Private John D. Putnam served in the 14th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the Battle of Shiloh on April 7th, 1862 near the 'Hornet's Nest' which was near what is called 'The Sunken Road'. His comrades initially buried him at the base of a tree, carving his name and unit into the bark (JD Putnum, Co. F14 WV). After the battle Putnum was interred at Shiloh National Military Cemetery. In 1901 the Wisconsin Shiloh Memorial Commission was formed to locate a spot where the formal state memorial was place. During the initial survey the tree, which had been cut down and was in a state of decay, was located. On the stump was the carved initials placed there in 1862. This tree was removed to Wisconsin where a granite duplicate was made and set on the original site by the National Park Commission in April 7, 1907. The original 'stump' was sent to the Grand Army of the Republic Museum at the Wisconsin State Capitol as a relic but was destroyed in a fire in 1904. The Putnam Stump is located on Corinth Road near the midpoint of the Sunken Road.
Private John D. Putnam served in the 14th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the Battle of Shiloh on April 7th, 1862 near the 'Hornet's Nest' which was near what is called 'The Sunken Road'. His comrades initially buried him at the base of a tree, carving his name and unit into the bark (JD Putnum, Co. F14 WV). After the battle Putnum was interred at Shiloh National Military Cemetery. In 1901 the Wisconsin Shiloh Memorial Commission was formed to locate a spot where the formal state memorial was place. During the initial survey the tree, which had been cut down and was in a state of decay, was located. On the stump was the carved initials placed there in 1862. This tree was removed to Wisconsin where a granite duplicate was made and set on the original site by the National Park Commission in April 7, 1907. The original 'stump' was sent to the Grand Army of the Republic Museum at the Wisconsin State Capitol as a relic but was destroyed in a fire in 1904. The Putnam Stump is located on Corinth Road near the midpoint of the Sunken Road.
Bio by: Jeff Higdon
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