Status - 40th Indiana - 4th Army Corps - 2nd Division - 2nd Brigade
The 40th Indiana remains on duty in Texas, stationed at Green Lake near Port Lavaca.
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John Baer - Home, Tippecanoe County, IN
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Below is a letter John wrote some time after the war recounting the experience at the Battle of Stones River. John received a wound to the arm in this battle. After the collapse of the Union right in the early morning, the Union center came under attack in the afternoon, as related by John below.
John also notes the shocking death of Lt. Colonel Julius Garesche (John spells his name Garischa) during the battle. Colonel Garesche was was decapitated by a cannonball while riding with General Rosecrans near the 40th Indiana's position.
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LETTER TO THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
Editor National Tribune -
I am an interested reader of the reminiscences published from time to time in the tribune of the war by correspondents who were participants in these events, and although errors appear frequently it is not to be wondered at, as the majority of these events are chronicled from memory.
Now I was in the battle of Stone River and from what I know the statement of Sergt. Blodgett is in the main correct, Freeman and Dims to the contrary notwithstanding. I was a member of Co. A, 40th Regiment I. V. I. 2nd Division of 21st (or 45) Army Corps, the Brigade was composed of 15th, 40th, and 57th Vol. 24th Ky. and 97th Ohio and was commanded by Gen. G, G. Wagner. The Division was commanded by Gen. Wood and occupied the ground from the pike to the river. Wagner's 2nd Brig. being between the pike and the railroad, Van Cleve's 3rd Division to the left of Gen. Woods.
Early in the day it became apparent that the right could not withstand the impetuosity of the Confed. attack and Van Cleve's Div. was withdrawn from the left and sent to reinforce the right but were driven back and it seemed for some time that everything would be lost.
In the meantime the 2nd Brig. was withdrawn across the railroad in supporting distance of the batteries that gave the victorious rebels the first check and it was while in this position that Gen. Rosecrans staff were immediately behind our Regt. and not more that 30 paces distant that Col. Garischa was killed and it was about this time that the 10th Ind. battery was getting in their work.
Immediately afterward we were moved back to our former position between the pike and the railroad and notwithstanding the enemy gave us their almost undivided attention the balance of the day by as many as three different charges and an effort to dislodge by shelling, yet we held the ground until dark. So we say to Gen. Wagner's 2nd Brig., Wood's 2nd Div. belongs the honor of holding the only part of the original line of battle held that day and the pivot upon which the balance of the army turned back.
J. A. Baer
1st Sergt. Co A. 40th Regt.
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More Information:
- The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 218.
- Events: 1865
NEXT POST: DECEMBER 1ST
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