Sold – Rare Battle Letter From Shiloh

In the second day’s battle  (April 7, 1862), the Union army was pinned down in a semicircular line running 1,300 yards west from the Tennessee River, then turning north and running a half mile. General Nelson’s troops attacked the rebel defenses, but they were stymied and waited for reinforcements. General Buell dispatched two sections of Regular Army troops to Nelson’s aid, which included the 15th U.S. Infantry (led by General Rousseau), a hard-fighting unit in many a battle. Soon after they arrived on the field, the men were ordered to the ground just as a Confederate fusillade blasted over their heads, signaling an attack on their right flank. Casualties were heavy from the blast, despite the men’s prone positions. Confederate troops hurled themselves against Rousseau’s brigade but were met by volleys from the Union ranks. Captain Peter Swain, commanding the 15th Infantry, recalled proudly that his ‘cool, sturdy and obedient soldiers – regulars all–scythed down the Rebels with their accurate fire. By noon, the Confederate line had been forced back to a new position, after what Sherman called “the severest artillery fire I ever heard.” About 2 p.m. the Confederates launched another attack, crashing through the brush and pounding over the landscape, summoning energy from their Rebel yell; eventually it faltered and then receded.  The Regulars joined the push that swept the Rebels beyond the former camps of Grant’s army. “Rousseau’s brigade moved in splendid order, steadily to the front, sweeping everything before it,” Sherman reported admiringly.

One of Rousseau’s men, John M. Kumler, described the action soon after. Autograph Letter Signed, camp before Corinth, Mississippi, May 19, 1862, to his cousin Kate. “I have no doubt that you are a little anxious about the results of the bottle, but the reports were considerably exaggerated I admit. But the loss was great, but Johnnie, white headed Johnnie, came out of the fiery ordeal without a scratch. I imagine I saw you looking over the list of wounded and dead to see if you recognize the name of some friend, a relative or perhaps a lover. Well after such a battle one is entirely justifiable in exercising so great interest in behalf of wounded soldiers. It has robbed many mother of her husband, cut short the bright career of many a brave youth, and has sent a pang to the hearts of swains after hearing that their lovers fell victims to death on the fatal field of Shiloh. April 6-7 are days long to be remembered by the surviving patriot soldiers. Many rebels received their rewards on those fatal days. You ask whether I killed any secesh, whether I saw any fall I aimed at. Now these are questions I cannot answer. 1st you may think it very strange but I didn’t see anyone to shoot at because the underbrush was so thick we couldn’t see much more than 50 yards. We fought all day behind trees if they were handy and when they were not lay down to fire and load, which saved many an inspiring youth. As a general thing they shot too high but I tell you the balls discoursed some soul stirring music over our heads, and had it not been for a generous old tree that had fallen I too would no doubt have been obliged to bite the dust. But we drove the rascals from every position they took, capturing a battery. I don’t know then whether I killed any, but I, like the rest, shot directly where I saw the smoke of a gun. And I shot at the colors once or twice. It was a serious time, I assure you. It was affecting to look around to see the wild desolation of the previous day. It was truly a trial for energy but I was confident that I was engaged in a just cause and fearless since I was sure that I was fighting the enemies of my country, of the cherished principles of freedom. You ask how I kept from fainting on the day of the battle. Now you know there is a good deal in getting used to a thing. Before I was in the mess one hour I feared nothing, was calm and composed, loaded with alacrity, shot with as much precision as possible…I shot at the sesesh like an old hand at the bellows, but I don’t know whether the rebel digestive apparatus suffered in consequence or not – but I rather think it did… Now there is no telling how soon we will fight again. We have been under marching orders for some days, to be ready to march at a moments notice, and by the time this reaches you tis hard to tell what will turn up…Don’t be scared Kate because I am not in a dangerous condition at all.” It is signed John M. Kumler, Co. D, 15th U.S. Infantry.

Sadly, the war did not end well for Kumler. He was seriously wounded at the battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. Left on the field and taken prisoner, he was never heard of afterwards.