During the night of the 6th, Buell busied himself in getting his troops up. Nelson's column, and nearly all of Crittenden's and McCook's divisions were ferried across the river, and put in position. All night long the gunboats dropped shells, at intervals, on the rebel lines, and the woods caught fire, lighting up the battle-field for miles away. But for a merciful shower of rain, thousands of helpless wounded would have been burned to death on that blazing battle-field. Grant had after dark visited every division, and encouraged, by his presence, the officers and men. each he said: “As soon as it is light enough to see attack with a heavy skirmish line, and when you have found the enemy, throw upon him your whole force, leaving no re

serve."

Το

The new line of battle now stood in the following order: Lewis Wallace's division on the right; Sherman, McClernand, and Hurlbut, from right to left; McCook next, with Crittenden on his left, and Nelson on the extreme left.

EFFECTS OF A SHOT NEAR SHILOH MEETING-
HOUSE.

The fighting began early, and, for a time, was obstinate; but the rebels were gradually pushed back until all the ground lost the day before had been regained. By two o'clock the Union victory was complete, and Beauregard in full retreat.

During the battle on the 7th, Grant met the First Ohio Regiment marching toward the northern part of the field, and immediately in front of

a position which it was important should be taken. The regiment on the left was fighting hard, but about to yield,

in fact, had given way, when Grant called upon the Ohio boys to change direction, and charge. The soldiers recognized their leader, and, with a cheer, obeyed, Grant riding along through the storm of lead cheering them on. The retreating troops seeing what was going on, took courage, and rallying, with loud shouts, drove the enemy from their strong position.

Grant rode along in the piece of woods toward the left of the line, where he met McCook and Crittenden. It was now late in the day, but Grant was anxious to push on after the beaten and retreating rebels. McCook and Crittenden said their troops were too much fatigued to continue the pursuit, and so the Union forces encamped.

BURNING HORSES ON THE FIELD OF SHILOH.

Grant's loss, including Buell's army, was twelve thousand two hundred and seventeen; of these, seventeen hundred were killed, seven thousand four hundred and ninety-five wounded, and three thousand and twenty-two missing. Two thousand one hundred and sixty-seven of the losses were in the Army of the Ohio. Beauregard reported a total loss of ten thousand six hundred and ninety-nine killed, wounded,

and missing; but as our burying parties buried four thousand of his dead, his loss must have been much larger.

The New York Herald, which contained the first authentic account of the battle, said of General Grant and his staff: "General Grant and staff, who had been recklessly riding along the lines during the entire day, amid the unceasing storm of bullets, grape, and shell, now rode from right to left, inciting the men to stand firm until our reënforcements could cross the river.

"About three o'clock in the afternoon, General Grant rode to the left where the fresh regiments had been ordered, and, finding the rebels wavering, sent a portion of his bodyguard to the head of each of five regiments, and then ordered a charge across the field, himself leading; and as he brandished his sword and waved them on to the crowning victory, the cannon-balls were falling like hail around him."

The Herald sums up its account as follows:

"There has never been a parallel to the gallantry and bearing of our officers, from the commanding general to the lowest officer.

"General Grant and staff were on the field, riding along the lines in the thickest of the enemy's fire during the entire two days of the battle, and all slept on the ground Sunday night, during a heavy rain. On several occasions General Grant got within range of the enemy's guns, and was discovered and fired upon.

"Lieutenant-Colonel McPherson had his horse shot from under him when along-side of General Grant.

"Captain Carson was near General Grant when a cannonball took off his head, and killed and wounded several others. "General Sherman had two horses killed under him, and General McClernand shared like dangers; also General Hurlbut, each of whom received bullet holes through their clothes.

"The publication of the Herald's account so soon after the battle, created a great excitement among the citizens of New York, and during the day it was telegraphed to the National Capitol and to other parts of the Union."

Mr. Bennett telegraphed the account to the President and to both Houses of Congress, in which it was read aloud. In the lower House, Mr. Colfax, on asking leave to read the dispatch, was greeted on all sides of the House with cries of "To the Clerk's desk." The previous noise. and excitement subsided, and as the House listened to the brief and pregnant details of the bloody struggle which preceded the glorious victory over the concentrated strength of rebeldom, all hearts were stilled, and the very breathing almost suppressed, till the last word of the dispatch was read. The rejoicing was great at the victory, though somewhat saddened at the price of blood with which it had been purchased.

On the 9th of April, the War Department issued the following complimentary order to all concerned:

[EXTRACT.]

"WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 9th, 1862.

"The thanks of the department are hereby given to Generals Grant and Buell and their forces, for the glorious repulse of Beauregard, at Pittsburg, in Tennessee."

CHAPTER VI.

HALLECK ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE ARMY-GRANT'S ENEMIES AGAIN BUSY— WASHBURN'S DEFENSE OF HIM-ADVANCE ON CORINTH-DIGGING AND DITCHING LETTERS FROM A UNION SOLDIER-ELLIOT'S RAID-PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY FROM CORINTH-GRANT'S POSITION-HE IS PLACED IN COMMAND OF THE DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE-HALLECK SUCCEEDS M'CLELLAN-GRANT AND THE REBELS-GRANT AND THE NEWSPAPERS-HOW HE TREATED GUERRILLAS-PRICE'S RAID-ADVANCE ON IUKA-THE BATTLE-DEFEAT AND ESCAPE OF THE REBELS-BATTLE OF CORINTH-DEFEAT AND RETREAT OF THE REBELS-GRANT'S CONGRATULATORY ORDER TO HIS ARMY-MR. LINCOLN'S DISPATCH.

IMMEDIATELY on hearing of the battle at Pittsburg Landing, General Halleck set out from St. Louis to assume command of the combined armies operating along the Tennessee. Before his arrival, however, Grant had sent Sherman up the river with some troops and gunboats to destroy the bridges over the Big Bear Creek, which he did, thus cutting Corinth off from Richmond. On the 22d of April General Pope came up from New Madrid with his army, twenty-five thousand strong, and on the 30th General Wallace was sent through Purdy and four miles beyond to destroy the bridge across the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, which was effectually done, cutting off the rebel reënforcements coming from Jackson, Tennessee. The "Grand Army," as it was now called, consisted of

The Army of the Ohio (center), under General Buell.

The Army of the Mississippi (left), under General Pope. The Army of the Tennessee (right), under General Grant. This grand army was composed of sixteen divisions, eight