09/09/2022
In February 1862, during the battle of Fort Donelson, Battery D of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery, also known as McAllister’s Battery, was assigned to the hills opposite Confederate artillery consisting of Porter’s Battery, Graves Battery (Tour Stop #7) and Maney’s Battery.
McAllister’s Battery had three iron 24-pounder howitzers that fought with distinction during the battle. The 24-pounder howitzer was one of the heaviest guns used in the field at that time, and it was phased out for the more useful 12-pounder Napoleon later in the war. Unfortunately for McAllister and his men, their guns fell into the hands of the Confederates during the breakout attempt on the morning of February 15th. This loss was due, in part, to Union forces being pushed back by the Confederate infantry. Losses of horses and men needed to move these heavier guns made it very difficult to maneuver in the snow-covered, hilly terrain and thick underbrush.
With the Confederate withdrawal from the breakout area on the night of February 15th, and the surrender of General Simon B. Buckner and Confederate forces to General Ulysses S. Grant on the morning of February 16th, McAllister regained possession of his guns, though two of them were disabled.
On March 3, 1862, Grant wrote to William T. Sherman in Paducah, Kentucky: “I send by the City of Memphis three iron 24 pounders, belonging to McAllister’s Battery. These guns are somewhat out of order, besides being heavy and cumbersome for the field. May I ask that you exchange them for the brass 24’s at Paducah? I ask this at the suggestion of Gen. Totten who is now here. If you will make the exchange please send them up the Tennessee as soon as practicable.”
With this request, McAllister was sent four “lighter” and easier to move 24-pounder bronze howitzers. These became very important for an upcoming engagement – one that would take place on the bloody battlefield of Shiloh on April 6th and April 7th, 1862.
Image "Position of Taylor's and McAllister's Batteries during the Battle of Fort Donelson-sketched by Mr. Alexander Simplot" courtesy of NPS
