Accounts of Ben McCullogh's Death

[gary]

I've read Franz Sigel's account of the Battle of Pea Ridge and how McCullogh's death and the capture of one of his subordinate generals left his column w/out leadership. Erza Warner says that McCullogh was wearing civilian clothes when shot by a sharpshooter. I doubt if he was shot for his taste in clothing.

Anyone know of any first hand accounts (Union or Confederate) describing McCullogh's death?

[illreb]

Gary,
I do remember reading "Pea Ridge, Civil War Campaign in the West" by Shea & Hess some yrs ago, and more recently "War in the West,Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove" also by Shea. Both books stated that McCulloch rode off to reconnoiter the federal position. McCulloch was hit out of sight of Confederate units, who waited for almost an hour for orders from him,(not knowing he was dead)so I'm all but 100% sure you won't find a first hand account from a Rebel source. The federal unit he rode into was the 36th Illinois, you might want to see if there is any accounts out there from members of that unit.

BTW McCulloch WAS killed in a black suit, He dislike uniforms, dating back to his Texas Ranger days. After McCulloch's loss his second in command (James McIntosh) was killed( by the same 39th Ill.) almost as soon as he took over command while readying his command for the attack McCulloch had planned in the first place, after the loss of both commanders the confederate threat from that part of the battlefield was over.

[gary]

Thanks Keith. Confederate Military History confirms he was on his recce mission when he was shot. Sigel in Battles & Leaders says #3 was captured and #4 man, Gen. Pike, did nothing to boost the morale of the men or rally them. Opps.

First hand accounts are fun to read.

[illreb]

Gary,
Yes, I believe #3 you are speaking of was Louis Hebert

[mobile_96]

"But if their shot flew fast and furious, our batteries hurled an
answering response of grape, shell and shot, which mowed down
their ranks as with a whirlwind of fire. What could they do but
bend beneath the storm and finally melt away before it,
withdrawing their wavering ranks to the cover of sheltering woods?
After their batteries had been silenced, and their menacing lines
were no longer visible, Companies B and G were sent across the
field and into the brush beyond to discover the enemy's position,
and, if possible, their intentions.
A squad from Company B when near the fences saw a mounted
officer making his way through the brush and coming toward
them. When near by, they fired and the Confederate officer fell
dead from his horse. The skirmishers sprang over the fence, and
Peter Pelican secured the gold watch found upon the dead body
of the officer. Another of the boys was in the act of securing
his belt and pistols, when a volley was poured upon them, and
they flew back to the field and assumed their positon in the line
of skirmishers. The officer whom they had shot proved to be the
Confederate General Ben McCulloch."
"History of the Thirty-Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, During
the War of the Rebellion, by L.G.Bennett and William M.Haigh",
pg 148.
Chuck in Il.

[gary]

Chuck, can you please give me the publisher, location of publication and year of publication for that book? Thanks, Gary.

[mobile_96]

Original:
Aurora, Illinois:
Knickerbocker & Holder, Printers and Binders
published 1876
The new printing (1999) is by Prairie State Press, Inc.
P.O. 677, Marengo, Illinois 60152-0677
Picked mine up at Perryville last fall. You might be able to
pick up a used copy at abebooks.com for less than the 39.95 I paid.
Haven't read it yet, but will later this summer, after I finish posting pics from my Shiloh trip end of this month.
Chuck

[gary]

Thanks Charles. Hope to visit Perryville as it's one of the few sites in Kentucky I've yet to see (Been to Richmond, Knoxville, Bowling Green). Is it worthwhile and is there much of the battlefield left?

[mobile_96]

Gary,
The field is in great shape. Each time I've been there (3times) more has been opened up with interpretive markers. Last trip, friend and I did the field in 2 parts, Right half first day and left half of the field on our 2nd day there. End of first day also included a short jaunt thru Market Row, still standing from time of the battle. Some of the buildings are being furnished as on the day of battle. My understanding is they are going to set up, as much as they can, a living history section to go hand in hand with the battlefield. You can also see, but not go inside todate, Braggs HQ. And, if you take the side road just east of the HQ, you will wind up at the River, and just off from the only active spring in the area at the time of the battle. The very reason the house was picked for HQ.
The fight was away from town, and much of the surrounding area is owned by the same families today as at the time of the battle. The State has been able to buy, slowly, more land without resorting to 'taking' it to preserve history. Seems a lot of the kids today are moving away from the area, mostly because of jobs, and not wanting to farm, so when their parents or grandparents pass on, they sell quickly to the state.
If you want quiet, go during Oct,on wkdays, after the re-enactment. Thats when I've usually gone, and had the fields almost completely to myself. Take a chair, and you can sit out and follow the movements while looking at the landscape. And easier to take pics without a lot of tourists to clog up the photos .
By the way, you can find some excellent photos at www.civilwaralbum.com ,I expect to post some of my photos at my site,in the near future.
Chuck

[Borderruffian]

Originally Posted by gary

. Confederate Military History confirms he was on his recce mission when he was shot. Sigel in Battles & Leaders says #3 was captured and #4 man, Gen. Pike, did nothing to boost the morale of the men or rally them. Opps.

First hand accounts are fun to read.

McCulloch was wearing the black velvet suit and a light colored sombrero. He also had his rifle carried across his pommel. Seems old Ben did his own recons alot.

Actually the Command should have gone to Hebert after McIntosh's death. However he was tangled up in Morgans Woods and unaware of what was happening. Pike was close with his Indian Brigades . So he got temporary command by default.