Valley Spirit

Rev. J. M. Thomas, Chaplain of the 77th regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, made a visit to this place on Wednesday last. He left the regiment a short time ago at Nashville and the object of his visit here was to impart information, to those having friends in that portion of the army, concerning their condition, and to take on his return any message they might have to send. During his short stay here he visited most of the families of those of the 77th regiment who reside in the place. The Rev. gentleman gives a glowing account of the Franklin county soldiers. He says their regiment is held in high esteem by the whole Brigade, and that in character and discipline it ranks among the best in the service. He speaks in high terms of praise by the whole Brigade, and that in character and discipline it ranks among the best in the service. He speaks in terms of praise of the moral and physical condition of the men, few are ever observed intoxicated or heard using profane language. Many hold regular prayer meetings, and other religious exercises, in their tents. The general health, and physical condition of the regiment in every respect, the Chaplain pronounces excellent. The best feeling exists among the officers of the regiment. No bickerings, so common among military men, have taken place in the 77th. The officers, one and all, are beloved by the privates and every attention that can in any way contribute to the comfort or happiness of the men is assiduously bestowed by their commanders. We are much gratified to hear such a favorable account of our men through as reliable a source as the Chaplain of the regiment.

Sanford's famous Opera Troupe gave a couple of their entertaining exhibitions in Franklin Hall last week. The name of this Company is always sufficient to draw a full house, and added to this the fact Sam. Sanford is the best delineator of Negro character in the world we have an attraction not to be resisted by the fun-loving public. We have heard it rumored that Sanford is to return during Court week and give another entertainment. He can feel assured that his Troupe will always meet a cordial welcome to Chambersburg.

The Greatest Battle Fought on the American Continent.

One Hundred And Fifty Thousand Men Engaged.

A Desperate Contest Of Two Days At Pittsburg Landing.

Glorious Result to the Union Army.

The Rebels Routed In All Directions.

Heavy Loss Of Life.

Five Thousand Union Soldiers Killed, Wounted [sic] and Missing!

Gen. Grant And Smith Wounded.

Very Heavy Loss Of Rebel Troops In Killed, Wounded And Prisoners.

Rebel Commander, Albert S. Johnston Killed.

The Renegade Beauregard Has An Arm Shot Off.

List Of The Principal Union Officers Slain.

Forty Rebel Cannon Captured And our Camp Equipage and Guns, Lost on Sunday last, Recaptured.

U. S. Forces In Corinth.

Our Cavalry In Pursuit Of The Traitors Beyond Corinth.

PITTSBURG LANDING, via Fort Henry, April 9, 3:20 A. M.--One of the greatest and bloodiest battles of modern days has just been closed, resulting in the complete rout of the enemy, who attacked us at daybreak on Sunday morning. The battle lasted, without intermission, during the entire day, and was renewed on Monday morning, and continued undecided until four o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy commenced to retreat, and are still flying towards Corinth, pursued by a large force of our cavalry.

The slaughter on both sides has been immense.

The fight was brought on by three hundred of the Twenty-fifth Missouri Regiment of Gen. Prentiss [sic] Division attacking the advance guard of the Rebels, which they supposed to be the pickets of the enemy.

The Rebels immediately advanced on Gen. Prentiss' Division, on the left wing pouring in volley after volley of musketry, and riddling our camp with grape, canister and shell.

Our forces soon formed into line and returned the fire vigorously, and, by the time we were prepared to receive them, had turned their heaviest fire in the left centre, Gen. Sherman's division, and drove our men back from their camps, and bringing up a fresh force opened fire on our left wing, Gen McClernand's. This fire was returned with terrible effect and determined spirit by both the infantry and artillery along the whole line, a distance of over four miles.

General Hurlburt's Division was thrown forward to support the centre, when a desperate struggle ensued. The Rebels were driven back with terrible slaughter, but soon rallied and drove back our men in turn.

From about 9 o'clock until night closed there was no determination of the result of the struggle.

The Rebels exhibited remarkable good generalship. At times engaging the left with apparently their whole strength they would suddenly open a terrible and destructive fire on the right or centre. Even our heaviest and most destructive fire upon the enemy did not appear to discourage their solid columns. The fire of Major Taylor's Chicago Artillery raked them down in scores, but the smoke no sooner dispersed than the breach was again filled.

The most desperate fighting took place late in the afternoon.

Gen. Buel's [sic] forces had by this time arrived on the opposite side of the river, and another portion was coming up the river from Savannah.

At five o'clock the Rebels had forced our left wing back so as to occupy fully two thirds of our camp and were fighting hard in their efforts to drive us into the river, and at the same time heavily engaged our right.

Up to this time we had received no reinforcements, Gen. Lew Wallace failing to come to our support till the day was over, having taken the wrong road from Crump's Landing, and being without other transports than those used for the Quartermaster's and Commissary stores which were too heavily laden to ferry any considerable number of Gen. Buell's forces across the river, the boats that were here having been sent to bring up the troops from Savannah.

We were therefore, contending against fearful odds, our forces not exceeding 88,000 while that of the enemy was upwards of 60,000. Our condition at this moment was exceedingly critical. Large numbers of our men were panic-struck, and others worn out by hard fighting. The average per centage of skulkers had straggled towards the river, and could not be rallied.

Gen. Grant and staff, who had been fearlessly riding along the lines the entire day, amid an unceasing storm of bullets, grape, and shell, now rode from the right to the left inciting our men to stand firm until the reinforcements could come across the river.

Colonel Webster the chief of the staff, immediately got into position the heaviest pieces of artillery, pouring on the enemy's right; while a large number of batteries were planted along the entire line from the river bank north-east of our extreme right, some two and a half miles.

About an hour before dusk, a general cannonading was opened upon the enemy from along our whole line, with a perpetual crack of musketry. For a short time, the Rebels replied with vigor and effect, but their return shots grew less frequent and destructive, while ours grew more rapid and terrible.

The gun-boats Lexington and Tyler, which lay a short distance off, kept raining shell on the Rebel force. This last effort was too much for the enemy, and ere dusk the firing had nearly ceased, when night coming on, the combatants rested.

Our men rested on their arms in the position they held at the close of the night, until the forces under Brigadier-General Wallace arrived and took position on the right, and General Buell's from the opposite side and Savannah were being conveyed to the battle-ground.

General Nelson's division was ordered to form on the right, and the forces under General Crittenden were ordered to his support. Early in the morning, General Buell having arrived, the ball was opened at daylight by Gen. Wilson's division on the left, and Major-General Wallace's division on the right.

Gen. Nelson's force opened a most galling fire on the Rebels, and advanced rapidly so they fell back. The fire soon became general along the whole line and began to tell with terrible effect on the Rebels.

Gen. McClerand, Sherman and Hurlburt's men, though chiefly jaded from the previous day's fighting, still maintained their honors won at Donelson, but the resistance of the Rebels was terrible and worthy of a better cause. Their resistance, however, was not enough for our undaunted bravery and the dreadful desolation produced by our artillery, which was sweeping them away like chaff; and knowing that defeat here would be the death blow to their hopes, their Generals still urged them on in the face of destruction, hoping by flanking us to turn the tide of battle.

Their success was for a time cheering as they began to gain ground on us, appearing to have been reinforced; but our left, under Gen. Nelson, was driving them back with wonderful rapidity, and at 11 o'clock General Buell's forces had succeeded in flanking them and capturing their batteries of artillery.

They, however, again rallied on the left, and re-crossed, and the right forced themselves forward in another desperate effort; but reinforcements from General Wool and General Thomas came in, regiment after regiment, which were sent to General Buell, who had again commenced to drive the Rebels.

About 3 o'clock, P. M. Gen. Grant rode to the left where the fresh regiments had been ordered, and finding the Rebels to be wavering he sent a portion of his body-guard to the head of each of the five regiments, and then ordered a charge across the field, himself leading.

The cannon balls were falling like hail around them. The men followed with a shout that sounded above the roar and din of the artillery and the Rebels fled in dismay and never made another stand.

General Buell followed the retreating Rebels driving them in splendid style, and at half-past 5. P. M., the whole Rebel army was in full retreat to Corinth with our cavalry in hot pursuit.

We have taken a large amount of artillery and also a number of prisoners.

We lost a number of prisoners yesterday; among them is Gen. Prentiss. The number has not been determined yet, but is reported at several hundred. Gen. Prentiss is reported wounded.

Among the killed on the Rebel side is the General-in-Chief, General Albert Sidney Johnston, by a cannon ball, on the afternoon of Sunday. Of this there is no doubt, as it is corroborated by several Rebel officers taken to-day.

It is further reported that Beauregard had his arm shot off. This afternoon Generals Bragg, Breckinridge and Jackson were commanding the Rebel forces.

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

General Grant and his staff were on the field and riding along the lines in the thickest of the enemy's fire during the entire two days, and all slept on the ground on 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 alongside of General Grant. Captain Carson was between Gen. Grant and your correspondent, when a cannon ball took off his head, and killed and wounded several officers.

General Sherman had two horses killed under him. General McClernand shared like dangers and also General Hurlburt, each receiving bullet holes through their clothes.

Gen. Buell remained with his troops during the entire day, and, with Gen. Crittenden and General Nelson, rode continually along the line encouraging their men.