Benjamin Prentiss



Benjamin Prentiss

Introduction

Benjamin Prentiss was a famous American politician, soldier and a lawyer. He fought in numerous wars including the Mexican American War and Civil war. Towards the end of Prentiss' military career, he raised to the rank of Major General. This paper discussed the military career of Benjamin Prentiss, including his roles in the Mexican and American Civil Wars. Additionally, Prentiss fought one of the most significant battles of American Civil War, the battle of Shiloh against the confederates. Prentiss defeated in this action, and it left life long impressions on Prentiss' decision making.

Mexican War

In 1846, Prentiss volunteered as a soldier during the American War with Mexico. Very quickly, he organized the company of volunteers; this was the time when the Mexican American War began (History.com, 1996). At Buena Vista, Prentiss served under General Zachary Taylor. Prentiss then returned to Illinois and continued practiced law until the Civil War broke.

Civil War

Prentiss served as the in charge of Cairo, Illinois at the beginning of Civil war. He got was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 1861 and placed in charge of protecting Saint Joseph and Hannibal railroads across Missouri (History.com, 1996). Later he joined was sent to Tennessee for joining General Ulysses S. Grant's Army; at this place, Prentiss elevated to the rank of divisional commander.

Battle of Shiloh

This performance took place during April 6-7, 1862 (Civil War.org, 2013) between the confederate and union states. Its named after the small church Shiloh found near the Pittsburg landing. The Union forces decided to merge two armies to increase their total power up to 75,000. The armies of Grant and Don Carlos Buell decided to join and push out the confederate forces (Great American History, 2012). The situation did not go as planned for the Union forces. The Confederate forces did not give them a chance to join up and they got attacked earlier than they could set up their armies. The confederate armies made a forced march and were able to assail grant well before the two union armies could merge. So, the first weakness of the union plan was in their waiting idea; the two union armies should have merged at some other place; the particular army (Grant) should not have settled near Pittsburg Landing. As the individual army was already settled; waiting for the further support to arrive, the confederates got a good chance to attack and defeat ...