Details
BUELL, DON CARLOS, Major General. Autograph letter signed ("D.C. Buell") to E.T. Lawsing, Louisville, Ky., 7 August 1888. 3 pages, 8vo, bold ink, with autograph envelope. Fine condition.
BUELL RECALLS THE NEAR DISASTER AT SHILOH
Buell, responding to queries, gives a compelling first-hand account of events at Shiloh (6-7 April 1862): The Confederates under Johnston and Beauregard had surprised Grant's Army in bivouac: "...The presence of the enemy in front of the Union Army at Shiloh had been observed for two days before the battle, and on Saturday particularly had excited considerable uneasiness; but no steps were taken to ascertain the numbers or designs of the enemy." The day before, Sherman had told Grant there was nothing to indicate an enemy attack. "The fact that on Saturday afternoon the whole rebel army was in line of battle within a mile and a half of the Federal lines, only waiting the signal to attack, was totally unknown to Genl. Grant." He corrects a misconception: "Genl. Grant never led a charge against the enemy at Shiloh." After the first day, the Confederates believed that Buell would not reach Grant's army in time to prevent its destruction: "In case of a battle on Monday without my Command, Genl. Grant would without doubt have been defeated, and a large part of his army - all of his Artillary & trains - would have been captured. Some would probably have escaped on the steamers at the landing."
BUELL RECALLS THE NEAR DISASTER AT SHILOH
Buell, responding to queries, gives a compelling first-hand account of events at Shiloh (6-7 April 1862): The Confederates under Johnston and Beauregard had surprised Grant's Army in bivouac: "...The presence of the enemy in front of the Union Army at Shiloh had been observed for two days before the battle, and on Saturday particularly had excited considerable uneasiness; but no steps were taken to ascertain the numbers or designs of the enemy." The day before, Sherman had told Grant there was nothing to indicate an enemy attack. "The fact that on Saturday afternoon the whole rebel army was in line of battle within a mile and a half of the Federal lines, only waiting the signal to attack, was totally unknown to Genl. Grant." He corrects a misconception: "Genl. Grant never led a charge against the enemy at Shiloh." After the first day, the Confederates believed that Buell would not reach Grant's army in time to prevent its destruction: "In case of a battle on Monday without my Command, Genl. Grant would without doubt have been defeated, and a large part of his army - all of his Artillary & trains - would have been captured. Some would probably have escaped on the steamers at the landing."