The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Friday, August 20, 2021

15th Illinois Infantry Regiment at Shiloh

From Wikipedia.

The 15th Illinois and 14th Illinois participated together in movements around  Rolla, Missouri, ahead of the Fort Donelson  Campaign, with Gen. U.S. Grant in command.  Both regiments were part of Gen.  Steven A. Hulbert's 4th Division, called "The Fighting Fourth" and assigned to a camp near the Union left wing at Pittsburg Landing on April 6, 1862.

They were brigaded under the command of Colonel James C. Veatch.  When the attack came, they were ordered forward  to support General Sherman who was heavily pressed on the right wing.

An anecdotal memoir by Sergeant  Moses Gleason Montgomery described heavy fighting at what became known as the Hornet's Nest before they proceeded to a defensive position to support the retreat of the Union Army's right wing.

Sgt. Montgomery was shot in the chest during this engagement, and describes his  survival that night by a "Blessed Rain."

On the second day of the battle,  General Grant took direct command of the 14th and 15th in the counter attack against Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard.

Captain Harley Wayne was killed at this battle.

During the course of the war, the 15th Illinois lost 6 officers and 81 enlisted killed in action or died of wounds.

--Old Secesh


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