The National tribune., 1906-09-27
Gen. Nelson.

Editor National Tribune: In your
issue of Aug. 9 appears an article from
Comrade John Barnes, Cincinnati, O..
under the caption of Gen. VIM. Mel
son." which will doubtless meet with
some criticism from members of the
Army of the Tennessee.
With the statements of the comrade
in regard to the greatness of Gen. Mel
son, his abilities as a commander. his
thoroness as a disciplinarian, and his
qualities as a fighter we have no kick
coming. That he was fighter of cour-
age and ability we very well know, as
our regiment, the 40th ILL.,, fought un-
der his direction during the second day
of the battle of Shiloh, and can bear
ample testimony to this. Gen. Nelson
was a fighter par excellence
The statement of the comrade to
which we want to enter a demurrer is
contained in the following paragraph:
Gen. Nelson saved Grants defeated
army at Shiloh, turning a complete rout
into victory. Had Nelson not volun-
teered to put his division across Duck
River, instead of waiting for the con-
struction of bridge, setting an exam
pie for the remaining divisions, Shiloh
would have been recorded as second
Bull Run"
To this statement we want to register
high kick. Defeat" Complete
rout!" Well. now, 1 declare, that's too
bad! Say. you old comrades of the
Army of the Tennessee, does that jar
any of your Stats? I wonder from what
part of Grants army our comrade took
his observations in order to reach this
conclusion. Certainly not from that
grand host standing firm and invincible
at the front, repulsing the last savage
effort of the enemy, just as Nelson's ad-
vanced brigades reached the scene OF
battle Our comrades deductions must
have been made from contact with the
terror stricken mob under the bluffs on
the rivers bank; thus doing the gal
liant men of the Army of the Tennessee
a CALLING injustice. Those of US who
fought undef Grant and Sherman that
memorable dayt know as we'll as any
one the time Nelson's troops began to
arrive Probably one brigade Of his
men arrived in time to fire a few vol
leys at the already-retreating foe who
had receivediIa fnal check at the hands
of the gallant army under Grant, and
who would, with the assistance of Lew
Wallace's Division, which arrived dur
ing Sunday Right have whipped Beau
regard and Sent him whirling back to
Corinth, Nelson or no Nelson. True,
we were glad toEsee Nelson's troops ar
irving, for we had been sorely tried that
day; not defeated" much less trout
cd"
make no attempt to disparage Gen.
Nelson or his troops. They did we'll
and deserve we'll. What resent Is the
attempt to make 1t appear that Grants
army was defeated and routed, state
ment that everyone conversant with the
condition Of things at tho front at that
time knows to be Misrepresentation
of the facts. This kind of rot has re-
peatedly appeared in print. and investi-
cation proves in every instance that
such statements emanate from persons
totally ignorant Of the condition of
things. Gen. Nelson was doubtless per-
sonally all the comrade claims for him.
and nothing should be said to detract
from his deserved reputation, but in
sounding his praises care should be
taken not to disparage otaers.-John 7.
HUT Co. A, 10th ILL.,, Macedonia, Ill.