The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-05-28
BATTLE OF SHILOH.
The Fart Performed by Gen. Wallaee's Bi,islo
ON SUNDAY.

NH NuhIa1s
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
Of April ,, | read a very able article written by
Comrade Lee, OF the list Ill.,, on the battle Of
Shiloh. / agree with the cUmrade as TO the
greater portion Of his article, but there are
some statements made with which beg leave
TO differ and in doing so will give my version
OF the battle from memory only.
Comrade lee says Of Gen. Premises Division
that 10 fell back about one mile aud joined on
Gen. Hurlbuts Division In the Hornets
Nest" ] have no doubt but what Gen. Prem
tisS fell back, but / do not believe that his di-
vision fell back and Joined Gen. Hurlbuts Di-
vision. Gen. Walace's Division held the cen
ter, and what was aiterward called the lIoT-
nets Nest" and if Gen. Premises Division fell
back aad Joined any command, il must have
been his (Wallace'sl. Gen. WallaCc's Division
was in part composed of the "a, eth, Sth, 18th
aud l4th Iowa, known now rs the Hornets
Nest Brigade then commanded by the hero Of
Fort Douclson, Gen. James futile. So / think
in that the comrade is mistaken.
Again, he says Gen. Prentiss surrendered his
division about five o'clock. This statement has
been repeated so often and not disputed, that
sometimes ], with others who know different,
have some doubt as 10 whether we were there In
the flesh or not but we believe we were. We
agree with the comrade that Gen. Prcatiss sur
rendered, for we marched with him 10 CoTinth
next day and heard him make that famous
speech We also agree with CCmrade Lee that
there were about ., 600 prisoners taken between
and o'clock that evening, but we can
not believe that save very small portion. they
belonged 10 Gen. Premises Division, but on
the contrary were Gen. Wallacc's command,
and Gen. Tuttlos Brigade, composed Of the I'd,
9Th, Sth, 18th and l4th Iowa. A portion Of the
I'd and 9Th were taken, and all the Sth, 18th
and lith Iowa surrendered between and
o'clock I'm good order, falling back, preserving
their lines and stacking their arms as on Ordi-
nary occasions; or at least the regiment in
which i had the honor 10 act the part Of an
humble private did.
Now, we want 10 ask Comrade Lee 10 tell US
about how many of Gen. Premises command
were surrendered by him. The comrade must
acknowledge there were some of Mallace'5
Division there that were taken, namely, a FnF
ton Of the "a aud eth Iowa, aud all Of the s,h,
18Th and 18th. Now if anyone can tell how
many men these organized regiments had, then
the remainder wall, we suppose, DO Of Gen.
Premises Division. We are willing 10 give all
the honor 10 Gen. Preutiss and his division
they are entitled TO- aud know that they did
their duty as well as could be expected un-
der the circumstance, but we are not willing
longer 81 remain silent aud see the credit given
altogether TO "A command that was not entitled
TO all the glory. If trae history Of the battle
Of Shiloh is ever written, TO Gen. Wallace's
DIVISION Wlll bsFlHen the credit OF saving Ten.
Grants army at shiloh by holding the rebels
in cheek ia the old read now called the Hor-
nets Nest" until o'clock p. m, April g, aud
then surrendcIing, thereby preventing the on
ward march OF the enemy 10 the river Sunday
evening.
! hope Comrade Lee will pardon me FOR dis
agreeing with him. bat believe he is wrong,
and if So ho should be willing 10 be corrected.
J. ID. MCGARRAUGI, Private Co. 4, lIih
Iowa, commanded by Fighting Col. Shaw, Dcs
Moincs Iowa.