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Other 29th Indiana Resources

The March 1993 issue of The Indiana Magazine of History published the memoirs of a member of the 29th in an article entitled Service Afield and Afloat: A Reminiscence of the Civil War. Unfortunately I couldn’t find an online version of it.

Here is a letter written about Shiloh from a member of the 29th.

This letter appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on April 19, 1862. The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication.

From the 29th Indiana.
Headquarters 29th Regiment,
Battle Ground, Pittsburg, Tenn.,
April 13, 1862.

Mr. Editor: I presume your readers would like to hear a word from the 29th Regiment. It was their lot to meet on the battle field, and to scatter from it, the far-famed “Mississippi Tigers,” after an obstinate resistance of five hours. After being repulsed on our left the rebels, led by Beauregard in person, precipitated themselves in immense numbers upon our center. Our Brigade, commanded by Colonel Kirk of the 34th Illinois, and composed of the 34th Illinois, the 77th Pennsylvania, the 30th and 29th Indiana, met the rebel hordes in the open woods and checked their advance. Our right was well supported, but our left had no support. It is admitted by all that the most terrible firing of Monday occurred at this point.

The battle had raged with unrivalled fury for some time. Col. Kirk had two horses shot under him, and was himself twice wounded, the last one disabling him, though he still remained on the field. Col. Bass of the 30th Indiana had been borne from the field supposed to be mortally wounded. Every field officer of the 34th Illinois had been killed. Col Dunn’s horse had been shot. This was the most critical period of that terrible battle, for the rebels, without our knowledge, were flanking us with a large force on our left.

Though our noble commander, Colonel Kirk, was no longer riding through our ranks, there was a man on the field superior to our situation. Lieut. Col. D. M. Dunn, of the 29th Indiana, seeing the exposed condition of our left, and realizing the necessity of having it supported, went to Col. Kirk, and laid the matter before him. The Colonel, was unable to move, and had no authority whatever outside of his brigade, but he told Col. Dunn to get all the support he could. The latter went to a regiment some distance in our rear and asked the Colonel to move up, telling him our condition; but the “brave” fellow refused to stir. Col. Dunn next went to the Captain of Company A, and said to him, “Yonder are the rebels. Our men are fighting them. We want your help. Come on.” The Captain ordered his men forward. The second company followed, and then the third, and soon the whole regiment. This reinforcement was just in time to prevent the success of the flank movement of the rebels, and demonstrated its wisdom and necessity. Our left now being secure, the whole line moved forward, and the rebels fled. Their last effort had failed, and the victory was ours.

Being a member of Col. Dunn’s regiment, I simply make the statement of his conduct without comment, and without his knowledge. We all feel that his foresight saved us from being obliged to retreat, as no other alternative would have been left us, had the enemy’s flank movement succeeded, and I want the people of Indiana to know it, that they may honor him as he deserves.

Lt., R. W. Melendy,

Co. A, 29th Indiana

Also here are links to 3 markers about the 29th at Shiloh
http://www.shilohbattlefield.org/closeup.asp?ClosePhoto=TN003T281C.jpg
http://www.shilohbattlefield.org/closeup.asp?ClosePhoto=TN003T283C.jpg
http://www.shilohbattlefield.org/closeup.asp?ClosePhoto=TN003M085C.jpg

Photos

I couldn’t find any photos of the entire regiment but here is a couple with individual soldiers from the 29th.
http://www.civilwarindiana.com/soldiers/reg029.html
http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/www/isl/indiana/civilwarex/regiments25-45.htm

Tony Meeks
Fairfax, VA

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