Hornet's Nest: Enough Glory to Go Around

Well, so anyways, we all know how Prentiss saved the day at Shiloh. That he boldly took his stand at the Sunken Road and how troops rallied around him. And how he was the Hero of Shiloh.

Blarney.

I'm not saying that Prentiss wasn't a hero or anything. But, what about William Wallace? His division was already filed in place in the Peach Orchard and Hornet's Nest before Prentiss' retreating command took up position. Prentiss formed up by Wallace when he saw how formidable a position Wallace had. As a matter of fact, Wallace had more troops in the battle then Prentiss.

Notice how 2,000 men were captured out of Prentiss' Division? Prentiss only had 3,000 men fighting in the sunken lane. Most of them weren't even his own. He had only 500 out of 5,100 men that didn't rout to the Tennesse.

But, it was Prentiss that got the 'hold at all cost' order from Grant. And, Wallace was mortally wounded during the battle, adding himself to the 24,000 dead and wounded of Shiloh. There was no way Wallace could have set the records straight. Not only that, Grant makes mention of only Prentiss, although, had he known the truth, Grant (true to his personality) would have been more fair.

So, in the end, Prentiss got glory, by stealing it from Wallace.