Only Indiana General Killed During The Civil War

Brigadier General Hackleman

       Pleasant Adam Hackleman was a lawyer and politician before the Civil War. Because of his hard work helping Lincoln get elected, he was commissioned a brigadier general in the Federal army. He saw action early in the war at the fiasco at Ball's Bluff. Hackleman would then be sent to the western army where he would not see action again until the Battle of Corinth under General Rosecrans.

       On the first day of the battle there, the Confederate army under Van Dorn hit Rosecrans hard. Part of the Federal line began to fall apart. Hackleman was attempting to rally his men  when he was struck in the neck by a bullet. 

       Being carried to the rear, Hackleman stated, "I am dying, but I die for my country. If we are victorious send my remains home; if not, bury me on the field."

       They would be the last words the forty-seven year old general would ever utter. He was carried to the Tishomingo Hotel and laid on the floor of the ladies' parlor. Surviving until nightfall, his division commander Thomas Davies would be by his side as he took his last breath.

Tishomingo Hotel

       The battle went from an apparent defeat to a victory the next day and Pleasant Hackleman would get his wish of being buried at home. Today, he rests in East Hill Cemetery, Rushville, Indiana.

Site of Pleasant Hackleman's death today

Pleasant Hackleman's grave