"I found this interesting comment from a Union soldier. He stated that veterans had learned a soldier would less likely recieve a mortal wound while standing up with one shoulder facing the enemy, in other words facing 90 degrees from the point of incoming fire. Wounds recieved while kneeling or laying down to shoot were much more likely to be mortal."
"The LEFT shoulder is exactly what he said he recommended keeping towards the enemy, as in the act of loading."
"Private Clint Parkhurst of the 16th Iowa was the author of the statements. He went on to say, "Once, while standing erect, I turned my left side to the enemy, to drive down a musket ball. The next instant a big bullet passed through my left pantaloons pocket, where I carried a package of ten rounds of ammunition. It tore the paper cartridges to pieces, but I was unhurt. Had I been facing squarely to the front I would have had a mortal wound." [Battle of Corinth]. (Also, lessons learned at the Battle of Shilo) "The 15th Iowa at Corinth had all dropped to one knee to fire but were too late and took a close Confederate volly first and lost a considerable amount of men. [15th Iowa lost 11 dead and 67 wounded, the 16th lost 1 dead and 20 wounded that day]."
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David Upton