Anderson, Peter T. (Medal of Honor Story)

ANDERSON

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 8/9/2010 at 19:23:57

Medal of Honor: Peter T. Anderson
Bentonville, NC
03/19/65

OVERWHELMED BY SHERMAN'S KINDNESS

AN ORDERLY appeared in the bivouac of the Thirty-first Wisconsin Infantry, after the battle of Bentonville, N. C., had been fought, March 19, 1865.
" Is Private Peter T. Anderson of Company B present ?" he inquired. Private Anderson stepped forward. "You're wanted at General Sherman's headquarters," the orderly stated and started back followed by the private, who trembled in anticipation of his fate. What could the general possibly want of him ? Had somebody told that he had left for the rear the day before ? Was he to be punished, reprimanded, rebuked ? He reviewed his whole army life, scrutinized every act ; he knew of no wrong that demanded punishment. He inquired of the orderly, begged him to tell what the general wanted, but this individual was annoyingly short of speech and would not or could slightest hint. Finally headquarters was reached. As Anderson saluted General Sherman rose from his camp stool and with that genial manner so characteristic of the great American leader offered it to the humble soldier.
This unexpected reception bewildered and embarrassed the private to such an extent that he completely lost his composure. He mechanically followed the general's polite invitation and sat down on the camp stool-allowing the commander to stand up before him. The ludicrousness of the situation never dawned upon the good Wisconsinite at the time.
" Well, Anderson," said the general, "I am proud of you!"
He said a great many more things equally as flattering and pleasing, and ended by grasping the soldier's hand and assuring him that his services would be rewarded soon in a more substantial manner. And thus was the private, highly honored and highly elated, dismissed by the general.
What were these services ?
Private Anderson's own modest version is as follows:
" It was at Waynesboro, N. C., March 16, 1865. The Confederates held a strong position. My company, with others, was deployed to oppose and divert them from our lines.
" Owing to heavy rains the day before the ground was muddy. As we advanced we came to a deep depression, filled with water four or five inches deep. Across this pond and about 200 feet from us were a lot of logs piled up. Suddenly and without a warning, as we reached the water, a volley was fired on us by a number of rebels lying in ambush behind the logs. It wrought havoc in our ranks. Our situation was critical. If we remained where we were we would all be mowed down by the next volley. Yet there was no time to retreat. Our men and officers were badly scattered. There was no officer to command us, and but one way out of the difficulty. I shouted to the boys: 'Forward ! ' The order was obeyed. Before the rebels had time to reload we were pointing our guns at them over the logs and demanded their surrender. They complied. Their number was about seventy-five, while we were not more than thirty. This action was witnessed from the rear by several of our officers, General Sherman among them. We brought the prisoners to our camp.
" Three days later, at the battle of Bentonville, I took sick and was told to get into an ambulance. I preferred the ranks. Our brigade, composed of three regiments, took position in the edge of the timber, to the left of the pike and to the left of the Fourteenth Corps, leaving quite a gap between us. We had just begun felling trees and making a breastwork of them when the rebels attacked us across an open field. They swung around on both flanks, practically surrounding us. We were forced to retreat.
" I was provoked at our retreat, because I could not see the rebels advancing on the sides, but noticed only their line in front. It did not take long, however, before I fully comprehended the situation. As we fell back to the turnpike we left the Nineteenth Indiana battery behind. Someone shouted: 'For God's sake, bring out that battery !' I turned to a comrade and asked him to come with me and attempt to save the battery. He refused. I went back to the battery without any assistance. It was all limbered up, the horses hitched and ready to be moved. Turning the horses of one gun into the road, using my ramrod for a whip, I started them after our retreating ranks. I tried to mount one of the horses, but the stirrup was shot off just as I put my foot in it and I was obliged to follow along behind. The distance to our lines was from one-third to half a mile, and all this way I was under a hot rebel fire from both sides. At one time the rebels were on all sides of me and demanding my surrender. I had previously fired my gun and was now trying to reload. I had nearly succeeded when a shot struck the barrel and broke it in the middle. The same shot knocked off the tip of my right forefinger. I raised my musket and blazed away, sending ramrod and all into the rebels. An officer rode up close to me, pointed his revolver at my head and shouted: 'Surrender, you damned Yankee !' A shot from some quarter killed him outright the next moment. I finally reached my regiment which, observing my predicament, had taken a stand waiting for me to come up. Passing our rallied line I transferred the rescued field-piece to the care of a chief of artillery who came to meet me and then went to the rear, secured another gun and returned to take a hand in the next charge of the rebels."
The reward promised by General Sherman came within less than three months: Anderson received a captain's commission and the Medal of Honor.

Source: Deeds of Valor, p. 492