The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-09-02
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE FIFTY-THIRD
AT SHILOH.
ENDORSED by Gen. Sherman.l

CAMP SHILOH, April 9TH 1SG2S
Shortly after daylight on the morning
of the 9th. the Regiment was formed on
the color line under order and direction
of Col. Appler. After remaining here for
time, they were moved to the left OF
the camp, forming a line of battle per-
pendicular to the first line Soon after,
Col. Appler ordered the Regiment to about
face, wheel to the right, and take position
in the rear of the camp. The new line of
battle was formed just in rear of our
camp, in the edge of the woods. A Sec
ton of Warehouses; battery took posi-
tion in the woods to our right. Gen.
Shermn and staff rode up to the open
field in front of the left wing and were
fired upon by the rebel skifmishers,
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, A battery opened upon us
The section of artillery or our right, after
firing two shots, 1imbered up ana went
to the rear. A line of rebel infantry ad-
vanced to within 50 yards and was fired
into by the left wing and re0oiled. Ad-
vancing again, they were met by ire
from the regiment, under which they
again fell back. AT this time Col. Appler
gave the command, Fall back and save
yourselves" Hearing this order the reg
iment fell back in disorder, passing round
the flanks of the Illinois 49th. Here, in
connection with the company officers and
the adjutant, / succeeded in rallying the
regiment, and was about to station them
at the crossing OF the creek above the big
spring to repel the force WHO Were turn
ing the flank of the 57th Ohio, when Col.
Appler, by direction, he says, of a staff
officer OF Gen, McClernand, moved the
regiment by the left flank up the ravine,
and afterwards by the right flank, taking
position on the hill to the left of the Shi-
loh Chapel, and near the front of Gen.
Sherman's headquarters. The regiment
remained in this position for some time,
exposed to CALLING fire, which could not
be returned without endangering the
43d Illinois Regiment in front, which was
hotly engaged. Col. Appler here aban-
doned the regiment, again giving the
order to 'fall back" Companies "a" and
"F," under Captains w. S. Jones and J.
r. Percy, with Adjutant E. G. Dawes, re-
manned in the front and were soon hotly
engaged in connection with the 17ih
Illinois. This regiment retreating, the
two companies 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 made Sunday evening, and
Joined me again that night. When the
ment fell back became separated from
them. When L again joined them they
were formed with portion of the 77th
Ohio, under command of Major Fearing.
Immediately assumed command. Short
ly afterwards, at the request of Capt. Bar
ton, Ist Illinois Artillery, moved to a
point near the siege gun battery, where
he took position with my regiment as
support. About 2:30 p. m. Capt. Ham
mond, A. A. G. to Gen. Sherman, rode up
and ordered Capt. Benton's Battery into
position on the front and right. He call
ed on us to go and support the battery. l
formed my men and march
ed out-several fragments of regiments
near by refusing to go. Marching out
about half mile, the battery halted, and
I formed on their left. Capt Barton
opened fire and was answered by sharp
fire of shot and shell from the Rebel bat
teries, followed by canister, which killed
a number of his horses and rendered his
position untenable. A detail from my
under Sergeant NJ. K. Bosworth,
assisted in drawing off his guns.
The S1st Ohio, SD Ohio. and 45th Illi
nois, were provisional brigade, under
Col. Morton, S1st.
Remained here during the night, and in
the morning were ordered to advance, the
S1st Ohio on our left and the 45th Illinois
on our right Moyed out with skirmish-
ers well out to the front for nearly mile
when our skirmishers under command of
Lieut.. r. S. Starkey and Lieut.. J. W. Full
ton encountered the Rebel videt tes, driv
ing them steadily until we reached the
edge of the field known as "McClernand's
Drill Ground
Here a rebel battery opened upon us.
1oing but little damage, however, as our
men were protected by the conformation
IF the ground. This battery was soon
partially silenced by our artillery and we
we're ordered to fix bayonets and charge.
My men advanced in good style across
5he field. Nearing the battery it was dis
covered to be entirely abandoned. The
inc was halted, and skirmishers sent out |
reported a large rebel force rapidly ad- |
vancing Immediately in our front. They |
opened sharp fire upon us, which was |
with good effect. Shells from a |
battery of our own upon our right and |
ear commenced bursting over our heads.
The rebels repossessing the battery from
which we had once driven them opened |
Upon us again. The S1st Ohio, upon my
eft, fell back across the open field. The
'taff officer who had the direction of the
inc rode up and twice ordered my regi-
nent to fall back. The second time they
ell back in considerable disorder, having
20 pass the line of fire of our own and the
ebel batteries. While engaged in rally
ng the men on the other side of the field,
len. McClernand rode up and ordered me
% post my regiment as sharp-shooters
Remained in this position until the ad-
rance of Gen. McCook's division across
he field to the left closed the day in our
avor, when L marched my regiment to
he left through the drill ground" of our
ivision to Shiloh Chapel, where l was
hortly afterwards joined by the remain
er of the Brigade.
On the morning of the Sth we were or
cred with the rest of the brigade to pur-
ue the retreating Rebel army. About {
liles out cavalry charge was made on $
be 77th Ohio, deployed in the advance,
esulting in the rout of that regiment
nd battalion of the 4th Illinois Cavalry,
1eir immediate support. We were or {
cred by Col. Hildebrand to their support, |