Brothers Face Off at the Battle of Shiloh | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

Brothers Face Off at the Battle of Shiloh

A Wisconsin Civil War Story

Brothers Face Off at the Battle of Shiloh | Wisconsin Historical Society

Captain William Moore of Black River Falls recalls a harrowing story about two Kentucky brothers who confront each other at the Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862.

EnlargeConfederate Charge on Union Troops at the Battle of Shiloh #15, WHI 64218.

Confederate Charge on Union Troops at the Battle of Shiloh #15, 1885

A stereograph view of a cyclorama of the Battle of Shiloh created by H. H. Bennett. View the original source document: WHI 64218

EnlargeCaptain George Nobles' Rifle, Musket, Sword, and Sash, WHI 70821

Captain George Nobles' Rifle, Musket, Sword, and Sash

View the original source document: WHI 70821

From Original Text: "An incident occurred on the day of the Battle that ought to make Secession tremble beneath the weight of its own guilt.

A Kentuckyan in the Federal army was concealed behind a tree, picking off those of the Confederates who might be unfortunate enough to come in range of his 'old Kentucky Rifle,' when he discovered a man a short distance from him, in the act of firing at him.

He instantly fired on his adversary, and brought him down, badly wounded.

In the mean time the wounded man recognised in the person of his adversary, his own blood Brother, and seeing him draw his gun up to shoot again, called to him by name and begged him for Gods sake not to shoot in that direction again "for that's Father."

This is one of the many painful incidents that occurred within my own acquaintance, and gives a practical illustration of the beauties of Secession and Southern rights."

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How to Cite

For the purposes of a bibliography entry or footnote, follow this model:

Moore, William P. "Civil War Diary, 1861-1862," pages 47-48.