[CHAP. XXII.

delay prevented the consummation of the work so gallantly and successfully begun and carried on until the approach of night induced our new commander to recall the exhausted troops for rest and recuperation before a crowning effort on the next morning.

The arrival during the night of a large and fresh army to re-enforce the enemy, equal in numbers at least to our own, frustrated all his well-grounded expectations, and, after a long and bloody contest with superior forces, compelled us to retire from the field, leaving our killed, many of our wounded, and nearly all oft the trophies of the previous day's victories.

In this result we have a valuable lesson, by which we should profit-never on a battle-field to lose a moment's time, but leaving the killed, wounded, and spoils to those whose special business it is to care for them, to press on with every available man, giving a panic-stricken and retreating foe no time to rally, and reaping all the benefits of a success never complete until every enemy is killed, wounded, or captured. No course so certain as this to afford succor to the wounded and security to the trophies.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BRAXTON BRAGG,

General, Commanding.

Brigadier General THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff.

P. S.-The transmission of this report has been delayed from time to time, that those from subordinate commanders, with a complete and perfect list of killed, wounded, and missing, might accompany it. In this hope I am yet disappointed to a certain extent.

[Inclosure B.]

Field return, showing the number of killed, wounded, and missing, and the aggregate strength of each division of the Second Corps, Army of the Mississippi, April 6, 1862.

Aggrega

te

strengt

Division. Kille Wounde Missin Aggreg h on

d. d. g. ate. April

6,

1862.

Withers' division. 293 1,334 253 1,880 6,482

Ruggles' division. 240 1,103 269 1,612 6,484

Grand total 533 2,437 522 4,492 12,966

Numbers 167. Report of Brigadier General Daniel Ruggles, C. S. Army, Commanding First Division.

HDQRS. RUGGLES' DIV., 2nd CORPS, ARMY OF THE MISS.,
Corinth, Miss., April 25, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the services of my division at the battle of Shiloh, Tenn., on the 6th and 7th instant: