the battle to the next day, which, as he thought, was to witness the complete destruction of Grant's army. That next day had some terrible surprises and bitter deceptions in store for him.

In going into bivouac for the night, no order was observed on the part of the Confederates. Each brigade or regiment selected its position at its own will; some corps retired to a great distance

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