@nitrofd
I like everything written on this subject but there are things that are often left out either due to knowledge of a source's existence or the choice to leave the source out.
Much of the article in question leaves information out that is pertinent to the conversation. It may be that Eric was unaware of its existence. There was the mention of Egbert Martin (I believe) who was Johnson's nephew. He claimed many years after the war that Johnson had begged Cheatham to allow him to attack the pike in total darkness, but what was left out of the article was the other source - Jospeh Bostick. Bostick had gone to rouse Johnson after Hood informed Cheatham that a private had informed him of enemy troops on the pike in confusion. It was suggested that Cheatham should advance a line of skirmishers or a regiment if necessary in order to further impede or confuse the enemy on the pike. Bostick supposedly related that Johnson "bitterly complained" that his division had been "loaned out" to Cheatham and questioned why Cheatham didn't send one of his own divisions as he was "ignorant" of the field and was afraid he might fire into some of his own troops.
We know that Johnson's men were in fact roused, and they prepared to go into action but they didn't. Now was it because Johnson got his men up on his own initiative and sent word to Cheatham that he wanted to attack the pike immediately or was it because when his men were roused he didn't want to send his men into something he was unaware of?
We know that his division was placed on the field after 10 pm and probably even later. We know Johnson had no idea of the field. We know that (according to Bostick and Cheatham) that Johnson didn't want to attack, and that Bostick said it wasn't up to him to decide, but at Johnson's suggestion rode toward the pike where they heard nothing. Johnson then rode with Bostick back to Cheatham's headquarters at which time Cheatham upon hearing the news relented.
There are two stories here but only one was presented in the article. We have to remember that Egbert Martin was Johnson's nephew and likely would not want anything to reflect poorly on his uncle. But we also have to consider Cheatham's testimony that Bostick told him this. So who do we believe? That's up to the individual, but knowing that Johnson arrived on the field after dark and was unaware of his exact position on the field- being a military man - I can see why Johnson would object.
On the same note, militarily it makes no sense to me that he would WANT to attack as he was unaware of the exact situation.
This is one example of the points I would like to make. There are others that I can bring up after I review it. Haven't read it in a long time!