Duck Sauce

On the morning of April 6, 1862, 40,000 Confederate soldiers under the command of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston poured out of the nearby woods and struck a line of Union soldiers occupying ground near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. The overpowering Confederate offensive drove the unprepared Federal forces from their camps and threatened to overwhelm Ulysses S. Grant’s entire command. Some Federals made determined stands and by afternoon, they had established a battle line at the sunken road, known as the “Hornet's Nest.” Repeated Rebel attacks failed to carry the Hornet's Nest, but massed artillery helped to turn the tide as Confederates surrounded the Union troops and captured, killed, or wounded most. During the first day’s attacks, Gen. Johnston was mortally wounded and was replaced by P.G.T. Beauregard. Fighting continued until after dark, but the Federals held. By the next morning, the reinforced Federal army numbered about 40,000, outnumbering Beauregard’s army of less than 30,000. Grant’s April 7th counteroffensive overpowered the weakened Confederate forces and Beauregard’s army retired from the field. The two day battle at Shiloh produced more than 23,000 casualties and was the bloodiest battle in American history at its time.

a Personal Memoriam

Though there are many to honor this day, I am humbled knowing my ancestors obligation to duty were present that fateful morning of April 6, 1862. Maj Wilbur Fisk Crummer, my great (2) Uncle, bravely fought alongside General Ulysses S. Grant (my 14^th cousin twice removed) Maj. Crummer wrote of his accounts in his book: “With Grant at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg, and an appreciation of General U. S. Grant-Maj.WF Crummer”

EXCERPT:

Soon heavy musketry and cannonading were

opened on our immediate left. Again we were

moved to the left to aid the troops now in mor-

tal combat, and taking our position in the woods

we awaited the enemy.

Now, out of the forest in front march the

gray line of battle, four columns deep, "with

arms at a right shoulder shift. On the columns

march, without a break in their ranks, carrying

a flag which appears to be the stars and stripes.

When they got near enough for our soldiers

to open fire on them, we begin to get uneasy

and want to commence firing. The men in the

ranks realize that the first volley is needed now

to check the oncoming foe. Jim was one of the

nervous fellows and said to Will : ' ' What does

it mean! Why don't our officers give the

command to fire?''

The complete text:

https://archive.org/details/withgrantatfor00crum

Maj. Crummer was able to attend the dedication ceremony of the Shiloh National cemetery where he gave his remarks.

In memory of all that have fallen...

A Recent Memorial Day Celebration (Chicago, IL)

Memorial Day ceremony in Scoville Park on May 26, 2014

All veterans, their families, and Oak Park/River Forest residents are invited to attend Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 26, at 9 a.m. at the Peace Triumphant statue in Scoville Park. The Park is located at the corner of Lake Street and Oak Park Avenue. Sen. Don Harmon, Village President Anan Abu-Taleb, and Virginia Cassin will participate in the opening ceremonies.
In observance of the ongoing 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, Brian Flora (U. S. Army, Vietnam, 1969-72) and his wife Kay Kuhlman will portray Union veteran Wilbur Fisk Crummer and his wife Emma, who settled in Oak Park after the Civil War. Crummer was "mortally" wounded at the siege of Vicksburg but went on to live another 57 years in Oak Park. He twice served as commander of the local Chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), the 400,000 strong national fraternal organization of Union veterans. It was this association that created Memorial Day, then called Decoration Day, to honor the Civil War dead. In his remarks, "Major" Crummer will talk about a good old-fashioned Memorial Day (which was then called Decoration Day) that he organized in Oak Park 100 years ago in his capacity as Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The History Singers, John and Kathryn Atwood, will lead patriotic singing. Bugler John Borland, in a Civil War uniform, will share the story behind "Taps" and then will play the solemn bugle call, which was written in 1862 during the Union's Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. It was written by General Daniel Butterfield, with help from his bugler, Oliver W. Norton.

The Memorial Day Commemoration is being planned by Virginia Cassin of the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park, Mike Grandy, Diane Stanke and John Borland of the Oak Park Park District, Heather Lindstrom of the Oak Park Arms, Debby Preiser of the Oak Park Public Library and Brian Flora, who retired to Oak Park with his wife after a 37-year overseas career with the U. S. Department of State.