| Updegraff reported that at the height of the battle he saw brothers Mathias and Robert Elliot of Dinsmore Township fighting side by side. (Mathias had been awarded the Medal of Gold for heroism at Fort Donelson, Raymond, Vicksburg, and Shiloh.) Updegraff recalled: "Mathias Elliot of Company F was killed. His brother Robert stood over his body fighting until he had fired every cartridge. He then clubbed his musket and fought until he was literally shot to pieces." | |
| Captain Nutt
remembered the lines surging back and forth amid the dense smoke and incredible noise.
"Now it was hand to hand; bayonets, butts of muskets and fists were used; men were
pulled over the works from both sides..." Shelby County, Ohio men fell like
leaves before the north wind: Perry Bailey, Christian Jelley, John Blakely, Jasper Miller,
James Morrow, George Redinbo, John Umphrey, John Kessler, Albert Hines, and many more. The carnage was worse among the rebels. Over 600 enemy bodies were counted in front of the 20th's fortifications the next morning. Lt. Dwight of the 20th reported in a letter that was printed in the "New York Times" on August 12, 1864: "Such was the most awful battle I have ever been in; and I most heartily pray I may never see another like it. I never saw such awful slaughter as took place among the rebels. They literally laid in piles as I went over the ground the next morning." The failure of General Hood to route the federal forces resulted in the rebels retiring within the city. They waited for Sherman to attack. "The Yankee gents can't get their men to charge our works," one Confederate soldier declared. Sherman, remembering Grant's success built on patience at Vicksburg, cut off supplies to the city and ordered a daily bombardment. By September 1, the Confederates gave up and evacuated their industrial center. Afterward, Grant told Sherman, "I feel you have accomplished the most gigantic undertaking given to any general in this war, with a skill and ability that will be acknowledged in history as not surpassed." |
[Up] [New Search] 'Civil War' segment written in July, 1998 by Rich Wallace |
