The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-08-13
THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.


In the senate Of the United States, on
the 5th of May, 1862, debate arose upon a
resolution submitted by Senator Sherman,
directing the secretary of war to commu-
nicate copies of all official reports relative
to the battle Of Pittsburg Landing.
Among those engaging in the discussion
was Senator Harlan, Of Iowa, whose re-
marks, presented below, are taken from
the Congressional Gioje. (SeconG ses-
sion Thirty-seventh congress, part s, pa
ges 2,036-7:)
MR. HARLAN--Mr. President, so far as
the remarks Of the senator from Ohio may
have been intended to defend the troops
OF that state from any unjust aspersiOns, |
have not word to say. They were we'll
timed, and it was probably proper sub
ieot for the consideration Of the senate, as
their courage had been called in question,
as it seems, by senator from another
state. But that part Of his speech which
may have been intended to bolster up the
reputation Of Gen. Grant, | think may
have an injurious effect in the future, and
hence rise to repudiate every word he
has said that may have that tendency.
From all | can learn on the subject, [ do
not think Gen. Grant is FIT to command
great many in the field. Iowa had eleven
regiments in the field at ths battle of
Pittsburgh Landing. He can never make
one OF those men believe that Gen. Grant
is it to command. | have seen many of
them. have conversed with the officers and
privates, and they believe tha. our army
was surr rised l will read one or two
short extracts from letter written by a
gentleman of my state, who is now the
presiding judge Of one Of the district
courts, and who spent several days On the
battlefield Immediately after the conclu-
sion Of the battle. lie says:
"During the whole time was with the
army, availed myself Of everv means to
gain correct Information as TO the battle,
and all the details connected with it. No
one can get the truth By reading Of the
newspaper correspondence as well as by
conversation with TIE officers and soldiers
who were in the fight. There is no use
in trying to disguise or cover up the Tact
that our army was badly surprised on
Sunday morning. Up to tie time Gen.
Grant assumed command at Pittsburgh h
Landing, Gen. Sherman was in command,
and kept his pickets of infantry and cav
airy out in front of his lines fer three OF
four miles; but after Grant arrived this
was entirely neglected, and, rotwithstand-
ing scouts, deserters from the enemy, and
citizens reported to Gen. Grant, through
the proper officers. that the main body Of
the enemy was approaching our lines, he
Indignantly scorned the idea Of an attack
saying that Gems. Johnston aud Beaure
gard were not id fools enough to attack
US here. = On Satur
day night before the battle, the rebel ar
my vas moved up so close to our front
lines that, as rebel prisoner informed me
they could hear the soldiers talking in
their camps. At daylight the enemy com
4 10 it1 io-o
600 men. They rushed into some of oul
camps before our soldiers had time to fal
into line of battle, and while many of oul
officers were asleep"
In the concluding part of The letter, he
says:
, although our victory on Monday wa:
complete, and the rebels utterly routed
yet it was too dearly purchased. tn,
r criminal carclessness, or something worse
on the part OF Gen. Grant, whereby SO
macy brave soldiers were saug ltered, ad
nits OF no palliation or excuse. Newspa
per correspondents may write as the,
please, but the united voice Of every sol
dier in Grants army condemns him, ant
it is now time that the government shoul,
+ do likewise
D From all | can learn from the troop
from Iowa who participated in this battle
with whom | couversed, Officers and mel
t this is but an expression of conviction
made On tie minds Of all Of them Th
I Iowa troops have been in battle repeated /
under command of Gen. Grant. The
s have no confidence in his capacity and fiji
D ness for the high position he now hold.
0 They regard him as the author of the use
: less slaughter of many hundreds of thei
t brave comrades in arms 1t is not neces
: sary, nor is it right, to compel them t
D serve under him. The speech Of the ser
a ator from Ohio might, if unuotced, Undue
y those in authority to continue him in th
field. | understand he has been yirtua II