The National tribune., 1883-05-03
The Fifiy-hnh Illinois at Shiloh.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
In answer to Henry Reinock, who wants to hear
from the Fifty Illinois infantry, will say that
/ was member of company ID, Fifty-fifth Illinois.
and took part in that long-rem emb cred battle /
cannot agree with him as to the surprise of our
brigade, which consisted of the Fifty-fth Illinois,
Fifty fourth Ohio Zouayes, and the Seventy-first
Ohio. This brigade commanded by Colonel
Stewart of the Fifty -fifth Illinois. 1t belonged to
sherman s division, and was encamped on the ex-
IRENE left of the line rather detached from the
OF Shermans division. and on the left of Preniiss'
division. On Friday evening, April 4th some rebel
cavalry were discovered by our pickets, which
caused the long-roll TO be beat in camp. The
Fifty fifth Illinois fell in line but nothing unusual
TRANSFERRED and we were all allowed 10 return to our
quarters, except the guards and pickets. Then all
was quite still. Sunday morning the 9th, we were
getting ready for inspection when we heard can
Bonading on our right, about O'Clock in the norm
ing. The long-roli beat again, and we were soon
I'm line of battle.
We were marched a short distance from our
camp and ordered TO lie down. but finally moved
into line with the rest of brigadell this before
we We're fired on. Company A at the time was out
slirmishing. We knew there would be battle
and were not surprised when first fired on. In
deed, a good many of our boys were anxious TO sec
battle. They saw one that day. When the ball
opened. the Seventy-:irst Ohio, who were on our
right gave away under the first fre-alI hut a small
detachment which stayed with us. The Fifty
fourth Ohio, on our left, God bless those Zouaves
stuck TO US like brothers, and were the only sup
port our regiment had against Hardee's whole
division, with battery which had great effect on
our line. For several hours these raw troops held
their position tall about one-third of their number
lay dead or wounded on the field and their anmu-
milton gave out, when they were compelled to re-
treat and stubbornly fell back towards the river to
the new line already formed by General sherman
and helped to repulse Beauregards last effort to
break the Union line. Before retreating these two
regiments were at time the only obstacle be-
tween the rebels right and the left flank of our
army. Had the rebel General Hardee known our
strength and position he could have easily cap
tured us. We were under fire again on Monday
and helped finish the battle of Shiloh The Fifty
fifth Illinois infantry went into that battle with less
than zoo men, and its official loss in killed. wound
ed andmissing was 27S. The Fifty fourth Ohio must
have lost MS heavily. The. Fifty-fiflh Illinois and
Flfty-fourth Ohio were brigaded together mostly
during their three years service and took part in
many battles, but doubt whether they ever did
better service for Uncle Sam than they did at Shi-
lob. think General Sherman viii agree with me
in this. JACOB FINK
Late lst Lieut., Co. ID, 55th Ill. Inf.
SMTTHFIELD LII.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
j have been very much interested in the letters
which you have been publishing in regard to the
battle of Shiloh. was member Of the Fifty-fifth
Illinois, and remember when we were ordered to
fall in line before the long roll was beat Sunday
morning we were under the impression that il was
for the purpose of company inspection. 1t is true
that the firing on our right had been heard some
time before but il was supposed to be merely artil-
lery practice and particular attention was paid
10 it. As to being surprised at company inspection
can scarcely believe that any member of the
Flity-iifth would venture such a statement. So far
as o,ir own company (Co. Al is concerned, would
out on the left front at least half mile away to
watch for the enemy's advance, and d. 0. Nagley,
Nathan Williams, John B. Ridenour and myself
Were sent out as detail in advance of the company
| TO ascertain who and what the cavalrymen were
We got close enough for some of our boys to tell
| by the letters their accoutrernents that they
were rebels. Company was out all Friday night
as slirmish piezet-line. On Sunday we were
out three four hours before the enemy made his
appearance. We had no orders to hold the rebels
| in check and our captain sent back to know what
we were to do. We then got orders to form with
| the regiment, which we found some distance in the
| rear of oui camp We held our position as a brig
/ ade until our ammunition was all gone and then
retreated to the bluff but before reaching des-
tination were met by General Grant who ordered
us TO halt and form a line To repel cavalry which
we did after being supplied with ammunition two
boxes OF cartridges being opened and carried along
| the regiment from right TO left l. for one do mol
| think that we were surprised at company inspec
| ton. would like very much to hear from Can't
j. b. Ridenour, OF Woodruff, III.
/ JOHN p. WHEELER,
CUBA, ILL., Co. A, 55.h Illinois.