Breaking News 1859: From the Field
From Franklin
"The men seemed to realize that our charge on the enemy’s works would be
attended with heavy slaughter, and several of them came to me bringing
watches, jewelry, letters, and photographs asking me to take charge of them
and send them to their families if they were killed. "
James McNeilly, Chaplain, CSA
"On our side we had five or six ranks deep . . . all mixed together without
any regard to their separate organizations. The front rank did nothing but
fire. The empty guns were passed back to those in rear who reloaded them.
The rear rank was kneeling with guns at ready. If a rebel raised his head
above the breastwork, down it would instantly go with one or more bullets
through it. "
Captain John Shellenberger 64th Ohio, US
"In places the dead were piled upon each other three and four deep.
Sometimes we would find a poor wounded comrade pinned down by several dead
comrades lying on him. We dug trenches two and one half feet deep and wide
enough for two to lay side by side. A piece of oil cloth or blanket was
spread over their faces and covered up. Every one that could be identified
a small piece of plank was placed at their head with their names on it."
Milton Ryan, 14th Mississippi, CSA
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