On May 19, 1863, the 55th Illinois Infantry was pinned down by enemy fire and running out of ammunition. Orion P. Howe, a 14-year-old musician, volunteered to run back for more. Wounded on the way, he found General Sherman near this location and asked for the needed cartridges. For this heroic run, Howe became one of the youngest recipients of the Medal of Honor. Sherman later wrote that what arrested his attention was that one so young, carrying a musket-ball wound through his leg, had found his way to him on that fatal spot and delivered his message.