SHILOH REVIEWED.

532

appropriate distinctions in the use of terms, there was nothing in the occa-sion or in these simple movements which promised any advantage, or entitledthem to the slightest prominence. The enemy had retired from the last line,and was believed to be in retreat; but he had withdrawn in good order, andit is known that he halted a half-mile beyond, fully prepared to repel a care-less pursuit. The topographical feature of larger fields and interveningwoods, made the left and left-center of the battle-field more difficult for attackthan the ground about McClernand ’s camp, as was illustrated by the battleof the previous day. The antagonists, except when in immediate contact,were kept at a greater distance apart, and were more screened from theobservation of each other. The resistance, quelled for the moment, wouldbe renewed unexpectedly by reenforcements or on a new line with increasedvigor, and did not always allow the assailant to retain the advantage hehad gained.

Nelson and Crittenden were working their way step by step over this diffi-cult ground, when the cheers of victory commenced on the right where theenemy could be better observed. It was my misfortune to know nothingabout the topography in front, and when at that moment the enemy on theleft was found to be yielding readily to our advance, it was my mistake tosuppose that the retirement was more precipitate and disordered than provedto be the case. On that supposition Nelson was ordered rapidly to the lowerford of Lick Creek, by which I supposed a part of the enemy had advancedand would retreat, and was thus out of position for the state of the case as itturned out. The last attack of Crittenden was made through thick woods,and his division had become a good deal scattered; but a brigade of Wood ’sdivision came up just then and was pushed forward on the eastern Corinthroad. It soon came upon and engaged the enemy’s skirmishers, and wasattracting a flank fire from a battery a considerable distance off on the right.The orderly withdrawal of the enemy was now discovered, and indicatedthat a single brigade unsupported would be insufficient for a pursuit. Wood ’sbrigade was therefore halted while its skirmishers occupied the enemy’scavalry, and orders were sent to McCook and Crittenden to form on the newline. Just at that moment a feeble column was seen to the right and rear ofWood ’s brigade, moving in a direction which would bring it into the flankfire of the enemy’s artillery on the right. I therefore ordered it to be halteduntil other dispositions were made; but, misapprehending the object of theorder, or deeming perhaps that enough had been done for one day, it with-drew altogether, and, like the rest of Grant’s troops, retired to its camp.Following the same example, and most probably with General Grant’sauthority, McCook’s division had started to the river. Before these mis-conceptions could be corrected, and my divisions got into position, nightcame on, and the time for a further forward movement passed for the day.Indeed, while my troops were being called up, I received from General Grant,who had retired to the landing, the following letter:

“ Headquarters Dist. op W. Tenn., Pittsburg, April 7,1862. Major-General D. C. Buell.Gen. : When I left the field this evening, my intention was to occupy the most advanced