The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-05-30
A T,ibQte,

this ,city,on January oath, 1SS6-being
the eldest of five ehildcen of Mr.. John
and Mrs Philura Shsnklin. He grewu
in our'.nidst, and qualified himself, main
ly under the tuition of the late NJ. W.
Stafford, to enter Wabash College, which
he did with unusual promise ia the year
lS5l-being a youth of bat fourteen
years-commendiag himself 10 his in
structors by the adabiiity of his manners,
his Ia ents aud his application. After
the 6rst year, having suffered somewhat
in health, he left college, and at home
and in travel in the Eastern States en-
deavored to recruit it He resumed
his place at Wabash, bat evidently not
with the same keen relish for formal
student life as at first, and in about his
third year withdrew to pursue more des-
ultory studies at home. After few
months, however, he entered Michigan
State University, ANA Arbor but the
routine aud confinement and discipline
Of college walls accorded but little with
his tastes, and he started out to learn the
world aud make himself more CONVEX
SAINT with practical life. He directed his
steps first to the great lumber region of
Michigan. and took some interest in the
matter, but soon, with, perhaps, more ro-
mantle notions, started still farther West,
to bring himself into acquaintance with
actual frontier life Kansas and Nebras-
ka were then absorbing sections of in
terest to the country, and in the wilds of
the latter Territory, amid " hair-breadth
escapes" and perils and exposure, he
he spent some fifteen months Return
ing home when the excitements of the
Presidential campaign which resulted in
the election of Mr.. Buchanan to the
Executive chair were at their height, his
having lived in Nebraska, and then his
views upon the Territorial question be-
coming known, he was at once received
with open arms by the Democratic party,
and, although but nineteen years Of age,
was brought prominently forward in the
canvass and began his career as an ora
tor, which was then brilliant, and which,
| had his life been spared, would undoubt-
eddy have placed him among the most pop
ular speakers of the State.
After due course of reading, he was
admitted to the bar as lawyer Almost
Immediately thereafter he was elected by
! handsome majority to the Office of Pros
eeuting Attorney of this judicial Dis
trict, and soon distinguished himself as
an eloquent and effective pleader.
In 1860 he became a candidate for the
State Legislature, and was defeated only
by the sudden bringing forward, as an OPP
ponent, one of the ablest of our lawyers
and orators-James E Blythe, Esq.
About this time also, by invitation, he
delivered the Annual Address before the
students of the Indiana State UNIVERSE
ty, which address, by request, was pub
lished in pamphlet form, under the title
of Between two Parallels, replete with
original and startling passages.
During the last Presidential campaign
he supported Mr. Douglass.
From the first breaking out of the war,
though strongly conservative in his
politics. he was decided in his attachment
to the Union; and when the call was
more after the defeat at Bull Run-he
started out through his district to rally
men under the flag and urge them to en-
list for the defense of the Union, and in
his efforts succeeded in securing more
volunteers than any other man in the
district the object at first was to make
up one regiment, and when the compan-
les came IN to rendezvous, it was found
that there were three companies beyond
the complement
| At the organization of the regiment
the 42nd-he was commissioned as it's
Major, and when it took the field, he was
with them, sharing its varied fortunes
from Green River to that of Stone River,
where he had command, and where, al
though the Union troops were successful,
he, with portion OF his command was
taken prisoner.
But to go back. In April, 1862, with
several companies of the regiment, for
some important service, he was placed
in command at War Trace. 1t was there
for the hrst time he felt the enemy, and
there he received his first Baptism of
/ Fire. All testify that upon this occasion,
/ he showed greet GOODNESS and energy.
The enemy was driven back with severe
loss. Through some misunderstanding
he was at this time placed under arrest,
for the neglect of vigilance, it being re-
| ported he was surprised by the enemy.
1t turned out, in the investigation, that
this was not so; the court not only ex-
GENERATING him of blame, out commend
ing him for the ability with which he had
executed his trust
In the fall, Buell. moved his army
through its long tedious march to Louis
vile, the AID being with it. In the
month of October was fought the battle
of PerryvilIe, where Major Shanklin ex-
hibited the qualities of veteran and
received slight wound in the head.
After this battle he was promoted to the
position Of Lieut. Colonel, then made
vacant by the transfer OF Lieut. Colonel
DENLY.
Under Maj. Gen. Rosecrans the army
was led back to Tennessee. Lieut. Col
Shanklin commanded the regiment at
the battle Of Stone River, and, after gal
lantly holding his position near the close
of the last days fight, with portion of
his men, was taken prisoner.
Through great trials they were, as
prisoners, marched to Atlanta, Georgia,
and then to the notorious Libby Prison,
Richmond, where he was kept in a
crowded room for two and a half
months. The horrors of that prison life
it was his intention, as publicly announ-
ced, to have formally narrated, on the
evening OF the very day when his life
less remains were laid to rest in a sol