September 18, 2024 • 20 mins
At the Second Battle of Corinth, 3-4 October 1862, CPT William H. Chamberlin and the 81st Ohio alongside the entire 2nd Division are driven from their first position but manage to rally around a White House. After holding the line for the rest of the day, the Ohioans march with their division further east and face another day of hard fighting on 4 October around Battery Powell.
Sources used for this episode:
Chamberlin, William H. History of the Eighty-First Regiment Ohio Infantry Volunteers: During the War of the Rebellion. Cincinnati: Gazette steam Printing House, 1865. https://www.loc.gov/item/02015233/.
Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser 1, vol. 17, pt. 1: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1886. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077728248&view=1up&seq=3.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:22):
Hello everyone.
My name is bill Coughlin.
And welcome to first personcivil war podcast, which retails
the stories of the soldiers andofficers.
On the ground and the battles ofthe civil war.
Episode 33 is entitled captainWilliam H Chamberlain and the
(00:43):
81st Ohio at the second battleof Corinth.
And relies on his book historyof the 81st regiment, Ohio
infantry volunteers during thewar of the rebellion.
Which he published in 1865.
William Henry Chamberlain wasborn in Ross county, Ohio in
(01:05):
1833.
Before the war, he was a schoolteacher and saved up to attend
Miami college at Oxford Ohio.
He was still a student at thecollege at the outbreak of the
civil war and decided to enlistas a first Lieutenant on 30
August, 1861.
And what would become company Cof the 81st Ohio?
(01:30):
The formation of the 81st Ohiowas unique compared to most
regiments of the civil war.
The regiment formed around the20th Ohio.
Once it completed its threemonths service.
Rather than raising a regimentunder the control of a state
government.
Colonel Thomas Morton the 20thOhio's commander.
(01:50):
I opted to raise his regimentunder the command of major
general, John C Fremont, who.
Throw his influence.
The orders of the war departmentwere such that anyone could
enlist men for his army andcould have the muster singly or
in squads or companies andforwarded to his headquarters at
(02:12):
St.
Louis.
Morton's independent rifleregiment as they called
themselves formed in Ohio, butthey were not the only regiment
of this kind in that state.
Colonel Morton sent his firstfull company to St.
Louis.
But these men were assigned to aseparate, independent regiment.
(02:32):
And two more companies slated tojoin with Colonel Morton.
We're also diverted to yetanother independent formation.
The state of Ohio beingconcerned about enlistment
numbers and more of these kindsof regimens.
Decided to intervene and put anend to these formations within
its borders.
Morton's independent rifleregiment with no change to its
(02:54):
officers, re flagged as the 81stOhio.
First Lieutenant Chamberlainsummed up the regiments unique
birth as.
An adopted child of the state,not one to the manner born.
First Lieutenant Chamberlain andthe 81st Ohio were assigned to
the army of the Tennessee.
(03:15):
Where it saw combat to thebattle of Shiloh.
And the siege of Corinth fromApril to May, 1862.
On seven May, 1862 William HChamberlain, promoted to captain
and took command of company C,which was still conducting CJ
operations.
After the city's fall.
(03:36):
The 81st Ohio participated in abrief pursuit of the
Confederates toward Boonville,Mississippi.
But eventually returned toCorinth where it assisted in
erecting, fortifications aroundthe city.
By September, 1862, severalConfederate armies were on the
move in the west with generalBraxton Bragg's March into
(03:58):
Kentucky and the major generalEarl van Dorens advance with the
army of west Tennessee uponCorinth, Mississippi with the
overall objective of seasoning,the critical railroad juncture
there before marching intoTennessee.
The 81st Ohio at this time wasstationed at Hamburg, Tennessee
(04:18):
and guarded the army suppliesthat arrived by boat, but they
were soon recalled to Corinth.
And marched on Iacocca.
But the Ohioans to not fight inthat battle.
As captain Chamberlain in the81st Ohio returned to Corinth.
They marched in Brigadiergeneral, Richard J O ghlas B's
second brigade.
Of Brigadier general Thomas aDavis's second division.
(04:41):
Of major general Grant's army atthe Tennessee.
Major general grant was notpresent at Corinth and the
second and sixth divisions ofthis army.
Fell under the tactical commandof major general William S
Rosecrans commander of the armyat the Mississippi.
On three, October, 1862, captainChamberlain in the 81st Ohio,
(05:07):
still south of the city rapidlymarched north.
At 3:00 AM general, low.
brigade was formed on the colorline.
But rested until after daylight,when it, with the remainder of
the division marched off towardCorinth.
When halfway to the town,artillery was distinctly heard
(05:28):
to the Northwest.
It was the first intimation tomany that a battle was about to
be fought.
As general or Glasby entered thetown.
It was evident that somethingwas going to happen.
Troops are moving in everydirection.
Teams are driving at breakneckspeed.
And all the usual businessappearance of the town was
(05:48):
giving way to inextricableconfusion.
At the same time.
The sound of artillery grew moredistinct and nearer.
The second division managed tooccupy the center of the union
mine before the Confederatesbegan their advance.
Though in position.
Captain Chamberlin remarked attheir precarious situation.
(06:13):
The second brigade went into therebel works, meaning the old
siege works.
A half mile further to theright.
That was from the third brigade.
While the first brigade was onits right.
The line thus partially coveredby, but little over 2000 men was
nearly two miles in length.
The regiments were stretched totheir utmost capacity in a thin
(06:36):
line.
But yet there were immense gapswhich could not be filled.
As Colonel Martin prepared asmen for the Confederate assault,
he realized the ground in frontof them was not favorable for a
defense.
His report also elaborated onhow big the gaps were in the
line on the far left of thesecond division.
(07:00):
The nature of the ground in ourfront offered a cover to his
forces until within a few yardsof our line.
On our left, there was anunoccupied space of at least
three quarters of a mile.
On our right.
And between my command and the12th, Illinois.
Alike unoccupied space ofseveral hundred yards.
(07:21):
Through the ladder space, theenemy first entered the works.
The Confederates that advancedupon the 81st Ohio and the rest
of the second brigade for theArkansans Texans and Alabamans
of Brigadier general, John CMoore's brigade.
We were now ordered forward toassault.
(07:43):
The enemies works.
We advanced in a well-preservedline of battle, considering the
difficulties of the ground.
And on reaching the fallentimber in front of the enemies,
entrenchments we charged andcarried the enemy's works with,
but little opposition except onour left.
Captain Chamberlain in the 81stOhio posted next to an artillery
(08:06):
battery and witnessed a briefartillery duel between them and
two pieces.
The Confederates had justcaptured.
This was, but a brief exchangebefore the general advance.
But with unlooked impetuositythe rebels in overwhelming
numbers rushed forward fromtheir cover into the Abbott's.
(08:28):
And with demonic yells.
Meaning the rebel yell.
Moved upon our weak line.
The crash and rattle and dinthat followed was the struggle
of two great monsters.
Terrific.
But brief.
In five minutes from the timethe rebels emerged from the
woods, they appear star line.
(08:49):
Captured several pieces ofartillery and driven us from our
works.
The entire union line north ofCorinth retreated from the
occupied works, but it was not aroute.
The union line eventuallyreformed.
And Colonel Martin and captainChamberlain.
Both noted that the 81st Ohioanchored around a white house.
(09:12):
While regimental officersconfirm a general narrative with
the source material and is atthis white house where captain
Chamberlain distorted thenarrative.
The rebels confidently pressedon, but our lines now being
compact and without gap saysbefore we maintained our
position with firmness.
(09:34):
On on came the rebels, ourtroops lying close to the
ground.
We're unhurt by the rebel balls.
It was here while close behindthe 81st Ohio that the Gallant
general PA Hackleman.
That is the first brigadecommander.
Was mortally wounded.
As he fell from his horse, hewas caught by private CP
(09:57):
McClelland and major Evans ofthe 81st Ohio.
And such care, given him ascircumstances allowed.
All at once as if by magic, thelong line arose nerve to action
by the side of this beloveddying general.
And with cheers that spoke thedetermination of their hearts.
(10:18):
Every man sprang forwardforward.
Borne by the brave hearted mensped the bright banners of every
regiment.
It was a grand sight.
According to Colonel Thomas W.
Sweeney who took command of thefirst brigade after Brigadier
general.
Hackleman steth.
(10:38):
It seems the death of thisofficer while around the same
time of the union advance.
I was not the trigger of thecounter charge.
The second division fell backabout half a mile, but the enemy
appearing on our left flank.
Our lines fell back stillfurther and took up a position
in front of the white house.
(10:59):
This brigade occupying theextreme right.
He describes how the brigade orrate itself with final placement
of the regiments.
When at 2:00 PM, they appearedin his front.
It had hardly been placed inline when the enemy burst from
the woods in front, inmagnificent style.
In columns by divisions.
(11:20):
And move swiftly across thefield until within point blank
range.
Our men who had been ordered tolie down now, rose import in
their fire with such deadlyeffect that the fo after a
short, but sanguinary struggle.
RealD.
Broke and fled and dismay.
Again, they advanced, but we'reforced back at the point of a
(11:43):
bayonet with great slaughter.
Our men driving them across theopen field and into the woods.
Colonel Sweeney's report alsosheds light on why Brigadier
general Hackleman was in thevicinity of the 81st Ohio and
not his own brigade.
Just at this juncture part ofmowers brigade moved up to our
(12:07):
support, but before they couldbe deployed into line.
They became panic stricken andbroken confusion.
It was while endeavoring torally these men, the generals
Hackleman and Oglesby werewounded.
The second division held itsposition around the white house
for the rest of the day.
(12:28):
During the night of threeOctober into the morning of
four, October, 1862.
Major general Rosecransredeployed his army and
eventually shifted Brigadiergeneral Davis's division further
east.
Which formed a defensive linearound battery Powell.
Which consisted of siege guns.
(12:49):
The Wavell to hold the line onthree October.
Brigadier general Davis issecond division was severely
depleted.
With even his reserves nowcommitted major general
Rosecrans needed every availableregiment to remain in line.
And so captain Chamberlain andthe anti first Ohio.
Uh, weighted the Confederates onfour October.
(13:11):
That was an anxious night.
We had already lost heavily inthe day's battle, the
fortifications of the place, ormerely nominal.
Not a foot of entrenchments forinfantry.
Was there.
All the work in that directionhave been expended in erecting
works for the artillery.
And even this was not complete.
(13:33):
Major general van Dorn renewedhis attack against a union army.
And that morning it was abrigade of Missourians and
Arkansans that advanced againstthe Ohioans.
Brigadier general Martin E greenacting commander.
The first division sent thisbrigade forward alongside the
rest of the division.
(13:55):
However, line's moved across therailroad advancing slowly and
steadily.
When within 200 yards, thecommand was ordered to charge at
the double quick.
The whole line now moved forwardwith great rapidity officers and
men all seemed eager to be theforemost in reaching the
fortifications.
(14:16):
But it was a hard road to travelclimbing over logs, brush and
fallen timber.
Captain Chamberlain and the 81stSohio received this charge
almost in the exact same way asthe first charge the day before.
But this time more artillery wasavailable.
And interior lines also allowedneighboring units to assist
(14:40):
them.
About nine or 10.
O'clock the storm broken furyfull upon Davis's devoted
command.
Stretched in a single line withno reserves and no entrenchments
the weary troops yielded beforethe impetuous onset of the
rebels.
Cheered by their apparently easyvictory prices.
(15:01):
Vagabonds rushed, boldly onhoping to make a lodgement in
the town.
But in this, they weredisappointed.
Hamilton's artillery andinfantry.
Meaning the third division.
Poor death into one flank, theponderous siege, guns, and
lighter pieces of batteryWilliams and Robinette through
(15:22):
their deadly iron Hale and tothe other flank.
While Davis has divisionrallying.
Turned upon their pursuers andhurling destruction upon their
front.
Almost literally annihilatedthem.
For a division to take the bruntof an assault two days in a row
and still managed to rally andfight.
(15:43):
Don is commendable.
But let's revisit the charge ofthe second division at the white
house.
On three October as Brigadiergeneral, Hackleman fell mortally
wounded.
It was no doubt, a pivotalmoment for captain Chamberlain
and the 81st Ohio as they joinedin the advance of the second
division.
But the entire division did notadvance because of this one
(16:06):
event.
Several reports support this.
The commander of the 12th,Illinois in the same brigade as
the 81st Ohio.
Wrote in his report that hereceived an order to advance
upon the Confederates, but didnot mention the brigade
commanders, death as a factor inthe enthusiasm of the.
(16:26):
men during the advance.
A similar statement is found inseveral other regimental and
brigade commander reportsfollowing the battle.
Brigadier general Davis and hisreport.
I assessed a good time tocharge, which just happened to
coincide with Brigadier general.
Hackleman mortal wound.
(16:47):
The enemy's fire was too high.
While our men planted theirshots with great precision.
And after a well-directedvolley.
The order was given to chargewhen the enemy was forced back
at the point of the bayonet withgreat slaughter.
Across the open field.
and into the woods beyond.
(17:07):
Captain Chamberlain promoted tothe rank of major and remained
in the 81st Ohio until 15,September, 1864.
Following the capture ofAtlanta, he resigned his
commission.
This meant he was absent fromthe regiments participation in
chairman's March to the sea andthe fighting in south and North
(17:28):
Carolina.
The 81st Ohio regimental fundprovided most of the money for
William H Chamberlain to write.
History of the 81st regiment,Ohio infantry volunteers.
During the war of the rebellion.
The regimental fund alsoprovided a free copy to all
members.
(17:49):
But funding beyond this becamelimited.
Including pictures with the bookwas an extra expense.
And William H Chamberlain onlyallowed surviving officers to
include their pictures at theirown expense.
No one will regret more thanmyself.
The absence of many familiarfaces.
(18:10):
Especially of the dead.
But it is too late now to remedyit.
And I feel that I've used everymeans in my power without
success.
The design of producing thislittle work originated in the
belief that such a record in apermanent form would be
acceptable to the living as amemento of their suffering and
(18:32):
services and the war of therebellion.
And that it also might serve asa slight tribute to the memory
of those Gallant and heroicmembers of our regiment who have
laid their lives upon theircountries.
Alter.
Thank you for listening to the33rd episode.
The link to captainChamberlain's book is now
(18:53):
available on the podcastwebsite.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn this week.
You will find a picture ofWilliam H Chamberlain as a major
in the 81st Ohio.
Links to all social mediaaccounts are located at the top
(19:15):
of each webpage.
So please give them a follow.
In two weeks time.
Private John w Munson of companyB.
43rd, Virginia cavalrybattalion.
Also known as Mosley's Rangersprovides next episode's first
(19:36):
person account.
At the action.
At Mount Zion church.
My name is bill Coughlin.
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
Hello everyone.
My name is bill Coughlin.
And welcome to first personcivil war podcast, which retails
the stories of the soldiers andofficers.
On the ground and the battles ofthe civil war.
Episode 33 is entitled captainWilliam H Chamberlain and the
(00:43):
81st Ohio at the second battleof Corinth.
And relies on his book historyof the 81st regiment, Ohio
infantry volunteers during thewar of the rebellion.
Which he published in 1865.
William Henry Chamberlain wasborn in Ross county, Ohio in
(01:05):
1833.
Before the war, he was a schoolteacher and saved up to attend
Miami college at Oxford Ohio.
He was still a student at thecollege at the outbreak of the
civil war and decided to enlistas a first Lieutenant on 30
August, 1861.
And what would become company Cof the 81st Ohio?
(01:30):
The formation of the 81st Ohiowas unique compared to most
regiments of the civil war.
The regiment formed around the20th Ohio.
Once it completed its threemonths service.
Rather than raising a regimentunder the control of a state
government.
Colonel Thomas Morton the 20thOhio's commander.
(01:50):
I opted to raise his regimentunder the command of major
general, John C Fremont, who.
Throw his influence.
The orders of the war departmentwere such that anyone could
enlist men for his army andcould have the muster singly or
in squads or companies andforwarded to his headquarters at
(02:12):
St.
Louis.
Morton's independent rifleregiment as they called
themselves formed in Ohio, butthey were not the only regiment
of this kind in that state.
Colonel Morton sent his firstfull company to St.
Louis.
But these men were assigned to aseparate, independent regiment.
(02:32):
And two more companies slated tojoin with Colonel Morton.
We're also diverted to yetanother independent formation.
The state of Ohio beingconcerned about enlistment
numbers and more of these kindsof regimens.
Decided to intervene and put anend to these formations within
its borders.
Morton's independent rifleregiment with no change to its
(02:54):
officers, re flagged as the 81stOhio.
First Lieutenant Chamberlainsummed up the regiments unique
birth as.
An adopted child of the state,not one to the manner born.
First Lieutenant Chamberlain andthe 81st Ohio were assigned to
the army of the Tennessee.
(03:15):
Where it saw combat to thebattle of Shiloh.
And the siege of Corinth fromApril to May, 1862.
On seven May, 1862 William HChamberlain, promoted to captain
and took command of company C,which was still conducting CJ
operations.
After the city's fall.
(03:36):
The 81st Ohio participated in abrief pursuit of the
Confederates toward Boonville,Mississippi.
But eventually returned toCorinth where it assisted in
erecting, fortifications aroundthe city.
By September, 1862, severalConfederate armies were on the
move in the west with generalBraxton Bragg's March into
(03:58):
Kentucky and the major generalEarl van Dorens advance with the
army of west Tennessee uponCorinth, Mississippi with the
overall objective of seasoning,the critical railroad juncture
there before marching intoTennessee.
The 81st Ohio at this time wasstationed at Hamburg, Tennessee
(04:18):
and guarded the army suppliesthat arrived by boat, but they
were soon recalled to Corinth.
And marched on Iacocca.
But the Ohioans to not fight inthat battle.
As captain Chamberlain in the81st Ohio returned to Corinth.
They marched in Brigadiergeneral, Richard J O ghlas B's
second brigade.
Of Brigadier general Thomas aDavis's second division.
(04:41):
Of major general Grant's army atthe Tennessee.
Major general grant was notpresent at Corinth and the
second and sixth divisions ofthis army.
Fell under the tactical commandof major general William S
Rosecrans commander of the armyat the Mississippi.
On three, October, 1862, captainChamberlain in the 81st Ohio,
(05:07):
still south of the city rapidlymarched north.
At 3:00 AM general, low.
brigade was formed on the colorline.
But rested until after daylight,when it, with the remainder of
the division marched off towardCorinth.
When halfway to the town,artillery was distinctly heard
(05:28):
to the Northwest.
It was the first intimation tomany that a battle was about to
be fought.
As general or Glasby entered thetown.
It was evident that somethingwas going to happen.
Troops are moving in everydirection.
Teams are driving at breakneckspeed.
And all the usual businessappearance of the town was
(05:48):
giving way to inextricableconfusion.
At the same time.
The sound of artillery grew moredistinct and nearer.
The second division managed tooccupy the center of the union
mine before the Confederatesbegan their advance.
Though in position.
Captain Chamberlin remarked attheir precarious situation.
(06:13):
The second brigade went into therebel works, meaning the old
siege works.
A half mile further to theright.
That was from the third brigade.
While the first brigade was onits right.
The line thus partially coveredby, but little over 2000 men was
nearly two miles in length.
The regiments were stretched totheir utmost capacity in a thin
(06:36):
line.
But yet there were immense gapswhich could not be filled.
As Colonel Martin prepared asmen for the Confederate assault,
he realized the ground in frontof them was not favorable for a
defense.
His report also elaborated onhow big the gaps were in the
line on the far left of thesecond division.
(07:00):
The nature of the ground in ourfront offered a cover to his
forces until within a few yardsof our line.
On our left, there was anunoccupied space of at least
three quarters of a mile.
On our right.
And between my command and the12th, Illinois.
Alike unoccupied space ofseveral hundred yards.
(07:21):
Through the ladder space, theenemy first entered the works.
The Confederates that advancedupon the 81st Ohio and the rest
of the second brigade for theArkansans Texans and Alabamans
of Brigadier general, John CMoore's brigade.
We were now ordered forward toassault.
(07:43):
The enemies works.
We advanced in a well-preservedline of battle, considering the
difficulties of the ground.
And on reaching the fallentimber in front of the enemies,
entrenchments we charged andcarried the enemy's works with,
but little opposition except onour left.
Captain Chamberlain in the 81stOhio posted next to an artillery
(08:06):
battery and witnessed a briefartillery duel between them and
two pieces.
The Confederates had justcaptured.
This was, but a brief exchangebefore the general advance.
But with unlooked impetuositythe rebels in overwhelming
numbers rushed forward fromtheir cover into the Abbott's.
(08:28):
And with demonic yells.
Meaning the rebel yell.
Moved upon our weak line.
The crash and rattle and dinthat followed was the struggle
of two great monsters.
Terrific.
But brief.
In five minutes from the timethe rebels emerged from the
woods, they appear star line.
(08:49):
Captured several pieces ofartillery and driven us from our
works.
The entire union line north ofCorinth retreated from the
occupied works, but it was not aroute.
The union line eventuallyreformed.
And Colonel Martin and captainChamberlain.
Both noted that the 81st Ohioanchored around a white house.
(09:12):
While regimental officersconfirm a general narrative with
the source material and is atthis white house where captain
Chamberlain distorted thenarrative.
The rebels confidently pressedon, but our lines now being
compact and without gap saysbefore we maintained our
position with firmness.
(09:34):
On on came the rebels, ourtroops lying close to the
ground.
We're unhurt by the rebel balls.
It was here while close behindthe 81st Ohio that the Gallant
general PA Hackleman.
That is the first brigadecommander.
Was mortally wounded.
As he fell from his horse, hewas caught by private CP
(09:57):
McClelland and major Evans ofthe 81st Ohio.
And such care, given him ascircumstances allowed.
All at once as if by magic, thelong line arose nerve to action
by the side of this beloveddying general.
And with cheers that spoke thedetermination of their hearts.
(10:18):
Every man sprang forwardforward.
Borne by the brave hearted mensped the bright banners of every
regiment.
It was a grand sight.
According to Colonel Thomas W.
Sweeney who took command of thefirst brigade after Brigadier
general.
Hackleman steth.
(10:38):
It seems the death of thisofficer while around the same
time of the union advance.
I was not the trigger of thecounter charge.
The second division fell backabout half a mile, but the enemy
appearing on our left flank.
Our lines fell back stillfurther and took up a position
in front of the white house.
(10:59):
This brigade occupying theextreme right.
He describes how the brigade orrate itself with final placement
of the regiments.
When at 2:00 PM, they appearedin his front.
It had hardly been placed inline when the enemy burst from
the woods in front, inmagnificent style.
In columns by divisions.
(11:20):
And move swiftly across thefield until within point blank
range.
Our men who had been ordered tolie down now, rose import in
their fire with such deadlyeffect that the fo after a
short, but sanguinary struggle.
RealD.
Broke and fled and dismay.
Again, they advanced, but we'reforced back at the point of a
(11:43):
bayonet with great slaughter.
Our men driving them across theopen field and into the woods.
Colonel Sweeney's report alsosheds light on why Brigadier
general Hackleman was in thevicinity of the 81st Ohio and
not his own brigade.
Just at this juncture part ofmowers brigade moved up to our
(12:07):
support, but before they couldbe deployed into line.
They became panic stricken andbroken confusion.
It was while endeavoring torally these men, the generals
Hackleman and Oglesby werewounded.
The second division held itsposition around the white house
for the rest of the day.
(12:28):
During the night of threeOctober into the morning of
four, October, 1862.
Major general Rosecransredeployed his army and
eventually shifted Brigadiergeneral Davis's division further
east.
Which formed a defensive linearound battery Powell.
Which consisted of siege guns.
(12:49):
The Wavell to hold the line onthree October.
Brigadier general Davis issecond division was severely
depleted.
With even his reserves nowcommitted major general
Rosecrans needed every availableregiment to remain in line.
And so captain Chamberlain andthe anti first Ohio.
Uh, weighted the Confederates onfour October.
(13:11):
That was an anxious night.
We had already lost heavily inthe day's battle, the
fortifications of the place, ormerely nominal.
Not a foot of entrenchments forinfantry.
Was there.
All the work in that directionhave been expended in erecting
works for the artillery.
And even this was not complete.
(13:33):
Major general van Dorn renewedhis attack against a union army.
And that morning it was abrigade of Missourians and
Arkansans that advanced againstthe Ohioans.
Brigadier general Martin E greenacting commander.
The first division sent thisbrigade forward alongside the
rest of the division.
(13:55):
However, line's moved across therailroad advancing slowly and
steadily.
When within 200 yards, thecommand was ordered to charge at
the double quick.
The whole line now moved forwardwith great rapidity officers and
men all seemed eager to be theforemost in reaching the
fortifications.
(14:16):
But it was a hard road to travelclimbing over logs, brush and
fallen timber.
Captain Chamberlain and the 81stSohio received this charge
almost in the exact same way asthe first charge the day before.
But this time more artillery wasavailable.
And interior lines also allowedneighboring units to assist
(14:40):
them.
About nine or 10.
O'clock the storm broken furyfull upon Davis's devoted
command.
Stretched in a single line withno reserves and no entrenchments
the weary troops yielded beforethe impetuous onset of the
rebels.
Cheered by their apparently easyvictory prices.
(15:01):
Vagabonds rushed, boldly onhoping to make a lodgement in
the town.
But in this, they weredisappointed.
Hamilton's artillery andinfantry.
Meaning the third division.
Poor death into one flank, theponderous siege, guns, and
lighter pieces of batteryWilliams and Robinette through
(15:22):
their deadly iron Hale and tothe other flank.
While Davis has divisionrallying.
Turned upon their pursuers andhurling destruction upon their
front.
Almost literally annihilatedthem.
For a division to take the bruntof an assault two days in a row
and still managed to rally andfight.
(15:43):
Don is commendable.
But let's revisit the charge ofthe second division at the white
house.
On three October as Brigadiergeneral, Hackleman fell mortally
wounded.
It was no doubt, a pivotalmoment for captain Chamberlain
and the 81st Ohio as they joinedin the advance of the second
division.
But the entire division did notadvance because of this one
(16:06):
event.
Several reports support this.
The commander of the 12th,Illinois in the same brigade as
the 81st Ohio.
Wrote in his report that hereceived an order to advance
upon the Confederates, but didnot mention the brigade
commanders, death as a factor inthe enthusiasm of the.
(16:26):
men during the advance.
A similar statement is found inseveral other regimental and
brigade commander reportsfollowing the battle.
Brigadier general Davis and hisreport.
I assessed a good time tocharge, which just happened to
coincide with Brigadier general.
Hackleman mortal wound.
(16:47):
The enemy's fire was too high.
While our men planted theirshots with great precision.
And after a well-directedvolley.
The order was given to chargewhen the enemy was forced back
at the point of the bayonet withgreat slaughter.
Across the open field.
and into the woods beyond.
(17:07):
Captain Chamberlain promoted tothe rank of major and remained
in the 81st Ohio until 15,September, 1864.
Following the capture ofAtlanta, he resigned his
commission.
This meant he was absent fromthe regiments participation in
chairman's March to the sea andthe fighting in south and North
(17:28):
Carolina.
The 81st Ohio regimental fundprovided most of the money for
William H Chamberlain to write.
History of the 81st regiment,Ohio infantry volunteers.
During the war of the rebellion.
The regimental fund alsoprovided a free copy to all
members.
(17:49):
But funding beyond this becamelimited.
Including pictures with the bookwas an extra expense.
And William H Chamberlain onlyallowed surviving officers to
include their pictures at theirown expense.
No one will regret more thanmyself.
The absence of many familiarfaces.
(18:10):
Especially of the dead.
But it is too late now to remedyit.
And I feel that I've used everymeans in my power without
success.
The design of producing thislittle work originated in the
belief that such a record in apermanent form would be
acceptable to the living as amemento of their suffering and
(18:32):
services and the war of therebellion.
And that it also might serve asa slight tribute to the memory
of those Gallant and heroicmembers of our regiment who have
laid their lives upon theircountries.
Alter.
Thank you for listening to the33rd episode.
The link to captainChamberlain's book is now
(18:53):
available on the podcastwebsite.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn this week.
You will find a picture ofWilliam H Chamberlain as a major
in the 81st Ohio.
Links to all social mediaaccounts are located at the top
(19:15):
of each webpage.
So please give them a follow.
In two weeks time.
Private John w Munson of companyB.
43rd, Virginia cavalrybattalion.
Also known as Mosley's Rangersprovides next episode's first
(19:36):
person account.
At the action.
At Mount Zion church.
My name is bill Coughlin.
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
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