The sun., 1909-02-14
~

Col. Henry Stone in his account OF the
Battle OF Shiloh comedies that the question
whether Gen. Grant was surprised al
Pttsburg Landing will probably never
he settled, certainly not during the life
time of any Of those who took part In
that great battle. Gen. Sherman most
tenaciously combsted any such sugges-
ton and grew excited and angry over 1t.
Gen. Buell. in letter written on January
~. tses, in reply 10 Gen. Sherman uses
these words. 1T was not such surprise
AZ might result from the fancied absence
Of an enemy; II was a more culpable sur
prise resulting from total want OF suit
able preparation Gen. Grant confess
edly had troops enough 10 meet any an
ticipated attack. The ground he occupied
wss especially well adapted to defence.
Half bis troops -Shermsn's and Hurl-
butts divisions had been on the spot
ihree weeks. The positions of all sub
ordinate commanders had been deliber-
ately selected. The enemy were known
70 be concentrating at Corinth. twenty
miles away. Sherman had undertaken
three expeditions against the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad. but had had to
abandon two OF them because he encoun-
tered 100 large hostile force. On April
4 and 5. 1859. all the pickets and recon-
noitrinC parties reported unusual activity
on the part Of the rebels,
Col Stone points out that in spite Of all
these signs and warnings there was no
consecutive chain Of sentinels along the
three miles which separated Sherman.s
right at Shiloh Church from his left at
Lake Creek; not a spadeful Of earth had
been thrown mp or a tree cut down to
obstruct Johnston's advance; no place
had been selected on which to form a
general line Of battle in case Of attack;
not the slightest instruction had been
given how m proceed IL the enemy should
appear. Everything had been left to the
whim or knowledge or apprehension OF
ignorance of brigade and regimental
commanders. There were at least three
trained soldiers present Of high rank and
considerable experience Grant, Sherman
and G. F. Smith.-and among those Of sub
ordinate rank we're a number educated
in military science like Mcpherson. A
few regimental commanders who had
ventured rather importunstely TO recon-
mend some system Of defence had been
snubbed for their medding. Thus II was
thas when on the night Of Saturday,
April S, 1882. the usual camp sentines
were posted and advance guards sent TO
a few OF the crossroads not a word Of
caution was given nor were any extra
pains taken TO prevent surprise. In a
word. Col. Stone deems il safe TO say that
nobody within the lines OF the Union army
dreamed that so much az a brigade, much
less the entire rebel force. lay in wait for
n terrific onset at dawn. In the judgment
Of the author Of this paper no clearer
proof is needed on this point than Grants
letter to Gen Buell. written at the formers
headquarters al Savannah on the morn
ing Of April just as he was embarking
for the battlefield Heavy firing is heard !
up the river, indicating plainly that an |
attack has been made on our most ad- |
vanced position. have been looking
for thls, but did not believe the attack |
could be made before Monday or Tuesday,
This necessitates my joining the forces |
mp the river instead Of meeting you to- |
day as had contemplated Col. Stone |
submits that in The face Of this testimony
Ten. Grant could scarcely asirm that he |
WAS not surprised.
u il Col Stones opinion that the battle
NJ Shiloh, like the battles Of Belmont and |
Donelson, showed clearly Grant predom-
tnart t'characteristics as a soldier as they
we're shown atterward in the battles of the |
Wilderness and Cold Harbor. II was
simply fair and square fight "In it |
ne showed neither strategy nor tactics, |
nor personal magnetism and leadership, |
nor any evidence Of military ability save
thsa most essential one-perfect readi. |
ness to stand up to his work and give and
take the hardest kind OF blows without
hinchins 1t was like what Napoleon
oalled O'Clock in the morning courage.
Vol. stone is unable to find much more
evidence of military skill on the part
81 me Confederate commanders. III