James Ford Rhodes (18481927). History of the Civil War, 18611865
1917. On the day before the attack (April 5) he telegraphed to
Halleck: The main force of the enemy is at Corinth. I have
scarcely the faintest idea of an attack (general one) being made
upon us, but will be prepared should such a thing take place.1
At three oclock that afternoon, he said to a Colonel of Buells
army, there will be no fight at Pittsburg Landing; we will have
to go to Corinth where the rebels are fortified.2 At this hour
Johnstons advanced corps was two miles from the Union camp and
the rest of his 40,000 within supporting distance.3 William T.
Sherman, who, in addition to his own division had general
command of three others4 at Pittsburg Landing, was even more
careless than Grant, for he was in close contact with the
evidence; he had, however, received no order to throw up
intrenchments, although Halleck had directed Grant to fortify
his position. While the utility of hasty intrenchments on the
field of battle was not yet appreci