Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-02

FOREwARNED, nut NOT FoRRARMED.-
The people of the western states are urging
their members Of Congrcss to insist on a
searching inquiry into the surprise at Pitts
burgh Landing, which led to an apparently
needless slaughter of so many brave men. In
addition to the previous obstinacy of Gen.
Grant in refusing to be put on his guard or
to order any precautions to be taken against
surprise, the St. Louis Evening News tells
the following story, which is quite credible,
after what we know to be true -
"a chaplain Of Illinois regiment stationed at Pa
dueah IN mixing and conversng with the inhabitants OF
that place, who almost unanimously sympathize with the
Ieoeon discovered several days before the battle OF
Shiloh that attack n force about to be made by
sonss at Paducah asserted that the rebel army at Cor
inth was rapidly bting augmented 10 force l5OOCO
sTongi that the plan Of the rebel leaders ayowed in
camp aud made known 20 their friends abroad, TO
make a sudden and tremendous attack upon Gen.
Grant, and Annhilae his army The Information gain
ed BY the Chaplin was evidently trustworthy, and
made such impression upon his mind, that he left his
post and 10 Pittsburgh Landing 10 lay the matter
before Gen Grant, and urge him TO make instant pre-
paratons to meet the attack which he confident
would take place. He reached Pittsburgh on Friday,
the 4th instant, and sought an interview with Gen.
Grant Ii was most Unsatisfactory one After giving
the information that made him so anxious and uneasy,
the commanding officer, instead OF exhibiting the inter-
est in il that bad been expected dismissed the chaplain
with the remark that he ought to be arrested for leaving
his post without orders Disappointed In his interview at
headquarters the chaplain sought the quarters Of the
division commanders, but fluad Of them at home,
exrep, Gen Prentiss 10 Gen. Pentss he revealed the
object nf his visit, stated the information upon which he
based his conviction Of an impending attack declared
with emphasis that 'tbe enemy would be upon with
In frty-egh hours aud urged the vital importance Of
preparation to him But Gen. Prentiss hardly lis
tened 10 him with patience. and repeated Gen, Grants
rebuke that he ought % be arrested for leaving his
without orders. Cen Prentss admitted that everything
In confusion, and that the army In condition
for attack but when the chaplain suggested that
thing might be done 10 place the camp Ia readiness,
he dismissed the subject with the remark, let them
come we can whip them anyhow.
"On Sunday morning lowing, the chaplain, who
had silent Of the transports at the Landing, rose
~ wh the subject vii pressing heavily upon his mind.
lie felt confident that tho attack would take place that
day All quiet AZ the Landing, but when he aseend-
ed the bluff and started the front of our lines about
three miles distant be heard for the first time, the
ing sound of the sncnye guns and shortly aherward
the first lot " wounded soldiers BONE past him. In
few hours the victims being brought in by hundreds.
and laid upon the shore and upon the nUladgn vessels
Which had not been prepared To receive them The med
ical aud hospital department IN The confusion
and disorder that characterized ever, Thing dsc and the
few surgeons thai made their appearance upon The boats,
though ahoriug ill they ill down with fatigue seemed
srarcel 10 make beginning Of the herculean work be-
flre thcm"