The 15th Illinois at the Battle of Shiloh

From the June 29, 2015, Iron Brigader by Mark.

The Battle of Shiloh , named after a small church called  Shiloh Church, (also referred to as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing) was the costliest battle in American history up until that point.

Union casualties  were 1754 killed, 8408 wounded, and 2885 missing or captured.

Confederate losses were 1728 killed, 8,012 wounded and 959 missing or captured.

The 15th Illinois was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Edward F.W. Ellis.  Their brigade, under command of James C. Veatch, was on the Union right and ordered to position itself to aid Brigadier General William T. Sherman's division.

The 15th battled an attack by Brigadier General  Sterling A.M.  Wood's brigade of Major General  William J. Hardee's corps, before falling back to a defensive line at the Landing.

Both Lt. Col. Ellis and Major William Goddard, second in command of the regiment, were killed in the fighting.

Captain Louis Kelly, in temporary command of the regiment filed a report of it's actions at the battle.

--Old Secesh