Save the Horses!

The horror of war can lead men to commit senseless and vengeful acts of brutality.

As the Confederate Army deployed onto the ridge, Captain William Blocher's four artillery guns moved into this position west of the Borden house. This position offered a commanding view of the ford of the Illinois River, the only crossing for Federal troops arriving on Fayetteville Road. General Francis Herron, in command of the attacking Federal forces, quickly pinpointed Blocher and ordered a charge up the steep slope to capture the guns.

With a majority of the Confederate infantry over 200 yards behind him, Blocher soon realized he had little support. He desperately attempted to limber his guns and move to the rear, but the 20th Wisconsin Infantry soon emerged over the crest of the hill. One Wisconsin officer recalled:

The guns which had been belching flame and smoke all morning stood there still and cold, and the horses as if wating for us. We could have taken the horses away, but some officer called out to shoot the horses. Men and officers called out in reply, 'Save the horses.' Again the senseless order was repeated and this time obeyed. the beautiful horses were piled in a bloody heap.

Blocher's men fled as the Federals seized their prize: "The battery was ours! Oh what a shout of exultation arose!" Color sergeatn Lindsey Teal climbed atop one of the guns and defaintly waved the stars and stripes. No federal troops were lost while taking the guns, but 40 dead horses littered the area.