Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-16
MAHON TELLS OF
SH|L OH FIELD
WELL KNOWN VETERAN ATTEND
ED REUNION OF HORNETS
NEST BRIGADE.
HALF CENTURY AGO
Historic Battle and Famous Stand by
Iowa Regiments Lived Over by
the Veterans on Annivers-
airy Occasion.

Major Samuel Mahon who will
Mrs. Mahon has returned from th*
fiftieth anniversary of the battle o.
Shiloh and the reunion of the famous
Hornets Nest brigade, when seen re
lative to the trip was enthusiastic over
the enjoyable occasion the trip at
forded. Major Mahon is president OF
the Hornets Nest brigade and was one
of those active in the carrying out OF
the details Of the anniversary and re
union on the historic battlefield. In
recounting the trip he said that the
Hornets Nest brigade gathered at St
Louis, Tuesday, April 2 and boarded
a boat for Pittsburg Landing, Tenn,
which is adjacent to the battlefield OF
Shiloh.
Many Attended.
About 1875 veterans, their wives and
daughters made up the excursion
which landed at Pittsburg Landing
the morning of April 6. This date was
the fftieth anniversary Of the battle
of Shiloh. The interest in the battle
Of Shiloh among Iowans is made
greater because of the fact that the
Hornets Nest brigade was made up
OF five regiments of Iowans, the sec
ond, seventh, eighth, twelfth and four
teenth. These regiments held the
position for seven hours, said Major
Mahon, as he became interested in llv-
ing over the days fifty years ago when
the famous brigade was on a less
peacefl mission than that OF last Sat
urday.
The first day of the battle was Sun
day and the position was held by the
brigade until both flags enveloped by
the other organization of the army to
the right and the left and fell back.
Two of the regiments broke through
the enveloping lines of the enemy In
a desperate charge while the other
three owing to the delay in receiving
the order to fall back, were compelled
to surrender.
Reunion on Firing Line.
The reunion was held on the firing
line held by the brigade during the
seven hours stand in the historic
Inference being that the stand was
made on Sunday fifty years ago,
while the reunion was on Saturday
lnder more happy conditions. The
began in the afternoon by
he beating of the long roll followed
~ prayer. Then "Tenting on the Old
lamp Ground" was sung by quartet
composed of the Misses Baldwin of
<eokuk, Col. D. Palmer and another |
omrade whose name Mr.. Mahon could !
lot recall. The address by the presi
ent, Major Mahon. was next in order,
ollowed by an address by General
,asil Duke of Kentucky, a confederate
eteran who fought In the battle OF !
'hiloh. His address was said by Mr..
Iahon to have been splendid tribute
o the action of the brigade during
he battle.
Resuming his account of the ami
'ersary, Major Mahon told Of a camp
ire being held Saturday evening, April
and Of the ceremonies the following
ay when the Iowa monument was
At 10 a. M, Sunday,
april 7, the dedication ceremonies be-
an. This was by an address Of Maj.
F. Lacey and Gov. B. F. Carroll The
monument was blown down by a cy-
lone two years ago, and hence the re-
edication. The afternoon was spent
y the veterans walking about the
istoric battlefield. Some of the vet
rams had never returned to Shiloh
ince the battle, half century ago.
It p. m, the boat was boarded for
he return to St. Louis.