USA > Indiana > The Forty-Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, history of its services in the war of the rebellion and a personal record of its members > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
1
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
241
outflanking us, at the same time moving forward on our front. General Hurlbut, concluding his position no longer tenable, ordered the line to retire to a new posi- tion to our left and rear. The 44th acted as rear guard. After going a short distance our brigade commander, General Lauman, came to me and suggested that I form a line across the road by which the enemy were advanc- ing ; which was done, thus demonstrating to them that it was not a rout, and delayed their advance, giving our brigade time to reach their new position, when we again resumed our retrograde movement. The enemy ad- vanced very slowly and cautiously, and when they made their attack we were fully prepared for them. Had they pushed forward rapidly it would undoubtedly have been disastrous, as there were no other troops than our small brigade between them and the Landing. This last stand therefore proved of the utmost importance. When they made their final attack they were not only repulsed, but driven back to where they started from in the morning, three miles distant, the shot and shell of the gunboats hurrying them on their way ; and this is where General Nelson's division found them next morning about ten o'clock.
Upon reaching our new position, where a battery of large guns was in position, our first thought was an- munition. Seeing an officer with stars on his shoulders moving slowly about, looking "grand, gloomy and peculiar," sitting on his horse instead of a " throne," I rode to him, touched my `visor reverently, and in- quired if he were able to direct me to where I could find ammunition. "No, sir," he replied, fiercely,
16
·
242
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
" nor do I believe you want ammunition, sir." I looked at him in astonishment, doubting his sanity, but made no reply, further than to ask his name. In the same angry tones : " It makes no difference, sir, but I am General Buell." Turning my horse about, I rode to where I now saw my men had found ammunition and were engaged in filling their cartridge-boxes. I joined them. There may have been an expression on my face that did not please General Buell. He again presents himself, apparently in a frenzy of wrath, and demands to know who I am and where I come from. My answer was as fierce and insulting as I could make it, in my anger. After many threats of what I had to expect, and retorts in no measured terms, intermixed with some strong Anglo-Saxon adjectives, he rode off, furious. Surgeon Martin, standing near, his eyes glaring with sympathetic indignation, exclaimed : " Who is that ?- who is he ?" When told : "General Buell ! My God, he will have you shot. How could you talk to him in that way ?" In a little time Buell returned with General Grant. Both of them sat on their horses looking at us while completing our task, forming our ranks and moving forward into line of battle. But nothing further was said then or afterwards.
I will here quote from General Hurlbut's official re- port giving the final repulse of the enemy :
" Perceiving that a heavy force was closing on the left between my left and the river, while heavy fire continued on the right and front, I ordered the line to fall back. The retreat was made quietly and steadily, and in good order. I had hoped to make a stand on the
0
243
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
line of my camp, but masses of the enemy were press- ing rapidly on each flank, while their light artillery was closing up rapidly in the rear. On reaching the twenty-four pounder siege-guns in battery near the river, I again succeeded in forming line of battle in rear of the guns, and by direction of Major-General Grant I assumed command of all troops that came up. Broken regiments and disordered battalions came into line grad- ually upon my division." (It should be " part of my division," as stated elsewhere in his official report; the 2d brigade did not join us till 4:30 A. M.)
" Major Cavender posted six of his twenty-pound pieces on my right, and I sent my Aid to establish the light artillery-all that could be found-on my left." * * * " Many gallant soldiers and brave officers rallied steadily on the new line. I passed to the right, and found myself in communication with General Sher- man, and received his instructions. In a short time the enemy appeared on the crest of the ridge, led by the 18th Louisiana, but were cut to pieces by the steady and murderous fire of the artillery." * * * " General Sherman also was rapidly engaged, and after an artil- lery eontest of some duration the enemy fell back." * * * " I advanced my division one hundred yards to the front, threw out pickets, and officers and men' bivou- acked in a heavy storm of rain. About 12 P. M. [should be about 3 A. M.], General Nelson's leading columns passed my line and went to the front, and I called in my advanced guard. The remnant of my division was reunited, Colonel Veatch with the second brigade hav- ing joined me about half-past 4 A. M."
This shows clearly that there were none of Buell's fresh troops engaged in this last defeat of the enemy on Sunday eve, as is claimed by General Buell in his offi- cial report. The 44th Indiana were in line of battle where they must have seen them had any come to our aid. None of his troops had crossed the river at the
244
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
close of the contest, which lasted but a short time. It was yet daylight when we moved to the front and took up our position for the night, placed our pickets, gath- ered brush on which we spread our horse-blankets, with our saddles for pillows, we made the best disposition pos- sible under the circumstances, to rest-sleep being out of the question in the pouring rain-storm. General Hurlbut and General Lauman spent the night with us. Many of the officers of the 44th Indiana were present. The events of the day were discussed. Our decisive defeat of the enemy was a subject for congratulation with all. The anticipated arrival of Buell's forces in the morning was a matter of interest talked over. No one dreamed that such a claim could be made. General Buell "lost his head." He could see nothing but "stragglers."
About 3 o'clock A. M. General Nelson, with his staff, at the head of his column, advanced without giving a very definite account of himself, and the guards did not make a very intelligible report at headquarters. The tramp of horses being heard, General Hurlbut sprang up, went forward a short distance, and demanded " Who is invading my lines ?" in very angry and em- phatic tones, using some profane expletives at the same time. General Nelson, in much milder tones than was his habit, replied : " Be a little civil, General ; I am General Nelson, with my division ; I wish to estab- lish my line on your right, and throw forward my pickets." This was the first appearance of General Buell's fresh troops on the battle-field of Shiloh, or any other, for that matter.
1
245
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
With daylight our stomachs reminded us that we had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours. How vividly my memory retains the taste of a drink of cold coffee taken from the canteen of General Lauman on this Monday morning (which his orderly had in some way procured). The traditional drink of hard cider that could not be bitten off, was nothing to biting that off. We now moved a short distance to the rear, and about 8 A. M. suc- ceeded in getting some crackers, which, with coffee, was our preparation for a renewal of the conflict, after nearly twelve hours' fighting, and without sleep. With this moi- ety of food, the 44th Indiana was again on the march for the battle-field. The effort of will necessary to move men to such a task dwells in my memory as fresh and green as any superhuman effort is impressed on the mind ever after.
The 44th Indiana and 17th Kentucky alone of our brigade responded to this call. With nearly one-half our number left dead on the battle-fields of the preced- ing day, or in hospital, both regiments did not exceed, all told, more than five hundred, worn, weary men. We resolutely turned our faces forward and took up our line of march for the front, to meet the enemy.
We were led by a guide over a very rough country, for two or three miles, when we suddenly came upon the enemy charging upon and driving some of General McClernand's troops over a level, cleared field. The enemy were again in column by companies. The 44th being in advance, were immediately deployed in line, and opened fire on their flank. They were taken by surprise, but returned our fire. Colonel McHenry gal-
.
246
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
lantly brought his men into line and opened fire. The enemy's battery opened upon us. After some time they began to fall back. Our men having lost all sense of fatigue, pushed them vigorously, and after pursuing them half a mile they disappeared in the woods, where their main force was posted. As our men had become much scattered, I called a halt and collected our force. Gen- eral Lauman having been unhorsed at the first fire by a rebel bullet, was not with us. I soon saw General Sher- man at a distance, and rode to him and reported. He ordered me to form line of battle in his immediate front and await further orders.
General Hurlbut was engaged elsewhere, but I will quote what he says in his official report of our part here : "The third brigade was deeply and fiercely en- gaged on the right of General McClernand, successfully stopping a movement to flank his right, and holding their ground until the firing ceased."
The position held by the enemy was in our front, in the woods, but a few hundred yards from Shiloh chapel, which has given name to the battle; with the Corinth road in their rear. This was the same position held by General Sherman when the battle opened on Sunday morning, and from which he was compelled to fall back. A cleared field intervened between the enemy and the position assigned us by General Sherman, which was in open ground, with the exception of a few large trees here and there, giving us a good view of our troops as they marched across the open field and into the dreaded woods, and also of the vicissitudes attending the fight.
,
1
247
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
A portion of Buell's fresh troops had now arrived on the field, and moved forward to the attack, and we opened ranks for the 30th Indiana to march in. After a fierce and continuous musketry fight of about thirty minutes' duration, the enemy were driven from their position, and fell back on the Corinth road about a mile. Their main force had already been in full retreat for some hours-in fact since about ten o'clock in the morning ; this, their last stand, being made to cover their retreat, ended the struggle. General Buell did not pursue the retreating foe, but at once ordered his fresh troops into camp.
General Lauman now rejoined us. He had been unable to find a remount, and was thus detained until after the final withdrawal of the enemy.
General Grant was soon seen riding along the lines, being loudly cheered by the troops, and we rode for- ward and added our congratulations ; all of which was received by him with his usual taciturn, uncertain man- ner, without showing the least appearance of exultation.
We now led our weary men back to our camps, for rest and refreshment, and never had men more richly earned this boon. We found them unmolested. My tent was in all respects as when I issued from it to meet the enemy on Sunday morning. The enemy had not occupied our camps, as has been erroneously stated, but after their final defeat on Sunday eve they were driven by the fire of the gunboats back to where they started from Sunday morning.
1
1
248
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
CHAPTER IV.
NEVER was battle so misunderstood by the public at large ; never battle so systematically misrepresented, as was the battle of Shiloh. For many months General Buell, like his great prototype, the King of France, with his ten thousand men, had marched up the hill, and then marched down again, on Nolan's fork of Green River, Ky., patiently waiting for the rebels to get ready to evacuate Bowling Green, Ky. At last General Mitchell and Colonel 'Turchin, becoming impatient and restless, insisted upon giving them a push in the rear to hurry them out. When they arrived, however, it was too late. What could not be carried off, was smouldering piles that had once been army stores. After spending fur- ther time, General Buell leisurely marched his army within sound of our victorious guns at Fort Donelson, and then marched back again and took possession of Nashville, Tenn., which was evacuated by the enemy because of our victory at Donelson. Marching in on the heels of this bloodless victory, General Buell at once embraced the occasion to read his troops a lecture on "my policy," reiterating and enforcing what had long since become nauseous to the stomachs of his troops-that their chief duty was to protect rebel prop- erty, so that those of them`who were absent in the rebel army fighting us might feel the comforting assurance that their property, families and friends at home were
249
1
-
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
in good hands, and would be free from molestation from the hated Yankees. A whole division has been known to be placed under arrest for burning a few rails to cook their coffee, while on the march to meet these same rebels in arms, to enforce this "policy." Details were ordered from regiments, after marching all day, to stand guard all night over rebels' houses, that the inmates should not have their slumbers disturbed by the weary, foot-sore soldiers getting a drink of water from the well at the door.
This was the Colossus that came with his army the day after the battle, and boasted, "I came, I saw, I conquered." This man, who had never seen a battle-whose time and mind were wholly given to the care and protection of rebels, their slave property being in his eyes more inviolable than the sanctuary-could find nothing on his arrival but " fugitives, panic-stricken stragglers ; the banks swarmed with a confused mass of men of various regiments ; there could not have been less than four or five thousand." Yes, there was some- where about that number of our wounded sent to the Landing. That there were " panic stricken stragglers" congregated at this point, is not denied. But this, as is well known, is an attendant on all great battles.
The enemy had been defeated, as I have shown, on Sunday evening, and were driven back to General Pren- tiss's position, from whence they started Sunday morning. Here General Buell's fresh troops found this beaten, worn-out enemy, who had fought us for twelve hours the previous day, without food or rest.
Let any soldier who was there on both days, or in any similar battle elsewhere, say what the difference is
1
250
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
between meeting this enemy in their then condition, and in fighting these same troops fresh, organized and equipped especially for this great battle, which they had bravely fought and lost on the preceding day. I repeat, let any one-soldier or citizen-judge.
Beauregard commenced to withdraw his forces when he found Buell's army had arrived. The positions he held had this end in view.
That Buell's army did help to drive the enemy off the field is true, but what can be said in extenuation of only driving him off ? A competent commander would have pursued and captured five thousand prisoners of this beaten, demoralized, fleeing enemy, and all his artillery.
The time has long since come when the truth of the history of this battle should be vindicated. General Grant was in no position to demand justice for his army that fought and won the battle of Shiloh. He was soon in disgrace-deprived of his command-all his thoughts given to extricating himself from the con- sequences of his blunders. General Grant had this merit, and a most important one : he profited by h's blunders, and in contradistinction from Don Carlos Buell, he did place his troops where they would have to fight.
General Sherman has somewhere said that this was a rough and tumble fight, that tested the muscle of the raw troops there engaged, and was useful in developing their pluck. (I mean only to give the substance, from memory.) I think this might also be applied to general officers, as it is well known that General Sherman was tumbled about some-but his pluck always brought
251
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
him out uppermost. I will ask if he found any such tussle on his pleasure trip " to the sea," of which so much is boasted in song and story ? It is true he left " Pap" Thomas in his rear to take care of the rebel army, and General Grant in his front to keep them fully occupied. This trip had this merit, if no other : it was a " bummers'" paradise, and differed in this respect from Buell's " policy." I join in the chorus of praise.
With the help of Lew. Wallace's loitering division, which arrived on the field Sunday night, we could have dispensed with General Buell's army altogether .. But I have no intention or wish to deny them all the credit due for their part on Monday.
Of course all of Buell's army had to fight their way through "the horde of panic-stricken stragglers" that beset them at the Landing, and this might have misled some of them into the belief that it was the rebels who were there Sunday evening; but this could hardly be. And yet the pertinacity with which they cling to the "stragglers " is wonderful. Even to this day the first utterance of any of these men, if Shiloh is but men- tioned, is " stragglers." But now one of them says he sternly invited them out to see men fight, as he fought them off from clinging to his skirts for protection. I don't know how many were drowned; but I can't tell how these "stragglers" could swim in the con- dition he describes them, when forced into the river, they so assailed him with their dismal cries for help. .
It may be asked, were there no "panic-stricken stragglers " among all these gallant regiments of Buell's ?
252
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
No, not one, -if you are to believe the official reports of his regimental, brigade and division commanders.
I will yet venture upon giving a little incident that happened immediately under my own eye. A very gal- lant regiment, that wanted to make a bayonet charge, moved forward in splendid style; but it "got a little squeezed," and came out at the first fire. No men in Sun- day's battle were ever half so utterly panic-stricken. The agony of fear exhibited is beyond description. A perfect Babel of tongues-cries, groans-throwing them- selves upon the ground in desperation of fear. The bugler was beset to make the calls to drown their cries, but he could not make a toot. In his vain endeavor he fell over against the root of a tree, exhausted by his effort. With contortions and cries that would have shamed the geese whose squall saved Rome, they were only re- called to consciousness by the peal of derisive laughter from our line that greeted this grotesque exhibition. Never was such a shout of boisterous mirth before heard on a battle-field. This ridicule alone enabled their Col- onel to lead them off the field and away from danger, and hide them in the thick woods. They saw the enemy no more. You will say they were in disgrace, of course. No such thing. This regiment was as highly com- mended as were all others in official reports of the com- manding officers.
I happened upon this same regiment next morning, in passing. It was drawn up as on dress parade. Its length of line would have excited the envy of any Col- onel in the armies, and it was composed of good, rug- ged, soldierly· looking men too, and they were evidently
253
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
well drilled. . Probably most of them had been accus- tomed to military drill from their youth, and may have seen service. As I passed by, their Colonel, with tears in his voice, was talking to them "like a Dutch uncle." From the hasty glance I cast along his line, I judged his reproaches had little effect. All the posthumous glory in the world was as nothing to being where they were-in capital condition, equal to their rations any day. Contrition ? No. Indeed I rather expected to hear them shout in chorus: " He that fights and runs away, lives to fight another day."
The Colonel of this regiment was a brave man, a brilliant officer, and a genial, kind-hearted gentleman, but I could not altogether suppress a smile when my appearance, like Banquo's ghost, suddenly interrupted the recital of " hair-breadth 'scapes by flood and field " that was being poured into the ears of the loyal gover- nor's representatives, who had come from home with congratulations and good cheer. He looked " Thou canst not say I did it." He had his reward. These men fought well and faithfully afterwards, and the inci- dent is given here simply to show that " the panic- stricken stragglers" belonged to both armies alike, and was the exception, as were the panic-stricken men of Grant's army, who had far greater cause.
.
Apropos to nothing, the hero of the Franco-German war, Baron von Moltke, scorned making a comparison between the fighting qualities of his finely-drilled troops and "the undisciplined mob " that fought four years for the preservation of their country-and conquered a peace. Query : Did Louis Napoleon's malign influence
254
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
so utterly demoralize the French nation, or were his generals subsidized by influences similar to those which governed an exceedingly small number of ours ?
Buell's army was composed of as brave men and gal- lant soldiers as wore the uniform. But the malign influ- ence at their head overshadowed and crushed them. General Buell, with his arrogance, could no more com- prehend what was due to brave men who had voluntarily come out to fight their country's battles, prompted by patriotism alone, than he comprehended what true loy- alty to his government meant. His troops had been marched up hill and down so long, that the first fight, -like the first baby, always wonderful, -human nature could not be expected to resist blazoning their achieve- ments to the world in all the splendor of the newly risen sun.
The battle over, the immense number of wounded. required an army of surgeons. Many young doctors, among others, were sent from home to help care for them, and, with the best intentions, their want of prac- tical knowledge left much to wish for. . One was re- minded of a synod, conference or other gathering of church dignitaries, where the wise old heads performed the work, and left the fledglings to put on airs-to be petted by, and amuse themselves with the ladies.
A day or two after the battle, I went on board a steamer filled with wounded men. Very many of them were wandering aimlessly about over the boat, presenting ing a most ghastly appearance, their wounds having been tied up hurriedly, the blood and grime of battle being left to be removed at a more convenient season.
11)
255
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
It had been the understanding that the boat was to leave with its living freight at an earlier date. I do not now remember why it was detained. The floor of the cabin was filled with those most dangerously wounded, lying on pallets. Among these I found my friend and fellow townsman, Colonel S. S. Bass, of the 30th Indi- ana, who told me that his wound had not as yet been examined by a surgeon. He was cheerful, and felt con- fident that in a few weeks he would again be fit to return to his regiment. I questioned him particularly, and examined his wound. He pointed out where he thought he could feel the ball, and said if the surgeon would cut in there it could be easily extracted ; that done, he would soon be well again. While not sharing his hopes fully, I talked cheerfully, telling him he could take a furlough of some months for a less hurt. Our last meet- ing had been on the battle-field, on Monday afternoon, when he, at the head of his regiment, passed through our ranks to engage in the final struggle of the day. He now told me that he had received his wound very soon after entering the fight, had ridden off the field, and had been taken by ambulance to the boat where he then was. After some time spent with him, I left him, with the promise that if it were possible to find a head to the boat, he should have a state-room, where he would be more comfortable. He did not share my hopes of success in this endeavor. I hunted over the boat in vain for one in authority. . The invariable answer from subordinates and others attached to the boat was : " The state-rooms are all filled; there is no room for more ; we are doing all we can." " Where
+
1
,
256
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
are the surgeons ?" " I can't tell ; you will find them somewhere about." I returned to my friend, who smiled at my heat and indignation, and silently pointed to his fellow-sufferers. After a little while a young doc- tor came into the cabin, looked along the rows of pros- trate forms, moved down the space between them, occasionally stopped, removed a cloth from a wound, replaced it, and moved on. When he came to Colonel Bass he made a more decided stop. Daintily removing a cloth as large as my hand, he looked at the wound a moment, and replaced it without a word. To my in- quiries he replied that he was not in charge-that some one else (giving the name) would give the needed atten- tion soon-thought it impossible that a state-room could be had-and passed on. After doing all that was pos- sible to supply his wants in every way, I left Colonel Bass, telling him I would bring one of our surgeons to examine his wound and demand a state-room. He thought it hardly worth while-that he would get along all right when he got to Paducah. After some unavoid- able delay I found our surgeon, Dr. Martin. When we got back to the Landing the boat was gone. But a few days after, I heard of his death at Paducah.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.