Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-11-02
MRS. LlCOLN'S BROTHER.
His Targie Death mt the Battle of
shiloh

When the war broke out Mrs. Lincoln
had two brothers, DR.. Todd and Sam
Todd, residing in New Orleans and in
business there. DR.. Todd was earl;
|appointed to surgeon in the confeder-
ate army, and we believe, came to Viz
ginia. Young Sam Todd was gay
and happy youth not over 20, and OF
good social standing aud pleasing add
dress, handsome in person, very pop
ular, and in every respect a manly fell
| low. He was of course, known as the
brother-in-law of the president, or
"Old Abe" as be was generally called;
but, being an ardent Southener, that
did not affect his relations with his
friends. In March, 1862, when Beaure.
gard was appointed to the west, and
sent out to stay the progress of the
| federal army under Grant and Sher-
man, through Kentucky and Tonnes
see, he made a call upon Louisiana,
his native State, to come to his
aid. This was promptly re
sponded to by several thousand young
men of New Orleans of all grades of So
ciety, who eagerly volunteered, and
among the number was young Sam
Todd. He enrolled himself in the Cres-
cent regiment. A month after volun-
teering the great battle of Shiloh was
fought. On the day before the battle
was fought the writer and others gave
a "dinner" to some half dozen of
their personal friends Of the Crescent
regiment, Washington artillery, 9TH
Texas, ETC., and Sam Todd was one of
the favorite guests. Jov;al Sam Todd.
Who that knew him can ever forget
him All soul, all fun. and all fire, too,
They separated for the march, and the
next day were all in the midst of battle
by sunrise. The first day went merrily
enough for our side, 1t was a delight
full game of base ball, and, though the
battle was fierce, desperate, and hotly
contested, when night came we had
scored great victory.
That night was feaful one, and we
slept on the field IN the most drench-
ing rain storm that was ever expert
enced, accompanied by some of the
very loudest thunder, which could only
be distinguished from the roar of the
columbiads fired at intervals on the
gun boats by the fact that the fi.st was
harmless, but the latter being loaded,
their shrieking shell and rolling shot
caused our fellows often to change the
log selected for their pillows.
Betimes on the morning of the 9TH
we were all up and in line, but rested
for while to cook breakfast before
advancing, While engaged over pot
of boiling potatoes, while somebody
else was prepared coffee, surrounded by
many Of the staff, and the correspond.
ents of Beauregard's army proper, the
louisiana and Texas men, a young man
in the uniform of the Crescents came
up and expressed wish for
zone of them murphys when they
were done" Turning and recog.
nizing our friend Todd, we grasped his
hand and congratulated him upon hi.
good fortune in the fight; for although
the Cresents we're in reserve they haC
yet participated largely in the battle
and it was the leading regiment in the
capture of ?. entiss and his men, it,
colonel, Marshal ]. Smith of Norfolk
ment number OF round shot came
plunging over the field in which We
we're assembled one OF which overturn
ed our potato pot, and the order wa.
TO fall in at once, as the enemy were
advancing in force. 1t was the new
troops of Buell. and Nelson, and W.
were at once hotly engaged. Sam
Todd's regiment was thrown to the
front promptly, SOON followed by ours
when almost the first object that me-
us as we passed over the field, was the
]ifeless body of poor Sam, Mrs. Lin
coins brother, with bullet hole in his
forehead Driven back and still back
our dead were left on the disastrou,
field for Grant to bury; and among
those who shared those ghastly fuuera
rites there was no better man or more
devoted soldier of the confederacy. thar
that gallant young brother of tn,
Lady of the White House. Rich
poond State
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