The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-11-20
GEN. HAZEN'S BOOK.

u iii
Gen. w. B. Hazen has been the sub
iect of so much controversy that a
book from his pen on the main events
of his career might be expected to ex-
hibit some warmth of feeling and ex-
preston. But one would search long
for O. more even-tempered book than
the large nj that has just appeared
with the title "a Narrative of military
Service" General Hazen undertakes
in this volume to describe the war
operations in which he was an actor,
and to summarize his views as an Of
fcer of long experience in regard to
the best equipment and movement of
our armies when next called to the
field. This object is fully accomplish
ed, and with unusual ability. The
tone of the narrative is pleasant and
moderate throughout, and, histori-
cally, it is an important contribution.
After graduating in1855 at West
Point, to which he was appointed
from Northern Ohio, General Hazen
served against the Indians in the. west
and was promoted for gallantry in
Texas skirmishes in 1859. Early in
1861 he was still suffering from a
wound received in Indian warfare.
When the war began he was assistant
instructor of infantry tactics at West
Point. In September, 1861, he was
commissioned Colonel of the Forty
first Ohio, organized at Cleveland,
with J. A. Garfield as Lieutenant Col
onel. Before Hazen took command
Garfield was made Colonel of the For
ty-second Ohio. Colonel Hazen was
with the Forty-frst Ohio long enough
to make his mark upon its discipline.
1t was in most of the great battles of
the West, and he says it was never
surprised or assailed at a disadvant-
age, nor failed to repay fully any pun
ishment received. 1t was easily man
euvered, and it's steady volley firing
was heard above the din of battle.
General Hazen lays great stress upon
the advantages of fire by volleys in
stead of the ordinary desultory fire
of infantry.
Early in 1862 General Hazen was
placed in command of q brigade, and
he was in the first division of Buell's
army that reached Shiloh. His ene-
mics have said that he showed coward
ice in that battle. The charge is not
in keeping with General Hazen's con-
spicuous part in many battles, and
might be dismissed as absurd, but he
is at pains to record his movements
at Shiloh circumstantially. His bri-
gade made an impetuous charge upon
the Confederate right center, pushing
ahead so far that it captured a bat
terry. The enemy sent a heavy force
to retake the battery, and Hazen's bri-
gade, the formation of which had been
much confused by it's charge over a
mile of ground, was driven back
through the dense forest and under
growth. General Hazen on his way
back was accompanied by Captain
Emerson Opdycke, of the Forty-first
Ohio, afterwards one of the heroes OF
the battle of Franklin. The brigade
did not get together again until the
afternoon, and it was SO scattered
that it's commander did not find it's
main body for several hours. The
loss Of the brigade Yves 800 men killed
and wounded, one-fifth of the entire
loss in Buell's army at Shiloh. The
real charge to be brought against Ha-
zen's brigade at Shiloh is atoo discon-
nected rush upon the Confederates,
causing an undue loss Of life, and the
breaking up of the brigade line into
fragments that drifted apart when
forced to retreat by the enemy's rein
forcements. These wild rushes have
proved so fatal to organized action
in battle that the new tactics contem-
plate q constant regimental .userve
on which retiring troops can join their
colors instantly, and 20 again become
affectives without the loss of q mo-
ment. General Hazen's conduct at
Shiloh showed more headlong courage
than strategic caution, and the same
can be saidof most of the brigade and
regimental commanders OF that early
stage Of the struggle. Long after the
war General Opdycke wrote OF Shiloh:
II saw Hazen on horseback riding
along the line, encouraging his men by
words and example during the whole
OF the fight and charge, and while re-
firing we were together in constant
endeavor to rally the remnants OF
his command.
General Hazen's most brilliant work
during the rebellion is popularity be-
iieved to be the storming of Fort Nc
Allister, but he thinks otherwise, and
gives good reasons for his opinion.
"The best service rendered by mycom-
mand during the war; he says, .swas
at the battle of Stone River" After
the Confederates began to drive back
the Union right wing Rosecrans with
drew troops fromthel left until Hazen's
brigade held the extreme left OF the
Union army. II was the only Union