Commanded by Captain Frederick Behr
back of monument:
This battery was ordered into action, at this place, by Gen. W. T. Sherman, at 10.30 a.m., April 6, 1862. Capt. Behr was shot from his horse and fell dead. Casualties--killed, 1 officer; wounded 5 men; total, 6.
This battery first formed a position near the Owl Creek bridge. Captain Behr was killed as the battery took this position near Shiloh Church. This confused the men and made them panic, plus the Confederates were very close and the battery was overrun and all six guns were captured. I've always found this an odd story. Somehow 68 horses are killed, but only 6 men are casualties. It seems to me that there should be more men hurt if 68 horses are shot. On this little bit of evidence I would say that the capture of the battery had more to do with the confusion and panic in the battery after the death of their commander than not having any available horses. It just seems odd to me that enough bullets enter the area to take out 68 horses but only 6 men. I would expect the ratio to be much closer, but will admit that I have not studied this battery in great depth.
No comments:
Post a Comment