The Kentucky Grand Army

The Kentucky Grand Army

There are about 115,000 troops in Gen. Buell’s department, divided into three brigades of from 3,000 to 5,000 each and four grand divisions from 20,000 to 30,000 each.  The division commanders are:

1.  General Alexander McDowel McCook.

2.  General George H. Thomas.

3. General Ormsby M. Mitchell.

4. General Thomas L. Crittenden.

Gen. Thomas has left the line, at Somerset and London, on the road to East Tennessee.  Gen. Mitchell has the center, and is now at Bowling Green.  Gen. Crittenden has the right of the line, and with a portion at least of his command, has co-operated with Gen. Grant at Fort Donelson.  The division of Gen. McCook is the “reserve,” and is in the rear of bowling green.

This army has some of the best military talent in the country among its leading officers, as it has also some of the best troops.  The following are among the brigade commanders: –

General Ebenezer Dumont, of Indiana.

General AlbinSchoepf, of D. C.

General Thomas J. Wood, of Kentucky.

General William Nelson, of Kentucky.

General Richard W. Johnson, of Ky.

General Jerre T. Boyle, of Kentucky.

General James S. Negley, of Penn.

General William T. Ward, of Kentucky.

Also of Colonels commanding brigades: –

Colonel John B. Turchin, 19th Illinois.

Colonel William B. Hagen, 41st Ohio.

Colonel Joshua W. Sill, 33d Ohio

Colonel Henry B. Carrington, 18th regulars.

Colonel Edward N. Kirk, 34th Illinois.

Colonel Mahlon D. Manson, 10th Indiana.

Colonel Carter, 1st East Tennessee

There are five other brigades (Twenty in all) but we have not the names of their commanders at hand. – Chicago Tribune.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Northern Conservatives Denounced

The Richmond Dispatch says –

The people of the North are divided into two parties, in the present war, as in the peace that preceded it – the conservatives and destructives. The latter are our old enemies, the Abolitionists, who are crazy people – honest, perhaps, in their fanaticism, but fit only for a straight jacket. The former are our old friends, who used to declare that they loved us better than themselves, and that before an army of invasion should march against the South, it should march over their dead bodies. It seems to be supposed that they have changed their character, and been merged by the war into one seething cauldron of abolitionism. This, however, is a great mistake. The war has not changed their character, but only discovered it to the world. It has shown them to be the falsest, the most treacherous and hypocritical of mankind. But for conservative money and conservative men, it could not be carried on a single day. Conservative cities have provided the cash and the soldiers; conservative Generals have lead their armies; conservativism has, in time proved the most formidable of our enemies. We are not aware of a single Abolitionist General who occupies a conspicuous position in the Federal hosts. McClellan, Rosecrans and others are somewhat ultra in their conservatism; and McCook, who said that if he had an Abolitionist in his army he would cut off his ears, is the same who proclaims, “The South must be subdued or exterminated.”

The conservatism of these men is still, however, conservatism only it does not mean, as we formerly supposed, the preservation of the Constitution and the rights of the States, but the conservatism of Northern commerce and manufacturers, at any cost whatever to the South – at the cost of every life and hearthstone in its limits – at the cost of converting its whole territory into one vast scene of blood and tears. That is what Northern conservatism means, and nothing else. It is, in a word, the most detestable avarice – a love of money so passionate and absorbing that it would murder a whole people to fill its pockets. That is Northern conservatism! In what is better than Abolitionism!

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2

FIRST SESSION - 37TH CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, April 30. – HOUSE. – Mr. ELLIOTT submitted two bills, one to confiscate rebel property and to provide for the payment of the expenses of the present rebellion and the other to provide for freeing the slaves of all rebels who have taken up arms against the Government. Referred to the Select Committee.

Mr. WICKLIFFE asked leave to introduce a resolution of inquiry to ascertain by what authority Gen. Hunter hand issued an order to emancipate slaves in the manner expressed by Messrs. Hutchins, Lovejoy and others.

Objection was made to the introduction of the resolution.

The resolution from the Committee on Government contracts was taken up.

Mr. STEVENS moved to lay them on the table, which was rejected. Yeas, 17, Nays 107.

The following resolution was received.

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to adjust the claim against the Government for the 5000 Hall carbines, purchased through Simon Stevens, by Gen. John C. Fremont, on August 6th, 1861, and afterwards delivered at the U. S. arsenal at the city of St. Louis, on the basis of a sale of such arms to the Government for $12.50 each, and rejecting all other demands against the Government on account of the purchase of said arms.

An unsuccessful effort was made to amend the resolution by making it read:

Purchased for Simon Stevens.

Mr. FENTON moved to amend the resolution by adding “providing that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to exonerate the Government from the payment of any claims arising for the advances made in good faith, on certification by the authorized officers of the Government.” This was rejected 53 to 71.

The resolution as originally reported was adopted by 123 to 28.

The House adopted a resolution censuring Mr. Cameron by a vote of 76 to 45.

A resolution censuring Mr. Welles, Secretary of the Navy, was rejected 45 to 72.

The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the Pacific Railroad bill. Not much progress was made on it. Adjourned.


SENATE. – Mr. HARRIS presented a memorial from the Chamber of Commerce of New York, on the system of taxation.

Mr. WADE from the Committee on the Conduct of the War, made a report in relation to the barbarous treatment of our soldiers at Manassas. The report was ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. WADE the homestead bill was taken up.

Mr. Carlisle offered a substitute for the bill, which was postponed until to-morrow.

Mr. NESMITH introduced a bill to amend the act of 1851 for a military hospital for invalid soldiers.

Mr. POWELL’s resolution calling on the Secretary of State for information concerning the arrest of persons in the state of Kentucky was taken up.

Mr. POWELL said that he had been much annoyed at the opposition to this resolution. The substitute offered by the Senator from Massachusetts (Sumner) was merely an attempt to avoid giving the information asked for.

After some debate the morning hour expired. The Confiscation bill was taken up. Messrs. WILMOT and RIGHT spoke in its favor, and Mr. McDOUGAL against it.


WASINGTON, May, 1. – HOUSE. – Mr. BLAIR of Missouri, called up the bill recently reported form the Military Committee, authorizing the appointment of a Board on Fortifications, to provide for the coast and other defences, of the United States, and for other purposes, and abstract of which was published on the 24th of April.

Mr. BLAIR explained the provisions of the bill, and in response to a question, said it surrendered the appropriations already made. It also provides that the money shall be expended upon such works or defences, as shall be named by the commission, proposed to be created by the bill. The consideration of the bill was postponed until Tuesday.

Mr. LOVEJOY from the Committee on Territories, reported a bill to render Freedom national and slavery sectional.

The house then went into committee of the Whole on the Pacific Railroad bill.

The time was occupied in the explanation of numerous amendments, when the Committee rose without coming to any consideration of the bill. Adjourned.


SENATE. – Mr. HOWARD presented petitions in favor of a general bankrupt law.

Mr. WRIGHT, also, presented petitions for a bankrupt act, and said that more of them are coming from Indiana.

Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, offered a resolution, that the Secretary of War, be requested to report whether one Frederick Emory, who murdered Wm. Phillips in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1855 or 1856, had been appointed to any place in the Department of Kansas.

Mr. LANE, of Kansas, said the Government had before it to-day, the Kansas difficult, and he presumed it would correct the evil. The resolution was laid over.

The Confiscation bill was taken up.

Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, offered, as an amendment to the sixth section of Mr. Collamer’s substitute, authorizing the President to make a proclamation and free the laves of those who continue in the rebellion for 30 days.

Messrs. WILSON and MORRILL spoke in favor of the bill.

Mr. DAVIS offered a resolution, declaring that the war now carried on by the United States, shall be vigorously prosecuted and continued to compel obedience to the Constitution and laws, within the limits of every territory, by all the citizens and residents thereof, and for no further end whatever.

On motion of Mr. SUMNER, the resolution was laid over.

On motion of Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts the resolution asking the Military Committee to enquire whether any further legislation was necessary to prevent soldiers and officers from returning fugitive slaves was taken up.

Mr. SUMNER said he was glad the Senator from the State of Iowa, in his speech, had called attention to some officers concerning their treatment of fugitives. One General who lately made an order returning fugitives was a native of Massachusetts, and he (Sumner) used his influence to get him appointed. If he had known that Gen. Hooker would have made such an order, he never would have tried to get him an appointment. When a General falls in battle there is honor in it, and we regret his death, but when a General falls as Gen. Hooker has fallen, there can be nothing but regret. He rose to call attention to the order of Col. Doubleday, and contrasted it with that of Gen. Hooker, saying that he (Doubleday) was an honor to his country.

Mr. SUMNER then referred to Gen. McCook at the West, and also to the conduct of the Provost Marshal at Louisville, as being disgraceful to the army. Mr. S. also read and account of how blacks were oppressed at Louisville.

Mr. DAVIS asked Mr. Sumner where he got his account.

Mr. SUMNER said from the newspapers in New York.

Mr. DAVIS had no doubt of the falsity of the account.

Mr. WILSON of Massachusetts said that he had abundant evidence of the disgraceful treatment of fugitive slaves by portions of the army.

Mr. SUMNER also referred to the return of fugitive slaves from the camps of General Buell, and to the order of Gen. Halleck excluding all fugitives from his lines. Sumner said the order was unconstitutional, absurd and deficient in common sense, an outrage upon common humanity and unworthy of a soldier. Such an order would exclude all the valuable information received from fugitives such as for instance the capture of New Orleans and the evacuation of Fredericksburgh.

Mr. SAULSBURY offered as an amendment to the resolution the following: And also to enquire what further legislation is necessary to prevent the illegal capture and imprisonment of free white citizens of the United States.

Mr. SAULSBURY referred to the number of persons taken from the States of Delaware and Maryland. They had been seized by military authorities and dragged away to forts and prisons, after being kept a week or two were discharged because no fault could be found with them.

These men belonged to a class who are deemed to be of no account, and whose interest do not appear to be cared for, for they are unfortunately are free white persons. The men who had committed no offense were reserved in violation of every law and every night. If the wrongs of the negro are to be redressed he could only ask that the same justice might be meted out to white men. He also asked nothing further. Men who were disloyal to the Government, he would have punished to the full extent of the law.

The Senate [then] went into Executive Session, after which it adjourned.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 3

From the Upper Tennessee

CAIRO, April 27. The river is still rising and in some places is gradually making its way over the levee. The Illinois Central Railroad track is being protected by throwing up entrenchments. The steamer McClellan arrived from Pittsburg, whence she left at 4 o’clock Saturday. The rebels are inaugurating a system of guerilla warfare along the Tennessee river. Boats were fired on Yesterday from the banks a short distance above Ft. Henry. Our army is steadily advancing towards Corinth. Gen. Pope’s division is on the extreme left, at Hamburg, four miles above Pittsburg Landing. A reconnaissance in force from Gen. McCook’s division encountered a large force of rebel infantry and cavalry, eight miles from the Landing on Thursday. The rebels formed in line of battle, fired one volley and retreated in great disorder with considerable loss, leaving our troops in possession of their camp, which we burned. – They were well supplied with camp and garrison equipage, and armed with new English Enfield rifles. We took 59 prisoners. Two of our cavalry were wounded. Enemy’s loss in killed and wounded not ascertained, as they carried them off the field. The roads had been improving, but heavy rains on Friday rendered them again almost impassable. The body of Maj. Gen. C. F. Smith has arrived in charge of Dr. Hewitt. It will be taken to St. Louis, and after being incased in a metallic coffin will be interred in vault with military honors, and then turned over to the family of the deceased. Gen. Smith died at 4 o’clock on Friday of chronic diarrhea, contracted in Mexico from which he has since been continually suffering. The Memphis Avalanche of Wednesday, April 23d, says that a raft upon which were field pieces, a 13 inch mortar, and 16 of our men, was captured by the rebels near Fort Pillow, and taken down river. It insists that the battle at Shiloh was a Confederate victory. Genls. Buell and Beauregard had effected arrangements for exchange of the wounded prisoners. Publication of war news had been interdicted by the rebel government. Passengers from the Tennessee river bring further rumors that Corinth is being evacuated by Beauregard, who will make the next stand at Columbus, Mississippi. Col. Turchin’s brigade had moved back from Tuscumbia to Huntsville, where Gen. Mitchell was still encamped. – Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 2

Recognition of Rebel Officers

The Pittsburg correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, Thus gives the manner in which a couple of distinguished rebel “Johnstons” were recognized:–

HOW SIDNEY JOHNSTON WAS RECOGNIZED:–

Albert Sidney Johnston’s body was not found till Monday evening, was first recognized by Brigadier-General Nelson, who had known him when the one was an honored officer in the old army and the other a lieutenant of the navy. Prisoners had been telling of his death, and describing him as dressed in a velvet suit, and when such a corpse was found inquiries were naturally made as to who knew Johnson [sic]. Gen. Nelson was sent for. He at once declared indeed the dead Commander-in-Chief, and had the body removed to his own tent. Gen. Rousseau was subsequently sent for, and he two [sic] recognized the features. Capt. Chandler, of the regular army did the same; and strangely enough there was a wagon-master there who had been one of Johnston’s teamsters in the famous Utah expedition, who likewise remembered the appearance of the Chief he had followed on that disastrous march to the Rocky Mountains.


FINDING GEORGE W. JOHNSTON [sic].

As a party of our officers were riding over the field on Tuesday, they found a person of more than ordinary intelligence among the wounded. He was dressed in plain citizens’ clothes, but there seemed no reason to doubt that he had been actively engaged in the battle, and that in all probability he was an officer of some rank. The officers were called up to see if he could be identified. Singling out Gen. McD. McCook from the party, the wounded man asked that he might be permitted to see him alone. The rest retired, and a conversation, lasting for some little time, followed between the two. After the interview Gen. McCook explained that the wounded man was George W. Johnston [sic], “Provincial Governor of Kentucky,” who had set in motion at Russellville the bogus Confederacy, and serving as Aid, I believe, on the Generals Staff. He had made some personal requests, the “Governor” was severely wounded in two [places]. He received every surgical attention; but the next day died.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 21, 1862, p. 2

Letter From Pittsburg

The following private letter from Shiloh field will be of interest to our readers, and we trust the writer will excuse its publication:

PITTSBURG BATTLE-FIELD,
April 12, 1862

DEAR BROTHER – You have no doubt ere this heard of the greatest battle fought on this continent, and as you feel somewhat anxious to hear from me, I improve the first opportunity by saying that I am unhurt, and that my health was never better than at present. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I was not in the fight, as our division was the last of Gen. Buell’s army to come up, and we did not arrive till four o’clock on Tuesday morning, when the battle was fought and the victory won. We were about 60 miles distant on Sunday morning when the firing commenced, and at noon we could distinctly hear the cannonading. As we came along each report seemed “[Nearer], clearer, deadlier than before.”

The last 38 miles we came on a forced march, and owing to the desperate roads we had to travel, and the incessant rain of Monday night, we had rather a bad time of it. We (the signal corps) came thro with Gen. Thomas, his body guard and staff, but the troops did not arrive till Wednesday.

Soon after our arrival I went out on the battle-field, and the sights I there saw beggar description. The dead were lying in heaps, and in many places the bushes and trees were literally mown down. The ground strewn with dead horses, broken artillery wagons, guns, cartridge-boxes, &c. The only consolation I could gather from this most sickening sight was that there were about two dead rebels to one of our men. I can form no idea of the number killed, but the loss must be very heavy on both sides. The papers have probably given you the particulars more correctly than I can. McCook’s division was in the hottest of the fight, and came out covered with honors. The old 15th has won a name long to be remembered, but not without some loss. Company E, to which I belonged, had 3 killed and 6 or 8 wounded. The other companies suffered much the same. Col. Kirk was wounded in the shoulder. It will disable him for a while, but is not considered dangerous. It is not now thought the rebels will make an attack on the forces now here, and with the position we now occupy, as that would be certain death to the Confederate cause.

I have frequently heard it hinted that Gen. Grant will lose some of his military honors in this fight, while Buell and his army are lauded to the skies. The Illinois boys who were in both say that the Fort Donelson fight was only a skirmish to the side of this one. Gen. Halleck arrived this morning and takes command. Write soon for I have not heard from you since we parted at Franklin, Tenn.

In haste, your brother,

T. W. VAN LAW.


The Col. Kirk mentioned above was a former resident of Ohio, though practicing Law in Illinois when the war broke out. He was chosen Col. Of the 34th Illinois, and was in command of the brigade in McCook’s division when I saw him at Columbia. He is a gentleman and a fine scholar, and the fact of his having two horses shot under him in the late battle shows that he dare go in “harm’s way.”

J. V.

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862

From the 19th Ohio

Camp on Battle Field near Murfreesboro,
January 5th, 1863

Messrs. Editors:

I hope that you will be kind enough to insert the following in your paper for the benefit of the friends and relatives of the 19th Regiment and more especially of the members of Company E. I give you a hurried sketch of our loss during [illegible] battles. We arrived here on Monday evening and took our position on right of left wing. It rained nearly all day on Tuesday. Cannonading in our front, right and some firing of musketry. Several charges [made] on the right by our forces. Our Regiment being on the third line, had no firing to do.

Wednesday, Dec. 31 – About 7 A.M. an order was read to us form General Rosecrans, stating that he that day wished to give the rebels on a death blow, and some very encouraging remarks to the officers and soldiers. Our brigade was then moved across Stone River, and had scarcely our lines formed when an order came for us to recross, as the enemy had driven our right. We were brought back to our old ground. Changed front several times and finally marched to the right on the Murfreesboro pike, and just [in time], as General Rosecrans said, to save the [utter annihilation] of the whole right wing of our army. Two brigades came through the woods on a dead run, and the rebels after them, and within 25 or 30 yards of the pike. Our commands were but “Fix bayonets and commence firing.” As soon as our men were out of the way, breaking through our ranks, we poured a deadly fire into them, charged and drove them about one thousand yards – Generals Rosseau, Rosecrans, Vancleve, McCook and Crittenden were present when we made our first charge. We were very highly complimented. Several of the Generals stated that it was the best regiment in the U.S. Army.

We advanced into an open field and again, the rebels charged and drove one brigade in our front back, and broke our ranks to get through. We were then ordered to lay down. The rebels flanked us on our right and we were then ordered to fall back. We formed some four hundred yards back, and waited their arrival at the top of a little rise and again opened on them. Two batteries opened a cross fire at the same time and we piled them up like old shoes and drove them back again. It so happened that Gen. Rosecrans was present at this fire, all alone, his face as bloody as a butcher. His A.A.G. had his head shot off by a solid shot by his side a few minutes before.

We were again moved to the right to strengthen the lines as the rebels moved in that direction. We were again under fire, marching by the right flank. The boys would step out of ranks and fire, saying it was too pretty a chance to miss. We were then ordered to the rear, where we could build fires and rest, but did not move till 12 M. Our boys put in the last of the old year marching; night very cold and rations short.

Jan. 1st – About six o’clock in the morning we again started to cross the river, but were detained by our artillery. In the meantime some demonstrations were made by the enemy to attack our centre, and we were stationed to support a battery on our left. Towards evening we crossed the river, took position right of left wing, second line. Some very heavy artillery and musketry firing on our right. We were called up during the night but nothing occurred more than picket skirmishing.

Jan. 2 – All quiet on our front until near three o’clock, we were in line and broke ranks near 4 P.M. Captain Drury’s Battery (formerly of Zanesville) then in our front, came moving back. Just then musketry firing commenced on our front. We had scarcely time to form when the order was given to advance double quick. The 23rd brigade was falling back in great confusion and disorder, every one on his own hook. We advanced about three hundred yards and fired on the enemy, but they were too strong for us, and we were compelled to fall back. We tried to rally at the foot of the hill, but the enemy pressed us too close. We were driven across the creek and a great many of our men were overtaken and captured, but the rebels were driven back so quick that they had not time to attend to taking prisoners with them. A great many were shot while in the act of crossing the stream and were lost. Men rallied from [all] quarters formed and drove the rebels [illegible] back Our artillery opened on them a most terrible fire. The old 19th colors were the first to recross the creek. Color bearers could be seen going in all directions with flags but no regiments. It is the general supposition that this was the most terrible scene of the war.

We charged on, as I have since learned, Hardee’s and Breckenridge’s divisions, with a battalion of sharpshooters in front. Our regiment held the whole rebel army in check for some five or six minutes until flanked.

After the enemy were driven back we took our position as before. It rained hard all night. We were relieved about 9 A.M. on the 3d [illegible] Marched across the creek to the rear, mud knee deep. During the retreat of the rebels they lost at least four prisoners to our one and four killed to our one. Also the celebrated Washington battery was captured.

January 4 – Very heavy firing on the right commenced about 3 P.M. and lasted 2 hours.

Jan 4 Rebels reported to have evacuated. Our troops advanced this morning. No enemy to be found. Some reserved troops were engaged throwing up fortification on our old ones.

The loss in our company, December 31st. at the first fire was as follows:

John H. Deavers, 2d Corporal, wounded in [left] thigh, slightly, Thomas L. Gilson right thing, died same day, William H. Cooper, private, right arm below elbow, serious, John [P.] Green, hand slight, Isaac Granger, thigh, sever, Thomas Harbaugh, arm below elbow, sever, George W. Little, leg, slight, John J. [Lams], ankle, severe.

Same day, second fire:

Wm. [Cook], 4th Corporal, right leg, below knee, severe. Anthony Bolinger, private, left [illegible] serious.

Jan 2d – Captain U Bean, killed, George Herald, private, killed, Jas. Franks, private, [killed], Geo. J. Swank, 1st Sergeant, wounded in chin, serious. Frederick Pannier, 3d Corporal, wounded in chin, seriously. Geo. Colhouse, private, thigh, slightly. Jennings F. [N___bro], breast, slight, Wm. Ziegler, right arm, below elbow, slight.

Missing – Henry [E__s] and George W. Armstrong, privates.

We are all in fine spirits and well, what is [left of us]. Our loss in the regiment is [210] killed wounded and missing.

I remain your humble servant.

LEWIS R. FIX,
Lt. Company E, 19th Reg’t. O.V.I.

– Published in the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville, Ohio, January, 15, 1863

Further Particulars of the Murfreesboro Battle – Official

HEADQUARTERS 14TH ARMY CORPS,
Department of the Cumberland,
Front Murfreesboro, Jan. 3, Via Nashville.

H. W. Halleck, Commander-in-chief:

On the 26th of December, we marched from Nashville in three columns, General McCook by the Nolinsville pike, Gen. Thomas from his encampment on the Franklin pike, via Wilson pike, and General Crittenden on the main Murfreesboro pike.

Our left and centre met with a strong resistance, such as the nature of the country permits – the rolling or hilly routes skirted by cedar thickets and farms intersected by small streams, with rocky bluff banks, forming serious obstacles. General McCook drove Gen. Hardee’s corps a mile and a half from Murfreesboro and occupied the place.

General Crittenden reached within a mile of Lavergne. General Thomas reached Wilson’s Pike, meeting with no serious opposition on the 27th. General McCook drove General Hardee from Nolinsville and pushed a reconnoitering division six miles towards Shelbyville.

They found that General Hardee had retreated towards Murfreesboro.

General Crittenden fought and drove the enemy before him, occupying the line of Stewart’s Creek, and capturing some prisoners, with slight loss.

General Thomas occupied the vicinity of Nolinsville, when he was partially surprised, thrown into confusion, and driven back.

General Sheridan’s division had repulsed the enemy four times and protected the flank of the centre, which not only held its won, but advanced until this untoward event which compelled me to retain the left wing to support the right until it should be rallied and assume a new position.

On the 1st the rebels opened by an attack on us and were again repulsed. On the 2d inst. there was skirmishing along the front with threats of an attack until 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

When the enemy advanced, I threw a small division across Stone’s river, to occupy the commanding ground there. While reconnoitering the ground occupied by this division, which ad no artillery, I saw a heavy force coming from the woods, and advancing in line of battle, three lines deep.

They drove our little division before them, after a sharp contest in which we lost 70 or 80 killed and 375 wounded.

They were finally repulsed by General Negley’s division and the remaining troops of the left wing of General Morton’s pioneer brigade, and fled far over the field and beyond their entrenchments. Their officers rallying them with great difficulty. They lost heavily. We occupied the ground with the left last night.

The lines were completed at four o’clock in the morning.

– Published in the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville, Ohio, Tuesday, January 6, 1863

Statement Of Major McDonald, Of The 8th Missouri, Who Was In The Battle

Statement of Major McDonald, Of the 8th Missouri, Who Was In the Battle

Major John McDonald, of the Eighth Missouri, arrived here on yesterday afternoon, direct from Pittsburgh Landing, having left the battle field on Wednesday evening.

He says the Eighth was in the fight on Monday, only lost six or eight killed, and about twenty-five wounded, none of the officers being hurt. He confirms the Killing of Gen. A. S. Johnson [sic], as was told by one of the prisoners, a confederate Lieutenant, that Gen. Bushrod Johnson, who escaped from Donelson, was also killed. All reports about the wounding of Gen. Beauregard, he thinks are unreliable. An officer of the New Orleans Creole Battalion who was taken prisoner, says that Beauregard, who was then commander, made them a speech on Saturday, before the battle, in which he told them that the result was a sure thing, they could not fail, they would capture Grant and his army, then whip Buell, and by this means hold all their railroads. If they lost the day he told them they might as well lay down their arms and go home.

Lieut. Co. J. F. St. James, of the 13th Missouri, was killed; also Lieut. Col. Gerber of the Twenty-fourth Missouri; also Lieut. Col. or Major Kilpatrick, of one of the Illinois regiments. The Ninth Illinois suffered very severely.

The story of the escape of Gen. Prentiss is not true. He and the greater part of his brigade, probable, 3,500 men, were taken prisoners early in the fight on Sunday.

Gen. Grant was at Savannah on Sunday morning and hearing the firing made his way to Pittsburg in all haste, and got on the field about 11 o’clock A. M. In the action on Monday he was considerably hurt in one of his legs by being crushed against a tree.

The gunboats did fine work and probably saved our army from total disaster on Sunday. – They were placed up the stream where they could have full sweep of the rebel lines, and did a great deal of disconcert and keep back the enemy. All Sunday night they kept up a slow fire which harassed the rebels very much.

The beginning of the fight on Sunday morning was a complete surprise, many of our officers and soldiers being over taken in their tents and either slaughtered or taken prisoners. Some of the companies scattered into the ravines and hallows, and could not be got out, either by expostulations or threats. When the line was at length formed to resist the attack, it was done without much regard to company or regiment. By night the rebels had driven our army entirely out of its camps, and was in full possession of tents, equipage and everything.

So well satisfied were they of their days work, and so confident of the morrow, that they destroyed nothing. They got six of our batteries, all of which were recaptured the following day, and about forty of their cannon taken. Our lines on Sunday night were drawn around the landing in a semi circular shape, protected on all sides by our cannon; [but], if they had been hard pressed after dark by the rebels they would have been penetrated, and our entire army overcome.

The arrival of the reinforcements was very cheering; the rear landing and drawing up in good order and proceeding at once to the front, where they were fresh “cocked and primed” for the fight on Monday. The reinforcing divisions were Generals Nelson’s, Crittenden’s and McCook’s. On Tuesday Generals Wood’s and Thomas’s divisions also of Buell’s army came up.

The Fist Missouri artillery, Major Cavender, did splendidly losing no officers or guns.

Major Gen. C. F. Smith was not in the fight at all, but lying sick at Savannah, and not able to get out of his bed.

Our forces at Pittsburg on Sunday morning, were not over thirty-five thousand men. The enemy’s could not have been less than 90,000 men. One of the rebel prisoners, a quarter master, told Major McDonald that not less than ninety thousand rations were issued before they left Corinth.

Bowen’s brigade was heard from. Two or three of the prisoners belonged to it, but the Major, though he tried to see them was unsuccessful.

The second day’s fighting was not half so desperate as the first. The rebels soon gave way before our fresh troops, and were pursued with great slaughter. The pursuit was not continued far. A few miles beyond our lines, towards Corinth, there was a large creek very much swollen by the rains; the bridges of which the fugitives destroyed after them.

It rained very hard during Sunday Monday and Tuesday nights.

Major McDonald thinks Beauregard is not prepared to make a stand at Corinth and if pushed will retreat south as far as Jackson, Mississippi.

About four hundred of the wounded came down with Major McDonald on the steamer Commodore Perry to Paducah, and the others went up to Evansville. The Minnehaha would soon be down with the wounded.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862