The name Shiloh in Hebrew means “place of peace” but it would be the sight of anything other than its meaning. On April 6, 1862, Union soldiers were still making their breakfast when Confederate forces made a surprise attack on the camp. The Union forces were extremely green and unprepared. As a result a combined 23,000 soldiers perished. Making this, the Battle of Shiloh, one of the highest number of casualties during the war. The battle lasted two days, but ended with a Union victory.
Among the young soldiers was Wallace Agnew. He, like many of the youth of Clarke County men, was called to war. He enlisted in the 3rd Iowa Infantry Co B in early 1862. During the battle, Agnew suffered an injury resulting in the loss of his right arm. This would disable him from duty and he mustered out of service in July of 1862.
Wallace returned to the area he and his family settled in 1851. They had come to Iowa from Ohio, where Wallace was born, and settled in Marion County. His parents, Mary and John Agnew, had a total of eight children. Wallace showed early promise. He completed a marble cutter’s course and had a successful trade before he entered the military. When he returned from service, success would only follow him. Despite losing his right arm, he engaged in the grocery business with his brother in law Eli Atkins. The successful grocery would be on the 200 block of south Main Street in Osceola.
Again, blessed with promise, President Johnson appointed Agnew as Osceola Post Master in 1868. This would launch a 39 year career as Post Master, with the appointments by 7 different U.S. Presidents. Along with these responsibilities, Wallace spent four years in the Iowa Legislature. In addition with the partnership of C.W. White, a local attorney, Agnew purchased the Osceola Sentinel in July of 1888.
Each April, during the anniversary days of the Battle of Shiloh, groups of men who survived the battle gather. This was an annual reunion. Veterans and their families would enjoy a day of speeches, presentations and later that evening a banquet. Alternating with Lucas County, Clarke County would take turns hosting the special event. Other community groups participated as well the local G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic), American Legion Post and the W.R.C (Women’s Relief Corps).
On April 8, 1923 Wallace Gordon Agnew passed at home of heart failure at the age of 83. He and his wife, Cornelia, are laid to rest in Maple Hill Cemetery.