482

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.

BIVOUAC OF TIIE FEDERAL TROOPS, SUNDAY NIGHT.

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and in the Mexican war, several years more. He was not given in earlylife or in mature years to forming intimate acquaintances. He was studiousby habit, and commanded the confidence and respect of all who knew him.He was a strict disciplinarian, and perhaps did not distinguish sufficientlybetween the volunteer who “ enlisted for the war ” and the soldier whoserves in time of peace. One system embraced men who risked life for aprinciple, and often men of social standing, competence, or wealth, andindependence of character. The other includes, as a rule, only men whocould not do as well in any other occupation. General Buell became anobject of harsh criticism later, some going so far as to challenge his loyalty.No one who knew him ever believed him capable of a dishonorable act, andnothing could be more dishonorable than to accept high rank and commandin war and then betray the trust. When I came into command of the army,in 1864, I requested the Secretary of War to restore General Buell to duty.

After the war, during the summer of 1865,1 traveled considerably throughthe North, and was everywhere met by large numbers of people. Every onehad his opinion about the manner in which the war had been conducted;who among the generals had failed, how, and why. Correspondents of thepress were ever on hand to hear every word dropped, and were not alwaysdisposed to report correctly what did not confirm their preconceived notions,either about the conduct of the war or the individuals concerned in it. Theopportunity frequently occurred for me to defend General Buell against what