Latest from Grant’s Army

Special Dispatch to Chicago Tribune

CAIRO, April 15 – M., 1862

Auditor Dubois and Gen. John Cook, of Springfield, left Pittsburg on Saturday, by mail packet Van Patten, and arrived here this morning. General Cook is unwell and going home to recruit his health. From them and from others we learn additional particulars.

Gen. Hurlburt [sic] lost, out of 7,000 men, in killed wounded and missing 1,983. He had a splendid army, choice troops, who fought like Turks. Lieut. Col. Tupper of Decatur was killed.

Colonel Bane, of the 50th Illinois, is dangerously wounded. Lieutenant Col. Phillips is also dangerously, and Colonel Morley slightly.

When the Illinois 11th were mustered on Monday morning they could bring but 45 men into the field. The 9th Illinois (Paine’s old regiment) mustered only 200 effective men, Col. Fry’s regiment were the only Illinois boys that acted badly. They had never been in action before.

The battle was stayed on Sunday by the gunboats and heavy siege guns of Matteson’s and Silversparre’s batteries, and the arrival of part of Buell’s forces.

A council of war was held by Beauregard and 11 principal Generals of the rebel army before the attack on Pittsburgh. If successful they would follow us and try to hold the Border States. If beaten, withdraw to the Gulf States with all their forces.

Van Dorn was not in the fight.

Our Cavalry was not very effectual in following up the retreating rebels. They were hindered by underbrush.

Rebel prisoners say Gen. Prentiss’ men (prisoners) were marched into Corinth in good order.

Gen. Grant was at Savannah, 8 miles below Pittsburg, when the battle opened, and did not arrive till 10 o’clock.

When our informants left Gen. Halleck was organizing the army as fast as possible, and preparing for every emergency.

SECOND DISPATCH

9 o’clock, p.m. – The following rebel officers participated in Beauregard’s council of war: Breckenridge, Bragg, Floyd, Hardee, Cheatham, the three Johnstons (Sidney, Bushrod and the Kentucky provisional Governor.)

The cause of the Sunday repulse is not definitely ascertained. The roads are now impassable from heavy rains.

General Hurlburt [sic] has discovered one of Matteson’s six 64-pound howitzers abandoned, and called on a man near by to work it. He did so, and fired and sighted sixty-five times, mowing down the enemy terribly every fire. The man was Dr. Corning of St. Louis surgeon, and inexperienced in artillery practice. Gen. Hurlburt [sic] thought him an old artillery officer.

A Federal wounded and captured in our tents, Sunday, and afterwards left when the rebels retreated reports Beauregard making a strong speech Sunday night to his officers and men. He assured them that they would make an easy prey of us on Monday; exhorted them to be brave, cool and self possessed; bed them injure nothing they had taken as booty, for it would all be needed in the rapid marches they were about making in pursuit of the federals, who might escape. Rebels taken prisoners on Monday confirm this statement.

Brigadier Gen. Johnston [sic], rebel provisional Governor of Kentucky is killed, and his body is at Paducah.

Different accounts agree in making the rebel force at Corinth estimated from 75,000 to 130,000 of whom 65,000 to 70,000 were in action. Our forces was 45,000 in action.

The Hiawatha brought down 260 wounded to Mound City, to-day at noon. An adequate supply of transports lying at Pittsburgh have been loaded with the wounded ready to come. Some go to Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Sanitary Commission did nobly in relieving the wounded; so did those of St. Louis.

Orders were found on Gen. A. S. Johnston from Jeff. Davis to press on and attack Grant on Wednesday before Buell would join him by Thursday. Bogus Governor Johnston [sic] of Kentucky, said he did not want to live, as the Confederacy was ruined. He did not want to see it.

Gen. Ruggles was killed. Bushrod Johnston [sic] is also reported dead.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday April 19, 1862