Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/323

 "Battle of Shiloh." 317

except one (Withers); of all the brigade and regimental commanders of each Confederate corps, including the reserve whose reports have reached the light ; that is, of nearly all commanders present in the battle. It is also shameful to ignore, as he has done, the revelations of the reports of Generals Buell, Nelson and Colonel Ammen's diary, as also the disclosure of the available Federal defensive resources at the time, to be found in the reports of Generals Hurlbutand McCler- nand. Any student of history, or soldier, who may follow the same line of research that I have, will see that my summary is essentially judicial, because it sets forth in its integrity all that is officially reported contemporaneously on either side of the question, and I challenge the production of a word that I have omitted which can be said to run counter to the unbroken chain of documentary proof which I have adduced. Into the discussion of the further matters relating to General A. S. Johnston's connection with the campaign and battl 6 of Shiloh, asserted and reasserted by his son (Colonel Johnston) so persistently.it is not my purpose to follow him, unless made unavoid- able hereafter. I will say, however, that it were very easy to demon- strate that his story that in the month of January, 1862, General A. S. Johnston had in his possession a map with "Shiloh church" marked upon it by the engineers, and had pointed out to Colonel Bowen that there "the great battle of the southwest will be fought" is not one whit more historical or less imaginary than the ancient fable of the voyage of Arion to Parnassus on the back of a music loving dolphin. I may also say that Colonel Johnston seems to aim to present his father as exercising a brawny physical power and influence upon the battle of Shiloh, not unlike that ascribed to Marlborough at the battle of Blenheim, by the English poetaster, Philips, in these lines :

" Churchell viewing where The violence of Tallard most prevailed, Come to oppose his slaughtering arms. With speed Precipitate he rode, urging his way O'er hills of gasping heroes and fallen steeds Rolling in death. Destruction, grim with blood, Attends his furious course. Around his head The glowing balls play innocent, while he, With due impetuous sway, deals fatal blows Among the flying Gauls. In Gallic blood He dyes his reeking sword, and strews the ground With headless ranks. What can they do ? Or how Withstand his wide destroying sword?"