What did they know?

[tulip]

All the protagonists in the CW made decisions based on the information they had in hand and much depended on how each analyzed the intelligence they gathered. McClellan, of course, had his multiplication table handy and almost all had their Jomini in hand as they planned battle strategy and tactics. They also had rumors and conflicting reports to sort and discard. All, both N&S, were also sitting on the learning curve and many early mistakes were made as generals experienced the uncertainty and unpredictable realities of war.

A case in point is the circumstances that led to Shiloh. Grant was flush from easy victories at Donelson and Henry. His natural confidence ballooned and he began to believe that the Southern armies in the western theater were on the ropes. Thru this colored lens, Grant read the reports coming in during March as indicative of CSA disintegration. Looking at his own green troops and the problems of training and administration, he gave enormous weight to the reports flooding his tent of mass desertion and a growing malaise in the CSA army. Unfortunately, he also overlooked other indicators that should have clanged alarm bells loud and clear.

What exactly did Grant know those first few days in April? He actually knew little and had not yet developed a coordinated and effective espionage network of knowledgeable scouts or informers. By April 3, Grant was telling Halleck: "Deserters occationally come in but all that can be learned from them that is reliable is that the force is large and increasing." Grant finished with an optimistic "many would desert if they could." You would think the operative words should have been "large and increasing" but to the optimistic Grant "desertion" was the key ingredient.

One piece of information that has been debated for years is the report of scout Horace Bell that was confirmed by John Parker and W.C.Sanders. According to Bell, he reported that he had found the entire Confederate army on the road to Pittsburg Landing. Lew Wallace, who had put Bell in the field, took the report. Many years after the war, Wallace claimed that he had sent the information to Grant. But there is no record of the dispatch and Grant did acknowledge receipt. Forty years later Bell confirmed that Wallace received "full, reliable and correct information." Instead of the information being forwarded to Grant quickly, the dispatch went through ordinary channels if it went at all. Wallace later excused his neglect by claiming that he didn't want to appear overbearing to his superior, "What right had I to suppose General Grant was not on the watch with more facilities at his command than belonged to me?"

Shiloh, of course, was a wake-up call to Grant. After he squeaked out a win, Grant encouraged the multi-talented and intuitive Grenville Dodge to develop the beginnings of a modern espionage network that would serve Grant well thru his Vicksburg campaign and Chattanooga victory.

(Message edited by tulip on January 15, 2003)

[ewc]

Connie-

Kudos!! Very well said! Too easily do we examine the development of the Civil War tableau without putting ourselves in the commanders of the times places and taking their situations into consideration. Especially in the early part of the war, administration and things military went with a clang and a jolt, nothing went smoothly, (and when anything did- it led to misinterpretation and misunderstanding rather than enlightenment), much was needed yet to be learned, and situations were very fluid and very easily misunderstood. Really, how could we expect any differently?!

Shiloh is the great turning point of the war. It showed the Rebels were here to stay, that the war was for the long haul, and that great untrained mobs of soldiers and officers wasn't going to cut it. It also showed what resolve could do. It is also the great turning point for Grant, Sherman, and Confederate fortunes in the West. Can Grant be faulted for what transpired at Shiloh? I really don't see how. Can AS Johnston be faulted? Again, I don't see how. Both men were operating within the limits of their knowledge and vision. Both commanders' vision here and what led upto this battle are as great as could have been anticipated. Actually I see both commanders operating at what can be considered the highest level at that time.

I think too that Shiloh is the turning point for Grant, the commander, and illustrative of his greatness. He does not panic at the first day's surprise and misfortune; quite the contrary, he takes green troops and turns things around for the second day. Is this a marvelous display of grit, mental tenacity and clear thinking, and stolidity of nerve or what? Grant's greatness is seen too, and perhaps more profoundly, in his ability to learn the lessons of the overall picture of the state of affairs in the war which came from this battle. No more would troops be left inadequately prepared for battle, intelligence gathering and examining are refined, and an understanding of the nature of the war and the opponent gained. The lesson applies equally just about to Sherman. To continue in this vein, I believe the lessons would have been learned and applied by Johnston as well had he survived. And this last is perhaps the greatest misfortune to befall the South at this stage in the war and after.

[tulip]

Thank you Edward. Shiloh is indicative of how Grant both made mistakes and learned by them. Rarely did he repeat the same error, but a setback also never diluted his confidence or changed his way of making war.

After going East, Grant was approached by a lieutenent who required a decision from Grant. Looking at the paper in hand, the general quickly made a choice and signed the requisition. The Lt asked, "Are you certain General?" Puffing on his cigar Grant shook his head. "No. If I am wrong, we'll deal with it, but not deciding is worse. It costs money and delays." (I paraphrased that since I cannot get my hands on the exact wording.)

As you said, no one was perfect at Shiloh, but Grant's quick thinking, ability to assess the situation at a glance and provide leadership saved the day, no matter how vigorously Buell tried to hog the credit for himself.

[johan_steele]

It is said that an Army is defeated when their spirit is defeated. Grant never really saw himeslf as beaten so he never was. He learned from his mistakes and was willing to listen to others a trait that makes a good officer and a better General.