Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-11-25
From the Marietta Republican, Nov. l9lh.l
Address of Capt. Mccormick.

In accordance with previous notice, Capt A
W. Mccormick, 77th Ohio regiment, delivered
an address, or rather O narrative of his six
months experience as prisoner 10 Secessia, on
Monday evening last, at the Court House, in
this city. Notwithstanding the inclemency of
the weather very large audience was assem-
tbled, Including number of ladies'. In view Of
the fact that Capt. Mccormick was for 90 long
time editor OF the Republican, thereby making
the details Of his experience the more interest
ing to his former patrons, and also In consdera-
tion of the actual merit of his "plain, unvar-
nished tale," We have concluded to publish O
synopsis thereof. - D..
After referring to the fact that the 77ih regi.
ment was called to the field In very short
time from the date of Its organization, imme-
diately after being armed-Without time or
opportunity for necessary drill--he stated that
they we're placed in the advance, ct tthe extreme
outer limits of the camp at Shiloh, or Pittsburg
Landing.
On tue night before the memorable battle al
that place, Company @, of the 77th, commanded
by Capt Mccormick, stood picket guard about
q mile out on the Corinth road. and saw the
rebel pickets posted but short distance from
them. AT daylight in the morning, Sunday,
April 9th, o battalion of Union troops from
Gen. Prentiss's division, under command OF
Maj. Powell, of Missouri, passed through our
lines for the purpose of accommodating. Capt.
Mccormick told the Major that the picketl
could not, of course, leave their post to advanc,
with him, but promised to aid him In the fgh
If he found it necessary to fall back to theil
lines. They had passed the pickets but shor
distance when the rebels opened upon them {
calling fre, which they returned with vigor.--
This ekirmish lasted probably twenty minutes
when Maj Powell's force fell back-he havinf
had one or two men killed. and about doEsl
wounded. us
On consultation with the company officers o
his battalion. the Major said they considered i
best 10 get ct once TO camp and prepare for
general engagement. After they had gone, ant
the enemy had come within range, the pickett
/ were ordered to FIRE. After brisk and vel
directed fre for few minutes from our guards
the rebels halted, and the sklrmish was con
tinued for some minutes, the lst Corporal of Co
@ being badly wounded. In the meantime,
messenger had been sent to Col. Hldebrand
who commanded the advance brigade, and b
sent word to the captain to fall back, it no
being the desire at general headquarters O
bring on an engagement at that time. Thi
was probably to slow time for Gen. Baell'
forces to arrive. re1 ,a
| lug piVkotd uhu kohCueu C8Wp pub VSt
short time--not long enough to eat breakfast
when they were ordered into line Of bsttle.-
The enemy approached almost immediatelJ
and most desperate conflict commenced. On
forces at that point were only strong enough 4
form single line Of battle, while the enem
advanced upon them with three lines. Tn
77th was posted Immediately In front of thei
camp, ct Shiloh church, where 10 remained Ill
it drove back the 0fst and second Of the Tsbs
lines with terrible slaughter, and was ct lengt
compelled to fall back, with the rest of on
army, from point TO point, I'LL late 10 the even
ing. The regiment suffered greatly -havin
} many killed and - large number wounded. :
|. Captain Mccormick deemed .h unnecessary
Ispeak at length Of the fesults of that terfibl
: Iconaict, as the public had learned the particr
lars through the papers and other souects. o
; Sunday evening, before our soldiers were o,
q pFlsed Of Gen. Buell's arrival on the 'opposii
] bank of the Tennessee river, the situation wi
i gloomy. A little before sunset, % euuads I
, tired and hungry eoldiets fsom several Of th
divisions were falling back toward the river,
staff ofices from Gen Baell's army 9ods up 3
our lines and passed the word along chat rein
!, forcements were coming He urged che officer
near, to rally the straEgling troops that wer
Z passing, and hold the position IN which The I'D
and other regiments were than In line. =
xl An appeal was mnds 20 q large number 0
Norlhwessorn soldiers % fall Into Zine and hell
: hold the posIsion I'LL ffesh troops would arrive
u. -.