Newspaper Page Text
The Battle of Shiloh.
CESERAL BEAUREGARDS OFFICIAL RE
PORT.
Hkadqvartkrs Army of ths Mississippi, >
Cosinth, Mississippi, April 11, 1862. )
GeKtral- Ou the 2d ultimo, having ascertained
conclusively from the movements of the enemy
.... the Tennessee river, and from renab.e sources
of information, that his aim would be to cut oil
..communication in Western Tennessee with
"e Eastern and Southern States by operating
fa>m the Tennessee river between Crump s Land
and Eastport as a base, 1 determined to toil
hie designs by concentrating all my available
forces at and around Corinth.
Meanwhile, having called on the Governors of
the State ol Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama,
and Louisiana, to furnish additional troops, some
of them, chiefly regiments from Louisiana, soon
leached'this vicinity, and, with twq divisions of
Gen Folk’s command from Columbus, and a tine
eorps ot troops from Mobile and Pensacola, under
Major General Bragg, constituted the army of the
Mississippi. At the same time General Johnston
being at Murfreesboro’on the march to form a
junction of bis forces with mine, was called on to
send at least a brigade by railroad, so that we
might fall on and crush the enemy should be at
tempt to advance from under his gunboats. The
call on General Johnston was promptly complied
with. His entire torce was also hastened in this
direction; and by the first of April our united
forces were concentrated along the Mobile and
Ohio Railroadd'rotn Bethel to Corinth, and on the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad from Corinth
to luka. . , ™.
It was than determined to assume the offensive
and strike a sudden blow at the enemy in posi»
tion under General Grant, on the west bank of
the Tennessee, at Pitteburg, and in the d-rection
of Savannah, before he was reinforced by the ar
my coder General Buell, then known to be ad
vancing for that purpose by rapid inarches from
Nashville via Columbia. About the same time
General Johnston was advised that such an op
eration conformed to the expectations of the Presi
dent. x • Z1 n
Bv a rapid and vigorous attacK on Gen. Grant,
it was expected be would be beaten back into his
transports and the river, or captured in time to
enable us to protit by the victory and remove to
ihe rear all the stores and munitions that would
U'i into our hands, id such an event, before the
arrival of General Buell’s army on the scene. It
was never contemplated, how ver, to retain the
position thus gained and abandon Corinth, the
st rage tic point es the campaign.
Want o! general officers needed for the proper
organization of divisions and brigades of an
army brought thus suddenly together, and other ,
difficulties in the way of an effective organisation !
delayed the movement until the night of the 2d
instant, when it was heard from a reliable quarter
•‘hat tbe junction of the enemy’s armies was near
at Hand , it was then, ata late hour, determined
that the attack should be attempted at once, in
complete and imperfect as were our preparations
for such a grave and momentous adventure. Ac
cordingly that night at one o clock A. M., the
pr.minary orders to the commanders of corps
were issued tor the movement
Ou the following morning the detailed orders
of movement, a copy ol which is herewith
marked •’A,” were issued, aud the movement,
after short delay, commenced, the troops being in
admiraole spirits. It was expected we should
be able to reach the enemy’s lines In time to at
tack them early on the fifth instant. Tbe men, J
however, for the most part, were unused to i
marching, the roads narrow, and traversing a i
densely wooded country, became almost impas- 1
sable after a severe rain storm oa the night of
the 4th, which drenched the troops in bivouac ;
hence onr forces did not reach the intersection
of the roads from Pittsburg and Hamburg in the
immediate vicinity of the enemy, until last Sat
urday afternoon.
i -It was then decided that tne attack should be
made on the next morning, at the earliest hour ■
practicable, in accordance with tbe oiders of :
movement. That is, in three line.. of battle , the
first and second extending from Owl Creek on the
left to Lick creek on the right—a distance of
about three miles, supported by the third and the
reserve Tbe first line, under Major General
fla-d-e, was constituted of his corps, augmented
on bis right by Gladden’s brigade of Major Gen
eral Bragg’s corps, deployed in hue oi cattle,
with their respective artillery tollowing imme
diately by the main road to Pitisourg, and the
cavalry in. rear of tbe wings. -ne second line,
oomposed of the other troops of Bragg a corps
followed the first at a distance of five hundred
yards in tbe same order as the first. The army
iorps, under Gen. Polk, followed the second line,
at the dis’ance of about eight hundred yards, in
lines of brigades, deployed with their batteries
in rear of each brigade, moving by the Pittsburg
road the left wing supported by cavalry; the re
serve under Brigadier General Breckinridge,
followed closely the third line, in the same order,
its right wing supported by cavalry.
These two corps constituted tbe reserve, and
were to support the front lines of battle, by being
deployed when required en the right and left ol
the Pittsburg road, or otherwise act according to
the exigencies of the battle.
At SA. M-, on the 6th inst., a reconnoitering
party of the enemy, having become engaged with
our advanced pickets, the commander of the forces
gave orders to begin the movement and attack as
determined upon, except that Trabuc’s brigade
of Breckinridge's division was detached and
vanced to support the left of Bragg's corps and
lino of battle when menaced by the enemy, and
the other two brigades were directed to advance
by tbe road to H itnburg, to supported Bragg s
right- and at toe same time. Maney’s regiment,
oi Pc’lk’s corps, was adxanced by the same road
to reinforce the regiment of cavalry and batterv
of four pieces already thrown forward to watch
and guard Grier’s Tanner’s, and Borland £ fords,
of Lick Creek.
Thirty minutes after five o.clock, A. M., our
lines and columns were in motion, all animated,
evidently, by a'promising spirit. The front line
was engaged at once, but advanced steadily, fcl
lowed in due order, with equal resolution and
steadiness, by the other lines, which were
brought successively ini© action with rare skill,
judgment and gallantly, by the several corps
commanders, as the enemy made a stand ; with
his masies, rallied for tbe struggle for his
camoments. L>ke an Alpine avalanche, our
troops moved forward, despite the determined re
sistance of tbe enemy, until after six o.clock, P.
M. when we were in possession of ail bis en»
camoments between Owl and Lick Creek but one.
Nearly all ot his field artillery, abou’ thirty (30)
flags,'colors, and standards, over B<<oo prisoners,
including a division cammander (Geo. Prentiss)
and several brigade commanders, thousands oi
small arms, an immense supply of subsistence,
forage and munit'ons ot war, and a large amount
of means ot transportation—all the substantial
fruits ot a complete victory, such, indeed, as
rarely have followed tbe most successful battles,
for never was an army so well provided as that
of our enemy.
Ths remnant of his army had been drives in
•tier disorder to the immediate vicinity of Pitts
burg, nnder the shelter of the heavy guns of his
iron-clad gunboats, aud we remained undisputed
masters o; his well selected, admirably provided
cautoum -s, -o r over twelve hours of obstinate
conflict wild his forces, who had been beaten
f otc them and the comguous covert, but only L by
a sustained onset of all the men we could bring
into action.
Our iosa was heavy, as will appear from tbe
accompanying return marked jB. Our com*
mander-m-Cnief, Genera! A. 8. Johnston, fell
mortally wounded, and died on the field *at 2
3 0 P. M, after having shown the highest {qual
ities »f the commander, and a personal injrepidi
ty that inspired ah around him, vnd gave resist
less impulsion to bis columus ns critics! moi
JOfctit*.
The chief c mtnuad then devolved upon me,
though at t.ti i. I was greatly prostrated, and
Aud. ■ e- • ■ > r longed sickness with which
1 had ... ■■ ■AI ■- ■’ 1 slc '- ' early in February. The
responsibility was one which, in my physical con
dtubb. I wou’d have glibly avoided, though east
opou me wbtn our forces were aucctssfully push
rag ibe enemy back upon tbe Tennessee river,
though supported on the isomediate field by
such corps commanders as Maj.Geus. Polk, Bragg
and Hardee, and Brig. Gen. Breckenridge, com
manding the reserve.
It was six o’clock, p. m., as before said, when
the enemy’s last position was carried, and his
forces finally broke and sought refuge behind a
commanding eminence, covering tbe Pittsburg
Landing, not more than half a mile distant, and
under the guns of the gunboats, which opened on
our eager columns a fierce and annoying fire
with shot and shell of the heaviest description.
Darkness whs close at hand. Officers and men
were exhausted by a combut of over twelve hoars
without food, and jaded by the march of the pre
ceding day through mudund water; it was there
fore impossible to collect the rich and opportune
spoils of war scattered broadcast on the held left
in our possession, and impracticable to make any
effective dispositions for their removal to the rear
1 accordingly established my beadquarters at
the Church of Shiloh in the enemy 's encamps
meat, with Major Gen. Bragg, and directed our
troops to sleep on their arms, in such positions in
advance and rear as corps commanders could de-,
termine, hoping from news received by a special
despatch that delays had been encountered by
Gen. Buell in his march from Columbia, and that
his main force, therefore, could not reach the
field of battla in time to save Gen, Grant's shat
tered fugitive forces from capture or destruction
on the following day.
During the night the rain fell in torrents, ad
ding to the discomfort and harassed condition
of the men; tbe enemy, moreover, had broken
their rest by a discharge, at measured intervals,
of heavy shells thrown from the gunboats;
therefore', on the following morning, tne troops
under my command were not in a condition to
cope with au equal force of fresh troops, armed
and equipped like our adversary, in the imme
diate possession of bi£s depots and sheltered by
such an auxiliary as the enemy’s gunboats.
About six o’clock on the morning of Hie 7th of
April, however a hot tire of musketry bnd artil
lery opened from tbe enemy’s quarter on our
advanced lines, assure! me of the junction of nis
forces, and soon the battle raged with a fury
which satisfied me I was attacked by a largely
superior force. But, from the onset, our troops,
notwithstanding their fatigue and losses from the
battle of the day before, exhibiting the most
cheering, veteran-like steadiness. On the right
and cemre the enemy was repulsed in every ate
tempt be m-ide with' his heavy cohlnns in that
quarter of the field; on the left, however, and
nearest to the point of arrival of his reinforce
ments, he drove forward line after line of his
fresh troops, which were met with a resolution
and courage of which our country may be proudly
hopeful.' Again and again our troops were
brought to the charge, invariab.ly to win the
position at issue, invariably to drive back their.
foe. But hour by hour, thus opposed to an enemy
constantly reinforced, our ranks were perceptibly
‘.binned under the unceasing, withering fire of
the enemy, and by 12 meridian, eighteen hours
of bard tighiug has sensible exhausted a large
number, my last reserves bad been disposed of,
and the enemy was evidently receiving fresh rein
forcements after each repulse; accordingly,
about 1, P. M., I determined w withdraw from so
uneaual a conflict, securing such of the results
of the victory of the day before as was then prac
ticable.
Officers of my staff were immediately dis
patched with the necessary orders to make the
best dispositions for a deliberate, orderly with
drawal from the field, and to collect and post a
reserve to meet the enemy should he attempt to
push after us. In this connection 1 will mention
particularly my Adjutant General, Col. Jordan,
who was of much assistance to me on this occa
sion, as he had already been on tbe field of battle
on that and the preceding day.
About 2 o’clock P. M., the lines m advance,
which had repulsed the enemy in their last tierce
assault on our left and centre, received the or
ders to retire; this was done with uncommon
steadiness, and the enemy made no attemp. to
follow.
Tbe line of troops established to cover this
movement had been disposed on a favorable ridge
commanding the groun dos Shiloh Church ; from
this position our artillery played upon tbe woods
beyond for a while, but upon no visible enemy
and w*»***»*»* —*<i(id
pursuit would be attempted, this >ast uue was
withdrawn, and never did troops leave a battle
field in a better order, than the stragglers fell
into the ranks and marched off' with those who
had stood more steadily .by their colors. A sei
cond strong position was taken up about a mile
in rear, wheie the approach of the enemy was
waited for nearly an hour, but no effort to follow
was made, and only asrnall detachment of horse®
men could be seen at a distance ’from this last
position, wearily abserving our movements.
Arranging, through my staff’ officers, for the
completion of the movements thus begun. Briga®
dier-General Breckinridge was left wiihbis com
mand as a rear guard to hold the ground he had
occupied the nignt preceding the first battle,
just in front of tbe intersection of the Pittsburg
and Hamburg roads, about- four miles from the
former place, while the rest of the army passed
to the rear in excellent order.
Oa the following day Gen. Breckinridge fell
back about three miles to Vicksburg, which po
sition we continued to hold, with our cavalry
thrown considerably forward in immediate prox
imity to tbe battle field.
Unfortunately, towards night of the 7th inst..,
it began to rain heavily; this continued through*
out tbe night, the roads became almost impass
able in many places, and much hardship and suf
fering now ensued before all tbe regiments reach
ed their encampments; but, despite the heavy
casualties of the two eventful days of the 6th and
7th of April, this army is more confident of ultis
mate success than before its encounter with the
enemy. _ . „ ,
To Major Generals Polk, Bragg and Hardee,
commanding corps, and to Brigadier General
Breckinridge, commanding the reserve, the coun
try is greatly indebted for the zeal, intelligence,
and energy with which all orders were executed
for the foresight and military ability they dis
played in the absence of instructions in the many
exigencies of the battle, on a field so densely
wooded and broken, and for their fearless deport
ment as they repeatedly led their commands per
sonally to the onset upon their powerful advera
sary. It was under these circumstances that
General Bragg had two horses shot under him,
that Major General Hardee was slightly wounded,
his coat rent by balls, and his borse disabled, and
that Major General Breckinridge was twice struck
by spent balls. .
For the services of their gallant subordinate
commanders, and of other officers, as well as for
tbe details of the battle field, 1 must refer to the
reports of corps, division, and brigade command
ers, which shall be forwarded as soon as re®
ceived. .... .
To give more in detail the operations ot the two
battles resulting from tbe movement on Pitts
burg than now attempted, must have delayed
this report for weeks, and interfered materially
with the important duties of my position; but I
may be permitted to say, that not only did the
obstinate confl ct for twelve hours cm Sunday
leave the Confederate army masters of the battle
field, and our adversary beaten, but we left the
tield’on the next dav only after eight hours’ in
cessant battle, with a superior army of fresh
troops, whom we bad repulsed in every attack oi
our lines—so repulsed and crippled indeed,as to
leave it unable to take the field for the campaign
for which it was collected and equipped at such
enormous expense, and with such profusion ot
all the appliances ot war. These successful re*
■ suits were not achieved however, aS before said,
without severe loss, a loss not to .be measured by
the number of the slain and wounded, but by the
high social and personal worih ot so jarge a num
ber of those who were killed or disabled, inc.u -
ding the commander of the forces, whose nigh
qualities will be greatly mxssed in the moment,
tons campaign impending. ' ...
I deeply regret to record also the death o tbe
Hon. George M. Johnston, Provisional Governor
of Kentucky, who went into action with tne
Kentucky treops, and continually inspired them
by his words and example. Having his horse
shot under him ot Sunday, be entered the ral J. ks
of a Kentucky regiment on Monday, and fe»l
mortally wounded towards the close of tbe day.
Not his State alone, but tbe whole Confederacy,
has sustained a great loss in the death of this
brave, upright and able man.
Another gallant and able soldier and captain (
Wb« lost to the -ervice of the country,
Brigadier General Gladden, commanding •
brigade, Withers’ division, second arn *y. c I.d
died from a severe wound received on ) ■
instant, after having been conspicuous
whole corps and the ai my for courage an
pacity. " ~ fi _ at
Major-General Cheatham, commanding _
division, first corps, was slightly wounded,
had three horses shot tinder him. t
Brigadier General Clark, commanding ' _
division of the first corps, received a severe
wound alstfi on the first day, which will aepi ive
the army of his valuable services tor some •
Brigadier General Hindman, engaged in the
outset of the battle, was conspicuous fol a coo
courage efficiently employed in leading his mm
ever into the thickest of the fray, until blh n
was abot under him, and he was unfortunately so
severely injured bv the fall that the “, r . m y J**
deprived, on the following day, ot his chivalrous
example. ,
Brigadier Generals B. R. Johnston and Bowen,
most meritorious officers, were also severely
wounded in the first combat, but it is hoped will
soon be able to return to duty with their brig
ades.
To mention the many field officers wno died or
were wounded while gallantly leading their com
mands into action, and the many brilliant in
stances of individual courage diplayed by officers
and men in the twenty hours ot battle, is impos
sible at this time; but their names will be duly
made known to their conntiymen.
The immediate staff of the lamented Command
er-In-Chief, who accompanied him to the field,
rendered efficient service, and, either by hie side
or in carrying his orders, shared his exposures to
the casualties of a well conte-ted battle field. I
beg to commend their names to tbe notice of the
War Department—namely: ofCapt. H. 1” Brew
ster and N. Wickliffe, of the Adjutant aud Inspec
tor General’s Department.
Captain Theodore O’Hara, Acting Inspector
General.
Lieutenants George Baylor and Thomas M.
Jack, Aide-de-Camp.
Volunteer Aiderde a Camp Colonel Wm. Pres
ton, Major D. M. Hayden, E. W. Munford, and
Calhoun Benham.
Major Albert J. Smith and Captain 'Wickham,
Quartermaster’s. Department.
To these gentlemen was assigned the last sad
duty of accompanying the remains of their lamen
ted chief from the field, except Captains Brew
ster and Wicklfle, who remained, and rendered
valuable services as staff officers on the 7th of
April.
Governor Isham G. He r ris, of Tennessee, went
upon the field with Gener .l Johnston, was by his
side when he was shot, ai .ed him from his horse,
and received him in his arms when he died ; sub
sequently tbe Governor joined my staff and re
mained with me throughout the next day, except
when carrying orders or engaged in encouraging
the troops of his own State, to whom he gave a
conspicious example of coolness, zeal and intre
pipity.
lam also under many obligations to my own
general, personal aud volunteer staff, many of
whom have been so long associated with me. I
append a list of those present on the field on both
days, aud those duties carried them constantly
under tire, namely: Colonel Thomas Jordan,
Captain Clifton H. Smith, and Lieutenant John
M. Otey, Adjutant General’s Department.
Major George W. Brent, Acting Inspector-Gen
eral; Colonel R. B. Lee, Chief of Subsistance,
whose horse was wounded ; Lieutenant Colonel
S. W. Ferguson, and Lieutenant A. R. Chisolm,
Aids-desCamp.
Volunteer Aids-de-Camp, Col. Jacob Thomp- !
son, Major Numa Augustine, Major H. E. Peyton, i
Capt. Albert Ferry, Capt. B. B. Waddell.
Capt. W. W. Porter, of Major General Crittens j
den’s staff, also reported for duty, and shared the
dunes of my volunteer staff on Monday.
Brigadier General Tradeau, of Louisiana volun- .
teers, also, for a part of the first days conflict, was
with me as a volunteer aid.
Captain d. H. Cummings, signa) officer, also,
was actively employed as a staff officer on both
days.
Nor must 1 fail to mention that Private W. E.
Goolsby, Eleventh Regiment. Virginia Volunteers,
orderly to my headquarters since last June, re
the field, discharged the duty'wnTgreat zeal and |
intelligence. •
Other members of my staff were necessarily abi
sent from the immediate field of battle, entrusted j
with responsible duties at these headquarters, i
namely: Captain F. 11. Jordan, Assistant Adjus I
taut General, in charge of general headquar
ters.
Major Eugene E- McLean, Chief Quartermaster,
Captain E. Deslonde, Quartermaster’s Depart
ment. , , „
Lieut. Col. Ferguson, Aid«de-Camp, early on
Monday, was assigned to command and direct tbe
movements of a brigade of the Second Corps.
Lieut, Col. Gilmer, Chief Engineer, after having
performed the important and various duties of
his place, with distinction to himself, and mate*,
rial benefit to bis country, was wounded late on
Monday. I trust, however, I shall not long be
deprived of his essential services.
Capt. Lockett, Engineer Corps, Chief Assistant j
to Col. Gilmer, after having been emploped in tbe
duties of his corps on Sunday, was placed by me
on Monday in command of a battalion without
field officers. Cap’.. Fremaux, Provisional Engi
neers, and Lieuts. Steel and Helm, also rendered
material and very dangerous service in the line of
their duty.
Maj. General (now General) Braxton Bragg, m
addition to his duties of chief of staff, as has been
before stated, commanded his corps—much the
largest in the field—on both days with signal ca
pacity and soldiership.
Surgeon Ford, Medical Director; Surgeons R.
L. Brodie and S. Cboppio, Medical Inspectors,
and Surgeon D. W. Yandell, Medical Director of
the Western Department, with General Johnson,
were present in the discharge of their arduous
and high duties, which they performed with hon
ors to their profession.
Captain Tom Saunders, Messrs. Seales and Met
calf, and Mr. Tully, of New Orleans, were of ma
terial aid in both days, ready to give news of the
enemy’s positions and movements, regardless of
exposure.
From this agreeable duty I torn to one in the
highest degree unpleasant —one due, hewever, to
the brave men under me, as a contrast to the .
behaviour of most of the army who fought so
heroically. 1 allude to the fact that some officers,
non commissioned and men abandoned their col
ers early on the first day to pillage the captured
encampments, others retired shamefully from
the field on both days, while the thunder of can
non and the roar and rattle of musketry told
them tnat their brothers were being slaughtered
by the fresh legions of the enemy. 1 have or
dered tbe names of tbe most conspicuous on this
roll es laggards and cowards to be published on
orders.
It remains to state that our loss in the two days
in killed outright was 1.728; wounded 8,012;
missing 959—making an aggregate of casualties
of 10,699- „ . , .
This sad list tells m simple language of the
ttout fight made by our countrymen in front, of
ihe rude log chapel of Shiloh, especially when
it is known that on Monday, from exhaustion
and other causes, not twenty thousand men on
our side could be brought into action.
Os tbe losses of the enemy I have no exact
know edge. Their newspapers repot it as very
heavy. Unquestionably it was greater, even in
proportion, than our own on both days, tor it was
apparent to all that their dead left on the field
outnumbered two to our one.
Their casualties, therefore, cannot have fallen
many short of twenty thousand in killed, wound
ed, prisoners, and missing.
Through information derived from many sour
ces, including the newspapers of the enemy, we
engaged on Sunday the divisions of Generate
Premiss, Sherman, Hurlbut, McClernard, and
Smith, of 9,000 men each, or at least 45,000 mtn.
This force was reinforced on Sunday night by the
divisions of Generate Netecu, McCook, Crittenden,
and Thomas of Major Genera! Buell’s army,
some 25,000 strong, including all arms. Also,
Genera! L Wallace’s division of General Grant’s
army, making at least 38,000 fresh troops, which,
added to the remnant of General Grant’s forces,
on Monday morning amounting to over 20,000.
made an aggregate force of some 53,000 men, at
leas’, arrayed agairtet u.B on that day.
In connection with the results of the Ebattle 1
cbould state that the most of our men who had
inferior arms exchanged them for tbe improved
rms of the enemy. Also, that most of the prop
erty, public and personal, m the camp from
which the enemy was driven on Sunday, was ren
dered useless or greatly damaged, except some of
the tents.
With this are transmitted certain papers, io
wit : n
Or ler of movements marked ‘ A.
A list of the kilted and wounded marked “B.”
A list of captured flags marked “C‘”and a map
of the field of battle marked “D.”
All ol which is respectfully submitted through
my volunteer Aid-de-Camp, Colonel Jacob
Thompson, of Mississippi, who has in charge the
ti igs, standards and colors captured from the
enemy.
I have the honor to be, General,
Your obedient servant,
G. T. Beavrroard.
General Commanding.
To General 8. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector
General Confederate States Army, Richmond,
Virginia.
/’rom lAe A. O. Della.
GENERAL LOVELL.
We publish below a letter from Gen. Love!),
which presents a clear and satisfactory vindica
tion of his course in the defence of this city.—
The statements of Gen. Lovell, we believe, are
fully sus’ained by the facts, In vindication of
ourselves for the allusion to which tbe Genera!
takes exception, we beg to say that he never was
in the contemplation of the writer in the refer
ence to lack of energy and earnestness on the
part of the agents of the Confederate Govern
ment. We believe, on the contrary, that General
Lovell, so far from being obnoxious to the charge
of a lack of earnestness and energy, accomplished
with the resources placed at his command, re«
suits of character which have excited general
surprise and admiration. There were other par
ties who were in our view, in the allusion to
which the General takes exception, who did not
prove equal to tbe occasion.
We would further add that in the several allm
sions to the evacuation of the city by General
Lovell, we do not think it was intended by any
sober-thin ting person to convey apy censure, or
any doubt, as to the propriety of Gen. Lovell’s
conduct in withdrawing hie troops from the city
after our fortifications had been forced by the
enemy. Left with only an infantry force, Gen.
Lovell remained in tbe city after the enemy's
fleet had anchored in front of the city. He was
I willing and ready to share the fate of tbe city;
i but it was evident that he was not only impotent
I for defense, but the enemy, with his command of
! the river, would have had it in his power to re
i duce the city to starvation, by cutting off all
i communications with the interior. Besides,
j the continuation of the troops in the city would
• have exposed it to a bombardment in which the
enemy would have been justified by the laws of
wav, a garrisoned town being always subject to
such a fate. If Gen. Lovell had five or ten times
tbe infantry force which be really bad, be would
not have made any adequate defence against tbe
enemy’s powerful fleet. His retirement wa«.
therefore, not only an act of sound policy and
wisdom, but one of absolute necessity for the
salvation of the city from the most terrible dis
aster, as well as for the security of the army
Gen. Lovell has saved to lead to other fields,
where their valor may be made available for the
maintainance and defence of the cause.
New Orleans, April 29, 1862.
To Judge Walker— Dear Sir: In the
Delta, in an article headed “Fallen, But Not Dis
graced,” this expression occurs; “The lack of
energy and earnestness ou the part of the agents
of the Confederate Government,” &c.
This includes me in the sweep, and 1 think un
justly. When I came here, but a few short
months since, I found the State defenseless; its
ports blockaded and its young men gone to other
parts of the Confederacy in the army. Without
anything but what was created, every inlet, was
put in a position to offer a protracted and gallant
defense. Forts were armed, powder and muni
tions of every description were made, and a gal
lant body of troops organized and drilled- Guns
were cast and materials of all kinds extemporized
The Torts“wZs twice bridged 6y dost! SKiions wnich
would have resisted anything but the formidable
insh of the great Mississippi in its swollen
wrath.
My troops, at the call of their country, rushed
to Corinth and the deeds of the Louisiana regi
ments on the 6th and 7th of April, indicated their
courage and their training. Our foundries were
beginning to turn out. haavy guns of the best
quality, and a newly erected arsenal furnished us
with various implements of war. All this has
been done since October, besides preparing six
teen vessels for river defence, eight of which
are now defending the upper river, and eight
have been destroyed in the vainattempt to keep
back the enemy’s fleet of war vessels below.—
This has been done with no host of genera's and
staff officers of experience io assist. Almost alone,
with but few exceptions, 1 have worked day and
night, for wore than five mentis, to defend this
great city. The responsibility of its fall is not
due to any want of “energy or earneslness” on
my part.' In a short time more 1 should have
had guns enough, and men enough, to defend tbe
numerous approaches that element on which the
enemy is so pre- eminently powerful; and I there
fore beg that you will do me the justice to say
to tbe people of New Orleans, that I did all that
one man could do to preserve them from an in
solent and powerful foe. When their fleets passed
all our batteries, I withdrew xny infantry force
beyond the city limits, in border to permit the
people of New Orleans to decide whether they
would subject their wives, their children aud
property to bombardment in the endeavor to
maintain their freedom intact; and returned to
the city to day to learn tbeir decision and to of
fer myself aud my command to stand by them to
the last moment, in case they should decide to
undergo a bombardment. I know that there are
many gentlemen here who will bear roe witness
that ail that is here set forth, and much more,
has been done to avert this sad disaster. An
axaminatiou of my letter and order books and
telegraphic dispatches, all show that no stone
has been left unturned by me to save New Ors
leans from this humiliation; and I feel well
convinced that a few short weeks would have ren
dered the position mpregnable. All I ask is
simple justice aud nothing more In conclusion
I will add that terrible as the blow has been, 1
am neither disheartened nor in despair. This
war of independence is not yot fought our. Our
ancestors struggled ou against the massive pow
er of Great Britain when Bost a, New Ycrk,
Philadelphia, Charleston and Savannah were all
m possession of the enemy, and gained their libs
erty.
it is a moral and a physical impossibility that
we can be conquered. Let us but be true to ours
selves and our cause—never tiring, never despair
iag—but rising. Actaeon-like with renewed
vigor from every fall, and we shall yet be res
wared with success. Above all, we should not
crush down the spirit and the energies of those
who are using the faculties, mental and physical,
that God has given them, by making light of
their labor because, wiib limited means and under
adverse circumstances, they have not been sac
cessfui in resisting all points a great, wealthy and
powerful enemy, with all the appliances of
modern warfare, both military and naval, in great
abundance at hia control. We have never yet
seen such dark days as those which environed
George Washington at Valley Forge ; and should
such be our lot, I trust that the same spirit nu
animate us to work out the same successful re
sults. . .
Reanectfully vonr ob t servant.
' M. Lovell,
Major-General C. 8. A.
Thb Beat of the Lath Battle.—Sutlington
Hill near McDowell's, where tbe late battle was
fought is about 36 miles above Staunton on the
Parkesburg road, and in the county of High
land ’ McDowell’s Mon tbe same road near
where it crosses the Bull Pasture river. Monte
rev the county seat of Highland, in the direc
tion ef.wbich the enemy is retreating, is nine
miles from McDowell s-
Perry Davis, ’he inventor of the "Pain Killer,
died m Providence, B, I a lately.
We give the following, from the N. York Iler*
aid, ae a specimen of the stuff with which tbe
Northern press is endeavoring t 0 bolster up the
failing courage of the duped and plundered sub*
jects of Abe Lincoln :
Escape of Davin’ Coachman—Curimts Reve
lation, from the "Ilehel White House."
Washington, May 5, 1862.
The following statement, dated yesterday on tbe
Rappahannock, has re ched Washington.—
A colored man came in to-day from tbe other
side of the river, and represented himself a»
Jeff. Davis’ coachman. From an examination of
him this is probably the truth. He repeats scraps
of conversation overheard whilst driving Mr. and
Mrs. Davis in the carriage, and between Mr. Da
vis and those who came to see him.
Mr. Davis and General J. E. Johnston had some
heated discussions about the latter’s retreat from
Manassas. Davis disapproved of it, and ordered
Johnston to make a stand at Gordonsville. John
ston declined to do this, and offered to resigs,
and was even indisposed to go to Yorktown.—
Mrs. Davis said she thought this very bad in him
(Johnston) to be unwilling to go and help Genera
Magruder. )
Mrs. Davis read an article in the Richmond
Examiner to her husband; saying that it was part
oi the Yankees’ plans that General Banks and
McDowell were to form a junction in Louisa or
Caroline county, and move down on Richmond.
Mr. Davis remarked he thought that was so, but
his genera's would take care of them.
Tbe coachman overheard a conversation be
tween Davis and Dr. Gwin, formerly United
States Senator from California. Davis said that
he had sent General J. R. Anderson, from North
Carolina, to resist the march of the Federate from
Fredericksburg, and delay them there long
enough for him to see the probable result of the
contest before Yorktown, so that if that was like
ly to be unsuccessful he would have time to ex
tricate bis army from the Peninsula and get them
into Richmond and out of Virginia, that other
wise they would all be caught. The coachman
represents that Mrs. Davis said “the Confederacy
was about, played out,” and “that n New Orleans
was really taken, she had no longer any interest
in tbe matter, as all she had was there; that it
was a great pity they bad ever attempted to hold
Virginia and the other non growing cotton
States,” and that she said to Mrs. D. R. Jones,
daughter of Col. James , United States Com-
missary General of Subsistence, who was very
anxious to get to Washington, where she bas one
of her children, “not to give herself any trouble
but only to stay where she was, and when the
Yankees came to Richmond she could go.”
The coachman says that Mr. and Mrs. Davis
have all tbeir books, clothing and pictures packed
up, ready to move off; that there is much out
spoken Union feeling at Richmond ; that, having
been a w alter in a hotel there, be knows all the
Union men of the place, and that the Yankees are
looked for with much pleasure—more by the
whites than even the colored people. Confederate
money is not taken when it can be avoided.
Mrs. Davis herself was refused.'when she offered
a ten dollar Confederate note, wnich she did
; n payment for something purchased for Mrs.
Brown.
M ny of the Richmond people wish the Union
troops to come, as they are half starved out.
The bank and government property is all pack
ed up for removal to Danville, near the North
Carolina line.
Gen. Johnston did not think they would suc»
ceed at Yorktown.
Tbe coachman overheard the rebel officers say
if they failed at Yorktown and New Orleans they
would leave Virginia.
The Herald goe> ahead of the imaginary
coachman, and even asserts that President Davis
has invested $200,000 in French funds, prepara
tory to taking his flight to France.
From ihe Richmond Dispatch, May 14.
AN UNPARALLELED AT’RDCITY CONTEM*
PLATED EY LINCOLN-
The spy, Webster, who was executed near this
citv a few weeks ago, was tried by a court-mar
tial, and convicted upon the clearest testimony.
According to tbe laws of war, as understood and
W'AsjUijt; gu'g'Tre Wteiaeariin on ftopJu.A.iy f
his crime.
We learn from the Enquirer that Lincoln has
determined to retaliate by hanging Mr. Smithsen,
of Washington, a banker in high repute, who
has not been charged with any offense in violation
of the law of nations, and who was arrested only
for furnishing relief to Confederate prisoners. Zt
is difficult to conceive the meditation even of such
a crime and almost impossible to believe that it
is seriously designed to perpetrate it. And yet
we have seen enough of Lincoln, and the foul
brood that surround him, to feel assured that he
would stop short of no atrocity less horrible than
this, which we conceive to be most horrible of
all.
It is easy to understand what Lincoln expecte
to gain by the contemplated crime. He hopes to
secure immunity for spies to come and go, into
and from our lines without molestation. He
will be deceived in his calculations. Every Fed%
eral spy taken within our lines will be bung, be
the consequences what they may. He will not be
able to intimidate our Government, and he can
only|inaugurate a war of indiscriminate slaughter
Should he hang Smithson, the deed will meet
with instant retaliation. Painful as it may he,
such must be the inevitable result. On bis
shoulders will rest the guilt of cold-blooded mur
der, with all its tremendous consequences. The
Confederate States cun wash their hands of both.
“Disloyal” Episcopalians in Washington.—
Everybody who bas been to Washington will re
member Trinity Church, tbe new and magnificent
brown stone church recently bniltby the wealthi
est Episcopal congregation in Washington, and
distinguishable from all other edifices in tbe city
by its singular twin turrets. The congregation,
it seems, are not conforming themselves to the
Yankee standard of orthodoxy. A Washington
correspondent of a Boston paper says:
A proposition is entertained of converting Tri
nity Church into a hospital for sick soldiets. This
movements is probably in consequence of the
openly avowed disloyalty of tbe pastor, and tbe
election of a Vestry, the majority of which sustain
him in contumacious refusal to read the prayt-rs
prescribed by the Bishop in favor of the success of
tbe government.
Manufactdreks’ Bank.—The operations cf the
Manufacturers’ Bank, of this city, which have for
some lime been suspended, has again resumed
business. Considerable changes have been made
in the ownership of tbe stock, and William A-
Cherry bas been elected President. Mr. Hardie,
the old Cashier, continues to CII that station.
Tbe Bank has but a small amount of bills in cira
culation, and is now redeeming them with those
of other Banks. At the time of its suspension,
it, no doubt, had abundant assets to have re
deemed its issues, con’d it have collected from
those whom it had accomodated. That was not
the first time we have known a Bank being com
pelled to suspend because it was fee the interest
of individuals to have it do so, for the purpose oi
paying off in a depreciated currency.
Macon (Gc.) Journal <& Messenger, May IStA.
FIGH T HE AR' COURTHOUSE.
Tne Lynchburg is reitably informed
that intelligence reached that city Saturday nig
from Newbern. Va., that our forces attacked the
enemy near Giles Courthouse, and Bucceeded in
routing ’hero, capturing thirty horses, and re
capturing the stores that fell into tbe possession,
ot the enemy when c.ur forces evacuated Giles
Courthouse.
We were unable to ascertain the nntuber of
killed and wounded on either side;
Among tbe wounded on our side is Col. John
M. Patton, cf the 223 Regiment Virginia Volun
teers.
An official dispatch was received by Gen. Lee
Sunday from Gen. Heth, stating that the Confed
erate troops had repulsed the enemy in the
neighborhood of Giles Courthouse. Tbe content;,
of the dispatch are in brief, that about auni Ist
Saturday morning we bad attacked tbe enemy
forcesacd diepeised them. No particulars are
given.
"The Bird©’ Nest” is ’be title given to ?.n Asy
lum just opened in Dublin, Ireland, for Cotboiic
orc bans.