The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-24

ment would march out. At reveille on the
6th COL Oliver moved his regiment to the
'front.' where it took position on the left of the
18th Wis. and near the 18th and 2lst Mo- Be-
fore leaving the Landing Col. Oliver had made
inquiries as to ammunition and was informed
that he would find plenty in the ammunition
train at the front. Just as the order was given
to stack arms shell or solid shot came whist
ling over the heads of the regiment from the
right front An officer came riding in hot
haste, inquiring What troops are these2"
1.-THE 18th Mich, not assigned to any brigade"
was the reply Soon came another with the
same inquiry, who was informed that the regi-
ment was without ammunition. You must
hold your ground with the bayonet them" was
the encouraging response, and the regiment
was left standing in line with bayonets fixed.
There was heavy firing to their right, but none
In the immediate front. An occasional shell
came over their heads, and the probability of
an Immediate engagement, with no means of
defense, induced the Colonel, after conference
with the commander of the 18th Wis, 10 with
draw his men half mile to the rear. Here
ammunition OF the required caliber was OBJ
tanned and each man supplied with so
rounds, when the regiment faced to the front
and advanced IN line of battle; the heavy
firing in that direction giving token of the
pressing need of their presence, Forming line
when near the front, wounded and stragglers
passed through, and forces falling back in or
der formed on the right and left Col Hutch
inson, who was at that time a Sergeant in Co.
F, says:
was not in a position to know much about
other organizations.
The enemy came rapidly and IN good order.
We sent them back three times and they moved
oil to our left, and there lull for some min
utes, when tie firing commenced again heavily
just to our right. Very after firing opened
heavily on our left and rear, and stragglers came
pouring In upon US from that direction. Col. Oil
yer changed front to the left and opened fire Our
support was all gone seemingly in that direction
Alter fT1ng several rounds, the enemy getting
beyond our left flank and firing into the left and
rear OF the regiment, we were ordered to the rear
on double-qulel< and run the gauntlet of heavy
fire. Our losses to this time were Two officers
and 81 men killed; officer and IS men wound
ed, with seven reported missing, who were proba-
ply killed, as we never heard from them. We
formed IN line three times after this the last time
on the line of the artillery. That night
! when Gen. McCook's division was passing Col.
Oliver applied to him for assignment and we were
assigned to Rousseau's brigade of his division, and
was with it the next day, set forth in Gen. Nc
/ Cooks official report.
| 1 have always felt that the 18th Mich has not
received the proper credit for conduct at Shiloh
| Going into battle without ammunition assign
ment or orders, retaining It's organization intact
/ throughout the entire day without stampede or
Struggling, was, at such time, eredabIc il, to
/ say the least
| Col. Oliver made full report OF the service Of
| the regiment In that battle know because cop
led 1t myself, and it was forwarded through army
| channels. Why II did not come 20 light afteTward
/ was and Is mystery TO me. / think, however, q
was because he saw fit To characterize some things
that came under his notice in such terms a. failed
| 10 SUIT the powers that be Tor WERE Col Oil
yer mad had some experience, being appointed
colonel OF the l5th from captsincy IN 4fh Men,
and was an outspoken, frank man. generally say
ing what he thought. The inference Is plain % me
and possibly may be to others