Letters From Shiloh
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| Bvt.
Brig. Gen. John
McConihe
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Gen. John McConihe, third son of Hon. Isaac and Sarah Strong McConihe, born at Troy, N.Y., Sept. 4, 1834, was shot through the heart at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864. However, before this untimely death John McConihe, had achieved what others could only do in a lifetime.
At
the age of sixteen he entered the sophomore class of Union College, and graduated
from there with honor in 1853. He studied law with his father,
attended law school at the University at Albany, and was graduated in 1855,
whereupon he opened an office for the practice of his profession in
the city of Troy that same year. In 1857 he settled at Omaha, Nebraska
Territory, and
commenced the practice of the law. In 1858 the gold mines five hundred and fifty
miles west of Pike's Peak were discovered, inducing a large emigration through
Omaha. He took advantage of this, and formed a co-partnership in the freighting
business to Denver, which he conducted until he entered the army. In the spring
of 1860 he was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Omaha.
Driven
by a patriotic desire to serve his country, he raised a company for the 1st
Nebraska Regiment, and as captain of the company participated in all the
incidents of the Missouri campaign. In February, 1862, he was sent to Washington
on official business. While there he was taken sick and returned Troy, where he
was confined at his father's house with typhoid fever for nearly six weeks. When
he had recovered sufficiently to travel, he hastened to rejoin his regiment,
which he reached the day before the bloody battle of Shiloh.
On
April 7, the second day of that struggle he was wounded as described two
days later by the Captain in the following dictated letter which was transcribed
by fellow New Yorker and Company G enlisted man, Corp. L. W. Dougherty.
Nine days later, April 18, finds Capt. McConihe, in the Cincinnati home of Mr.
John Newton, 35, a Senior Administrative Partner with Ohio Mortgage Company,
who resides with his 24 year old wife, Louisa. The Newton’s lived in
the fashionable Fifteenth Ward of Cincinnati, where, with the assistance of
Newton, the Captain writes his father back in Troy telling him of his
recuperation.
While
recovering from this wound he returned to his native Troy. He was then appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 169th New York Volunteers, then being
recruited in that city.
Following provost duty in Washington, D.C. the 169th found itself first engaged
on April 24, 1863 at Edenton Road, Suffolk, Va, after which it went on to
participate in
various battles and expeditions in North and South Carolina and Florida. On
April 12, 1864 McConihe was appointed Colonel of his regiment. In early June of
that year, the regiment found itself heavily engaged at the
battle of Cold Harbor where Colonel McConihe met his demise with one
bullet piercing his body and another his heart. He died almost instantly,
exclaiming, "Oh!" as he fell. His last order as commander of the
regiment was given an instant before his death, in these words: "Cease
firing; fix bayonets and charge again. Dress up on the colors - don't leave the
colors!"
Near Pittsburg, Tenn. April 9th
Dear Father:
On Friday night last, our pickets commenced skirmishing with the rebels. Little or no fighting was done on Saturday, but on Sunday morning, just that gray dawn the rebels charged and upon our camps, in consequence the battle was open. All day Sunday the battle raged fiercely and from all appearances and information the national troops were steadily driven back by the rebels. Gen. Wallace's division of which the Nebraska 1st is a part, moved forward to this scene of action on Sunday, arriving upon the battlefield at dark Sunday night. This division was immediately placed on the right in front. On Monday morning, at daylight the right wing was engaged. Steadily we advanced driving the enemy back slowly but surely all day. They fought like demons and stood their ground manfully (Every canteen rebels soldier and prisoner had was filled with whisky, with powder mixed in.); but they could not stand the true courage and constant advanse of our soldiers. Everywhere we whipped them, no matter how fiercely or chivaloursly they fought. Late Monday after-noon the enemy were becoming exhausted, and were being driven back by our troops rapidly. Their arms and several of their cannons fell into our hands, they being completely routed. The road to Corinth was strewn with their arms, clothing, and every thing that would in any way impede a person from making a rapid flight.
About 8
PM., as the Nebraska 1st was advancing and repulsing
the enemy, I received a minie ball in my left
arm which
passed entirely through
and out the arm,
just below the elbow,
fracturing the bone, and leaving making quite a
hole. I do not think I shall lose
the arm but hope
to be ready for duty again in a reasonable time. I
am doing very well and receiving the best of attention.
The weather has been very unpleasant, cold and rainy the past week, and every night we are drenched with the rain- having no tents with us. Our men stand exposure and hardships most gallantly, but the rebels are badly cut up and terribly scared. The loss on both sides has been immense, and this has been the great battle of the war. The Union forces could not well have numbered less than 40,000 men and were well equipped and ordered, while the rebels numbered, at the lowest calculation 87,000 men. Our losses killed and wounded will exceed 3000 men, and the enemies will far exceed ours. For miles in all directions the woods and fields are filled with the dead and wounded, and the appearances of a great and destructive and battle are evident in all directions.
Most of our troops fought like veterans and our right stood all day in the midst of a hail of shell, shot, and musketry. Balls and shell fell upon us like rain, and it is a miracle the right was not cut to pieces. Most of the balls passed over us, a shell passing through the air with a howl like caterwauling. A ball whizzing by with a hum, whizzing, or a buzz, according to distance it was from ones ear, and musketry and grape cut boughs from the trees in all directions.
The ambulances have been busy ever since Monday gathering up the dead and wounded. Beauregard is said to have been wounded in the thigh, at least this and Braxton Bragg killed. Beaureguard’s Body Guard, the Orleans Guards , the crack corps of the South, was terribly cut up, and many of them taken prisoner.
I am too weak from the loss of blood and pain of my wound to write myself and dictate it to my fellow soldier, Mr. Daugherty. In a few days I hope to be able to write to you myself. I have not as yet determined about going down the river with the wounded, but shall probably move right on to Memphis with the army. Love to all. From your affectionate son,
John
McConihe
Captain
Company G., 1st Nebraska Volunteers
P.S. Judge McConihe: Sir I write the above for the Captain, your son, who is quite weak, and at his solicitations. He is doing as well as could be expected. We try to give him all the attention possible. He was wounded while gallantly leading his company in a charge. Our 1st Lieut. received a shot in the right shoulder, but it did not seriously hurt him, the ball being spent.
Yours respectfully
Loring
Daugherty.
Company
G.
as I write under difficulty please excuse this pen/ spelling
Cincinnati April 18. 1862
I arrived here by Hospital Boat Magnolia about 9 am having had a very pleasant trip from Pittsburgh landing starting on Monday last. The Steamer Magnolia was sent out by the State of Ohio to bring in the wounded Ohioians. She was well-equipped, had good medical attendance and quarters fitted up very nicely for the wounded, in fact a large floating hospital.
I received every attention that could>be afforded and had my shattered arm promptly cared for. Shortly after my arrival here I met John Newton and now staying with him at his house where I shall be perfectly comfortable and well attended to. It will take about six weeks to heal my arm and whether I shall remain here or endeavored to board in Cairo home is a question to be settled in the future.
I don't know whether I stated in my last the nature of my wound A rebel rifle ball passed through my left arm fracturing the middle third of the radius bone. The ball passed through and out carrying pieces of my coat and shirt sleeves with it into the wound.
I am doing
exceedingly well, have
a very good surgeon and will
without doubt recover the use of my arm.
It is quite painful but am so
much accustomed to the feeling by
this time that I don't mind it. Sleep
soundly and have a good appetite
and on a very quiet street.
Yours
affectionately
John
John Newton sends his respects and assures you that he is very glad to be of service to your son. John McC is in very good spirits and is excellent company. Keeps my wife laughing nearly all the time. And I really am very glad to have him here and doing so well. My wife joins me in well wishes for you and yours.
John M. Newton
Footnotes:
From the Roster of the First Nebraska Infantry:
First Lieut. Thomas J. Weatherwax, resident of Omaha, NE, mustered Oct. 30, 1861, promoted Capt. Sept. 2, 1862.
Corp. L. W. Dougherty, age 22, native of New York., enlisted March 20, 1862, mustered Nov. 19, 1863, re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864, deserted while on veteran's furlough.
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| The McConihe
brothers, Left: John, Center: William, Right: Samuel. |
|
Bob Farrell's
interest in the Civil War
began about twenty five years ago. He has done considerable research on the 169th New York
Volunteers (the “Troy
Regiment”) with whom his great-great
uncle served. Bob has endeavored to personalize each member of the 169th by searching out letters,
photos and any mention of a soldier no matter how obscure. He is attempting to search out the
burial sites of each of the veterans of the 169th. |