Buell Wins Shiloh

[Ozzy 772]

For those who enjoy "alternative views of history" the attached link leads to a 9-volume examination of Campaigns of the Civil War. Originally devised in 1880 (and published as a 13-volume set) this HathiTrust version is dated 1963 with a view to "reduce the unwieldy number of volumes for a modern-day reader not so accepting of multiple-volume histories as was the reader of two generations ago."   http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39076006502236;view=1up;seq=37 

Of particular interest is the chapter "Concentration at Nashville" (to be found in the above link to Volume 4 pages 21 - 31). Beginning with an explanation of how and why Don Carlos Buell occupied Nashville, the chapter presents a solid biography of General Buell leading up to his taking command of the Army of the Ohio; and includes a brief explanation and history of each of the Divisions (and their commanders) functioning as components of that army. On page 27, the reader is introduced to the claim that, "General Buell wrote at length to Henry Halleck on January 3rd 1862 proposing a joint campaign against the enemy involving Federal movements up the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers." On page 29, the positioning of Buell's forces at Nashville is examined, preparatory to the Campaign against Corinth. Also on page 29 is the following:  "Buell's Army, after crossing Duck River, pressed rapidly forward" (without any mention of the delay, or possible effects on April 6th.) And the reader is left with the impression (upon review of page 30) that Buell and his fellows won the Battle of Shiloh (because all mentions of U.S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee appear to be purely accidental.)

A bit tongue-in-cheek, this post is presented as evidence of the danger of "summarizing History too much" ...because on page 30 the reader is invited to "review the Battle of Shiloh in more detail," yet that original Volume 2 appears to be one of the "extraneous volumes" deleted for benefit of the "overwhelmed reader of Civil War history." What remains in this 1963 version of Campaigns of the Civil War is an Eastern Theatre-focused examination of the Civil War that many of us were exposed to during our schooling in the 1960 - 1980s (and which Shiloh Discussion Group is attempting to redress.)

Cheers

Ozzy

 

Reference: http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009915611  1963 version of Campaigns of the Civil War, edited and published (1881-1883) by Thomas Yoseloff (with subject of volumes and contributors to those volumes as indicated):

1.   Outbreak of Rebellion (from Sumter to Bull Run) by John G. Nicolay, Secretary to President Lincoln
2.   Peninsula Campaign of George B. McClellan by Alexander Webb
3.   Antietam and Fredericksburg by Francis W. Palfrey
4.   Army of the Cumberland (from Crazy Sherman to success at Chattanooga) by Henry M. Cist
5.   Atlanta (from Chattanooga to Sherman's Conquest) by Jacob D. Cox
6.   Shenandoah Valley (1864) by George E. Pond
7.   The Blockade and the Cruisers by James R. Soley
8.   The Gulf and Inland Waters by Alfred Thayer Mahan [this chapter is where Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and the Navy at Shiloh is discussed]
9.   Atlas.

 

 

  

[Rbn3 131]

Why read the Reader's Digest version when the real 1881 version is available, including Fort Henry to Corinth (Vol 2)?

https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000339399

[Ozzy 772]

Rbn3

Thanks for confirming that the original Volume 2 was "lost along the way" to creating the more concise summary of 1963. Another unexpected place to find Battle of Shiloh information is in the 1963 Volume 8 -- Gulf and Inland Waters. Beginning on page 28 is the claim, "Lieutenant Gwin proceeded to Pittsburg Landing on March 1st." Then a gap follows (to allow details of the Island No.10 Operation to be examined.) Re-commencing page 36 is a two-page explanation of how the U.S. Navy (in cooperation with Stephen Hurlbut and William Nelson) won the Battle of Shiloh: the Navy's important role confirmed by U.S. Grant and PGT Beauregard (page 38).

Most enlightening in Volume 8 pages 90 - 91 are "all the excuses" given by Mahan why Vicksburg was not subjugated May/June 1862 (while leaving out the real reasons...)

Ozzy