The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-04-16
THE FIFTY-THIRD.

invitation and says he remembers the
53rd and thinks they do him. l wish he
was present. would like to call his atten-
tion to the "Battle of Shiloh" for one mo-
ment. / would like to ask him if he does
not remember in his talk to our Regiment
three days after the battle, in which he
said he had no idea that we were attack
ed in force until he rode up in front of our
Regiment and saw the enemy marching
upon us in columns of Regiments. This
statement can be verified by numbers of
good men, whose veracity cannot be ques-
toned.
That our army was not expecting a
battle is a fact that was not disputed at
the time and wish to record myself on
this occasion, and / think it the duty of
every. surviving member of this Regiment
in private and public to say that "The
Battle of Shiloh" was certainly a most
disastrous surprise, and for one shall
never let up on it until it is an acknowl-
edged fact.
1.-THE following is a letter written by
Capt. Starkey in 1881, relative to the Bat
tie of ShiIoh.-Ed.]
Capt r.. A. starkey the Battle of Shiloh.
CINCINNATI, June 18th, 1881.
| W. H. Bonsall.-Dear Sir: 1 see in your paper of
June Sth 1881 an extract interview with Capt
E. H. Ball, published in the Pomeroy Telegraph, from
which you seem to draw the inference that Gen.
Sherman and his army were ''not surprised at the
Battle of Shiloh" think you misunderstood Capt
Ball and do him injustice well as many others
who members of the 5srd o. " l. and took part
ON that memorable morning of April 9Th, 1862 was
among those who were present and can corroborate
the statement of Capt Ball to Gen. Sherman riding
up in front of Regiment; the killing of Orderly
halliday; his exclamation of MY God" when he saw
the rebel army marching upon us. When he wheeled
his horse to return he only few PAGES from the
right of our regiment, he stopped moment and or
dered Capt Appler to hold his position and he would
send him battery, which the regiment did until or
dsred back by the Col. to take new position in the
rear, four hundred yards distant, which was
| done in good order and held for two long hours l
was also present three days afterwards when Gen
| Sherman took occasion to make a short speech.
think Capt Ball present too, know that Col.
Wells JONES' Maj f. C. Dawes, Quarter master j.
w. Fulton, Capt John FARRELL, Capt. g. W. Cavett,
Capt. Brewster and many others could mention, and
heard Gen. Sherman make the following remarks:
| 81 did not know, had the remotest idea that
we attacked in force until rode upon this ridge
in front of this (53rd o. V. ID regiment and saw
4 them marching upon in columns. knew johnson
ter sense when they certainly knew that would be
but a short time until we would go to them"
The 53rd o. V. Infantry then held the extreme left
of Shermans Division, with support for more than
three -fourths of a mile. Sherman's head quarters
than three four hundred yards in the
rear of camp. If Gen. Sherman was expecting an
attack upon his command why did he place his Dvfs-
the 'front.' with head quarters, hospitals
commissary and quartermaster stores, wagons, ETC.
Why were they not sent TO the rear out of the way
snd his artillery brought to the front? Why was his
pioneer corps not at work obstructing the roads and
throwing up rifle pits and breast works? We did
this afterwards when were or in the presence
of an enemy, as lines of works from six to ter
miles long stand evidence between Shiloh Church
Corinth. This mo sRrprise' business is an after
thought, and is injustice to hundreds of men a:
brave as ever battle. Gen. Sherman CRITICS
ed two of his Regiments severely and unjustly, es
peciay the 53rd o. v. l.. for not holding in checl
Hardees entire corps of ten thousand men while h'
went to the and prepared his army for grea
| battle r. A. STARKEY.