James Real had travelled a long way from his original home in Limerick to be on the battlefield of Shiloh that 7th April. He had arrived from Ireland as a 13-year-old, journeying aboard the John O’Toole from Dublin. James first set foot in his new home on 23rd January 1851, when he and nine of his family disembarked at New Orleans. The exotic and cosmopolitan city must have amazed the young Limerick boy and his siblings. The family eventually settled in Illinois, but at the approach of war in 1861 the now adult James found himself living in Memphis, Tennessee. Despite his family links in the North, he decided to throw in his lot with his neighbours, and on 8th June of that year he enrolled for a period of one year in Magevney’s Company C. (1)

J.J. Reel (James Real) Company Muster Roll information (Image via Fold3)

By the time of Shiloh James Real and his company had already seen action, most notably at Belmont, Missouri on 7th November 1861. However, nothing they had previously witnessed could have prepared them for the bloodbath they were engulfed by on the banks of the Tennessee River. Their 6th April attack had caught the Yankees by surprise, but it had come at a fearsome price. Worse still for the Confederates, Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s Army of the Tennessee had begun to receive reinforcements from Don Carlos Buell’s Army of the Ohio from late on the 6th. By the morning of 7th April these fresh troops were ready to lead a counter-attack against the exhausted Rebels. At 6.00 am the Federals threw themselves against the Confederate right, near where James Real and the Jackson Guards were positioned. (2)

Lieutenant-Colonel Marcus J. Wright was in command of 154th Tennessee that day. The regiment’s line of battle was formed in an open field, supporting a Confederate artillery battery. The Rebel commander General P.G.T. Beauregard decided to respond to the Federal thrust by launching a counter-attack of his own. As Beauregard’s orders came down Wright ordered the 154th forward, and together with the 2nd Tennessee and portions of Blythe’s Mississippi regiment they advanced. Together with another Confederate brigade, they surged obliquely to right across the Sarah Bell field and towards the advancing Union troops. James Real was to the fore, carrying the regimental flag of the 154th which he had held since the original color-bearer party had fallen during the previous day’s fighting. (3)

The Sarah Bell Field in Shiloh, across which the 154th (Senior) Tennessee Infantry advanced (Photo: Allen Gathman)

As the Confederates advanced the Federals quickly sought to respond. They repositioned Terrill’s battery east of the Hamburg-Savannah road to meet the Rebel onslaught. Lieutenant-Colonel Wright recalled that the 154th became involved in a ‘desperate contest with the enemy’s artillery and musketry’, eventually becoming separated from the rest of their brigade. They remained exposed to the deadly fire of the battery for over an hour, before being forced to withdraw. Behind them and in front of the cannon lay ‘piles of mangled bodies.’ Amongst them was 25-year-old Limerick-man James Real. (4)

Few details of James Real’s final moments survive. It was reported that he advanced to within twenty paces of the enemy line before receiving the wound ‘through which his soul escaped to the bosom of his Maker.’ His service record notes that he was ‘killed at Battle of Shiloah while carrying the colors of the Rgt.’ Clearly a popular young man in Memphis, a remembrance of the Irish private was printed in the Memphis Appeal on 15th April. In it he was reported to have expressed his willingness to die for the cause of the South, which he believed to be just. ‘As a friend he was kind, uncalculating and sincere. He was known but to be loved. All he possessed was at the disposal of his friends- in fact, that was his weakness, if such it can be called. His memory will be forever embalmed in the hearts of his friends; many a tear wrang from manhood’s arid fountain and woman’s tender heart, have shown the depth of love and the sincerity of the sorrow of his bereaved friends.’  (5)

'Killed at Battle of Shiloah while carrying the colors of the Rgt.' (Image via Fold3)

The Confederate army was driven back in defeat on the second day of the Battle of Shiloh, and the Federals were left in possession of the field. Pittsburg Landing remained an important concentration point for Union regiments, and soon after the fighting one such unit, the 7th Missouri Infantry, arrived to reinforce the position. Amongst its members was Patrick Real, Jame’s older brother who had arrived with him in New Orleans in 1851. It was reported that Patrick had travelled to Memphis prior to the war in an effort to bring his younger back to Illinois, but that James had insisted on staying to fight for his adoptive State. Now Patrick was camping on the very field of battle where his younger brother had fallen fighting for the South. Indeed when Patrick arrived James still lay there, buried in an unmarked grave. One can only imagine his feelings at the time. Unlike his sibling, Patrick would survive the war, spending its latter years as an officer in the 90th Illinois, Chicago’s Irish Legion. (6)

Shiloh is often seen as the first major battle of the American Civil War- the point at which both North and South began to realise the slaughter they had unleashed against each other. Whatever the truth of this, for the Real family of Oola, Co. Limerick, the battle would forever recall memories the personal family tragedy that befell them there, 150 years ago today.

*I am indebted to Jim Swan, who through his history of the 90th Illinois Infantry and personal correspondence first alerted me to the story of the Real family in the American Civil War.

(1) Civil War Centennial Commission of Tennessee 1964: 309, Memphis Appeal 15th April 1862, Swan 2009: 67, Real: Personal Histories, New Orleans Passenger Lists 1820-1945; (2) Civil War Centennial Commission of Tennessee 1964: 310; (3) Official Records: 452, Daniel 1997: 274, Memphis Appeal 15th April 1862; (4) Daniel 1997: 274, Official Records: 452; (5) Memphis Appeal 15th April 1862, James J. Reel [sic.] Service Record; (6) Real: Personal Histories, Swan 2009: 67;

References & Further Reading

Civil War Centennial Commission of Tennessee 1964. Tennesseans in the Civil War. Part 1.

Confederate Service Record for James J. Reel [sic.]

Daniel, Larry J. 1997. Shiloh: The Battle that Changed the Civil War

Memphis Daily Appeal 15th April 1862: Died

New Orleans Passenger Lists 1820-1945: John O’Toole

Official Records Series 1, Volume 10, Part 1. Report of Lieut. Col. Marcus J. Wright, One hundred and fifty-fourth Tennessee Infantry

Real, Chuck. Real Irish Soldiers and the American Civil War

Swan, James B. 2009. Chicago’s Irish Legion: The 90th Illinois Volunteers in the Civil War

Allen Gathman Flickr Page

Fold3.com

Shiloh National Battlefield Park

Civil War Trust Battle of Shiloh Page

Camp near Savannah, Tenn.

 8 0’clock P.M.

Monday, April 7th

My Dear Wife,

I wrote to you today at 2 o’clock p.m. while the battle was raging – I am happy to be able to tell you that our troops have gained the most brilliant victory that was ever known since the world began.

They commenced to run about the time that I finished my letter today and General Buell is after them yet.

They had one hundred and ten thousand men, we had upwards of ninety thousand engaged, Thomas or Wood did not get up on time. Prisoners report Beauregard dying, he had a leg and arm shot off. They also say Jeff Davis was badly wounded and that Sam Jones was killed. Waterloo was only a skirmish compared to this battle – the prisoners say that the Tenesseans are going to seek for pardon now and to give up. I just got a message to strike tents at four o’clock tomorrow morning and to follow the General. The loss is immense on our side but terrific on the Rebels – Awful! Conquering!. Beauregard is whipped at last and by our own brave Army of the West. Your Yankees are nowhere, I think I will turn Hoosier, Buckeye or Quaker. I think Secession is about played out now, they based all their hopes on this battle and lost and are now utterly dispersed.

I will now close as I must go to bed so as to start at four o’clock in the morning. I will say nothing about my commission for I haven’t got it yet but I know I will soon see you. Kiss Sissy for her pa and give my love to Ally and the young ones and with my best love,

I remain Your Husband.

The Rebels attacked us on Sunday and of course got beaten. 

Battle of Shiloh (Chromolithograph by Thure de Thulstrup, 1888)

Camp on Pittsburgh Battlefield

Sunday, April 11th, 1862

My Dear Wife,

 …We had an awful battle here on Sunday and Monday – our troops under Grant were “whipped” on Sunday, but Buell arrived on Monday and gave Beauregard as good a licking as he ever got. The Rebels are moving away to make another stand somewhere else they are within about seven or eight miles of us. There were a great many killed and wounded, about 10000 on our side… I don’t know when I can get my com– I send you a slip of paper showing you the names of the “Mill Springs” officers promoted –you see, I am left out. There are two names in it that were never under fire at all that day… I am very downhearted today for I expected it in the mail…But however I got two letters from my Dear Wife…

Your own true and loving

Scully.

Camp on the Battlefield of Shiloh,

Sunday, April 13th 1862

My Dear Wife,

It is just one week today since that awful battle was fought on this ground, when hordes of Rebels stood on the same ground which I now occupy… I don’t know the exact number of killed or wounded on either side yet but I suppose you will see by the papers. I suppose they will give all the glory to Grant, but I assure you, there never was a worse “whipped” army on the face of the earth than Grant’s was on Sunday night and were it not for the timely arrival of Buell, would have been utterly annihilated…Gen. Halleck is here now and takes command of both armies.

I told you of Gillem’s promotion, he is Brevet Major. He got a letter from Genl. Meige last night in answer to the one he wrote about me. He said that my name had been already on the list for First Promotion in the Adj’s Office and that he would use his influence to have me appointed immediately and dated back…

I will have so much to tell you about when I see you about the “Battlefield” I have had occasions now on both battles to have some business on the field about 12 or 1 o’clock at night and by moonlight too. Gillem will make you laugh when he tells you about me trying to wake up a dead Secesh thinking it was one of the Escort who was loafing under a tree…

Kiss Sissy for me and accept the imperishable love of your true and devoted,

Scully.

Camp Shiloh, Tennessee.

April 14th 1862.

My Dear Wife,

I wrote to you on yesterday, but as there is another mail leaving tonight I thought you might like to get “another” letter even if it came only one day after- Of course, I have not much more on account of sending all about the battle in my last, but Genl. Halleck is now in command here, and will move “upon the enemy’s works” at Corinth in a very few days.  I believe the next battle will be even greater than this last one. Indeed if it had not been for the timely arrival of Buell, the Rebels would have gained a victory which would add another year to this deplorable war. Only think of them encamping on Sunday night in the tents of Grant’s Army. The fields and woods were literally covered with dead men and horses and they are even now finding dead men lying around in the brush outside of our lines. As it may be a long time before MAJOR Gillem sees you, I will relate to you the story of myself and the dead man :-  (G. says he must tell it to you himself )… On the night of the battle of the second day (Monday) about half past 12 o’clock as I was bringing up the Headquarters team of wagons from the steamboat landing to the Camp ground (about 4 miles) three of our wagons got stuck in the mud and we could not get them out. I had an escort of ten men of the 19th Infy. with me and it not being enough I started for the Camp so as to get more men.  On my way thither, I got lost in the woods and came up to a man sitting up against a tree, he had a black slouch hat on and I thought he was one of the escort who was loafing there and not with the wagons. I says: Hello! what are you waiting for? No answer. I repeated Hello there ! Why ain’t you with the wagons? No answer. I then dismounted off “Zolly” and went over to him, placed my hand on his head and gave him a shake when “HORROR!” he fell over, stone dead. I tell you I mounted “Zolly” in double quick and never drew rein until I got to Camp. When I arrived Cl. Oaks, Capt. Gillem, Fry, Gilman, Gilbert and a great many others were sitting around a camp fire (Having no tents). Gillem remarked that I looked pale, that I must have seen a ghost. When I innocently told them about it and ever since they rigg me about it -but I dared any of them to go back with me and shake him up as I did. It seems laughable to me now, but at the time, not knowing it was a dead man, I was terribly shocked-As I could not send you any trophies from the Battlefield in a letter I send you the leaves of some flowers which I plucked from within a few yards of where the Provisional Governor (Rebel) of Kentucky fell, mortally wounded. I also send you a five dollar Treasury note, which I received today for copying a map of the Tennessee River for Genl. Nelson, it will go towards buying the spoons. Did you get the “scrip” or the copy of Genl. Meig’s letter I sent you from Nashville? You never mentioned whether you got them or not.

You must give my love to all and kiss Sissy for me and I am

Your true Husband,

J. W. Scully.

Field of Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing Tennessee.

April 20th, 1862

My Dear Wife,

I wrote to you a few days ago enclosing a small amount of money to you- I have received no letter from you this week but am expecting one today, that is, if a mail arrives. I tried to get leave to go see you and told G. that you were sick, but I could not go as he is appointed Inspector General of Artillery on General Buell’s staff. He is now brevet Major and feels very proud of it. I suppose “Maj” feels the same. Col. Oakes told me yesterday that he had a letter from Washington and that the new list of appointments is out. I suppose it will be some time before it will arrive here, but I will have patience. You can tell Maria’s husband to see the list for they will have it in the Adjutant’s Office at Fort McHenry long before it can get to here.  The Col. also told me that there are a great number of Lieuts. appointed, all of whom are from the Army and such as have seen service, and that they are the first appointments made this year- so, If I am amongst them, mine will date from the Battle of Mill Springs, the 19th of January, and I will get my rank and pay from that date. G.’s promotion and all the new Brigadiers that were made from that Battle, are dated from that time.

I don’t suppose we will move from here in some time, as it has been raining continually for the last two days and the roads are in a dreadful condition… Beauregard moved out to within six miles of us last Sunday morning, for the purpose of making another attack, but he heard that here was a Union force took possession of the railroad behind him, so he turned back… Genl. Michell had advanced as far as Hunterel, Alabama and destroyed the railroad bridge, thereby cutting off reinforcements for Beauregard from Virginia. The Rebels seem to be very partial to attacking on Sunday and, of course, getting licked.

If I can, I will go see you about the 1st of May whether my appointment comes or not. I will be just six months away then, and I think that is long enough to stay away without seeing my family, and remember how I left you, thinking I would be back on the following  [illegible] from Harrisburg. Besides that, think of all you have suffered since I left you, I WILL NOT stay away any longer that the last of the month… I know Gillem will not refuse me leave for about 20 days after sticking to him so faithfully since he was made Q.M.. At the end of this month I will have just $250.00 clear- I should have more but it cost me a great deal in Louisville and Nashville. I think I can get home free, what ever I may do coming back. I suppose Tully is at Key West by this time. It is singular that he never wrote to me.  You remember I wrote to him from Fort McHenry and he never answered it… I hope Ally is well and doing well as usual. Tom must be a great big fellow now. I guess Sissy will know me when she sees me. You will recollect that poor little Maggie never called “DADA” until she saw me.

This is a very unpleasant Sunday, it is raining and very chilly. It will be of great benefit though, for it will be likely to drive away the bad smell that infected the Camp since the battle.  Everyone from the General down got sick with diarrheoe but me and some of them went home on sick leave.

James Wall Scully would go on to receive his commission and would continue to serve in the military, retiring with the rank of Brigadier-General in 1900.

Further Reading

McCan, Anthony 2002. ‘James Wall Scully- A Kilkenny Soldier in the American Civil War’ in Ferguson, Kenneth (ed.)The Irish Sword: The Journal of the Military History Society of Ireland, Vol. 23, No.91, Summer 2002, pp. 141- 154

Civil War Trust Battle of Shiloh Page

Shiloh National Military Park