Ole Miss
Major
Forum Host
Silver Patron
Regtl. Staff Shiloh 2020
Asst. Regtl. QM Stones River / Franklin 2022
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2017
- Location
- North Mississippi
I have always enjoyed supporting the underdog and I believe the 14th Wisconsin found themselves in that position 30 years after the Battle of Shiloh and I wanted to present their story which as all stories do has faded with time.
The 14th Wisconsin was formed on January 30, 1862 at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The regiment was soon sent to St. Louis and soon after reported to Savannah, TN. on March 28 and set up camp. Serving as provost guard the regiment spent all day Sunday, April 6 listening to the increasing roar of battle upriver at Pittsburg Landing. With the arrival of General Buell’s Army of the Ohio, the 14th was temporarily assigned to Colonel William Sooy Smith’s 14th Brigade of General Crittenden’s 5th Division. It participated in the 2nd day’s fighting suffering 93 casualties for a 12% loss rate.
Regards
David
To paraphrase a legend, Now for the rest of the story:
“At the battle of Shiloh, on the second day, my brigade consisted of four regiments, three of which were in line, and one was in reserve in a sheltered position a couple of hundred yards to the rear. On our right was Barnett’s Battery, supported by my strongest regiment. This regiment had just come to the front a full thousand strong. It was perfectly green, and without drill, discipline, or experience. It had received its arms but a few days or weeks before the battle; but this I did not know, as it was assigned to my brigade only the day before the fight. In the morning we were fiercely attacked by the enemy, and this regiment broke and ran away in spite of every effort that could be made to rally it (14th Wisconsin). Barnett’s Battery was left without support, and was for a time in imminent danger of capture. My reserve regiment, numbering about five hundred men, was brought up as quickly as possible, and took its place in the line, opening fire just in time to repulse the enemy. I saw nothing more of my big regiment of raw recruits during the fight. A year or two after the war closed, I saw in the principal hotel of a neighboring city a large picture representing a regiment charging in gallant style. It alignment was perfect, and all its company and field officers were in their proper places. And what was my surprise when I read the legend, “Gallant charge of the ----- regiment at the battle of Shiloh,” the very regiment whose conduct I have described!
THE UNREMEMBERED SOLDIER
By
William Sooy Smith, Late Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers
Insignia Number 8295, Illinois Commandery
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Read October 13, 1892
To Be Continued
The 14th Wisconsin was formed on January 30, 1862 at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The regiment was soon sent to St. Louis and soon after reported to Savannah, TN. on March 28 and set up camp. Serving as provost guard the regiment spent all day Sunday, April 6 listening to the increasing roar of battle upriver at Pittsburg Landing. With the arrival of General Buell’s Army of the Ohio, the 14th was temporarily assigned to Colonel William Sooy Smith’s 14th Brigade of General Crittenden’s 5th Division. It participated in the 2nd day’s fighting suffering 93 casualties for a 12% loss rate.
Regards
David
To paraphrase a legend, Now for the rest of the story:
“At the battle of Shiloh, on the second day, my brigade consisted of four regiments, three of which were in line, and one was in reserve in a sheltered position a couple of hundred yards to the rear. On our right was Barnett’s Battery, supported by my strongest regiment. This regiment had just come to the front a full thousand strong. It was perfectly green, and without drill, discipline, or experience. It had received its arms but a few days or weeks before the battle; but this I did not know, as it was assigned to my brigade only the day before the fight. In the morning we were fiercely attacked by the enemy, and this regiment broke and ran away in spite of every effort that could be made to rally it (14th Wisconsin). Barnett’s Battery was left without support, and was for a time in imminent danger of capture. My reserve regiment, numbering about five hundred men, was brought up as quickly as possible, and took its place in the line, opening fire just in time to repulse the enemy. I saw nothing more of my big regiment of raw recruits during the fight. A year or two after the war closed, I saw in the principal hotel of a neighboring city a large picture representing a regiment charging in gallant style. It alignment was perfect, and all its company and field officers were in their proper places. And what was my surprise when I read the legend, “Gallant charge of the ----- regiment at the battle of Shiloh,” the very regiment whose conduct I have described!
Later in the day it was the good fortune of my brigade to capture Standford’s Mississippi Battery of six guns. We bivouacked on the field that night about the position that had been occupied by this battery. The next morning it was found that two of the guns had disappeared. Search was made for them, and it was discovered that one of the pieces had gone to replace a gun that had been lost by one of our batteries during the first day’s fight. No trace of the other could be found; but I have since been informed that it is now at the Capitol of the State from which my big regiment came, bearing the inscription, “Captured at the Battle of Shiloh,” by this very regiment. I could perhaps pardon the conduct of the regiment on the field; but the lying picture and the theft are without excuse or palliation.”
THE UNREMEMBERED SOLDIER
By
William Sooy Smith, Late Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers
Insignia Number 8295, Illinois Commandery
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Read October 13, 1892
To Be Continued