86 The Mississippi Valley in the Civil War

Nest had used up so much of the day as to leavescarcely time enough for this crowning achieve-ment. After Johnston’s death, more than twohours elapsed before the tremendous pressure uponHurlbut’s left flank compelled him to retire towardPittsburg Landing, while a similar attack upon"William Wallace ’s right wing pushed it back, dis-ordered and partially crumbled. These eventsleft the remaining Federal force in that part ofthe field, consisting of the remnants of Wallace ’sand Prentiss’s divisions, with both wings in theCapture of air. Thus a little before six o’clockPrentiss. about six regiments, numbering over2200 men, were encompassed and captured by theenemy. Prentiss was taken prisoner, and Wal­ lace received a mortal wound.

This great success for the Confederates was farfrom being an unmixed success, for the sending ofso many captives to the rear entailed further delaywhen every minute was precious. TJie position atPittsburg Landing was covered by a ravine partlyoverflowed with backwater. On bluffs overlookingthis ravine a battery of twenty pieces was plantedjust as three Confederate brigades were advancingto the attack. As the enemy, flushed with victory,came on, these batteries opened upon them, whileat the same time the gunboats Tyler and Lexing-ton took part in the contest and enfiladed the