Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-05-09
Communication from Colonel HucI<land
Commander OF Fourth Brigade.

We have received a communication from
Colonel Buckland, correcting the account of the
battle Of Pittsburg Landing, by our correspon-
dent in two particulars relating TO that brigade;
one az to its location in relation TO the other
brgades of Sherman's division; and the other rs
TO the surprise of some regiments of Bucklands 3
brigade in their tents. AS to the relative posi-
tion, Colonel Buckland says;
"He places Hildcbrand's brigade on the left OF
McDowells and mine on the left ofHldebrand's; Of
whereas McDowell's was on the right mine on
the left of McDowells and Hildebrand's on the
lett OF mine, forming continuous and connect
ed line OF three brgades. Stewart's was on the
left aud to the rear Of Hildebrands."
The relative position of the different brigades
OF Division is not essential to general history
OF the battle. The particular statement of the
location of the troops was furnished to our cor
respondent by an officer Of Engineers
Col. Buckland then proceeds to correct the
account that his Division was taken by surprise:
"WhilstI was at my breakfast on Sunday
morning, 9th inst, heard firing in the direc-
tion Of our picket line, and soon word was bro't
that the rebel cavalry were driving our pickets
in. / ordered the long roll to be sounded, and
mounted my horse and rode toward the pickets
/ met them about one hundred rods in front,
coming in, saying that large bodies of cavalry
and infantry were in sight. halted the guards
instructing them to maintain position at the
creek as long as possible. then rode back to
my color line and along the whole length Of
my Brigade to Gen. Sherman's headquarters,
informed him that my picket guards had been
fired upon, and reported infantry and cavalry
advancing in front He directed me to reinforce
the picket guards and hold the enemy in check
as long as possible. In the meantime the three
regiments were in line awaiting orders. di-
rected the 45th, Col. Sullivan to the front in sup
port Of the pickets. Col Sullivan had proceed
I'LL ,r1,r. l.
enemy advancing in force, and returned into
line. l Immediately ordered an advance of the
Brigade in line of battle; and we advanced from
| thirty to forty rods when we discovered the en-
emy advancing, and we opened fire upon him
along the whole line.
1 "This was about o'clock. The action com.
menced on our left about the same time, per
haps few minutes before. The Fourth Brig
ade fought in this line for more than two hours
and more gallant fight was never made. The
enemy did not advance one rod in front of my
brigade after the action commenced until re-
ceived orders from General Sherman to fall back
I to the Purdy Road which we did in good order.
Before this order was given, the line on our left
had given way, the enemy advancing to the rear
j ofmy brigade. Let those who examined the
| field in front of the Fourth Brigade, after the
battle, testify to the effectiveness of that fight
on our part The Fourth Brigade lost in killed
about 40 men, the enemy 200.
Ahe'e seens ~ Oe uisPOslton ~ certain
quarters to disparage and misrepresent Ohio
troops. The motive is obvious. But it is
strange that correspondents and newspapers of
our own State should do the same thing
The following error, which Col. Buckland cor.
reefs, was not made by our correspondent:
alt has been stated that Taylor's Battery, on
! Sunday morning, was nobly sustained on its
right by the Twenty Illinois. The truth
is, that the Twenty Illinois was not in the
Il fight at all. The regiment which 40 nobly sus.
} tanned Taylor's Battery the right was the
Seventeen Ohio, Col. Ceckerell, of my brigade
There are numerous other Just as gross misrepre
sentations hurled against Ohio troops. fee
bound to defend the Fourth Brigade against al
such misstatements and shall do it on all pro
per occasions. r. p. BUcKLAND,
"Col. Commanding 4th Brigade"