Still another. The present color-bearer received a shot in the arm. The ball was lodged there. The Doctor cut the ball out, but he would not wait to have a bandage put on it, but snatched his musket and rushed to the fight again.
One more incident. At the battle of Fort Donelson a soldier of Co. K found in the knapsack of a Southern soldier, who had been killed in battle, the picture of a beautiful young lady. He carefully preserved it. At the battle of Shiloh, this soldier was killed. On examining his knapsack, to make the proper inventory of his goods, the Orderly of his company found this picture. He remembered the circumstance of its being found. He carefully preserved it. It was a great favorite with the boys in the company, and received the name of "The Daughter of Co. K." When the Regiment was on the march from Corinth to Athens, in November, 1863, it passed through the town of Pulaski, Tenn. As Lieut. Oats, of Co. K, was riding along the streets of Pulaski, he saw a young lady standing at the door of one of the residences of the town, whom he at once recognized as the original of the picture in possession of Co. K. Speaking of the matter to others in the company, they all agreed that this was the original. The Lieutenant learned afterwards, to a certainty, that it was the same. The picture still remained in his possession, until near the last of January, 1864. At the time Gen. Roddy's forces made a dash upon our camp, when the Regiment was nearly all out, the officers, as well as men, lost everything that was in their tents. Among other things, the picture of "The Daughter of Co. K," was taken. Its loss is much regretted by the boys.
[CHAPTER IV.]
FROM BATTLE OF SHILOH TO BATTLE AT CORINTH.
Trip up the Tennessee River—Remain on boat—Battle of Shiloh—Losses in this battle—Losses in 9th Regt. Ill. Inft.—List of killed and wounded—Advance upon Corinth—Pursuit—Officers commissioned—Garrison Rienzi.
Having ascended the Cumberland River, and ascertained that the enemy had evacuated all the prominent points on it, Gen. Grant now marshals his forces for a trip up the Tennessee River, hoping from it to reach Corinth, where the enemy were strongly fortifying themselves and collecting in great number.
The 9th Ill. Inft. was destined to take part in this expedition. Hence, it struck tents at Fort Sevier on the 6th March, 1862, and embarked, with camp and garrison equipage, on board the steamers "Lady Pike" and "Commercial." It moved down the Cumberland River on the morning of the 7th, and passed Fort Donelson on the 8th, reaching Paducah the same evening. It moved up the Tennessee on 10th March, and joined Gen. Grant's flotilla six miles above Fort Henry.
The trip up the Tennessee River, with this great army, is described by the boys, as grand beyond all description. There were, I believe, ninety-five steamboats loaded with soldiers. The weather was beautiful and pleasant. Bands of music were playing. Everything that was calculated to charm was there. Doubtless very many of this great multitude did not realize that in a short time so many of them must fall in the deadly conflict. The terrors to come were forgotten in the joys and grandeur of the hour.
This fleet, containing a grand army, reached Savannah, Tenn., on the 12th of March, 1862. Here the boats remained tied up until the 18th of March, when we moved up to Pittsburg Landing, disembarked and went into camp, one-quarter of a mile from the river, on the 19th. On the 23d, our camp was moved one-half mile further back from the river. At this point the 81st Ohio, and the 13th and 14th Missouri Infantry, were attached to the Brigade. The two latter were afterwards exchanged for the 22d Ohio and 66th Illinois Infantry.
On the 1st of April Col. Mersy was ordered to the command of the Brigade, in the place of Col. McArthur, who had been placed under arrest.