how to concatenate csv files so each file is added adjacently i.e., to the right, instead of sequentially i.e., to the bottom in other words I am trying to join a few hundred csv files that are 1 column each and I would like each csv file to create a new column instead of creating a new row.  

This is the command I'm currently using:

gls-Mac-Pro:~ gliiiitch$ cat *.csv &gt;merged_files.csv
Try the paste command:

paste *.csv &gt; merged_files.csv

You may have to experiment to be sure that the column order matches your expectations...