Wednesday, May 7, 2008

US Regular Artillery monument

The US Regulars were among the very first to get monuments on the battlefield. That is because their monuments were erected by the national government. Since the battlefields were originally intended to be training and teaching tools for the army it made sense for them to be among the first to have monuments.

Even though Mendenhall's unit is listed as two batteries he actually had a smaller force than Terrill's battery. Both men go on to some fame following Shiloh. Terrill was promoted to brigadier general the month before the battle of Perryville and would be killed during that battle. Mendenhall would become chief of artillery for Crittenden and be instrumental in the repulse of the final attack at Stones River. I know he survives the army and stays in the artillery but I've never read much more on him that what appears in battle histories. I'd love to know more about him.

On front of monument:
4th U. S. Artillery.
U. S. Batteries "H" and "M."
Capt. John Mendenhall.
5th Division (Crittenden).
5th U. S. Artillery.
Battery "H."
Capt. Wm. R. Terrill.
2d Division (McCook).
Army of the Ohio.

On back of monument:
These batteries were engaged near here from about 9:00 A.M., to 1:30 P.M., April 7, 1862. Casualties: 3 killed, 19 wounded, total, 22.

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