John Birrer aka “Berry.” John enlisted with the 59th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861. John arrived at Pittsburgh Landing on the second day of Shiloh. The battlefield was covered with bodies, many more followed, then heat and heavy rains spread disease during subsequent days. John acquired chronic diarrhea at Shiloh after “compelled to drink filthy, impure water.” Despite illness, he remained with this regiment until his three-year enlistment expired, just before the fall of Atlanta. Captain Higgins described the soldier a “mere skeleton” at time of discharge. John Birrer died in 1872, ten years after Shiloh.