Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. In the late 1840s he served in the Mexican War as a Captain and was a merchant carriage maker in Indiana when the rebellion broke out. He enlisted, was commissioned Major in the 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment and took part in the battle of Rich Mountain, West Virginia, on July 11, 1861. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel, he was at the battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 and was promoted to Colonel that May. The 8th fought in battles at Cotton Plant, Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion Hill, and Black River Bridge, Mississippi. In the siege of Vicksburg, after the leaders of the 33rd Illinois had fallen, Colonel Shunk took command leading both regiments. In the Shenandoah Campaign, he led the 8th in battles at Opequon, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. For leadership and his actions at Vicksburg, he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on February 9, 1865. Mustered out of service due to a virus disease, he died twelve days latter at age 42. In August 1915, the Federal Government erected a bronze plaque at Vicksburg in honor the 8th Indiana Infantry Regiment and he as it's commander.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. In the late 1840s he served in the Mexican War as a Captain and was a merchant carriage maker in Indiana when the rebellion broke out. He enlisted, was commissioned Major in the 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment and took part in the battle of Rich Mountain, West Virginia, on July 11, 1861. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel, he was at the battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 and was promoted to Colonel that May. The 8th fought in battles at Cotton Plant, Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion Hill, and Black River Bridge, Mississippi. In the siege of Vicksburg, after the leaders of the 33rd Illinois had fallen, Colonel Shunk took command leading both regiments. In the Shenandoah Campaign, he led the 8th in battles at Opequon, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. For leadership and his actions at Vicksburg, he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on February 9, 1865. Mustered out of service due to a virus disease, he died twelve days latter at age 42. In August 1915, the Federal Government erected a bronze plaque at Vicksburg in honor the 8th Indiana Infantry Regiment and he as it's commander.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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