Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1881-04-22
THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.
An Interesting Statement from Gen
eral Prentlss.
Mlnhc DEMOCRAT. Apr l3th.l

Nilobc Democrat, Apr 18th.
Nv attention has been called to tn
different expressions recently made con
corning incidents of thebattle ofShiloh
April 9th, 1862, and particularly to al
article published in the Globe Democrat
of April 18th, copied from the State
Register cf Illinois. You will permit
Inc to say that article is calculated to d.
great injustice to many brave soldier.
engaged in that terrible engagement
1t says that the troops were not in linz
of battle when the rebel assault was
made. and that a-~idst the confusion
ten. Prentiss and several thousand men
were captured before they could be or
ganized for successful RESISTANCE
do not seek to assail or dlsparage
the effort MADE by the officers or soldiers
engaged in battle ON that day. Justice
TO myself and those captured in battle
demand that should state truly the
time and circumstances OF our capture
This do now from the fact that there
have beer so many attempts made to
iaisify concerning it. You may thus un.
derstand that my purpose is TO correct
reports circulated about the capture OF
myself and comrades. The facts are
that my division was IN line Of battle
near | 4 OF mile in advance OF the col
or line. and received the assault Of the
enemy at an early hour of the morning
of April 9th. 1862. and held them in
check for hours. until tlI" enemy appear
ed in our right rear, and. Us | learned
atterward. aided by the misconduct o! Il
regiment not Of my division.
After being rdnked and forced to re-
tire ] met Gen. Hurlbut with portion
OF his division advancing to our support.
With the aid of officers reformed in
the real Of Hurlbuts right and imne-
diatcly on the left OF the division COM
manded by the gallant Gen. w. H. l..
Wallace, Of Illinois, sending request
to Gen. Hurlburt to move to the left.
was complied with Immediately. so
that my right was on Wallaces LETT and
left on Hurlbuts right This was ac-
coinplished at about $50 a. H.. and dur
ing the balance of the day successfully
resisted the numerous and desperate
attacks of the enemy until $3.50 or
,hercabout. when The right of Gen.
Hmlbut division. commanded by Ten.
iuyl, was being so,ely and severely
pressed by the enemy tn masse. 1t was
evident TO me that Gen. Hurlbut was
being pressed very hard and knew he
successfully resisted until overpOwered
and compelled 10 retire, as ! now rec
collect. about Ala p. M.
Then it was that Gen. W. H. l.. Wal
lace came to me Will" under fire of enc-
my this right not then engaged) and
con, ulteu as to the condition of affairs
remember that We agreed that it was
best to hold our position till night. if
possible He left me for the purpose
of sending support from his right to
nv left and was fatally wounded while
At $50 completely sur.
rounded bv numbers so numerous the
gallant officers and soldiers with my
self were compelled to surrender. We
were prisoners of war for seven months.
then exchanged. and learned for the
first time that we were captured in the |
early morning.
Now. Mr.. Editor, as was there
and remained on the field under fire |
from early in the morning till after
then taken to Gen. Beaure-
CARDS headquarters. and with Col.
Jordon and others Of his staff staid
all night in tents on the field. have
confidence in the belief that an in
tellisen. pubic will believe this to be
he correct statement as to the cap
lure of Gen. Prentiss and others with
him at Shiloh. Trusting the day will
come when cowardly creatures who
,kuiked at Shiloh will cease to mana
acture excuses tor themselves and
1--WE credit where due, and that you
sill give this communication the same
publicity as the extract from the State
Register. of Illinois; and assuring you
hat am content with the efforts
made on that day doing all l could),
md regretting that the article from
he Register was so far from true as to
;ause me at this day to send this ex-
,lanation tc be published, l am
Yours Respectfully,
B. NJ. PRENTIss.