The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-04-21
MISCELLANY.
SHILOH.
Ten Thousand Men in Their Shirts
An Incident of the March on
shiloh,
SHILOH.
Written for the Chicago Tribune.l


An Incident of the March on
Shiloh.
Written for the Chicago Tribune.l
The story of Carson the Scout" pub
li~hed in the Tribune. recalls another
incident of General BnelPs march to-
ward Shiloh. which has not, to NV
knowledge, found place in any history of
the war. and yet it had an important
bearing on the results of the battle of
Shiloh.
Gen. William Nelson commanded the
fourth division of Buel's army. He had
been a naval officer. and his tyranny and
harshness caused his men to dislike him
at first. But, as the march southwark
took the troops into the enemy's coun-
try, the soldierly perceptions and in
stincts of the old general; as well as his
stern sense Of duty and pride in his
command, won for him respect, and
strange sort Of feeling that was almost
affection.
Nelson was a strict disciplinarian, and
always moved, or went into camp, or left
camp, as if in the presence of the enemy.
He superiniended. early every morning,
tie formation of the line Of battle; was
on his horse at the first bugle- blast, and
rode down the line like a hurricane, ex-
pecting every man, officer well as priv
ate, to be in his place, and ready for duty.
Men, under this training, became un-
consciously alert, and emphatic in action.
1t was a standing joke that Nelson's di-
vision could tumble out" quicker than
any other. Nelson was particular and
exacting as to little things, which seem
ed trIfiing until the men realized, in
their first battle, that all had constitut
ed part of their training for battle
The realization that their commander
had seen with clearer vision than they,
and that he had compelled them to do
what was best, caused the men TO turn
with rare trust to the Old Stormer, and
to become rather proud of his oddities
and his obstrusive individuality. He was
a thorough soldier. and was terribly in
earnest; and they knew it.
On the march southwark from Nash
Vile, Buell's advance was delayed by
the destruction of the bridge across
Duck River Nelson fretted under the
d-lay, protested against it, and finally
volunteered to put his division across
without bridge, if he were allowed the
advance. Permission was given for him
to cross, and he issued one of the qneer-
est military orders on record. This was
read to the troops in the morning, and
march TO the river, fix bayonets, and
stack arms. They will then take of
their pants, blouses, and ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
putting all in bundle on the bayonets
as ordered, will wade the river in their
shirts and drawers. Officers will see
that there is no confusion, and that, on
will dress quickly and march rapidly for
ward TO restore the circulation.
Imagine the looks of 5000 or 10, 900
men as this order was read TO them on
cool, brights spring morning. They
marched down to the river, they undress-
ed to their shirts: and in view of the en-
tire population of Columbia, men, wo-
men and children, they, with cheers and
shouts and jokes, and laughs, plunged
into the cold water The scene was ludi-
crous in the extreme; but in rot very
marching southwark. 1t kept the ad-
vance during the interval between that
date and the battle of Shiloh.
During the march, Nelson was fuming
and storming about slowness; and, early
on the morning of the first attack on
Grants forces at Pittsburgh L landing,
had hurried his troops into line and had
marched southwark on his own respon-
sibility. Men remember to this day the
face of Nelson on that march. His NUT
terings were of impending danger; and
when his ear caught the sound Of artil-
lery, he urged the men to greater efforts.
When Grants messenger met him. his
men were hurrying forward; and, when
Carson outlined the situation, Nelson
thundered out: "We knew it, sir, and
we are moving. Carry your message to
those behind us"
After this the men saw Nelson at his
best. He dropped his Extensively arrog-
ant manner; he spoke tenderly, almo-t
gushingly, of the army in front, and of
the honor of the old flag; and, when his
| first brigade had crossed the Tennessee,
and he came on foot This horse could
not be taken on the boat crowded with
instill new courage into their hearts and
to call ont a new devotion to their bluff
| old leader. He called the men gentle
men, did not swear once, and his ever
ready "Gotohellsir" was forgotten. His
tory tells how the division went into
battle, and how we'll they did their duty;
but the strong individuality of Nelson,
his prescience, energy, and readiness
were better illustrated by the crossing oi
the Duck river than by his splendid
battle-record. He understood the needs
of the hour, and met them with a rude
imperious emphasis that compelled ad-
miration. Had his men not waded Duck
river in their shirts. Buell's army would
not have been within call to turn the
tide at Shiloh. HAPPY JACK.
A Norfolk Mans Confession.
| Wnll iue 70 lnzv in Nnrfnlk fhat,s 9