The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-20
gtroy some bridges on the Memphis &

Charleston Railroad
About IL o'clock in the morning we came
70 creek, which had so risen by heavy
rams that 1t was impossible and General
sherman ordered the expedition to return
TO the boats which was a dangerous pro-
he ri5.o heh we came within mile of
me river the water was three feet deep
ana the infantry had a hard time to reach
tne 3oats. After embarking the boats
turned pack and the next day we landed
at Pittsburg Landing The expedition was
composed Of one regiment of Infantry two
companies OF cavalry and our battery After
the balance of the fleet arrived our battery
was assigned to Sherman's division. which
encamped little in front and to the right
u T1o anll9n Shurch We were assigned to Nc
DOwei Brigade, and were on the extreme
Tight or the division about one mile from
the prldge over Owl creek on the Purdy
POaq, on on sunday morning. April 6, the
puliess from the rebels were flying through
our tents while we were dressing. We had
80 time for breakfast and none were more
concerned about ii than our baker who had
the ovens full of light bread which was
aiterWards consumed by the Confederates.
The battery received orders to advance 1
was artificer at that time and had command
or the reserve, consisting of the battery
wagon and ammunition train. The captain
ordered me to take care of the camp until
further orders: this however, did not suit
me. l asked him to permit me to accom-
pany the battery and turn the camp over
TO some one else. He gave his consent.
The battery advanced about fourth of a
mile from camp. took position in line on
q little ridge covered with trees and under
left of the bridge over Owl creek. We were
watching and listening to the heavy firing
on our left The skirmish line in front OF
us was finally driven back. and some rebel
sharp shooters, having discovered us, made
1T disagreeable. Some of our boys got rest
less and wanted to know whether they were
placed there targets and asked the cap
tain to permit them to reply with a few
rounds. The captain handed me his field
glass and told me to locate the hiding place
of the sharpShoQters. discovered them in
a corn-crib In the far distance. The captain
ordered few shells sent over and the
firing from that point ceased.
WALLACE EXPECTED THERE.
This was about 10 o'clock a. m. An off,
Ger from Shermans staff came over in
great haste and ordered us to cease firing;
at the same time he gave orders to send
one section of the battery 1.-TWO guns) over
to the bridge on Owl creek, which was to
our right and little in front of our posi-
ton, with the strict orders to hold it at all
hazards, as General Lew Wallace was ex-
pected to come over that bridge. Our bat
terry was composed of Germans, exclusively.
The command was given in the German
language. Our captain, Frederick Won
Behr, was an ex-artilery officer of the
German army, and the first lieutenant, Will
liam MusSman, was also a noncommissoned
officer of the German army. They were
brave officers and good disciplinarians, but
were not well versed in the English
language The captain asked me to in
terpret the orders given by the officer
which did, and he ordered First Lieutenant
Mussman over to the bridge, instructing
him to hold 1t. A detachment of the Sixth
Iowa Infantry, which, with the Forty-sixth
Ohio, supported our battery, detailed
TO support Lieutenant Mussman at the Owl
creek bridge. Mussman held the bridge
long after we We're driven back, which was
between IL and II 80 O'Clock a. m. BY this
time one-half of our horses were killed The
roads were blocked with trains and
munition wagons and SO we fanked to the
left woods nanfain
killed and our battery of four guns lost.
General Sherman, who was within ten yards
from where the captain fell, motioned us
back. Mussman saved one gun of his Sec
ton, and in the afternoon we took charge
of a battery near the river
Now, comrades, will you please explain
to me how that officer of General Sherman's
staff knew that General Wallaces division
was to come over that bridge at Owl creek
over the Purdy road if Wallace had no
orders from his superior officers to take that
route to join us that day? To substantiate
the order given by that officer from Sher-
mans staff will name you Comrade Louis
Kern, who was second lieutenant of the
Sixth Indiana Battery, and who, believe
is present here tonight, or we will give you
any living member of the Sixth Battery. or
can give some of the members or the sixth
Iowa Infantry who supported the guns at
the bridge. Two years ago Lieutenant
Louis Kern and I went to the reunion of
the Blues and Grays, held at Shiloh: where
we met some members of the Sixth Iowa
and Forty-sixth Ohio. We located our po-
sition and camp, talked over the engage
ment and exchanged recollections IN refer-
ence to the occurrences of that memorable
day Had ii not been for that reunion this
incident might never again have come to
my mind / at that time wrote letter 10
your worthy president containing in sub
stance the same statement in reference to
that order given by the adjutant of General
Sherman regarding the Owl-creek bridge,
as related by me tonight /, for my part,
was always convinced, and l am now, that
General Wallace took the road by orders
received and he was on the right road to
Shiloh to save the day. Have you ever
heard. before or since, that Wallace wa. was
on the wrong road? 1t is gratifying that
Generals Grant and Sherman, in their later
letters and articles written by them, exon
Grated your beloved commander from the
great Doint of blame for taking the then
snnosed wrong road. Truth must prevail.
Impromptu speeches were made by several
veterans. there were more songs by the glee
club and the formal part of the reunion
came to close.