The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-04-16
HEADQUARTERS 53D OHIO VOLS, !
CAMP SHILOH, April 9th, 1862.

Lieut.. s. S. McNaughton. A. A. A. G., srd Brigade:
have the honor to submit the following report of
the part taken by regiment in the engagements of
the 9th, 7th and Sth.
Shortly after daylight the morning of the 9Th,
the regiment formed the color line under or
der and direction of Col. Appler. After remaining
here a time they moved to the left of the
camp forming line of battle perpendicular to
the first line. Soon after, Col. Appler ordered the
regiment about face wheel to the right, and take
position in of the camp. The line of battle
formed just in of in the edge OF the
woods. A section of Waterhouse battery took posi-
tion in the woods right. Gen. Sherman aud
staff rode up the open feldTin front of the left
wing and were fred upon by the rebel skirmishers,
now advancing through the thicket in front of our
camp. killing orderly.
Gen. Sherman, riding back. ordered Col. Appler to
hold the position-he would support him. battery
| opened upon us. The section of artillery on our
right, after firing two shots, limbered up
and went to the rear. line OF
rebel infantry advanced to within so yards and
was fred into by the left wing and recoied Advanc-
ing again, they met by fire from the regiment
under which they again fell back. At this time Col
Appler gave the command .Fall back and save your
seves Hearing this order the regiment fell back In
disorder passing round the anks of the Illinois 49th
Here, in connection with the company officers and
the adutant. succeeded in rallying the regiment,
and about station them at the crossing of the
creek above the big spring to repel the force who
were turning the flank of the 9th Ohio, when Col.
Appler by direction he says of stan ohcer OF Gen.
McClernand, moved the regiment by the left flank up
the ravine and afterwards by the right flank taking
posi- the hill to the left of Shiloh Chapel, and
near the front of Gen. Shermans headquarters. The
regiment remained in this position for some Time ex-
posed to CALLING hre, which could not be returned
without endangering the 43d Illinois Regiment in
front. which hotly engaged. Col. Appler here
abandoned the regiment, again giving the order to
'fall back" Companies "A" and ''F,'' under COM
mand of Captains W. s. Jones and j. r.. Percy, with
| r n naxu afnad I'm fha from
were hoty engaged in connection with the 18th
Illinois. This regiment retreating the two compa-
nies fell back after them-making as much resistance
| as possible. They afterwards Joined the 4sth Ohio
and with them aided in repelling the final assault
Sunday evening, and Joined me again that night
When the remaining eight companies of the regi-
ment fell back bacame separated from them. When
| again Joined them they were formed with portion
of the nth Ohio under command of Major Fearing.
1 Immediately assumed command. Shortly after
wards at the request of Capt Barton lst Illinois Ar
tiery, moved to point the siege gun battery,
where he took position with regiment as support
About 2:3O n. m. Capt. Hammond, A. A. G.. to Gen.
Sherman, rode and ordered Capt Benton's Battery
into position the front and right. He called
to go and support the battery. Immediately formed
my men and marched out-several fragments of regi
ments by refusing to go. Marching out about
half mile, the hattery halted and formed on their
left Cant. Barton opened fire and was answered by
sharp of shot and shell from the Rebel batteries,
followed by canister, which killed number of his
horses and rendered his position untenable. A de-
tail from my regiment under Sergeant NJ. X. Bos-
worth, assisted in drawing off his guns.
The s1st Ohio SD Ohio, and 45th Illinois, were
provisional brigade, under Col. Morton, slst.
Remained here during the night, and in the morn
ordered to advance the Slst Ohio our left
and the 45th Illinois right Moved out with
skirmishers well out the front for nearly mile
when our skirmishers under command of Lieut.. X.
s. starkey and Lieut.. j. W. Fulton encountered the
Rebel videttes drying them steadily until reach
ed the edge of the field known "McClernand's Drill
Ground"
Here rebel battery opened upon us, doing but lit
tie damage, however, our men were protected by
the conformation of the ground. This battery was
partially siIenced by artillery-and we were
ordered to fix bayonets and charge.
My men advanced in good style across the field.
Nearing the battery it discovered to be entirely
abandoned The line halted, and skirmishers
reported large rebel force rapidly advanc
ing Immediately in our front. They opened sharp
fire upon us, which returned with good effect.
Shells from battery of our upon our right and
rear commenced bursting over our heads The rebels
repossessing the battery from which we had once
driven them upened upon again. The slst Ohio,
upon my left fell back across the open field. The
staff officer who had the direction of the line rode up
and twice ordered my regiment to fall back. The
time they fell back in considerable disorder,
having pass the line of fire of and the reb
batteries. While engaged in rallying the men up
on the other side of the field, Gen. McCernand rode
up and ordered me to post my regiment as sharp |
shooters. Remained in this position until the ad-
vance of Gen. McCooks division across the field te
the left closed the day in favor, when marched
my regiment to the left through the drill ground
of our division to shiloh Chapel where was shortly
afterwards Joined by the remainder of the Brigade.
On the morning of the sth were ordered with |
the brigade to the retreatng Rebel
army. About miles ont cavalry charge was made
upon the nth Ohio deployed in the advance result
ing in the rout of that regiment and battalion of the
4th Illinois Cavalry, their immediate support. We
were ordered by Col. Hildebrand to their support,
and advanced at double-quick, with fixed bayonets,
driving the rebel cavalry before us-killing and
a number of them-and forcing them to re-
linquish of the prisoners taken. Hating here,
details were made from my regiment to destroy the
Rebel camp at hand, to carry off the wounded,