The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-04-05
CHERRY GROVE, O..
TEN THOUSAND MEN In THEIR
Sr9IRT-TAI1S.
An Incident Of the March on Shiloh.
From the Chicago Tribune.l


An Incident Of the March ON Shiloh.
From the Chicago Fribune.l
The story of Carson the Scout" pub
lished in the Tribune, recalls another
incident or Gen. BuelPs march toward
Shiloh, which has not, to my knowledge,
found place in any history of the War,
and YET it had an important bearing on
the result of the battle OF Shiloh.
Gen. William Nelson commanded the
Fourth Division of BuelPs army. He
had been a naval officer, and his tyranny
and harshness caused his men to dislike
him at first, but, as the march southward
took the troops into the enemy's coun-
try, the soldierly perceptions and in
stincts Of the old Generai, 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 o strict disciplinarian,
and always moved, or went into camp,
or left camp, as ii in the presence OF the
enemy. He superintehded, early every
morning, the formation OF line OF battle;
was on his horse at the first bugle- blast,
and rode down the line like a hurricane,
expecting every man, officer as well as
private, TO be in his place, and ready for
X,
unconsciously alert and emphatic in ac-
tion,, 1t was standing joke that Mel
sons division could tumble OUT, quick
er than any other. Nelson was particu-
lar and exacting as to little things, which
seemed trihing until the men realized,
in their first battle, that all had consti-
tuted a part Of their training for battle.
The realization that their commander
| had seen with clearer vision than thew.
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 obtrusive individuality. He was
u thorough soldier, and was terribly in
earnest; and they knew it.
On the march southwark from Nash
vile, Bue1Ps advance. was delayed by
the destruction Of the bridge across
Duck River. Nelson fretted under I'll @
delay, protested against it, and fina l !,
volunteered 10 put his division acr,
without a bridge, ii he were allowed LL &
advance. Permission was given for him
TO cross, and lie issued one of the queer :
est military orders ON record. This was
read TO the troops in the morning, and
was in substance like this: The men
will march TO the river, tx bay yonets and
| stack arms. They will tllen take of
their pants, blouses and accoutremenls,
quitting ali in bundle, which will be
placed on the bayoner. Tney Will then
lake arms, and, with bundles ON tie bay.
onets as ordered, will wade the river III
their snirts and drawers. Officers Will
see that there is no confusion, and that,
Oh reaching rhe farther bank, The men
dress quickly and march rapidly forward
| o restore the circulation.
nt th ~; -. 49,. II.
| sand men as tnis order Was read TO them
on cool, bright spring morning. They
marched down to the river; they un-
dressed to their shirts; and, in view OF
the entire population OF Columbia, men,
women and children, they, with cheers
and shouts, and jokes and laughs
plunged into the cold water. The scene
Twas mdicrous in the extreme; but In moi
very many hours the entire division was
marching southwark. It kept the ad-
vance during the interval between that
date and the battle OF Shiloh.
| During the march, Nelson was fuming
Eand storming about slowness; and,
early on the morning Of the first attack
on GRANTS forces. at Pittsburg Landing,
thad hurried his troops into line ana ba
sibility. Men remember to this day tn q
face OF Nelson on that march, His NUT
terings were Of impending danger; and,
| when his ear caught the SOUND Of artfl.
lery he urged the men TO greater efforts.
| When Grants messenger met him, his
| men were HIirrying forward; and, when
Carson outlined Ihe situation, Nelson
thundered cut: "We knew it, sir, and
| we are moving. Garry your message to
those behind lis.v (.
After this the men saw Nelson at hii