By: Richard Holt

Richard Holt — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:11:41 +0000

I had distant ancestors in Co. “K”, 52nd TN: Pvt. William Henry Clay McMinn, Jr., & his two uncles, 2nd Lt. John W. (noted as M.) McMinn & Pvt. Thomas Wesley Wallingsford. W.H.C. noted as dying 30APR1862, no cause stated. Family Bible & tombstone note death as 24APR1862, with family story that he died from wounds received at Shiloh. The reports of the 52nd (except 2 co.) breaking in battle leaving in confusion, neglect to mention that the regiment had only 200 double barrell shotguns & no ammunition for 700 men while at Henderson Station earlier in Feb. Col. Lea noted muskets were received a few days prior to Shiloh, which would have left no time for the regiment to drill or practice with the firearms prior to going into battle. Although noted as receiving gunfire only from a “few” skirmishers, the regiment attacked toward the camp of the 55th IL, whose 500+ men had been postioned behind a ravine facing the 52nd. As these were well drilled troops in excellent field position, they must have put down a withering amount of musket fire toward the 52nd. As Chalmer’s brigade began to push Stuart’s brigade back, the 55th IL began to withdraw and was passed by the 71st OH retreating at a full run with their Colonel leading the retreat at full gallop on his horse. This colonel was shortly afterwards cashiered from the Union army for his actions that day. Neither Col. Lea nor the other officers of the 52nd were ever sanctioned for the poor performance of the 52nd that day, which suggests that the General staff was aware of how green and unprepared those soldiers were for combat. T.W. Wallingsford remained with Regiment, rising in rank to Orderly Sergeant. With the consolidation of the 51st and 52nd Regiments creating a surplus of officers, J.W. McMinn lost his rank as 2nd Lt. He was noted as having been wounded during the battle at Shiloh, and was recorded as being captured & paroled at Jackson on 22AUG1862. He might have been there in the hospital or might have been on the way home to Gibson Co. on furlough due to his injury when captured.

Comments on: William David Lee 52nd Tenn. Inf.

By: Richard Holt