Sherman’s Forgotten General: Henry W. Slocum. By Brian C. Melton. (Columbia and London: University of Missouri Press, c. 2007. ISBN 978-0-8262-1739-4).
When discussing generals in the Civil War, Henry W. Slocum is a name that is mentioned little, unless it is to speak about his porous performance at Gettysburg. Slocum was a Union major general who eventually took command of the Army of Georgia. Little is known about this general, particularly because there are few primary resources that discuss Slocum on a personal level. Since there really is not a full, complete description of this Union major general, Brian C. Melton undertook the task of shedding light on his life and accomplishments. Slocum saw action in many key battles throughout the war, and served from the first call of troops until Joseph E. Johnson surrendered to Sherman. Henry Slocum was born in Onondaga County in upstate New York. He was a successful student at West Point, as he graduated 7th out of 43 in the class of 1852. During his time there, he roomed with Phil Sheridan, although Sheridan was not the student Slocum was. In 1857, Slocum retired from military service and established a law practice in Syracuse, New York. Following the fall of Fort Sumter, he responded to Lincoln’s call for volunteers, and re-entered the military as the colonel of the 27th New York Volunteers.
Melton conveys that although Slocum was small in stature, he inspired bravery and confidence in the men he led into battle. He was a charismatic individual, and rose through the ranks due to these qualities. While serving in the Civil War, Slocum saw action in many key engagements, such as Bull Run, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. It was at Bull Run where Slocum was severely wounded in the thigh. In October of 1861, the Army of the Potomac was organized into divisions, and Slocum was put at the head of a brigade. Then in May of 1862, Slocum received promotion to the head of the First Division in the Sixth Corps. Following the battle of Gaines’ Mill, Slocum received the promotion of major general on July 4th, 1862. At that time, he became the second youngest in the nation to attain that rank. Slocum drew further acclaim for his actions at South Mountain in 1862, where he helped lead the charge that routed the Confederates at Crampton’s Gap. Following this battle, Slocum received a promotion to the head of the Twelfth Corps in October of 1862. Therefore, from October of 1861 to October of 1862, Slocum rose from regimental commander to a corps commander. Melton conveys that Slocum’s intelligence as well as his vigorous personality led to this rapid rise in the army.
Despite this quick ascension through the ranks, Slocum had problems with some of his superiors. While he worked quite efficiently with some of his commanding officers such as Sherman, he worked less effectively with others such as Joe Hooker and George McClellan. McClellan found Slocum to be of little help, while Slocum and Hooker never saw things eye to eye. In fact, Slocum was highly critical of Hooker’s performance at Chancellorsville, as he blamed the significant amount of casualties that his Corps obtained on Hooker’s timidity during the battle. A man more to Slocum’s liking was undoubtedly Sherman, as the two worked quite effectively with one another. Melton conveys that a great deal of Sherman’s success was on behalf of the action of Slocum. Slocum came under the command of Sherman during the Atlanta campaign, following the death Major General James McPherson. During his time under Sherman, Slocum became Sherman’s “left arm,” and became quite adept at anticipating what Sherman wanted him to do. Both men conducted war in the same way as they brought the fight to the enemy, and at times Slocum was more aggressive than Sherman. Throughout his service under Sherman, Melton argues that Slocum never received his due credit for the success that Sherman’s army obtained.
Although Slocum performed admirably under Sherman, he is undeservingly infamous for his lackluster performance at Gettysburg. During the first day of battle at Gettysburg, Slocum was slow in supporting Major General Howard, whose force was heavily outnumbered. Instead of marching to the sounds of the guns, Slocum spent most of the day in hesitation. For this indecision, Slocum garnered the nickname of “Slow Come.” While Melton does not excuse Slocum’s poor performance at Gettysburg, he argues that this battle should not be the only thing that is remembered about this man. Slocum served admirably before the battle of Gettysburg, and quite effectively after it. He was a vital cog in Sherman’s marches through the heartland of the Confederacy, as he adapted to Sherman’s style of generalship. Despite his small stature, Slocum’s contributions to the Union victory were anything but small.
Albert Cox
Texas Christian University