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Maj. Gen. Benjamin Prentiss and Abolitionist Resentment towards McClellan Print E-mail

March 4, 1862

“We had news last evening of another repulse of our forces at Manassas & the death of McLellan. The news generally credited for an hour or two was by the abolitionists well recd… some even going so far as to say that if he was killed it could compensate for the loss of a battle. I observe that you think there are some “celestial phenomena” developed in the political in these latter days. There certainly are developments terrestrial among which is the place of quartering on the enemy. Do you take?

Less than a month later, at Shiloh, despite being captured with 2200 Union Troops, Prentiss was credited with holding out at “the Hornet’s Nest” long enough to allow Grant to win the next day. (Some would give more credit to two other officers who were killed in the battle). Exchanged, and promoted to major general, Prentiss won the battle of Helena, Arkansas, on July 4, 1863.

Autograph Letter Signed, Columbus, Ohio, March 4, 1862.

Inventory# 20740    $2,400

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