Two buckshot in my side and a musket ball through my arm: A Michigan soldier recalls the Opening of Shiloh

Private James F. Hunt of Co. E, 12th MichiganInfantry, had the “honor” of firing some of the opening shots of the Battle ofShiloh. What he saw of battle satisfied his desire for combat.

“I gave the enemy between 30 and40 good rounds before they shot me, and I shot at somebody every time,” heexplained in a letter to his father. “Whether I killed anyone or not, I do notknow nor do I want to. I have seen all I want to of war and would like to gethome first best. I have seen men shot dead almost by my side and expected to bethe next one myself. Yet I could draw up and fire away just as cool as I couldat a flock of pigeons. How I got off so easy I do not know. I had my coat cutall to pieces with shot.”

Private Hunt’s account ofShiloh, sent to his father David M. Hunt who lived in Clay Township near SouthBend, Indiana, first appeared in the May 1, 1862, edition of the St. JosephValley Register.

 One of Private Hunt's comrades at Shiloh was Thomas Swobe pictured above. He enlisted as a corporal in Co. E of the 12th Michigan in December 1861 and served until the very end, mustering out in 1866 as the First Lieutenant of Co. K. Swobe would re-enlist in the U.S. Army, serving until May 28, 1898.
(Dale Niesen Collection)

Battleground of Shiloh, Tennessee

April 14, 1862

Dear father,

          The fray wascommenced about daylight by 600 of us who went out two miles from campscouting. There we came across the advanced guard of the enemy and had quite askirmish. William Dudd got slightly wounded in the leg while Cornelius Eastardgot shot through the back. He is still living and may recover. We also had aman out of our company who was killed. The enemy proved too much for us anddrove us into camp. We were poorly posted but fought the enemy all the way backto camp and there we made a stand, but it was of no use as the enemy was infull force.

          I retreatedback as far as the hospital and there, in trying to help a wounded officer toget on a horse, I got wounded myself which put an end to my fighting for thattime. I received two buckshot in my side and a musket ball through my left arm.My wounds will lay me up for some time to come, but if I have no bad luck, I’llget well.

Colonel William H. Grave
12th Michigan
(Dale Niesen Collection)

          I gave theenemy between 30 and 40 good rounds before they shot me, and I shot at somebodyevery time. Whether I killed anyone or not, I do not know nor do I want to. Ihave seen all I want to of war and would like to get home first best. I haveseen men shot dead almost by my side and expected to be the next one myself.Yet I could draw up and fire away just as cool as I could at a flock ofpigeons. How I got off so easy I do not know. I had my coat cut all to pieceswith shot.

          I was aprisoner for almost two days in the hands of the Secesh. They used us likegentlemen and treated us just as they did their own wounded. I expect that Ishall be moved from here and sent probably to Cincinnati as that is where mostof our wounded are going. I shall go down to the boat tonight or tomorrow.

          There arethree known to be killed out of our company and between 20 and 25 missing. Ourregiment is fearfully cut up and scattered and what is left is hardly fit forduty on account of dysentery and most of the companies only turn out from 25-30men.            

Source:

Letter from Private James F. Hunt, Co. E, 12thMichigan Volunteer Infantry, St. Joseph Valley Register (Indiana), May1, 1862, pg. 2