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Regtl. Staff Shiloh 2020
Asst. Regtl. QM Stones River / Franklin 2022
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2017
- Location
- North Mississippi
I have run across so many wonderful sources about the Battle of Shiloh and its participants but were not long enough to write about in a thread. So I thought I would have a thread for quotes and comments that fall through the cracks. I would encourage others to share their gems with all of us.
Regards
David
"Rev. A. J. Witherspoox, Chaplain of the Upper Seaman's Bethel, in New Orleans, sends the following short sketch.
Mr. W'itherspoon is well known, both here and in Europe, as the friend of all sailors. He is also chaplain of the La Dei Army of Tennessee, and an active member of that body. At the beginning of the war, he was living in Marengo county, Alabama, and there raised and assisted to equip a company called "The Witherspoon Guards." On account of his profession as a minister of the Gospel, he declined the captaincy, but went out as a private in the ranks. Served thus for several months, until appointed chaplain of Twenty-first Alabama regiment. It was while serving in this capacity that he became cognizant of the heroism of the boy whose name he now seeks to inscribe upon the pages of history:
"Thomas Hilton, of Uniontown, Alabama, volunteered in 'The Witherspoon Guards,' Twenty-first Alabama regiment at the tender age of fourteen. He was too small to carry a musket, and was detailed as a drummer boy. At the battle of Shiloh, he threw away his drum, and so importuned his captain for a gun that it was given him. Shortly after, while in the thick of the fight, he was shot through the face, the ball entering one side and passing out at the other. After the battle, I found him lying on the ground bleeding, as I then thought, to death, and knelt beside him to pray and, if it might be, to comfort him. To my surprise, he looked up at me, the fire in his eyes unquenched, and gasped out, while the blood gushed afresh at every word :
" 'Yes — chaplain — I'm badly hurt — but — I'm — not — whipped.'
" Thomas Hilton yet lives in Uniontown, Alabama, respected by all who know him. His friends and fellow-citizens regard the ugly scars, which yet appear on
each side of his face, with pride and reverence."
In connection with the above, Mr. Witherspoon pays a high tribute to the commander of " The Witherspoon Guards, " Captain James Rembert : "One of the bravest and truest of men, respected and beloved alike for his valor and for his superior qualities as an officer. At Shiloh, he held his company in unbroken ranks until, while leading them, he fell mortally wounded, and "died a prisoner in the hands of the enemy."
Source
The Southern Bivouac
September 1884 – May 1885
Volume III
Pages 326-327
Regards
David
"Rev. A. J. Witherspoox, Chaplain of the Upper Seaman's Bethel, in New Orleans, sends the following short sketch.
Mr. W'itherspoon is well known, both here and in Europe, as the friend of all sailors. He is also chaplain of the La Dei Army of Tennessee, and an active member of that body. At the beginning of the war, he was living in Marengo county, Alabama, and there raised and assisted to equip a company called "The Witherspoon Guards." On account of his profession as a minister of the Gospel, he declined the captaincy, but went out as a private in the ranks. Served thus for several months, until appointed chaplain of Twenty-first Alabama regiment. It was while serving in this capacity that he became cognizant of the heroism of the boy whose name he now seeks to inscribe upon the pages of history:
"Thomas Hilton, of Uniontown, Alabama, volunteered in 'The Witherspoon Guards,' Twenty-first Alabama regiment at the tender age of fourteen. He was too small to carry a musket, and was detailed as a drummer boy. At the battle of Shiloh, he threw away his drum, and so importuned his captain for a gun that it was given him. Shortly after, while in the thick of the fight, he was shot through the face, the ball entering one side and passing out at the other. After the battle, I found him lying on the ground bleeding, as I then thought, to death, and knelt beside him to pray and, if it might be, to comfort him. To my surprise, he looked up at me, the fire in his eyes unquenched, and gasped out, while the blood gushed afresh at every word :
" 'Yes — chaplain — I'm badly hurt — but — I'm — not — whipped.'
" Thomas Hilton yet lives in Uniontown, Alabama, respected by all who know him. His friends and fellow-citizens regard the ugly scars, which yet appear on
each side of his face, with pride and reverence."
In connection with the above, Mr. Witherspoon pays a high tribute to the commander of " The Witherspoon Guards, " Captain James Rembert : "One of the bravest and truest of men, respected and beloved alike for his valor and for his superior qualities as an officer. At Shiloh, he held his company in unbroken ranks until, while leading them, he fell mortally wounded, and "died a prisoner in the hands of the enemy."
Source
The Southern Bivouac
September 1884 – May 1885
Volume III
Pages 326-327