The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-21
THE STRUGGLE AT SHILOH.
General Grants Review of One of the
Greatest Battles of the War.
The Story Of Mighty Contest as Told by
the Old Commander Tribute to
Sherman and Buell..

From an article. by General Graut in the February
Number of the Century Magazine.
The battle of Shiloh. fought on Sunday and
Monday, the 9th and 7th of April, 1862, is per-
haps less understood, or, to state the case more
accurately, more persistently misunderstood
than any other engagement between national and
socalled confederate troops during the entire re-
bellion- Correct reports of the battle have been
Published, notably by Sherman, Badeau, and in
a speech before meeting of veterans by Gen.
Prentiss; but all of these appeared long subse-
quent to the close of the rebellion, and after
public opinion had been most enormously
formed.
Events had occurred before the battle. and
others subsequent to it, which determined me
Co make no report to my then chief, General
Haleck, further than was contained in letter,
written Immediately after the battle, informing
him that an engagement had been fought, and
announcing the result. The occurrences alluded
to are these: After the capture of Fort Donel-
son, with over Is, 600 effective men and all their
munitions of war; ! believed much more could
be accomplished without further sacrifice OF
life GAINESVILLE, town between Donelson
and Nashville, in the State of Tennessee, and
on the east bank of the Cumberland, was gar
risoned by the enemy, and was probably the best
provisioned depot at the time in the Confeder-
acy, Albert Sidney Johnston occupied Bowling
Green, KY, with large force. believed. and
my information justified the belief, that these
places would fall into our hands with
out battle, if threatened promptly. l
determined not to miss this chance. But
being only district commander and under
the immediate orders of the department COM
mander, General Halleck, whose headquarters
were at st. Louis, it was my duty to communi-
cate to him all / proposed to do, and to get his
approval if possible. / did so communicate,
and receiving no reply, acted upon my own
Judgment. The result proved that my nforma-
tion was correct, and sustained my Judgment.
What, then, was my surprise, after SO much had
been accomplished by the troops under my inn
mediate command between the time of leaving
Cairo, early in February, and the 4th of March,
to receive from my chief dispatch of the latter
date, saying: 'You will place Major general c.
f, Smith in command of expedition, and remain
yourself at Fort Henry Why do you not obey
my orders to report strength and position OF
your commands" was left virtually in arrest
on board steamer, without even a guard for
to resume my command.
Again: Shortly after the battle of Shiloh had
been fought; General Halleck moved his head
quarters to Pittsburg Landing, and assumed
command of the troops in the field. Although
next to him in rank. and nominally in command
of any old district and army, l was ignored as
much rs | had been at the most distant point of
territory, within my jurisdiction; and although
was in command of all the troops engaged at
Sniioh, was not permitted to one of the re-
ports of General Buell. or his subordinates in
that battle until They were published by the
War department, long after the event. In con-
Sequence never myself made full report Of
this engagement
When was restored to my command on the
18th of March, / found 1t on the Tennessee river,
part at Savanna and part at Pittsburg Landing,
niue miles above and on the opposite western
bank / generally spent the day at Pittsburg,
and returned by boat to Savanna in the evening
/ was intending to remove my headquarters to
PittSburg, where had sent all the troops i'm
mediately on my reassVming command; but Blu
ELL with the army of the Ohio had been ordered
to reinforce me from Columbia, Tenn He was
expected daily, and would come in at Savanna
] remained, therefore, few days longer than /
otherwise should have done for the purpose of
meeting him on his arrival
LEW WALLACE.
Cen Lew Wallace, with division. had been
placed by General Smith, at Crumps Landing,
about Ave miles further down the river than
Pittsburg, and also on the west bank. His posi-
ton regarded as SO we'll chosen that he was
not moved from it until the Confederate attack
in force at Shiloh.
The skirmishing in our front had been so con-
tinuons from about the Sd of April up to the de-
termned attack, that remained on the field
each night until an hour when felt there would
be no further danger before morning. In fact,
on Friday the 4th, was very much injured by
hone Gall nvrrskh T.
was trying to get to the front, where firing had
been heard. The night was one of impenetrable
darkness, with rain pouring down in torrents;
nothing visible to the eye, except as revealed
by the frequent flashes of lightning Under
these circumstances had TO trust to the horse
without guidance, to keep the road. / had not
gone far, however, wheh l met Gen w H L.
Wallace and Gen. then Colonel Mcpherson
coming from the direction of the front They
said all was quiet. SO far as the enemy were con
cerned. On the way back to the boat my horses
feet slipped from under him, and he fell with my
leg under his body. The extreme softness of
the ground, from the excessive rains of the pre-
eeding days, no doubt saved me from severe
injury and protracted lameness. AS it was, my
ankle was very much injured; so much so, that
my boot had to be cut off. During the battle
and for two or three days after, was unable to
walk. except with crutches.
On the 9th General Nelson, with division of
Buells army, arrived at Savanna aud ordered
him to move up the east bank of the river, to be
In position where he could be ferried over to
Grumps Landing, or Pittsburg Landing. as oc-
tas!on required. had learned that General Buell.
himself wonld be at Savanna tho next day, and
desired to meet me on his arrival Affairs at
Pitts5urg Landing had been such for several
days that did not want to be away during the
day / determined therefore. TO take verv
early breakfast and ride out to meet Buell., and
thus save tiEse. He had arrived on the evening
of the 5th, but had DOT advised me of the fact,
and was not aware of it-until some time after
While was at breakfast, however heavy firing
was heard in the direction of Pittsburg Landing.
and fastened there. sending hurried note to
Buell.. informing him of the reason why could
not meet him at Savanna On the way up the
river directed the dispatch boat to run in close
to Crumps Landing, 80 that could communi-
cate with General Lew Wallace l found him
waiting on boat. apparently expecting to see
me- and directed him to get his troops in hne
ready to execute any orders he might receive. He
replied that his troops were already under arms