Sean Michael Chick, Historian & Author
Topic: “Not a Useless Appendage” Don Carlos Buell in the Civil War

At the start of the Civil War, few Union generals seemed destined for greater success than Don Carlos Buell. A hero of the Mexican War, an able strategist, and a man of great personal courage, Buell’s star was in the ascendancy in the first year of the war. Commissioned a brigadier general in May of 1861, he helped organize the defenses of Washington before being given a division in the Army of the Potomac in August. In November he succeeded Brig. Gen. William T. Sherman as the commander of the Department of the Ohio and was promoted to major general in March of ’62. The timely arrival of the Army of the Ohio with Buell at its head on the evening of April 6 and its subsequent success on the 7th at the Battle of Shiloh was the apogee of his career. On the second day of the battle, Buell was everywhere, conspicuous at the front, skillfully moving units, and often under fire. Accolades flowed after the battle not just from Buell’s men but also from the soldiers in Grant’s command.

“Buell came just in time to save us.” – Edward Myers, 46th Ohio

“Buell’s force came and that gave our men new life...” – Erman Mastick, 2nd Iowa

“Had it not been for the reinforcements of Buell, we would have [been] entirely annihilated, killed, or taken prisoners...” – Lawrence B. Worth, 7th Iowa

“Our dropping hearts were cheered by the sound of distant music and the information that Buell had just arrived with 20,000 of his advance. Such a cheer as rent the heavens will never again be heard in the forests of Tennessee!” – Martin Beem, 13th Missouri

“At this time our case looked doubtful, but relief was at hand. Buell had arrived and his troops were crossing the river and came marching up at 5 o’clock on quick time, their bands playing the Star Spangled Banner. Never did music sound as well and never did men take such new courage. – George W. Browning, 54th Ohio

“Gen. Buell everywhere inspired confidence as he rode along the lines and addressed words of cheer to his troops. His superior generalship completely foiled the rebels in all their maneuvers, and whilst he preserved his own line of battle intact, he completely broke theirs, driving them from one position to another until we had regained all the ground lost on the preceding day.” – Anonymous, 7th Iowa

Six months later, Buell was removed from command, investigated by a military commission, and left “awaiting orders” until May of 1864 when he was mustered out of the service. What happened is the focus of Historian Sean Chick’s upcoming presentation. Come join us as he explores the singular rise and fall of this once promising Union general.

Author, historian Sean Michael Chick graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Communications and from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Master of Arts in History. He works in New Orleans, leading historic tours of his hometown. He is also a board game designer, concentrating on the period of Western warfare from 1685-1866. His main American Civil War research interests include Shiloh, the Army of Tennessee, New Orleans during the Civil War, P.G.T. Beauregard, the Petersburg Campaign, and Civil War tactics in relation to linear tactics from 1685-1866. He is a member of the Emerging Civil War group and author of six books: The Battle of Petersburg, June 15-18, 1864 (Potomac Books, 2015); Grant’s Left Hook: The Bermuda Hundred Campaign, May 5-June 7, 1864 (Savas Beatie, 2021); Dreams of Victory: P.G.T. Beauregard in the Civil War (Savas Beatie, 2022); They Came Only to Die: The Battle of Nashville, December 15-16, 1864 (Savas Beatie, 2023); A Grand Opening Squandered: The Battle for Petersburg: June 15-18, 1864 (Savas Beatie, 2025); and The Shiloh Campaign, 1862: Battle for the Heartland (Casemate, 2025). He is currently working on multi-volume books on Shiloh and Petersburg.