Save the Cannon!

Confederate infantrymen surged out of Morgan's Woods, crossed Leetown Road, and charged the six Federal cannon that had unlimbered in this corner of Oberson's cornfield. Captain William Black stood before the guns and fired his Colt repeating rifle, single-handedly delaying the assault until he was wounded. His stand gave the artillerymen time to save four of the six guns from capture. Black was 19 years old when he fought here with the 37th Illinois Infantry Regiment. Years later he received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor at Pea Ridge, one of four men so honored. He survived the war and practiced law in Chicago. Private Samuel McKay recalled seeing two Confederate officers rush toward Black with drawn swords and demand his surrender, after which Black struck one with his sword and the other in the face with his empty revolver.

Arkansas · United States