David Shunk

David Shunk was born September 23, 1822, in Taneytown, Maryland. Before service in the Civil War, he served with distinction as a captain in the Mexican War. Shunk, then from Marion, Indiana, was major of the 8th Indiana Infantry, a three-month regiment. The 8th was part of the western Virginia campaign and saw action at Rich Mountain. The 8th was reorganized for three-years service with Shunk as a lieutenant colonel. He took part in 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. In the siege of Vicksburg, after the leaders of the 33rd Illinois had fallen, Colonel Shunk declared, “Come on, my brave Thirty-third, I will lead you!” In the Shenandoah campaign, the 8th was engaged in battles at Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek. He was brevetted brigadier general on February 9, 1865. David Shunk, who had also been a merchant and carriage maker in his lifetime, died of disease February 21, 1865, in Marion, Indiana and was buried there in IOOF Cemetery.

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