Breaking News 1859: From the Field
From Knoxville
"…before the smell of powder and smoke had passed away, I and a
few others passed out of the fort over the ditch on a plank and looked
on that sad scene of slaughter. Such a spectacle I never again want to
witness. Men literally torn to pieces lay all around, some in the last
throes of death, others groaning and their faces distorted under the
extreme pain from their severe wounds. Arms and limbs torn from
their bodies lay scattered around, while at every footstep we trod
in pools of blood."
B.F. Thompson, History of the 112th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry
More accounts coming soon. If you have an eyewitness account you'd like to share, please submit by completing the online form.