The National tribune., 1888-01-19
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
NELSON'S DIVISION.


FDrToR NATIONAL. TRIBUNE: In The Cen
furg Aa0aeine Of March. 1856, was an article by
Gen. Buell. entitled Shiloh Reviewed" IN
which Gen. Buell. claims the credit of saving
Grants army and whipping the Contederates
I hardly think that Gen. Buell. is entitled toany
credit whatever, although after the arrival OF
the Army of the Ohio tafterward the Army OF
the Cumberland on the battlefield he fought
the battle without aid from the Army OF the
Tennessee. except Gen. Lew Mallace's DIVISION
The Army of the Ohio left Nashville on
March Is and Il. 1862 Nelson's Division IN the
rear After waiting four or five days near 90
lnmbia for McCook TO build bridge over Duck
River, Gen. Nelson received PERMISSION MaEch
% to ford the river, which he did with MS
division. for which feat he was given the lead on
the march to Savannah. By this move the
Army Of the Ohio gained at least two days on
the march, as the bridge was not passable until
Apri J. Gen. Nelson was a hustler, aud ne
had bustiing regiments, and although notl-
fed we were not needed at Savannah before
April E our march was a forced one to the end.
We arrived at Savannah April >, and made,
as We supposed, permanent camp; but at day
break on the 9Th Nelson, hearing the firing at
Shiloh had us on the march iuto Savannah,
where he charged about ike a Gagged lion Tor
orders 10 90 TO the battlefield. / am OF the
opinion that he went there without orders, rs
q very short time before we moved for the land
eng ne was AIGu- Buca4 : AGdAitl t1A ACAo don
ing for orders and when told that there were
none Gor him, he replied that be would go any
how.
The leading brigade arrived opposite the
landing. and was crossed over in time TO repel
an attack which would in al probability have
been successful but for the arrival OF Ammcn S
Brigade. The rebels were at the river bank,
in plain view Of us on the opposite bank, and
the bullets from their muskets passed over our
heads
Had the rebels made their charge on the re-
serve artillery. nothing on that side could have
stopped them until they captured Grant
army. The gunboats could do no good, because
the bslsks were too high for their guns to dc
execution. When Ammen's Brigade crossed
the rebels were within 60G yards OF the reserve
artillery, with none 10 man the guns. Iht
brigade TO which / was attached my regiment
being in the extreme rear crossed about dark
The river bank under the bluff was crowded
with men from the front, and they gave us the
consoljng information that the Tebs would
give Us heil"; he was the last man left In BIS
regiment" and such other remarks.
With his army in this demoTaiized condition
Gen. Grant claims he could have whipped tho
enemy Monday without the assistance of Gen
Buell..
Outside OF Lew Wallace's Division. at 10 a. N
Monday, Grant did not have 10 000 men in line
and they did none or very little fighting; bu
those 10000 were men. During the main light
ing Wallace Joined 5IcCook, throwing Sherman
il reserve.
Gen. Grant never forgave the Army OF Tia
Ohio for'saving him, as his treatment Of tina
army afteTEard showed. The point I make i
that 10 Gen. William Nelson IS due the credi
OF saving the army of Gen. Grant, as had b.
waited until the bridge at Columbia was com
pleted, at least two days would have been lost
Gen. Nelson was patriot who fought for hi
country. lie needed no second order TO g
where duty called, but would ask for the orde
instead. There was no Fitz-J0hn Porter bust
ness about him. he was regarded as tyrant
but after the battle Of Shiloh ] dc not belieY
there was man in the division who did no
have the highest regard for him.
After the battle Of ChickamaHga, where tn
Army Of the Cumberland came nearest to dc
feat. We were holding Chattanooga, wheT
Gen Grant had been placed in general con
mand Of the several armies. Sherman va
placed on the left, and hammered at Bragg
right fer one long day without gaining an
ground. The Army Of the Cumberland the
charged and took tie ridge In a few minutes
That was very good for men who would nc
fight. Had Gen. Grant been at Chickanaug
he would have thought better Of the grand Of
Army Of the Ohio and concluded that it M
only could but would 1ght.-H CHoATE, Fir
Lieutenant, Co. D, 9th KY, Shelbyvillc, KY.