drove off the assailants. That closed
the attack made by the sortie. Colonel Cruft's brigade, the position of
which was not then known to General Wallace, was off at the right, near
enough to see the repulsed force retire in the direction of the works.
Cruft's brigade was brought into alignment with Thayer's, and Wallace
held the ground with his division.

McClernand's division was swept from the ground which it had occupied.
The desired road for retreat was open to the besieged. Buckner was in
the position assigned to him, and halting, awaited his artillery and
reserves from the intrenchments. General Pillow, who now found himself
within the intrenchments at the salient, held by Colonel Heiman,
directed the artillery to remain, and sent reiterated orders to Buckner
to return and resume his position within the works. He was in the act of
returning when he met General Floyd, who seemed surprised at the
movement. After some conversation, in which both agreed that the
original plan should be carried out, Floyd directed Buckner to remain
till he could see Pillow. After consulting with Pillow, Floyd sent
orders to Buckner to retire within the lines, and to repair as rapidly
as possible to his former position on the extreme right, which was in
danger of attack. By order of General B.R. Johnson, Colonel Drake's
brigade and the Twentieth Mississippi remained on the field.

General Grant, at his interview on the flag-ship, was advised of the
serious injury to the fleet, and informed that Commodore Foote, leaving
his two ironclads least injured to protect the transports at the
landing, would proceed to Cairo with the other two, repair them, hasten
the completion of the Benton and mortar-boats, and return to the
prosecution of the siege. General Grant, upon this, made up his mind to
intrench, and with reinforcements complete the investment of the enemy's
works. Reaching the lines about one o'clock on his return, he learned
the state of affairs, ordered General C.F. Smith to prepare to storm the
works in his front, repaired to the right, inspected the condition of
the troops, and gave orders to be ready to attack when General Smith
should make his assault.

The Fifty-second Indiana had been detached from Colonel Cook's brigade
to watch a gap in the intrenchments, near the extreme right of the
besieged line. At two o'clock General Smith ordered the assault by
Lauman's brigade; the Fifty-second Indiana was temporarily attached to