From the West.
[Special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]It is obviously impossible to describe all this peculiar olla podrida of humanity; but if you will imagine an army, every man's dress in which, except that of the officers, is different, betokening more or less in its general characteristics the State from which he is — in other words, make to yourself an arabesque pattern of the most irregular looking cohorts that ever assembled upon a tented field, and you may possibly be able to enjoy a mental view of the picture.
Such men cannot be disciplined. There is too much of native born independence about them to submit to the rigid restraints of military life, and though the officers are, in the main, big enough (for most of them seem to have been selected on account of their size and prowess) to whip any one in their command, they prefer to let the men have their own way and be satisfied with the common rudiments. Consequently, in several of these aboriginal regiments, the only orders given during the battle of Shiloh were, ‘"Forward boys! charge 'em like--."’ And the boys charged — pell-mell, helter-skelter, whooping, hurrahing, screaming, and screeching, the crowd would dash on, clear everything before them, and wait for the next move on the programme.
As I have intimated in previous letters, the character of the ground at Shiloh, was such as to favor precisely the style of fighting to which these men were best adapted. They were accustomed to creeping through bushes, dodging behind trees, and taking dead sight at will along their long barrels, and this accounts for the terrible execution suffered by the enemy.
While on this subject I cannot for bear from alluding to the importance of an organized corps of sharp-shooters, and we have the best material for the purpose in the world. The enemy have set the example, and we know its results to our profound regret in the loss of the gallant Johnston, McCulloch, McIntosh, and others. These sharp-shooters during a battle do nothing but pick off the leading officers, and panic once produced by the fall of these, the day is won. A party of the Texan Rangers, during the late fight, dismounted and with their rifles crept forward in squads, and did murderous work upon the enemy by cutting down their best men. It is by one of these that Buell is said to have been severally wounded if not killed as either he or some other distinguished officer was seen to fall from his horse to the ground. The subject is one worthy of consideration, and it is to be hoped that some measures will be taken to perfect this important arm of the service.
In a foregoing letter, I alluded to the sentiment in Southern Illinois as being wholly averse to the policy adopted by the Lincoln Administration. We have in one of the hospitals here a gallant young fellow from that section, who raised a company there, brought them to Corinth, engaged in the battle, and fell desperately wounded. The Surgeon told him that amputation must be performed or he would die. ‘"Doctor,"’ said the brave fellow, save that leg if you can, if for no other purpose than one--to enable me to fight the abolitionists again." The physician told him it was impossible. ‘"Then,"’ continued he, ‘"cut it so I can wear a dork leg, and I'll fight 'em on horseback."’ The Surgeon told him he would secure a handsome artificial leg for him. ‘"All right then — go ahead;"’ and lighting a pipe, he sat through the operation, smoking and watching, without uttering a groan.
Speaking of amputation, reminds me of another similar incident. A lad of fifteen or sixteen was so badly wounded that his leg had to be taken off. When he had recovered from the effects of the chloroform, he was asked how he felt? ‘"Feel,"’ said he, ‘"first-rate! That old leg has bothered me ever since I was born. I've had it broken twice, and laid in bed six months with a sprained knee. Its been a d — d unlucky leg, anyhow; but now I'll have a wooden one, and the Yankees may shoot at that all day."’
Of news, there is none stirring which it would be prudent to make public. At best, Memphis is a perfect nest of rumors, and every day those susceptible of these truant impressions are thrown into fever heat by one or more of frivolous canards. The latest is by way of Nashville, and reports that that city is in possession of a portion of the troops under Gen. Kirby Smith, while the balance went to Huntsville, surrounded the town, and has taken seven thousand prisoners! Buell is also reported to have died of his wounds!
Affairs at Corinth remain unchanged.--Beauregard has again got his army in splendid fighting condition, and we are ready for another attack.
Opinion is divided, however, upon the probability of a second effort being made by the Federal. The favorite impression is, that they were emphatically disgusted with their reception, and will turn their backs upon the inhospitable place. A large portion of the transports and gunboats have, it is said, already gone down the Tennessee river; but whether it is to convey troops away, or bring reinforcements hither, nobody knows.
The Yankees are slowly shelling Fort Pillow, but thus far their work has been harmless. They fire from mortars at intervals of ten or fifteen minutes. Altogether, affairs look more hopeful to-day than they have for some time past. Mails are exceedingly irregular from all parts of the Confederacy, owing to the interruptions at Huntsville and Decatur, and the employment of trains in Government service; so that we have not heard from our foreign neighbors at Richmond for several days.
