Statement by Benjamin Reynolds attaced to Widows Pension application
James D. Plotner
aka James D Planer
Union
Born: abt 1826 in West Mansfield, Logan, Ohio
Died: March 9, 1865
Buried: Old Cemetery, Newbern, North Carolina
Service Record
State: Illinois Regiment: 48th Regiment, Illinois Infantry
Company: K
Rank in: Private
Rank out: Private
Battle of Shiloh, Tn. April 6 and 7 1862
My wife's 2nd great grandfather
Thursday, March 9 1865
PANTSLESS PERFORMANCE POORLY PERFORMED
This day did not start off well for Gen. Judson Kilpatrick of the US Cavalry. He and his men were resting in Monroe’s Crossroads, North Carolina, thinking that they were perfectly safe. Instead they were utterly astonished to be attacked by Wade Hampton and Joe Wheeler’s combined cavalry. Kilpatrick was obliged to flee, without even his trousers according to some accounts. Kilpatrick made much in his official report of the fact that his regimental flag was not taken during the attack. He was not quite so specific as to how it was saved--the lady with whom he had been sharing the bed concealed it under her nightgown. When the Federals rallied, got themselves organized, and got “Kill-Cavalry” some pants, they won the day’s fight handily.