The behavior of the battalion in the earthworks and other shelter enabled us to hold our own until reinforcements came about four o’clock. The first man to reach the fort and report to General Sherman was Col. Tim O’Meara and his orderly bearing a green Irish flag of the 90th Volunteer Irish regiment.
The advance of reinforcements caused the rebels to fall back—without Sherman and his “Little Battalion of Regulars,” as he always called them.
The next order of business was to look after the wounded and bury the dead, which was done as soon as possible. It was now dark. Officers were being congratulated by the General with instructions to convey these congratulations to their men.
A singular thing happened that night. A captured rebel lieutenant was shot through the kneecap, which was shattered by the ball. Amputation about the knee was necessary. He waited calmly until his turn came to be treated. He was a fine handsome fellow. I felt sorry for him. He was a large heavy man. I helped put him on the improvised operating table and held his limb while the surgeon was taking it off. He wore high, cavalry boots up to the knee. In removing the boot, I discovered a paper inside. It was a pass through the lines for the day before. This man was evidently the spy who brought news of Sherman’s departure for Iuka, Sunday morning.
In conclusion I think we did a good day’s work, even if it was the Sabbath day. The 13th U. S. Infantry and the 66th Indiana Volunteers are entitled to equal credit in this memorable engagement. They displayed the highest soldierly qualities and genuine American manhood.
After we had taken an invoice of the humanity on hand, we found that we had lost in killed, wounded and missing a little over twenty-five per cent. of our command. I shall never forget the moment I saw that green flag and poor Colonel O’Meara saluting the General after the battle of Collierville. Being an Irishman myself, I naturally felt proud that the flag of the Emerald Isle had led the way to help save Sherman.
MEMORIAL TO ROBERT EMMET.
A unique memorial to Robert Emmet, to be erected by the subscriptions of Americans of Irish birth or descent, is proposed by Miss Anna Gallagher of Boston, Mass., to take the form of a ship to bear the name of the Irish patriot.
It is proposed that the craft shall be a combination of merchantman and steamship to ply between ports in Ireland and America for the transportation of Irish merchandise and passengers.
Miss Gallagher and those who are associated with her in the project intend that the Robert Emmet shall be built in an Irish shipyard, probably Belfast, by Irish workmen, and the materials used in the vessel’s construction shall be of Irish production or manufacture. The furnishings of the vessel are also to be of Irish make.