Battle Erln>,:< /,-, X////0A. 215
[From the New Orleans, La., Picayune, October i, 1893.]
BATTLE ECHOES FROM SHILOH. Misty Traditions That Fade Before the Lights of History.
Veterans Who Fight Their Battles Over Again at Jolly Reunions The
Narrative Northern and the Narrative Southern Battery A, of the
Chicago Light Artillery, and the Fifth Company of the
Washington Artillery, of Louisiana.
The Picayune of Sunday, September 17, 1893, under the heading of " The Northern Narrative," published an extract from the Chicago Evening Post, giving an account of the annual reunion of the Chicago Light Artillery, Battery A, First Illinois Artillery.
As at all reunions of old soldiers, a high old time was had, and battles were fought over and discussed with infinite enjoyment.
On this occasion, it appears, the Washington Artillery, of New Orleans, came in for a good share of remembrance, for the account says :
' The boys ' have plenty to talk about as they get to recalling old times. They discussed their famous duel with the Washington Ar- tillery, of New Orleans, fought at the battle of Shiloh. The chal- lenge to the duel had been sent at the beginning of the war, when the Chicago battery was stationed near Cairo for the purpose of stopping boats on the river that they might be searched for contraband goods. The New Orleans battery took exception at this and forwarded the challenge, which was promptly accepted by the Chicagoans, although events happening immedietely after made it impossible to name the time and place.
" It was not until April 6 or 7, 1862, that the two batteries met. The Chicago battery was on the edge of a field behind a rail fence when the New Orleans battery galloped onto the field. The Chicago boys thought that was as good a time for the duel as any, so they promptly opened fire and drove the New Orleans battery out of the field. That was only the beginning of the duel, however. The two
