The National tribune., 1883-05-10
The Ninth Illinois at Shiloh.


1t was my fortune to be at the battle of Shiloh
General Hovey, in his article asks, first, Was the
Federal army surprised Sunday morning, April 6,
1862? and second Was the conduct of Major General
Lewis Wallace in marching from Crump's Landing
censurable? To the first question my answer is
No. joined my regiment-the Ninth Illinois in
tantry, McArthurs brigade. Gen.W III. l.. Wallace's
division-April 8, 1862, after having been confined
IN the hospital for time from wounds received mt
Fort Donelson After | arrived in camp the boys
told me that there picket fighting at the front
and that general engagement would soon take
place. On that memorable Sunday morning our
regiment preparing for Sunday morning insDec-
ton and had just had breakfast when the artillery
firing was first heard at the front Sharp volleys
OF musketry followed soon after and shell came
screaming into our camp and exploded in the
orderly's tent of company K. The orderly ran out
and gave the command to fall in. About the same
time the drums of the regiment sounded the call.
In less than three minutes the regiment was in line
on the reglmental parade ground The orderly of
each company called roll and reported the number
who answered to their names The combined re-
ports showed $40 men ready for action. Our ranks
mad been somewhat thinned out at the battle of
Fort Donelson, as there we had lost thirty-fiye
Killed and l6S wounded. The regiment remained
IN line until an aid came dashng up with orders to
move at once to the front A grander sight one
could not wish to see than that presented by Gen.
w. IL. L. Wallaces division il marched out to
action that Sunday morning. Almost every regi-
nlent composing the division had service in
the battles of Belmont and Fort Donelson, and the
veterans knew that there was work before them.
The division marched on the Corinth road about
O'Clock IN the morning We soon commenced to
meet SlraSgierS by the hundred making their
TO the rear; In fact it was grand stampede. Efforts
were made to stop them and is but justice to say
that many turned back and joined our ranks and
fought Well that day. About twenty joined
company and went into action with u.s. Five of
them were killed and we buried them with COM
pany KS dead. remember that they all belonged
toOhlo regiments. The men would fight when they
Were brought into action and had confidence in the
officers who led them The Ninth Illinois came
into line OF battle the right of the regiment near
the Corinth road. On the road at our right was a
battery OF artillery. The Twelfth Illinois infantry
came INTO Inc on our left, company of the
twelfth and company X of the Ninth joining.
ihat part OF the battlefield was heavily timbered
put clear OF underbrush. After getting into line we
artillery in front AT this time several men of
company Is of the Ninth Illinois were killed by a
shell. Then came the order forward, and we went
Anything was better than the suspense of lying
down under fire and not fighting. Along our front
was ravine. We charged at double-quck across
IL ana came INTO action at once Beyond the ravine
was peach orchard, and here for more than two
hours we held the line 1t was at this time that
The Ninth Illinois lost so heavily. When the reg-
ment fell back we left in killed and wounded $50
men out OF the 400 who went into action two hours
before, not counting the boys who had Joined us
on our way to the front. Though we had to fall
back, we were not defeated for again came into
action at clock in the afternoon, and in that
gagement lost Captain McCleary of company X.
Our loss at Shiloh was 81 killed, 800 wounded and
IL mssIng-a total of 1863 All the commissioned
ohicers but three were killed or wounded Among
the latter were the colonel and lieutenant colonel
well remember the first battalion drill after the
commanded by sergeants. Our loss in that action
III Killed and wounded was greater than that of
any other regiment JAMES OATES
CINCINNATI, ARK. Ninth Ill. Vol. Inf