The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-05-16
Shiloh Again.

If the story of the battle could be
told by each survivor there might be
much difference in the account. A sol
dier in line of duty could not make ex-
tended observations.
The fourth ILLINOIS cavalry was early
in line, Sunday morning, across the
Corinth road; where, ii l remember
right, the first rebel she'll fired wounded
an old man of company |. He was true
American grit, for assoon as he was
able he returned home and sent son
to take his place.
The next line we formed was near the
noted peach orchard, where across
small open field the rebels were in plain
sight marching, at fright soldier shift
arms" in solid columns to Grants left,
where it sounded worse than thousand
punches Of tire-crackers exploding and
much louder; some of the boys remarked
that hell had broke loose"
There were more rebels stopped and
formed line across the field in our
front however than we cared to see;
and Colonel Dickey gave us orders that
ii they attempted ITO cross the field"
we were to empty our carbines into
them, then the revolvers and then
charge with sabres. They did not
attempt to cross the field and of course
Ihave always felt thankful to them for
the profound respect they manifested
for the fourth Illinois cavalry. They
laid down along the edge of the field
firing a few shots and MORALLY wounding
Charley Danforth OF company X. Col.
in a loud commanding voice II have just
Oolru %o
hold ourselves in readiness to pursue
the enemy as, soon as he commences to
retreat" Then a section of McCalister's
battery and infantry came to relieve us.
When the two twenty-four pound
across the field it was music to our ears.
Col. Dickey then moved the regiment in
as fine order as if on dress parade and
but north of where our first line was,
with their artillery. Col. Dickey
unanswered the regiment in masterful
way, all day Sunday and the men observ-
ed perfect discipline. 1t seems that
the enemy thought best to keep close
watch Of men who acted as we did on
the field and, I believe it required
several regiments and some artillery to
do it, that otherwise would have been
engaged in the thickest of the fight
against Grant.
Sundayevening found US near the land
ing in rear Of Grants choice position to
defeat the enemy. His artillery was in
the right place on high ground, the
infantry in front on lower ground and
the gunboats in best position. Grant
in his contiding, calm look, with cigar
in his mouth, seemed to say, snow come
on rebs, we will give you something
worse than the hornets nest that
Prentiss found" And they opened
up on Grant, aggressively for the last
time in history. There was great
boom of cannon, the rebel shells flying
high over our heads while our deliberate
fire had the desired effect and the enemy
forced to commence his retreat.
Grants generalship was alright, when
the fight was on" He knew the right
thing to do at the right time, on any
part of the field, and had it been day
| light Grant would have hurried the re-
treat into rout and gobbled up thous-
ands Of them, with his cavalry. We
| thought at the time that cavalry should
be dismounted and fight like infantry in
order to win the day, but Grant did not
think so. Grant at times has so complete
ly demoralized the enemy that cavalry
actually captured more of them than,
their own numbers.
The next retreat was carefully planed
and masterly executed and though.
hurriedIy commenced they had the
night in which to get ready for the
second days fight which was necessary
that the whole army could quit the
field in good order, over two roads, to
Corinth and Purdy. That was extra
good generalship TO take defeated
army off the field in that way, and was
of much Importance to the cunfederates.
But Grant did not manifest much of
that kind of superior ability. l suppose
he did not think it necessary, his men
had good limbs.
The ground gained by the enemy on
the first day was at a fearful cost of
life and it was only to learn that they
could not win the prize.
Since the confederates were Ameri-
cans as well as ourselves i0 has been
said that, "the hardest fighting we ever
had was when we whipped ourselves"
Capt. j. D. Brown of this city gives the
confederates due credit when he says,
ut was diamond cut diamond" OF
course the confederates are proud that
it took superior Americanism in general
ship, fighting qualities and numbers to
''subdue Them, to whip them as erring
children into line with "old glory"
There was one class of men, however
that confederates despise and that was
the northern rebel who was too cow
ardly to help them fight. 1t was re-
ported that one of those men while
travelling in the south soon after the
war, remarked that "Grant was fool"
He could have,offered no greater insult
to the confederates. 81, CYRUS SMITH,
Co. K 18th Illinois Cavalry.
WANTED-500 bushels millet seed.
Call us up by phone or letter.
BOwsHER & BowsHER.