Ole Miss
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Forum Host
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Regtl. Staff Shiloh 2020
Asst. Regtl. QM Stones River / Franklin 2022
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2017
- Location
- North Mississippi
1st Illinois Light Artillery, Battery "D", under the command of Captain Edward McAllister was one of the busiest units in the 2 day Battle of Shiloh with at least 8 known established postions. Being armed with 4 24 pounder Howitzers, Battery "D" was a powerful deterrent to the attacking Rebels. These large tubes could fire solid 19.5 pound shell 1,300 yards 3/4 of a mile and were devastating when firing cannister or case shot at advancing closely packed infantry. Each battery carried a number of ammunition chests and for the 24 pounders, 23 rounds were in the chest: 15 solid shells; 20 spherical case; 4 canister.
Battery D, First Illinois Light Artillery, was organized at Cairo, Illinois, September 2nd 1861, by Captain Edward McAllister and on September 18th, moved to Fort Holt, Kentucky. February 3d, 1862, ordered to Fort Henry, with three 24-pdr. iron howitzers. Was engaged in the siege of Fort Donelson, two of the guns being disabled. March 6th, moved to Paducah. Later moved to Savannah, Tennessee, with four 24-pdr. bronze howitzers. On April 6th and 7th, took part in battle of Shiloh ; took 8 positions during the action.*
The Shiloh National Military Park has been able to place 24 pounder howitzers at 2 of the marked positions of Battery "D"
Regards
David
This photo of the unit's monument and 2 tubes, shows their position in the Northwest corner of Review Field shows what a commanding spot this was for their 4 24 pounders as the Confederates attacked from the right and center of this view
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A close up view of the Illinois State Monument for Battery "D"
*Report of the adjutant general of the state of Illinois ... [1861-1866]
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009557713
page 189
Battery D, First Illinois Light Artillery, was organized at Cairo, Illinois, September 2nd 1861, by Captain Edward McAllister and on September 18th, moved to Fort Holt, Kentucky. February 3d, 1862, ordered to Fort Henry, with three 24-pdr. iron howitzers. Was engaged in the siege of Fort Donelson, two of the guns being disabled. March 6th, moved to Paducah. Later moved to Savannah, Tennessee, with four 24-pdr. bronze howitzers. On April 6th and 7th, took part in battle of Shiloh ; took 8 positions during the action.*
The Shiloh National Military Park has been able to place 24 pounder howitzers at 2 of the marked positions of Battery "D"
Regards
David
This photo of the unit's monument and 2 tubes, shows their position in the Northwest corner of Review Field shows what a commanding spot this was for their 4 24 pounders as the Confederates attacked from the right and center of this view
A close up view of the Illinois State Monument for Battery "D"
*Report of the adjutant general of the state of Illinois ... [1861-1866]
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009557713
page 189