Episode 33: CPT William H. Chamberlin and the 81st Ohio at the Second Battle of Corinth

At the Second Battle of Corinth, 3-4 October 1862, CPT William H. Chamberlin and the 81st Ohio alongside the entire 2nd Division are driven from their first position but manage to rally around a White House. After holding the line for the rest of the day, the Ohioans march with their division further east and face another day of hard fighting on 4 October around Battery Powell.

 Sources used for this episode:

Chamberlin, William H. History of the Eighty-First Regiment Ohio Infantry Volunteers: During the War of the Rebellion. Cincinnati: Gazette steam Printing House, 1865. https://www.loc.gov/item/02015233/.

Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser 1, vol. 17, pt. 1: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1886. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077728248&view=1up&seq=3.

Transcript

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Hello everyone. My name is bill Coughlin. And welcome to first person civil war podcast, which retails the stories of the soldiers and officers. On the ground and the battles of the civil war. Episode 33 is entitled captain William H Chamberlain and the 81st Ohio at the second battle of Corinth. And relies on his book history of the 81st regiment, Ohio infantry volunteers during the war of the rebellion. Which he published in 1865. William Henry Chamberlain was born in Ross county, Ohio in 1833. Before the war, he was a school teacher and saved up to attend Miami college at Oxford Ohio. He was still a student at the college at the outbreak of the civil war and decided to enlist as a first Lieutenant on 30 August, 1861. And what would become company C of the 81st Ohio? The formation of the 81st Ohio was unique compared to most regiments of the civil war. The regiment formed around the 20th Ohio. Once it completed its three months service. Rather than raising a regiment under the control of a state government. Colonel Thomas Morton the 20th Ohio's commander. I opted to raise his regiment under the command of major general, John C Fremont, who. Throw his influence. The orders of the war department were such that anyone could enlist men for his army and could have the muster singly or in squads or companies and forwarded to his headquarters at St. Louis. Morton's independent rifle regiment as they called themselves formed in Ohio, but they were not the only regiment of this kind in that state. Colonel Morton sent his first full company to St. Louis. But these men were assigned to a separate, independent regiment. And two more companies slated to join with Colonel Morton. We're also diverted to yet another independent formation. The state of Ohio being concerned about enlistment numbers and more of these kinds of regimens. Decided to intervene and put an end to these formations within its borders. Morton's independent rifle regiment with no change to its officers, re flagged as the 81st Ohio. First Lieutenant Chamberlain summed up the regiments unique birth as. An adopted child of the state, not one to the manner born. First Lieutenant Chamberlain and the 81st Ohio were assigned to the army of the Tennessee. Where it saw combat to the battle of Shiloh. And the siege of Corinth from April to May, 1862. On seven May, 1862 William H Chamberlain, promoted to captain and took command of company C, which was still conducting CJ operations. After the city's fall. The 81st Ohio participated in a brief pursuit of the Confederates toward Boonville, Mississippi. But eventually returned to Corinth where it assisted in erecting, fortifications around the city. By September, 1862, several Confederate armies were on the move in the west with general Braxton Bragg's March into Kentucky and the major general Earl van Dorens advance with the army of west Tennessee upon Corinth, Mississippi with the overall objective of seasoning, the critical railroad juncture there before marching into Tennessee. The 81st Ohio at this time was stationed at Hamburg, Tennessee and guarded the army supplies that arrived by boat, but they were soon recalled to Corinth. And marched on Iacocca. But the Ohioans to not fight in that battle. As captain Chamberlain in the 81st Ohio returned to Corinth. They marched in Brigadier general, Richard J O ghlas B's second brigade. Of Brigadier general Thomas a Davis's second division. Of major general Grant's army at the Tennessee. Major general grant was not present at Corinth and the second and sixth divisions of this army. Fell under the tactical command of major general William S Rosecrans commander of the army at the Mississippi. On three, October, 1862, captain Chamberlain in the 81st Ohio, still south of the city rapidly marched north. At 3:00 AM general, low. brigade was formed on the color line. But rested until after daylight, when it, with the remainder of the division marched off toward Corinth. When halfway to the town, artillery was distinctly heard to the Northwest. It was the first intimation to many that a battle was about to be fought. As general or Glasby entered the town. It was evident that something was going to happen. Troops are moving in every direction. Teams are driving at breakneck speed. And all the usual business appearance of the town was giving way to inextricable confusion. At the same time. The sound of artillery grew more distinct and nearer. The second division managed to occupy the center of the union mine before the Confederates began their advance. Though in position. Captain Chamberlin remarked at their precarious situation. The second brigade went into the rebel works, meaning the old siege works. A half mile further to the right. That was from the third brigade. While the first brigade was on its right. The line thus partially covered by, but little over 2000 men was nearly two miles in length. The regiments were stretched to their utmost capacity in a thin line. But yet there were immense gaps which could not be filled. As Colonel Martin prepared as men for the Confederate assault, he realized the ground in front of them was not favorable for a defense. His report also elaborated on how big the gaps were in the line on the far left of the second division. The nature of the ground in our front offered a cover to his forces until within a few yards of our line. On our left, there was an unoccupied space of at least three quarters of a mile. On our right. And between my command and the 12th, Illinois. Alike unoccupied space of several hundred yards. Through the ladder space, the enemy first entered the works. The Confederates that advanced upon the 81st Ohio and the rest of the second brigade for the Arkansans Texans and Alabamans of Brigadier general, John C Moore's brigade. We were now ordered forward to assault. The enemies works. We advanced in a well-preserved line of battle, considering the difficulties of the ground. And on reaching the fallen timber in front of the enemies, entrenchments we charged and carried the enemy's works with, but little opposition except on our left. Captain Chamberlain in the 81st Ohio posted next to an artillery battery and witnessed a brief artillery duel between them and two pieces. The Confederates had just captured. This was, but a brief exchange before the general advance. But with unlooked impetuosity the rebels in overwhelming numbers rushed forward from their cover into the Abbott's. And with demonic yells. Meaning the rebel yell. Moved upon our weak line. The crash and rattle and din that followed was the struggle of two great monsters. Terrific. But brief. In five minutes from the time the rebels emerged from the woods, they appear star line. Captured several pieces of artillery and driven us from our works. The entire union line north of Corinth retreated from the occupied works, but it was not a route. The union line eventually reformed. And Colonel Martin and captain Chamberlain. Both noted that the 81st Ohio anchored around a white house. While regimental officers confirm a general narrative with the source material and is at this white house where captain Chamberlain distorted the narrative. The rebels confidently pressed on, but our lines now being compact and without gap says before we maintained our position with firmness. On on came the rebels, our troops lying close to the ground. We're unhurt by the rebel balls. It was here while close behind the 81st Ohio that the Gallant general PA Hackleman. That is the first brigade commander. Was mortally wounded. As he fell from his horse, he was caught by private CP McClelland and major Evans of the 81st Ohio. And such care, given him as circumstances allowed. All at once as if by magic, the long line arose nerve to action by the side of this beloved dying general. And with cheers that spoke the determination of their hearts. Every man sprang forward forward. Borne by the brave hearted men sped the bright banners of every regiment. It was a grand sight. According to Colonel Thomas W. Sweeney who took command of the first brigade after Brigadier general. Hackleman steth. It seems the death of this officer while around the same time of the union advance. I was not the trigger of the counter charge. The second division fell back about half a mile, but the enemy appearing on our left flank. Our lines fell back still further and took up a position in front of the white house. This brigade occupying the extreme right. He describes how the brigade or rate itself with final placement of the regiments. When at 2:00 PM, they appeared in his front. It had hardly been placed in line when the enemy burst from the woods in front, in magnificent style. In columns by divisions. And move swiftly across the field until within point blank range. Our men who had been ordered to lie down now, rose import in their fire with such deadly effect that the fo after a short, but sanguinary struggle. RealD. Broke and fled and dismay. Again, they advanced, but we're forced back at the point of a bayonet with great slaughter. Our men driving them across the open field and into the woods. Colonel Sweeney's report also sheds light on why Brigadier general Hackleman was in the vicinity of the 81st Ohio and not his own brigade. Just at this juncture part of mowers brigade moved up to our support, but before they could be deployed into line. They became panic stricken and broken confusion. It was while endeavoring to rally these men, the generals Hackleman and Oglesby were wounded. The second division held its position around the white house for the rest of the day. During the night of three October into the morning of four, October, 1862. Major general Rosecrans redeployed his army and eventually shifted Brigadier general Davis's division further east. Which formed a defensive line around battery Powell. Which consisted of siege guns. The Wavell to hold the line on three October. Brigadier general Davis is second division was severely depleted. With even his reserves now committed major general Rosecrans needed every available regiment to remain in line. And so captain Chamberlain and the anti first Ohio. Uh, weighted the Confederates on four October. That was an anxious night. We had already lost heavily in the day's battle, the fortifications of the place, or merely nominal. Not a foot of entrenchments for infantry. Was there. All the work in that direction have been expended in erecting works for the artillery. And even this was not complete. Major general van Dorn renewed his attack against a union army. And that morning it was a brigade of Missourians and Arkansans that advanced against the Ohioans. Brigadier general Martin E green acting commander. The first division sent this brigade forward alongside the rest of the division. However, line's moved across the railroad advancing slowly and steadily. When within 200 yards, the command was ordered to charge at the double quick. The whole line now moved forward with great rapidity officers and men all seemed eager to be the foremost in reaching the fortifications. But it was a hard road to travel climbing over logs, brush and fallen timber. Captain Chamberlain and the 81st Sohio received this charge almost in the exact same way as the first charge the day before. But this time more artillery was available. And interior lines also allowed neighboring units to assist them. About nine or 10. O'clock the storm broken fury full upon Davis's devoted command. Stretched in a single line with no reserves and no entrenchments the weary troops yielded before the impetuous onset of the rebels. Cheered by their apparently easy victory prices. Vagabonds rushed, boldly on hoping to make a lodgement in the town. But in this, they were disappointed. Hamilton's artillery and infantry. Meaning the third division. Poor death into one flank, the ponderous siege, guns, and lighter pieces of battery Williams and Robinette through their deadly iron Hale and to the other flank. While Davis has division rallying. Turned upon their pursuers and hurling destruction upon their front. Almost literally annihilated them. For a division to take the brunt of an assault two days in a row and still managed to rally and fight. Don is commendable. But let's revisit the charge of the second division at the white house. On three October as Brigadier general, Hackleman fell mortally wounded. It was no doubt, a pivotal moment for captain Chamberlain and the 81st Ohio as they joined in the advance of the second division. But the entire division did not advance because of this one event. Several reports support this. The commander of the 12th, Illinois in the same brigade as the 81st Ohio. Wrote in his report that he received an order to advance upon the Confederates, but did not mention the brigade commanders, death as a factor in the enthusiasm of the. men during the advance. A similar statement is found in several other regimental and brigade commander reports following the battle. Brigadier general Davis and his report. I assessed a good time to charge, which just happened to coincide with Brigadier general. Hackleman mortal wound. The enemy's fire was too high. While our men planted their shots with great precision. And after a well-directed volley. The order was given to charge when the enemy was forced back at the point of the bayonet with great slaughter. Across the open field. and into the woods beyond. Captain Chamberlain promoted to the rank of major and remained in the 81st Ohio until 15, September, 1864. Following the capture of Atlanta, he resigned his commission. This meant he was absent from the regiments participation in chairman's March to the sea and the fighting in south and North Carolina. The 81st Ohio regimental fund provided most of the money for William H Chamberlain to write. History of the 81st regiment, Ohio infantry volunteers. During the war of the rebellion. The regimental fund also provided a free copy to all members. But funding beyond this became limited. Including pictures with the book was an extra expense. And William H Chamberlain only allowed surviving officers to include their pictures at their own expense. No one will regret more than myself. The absence of many familiar faces. Especially of the dead. But it is too late now to remedy it. And I feel that I've used every means in my power without success. The design of producing this little work originated in the belief that such a record in a permanent form would be acceptable to the living as a memento of their suffering and services and the war of the rebellion. And that it also might serve as a slight tribute to the memory of those Gallant and heroic members of our regiment who have laid their lives upon their countries. Alter. Thank you for listening to the 33rd episode. The link to captain Chamberlain's book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn this week. You will find a picture of William H Chamberlain as a major in the 81st Ohio. Links to all social media accounts are located at the top of each webpage. So please give them a follow. In two weeks time. Private John w Munson of company B. 43rd, Virginia cavalry battalion. Also known as Mosley's Rangers provides next episode's first person account. At the action. At Mount Zion church. My name is bill Coughlin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war podcast.