Galena's 45th Illinois-- Part 3: Really Saw the Elephant at Shiloh

There, the camp of the 45th Illinois was  at the junction of the  Purdy and Corinth roads, not far from Shiloh Church.

On April 6, 1862, the regiment had its regular Sunday morning inspection, and left its arms stacked on the color line at the close of inspection, to take breakfast.  Breakfast call had just sounded when the "long roll" was beaten on the color line.

In three minutes,  the men had their weapons in hand and the officers took their places.  The order was given to move to the left and front at "double quick" to support Sherman.

The 45th went into action that day with about 500 men.  It was in the front line from the first to the last of the day fighting.  On Sunday it mainly fought on its "own hook" after the first engagement under Col.  Smith.  Several times they fought back and forth over the same ground.

Late in the day, they fell back, "leisurely" and took their place with its Brigade and Division on the right of the line.  A stand was finally made here.  The men laid on their arms in the rain that came that night.

--Old Secesh

Galena's 45th Illinois Infantry-- Part 2: Action at Fort Donelson and 'Baptism of Fire'

On February 1, 1862, the 45th was assigned to the Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel W.H.L. Wallace, First Division, commanded by  General John  A. McClernand.

On February 2, the regiment left Cairo with General Grant's Army for the Tennessee River and on the 4th reached Camp Halleck, four miles below Confederate Fort Henry.  On the evening of the 6th, the regiment marched into Fort Henry after its abandonment by the Confederates.

On Feb. 11th, they moved toward Fort Donelson and on the 13th took position on the right of the Union line.  That afternoon, the 45th received its "baptism of fire."  In other words, they "saw the elephant."  The regimet saw plenty of action at Fort Donelson and lost two killed and 26 wounded.

Afterwards, the 45th remained in camp at Fort Donelson until March 4, when it marched to Big Sandy River mouth and took boats up the Tennessee River, arriving at Savannah on March 11.  There they remained until March 25.

Saw the Elephant Indeed.  --Old Secesh

The Second Day of Shepherdstown-- Part 4: The 118thPennsylvania Sees the Elephant in the Worst Kind of Way

The 20th Maine got off fairly easily in what could have been a debacle.  However, the 118th Pennsylvania wasn't so fortunate.  (This is where Lt. Lemuel Crocker comes in).  They were positioned across a ravine from the other Union troops when couriers brought orders to withdraw across the Potomac River.

The messenger sent to the 118th delivered the message to a line officer, who relayed them to the colonel.  Men from other regiments yelled across the ravine to tell them to withdraw.    When word reached Col.  Charles Mallet  Prevost, he refused to accept them, saying: "I do not receive orders in that way.  If Colonel Barnes has any messages to give me, let his aide come to me."

Colonel Prevost grabbed the  regimental standard and started waving it to urge his men to move forward.  Just then, a musket ball slammed into his shoulder and ended the brief rally.  Command passed to Lt. Col. James Gwyn.  An aide brought  new orders to retreat and this time they were promptly followed.

The intensity of Confederate General A.P. Hill's attack and inexperience of the 118th began to tell.  They fell back to the edge of the bluff and began to break up in panic and confusion.  Men rushed and tumbled down the steep  hillside and streamed into the river.  Hill's men reached the top of the bluff and began pouring fire into the 118th.

One Tar Heel soldier wrote that he watched "them take to the water like ducks."

And, it is not yet over for the 118th.

--Old Secesh

Civil War Slang-- Part 3: See the Elephant and the Skedaddle

11.  SEE THE ELEPHANT

Close up combat.  The elephant was sometimes considered a sign of death.  After you had seen the elephant, you had "Saw the Elephant" as this blog is called.

12.  CONTRABAND

Meant something used by the Confederacy.  Specifically this meant runaway slaves.

13.  HOUSEWIFE

There were a few women who went off to war beside their husband.  But most often this term referred to a small, portable sewing kit.

14. SKEDADDLE

Leaving the scene very, very, very quickly.  As my Great Deerfly Skedaddle in Georgia that one time.  I'll avoid those guys in the future.

15.  SOMEBODY'S DARLING

Soldiers would refer to a dead soldier they came across as "Somebody's Darling."

Watch Out for Those Deerflies!!!   --Old Secesh

Elodie's Fiancee At the Battle of Manassas and Knocked Down

Elodie Todd's fiancee, Captain Nathaniel Dawson was at the Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) , July 21, 1861, with the Alabama troops.  He wrote her

"We have had a terrible battle today, my dear Elodie, but have achieved a glorious victory.  Our brigade was in the hottest of the engagement, and the 4th Ala. Reg. has been cut to pieces.  I have had from twenty to thirty killed or wounded in the Cadets, but thanks to a merciful Creator and your prayers, I escaped unscathed.

"A cannon ball struck a fence which I was crossing and knocked me down, but the only harm done me was a dislocation of my ankle which I do not think will give me much pain...."

He "Saw the Elephant."   --Old Secesh

Fourteen Years Ago and 5,288 Posts, This Blog Was Brought Forth

This new year marks the 14th year this blog, my third one, has been around and now it has 5,288 posts on top of that.

I am so thankful this blog can now concentrate on the actual war, not this second Civil War we now find ourselves in.

This one grew out of my second blog, Down Da Road I Go, which was too be anything else I was interested in besides old roads and trips.  So much of it was becoming the Civil War, which was my very first big interest, that I decided it was time to spin this one off.

Saw the Elephant refers to the term Civil War soldiers, evidently on both sides, used to describe combat.  You first battle?  Then you have seen the elephant.

The sign-off of Old Secesh refers to the fact that I am old and Secesh was a derisive term used by Northerners to put down Southerners who seceded.  I actually like the term, so use it.

Anyway, way too many blogs, now eight altogether, and way too much time spent on them.

Oh, Well.  --Old Secesh

What Exactly Does "Saw the Elephant" Mean?

My brother Bob was reading the blog recently and asked what the name of the blog meant. Good question, especially for non-Civil War folk.

"Saw the Elephant" was a term evidently used by both Confederate and Union troops to describe battle. If you were in a battle (or skirmish), you "Saw the Elephant."

On our way down to our Camp Douglas Sons of Confederate Veterans meetings in Des Plaines, Illinois, we always passed an auto dealership with an elephant statue out front. We'd get to the meeting and saw we had seen the elephant.

On a side note, we meet at the Silver Stallion restaurant, a family place. But also in Des Plaines, there is the original Ray Kroc McDonald's (not open, but a nearby new McDonald's is and a White Castle.

Two other interesting places to eat are the Sugar Bowl on Northwest Highway (US-14), an old 30s place with a great overhead sign and the Choo-Choo restaurant where your order comes around on a model train.

Good Eatin' and a Bit the Confederacy North of the Mason-Dixon. --Old B-R'er