Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
XXIV explained
Grant describes the Battle of Shiloh, focusing on the first day's fighting, the capture of General Prentiss, the performance of raw troops, and the leadership of Sherman.
What happens
Grant describes the Battle of Shiloh, focusing on the first day's fighting, the capture of General Prentiss, the performance of raw troops, and the leadership of Sherman. He recounts his own movements, the arrival of Buell, and the stragglers at the river. He also details the days leading up to the battle, including his horse injury and the skirmishing on April 4th.
Themes in this chapter
The Horrors and Cost of War
The chapter details the heavy casualties, the capture of Prentiss and his men, and the panic and straggling among raw troops.
Leadership and Humility
Grant highlights Sherman's steady leadership under fire and acknowledges the performance of troops who initially fled but later proved valiant.
Personal Integrity and Self-Reliance
Grant reflects on his own movements and decisions, including his injury and his determination to remain at the front despite pain.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Narrator and commander; describes his movements, injuries, and decisions during the battle.
- William T. Sherman
Led the right flank; praised for his coolness and leadership; wounded twice on the first day.
- Don Carlos Buell
Arrived at Pittsburg landing during the battle; met Grant at the river; attempted to rally stragglers.
- John A. McClernand
Commanded a division next to Sherman; reported benefiting from Sherman's support.
- Lew Wallace
Commanded at Crump's landing; Grant communicated with him on the morning of the battle.
- James B. McPherson
Mentioned as a colonel accompanying General W. H. L. Wallace on the night of April 4th.
- Charles F. Smith
Mentioned as having been of inestimable value had his health permitted his presence; command devolved upon W. H. L. Wallace.
- Ambrose E. Burnside
Not directly mentioned in excerpts; included as placeholder for completeness.
Key passages
“The command of his division devolved upon Brigadier-General W. H. L. Wallace, a most estimable and able officer; a veteran too, for he had served a year in the Mexican war and had been with his command at Henry and Donelson.”
General W. H. L. Wallace took over the division because of General Smith's illness; Wallace was a capable officer with Mexican-American War experience and had fought at Forts Henry and Donelson.
Grant introduces Wallace as a competent replacement for the ailing Smith.
“If it had been true, as currently reported at the time and yet believed by thousands of people, that Prentiss and his division had been captured in their beds, there would not have been an all-day struggle, with the loss of thousands killed and wounded on the Confederate side.”
Grant refutes the rumor that Prentiss was surprised in camp, arguing that the fierce all-day fighting proves the Confederates faced stiff resistance.
Grant defends Prentiss against accusations of being caught off guard.
“On the 6th Sherman was shot twice, once in the hand, once in the shoulder, the ball cutting his coat and making a slight wound, and a third ball passed through his hat. In addition to this he had several horses shot during the day.”
Sherman was hit by bullets twice and had his hat pierced by a third, plus multiple horses were killed under him during the battle.
Grant emphasizes Sherman's exposure to danger and his resilience.
“The distant rear of an army engaged in battle is not the best place from which to judge correctly what is going on in front.”
Observing a battle from the rear gives a misleading impression of the front-line situation.
Grant criticizes Buell's perspective based on seeing stragglers at the river.
