I spent Sunday at the battlefield trying to locate various positions. Harry was positioned with C Company across from today’s Visitor Center near Maloney Circle (his commander); Nothing there but here is where he was.
Railroad cut behind Robinett's position
This slab is where an artillery trail was positioned. Sometime in the past the guns were moved somehwere else. Most likely to Fort Donelson or Henry when they were established as national parks.
I was able to find where Maloney was stationed near “The Crater.” Here his unit participated in the assault the 3rd LA Redan. He had 30 pound Parrotts here as well.
According to the NPS site:
“Late in the siege, Union troops tunneled under the 3rd Louisiana Redan and packed the mine with 2,200 pounds of gunpowder. The explosion blew apart the Confederate lines on June 25, while an infantry attack made by troops from Logan's XVII Corps division, followed the blast. The 45th Illinois Regiment (known as the "Lead Mine Regiment"), under Col. Jasper A. Maltby, charged into the 40-foot (12 m) diameter, 12-foot (3.7 m) deep crater with ease, but were stopped by recovering Confederate infantry. The Union soldiers became pinned down while the defenders also rolled artillery shells with short fuses into the pit with deadly results. Union engineers worked to set up a casemate in the crater in order to extricate the infantry, and soon the soldiers fell back to a new defensive line. From the crater left by the explosion on June 25, Union miners worked to dig a new mine to the south. On July 1, this mine was detonated but no infantry attack followed. Pioneers worked throughout July 2 and July 3 to widen the initial crater large enough for an infantry column of four to pass through for future anticipated assaults. However, events the following day negated the need for any further assaults.”
It was raining and it took a good deal of effort to get to the position. Here it is:
Towards the crater & 3rd Louisiana Redan
3rd Louisiana Redan
The White House behind Logan's line.
This is a wartime view of Shirley House and bombproof shelters of the 45th Illinois
Finally, I found the 2nd Texas Lunette. Yes, the same unit that was decimated in the charge on Battery Robinett. Not much there now. As soon as I got there I recalled eating lunch at the tables there about ten years ago. Small world for both Robinett and myself.
Curiously enough, the NPS folks rotate the flags flown each day.
Guess whose flag was up for my visit?
Next post later in the week about my visit to Corinth.
Keep History Alive
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