The National tribune., 1907-05-16
Stories Emineny Worth Telling Of Experiences and Adventure
in the Great National Struggle
Some Errors With Regard to Shiloh.

Some Errors With Regard to Shiloh.
Editor National Tribune: 1t is Won
oerful what vague conceptions som,
comrades have of a battle, especial,
that part In which they were not en-
gagged This was particularly the cast
with Shiloh, and you will remember
that Agate who was no nearer the
front than the landing, wrote to his
paper that Grants Army of the Tennes.
see was completely surprised, and hi:
men and officers bayoneted in then
tents before they had the chance to
grasp their weapons. 1t has been ex-
planned time and again that it was only
few regiments who were surprised,
but 1t is difficult to make some peop pie
understand that Pugh's Brigade, or part
of it, was not driven from its advanced
position until 2:S0 p. m. on Sunday, and
that they would have remained there
until annihilated If they had had more
ammunition. The part of Pugh'S Bril-
gade to which 1 refer was composed of
the 32d and 41st III. They were facing
the brigade which Gen. Albert Sidney
Johnston was leading when he was
struck down. 1t is a recognized fact
that the 32d and 41st ILL.,, as well as the
9Th Ill, were not driven from their ad-
vanced position two miles from the
landing until that hour. After going
ont to the front Sunday morning on
liOlii ouT CAMP, ABOUT
a. m, we formed in line of battle, then
marched across the field, and by order
of Gen. Hurlbut halted and awaited
the approach of the enemy, who could
be seen in heavy force. This have ex-
planned before in The National Tribune,
but 1t occurs to me now that "Agate's"
story and mine do not tally and you
Will agree with me, perhaps. that l am
right when l tell you that Gen. Hurl-
but ordered US back across the field,
fetrograding to our first position. The
entire brigade was then ordered to lay
down arms and not fire until word was
given. With our brigade were two bat
teries and two 20-pounder PARROT guns,
which joined in the attack on this force
of the enemy as it came upon the field.
When we were ordered to rise and
fire 1t was so sudden that no force was
able to Withstand it, and the few remain
Ing fled back from whence they came
This is no hearsay; 1t came under my
own observation. I was one of the re-
polling force that participated in this
action. This was perhaps about 1890
In the morning. There was no force
threatening this part of the line now, !
and We had it all our own way on the
field at the Peach Orchard. But what
next? An Aid from Gen. Hurlbut came |
with an order for the 41st and 32d Ill. |
to reinforce the 9th ILL.,, away to the |
left. So we We're right-faced, filed left, |
and marched in an obliQue direction, |
perhaps one-half or three-fourths of a |
mile, and formed in line of battle again |
under a pattering shower of bullets,
which became heavier and heavier as
the enemy advanced, but we withstood
the whitening fire until our ammunition
was exhausted. 1t is but fair to state
that We were here four long hours I'M
der hre until some of the enemy's regi-
ments refused to try further to dislodge
US, and 1t was at this time that Gen
Johnston was appealed to by Gen.
Breckenridge. These are facts. and /
only mention them again because Of the
many errors from different people
which have even involved the Illinois
Commission, appointed to locate the po-
sitions Of the Illinois regiments, and
which SO confused the Commission that
they did not give the 32d or 4lst Ill.
their correct places. AT 2:30 p. m. these
regiments were still fighting, perhaps
two miles from the landing, with no
thought Of retreating until nearly all
their officers were killed or disabled.
The 32d had not had a single man killed
before going to this position. When you
consider the length of time. four hours,
and the fact that we had no breast
works. 1t 10 doubtful If there was any
position more strenuously defended
than this during the war. The 9th Ill.
had been at this point perhaps an hour
before We were ordered to reinforce
them. They can best tell their own
story, and when they do you will find
Il to be one that will astonish the ad-
nirers of the LIST Mimi, who did such
nehle work at Gettysburg. Another
word with regard to the Illinois Com {
mission. 1t seems that one of the Com I
Lnfssfoners was not in the battle of I
Shiloh on Sunday. When trying to get !
facts. 1t should certainly be the policy
10 appoint men to such positions who S
have had actual experience, and not I
hose who have simply sufficient politi- /
al influence to get them the place One '
more word. The War Department gives r
he loss of the 32d at Shiloh as being f
,nly SO killed, and 1t should be 6S. S
There were none captured, but some II
r. Palmer, First Lieu i
enant, 32d H., Sorrento, Fla. r