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

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[542] brigade on the left, which is the most exposed, give way under such pressure. It disperses at last, leaving many guns in the hands of the enemy. But the others, sustained by the heroic conduct of their leader, hold their ground; and for another hour, Sherman, surrounded almost on every side, gallantly defends the position of Shiloh, the importance of which he thoroughly appreciates. But towards ten o'clock he is obliged to abandon it, in consequence of the repeated assaults of Hardee. He tries in vain to make a stand behind the first screen of trees, where his decimated soldiers again lose several guns. At last he succeeds in occupying a good position on the left of McClernand, who is beginning to be sorely pressed in his turn.

Sherman's division was considerably reduced. He had eventually lost important positions and left part of his artillery in the hands of the assailants; but through his sagacity and courage he had gained time—precious time—which might save the Federals from an irreparable disaster. His truly warlike instinct made him discover at a glance the points most easy to defend, and his indomitable courage rallied once more the dismayed soldiers, who would no longer listen to the voice of any other leader. Those who knew this officer best, generally so chary of his words and sharp in discussion, looked upon him as a new man. Danger had revealed the qualities of the great general, quick in his decisions, clear in his orders, imparting to all, by a word, a gesture, or a look, the ardor which fired his own breast. In the midst of this hand-to-hand conflict, the most terrible he said himself to the author that he has witnessed during his whole career, he soon became the soul of resistance. Wherever he passed along, his tall form overshadowing all disordered groups, the ranks were reformed and the fighting was renewed. McClernand himself, who, a few days before, had quarrelled with him regarding the command of the army during Grant's absence, felt the power of his influence at this trying moment, and deferentially followed all the counsels of his colleague.

In the mean time, the battle was extending and becoming fiercer. On the part of the Confederates, nearly the whole of their army was engaged. A portion of Polk's corps which had deployed to the left supported Ruggles and Hardee in their attack against