Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 1.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

While the right wing of Hardee was achieving this first success, his left centre encountered the extremity of Sherman's line. The latter had left Stewart's brigade at the extreme left, near Lick Creek, which he had posted there when he was guarding Pittsburg Landing alone. He had three left: the one on the right was guarding the bridge over Owl Creek, the other two were posted on each side of Shiloh church and across the Corinth road. The brigade posted on the right of that road, and, consequently, in the centre of the division, occupied a commanding position over a ravine which covered its front. The other had nothing before it but the plateau upon which the Confederates were debouching. It was upon this brigade that their first effort was directed. Warned by the firing of his outposts, Sherman had time to place his division under arms, and to send a message to McClernand, who was encamped in his rear, requesting him to fill up, without delay, the gap which separated him from Prentiss. His soldiers, encouraged by his example, resisted the first shock. It is true that a few regiments on his extreme left, near a battery which covered his flank, were scattered, but a reinforcement sent by McClernand arrived in time to take their place.

In the mean time, the attack of the Confederates redoubles in vigor. Bragg, who forms their second line with five brigades, has brought them successively into action, where he sees that Hardee needs support. Three of these brigades, composing the division of Ruggles, have crossed the ravine which covers Sherman's front, and press upon the whole of his line. On the left, Withers, with the remainder of the second corps, resumes the fight against the remnants of the two brigades of Prentiss, and thus enables Hardee to re-form his troops. The latter takes advantage of this to penetrate into the interval which has remained open between the two divisions of the first Federal line, and separate them irreparably. This movement is decisive. The Confederates reach the positions occupied by McClernand in the rear of this interval. While some charge this new adversary in front, others rush, on the left, upon Sherman, striking him on the flank and taking him almost in the rear. The latter sees his