Manuscript document with hand-drawn map, illustration, and recollections of the Battle of Shiloh. 2 pages.

A wonderful rendering of the Battle of Shiloh (Battle of Pittsburgh Landing) enhanced by illustration and recollections. The map shows the placement of the “rebs” in relation to roads and the headquarters of Generals Sherman and McDowell. The unknown author notes “Engaged in Battle here for several hours.” Along the lower edge, the author recounts the day: ‘Reformed with great depleted ranks some joining other regiments - some taking the peace of gunners who were shot down - some probably near the landing below the brow of the ship beyond the docks.”And in a second paragraph: “Rebels pass through a gap on our right flank - and from in field at during engagement - retreat ordered and many flee as we had to pass through an exploding fire.”

The verso features a charming drawing of the log cabin “Shiloh Church” which had served as General Sherman’s headquarters during the Battle of Shiloh. Surrounded by trees, it is captioned, “Shiloh Church Tennessee / Genl W.T. Sherman’s head quarters / 5th Division US Grants Army / April 6 1862” Farther to the right is another, more distant log structure, captioned: “Genl W H McDowels [sic]/ Head qrs. 4th (corrected in pencil to 1st) Brigade / 5th Division / W. J. Davis / Brigade Sargent Major.” A contemporary pencil inscription corrects “4th” to “1st Brigade” which was indeed commanded by Colonel John A. McDowell.


[Civil War, Western Theater, Union, Confederate, Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Illustrations, Drawings, Ephemera, Maps]