Clippings from the Past

Modest Merit

By Stephen Davis · Originally published October 2022 · p. 25

Ed. note: Steve Davis’ new book, The Atlanta Daily Intelligencer Covers the Civil War, is now out (University of Tennessee Press). Here is an article that appeared in the Intelligencer of July 2, 1864. Modest Merit The following explains for itself the above heading: Headq’rs Jackson’s Brig. Walker’s Div., Hardee’s Corps, A.T., in the field. 3 miles West of Marietta June 24, 1864. General Orders No. —. On the 23d inst., while this brigade was in line of battle behind breastworks, and under a heavy fire from the enemy’s artillery, a Schrapnel shot with a Borman fuse, struck the works, passed under the top log, and fell among the men in the ditch. While the fuse was still smoking, and the men were flying from the danger of the apprehended explosion, Serg’t. Isaac P. Collier, of Company C, 5th Ga. Regt., seized the projectile, and threw it out of the ditch. In the judgment of the Brigade Commander, this is a case which calls for the exercise of the power of appointment for “acts of distinguished valor,” which is vested in the President. The witnesses of the bravery of Serg’t. Collier are Lieut. A. H. Hightower, Capt. E. V. Bockett, Privates E. P. Simpson, W. D. K. Talley, J. T. Backus Co. K, 5th Ga. Regt., Privates John Allbright and J. A. Shettleworth, of Beauregard’s Battery. As there is a vacancy of 2d Lieutenant in Co. F, 5th Ga. Regt., Serg’t. Isaac P. Collier is hereby appointed to the rank of 2d Lieutenant, and is assigned to duty as such, in Co. E, 5th Ga. Regt., to take rank from the 23d day of June, 1864. He will report to the commanding officer of that company for duty. This order is subject to the approval and ratification of the President. By command of Brig. Gen. John K. Jackson. S. A. Moreno, A. A. General. Serg’t. Isaac P. Collier, through Col. Daniel, commanding 5th Ga. Regt. Headq’rs Co. K, 5th Ga Reg’t. In the Field, near Marietta, Ga. June 24th, 1864.

Captain: I must respectfully decline the above promotion. In throwing the shell from the ditch, I am conscious of having done nothing but my duty, in attempting to save my life, and the lives of the men around me. I prefer to remain in my company, with my comrades, with whom I left home on the 7th day of May, 1861.

Isaac P. Collier, 3d Serg’t Co. K.

This U.S. 12-pounder Bormann fused spherical projectile was recovered from the Resaca Battlefield, part of the 1864 Atlanta Campaign. Courtesy The Atlanta History Center, Thomas S. Dickey Sr. Civil War Collection.

Capt. S. A. Moreno, A. A. General, Jackson’s Brigade.

Modest Merit — photograph 4 from the original article

Federal 5 ¼ second Bormann time fuse.