Shiloh Heroes or Tennessee Tragedy

The battle of Shiloh, in April of 1862, resulted in many Civil War tales of Heroes and especially a Tennessee Tragedy. The battle was vicious and bloody on both sides, with the ebb and flow of the conflict changing minute to minute, favoring either the Union or Confederate forces continually. One of the fiercest confrontations was between  Confederate General Marmaduke’s forces and those of General Prentiss’s Union troops. A portion of these troopers were contesting two thick stands of trees, approximately 200 yards apart, across a grassy meadow.

The minies flew thick and deadly for what seemed like hours. First the Butternuts would attempt to advance and then the Blue would try their luck. Neither side was able to take the advantage. A Confederate Officer, on horseback, was observing the confrontation closely from an adjoining rise and noticed a particular Union Lieutenant that was exhorting the Federal Forces exuberantly.

The mounted officer, stealthily, made his way to the Confederate line and summoned the oldest member of the company. Everyone called him, “Pap” and not only was he the senior trooper, he was the crack shot of the company. The officer, a Captain, explained that as long as that Union officer was leading the troops across the meadow, no advance would ever be successful. He asked old “Pap” if he thought he could take down the trouble maker across the way. The elder trooper explained, “Sure Cap” and immediately drew a bead on the Union Officer. As soon as the Federal Lieutenant made himself visible, “Pap” squeezed the trigger, bowling over the young officer.

The Confederates advanced, at a quick trot and overran the Union position. The mounted Captain told “Pap” to go over and check on the welfare of the brave officer that had been leading the Federal Troops. “Pap” did as he was told and rolled over the young officer, only to hear the youths dying words, “I love you father.”

Old “Pap,” grabbed up his musket and out ran all his comrades, pursuing the Yankee troopers. The senior member of the company was hit several times by enemy fire, fell and arose again to maintain the pursuit. The mounted Confederate Captain witnessed old “Pap” explode in several puffs of dirt from his ragged uniform and fell, never to rise again.

“Pap” and his son had chosen different causes at the beginning of the Civil War and both ended, for them, at Shiloh, Tennessee, in April of 1862.

Bummer