CHAPTER V.

THE BATTLE CONTINUED.

Battle of the Seventh-The Final Rout - Reoccupying Our Camps - The Battle-field - Burial of the Dead — Following the Enemy on the Eighth - The Attack on the 77th Ohio-The 48th Ohio to Their Support - Return to Camp-Our Dead and Wounded- - Extracts from the Cincinnati Dailies—The Battle No Surprise -Loss in Both Armies - Extracts from Gen. Sherman's Official Report -- Arrival of the Sanitary Commission-Gen. Halleck Takes Command - Band Discharged

D

Drill.

URING the night the army was reinforced by the arrival of the remainder of the troops under Generals Buell and Wallace.

At early dawn on the following morning, we advanced with our Division, and met the enemy at 9 A. M. Their artillery was posted on a ridge, commanding an open field, which their batteries could rake from end to end. We charged over on double-quick, under a heavy artillery fire, and took possession of a piece of timber on the opposite side. Our batteries were soon brought to the front, when a regular artillery duel followed, which lasted about two hours, and at times became almost deafening, sending the shell and solid shot crashing through the timber, and tearing up the

ground around us. Our troops being placed in supporting distance, were in better positions to assist each other than on the previous day, and at each attack of the rebels they were met by an equal force, and thus gradually they were compelled to yield the ground they had driven us from the day before. It was near 1 o'clock P. M. when they began cautiously to retreat, making a stand at every advantageous point, and delivering their fire with considerable effect, but being hotly pressed by our army, they finally gave way at about 4 P. M., and the rout became general. Our cavalry started in pursuit, following the retreating enemy several miles toward Corinth.

The enemy was already in retreat, and victory nearly won, when Col. Sullivan had his left arm shattered by a musket-ball, and Capt. Warner, of Company B, a brave and daring officer, was killed.

We then proceeded to take possession of our old camp, which we found in utter confusion, owing to the two days' battle over the same ground, and the occupation of our tents Sunday night by the enemy. In our absence our private property, including clothing, had been carried away. Our camp and the battle-field was a heart-sickening sight. The bodies of dead horses and wrecks of wagons, caissons, guns, and all kinds of war implements, were strewn over the battle-field. The dead were lying in every conceivable shape.— Some had fallen with their guns fast in their hands; others had received the messenger of death, and

with their life-blood ebbing away, had sought the shelter of logs and trees, and laid down to die.

At one place, five rebels had found shelter be hind a small tree, one behind the other in a row, when a cannon-ball struck a root in front of them, and glancing upward, passed diagonally through each one-the first at the hips, and the last at the head, severing it from the body! But why dwell longer on the horrid sights that met the gaze all around?

That night, hungry and weary, we slept once more in our old camp. Early next morning, the 8th, we buried the dead in front of the position we held on Sunday morning. Twenty graves were dug, where we buried the dead of our Regiment, and seventy dead rebels were buried in one long trench.

At 8 o'clock A. M. the Regiment was ordered forward with the Division, to follow up the retreating enemy, in the direction of Corinth. After marching about a mile, we came to the camp that the rebels occupied on Saturday night. All along our line of march, could be seen remains of the retreating rebels, fresh-made graves, and the wounded and unburied dead. We had marched about five miles, when the 77th Ohio, who were in advance, were suddenly attacked in an open cottonfield, by the rebel cavalry, and overpowered by superior numbers. We were ordered on doublequick to their support. When we emerged from the woods the rebels retreated in haste, leaving

the field to our possession. The 77th lost, in killed, wounded and prisoners, one-third their number, and, but for our prompt arrival, the whole Regiment would have been annihilated. Among the captured was Capt. McCormick, who was afterward a prisoner at Camp Ford, Texas. We halted on the opposite side of the field, and remained in line of battle until near dark. This engagement went by the name of "Fallen Timber," from the many trees that lay over the field. We returned to our camp that evening, reaching it about 11 o'clock.

The entire route was through mud and mire, and covered with guns, ammunition, disabled artillery, baggage wagons, &c. &c. We recaptured a number of the sick and wounded of the Regiment, who had been captured on the 6th. This ended the fighting at Shiloh.

Jesse Nelson, our drummer-boy, who was but a stripling youth, when the battle began threw down. his drum and stepped into the ranks, with a rifle. He was shot through the head by a musket-ball, early in the engagement, while on his knees, in the act of firing.

The first verse of the poem, published shortly after the battle, entitled "The Drummer-Boy of Shiloh," is very appropriate :

"On Shiloh's dark and bloody ground

The dead and wounded lay;

Among them was a drummer-boy,
Who beat the drum that day. "

The Regiment lost twenty killed, ninety wound

ed, and two taken prisoners. The following is a list of the casualties among the officers:

Killed: Capt. Warner, of Co. B. Mortally wounded: Capt. Bond, Co. I. Wounded: Col. Sullivan, Lieut. Posegate, Co. A, Lieuts. Lindsey and Plyley, Co. B; and Surgeon Carey, taken prisoner, while taking care of the wounded.

The following extracts are taken from the Cincinnati Times and Gazette, giving an account of the part taken by the 48th Ohio in the Battle of Shiloh :

Cincinnati Daily Times, April 10, 1862.

"PITTSBURG LANDING, April 7, 1862.

"In regard to those troops raised in our vicinity, I must say that all acquitted themselves most valiantly. The 48th, under Col. Sullivan, was among the very first whose camp was invaded, and even after the Regiments on either side had fallen back, they retired in good order, fighting every step of the way, to the line of the Second Division. It should be remembered that this is the first time they were ever brought into battle, and from the suddenness of the attack your readers may judge that the introduction was not one calculated to steady the nerves of raw troops. At one time during the contest, it was rumored that every officer of the 48th was killed; but they turned up in time to gather their men to the number of 250, and after a bivouac upon the wet ground last night, they led them again to the field to-day.