Timeline: April 1862 - Online Archive of Terry's Texas Rangers

Timeline: April 1862

Tuesday, April 1

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "No news of much interest seems to be going a person a short distance from here would not think that there was any army at this point we all laying in camps and improving our horses"
Enlistment - J. S. Anderson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - B. W. Bell, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - F. Bell, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - W. Bigson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - T. M. Blakely, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. Blum, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. W. Brown, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. C. Bullington, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. L. Cox, Co. H: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Capt. Cook
Enlistment - C. Dennis, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - S. M. Dennis, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - R. A. Drane, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - H. Duke, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. Edgar, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - C. K. Finney, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - W. A. Gibson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - F. M. Girand, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. S. Gordon, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. E. Groce, Co. B: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Captain McKay.
Enlistment - J. D. Hart, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - A. M. Hill, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - E. R. Hodges, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - R. W. Hubbard, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - C. F. Ingram, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - W. H. Jackson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. H. Jenkins, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - W. K. Joiner, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - E. Jones, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - A. Kerr, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - R. W. Lawson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - W. E. Lawrence, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - V. McClay, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. T. McGehee, Co. D: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. R. Mitchell, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - R. P. Mitchell, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - W. W. Montgomery, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - M. A. Moore, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - T. Moore, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - Z. L. Nevell, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - D. M. Oliver, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. K. Pilant, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - R. J. Price, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - G. Quinan, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - R. Robinson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - W. Ryon, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - B. J. Sanford, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. C. Scott, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - A. J. Smith, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - N. J. Smith, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - R. A. Smith, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - F. Sparks, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - G. W. Spencer, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. M. Staton, Co. B: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Captain McKay.
Enlistment - H. Stevens, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - H. C. Thompson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - A. S. Thornton, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - R. A. Torrance, Co. H: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Lietenant Weston.
Enlistment - J. W. Watson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. Weiss, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - N. L. Williams, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - A. Wilson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - W. B. Wilson, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - F. Winston, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Enlistment - J. E. Winston, Co. L: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 1, 1862, by Colonel Wharton.
Letter - C.W. Love: To his parents from Corinth, MS.
History - Claiborne's History of Terry's Texas Rangers: "a new company of 90 days men joined the command and were styled Company L, under Capt. Anderson. These men were with them until after the battle of Shiloh, when they disbanded and the majority joined other companies of the Rangers and were with them to the end, or were camping in the field beyond the confines of earth

Wednesday, April 2

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We were ordered out on a scout last night we take road to Iuka where we arrive about two oclock the enemy come up to Eastport but left early this morning their movements being we think all feint"

Thursday, April 3

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We got some sleep last night we return to Corinth to day nothing of any interest occurring we get orders at night to cook two days rations for another scout"

Friday, April 4

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We take line of march to meet the enemy go out on road that leads into their main camps Our Reg is put out as picket that leads into Purdy road we take four prisenors I have the rain as usual to sleep in"
Enlistment - R. L. Dunman, Co. K: Enlisted at Houston, TX on April 4, 1862.
Enlistment - A. M. Dunman, Co. K: Enlisted at Houston, TX on April 4, 1862.
Enlistment - W. M. Seever, Co. G: Enlisted at Corinth, MS on April 4, 1862.
History - Claiborne's History of Terry's Texas Rangers: "The eventful morning has arrived. Those who have been so faithfully in front are brought in and the whole regiment and the amateurs are for the first time, for a long period, altogether. Before daylight they are in their saddles, and with all the ammunition needed and two full days rations, and all superfluous baggage left in camp with the servants, and they are off, to go deep into the great impending fight. This was Friday morning, April the 4th, 1862.

Saturday, April 5

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We have a skirmish with the enemy’s pickets on Purdy road & run them in without loss & return back across Owl creek & camp, our forces are being ordered in line of battle to our right"
Event: Wharton permitts the Rangers to discharge their wet firearms and is severly reprimanded. Beauregard visits Wharton and makes a speech to the regiment.
History - Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers by JKP Blackburn: After hastily collecting his forces he moved out of Corinth, on the evening of the fifth of April

Sunday, April 6

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "At daylight our forces attack the federals camp we are about two miles & half from where the combat commences & nothing can be heard but one continual clash of musketry & the roar of cannon we can tell by the cheers of our troops that the enemy are retreating. 12 oclock, we come on the battle ground & are on the extreme left under Hardee we can see our boys driving the enemy before them at every charge we are ordered to charge the left which we do only part of our Reg. getting at the enemy on account of the ground they are driven from their position by the infantry we retire losing one man & 7 or 8 wounded 3 oclock we are dismounted and fight as skirmishers driving the enemy back & saving use of our batterys having several of our men badly wounded the continuing falling back to their gun boats & by night we have entire possession of their tents & the field. the battle was a fierce & hard one the field strewn with dead & dying I stand picket at night in their tents. rains very hard & the shrieks & moans of the wounded are distressing the throw shells at us all night from their gun boats & are heavily reinforced"
Battle of Shiloh - Early morning: The regiment moved to the bridge across Owl Creek, near Hurly's, on the Purdy and Pittsburg road. Clinton Terry and J. M. Weston dispatched to General Beauregard for orders. Ordered to cross Owl Creek and cooperate with the left of the army.
Battle of Shiloh - About 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Passsed over the creek and arrived at the scene of action to find infantry closely engaged with the enemy. Reported to General Hardee, in command of the left. Ordered to dismount and protect an artillery battery. Ten men detachment of Rangers captured a Union battery without firing a shot.
Battle of Shiloh - About 1:00 PM: As the Federal right seems to give way the Rangers are ordered to pursue them and intercept their retreat. Mounting, the rangers proceeded about 300 yards across a very boggy ravine in single file when the head of the column (composed of Companies A, I, & H) received heavy fire from a large force of the enemy under cover aproximately 40 yards distant. The nature of the ground made it impossibe to It bring up the strength of the command or to form for a charge and the Rangers withdrew about 200 yards and formed in preparation for dismounting. Before this could be executed the infantry, which had been in their rear, was ordered forward, and after a very severe struggle succeeded in driving the enemy back.
Killed - B. F. Burr, Co. I: Killed during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Killed - D. H. Cook, Co H: Killed during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Killed - J. F. Crain, Co. D: Killed during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Killed - D. Neil, Co. A: Killed during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Mortally wounded and captured- R. H. Holdsworth, Co. A: Killed during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Mortally wounded - M. A. Page, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Mortally Wounded - W. B. Spencer, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Mortally Wounded- C. L. Terry, Volunteer Aide: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - T. D. Barrington, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - R. N. Beavers, Co. A: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - T. E. Bolling, Co. I: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - J. L. Cox, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - W. M. Evans, Co. I: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - T. C. Freeman, Co. A: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - J. Holloway, Co. C: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - R. Y. King, Co A: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - R. W. Lawson, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - A. G. Ledbetter, Co F: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - C. W. Mason, Co.: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - A. D. MCarthur, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - J. McClure, Co. I: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - P. M. McKellar, Co. I: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - George Miller, Co. D: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh..
Wounded - J. M. Sample, Co. E: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - Reuben Slaughter, Co. D: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - A. A. Sttovall, Co. A: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - Robert Taylor, Co. I: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - H.C. Thompson, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - J. T. Walker, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - J. G. Ward, Co. H: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - J. A. Wharton, Regimental commander.: Shot in th leg during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - T. L. Witter, Co. I: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Wounded - Walter Wood, Co. C: Wounded during the Sunday afternoon encounter with the enemy near the boggy ravine at Shiloh.
Battle of Shiloh - Mid Afternoon: The regiment then moved to support Ketchum's Battery of Artillery on the extreme left. Companies B, C, E, F, and H were dismounted and moved into the woods as skirmishers. They advanced upon the enemy and supported the artillery in driving them from the camp they had been defending. The Rangers learn of the death of General A. S. Johnston.
Missing - A.G. Autry, Co. H: Missing and presumed killed following the dismounted skirmish action supporting Ketchum's Battery.
Wounded - N. Contreras, Co. E: Wounded in dismounted skirmish action supporting Ketchum's Battery.
Wounded - J. T. J. Culpepper, Co. F: Wounded in dismounted skirmish action supporting Ketchum's Battery.
Wounded - S. C. Drake, Co. F: Wounded in dismounted skirmish action supporting Ketchum's Battery.
Wounded - H. Duke, Co. L: Wounded in dismounted skirmish action supporting Ketchum's Battery.
Wounded - L. M. Rayburn, Co. E: Wounded in dismounted skirmish action supporting Ketchum's Battery.
Wounded - R. Robinson, Co. H: Wounded in dismounted skirmish action supporting Ketchum's Battery.
Battle of Shiloh - Late Afternoon: The Rangers remained in support of Katchum's battery for the balance of the day.
Wounded - J. M. Brownson, Co. E: Wounded when the regiment was shelled by artillery after moving into an open field.
Battle of Shiloh - Evening: Threw out heavy pickets and camped in the woods on the extreme left near Ketchum's Battery. Foraged in the Federal camps. Shelled throughout the night by Union gunboats.
Letter - I. D. Affleck: To his parents from New Iberia, LA while enroute to join Terry's Rangers.
History - Claiborne's History of Terry's Texas Rangers: "The day that the battle was originally intended to have been begun was on Saturday the 5th of April, but for some cause a delay of 23 hours was had, (and this was a fatal error. We do not propose to criminate any of the noble division commanders in this battle, but the fault lay in the fact that the orders of General Johnson were not obeyed literally by more than one of his first lieutenants, both of whom were gallant men, but failures throughout the entire war,) both Friday and Saturday, and until Sunday morning at 5:30, the rangers were engaged in definitely locating the exact position of the Federals. The scouts who had been across the Tennessee river knew that reinforcements, both by land and water, were coming, and these scouts, were Rangers, and there was chaffing at the unexpected delay. Many of them had been on the river nearly all night of Saturday, and many had been on special and picket duty, but at the critical hour the men and officers were in line and ready and eager for the signal given and the order to advance. It was a grand picture to see these men on that morning. I rode along the line once or twice, and their faces were marked with a full determination. No man exhibited a desire to back out that could be seen or told, and again there were many jokes, and some things ludicrous in the extreme. There seemed to be an ungovernable disposition to witness the battle--there was an anxiety to begin--they seem to desire to witness the pomp and circumstances of war. In twenty minutes after the formation, "forward, march" was passed along the line, and freedom to the bridle rein was given--guns freshed capped pistols and knife drawn well to the front, and they were moved to the left front of the confederates line of battle, and to the right front of the Federal line, on Owl creek and a little to the left of Shiloh church my recollection is, possibly not as clear as it should be just at this period, but if I am served properly, the Rangers fired the first gun in that battle, in hostility, at least.) In a very few seconds the regiments struck the enemy and were in their camp charging the lines of a Michigan regiment., their pickets captured and confusion was among them worse than confounded. The regiment moved like the wind and the men wild with the excitement; the six-shooter dealing death and even the knife is used when the six-shooter became empty. The men seemed to pay no attention to the foe and swept on and on in the savageness of battle. All along the long battle line was heard the terrible roll of the drum, the firing of small arms and the ominous thunder of the cannon. All day long the Rangers pushed the lines in front of them back through the entire Federal camp until only a mile lay between the Federals and the river. At 3:15 p.m., the order had was by companies, form fours march, whether, only Col. Jno A. Wharton knew at a terrible pace they are moved nearly a mile, and the fleeing enemy in front of Hardee were pointed out and Col. Wharton is informed that he must make the rout complete, and to move them right along onto their gun boats or into the river, without reflection, and, notwithstanding, a majority had been in the saddle since Friday morning, and all for more than eighteen hours, had been active without feed or water for beasts, they responded in the same gallant and dauntless style that increased with them during the entire war. The forward move was instantly made, and in a minute or less the fatal six-shooter was doing [illegible] upon the German troops fleeing in the front. After a pursuit of nearly 600 yards, possibly more, it was found that the command had penetrated beyond the main Federal line, because they received an enfilading fire from both sides and to the rear. They had not been cautiously led, still the order had not been filled, "onto their gun-boats or into the river," was the order. By this time the Rangers were to all intents and purposes in the rear of the entire Federal army and found themselves confronted by an abatis on the top of a commanding hill fortified, and cannon and small arms were turned loose upon them from both front and the rear and they are literally bottled. They have literally a contract on hand that only a large army could handle, and they fell back and out from under a galling fire of musketry and artillery,performing the most wonderful feat in war. In the mean time the entire army of the Federals had moved back and the Rangers were again in line with their own people. The memory of that charge will remain with the Ranger during his life. Sixty-six men received a leaden welcome from their Yankee or Dutch brothers. Some of the best blood of the regiment is spilled, the vital spark leaves the tenement of many of that devoted and patriotic band of men, sealed into a brotherhood in the cause of a general right. Here another Terry yields up the spirit, Judge Clinton Terry is killed right at the abatis, charging gallantly with Col. Wharton and the best mounted of the men and officers, (for the full list of casualties, see muster roll Company H. being the heaviest sufferers.) Soon they were dismounted to fill a gap in the Confederate infantry line and sent forward deployed as skirmishers. This the men could do with the expertness of the best infantry men, and often did so, but it was not their business, and in the latter part of the war, were very rarely dismounted. Night came and they were ordered to their horses and on to the flanks, scouts, picketing and secret service. The night is a memorable one. The day had been a severe one, both bodily and mentally. The men were akin either by blood or affinity. The death loss among them had been fearful. Again the news had reached them that Gen. A. Sidney Johnson, their idol and their friend was dead, and that Bragg and Beauregard did not agree and, were each contending for command, that Johnson's plan of battle had been abandoned, that reinforcements were crossing the river, that the army of the enemy was fast falling back, that they were even panicky and that confusion was everywhere seen. The terrible minute gun of the enemy was continuous in its firing. A gentle April rain fell the whole night, the hospital corps were out with the glare of torch lights. No sleep fell upon their eyes; they were at the post of honor; they were guarding the front; they were watching the enemy; they were gaining in [torn]tion their Colonel was wounded and had left the field, and Major Thomas Harrison wa in command. [torn] did splendidly; they kept their organization; they became each minute of that long night better soldiers and better men morally and mentally. From their standpoint they felt the outrage of the abandonment of so great a victory, but they were given little time for reflection. They were on duty and seemingly, all that were on duty intact....
History - Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers by JKP Blackburn: Next morning before light attacked the enemy in the encampments. The attack was unexpected and furious from the beginning. The enemy was driven slowly back towards the river all day long, making a most stubborn resistance, but gradually they gave up their encampments and artillery and equipments until four o'clock that afternoon when the Confederates were unwisely halted by an order from General Beauregard who succeeded to chief command after General Johnston's fatal wound about three o'clock that afternoon. This closed the first day's engagement with the whole battlefield, including many arms, wagons, sutlers stores, etc., etc., in the hands of the Confederates. We slept on the battleground that night as best we could with torrents of rain pouring down on us all night and with the gunboats on the river firing over us all night to disturb our slumbers. Many of the boys visited the sutlers stores that night and helped themselves to the edibles and as much clothing as they could use or carry off.
When the battle commenced on the 6th of April our bugler sounded the assembly which brought us quickly into line. The several companies were numbered to ascertain our effective force at the beginning. Company F numbered 65 men in line, including non-commissioned officers, a captain and second lieutenant. This lieutenant had been elected by the company principally because he had slain two different men in personal combat, and was therefore regarded as a hero of heroes. While the company was being numbered, the musketry one-half mile away was heavy and almost continuous and this officer riding up and down in front of the company remarked time and time again, "Ah, boys, that is music to my ears," making us believe he would perform many deeds of valor when he reached the firing line. At last an order came for us to march to the front and when near there we were ordered to form columns of fours, move to rear of the enemy and make an attack from that quarter; but failing to get far enough back to take them in the rear we marched the head of the column right into the flank of the enemy's line, who, concealed from our view, were lying down behind some timber recently felled by a storm. Being at right angles with our line of march, they could concentrate the fire of their whole line to enfilade our column from end to end; and as the head of the column neared them they rose suddenly, poured a volley into us which reached every company in the line of march, killing and wounding men and horses clear back to the rear of column. Of course nothing could be done but fall back and reform for further action in a different move; but I must stop to tell you about this officer to whose ears the battle at a distance was so musical. Though not touched by bullets he became suddenly sick at the sight of bloodshed and had to be sent to the rear to avoid a nervous collapse. It was his first and his last experience in battle for he resigned and returned to Texas and we never saw him again. This lesson is that "the true test of valor comes, not in use of words, but only in action in the crucible of battle." The regiment was dismounted and made an attack on the enemy on the left flank of our army and then moved to the rear of our army for a support to other troops in firing line, and so fighting and maneuvering was kept up until four o'clock in the afternoon when all the reserves were ordered to the firing line for a final rush to be made as we all thought to drive the panic-stricken army of General Grant into Tennessee River. We formed the line, and awaited the order to move forward. In the meantime the enemy immediately on our front left their line in some haste and disappeared from view over the crest of the hill near the river. While we waited with much impatience for orders to move there came an order from General Beauregard telling that the battle was ended for the day and we had captured General Prentiss with four thousand of his men and a great victory was ours. When the order was read instead of creating enthusiasm amongst the men it created indignation and disgust because it was apparent to all in the firing line that the hard earned victory that had cost so much blood and so many lives was to be thrown away for the want of one more charge which as we thought then and think now would have resulted in a complete overthrow or capture of General Grant's army and the downfall of General Grant himself as a military leader. But why was the Southern army halted at this critical period? General Beauregard's excuse was it was late in the day, the men were tired and needed rest; but the truth as I saw it is the sun was still between three and four hours high and the men were anxious for this last charge to the river, which was not more than one-half mile away, I think. The men talked among themselves of the importance of the movement and their willingness to make it at the time and after events prove but too well the men were right and the commander wrong in issuing the order to halt.

Monday, April 7

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "The combat opens early and up to nine o clock the firing is entirely by artillery the enemy landing large reinforcements we fall back about half mile on account of their shells when the fight commences with small arms and seems to be more desperate than it was on yesterday we charge the left at two oclock & drive them back losing several of our boys & one of my best friends & messmates They attack us again & we are forced to change our position losing three pieces of artillery which are spiked, at three the firing with small arms ceases but our artillery plays on them until five when the rear of our army camp the second night in their tents"
Battle of Shiloh - Early Morning: The left flank of the Confederate Army fell back soon after daylight under an advance of the enemy. Terry's Rangers remained to the right of Ketchum's battery in order to prevent any attempt by the enemy to capture it.
Battle of Shiloh - About 10:00 AM: The Rangers are ordered by General Beauregard to charge the right of the enemy, which was pressing our left heavily. While passing by file through the woods down the sides of a ravine the regiment became strung out over 400 yards. Upon reaching the ground Wharton had chosen to form in preperation of the attack it was discovered to be occupied by the enemy's reseve forces formed up and advancing in line of battle. The enemy opened a very disastrous fire upon the lead Rangers, killing and wounding many and disabling Wharton's horse. The Rangers withdrew a short distance and the entire regiment dismounted and advanced upon the enemy as skirmishers. The main body of Confederate forces on the left withdrew to Shiloh Church, and the Rangers retired to a position near the infantry.
Wounded & captured - J. C. Lowe, Co. A: Wounded and thought killed in the engagement with the enemy's reserve forces.
Wounded & captured - J. H. Andrews, Co. F: Wounded and left behind while dismounted during the engagement with the enemy's reserve forces.
Wounded & Captured - J. H. Washington, Co. D: Shot through both thighs and left behind while dismounted during the engagement with the enemy's reserve forces.
Wounded - C. H. Howard, Co. I: Shot in the shoulder during the engagement with the enemy's reserve forces.
Battle of Shiloh - Afternoon: Two companies detached to support an artillery Battery. One Company detached for scouting purposes. The balance ordered by General Beauregard to move to the right of the Confederate army in order to protect its retreat and burn two of the enemy encampments.
Battle of Shiloh - Evening: Maintained a position next to Lick Creek until nightfall. Then camped in rear of the army, throwing out pickets in connection with Colonels Adams, Forrest, and Lindsay. It rained throughout the night.
History - Claiborne's History of Terry's Texas Rangers: "But Monday morning came at last and the longest night in this life had been passed by the Rangers. How they gathered together on Monday morning, no man can tell because details for so varied duties had been made right in the jaws of death that no man could keep up with them but at an early hour on Monday morning they were together, all that were able for duty. They had during the night obtained the bodies of their dead and wounded, and had done all that could be done, and were again facing the enemy, covering the retreat. Mud, rain, fatigue and hunger was all theirs, but no complaint. The enemy began their advance at the hour of 5 a.m., in fact, as they landed during the night, they were pushed out until confronted by the Confederate pickets, and at 5 p.m. began to drive them in all along the line. Cavalry must go to their rescue, and the Rangers were sought for the duty, and all day long they were in front firing and stubbornly falling back retarding the whole army as far as they could by their tack and dauntless courage and endurance. Their behavior was superb. They certainly will get rest tonight was the universal verdict. They have known no rest except while nodding in the saddle since Friday night previous. The Federals stopped the advance at sun down on Monday Rangers in their front--will they be allowed to move back, camp [illegible] and sleep. And the joyful news came that they do move back and feed their horses and eat. They are met by the commissary and stores are issued and they feed and make a spread prepared to sleep the sleep of the brave and the just scarcely had they slumbered before aroused and were ordered to saddle up, that the enemy were advancing and they must go to the front. There was here exhibited some discontent, but soon they are in their accustomed good humor and are ready for a long nights duty, whatever that might be. It turned out that there was no advance, but that the guards that had gone ahead with the army were uneasy because the line was not fully covered, and the Rangers, as usual must be on guard. While the compliment was of a gentle and tender nature they would have at that time preferred it extended in some other direction. The night was expended as were the others in watching and reporting what could be seen in front."
History - Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers by JKP Blackburn: Next morning early the Federals having been reinforced by Buell's army, made an attack on us by moving forward against our left, with what was said to be eleven lines of battle, and beat our left wing back some distance and then a movement along all of our front beat back all of our line slowly but surely all day long until night closed the fight with Federals in charge of all their encampments given up the previous day. Thus ended two days of the most terrible fighting I ever witnessed before or since. Never did I at any other time hear minie balls seem to fill the air so completely as on this second day's fight...There was a man, Charles Howard by name, strong physically and mentally, brave as Julias Caesar and well educated, but with the way and manners of a frontiersman, with many peculiarities. He had belonged to Company F but got a transfer to Company C for some reason I don't recall. He had gotten a nice laundered white shirt from the sutler's store the night of the 6th of April. Next morning, the 7th, as the regiment was formed to move, some one reproved Howard for tucking his shirt back at the neck, exposing his breast which was one of his habits, telling him it was a shame to treat a nice shirt in that way. His reply was, "If I get shot in the breast today I don't want the bullet to injure my biled shirt." Pretty soon we were ordered to move out towards the enemy and ascertain their position, their probable number, etc., and report back to the commanding general. Our movement, which was only intended for a reconnaisance, drew the fire of the enemy's pickets, for advance in their forward movement had already begun, and one ball struck Howard in the breast a little below the collar bone, going through him and lodging in the muscles or shoulder blade in the back part of his shoulder, not touching his laundered shirt. A little later while we stood in column still headed towards the enemy Howard came riding along the column singing "Blue-eyed Mary," a favorite song of his. As he neared me I said, "Which way, Charles, with your 'Blue-eyed Mary' this morning?" He replied, "To Texas, don't you see my furlough?" pointing to the wound in his breast. He rode horseback to Corinth that day, about fifteen miles, applied for and obtained a furlough soon after, went to Texas and about five months later reported back to his company for duty again, sound as a dollar. Our next move was to the rear a short distance to dismount and join in with a Louisiana brigade of infantry to make a charge on the enemy. Our movement was down a gentle slope to the bottom of a hill. The enemy came down the slope on the other side towards us. The whole face of the earth at that place and time appeared to be blue and their many lines of battle firing over each others head made a storm of lead that no single line of battle could resist and so after a short time the line was so weakened by losses as to compel the retirement of the remainder. But I want to relate an incident of the battle that impressed me as being out of the ordinary. John P. Humphries, a member of Company F, a brave good soldier carried the largest shotgun I ever saw and always loaded it with about 20 buckshot to each barrel. He had a most peculiar laugh, unlike any laugh I ever heard. As we made that charge that morning there was a small oak tree near the bottom of the hill where the line made a stand. It was right in my front so I got behind the tree thinking it might save my hide somewhat. I had scarcely reached it before Humphries came up behind me. He saw the tree was too small for two to stand behind in safety, so he moved a few steps to the left and got behind another tree about the same size. A little while after I heard Humpbries laugh and looked towards him to see what had happened. A minie ball had pierced his hat close to his scalp and knocked it from his head. He grabbed it up, pulled it down hard on his head with both hands and laughed his peculiar laugh again. It occurred to me, and I mentally said, "If you can laugh at that, you will laugh at death when he comes." This repulse was the first experienced in the battle of Shiloh. After this the battle raged pretty well all day over lines resisting with great stubbornness; but by night the enemy occupied their foremost encampments, and our army retreated that night carrying all the army supplies with them as far as was possible to do.

Tuesday, April 8

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F

"The enemy fall back during the night towards their gun boats & our army move on toward Corinth our Reg. are in the rear & part of Forrest Cavalry the enemy appear & attack our rear in evening with a trap for the rangers we charge them killing and wounding about two hundred & taking forty prisenors which ends the bloody battle of (Shyloe) our Reg nearly worn out with fatigue are posted as picket and spend another night in the rain & try to sleep in our wet blankets"

Battle of Shiloh / Fallen Timbers - Early morning

Wharton turns command over to Major Harrison.The Rangers moved in the direction of Monterey, turning to the right towards Breckinridge's camp. Pickets sent out around the Confederate hospital.

Battle of Shiloh / Fallen Timbers - About 3:00PM

The Rangers along with detachments from Forrest's and Wirt Adam's regiments form line of battle with the Rangers on the left and center and the others on the right. After drawing the fire of the enemy the Confederate Cavalry charged into the first line of Federal infantry which fell back in confusionbreaking their own lines. Company D absent on detached duty according to Nicholson.

Killed- R. Champion, Co. B

Killed in the charge at Fallen Timbers.

Missing - W. L. Ashe, Co. B

Missing and presumed killed following the charge at Fallen Timbers.

Missing - W. B. Earnest, Co. H

Missing and presumed killed following the charge at Fallen Timbers.

Missing - J. S. Stewart, Co. H

Missing and presumed killed following the charge at Fallen Timbers. Actually captured.

Wounded - R. A. Allen, Co. B