Report of Major General Lewis Wallace, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, Army of the Tennessee. Including correspondence related to his actions during the battle
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, UNITED STATES FORCES,
Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 12, 1862
Capt. JOHN A. RAWLINS,
Assistant Adjutant-General
SIR: Sunday morning, 6th instant, my brigades, three in
number, were encamped, the first at Crump's Landing, the second 2 miles from
that Landing, the third at Adamsville, 2½ miles farther out on the road to
Purdy. The Eleventh Indiana, Col. George F. McGinnis; Eighth Missouri, Lieut.
Col. James Peckham, and Twenty-fourth Indiana, Col. Alvin P. Hovey, composed the
First Brigade, Col. Morgan L. Smith commanding. The First Nebraska, Lieut. Col.
W. D. McCord; Twenty-third Indiana, Col. W. L. Sanderson; Fifty-eighth Ohio,
Col. V. Bausenwein, and Fifty-sixth Ohio, Col. P. Kinney, composed the Second
Brigade, Col. John M. Thayer commanding. The Third Brigade consisted of the
Twentieth Ohio, Col. M. F. Force; Seventy-sixth Ohio, Col. Charles R. Woods;
Seventy-eighth Ohio, Col. M.D. Leggett, and Sixty-eighth Ohio, Col. S. H.
Steedman; Col. Charles Whittlesey commanding. To my division were attached
Lieutenant Thurber's Missouri battery and Capt. N. S. Thompson's
Indiana battery; also the Third Battalion Fifth Ohio Cavalry, Maj. C. S. Hayes,
and the Third Battalion Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, Maj. James F. Johnson.
Hearing heavy and continuous cannonading in the direction of
Pittsburg Landing early Sunday morning, I inferred a general battle, and, in
anticipation of an order from General Grant to join him at that place, had the
equipage of the several brigades loaded in wagons for instant removal to my
first camp at the river. The First and Third Brigades were also ordered to
concentrate at the camp of the Second, from which proceeded the nearest and most
practicable road to the scene of battle. At 11.30 o'clock the anticipated order
arrived, directing me to come up and take position on the right of the army and
form my line of battle at a right angle with the river. As it also directed me
to leave a force to prevent surprise at Crump's Landing, the Fifty-sixth Ohio
and Sixty-eighth Ohio Regiments were detached for that purpose, with one gun
from Lieutenant Thurber's battery. Selecting a road that led directly to the
right of the lines as they were established around Pittsburg Landing on Sunday
morning, my column started immediately, the distance being about 6 miles. The
cannonading, distinctly audible, quickened the steps of the men. Snake Creek,
difficult of passage at all times, on account of its steep banks and swampy
bottoms, ran between me and the point of junction. Short way from it Captain
Rowley, from General Grant, and attached to his staff, overtook me. From him I
learned that our lines had been beaten back; that the right, to which I was
proceeding, was then fighting close to the river, and that the road pursued
would take me in the enemy's rear, where, in the unfortunate condition of the
battle, my command was in danger of being entirely cut off. It seemed, on his
representation, most prudent to carry the column across to what is called the
"River road," which, following the windings of the Tennessee bottoms, crossed
Snake Creek by a good bridge close to Pittsburg Landing. This movement
occasioned a counter-march, which delayed my junction with the main army until a
little after night-fall. The information brought me by Captain Rowley was
confirmed by Colonel McPherson and Captain Rawlins, also of the general's staff,
who came up while I was crossing to the River road. About 1 o'clock at night my
brigades and batteries were disposed, forming the extreme right, and ready for
battle.
Shortly after daybreak Captain Thompson opened fire on a
rebel battery posted on a bluff opposite my First Brigade, and across a deep and
prolonged hollow, threaded by a creek and densely wooded on both sides. From its
position and that of its infantry support, lining the whole length of the bluff,
it was apparent that crossing the hollow would be at heavy loss, unless the
battery was first driven off. Thurber was accordingly posted to assist Thompson
by a cross-fire and at the same time sweep the hiding place of the rebels on the
brow of the hill. This had the desired effect. After a few shells from Thurber
the enemy fell back, but not before Thompson had dismounted one of their rifled
guns. During this affair General Grant came up and gave me my direction of
attack, which was forward at a right angle with the river, with which at the
time my line ran almost parallel.
The battery and its supports having been driven from the
opposite bluff, my command was pushed forward, the brigades in echelon— the
First in front, and the whole preceded by skirmishers. The hollow was crossed
and the hill gained almost without opposition. As General Sherman's division,
next on my left, had not made its appearance to support my advance, a halt was
ordered for it to come up. I was then at the edge of an oblong field
that extended in a direction parallel with the river. On its right was a narrow
strip of woods, and beyond that lay another cleared field, square and very
large. Back of both fields, to the north, was a range of bluffs overlooking the
swampy low grounds of Snake Creek, heavily timbered, broken by ravines, and
extending in a course diagonal with that of my movement. An examination
satisfied me that the low grounds afforded absolute protection to my right
flank, being impassable for a column of attack. The enemy's left had rested upon
the bluff, and, as it had been driven back, that flank was now exposed. I
resolved to attempt to turn it. For that purpose it became necessary for me to
change front by a left half-wheel of the whole division.
While this movement was in progress, across a road through
the woods at the southern end of the field we were resting by, I discovered a
heavy column of rebels going rapidly to re-enforce their left, which was still
retiring, covered by skirmishers, with whom mine were engaged. Thompson's
battery was ordered up, and shelled the passing column with excellent effect;
but while he was so engaged he was opened on by a full battery, planted in the
field just beyond the strip of wood on the right. He promptly turned his guns at
the new enemy. A fine artillery duel ensued, very honorable to Thompson and his
company. His ammunition giving out in the midst of it, I ordered him to retire
and Lieutenant Thurber to take his place. Thurber obeyed with such alacrity that
there was scarcely an intermission in the fire, which continued so long and with
such warmth as to provoke an attempt on the part of the rebels to charge the
position. Discovering the intention, the First Brigade was brought across the
field to occupy the strip of woods in front of Thurber. The cavalry made the
first dash at the battery, but the skirmishers of the Eighth Missouri poured an
unexpected fire into them, and they retired pell-mell. Next the infantry
attempted a charge. The First Brigade easily repelled them. All this time my
whole division was under a furious cannonade, but being well masked behind the
bluff, or resting in the hollows of the wood, the regiments suffered but little.
A handsome line of battle now moved forward on my left to
engage the enemy. I supposed it to be Sherman's troops, but was afterwards
otherwise informed. Simultaneously mine were ordered to advance, the First
Brigade leading. Emerging from the woods, it entered the second field I have
mentioned, speedily followed by the Second Brigade, when both marched in face of
the enemy, aligned as regularly as if on parade. Having changed front, as
stated, my movement was now diagonal to the direction originally started on,
though the order was still in echelon, with the center regiment of each brigade
dropped behind its place in line as a reserve. While thus advancing Colonel
Whittlesey, as appears from his report, in some way lost his position, but soon
recovered it. The position of the enemy was now directly in front at the edge of
the woods fronting, and on the right of the open field my command was so
gallantly crossing. The ground to be passed getting at them dipped gradually to
the center of the field, which is there intersected by a small run, well fringed
with willows.
Clearing an abrupt bank beyond the branch, the surface
ascends to the edge of the wood held by the enemy, and is without obstruction,
but marked by frequent swells, that afforded protection to the advancing lines,
and was the secret of my small loss. Over the branch, up the bank, across the
rising ground, moved the steady First Brigade; on its right, with equal
alacrity, marched the Second— the whole in view, their banners gaily
decking the scene. The skirmishers, in action all the way, cleared the rise, and
grouped themselves behind the ground swells within 75 yards of the rebel line.
As the regiments approached them suddenly a sheet of musketry blazed from the
woods and a battery opened upon them. About the same instant the, regiments
supporting me on my left fell hastily back. To save my flank I was compelled to
order a halt. In a short time, however, the retiring regiments rallied and
repulsed the enemy, and recovered their lost ground. My skirmishers meanwhile
clung to their hillocks sharpshooting at the battery. Again the brigades
advanced, their bayonets fixed for a charge; but, pressed on their flank and so
threatened in front, the rebels removed their guns and fell back from the edge
of the woods. In this advance Lieut. Col. John Gerber was killed, and it is but
justice to say of him, "No man died that day with more glory; yet many died, and
there was much glory." Captain McGuffin and Lieutenant South-wick, of the same
regiment, also fell— gallant spirits, deserving honor: able recollection. Many
soldiers equally brave perished or were wounded in the same field.
It was now noon, and, the enemy having been driven so far
back, the idea of flanking them further had to be given up. Not wishing to
interfere with the line of operations of the division to my left, but relying
upon it for support, my front was again changed— the movement beginning with the
First Brigade, taking the course of attack precisely as it had been in the
outset. While this maneuver was being effected a squadron of rebel cavalry
galloped from the woods on the right to charge the flank temporarily exposed.
Colonel Thayer threw forward the Twenty-third Indiana, which, aided by an
oblique fire from a company of the First Nebraska, repelled the assailants with
loss. Scarcely had the front been changed when the supporting force on the left
again gave way, closely followed by masses of the enemy. My position at this
time became critical, as isolation from the rest of the army seemed imminent.
The reserves were resorted to. Colonel Woods, with his regiment, was ordered
into line on the left. The remnant of a Michigan regiment, sent me by General
McClernand, was dispatched to the left of Woods'. Thurber galloped up, and was
posted to cover a retreat, should such a misfortune become necessary. Before
these dispositions could be effected the Eleventh Indiana, already engaged with
superior numbers in its front, was attacked on its left flank; but, backward
wheeling three companies of his endangered wing, Colonel McGinnis gallantly held
his ground. Fortunately, before the enemy could avail themselves of their
advantage by the necessary change of front, some fresh troops dashed against
them, and once more drove them back. For this favor my acknowledgments are
especially due Col. August Willich and his famous regiment.
Pending this struggle, Colonel Thayer pushed on his command
and entered the woods, assaulting the rebels simultaneously with Colonel Smith.
Here the Fifty-eighth Ohio and Twenty-third Indiana proved themselves fit
comrades in battle with the noble First Nebraska. Here also the Seventy-sixth.
Ohio won a brilliant fame. The First Nebraska fired away its last cartridge in
the heat of the action. At a word the Seventy-sixth Ohio rushed in and took its
place. Off to the right, meanwhile, arose the music of the Twentieth and
Seventy-eighth Ohio, fighting gallantly in support of Thurber, to whom the sound
of rebel cannon seemed a challenge no sooner heard than accepted.
From the time the wood was entered "Forward" was the only
order; and step by step, from tree to tree, position to position, the rebel
lines went back, never stopping again. Infantry, horse, and
artillery— all went back. The firing was grand and terrible. Before us was the
Crescent Regiment of New Orleans. Shelling us on the right was the Washington
Artillery of Manassas renown, whose last stand was in front of Colonel Whittlesey's command. To and fro, now in my front, then in Sherman's, rode
General Beauregard, inciting his troops and fighting for his fading prestige of
invincibility. The desperation of the struggle may be easily imagined. While
this was in progress far along the lines to the left the contest was raging with
equal obstinacy. As indicated by the sounds, however, the enemy seemed retiring
everywhere, cheer after cheer ringing through the woods. Each man felt that the
day was ours.
About 4 o'clock the enemy to my front broke into rout and ran
through the camps occupied by General Sherman on Sunday morning Their own camp
had been established about 2 miles beyond. There, without halting, they fired
tents, stores, &c. Throwing out the wounded, they filled their wagons full of
arms (Springfield muskets and Enfield rifles) ingloriously thrown away by some
of our troops the day before, and hurried on. After following them until nearly
nightfall I brought my division back to Owl Creek and bivouacked it.
The conduct of Col. M. L. Smith and Col. John M. Thayer, commanding brigades,
was beyond the praise of words. Colonel Whittlesey's was not behind them. To
them all belong the highest honors of victory.
The gratitude of the whole country is due Col. George F.
McGinnis, Lieut. Col. James Peckham, Col. Alvin P. Hovey, Lieut. Col. W. D.
McCord, Col. W. L. Sanderson, Col. Valentine Bausenwein, Lieut. Col. M. F.
Force, Col. Charles R. Woods, Col. M.D. Leggett, and their field, staff, and
company officers. Aside from the courage they all displayed one point in their
conduct is especially to be noted and imitated— I mean the skill each one showed
in avoiding unnecessary exposure of his soldiers. They are proud of what the
division achieved, and, like myself, they are equally proud that it was done
with so little loss of their brave men.
Of my regiments I find it impossible to say enough. Excepting
the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Indiana and the Twentieth Ohio they had all
participated in the battle of Donelson; but this was a greater battle than
Donelson, and consequently a more terrible ordeal in which to test what may be a
thing of glory or shame— the courage of an untried regiment. How well they all
behaved I sum up in the boast, not one man, officer or soldier, flinched. None
but the wounded went to the Landing. Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, and Nebraska will
be proud of the steadfast Third Division, and so am I.
Captain Thompson and Lieutenant Thurber and their officers
and men have already been spoken of.
My acknowledgments are again given the gallant gentlemen of
my staff, Capt. Frederick Knefier and Lieutenants Ross and Ware. To them I add
Capt. E. T. Wallace, of the Eleventh Indiana Regiment, acting aide. The courage
and judgment of all were many times severely tried.
After the battle of Donelson I took pleasure in honorably
mentioning two of my orderlies. One of them, Thomas W. Simson, of Company I,
Fourth U.S. Cavalry, I again call attention to. His gallantry is deserving
reward. Along with him I placed Albert Kauffman, a sergeant in the same company,
who was of great service to me, and has every quality that goes to make a
practical officer. Finally, it is so rare to find one of his grade in
the constant and full performance of his peculiar duties that, as a matter of
justice, a passing tribute is due the Rev. John D. Rogers, chaplain of the
Twenty-third Indiana. After the battle he was unwearied in his attention to the
wounded, and that the resting places of the dead of his regiment might not be
forgotten he collected their bodies and buried them tenderly, and with prayer
and every religious rite; and in this, as far as my knowledge goes, he was as
singular as he was Christian.
Herewith you will find a statement of the dead and wounded of my division.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
LEW. WALLACE,
General, Third Division.
-----
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Pittsburg, April 25, 1862
Respectfully forwarded to headquarters of the department.
I directed this division at about 8 o'clock a.m. to be held
in readiness to move at a moment's warning in any direction it might be ordered.
Certainly not later than 11 a.m. the order reached General Wallace to march by a
flank movement to Pittsburg Landing. Waiting until I thought he should be here,
I sent one of my staff to hurry him, and afterwards sent Colonel McPherson and
my assistant adjutant-general.
This report in some other particulars I do not fully indorse.
U.S. GRANT,
Major-General.
-----
WASHINGTON CITY, March 14, 1863.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK
GENERAL: I have heard of prejudices against me at your
headquarters, relative to my failure to participate in the first day's battle at
Pittsburg Landing. I have also heard that you yourself entertain
them. For very obvious purposes, therefore, I respectfully submit to you the
following explanation of that affair:
On Sunday morning (April 6, 1862) my division, consisting of
eleven regiments of infantry, one battalion of cavalry, and two batteries, was
posted on the road from Crump's Landing to Purdy; the First Brigade at the
Landing; the Second Brigade 2½ miles out, and the Third Brigade at Adamsville, 5
miles.
Very early that morning I became satisfied that a battle was
in progress at Pittsburg Landing, and at once prepared my command for moving
instantly upon receipt of an order from General Grant, and as the general was
then at Savannah, 4 miles below, my expectation was that he would give me
marching orders as he passed up the river to the scene of action. Accordingly my
Second and Third Brigades sent their baggage to Crump's Landing, where it could
be guarded by a single detachment. The First and Third Brigades joined the
Second at its encampment.
About 9 o'clock General Grant passed up the river. Instead of
an order to march, he merely left me a direction to hold myself in readiness for
orders.
At exactly 11.30 a.m. a quartermaster by the name of Baxter
brought me an order in writing unsigned by anybody. It directed me to leave a
detachment to guard the public property at Crump's Landing, then march my
division and form junction with the right of the army; after junction I was to
form line of battle at a right angle with the river. This order, Captain Baxter
told me, was from General Grant; that it had been given him verbally, but that
in coming down the river he had reduced it to writing, leaving it unsigned. As I
had resolved to march toward the cannonading at 12 o'clock without orders, if by
that time none came, and as I had so informed Col. (now General) John M. Thayer,
commanding my Second Brigade, I made no point upon the informality of the order
brought by Baxter, but was glad to receive it in any shape.
Half an hour was given the men to eat dinner. Then I started
the column at exactly 12 o'clock to execute General Grant's order. After leaving
two regiments and one gun at Crump's Landing the column consisted of nine
regiments of infantry and the cavalry and artillery stated; and as the regiments
averaged 500 effectives, the whole command did not exceed 5,000 men of all arms.
The route was well known to my cavalry, since, in
anticipation of a necessity for my retiring upon the main army, it had, by my
order, corduroyed the road to the very point of junction.
Why, then, did I not make the junction sooner? There are two reasons why:
1st. Because of the lateness of the hour I received the order to march — 11.30
a.m.
2d. Arrived with my column within a short distance of the point of junction, I
was overtaken by an aide of General Grant's, sent by him to tell me that our
army had been beaten back from the position it held in the morning, and was then
fighting a desperate and losing battle close about Pittsburg Landing. General
Grant sent no additional order, and that brought me by Baxter made no provision
for such a contingency. I was therefore left to my own judgment. Certainly
General Grant did not intend I should continue my march and unsupported from
line of battle on the ground his whole army had been beaten from; certainly he
did not intend that with 5,000 men I should thrust myself into a position where,
without possibility of help from the main army— which according to
the account was then unable to help itself---I would, in [all] likelihood, be
cut to pieces by the enemy's reserves and detachments. The point of junction to
which I was proceeding was at least 2¼ miles from Pittsburg Landing. Could I
have successfully cut my way through the enemy, fighting superior forces over
that space, in what condition would my regiments have been to give the general
the assistance he so much required?
In this dilemma I resolved, as the most prudent course, to
carry out the spirit of General Grant's order, and join the right of his army as
it then rested. That could only be done by carrying my column to the lower or
river road from Crump's to Pittsburg Landing, by following which I could cross
Snake Creek by a good bridge at the very point of junction. A counter-march was
therefore ordered, which, in the absence of any cross-road, was necessarily
continued to within half a mile of the camp I had started from. On the diagram,
in red ink [dotted lines], my whole march is distinctly traced. A little after
sunset I made the required junction.
At no time during that afternoon's march was my column halted
longer than to allow it to be closed up; the column was brought in in perfect
order and without a straggler; the length of its march in the time (from 12 m.
to a little after sunset) was nearly 15 miles; certainly there could have been
no idling on the way.
Next morning, on the extreme right in the order of battle, my
division had the honor of opening the fight; at the close of the day it was the
farthest advanced of any along the line.
For your better understanding of my explanation it is accompanied with a diagram
showing the situation of my division on the morning of the first day's battle
and its route to the battle-field after the order to march was received.
I submit this as an official explanation, solely to vindicate my conduct from
unjust aspersions.
Most respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
LEW. WALLACE,
Major-General.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK.
-----
[Indorsement]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY,
March 14, 1863.
Respectfully submitted to Major-General Grant for his remarks.
By order of Major-General Halleck:
J. C. KELTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-----
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Before Vicksburg, April 13, 1863.
Col. J. C. KELTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.
COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a
copy of a communication of Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace to Major-General Halleck, of
date March 14, 1863, relative to his failure to participate in the first day's
fight at Pittsburg Landing, and submitted to me for my remarks.
Instead of making a detailed report myself in answer to said
communication I called upon Maj. Gen. J. B. McPherson, Lieut. Col. John A.
Rawlins, and Maj. W. R. Rowley, all of whom were members of my staff at that
time and were cognizant of the facts, for their statements in reference to the
same, and these I herewith respectfully transmit.
All these reports are substantially as I remember the facts.
I vouch for their almost entire accuracy; and from these several statements,
separate and independent of each other, too, a more correct judgment can be
derived than from a single report.
Had General Wallace been relieved from duty in the morning,
and the same orders communicated to Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith (who would have
been his successor), I do not doubt but the division would have been on the
field of battle and in the engagement before 10 o'clock of that eventful 6th of
April. There is no estimating the difference this might have made in our
casualties.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U.S. GRANT,
Major-General, Volunteers
-----
[Inclosure No. 1.]
GALENA, April 4, 1863.
Col. JOHN A. RAWLINS,
Assistant Adjutant-General
COLONEL: Yours, requesting a statement as to my knowledge
of the part taken by General Lewis Wallace in the first day's fight at the
battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April, 1862, is just received.
In reply, I would state that at that time I was an
aide-de-camp on the staff of General U.S. Grant, with the rank of captain, and
on the morning of the 6th of April I accompanied the general together with the
other members of his staff, from Savannah to Pittsburg Landing. When the steamer
upon which we were embarked arrived near to Crump's Landing General Grant
directed that it should be run close in to the shore, as he wished to
communicate with General Wallace, who was standing upon the commissary boat
lying at that place. General Grant called to General Wallace, saying, "General,
you will get your troops under arms immediately, and have them ready to move at
a moment's notice." General Wallace replied that it should be done, adding (I
think) that the necessary orders had already been given. This was between the
hours of 7 and 8 o'clock a.m. We passed on up the river, meeting the steamer
Warner, which had been sent by General W. H. L. Wallace (as I understood) with a
messenger to inform General Grant that a battle had been commenced. The Warner
rounded to and followed us back to Pittsburg Landing.
Upon reaching the Landing General Grant immediately mounted
his horse and rode upon the bank, and after conversing a moment with
some officers turned to Captain Baxter, assistant quartermaster, and ordered him
to proceed immediately to Crump's Landing, and direct General Wallace to march
with his division up the river and into the field on the right of our line as
rapidly as possible.
This order was given to Captain Baxter about the hour of 8
o'clock. I think not later than that. We immediately rode to the front. At about
11 o'clock General Grant expressed considerable solicitude at the non-appearance
of General Wallace, and sent an orderly to the extreme right to see if he could
see anything of him, remarking that it could not possibly be many minutes before
he would arrive.
Shortly after the hour of 12 o'clock m., as we were riding
towards the right of the line, a cavalry officer rode up and reported to General
Grant, stating that General Wallace had positively refused to come up unless he
should receive written orders. After hearing the report General Grant turned to
me, saying, "Captain, you will proceed to Crump's Landing and say to General
Wallace that it is my orders that he bring his division up at once, coming up by
the River road, crossing Snake Creek on the bridge (which General Sherman would
protect), and form his division on the extreme right, when he would receive
further orders; and say to him that it is important that he should make haste."
Adding, "It has just been reported to me that he has refused to come up unless
he receives a written order. If he should require a written order of you, you
will give him one," at the same time asking me if I had writing materials in my
haversack. I started at once, when the general called to me again, saying, "You
will take with you the captain (referring to the cavalry officer before
mentioned, who was still sitting there on his horse--his name I do not
recollect), and two orderlies, and see that you do not spare horse flesh." This
was at the hour of 12.30 o'clock m., as near as I can recollect.
I proceeded at once to General Wallace's camp, back of
Crump's Landing, and being well mounted, it took me but a short time to reach
it. Upon arriving there I found no signs of a camp, except one baggage wagon
that was just leaving. I inquired of the driver as to where General Wallace and
his troops were; he replied that they had gone up to the fight. I inquired what
road they took; to which he replied by pointing to a road, which I understand to
be the Purdy road.
While sitting there upon my horse I could hear the firing
upon the battle-field quite distinctly. I then took the road pointed out by the
teamster and rode a distance of between 5 and 6 miles, as I judged, when I came
up with the rear of General Wallace's division; they were at a rest, sitting on
each side of the road, some with their arms stacked in the middle of the road. I
passed the entire division (except the cavalry), all being at a halt. When I
reached the head of the column I found General Wallace sitting upon his horse,
surrounded by his staff, some of whom were dismounted and holding their horses
by the bridles.
I rode up to General Wallace and communicated to him General
Grant's orders as I had received them, and then told him that it had been
reported to him (i.e., General Grant.) that he had refused to march without
written orders; at which he seemed quite indignant, saying that it was a "damned
lie!" that he had never refused to go without a written order, in proof of which
he said, "Here you find me on the road." To which I replied that I had certainly
found him on a road, but I hardly thought it the road to Pittsburg Landing. It
certainly was not the road that I had come down from there on, and that I had
traveled farther since I had left his camp than I had in coming from
the battlefield to the camp, and, judging from the sound of the firing, we were
still a long distance from the battle-field. To which the general replied that
this was the road his cavalry had brought him, and the only road he knew
anything about. He then ordered one of his aides to ride ahead and bring the
cavalry back. I then asked him where this road came into Pittsburg Landing; to
which he replied that it crossed the creek at a mill (I think he called it
Veal's Mill) and intersected the Corinth and Pittsburg Landing road in front of
where General McClernand's camp was. I then told him that I thought it would be
impossible for him to get in upon that road, as the enemy now had possession of
those camps, and that our line of battle was to the rear of them. At this moment
his cavalry came back and General Wallace rode forward to communicate with them.
When he came back he remarked that it was true that the enemy was between us and
our army; that the cavalry had been close enough to hear the musketry. The order
was then given to counter-march; upon which I remarked to General Wallace that I
would ride on and inform General Grant that he was coming; to which he replied,
"No, captain; I shall be obliged to keep you with me to act as guide, as none of
us know the River road you speak of." I accordingly remained.
The march toward the old camp was continued to a point about
one-half mile north of it, where the troops filed to the right and came into the
River road. At the point of filing off we were met by Lieutenant-Colonel (now
Major-General) McPherson and Major Rawlins, members of General Grant's staff,
who had also come to look after General Wallace. The march was continued up the
River road until the battlefield was reached, which was just as it was getting
dark and after the fighting for the day was over.
Of the character of the march after I overtook General
Wallace I can only say that to me it appeared intolerably slow, resembling more
a reconnaissance in the face of an enemy than a forced march to relieve a
hard-pressed army. So strongly did this impression take hold of my mind, that I
took the liberty of repeating to General Wallace that part of General Grant's
order enjoining haste. The same idea seemed to have taken possession of the
minds of Colonel McPherson and Major Rawlins, as on the march from the camp to
the battle-field Major Rawlins on several occasions rode back for the purpose of
trying to hurry up the troops and to ascertain what was the cause of the delay.
I have no means of judging as to what distance General Wallace was from the
battle-field when I found him, except that I could hear the firing much more
distinctly at the camp he had left than I could at the point where I found him.
I remain, colonel, your obedient servant,
W. R. ROWLEY,
Major and Aide-de-Camp
-----
[Inclosure No. 2.]
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Lake Providence, La., March 26, 1863
Lieut. Col. JOHN A. RAWLINS,
Assistant Adjutant-General
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following in
relation to the position of the troops and the battle of Shiloh:
When the troops first disembarked at Pittsburg Landing the
Tennessee River was very high, the water backing up in all the
streams, covering the bottoms in the vicinity of the river from 2 to 6 feet,
rendering Lick and Snake Creeks impassable.
Four divisions of the army were encamped on the field of
Shiloh in the relative positions indicated in the sketch, and one division (Maj.
Gen. Lewis Wallace's) at Crump's Landing, about 6 miles below.
My attention was frequently called to the crossing of Snake
Creek, on the direct road from Pittsburg Landing to Crump's, as it was
considered very important that a line of land communication between the two
portions of the army should be kept open.
As soon as the water subsided sufficiently the bridge across
the creek was reconstructed, and a company of cavalry sent through to
communicate with General Wallace's command. This was on Thursday, previous to
the battle.
Sunday morning, the first day of the battle, I was with Brig.
Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, who, in consequence of the severe illness of General C.
F. Smith, commanded this division. It was well known the enemy was approaching
our lines, and there had been more or less skirmishing for three days preceding
the battle.
The consequence was our breakfasts were ordered at an early
hour and our horses saddled, to be ready in case of an attack. Sunday morning,
shortly before 7 o'clock, word came to the Landing that the battle had
commenced. I immediately started, in company with General W. H. L. Wallace and
staff; found his division in line ready to move out. At this time, not later
than 7.30 a.m., General McClernand had moved a portion of his division up to
support General Sherman's left. General Hurlbut had moved to the support of
General Prentiss, and General W. H. L. Wallace's division was moved up to
support the center and right. I was actively engaged on the field, and did not
see General Grant until some time after his arrival, when I met him on the
field, with Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace. He informed me that when he came up
from Savannah, at 7.30, he had notified Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace, at Crump's
Landing, to hold his command in readiness to march at a moment's notice, and
that immediately on his arrival at Pittsburg Landing, finding that the attack
was in earnest and not a feint, he had sent Captain Baxter, assistant
quartermaster, with orders to him to move up immediately by the River road and
take a position on our right. Shortly after this Captain Baxter returned,
certainly not later than 10.30, and said that he had delivered the order.
At about 12 m., General Wallace not having arrived, General
Grant became very anxious, as the tide of battle was setting against us, and
shortly after dispatched Captain Rowley, one of his aides, to hasten up General
Wallace. The battle still continued without cessation, our troops being forced
back gradually at all points, though fighting most heroically. Two hours rolled
around and no news from General Wallace, when at 2.30 p.m. General Grant
directed me to go in search of him, report to him how matters stood, and hasten
him forward, if possible. I asked Captain (now Lieutenant-Colonel) Rawlins to
accompany me, and taking two orderlies, we started at a rapid pace on the River
road, expecting to meet the command at every step; pushed on to the junction of
the Purdy and Crump's Landing road; saw some soldiers, who could give us no
information where General Wallace was; galloped down toward the Landing a short
distance and met a surgeon, who said he had started some time before with his
command for Pittsburg Landing on a road branching off between Adamsville and the
River road; pushed on in this direction, and at the point D met his
Second Brigade returning, the rear of the First Brigade having just filed off on
the road DA. We pushed on to the head of the column and found General Wallace,
when I delivered my instructions, and told him for "God's sake to move forward
rapidly."
I understood him to say that his guide had led him wrong, and
I was most decidedly of the impression that he had mistaken the road, for his
command had already marched a great deal farther than was necessary to reach the
battle-field.
I told him, however, to hurry on and we might yet be there in
time. I thought we could get there; sun three-quarters of an hour high. We did
not, however, reach the ground until after dark.
After I had reached the head of the column I must say it
seemed to me that the march was not as rapid as the urgency of the case
required. Perhaps this arose in a great measure from my impatience and anxiety
to get this force on the field before dark, as I knew very well unless we
arrived before sunset we could be of no use in that day's battle and would not
be able to retrieve the fortunes of the day.
Very respectfully,
JAS. B. McPHERSON,
Major-General.
-----
[Inclosure No. 3.]
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Before Vicksburg, April 1, 1863
Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,
Commanding Department of the Tennessee
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following
statement of your orders to Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace, who commanded the Third
Division of the Army of the Tennessee on the 6th day of April, A.D.
1862, and the manner in which he obeyed them, together with facts and
circumstances transpiring that day and the one immediately preceding, deemed
necessary to a clear understanding of them:
In pursuance of the following order—
GENERAL ORDERS No. 30.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Savannah, March 31, 1862.
Headquarters of the District of West Tennessee is hereby
changed to Pittsburg Landing. An office will be continued at Savannah, where all
official communications may be sent by troops having easier access with that
point than Pittsburg Landing.
By command of Major-General Grant:
JNo. A. RAWLINS,
Assistant Adjutant-General
I was in charge of the office at Savannah, Tenn., with
instructions to make out the necessary orders, and send forward to Pittsburg
Landing all troops arriving from below. Up to the 5th day of April, 1862, from
the date of said order, you had run up every morning to Pittsburg Landing and
returned at night on the steamer Tigress, used for your headquarters boat, and
on which boat steam was continually kept up.
The necessity for an office longer at Savannah having ceased,
orders were issued for everything to be moved to Pittsburg Landing on Sunday,
the 6th day of April, 1862, and arrangements were being made accordingly.
April 5. 1862, a dispatch was received from Maj. Gen. D.C.
Buell, commanding the Army of the Ohio, dated Camp 3 miles west of Waynesborough,
April 4, 1862, stating that he would be in Savannah, Tenn., with one and perhaps
two divisions of his army the next day, and requesting to meet you there; to
which you replied you would be there to meet him.
General Nelson's division of the Army of the Ohio reached Savannah on the
afternoon of the 5th of April, but General Buell himself did not arrive; and
supposing the must be near, you determined to ride out the next morning and meet
him. That there might be no delay in getting off (and consequent detention in
moving the office) to Pittsburg Landing, directions were given for breakfast and
horses to be in readiness at an earlier hour than usual.
I was awakened by Capt. W. S. Hillyer, a member of your
staff, who had arrived from Cairo on the boat that brought the mail from that
place, about 3 o'clock a.m., and did not fall soundly to sleep again that
morning. I got up at daylight, and in your private office was examining the
mail, when you came down-stairs from your sleeping room. Your mail was handed
you, and before you were through reading it Brig. Gen. John Cook, of Illinois,
who had come in on a steamer during the night, reported to you in person his
return from leave of absence for orders, and from that time until breakfast was
announced, which was about 6 o'clock a.m., you were engaged in reading your mail
and in conversation with General Cook.
While at breakfast, Edward N. Trembly, private Company C,
First Regiment Illinois Artillery Volunteers, and on detached duty at
headquarters, reported artillery firing in the direction of Pittsburg Landing.
Breakfast was left unfinished, and, accompanied by your staff officers, you went
immediately on board the steamer Tigress, then lying at the Landing. The horses
being in readiness, as per orders of the night previous, were sent at once on
the boat and orders given at once to start for Pittsburg Landing, delaying only
long enough for you to write an order to General Nelson to move his division by
the road from Savannah to the river opposite Pittsburg Landing, and a
note to Maj. Gen. D.C. Buell, informing him of the supposed condition of affairs
at or in the vicinity of Pittsburg Landing.
In passing Crump's Landing which is on the river between
Savannah and Pittsburg Landing, and distant about 4½ miles from the former and
5½ miles from the latter place, and where was stationed the division commanded
by Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace, the Tigress ran close alongside the boat on which
Major-General Wallace had his headquarters, and addressing him in person, you
directed him to hold his division in readiness to move on receipt of orders,
which he might expect when you ascertained the condition of affairs above, but
in the mean time to send out and ascertain if there was any enemy on the Purdy
road, apprehending, as you did, that the real attack might be intended against
his position. His reply was that he was then in readiness, and had already taken
the precautionary steps you directed as to the Purdy road. This was not far from
7 or 7.30 o'clock a.m.
From thence you continued direct to Pittsburg Landing, which
place you reached about 8 o'clock a.m., and, with your staff, started
immediately to the front. About half a mile from the river you met Brig. Gen. W.
H. L. Wallace, who commanded Maj. Gen. C. F. Smith's Second Division of the Army
of the Tennessee. From him you ascertained the particulars of the attack and how
matters stood up to that time. You then directed me to return to the river and
send Capt. A. S. Baxter, assistant quartermaster, U.S. Volunteers, and chief of
the quartermaster's department in your district, on the steamer Tigress, without
delay, to Crump's Landing, with orders to Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace to bring
forward his division by the River road to Pittsburg Landing to a point
immediately in rear of the camp of Maj. Gen. C. F. Smith's division, and there
form his column at right angles with the river on the right of our lines and
await further orders.
In obedience to your command I proceeded to the river, and
found Captain Baxter at the landing near where the Tigress lay, and communicated
to him your orders, who, fearing lest he might make some mistake in the delivery
of the orders, requested me to give him a written memorandum of them, and I went
on board the steamer Tigress, where a pen and ink could be procured, and at my
dictation he wrote substantially as follows:
Major-General WALLACE:
You will move forward your division from Crump's Landing, leaving a sufficient
force to protect the public property at that place, to Pittsburg Landing, on the
road nearest to and parallel with the river, and form in line at right angles
with the river, immediately in rear of the camp of Maj. Gen. C. F. Smith's
division on our right, and there await further orders.
Captain Baxter took this memorandum and started on the
steamer Tigress to convey your orders to Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace. This was not
later than 9 o'clock a.m. Captain Baxter returned and reported before 12 o'clock
m. his delivery of your orders to General Wallace, bringing at the same time
from General Wallace to you the report of Col. Morgan L. Smith, that there was
no enemy in the direction of Purdy; the result of his reconnaissance that
morning. About an hour after Captain Baxter had gone down on the steamer Tigress
to General Wallace an officer of the Second Illinois Cavalry, who was well
acquainted with the road leading to Crump's Landing, was sent by you with a
verbal message to Major-General Wallace to hurry forward with all possible
dispatch. This officer returned between 12 o'clock m. and 1 o'clock p.m., and
reported that when he delivered your message to Major-General Wallace
he inquired if he had not written orders. He replied in the negative, and
General Wallace said he would only obey written orders. He further stated that
it had been more than one hour since he left General Wallace, and that his
division was then all ready to move. He should have been by this time on the
field. His presence then would have turned the tide of battle, which was raging
with great fury; saved the lives of many brave men, and ere the setting of that
crimson spring day's sun secured to us certain victory.
You then immediately dispatched Capt. William R. Rowley, of
your staff, with orders to him, with the direction that, should General Wallace
persist in requiring them to be in writing, he will write them out in full and
sign them by your order. This was not later than 1 o'clock p.m.
You then rode back to the house near the river that had been
designated for headquarters, to learn what word, if any, had been received from
General Nelson, whose division you expected soon to arrive at the landing on the
opposite side of the river; and you there met Maj. Gen. D. C. Buell, who had
arrived at Savannah, and taken a steamer and come up to see you, and learn how
the battle was progressing in advance of his force. Among his first inquiries
was, "What preparations have you made for retreating?" To which you replied, "I
have not yet despaired of whipping them, general;" and went on to state to him
your momentary expectation of the arrival of General Wallace, to whom orders had
been timely and repeatedly sent, and that General Nelson's division might soon
be expected by the wagon ross from Savannah. This was about 2 o'clock p.m.
You here inquired of Captain Baxter particularly what reply,
if any, General Wallace made when he delivered him your orders. He said General
Wallace appeared delighted; asked him for the written memorandum he had of the
orders; read it; said it was all right, and put it in his pocket; ordered his
horse at once, evincing the greatest alacrity in disposition to obey your
orders; that he delivered him the orders about 10 o'clock a.m., and that General
Wallace, from the time that had elapsed, must be at or near the point he was
ordered.
You then directed Lieut. Col. J. B. McPherson, chief of
engineers, and myself to go and meet him, supposing we would not have far to go,
and conduct him to a certain position on the field you had pointed out to
Lieutenant-Colonel McPherson, as we passed around the lines, in support of
General Prentiss' division. We started, and before reaching the crest of the
hill on the ross between the river and Snake Creek, and over which General
Wallace would be required to pass, the enemy's artillery was sweeping across it.
We hurried on, anxiously expecting each moment to meet General Wallace.
We reached Snake Creek Bridge and crossed it— the foot of the
hill beyond, but no General Wallace. We here pressed a citizen as guide, and
continued on until we reached the road leading from Crump's Landing to Purdy. We
here turned to the right and went toward the river until we met a surgeon of one
of the regiments of General Wallace's division, who informed us General Wallace
had taken the left-hand road leading from the camp of one of his brigades, which
camp was between a quarter and half mile from the intersection of the main
Pittsburg and Crump's Landing road with the Purdy road and towards Purdy, and
about 4½ miles from Pittsburg Landing by the direct road. In company with this
surgeon we proceeded on the road General Wallace was said to have taken in the
forenoon of that day. About one-half mile from the camp we met Colonel Thayer's
brigade of General Wallace's division, and Colonel Thayer informed us
that the rear of Col. Morgan L. Smith's brigade had filed off on a cross road
leading into the main Pittsburg Landing road, and that General Wallace was with
the head of the column. Taking this cross road we came up with him about 3.30
o'clock p.m. General Wallace said his guide had misled him, and that he had
marched about 10 miles. Capt. W. R. Rowley, of your staff, whom you had sent
after him, was with him, and informed us that he had overtaken him about 5 miles
from his camp and not on the road he was expected to take; that when he (Captain
Rowley) informed him he was wrong, he sent forward and halted his cavalry, which
was in the advance, and counter-marched his command to within a half mile of
where he had started in the forenoon. I here stated to General Wallace the
report of the officer sent to him in the morning of his refusing to obey or
receive any but written orders, which he denounced as wholly untrue, and
manifested in his talk a great desire to get into the fight. Colonel McPherson,
Captain Rowley, and myself represented to him how matters stood when we left. I
urged upon him, with all the earnestness I possessed, the importance of his
presence on the field; that General Nelson was expected, but might have
difficulty in crossing the river. He said there was no danger; he would yet
reach there in good season, and with his fresh division would soon end the fight
in a victory for us.
General Wallace at this point expressed doubt as to our being
on the road leading into the main Pittsburg and Crump's Landing road. Colonel
McPherson went to a house near by, and, upon inquiry, ascertained that we were
on the right road. After halting the head of his column for a considerable
length of time, to enable it to close up and rest, he gave the order to march,
and continued coolly and leisurely forward until we reached the main Pittsburg
Landing road. Here Colonel McPherson suggested that to disencumber and
facilitate the march, the artillery, which was immediately in the rear of the
advance brigade, fall to the rear of the column, which suggestion was concurred
in by General Wallace, and the artillery moved out of the road while the column
filed by. This was an excuse for considerable delay— I should say for full half
an hour-during which time he was dismounted and sitting down. From thence he
continued his march until we reached the low bottom-lands through which runs
Snake Creek, where we met some citizens, who informed us that the bridge across
Snake Creek was in possession of the enemy. He then halted his column and sent
forward his cavalry to ascertain if it was true.
Colonel McPherson and Captain Rowley went forward with the
cavalry. I remained with General Wallace. In a few minutes a messenger came back
from the cavalry with a message that the bridge was safe. General Wallace still
remained stationary, waiting for his column to close up and his troops to rest.
About this time the artillery firing at Pittsburg Landing became terrific, and
we who had been there knew that it was our heavy guns, and that the enemy had
attained a nearness to the river that filled our minds, situated as we were,
with terrible apprehension for the fate of the brave army that had been fighting
against such fearful odds and without intermission from early morning.
It seemed as though the enemy was immediately between where
we were and the river, which seeming gained credence from the fact that as we
passed out his artillery was sweeping the road in that direction.
General Wallace here asked, if such was the position of the
opposing forces, what had best be done? Colonel McPherson said, "Fight our
way through until communication can be had with General Grant ;" to
which General Wallace replied, "That is my purpose." Colonel McPherson and
Captain Rowley again rode forward. General Wallace still gave no orders to move,
but manifested the utmost coolness and indifference. I asked him if it would not
be well to send forward a brigade to hold the bridge, lest the enemy should
destroy it, and thus prevent his joining you? He replied that it was a "capital
idea," and accordingly ordered Col. Morgan L. Smith, with his brigade, to move
forward until the rear of his column rested on the further side of Snake Creek
Bridge and there halt until he received further orders from you or himself.
Colonel Smith moved forward as ordered, and General Wallace,
dismounting from his horse, seated himself on a log. I then rode forward until I
came up with Colonel McPherson, to whom I communicated the order given by
General Wallace to Colonel Smith, and submitted to him the propriety of giving
the order, as from you to Colonel Smith, to push forward with his brigade. But
he hesitated to take such a step. It was now near night; the firing ceased; the
sun sank to rest, and darkness had spread her mantle over friend and foe, when a
cavalryman brought the report that there was no enemy between General Wallace
and the river; Upon the hearing of which orders were given to move forward.
Without opposition he reached the field of battle and received orders from you
in person after night and about a mile from the steamboat landing at Pittsburg
Landing.
The excuse that his guides misled him should avail nothing in
extenuation of his want of knowledge of the road, for he had taken up his
position at Crump's Landing on the 13th of March immediately preceding in the
face of an enemy, and should have been perfectly familiar with all the roads
leading to and from his camps.
Colonel McPherson and I came up to him about 3.30 o'clock
p.m. He was then not to exceed 4 or 4½ miles from the scene of action; the roads
were in fine condition; he was marching light; his men were in buoyant spirits,
within hearing of the musketry, and eager to get forward. He did not make a mile
and a half an hour, although urged and appealed to push forward. Had he moved
with the rapidity his command were able and anxious to have moved after we
overtook him, he would have reached you in time to have engaged the enemy before
the close of Sunday's fight.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNo. A. RAWLINS,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Assistant Adjutant-General
-----
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IND., July 18, 1863.
Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War
SIR: Some months ago I discovered that Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, in forwarding to your Department my official report of the battle of Pittsburg Landing, accompanied it with the following indorsement:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Pittsburg Landing, April 25, 1862.
I directed this division at 8 o'olock a.m. to be held in readiness to move at a
moments warning in any direction it might be ordered. Certainly not later than
11 o'clock a.m. the order reached General Wallace to march by a flank movement
to Pittsburg Landing. Waiting until I thought he should be here, I sent one of
my staff to hurry him, and afterwards sent Colonel McPherson and my
assistant adjutant-general.
This report in some other particulars I do not fully indorse.
Respectfully forwarded to headquarters of the department.
U.S. GRANT,
Major-General
It will be observed that the indorsement contains several
serious imputations against me, and in some particulars amounts to a denial of
my official report.
1st. It says that at 11 o'clock a.m. I received an order to march by a flank
movement to Pittsburg Landing. In my report, on the other hand, it is distinctly
asserted that the order received by me came to hand at 11.30 a.m., and directed
me to march to the right of the army and form junction there; a point nearly, if
not quite, 3½ miles from Pittsburg Landing.
If General Grant's statement is true, then, in marching to a point so distant
from Pittsburg Landing, I was guilty of a disobedience of orders, for which, in
the disastrous turn of the battle at the time, there can be but slender apology.
If his statement is true, then I am also guilty of making a false report in a
very material matter.
2d. The indorsement says that "waiting until he should be here, I sent one of my
staff officers to hurry him, and afterwards sent Colonel McPherson and my
assistant adjutant-general." The imputations contained in the sentence quoted
are of the gravest character. If they are true, I am unfit to hold a commission
of any kind in the United States Army. The imputations can be easily shaped into
charges of cowardice and treachery, and I regret to say such charges have been
made and are yet existing against me in consequence of the time it took me to
reach the battle-field from my position at Crump's Landing.
3d. General Grant, in his indorsement, further says that there are some other
particulars in my official report which he cannot fully indorse. This amounts to
saying that I have made a false report.
I have waited with all patience for the arrival of a period
when the state of the war would permit me to ask a court of inquiry without
detriment to the service. That time, in my judgment, has now come, and I
therefore respectfully ask that such a court may be ordered, and that the scope
of its investigation may cover my whole conduct in connection with the battle of
Pittsburg Landing. That this investigation may be full and complete, I also
request that Judge-Advocate General Holt may be specially charged with the duty
of prosecution.
Very respectfully, sir, your friend and obedient servant,
LEW. WALLACE,
Major-General Volunteers
-----
[Indorsement. ]
Respectfully referred to the General-in-Chief.
By order of the Secretary of War:
JAS. A. HARDIE,
A. A. G.
WAR DEPARTMENT, July 24, 1863.
-----
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IND., September 16, 1863.
Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War
DEAR SIR: You will please suspend action in the matter of
my request for a court of inquiry until I communicate with you again on the
subject. It is possible that I may satisfy General Grant upon the
points involved and thus save further trouble. Meantime I hope you will consider
me ready and anxious to go to any duty.
Very respectfully,
LEW. WALLACE,
Major-General.
Text
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