Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-04-27
TEN THOUSAND MEN IN THEIR
SHIRT-TAILS.

Written for the Chicago Tribune.

va
Written for the Chicago Tribune,
The story of Carson the Scout"
published in the Tribune, recalls an
Other incident of Gen. Buell's march
toward Shiloh, which has not, to my
knowledge, found place in any his
tory of the war, and yet it had an
important bearing on tho result OF
the battle of Shiloh.
General William Nelson command
ed the fourth division of BuelPs
army. Hshad been naval officer,
and his tyranny and harshness caus,
ed his men to dislike him at first.
But as the march Southwark took
the troops into the enemy's country,
the soldierly perceptions of the old
general, as we'll as his stern sense OF
duty and pride 10 his command, won
for him respect, and strange sort
of feeling that was almost affection.
Nelson was strict diciplinerian,
and always moved, or went into
camp, or left camp, as if in the pres
ence Of the enemy. He superintend-
ed, early every morning, the forma-
ton of the line of battle; was on his
horse the first bugle- blast, and rode
down the line like hurricane, cx-
pecting every man, officer as we'll as
private, to be in his place and ready
for duty. Men, under this training,
became unconsciously alert, and en-
phatic IN action. 1t was standing
Joke that Nelson's division could
"tumble out" quicker than any other.
Nelson was particular and exacting
as to little things, which seemed trif-
ing until the men realized, in their
first battle, that all this had consti-
tuted part Of their training for bat
tie. The real cation that their COM
mander had seen with clearer vision
than they, and that he had compell-
ed them to do what was best, caused
the en- 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
Nashville, Buell's advance was de-
layed by the destruction of the
bridge across Duck river. Nelson
fretted under the delay, protested
against it, and finally volunteered to
put his division across without a
bridge, if be were allowed the adj
vance Permission was given for
him to cross, and he issued one of the
queerest military orders OF record.
This was read to the troops in the
morning, and was IN substance like
this. The men will march TO the
river, fix bayonets, and stack arms
They will then take off their pants,
blousce, and accountrements, putting
all in bundle, which will De placed
on the bayonot. They will then
take arms, and with bundles on the
bayonets as ordered, will wade the
river in their shirt and drawers. Of
fcers will see that there is no confus-
ion, and that, on reaching the farther
bank, the men dress quickly and
march rapidly forward to restore the
circulation.
Imagine the looks of 5000 or TO-
900 men as this order was read to
them on cold, bright Spring morn
Ing. They marched down to the
river; they undressed to their shirts;
and, in view of the entire population
of Columbia, men, women and chill
dren. they, with cheer and shouts,
and jokes. end loughs, plunged into
the cold water. The scene was lud-
ferrous in tho extreme; but in not
many hours the entire division
marched southwark. 1t kept the
advance during the interval between
,h~e d~to aud the battle of Shiloh
During the march, Nelson was
Tuning and storming about slownese;
and, early in the morning on the
first attack on Grants forces at Pitts.
burg Landing, had hurried his troops
into line and had marched southwark
on bis own responsibility. Men re-
| member to this day the face of Nell
son on that march. His mutterlngs
were CT impending danger; and
when his ear caught the sound OF ar
tillery, he urged the men to greater
efforts. When Grants messenger
met him, his men were hurrying for
ward; and, whom Carson outlined the
situation, Nelson Numbered out;
ave know it sir, and We are NOV
ing. Garry your message to those
behind u.s.
After this the men saw Nelson oil
his best. He dropped his Extensively
arrogant manner; be spoke tenderly
almost gushingly, Of the army in
front, and of the honor OF the oic
flag; and, when bis first brigade had
crossed the Tennessee, and he came
on foot This horse could not be taken
in the boat crowded with men), bis
tones and words were such as to in
still new courage into their hearts
snd to call out q new devotion te
their bluff old leader. He called the
men gentlemen, did not swear once
and his ever.ready "Go;ohe'lsir'
was forgotten. History tells how
the division went nto battle, and
how we'll they dill tier duty; bu
the strong indisid unlity OF Nelson
his energy aud rediness were bette
illustrated by the crossing OF Duci