November 28, 1861 (Wednesday): The Self-Inflating Pillow

General Gideon Johnson Pillow

MEMPHIS AND CHARLESTON RAILROAD OFFICE.

Memphis, November 30, 1861.

E. W. MUNFORD, Esq.,
(On General Johnston's staff,)

Bowling Green, Ky.:

   DEAR SIR: Permit me to say to you that our people are very much exercised about General Pillow being in supreme command at Columbus. His daily sensation dispatches keep the country in alarm and commotion. If General Polk is not well enough to take command, I pray General Johnston will put some man of more prudence there. No one here has the slightest confidence in Pillow's judgment or ability, and if the important command of defending this river is to be left to him, we feel perfectly in the enemy's power. I know General Johnston has so much to do and think about, he may not feel as we do about this Colubmus command. My own opinion is the main attack will be made there, and that soon. Their iron gun-boats can pass any battery on shore, and we do feel uneasy here and are doing all in our power to aid our army. The battle of Belmont has not in the least changed public opinion about Pillow.
Your friend.
SAM. TATE.
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 51, Part 2, Page 351.
Tate’s thinking regarding Pillow would prove accurate.  In the Mexican War Pillow had tried to take credit for in newspaper accounts for victories actually won by General Winfield Scott.  This lead to his being called a “Self-Inflating Pillow”.  In late December he would resign during a conflict with Polk and later suffer defeat at Fort Donelson