A Battery at Close Quarters: A Paper Read before the Ohio Commandery of the Loyal Legion, October 6, 1909

"A Battery at Close Quarters" by Henry M. Neil is a historical account written in the early 20th century, specifically in the year 1909. The work recounts the experiences of the Eleventh Ohio Battery during significant battles in the American Civil War, primarily focusing on the battles at Iuka and Corinth. Neil, a captain in the Twenty-second Ohio Battery, shares details about artillery warfare, the challenges faced by the soldiers, and the grim realities of battle. In the narrative, Neil presents a vivid depiction of the intense combat faced by his battery, detailing the strategic maneuvers and the desperate circumstances that led them to fight against overwhelming Confederate forces. As they engage in skirmishes, Neil describes the harrowing moments of close-quarter fighting, losses suffered by the troops, and the sheer resilience displayed by the men as they hold their ground. The account serves not only as a tribute to the bravery of the Eleventh Ohio Battery but also as a historical reflection on the brutal nature of artillery warfare during the Civil War, capturing both heroism and tragedy amidst the chaos of battle.