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Bruce Schulze and Brian Risher approaching the A. K Shaifer House.
Photo by Don Sides |
Bruce and Brian in one of the deeper cuts. Photo by Don Sides |
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Intersection of Old Rodney Road and Plantation Road near the A. K. Shaifer House. The Plantation Road was used by Federals advancing toward the Bruinsburg Road |
Brian, Micah and Don looking over the
Magnolia Church site east of the Shaifer House.
The church stood on the high ground in the background. Site Marker:.
A night attack by Iowa and Wisconsin soldiers of Gen. E. A. Carr's division
on Gen. M. E. Green's Confederates at this point was repulsed. At daybreak
May 1, the Federals readied a new thrust. Gen. J. A. McClernand sent Gen. P.
J. Osterhaus up the plantation road to the north to engage Gen. E. D.
Tracy's Alabama brigade covering the Bruinsburg road, while Carr's soldiers
assailed Green's greyclads at Magnolia Church. Covered by the fire of the
Union guns near the Shaifer house, Carr's infantry stormed forward. As they
advanced to the right and left of this road, they had to beat their way
through underbrush-choked hollows. A counterstroke by the 23d Alabama and
6th Mississippi checked the Federals. The arrival of Gen. A. P. Hovey's
division from Bruinsburg enabled McClernand to prepare another blow.
Spearheaded by the 34th Indiana, the Federals drove ahead. Outnumbered but
not outfought, Green's Confederates were driven back, leaving 2 guns, 200
prisoners, and a stand of colors in the Yankees' hands. By 10:30 A. M., the
Federals held Magnolia Church ridge |
