Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee — John Shaqi
Shiloh National Military Park, TennesseeDillahunty, Albert
History
Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee
Dillahunty, Albert
Shiloh National Military Park (Tenn. and Miss.); Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862
Thomas Stone, one of the burying party, suggested that his name be
carved into the tree sufficiently low so that in case the tree were cut
down the name would remain.
When the national cemetery was established, Putnam’s body was removed to
it. Because of the precautions of his comrades in 1862, his is one of
the few graves marked with full name, company, and regiment.
In 1901, the Wisconsin Shiloh Monument Commission visited the field to
select a site for the State monument. They found that the tree had been
chopped down, but that the stump remained with the name of Putnam still
legible. The Wisconsin Commissioners chose this spot because of its
absolute correctness as to the position of the 14th Regiment. They
decided to reproduce the stump in granite and to place it on the exact
spot where the original had stood. This unusual monument to a private
was placed in position April 7, 1906.
[Illustration: _Putnam Stump._]
J. D. PUTNAM, CO. F, 14^TH WISCONSIN VOL. INF., WAS KILLED HERE
APRIL 7, 1862, WHILE REGIMENT WAS ADVANCING IN LINE OF BATTLE
AGAINST A CONFEDERATE BATTERY. HIS COMRADES BURIED HIM WHERE HE FELL
AND CUT HIS NAME IN AN OAK TREE WHICH STOOD HERE. IN 1901, THOMAS
STEELE RECOGNIZED THE BURIAL PLACE, THE NAME HE HELPED TO CUT IN
1862 STILL BEING LEGIBLE ON THE STUMP. THIS ENABLED THE WISCONSIN
COMMISSION TO FIX LINE OF REGIMENT’S ADVANCE, ITS LAST TABLET AND
PLACE FOR STATE MONUMENT.
10. HORNETS’ NEST AND SUNKEN ROAD.
The Confederate soldiers named this area “Hornets’ Nest” because of the
stinging shot and shell they had to face here. Parts of three Federal
divisions were intrenched in this old sunken road, protected by a heavy
rail fence and dense undergrowth.
General Ruggles, after having witnessed 11 unsuccessful attacks against
the position, formed a line of artillery consisting of 62 pieces and
concentrated its fire upon the Federal line. With the aid of these
cannon, the Confederates were able to form a circle around the Sunken
Road, surrounding and capturing General Prentiss, with more than 2,200
troops, at 5:30 p. m.
Within this area are the Arkansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin State
Monuments.
11. JOHNSTON’S MONUMENT.
On the afternoon of April 6, General Johnston ordered his reserves to go
into action and advance on the right flank in an attempt to drive a
wedge between the Federal troops and their base of supplies at Pittsburg
Landing. He also hoped to make it impossible for reinforcements to come
to Grant’s assistance from across the river. While personally directing
his reserves, he was struck in the right leg by a Minié ball which cut
the large artery.
[Illustration: _Johnston’s Mortuary Monument._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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