The Fifteenth Michigan arrived at Pittsburg Landing
April 5, 1862. Arms had been issued to the men, but no ammunition had been
supplied. The regiment moved out upon the field early Sunday morning and
formed line and stacked knapsacks, at the left of the Eighteenth Wisconsin
in Locust Grove, just as Chalmers appeared in front and moved to the attack.
Failing to obtain ammunition, Colonel Oliver ordered his men to fix bayonets,
as if to charge the approaching Confederates, but reconsidered and about
faced his men and returned to the Landing, where he obtained ammunition
and again joined the fighting line at some place not now determined. On
Monday morning the regiment joined Rousseau's brigade of the Army of the
Ohio and fought with conspicuous gallantry all day.
The Fourteenth Wisconsin arrived upon the field Sunday night, and on Monday
joined Smith's brigade of the Army of the Ohio and served with it all day.
It assisted in the capture of a battery, one of which was awarded to this
regiment and sent to the State of Wisconsin.
Silfversparre's battery (H), First Illinois, arrived upon the field Sunday,
April 6. Its guns were four 20-pounder Parrotts. Horses had not been supplied.
The men got the guns up the bank and placed them in battery in front of
the Log House, where they were engaged Sunday evening.
Bouton's battery (I), First Illinois, arrived at Pittsburg Sunday morning
fully equipped, but without drill, and with horses that had never been harnessed
to a gun. The battery was taken ashore and reported to Sherman and rendered
good service in repelling last attack upon his line at 4:30 p.m. It remained
with Sherman on Monday all day, and received special mention by Colonel
Gibson of the Army of the Ohio.
Siege guns. - Battery B, Second Illinois. The guns belonging to this battery
were, under the direction of Colonel Webster, gotten ashore Sunday afternoon
and placed in position one-fourth of a mile west of the Log House, where
they formed a rallying point for all troops coming back from the front.
Powell's battery (F), Second Illinois, was encamped near the landing awaiting
an assignment which Captain Powell understood would place him in McClernand's
division. After waiting some time on Sunday morning for orders, Powell attempted
to take his battery to McClernand. He moved out along the Corinth road,
passing through Sweeny's troops at east side of Duncan field and arriving
near the Duncan House, after Hare's brigade had fallen back, found himself,
suddenly, in close proximity to the Confederate line of battle. In retiring
one gun was upset and left just behind the Duncan Field. With five guns
Powell reported to W. H. L. Wallace near the left of his line, where he
was engaged until about 5 o'clock, when Captain Powell was wounded and his
battery retired to its camp, where it was engaged at 6 p.m. in the final
action of Sunday.
Margarf's, Eighth, Ohio Battery arrived at the Landing the last of March.
By an order issued April 2 it had been assigned to the Third Division, but
had not reported to that division. The only official report of its action
is given in the report of the First Minnesota, which says that the "Eighth
Ohio was on its left in the action of 6 p.m., Sunday at the mouth of Dill
Branch."