81st Ohio

[mt155]

When this marker was being brought to Shiloh via the Tennessee River, it somehow fell overboard. It took some time (weeks) to locate and raise it so it could be placed upon the field.
It is located just north of Woolf Field.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

When this marker was being brought to Shiloh via the Tennessee River, it somehow fell overboard. It took some time (weeks) to locate and raise it so it could be placed upon the field.
It is located just north of Woolf Field.

Shiloh after battle report:

Report of Col. Thomas Morton, Eighty-first Ohio Infantry.

HDQRS. EIGHTY-FIRST REGT. OHIO VOLS., U. S. ARMY,
Pittsburg, Tenn., April 13, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor herewith to submit the report of the regiment
under my command during the action of the 6th and 7th of April.

In accordance with orders received from Brig.-Gen. McArthur
at 7.30 o'clock a. m. on the 6th instant, I dispatched one company to
the extreme right of our lines to guard the bridge over Snake Creek and
the road leading to Crump's Landing, and soon after supported it with
my whole command.

At 11 o'clock a. m. I was ordered back to make an immediate junction
with our lines on the right, as we were in danger of being cut off.
Having taken this position, I encountered, engaged, and after two or
three volleys dispersed a small portion of the enemy, were attempting
to again a position on our right.

At 3 o'clock p. m. I was ordered by Gen. Grant in person to leave
this position and move to a point several hundred yards in front of our
center. Having passed through our lines I discovered near the point
designated a rebel line, displaying Federal colors, in front of and near
Gen. Hurlbut's headquarters. Here the enemy opened upon me a
heavy fire of shot, grape, and musketry. I returned several volleys,
maintaining the position until I discovered a body of cavalry on my left
flanking me, when I fell back on our front lines in good order, where,
by the order of Gen. Grant, my command lay on their arms till
morning.

Early on Monday morning I was ordered by a brigadier-general ( whom
I took to be Gen. Hurlbut) to take command of three fractional
regiments which were in line on my right and very poorly officered.
The men being inclined to fall back, I soon found it impossible to keep
them up in line, so by 3 o'clock p. m. my command did not number
200 men over my own regiment. We advanced steadily on the enemy
until 3 o'clock p. m. After taking one of his batteries we were
compelled to abandon it, the horses all being killed. My men having
exhausted their ammunition, we fell back, as did the whole line, as far
as I could see, the line on our right giving way first. At this point, while
rallying the men, I received orders to retire, fresh troops having arrived
and the enemy falling back.

To the officers and men of my command I have to say that they
conducted themselves in a true soldierly manner, and too much praise
cannot be bestowed upon them for the cheerfulness in which they
endured the fatigue of two successive day's hard fighting.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

THOS. MORTON,
Col., Comdg. Eighty-first Regt. Ohio Vols., U. S. Army.

Col. August MERSY,
Cmdg. Second Brigade, Second Division.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

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