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REV. W. H. ILSELY |
| Rev. W. H. Isley, the subject of this sketch is the candidate of
Leon Post, No. 251, for the office of Chaplain at the Annual Encampment
to be held in May. Comrade Isley enlisted in Co. H, 9th Illinois infantry, and was mustered into service July 28, 1861, at Cairo, Ill. With his regiments he took part in the first movement south of the Ohio river, when General Grant captured Paducah, Ky. The regiment was engaged in the various movements south of that city in the fall and winter following, including that to Milburn, to attract attention at the time of the attack on Belmont, and to Fort Heiman, which preceded the Battle of Fort Henry. The regiment accompanied General Grant in all his movements into Kentucky, including Forts Henry and Donelson and the advance on Nashville. Later it was among the first troops debarked at Pittsbur Landing. In the famous battle of Shiloh the regiment entered the engagement early in the forenoon of April 6th, with its right on the Corinth road, only a little to the left and rear of the famous Hornet's Nest. Here it remained until the rush which broke the line at that point in the afternoon, and only fell to rear when charged in front and on both flanks. In the retreat from this position, after going only a steps, Comrade Isley was struck three times, in the shoulder, hip and hand, the latter after he had fallen as the result of the second wound. Here he lay, with upwards of fifty more, while the ground was fought over twice before it was held by the enemy, and then, within the Confederate lines, till it was retaken by Buell's men on the following morning, after being again fought over three times. He rejoined his regiment on the morning of the 3d of July, after the evacuation of Corinth. He was present, as a convalescent after a severe illness, in the Academy Hospital at the time of the Battle of Corinth in the fall, and, though himself far from well, assisted in the care of the wounded as they were brought in from the field, being with those among whom the shells fell before daylight on the morning of the second day, in the temporary camp in the bottom west of the railroad, and moving with them to the east of the city. He took part in the active service of his regiment till the expiration of his term of service, July 28th, 1864, just before the fall of Atlanta. Comrade Isley has been in the Presbyterian ministry since 1873, and an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic since 1883. Leon Post presents Comrade Isley as its candidate and will seek earnestly to secure his election at the coming encampment. J. H. EVANS, Adjustant. JOHN W. HARVEY, Commander |
| Source: FamilySearch.org; transcribed by Conni McDaniel Hall, 17 Nov 2020 |
| Military Directory *** Decatur County IAGenWeb |