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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
3 1833 01083 8404
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
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IOWA COLONELS AND EEGIMENTS:
BEING A
HISTORY OF IOWA REGIMENTS
WAR OP THE REBELLION;
AND CONTAINING A
y
DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLES
IN WHICH THEY HAVE rOUCHT.
BY
CA P TA IN A. A .JLTJJA U T t
SEVENTEENTH IOWA INFANTBY,
£L3U£
MA
^JiLEli
DES MOINES, IOWA:
MILLS & COMPANY, 46 COURT AVENUE,
18G5.
:.,
1755178
| G 03?;
J
j F Stuart, Addison A.
1 8349 Iowa colonels and regiments : being a history of Iowa rcgi-
1.301 ments in the war of the rebellion; and containing a descrip-
tion of the battles in which they have fought. By Captain.
A. A. Stuart ... Des Moines, Mills & co., 1S65.
j " G.V, p. 23 cm .
4'
A 1. Iowa— Hist— Civil war. 2. U. S. — Hist.— Civil war— Itcgimenta'
histories— la. 3. Iowa— Bio-. 4. Iowa— Militia. i. Title.
Library of Congress I J
Ej07.S>92
I DEDICATE THIS BOOK
TOTHE COMMON SOLDIERS OF IOWA,
WHO BY THEIR CONSTANCY AND BRAVERY,
AND
WITHOUT DUE HONOR AND JUST COMPENSATION,
HAVE MADE THE MILITARY RECORD OP THE STATE WHAT IT IS.
THEY HAVE MADE AND SUSTAINED THE WORTHY MEN,
WHOSE SKETCHES ARE HEREIN GIVEN;
AND HUNDREDS OF THEM,
HAVE DESERVED TnE HIGHEST MILITARY POSITIONS
WITHIN THE GIFT OF OUR STATE EXECUTIVE.
THEY HAVE BORNE THE BURDEN OF THE WAR,
• AND ARE TENANTS-IN-COMMON
OF THE STATE'S MILITARY RENOWN ;
AND LET IT BE THEIE PROUD RECOLLECTION THAT, THOUGH THEIR
NAMES MAT NEVER APPEAR IN PRINT,
THBT DID TnEIR FULL SHARE IN SAVING THE COUNTRY
FROM RUIN AND SHAME.
THE AUTHOR.
P R E F A C E
In preparing this book for the press, my object has been, first to learn the
truth, and second, to present it honestly and impartially ; but, in justice to my-
self I should state that, in my efforts to obtain needed information, I have been
in some instances, unsuccessful. Some have felt, or manifested, so little inter-
est in the work, as to withhold from me the information, which would have
enabled me to make it biographically complete. The obscurity which the great
majority of such enjoyed in civil life, together with my insufficient means
placed the needed information beyond my reach.
In connection with the biographical notices of Iowa officer;, I have given his-
tories of the Iowa regiments and other Iowa troops, and a brief statement of
military operations in the departments wherein they served. Nor have I con-
fined myself, strictly, to the mention of Iowa troops, but have, in many instan-
ces, given the names of those of other States, whose names, to see associated with
their own, will give to the Iowa soldiers great pleasure; for though a soldier be
jealous of his own achievements and fame, he will ever cherish a recollection ot
those brave men who have been his comrades in peril and glory. Throughout
this bloody struggle, the troops of the great North-West have fought side by side .
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, and I may
all Missouri and Kansas, arc bound togethor by indissoluble ties for all time to
come. All, in the War of the Rebollion, are entitled to equal credit.
That which was necessary to avoid to preserve the interest of the book was rep-
etition. This has cost me much labor; and to show it is a difficult task to
give a history of each Iowa regiment, and have it distinct and complete in it-
self, it need only be stated that, almost from the beginning of the war till now,
several of these regiments have served in the same division, and taken part in
the same military operations. If, therefore, in some instances I have indulged
in repetition, it is no moro than should be expected.
One of the chief featuros of interest connected with this book is the life-like
j-ortraitsof many of Iowa's distinguished officers— those through whom the mi!-
i srv rruwess of the State is known abroad. In tho futare they will stand, in
6 PREFACE.
connection with tho War of tlie Rebellion, where to-day, Green, Gates, Ham-
ilton, Schuyler, and many others stand, in connection with the War of tho
Revolution.
In giving a description of tho persons of Iowa officers, and in statiDg their
merits, their habits, and their leading traits of character, I have endeavored to
tell the truth in plain and simple language, and to avoid that foolish flattery
so commonly bestowed on all who. by merit or chance, have mounted an eagle
or a star. All have not won enviable distinction, and to give all ft great
name would be doing a gross injustice to the deserving.
That to which I have paid more particular attention is the description of the
engagements in which the Iowa troops have taken part. It is the conduct of
her troops in the face of the enemy, that has given the State her brilliant mili-
tary reputation, and made her, in the judgment of that able paper, the Chica-
go "Journal," '-the banner State of the Union." In speaking of the conduct of
our troops in battle, I have endeavored to avoid strained and unnatural lan-
guage, stating simply what was done, and what results followed. I have given,
as far as I could with good authority, lists of casualties; and also the names of
those, who. by their gallantry, won special distinction.
I do not claim for the book literary merit. I have tried to write it with clear-
ness and energy, and to present the greatest possible amount of matter in the
fewest possible words.
A. A. STUART
Ottcmwa, Iowa, May 2d, 1865.
WILLIAM MILO STONE.
GOVERNOR OF IOWA.
W j lli am M. Stone was born in Jefferson county, New
York, on the 14th day of October, 1827. At the age of six years,
he accompanied his parents to Coshocton county, Ohio. In
that State he grew up and gained a meager education. He began
life at the age of thirteen, as a hired hand upon a farm. Two
years later, he was hired as a team-driver on the Ohio canal,
and at the age of eighteen was apprenticed to a chair-maker,
which business he followed till he reached his twenty-fourth
year. That same year he was admitted to the Coshocton bar.
Since 1S54, he has been lawyer, editor, judge, captain, major,
colonel, and governor. Commencing lower down than thou-
sands of his competitors, he has left them all gaping and star-
ing after him, and wondering how he did it, and — there I shall
leave them. All declare he is the luckiest man they ever knew.
The extent of Governor Stone's early education, was two
terms, or "Winters, at a common country school. His knowl-
edge of law was gained through the assistance and encourage-
ment of James Matthews, Esq., of Coshocton county, Ohio —
later, his father-in-law. While following his trade, he had
access to this gentleman's law library, and prosecuted the study
of his chosen profession with such zeal and energy as to be able,
in 1851, to exchange the chair-shop for the court-room. He
began practice as a partner of his former preceptor, and con-
tinued with him till 1S54, when he removed to Iowa, and estab-
li-hed himself at Knoxville, Marion county. During his first
year in Knoxville, he practiced his profession ; but in 1855, pur-
chased and began the publication of the Knoxville "Journal."
8 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
As editor of that paper, if I am rightly informed, he was the
first man in Iowa to suggest the call of a convention to organize
the Republican Party, then only in embryo. He was not only
the first to suggest the call of a Republican Convention in the
State, but was a delegate to that convention, when called; and
was nominated one of the Presidential Electors. Indeed, the
beginning of Governor Stone's career as a public man, in Iowa,
bears date at Iowa City, the 22d of February, 1850.
During the Presidential canvass of 1S5G, he visited the princi-
pal part of Southern Iowa, in company with our first Republi-
can representative — Major-General Samuel R. Curtis. In that
exciting canvass, he gained considerable note as a public speaker,
which, with his genial, off-hand address, put him fairly before
the people. In February, 1857, one year later, a judicial con-
vention was called at Des Moines, to put in nomination a can-
didate for district judge of Stone's district. Stone was present
in the convention, and through the influence of his friends,
secured the nomination. From that time he became a rising
man in the State. He was elected to the judgeship with a flat-
tering majority; and, having served that term with credit, was,
in 1S58, re-nominated and re-elected with increased majorities.
He was the incumbent of this office, and holding a session of
his court in Washington county, at the time the news reached
him of the firing on Fort Sumter. He immediately adjourned
his court, declaring at the time, that the country demanded of
him and the people other and more important services.
Returning to Knoxville, Judge Stone raised a company, of
which he was elected captain; was assigned to the 3d Iowa
Infantry in May, and, on the 25th day of June following, was
promoted to the majority of his regiment. He accompanied
las regiment into Northern Missouri as captain, and in com-
mand of his company, (B)— fur he did not receive his commis-
sion as major till after his arrival at Chillicothe. While con-
WILLIAM 31. STOXE. 9
nectod with the 3rd Iowa Infantry, Major Stone fought at the
battles of Blue Mills, (where he was wounded) and Shiloh. In
the last named engagement he commanded his regiment, and
was made prisoner. Something of his sojourn in Dixie, as a
prisoner of war, may be seen in the sketch of Brevet Brigadier-
General J. M. Hedrick, then a captain of the loth Iowa. In
nearly all cases, Stone was the spokesman of the party; and his
cheerfulness and wit contributed not a little in keeping his fel-
low prisoners in spirits. What, I believe, afforded the most
amusement were the arguments between himself and the bel-
ligerous Colonel Shaw, of the 14th. Stone could advocate any
thing, and Shaw would always take the opposite. They would
often drag their discussions into the small hours of morning,
while the other prisoners, congregated about them," would
watch and listen attentively, except when giving occasional
attention to a straggling gray-back. I imagine that I can see
them now congregated together. I can see them, attired in their
cleanest linen, and seated in old rickety chairs, and on benches
and boxes, exhausting the whole calendar of attitudes.
But Major Stone was even lucky as a prisoner of war. In
Juno, 1SG2, after some three months' captivity, lie was selected
as one of three Federal officers, who, being paroled by the rebel
War Department, were dispatched to Washington to aid in
arranging a cartel of exchange between the belligerent parties.
The first mission was unsuccessful, and one of the parties, at
least, (Stone) returned to Richmond and surrendered himself to
the rebel authorities. Jefferson Davis, pleased with his conduct
and with what he had done, sent him back to "Washington to
renew his efforts. His mission this time was successful, or at
least was so represented ; but, however that may be, it is certain
that a general exchange came off in the following Fall.
His experience as a prisoner of war, gave Major Stone much
notoriety, and put within his reach any position that ordinary
10 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
desires might covet. Accordingly, after securing his liberty
and returning to his home in Knoxville, he was tendered the
colonelcy of the 22d Iowa Infantry, which he accepted. He
was made colonel of that regiment in August, 1862, and served
with it till August 14th, of the following year, when he resigned
his commission with the almost certain promise of succeeding
to the highest honors within the gift of his State.
Though Stone made a good record as colonel of the 22d Iowa,
there is nothing strikingly brilliant about it. He first served
with his regiment in Missouri, and was for several weeks com-
mander of the post at Holla. His regiment served as the pro-
vost-gun rd. In the early part of 1SG3, he was ordered South to
take part in the experiments against Yieksburg; and immedi-
ately moved down the Mississippi, to Milliken's Bend, Louisi-
ana. Attached to Carr's Division of McClernand's Corps, (the
13th) Colonel Stone joined in the brilliant march of Grant's army
across the country to opposite Bruinsburg on the Mississippi,
and thence to the rear of Yieksburg. A full account of this
march, and of its incidents, will be found elsewhere. On this
march the 22d Iowa first met the enemy.
In the battle of Port Gibson, the first of the campaign, Colo-
nel Stone commanded the brigade to which his regiment was
attached; or rather, ho commanded it during the forenoon of
the engagement. Early in the forenoon, he had become so
completely exhausted as to be compelled to turn his command
over to Colonel Merrill of the 21st Iowa. During the time he
acted on the field, he conducted himself with much credit. In
this engagement, too, the 22d Iowa reflected on itself much
honor. Colonel Stone's Brigade led the advance from Bru-
insburg, and was, of course, the first to encounter the enemy
among the rugged hills south of Port Gibson. This was not
for from the hour of mid-night.
So soon as the enemy were encountered in force at Thomp-
WILLIAM M. STOXE. 11
son's Hill, Major Atherton, the unfortunate, who was in com-
mand uf the 2_d Iowa, hurried the regiment to the front, and
deployed it in line to the left of Captain Griffith's Battery.
There the regiment rested on their arms that night. Until
about ten o'clock of the following morning, the regiment acted
as an artillery support, and was then led forward to charge the
rebel line, which it did with gallantry, quickly routing the en-
emy, and promptly occupying the ground just before held by
them. In the severe fighting of the afternoon, the 22d Iowa
was in the front, and joined in three distinct charges against
the enemy's line, each of which was successful. The following
b from the official report of the regiment's conduct in the
action:
" Throughout this series of engagements, the officers and men
of the regiment behaved with great coolness and gallantry. I
found them always ready and eager to obey the order to move
on the enemy. So well did the entire command acquit them-
Belves, J can not, without seeming invidiousness, enter into par-
ticulars. It is sufficient to say, they acted nobly, and well sus-
tained the honors already earned by Iowa soldiers. Great care
was taken to shelter the men from the enemy's fire, which the
unevenness of the ground enabled us to do, with comparative
sucees •,. And yet, the loss of the regiment, being greater with
but one exception than that of any other in the brigade, shows
plainly where they were during the long and hotly contested
engagement. Too much praise^cannot bo awarded to our sur-
geons, White and Peabody."
The loss of the 22d at Port Gibson was two men killed, and
fourteen wounded. Lieutenants D. J. Davis, W. M. DeCamp,
J. T. Whittington, D. N. Henderson, and John Francisco were
among the Litter. Lieutenant Davis was adjutant of the regi-
ment.
In the official report of the Division Commander (Can-) is
paid the following compliment to Colonel Stone:
"Colonel William M. Stone, 22d Iowa, who succeeded to the
Command of the 2d Brigade, took his place with the extreme
12 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
advance guard at ni^ht, during the advance upon the enemy,
exposed himself freely, and exerted himself so much that he
became completely exhausted in the afternoon, and was com-
pelled to relinquish his command to Colonel Samuel Merrill,
21st Iowa, for above an hour. By his bravery and the admi-
rable management of his brigade, he reflects new honor on his
noble State."
In speaking of his division general, Colonel Stone, in his
official report, is equally complimentary.
Soon after the action at Port Gibson, General Lawler was
assigned to the command of the 2d Brigade, when Colonel
Stone again assumed command of his regiment. There is little
of special interest in the Colonel's military record, or in that of
his regiment, from the date of the Port Gibson battle to the 22d
of May following. The 2d Brigade of the 1 4th Division did the
magnificent fighting at Black Piver Bridge; but both the 22d
Iowa and 11th Wisconsin regiments were in reserve, and suf-
fered little. The 21st and 23d Iowa regiments are entitled to
the credit of that brilliant affair, and none will be found to dis-
pute it with them.
That which most distinguished Colonel Stone in the service,
was the part he sustained with Ids regiment in the memorable
charge at Vicksburg, on the 22d of May. In that charge he
was for the second time wounded.
The nature of the country in the immediate vicinity of Vicks-
burg, and the character of the enemy's works were such as to
insure almost certain defeat to the assaulting army, provided
the rebel garrison were not reduced to a state of total demorali-
zation. It was precisely this that General Grant counted on, as
appears in his official report ; and, when we reflect that he had
been a witness to the enemy's shameful defeat and flight at Big
Black Piver Bridge, were his inferences unreasonable?
In the march from Big Black Piver to the rear of Vicksburg,
Sherman followed the Bridgeport road, McPhersou the Jack.
WILLIAM M STONE. 13
son road, and McClernand the same road as MePherson, till he
reached Mount Albans; then, turning to the left, he gained the
Baldwin Ferry road. This threw Sherman on the right of the
investing line, MePherson in the centre, and McClernand on
the left. The 22d Iowa, being attached to the command of
McClernand, was therefore on the south side of Vicksburg.
The general character of the ground over which the charge was
made, and the kind of obstructions to be overcome, I have given
elsewhere. I give below an extract from Major Atherton's
official report, showing the particular part the 22d took in the
murderous assault.
"At four o'clock A. M., the regiment took position opposite
the enemy's works, preparatory to the charge, where we were
sheltered by the crest of a hill, and companies A a*nd B
deployed as skirmishers. We lay upon our arms until ten
o'clock A. M., the appointed hour for the charge, when we
formed in line of battle on the summit of the hill, and imme-
diately pressed forward. From our first appearance upon the
hill, we were exposed to a terrible fire from the enemy, con-
cealed within their forts and rifle-pits. The men maintained
their line and advanced like veterans to the ravine in front of
the enemy's works, and made a charge upon the fort situated
to "Mr right. While here we were exposed to a murderous lire
from the front, and an enfilading fire from the right and left,
the enemy's works being so constructed as to effect this result.
The column pressed forward, stormed the fort, took possession
of the same and its inmates, and held it till dark. We main-
tained our position during the day, receiving and returning the
enemy's fire — they concealed in their forts and other defences,
and we, in a great measure, without any shelter. A continuance
of the contest w;ls deemed unadvisable, and we retired under
cover of the night."
lu this action, the 22d Iowa lost heavily. Colonel Stone was
Wounded, and Lieutenant-Colonel Graham taken prisoner.
Captain James Robertson and Lieutenant M. A. Ptobb were
among the killed. They were both good men, and their loss
was deeply mourned in the regiment. One of the severely
14 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
wounded was Sergeant Leonidas M. Godley. When near the
enemy's works, he was shot above the knee, and his leg badly
fractured. He lay under the enemy's guns till after midnight,
when he was rescued by the enemy and taken into Vicksburg.
He still lives to tell the story of his prison-life in the beleaguered
city. The chief hero of Grant's army, that day, was a member
of the 22d Iowa — Sergeant Joseph E. Griffiths. " No troops,"
says General Grant in his official report, "succeeded in entering
any of the enemy's works, with the exception of Sergeant
Griffiths, of the 22d Regiment Iowa Volunteers, and some
eleven privates of the same regiment. Of these, none returned
except the Sergeant, and possibly one man."
The charge of the 22d of May, at Vicksburg, was Colonel
Stone's last engagement. Having received early in the fight a
gun-shot wound through his left fore-arm, he retired from the
field, and a few days later left for his home on leave of absence.
Fortune was again favoring him.
Soon after arriving at his home in Knoxvillc, the Republican
Gubernatorial Convention assembled at Des Moines. He atten-
ded it, and in a contest between himself, Honorable Elijah Sells,
and General Fitz Henry Warren, received the nomination ;
then, returning to Vicksburg, he resigned his commission, and
at once entered upon the vigorous canvass, which resulted in
his election. Such rapid and uninterrupted success has never
before fallen to the lot of any man in Iowa.
His administration of the Executive Department of the State,
has been characterized by that shrewdness and energy which
has marked his whole political course. Thus far, it has been
a popular one; and, in this respect, contrasts favorably witn
that of his predecessor. Though not so able a man as Ex-Gov-
ernor Kirkwood, Ins prospects for the future are now much the
brightest. His conduct as governor has been criticised, to my
knowledge, only in one particular. His visits to the armv
WILLIAM M. STONE. 15
were pronounced by some buncombe expeditions, but the sol-
diers ilid not, 1 am informed, so regard them.
Governor Stone is about six feet in bight, and slender and
i-rect. He has a Grecian face, a large, straight nose, large, full,
gray eyes, and spare features. His appearance is intelligent
and J -repossessing. The chief elements of his success are, I
lielieve, an easy, entertaining address, untiring industry, and
unlimited self-confidence. These, sustained by a vigorous con-
stitution, and driven by an iron-will, have enabled him to
accomplish whatever he undertook. He rarely loses his temper,
and seldom discovers an immodest desire for distinction.
Asa public speaker, Governor Stone is fluent and forcible,
hut not polished— just what one would expect, when he remem-
bers that all his early oratorical efforts were made at the bar.
He has the happy faculty of forgetting himself in his theme.
Many were witnesses of this fact at Des Moines, when himself
and General Warren addressed the delegates the evening before
the convention. Colonel Stone's wound was still troubling
him, making it necessary for him to carry his hand in a sling;
but, after entering upon his speech, he forgot that he had but
one well arm, and, drawing it from the sling, began twirling it
in violent gesticulations.
Governor Stone's past successes have not only disappointed
his enemies, but surprised his friends. He is the most remark-
able public man in Iowa, and his future, as promising as that of
any man in the State.
NATHANIEL BRADLEY BAKER.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF IOWA.
Nathaniel Bradley Baker, Iowa's able and eccentric
Adjutant-General, was born on the 29th of September, 1818, in
Hennika, Merrimack county, (then Hillsborough) New Hamp-
shire. His education is liberal. He pursued his preparatory
course at the Phillip's Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, and
graduated at Harvard College — the Oxford ot American univer-
sities, and the alma mater of a large per cent, of tbe distinguished
jurists, statesmen, clergy and literary savans of the country.
I am unacquainted with the history of General Baker's col-
lege days, but I venture the assertion that he was not a hard
worker, and that, if in passing a difiicult ascent in Horace or
the Iliad a pony would help him, he would not hesitate to
mount one. A half-hour would suffice him in preparing for a
recitation; and, during that time, I imagine I can see him
lounging on his bed and smoking a cigar. His active mind
would enable him to grasp principles without eternally plod-
ding, and his text-books would lack sufficient charms to engross
his entire attention. He could never have been a book-worm.
He graduated in tbe year 1S0!», with fair standing in his class,
and had the credit of possessing much general information.
After leaving Harvard, he studied law in the office of Ex-
President Franklin Pierce, and later in that of Asa Fowler ami
Charles H. Peaslee. In 1812, he was admitted to the Merrimack
county Bar, but did not enter the practice. He became editor
of the New Hampshire "Patriot," a half-interest in which he
had purchased prior to 1842. In 1S45, he disposed of his inter-
est in that paper, and received the appointment of Clerk of the
1G
NATHANIEL B. BAKER. 17
Court of Common Picas for Merrimack county. Five years later
lie was elected to the New Hampshire Legislature, as represen-
tative from the city of Concord, and the following year was re-
elected. During both sessions, he served as Speaker of the
House. In 1851, he was only thirty-three years of age, and
there was not a more popular man in the State of New Hamp-
shire.
Having received the Democratic nomination for Governor of
New Hampshire, he was, in 1854, triumphantly elected. This
result was hardly looked for by his party, and demonstrated
his unbounded popularity in the State. It was unlooked for,
since the change of its national policy had weakened his party
in the State; and, in addition to that, there were three aspir-
ants in the field, and it required a majority — not a plurality
to elect.
As Governor of New Hampshire, General Baker's administra-
tion was characterized with his usual promptness and energy;
but his name in some way got mixed up with the Know-Noth-
ing Party, which ruined his popularity in the State. His term
expired in 1855, and in the following year he came to Iowa, and
settled in Clinton, which lias since been the residence of his
family. In Clinton, lie practiced his profession till the fall of
1800, when, not yet cured of his political aspirations, he con-
sented to become a candidate for the State Legislature from
Clinton county. He was elected and served the following ses-
sion in that body.
On the 25th of July, 1861, he was appointed by Governor
Kirk wood Adjutant-General of Iowa, and, in 1 804, was re-ap-
pointed by Governor Stone ; and, in his fitness for the position,
I believe he has no equal in the State. The skill and ability
which he has shown, in the discharge of his duties, would do
cnxht to one of extensive military experience and education.
His promptness and energy, and the systematic manner in
18 IOWA COLONELS AVi) EF.GIMEXTS.
which he has conducted the business of his office have elicited
flattering compliments from the public press in nearly every
loyal State. Indeed, his services as Adjutant-General of
Iowa, tone well with those of the Iowa troops in the field.
Iowa may well be proud of him. That I am impartial in my
judgment, the following, from one of the leading papers of
Chicago, Illinois, is evidence:
" Almost simultaneously with the close of 1SG4, the State of
Iowa gives to the public its Adjutant-General's Report for the
year. The fact that Iowa is the only State which has an excess
over all calls for men, attaches a peculiar interest to its military
operations, and the same circumstance will warrant more than
a mere passing allusion to the prominent share this gallant
young State has taken in the contest.
"In looking over the full and handsomely printed report of
Iowa, a citizen of Illinois will be mortified at the contrast, as
he compares it with those of his own State. The Iowa Report
is most creditable to the State. Iowa has a voting population
of from one hundred and twelve, to one hundred and fifteen
thousand, and, of this sparse number, nearly or quite sixtv
thousand have been put into the field. To-day a number equal
to one-half the voters of the Hawk-Eye State are under arms.
Nor are the men who have been sent to the field canaille—
bought in the social kennels of Europe, or refuse negroes
picked up among the camps.
"To the general reader, the most interesting portion of Gen-
eral Baker's Report is that which contains a record of the opera-
tions of every Iowa regiment. Fully one-half of the volume is
devoted to the history of the regiments in the field; and it
gives, either in an official or narrative form, the performances
of each regiment, during the year. By the employment of
this plan, a record of the troops is kept. The regiments are en-
couraged, by knowing that their labors all reach the public ;
and furthermore, a condensed account is preserved, which
only needs the amplification of the author to become history. "
The following, which needs no explanation, shows how Gen-
eral Baker's services are appreciated by the War Department
at Washington;
nathaniel b. baker. 19
" General Orders, No. 6.
" heap-qfaeters slxth division', cavalry corps, ai. d. m.j
Edgefield, Tennessee, Dec. 28, 1804.
" It has come to the knowledge of the General commanding,
that in the Iowa regiments serving in this division, and per-
haps in those from other States, it has been customary, under
the supposed authority of some regulation or order from Head-
quarters of the so-called ' Army of Iowa,' or other authority of
like character, to furnish to the Adjutant-General of the State
of Iowa, and other States, copies of the monthly returns, lists
of casualties, reports of operations and other reports.
" Not only military propriety, but. the danger of such papers
falling into the hands of improper persons, forbids this prac-
tice.
" It is therefore ordered, that in future no such reports, re-
turns, or others of like character, or copies thereof be furnished
to the Adjutant-General of the State of Iowa, or any other
State, or any person, persons, or authority except, as now re-
quired, or as may be hereafter required by orders from the War
Department, or Department Head-quarters.
" The time of the officers of this command is too precious
to be devoted to the preparation of official documents for the
satisfaction or curiosity of civilians at home. Tins must be
left to the newspaper correspondents.
"Officers will understand that they and their troops are in
the service of the United States, and in their military capacity
have no relations whatever to the States from which they come,
or the Executive thereof.
" By command of Brigadier-General Johnson.
" E. T. Wells, Assistant Adjutant-General.
"Official copy for the information of the Adjutant-General of
Iowa.
1 E. T. Wells, Assistant Adjutant- General. "
General Baker forwarded the letter to the Secretary of War,
with the following endorsement :
"General Johnson:.
"The Adjutant-General of the State of Iowa, acknowledges
the receipt of the extraordinary < General Orders. '
"The State Officials have asked nothing improper, and the
Adjutant-General cannot comprehend the motives of Brigadier-
20 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
General Johnson in issuing the ' General Orders, ' of which the
within is a copy.
" The State wishes to keep up the records of the volunteers
sent from this State.
" No other General, that this department is aware of, has
heretofore attempted to prevent the completion of said records.
" These records are absolutely essential for the protection of
soldiers and their families here at home.
" (Signed) N. B. Baker,
" Adjutant-General of loica. "
" Special Orders No. 53.
""War Department, Adjutant-General's Office,
Washington, February 2, 1865.
{Extract).
*****
40. So much of General Orders No. 6, December 28, 1864,
from Head-quarters 6th Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Di-
vision of the Mississippi, as forbids the rendition of certain
returns and reports called for by the Adjutant-General of
Iowa, is hereby revoked, it being improper in its tone, and dis- 5
respectful to the State authorities.
* # * * *
" By order of the Secretary of War.
" E. D. Town-send. »
General Baker has not only secured merited distinction for
the accurate, systematic and elaborate manner with which he
has conducted every thing properly connected with his office,
but he has manifested an interest in the Iowa soldier, beyond
the limits of the State and outside of his legitimate duties,
which has won him the lasting gratitude of many. One of the
many instances that might be cited is the ease of the railroad
disaster in Indiana; where, by a public order, he gave notice
to the friends of all Iowa soldiers, murdered or maimed by the
criminal negligence of the railroad, not to settle with the cor-
porators, or their agents, pledging his official word that justice
should bo obtained for the injured parties.
General Baker is a large man. being six feet and one inch in
hight, and weighing about one hundred and ninety pounds.
NATHANIEL B. BAKER. 21
Ho has a fine, well formed person, intelligent, gray eyes, and a
large prominent forehead. In person, he is prepossessing, and
he would be in manners and conversation, were he less rough
and unguarded in his language. Ho has Puritanic blood in his
veins, and, like the old Puritans, is plain-spoken and earnest ;
but, if he inherited all their virtues, one of the cardinal ones he
has squandered. Iowa would give him anything he could ask
if he would only become a teetotaler. He has no secretiveness,
and never talks in a whisper; and in his walk, which is
another index of his character, he has none of that creeping,
cat-like gait that stamps all sinister two-sided men.
General Baker is a man of much ability. He has large con-
centrativeness, a masterly memory, and, for the amount of
business he is able to accomplish in a given time, he has few
equals.
COLONEL JOHN FRANCIS BATES.
FIRST INFANTRY.
John Francis Bates was the first colonel of the first regi-
ment furuished by the State for the War of the Rebellion. He
was born the 3d day of January, 1831 ; and is a native of Utica,
Oneida County, New York. His parents were poor, and,
thrown upon his own resources in acquiring his education, he
defrayed his expenses for six years at the Utica schools, by
sweeping the school-room and by building fires. Two years, he
subsequently passed in the office of the Utica Daily "Gazette,"
and then became a book-keeper and salesman in a mercantile
establishment of that city. From 1852 to 1855, he was engaged
in the insurance business in New York City, since which time
he has been a resident of Dubuque, Iowa. In Dubuque, he has
been an insurance agent, a land-broker and a county politician.
He was elected in 1858 to the clerkship of the District Court
for Dubuque County, and was holding that office at the time of
entering the volunteer service. After the expiration of his
term of service, he was again elected to that office.
The 1st Iowa Infantry was the only Iowa regiment furnished
by the State for the first call of the President. It was the only
three-months Iowa regiment in the war. But, though its term
of service was short, it made a brilliant record, and what
sacred memories cluster about its name !
During the long four-year's bitter struggle that is now about
to close, Iowa, in practical patriotism, in the promptness with
which she has filled her quotas, and in the general efficiency of
her troops, stands second to none of the loyal States. I will
not say first> where all have dune so well ; but a press of the
metropolis of our sister Empire State gives "All honor to the
JOHN F. BATES. 23
enterprise and gallantry of Iowa. She has, uncomplainingly
and unselfishly, borne more than her share of the onerous bur-
dens of the war ; and in the field her sons have carried the Stars
and Stripes well in the front, and made the name of Iowa
soldiers synonymous with heroism and invincibility."
The 1st Iowa Infantry was the oldest of her sister regiments,
and how much her example at Wilson's Creek had to do in
making her junior sisters " heroic and invincible," it is impos-
sible to say ; but we believe that no State, whose military sun
rose in such splendor as did Iowa's, would allow it to set in
disgrace. All honor to the 1st Iowa Infantry !
To know the counties from which this" regiment was made
up will be matter of interest, as it also will to know the, names
and subsequent history of many of its officers and enlisted
men. The members of the regiment had their homes in the
counties of Dubuque, Muscatine, Scott, Johnson, Des Moines,
Henry and Linn. Muscatine gave companies A andC; Des
Moines, D and E ; Dubuque, H and I ; Johnson, B ; Henry, F ;
Scott, G; and Linn, K.
Of Company A, Captain Markoe Cummings was subse-
quently lieutenant-colonel of the Gth Iowa Infantry ; Lieuten-
ant Benjamin Beach, a captain of the 11th ; First Sergeant H.
J. Campbell, major of the 18th ; and private Bobert B. Baird,
quarter-master of the 35th.
Of Company B, Lieutenant Harvey Graham was subse-
quently lieutenant-colonel of the 2'2d Iowa Infantry ; and
Sergeants Charles N. Lee and J. H. Gurkee, captains in the
same regiment.
Of Company C, Lieutenant W. Tursell was subsequently
major of the 16th Iowa Infantry ; First Sergeant W. Grant, a
captain of the 11th, and Corporal A. N. Snyder, a captain of
the Suth.
Of Company D, the facetious, jolly captain, Charles L.
»4 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
h
Matt hies, was subsequently lieutenant-colonel of the 5th Iowa
Iniantrv, then colonel, and then brigadier-general.
Of Company E, Lieutenant J. C. Abercrombie was subse-
quently lieutenant-colonel of the 11th Iowa Infantry ; private
W. J. Campbell, a captain of the 14th; private C. A. Cameron,
a captain of the 39th ; -and private A. Roberts, lieutenant-
colonel of the 30th.
Of Company F, Captain Samuel M. Wise was subsequently
major of the 17th Iowa Infantry ; Lieutenant George A. Stone,
colonel of the 25th ; private J. S. Clark, a lieutenant of the
34th ; private C. W. Woodrow, a lieutenant of the 17th ; and
private T. J. Zollars, captain of Company P, 4th Iowa Cavalry.
Of Company G, Captain Augustus Wentz was subsequently
lieutenant-colonel of the 7th Iowa Infantry, and was killed
at Belmont ; and private Ernest Arp, a lieutenant of the 12th
Missouri Infantry.
Of Company II, Sergeant Charles Sehaeffer was subsequently
a major of the 5th Iowa Cavalry, and a staff officer of General
Curtis; private T. Groetzinger, a lieutenant in the 27th In-
fantry.
Of Company 1, Captain F. J. llerron was subsequently lieu-
tenant-colonel of the 9th Iowa Infantry, then brigadier-gen-
eral, and then major-general ; Sergeant Samuel F. Osborn, a
lieutenant in the 21st; private X. E. Duncan, adjutant of the
12th ; private David Greaves, a captain in the 21st ; private D.
B. Green, a captain in the 3d Missouri Infantry; and private
C. A. Reed, an assistant-surgeon of the 9th Infantry.
Of Company K, First Sergeant John II. Stibbs was subse-
quently a captain, then lieutenant-colonel of the 12th Iowa
Infantry ; Sergeant' Edward Coulter, a captain in the 20th ;
private G. C. Burmeister, a captain in the 35th ; and private-
Jackson D. Furguson, a lieutenant in the 12th. lie was killed
at the battle of Shiloh.
JOHN F. BATES. 25
In its line officers and enlisted men, this noble old regiment
has been represented in a majority of the Iowa regiments,
since formed; and, from these officers and men, it has fur-
nished officers of every grade in the army, from a second lieu-
tenant to a major-general. Its example at Wilson's Creek Mas
not the only influence it had on the military history of the
State.
The 1st Iowa rendezvoused at the city of Keokuk, and its
camp was Camp Ellsworth. War, at that day, was a novelty,
and there was no end to the curiosity that a boy, dressed in
uniform, excited. And an officer — my ! One who visited the
camp of this regiment at Keokuk discourses thus:
"Their mode of life was a great novelty to us; those ^senti-
nels marching to and fro, so stern, so mute! All within ten
feet of their beat was forbidden ground. What did all this
signify? Their officers were putting on style, we said, and the
men were learning to be soldiers pretty easily. Then there
was a gate, where stood sentinel No. 1. Through this, all who
went in or out were compelled to pass. And there stood the
officer of the guard — how magnificently attired! If men's
merits were to be judged by their appearance, we would have
supposed him a hero of twenty battles. But we forgot to
salute him. What daggers he looked at us! We asked him
to let us pass in.
'Where do you belong?'
1 To the Third Regiment ! '
' What do you want here ? ' %
1 To see some friends. '
'Sentinel, pass them in, sir. '"
Farther along the author says :
"We plied them with all manner of questions, in reply to
Which they told us prodigious stories of what they had already
seen and suffered for their country's sake. If we were to
believe them, they were suffering greatly now. They had been
in the service six weeks and a half, and the government had
furnished them no clothing, and not a cent of pay! Besides,
they were half-starved ; and the rations furnished them were not
tit Ibr a dog ! And their officers treated them shamefully too."
26 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Thousands will recognize this as a true picture of their early
soldiering.
If in the spring of 1861, a soldier in rendezvous was a nov-
elty, he was on the eve of his departure for the field, still more
so. He became an object of veneration; and, as he moved
through the streets, he stirred in the hearts of the citizens the
deepest emotions. " Brave, noble boy ! Tie is going to defend
our rights and the glory of the flag ; and will probably never
return." Big tears started in many a manly eye that had
never known weeping before.
The 1st Iowa Infantry received orders from General Lyon to
report at Hannibal, Missouri, on the 12th of June, and the
next day the regiment left on transports. The 2d Iowa
Infantry under Colonel, now Major-General Curtis, left only
the day before for the same destination. The good people of
Keokuk were wild with excitement, and lavish of their hospi-
talities; and when all was in readiness and the boats were
about to drop out into the stream, a vast assemblage stood on
the wharf, waving and weeping their adieus. But how all was
changed in one year's time ! The same people wished the loth
and 17th Iowa on their departure for the field, " good rid-
dance ; " they still admired the soldier's intrepid spirit; but
they had become impatient of his mischievous conduct.
Colonel Bates was at first assigned to duty with his regiment
on the line of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. His sec-
tion extended from Hannibal to Macon City. The character of
these services appears in the sketch of Colonel "Wilson G. Wil-
liams, and need not bo repeated- The duties, which were
arduous, and which required the greatest vigilance, were dis-
charged with much credit, and the regiment became popular
with the loyal citizens of Mi.ssoun.
Early in July, Colonel Bates was relieved from guard duty
JOHN F. BATES. 27
on the railroad, and ordered to report to General Lyon at
Brownsville. Soon after, the long and tedious march over the *
Missouri prairies in the direction of Springfield began.
At that day, the people of the entire State of Missouri were
iln a state of anarchy. The great dividing lines were hcing
drawn, and both the Federal and Confederate authorities were,
in the same district, and often in the same county, recruiting
their forces. Everything seemed to threaten civil order in
I Missouri. We know little of the terrors of civil war in Iowa.
Citizens upon our southern border only have had a foretaste.
All business pursuits were not only suspended, but no one at
night could rest soundly, for fear of the knife, bullet or torch of
the assassin.
Harris, Green and others, had large rebel forces even north of
the Missouri river. Near Springfield, the enemy were concen-
trating. They boasted that they would capture St. Louis,
which was Fremont's excuse for his elaborate fortifications
around that city. General Lyon resolved to march on and
disjKTse the enemy, though his force consisted of not more
than six thousand men, and the enemy claimed more than
treble that number. He marched from Springfield on the First
of August, in the direction of Dug Springs, and at that place
encountered the enemy in force; but after slight skirmish-
ing they retired. He followed them into Northern Arkansas;
hut not bringing them to a stand, and fearing for his own safety
on account of beiug so far removed from his base, he fell back
to Springfield. On this march, the 1st Iowa Infantry had sev-
eral skirmishes with the enemy. So soon as Lyon began
retracing his steps the enemy followed, and on his arrival at
Bpringfield, or soon after, they had reached Wilson's Creek.
Why did General Lyon fight the battle of Wilson's Creek?
Why, ifpecessary, did he not fall back in the direction of Holla,
and await reinforcements ? General Lyon fought this battle, I
28 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
believe, for the same reasons that would have controlled any
other brave, resolute general at that stage of the war. He
believed that the enemy, though strong in numbers, were
weak in that strength which arises from a sense of being in the
right, and on the side of law and order. As a bailiff with his
posse disperses a crazy, lawless mob, so he believed he could
triumph over the combined rebel forces ; and, had he not fallen,
he might have done so, though probably not.
The battle of Wilson's Creek was not great in its propor-
tions — only great in results. In the South West, it demon-
strated the falsity of Southern boasting, that one of the chivalry
"could whip six northern mud-sills;" indeed it well nigh
demonstrated the converse of the proposition. It resulted in
establishing military prestige in the South West in favor of
the federal arms — a prestige which was never after lost.
Wilson's Creek is a tributary of White River, and, at the
point where was fought the celebrated battle which bears its
name, is about twelve miles west-south-west of Springfield.
In the vicinity of the battle-ground, the country through
which it runs is hilly and barren, and, to a considerable extent,
covered with dense scrub-oak. To the west and south-west of
Springfield, the efcream is crossed by two roads, the one west
leading to Little York and Mount Vernon, and the one south-
west to Fayetteville, Arkansas. The distance between these
two roads at the points where they cross the creek is between
three and four miles. Nearly mid-way between these the bat-
tle was fought.
On the afternoon of the 5th Of August, 1861, Lyon, with all
his forces, was at Springfield, and the enemy in their camp on
Wilson's Creek. That afternoon, in council with his officers,
he determined to move oul against them, and his plan of
attack was as follows:— Sigel, with a small force, going down
JOHN F. BATES. 29
the FayetteviUe road, was to move on the enemy and attack
them in rear, while Lyon, with the chief part of the troops,
was to move west over the Little York and Mount Vernon
road, and attack them in front. The attack was to be made at
day-light of the 10th instant. Sigel, though successful in sur-
prising the enemy, was afterwards defeated and narrowly
eseaped capture. This was early in the day. Lyon's command,
therefore, did the chief fighting at Wilson's Creek. The First
Iowa Infantry was under Lyon, and the movements of this
officer I will therefore trace.
About six o'clock in the evening of the ninth instant, Lyon
ordered his troops under arms, and without music, marched
quietly out from Springfield. His course for nearly two miles
was the same as that followed by Sigel. Continuing his course
westward till arriving in the neighborhood of Wilson's Creek,
lie then took a blind or by-road to his right; for a portion of
the enemy were encamped near the junction of the main road
witli the creek, on the bluffs south-west of the stream ; and
thi se, to make his surprise the more complete in the morning,
he wished to avoid. Before midnight, and without disturbing
the enemy, he gained the bluffs south-west of the creek, and at
r point some three miles distant from their main camp. 10s
position was on their left flank, and their vedettes and pickets
were not far distant. There he bivouacked till tbreeVeloek in
the morning. Sigel, on the other hand, halting in the low-
ground on the north-east side of the creek, rested till about the
same hour, with only the high bluffs of the creek separating
him from the enemy.
At ihrue o'clock, Lyon pat his troops under anus, and with
his skirmishers thrown out, moved down the bank of the creek
in the direction of the enemy. The enemy's pickets and their
reserves were encountered and driven in, about rive o'clock,
and very soon after quite a strong force was met on a high
30 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
point, some quarter of a mile north of where they were form-
ing their main line of battle. These were engaged and par-
tially driven back by the First Kansas Volunteer Infantry and
a battalion of Regular Infantry under Captain, afterwards,
General Plummer ; and near this spot, let me say, was done
the principal fighting of that day. The Reverend John S. C.
Abbott represents the fighting as having taken place on the
north-east bank of the creek, but Mr. Abbott was misinformed.
He was also misinformed as to the spot where General Lyon
fell. That General was shot some four rods in rear of the First
Iowa, and was not at the time leading a charge.
The First Iowa Infantry first formed line of battle on the
ground in question, and on the left of Dubois' Battery, which
it was ordered to support. After taking position, Lieutenant-
Colonel Merritt, commanding the regiment, and who it is but
just to add distinguished himself by his coolness and courage,
at once sent out as skirmishers companies D and E, com-
manded respectively by Lieutenants Keller and AbercroTnbie.
The topography of the Wilson Creek battle-ground is nearly
as follows: Between the Federal and Confederate forces was
a ravine, penetrating the bluffs of the creek in a send-circular
course from the west. Its bed and its sides were partially
wooded as before stated — enough so, to afford cover to an
attacking party. On the mirth bank of this ravine was Lyon,
and on its south bank, MeCulloch. Price had in the bed of
the ravine, artillery supported by infantry. Between these
guns and those of Dubois, an artillery duel opened. For a
time the infantry engaged each other at long range; but pres-
ently the First Kansas, stationed down the hill, were assaulted
and repulsed, when instantly the First Iowa was ordered for-
ward to relieve them. Advancing, the regiment met the First
Kansas retreating in confusion. Thev dashed through Colonel
JOHN P. BATES. 31
>!.rritt 1 s line, and threw it into disorder, and at the very
Instant he received a galling fire from the enemy. Orders
v. ore given to re-form, but the din of fire-arms and loud talking
drowned Colonel Merritt's voice, and he was left with only
two companies. With these he continued to advance. At this
juncture, the Black Horse Cavalry made their appearance on
our right and rear. They had gained their position by
moving through ravines, under cover of timber. They were
commanded by one Captain George S. Laswell, a former resi-
dent of Ottumwa. Led on by this man, they were about
charging To tt en's Battery, when the two companies under
Colonel Merritt, about-facing, delivered a fire that emptied
several saddles, and placed the rebel captain out of battle; and
thus the fight went on.
In the meantime, rebel infantry had been pushed up the
ravine, and appeared on our extreme right. They advanced
rapidly up the hill, delivering a continuous fire, but were re-
pulsed. They re-formed and advanced again, and were a
second time repulsed. During the second advance, Lyon fell.
I should state that before this happened, Major A. B. Porter,
with companies A, F, D, and E, of the First Iowa, had been
sent to the rear to watch the Black Horse Cavalry.
Sigel had, a long time ere tins, been defeated, and a portion
of the rebel troops that had repulsed him were now advancing
up the north-east bank of the creek. To check these, the Reg-
ulars were sent across the creek ; but in that quarter there was
little lighting. The battle was of more than five hour's dura-
tion. The First Iowa was at the front five hours. Of the
ri treat Colonel Merritt says:
"About twelve o'clock, M., the order was given to retire
from the held, which was done in good order. As we retired
ovi :• the hill, v-e passed a section of Totten's Battery occupying
a commanding point to the right, and supported on t lie right
32 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
by companies A, F, D, and E, of the Iowa troops, under com-
mand of Major Porter, and on the left by one company of
Regular Infantry under command of Colonel Lothrop. This
command sustained our retreat with great coolness and deter-
mination, under a most terrific lire from the enemy's infantry.
After the wounded were gathered up, our column formed in
order of march, and, the enemy repulsed, the battery and
infantry retired in good order. Thus closed one of the most
hotly-contested engagements known to the country."
Such, briefly, was the battle of Wilson's Creek. Though
imperfect in detail, I believe that, so far as it goes, it is cor-
rect. Compared, however, with the brilliant accounts of our
modern war-historians, it would not be recognized as the
same engagement. It was the first battle of importance fought
in the South West, and, becoming the theme of exciting com-
ment in almost every paper in the loyal and disloyal States,
gradually increased in proportions, till it was in print one
of the most sanguinary battles of modern times. And it was
in fact a severely contested and bloody fight ; for the loss of the
1st Iowa Infantry alone was more than one hundred and fifty.
This regiment however suffered more severely than any other
of the troops, and was admitted by all to have borne itself
with conspicuous gallantry. Captain Alexander L. Mason, a
native of Indiana, and a resident of Muscatine, was the only
commissioned officer killed. He fell in a charge at the head of
his company. Captain Frederick Gottschalk and Lieutenants
II. Graham and William Pursell were wounded. The loss of
the regiment in killed was only eleven, though several died
afterwards of their wounds. Colonel Bates was not present in
the engagement, though I am advised he made an effort to be.
He was left sick af Springfield.
The following is the roll of honor, as given by Lieutenant-
Colonel Morritt :
"It is with great pleasure that I acknowledge valuable aid
and assistance from Major A. B. Porter, Adjutant George W.
JOnN F. BATES. 33
Waldron, who was wounded in the leg, and Sergeant-Major
Charles Compton; and to express my unbounded admiration of
the heroic conduct displayed by both officers and men. No
troops, regular or volunteer, ever sustained their country's flag
with more determined valor and fortitude. They have cov-
ered themselves vsith imperishable honor, and must occupy a
conspicuous place in the history of their country. "
In this connection, it is proper to state that the term of ser-
vice of every line officer of the regiment expired on the
afternoon of that evening in which they marched out to Wil-
son's Creek ; but not one of them claimed exemption from the
coining battle. The same can not be said of officers of some
other tioops. The term of service of the enlisted men of the
1st Iowa Infantry expired four clays after the battle.
Wilson's Creek was a drawn battle; for, though the Confed-
erates, kept the field, they did not make pursuit. They had
been severely punished; but I doubt if that alone deterred them,
for, in numbers, their strength exceeded that of the Federals
more than four to one. They had not yet nursed their treason
to that fanatical point which made it synonymous with patri-
otism, and they were cowards.
After the fall of General Lyon, Major, now General Sturgis,
assumed command of the Federal forces and fell back to
Springfield, and soon after to Rolla. In the meantime Gcn-
rul Sterling Price, who had succeeded McCulloch in command of
the rebel forces, occupied the country, and in the latter part
of the month, moved north and laid siege to, and captured
Lexington.
The term of service of the 1st Iowa Infantry had now
expired, and, returning to their homes, they were welcomed
as the first heroes of the State in the war. Wherever they
appeared, they were looked on with wonder. They had
pained more distinction in that solitary battle than is now
accorded our veterans of twenty battles; but they are the sires
3
34 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
of our military prowess, and who would detract from their
hard-earned glory?
Colonel Bates is a fine looking man. He is five feet nine
inches in hight, and has a well developed and pre-possessing
person. He has a social disposition, and makes a warm friend
and a sleepless enemy. I do not admire his political course,
and may be prejudiced against him ; but this certainly must be
conceded — he is entitled to much credit for surmounting the
obstacles of poverty and a deficient education, and for making
himself what he is.
The Colonel, I think, was not popular with his regiment.
He would allow no foraging. In restoring the seceded States
to their proper functions in the Union, and in establishing I
within their limits a respect for the laws of the Govermnent,
he believed more in moral suasion than in corporal castigation.
His officers and men charged him with being too kind to the
rebels, though they gave him credit of being sincere in his
convictions. After leaving the service, he continued to act
and vote with the so-called Peace Tarty.
MAJOR-GENERAL SAMUEL R. CURTIS.
FIKST COLONEL, SECOND IXFAXTEY.
Samuel Hyax Curtis, Iowa's distinguished statesman and
Boldier, was the second colonel, and the first general officer
appointed from the State. He is Iowa's first and oldest major-
general, and, at the time of entering the service, was more
widely known than any other officer sent out from the State;
for, almost from the State's infancy, he has stood prominent
among her public men. "1 T^^^Vt ^R
General Curtis was born on the 3d day of February,' 1S07,
and calls himself a native of Newark, Licking county, Ohio.
In point of fact, he was born while his parents were on their
way from Connecticut to the West, and somewhere in the State
of New York. He was educated at the West Point Military
Academy, where he held the highest military office in his class.
Graduating in 1831, with a brevet second-lieutanancy in the 7th
Infantry, he was soon after assigned to duty at Fort Gibson in
the Indian Territory. In the following year, he resigned his
commission, and returning to Ohio, studied law, and was ad-
mitted to the bar. From 1837 to 1839, he was chief engineer
of the Muskingum River Improvement. Later he practiced
law in Wooster, Ohio, and was actively and successfully en-
gaged in the practice, when war was declared with Mexico.
He was now summoned to Columbus by the Governor of Ohio,
a ad made adjutant-general of that State; and not long after was
commissioned colonel of the Sd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which
he led to the field.
Hi- served on the Northern Jane in Mexico under General
Taylor, and was for a time on the staff of General Wool; and,
35
36 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
as governor, commanded the cities of Matamoras, Camargo
and Saltillo.
At the close of the war, he returned to Ohio; but finding his
law business had wasted away during his absence, and being
urged to take the position of chief engineer of the Des Moines
Improvement, he left that State, and coining West, settled in
Keokuk, Iowa. He was for a time engaged in the practice of
the law in the city of Keokuk, and had for partners Colonel
J. W. Rankin and the Honorable Charles Mason. From 1850
to 1353, he was engineer-in-charge of the harbor and other
works of the city of St. Louis, where the dike that he construc-
ted, which connects Bloody Island to the Illinois shore, will,
for many years hence, stand a monument to his, credit. It
secures to the city of St. Louis great commercial advantages.
During the two following years, he was chief engineer of the
American Central Hail Load, running through Illinois, Iowa,
and other States.
In 1856, General Curtis was elected to Congress from the First
Congressional District of Iowa, and in 185S, and again in 1SC0.
was re-elected from the same district. In the canvass of I860,
his opponent was the Honorable C. C. Cole, now Judge of the
Supreme Court of Iowa, and one of the ablest debaters and
most popular men in the State. No better proof could be had
of the general's ability as a state-man, and of the integrity
of his record, than this thud endorsement of him by the
people: indeed, nearly every section of his District gave him
increased majorities.
From the organization of the party, be has been an earnest
and consistent Republican; hut that fur which be became most
distinguished in Congress was the part he acted in securing the
passage of the Pacific Rail Road Act. Others have claimed the
honor, but he is the father of thisenterpri.se, as is evidenced by
his elaborate speeches and demonstrations of record in the
SAMUEL R. CURTIS. 37
annuls of Congress. I should also add that he was a leading
member of the Committee on Military Affairs. He had, I am
credibly informed, much to do with the efforts of the House,
in countervailing the schemes of Jeff Davis, in his manip-
ulations of our military forces to his base purposes.
General Curtis' patriotism was always fervent, and, though
others have made a more brilliant reputation in the war, none
responded more promptly to the first call of national alarm;
and, I may add, none have led armies and fought battles u-ith more
uniform success. Leaving his home in the West on the first
news of the attack on Fort Sumter, he started for Washington ;
and, meeting at Philadelphia the gallant 7th New York,
Colonel Lcfferts, embarked with it on transports for Annapolis.
From that point the march was made through the heat and
dust by day and night to Washington. Returning to Keokuk,
he assisted in raising volunteers, and was, on the 1st of June,
elected colonel of the 2d Iowa Infantry, (the first three-years
regiment from the State) by the unanimous vote of the officers
and men. Ten days later and at midnight, he Was summoned
by General Lyon by telegraph to Northern Missouri, and
marched next day with his regiment for that point. Besides
capturing many prisoners, guns etc., he established at once in
Northern Missouri the military authority of the Federal
Government.
In the latter part of June, he left again for Washington to be
present at the fourth session of Congress, and while there was
made a brigadier-general. He now resigned his seat in Con-
grt 55, and, reporting at St. Louis, Missouri, was soon after
placed in command, first 'of Jefferson Barracks, next of the
Cnmp of Instruction at Benton Barracks, and finally of the
St. Louis District. While holding the last named command,
tit- 1 President devolved on him the duties connected with the
clmhge of commanders — a most delicate and painful service,
38 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
which he neither sought nor desired; but for the prudence and
decision he discovered in the discharge of these duties, he re-
ceived the special thanks of Mr. Lincoln.
In December 18G1, General Curtis was placed in command of
the District of Southwest Missouri, and at once repaired to
Kolla, where he established his head-quarters. Having organ-
ized his army in the early part of January 1862, he marched
against General Price, and drove him through Missouri and
Northern Arkansas. On this march, the enemy were encoun-
tered in several skirmishes and engagements. The culminating
one was the sanguinary battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. It
resulted in a brilliant victory to the Federal arms, and in the
restoration of the flag and the authority of the Government in
that State.
Although the battle of Pea Ridge was one of the earliest and
most decisive of the war, yet, I believe, less is known of it,
than of any other of equal magnitude, especially of those
fought in the South West.
In the latter part of January, 1SC2, nearly four months after
the march of General Fremont was mule from Jefferson City to
Springfield, General Curtis lift Holla, Missouri, for the purpose
of capturing or dispersing the rebel army under General Sterling
Price. His command consisted of the divisions of Sigel, (subse-
quently Osterhous') Asboth, Davis and Carr, and numbered
about twelve thousand men. Passing through Lebanon, Marsh-
field, Springfield and over the bid Wilson Creek battle-field, he
arrived in the vicinity of Pea Ridge on the evening of the 20th of
February. Hefirstmct the enemy north of Springfield— though
neither there, nor at any point between that and Sugar Creek,
did he meet with determined resistance. Shortly before the
arrival of Curtis at Sugar C'n ok, Price had heen re-inforced by
McCulloch, and, in consequence of this, quite a severe engage-
ment took place at the above named point. At Sugar Creek,
SAMUEL B. CURTIS. 39
SIgel, who had made a detour, rejoined the main army,
which now pressed on to Osage Springs, a position which
Hanked Cross Hollows, the rebel strong-hold, and compelled its
evacuation by McOulloch. From the 21st of February to the
51 h of March, General Curtis' forces remained in this vicin-
ity, the enemy in the meantime collecting all his forces in
the front. Being informed of the enemy's great increase of
strength, and his designs to assume the offensive, General Cur-
tis ordered all his several divisions, by different routes, to
fall back to Sugar Creek and Pea Bidge to give battle, should
the enemy force one. At this time General Sigel was near
Bentonville, Carr was at Cross Hollows, while General Jeffer-
son C. Davis was already on Sugar Creek, just at the base of
Pea Ridge. *
On the morning of the 5th of March, Captain H. H. Griffiths,
of the 4th Iowa Infantry, (subsequently of the 1st Iowa Battery)
who was field-officer of the day, found the picket-line in com-
motion, and, on inquiry, learned that a government foraging
train had been captured. Soon after it was learned from scouts,
contrabands and from loyal citizens, living in the vicinity of
Cross Hollows, that General Van Born, having formed a junc-
tion with Price, was advancing to give battle, and that night
Colonel Carr, under orders and accompanied by General Curtis,
marched back to Sugar Creek, a distance of fourteen miles.
That same afternoon, GeneraTSigel also received orders at his
camp near Bentonville, to forthwith move back to Sugar Creek,
distant about sixteen miles; for General Curtis was now satis-
fied that a great battle was imminent, and it was his purpose
to concentrate at Pea Pudge, and engage the enemy from that
strong position. Colonel Vandcver, of the 9th Iowa Infantry,
who was near Himtsville, In command of a brigade, was
ordered to march day and night till he reached the place
designated.
40 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Pea Ridge, Arkansas, is a narrow plateau, running nearly-
east and west, and lying near the Boston Mountains. Along
its southern base is the historic stream of Sugar Creek, whose
northern bank is in many places precipitous, rising to the
hight of two or three hundred feet. On its top, Pea Ridge has
a few cultivated fields; but for the most part is covered with a
short and stinted growth of oak of great density. Its northern
slope is gradually descending, and terminating in wild, deep
ravines. Just north of these ravines are abrupt, rocky and
rugged hills, and, among and in the vicinity of these, is the
celebrated. Cross Timber Hollows, so named, it is said, from
the heavy timber which was felled there by General McCulloch,
in October 1861, to block the advance of General Fremont, in
his march from Springfield. Punning along through Cross
Timber Hollows, and over Pea Ridge and Sugar Creek, is the
Wire, or Butterfield road. Its course is nearly due north and
south. Branching off from this road to the west, and about four
miles north of Sugar Creek, is the Lee town road, which, after
passing through a small village by that name, bears round to
the south to Bentonville. It was over this last named road
that General Sigel fell back to Pen Ridge. Carr returned with
his division from Cross Hollows, over the "Wire road; Cross
Hollows lying south of Pea Ridge, and, as I have said, some
fourteen miles distant from it.
On the morning of the Cth of March, the divisions of both
Carr and Davis were at Sugar Creek, and in position, throwing
up temporary field-works, while the command of Sigel was
just moving out of Bentonville; and here it was that Sigel first
met the enemy. It happened in this wise: having halted in
Bentonville with a small force until after the departure of the
greater part of his command, he was attacked by the rebel
army and almost completely surrounded. Forming his small
force— scarcely six hundred men— he broke through the ene-
SAMUEL R. CURTIS. 41
my'g lines and, though still closely pursued and his ilanks
severely pressed, marched for several hours, sustaining an almost
continuous engagement; indeed, the enemy did not cease their
attacks until the arrival of reinforcements, sent and led by
General Curtis in person. That he was not entirely cut off and
compelled to surrender was duo as well to the superior discip-
line of the troops, as to the skill displayed by General Sigel, in
managing his rear defences. Thus the enemy were checked,
and Sigel arrived safely on the north bank of Sugar Creek.
At midnight on the 6th of March, the position of General
Curtis' forces were as follows: The enemy were expected to
advance from the south across Sugar Creek valley, and the
troops of General Curtis were therefore drawn up in-line of
battle on the high bluffs, facing that valley. Davis 1 and Carr's
divisions held the left, and Sigel's and Asboth's the right; and
the whole front was defended by strong works, thrown up
during the day and night. The commissary-stores had been
sent back to the rear to Elkhorn Tavern, and placed under
charge of Major Weston, provost-marshal of the army ; for it
was supposed that that was a place of safety. Early on the
morning of the 7th instant, General Curtis became convinced,
from the reports of his scouts, that a heavy body of the enemy
was moving round his right, for the purpose of attacking his
rigid Hank and rear. A change of front to the rear was there-
fore ordered, so as to face the road west, along which the enemy
were now advancing. Before this movement had been com-
pleted, a detachment of cavalry and light artillery, well sup-
ported by infantry under Colonels Osterhaus and Busseywas
ordered from the new centre. Its object was to attack the
enemy while they were moving by the flank. But in the
meantime Major Weston was attacked at Elkhorn Tavern,
by rebel infantry. Elkhorn Tavern was the point where the
new right was to rest, and Carr's Division was already on its
42 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
way to reinforce Major Weston's command, and to order the
train to a place of safety. It was this prompt movement on
the part of General Curtis that saved him his army, and for
the coolness and judgment that prompted it, he is entitled to
great credit. ]N T or is it true, as has often been stated, that
General Sigel, at Pea Ridge, saved the Federal army from de-
feat and capture. He did well the duties of a subordinate
officer, and is entitled to great praise for the manner in which
he wrested his mere handful of men from the enemy's grasp
at Bentonville ; but, on the 7th of March, and after the change
of front, he held the extreme left which was not . engaged at
all.
A civilian has no idea of the extent of country embraced in
the lines of a great battle, and will be surprised when told that
the right and centre of Curtis' line at Pea Ridge were several
miles apart. He can better understand that to handle troops
successfully under such circumstances, requires great coolness
and judgment — and that is just what makes a good general.
The fighting now opened on the right and in the centre with
great fury ; and in the centre the enemy were at first successful.
The Federal cavalry, sent out under Osterhaus and Bussey,
wore routed and lost their artillery ; and General Curtis there-
fore ordered Davis to Osterhaus' support. On arriving, he
assumed command, for he was the senior officer; and now the
centre was held firmly. Soon Davis assumed the offensive,
and assaulting the enemy, re-captured the lost battery, and
either killed or mortally wounded Generals Mcintosh and
Slack. McCulloch had been killed before Davis came up.
In the meantime General Carr had met the enemy and
fought a most unequal and terrible battle on the right.
Opposed to his division were the commands of both Price and
Van Dorn. From sun-rise to near sun-set, Carr fought with
but few reinforcements, and, though his troops displayed the
SAMUEL B. CURTIS. 43
greatest bravery, he had, toward night, bceu forced back
marly a mile; and now his troops had left but little ammuni-
tion.
The enemy now having developed their strength and posi-
tion, it became evident to General Curtis that he must re-form
his line ; and the order was promptly given. He divined the
object of the enemy, which was to force back his right, cut off
nil lines of retreat, and dash his army to pieces against the Bos-
ion Mountains. The commands of Sigel, Davis, Asboth and
Osterhaus were brought up from the left and centre, and
thrown into position, facing the north aud confronting the
main body of the enemy under Price aud A r an Porn. But
while this movement was in progress, General Curtis, in com-
pany with Asboth and a small portion of his division, rode
to the right to the immediate relief of Carr, who, by this
time, as I have said, had been driven back nearly a mile.
Biding on to the ground he met the 4th Iowa Infantry, who,
having fired their last cartridge, were gradually yielding
ground to the enemy. He at once ordered them to about-
face and charge the enemy, which they did in such gallant
style as to cheek their further advance that night. During
the night, the troops were afforded rest and sleep, and fresh
supplies of ammunition, and early on the following morning
the struggle was renewed. I should not omit to state that
during the night a third and last line Mas formed; and it was
now for the first time quite continuous. Carr held the right,
as he had done the entire day before, Davis the centre, and
Asboth and Sigel the left; but these last troops did not get
into position till after the fighting of the morning begun.
The right and centre was the only part of the line engaged,
aud the fighting was being principally done by the artillery.
Soon Sigel came upon the left, and forced the enemy's right
from a strong position it had taken up on one of the hills in
44 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Cross Timber Hollows. It was now the moment of victory,
seeing which General Curtis ordered a general charge. The
enemy struggled fiercely for a moment, but their lines were
soon broken at all points, ami they fled in utter rout from the
field. But for one thing, large numbers of them would
have been captured— Cross Timber Hollows gave them a sure
and almost unmolested way of retreat.
It was a splendid victory ! For his bravery, watchfulness
and skill, General Curtis well deserved to be made a major-
general; and only thirteen days after the last day's battle, he
was promoted to that rank. General Sigel received a like pro-
motion; but, on account of ill health, was soon after compelled
to leave the field. lie never returned to the Army of the
South West.
After remaining in the vicinity of the battle-ground for
nearly a month, the enemy no longer appearing in any force
near his front, General Curtis, by a difficult march, moved
across the Boston Mountains to Batesville, on White Fiver.
Here he remained till the 23d of the following June, when he
began his celebrated march through Arkansas to Helena. At
that day it was a celebrated undertaking, and the papers
throughout the country were filled witli its recital ; but to-day,
when contrasted with the wonderful movements of Sherman,
it seems only an ordinary affair. The skirmishes and engage-
ments which resulted from this movement will be given
elsewhere. That was now accomplished which General Fre-
mont claimed he would have effected six months earlier, had
his hands not been tied by the President— the west bank of
the Mississippi was gained at a point below Memphis.
General Curtis remained at Helena until the following Aug-
ust, His head-quarters were established at the magnificent
residence of the rebel General Hindman, which is situated
near the base of one of tin' hills that look down on that sickly,
SAMUEL R. CURTIS. 45
detestable village. While here he organized many expeditions,
one of which penetrated the waters of the Yazoo River.
Another went down the Mississippi, and captured a partially
prepared battery; and still another was sent to Richmond, a
considerable town in Louisiana, eighteen miles west of Vicks-
burg. It was through this same town that Grant inarched,
v hen on his way to the rear of Yieksburg.
Put, though burdened with the cares of a large military
command^ General Curtis did not forget that magnificent
enterprise, fur the success of which he had, in civil life, labored
so untiringly, and, I may add, so successfully. Having been
made one of the corporators, he obtained a leave of absence
from the War Department to attend the Pacific Railroad Con-
vention at Chicago. He was chosen and acted as President of
that body. In the future, that assemblage will be looked upon
as a land-mark of a new era ; for it organized and inaugurated
the great work which is now in progress, to connect the two
oceans and bind the continent together with iron bands.
On the 10th of September, 18G2, General Curtis was assigned
to the command of the Department of the Missouri, with
head-quarters at St. Louis. At that time tins department
included tin- States of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, the Territo-
ries of Nebraska, Colorado, and the Indian Territory. The
military forces consisted of the armies of the South West, the
Frontier, and South-east Missouri. The department was sub-
sequently diminished by the withdrawal of Arkansas. While
in command of this department, his troops fought the following
battles : Cane Hill, Old Town, Wayne, Prairie Grove, Spring-
held, Hartsville, Cape Girardeau, besides capturing Fort Smith
and Van Puren, Arkansas. There were also many skirmishes
and engagements of lesser note. Put General Curtis was too
i.iiii a! for that early day of the struggle. His anti-Slavery
spirit was distasteful to the conservative governor of Missouri,
40 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
and, harassed by the importunities of that official, and other
influential conservative men of the State, the President relieved
the general of his command, after a successful and, with the
true friends of the Government, a popular administration of
eight months. The President expressly stated that he had no
faidt to find with the general's administration, but that he
was willing to yield to the wishes of the conservative party,
headed by Governor Gamble, and see, if by inaugurating a
more lenient policy, he could not conciliate hostile factions, and
heal the breach in the Union Party of Missouri. But the Pres-
dent, though honest in his intentions, (as he always has been),
was in error, as the subsequent triumph of anti-Slavery princi- '
pies in that State evidences. Indeed, the history of the Balti-
more Convention of 1864 is conclusive proof in tins' matter;
for the Missouri delegation was the only one which cast its
vote against Mr. Lincoln in that body.
General Curtis' next command was the Department of Kan-
sas, to which he was assigned the first day of January, 1SG4.
It included Kansas, and the Territories of Nebraska and Colo-
rado, with head-quarters at Fort Leavenworth. Fort Smith
and the Indian Territory were at first included, but these
were subsequently given to General Steele, whose head-
quarters were at Little Rock. During the summer and fall of
1SG4, the general was engaged in protecting the exposed settle-
ments on the frontier from the depredations of hostile Indians,
and in guarding lines of travel west. He was at Fort Leaven-
worth, and his troops scattered in every quarter of his com-
mand, when he first learned of the rapid and almost unopposed
march of Price into Missouri. The course of the rebel general
was bearing toward the borders of Kansas, and General
Curtis, although his available force was scarcely three thousand
men, began preparations to nut-t him. The Kansas Militia
were at once organized under General Deitzler, and, with the
SAMUEL K. CUKTIS. 47
volunteer forces under General Blunt, General Curtis took the
field. The part taken by the general in routing and driving
Price from Missouri was active and successful. I quote from a
statement of one of his staff officers:
14 The sudden rallying of the people of Kansas, under Curtis,
checked the movements of Price, who had boasted that he
would capture Fort Leavenworth and city, and lay the State
waste. The first resistance actually confronting the advance of
Price was the advance of General Blunt, under Curtis, at Lex-
ington, on October lfJth. "
" Rosecrans and Pleasanton were south-east of the rebel gen-
eral, while Curtis, Blunt and Deitzler, with their little band of
volunteers, were to his west, near Kansas City, on the border
of Kansas. Blunt advanced to Lexington, where he was
attacked by Price, and, as he was ordered only to feel the
enemy, fell back to the Little Blue. In the battles of Little
Blue and Big Blue, on the 20th and 22d of October, Curtis
delayed the advance of the rebel general, and held him a
severe engagement. At Westport, on the 23d, the battle was
renewed ; and General Curtis, with his whole force, completely
checked Price's westward movement, and turned him south.
After the rebel retreat had commenced, Pleasanton joiued in
pursuit, and the retreat became a rout. Price was driven south
along the border of Kansas.
" After the battle of Westport, Price successively fought and
lost the battles of Marias des Cygnes, [Swamp of the Swans]
Mine Creek, Osage, and on October 25th, the battle of Char-
lotto, losing two thousand men and two guns. The rebel
generals Marmaduke and Cabell were captured, and large
quantities of Price's equipments were burned and scattered in
the retreat. The rebel generals Graham and Slemmons were
killed. Price passed within a few miles of the richly stored
military depot of Fort Scott; but was too closely pressed to
attempt its capture. The same night he burned five hundred of
his wagons, and a large quantity of bis stores. The pursuit
was continued on October 2f,th, ami on the 28th, at Granby, the
rebel rear-guard wa.s struck. At Newtonia, five miles beyond,
Blunt, being in advance, attacked the enemy with parts of two
brigades, holding his ground for three hour-, until the arrival
of Curtis with Sanborn's Brigade on the field. The enemy
4S IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
was soon routed, and again retreated in great disorder, having
lost some six hundred men. On this night Bosecrans with-
drew all his forces, and, as the Kansas Militia had been dig
banded at Fort Scott, General Curtis' whole force did not now
exceed twenty-two hundred men.
" The next day, in accordance with orders from Lieutenant-
General Grant, Curtis continued the pursuit of Price. The
Missouri troops were included in the order; but for some
reason did not overtake General Curtis. At Keetsville, Colonel
Benton with a small brigade of veterans of the lGth Army
Corps, making Curtis' force about three thousand men, joined
in the pursuit, which was continued over the old I'ea Ridge
battle-ground to Cross Hollows. From this point a forced
march was made to the relief of Fayetteville, for three days
invested by Price's forces, who hastily retired, on the approach
of General Curtis, who, they supposed, still retained the whole
force that operated in Missouri. The pursuit was continued
over Cane Hill battle-ground, and through a portion of the
Indian Territory, to a point on the Arkansas River, thirty
miles above Fort Smith. Here, on Xovember 8th, Price suc-
ceeded in crossing the river, a parting volley of shells being
fired at his rear. General Curtis now returned by easy march.es
to Fort Leavenworth.
" In a campaign of thirty-eight days, a march of nearly one
thousand miles had been accomplished; nine battles had been
fought, with a Union loss of eighteen hundred men, killed and
wounded. From Lexington to Cane Hill, the rebels admitted
a loss of ten thousand five hundred killed, wounded and miss-
ing. General Curtis was welcomed back to his post with a
grain} reception by the people of Leavenworth ; and the Legis-
lature of Kansas tendered him 'their thanks for his noble
defense of the State, and recommended his promotion in the
regular army."
General Curtis has recently been assigned to the command of
the Department of the North West, with head-quarters at Mil-
waukee, Wisconsin. It is the same command recently held by
Major-General John Pope, including the States of Wisconsin,
Minnesota and Iowa, and the Territories of Dacotah and
Idaho.
If we except two instances, General Curtis has served with-
SAMUEL R. CURTIS. 49
out reproach, from the time he entered the "war to the present.
He was charged with dealing in cotton, while commanding in
.Arkansas, and rebels gave their affidavits to impeach him ; bat
the President was kind enough to inform the general of the
secret assaults on his character, and the overwhelming proof
which he offered of the integrity of his command in Arkansas,
not only served with the President, but with the people, as a
full vindication against the foul slander. He was also charged
with appropriating two camels, which he had captured from
the enemy, the remnant of those imported by the Government
t<> traverse the sandy plains of the Southern Overland Route ;
but, on inquiry, it appeared that they were kept by, and prop-
erly accounted for, by the staff quarter-master, awaiting, at
any time, the disposal of the Government. It further appeared
that th^y were only sent to Iowa to secure them from re-cap-
ture, and to preserve them for the Government, to which they
rightfully and notoriously belonged. Even the genial-hearted
Claggett, editor of the Keokuk "Constitution," and the bitter
political opponent of General Curtis, vindicated him from this
unjust and unmanly charge.
Of the Iowa major-generals, General Curtis is the largest in
person;. He has a tall, fine form, and, though nearly sixty
years of age, is erect and vigorous. His large, hazel eyes give
his countenance an expression of gravity and thoughtfulness
which comports well with the dignity of his movements and
manners. But, if he is sedate, and if he never laughs boister-
ously, he is nevertheless easily approached and sociable; he is
kind and generous-hearted, and would not knowingly injure
the feelings of the most humble or unfortunate.
He has one trait which is not in keeping with his general
character. He is nice and precise in dress, and in this respect
has been noted for the scrupulousness with which he has com-
plied with the Army Regulations. He never, when on duty,
50 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMEXTS.
omits a regulation trapping. In many respects he is not unlike
General Grant ; but not in this.
Intellectually, General Curtis is not brilliant. He has excel-
lent judgment, and great available ability. To these, and to
unremitting labor, he is indebted for what he is. Pie is a most
excellent mathematician, and, as a civil-engineer, has I believe
no superior in the West. This remarkable endowment made
him the leader in Congress of the great Pacific Railroad enter-
prise.
As a soldier, General Curtis is able, magnanimous and brave ;
and why, against his known wishes, he has recently been kept
from the front, I do not understand. Perhaps he too much
resembles the great military chieftain of the day ; for I have
noticed that, in nearly every instance, commands at the front
have been given to those who, as regards sjmghtUne.ss and dash,
are the direct, opposites of General Grant.
General Curtis has a proud record, whether before, or during
the War of the Rebellion ; and when this great conflict shall
have dosed, and a true love of the Nation's ancient motto
re-en -hrin rd in the hearts of all, he will stand, with the honest
historian, as one of the most practical and deserving men of
his day.
RIGADIER-GEXERAL JAMES M. TUTTLE.
SECOND COLONEL, SECOND INFANTRY.
General James Madison Tuttle, was born near Summer-
fleld, Monroe county, Ohio, on the 24th of September, 1S23 ; and
was educated at "the people's college" — the Common School.
Emigrating to Indiana with his father's family, in the winter
of 1833, he settled in Fayette county, whence, after a residence
of thirteen years, he removed to Farmiugton, Van Buren
county, Iowa, where he soon after engaged in mercantile pur-
suits.
Prior to entering the United States Service, General Tuttle
was a quiet citizen, and not known to any great extent, outside
of his own county. In the fall of 1855, he was elected to the
office of sheriff of Van Buren county, and in 1S57, to that of
treasurer and recorder, and was known as a prompt, honora-
ble and accurate official —but nothing further. He cared little
for public eclat ; and what little public life he had seen, was
not so much attributable to his own efforts, as to the solicitation
and labor of his friends. In his case, as in many others, the
war developed latent powers that otherwise would doubtless
have remained dormant.
Early in 1861, in response to the call of the President for sev-
enty-five thousand men, General Tuttle closed up his business
hastily, and recruited a company, of which he was elected cap-
tain ; but the quota of the State's three-months men being
already full, his company, in the following May, was assigned
to the 2d Iowa Infantry. At its rendezvous, he was chosen
lieutenant-colonel of that regiment, and on the 6th of the fol-
lowing September, was made its colonel.
51
52 IOWA COLONELS AXD REGIMENTS.
There are few officers, who have a better military record than
General Tuttle — none a fairer; and from the time he led his
regiment in its gallant and reckless charge against Fort Don-
elson till August, J8G3, when he accepted the Democratic nom-
ination for Governor of Iowa, there were none, except confessed
sympathizers with the rebellion, who were not loud in his
praise ;— and he merited his great popularity.
That the 2d Iowa Infantry, Colonel James M. Tuttle com-
manding, and the glory incident to the capture of Fort Don-
elson are inseparable, is known not only in Iowa, but in
every loyal State ; but, it is not so generally known that the
tender of the " forlorn hope" had been previously made by
General Smith to several other regiments, by all, of which,
through their commanders, it had been declined.
" Colonel, will you take those works ? "
" Support me promptly, and in twenty minutes I will go
in."
And he did go in ; but the glory was dearly purchased. The
dangers met, and the obstacles encountered and overcome in
this assault, wore of the most prodigious character; and the
heroism that inspired the assailants has never been fully ap-
preciate!. It is without question the most gallant, reckless
and successful charge of the whole war. On the right of the
Fort Henry, or Dover Road, a fierce struggle had been going on
during all the forenoon of the loth, with results so favorable to
the enemy that, abandoning their purposes of retreating, they
returned to their works, confident of being able to force the en-
tire Federal position ; and, to show that their hopes of success
were not unreasonable, it is only necessary to state that with
the exception of a few regiments— only two brigades — the
whole Federal force had been encountered and sadly worsted.
McClemand and Wallace had both been defeated. I am aware
that the Rev. John S. C. Abbott, our able and pleasant histori-
JAMES M. TUTTLE. 53
an, docs not corroborate this statement; nor does the rebel Gen-
eral Pillow, whom Mr. Abbott cites as authority; but the
former was doubtless misinformed, and, as for the latter, he
would not tell the truth if a lie would better suit his purpose.
Indeed his own flaming dispatch, forwarded to Nashville just
on the eve of the Confederate successes, contradicts his official
report of the battle— " On the honor of a soldier, the day is
ours;" and so at that hour it was.
In the disposition of the Federal troops at Fort Donelson,
the 2d Iowa Infantry held the extreme left of General Grant's
forces. Its position from the rebel lines, at the point where the
attack was to be made, and where, I may add, a whole brigade
had made an assault the day before and been repulsed, was
some six hundred yards distant. The character of the ground,
intervening between the 2d Iowa and the intrenched line of
the enemy, was such as to throw all the advantages in the
enemy's favor. In front of the regiment, and just beyond the
open field in which it formed for the charge, was a ravine
whose sides, thickly lined with tangled brush, were very diffi-
cult of passage. Beyond, was the steep, obstructed hill-side,
along the crest of which, and parallel to the ravine, were the
earth-works of the enemy. Not more than one hundred yards
in front of these works was a formidable, abattis, to pass which
an assaulting column must break its line of battle, and move
by the flank. Beyond the abattis there were no obstructions
except the enemy's breast-works.
The assaulting party consisted of three hundred men of the
2d Iowa, under Colonel, afterwards General Turtle; and here
Mr. Abbott is again in error ; for he says: " General Smith led
the charge on horseback. It was a sublime sight, as this mass
of troops, in unbroken line emerged from the woods, and com-
menced its firm, resolute, silenfctramp up the steep hill in the
face of the battery of the foe. " General Smith remained at
54 IOWA COLOXEIJ3 AXD REGIMENTS.
the foot of the hill till the charge had been made, and the
enemy's defenses gained.
But to return: When all was in readiness, the order to
advance was given, when Colonel Tuttle, with the left wing of
his regiment, forcing his way through the ravine, began scal-
ing the hill-side. The abattis was reached, and that obstruc-
tion passed without the firing of scarcely a gun, but the instant
after, and hardly before the gallant band had again come into
line, it received the concentrated fire of three rebel infantry
regiments — not less than two thousand men. The slaughter
was terrible. At the first fire, one hundred and fifty of these
three hundred gallant men fell, either dead or wounded.
Among them were the lamented captains, Slaymaker and
Cloutman. But the ardor of the surviving was in no manner
cooled. Their good name had been impeached at St. Louis, by
an unjust and unwarranted order of General Hamilton; and
the last man was to die or be a victor. Without a perceptible
halt, the assaulting party, closing up its ranks, moved steadily
on. Such daring was too much for the enemy ; and two whole
regiments, with the exception of a few men who were promptly
put to the bayonet, fled from their defences in precipitate
flight. A Mississippi regiment to the right, still remained;
but, the right wing of the 2d Iowa now coming up, this also
fled to the ravine below.
The key to the rebel position had now been wrested from
the enemy, and yet the fighting was not more than half done.
Between the main fort and the position the 2d Iowa now held
was a deep ravine, through which the enemy having passed,
had taken up a position on the high ground, which bounded
its opposite side. Colonel Tuttle, wishing to avail himself of
their present fright, promptly formed his regiment, and moved
against them. He had reached the ravine, and was engaging
the enemy, when that Indiana regiment, just having gained the
JAMES M. TUTTEE. 55
hill for the. first tone, commenced pouring a severe musketry-
fire upon his rear. Momentary confusion followed. Colonel
Turtle first waved his sword, and in other ways endeavored to
induce the lndianians to cease their firing; hut they believed
they were engaging the enemy, and no token but the white
flag would they accept. Alarmed for the safety of his own regi-
ment, Colonel Turtle now determined to run back to them,
and inform them in person of their mistake; but he had not
gone far before he slopped short, and, turning his face in the
direction of the enemy's fire, began moving backward. The
reason for this maneuver of the colonel was then unknown,
and for sometime after; but it afterwards turned out that he
was fearful of being shot in the back by the enemy, which he had
declared should never happen. My informant was a member
of his old regiment.
Order was now restored. In the meantime General Smith,
having come on the hights to superintend movements in per-
son, recalled the 2d Iowa, and, with the other troops of his
command, stationed the regiment behind the captured works
of the enemy. Random firing was kept up till late in the
evening, and the next morning the fort surrendered.
Fifteen thousand prisoners, many ordnance stores, and
much other property, woro the fruits of the victory. There
were other fruits, though these were not to be relished by the
public palate. The commander-in-chief, and every division
commander in the fight, were made major-generals, and every
brigade commander was made a brigadier. The 2d Iowa
infantry, therefore, not only made U. S. Grant, C. F. Smith,
J. A. McClernand and Lew Wallace, major-generals; but
Lauman and some ten others, brigadiers. It also broke the
line of the enemy's defences, which extended in the South
West, from Bowling Green to Columbus, and opened up the
enemy's country south, to the Memphis and Charleston
5G IOWW COIiONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Railroad. The regiment did still more; it forced General
Johnson to evacuate Bowling Green, captured Buckner, and
frightened into flight Pillow at Fort Donelson, and compelled
Polk to evacuate Columbus, on the Mississippi. Glorious old
Regiment ! Well might General Halleck say : " The 2d Iowa
proved themselves the bravest of the brave." Bichly did
the regiment deserve its place in the van of the triumphal
march into the rebel stronghold !
And yet, after the surrender of the fort, the colonel of the
Indiana regiment, who had ordered his men to fire into the 2d
Iowa, had the impudence to claim the honor of being the first
in the enemy's works; but in justice to General Smith, let me
say, his claims were met oidy by reprimands and cursings.
In adding the roll of honor, I shall quote from 'the official
report of Colonel Tuttle :
"When I come to speak of those who particularly distin-
guished themselves for coolness and bravery, so many exam-
ples occur to me that it seems invidious to make distinctions.
Of those few who were in the most responsible positions, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Baker, Major Chipman and Adjutant Tuttle, to
say that they were cool and brave would not do them justice.
Tin \ were gallant to perfection. Lieutenant-Colonel Baker had
a ball pass through his cap and come out near his temple.
Major Chipman was among the first to fall, severely wounded,
while cheering on the men of the left wing, and refused to be
carried from the field ; but waved his sword and exhorted the
men to press forward. Captains Slaymaker and Cloutman fell
dead, at the head of their companies, before they reached
the entrenchments. Near them also fell Lieutenant Harper.
NLs death was that of a true and brave soldier. Captains
Cox, Mills, Moore and Wilkins were at the head of their
companies, marked examples of gallantry and efficiency.
Lieutenants Schofield, Ensign, Davis, Holmes, Huntington,
Weaver, Mastic, Snowdon and Godfrey— in fact nearly all of
my officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, deported
themselves nobly throughout the engagement. Sergeant-Major
Brawncr deserves very honorable mention for his gallant con-
JAMES M. TUTTLE. 57
duet. Surgeons Marsh and Nassau also deserve the highest
pmisc l">r their skill and untiring devotion to the welfare of
Ihe wounded. Dr. Nassau was particularly noticed for his
bravery on the field, taking off the wounded during a heavy
lire of the enemy."
I cannot omit, in this report, an account of the color-guard :
•' Color-Sergeant Doolittle fell early in the engagement, pierced
by four balls, and dangerously wounded. The colors were
then taken by Corporal Page, company B, who soon fell dead.
They were again raised by Corporal Churcher, company I,
who had his arm' broken, just as he entered the entrench-
ments, when they were taken by Corporal Twombly, com-
pany P, who was almost instantly knocked down by a spent
ball, but immediately rose and bore them gallantly to the end
of the fight. Not a single man of the color-guard but himself
was on his feet at the close of the engagement."
At Shiloh, Colonel Tuttle was placed in command of a brig-
ade, where he won new laurels. His command consisted of
the 2d, 7th, 12th, and 1-ith Iowa regiments, and, with it, he
held a portion of that line which saved the Federal army from
capture. After the fall of General W. H. L. Wallace, in that
deadly cross-fire of the enemy, and just at the mouth of that
flanking swoop that swallowed up the 8th, 12th, and 14th
Iowa. Colonel Tuttle, at the request of Captain McMichael,
General Smith's acting assistant adjutant-general, assumed
command of the division, which he held the remainder of
that day, and until the enemy were finally repulsed and driven
from the field. At Shiloh, he showed himself to be cool and
calculating in danger, and on the 9th of the following June, he-
was rewarded with the commission of a brigadier-general.
Subsequently to his promotion to the rank of a general officer,
and until the spring of 1SG4, when he left the service, General
Tuttle, a principal portion of the time, commanded a division
in the held. During the fall of 1862, and the following winter,
he was in command at Cairo, Illinois ; but, in the spring of
LSU3, was relieved and placed in command of the 3d Division,
58 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
loth Army Corps. He joined Sherman in the march through
Jackson to the rear of Vicksburg, and, in the assault and cap-
ture of Jackson on the 1 1th of May, was with his division in the
advance. His division moved against the south side of the
rebel capital, while General Crocker's made the assault on the
west.
There is a solitary political chapter in General Turtle's his-
tory. He was the Democratic candidate for Governor of Iowa,
at the fall election of 1SG3, and the following brief extract from
his Address to the People will show his views upon the all-ab-
sorbing political question of the day."
"I am in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war to the
full extent of our power, until the rebellion is suppressed, and
of using all means that may be in our possession,, recognized
by honorable warfare, for that purpose. I am for the Union
without an if, and regardless of whether Slavery stands or fulls
by its restoration ; and in favor of peace on no other terms than
the unconditional submission of the rebels to the constituted
authorities of the Government of the United States."
In size General Tutlle is above the medium, with broad,
square shoulders, and weighing one hundred and ninety
pounds, lie has a sanguine, bilious temperament; light, florid
complexion ; and gray eyes. His mental and physical organ-
ism seem to be in perfect sympathy; for he is slow of speech,
and slow in action. He has none of the dash of Sheridan ;— he
is more like General Grant — slow and sure. Ordinarily he
does not draw conclusions rapidly; but, if the circumstances be
such as to give him no time for deliberation, he seems equal to
emergencies, for his judgments are nearly always correct. He
is naturally modest, unassuming and unostentatious. He has
large hope, but little self-esteem, and lacks confidence in his
own ability. Put he is stubborn, and his deliberate opinions
are not easily shaken.
COLONEL JAMES BAKER.
THIRD COLONEL, SECOND INFANTRY.
Colonel James Baker of the 2d Iowa Infantry, who fell
mortally wounded, while leading his regiment in a charge
against the enemy at Corinth, was a native of Gallatin county,
Kentucky, where he was horn the 25th of Decemher, 1823.
lie was reared and educated in Shelby ville, Indiana, where
his father removed with his family in his son's infancy. In
1852, he came to Iowa and settled in Bloomfield, Davis county.
At Bloomfield, he entered the practice of law, in partnership
with his brother-in-law, II. II. Trimble, to which he devoted
his exclusive attention from 1S55 to 1861. He was a successful
lawyer and had, at the outbreak of the war, secured an exten-
sive practice.
In April, 1861, Mr. Baker entered the Volunteer Service, as
captain of company G, 2d Iowa Infantry. He was the first
volunteer from Davis county, and enrolled his name in the
old Methodist Church of Bloomfield. Entering the field with
his regiment, he served with it with the rank of captain, till
the 2d of November, 1801; when he was promoted to the
lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment. Less than eight months
later, he succeeded General Tuttle to the colonelcy.
The history of the 2d Iowa Infantry, from the 22d of June,
1SC2, (the date of Colonel Baker's commission) till September
following, is nearly the same as that of all the Federal troops
camped at and in the vicinity of Corinth: the regiment did
little except camp- and picket-duty.
Corinth, Mississippi, whore, on the 3d and 4th of October,
1602, was fought one of the most important and decisive
60 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
battles of the war, especially in the South "West, and where
the 2d Iowa Infantry, for more than a year was stationed on
garrison-duty, is a point to which attaches much interest in the
history of the war. It was the first Confederate town of conse-
quence in the South West besieged by the Federal forces. It
is situated in the north-east corner of Mississippi, and is at the
point of intersection of the Memphis and Charleston, and the
Mobile and Ohio Railroads. To the enemy, it was a place of
great importance.
From the 30th of May, 1862, the date of the place's evacuation
by Beauregard, till the early part of the following September,
every thing remained quiet at Corinth. Indeed, no considerable
rebel force was in its vicinity; for, after its evacuation, the
greater part of the rebel army was transferred to the neigh-
borhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee. General Sterling Price
made his appearance at Iuka, about twenty miles east of Cor-
inth, on the thirteenth of September, and, on the nineteenth
of that month, General Poseerans fought with him the battle
of Iuka. Defeated at that point, General Price marched his
army, by a circuitous route, round to Ripley, where he was
joined by Generals Van Dorn and Viliipigue. The combined
rebel force numbered now not less than forty thousand, and,
in Van Dorn's opinion, was sufficient to capture Corinth.
Price, who had recently felt the mettle of the Federal troops
at Iuka, thought otherwise; but Van Dorn was the ranking
officer, and an attack was determined on and ordered.
The enemy marched on Corinth from Eipley, and first
encountered a detachment of Federal troops at Chewalla, a
small town north-west of Corinth. This was on the afternoon
of the second of October. In the meantime General Grant,
having learned of the enemy's approach, had made prepara-
tions to meet him. The attack on Corinth was made from the
direction of the enemy's march — on the west and north-west
JAMES BAKER. 61
of the town— and mot serious resistance two and a half miles
out, on the Chewalla road.
The 2d Iowa Infantry, attached to the 1st Brigade of the 2d
Division, was among the troops sent out to encounter the
enemy, and, marching in a north-westerly direction, formed
line of battle at the front. Frequent changes of position hav-
ing been made to check -mate the advances of the enemy, the
regiment finally became hotly engaged near what was known
as the White House. Near the White House, the position of
the 2d Iowa was as follows: it was stationed on high ground,
and in the edge of timber. In its front, the country was open,
affording almost an unobstructed view for a mile or more to
the left and front. The regiment was assaulted in this position
by the enemy in force, who, by a charge, endeavored to break
the Federal line; but they were repidsed. They did not
renew the charge, but returning to within musket-range, and
covering themselves as much as possible behind stumps and
old logs, opened on the Federal lines with their rifles. The
fighting continued in front of the 2d Iowa for nearly an hour,
but with no advantage to the enemy; for, whenever they
advanced so as to expose themselves, they were driven to cover
by the sharp and accurate fire of the regiment.
But now heavy columns of rebel re-inforcemcnts were seen
approaching in the distance, and for the regiment to remain
where it was, and allow the enemy in its immediate front to
hold their position till their re-inforcements arrived, would
result in certain defeat. Colonel Baker was sitting upon his
horse, watching the movements of the enemy, and contempla-
ting the course to be pursued, when Lieutenant, now Major
Ilaniill stepping to his side, said, "Colonel, let us charge the
enemy." The suggestion was adopted and a charge ordered,
which resulted successfully; but just as the enemy were being
routed, Colonel Baker fell from his horse, mortally wounded.
62 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
As he fell, he said, " Thank God, I fell while my regiment
was victoriously charging! " lie was borne from the field on a
litter, and placed in hospital at Corinth, where he lay for three
days and night?, breathing regrets for his sad fate* " Poor
Charlie, (his wife) if it wore not for you, I could die more wil-
lingly." He was never a father, and doted on his wife with
the fondest affection.
From the first, there was no hope of saving his life, and he
was drugged to kill his intense pain. He lingered till the
morning of the seventh of October, when he died. Of the
Iowa colonels, he was the first that had fallen in battle, and the
second that had fallen in the service of the country. Colonel
I
Worthington, of the oth Iowa Infantry, had been shot during
the siege of Corinth by a frightened sentinel.
When Colonel Baker fell, Lieutenant-Colonel Mills assumed
command of the 2d Iowa, and soon after was ordered to fall
bark in the direction of Corinth, and take position in the vicin-
ity of the Federal battery, Robinette, where the regiment
remained during the following night. In the next day's
engagement, Colonel Mills received a wound which terminated
fatally, five days after the death of Colonel Baker.
In the two day's engagement at Corinth, the loss of the 2d
Iowa was severe — especially in officers. When it marched out
to the front on the morning of the 3d, there were, in officers
and enlisted men, an aggregate of three hundred and forty-six.
In the first day's battle, it lost three officers killed, and two
wounded ; and in the second, one killed, and five wounded.
The entire loss of the regiment, in killed, wounded and mis-
sing, was one hundred and eight. Thirteen enlisted men were
killed. The officers killed dead, were Lieutenants Huntington,
Suowden, Bing, and George W. Neal.
The following is from Major Weaver's official report:
"Among those who distinguished themselves was Adjutant
JAMES BAKER. 63
(Jeorge L. Godfrey, who could always be seen and heard
charging along the line upon his horse, shouting to the men to
bo cool and steady. lie is one of the most valuable young
officers with whom I have ever met. Captains Cowles,
MeCulloch, Mastic, Howard, Ensign and Davis were marked
instances of bravery and efficiency upon the field, and reflected
great credit upon themselves and their commands. Cap-
tain Holmes, on account of a wound received in the battle
at Fort 1 >onelson, was unable to take command of his company
during the engagement.
" ( 'onspicuous for bravery, were Lieutenants Parker, Duffield,
Marsh, Wilson, Tisdale, Suiter, Hamill, Hall, Bloke, Duck-
worth, Ballinger, Twombly and MeCoid. After Lieutenants
Parker and Twombly of company F, were wounded, Sergeant
James Ferry took charge of the company, and displayed
marked efficiency and courage. Likewise after the fall of
Lieutenants Huntington and Suiter, of company B, Sergeant
Lewis, (acting lieutenant) took charge of the company, and
rendered most satisfactory service. Too much credit can not be
t'estowed upon our excellent First Assistant Surgeon Elliott
Pyle, then in charge of the Medical Department of the regi-
ment. He was most indefatigable in his attention to the
wounded. Nor upon our Quarter-Master Sergeant Johu
Lynde, who was ever present upon the field to supply the
wants of the men. Sergeant-Major Campbell distinguished
hi tnself throughout the battle for coolness and bravery. Color-
Sergeant Harry Doolittle, whilst supporting the colors, was
again wounded, and Color-Corporals Henry A. Seiberlich, G.
C. Phillips, G. B. Norris, I. C. Urie and John II. Stewart
were all wounded, whilst supporting the .old flag."
Captain Ensign distinguished himself by capturing a bat-
tle-flag, and in the charge upon the battery, was the first to
reach it, and turn the guns upon the enemy.
Colonel Baker was a man of middle size, and had a stocky
and vigorous form. He had a dark, or olive complexion, black
hair, and dark, lustrous eyes. In personal appearance he was
extremely prepossessing. With his friends he was extremely
sociable; but he had little to say to strangers. During the last
months of his service, ho became somewhat convivial in his
61 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
habit?, which was doubtless occasioned by his inactive camp-
life at Corinth.
The Colonel had great independence of character, and never
fawned nor flattered. lie never asked favors; but, for prefer-
ment, relied solely on his merit and ability. He had fine legal
talent, and there were few lawyers in Southern Iowa who
were his superiors. But he had one peculiarity — a weak-
ness, if it may be so termed, attributed by his friends to
his native modesty, which he could never overcome — he
never attempted to address a jury or- a public assembly without
at first showing signs of fear. It could be seen in his pale face,
his compressed lips, and in the nervous tremor of his hand.
This is the more remarkable since he was a fine public speaker,
and never spoke with hesitancy.
The Colonel was a fine officer: indeed, the State has fur-
nished few better. His remains now lie buried on his former
happy homestead in Bloomfield, and a fine monument, erected
by his wife, marks the spot of his burial.
COLONEL NOAH WEBSTER MILLS.
FOURTH COLONEL., SECOND REGIMENT.
The memories of the noble dead, who have fallen in battle,
we shall ever cherish ; and the names of those who distinguished
themselves most, we shall, regardless of their rank, hold in the
highest honor. Though Noah W. Mills, at the time of his
death, held only the rank of a colonel, yet, I believe, we have
rarely sustained a greater loss in the death of a general officer.
The subject of this memoir was a native of Indiana, and was
born in Montgomery county of that State, on the 21st day of
June, 1S34. In his early history there is little of special interest.
His education, which was liberal, he received at "Wabash
College, Indiana. He had to defray his own educational
expenses, and, for that purpose, passed much of his time in a
printing-house. In college he was noted simply for his honesty,
morality and industry. Naturally modest, he did not seek
that distinction in Ids class to which his talents entitled him.
For several months after leaving college, he was employed with
an engineering corps, but subsequently became an employee of
the Adams Express Company, in whose service he remained
one year. While in the service of this company, he began the
study of law, the profession for which he had always mani-
fested a preference; and, as an example of his industry, it
maybe stated that his leisure moments, while passing to and
fro over the road, were devoted to the study of Ids chosen pro-
fession, lie was admitted to the bar in 1856, and in the fall of
the same year removed to Des Moines, where, renouncing for
the time his legal pursuits, he engaged in the book and printing
business, with his brother, F. M. Mills, Esq., under the firm
5 65
66 IOWA COLONELS AXD REGIMENTS. «
name of Mills & Co. ; and the zeal and skill which he carried
with him into the business were, I am informed, important
elements in the success of this enterprising house.
Colonel Mills was one of the first in Polk county to enter the
War of the Rebellion. Hi9 keen sense of honor and love of
justice, his horror of anarchy and hatred of the institutions
which were threatening to produce it, were the chief induce-
ments for his entering the army; for he was naturally of a
retiring disposition, and hated contention. He entered the
service as a lieutenant in Captain, now General Crocker's com-
pany, which, being too late in its organization for the three-
months service, was assigned to the 2d Iowa Infantry. At its
rendezvous in Keokuk, Captain Crocker was elected major of
the regiment, and Lieutenant Mills was promoted to the cap-
taincy of his company. He held this rank till the 22d of June,
18G2, when he was made major. Two davs later he was com-
missioned lieutenant-colonel ; and on the Sth of October follow-
ing, the day after the death of Colonel Baker, he was promoted
to the colonelcy of the 2d Iowa Infantry. He entered upon his
military career with the lowest rank of a commissioned officer,
and, in .seventeen months time, attained, by gallant and
meritorious conduct, the highest rank within the gift of the
State Executive. But he was entitled to even greater distinc-
tion ; for, after his death, General Rosecrans said : "He was a
gallant officer, and richly merited promotion to the rank of a
brigadier."
To give his military history in detail is needless; for it is to
be found in the history of his gallant regiment. He served
with his regiment in all its campaigns, and fought with it in
all its battles; and the force of every blow which it dealt the
rebellion was augmented by his gallantry and prowess. That
his merit as an officer was not of the common sort may be seen
from the two following incidents: the first occurring on the
NOAH W. MILLS. 67
bljihte of Fort Donelson, and the second on the battle-field
ofShJloh:
At Fort Donelson, after the hights had been gained, and
the works of the enemy captured, the left wing of the 2d (the
right wing had not yet come up) had started, in their enthu-
liiwm, in pursuit of the enemy, to the ravine below, when they
wore halted by Colonel Tuttle and ordered to re-form, so as to
meet the assault of a Tennessee regiment moving against them
on the right. The order was no sooner given than the company
of Captain Mills, quitting the pursuit, instantly rallied in a
cirele around him ; reminding one, as General Tuttle expressed
it, "of a brood of chickens huddling around their mother, on
the approach of danger." No more striking instance of the
confidence reposed in him by his men could be given.
He was equally fortunate in securing the confidence of his
Buperior officers. At about four o'clock on the afternoon of the
fir>t day's fight at Shiloh, that portion of the line formed by
General Tuttle's Brigade was being held successfully : every
I tliing in the immediate vicinity looked as though the advance
of the enemy had been Checked, though the heavy firing at the
left find right rear indicated otherwise. Just at this juncture,
Captain Mills, who held the right of his regiment, and the
right of the brigade, sent a sergeant to General Tuttle with
word that the enemy were passing his flank on the right, and
that the command was in imminent danger. " Did Captain
Mills send you to' me?" inquired General Tuttle. "Yes."
" Well then, there must be something wrong, and I will report
it to General Wallace."
The facts are now well known. On a reconnoisance being
made, the statements of Captain Mills were found to be cor-
rect ; but only in tune to save two regiments of the brigade
from capture. After the danger was passed, General Tuttle
remarked: "Had any one but Captain Mills reported that fact
68 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
to me I should have taken no notice of it ;" and thus he saved
the 2d and 7th Iowa regiments from capture at Shiloh. " ]!•
was the coolest man in battle I ever saw; (I again use the
language of General Tuttle) and his watchfulness and valor
were worth a regiment."
Colonel Mills' last engagement was that of Corinth, Octobi r
3d and 4th, 18G2. On the afternoon of the first day's fight, thi
gallant Colonel Baker was mortally wounded; and the com-
mand of the regiment devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel anils.
He himself was struck in the foot by a spent ball, and his horse
killed under him, in the same charge in which Colonel Baker
fell ; but fortunately he was not disabled.
The morning of the 4th of October dawned with but little
hope for the Union army at Corinth. Our lines on every hand
had been forced back, and on the north, west and south sides
of the city, the enemy had possessed themselves of the outer
defences; and the contest, which would decide the final issue,
could be of but short duration. Soon after day-light, the enemy
resumed their advance, and a few moments later the battle was
raging in every quarter. On the north side, Battery Robinetto
was repeatedly charged; but the enemy were each time
repulsed with dreadful slaughter. Despairing of success at
that point, they massed their forces on the south side, and, with
an appalling yell and at double-quick, came dashing into the
town, many of them even reaclung the Tishamingo House.
At this critical moment, when victory was almost perching on
the banner of the enemy, three Iowa regiments sprang to the
rescue, and, with an answering yell of defiance, charged the
rebel legions and drove them back in utter confusion. To
the 2d, 7th, and 17th Iowa regiments belong the credit of
meeting and repelling the final assault of the enemy at Corinth.
The last desperate charge of the enemy on Battery Robinetto
had been made just before.
NOAH W. MILLS. by
In this final charge, Lieutenant-Colonel Mills was conspicu-
» t
oua. Springing to the front of his regiment, he snatched its
tattered battle-flag from the color-guard, and, in the very face
of the foe, cheered on his men to the onset. It was in this
charge, and after the enemy had been routed, that he was
wounded. He was shot in the foot with a musket-ball, which
entered at the big-toe joint and lodged in the heel. A week
after he was wounded he was attacked with lock-jaw, from
which he could receive no relief; and he died at sun-down, on
Sunday evening, the 12th of October, 1862. He retained his
consciousness to the last. He knew he must die, and wrote :
(he could not speak) " 1 am not alarmed, if the danger is great.
If this is to be fatal, it is my time, and God is wise and ^ust:
1 am not afraid to die." And he added: "In the army I
have tried conscientiously and prayerfully to do my duty ; and,
if I am to die in my youth, I prefer to die as a soldier of my
country. To do so as a member of the 2d Iowa is glory enough
I for me."
To leave his beloved wife and his two dear little children,
was 1'. is greatest cross; and many kind and touching messages
he left them. The grief of that noble woman but few can
understand; for, in the engagement at Corinth, she sacrificed
her all. Her father, General Hackelman, of Indiana, was
killed in the first day's battle. Colonel Mills' farewell to his
parents was: "Your teachings have done me good through
all my life, and I honor and thank you for them." But he
had a Christian burial in a Christian land, which in a degree
assuaged the grief of his friends; and John A. Kasson, his
warm friend, and one of Iowa's most eloquent and distin-
guished sons, pronounced his eulogy.
Immediately after learning of the death of Colonel Baker,
Governor Kirkwood promoted Lieutenant-Colonel Mills to the
colonelcy of the 2d Iowa Infantry ; and, though he did not live
70 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
to receive his commission, he died a full colonel of that no!,!.
regiment.
The names of Colonels Baker and Mills are immortal— at least
in the annals of Iowa. In life their regiment learned their
worth, and in death it mourned their loss:
"JResotved, That in view of the gallant conduct of these brave
men, we, the oflicers and men of the 2d Iowa Infantry, join in
paying fitting honor to their memory.
Mesolved, That, at Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, they dis-
played that coolness and bravery, which will secure for them a
place upon the brightest page of our history ; while posterity
will gratefully remember and emulate them, as among the
most worthy martyrs in the cause of their country."
Colonel Mills was tall and erect in person, and, in health,
had the appearance of being rather portly. He had light-gray
eyes, a fair, florid complexion, and light-brown hair. His
voice was clear and kind: his manners frank and unas-
suming. He had gcod literary taste; was a good writer and a
fine scholar. J n civil life he was quiet, urbane and industrious ;
and, though young, was a prominent, useful and influential
citizen. Though few predicted for him great success as a
military man, yet, his friends and those who knew him best,
were not surprised at his brilliant military career. He was
taught from childhood to hate Slavery. From the first he
saw it was the cause of the war, and he believed there could
be no peace till it was utterly destroyed. Soon after entering
the field he wrote to his friends: "I never fail to pray that this
rebellion may be the beginning of the end of Slavery." With
him the maintenance of Liberty and Justice were paramount.
To this end he gave his life a willing sacrifice; and his friends
can rejoice that it was not given in vain.
COLONEL JAMES BAIRD WEAVER.
FIFTH COLONEL, SECOND INFANTRY.
James B. Weaver was the fifth colonel of the 2d Iowa
Infantry. He is a native of the city of Dayton, Ohio, where
he was born on the 12th of June, 1833, and a son of Abrarn
Weaver, Esq., formerly a county officer and politician of Davis
county. He accompanied his father's family from Ohio to
Michigan, and thence to Iowa, where he arrived in IS 13. In the
year following, he settled in Davis county, where he has since
resided.
Colonel Weaver's early education was limited — only such as
the West, at that early day, afforded. At the age of nineteen,
he began the study of law, which he pursued for two years in
Bloomfickl, and then, with the late lamented Colonel James
Baker, entered the Cincinnati Law School. Leaving that
University in the spring of 1856, he returned to Iowa; and,
from that date until the commencement of the war, practiced
his profession in Bloomfield, Davis county. Soon after estab-
lishing himself in practice, he was married to Miss Clara
Vinson, a lady of intelligence and worth.
Colonel Weaver entered the service, as first lieutenant of
Company G, 2d Iowa Infantry, and with that rank fought at
the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. He was made major
of his regiment, vice N. W. Mills promoted to lieutenant-col-
onel, and, after the death of Colonels Baker and Mills, was
promoted to the colonelcy. His commission as major was
received the day before the first day's fight at Corinth, and that
of colonel, in (lie latter pari of the same month.
If we except the part taken by the 2d Iowa Infantry in the
71
72 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
early part of General Sherman's campaign against Atlanta,
the history of the regiment, while under the command of
Colonel Weaver, has in it little of general interest. From the
fall of 1802 to the fall of 1SC3, it was stationed on garrison-duty
at and near Corinth, Mississippi; and, if we except the few
expeditions in which it took part during this time, the routine
of its camp-life was only occasionally broken by droll camp-
scenes and incidents.
In garrison-duty, the day begins something as follows: —
awakened in the morning by the braying of mules, the impu-
dent clattor of drums, and the shrill whistle of fifes, the
soldiers hurry on their clothes and assemble on the company
parade grounds for "roll-call." But there is always some
delinquent: some lazy fellow throws back his blanket and,
sitting upright, rubs his eyes and yawns lustily. He begins to
wonder if he will have to "police" to-day, or stand picket,
or— what he will have to do, when the command " fall in " is
sounded, and instantly the trumpet-voice of the orderly begins
calling, "Buckmaster;" "Banner;" "Brown;" "Brooks;" —
he hurries on his pants and out into line, but only in time
to find his name passed, and himself checked as absent from
"roll-call." The day begins badly; for the thing he most
dreaded is now upon him — he is the first on the list of those
detailed for "policing," and he curses his ill luck.
Next follows the morning ablutions and toilet, and then
breakfast. The 2d Iowa at Corinth were gentlemen ; for, in
those days, they had black men for their cooks, their "hewers
of wood and drawers of water." Tho soldiers chatted and
laughed, while their servants fried the bacon, and made the
coffee. "Guard-mounting," "company-drill," "dinner-call,"
and "retreat," followed each other, until finally "tattoo"
closed the day. Generally, the history of one day was repeated
in that following.
JAMES B. WEAVER. 73
Of all the troops sent out from Iowa, there has been no regi-
ment, where the enlisted men have maintained so much inde-
pendenee in their relations with their officers, as have those of
the 2d Iowa,— none, where the members would endure less of
style in their held- and line-officers. In every other respect, the
discipline of the regiment was most commendable. In the
summer of 1SG3, while the 2d Iowa was stationed with its brig-
ade at Corinth, General T. "W. Sweeney, (afterwards dismissed
in disgrace from the service for threatening to shoot General
Dodge, and a surgeon) issued an order, embracing the follow-
ing points: — 1st. There must be no familiarity between enlist-
ed men and their officers. 2d. If any enlisted man have any
business with the commanding officer of his company, he must
transact it through the orderly-sergeant. The orderly-ser-
geant, on entering his officer's tent, must remove his hat, and
taking the position of a soldier, make known his business. He
must never seat himself, or talk about other matters than those
relating to the business in question ; and, that being atten-
ded to, he must leave promptly, and with the proper salute.
Violations of the order were to be reported by company-officers,
and all offenders severely punished.
This was a new article in the regiment's code of discipline,
to which it would not yield submission. But Colonel "Weaver,
always anxious to comply with orders, added one of his own ;
and, with a rhetorical flourish, held his company-officers
responsible for all infringements of the former. Both were
read to his regiment on dress-parade, and were greeted with
three groans. One stormy night not long after, when the colo-
nel was in bed, a shot was fired through his quarters, the ball
passing within four or five inches of his person. For some
reason or other, no more was said about the obnoxious order,
and the men visited the tents of their company-officers as
usual.
74 IOWA COLONELS ANT) REGIMENTS.
After Vicksburg had fallen, and Port Hudson, and the Mis-
sissippi had been opened from its mouth to its sources, there
was little need for the magnificent army of General Grant, in
its old field of operations. On the west side of the Mississippi,
the power of the Confederacy was inconsiderable: its chief
strength lay on the east side of the river. Rosecrans success-
fully engaged Bragg at Murfreesboro, and forced him back
across the tail of the Cumberland Mountains, to and beyond
Chattanooga. Then, himself defeated, he was beaten back to
Chattanooga, and there beseiged. After the fall of Vicksburg,
therefore, Chattanooga became the chief point of interest, in
military operations in the South West. General Grant's vic-
tory at Vicksburg was the consummation of success" in that
quarter, and he therefore planned immediate relief for the
Army of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga.
In order to open and protect new lines of communication
between Nashville and Chattanooga, and to render that one
already open more secure, Corinth was to be evacuated, a large
extent of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad abandoned,
and General Dodge's command ordered across the country to
the Nashville and Dceatur Railroad. Hence it was that the
2d Iowa, with its brigade and division, was transferred from
Corinth to the line of the above named road. General Dodge's
command left Corinth and crossed the Tennessee, at Eastport,
with the rear of General Sherman's Corps, then on its way to
Chattanooga.
The 2d Iowa marched directly to Pulaski, Tennessee, where
were established the head-quarters of the regiment. Pulaski
was also General Dodge's head-quarters. Colonel Weaver was
made commandant of the post, and held the position during
the following winter, and until just before the expiration of his
term of service. The services of the 2d Iowa were, in the
meantime, the same as those of other troops, stationed on rail-
JAMES B. WEAVER. 75
road guard-duty. The regiment however, marched on no
expeditions, and was, at no time, attacked by the enemy. It
was at Pulaski that the 2d re-enlisted, and from that point
left for Iowa on veteran-furlough.
Soon after its return from Iowa, the 2d Iowa, with the bal-
ance of Dodge's command, took the field. Leaving the non-
veterans at Pulaski, the regiment, in the latter part of March,
1S64, marched to the front, by way of Elkton, Huntsville
and Bridgeport. It had been so long stationed in camp that
the news of its assignment to the front was hailed with much
satisfaction, and demonstrations of joy, along the line of march,
such as song-singing and the like, were frequent. The Elk
river was to be crossed at Elkton, and there was no bridge and
no boats; but that was no obstacle; for the regiment, and
indeed the whole brigade, stripping off all but their shirts,
waded the stream, amid shouting and laughter. There are
always some wags in every regiment, and at such times as
these, they crack their jokes and make much sport.
On arriving at Huntsville, General Sweeney's Division, (the
2d) to which was attached the 2d Iowa, was joined by that of
General Veatch. These troops constituted General G. 31.
Dodge's command — the celebrated left wing of the 16th Army
Corps. They proceeded from Huntsville to Chattanooga, and
from Chattanooga, over the battle-ground of Chickamauga, on
to Dalton.
At Dalton, General Johnson was strongly intrenched, with
the finest rebel army ever mustered in the South West ; and so
confident was he of his strength that he had boasted he would
march on Chattanooga, and, having driven the Federal forces
from that place, would move on and capture Nashville. But
Dalton was to fall with but little bloodshed. General McPher-
son, moving through Snake Creek Gap, gained Johnson's left
flank, and compelled him to evacuate his strong works and fall
76 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
back to Resaca. In this flank movement, the first in General
Sherman's " flanking campaign," the 2d Iowa took part. Soon
after, Colonel "Weaver was mustered out of the service, and
returned to his home in Bloomfield. His three year's term
expired on the 2Sth of May, 1864. From that time to the
present, the 2d Iowa Infantry has been commanded by Colo-
nel Noel B. Howard.
Colonel Weaver is one of the handsomest of the Iowa colonels.
He has a symmetrical, well-developed person, which, with his
dignified address, intelligent countenance, and dark-blue eyes,
makes him interesting and pleasing. He is too small for a
great man, and yet, with his dignity and self-assurance, he
impresses a stranger favorably. *■
Intellectually, he is rather brilliant; I am told he is a grace-
ful and interesting public speaker. His worst fault is an
affectation in delivery.
He has some vanity, and was proud of his position as colonel
of the 2d Iowa. For instance: just after being commissioned a
lieutenant, it is said he returned to Bloomfield and attended
church in full uniform, sporting the whole regulation outfit.
"From his walk," said an officer of his regiment, "you could
tell that he was colonel of the 2d Iowa."
He was a good and brave officer, and there are few who were
as cool us he in battle. At Shiloh, while the 2d and 7th Iowa
were running that terrible gauntlet, on the afternoon of the
first day's fight, Captain Moore, of company G, was shot
through both legs and disabled. Lieutenant Weaver stopped,
picked him up, and bore him from the field. Under the circum-
stances, not one man in five thousand would have imitated his
example. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and is
one of the few officers who abstained from the use of liquor in
the service.
COLONEL NOEL B. HOWARD.
SIXTH COLONEL, SECOND INFANTRY.
Noel B. Howard is one of the youngest officers of his rank
in the service, and one of the best. He was born in the State
of Vermont, in the year 1S38 ; and was educated, I think, at
the Norwich Military University of the same State. Just before
the outbreak of the Avar, he was teaching a military school in
one of the southern Atlantic States. Coming North, he was
stopping in Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, at the time Captain
Hugh P. Cox's company of the 2d Iowa was being recruited.
He enlisted in that company, and on its organization was elec-
ted first lieutenant. With that rank he entered the service.
After the battle of Fort Donelson, he was promoted to the
captaincy of his company, (I) and, on the 13th of October fol-
lowing, was made major of his regiment. He served with
the rank of major till the spring of 1S64, when he was made
lieutenant-colonel, vice Lieutenant-Colonel Henry II. Cowles,
resigned.
Colonel Weaver left his regiment at Resaca: since that time
it has been commanded chiefly by Colonel Howard. In the
terrible battle of the 22d of July, before Atlanta, he was
wounded, which left the regiment for several weeks in com-
mand of Major M. G. Hamill. After the fall of Atlanta, the
3d Iowa Infantry was consolidated with the 2d. This, with
the recruits and drafted men assigned to it, increasing its num-
bers to above the minimum of a regimental organization,
entitled the 2d Iowa to a Colonel. Lieutenant-Colonel How-
ard was accordingly promoted to that rank; and no officer in
the Federal army more richly merited the position.
78 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
The opening and closing days of the war were the most
eventful to the 2d Iowa. It gained pre-eminent distinction at
Fort Donelson, and closed its brilliant record, (for the war is
virtually over) in the campaigns from Dalton to Atlanta, from
Atlanta to Savannah, and from Savannah to Raleigh.
After leaving Besaca, Georgia, the operations of the 2d Iowa,
up to the time of the capture of Atlanta, were briefly as fol-
lows:— On the Mth day of May, it marched with its brigade to
Calhoun Ford, on the Oostanaula river, and assisted in forcing
a crossing of that stream. It was the first regiment sent across,
after which, having deployed as skirmishers, it held the enemy
in check till the other troops were over. The Oostanaula was
crossed on the morning of the 15th instant, and in the after-
noon of the day following, the march was directed toward
Home. At Rome Cross Roads, the 2d Iowa engaged the enemy
as skirmishers, and held the left of its division. Defeated at
this point, the enemy foil back to Kingston, and beyond. The
2d Iowa, with its brigade and division, followed, and reached
that place in the afternoon of the 19th of May. From King-
ston, the regiment marched to Dallas, where it was engaged ;
from Dallas to Acworth Station, and thence to Big Shanty,
near Kenesaw Mountain, where it arrived on the 10th of June.
At Big Shanty, it was detached for a time from its brigade,
and assigned to provost- and fatigue-duty; but it joined it again
near Lost Mountain on the 3d of July, and the same day assis-
ted in throwing up fortifications on Nick-a-jack creek.
From the 3d of July, until the arrival of MePherson before
Atlanta, the movements of the 2d Iowa were the same as those
of the other troops of its corns. Marching up past Marietta,
it crossed the Chattahoochie at Roswell, and then followed out
through Decatur to the east side of Atlanta. In approaching
Atlanta, on the 20th instant, tho regiment was deployed as
skirmishers, and occupied a position between its own corps
NOEIi B. HOWARD. 79
and the 23d. That day, it was engaged but slightly ; but, on
the 22d instant, it took an active part in repelling the desperate
assaults of the enemy on the Army of the Tennessee. For the
part taken by the 2d Iowa in that day's fighting, I refer to the
report of Major Hamill.
"The regiment, with its brigade, was marched from position
on the line between the loth and 23d Corps, on the morning of
the 23d, to position on the extreme left, to meet a rapid
advance of the enemy on the left flank of the 17th Corps. We
took position on the left flank of the brigade, the 7th Iowa on
our right, on a ridge running almost at right angles with the
line of the 17th Corps, and in an open field. Company G,
under command of Captain Duckworth, was deployed as skir-
mishers; but had advanced only a short distance, when the
enemy was discovered in the edge of the woods, advancing in
force directly in our front. Our skirmishers being hard* pressed
retired to the left to avoid exposure, and until the regimental-
front was uncovered, when the regiment opened a well-directed
fire on the enemy's advancing column, checking him, and
throwing him into confusion. After fruitless efforts to rally
his men under our fire, he was driven from the field, leaving
dead, wounded, and arms in our hands." *******
"About the close of the engagement, Lieutenant-Colonel
N. B. Howard was severely wounded, and compelled to leave
the field, leaving the regiment in my command. Captain
George lleaton, and three sergeants were severely wounded;
one corporal mortally, and four privates, slightly. The cap-
tures were twenty prisoners, one hundred and sixty-seven
stand of arms, and one stand of colors.
"Were I to make special mention of the officers and men
who did their duty well, and who deserve promotion, 1 should
have to mention every member of the regiment ; for each officer
and soldier deported himself as if the safety of the army and
the success of our cause depended on his individual efforts. No
soldiers ever discharged their duties better — none were ever
more deserving of the lasting gratitude of the country."
The day following this terrible engagement, the 2d Towa took
up a position on the extreme left of the army, which it held till
the morning of the 27th; and then, with its corps, swung round
80 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMENTS.
to the west side of Atlanta. Throwing up earth-works, the
regiment remained in this position till the 8th of August follow-
ing, when it was ordered to take up an advanced position.
But the movement in which the regiment most distinguished
itself, during the campaign, was that which resulted in the
evacuation of Atlanta. Captain John A. Duckworth, a most
excellent officer, who afterwards died as Sherman was approach-
ing Savannah, gives the following account of the part taken by
his regiment in the first part of this brilliant movement. After
stating that on the 2:>th of August, the 2d Iowa had assisted in
destroving the West Point railroad, he goes on to say:
"On the morning of the 30th, in company with the 7th Iowa
Infantry, the regiment was ordered to support the cavalry
under General Kilpatrick, when the advance on Jone^boro was
commenced. Taking the main road leading to that point, the
command moved out at a brisk step, and under a burning sun,
carrying, besides arms, ammunition, clothing and rations, a
number of intrenching tools. A force of the enemy's cavalry
was found at Strithe^ville Post-Office, six miles north-west of
Joncsboro, posted on an eminence in an open field, and pro-
tected by a barricade of rails. Tins position the regiment, sup-
port*-'] by the 7th Iowa , was ordered to charge. Two companies,
(B and G ) under command of Captain Lewis, were deployed as
Skirmishers; Major M. G. Hamill assumed command of both
regiments, and the movement commenced."
" The line moved cautiously until it arrived at the edge of a
corn-field, through which it had to pass, when the charge was
ordered. The regiment advanced in the most gallant style,
driving the enemy from the crest of the ridge, and taking pos-
session of their defenses. In this charge, Major Hamill was
wounded, who, it is needless to say, was doing his duty in the
coolest and bravest manner. Skirmishers were advanced, and
the enemy driven from his second position, in the edge of the
woods. Throwing out an additional company as skirmi.-hers,
(E) the command again moved forward, under Major Mahon
of the 7th Iowa. The enemy was found in his third position
near Linerty llil! Church, which was charged, taken and held,
by companies B, G and E, and a squadron of cavalry. Here
NOEL. B. HOWARD. 81
five companies of the 7th Iowa took the advance, supported by
the remainder of the two regiments united; but after advancing
a mile further, orders came to joiu the brigade."
That same day the advance was continued to Flint Itiver,
where the 2d Iowa arrived late in the evening, and fortified.
The next day, the 31st, the river was crossed, and the enemy
went in heavy force; and from that time until Hood's defeat
and flight, the regiment was much of the time under fire.
Atlanta was evacuated on the night of the 2d of September,
and, with the exception of the brief pursuit which was made
to Fayetteville, the campaign was closed.
In the march from Dulton, and in the battles and skirmishes
fought around Atlanta, the loss of the regiment was fifty-five
officers and men, killed and wounded. Eight were killed,
among whom were Lieutenant T. K. Kaush, and Sergeant
Cyrus Bartow. Lieutenant V. P. Twombly, regimental adju-
tant, was the only officer wounded near Jonesboro.
The services of the 2d Iowa, subsequently to the fall of
Atlanta, are substantially the same as those of the other Iowa
troops, who accompanied Sherman on his tour, via. Savannah,
to Laleigh, and thence to Washington. At the National Capi-
tal, it joined in the Grand Review; and I am told, held the
post of honor in the triumphal march of the Army of the Ten-
nessee.
Colonel Howard is a small, pale-faced man, with a weakly
voice, and weighing not more than one hundred and fifteen or
twenty pounds. A stranger would judge that he had little
capacity for physical endurance; but he is as hardy as a knot.
He is quiet, and unpretending in his manners, and quick in his
movements. To look at him, one would not judge him to be
the man that he is; though his countenance indicates much
energy and intelligence-.
He is a model soldier. From the very first, he was known
82 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
in the 2d Iowa, as "the nicest young man in the regiment."
When his regiment left Keokuk, he was its best drilled officer,
and, while a line officer, he had the best drilled company. He
always did his duty quietly and faithfully ; was always popu-
lar and approachable, and never became inflated by flattery or
promotion.
COLONEL WILSON G. WILLIAMS.
FIRST COLONEL, THIRD INFAXTRY.
Colonel W. G. Williams, of the 3d Iowa Infantry, was
horn in Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, in the year
1823. He is a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of Con-
necticut. His father, on the maternal side, was a resident of
Danbury, Connecticut, and, at the capture and burning of that
place by the British under Governor Try on, was taken pris-
oner. Colonel Williams, while young, removed with his
parents to Utica, New York, then a small village, where he
passed his youth, and received a good academic education.
On attaining his majority, he removed to New York City,
and was, for several years, engaged in the importing business.
!He came West in 1853, and, locating in the city of Dubuque,
opened soon after, a mercantile house. After following this
business for several years, he sold out his interest to a younger
brother, and purchased a farm in Dubuque county, on which
he lias since resided.
At the outbreak of the war, Colonel Williams was among
the first in the State to tender his services to the Government.
He was for a long time unsuccessful; but finally, through his
own persistency, and aided by the earnest endeavors of his
friends, he was commissioned colonel of the 3d Iowa Infantry.
He retained this rank until November, 1SG2, when he
resigned lus commission and returned to his farm in Dubuque
county.
The 3d Iowa Infantry, which was made up from nearly
every part of tin- State, was rendezvoused in the city of
Keokuk, and mustered into the United States service, on the
83
84 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
10th day of Juno, 1861. It has the saddest, and, all things
considered, the proudest record of all the troops furnished by
our patriotic State. Strife for position has been the bane of
this war, especially with the Federal army ; and I need not add,
what was the first source of discontent with the 3d Iowa Infan-
try. This proved a great misfortune to the regiment. Like
the 1st, 2d, 4th, oth and Gth Iowa Infantry regiments, the 3d
first served in Northern Missouri. It went to the front under
Captain II. G. Herron, a brother of Major-General Herron;
for Colonel Williams was left behind, not yet having received
his commission. The regiment arrived at the pretty, and
just before that time, flourishing city of Hannibal, in the last
of June, and two days later, left on the Hannibal and St.
Joseph Railroad, which it was to assist in guarding.
It entered the field under many disadvantages. It not only
had no commanding officer above a captain, (for neither Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Scott nor Major Stone had yet received their
commissions) but it was without transportation and equip-
ments. It was armed with the Springfield musket of the pat-
tern of "1848," but had no cartridge-boxes, belts or bayonet-
scabbard-. When it went on board the train for the West, on
the morning of the 1st of July, 1861, it did not have even a
cartridge — only burnished guns and bayonets; and its route lay
through that section of the State in which the rebel Thomas
Harris was organizing his forces. But what was the greatest
matter of surprise to the regiment, it was sent off without
rotio)ix. It was stationed along the road in detachments, in
the vicinity of Utica, and that night was the regiment's first
night in the field. It was tired and sleepy, and the detach-
ment at Utica threw themselves on the wet ground and slept,
without even establishing a picket-post. Lieutenant S. D.
Thompson, of the 3d Iowa, who Ins written a history of the
regiment, quaintly remarks that they trusted in Providence.
WILSON G. WILLIAMS. 85
The history of the 3d Iowa Infantry, while stationed in
Northern Missouri, is extremely interesting ; but I can not give
it in detail. I shall give only those points which are of chief
Interest. The regiment first formed line of battle, at the beat
of the long-roll, about midnight of the 3d of July, at Utica;
and at Brookfield, early in August, first made the acquaintance
of ' ' gray-backs." Its first affair, which approached to anything
like a battle, was that of Hager's Woods, in Monroe county,
and its last, while stationed in Missouri, that of Blue Mills
Landing. This last, though terminating unsuccessfully, was a
most gallant affair, and will be given in full hereafter. In the
affair of Hager's Yvoods, the expedition was under Colonel
.Smith, of the 16th Illinois, and numbered about four hundred
and fifty men. Besides detachments from the 3d Iowa and
lGth Illinois, there was one company of Hannibal home-
guards. One Sergeant Fishbeem commanded the artillery,
which consisted of a six-pounder swivel. This force moved
from Monroe on the line of the railroad, and came on the
enemy's scouts in Hager's Woods, who, firing on the Federal
advance, wounded three men. Hurrying his artillery to the
front, the incorrigible Fishbeem sent the enemy flying in an
instant. Night soon came on, and Colonel Smith retired.
The march from Macon City to Kirksville, comes next in
order. The object of this expedition was to intercept and rout
the forces of Colonel Martin Green, which were, at that time,
reported in camp on Salt River. The line of march from Macon
City was taken up at midnight, of the 15th of August. The
expedition was accompanied by Fishbeem with his " unfailing
six-pounder;" but how Green with his rebel command, having
been routed by Colonel Moore and some Iowa home-guards at
Athens, on the Dies Moines River, subsequently made good his
escape south, is well known. This was the result of a blunder,
for which one, who subsequently became distinguished, was
86 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
responsible. It was positively asserted at the time, that, had
General Hurlbut used more powder and fewer proclamations,
the result would have been different. On this expedition the |
3d Iowa had one man shot by rebel citizens.
Before Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, with his detachment of the
I
3d Iowa, had returned from Kirksville, Colonel Williams,
with the balance of his regiment, left on an expedition to
Paris, in company with six companies of the gallant 2d Kan-
sas. On arriving at Paris, the enemy was reported in large
force near that place — more than three to one. The country
in the vicinity was reconnoitered, and a portion of the scouts
were captured. Colonel Williams became alarmed, and beat a
hasty retreat to Shelbina, the point on the railroad from which
he had marched. In his retreat on Shelbina, Colonel Williams
had exercised good judgment; for he had only reached the
town, when, on looking to the rear, he saw first, dense clouds
of dust, and then the head of a column of cavalry, emerging
from the timber. These proved to be the forces of Green, and
numbered not less than three thousand. Having formed in
line of battle, the enemy sent in a flag of truce; but to Green's
demand to surrender, Colonel Williams replied, ".go to h ."
The enemy's artillery was now in position, and they began
throwing shells into the town ; it moreover appeared that they
were about surrounding the place, to force a surrender. Colo-
nel Williams had sent for reinforcements; but they had failed
to come, and now, calling a council of war, it was determined
to escape on the railroad, while there was yet opportunity.
For his conduct in tins affair, Colonel Williams was put under
arrest by General Hurlbut. In this inatter, even the Colonel's
enemies thought that General Hurlbut acted unjustly ; for his
conduct merited approbation, rather than censure. It was said
that the Colonel was drunk at Paris; but the general, with Ids
own tceaknesse.*, would hardly have put him under arrest for
WILSON G. WILLIAMS. 87
that. After much delay, the papers were lost, and the case
never came to trial. That which most annoyed the Colonel's
regiment in this matter, (for it had no love for him) was its
fears that his arrest would be a reflection on its own conduct ;
but in this its apprehensions were needless; for no one ever
questioned the courage of the 3d Iowa Infantry.
The battle of Blue Mills Landing, on the Missouri Paver, in
which the 3d Iowa, under Lieutenant-Colonel John Scott, so
distinguished itself, was fought on the 17th of September, 1861.
It terminated unsuccessfully ; but it also discovered, on the
part of the 3d Iowa and its gallant commander, a spirit of for-
titude and promptness to duty, unsurpassed in the record of
any engagement.
It will be remembered that, at the time General Price was
besieging Colonel Mulligan in Lexington, Missouri, in Septem-
ber, 1861, Colonels Boyd and Patton, with their rebel com-
mands, marched against and captured St. Joseph. At that
very time Generals Pope and Sturgis were at or near Macon
City, with the ostensible purpose of organizing means for the
relief of Mulligan. From the movements which followed, it
seems that the aim of these officers was two-fold: to attack
Boyd and Patton, and re-capture their long train of plunder,
and afterwards to concentrate near Lexington, and raise the
sioge of that city. In pursuance of these plans was fought the
battle of Blue Mills Landing.
Lieutenant-Colonel Scott left Macon City, with his regiment,
for Cameron, on the loth of September, 1861. His orders from
General Sturgis were, to leave Cameron, march south to Lib-
erty, and act against the enemy in co-operation with Colonel
Smith of the 16th Illinois; and here I should state, that Colonel
Smith was to march south, in the direction of Liberty, from a
point on the railroad some twenty-five miles west of Came-
ron. These, then, were the forces which were to attack Boyd
88 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
and Pat toil, and either capture, or compel them to destroy
their train of plunder. In the meantime, General Sturgis, with
ahout eleven hundred men, marched from Macon City, in
nearly a direct course for Lexington.
Passing through Hainsville and Centreville, Lieutenant-
Colonel Scott arrived at Liberty, at about eight o'clock in the
morning of the 17th instant. Here he expected to find Colonel
Smith; but, disappointed in this, he dispatched a courier to
him, with the request that he come up with all speed; for he
knew that the enemy were in the vicinity, since, on entering
Liberty, Lieutenant Call, in command of the van-guard, had
driven their pickets through the town and forward to the main
body. From eight A. M. until one P. M., the time was passed
in the most harrowing suspense. From the citizens the num-
bers of the enemy had been learned, and, although their sym-
pathies were with the rebel party, yet, from the honesty of
their deportment, their statements were doubtless correct. All
told, Scott's force was not more than five hundred and fifty, and
that of the enemy was not less than three thousand. But why
did not Colonel Smith come up? was the ever recurring ques-
tion with Lieutenant-Colonel Scott. It was eleven; he would
certainly be up by twelve; but twelve, and even one P. M.
passed, and still no signs of his coming. The enemy were
probably crossing the Missouri, only four and a half miles dis-
tant, and Would soon be beyond reach. Lieutenant-Colonel Scott
hesitated, for he was to act with Colonel Smith. But just then
six distinct artillery reports were heard in the direction of
Independence. The citizens, too, said there was fighting on
the opposite side of the river. The enemy were being
attacked near the crossing, on the opposite side of the river, by
forces from Kansas City, was the conclusion of Lieutenant-
Colonel Scott, and he hesitated no longer. Besides, his regi-
ment had not forgotten the affair at Shelbina, and were earnest
WILSON G. "WILLIAMS. «y
iii thuir demands to be led against the enemy. Such were the
considerations influencing Lieutenant-Colonel Scott to fight
the battle of Blue Mills Landing.
It was now nearly two o'clock, and the colonel dispatching
another messenger to Colonel Smith, ordered his command to
"loll in." Lieutenant Call, with his advance-guard, composed
of volunteer mounted Missourians, encountered the enemy's
pickets two miles south of Liberty, and was pursuing them
rapidly down the road, when he suddenly found himself
ambushed. A murderous volley from the enemy emptied five
saddles, and four men were killed dead. Their ghastly bodies,
lying by the road-side, were soon passed by the infantry troops ;
but the sight only nerved them for the pending conflict.
Finally, the enemy were encountered in the dense timber
bordering the Missouri, and about one mile from the Landing.
Their position was in a semi-circular, dry slough, whose arc,
near its centre, was crossed by the road leading to the Landing.
They were consequently well concealed, and the Federal skir-
mishers came on them unexpectedly.
Lieutenant-Colonel Scott was still marching by the flank,
when his skirmishers, who were only a few yards in advance
of the head of the column, discovered the enemy. Not only
the skirmishers, therefore, were within range of the enemy's
musketry, but nearly the whole column; for, as I have said,
the dry slough, in which the enemy were concealed, swung
round on both the right and left flanks. Rising to their feet,
the enemy delivered one concentrated fire, and then began to
advance, first on the rigid, and then in the centre and on
the left. They looked for instant and total rout ; but in
this were disappointed. By order of Lieutenant-Colonel
Scott, his cannon (for he had one piece) was brought for-
ward, and discharged twice almost in the teeth of the enemy;
but the gunner and horbes were instantly either killed or
90 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
wounded, and the piece rendered useless. In front, the
enemy were repulsed and retired to their cover. In the
movement against the right, they had also been repulsed ; for,
after receiving the first volley, the column had deployed, a
part to the right, and a part to the left of the road. For half
an hour, the fighting was most desperate ; and, in spite of every
effort, the enemy were held in their places of concealment ; but
now the Federal troops began gradually to give ground.
During all this time, Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, with his color-
guard, Lakin, had been in the extreme front, cheering the
men and watching the conflict. The colonel's orders had been
neither to advance nor retire; for, to advance would result in
the capture of his command, and, to retire precipitately, might
be equally disastrous. He therefore sat on his horse and
watched — a mark for the enemy, and a sign of hope for his
men. They gradually yielded their position, and he watched,
cheered and followed. The enemy pursued for a time, and
then returned to the Landing.
With the exception of his caisson, Lieutenant-Colonel Scott
lost nothing. The gun was dragged from the field by Captain
Trumbull and Lieutenant Crosley. Thus closed the battle of
Blue Mills Landing. That night Colonel Smith came up, but
declined to renew the engagement before morning; and before
that time, the enemy had crossed the river, and were en route
to join Price before Lexington.
Of all the battles that have been fought in Missouri, that of
Blue Mills Landing ranks second to none in point of gal-
lantry. "Major Stone, Captains Warren, Willet and O'Niel,
were severely wounded ; and also Lieutenants Hobbs, An-
derson and Knight.' The latter refused to retire from the
field, after being three times wounded, and remained with
his men till the close of the engagement." "Scott's horse
was hit several times, and several balls went through his
WILSON G. WILLIAMS. 91
clothes. Eight balls went through the flag, in the hands of
Lakin, and a ninth one struck the staff.' 3 Sergeant Aber-
nethy, who commanded the twelve skirmishers, also deserves
special mention for Ids gallantry.
General It. P. Atchison made the official report of this battle,
on the part of the enemy. lie was not, of course, present in
the engagement, but that makes no difference ; for he would
not have told the truth any way. In speaking of the results of
the battle he says :
" The Federal troops almost immediately fled, our men pur-
suing rapidly, shooting them down until they annihilated the
rear of their army, taking one caisson, killing about sixty men,
and wounding, it is said, about seventy. Our men followed
them like hounds in a wolf-chase, strewing the road with dead
and wounded, until compelled to give over the chase from
exhaustion, the evening being very warm. "
But no rascal of his pattern, would tell the truth against
himself; and he goes on to say :
"Colonel Saunders, Colonel Patton, Colonel Childs, Colonel
Candiff, Colonel Wilfley, Major Grease, Adjutant Shackelford,
and all other officers and men, so far as I know, behaved gal-
lantly."
With all these commands, (and why the commanders if not
the commands?) the enemy could have had scarcely less than
four thousand in this engagement. Indeed, with this number of
men, the Federal troops should have been handled as roughly
as is declared they were by the rebel historian, Pollard ; for,
after asserting that the jay-hawkers numbered five thousand
five hundred, anil the " loyal Missourians " only five hundred,
he goes on to say : — " Charging the jay-hawkers with shouts
of almost savage ferocity, and fighting with reckless valor, the
Missourians drove the enemy back (en miles, the conflict becom-
ing a hand-to-hand fight between detached parties on both
sides;" and such history as that has sustained the rebellion.
The 3d Iowa Infantry remained in Northern Missouri until
92 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
the ISth of October, 1SG1, when it left for Quincy, Illinois.
Here it remained a few weeks, and was then ordered to Benton
Barracks, St. Louis. From Benton Barracks, it was sent
out on the Northern Missouri Railroad, where it remained
till March, 1SG2, when it sailed for Savannah, on the Ten-
nessee River. It took a distinguished part in the battle of
Shiloh.
I have stated that the case of Colonel Williams, with refer-
ence to his conduct at Shelbina, never came to trial, the papers
having in some way been mislaid or lost. He was therefore
released, and restored to command in November, while his
regiment was at Benton Barracks. " Immediately on assum-
ing command, he arrested a number of officers, his personal
enemies, without the knowledge of the commandant of the
post. " For some reason, which I do not understand, this, too,
was deemed an offense, and he was again put under arrest by
General Halleck ; but, on a hearing of the charges in this case
at St. Louis, he was acquitted, and again restored to his com-
mand. He re-joined his regiment while it was stationed on the
Northern Missouri Railroad ; and, on its departure for the front,
left in its command. From this time on, till the date of his
leaving the service, he was much more popular with his regi-
ment. It was claimed that his experiences had worked great
improvement in his conduct ; but whatever is said against Col-
onel "Williams, it must be admitted that, from the first, he was
a fine disciplinarian. It was doubtless this, with his naturally
overbearing disposition, that made him so unpopular with his
regiment.
But few outside of our State are aware of the important part
the Iowa troops acted in the battle of Shiloh. On that bloody,
chaotic field, as at Fort Donelson, the chief credit and glory
belong to their banners. The disposition and conduct of the
troops in this engagement, and the particular part sustained by
WILSON G. WILLIAMS. 93
those from Iowa, arc given elsewhere. On the first day's fight,
they saved Grant's army from capture.
The 3d Iowa Infantry disembarked at Pittsburg Landing, on
the 17th of March, 18G2, with the 4th Division, commanded by
General Stephen Augustus Hurlbut. On the re-organization of
that division by brigades, the regiment was assigned to the
First, which was commanded by Colonel Williams, as the rank-
ing officer. The brigade was composed of the 2Sth, 32d and
41st Illinois, the 3d Iowa and Burrow's Battery of light
artillery. It was a fine body of troops, and Colonel Williams
was proud of his command.
The part taken by the 3d Iowa at the battle of Shiloh, I will
endeavor to give briefly, after first premising that the divisions
of Hurlbut and Smith (the latter commanded in the' battle by
W. H. L. Wallace.) were in camp between the front and the
Landing. The divisions of Prentiss, McClernand and Sherman
held the front, from left to right, respectively.
Early in the morning of the 6th of April, while eating its
breakfast, the 3d Iowa Infantry was startled by firing at the
front. Similar firing had occurred in the past few days, and it
created no alarm. But it soon appeared that the firing now
was not wholly the work of the pickets, for with every instant
it continued to increase in volume and rapidity. Couriers, too,
were now seen hurrying in every direction ; and soon the call
"to arms" was .sounded through the camps of both Hurlbut
and Wallace. Leaving its breakfast unfinished, and buckling
on its armor, the 3d Iowa was soon in line and in march to the
front, under its major; for its colonel was in command of the
brigade, and its lieutenaiu-colenel sick with typhoid fever, and
absent. Marching clown the road, Major Stone was directed to
the left, and ordered to the support of Prentiss. In front, the
battle was now raging with the utmost fury, and from the 3d
Iowa's camp-ground to that point the distance was but little
94 IOWA COLONEL AND EEGLMENTS.
more than a mile. The regiment moved on at quick-step, but
had not proceeded far before encountering the stragglers and
the wounded ; and that was the hour when began that babel of
confusion which, with the exception of a few hours, reigned
supreme throughout that terrible day. To those who have
never seen five thousand men frightened in battle, and fleeing
from a victorious enemy, no idea can be gained, by words, of
the wild ness of the scene, I care not how glaring the picture,
nor how accurate the language. With the unsuccessful party,
not only the human, but even the brute creation become over-
whelmed and crazed with terror. With the Union Army, this
hour was just dawning on the Shiloh battle-field.
But the 3d Iowa moved on, paying little heed to the tales of
of these frightened, disorganized men, and arrived safely at
the front. The regiment had sought the front for glory, and it
was resolved now to win it. Its position was at first in an old
cotton-field; but this was soon abandoned for one further to
the rear in the skirt of the timber, with the cotton-field still
in front. It held the right of its brigade, but, with this excep-
tion, held the left of the entire army. To its right were the
1st and 2d brigades of Its division, and then came the division
of Wallace, in which were the 2d, 7th, 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa
regiments. This is the line which was held till four o'clock in
the afternoon; and this the position where was done such
magnificient lighting. This line broken, and this position lost,
and there was no other successful stand made until the fright-
ened troops had reached the Landing. It Mas on this line, too,
that the 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa were captured, as also was the
58th Illinois. While retreating from this line, Major Stone
was captured. This was the line which the enemy had tried
so hard, but unsuccessfully, to break for five long hours.
When they had accomplished this, net by attacks in front, but
by jtank movements, the day was so far gone that they could
WILSON G. WILLIAMS. 95
not push their successes to full victory; and hence, I say, the
luvca troops saved Grant's army from capture at Shiloh.
As to the conduct of the 3d Iowa in this part of the field, I
can only say : It held its position, when the troops on hoth its
right and left had heen driven hack, and utterly routed. So
fully did it win the confidence of its commanding general that,
riding up to Major Stone, he said: "I look to the 3d Iowa to
retrieve the fortunes of this field;" but, already, the fortunes
of that part of the field were past retrieving. It is a wonder
how the regiment escaped capture ; but, like the 2d and 7th
Iowa, it by some means worked its way through the circling
lines of the enemy.
While stationed in the skirt of the timber above alluded to,
Colonel "Williams was badly injured and taken from the field.
A solid shot struck his horse just behind the saddle, killing it
Instantly, and completely paralyzing the colonel. lie did not
recover from the effects of the injury for many months : indeed
it was on account of this injury, I am informed, that he finally
tendered his resignation.
Out of the four hundred and fifty officers and men of the 3d
Iowa who were engaged in the battle, more than two hundred
wore either killed, wounded or captured. Captain Ilobbs, an
unassuming, but noble-hearted man, was killed. lie was the
idol of Ins company. Of the other officers, O'Neil, Knight,
Merrill and Wayne, were wounded and captured; Trumbull,
Ogg, Weiser, Tullis and Ilamill were wounded. Sergeant
Lakin, who bore the battle-flag of the regiment at Blue Mills
Landing, again flaunted it in the face of the enemy at Shiloh.
With a few exceptions, every member of the regiment fought
gallantly. In the second day's fight, the 3d Iowa was com-
manded by Lieutenant Croslcy; but, in the operations of this
day, it did not suffer severely.
" Colonel Williams, recovering partially from his recent injury,
96 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
was returned to the command of his regiment, and, after the
fall of Corinth, marched with his division to Memphis, where
he was soon after prostrated by sickness. On the 27th of
November, he resigned his commission, as I have already
stated. After leaving the service, he was appointed a brig-
adier-general, but his appointment failed confirmation in the
Senate.
I never saw Colonel "Williams but once, and that was late in
the fall of 1&&2, when he was on his way to re-join his regi-
ment, after a leave of absence; but his person and manners
impressed me so strongly that I am still able to recall them.
He has a dark, complexion, dark eyes, a large head, and a
rather low and retreating forehead. In person, he is short,
and heavy set, with full chest and large, square shoulders. He
is not attractive in his personal appearance.
While sitting by himself, he looked grum and uncompan-
ionable; but his whole manner changed as soon as he was
addressed. I saw that he was fond of amusement, and all its
concomitants: indeed, there have been few officers M'ho would
not occasionally indulge in a game of cards, ct cetera.
As a commanding officer, I judged him to be precise and
exacting ; and I have since learned that this was his character.
While in command of his regiment, he was tyrannical, and,
by a majority of both the officers and men, sincerely hated.
COLONEL AARON BE OWN.
SECOND COLONEL, THIKD INFANTRY.
A ,\ Hon Brown was born in Mississippi, about the year
ls±2, and is the only native from that State who has held a col-
onel's commission from Iowa. He entered the service from
the county of Fayette, Iowa, and was the first lieutenant of
Captain Carman A. Newcomb's company. He was made cap-
tain, April 8th, 1SG2, and promoted to the majority of his regi-
ment, after the resignation of Major William M. Stone. I am
unacquainted with Colonel Brown's history, prior to his enter-
ing the service.
In resuming the history of the 3d Iowa, I shall go back to its
encampment at Shiloh, where it rested immediately after the
battle. It was the same whence it had marched on the previ-
ous Sunday morning to the bloody field. Its dead comrades it
had gathered and buried ; ami now it rested and contemplated
the scenes of the past conflict. It had won military glory; but
was this an equivalent for its dead comrades just buried? All
were sad, and yet all hearts swelled with secret and inexpres-
sible joy at their miraculous escape from harm. Shiloh had
taught the regiment a new lesson— to respect the valor of the
enemy, and, needlessly, not to seek a new encounter; and such
has been the experience of every regiment that has once me
the enemy in a desperate engagement. Kb one will a second
time have his cot in the hospital to be present in battle, and
yd there are hundreds of instances where this thing has been
done by novices. Good soldiers soon learn to do their whole
duty, and no more.
During the siege of Corinth, and for several months after,
7 97
98 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
the 1st Brigade of the 4th Division was commanded by Gen-
eral Lauman ; hut neither the 3d Iowa, nor any other regiment
of the brigade, met the enemy during the environment of that
place. I of course, except the affairs on the skirmish line.
Before the fall of the city, there was hut one affair in front of
the 3d Iowa, which approached to any tiling like an engage-
ment : this was the charge of the 8th Missouri, of General
Sherman's command, to capture a block house, known as Rus-
sel's House. The charge was successful, and gave the regiment
an enviable reputation ; and it sustained its name well, for it
was this same regiment that so distinguished itself nearly a
year after, at Raymond, Mississippi. The position of the 4th
Division before Corinth was to the left of General Sherman,
that general holding the extreme right of the besieging army.
While the 3d Iowa was lying in the trenches before Corinth,
it was joined by Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, who had but just
recovered from his sickness. " All welcomed him joyfully."
Much was expected of General Halleck at Corinth. He had
command of the lines! army that had ever been marshaled in
the Souih West. The enemy, in his disasters at Shiloh, had
lost his best general; his troops were dispirited; and it was
expected, nay demanded, that Beauregard and his army be
either routed or captured. But, if General Grant had been
lazy in pressing the enemy after his defeat at Shiloh, so was
Halleck cautious not to push him to a new engagement. He
thought he would capture the whole thing, never dreaming, 1
suppose, but what Beauregard was fool enough to sit still and
be surrounded.
But, presto change ! At a quarter before six, on the morning
of the 30th of May, a deafening explosion was heard in the
direction of Corinth, and, instantly, dense clouds of smoke
were seen rising over the city. But few wondered at the
cause. Pope had told Halleck several days before that Beau-
i
AARON BROWN. 99
n-gnrd was evacuating; and that time Pope told the truth.
Many privates, cxun, could have told as much. Pope had
begged eagerly for permission to swing the left wing against
the enemy's works ; but, Ko ! The severe jar that all had just
(<■}{ was caused by the explosion of the enemy's magazines.
And so the enemy escaped, and the government gained — a
little, sickly, strategical point. The whole army was at once
put underarms, and marched, a part into Corinth and a part
in pursuit of the enemy. With the divisions of Sherman and
Hurlbut, there was a strife to see who would be first in the
city: who was the winning party, I never learned. I only
know that we, of Pope's command, were put in pursuit.
Corinth fell on the 30th of May, 18G2, and, seven days later,
Memphis was surrendered to Captain, now Rear-Admiral
Charles II. Davis. On the 2d of June, and before the fall of
Memphis, the 4th and 5th Divisions, under General Sherman,
loft Corinth, and marched west in the direction of the last
named city. The object of this movement was, I believe, to
co-operate with the fleet of Ellett and Davis in the capture of
Memphis, and ultimately to open up the railroad between that
place and Corinth. The news of the fall of Memphis reached
these troops while they were camped on the high bluffs that
overlook the Big Hatchie— that stream which, four months
later, General Ilurlbut's Division was to render historic.
Before them, where they were then encamped, lay the future
battle-field of Matainora.
After' considerable delay at La Grange and Moscow, General
Sherman resumed the march to Memphis, where he arrived
with his command on the 21st of July. The 3d Iowa led the
van of its division into the city. On the 6th of September
following, General Hurlbut was ordered back in the direction
of Corinth; and, on tlie departure of his division from Mem-
plus, the 3d Iowa Mas again in the van.
.
100 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
On the 13th of September this command was encamped at a
point on Spring Creek, where it remained till the 19th instant,
when a detachment of it, consisting of the 1st Brigade and two
battalions of the 2d Illinois cavalry, under General Lauman,
marched south to create a diversion in favor of General Grant.
I
It will he remembered that this was the date of the battle of
luka ; and the reason of this movement on the part of General
Lauman will be found elsewhere. General Lauman's scouts
came on the enemy in the vicinity of La Grange. They were
moving north in force; the column, on the march, was a mile
and a half in length. The force of Lauman being unequal to
engage them, that general beat a hasty retreat, and marched
till he came within supporting distance of General Hurlbut;
but the enemy, although they pursued, declined to give battle.
Northern Mississippi was at this time full of scouting parties
of the enemy: they were actively developing their plans for
the re-capture of Corinth and the destruction of General
Grant's army. Price was disheartened by his defeat at luka ;
but Van Doru resolved to strike again at Corinth.
While General Hurlbut was encamped near Bolivar, Tennes-
see, on the 3d of October, 1862, he received orders to march
promptly in the direction of Corinth; and the next morning
reveille tx-at at one o'clock. Soon after the column was in
motion. He had his own division, and, in addition to these
troops, the GSth Ohio and 12th Michigan, two regiments of
Ross' command that had come down from Jackson. The
march was to be made in light trim — only two wagons to the
regiment. The ambulances were to go along, and the men
knew that all this meant fighting. The march was pushed
rapidly, and, just beyond Pocahontas, the cavalry van-guard
came on the enemy's pickets. That night the column reached
the Big Muddy, about two miles west of the Ilatchie, and that
same forenoon Van Born and Trice had been repulsed and
AARON BROWS - . 101
utterly routed at Corinth. All that afternoon^ the enemy had
been in rapid retreat in the direction of the Hatchie; but of all
this General Ilurlbut was ignorant.
The 1st Brigade had just stacked their arms, and were pre-
paring supper, when it was reported that the cavalry in front
were engaging the enemy. Instantly orderlies began flying
to and fro, and for a time there was much apprehension ; but
the firing soon ceased and all remained quiet till morning.
That night General Ord arrived from Jackson via Bolivar, and
reported the defeat of the enemy and his subsequent retreat in
the direction of the Hatchie. He would probably be met on
the morrow, and all nerved themselves for the conflict. Gen-
Ieral Ord, who was the ranking officer, now assumed command
of the forces. In the early part of the engagement which fol-
lowed he was wounded, and retired from the field, leaving
Hurlbut in command of the Federal forces. To Hurlbut,
therefore, belongs the credit of that brilliant victory.
The battle of the Hatchie, or Matamora, was fought on the
5th of October, 1SG2, and was an unequal and most desperate
engagement. It was good fortune for the 4th Division that the
enemy had been previously routed and demoralized ; and also
that he was being hard pressed by Bosecrans: had this not
been so, General Hurlbut and Ids command must have been
certainly crushed. Even after the demonstration of the Fed-
eral cavalry of the previous evening, on the west bank of the
Hatchie, the enemy never dreamed that there was any consid-
erable force to resist his advance. He suppo-ed it was a small
cavalry command, sent forward to harrass him on his retreat.
Therefore, on the morning ot the 5th, he began pushing his
infantry across the Hatchie with all confidence; his surprise
can be imagined, when he met the division of Ilurlbut. Beat-
ing a hasty retreat back across the bridge, he took up a strong
position on the bluffs opposite; but the particulars of this
102 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMENT3.
engagement appear in the sketch of General Lauman. The 3d
Iowa was one of the regiments that was filed to the right, into
the pocket, and, with the other troops there stationed, was sub-
jected to a murderous fire, without being able to protect itself,
or return it. But for the movement round the bluffs to the
left, General Hurlbut must have been defeated before Rose-
crans came up.
The disproportion in killed and wounded of the 3d Iowa was
unprecedented : two only were killed, while nearly'sixty were
wounded. One of the former was Lieutenant Dodd. He was
struck by a shell just before reaching the bridge, and killed
instantly. Captains Weber and Kostman were wounded, as
also were Lieutenants Hamill, Foote.and C. E. Anderson.
The latter was wounded just at the close of the battle, after
having done his duty nobly. In their conduct in the battle,
the men of the regiment vial with the officers; and their
names should all be recorded, to go down in honor to posterity.
After the fighting had closed and the result of all three bat-
tles learned, there was both sadness and rejoicing. The 3d
Iowa, with its division, marched back to Bolivar, and there
tendered and receives congratulations. General Hurlbut was
lavish of his praises to all his troops: — " Comrades in battle,
partakers of the weary march and long watches! the title of
the Fighting Fourth, earned at Shiloh, has been burnished
with additional splendor." He was now Mr. Hurlbut, and
no longer Genera?. His heart was as warm and tender as a
woman's. But he had covered himself with glory, had been
made a major-general, and was now taking leave of his divis-
ion.
After the battle of the Hatehie, the seven subsequent months
were not eventful to the 3d Iowa Infantry. General Lauman
succeeded General Hurlbut in thecommand of the -1th Divis-
ion, and under him the regiment remained, and, in the follow-
'
AARON BROWN. 103
ing spring, followed him to Vicksburg. It had in the mean-
time made many fatiguing marches, the most important of
which was that under General Grant, through Central Missis-
sippi to the Yockona. For many weeks it was stationed on
guard-duty at Moscow, on the line of the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad. During these seven months, there had
been many changes in the regiment, the chief one of which
was the resignation of Colonel Williams, and the promotion of
Major Brown to that rank.
On the ISth of May, 1864, the 3d Iowa left Memphis for
Vicksburg. Its days of rest and quiet camp life had passed,
and now, for many months to come, it was to endure the hard-
ships and breast the dangers of active field service. With its
brigade it sailed up the Yazoo River, at day-light of the 21st of
May. The object was to open up communication with Sher-
man, then just forcing the enemy back into his inner-works at
Vicksburg. It is claimed that companies G and K, of the 3d
Iowa, were the first to occupy the enemy's strong works at
Haine's Bluff; but about this there must be some mistake.
One incident in the passage of the 3d Iowa from Memphis to
Vicksburg, I must not omit to mention. The Crescent City,
on which the regiment was embarked, had arrived, in the
afternoon of the 19th instant, at the bend of the river near
Island Xo. 65, and was sailing on unsuspectingly, when it was
suddenly opened on with two howitzers from the eastern bank.
Thirteen men of the regiment were wounded at the first dis-
charge, one of them mortally; but, before the guerillas had
time to re-load, a gunboat came up and drove the wretches from
their cover. This circumstance will be remembered, when I
state that the 41st and 53d Illinois, having landed and pursued
the guerillas without being able to overtake them, returned
and burned to tin- -round the village of Greenville, some two
miles below the scene of murder. If reports were true, its fete
101 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMENT3.
was merited, and for other reasons; for it was said that, early
in the war, a father and his son,- Union residents of Greenville,
were headed up in barrels by the fiendish citizens, and rolled
down the steep bank into the Mississippi:
Before Vicksburg, the services of the 3d Iowa were the same
as those of the other troops, buried in the heated trenches
around that beleaguered city.
I now hasten to the most eventful chapter in the history
of the 3d Iowa Infantry — its charge on the enemy's works
at Jackson, Mississippi, on the 12th of July, 1863. Vicks-
burg had fallen, and the 3d Iowa had marched with the
forces of General Sherman against Johnson, who, for several
weeks, had been raising the siege — with official dispatches. On
the advance of Sherman, Johnson had fallen back and'planted
himself behind his works at Jackson; and there he was on the
12th of July, in a state of siege, confronted and watched by
three corps — the 9th, under Parke, on his right; the loth,
under Steele, in his front; and the 13th, under Ord, on his left.
General Lauman was in Ord's command, and his division held
the right of Sherman's army. And thus matters stood on the
morning of the 12th of July.
At the date above mentioned, it was thought by General Ord
that the position of Lauman's Division was too much retired.
He therefore ordered it forward, so that its left should dress on
the right of General Hovey, whose division, from right to left,
came next in order. Its right was to be thrown forward so as
to correspond with the advance on the loft. The object was to
horten and strengthen the line, and not to bring on an engage-
ment; nor would one have followed, but for the aspirations of
an ambitious general, who was charged by his own men with
hunting for promotion among the slaughtered and mangled
soldiers of his command.
The scene of this merciless butchery is south of the city of
AARON BROWX. 105
Jackson, and between the New Orleans and Jackson Railroad
and Pearl River. "At about 9 o'clock in the morning," (I
quote from }[ajor Crosley's official report) "the 3d Iowa, -list
and 53d Illinois Infantry, and the 5th Ohio Battery of six
guns crossed the New Orleans and Jackson Railroad, at a point
about two miles south of Jackson, and one mile from the
enemy's works. After crossing, line of battle was formed,
skirmishers thrown out, and the line ordered forward. After
advancing about one-fourth of a mile, the lino was halted; and
the battery, placed in position one hundred yards in our rear,
opened fire with shell, and continued to fire rapidly for about
twenty minutes. The enemy replied promptly with two guns,
getting our range the first shot. As soon as the battery ceased
firing, the line again moved forward. We advanced half a
mile through timber and a dense under-growth, our skirmish-
ers meeting witli no opposition, when, coming to the edge of
an open field, the line was again halted. Here we were joined
by the 28th Illinois, which took position on our right." Ther e
the line should have rested; but General Lauman now coming
up, ordered it forward.
This was now the position: In front were open, undulating
fields, cleared of every thing that could afford protection or
cover, even down to corn-stalks ; about four hunched yards in
advance were the enemy's skirmishers, backed by reserves,
and, a little further on, a strong line of works, so constructed
as to give the enemy a concentrated fire on a charging column.
Behind these works, in addition to two brigades of infantry,
were fourteen cannon — more than two full batteries, whose
dark mouths spoke almost certain death to assailants. There
was in addition, a formidable abattis, constructed with occa-
sional gaps, to pass which, it would be necessary for the
charging party to break its lino and assemble in groups. This
formidable strong-hold was to be carried by less than one
10G IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
thousand men, and that, too, without any diversion in their
favor.
The brigade advanced in compliance with orders, until it had
reached, forced back and occupied the position of the enemy's
skirmishers. The order had been to move forward; but Colonel
Pugh, the brigade commander, believing there must be some
mistake, again reported to General Lauman — this time in
person. He explained to the general the point his command
had reached, the position of the enemy, and the character of his
works, and then waited for further orders; but they were still
the same — to move forward. There could be no mistaking the
general's purpose. All, from field-officers to privates, saw the
situation; but, although the movement filled them with amaze-
ment, there was no faltering. Literally, they were to enter the
jaws of death; but they would not sully their good name by
disobeying orders.
The order to advance was given, and the whole line moved
forward at double-quick and in perfect order, when — but
what need of further recital ? They were, of course, repulsed.
Many, passing the abattis, advanced to within pistol-shot
range of the enemy's work's; they could go no further, and,
after struggling a few moments, retreated precipitately. As
soon as the exhausted, bleeding troops reached the edge of the
timber, whence they had advanced before encountering the
enemy's skirmishers, they rallied promptly, and, soon after,
were marched back to the point on the railroad at which they
had crossed in the morning. All the dead, and nearly all the
wounded, were left upon the field; nor would the enemy allow
them to be reached and rescued by flag of truce; and there they
lay, nymgled and bleeding, beneath the rays of the scorching
sun, comrades in agony, as they had long been comrades in
battle.
The escape of any from death was almost miraculous; and
AARON BROWN. 107
yet, in the 3d Iowa, the loss was only about fifty per cent. The
regiment went into the engagement with an aggregate of two
hundred and forty-one officers and men, and lost, in killed,
wounded and missing, one hundred and fourteen. Company
B lost all three of her officers, killed — the two Ruekmans and
Lieutenant Hall. Colonel Brown was severely wounded. The
loss of the 53d Illinois was greater than that of any other regi-
ment. Among others, it lost its gallant colonel. He was struck
by a charge of canister, and fell from his horse, literally torn in
pieces. It is said that General Lauman wept when he looked
on the remnant of his old brigade.
After the lamentable affair at Jackson, the 3d Iowa returned
with its division to Vicksburg, and sailed thence to Natchez.
In the following Winter it again returned to Vicksburg, and
accompanied General Sherman on his march to Meridian.
The regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and came North in the
early spring of 1864. Returning to the front, it was ordered to
join General Sherman, already on the march against Atlanta.
Before the fall of that city, Colonel Brown, and a majority of
the field- and line-officers resigned their commissions. In
re-officering the regiment, a lieutenant was promoted to the
lieutenant-colonelcy: it was entitled to no colonel, on account
of the fewness of its numbers. On the memorable 2i!d of July,
lSGi, before Atlanta, the regiment was again put in the thickest
of the fight, and lost heavily. Among the killed was its lieu-
tenant-colonel, who had only the day before received his
commission. The regiment was soon after consolidated with
the 2d Iowa Infantry, and lost its organization as a regiment.
In closing this sketch of Colonel Brown and his regiment, I
will add an extract from a letter of Captain J. II. Beid, of the
loth Iowa:
"Our men, captured on the 2:M of July, were taken through
Atlanta that day, and their names reported to the provost-
108 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
marshal-general, when they were marched to East Foint the
same night. In passing through the city, whenever a shell fell
in the streets from our batteries, they cheered and sang, 'Rally
Round the Flag.' Rebel officers told them to dry up, they
were prisoners of war; but they answered, 'We will always
cheer a Yankee shell.' A squad of rebel cavalry was passing
through the streets with the flag of the 3d Iowa Infantry, cap-
tured after the color-sergeant fell, literally pierced through and
through with bullets. Some of that regiment among the
prisoners saw their old flag in the hands of the enemy. They
made a rush for it, wrested it from its captors, and, amid
torrents of threats and curses from the guards, tore it into a
thousand shreds."
I never saw Colonel Brown; but, from what I can learn of
him, he must bo a large man, with phlegmatic temperament,
and an easy-going disposition. He may not be a brilliant man,
but he was certainly a brave and faithful officer.
MAJOR-GENERAL GRENVILLE M. DODGE.
FIRST COLONEL, FOURTH INFANTRY.
Gkkxville Mellen Douge is a native of Massachusetts,
and was bom at Danvers, Essex county, on the 12th day of
April, 1832. His father, Sylvamis Dodge, was, prior to 1844, a
provision dealer; but subsequently, and up to the time of his
removal West, was Postmaster of the town of Danvers. Gren-
viile remained with his father till he was sixteen years of age,
having prior to that time been afforded only a limited common
school education ; for his fathers business had been such as to
require much of his son's assistance. At the age of sixteen, he
was sent to the Academy at Durham, New Hampshire, then to
that of Newbury; Vermont, and in 1850 was entered a student
of Norwich Military University, at that time under the super-
intendence of the late Captain Alden Patridge. Here he com-
pleted his education, which was thoroughly practical, scientific
and military.
In 1851, he left Norwich, and, coming West, lived fur a time
in Peoria, Illinois, where he obtained a situation in an Engi-
neer Corps on the Pock island Railroad. His skill as an
engineer, with his remarkable judgment and great ability to
control men, soon discovering themselves, he was entrusted
with the survey of this road to Peoria. On the completion of
this survey, he came to Iowa, and was for several years in the
employ of the Mississippi and Missouri Piver Railroad Com-
pany, during which' time he projected surveys from the Mis-
sissippi Piver to the Missouri, and up the valley of the Platte.
As a civil engineer, young Dodge was very successful.
In May, 18-31, he was married to Miss Annie Drown, of
100
110 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Peoria, Illinois, and for a short time resided in Iowa City. In
the fall of the same year, he removed to Nebraska, where, in
connection with his father and brother, ho remained nearly a
year, taking up claims on the Elkhorn River. At that day,
this section of Nebraska was the extreme limit of the frontier
settlements, and of easy access to the hostile tribes of Indians,
who, in the latter part of 1855, commenced their hostilities
against the white settlers. In consequence of these troubles,
G. M. Dodge returned to Iowa, and settled in Council Bluffs ;
where, engaging in the banking business, he continued to
reside till the beginning of the war.
The excitement produced at Council Bluffs by the first news
of the firing on Tort Sumter had hardly subsided, before Gen-
eral Dodge was recruiting a company for the service. Having
filled his company, he reported, early in the spring of 1861, to
Governor S. J. Kirkwood, who, after learning what he had
done, was so much pleased with him that he clothed him with
proper authority, and sent him to Washington in quest of arms
and munitions of war for the State. The promptness with
which he discharged the duties of his commi.-sion attracted the
notice of the War Department, and he was offered a commission
in the regular army; but this honor he declined, for he pre-
ferred to serve his own State. On his return from Washington,
he was commissioned colonel of the -1th Iowa Infantry, his
commission dating the 17th of June, 1861.
In less than two weeks after his regiment was organized, and
before he had been assigned to duty, he marched against Poin-
dexter, drove him from Northern Missouri, and returned to
Council Bluffs. On the 13th of August following, he reported
at St. Louis, Missouri, for duty ; and was ordered to Rolla, to
which place he at once proceeded. In the following October,
he was made Commandant of the Post. On the first of Novem-
ber, 1861, he led an expedition to Huston and Salem; and met
GRF.NVILXE M. DODGE. Ill
r.nd defeated the enemy at both places. In December, ho was
quite severely wounded, but in what manner I am unadvised.
On recovering from this wound, he was assigned by General
Curtis (then organizing his army for an advance on Trice) to
the command of a brigade. With this command lie led the
advance against Springfield, on the morning of the 13th of
February, 1S152.
Company E, of the 4th Iowa Infantry, one of the regiments
of Colonel Dodge's Brigade, being deployed as skirmishers
under Lieutenant Stitt and ordered forward, never halted until
it had taken possession of the city. Company II, Captain D.
A. Craig, of the- 17th Iowa, performed a similar feat at Jack-
son, Mississippi, the 14th of May, 1SG3. At Springfield, the
entree and occupation of the city was attended with much
sport. After the company had routed the enemy, who were
principally stragglers, and made their captures of prisoners,
horses &c, they broke for the city saloons and bakeries; and
when General Curtis, accompanied by his staff and body-guard,
came riding through to the public square, there he found
them, feasting on beer and ginger-bread — their first spoils of
war.
The object of General Curtis' campaign was not simply the
capture of Springfield: it was the defeat of General Price's
army; and accordingly, on the morning of the fourteenth, the
Army of the South West started in pursuit of the enemy. In
this pursuit, Colonel Dodge's command met and engaged the
enemy at Cane Creek, Sugar Creek, and Blackburn's Mill:
in the last of these engagements, the rebels were led by the
notorious Gates. These encounters took place on the 11th, 17th,
and 27th of February, 1SG2, respectively.
How Van Dorn, uniting with Price after that general's flight
from Missouri, marched on General Curtis at Pea Ridge has
been already given, as has also the desperate fighting that
112 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
occurred on the right, between Carr's Division and the rebel
forces.
At day-light on the morning of the 7th, the troops of Carr's
Division were put hurriedly under arms, and marched north-
ward. None but Carr and his brigade commanders knew the
object of the movement ; for it was supposed the enemy would
make their attack from the south and south-west. But no time
was given for breakfast, and all knew there must be danger
from an unexpected quarter. Colonel Dodge, having marched
his brigade a mile or more, turned eastward, along what was
known as the "White River road. Companies E and K, of the
4th Iowa, constituted the van-guard, they being followed by
one section of the 1st Iowa Battery. Suddenly the sharp
barking of musketry was heard. Dodge had come upon the
enemy's cavalry, rceonnoitering for the advance of their
infantry ; but this force was soon dispersed, and pursued
thruugh the timber and past the rough and rocky hills, beyond
and around which was Cross Timber Hollows. Dodge took up
his position on these hills, with the enemy beyond in the fallen
timber. Colonel Vandever, with his brigade, was to the left
on the Springfield road; and there the severe fighting first
began. Yandever's line was soon broken, and forced back,
and 1 todge had no alternative but to retire. In the. meantime,
the enemy were moving round Dodge's right. Gaining the
ground out of the fallen timber, they swung round to the
south, and, the first intimation he had of their approach, they
were moving in heavy masses through open country to pass
his right, and cut him off. Promptly changing position "by
the right flank, file left," the colonel threw his handful of
troops along an old fence, with timber on his right and left,
and an open field in his front; in the latter, the enemy were
forming fa- a charge. At this alarming juncture, he had only
two regiments—the 4th Iowa and S-Ah Illinois. The enemy
GREN'VILLE M. DODGE. 113
outnumbered him nearly ten to one; and, in addition, they
were supported by artillery. Concealing his men behind the
fence, Colonel Dodge awaited their approach. After a
vigorous cannonading, their infantry came sweeping across the
field in magnificent style and with a hideous yell, expecting
little opposition; but they were met with a deadly fire and
driven back. The charge was renewed several times, and each
time repulsed. Xor could they force Colonel Dodge from his
position, till they began moving columns past his right and
Uft flank. It was the fighting of the 4th Iowa and Goth
Illinois, in this position, that so challenged the admiration of
General Van Doin, and other rebel officers.
3
The services of Colonel Dodge at Pea Ridge ranked those of
every other brigade commander: there were none to dispute
with him this honor. He was here a second time wounded,
and soon after sent to St. Louis, in charge of the surgeon of the
3d Iowa cavalry.
The important services of Colonel Dodge were now recog-
nized by the Government; and he was, on the 31st of March,
il863, made a brigadier-general. Early in June of the same
year, he was made Post Commandant of Columbus, Kentucky,
and, on the 36th of the same month, was assigned to the
command of the Central Division, Army of the Tennessee,
with head-quarters at Trenton. On the 30th of the following
October, he assumed command of the District of Corinth; and
the magnificent works, erected for the defense of that place,
were planned and constructed under his personal supervision.
From October, 1862, till the 8th of July, 18G3, when by order
of General Hurl but he assumed command of the left wing of
tiie K'.th Army Corp-;, General Dodge was engaged repeatedly
with the enemy under Forrest, Van Dorn, Chalmers, Ruggles
and Ferguson^ and, in every engagement and expedition, he
Was successful. In addition to his other labors in the summer
114 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
of 1863, he organized five regiments of colored troops, and
several companies of heavy artillery, also colored troops.
In the fall of 1863, General Dodge was transferred, with his
command, from Corinth to Pulaski, Tennessee. He left his
old field of operations late in October, following on with the
rear of Sherman's army, then en route for Chattanooga, but a
history of these movements I have given elsewhere. Estab-
lishing his head-quarters at Pulaski, he began opening the
Nashville and Decatur Railroad, and by Spring had the task
nearly completed.
General Dodge most distinguished himself in the Atlanta
campaign. The troops of his command were the same that
he had commanded on garrison- and railroad-duty. Among
them were three Iowa regiments — the 2d, 7th and 39th. He.
joined General Sherman at Chattanooga, early in May, and soon
marched out to Dalton, General Johnson's boasted stronghold.
Through nearly this entire campaign he held the right of Sher-
man's army; but the details of his services on this march will
be more fully given in the sketches of the Iowa regiments of
his command. For his gallant and important services in this
campaign, he was made a major-general, and there are few
officers who have more richly earned the rank.
The general was wounded for the third time, before Atlanta.
11 happened thus: the morning in question he went out to the
trenches of the skirmish line, sporting a new hat, trimmed
with a brilliantly polished bugle. If I am rightly informed,
some important movement was on hand, in which he was to
bike part, and, prior to moving, ho exposed his head at one of
the loop-holes under the head-log, to make observations. The
sun, which was shining brightly, reflected on the bugle of his
hat, making a fine target for the enemy's sharp-shooters. The
rrlvl's aim was so accurate that the ball struck near the bugle,
and, going through the general's hat, passed round under the
GBENVTLLE M. DODGE. 115
scalp. It did not prove fatal, though for several weeks it dis-
abled him for service. This accident occurred early in August,
after which he came North, and never after returned to his
old command.
On recovering from his wound, he was first placed in com-
mand at Vicksburg, Mississippi ; but, in a short time after,
succeeded General Roseerans in Missouri. He is still in com-
mand of that department, with head-quarters at St. Louis.
During the present war, no officer, whether of the regular or
volunteer service, has made a bettor record than Major-General
Dodge. One officer from our State has made a more brilliant
one — General Corse; but that general's services are in no
manner to be compared with those of General Dodge. His
duties have been varied, and in many instances have involved
the greatest responsibility and complexity; but he has met
with uniform success in every department of his labors, and
has never been relieved from a command unless it was by
orders assigning him to another mid more important one.
His worth has been appreciated by General Grant, who, on
more than one occasion, has tendered him high compliments.
During operations around Vicksburg, General Dodge Mas in
command at Corinth, one hundred and fifty miles removed
from the former city; and yet General Grant stated officially,
I am credibly informed, that there was no officer of Dodge's
rank in his army to whom he was more indebted for his suc-
cess in capturing the stronghold.
In person, General Dodge is a small man, weighing only
about one hundred and thirty pounds. I never saw him but
once, which was in the summer of 1S62, os I was passing
through Trenton, Tennessee, at that time the general's head-
quarters. He was standing upon the depot platform, and was
in conversation with Lieutenant W. S. Burke, of the I7th Iowa.
From the lieutenant I afterwards learned that this was the
116 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
gallant, distinguished General Dodge, and I confess I was
surprised. He is slightly stooping in the shoulders, and, at
first sight, does not look like the man he is. He has a fine
eye, though, which, after seeing his shoulder-straps, was the
first thing that attracted my attention.
But he has the following distinguishing traits of character,
for without them he could never have accomplished what he
has. He has an iron will, a mind rich in expedients, and a
perseverance that is active and untiring: these traits, with
promptness of action, and a judgment remarkably matured for
a man of his years, have conspired to make him in fact, as he
is in rank, one of the best officers of our army. If Iowa has
been honored by her troops in the field, she has been equally
honored by her general officers; and in this respect she is
indebted to no one more than to General Dodffe.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL J. A. WILLIAMSON.
SECOND COLONEL, FOURTH INFANTRY.
James Alexander Williamson, the successor of Major-
General Dodge to the colonelcy of the 4th Iowa Infantry, is a
Southerner by birth, and a good representative of the old-style
chivalry. He is a native of Columbia, Adair county, Ken-
tucky ; where he was born on the 8th day of February, 1829*
All that I know of his early history is, that he was educated at
Knox College, Illinois, where he was known as a hard student
and accurate scholar. In 1815, he removed to Iowa, and, ten
years later, located in Des Moines, the present home of his
family. His profession is the law, in the practice of which he
was engaged just before entering the army.
Soon after the second call of the President for troops, in the
summer of 1SG1, General Williamson enlisted in the volunteer
service for " during the war. " He was commissioned 1st lieu-
tenant and adjutant of the 4th Iowa Infantry, on the 8th of
August, 1SGI ; since which time his history has been almost
identical with the history of that regiment ; and, as much as
we admire the general's military career, we could not, if we
would, pay him a higher compliment ; for to no Iowa regiment
is the State more largely indebted for its military renown than
to the noble 1th Iowa. At Pea Ridge, its conduct was most
gallant, challenging alike the admiration of friend and foe.
General Curtis said : — " This regiment won immortal honors ;"
and General Van Dora:— "I never saw troops stand up and
fight so before."
During the thirty months subsequent to the 23d of January,
1862, the time when the 4th Iowa left Holla, Missouri — in its
117
118 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
march under General Curtis against General Price to Spring-
field and to the Ozark Mountains ; from that point to Batesville
and across the State of Arkansas to Helena; thence to Chicka-
saw Bayou and up the Arkansas River to Arkansas Post ; from
Milliken's Bend round through Grand Gulf aud Jackson to the
rear of Vicksburg, and then, after the fall of that city, back to
Jackson ; from Vicksburg to Memphis, and thence across the
country to Chattanooga ; and finally, in its march with General
Sherman against Atlanta — its record is one continued series of
achievements, un.-urpassed for success and brilliancy.
That I do not speak of this regiment in too high terms of
praise, the following order of General Grant is proof:
• ; Ueai>-Qi;akters Military Division of tiie Mississippi,
Nashville. Tennessee, February 2d, 18G4.
" The Board of officers of the loth Army Corps, appointed to
determine the battles each regiment and battery of that com-
mand are entitled to inscribe on their colors and guidons, have
made the following award, in the case of the 4th Iowa Infan-
try : — Pea Ridge ; First at Chickasaw Bayou ; Arkansas Post ;
Vicksburg^- siege and assaults on the 19th and 22d of May;
Jackson ; Chattanooga. "
But this order is imperfect in details. The following are the
skirmishes and engagements in which the 4th Iowa took part,
previous to joining the campaign of General Sherman against
Atlanta: — Pea Ridge; Chickasaw Bayou; Arkansas Post;
Jackson (May 11th, 1S63) ; siege and assaults at Vicksburg ;
Jackson (July 12th, 1863); Cherokee Station; Caney Creek;
Tuscumbia; Lookout Mountain; and Ringgold. This too,
including the battles that the -1th Iowa was engaged in on the
Atlanta campaign, is the battle-record of General Williamson.
When Colonel, now Major-General Dodge, was assigned to
the command of a brigade under General Curtis, he retained
Adjutant J. A. Williamson upon his staff, and made him his
acting assistant adjutant-general. At the battle <>f IVa Ridge,
Lieutenant Williamson acted as aid-de-camj) to Colonel Budge,
JAMES A. WILLIAMSON. 119
and, by his coolness and promptness, rendered important
service. I might add, it was his good conduct in that engage-
ment that made him lieutenant-colonel of his regiment ; for
Lieutenant-Colonel Galligan had resigned, for reasons which I
will not mention. On the confirmation of Colonel Dodge as
brigadier-general, Lieutenant-Colonel "Williamson was promo-
ted to the colonelcy of the 4th Iowa Infantry.
On the third day's fight at Chickasaw Bayou, Colonel "Wil-
liamson, in command of his regiment, distinguished himself.
The fleet bearing the command of General Sherman entered
the mouth of the Yazoo River, on the morning of the 26th of
December, 1862, and proceeded up that stream until opposite
Johnson's plantation, which lies on the south bank of the river,
and some five miles below Haine's Bluff. At this point Gene-
ral Frederick Steele, in command of the 4th Division, 13th
Army Corps, debarked his command, and, under instructions
from General Sherman, sent out Blair's Brigade on the Johnson
road, which leads to the Walnut Hills, in the direction of
Yicksburg. That day reconnoissances were made, and that
night a new point of attack was determined on. Accordingly,
on the following morning, General Steele re-embarked with
the brigades of Hovoy and Thayer, (in the last of which were
the 1th, Oth, L'Glh and 50th Iowa) and, moving further up the
river, effected a landing just above the mouth of Chickasaw
Bayou. From near this point to the Walnut Hills, a distance
of four miles or more, extends a narrow, winding causeway,
or levee, and over this was the only accessible way to the point
of attack ; for, on either side of the levee, the country is
covered with brush and timber, and is so low that, at that
time, much of it was under water. Along this highway,
which had been obstructed by the enemy with brush and
fallen trees, the brigades of Hovey and Thayer moved, till
they had arrived in the vicinity of the bluffs— General Steele
120 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
says, "within about eight hundred yards;" but it could hardly
have been so near. " At this point the levee turned to the left,
and continued in a curve for about eight hundred yards;"
and, on its farther side, were the enemy's skirmishers and
sharp-shooters. General Hovey's Brigade, which was in the
advance, endeavored to remove the obstructions in its front,
and dislodge the enemy's sharp-shooters; but the position was
covered by the enemy's artillery on the bluff, which made it
impossible. But this point gained, and still General Steele
had little assurance of success; for the steep sides of the bluff
were lined with rifle-pits, in which the enemy were lodged in
force. The enemy's artillery, too, frowned down upon him
from four different points. He believed it impossible to make
a successful assault, and, falling back to the river, returned to
Johnson's plantation. On the morning of the 29th instant,
General Thayer's Brigade, being the first off the boats, was
hurried rapidly forward. It was to be held in reserve, but the
zeal of its commander led it directly to the front. "The 2Cth
Iowa was detached to cut a road," and the 80th was met by
General Steele, and turned to the right; but the 4th, under the
lead of its gallant colonel, moved forward at double-quick, and
was the first to enter the enemy's second tier of rifle-pits. It
was for its gallant conduct at this point that the 4th Iowa was
permitted to inscribe on its colors, "JFirst at Chickasaw Bayou."
But the regiment's bravery was of no avail, and that assault
was mere butchery j for the whole of Pemberton's Vicksburg
army was in possession of the bluffs.
The fact that General Sherman ordered, or permitted, that
assault, was, with many, new evidence of his insanity; but it
is now, I believe, well settled that the orders under which he
acted were unconditional and imperative.
The engagement at Pea Ridge was more protracted and
exhausting, but, for fierceness, it is in no way to be compared
JAMES A. WILLIAMSON. 121
with that at Chickasaw Bayou. In each of these battles, the 4th
Iowa was in the hardest of the conflict; but, considering the
time it was engaged in each, its loss was fifty per cent, greater
in the latter than in the former. Its loss at Chickasaw Bayou
was one hundred and twelve, out of an aggregate of tliree
hundred and fifty taken into the engagement. Lieutenants
L. Pitzer, E. C. Miller, and J. II. Miller were among the
killed; and Colonel Williamson and Captain R. A. Stitt of
Company F, among the wounded.
In the re-organization of the army before the final Yicksburg
campaign, the 4th Iowa Infantry was assigned to the loth
Army Corps; and, with that command, it has served ever
since. Its losses in the assaults on the enemy's works in rear
of Vieksburg were heavy ; and at Chattanooga, where, under
General Osterhaus, it joined General Hooker in scaling
Lookout Mountain, the loss in killed was especially heavy.
In the march of General Sherman on Atlanta, it engaged the
enemy at Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and
in the battles of the 22d and :28th of July, and at Jonc^boro.
Its conduct before Atlanta, on the 22d of July, was gallant in
the extreme, as was also that of the 9th Iowa. An account of
the part it acted, during that day, will bo found in the sketch
of the last named regiment.
In the march from Atlanta to Savannah, the 4th Iowa was
brigaded with the 9th, 25th, 26th, 3uth, and 31st Iowa
regiments — the same troops who afterwards captured the city
of Columbia, South Carolina. While in rear of Savannah,
these troops had a compliment paid them, to which I should in
justice allude. The brigade, General Williamson commanding,
arrived in rear of Savannah, on the 11th of December, and, on
the 2l)th instant, was one of the commands selected to carry
the enemy's works, and force an entrance into the city. The
assault was to come oil" on the morning of the 21st; but the
122 IOWA COLOXEI^S AND REGIMENTS.
night previous General Hardee fled. To appreciate the value
of this compliment, it is necessary to understand the position
of the brigade, and the character of obstacles to be overcome.
Its position was in the low lands south-west of Savannah, and
on the right of the road leading to the city. Five hundred
yards in its front was the Little Ogechee, whose north-east
bank was fortified, and held by the enemy: between its line
and the river was the Grave Yard Battery. The bridge over
the Ogechee was destroyed, and the waters of the stream,
much swollen. The brigade was to cross on rafts, planks, and
poles, placed by a storming party. It was a hazardous under-
taking; but, had not General Hardee fled, it would doubtless
have been successfully accomplished. y
The 4th Iowa Infantry has met the enemy in eight differ-
ent rebel States— Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama,
Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, and
has never been repulsed; only once has it been compelled to
yield the ground it had wrested from the enemy.
1 n dosing an official statement of the services of his regiment
called for by the Adjutant-General of Iowa, General William-
son -ays: 11 "stayed at Nashville a few days to get an outfit,
and then started on the campaign against Atlanta, and has
only halted in line of battle since, until its arrival at this place,
<-n the 7th instant. This is not a regiment which has ordina-
rily been at 'posts.' I can hardly realize the meaning of the
term. We have stopped a few weeks to rest after a campaign,
but never had charge of any post since the regiment was really
equipped for the held at Rolla, in the fall of 1861.
"Our records, reports, and returns are made from the place
where we happened to bo when they fell due, and one camp
has been almost as much a 'post' with us as another."
Subsequently to the spring of 1S(V3, General Williamson has
been in command of the brigade to which his regiment lias
JAMES A. WILLIAMSON. 123
Jkkjd attached; and during all this time has enjoyed, in an
uncommon degree, the confidence of his superior bmcers. In
proof of this I give the following instance: While Governor
Stone was on a visit to the army before Atlanta, in the summer
of 1864, he met General Sherman at his head-quarters. In the
course of conversation,, the names of different Iowa officers
were introduced, when Governor Stone enquired: "Where,
general, is Colonel Williamson?" "With his command and
doing his duty, as he always is," was the reply; and only
those who know General Sherman can appreciate the worth of
this compliment.
General Williamson was not promoted to his present rank
until the winter of 1864-5. Why such merit was so long unre-
warded, has been a question much canvassed, and lias produced
not a little indignation, both in and out of the army. I give
the following on the authority of a distinguished citizen of
General Williamson's city: — On one occasion, the family of
General Williamson being sick, that officer, knowing the long
delay that would follow in obtaining a leave of absence through
the regular channel, applied directly to the War Department.
He obtained his leave and left for his home, after presenting
his papers at corps head-quarters. The corps commander, who
was, and still is jealous of his authority, was indignant ; and
from that time until the fall of 1864, although conceding the
merit and claims of the general, declined to urge his promo-
tion.
General Williamson is of medium hight, and has a fine,
symmetrical form. His full, gray eyes, which in his ordinary
moods have a sort of absent and care-worn expression, tingle
with intelligence and animation as soon as he becomes inter-
ested in conversation. In manners he is modest and reserved.
\W never begs favors. In Xew England he would be appreci-
ated; but, for a Western man, he lacks impudence.
124 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
The editor of the Cass County "Gazette," an intimate
acquaintance of the general, speaks thus of him :
" Colonel Williamson is a refined, chivalrous gentleman,
whom one must know to appreciate. To those who win hia
confidence, he is lavishly. sociable; but, for those who treat hini
coolly, he has no smile or word of gladness. He rarely alters
a deliberate opinion, and we know of but one exception ; once
of the best Democratic blood of the North, he is now a warm
friend of Lincoln. He is a brave man. In battle his fine form
moves near the van. He rides slowly, speaks with much calm-
ness, and never becomes excited in action. Williamson is still
a young man ; but he is to-day a favorite of the people — espec-
ially in Middle and Western Iowa."
COLONEL WILLIAM HORD WORTIIIXGTON.
FIRST COLONEL, FIFTH INFANTRY.
Wtlliam II. Wortjiington, who was shot dead before
Corinth, in the spring of 1862, by a frightened sentinel, was
linked by blood to the earliest and most distinguished families
of the country — on the paternal side to the Virginia line of
Madisons, and to General Andrew Lewis, the Virginia soldier,
who was recommended by General Washington as "Com-
mander-in-chief of the American Army:" on the maternal
side, to the Slaughters, also a distinguished Virginia family.
His grand-father, Colonel Gabriel Slaughter, who emigrated to
Kentucky in its earliest history, was twice elected lieutenant-
governor of that State — first with Governor Scott, and last
with Governor George Madison — and each time succeeded to
the administration of the government, as survivor of the
governor elect. He was also the colonel of a Kentucky regi-
ment which fought with General Jackson at the battle of New
Orleans. His faithfulness and ability as an executive officer,
and his gallantry at the battle of New Orleans, have been
commemorated by his adopted State, in the erection of a fine
monument to his memory.
Colonel Wbrthington's grand-father, Edward Worthington,
a Marylander, was also an early and distinguished settler in
Kentucky. His father, the Rev. John Tolly Worthington,
I). D., a devoted Christian and zealous patriot, is still living,
and a resident of Pittsfiold, Illinois. William H. Worthington
was born at Harrodsburg, Kentucky, on the 2d day of Novem-
ber, 1828. He lost his mother in early infancy, and was
adopted, reared and educated by his maternal grand-uncle,
125
126 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMENTS.
Major William Hord, also a distinguished Kentucky gentle-
man. I am thus particular in giving the colonel's lineage, for
his military enthusiasm was of ancestral inheritance.
His primary education Colonel Worthington received in the
schools of Louisville, at that time the residence of Major Hord;
and it was there, while under the instruction of a Polish officer,
that he first gave token of that military spirit which, in despite
of his untimely fate, has made his name celebrated in the
history of our State. Having graduated at Bacon College,
Harrodsburg, Kentucky, he Mas, at the ago of nineteen, mar-
ried to Miss Anna Eliza, daughter of Dr. Toralinson, a lady of
reputed beauty and intelligence; and now, throwing aside his
books, he began life on a form. This calling soon proved
uncongenial to his tastes, and he abandoned it for the law.
After being admitted to the bar, he opened an office in his
native town; and, though his professional studies had been
chiefly of his own shaping, he soon gave promise of future
eminence. In 1857 he moved to Iowa, where, establishing
himself in a lucrative practice, he made his home till the
beginning of the war.
When the war broke out he was serving as the captain of
the "City Rifles," a military company in the city of Keokuk;
and it was the aptness which he discovered in military matters
while in this position, that first brought his name into favora-
ble notice with Governor Kirkwood.
While in Washington City, seeking a position in the regular
army, (which he only failed in obtaining on account of all
vacancies being filled) he was tendered the colonelcy of an
Iowa volunteer regiment. This he accepted; and, returning
to Iowa early in July, received his commission as colonel of
the ;",th Iowa Infantry, on the 15th of the same month.
The 5th Tow a Infantry entered the service under peculiar
and promising omens: its colonel was a descendant of our most
WILLIAM II. WOKTIIIXGTOX. 127
illustrious revolutionary heroes, and its drummer-hoy, Robert
Bain, beat the same drum with which his father, in 1812, and
lih grand-father, in 1776, had stirred the hearts of the Revolu-
tionists. For aught I know, this same drum beat defiance to
Sir George Packenham, on the battle-field of New Orleans.
The history of the 5th Iowa is a proud one. From the time
it took the field in August, 1861, till it was consolidated with
the 5th Iowa Cavalry, three years later, no blot or stain dis-
figures its fair record. I have stated elsewhere that the
regiment first served in Missouri. Leaving Jefferson Barracks
the 14th of August, it proceeded to Jefferson City, where it
remained till the first of September. From Jefferson City it
marched to Columbia; from Columbia to Boonville; from
Boonville to Glasgow; from Glasgow to Springfield; from
Springfield to Syracuse; from Syracuse back to Boonville, and
thence to Cairo, Illinois, where it arrived on the 20th of Febru-
ary, 1862. Thus far, the regiment had failed to meet the enemy
in a general engagement.
When the 5th Iowa, under Colonel Worthington, arrived at
Cairo, it was one of the best drilled and disciplined regiments
in the volunteer service. This, at first, was secured at the
expense of the colonel's popularity. Indeed, in the early his-
tory of the war, the people of the North were so largely
imbued with their peculiar ideas of Democracy, (doing as they
pleased) that it was hard for them to learn the duties and sub-
mit to the requirements of soldiers; and this, with the 5th
Iowa as well as with other Iowa regiments, was the cause of
much discontent. The men were, at first, restive under
Colonel Worthingtmi's strict discipline. But the semi-official
order of General Pope, of October, 1861, announcing: "Colonel:
your regiment is the most soldierly-appearing one I have seen
in Missouri,*' secured, in the future, an unquestioning compli-
ance with his orders; for the men were, proud of their good
128 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
name, and knew to 'whom belonged the credit. This, too, in
connection with the fact of his having periled his own life in
rescuing a private of his command from drowning in the Mis-
souri River, secured him, from that day to the day of his
death, the respect and esteem of his regiment.
After a three days' rest at Cairo, Colonel Worthington crossed
the Mississippi with his regiment, and marched out to Benton,
Missouri. From that point, he accompanied General Pope to
New Madrid, where, during the ten days' siege, he was con-
spicuous. In the meantime, he had assumed command of a
brigade, and with that was assigned the important task, of
assaulting and capturing the ' Upper Fort, ' which, I may add,
would have been successfully accomplished, had not the ruse
de guerre of General Stanley been divined by the enemy. This
was on the morning of the 7th of March, 1862, and, on the
morning of the 13th, the place was evacuated. But the gallan-
try of companies A and B, of the 5th Iowa, and three compa-
nies of the 39th Indiana, (these regiments were of Colonel
AVortlungton's command) I should not omit to mention. On
the afternoon of the 1th of March, these troops, under com-
mand of Major Robertson of the 5th Iowa, made the first
demonstration against New Madrid. After engaging the ene-
my's pickets, and driving them through the large corn-field
that lay to the nortb of the town, they suddenly found them-
selves confronted by a force which, in numbers, was not only
treble their own, but which was supported by artillery. Here,
however, they maintained their position, in the face of a gall-
ing fire, for upwards of two hours; nor did they retire till
ordered to do so by Colonel, now General Granger.
During the operations around Island No. 10, which was sur-
rendered to General Pope on the 7th of the following April,
Colonel Worthington was again conspicuous; and the troops of
his command were, by order of General Pope, permitted to
WILLIAM H. WORTHINGTON. 129
inscribe on their flags, "Island No. 10." He now sailed to
Hamburg Lauding', ou the Tennessee, where, with the com-
mand of General Pope, he took up his position before Corinth,
on the left of our army. But his gallant career was soon to
close : he was shot by a heedless and frightened sentinel, on the
morning of the 22d of May ; and the story, a brief one, is thus
sadly told:
"General Orders No. 53.
"Head-quarters Army of the Mississippi,
Near Farmingtox, May 22d, 1862.
" The general commanding announces to the army with deep
regret the death of Colonel W. H. Worthington, Fifth Iowa
Volunteers. He was killed by an unfortunate accident this
morning, at two o'clock, while in discharge of his duties as
general officer of the day. * * * *
"Speed Butler,
Assistant Adjutant General. "
" By order of General Pope."
The report of the gun was heard by Captain "Wever and
myself, who, at the time, were on picket-duty, on the extreme
left. It came to us across an open field to our right and rear,
and from the edge of the timber, which was some quarter of a
mile away. On our return to camp in the morning, wo
learned the sad story. The night was dark, and the sentinel,
having left his post, was walking carelessly to the rear, when
the officer of the day approached. Forgetting that he was
witjim the line, and alarmed at what he supposed the approach
of the enemy, he fired, without even challenging the
approaching party. The ball took effect near the left eye, and
the colonel, falling from bis horse, died almost instantly.
Of the many gallant Iowa officers who have fallen in the
service of their country, few were more deeply and sincerely
mourned than Colonel Worthington. Many were the tributes
that were offered to his memory. The army in which he
served, his regiment, the District Court of his county, his old
9
130 IOWA COLONELS AND 11EGIMENT3.
company, the "City Rifles,"— all spoke his praise and joined
in one common wail: all, as was expressed by Judge Francis
Springer, "mourned the loss, and cherished the memory of the
noble-hearted, brave and heroic Worthington."
At the time of his death, the future of no officer in our army
was more promising than his. He loved the service, and was
a model soldier. Already he had been recommended for
promotion ; and, had he survived the siege of Corinth, he
would have been made a brigadier-general. I do not speak
without authority. "In Colonel Worthington" (I quote from
the above order of General Pope) "this army has sustained a
serious loss. Prompt, gallant and patriotic, a brilliant career
in the military profession was before him. "
I remember well the first time I saw him. We had just
arrived at the front, and he had called on Colonel Rankin to
enquire and talk of friends at home. His manly form, and
frank, open countenance impressed me; and, though I did not
then know his name, I knew he was no ordinary man.
Colonel Worthington was a Southern man, with a Southern
education and Southern prejudices; and, during the Presiden-
tial canvass of IS60, advocated the cause of Bell and Everett.
Even at the outbreak of the war, he was a conservative. But
he was aLso loyal; and no sooner was Abraham Lincoln
declared elected, than he recognized and respected him as the
legal Executive of the Nation. Indeed, when it was rumored
that the rebels were threatening the Capital, he declared to his
father: "If they enter Washington they shall march over my
dead body ! " Before leaving Missouri, he wrote to his father :
"You know my conservative views heretofore; I am now a
radical; and so lie died. To his wife he wrote: "If I fall,
teach my son to do likewise, if his country needs his life. "
His love for his country he sealed with his blood, and died a
true patriot.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL 0. L. MATTHIES.
SECOND COLOXEL, FIFTH INFANTRY.
Charles Leopold Matthies was the first man in the
State of Iowa, and in the United States, to tender a military
company to the Government, to aid in crushing the rebellion.
The tender was made by letter through Governor Kirkwood,
on the 9th day of January, 1SG1 . The general can not be proud-
er of the distinction which this act has secured him, than is the
State of Iowa.
General Matthies is a Prussian by birth, and was born in
Bromberg, on the 31st day of May, 1824. When sixteen years
of age, his father, an affluent farmer, sent him to the Univer-
sity at Halle, where he received a thorough military education.
On leaving that University, he returned home; and, from that
time till he readied his twentieth year, he labored on his
father's farm. At the age of twenty, he entered the Prussian
army; and, in 1847, served in the campaign against the Insur-
rectionists, (the Poles) under General Miroslawski. In ISIS,
lie resigned the commission which he had won by his good
conduct, and a few months later emigrated to America, arriv-
ing in New York in the spring of 1849. In the latter part of
the same year, he came to Iowa, and settled in Burlington,
where, engaging in mercantile pursuits, ho has made his home
ever since.
General Matthies entered the volunteer service, as captain of
Company I), 1st Iowa Infantry — that noble regiment which,
by its heroism at Wilson's Creek, established the military
prowess of the State, lie was not present in. that engagement ;
for, in the latter part of July, he received notice of his
131
'
132 IOWA COLONELS AND regiments.
promotion to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 5th Iowa, ami at
once left to report to that regiment. After the death of Colon. 1
Worthlngton, he was promoted to the colonelcy. He shared
with his regiment the fatigues and hardships of the Missouri
campaigns; was with it at Island No. 10, and during the siege
of Corinth ; and yet, prior to the battle of luka, his name was
hardly known outside of his own brigade. It was his courage
and gallantry in that sanguinary battle that made him distin-
guished in Ilis army corps, and earned for him the commission
of a brigadier-general.
After the evacuation of Corinth, the 5th Iowa, under Colonel
Matthies, joined in the pursuit of Beauregard to Boonville,
and returned thence to Clear Springs, near Corinth. Late in
June, it marched to Eipley with "its division; returned imme-
diately to Rienzi, and, on the 10th of July, marched back to
Clear Springs. From Clear Springs it changed camp to Jacinto,
and, from that point, marched against Price at luka, in the
evening of the ISth of September, 1862. With the exception
of the last, the regiment met the enemy in none of these
movements.
General Ilo-eerans, by incautiously pushing his advance too
far, precipitated the battle of luka on the afternoon of the 10th
of September, when, in accordance with pre-arranged plans, it
should have been fought on the morning of the 20th. General
Grant first arranged to fight the battle as early as the morning
of the 19th instant; and, with that understanding, the forces of
Ord moved out from Corinth in the afternoon of the 17th, and
the evening of the next day came up with, and drove in the
enemy's pickets. But at that hour the chief part of Rosecrans'
command was still at Jacinto, and the time for making the
attack was changed. General Price, divining Grant's plan of
concentration, hurried out from luka in the afternoon of the
10th, and threw his entire army against Rosecrans, hoping to
CHARLES L. MATTHIES. 133
overwhelm him before Ord could come up; aud thus it hap-
pened that Rosecrans fought alone the heedless battle of luka.
There is another version of this affair, which, judging by the
authority from which I receive it, is doubtless the correct one :
that Rosearans, ambitious, and desirous of superseding General
Grant, moved up against Price for the express purpose of
bringing on a battle and winning glory, well knowing at the
time that he was disobeying orders. Any other general,
except the magnanimous Grant, would have at once relieved
him and put him in arrest.
The 5th Iowa under Matthies, together with the 10th, 16th
and 17th Iowa, the 10th Missouri aud SOth Ohio, were among
the troops in the van of Rosecrans' forces, and were the first to
encounter the enemy. The straggle which ensued was* pro-
tracted and desperate in the extreme; indeed, for courage and
endurance it has few parallels. No pen can do more than
credit to the 5th Iowa Infantry for its heroism in this terrible
engagement. During the fore part of the day, while en route
from Jacinto to luka, this regiment led the advance of the 3d
Division, aud, for more than six miles, continued to drive back
the enemy, who, in small force, made repeated stands. "When
the enemy were finally met in force some three miles south-
west of luka, the 5th Iowa was one of the first regiments in
line of battle; and, from that time until it fired its last cart-
ridge, it maintained its position. Its list of casualties is proof
of its gallantry. It lost in killed, wounded and missing, from
an aggregate of four hundred and eighty-two that went into the
fight, two hundred and seventeen men. Fifteen commissioned
officers were killed and wounded; and, of the enlisted men,
thirty-four were killed, and one hundred and sixty-eight
wounded. Lieutenants Lafayette Shawl and E. M. Ilolcomb
were killed, and Captains John Albaugh and Joel Drown, and
Lieutenants R. F. Patterson, J. W. Casad, A. L. Mateer, A.
134 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMENT8.
Ellis, J. E. Page, Benjamin Jarvis, A. B. Lewis, S. S. Sample,
J. E. Pangborn, W. C. Iluber and W. II. Colton were wounded.
Lieutenant Mateer died of his wounds soon after the battle.
Among those mentioned for special gallantry were Lieutenant-
Colonel Sampson, and Lieutenant and Acting-Major Patterson,
and Lieutenant Marshall. Nearly all were equally deserving
of mention.
The 5th was General S. Hamilton's pet regiment; and, after
the battle, Colonel Matthies enclosed to him his official report,
to which he received the following reply:
"New York, October 27th, 1S62.
"Colonee C. I/. Matthies, Uhlowa Infantry:
"My Dear Colonel: In sending to me the report of the
brilliant conduct of the 5th Iowa at Iuka, September 19th,
1S62, you have given me a very great pleasure, as well as
paid me a great compliment. When I read the newspaper
accounts of battles in the vicinity of Corinth, though still sick,
my heart thrilled with pride and satisfaction at the splendid
conduct of the regiments composing my old division, espe-
cially that of the 5th Iowa and 26th Missouri.
" To show you how well understood it is, the 5th Iowa has
become a household word with us, and my youngest boy, a
prattler of four years of age, when asked what company he
belongs to, says, (and he breakfasts m his knapsack) 'Com-
pany A, Fifth Iowa— papa's pet regiment.'
"lam under orders from Washington, and though I may
not again have the honor to number the 5th Iowa among
those under my command, I shall always point to its conduct,
as an evidence of the character of the troops from that State,
and how kindly tiny respond to, and confer honor upon those
who have diligently endeavored to look after their welfare,
discipline, and instruction, which I honestly think I may
claim a share in having done. Feeling, Colonel, that their
honor is my honor, I shall watch their future career with the
same interest I watched over them when a part of my
command. Write my compliments and kind remembrances
In all. Believe me, very truly your friend,
" SCHUYLEE HAMILTON,
" Major- General Volunteers, U. S. A"
CHAKLES L. MAT Till ES. 135
The 5th Iowa Infantry next engaged the enemy at Corinth-
October 3d and 4th, 1862 ; and, from that date until the 24th of
April, 1863, the time of Colonel Matthias' promotion to
brigadier-general, its history is the same as that of the 10th
and, I might add, that of the 17th Iowa ; for these three
regiments served in the same division.
After receiving, in April, 1S63, a brigadier's commission,
General Matthies was ordered to report to General Mcl'hersou,
who assigned him to the command of the 7th Division, 17th
Army Corps; but this order being soon after recalled, he was
given command of the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, loth Army
Corps, which he commanded, under General Sherman, from
Grand Gulf to Jackson and thence to the rear of Yiqksburg.
He continued in command of this brigade until the death of
Colonel Boomer, of the 26th Missouri, when he was sent back
to his old army corps, and given command of the 3d Brigade,
of the 7th Division. On leaving the command of General
Sherman, that ofheer honored him with an autograph letter,
in which he complimented him highly for his efficient
services. IDs new command was composed of the following
troops: the 5th and 10th Iowa, the 26th Missouri and 93d
Illinois— four as gallant regiments as ever met the enemy in
battle. I)i the latter part of January, 1SC4, he was given
command of a temporary division, made up of different
regiments of the 15th Army Corps, with which he marched to
East Tennessee, to aid in driving back Longstreet, who was
then threatening Kno.wille. Returning from this expedition,
he was assigned to an important command, with head-quarters
at Decatur, Alabama. He had charge of the Nashville and
Decatur Itailroad as far north as Linnville, and of the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad as fir east as Huntsville.
He removed his head-quarters to Decatur, on the 1st of May,
1864, and at once began fortifying that place. The works
136 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
which he erected were of the most imposing character;— so
formidable that General Hood, in his flanking tour north, did
not essay their capture. In the latter part of May, 1864, the
general tendered his resignation, which was reluctantly
accepted.
I should not close this sketch without stating briefly the
distinguished part General Matthies sustained in the operations
around Chattanooga, in November, 1S63. General Bragg was
defeated in the evening of the 24th, and his only hope, on the
morning of the 25th, was to save his baggage, stores and
artillery. The point on Mission Ridge that commanded the
road over which these must pass was on Grant's extreme left,
and, during the entire day of the 25th, the divisions of Ewing,
John E. Smith, Morgan L. Smith and Jefferson C. Davis had
.sharp and sanguinary fighting for its possession; but it had
been so strongly fortified, and Bragg had massed his troops
there to such an extent that, all efforts on the part of General
Sherman were fruitless. There was no harder fighting done
on any portion of Mission Bidge or Lookout Mountain, than
was done on this point; and acts of individual gallantry, on
the part of the Union troops, were numerous. Colonel Hoi den
Putnam of the 93d Illinois, although not an Iowa man, deserves
special mention; and nothing can give the Iowa troops, who
fought with him on Mission Bidge and at Champion's Hill,
more pleasure than to meet his name on these pages. His
was the first regiment of General Matthies' Brigade to scale
the hill from the AVhite Hou.^e and assaidt the enemy in their
strong works. His command was instantly repulsed; but,
uudaunted, he rallied his men, and, seizing the colors, dashed
on to the top of the hill in spite of all remonstrances. He was
shot dead instantly, through the head. The 2Gth Missouri soon
followed the 93d Illinois, and then the 5th and 10th Iowa, with
General Matthies in person; and still the enemy, rejoicing in
CHARLES L. MATTHIES. 137
the strength of their numbers and position, maintained their
ground. The 2d Brigade of the same division now came up;
but in a few moments after the enemy, emerging in strong
force from the railroad tunnel near by, and with their move-
ments concealed by dense brush, suddenly made their appear-
ance in rear of the right flank, when a retreat was ordered.
The command was, " For God's sake, get out of this ! " It was
on that hill-top that General Matthics was wounded ; and it
was that wound, together with the exposures and hardships of
the previous campaign, that broke down his health, in conse-
quence of which he tendered his resignation. He was an
excellent officer, and had a reputation for promptness and
trustworthiness that but few enjoyed in his division. ^
General Matthics is a little above the medium in size, with a
full breast and heavy shoulders. He has mild, gray eyes, and
a round, full, good-natured face. To look at him, you would
not take him for a foreigner; but he no sooner speaks than he
betrays his nativity. He has never been able to master the
accent of our language. He is one of those men whom to know
is to like. His sanguine temperament, and earnest, open-
hearted disposition enables him, in his happy moods, to talk
and laugh with extreme good nature, and, in his less happy
ones, to hate and berate his enemies most intensely. He was
always on kind and familiar terms with every soldier of his
command, and his familiarity in no way interfered with his
discipline. The soldiers loved "old Dutchie," he was so good
and brave.
I can not take leave of General Matthies without relating the
following: When the division of John E. Smith was in camp
back of Memphis, late in February, 1SG3, the general chanced
one day to be general officer of the. day. At about seven o'clock
in the morning of the day in question, a captain, whose 2d
lieutenant had deserted to the enemy the night before, and
138 IOWA COLONELS AXD KEGEMENT3.
whose 1st lieutenant was enjoying himself in the city, arrived
on the pickeWine to relieve the old picket-guard. The captain
left his reserve in charge of a sergeant, while he went to dis-
tribute the first relief at the different posts, and give proper
instructions. In his absence, the officer of the day made his
appearance. Having at some point stole his way through the
lines, he came riding down the road at full speed, and was on
the reserve before the sergeant could get his men in line to
receive him. The general, who was dressed in a common
soldier's overcoat, and without any scarf or other insignia of
his office, began administering a rebuke for negligence; but
was quickly cut short by the sergeant, who replied, "How did
I know who you was? you haven't got any scarf on; I thought
it was a soldier just coming in from foraging." " Well, well,"
said the general, "I know; but — ycu must be on the watch
for guerrillas."
COLONEL JABEZ BANBURY.
THIRD COLONEL, FIFTH INFANTRY.
Jabez Banbury is a native of England, and was born in
tbo year 1S31 ; but, removing to this country when quite young,
he became, long since, thoroughly Americanized. lie is a
man of limited education, and by trade a mechanic.
At the time of entering the service, he had some experience
in military matters ; for he had been a member of an independ-
ent military company in Marshalltown. At that time I am
informed, he gave proof of military taste and talent. He
enlisted in the United States volunteer service in June, 1861,
and assisted in raising a company for the war, which was
afterwards assigned to the 5th Iowa Infantry, and designated
Company D. Of this company, he was elected 1st lieutenant,
and, with this rank, entered the field. He was promoted to
the captaincy of his company in February, 1SG2 ; was made
major of Ins regiment, on the 14th of tbo following July, and,
on the promotion of Colonel Matthics to brigadier-general, was
commissioned colonel. At the time his regiment was trans-
ferred to the 5th Iowa Cavalry in August, 1S64, he was
mustered out of the service, and returned to his home in
Marshalltown.
General Matthies left his regiment at Milliken's Bend,
Louisiana, just before it started on its march to the rear of
Vicksburg. From that time till tbo fall of that city, the 5th
Iowa was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel E. S. Sampson.
From the fill of Vicksburg, up to the time Colonel Banbury
was mustered out of the service, the regiment was under his
command, if we except a few months when he was in
139
140 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
command of a brigade. The 5th Iowa is proud of its record,
and it may also be proud of its commanding officers ; for tiiey
were all most excellent men.
The march to the Yockona, and thence back to Memphis ; the
trip down the Mississippi to Grand Lake, and thence back to
Helena; and the wild expedition down the Yazoo Pass, all
belong to the history of the 5th Iowa Infantry. An account of
these I have given in the sketches of other officers and regi-
ments, as I also have of the march from Milliken's Bend round
to the rear of Vicksburg. Of the battles fought during the last
named march, the 5th Iowa was engaged in two — Jackson and
Champion's Hill. The regiment also engaged the enemy in
two skirmishes — the first on the hills north of Bayou Pierre,
and the second in the rugged country north of Big Black
River. In the last, the regiment constituted a portion of the
force under Colonel Boomer of the 26th Missouri, who was sent
out on a reconnoissance some five miles in the direction of
Vicksburg. The 5th Iowa led the advance of its corps from
Baymond to Clinton, and marched with its division, which led
the advance, from Clinton to Jackson. In the battle of Jack-
son, the regiment did not suffer severely. Its position was to
the left of the 17th Iowa, and so far to the north that it over-
lapped (he right of the enemy's line. Its loss was four meji
wounded.
The part Avhkh the 5th Iowa took in the battle of Cham-
pion's Hill, or Baker's Creek, was most brilliant and sanguin-
ary. This battle, which came off on the lGth of May, 1SG3,
"was fought mainly by Hoyey's Division of McClernand's
Corps, and Logan's and Quimby's Divisions (the latter com-
manded by Brigadier-General M. M. Crocker) of McPherson's
Corps;" and in it the Iowa troops were consequently largely
represented. On the evening of the loth instant, General
Grant made his head-quarters at Clinton. Early on the fol-
JABEZ BANBURY. 1-11
lowing morning, two employees on the Jackson and Vicksbnrg
Railroad were brouglit to him, who represented that, on the
previous night, they had passed through General Pemberton's
army. They also represented that Pembcrton had marched
out from Vieksburg with a force consisting of about eighty
regiments, with ten batteries of artillery, the entire command
numbering about twenty-five thousand men. The object of
Pemberton was, to come up with and attack General Grant in
rear, before he should be able to overcome General Johnson at
Jackson ; and it had been before reported by prisoners that, on
General Johnson's arrival at Jackson in the evening of the
13th instant, he had sent peremptory orders to Pemberton to
make this movement. The evidence was conclusive tq General
Grant that a great battle was near at hand; and he therefore
ordered a rapid concentration of his troops, even sending back
to Jackson for General Sherman's Corps, which had been left
behind to destroy the railroads and rebel government property.
This done, he mounted his horse and rode rapidly to the front.
In the march from Jackson back in the direction of Vieksburg,
the divisions of Logan and Crocker (excepting the 2d brigade)
reached a point some live miles west of Clinton; and were,
therefore, only about seven miles east of Champion's Hill,
and not far distant from General Hovey, who, with his divi-
sion, was in the extreme advance. The next morning, the
16th of May, the troops of Hovey's Division left their camp
at Bolton's Station, and moved in the direction of Champion's
kill, three and a half miles distant. These troops were the
first to meet the enemy. The engagement was just opening as
the 5th Iowa, with its brigade, came up.
"The enemy had taken up a very strong position on a nar-
row ridge, his left resting on the bight where the road makes a
sharp turn to the left approaching Vieksburg. The top of the
ridge, and the precipitous hill-side to the left of the road, are
142 IOWA COLOXELS AND REGIMENTS.
covered by a dense forest and under-growth. To the right of
the road, the timber extends a short distance down the hill,
and then opens into cultivated fields on a gentle slope, and
into a valley, extending for a considerable distance. On the
road and into the wooded ravine and hill-side, Ilovey's Divi-
sion was disposed for the attack."
But Logan and Crocker fought on the right of the road, hav-
ing come into line in the above named open fields. Logan's
Division held the extreme right, and next to his was Crock-
er's; and now the fighting opened in earnest. The rebel, as
compared with the Federal force, was more than two to one;
for Pembcrton had not less than twenty-eight thousand men;
whereas the divisions of Hovey, Crocker and Logan would not
number thirteen thousand. Confident of success with his
superior numbers, the enemy massed heavily on the right of
Ilovey's Division, which was near the road, and forced it back.
His left they also flanked, and soon after forced back his -whole
line. The 3rd Brigade, to -which the 5th Iowa was attached,
held the left of Crocker's Division, and, seeing Ilovey's right
driven in, and their own left flank threatened, they faced to the
left, and double-quicked down to the road to meet the enemy
and check their further advance. The 9§& Illinois was the
extreme left regiment of the brigade, and, next to that, was
the 6th Iowa: a portion of the 93d crossed the road, so that the
5th was but a few paces distant from it. And right here the
fighting was most obstinate and sanguinary. The trees, living,
though insensible witnesses to this terrible contest, stand
there still, bearing on their shattered branches and lacerated
trunks, thrilling evidence "of these hours of bloody strife.
From one tree near the road-side, more than five hundred
bullets were afterward extracted; and it was not three feet
through.
In that immediate vicinity, the 5th Iowa with its brigade,
maintained its position in the unequal conflict for more than
JABEZ BAXBURY. 143
an hour and a half, and, during the last half hour, it had no
ammunition, or only such as could be taken from the cartridge-
boxes of the dead and wounded. In the meantime, the enemy
at this point had been reinforced, and were being led on with
the promise of certain victory. To withstand longer such
odds and desperation was impossible, and the gallant 3d
Brigade began to break, retiring over the hill in its rear, and
back into the open fields. McClernand, with the balance of
his corps, was momentarily expected, and was now looked for
with the greatest anxiety ; but relief came from another and
unexpected quarter. Just then two regiments of the 2d Brig-
ade, wMch had been left the night before at Clinton, as a sort
of body-guard to General Grant, came in view, down the road,
at double-quick. The 17th Iowa was in the advance, and was
closely followed by the 10th Missouri ; and both regiments did
not number more than five hundred and fifty men. In the
instant that these troops were seen by Colonel Putnam of the
93d Illinois, he came riding back at full run, without his hat,
and his brown, wavy hair streaming in the wind, shouting to
Colonel Ilillis, of the 17th: "For God's sake, Colonel, hurry
up — we. can not stand another minute ;" and the fields to the
right, which were filled with the affrighted and fleeing strag-
glers, were proof of what he said. "With the handful of
reinforcements thus brought up, the scale of battle was turned;
and, before McClernand had arrived, the enemy were hasten-
ing in total rout back in the direction of Yicksburg.
To show the determination and valor with which the 5th
Iowa and its brigade fought, I will give one instance, which
came under my own observation. On arriving at the top of
the hill from which our lines had been driven, I noticed a
noble young boy lying near the road. He was shot through
both legs, and was unable to stand; but he had his musket in
his hands, and was loading and firing on the advancing enemy.
144 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMENTS.
We were now under a gulling fire, and I saw no more of the
brave boy till the enemy were driven from the field. On
returning afterward to look for the dead and wounded of my
company, I saw him lying in the same spot, but he was dead.
I do not know his name or his regiment ; but he must have
belonged to the 5th Iowa, or the 93d Illinois.
The 5th Iowa, in this engagement, lost nineteen killed and
seventy-five wounded, out of an aggregate of three hundred
and fifty officers and men. There were many individual
instances of gallantry ; but I am able to mention only the
names of Captains Tait, Lee and Pickerell.
The same night of the battle, the 5th Iowa marched two
miles in the direction of Vicksburg; and the next night
camped on the Big Black. On the 19th instant, the regiment
with its brigade arrived in rear of Vicksburg; and, from that
time until the fall of the city, its history is the same as that of
the 10th Iowa, and the other regiments of its brigade. I might
add that, from the fall of Vicksburg up to the winter of 1S64, its
history is the same as that of its brigade. Early in September,
1863, the 5th Iowa left with its division for the purpose of join-
ing the army of General Steele in Arkansas; but, on arriving
at Helena, learned that no reinforcements were needed in that
quarter. From I lelcna it moved up the river to Memphis, and
from that point marched across the country with General Sher-
man to Chattanooga, where with its brigade it took a distin-
guished part in the engagement of the 25th of November. On
the night of the 21th instant, the regiment stood picket near
the Chattanooga and Knoxville Bailroad, just where it passes
the north point of Mission Bidge; and the next day, at noon,
joined its brigade and moved out through the open fields as
elsewhere described, to engage the enemy. After arriving at
the White House, which was near the base of the lull for
I
which General Sherman was lighting, the chief portion of the
JABEZ BANBURY. 145
regiment was deployed as skirmishers to the right and front of
its brigade-, and remained thus deployed till a retreat was
ordered. The total loss of the 5th Iowa in this engagement
wis one hundred and six; but the greater portion of these
were captured in the sudden left flank movement of the enemy.
Two commissioned officers were wounded, and eight captured;
among the latter were Major Marshall and Adjutant Byers.
Subsequently to Grant's victory at Chattanooga, there is little
in the history of the 5th Iowa Infantry of striking interest.
It joined its division in the pursuit of Bragg, as far as
Graysville, Georgia, and then returned to Chattanooga. After
going into several temporary camps along the road, it finally
reached Huntsville, Alabama, where it passed the following
Winter. In April, it came North on veteran furlough;
returned to the field early in May ; served for a short time on
the Huntsville and Decatur Railroad, and was then ordered to
Kingston, Georgia. On the 8th of August, 186-1, the veterans
of the regiment, by special order of the War Department, Xo.
262, were transferred to the 5th Iowa Cavalry, and assigned as
Companies G and I, under the following officers: Captain
Albert G. Ellis, 1st Lieutenant Jeremiah M. Lembocker, and
Second Lieutenant William S. Peck, of Company G; Captain
William G. M'Elrae, 1st Lieutenant Robert A. McKee, and
2d Lieutenant John Q. A. Campbell, of Company I.
At Mission Ridge Colonel Banbury showed great courage,
riding constantly under the heavy artillery- and musketry-
fire of the enemy. The same night of the engagement, he was
assigned to the command of his brigade; for General Matthies,
the brigade commander, had been wounded as I have already
stated. There is one other item in the colonel's military
history, which 1 should not omit to mention. At the battle of
Corinth, October 3d and 1th, 1862, he commanded the 17th
Iowa Infantry ; and led it in the charge in which the
146 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
regiment captured the colors of the 40th Mississippi, and
between one and two hundred prisoners.
Although I served in the same division with Colonel
Banbury for many months, I never saw him to know him ;
but I am told by good authority that "he is reticent in
manners, intelligent though not educated, honest, upright,
and thoroughly reliable." As a soldier, he ranked among the
best officers of his division ; and, had he possessed sufficient
impudence, would doubtless have been promoted to a brigadier-
general.
COLONEL JOHN ADAIR M'DOWTLL.
FIRST COLONEL, SIXTH INFA3TEB.Y.
Johx A. McDowell is a younger brother of Major-General
Irwin McDowell, who led the Federal forces in the first great
battle of the war. Colonel McDowell was born in the city of
Columbus, Ohio, the 22d day of July, 1825, and was graduated
at Kenyan College, Gambia, Ohio, in the year 1846. While at
Kenyan College he devoted much time to the study of military
tactics, under the instruction of Professor Ross, a former Pro-
fessor of Mathematics and Tactics in the West Point Military
Academy, Xew York, and the widely known translator of
Bourdon and other mathematical works. Colonel McDowell's
experience as an officer began as captain of the Kenyan Guards,
an independent military company, which, in its day, attained
much celebrity for its proficiency in discipline and drill.
Leaving college witli the highest oratorical honors of his
class, he entered, in 1817, the office of Judge Swan, and pre-
pared himself for the practice of law. The vast mineral wealth
of California was, in 18 IS and 1810, attracting thousands of
emigrants from the States to that country ; and, for young men
of enterprise and talent, the prospects seemed flattering. Hav-
ing completed his legal studies in 1848, he left in the following
Spring for California, in company with the 2d United States
Dragoons. He arrived on the shores of the Pacific in the
following Fall, and without incident, if we except the passage
of the Rio Grande. In crossing that river, he came near losing
his own life, in his generous efforts to save the life of a friend.
Locating in Monterey, he began the practice of Jaw, and soon
became a public man; for, in 1801, he was elected mayor of
147
148 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
that city. Those were, in California, the days of vigilance com-
mittees, and the duties of his office required great caution and
judgment; hut his management was firm and judicious, and
he secured the confidence of the public.
In 1852 he returned to the States, and, the following year,
settled in Keokuk, Iowa. During Colonel McDowell's resi-
dence in Iowa, and prior to his entering the service, he
followed the profession of civil engineering. He was at one
time the City Engineer of Keokuk, but, at the outbreak of the
war, was Superintendent and Chief Engineer of the Keokuk,
Mount Pleasant and Minnesota Railroad.
In the spring of 1S61, Colonel McDowell visited Washington
for the purpose of obtaining authority to raise a regiment of
infantry. Authority was granted by the War Department,
and he returned to Burlington, which was to be the rendezvous
of his regiment. The 6th Iowa Infantry was enlisted princi-
pally from the counties of Linn, Lucas, Hardin, Appanoose,
Monroe, Clark, Johnson, Lee, Des Moines and Henry. It was
mustered into the United States service on the 17th of July,
1861: its camp was Camp Warren. On the 2d of the following
August, Colonel McDowell was ordered to Keokuk, and, during
his week's stay there, a portion of his regiment took part in
the. affair at Athens, between the Union forces under Colonel
Moore, and the Confederates under Green. On the 19th instant
the regiment left for St. Louis, whore, reporting to General
Fremont, it was retained for five weeks in camp, at La Fayette
Park. The first campaign on which the 6th Iowa marched,
was that from Jefferson City to Springfield.
Lyon had been killed at Wilson's Creek, and Sturgis, his suc-
cessor, had fallen back to Kolla; when, instantly, the rebellious
citizens of Missouri, from every quarter, made haste to join
Price, their deliverer. Price, strongly reinforced, in council
With that mean, cowardly traitor, Ciaib Jackson, resolved on a
JOHN A. m'dowell. 149
march northward. Small detachments of'Federal troops with-
drew from his line of march; and, on the 12th of September, he
laid siege to Lexington. Fremont, in command of the Western
Department, having made ineffectual efforts to relieve Mulli-
gan, quit St. Louis, and concentrated an army at Jefferson
City, with which to march ou Price, and either rout or capture
his forces. Some claim more for this fossil hero; — that, after
Price's annihilation, he was to march south, and, flanking
Columbus, Hickman, Memphis, and a long stretch of the
Mississippi, was to enter, in triumph, Little Rock. With him
were Sigel, Hunter, Asboth, McKinstry, Pope, Lane, and his
royal guard under Zagonyi. Price left Lexington on the 30th
of September, and, the 8th of October, Fremont marched from
Jefferson City. Such, briefly, is the history of what preceded
the first great campaign in Missouri.
Passing through Tipton, Warsaw on the Osage, and thence
south, Fremont arrived in Springfield the 29th of October.
Price was then at Neosho. And this is all that there is of
Fremont's celebrated campaign in Missouri; for he was now
relieved by the President, and his command turned over to
General Hunter, who forthwith ordered a return in the direc-
tion of St. Louis. I cannot forbear adding that Fremont was a
better man than Hunter; for, if he had style, he also had pluck
and confidence. On this campaign the 6th Iowa Infantry was
under Brigadier-General McKinstry, and in three clay's time
marched seventy-five miles.
During the winter of 1801-2, Colonel McDowell was stationed
on the Pacific Railroad, which he guarded from Sedalia to
Tipton; but, in the opening of the Spring Campaign, was
relieved at his own request, and sent to the front. Early in
March he '-•ailed with his regiment up the Tennessee River,
and landed at Pittsburg Landing, where ho was immediately
assigned to General Sherman's Division, and placed in
150 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
command of a brigade. At the battle of Shiloh his command
held the extreme right of General Grant's Army, and was
stationed near the Purdy road. The 3d Iowa, it will be
remembered, was stationed near the extreme left. The 11th
and 13th Iowa, under McClernand, were to the left of Sherman;
and the 2d, 7th, Sth, 12th and. 14th Iowa, in Smith's Division,
commanded by W. II. L. Wallace, and to the left of McClern-
and. The loth and 16th Iowa fought on their own hook. The
Sth Iowa, however, fought, under Prentiss. These were all the
Iowa troops in the battle of Shiloh.
The 6th Iowa was commanded at Shiloh by Captain John
Williams; and, to show the part acted by the regiment, I
quote briefly from his official report : ►
"On Sunday morning, when the attack was made on Genera*
Grant's centre, the regiment was immediately brought into
line of battle, and was then moved about fifty yards to the
front, along the edge of the woods. Company I was thrown
out as skirmishers, and Companies E and G were moved to the
left and front of our line, to support a battery just placed there.
We were in this position for more than two hours, when we
were ordered to fall back to the rear of our camp, on the Purdy
road. Tlic battle at this lime was raging fiercely in the centre,
and extending gradually to the right. The line was slowly
yielding to a vastly superior force, and it now became evident
that we must change our position or be entirely cut off from
the rest of the army.
"The regiment then marched by the left flank about six
hundred yards, crossed an open field about one hundred and
fifty yards wide, took a position in the edge of the woods and
formed a new line of battle, which was succeeded by another
line, nearly perpendicular to the former, the right resting close
to the Purdy road."
This left flank movement was to the left and rear; but this
position was held but a very short time, when the regiment
was marched to the rear about half a mile; for MJcClernand's
Division, and the left of Sherman's, had been driven back rap-
idly. The next position taken by the regiment was in the
JOIIX A. M'DOWELLu 151
edge of the woods, and formed a part of that line which, for
several hours, held the enemy successfully at bay. At this
hour, things looked more hopeful ; and, had all the troops that
had stampeded and straggled been now in their proper places,
Grant would probably have suffered no further reverses at Shi-
loh. It was in this last position that the 6th Iowa suffered its
severest loss. Captain Williams was wounded here, and the
command of the regiment turned over to Captain Walden.
Of less than six hundred and fifty men that went into the
engagement, sixty-four were killed, one hundred wounded,
and forty-seven missing. The Cth Iowa, as a regiment, was
not engaged in the second day's battle, and its losses were
slight. Among the wounded in the first day's fight were Cap-
tain Williams, and Lieutenants Halliday and Grimes. The
names of the killed I have failed to learn. " In regard to the
bravery, coolness and intrepidity of both officers and men, too
much can not be said. Where all did so well, to particularize
would seem invidious." The regiment continued with Sher-
man during the siege of Corinth, and Colonel McDowell in
command of his brigade The 6th was one of the regiments of
his command.
After the fall of Corinth, Colonel McDowell marched with
his brigade to Memphis, whore he remained the balance of the
Summer, and during the following Fall. In November, he
marched with his division on the campaign down through
Oxford, and to the Yockona, after which he returned to La
Grange, Tennessee, where he passed the Winter. While on the
march from Corinth to Memphis, he was attacked with a dis-
ease, pronounced by his surgeon an affection of the sciatic
nerve. It had been contracted through exposure and by almost
constant duty in the saddle, and was extremely painful ; but he
continued on duty. Finally, receiving no relief, ho tendered
his resignation, which was accepted late in the winter of 1SG2-3.
152 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
While stationed at Memphis, he received from General Sher-
man a recommendation for brigadier-general, which was
endorsed, I am informed, as fodows: — "I think it but right
and just that a gallant officer, who has discharged faithfully
the duties of a brigadier for many months, should enjoy in full
the rank and pay of the position." On leaving the service, his
regiment presented him with a costly silver set, which, in its
own language, was "a token of their esteem for him as a man,
and their appreciation of his merit a^ an ofiicer."
Colonel McDowell is a large man, and well proportioned,
but a little too fleshy to look comfortable. He is above six feet
in bight, and erect ;.has a mild blue eye, light complexion, and
a good-natured countenance. Usually, he seems kind and
approachable, but, when aroused, the flash of his eye makes
him look, as he really is, a most formidable opponent. He has
large self-esteem, a good education and fine social cpualities.
His conversational powers are remarkable. He is fond of mer-
riment, to be convinced of which you have only to look on his
shaking sides: he laughs, like Momus, all over.
Colonel McDowell has fine ability, but is naturally, I believe,
inclined to bo a little lazy. He is a close observer, and forms
positive opinions. His experience in the army destroyed his
faith in field artillery. "There are occasions," he once said,
" when it is invaluable ; but, as a general thing, it is vox i»'(v,-
ier-er nihil. If you tight to whip, you must light to kill; and
whoever heard of a dead or wounded artillery-man? These
things that you hold straight at a man, are the things that
hurt."
As a soldier, Colonel McDowell excelled as a disciplinarian
and tactician : he was a splendid drill-master, a fact attested by
his regiment, which was one of the best thrilled in the volun-
teer service.
BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN M. CORSE.
SECOND COLONEL, SIXTH INFANTRY.
John M. Cobsb is the only military prodigy the State has
furnished in the War of the Rebellion. For his family and
intimate friends I am unable to speak, but I have knowledge
positive that, with all others, his brilliant military career has
created the greatest surprise. In civil life, though possessing
large self-esteem, he was looked on as having only ordinary
ability ; and, therefore, his promotion in the army to nearly
the highest rank in the volunteer service, was wholly unlooked
for.
General Corse is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was
born in about the year 18C3. When young, he accompanied
his parents West and settled with them in Burlington, Iowa ;
wbere he has since resided. He was at one time a cadet in the
West Point Military Academy, New York; but had spent, I
think, hardly two years at the institution, when he was
politely informed that, should lie tender his resignation, it
would be accepted. At all events, he left West Point, and
returned to Burlington, wbere be entered the book-store of his
father. Not long after he became a partner in the business,
and was thus engaged at the outbreak of the war.
He entered the service as major of the 6th Iowa Infantry,
and, up to the time of its arrival at Pittsburg Landing, has a
military history similar to that of his regiment. During the
siege of Corintb, be was a staff-officer of General Sherman — I
think, his inspector-general. From the time of their first
meeting, be was held in high esteem by that general. He
was mustered a lieutenant-colonel the 21st of May, lt>G2; and,
153
154 IOWA COLOXET.S AXD REGIMENTS.
oxi the resignation of Colonel McDowell, was made colonel of
his regiment, and returned to its command. From that time
forward, he grew rapidly popular.
During his colonelcy and after, the history of the 6th Iowa is
one of great interest. It is the same as that of Sherman's old
Division. It was the only Iowa regiment in that division.
On the assignment of General Sherman to the command of the
loth Army Corps, its division was commanded by General
William L. Smith, who, during the siege of Vicksburg, joined
the army of General Grant in rear of the city. " Smith's and
Kimball's Divisions, and Parke's Corps were sent to Haine's
Bluff. * * This place I [Grant] had fortified to the
land-side, and every preparation was made to resist at heavy
force." After the fall of Vicksburg, the 6th Iowa marched
with Sherman to Jackson, where it made itself conspicuous —
with the exception of the 3d Iowa, more conspicuous than
any other Iowa regiment. On the morning of the ICth of
July, Colonel Corse was put in command of the skirmishers of
the 1st Division, loth Army Corps, and ordered to report to
Major-General Parke, commanding the 9th Corp/. The Gth
Iowa was included in the colonel's command; and, to show
the part taken by the regiment in the advance of that
morning, I quote from his official report:
" 1 as.-umed command of the line formed by the skirmishers
of the 6th Iowa ; an<i, at the designated signal, the men dashed
forward with a shout, met the line of the enemy's skirmishers
and pickets, drove them back, capturing eighteen or twenty,
and killing as many more. Clearing the timber, they rushed
out into the open field, across the railroad, over the fence, up a
gentle slope, across the crest, down into the enemy's line, when
two field-batteries of four guns each, pointing west, opened a
terrific cannonade. The enemy were driven from two pieces
at the point of the bayonet, our men literally running them
through. In rear of the batteries, two regiments were lying
supporting the gunners, and, at our approach, they opened
jorrx m. corse. 155
along their whole line, causing most of the casualties in this
gallant regiment. With such impetuosity did the line go
through the field that the enemy, so completely stunned were
they, would have precipitately fled, had they not been re-as-
sured by a large gun-battery, nearly six hundred yards to our
right, which enfiladed the railroad line of skirmishers.
Startled at this unexpected obstacle, which was now in full
play, throwing its whirlwind of grape and canister about us
uutil the corn fell as if by an invisible reaper, I ordered the
bugle to sound the 'lie down.' The entire line fell in the
corn-rows, and I had the opportunity to look round. * *
* * Feeling that 1 had obtained all the information I
could, I ordered the 'rise up' and 'retreat,' which was done
in the most admirable manner, under the fire of at least three
regiments and seven guns— three of these enfilading my line.
But few of those who had so gallantly charged the battery got
back. I cannot speak in too extravagant terms of the officers
and men of the Gth Iowa on this occasion. * They awakened
my admiration at the coolness with which they retired, return-
ing the incessant fire of the enemy as they slowly fell back."
The loss of the Oth Iowa in this encounter was one killed,
eighteen wounded, and nine missing. The conduct of the regi-
ment filled the general commauding the division with admi-
ration:
"Heaw-Qfarters First Division, Sixteenth Atmiv Corfs,
" I.N Front of Jackson, Mississippi, July 16th, 1S63.
"Colonel Corse, commanding Wli Iowa Infantry:
"The valor of your noble regiment has been conspicuous,
even amidst the universal good conduct that has marked the
operations of all the troops of the 1st Division, during our
advance upon Jackson, and since our arrival here. I can not
too highly commend the gallantry you have displayed in two
successful charges you have made. The true heart swells with
emotions of pride in contemplating the heroism of those who,
in their country's cause, charge forward under the iron-hail of
half a dozen rebel batteries, and, exposed to a murderous fire
of musketry from behind strong intrenchmcnts, capture prison-
ers under their very guns. Such has been the glorious conduct
of the 6th Iowa this morning; and those who shared your
dangers, and emulated your valor, will join me in tendering to
156 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
you and the bravo men under your command my warmest
thanks and most hearty congratulations.
"Most truly yours,
" William Lov'y Smith,
"Brigadier-General commanding 1st Div., l&h A. C."
In October, 1863, the 6th Iowa, with its division, (which in
the meantime had been transferred to the 15th Corps) marched
to the relief of Chattanooga. Under General Hugh Ewing it
fought on Mission Ridge. Its position was just to the left of
the two brigades of General John E. Smith; and, with those
troops, it fought for the possession of that point which covered
General Bragg's line of retreat. It was so far to the left that it
escaped the flank movement of the enemy from the railroad
tunnel, and lost few, if any prisoners. The regiment, how-
ever, suffered severely in killed and wounded. Eight fell dead
upon the field, one of whom was the gallant Captain Robert
Allison. Major Ennis, and Captains Calvin Minton, L. C.
Allison and G. R. Nunn were wounded. The total number of
killed and wounded was sixty-eight.
If foraging in the enemy's; country is always a labor of
danger, it is also sometimes attended with sport. Apropos,
the 6th Iowa Infantry was one of the most expert and success-
ful foraging regimcnls in the service. At all events, it was, in
this respect, the banner regiment from Iowa; and I am aware
how high is the compliment I am paying it. If that sergeant
is still living, (I did not learn his name) he will recognize the
following: Hugh Ewing's Division led John E. Smith's in the
march from Chickasaw on the Tennessee to Bridgeport. That
of which I speak occurred between Prospect Station and
Eayetteville. "We were marching along leisurely through a
beautiful, highly-improved country, when, of a sudden, there
was great confusion in the front. It would remind you of a
crowd running to witness a show-day fight. A sergeant of the
6th Iowa, with a squad of one man, two mules and a revolver,
JOHN M. CORSE. 157
had left his regiment on a foraging excursion, and returned
with a whole train, ladened with the fruits of the land. He had
fresh apples and dried apples, sweet potatoes and pumpkins,
bed-clothes, and butter-milk in canteens: all were loaded on
old rickety wagons, drawn by half-starved mules, and driven
by American citizens of African descent. To share these spoils
was the cause of the confusion. " He had got them for his
boys," he said; but precious few of them did his boys ever get.
At Fayetteville, the Cth Iowa was Infantry, and, only two
days later, when they passed us in the woods near "Winchester,
nearly half the regiment was cavalry. " What in the d— 1 do
you go a-foot for?" they said to us; but they lost their horses
before reaching Chattanooga, and, like us, fought at Mission
Ridge on foot. The regiment was as reckless in battle as it was
on the march.
General Corse was severely wounded at Mission Ridge, and
disabled fur several months. His intrepidity there, and his
previous good conduct, secured his promotion to the rank of
brigadier-general. AVhen partially recovered, he was, I think,
ordered on duty in Indiana. In a short time he was placed on
General Sherman's staff, and in August, 1864, was assigned to
the command of a division. That passage in his military his-
tory which will make his name distinguished hereafter, is that
which records his defense of Allatoona, Georgia. At the time
in question he was in command of the 4th Division, 10th Army
Corps, one of the divisions comprised in General Dodge's com-
mand during the march on Atlanta. An account of the
defense of Allatoona will be found elsewhere. I give below
simply the correspondence of Generals French and Corse, and
the congratulatory orders of Generals Howard and Sherman:
" AnotTND Allatoona, October 5th, 8:15 A. M.
"Commanding Officer U. S. Force, Allatoona:
"Sir: — I have placed the forces under my command in such
positions that you are surrounded, and, to avoid a useless
15S IOWA COLONELS AXD REGIMENTS.
effusion of blood, I call on you to surrender your forces at once,
and unconditionally. Five minutes will be allowed you to
decide. Should you accede to this, you will be treated in the
most honorable manner, as prisoners of war.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
"S. G. French,
" Major- General commanding forces C. S."
[the reply.]
" Head Quarters Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps,
Allatoona, Georgia, October 5th, 8:30 A M.
"Major-General S. G. French, C. S. A.:
" Your communication demanding surrender of my com-
mand, 1 acknowledge receipt of, and respectfully reply that we
are prepared for the useless effusion of blood whenever it is
agreeable to you.
"I am very respectfully your obedient servant,
"John M. Corse,
" Brigadier-General commanding ith Division, 15th A. C."
How needless was the effusion of blood the following orders
of Generals Howard and Sherman will show:
General Field Orders No. is.
" Head-Quarters Department and Army of the Tennessee,
Near Kenesaw Mountain, October 16th.
" Whilst uniting in the high commendation awarded by the
General-in-elnef, the Army of the Tennessee would tender
through me its most hearty appreciation and thanks to Brig-
adier-Gi ueral J. M. Corse for his promptitude, energy and
eminent success in the defense of Allatoona Pass, against a
force so largely superior to his own ; and our warmest congrat-
ulations are extended t<> him, to Colonel Tourtellotte, and the
rest of our comrades in arms who fought at Allatoona, for the
glorious manner in which they vetoed 'the useless effusion of
blood. '
"O. O. Howard,
" Official. Major-General."
Special Field Orders, Xo. SG.
" IIead-Quartehs Military Diyisios of the Mississippi]
In the Field, Kexesav Mountain, October 6th.
"The General commanding avails himself of the opportu-
JOHN M. CORSE. 159
nityin the handsome defense made of 'Allatoona,' to illustrate
the most important principle in war, that fortified posts should
be defended to the last, regardless of the relative numbers of
the party attacking and attacked.
"Allatoona was garrisoned by three regiments commanded
by Colonel Tourtelotte, and reinforced by a detachment frum a
division at Home, under command of Brigadier-General J. M.
Corse on the morning of the 5th, and a few hours after was
attacked by French's Division of Stewart's Corps, two other
divisions being near at hand, and in support. General French
demanded a surrender, in a letter to ' avoid an useless effusion
of blood,' and gave but five minutes for an answer. General
Corse's answer was emphatic and strong, that he and his com-
mand were ready for the 'useless effusion of blood,' as soon as it
was agreeable to General French.
"This answer was followed by an attack which was prolonged
for five hours, resulting in the complete repulse of the enemy,
who left his dead on the ground amounting to more than two
hundred, and four hundred prisoners, well and wounded. The
'effusion of blood' was not 'useless,' as the position at Alla-
toona was and is very important to our present and future
operations.
" The thanks of this army are due, and hereby accorded to
General Corse, Colonel Tourtelotte, officers and men for their
determined and gallant defense of Allatoona, and it is made an
example to illustrate the importance of preparing in time, and
meeting the danger when present, boldly, manfully ami well.
"This Army, though unseen to the garrison, was co-operat-
ing by moving toward the road by which the enemy could
alone escape, but unfortunately were delayed by the rain and
mud, but this fact hastened the retreat of the enemy.
"Commanders and garrisons of posts along our railroads
are hereby instructed that they must hold their posts to the
last minute, sure that the time gained is valuable and neces-
sary to their comrades at the front.
" By order of
" Major-General V,'. T. SHERMAN,
" L. M. Dayton,
"Official. A.D. C."
At Allatoona General Corse was again wounded. A musket-
shot struck him in the cheek, and, for a time, rendered him
1G0 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
insensible. Colonel R. Ilowett of the 7th Illinois, as ranking
officer, succeeded him in command; and the fighting continued
as before with great fury. At twelve o'clock M., Sherman
had reached the summit of Kenesaw, and from that point
signaled to the garrison : — " Hold on to Allatoona to the last ;
I will help you." ZSTot long after the enemy retired, having
failed to draw their one million and a half of rations.
For his brilliant defense of Allatoona, General Corse was
made, by brevet, a major-general. Since that time, he has
remained in command of his division. He joined Sherman in
the march from Atlanta to Savannah, and from that city to
Raleigh. They say Sherman calls him, " my pet.' 1 ''
Subsequently to the engagement at Mission Ridge , ( the 6th
Iowa Infantry has been commanded a chief portion of the
time by Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Miller. During the winter
of 18(53-1 the regiment was stationed with its division along
the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, between
Bridgeport and Huntsville; but in the Spring was ordered to
the front and served through the Atlanta campaign. It fought
at Resaca, Dallas, Dig Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, before
Atlanta and at Jonesboro; and lost in killed and wounded, in
the months of May and June, an aggregate of one hundred
and six. Lieutenant Rodney F. Barker, of Company A, was
wounded in the first day's engagement at Dallas. On the28th
of May, the day following, Lieutenant F. F. Baldwin Mas
killed, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Xewby Chase mortally
wounded. The former was killed while saving two guns of
the 1st Iowa Battery from capture, and the latter, shot in the
throat and mortally wounded, while on the skirmish line. A
correspondent of the regiment says: "Better men never
drew swords." Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Miller was severely
wounded in this same engagement at Dallas. Indeed, three of
the four regimental commanders of the 2d Brigade, 4th
JOHN M. COESE. , 161
Division, were struck, two of them being killed— Colonel
Dickerman of the 10.3d Illinois and Major G$sey of the 46th
Ohio. The total loss of the 6th Iowa at Dallas, wa.s seven men
killed, and fifteen wounded.
On the loth of June the regiment joined its division in the
brilliant charge near Big Shanty, and, two days later, took
part in the unsuccessful charge at Kenesaw Mountain. In that
of the 15th instant, Lieutenant J. F. Grimes, acting adjutant,
was killed. At the opening of the campaign, the 6th Iowa
arrived before Dalton, nearly four hundred strong; and by the
middle of July had suffered a loss of fifty per cent. The last
services of the 6th Iowa Infantry were performed in the
marches from Atlanta to Savannah, and thence to Raleigh.
General Corse is a small man. He is not above" five feet
eight inches in bight, and weighs less than one hundred and
twenty-five pounds. He is small in stature, and, to look at him,
a stranger would not think his mind and body much out of pro-
portion. He has more ability than he seems to have. He has
sharp features, a dark complexion, large, dark eyes, and black
hair, which he usually wears long. In his movements, he is
dignified and somewhat consequential, carrying a high head,
and wearing a stern countenance. (I speak of him as I saw
him in the service.) Before he entered the service, his neigh-
bors in Burlington told on him the following story. I do not
suppose it is true, but possibly it illustrates his character.
"When he became a partner with his father in the book business,
the story gees, there had to be a new sign made. The father
suggested that it read, "J. L. Corse & Son ; " while the future
general insisted that it should read, "John M. Corse and
Father."
I omitted to mention in the proper place that, in 1860, the
general was a candidate for the office of Secretory of State.
Perhaps 1 ought to omit it now, for I venture to say, he is not
162 IOWA COLONELS ASD REGIMENTS.
proud of that passage in his history ; he was the candidate <>i;
the old Hickory ticket, with a certain prospect of being
defeated.
In battle I believe General Corse to be as cool a man as ever
met an enemy. His defense of Allatoona shows that. He has
always seemed to act on the principle suggested by General
Jerry Sullivan: "Boys, when you have fought just as Jon-
as you think you possibly can, then fight ten minutes longer,
and you will always whip." General Corse has richly earned
his distinguished reputation, and the State will always be
proud of him.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JACOB G. LAUMAN.
FIRST COLONEL, SEVENTH INFANTRY.
Jacob Gartner Lauman was the fourth volunteer officer
from Iowa, promoted to a brigadier. He was born in Tarry-
town, Maryland, on the 20th day of January, 1813; but
removed with his family, when young, to York, Pennsylva-
nia. In 1814, he came West, and settled in Burlington, Iowa,
where, engaging in mercantile pursuits, he has since made his
home. At the outbreak of the war, he took an active part in
enlisting and mastering our volunteer troops, and, on the 11th
of July, 1861, was commissioned colonel of the 7th Iowa Infan-
try—later, the heroes of Belmont.
While under the command of Colonel Lauman, the 7th Iowa
was stationed and served at the following points: — Jefferson
Barrack?, Pilot Knob, fronton, Cape Girardeau and Jackson,
Missouri; Cairo, Illinois; Fort Holt, Mayfield Creek, Camp
Crittenden and Fort Jefferson, Kentucky; and Norfolk and
Bird's Point, Missouri. The regiment was stationed at the
latter place, on the 6th of November, 1861, when it sailed on
the Belmont expedition, the object of which was, "to prevent
the enemy from sending out re-inforcements to Price's army
in Missouri, and also from cutting off columns that I [Grant]
had been directed to send out from Cairo and Cape Girardeau,
in pursuit of Jeff Thompson."
On this expedition, the battle of Belmont was fought ; and
the conduct of Colonel Lauman in the engagement, together
with that of his regiment, gave him his early popularity as a
military leader. At Belmont, the 7th Iowa greatly distin-
guished itself, and received from General Grant, in his official
163
101 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
report, the following mention : — " Nearly all the missing were
from the Iowa regiment, (the 7th) who behaved with great
gallantry, and suffered more severely than any other of the
troops."
Just when the enemy had been driven from their camp, ami
down the steep bank of the Mississippi, Colonel Lauman, while
giving Captain Parrott instructions with reference to the cap-
tured artillery, was disabled from a musket-shot wound in the
thigh. He was taken back to the transports on one of the guns
of Captain Taylor's Battery, just in advance of his regiment,
and was only in time to escape that terrible enfilading fire that
well nigh annihilated the rear of Grant's forces.
A remarkable incident occurred while the troops were
re-embarking after the battle. It is well vouched for, and wor-
thy of record. The last transport had just cut its hawser, and
was dropping out into the stream, when the enemy suddenly
appeared on the bank with artillery. One piece was hastily
put in battery, and leveled on the crowded decks of the trans-
port. The rebel gunner was just about pulling the lanyard,
when a shell, from one of the Union gun-boats, burst directly
under the carriage of the gun, throwing gun, carriage and all
high in the air. The carriage was demolished, and, while
still in the air, the gun exploded. The rebel gunner and
several others were killed; and the lives of at least a score of
Union soldiers were saved by this remarkable shot.
"It was after the retreat had commenced that Lieutenant-
Colonel Wentz was killed, lie died on the field of battle, like
a true soldier; he was a truly brave man, and did his duty
well and nobly. Lieutenant Lodge of Company B was killed,
and Lieutenant Gardner, who commanded Company I, and
Lieutenant Ream of Company C, mortally wounded. Among
my officers, more or less severely wounded, you will find the
names of Major Lice, Captains Harper, Parrott, Kittredge and
Gardner, and 1st Lieutenant De lieus, (who commanded com-
JACOB G. LAUJIAX. 165
prmy A) of whose bravery I desire to speak in the most
emphatic manner. I desire also to direct your attention to
Captain Crabb, who was taken prisoner, and who behaved in
the bravest manner. But I might go on in this way and name
nearly nil my command, for they all behaved like heroes ; but
there are one or two more I feel it my duty to name as deserv-
ing special mention. Lieutenant Bowler, adjutant of the regi-
ment, and Lieutenant Estle, whose conduct was worthy of all
praise, and private Lawrence A. Gregg, whose thigh was
broken and he left on the field ; he was taken prisoner and his
leg amputated, but he died the same day, telling his captors
with his dying breath, that, if he ever recovered so as to be
able to move, he would shoulder his musket again in his coun-
try's cause."
"My entire loss in killed, wounded, prisoners and missing,
out of an aggregate of somewhat over four hundred, is as
follows: Killed, fifty-one; died of wounds, three; missing,
ten; prisoners, thirty-rune; wounded, one hundred and twenty-
four. Total, two hundred and tweuty-seven."
Having recovered from his w r ound, Colonel Lauman ve-joined
his regiment ; and at the battle of Fort Donelson was placed in
command of a brigade, composed of the 2d, 7th and 14th Iowa,
and the 2-3th Indiana. At Fort Donelson, the gallantry of his
brigade— more especially that of the 2d Iowa— made him a
brigadier-general. From what occurred just before the success-
ful assault was made, it seems that the success of his troops was
unlooked for by Colonel Lauman; for to Colonel Tuttle, who
desired to lead the charge, he said: "Why, sir, you can't go up
there; didn't 1 try it yesterday?" And to the reply of Colonel
Tuttle, that he would, if he lost the last man of his regiment,
he said, "Oh, sir! you'll soon get that, taken out of you."
After the assault of the 2d Iowa at Fort Douelson, Colonel
Lauman believed there was nothing that brave men could not
accomplish.
After being promoted to the rank of a brigadier, General
Lauman was assigned to the command of a brigade in General
Hurlbut's Division, with which lie fought in the left win"' of
166 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Grant's army at Shiloh. Colonel Williams of the 3d Iowa
having been disabled in that engagement, General Lanman
succeeded him in the command of his brigade; which com-
mand he retained until the following October. He marched
with Sherman and Hurlbut from Corinth to Memphis, after
the fall of the former place; and, in the following Fall, when
the enemy began to show activity in the neighborhood of
Corinth, returned with Hurlbut to the vicinity of Bolivar,
Tennessee; near which place he was encamped just before
the battle of Iuka. To mislead the enemy under Price at
Iuka, or, as General Grant expresses it, "to cover our
movement from Corinth, and to attract the attention of the
enemy in another direction, I ordered a movement from
Bolivar to Holly Springs. This was conducted by Brigadier-
General Lauman." On the 5th of October, General Lauman
commanded his brigade in the battle on the Hatchie.
General Hurlbut's march from Bolivar to the Big Muddy,
about two miles west of the Hatchie, has already been given
in the sketch of Colonel Aaron Brown. The battle of the
Hatchie, or Malamora, opened between the Federal and
Confederate artillery, the former stationed on the bluffs, and
the latter in the Hatchie Bottom. After a brief artillery duel,
the 2d Brigade, General Veatch commanding, charged the
enemy's infantry that had crossed the bridge to the west side
of the stream, and routed them. Falling back across the
bridge, they, with the balance of the rebel forces, took up a
position on the opposite bluffs. General Ord, now coming to
the front, determined to attack the enemy in their strong
position, and accordingly ordered General Veatch to push his
brigade across the bridge.
The topography of the battle-ground on the east side of the
Hatehie, is thus well given by Lieutenant Thompson, of the
3d Iowa Infantry:
JACOB G. LAUMAN. 167
" Beyond the river there was about twelve rods of bottom,
and then there arose a very high and steep bluff. Along the
brow of this, the enemy, rallying and reinforced, had formed
new lines of battle, and planted artillery, which, from different
points, enfiladed the road and bridge, and swept the field on
both sides of the stream. Following up the river just above
the bridge, it makes an abrupt elbow, and comes down from
the east, running parallel to the road on the opposite side [of
the bridge]. In this elbow, and on not more than half an acre
of ground, a part of General Veatch's Brigade, according to
the orders of General Ord, would have to deploy."
Crossing the bridge and filing to the left, it was possible to
gain the enemy's right flank ; for on that side of the road the
north point of the bluffs could be passed; and what seems
strange is that, a man of General Ord's ability should not have
discovered this strategical point. The balance of General Lau-
man's Brigade, which was of the reserve forces, was now
ordered across the bridge, and directed to file to the right, into
the inevitable pocket. General Lauman, accompanied by his
orderlies, led the advance. To cross the open field, and then
the bridge, was a most perilous undertaking; for, on the bluffs
on the opposite side, as has already been stated, the enemy's
artillery was so planted as to give them a converging fire on
both the field and bridge. General Lauman reached the oppo-
site side in safety, followed by the other two regiments of his
brigade, one of which was the 3d Iowa Infantry.
The battle was now raging with great fury, the enemy from
their elevated position pouring a deadly, continuous fire on
their helpless victims below, whose returning fire was almost
wholly ineffectual. Confusion must soon have followed ; but
just then General Ord was wounded, and General Hurlbut
assumed command. He at once crossed the bridge, and, in
person, directed a flank movement around the bluffs to the left.
The troops employed were the 46th Illinois, the 68th Ohio, and
the 12th Michigan. The enemy's right flank was soon gained
168 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
and turned, which compelled them to abandon the bluffs ; —
and thus the day was saved from disaster.
This pocket-blunder of General Ord, and the subsequent
indiscretion of General Lauman, have been considered by some
as connected with the latter's ill-fortune at Jackson, Missis-
sippi, in the summer of 1SG3. The story is as follows: — In
the winter of 1862-3, a supper was given in Memphis, where
Generals Ord, Veatch, Lauman and others, were present.
When the wine was passing, and all were merry, the affair on
the Hatchie occurred to General Lauman, and he remarked to
General Ord : — " General, that was a bit of a blunder, in put-
ting us into tha* pocket, wasn't it?" (I may not give the
language, but I give the idea.) General Ord, it is said, made
no reply; but gave his eyes a wicked leer, which, even then,
some thought meant mischief.
Soon after the battle of Matamora, General LTurlbut was
made a major-general, and assigned to the command of the
District of Jackson, Tennessee. General Lauman succeeded
him in the command of his division.
If we except the march of General Grant into Central Mis-
sissippi, in which General Lauman joined with his division,
his military history, for the six months following the battle of
Matamora, is void of great interest. During this time, he had
his head-quarters, first at Bolivar, then at Moscow, and then
at Memphis. When Vicksburg was beleagured, he left 3Iem-
phis to report to General Grant in rear of that city; and, on
the fall of Vicksburg, marched with his division on the, to him,
unfortunate campaign to Jackson. His position before Jack-
son, and what happened on the 12th of July, appear in the
sketch of Colonel Aaron Brown, of the 3d Iowa Infantry.
With reference to a further history of this affair, I shall only
add an extract from the oflicial report of General Sherman.
"On the 12th [July], whilst General Lauman's Division was
JACOB G. LAUMAN. 1G9
moving up into position, dressing to his left on Gpneral Ilovey,
the right of his line came within easy range of the enemy's
field artillery aud musketry, from behind his works, whereby
this division sustained a serious loss, amounting in killed,
wounded and missing to near five hundred men. This was
the only serious loss which befell my command during the
campaign, and resulted from misunderstanding or misin-
terpretation of General Orel's minute instructions, on the part
of General Lauman."
At the time of the occurrence of this misfortune, General
Ord's head-quarters were to the right of the Clinton and Jack-
son road, and near where the left of his command rested.
Near that of General Orel's, was the tent of Surgeon Win. L.
Orr of the 21st Iowa. When the heavy firing opened in front
of General Lauman's command, Ord, in a tone of mudh ^sur-
prise and alarm, called hurriedly to one of his aids: "What
does that mean? what does that mean? Kide out there quickly
and see." General Lauman was at once relieved of his
command, and ordered to report to General Grant at
Vicksburg. Upon his departure he issued the following
order:
"IlKAn-QI'ARTFP.S FcrRTII DIVISION, SIXTEENTH Af.MY Cor.I'S.
"In the Fu:lt>, Near Jacksox, Miss., July 12th. 1So3.
" FELLOW-SOLDIEKS :
Having been relieved from the command of the 4th Division
by Major-General Ord, the command is turned over to Briga-
dier-General Ilovey. To say that I part with my olel comrades
with sorrow and regret, is simply giving expression to my
heart-felt feelings. 1 shall ever remember the toils and hard-
ships we have endured together, and the glory which the Old
Fourth has won on hard-fought fields, and the glory which
clusters around their names like a halo — with pride and satis-
faction.
"And now, in parting with you, I ask a last request, that, in
consideration of your past fame, you do nothing, in word or
deed, to mar it; but that you give to your present or future
commander that prompt obediene;e to orders which has always
170 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
characterized the division, and which has given to it the proud
position which it now enjoys.
"Officers and soldiers, I bid you now an affectionate farewell.
"J. G. Laumax,
Brigadier- General."
But for his ill-fated blunder at Jackson, General Launian
would doubtless ere this have been made a major-general.
Reporting to General Grant, he was sent, I think, to an
Eastern Department, and assigned a command somewhere in
Northern Virginia ; but before his arrival, the command had
been given to another. He was then ordered to report to his
home in Burlington to await further orders from Washington,
which, thus far, he has failed to receive. The general, I am
informed, has made frequent efforts to secure an investigation
of the causes, whereby he was thrown under opprobrium,
but without success. Rumor says that both Grant and Sher-
man have put him off with, u we have no time to convene
courts-martial."
The war is now closing, and he will, probably, go out of the
service, without being restored to a command. Indeed, his
health is broken down, and he is now totally unfit for service.
Like the nuijority of the Iowa general officers, General
Lauman is of only middle size. His person is slender, and his
weight about one hundred and forty pounds. He has a nervous,
excitable temperament, and a mild, intelligent countenance.
As a military leader, he is brave to a fault, but he lacks
judgment. He would accomplish much more by intrepidity,
than by strategy; and, if his intrepidity failed him, he might
lose every thing.
He has been a successful merchant, and stands among the
wealthy men of Burlington. As a citizen, he has always been
held in the highest esteem, ami is noted fur his kind-hearted-
ness and liberality.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL ELLIOTT W. RICE.
SECOND COLONEL, SEVENTH INFANTE Y.
Elliott W. Bice, a younger brother of the late General
Samuel A. Rice, who died in the summer of 1864, of a wound
received at the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, is a native of Pitts-
burg, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 16th of
November, 1835. In 1837, he removed with his father's family
to Belmont county, Ohio, where he made his home till the
year 1855. He was regularly graduated at Franklin College,
Ohio, in 1854; and immediately after entered the Law Uni-
versity at Albany, New York. In 1855, he came West, and
became a law-partner of his late brother at Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Early in the spring of 1861, General Rice enlisted as a
private in the 7th Iowa Infantry ; but was, on the 30th of the
following August, promoted to the majority of the regiment.
He served with his regiment with that rank till after the
battle of Fort Donelson, when he was commissioned colonel,
vicp. Colonel Laumao promoted to brigadier-general. This
promotion was endorsed by the almost unanimous voice of the
officers of his regiment, and was a high compliment to his
military talent and worth. One of the brightest pages in
General Rice's military history was made prior to the date of
his colonel's commission, on the battle-field of Belmont. The
enemy had been forced through the low, timbered bottoms
that skirt the west side of the Mississippi above Columbus;
they had been driven back to their encampment, and
beyond, to the [••inks of the Mississippi below Columbus;
their camp had been burned, and their flag — Harp of Erin
— captured, when word came, "we are flanked." Colonel
171
172 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Lauman had already been wounded and taken to the rear. At
the very moment that orders were received to fall back, the
enemy rallied in front, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wentz fell,
mortally wounded. Under these circumstances, Major Rice
took command of his regiment to conduct the retreat. lie had
already been severely wounded, though he said he was not
hurt. Placing himself at the head of his regiment, which he
had hastily re-formed, (for all just then was confusion) he
dashed through the lines of the enemy that had been inter-
posed between the Federal forces and the landing, disregarding
all calls of " surrender!" In the terrific enfilading fire through
which he passed, his horse was pierced with twenty bullets;
his sword-scabbard was shot in two ; his sword-belt. shot away,
and his clothes riddled; but he saved a remnant of his
regiment, and brought it safely back to the transports. His
gallant conduct in this engagement made him the idol of his
regiment.
The history of the 7th Iowa Infantry, subsequently to the
battle of Fort !>onelson, when Major Rice was promoted to
colonel, is briefly as follows : — For three weeks after the battle,
the regiment rested in rebel barracks, constructed by the enemy
for winter quarter Then, marching back to the Tennessee, it
took the steamer White Cloud at Metal Landing for Pittsburg.
As already staled, the 7th Iowa fought at Shiloh with the lid,
12th, and 1 1th Iowa regiments. It was commanded by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel J. C. Parrott, and lost in the engagement thirty-
four in killed, wounded and missing. Lieutenant John Dillin,
a resident of Iowa City, Mas killed, and no other commissioned
officer of the regiment was struck. After the fall of Corinth,
and the pursuit of the enemy to Boonville, the 7th returned
and established, with its brigade, what was known as Camp
Montgomery. Here the regiment passed the chief portion of
its time till the battles of Iuka and Ccrinth.
ELLIOTT W. RICE. 173
At the battle of Corinth, the 7th Iowa suffered severely, the
list of casualties amounting to one hundred and twenty-three.
In speaking of the conduct of his officers and men in the
engagement. Colonel Rice said :
" I must make special mention of Lieutenant-Colonel Par-
rott, who, with great bravery and coolness, cheered and
encouraged the men to renewed vigor. * * * It is
with pleasure that I make favorable mention of almost all my
officers who were engaged in the two clay's battle. Major
MeMullen did efficient service until he was wounded and dis-
abled, on the evening of the 3d. Captain Conn, although
wounded, remained with his command through both clay's
battle. Captains Hedges and Mahon, left in camp sick, left
their beds and came on the battle-field on Saturday, and did
efficient service. Their companies were well commanded Fri-
day by Lieutenants Li lion and Sergeant. Lieutenant Gale
displayed great gallantry, and was severely wounded in the
battle of the 4th, after which the company was bravely led by
Lieutenant Morrison.
" Captains Irvin and Ileiniger performed their duties nobly.
I must also mention Lieutenants Hope, Loughridge, Irvin,
McCormick, Bennett and Bess. Captain Smith, who was
killed in the last hour of the battle of the 4th, was one of the
mo^l promising young officers of the service. He was brave,
cool and deliberate in battle, and very efficient in all his duty.
Color-Sergeant Aleck Field was wounded in the battle of the
3d: afterwards the colors were borne by William Akers of
Company G, who was also wounded, when they were carried
by George Craig, of Company L\ All of the color-guard, with
the exception of one, were either killed or wounded. Sergeant-
Major Cameron, severely wounded, must not escape favorable
mention for his brave and valuable services on the field.
" While it is a pleasure to report the noble and heroic conduct
of so many of my officers and men, we mourn the loss of the
gallant dead, and sympathize deeply with the unfortunate
wounded. More than one-third of those taken into action are
wounded, or lie dead beneath the battle-field. With this sad
record, we can send to Iowa the gratifying word that her
unfortunate sons fell with faces to the enemy. *
For nearly a year and a half prior to the month of October,
174 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
18G3, the 7th Iowa Infantry remained at and near Corinth,
Mississippi; but, at the above named date, marched with
General Dodge from Corinth to Pulaski. In the winter of
1S63-4, the regiment re-enlisted and came North on veteran
furlough, and, on its return to the field, marched to the front
with the 2d Iowa, via Prospect, Elkton and Huntsville.
In Sherman's celebrated Atlanta campaign, Colonel Eice
commanded his brigade, composed of the 2d and 7th Iowa, the
52d Illinois and GGth Indiana, (the same that he had com-
manded f«>r nearly a year before) and, at the battles of Resaea,
Kay's Ferry, Pome Cross Poads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain,
and Nick-a-jack Creek, distinguished himself. For his gal-
lantry and promptness to duty, he was recommended by
General Sherman for promotion to a brigadier-general, and
was appointed and confirmed to that rank, his commission
dating the 20th of June, 1SG4.
The engagement on Oustanaula Piver is worthy of special
mention. Crossing his brigade in the face of the rebel General
Walker's entire Division, he drove it in disgrace from the
south bank of the stream, and, secured a position which was
generally believed to have necessitated the evacuation of
Resaea.
Of the different regiments in his command, the 7th Iowa
Infantry suffered the most severely in this engagement. The
regiment was moving through heavy timber, when it was
suddenly charged by a whole brigade of rebel infantry. The
charge was gallantly sustained, and a counter-charge made,
which resulted in driving the enemy from the field. The loss
of the regiment here was between sixty and seventy.
The preliminaries to the battle of Dallas are briefly as fol-
lows: Having arrived at King-ton, a small railroad station
about eighty miles south of Chattanooga, the enemy were
found posted across the Etowah Piver, in the Allatoona Moun-
ELLIOTT W. RICE. 175
f
tains. Their position, which was one of great natural strength,
was to be carried by a flank movement; and General MePher-
son, moving south-west, reached and crossed the Etowah
River, and marched directly for Atlanta. The enemy, when
advised of the movement, abandoned their position on the
Allatoona Mountains, and pushed for Dallas, some thirty-five
! miles south of Kingston. Hardee's rebel Corps, leading the
advance, reached Dallas and strongly fortified itself before
McPherson's arrival. What followed is well given by an
officer of General Rice's command:
"At early dawn, on the 28th of May, the Iavo contending
armies were on the qui vive. All looked forward for the deeds
the day might bring forth. Heavy skirmishing was kept up,
which, at times, almost swelled into volleys; and, at short
intervals, stretcher-men, with their precious burdens going to
the rear, attested the accuracy with which the 'Johnny
rebs' handled their long Enfields. At four o'clock 1'. M.,
the threatening storm burst out in all the fury of battle, just
on the extreme right of Logan's Corps, where it sounded like
the wind roaring through a pine forest. The breeze wafted it
dismally toward us. On came the wall of fire, ncaring us at
every instant; until it broke in all its violence on our front.
Here was the rebel right. Their assaulting column reached
along the whole line of Logan's Corps, and over on to Dodge's
front far enough to engage Rice's Brigade, which was posted
in the front line. The rebel forces consisted of Hardee's
Corps — three divisions. Their men were told that we were
one-hundred-day men; and their charge was a desperate one.
In front of Rice's Brigade (two regiments being in line, the
2d Iowa and CGth Indiana) there was a brigade of the enemy,
known as the Kentucky Brigade, consisting of the 2d, 3d, 5th,
Gth, 7th and Oth Kentucky Infantry. They charged in columns
isix lines deep, and, as they neared our works, yelled in that
unearthly style peculiar to themselves. They were met by
men who were equal to the emergency. Not a man left the
works, unless he was wounded. They stood there like a wall
of iron, their comrades from the reserve carrying ammunition
to replenish their exhaus ted supplies. Yet still the rebel hosts
poured up to the works, those behind being cursed by their
l
!
176 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
officers and rushed up so as to prevent those in front frurn fall-
ing back. Thus they continued, hoping against hope, and all
the time being mowed down like grass by the fire of our brave
veterans, and the grape and canister of AVelker's Battery.
Pushing forward till they were almost hand-to-hand, they
continued the deadly struggle for one hour and a half; when,
completly exhausted, they broke and fled, amid the loud
huzzas of our splendid fellows. I never wish to know a
prouder day than that.
" Our brigade that day fought for the first time behind
breast-works. Although they had built miles of them, this
was the first chance to use them. Too much praise can not be
given to Colonel Rice, who was ever where the danger was the
thickest, mounted on his magnificent gray. He looked the
personification of the brave soldier. His example appeared to
inspire the men: they fought as only the best and bravest of
soldiers can fight, and never left the works.
" After the action, T noticed him riding to the different regi-
ments to ascertain, I suppose, the extent of our casualties. He
was every where met with loud and prolonged cheers; but he
modestly attributed it all to them, and kindly thanked them
for their great bravery. Such men as he are not made of the
ordinary stuff. Though young in years, he is already a vete-
ran-hero of nearly a score of battles ; and has, since this cam-
paign, made a reputation for himself and the brigade he so
gallant ly commands, unequalled by any in this army."
No one lias been a warmer admirer of the gallantry of Gen-
eral Rice than myself, whenever it has fallen to his lot to meet
the enemy ; but .-till 1 think it hardly just to say that the repu-
tation of himself or of his brigade was "unequalled by any"
in that magnificent Army of the Tennessee. The general
himself would not claim this; nor would the author, from
whom I have quoted, on sober reflection. He wrote under the
inspiration of recent victory.
General Rice, I believe, most distinguished himself on the
memorable 22d of July before Atlanta. \\\ that engagement,
though assaulted by an entire division of Hardee's Corps, he
held his ground firmly, and inflicted most bitter punishment
ELLIOTT W. RICE. 177
upon the enemy. Besides capturing one hundred prisoners of
war, and six hundred stand of arms, he buried in his front, on
the morning cf the 23d, one hundred and twenty of the ene-
my's dead, which is evidence that his brigade placed nearly
one thousand rebels out of battle.
After General Dodge was wounded before Atlanta, the
division to which General Rice's brigade was attached was
assigned to the loth Army Corps : since that time, the services
of the general and, I may add, of the 7th Iowa, are the same
as those of General Logan's command. Marching first in
pursuit of General Hood back nearly to Dalton, and round
through Snake Creek Gap, they then returned, and, with the
other troops, pushed through to Savannah, and thence north,
through South Carolina and North Carolina to Raleigh.
The operations of the 7th Iowa in rear of Savannah, are thus
given by Lieutenant-Colonel Parrott:
"December 11, moved to the rear, and encamped on Ander-
son's plantation, where we remained in camp until the 21st,
keeping up all the time a lively skirmish on the picket line.
On the night of the 19th, my regiment was ordered to effect a
crossing of the Little Ogechee. The regiment marched to the
vicinity of the river, Company A, being detailed to carry
boards for the purpose of crossing sloughs, and Company B to
carry a boat for the purposeof crossing a detachment to recon-
noitre the opposite bank. Major Mahon, with four picked
men, crossed the river, and from his reconnoissance it Mas
found impossible to cross the regiment on account of swamps
and morasses on the opposite bank. At 12 midnight, the regi-
ment was ordered back to camp.
"December 20th was quiet all day. December 21st, reports
were in circulation, at an early hour, that the enemy had
abandoned his stronghold on the Little Ogechee. The brigade
was ordered to move to the front, and at 2 P. M. entered the
city of Savannah without tiring a gun, the enemy having
made a hasty retreat."
The only time I ever saw General Riee was in the summer
178 IOWA COLOXEL3 AND REGIMENTS.
of 18G2, and not long after he had received his colonel's com-
mission, lie was in company with Captain, now Major,
Mahon, and on a visit to some friends at Camp Clear Springs,
Mississippi. He was dressed in a brand-new uniform, and I
thought him a gallant and handsome looking officer.
He is a man of middle size, and has a fine form. His com-
plexion, and the color of his hair and eyes, are much like
those of his late distinguished brother. He is reputed a more
brilliant man than was his brother, but not so able. His
neighbors say he has one of those minds that learn from
observation, rather than from hard study. "When he entered
the service, he was so young that he had had little opportunity
to gain distinction. He has made a brilliant record in the
army ; and his friends expect that his course in civil life will
be equally brilliant.
MAJOR-GENERAL FREDERICK STEELE.
PIEST COLONEL, EIGHTH INFANTRY.
Frederick Steele is a native of Delhi, Delaware county,
New York, -where he was born in the year 1819. He was the
second regular army officer appointed to a field office from Iowa.
Entering the West Point Military Academy in the year 1S39,
he was regularly graduated in 1S43, and appointed a brevet 2d
lieutenant in the 2d Infantry. He served with General Scott
in the Mexican War, and greatly distinguished himself in the
battles of Contreras and Chapultcpec. He commanded his
company at the capture of the City of Mexico, having been
brevetted 1st lieutenant and captain, on account of gallant con-
duct in the two previous engagements.
On the declaration of peace, he reported, under orders, to
General Riley, in California, and was made his assistant adju-
tant-general, which position he retained for several years. At
the outbreak of the war, he was serving in Missouri, and, with
the 1st Iowa Infantry, fought under General Lyon at the battle
of Wilson's Creek. Captain Steele was commissioned colonel
of the Sth Iowa Infantry, on the 23d of September, 1861; but
his connection with this regiment was brief; for, his good
conduct at Wilson's Creek coming to the ears of the War
Department, he was, on the 29th of January, 1862, made a
brigadier-general. If we except the time he served with Sher-
man around Vicksburg, in the spring and summer of 1863,
and the time he served under General Canby, at Pensacola and
around Mobile, in the spring of 1865, General Steele has, at all
other times, held commands in Missouri and Arkansas. He
was in command at Helena, Arkansas, in December, 1S62, just
179
180 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
before joining the expedition under General Sherman, which
left that point in the latter part of that month for Chickasaw
Bayou. On this expedition he commanded the 4th Division,
13th Army Corp-; and. with two brigades of it, led the attack
against the bluffs, over the long and narrow causeway that
leads to the "Walnut Hills from above the mouth of Chickasaw
Bayou.
Immediately after tins unfortunate affair, General Steele
sailed with his command up the Arkansas River; and on the
night of the 10th of January, 1363, marched to the rear
of Arkansas Post, through the brushy swamps that were
well-nigh impassable for infantry, and quite so for the ambu-
lances and baggage-wagons. It is to the patience, and valor
of General Steele's troops that the country is chiefly
indebted for the capture of these formidable works. We
next find General Steele with Sherman, in command of
his division on the final march against Vicksburg; and,
after the fall of that city, on the second march against
Jackson, in command of the 15th Corps. General Sherman
approached Jackson in three columns, General Steele's com-
mand holding the centre, General Ord's the right, and General
Parke's the left. On this march, " nothing worth recording
occurred till the head of Steele's column was within six hun-
dred yards of the enemy's line, on the Clinton road, when
[July 9th, S A. M»] a six-inch rifle-shot warned us to prepare
for serious wurk." Indeed, if we except the heedless affair of
General Lauman, who commanded a division of General Orel's
Corps, and the reconnaissance of Colonel, now General Corse, in
command of the 6th Iowa and other troops, nothing of special
interest occurred, during the eight day's siege of the city.
On the evacuation of Jack- on by General Johnson, and
after the destruction of the railroads and the rebel governnv :;t
property in and around the city, General Steele returned to
FREDERICK STEELE. 1S1
Vicksburg; and, immediately after was appointed to the
command of the Department and Army of Arkansas. He
arrived at Helena on the 31st of July, 1863.
This was bis first distinct and important command; and, for
the manner in which he managed some matters of detail, he
has been severely criticised. As a fighting-general, he proved
himself all the loyal North could ask. It was the policy he
adopted in governing the people of a subjugated district —
nearly all of them bitter rebels — which lost him much of his
early popularity ; but, without questioning the wisdom of his
plans, it is but just to say that, he was doubtless honest in his
motives. He believed that the speedier way to bring a disaf-
fected people back to a love of the Union was to treat them
with kindness. He was right in principle: he only forgot that
he was dealing with those who were rotten with treason, and
totally destitute of principle.
General Steele left Helena for Little Hock, Arkansas, on the
10th of August, 18G3, with an expeditionary army, numbering,
of all arms, not quite twelve thousand men. On the 10th of
September following, after forcing the enemy back step by
step from Clarendon and across the Arkonsas, he had
compelled Generals Trice and Marmaduke to evacuate
Little Rock; and, on the evening of the same day, he
received the city by formal surrender of the municipal
authorities.
His successes were brilliant and, by General Grant, unlooked
for ; for, on the 12th of September, that general dispatched a
seventeenth corps' division, (General John E. Smith's) from
Vicksburg to reinforce him. News of the fall of Little Rock
reached this division at Helena, and it marched to Chatta-
nooga.
By tiiis brief campaign, General Steele had restored to the
Government nearly the entire State of Arkansas; fur the
182 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMENTS.
enemy now disputed the possession of only a few counties in
the south-western part of the State.
General Steele's next important move, which was made iu
conjunction with a similar one under Major-General N. P.
Banks, was a failure, though history, I believe, will attribute
it to no fault of the general. The object of this grand campaign
was the capture of Shreveport, and the dispersion of the enemy
in the Red River country, and, had General Banks escaped the
serious disasters which overwhelmed his command at Sabine
Cross Boads and Pleasant Hill, the object would doubtless
have been attained.
General Steele left Little Bock on the 23d of March, 1864,
and marching via Benton, Rockport and Arkadelphia, entered
Camden at sun-down on the loth of April. On this march he
met and defeated the enemy under Price, Marmaduke, Shelby,
Cabell and a score or more of others, of the ragged, epauletted
chivalry, at Tcrre Noir Creek, Elkin's Ford, Prairie de Anne
and north-west of Camden. When leaving Little Bock, it
was doubtless General Steele's intention to march directly on
Shreveport; for he crossed tbe Washita at Arkadelphia, and
was directing his line of march nearly mid-way between
Washington and Camden. Why did he enter Camden ? On
the 10th, llth and 12th of April, he engaged the enemy at
Prairie de Anne, and, from prisoners captured there, or from
other sources, learned that the advance of Banks had not only
been checked, but his whole command overwhelmed with
disaster. The enemy, who at this point were in strong force
in Steele's front, soon disappeared; and the general was not
long in discovering that they were marching by a circuitous
route to occupy Camden, and gain his rear. A race followed
between himself and the enemy for Camden, which resulted
in the battle bearing that name. The battle was fought at the
cross-roads, some seven miles west-north-west of the city.
FREDERICK STEELE. 183
Before reaching Camden, General Steele remained incredu-
lous of the reports of General Bank's defeat; but after his
arrival there he was convinced of their truth, and contem-
plated an immediate return to Little Rock. But, a large train
of supplies reaching him in safety, he persuaded himself that
he could maintain his position, and accordingly ordered the
train to return to Pine Bluff for additional supplies. This is
the train which was captured just north of the Moro Bottom;
and this circumstance, some think, saved the balance of his
army.
Having learned of the capture of his train, (and he had just
before lost one sent out on a foraging expedition to Poisoned
Springs) General Steele prepared for a rapid march back to
Little Bock, where he arrived on the 2d of May. To show
that fortune favored him, I give the following: After the cap-
ture of the train above referred to and the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Drake of the 36th Iowa, the rebel General
Fagan was ordered to cross the Saline Biver, and intrench him-
self fronting Jenkin's Ferry, at which point Steele was to
cross his army. For some reason, Fagan failed to comply with
the~e orders, and, in consequence thereof, was relieved of his
command and put in arrest. Had he complied with these
orders, Steele must have surrendered to the rebel forces ; for,
without any enemy in his front, and after having burned the
most of his own train, it was with the utmost difficulty he
effected a crossing.
After General Steele's return to Little Bock, and during the
entire time he was retained in command in Arkansas, he did
little worthy of record. In January, 1865, he was relieved of
his command, ami ordered to report to Major-General Cauby,
at New Orleans. His last services were performed in the
vicinity of Mobile, Tie was given a command, stationed at
Pensaeola, Florida, with which he marched against Mobile.
.
184 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
He took a prominent part in the capture of Fort Blakely ; but
a history of this affair will appear elsewhere.
General Steele is the smallest of the Iowa major-generals,
or the smallest of the major-generals who have, held colonel's
commissions from the State; for he can hardly be called an
Iowa man. He has a light complexion, lively, gray eyes, and
hair, though originally brown, now heavily sprinkled with
gray. He has a slender, wiry form, and a sharp, shrill voice.
Nearly all army officers are occasionally profane: I know of
but few exceptions, and General Steele is not one of them. He
swears with precision, and with great velocity.
The general i.- passionately fond of a fine horse, and, in civil
life, would be called a horse-jockey. It is reported that his
horses have more than once appeared on the old race-course at
Little Rock, where, competing with the steeds of the cavalry
privates of his command, they have always borne off the
stakes. The general, in his flannel shirt, would stand by, a
spectator of the sport, but nothing more.
General Steele is kind-hearted and humane, and easily
approached, even by an humble private. It is this same
kindness of heart, as 1 am informed, that tempered his rule
while in command in Arkansas, and made him popular with
the citizens and camp-followers, and unpopular with many in
his army. In the field, he is really a fine officer; but he lacks
firmness, and is unfit for a military governor. That which
injured him not a little at Little Rock was his lack of judgment
in selecting his staff officers. In this respect he was very
unfortunate.
But he stands high in the confidence of General Grant, which
is no common recommendation. The general is neat and tidy
in his dress, and, when on duty, always appears in full uniform.
COLONEL JAMES LORAINE GEDDE8.
SECOXD COLONEL, EIGHTH INFAKTRY.
James L. Geddes, of the 8th Iowa Infantry, is a Scotchman,
and was born in the city of Edinburgh, on the 19th day of
March, 1827. When ten years of age, he emigrated with his
family to Canada; but, at the age of eighteen, returned to
Scotland, and, in the following Winter, embarked for the East
Indies, where he entered the British Military Academy at
Calcutta. After studying at that Institution for about two
years, he enlisted in the British service, and was a member of
the Royal Horse Artillery. He was connected with the British
service seven years, and, during that time, served under Sir
Hugh Gough, Sir Charles Napier, and Sir Colin Campbell.
Under Gough, he took part in the celebrated Punjaub Cam-
paign, and with Napier fought in the battle of Kyber Pass.
He was also engaged under Sir Colin Campbell in the cam-
paign against the Hill Tribes of the Himalaya. For his
services in India, he was awarded a medal and clasp.
After leaving the British service, he returned to Canada
where, being commissioned by Queen Victoria a colonel of
cavalry, he organized a cavalry regiment; but, as he himself
expressed it, he soou became disgusted, and resigned his com-
mission. He came to Iowa in the Hill of 1857, and purchased
a farm in Benton county, on which he has since lived.
In August, 1SG1, Colonel Geddes enlisted a company in
Benton county, for the 8th Iowa Infantry, and was commis-.
sioned its captain; but, on the organization of his regiment, he
was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and, with that rank,
he entered the field. He was promoted to the colonelcy of
1S-3
186 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
the Sth Iowa, on the 7th of February, 1862, vice Colonel Steele,
who had been appointed a brigadier-general.
The first campaign on which the 8th Iowa Infantry marched
was that of General Fremont, from Jefferson City to Spring-
field. The regiment's first battle was Shiloh. The part it took
in this engagement is the first point of interest in its history.
It was attacbed to the division of General C. F. Smith, which,
in the absence of that general, was commanded by Wallace.
The camp of the regiment was, therefore, in rear of the line
first assailed by the enemy.
Early in the morning of the 6th of April, and soon after the
enemy opened fire on the divisions of Prentiss and Sherman,
Colonel Geddes ordered his regiment under arms and formed
ii in line of battle in front of its camp. In the meantime, the
firing at the front was increasing rapidly, and the colonel, con-
vinced that the enemy were advancing in force, ordered the
baggage to be loaded on the wagons and driven back in the
direction of the Landing. This done, his regiment was ordered
to the front. The other regiments of the brigade, which was
commanded by Colonel Sweeney, of the 52d Illinois, were, on
the arrival of the Sth Iowa, already in position. Forming his
regiment on the left of his brigade, Colonel Geddes remained
in this position for about an hour, in support of a battery in
his front, and during this time suffered from a galling fire of
the enemy's artillery.
lie was now separated from his brigade and ordered to the
left, and still further to the front : and the position which his
regiment now took up was in that line, portions of which were
held so obstinately until about four o'clock in the afternoon.
The Sth Iowa in this position was the connecting link between
the division of General Wallace and that portion of General
Breatiss' which had not stampeded at the first onset of the
JAMES LORAIXE GEDDE3. 187
enemy. On the left of General Prentiss was the division of
Hurlbut, which had just come into position. It was now
nearly eleven o'clock, and every thing promised well for the
Federal cause; for the enemy in their first successes had been
effectually arrested.
Hardly had the 8th Iowa been aligned and drawn a long
breath, when it was assaulted by a battalion of the enemy,
advancing to turn Prentiss' right flank. A most determined
struggle followed of nearly an hour in length. The enemy,
flushed with their first successes, which surprise as well as their
valor had contributed to win, would not yield the contest until
they had left nearly half their number upon the field. The
8th Iowa held its ground steadily, and, like the 14th Iowa on
its right, charged and bore down the enemy whenever they
approached too closely. Finully they retired, after which
there was a respite of nearly an hour.
In the meantime General Prentiss had placed a battery in
position immediately in front of the 8th Iowa, and ordered the
regiment to hold and defend it at all hazards. It was now
about one o'clock in the afternoon, the hour when the fiercest
fighting of the whole day began ; for the enemy had com-
pleted their reconnoissances, and were advancing at nearly
every point along the line. The battery placed by General
Prentiss in front of the Sth Iowa opened upon the advancing
columns of the enemy, under the direction of the general in
person, and so accurately and rapidly was it served that it
soon became to them an object of special attack. " To this end
[I quote from the statement of Colonel Geddes to Governor
Kirkwood] they concentrated and hurled column after column
on my position, charging most gallantly to the very muzzles
of the guns. Here a struggle commenced for the retention
and possession of the battery, of a terrific character, their
188 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
concentrated and well-directed fire decimating my ranks in a
fearful manner. In this desperate struggle, my regiment lost
one hundred men in killed and wounded. The conspicuous
gallantry and coolness of my company commanders, Captains
Cleaveland, Stubhs and Benson on the left; Captains McCor-
miek and Bell in the centre; Captains Kelsey, Geddes and
Lieutenant Muhs, on the right, by reserving the fire of their
respective companies until the proper time for its delivery
with effect, and the determined courage of my men, saved the
battery from capture ; and I had the satisfaction of sending
the guns in safety to the rear."
And thus the conflict raged along the line, but at few points
with as great fury as in front of the Sth and 14th Iowa.
Finally, after the struggle had lasted nearly two hours, the
enemy retired, leaving the troops at this point masters of the
field. But they had not been equally unsuccessful at other
points. They had broken the line on the right, and had forced
back the left and centre of Prentiss' Division and the right of
Hurlbut's. Heavy volleys of musketry were now heard to
the left and rear of the Sth Iowa, where Prentis^ having rallied
his troops, had formed a new line. This line was at nearly
right angles with his former one, and the enemy were promptly
engaging him in this new position. At this time, about half-
past three o'clock, there was no enemy in front of the Sth Iowa,
or on its immediate lefi ; but, to conform with Prentiss' new
line, Colonel Geddes threw back the left of his regiment, and
dressed it on the right of the 58th Illinois, the right regiment
of Prentiss' Division.
The rest is soon told. Prentiss' new line gave way and fled
in terror to the Landing, and the enemy, meeting with no
further opposition, swung round to the rear of the Sth Iowa ;
and thus it was that the regiment was captured. The 5Sth
JAMES LORAIXE GEDDES. 189
Illinois stood nobly to the last, and was captured in like man-
ner. General Prentiss was near these troops, and was also
made prisoner. It has been asserted by many, that, had all
the troops at Shiloh fought with the same determination as
did the 58th Illinois, the 8th Iowa, and the four other Iowa
regiments on its right, the first day's battle would not have
been disastrous to our arms. Some have blamed General
Prentiss for holding his position so long; but, had he aban-
doned it sooner, who can tell the calamities that might have
followed; for, with all the delay he and the Iowa troops on his
right occasioned the enemy, the Federal forces barely escaped
capture, and the day closed with little hope.
Of the conduct of Colonel Geddes and his regiment at Shiloh,
General Prentiss, in his official report, says:
"He acted with distinguished courage, coolness and ability.
His regiment stood unflinchingly up to the work the entire
portion of the clay, during which it acted under my orders."
The loss of the regiment in this engagement was nearly two
hundred. Captain Hogin was shot dead early in the day, and
soon after the regiment took up its position on the right of
General Prentiss' Division. Captain Palmer was at nearly the
same time severely wounded. Later in the day, and at the
time the conflict was going on for the retention of the battery
in his regiment's front, Colonel Geddes was wounded in the
leg. Major Anderson was at the same time severely wounded
in the head. Among those mentioned for special gallantry
was Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson, who, throughout the day,
was reckless in the exposure of his person to the enemy.
The history of that portion of the 8th Iowa Infantry which
escaped capture is to be found in the record of the Union Brig-
ade. This brigade, which was organized immediately after
the battle of Shiloh, and which retained its organization until
the 17th of the following December, acted an honorable part in
190 IOWA COLOTELS AND KEGIMENT3.
the battle of Corinth, in the fall of 1862, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Coulter of the 12th Iowa Infantry.
On the morning of the 18th of December, 1862, the detach-
ments of the 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa regiments, which had
served in the Union Brigade for upward of eight months, left
Corinth, by order of General Dodge, to report at Davenport,
Iowa, for re-organization in their respective commands. This,
it will be remembered, was at the time of Forest's raid through
Tennessee into Kentucky; and, on the arrival of these troops
at Jackson, Tennessee, they were ordered by Colonel Lawler,
Commandant of the Post, to assist in defending the place
against the threatened attack of the enemy, who were reported
to be in strong force, and supported by artillery. But Jackson
was not attacked. The enemy's demonstrations before that
city were oidy intended to divert the Federal forces, while
they in the meantime destroyed the railroad north in the
direction of Columbus; and this work they effectually accom-
plished. Forest now tied the State, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Coulter proceeded with his command to Davenport.
Subsequently to the re-organization of the 8th Iowa Infantry
and up to the spring of 1861, the history of the regiment is
similar to that of the 12th Iowa. It joined General Grant's
army at Milliken's Bend in the spring of 1863, and was
assigned to the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, loth Army Corps,
which it accompanied in all its long and tedious marches
through Mississippi. But when that corps ieft Vicksburg for
Chattanooga, in the fall of 1S63, the 8th Iowa with its division
was left behind. The regiment remained at Yicksburg until
the following Winter, when, having re-enlisted, it was sent
North on veteran furlough. On its return, it was ordered to
Memphis, since which time it has served under Major-General
A.J. Smith.
When Forest made his dash into Memphis, late in August,
JAMES LORAINE GEDDES. 191
1SG4, the Sth Iowa was stationed in the city on garrison-duty,
and took an important part in driving out, and dispersing the
forces of the guerrilla chief. "Sergeants Ostrander, and
privates A. M. Walling, Charles Smith, I. F. Newman and
Perry Clark, watched their opportunity, and fired a volley on
the flank of the enemy, killing the rebel Captain Lundy and
wounding several others." Lieutenant-Colonel "VY. B. Bell
commanded the Sth Iowa in this affair ; and, before the enemy
were dispersed, the regiment suffered severely. Lieutenant
A. S. Irwin was mortally wounded and died soon after.
Lieutenants J. A. Boyer and J. S. Tinkham were also
wounded. Among those mentioned for good conduct, are
Captain Geddes, and Lieutenants Stearns and Campbell.
The Sth Iowa has recently and most signally distinguished
itself, in the operations of General Canby around Mobile.
The arrival of A. J. Smith's Corps at Darky's Mill on Fish
River, and the march to Spanish Fort and its investment will
appear elsewhere. The Sth Iowa Infantry was attached to this
Corps, and its position in front of the fort was to the extreme
right of the Federal line. The brigade to which the regiment
was attached, was commanded by Colonel Geddes, and the
divi-iun by General E. A. Carr.
Of Spanish Fort, which is situated on Blakely River, and
nearly east from Mobile, one who was on the ground writes
thus:
"At Spanish Fort, there were several lines of inferior rifle-
pits for skirmishers, outside the principal works. A formida-
ble ditch added to the strength of the position ; the most
elaborately constructed abattis presented its sharp points to an
enemy; a line of ehevaux de frize intervened between the
ditch and the abattis ; the trees were felled and laced together
for an area of many acres around, and the ground everywhere
was pretty thickly sown with torpedoes. Artillery, of all
kinds and calibres, bristled along the walls, and three thou-
sand men with muskets held the interior of the fort."
192 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Spanish Fort was crescent-shaped in form, its right and left
defenses swinging back to near the river. Just at the northern
extremity of these defenses, a dee]) ravine puts down to the
river, dividing the high bluff along its eastern bank. On the
north-eastern side of this ravine Mas the brigade of Colonel
Geddes in position, and, on the opposite one, the northern
extremity of Spanish Fort. At the mouth of the ravine was
low bottom-land, not long since covered with dense and
heavy timber; but this had all been felled, to enable the rebel
gun-boats to sweep it from the river. This was the point
selected from which to carry Spanish Fort.
In speaking of the charge of the 8th Iowa, which led the
advance, the same correspondent goes on to say :
"For nearly an hour and a half the bombardment continued,
before Colonel Geddes judged it expedient to move; and the
sun was just sinking below the western horizon when the
signal to advance was given. Instantly the men of the 8th
Iowa sprang to their feet, and the company of skirmishers,
followed by the entire regiment, threw themselves among the
fallen and matted timbers in the swanip, and urged their way,
as rapidly as possible, across the mouth of the ravine. A loud
shout from the rest of the division, as if the whole were about
to charge, distracted the attention of the enemy, while the bold
advance of the Bth Iowa seemed to strike him with dismay.
Such of his men as were posted behind the log breast-work,
[that which extended from the bluff down across the low
ground to the river] fired a scattering, hesitating volley, and
ran for their lives. But from the extreme left of the rebel
rifle-pits, a heavy tire was poured upon our boys, until the
foremost of them, mounting the bluff, came full upon the rear
of the enemy.
"It was just here that Lieutenant Vineyard, the gallant
leader of Company G, fell dangerously wounded. Some of his
men halted a moment where he lay. ' Pay no attention to me,'
he said; 'move on;' and they did move on. The frightened
rebels .seeing the boys still clambering over the bluff, and not
knowing What force there might be behind, threw down their
JAMES LORAIXE GEDDE3. 193
arras. Throe hundred were made prisoners on the spot.
Others retreated rapidly toward the centre of the fort, and a
line of battle was now formed by the enemy to check the fur-
ther advance of our troops into the fortress. For more than
three hundred yards, the brave Sth fought its way toward the
enemy's centre; but it was now dark, and, in obedience to
orders which they had received, the victorious Ilawkeyes
halted, and hastily constructed a line of rifle-pits."
At about eleven o'clock at night, it was learned that the
enemy were evacuating, when, nearly an hour later, the whole
Federal line moved against the fort. There was little resist-
ance made; for nearly all the enemy had left. Of all the
prisoners captured, there were less than six hundred; but,
besides large quantities of ammunition, nearly fifty pieces of
artillery fell into our hands. The Sth Iowa Infantry should be
permitted to inscribe on their banner, First at Spanish Fort.
The troops with whit-la the Sth was brigaded were the Slst, the
108th and the 124th Illinois.
Of the scenes inside the fort after its evacuation, the author
from whom I have quoted goes on to say:
"For several hours on Monday morning, I wandered about
over the interior and battlements of the deserted fortress.
Objects and localities of interest abounded. Here was the
point where the Sth Iowa effected its entrance; the swamp
covered with fallen timbers through which it had clambered;
the huge ravine whose mouth it had passed; the bluff up
which it had climbed ; the line of rifle-pits which it had thrown
up after gaining a lodgment. Here lay a huge columbiad, dis-
mounted during the bombardment on the -1th. One of the
heavy iron trunnions was knocked olf, and lay beside the gun.
Down there was the formidable water battery, from which you
could, with ease, see Mobile ami the entire upper part of the
bay, witli all of its rivers and shores and indentations. That
cabin there, was occupied as the quarters of the general com-
manding this fort, Randall F. Gibson. Surely, it could have
been no enviable residence; for the trees all around it were
torn to pieces with shot and shell, and the timbers of several
194 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
similar cabins in the immediate vicinity had been shivered
and splintered by the fiery missiles.
"Other effects of the terrible bombardment to which tin-
fort had been subjected were plainly and painfully visible.
Haversacks and clothing crimsoned with blood were scattered
over the ground. In several places gory streams had run for ;t
considerable distance along the trenches, and the little pools of
it, which even the thirsty sands had not yet drank up, were
standing here and there. At other points the life-blood from
the bosoms of the rebel soldiery along the lines had spurted
upon the walls, dying them even a deeper red from the head-
log to the foot of the rampart. Oh, it was a sickening sight !
Gun-carriages shivered to pieces ; hundreds of iron fragments
of missiles which had burst; solid shot and unexploded shells
that had been flung from grim-mouthed cannon ; great holes
in the earth, dug out in an instant by some ponderous projec-
tile ; immense rents in the earthworks, through which the fiery
bolts had ploughed their way — all these were every where vis-
ible. The bombardment of the evening before must have
indeed possessed every feature calculated to terrify the souls of
those who lay within the fort. "
Colonel Geddes is a small, slender man, weighing about one
hundred and thirty-five pounds. He has thin, sharp features,
fine, brown hair, and large, hazel eyes. He is active and
intelligent, and has much general information. As an officer,
1 am told, he was always held in high esteem by his men. lb-
has most certainly enjoyed the full confidence of his superiors.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL WM. VANDEVER.
FIRST COLONEL, NINTH INFANTRY.
Of General Vandever's early history I have been able to
learn but little. I do not even know his native State. I first
find him at Hock Island, Illinois, where he was employed in a
news-paper office. Iowa was thcu a Territory. From Rock
Island, he removed to Dubuque, and entered the Surveyor-
General's office at that place. Still later, he studied and prac-
ticed law in Dubuque. In 1858, he was nominated for Congress
from the Dubuque District, there being, I am told, no stronger
man of his party, who would accept the nomination, on
account of the almost certain prospect of defeat. But the
general made a good canvass; and, to the surprise of all, was
elected. He was distinguished iu Congress, fur his dignity and
taciturnity: two traits, which would embellish the records of
many, who have worn Congressional honors.
Mr. Vandever was commissioned colonel of the 9th Iowa
[
Infantry, on the 30th of August, 1SG1 ; and in the winter of
1SG2-3 was made a brigadier-general. As a military man, he
has gained less distinction than any other public man who has
entered the service from Iowa.
The 9th Iowa Infantry was enlisted principally from the'
counties of Jackson, Dubuque, Buchanan, Jones, Clayton,
Fayette, Bremer, Blackhawk, Winneshiek, Howard and Linn.
Its first field of service was Missouri, and its first hard-fought
battle, Pea Bidge, Arkansas. At Pea Bidge, the regiment was
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel, now Major-General Her-
ron; for Colonel yaridever was in command of the brigade to
which it was attached. In the march from Bella to Cross
195
196 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Hollows, it had several skirmishes with the enemy, but
suffered, I think, no loss. From Cross Hollows it marched
with its brigade on on expedition to Huntsville, Arkansas, an
account of which is thus given by Colonel Yandever :
"Or the morning of the 4th instant [March 1862] I left Camp
Halleck, at Cross Hollows, in command of an expedition in
the direction of Huntsville. The forces consisted of three hun-
dred and fifty of the 9th Iowa Infantry, one hundred and fifty
from Colonel Phelps' Missouri Regiment, one battalion from
the 30th Illinois Cavalry, one section of the Dubuque Battery,
(light artillery) and one section of Brown's Mountain Howitz-
ers. We prosecuted the march and arrived at Huntsville at
noon of the 5th instant, without incident. A portion of the
enemy's stores was captured at their camp, three miles beyond
Huntsville, and several prisoners taken. From the prisoners
I obtained information that the enemy was marching in force
toward our lines, for the purpose of attack, which information
I immediately transmitted to head-quarters, and then prepared
to retrace my steps. 1 moved out of Huntsville, and camped
three miles distant. At two o'clock in the morning, I received
your [General Curtis] orders to return and join the main body
at Su^ur Creek. At three o'clock A. M., I resumed my line of
march, and, at dusk the same evening, arrived in camp, having
accomplished a forced march of forty miles in a single day. "
The next day, the seventh, the severe fighting at Pea Ridge
opened ; and early in the morning Colonel Vandever marched
his brigade out in the direction of Elkhorn Tavern. His
command fought that entire day, on the left of the brigade of
Colonel Dodge, which, it will be remembered, held the
extreme right of General Curtis' army. It is stated elsewhere
that the division of Colonel Carr, to which both Dodge and
Vandever were attached, did the severest fighting at Pea
Ridge. In speaking of the conduct of his own regiment in
this engagement, Colonel Vandever says:
" Major Coyl of the 9th Iowa acted with distinguished valor,
until disabled by a severe wound, and compelled, reluctantly,
to leave the field. Adjutant William Scott also deserves great
WILLIAM VANDEVER. 197
praise. Lieutenant Asher Riley, of Company A, my acting
assistant adjutant-general, deserves particular mention. Upon
the fall of Captain Drips and Lieutenant Kelsey, both distin-
guished for their bravery, Lieutenant Riley gallantly took
command, and remained with the company throughout the
action. Captain Carpenter and Lieutenant Jones, of Company
B, also acted with great bravery, leading their company in the
face of the enemy, and bringing off one of our disabled pieces
and a caisson.
" Captain Towner and Lieutenant Neff, of Company F, were
conspicuous for their bravery. Both of these officers were
severely wounded, when the command devolved upon Lieut-
enant Tisdale, who gallantly led the company through the
remainder of the action. Captain Bull and Lieutenant Rice of
Company C also deserve particular mention, the latter of
whom was killed near the close of the day, while the former
was severely wounded. Captain Bevins of Company E, was
killed upon the field, and the command devolved upon Lieut-
enant Baker. He acquitted himself with great credit. Cap-
tain Washburn and Lieutenants Beebe and Leverich of
Company G, Lieutenants Crane and MeGee of Company D,
Captain Moore and Lieutenant McKenzie of Company II,
Captain Carsakaddon and Lieutenant Claflin of Company K,
and Lieutenant Fellows, commanding Company I, also Lieut-
enant Inman, were all conspicuous for bravery, under the
hottest tire of the enemy. Many instances of special gallantry
occurred among non-commissioned officers and privates. All
did their duty well. I should also mention Sergeant -Major
Foster of the 9th Iowa, and other members of the non-
commissioned staff, who did their duty nobly."
After nearly a month's rest in the vicinity of the battle-
ground, Colonel Vandever joined in the march of General
Curtis across the Ozark Mountains to Batesville. While at
Batesville, General Steele joined Curtis with a division from
Pilot Knob ; but here, also, the general lost the commands of
Davis and Asboth, which were summoned by Halleck to
Corinth. Early in June, the Army of the South West was
re-orgnnized into three divisions, commanded by Steele, Carr
19S IOWA COLONELS AXD REGIMENTS.
and Osterhaiis. Colonel Vandever remained in Carr's Divi-
siou, and retained the command of his brigade. The hardships
of Curtis' march from Batesville to Helena, which was made
in mid-summer, have already been enumerated; but not the
different points at which the enemy were met: they were
Searcy Landing, Sillamore, Waddell's Farm, Jeffries' Mills,
Cashe River Bridge, Stuart's Plantation, Pickett's Farm,
Grand Glaize and Pound Hill. The last was of the most
importance: less than six hundred defeated two thousand
Texan Rangers, inflicting on them a loss of more than two
hundred.
Colonel Vandever remained at Helena for several mouths,
when, being appointed a brigadier-general, he was ordered to
report to General Curtis at St. Louis, and given a command in
Central Missouri. In the early part of April, 1SG3, he com-
manded the cavalry force, which, leaving Lake Spring's, Mis-
souri, marched against Marmadukc, and drove him from the
State. It was this command that, at mid-night of the 2Gth of
April, charged the enemy's camp on the Dallas road, near
Jackson, routing the enemy, and afterwards pursuing them to
St. Francis River.
General Vandever accompanied General Herron to Vicks-
burg, in command of one of his brigades; and, after the fall of
the city, sailed with him up the Yazoo River to Yazoo City.
For Ins services on this expedition, he was thus complimented
by General Herron :
" I desire to return my thanks to Brigadier-Generals Vande-
ver and Orme, my brigade commanders, for their unceasing
efforts to carry out all my plans, and aid in the success of the
expedition."
Since that time, and up to the spring of ISG-i, General Van-
dever served in the Department of the Gulf, but during the
march on Atlanta he was ordered to report to General Sherman
WILLIAM VAXDEVER. 199
by whom he was assigned a district command with head-quar-
ters at Rome, Georgia. lie retained this command till after
the fall of Atlanta, when he was ordered to Louisville, and
assigned to duty on a court-martial. After the fall of Savan-
nah he reported to General Sherman at that city, and was
assigned to the command of a brigade in the 11th Corps which
he commanded till the arrival of tbc Army of the Tennessee
at Washington, when he was assigned to the command of the
2d Division of said corps. This command he accompanied to
Louisville.
During the march from Fayetteville, North Carolina, to
Goldsboro, General Vandever distinguished himself. The his-
tory of the march is as follows:
Crossing Cape Fear River, opposite Fayetteville, on the loth
of March, General Sherman "ordered Kilpatrick to move up
the plank road to and beyond Averysboro. lie was to be
followed by four divisions of the left wing, [the 14th and 20th
Corps] with as few wagons as possible; the rest of the train,
under escort of the two remaining divisions of that wing, to
take a shorter and more direct road to Goldsboro. In like
manner, General Howard [commanding 15th and 17th Corps]
was ordered to send his trains, under good escort, well to
the right toward Faison's Depot and Goldsboro, and to hold
four divisions light, ready to go to the aid of the left wing,
if attacked while in motion. The weather continued very bad,
and the roads had become a mere quag-mire. Almost every
foot of it had to be corduroyed to admit the passage of wheels."
Prosecuting this line of march, the left wing fought the bat-
tle of Averysboro, and then turned east in the direction of
Goldsboro; for Hardee had fled, "in a miserable, stormy night,
over the worst of roads," in the direction of Smithfield. The
feint on Raleigh did not deceive Johnson, and Sherman, con-
trary to his expectations, had to fight the old rebel before
200 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
reaching Goldsboro. While the left wing was on the march
through the marshy, timbered bottoms that lie near Benton-
ville, Johnson, hurrying down from Smithfield, threw himself
on the front and left flank of Jefferson C. Davis' Corps, which
was in the advance. Disaster threatened to overwhelm the
leading division, and indeed the whole left wing, and Sherman
became anxious; but the great courage and endurance of the
troops held the enemy at bay till the right wing was brought
up. Then, with their left flank and rear threatened, the
the enemy retired, and Sherman entered Goldsboro. In this
engagement General Vaudever distinguished himself.
Mr. J. Thompson, a member of the 1st Iowa Cavalry, who
served for several months under General Vandever, writes
thus of him:
"General Vandever is a man of medium hight, dark hair
and wiry constitution. There is nothing remarkable in his
features or organization, to impress one with the belief that
there is any true greatness about him, either as a man or a
general. He lacks both the will and the energy, but more, the
ability of a successful leader. The history of his military lite
is a history of the man — tame and unromantic, exhibiting
nothing striking or remarkable — never sinking below, nor yet
rising above his chosen level. Such he is as a general, and
such would be your opinion of him were you to see him."
From what 1 have been able to learn of General Vandever, I
am persuaded Mr. Thompson does him hardly justice. Though
in no respect brilliant, yet he is a man of good judgment and
of great perseverance, lie is not of a social, communicative
nature. He minds his own business, and this, I believe, has
been to his disadvantage in the army ; for rapid promotion has
depended not less upon hard bcyying, than upon hard working,
especially if the officer in question holds a subordinate posi-
tion. Can one in any other way account for so many worthless
field and general officers?
MAJOR-GENERAL FRANCIS J. HEREON.
LIEUTEXANT-COLOXEE, NINTH INFANTRY.
Francis J. Hebron is Iowa's youngest major-general, and
the second one of that rank appointed from the State. His
ancestry are ancient and honorable, and, on the paternal side,
are familiarly known as "Herron's Branch," who, settling in
Eastern Pennsylvania in the early history of that State, were
ever classed among her most intelligent and well-to-do yeo-
manry. On the maternal side of the house, he is descended
from one of the oldest families of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
who settled in that city when it was a mere village, and who
have maintained an honorable position in the community to
the present day. The general's uncle, the late James Ander-
son, ranked with the most benevolent and wealthy citizens of
Pittsburg.
The subject of our sketch is a son of the late Colonel John
Herron, and a native of Pittsburg, where he was born on the
17th day of February, 1837. Tie was educated at the Western
University, in Pittsburg, which was then, and is still, under
the superintendence of Professor J. M. Smith, a brother-in-law
of the general. Leaving this University at sixteen, he was
soon after appointed to a clerkship in a Pittsburg banking-
house, and, in 1S54, became a partner in the banking firm of
" Herron & Brothers." In 1855, he removed to Iowa, and, in
connection with one of his brothers, opened a banking-house
in the city of Dubuque. Dubuque is his present home.
General Herron began his brilliant military career as cap-
tain of Company 1, 1st Iowa Infantry. He served with his
regiment in Missouri till the expiration of its term of service,
201
202 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
and with it took part in the memorable battle of Wilson's
Creek. Returning home in the latter part of August, he was,
on the tenth of the following September, commissioned lieut-
enant-colonel of the 9th Iowa Infantry. For gallantry at the
battle of Pea Ridge, (March 6th, 7th and 8th, 1862, where he
was wounded and taken prisoner) he was made a brigadier-
general, and, for his courage and superior military skill at the
battle of Prairie Grove, December 7th, 18G2, was promoted to
his present rank. The battle of Prairie Grove is one of the
most brilliant of the war — perhaps the most brilliant, when we
consider the disparity in numbers of the forces engaged; and
it was by no means barren in results; for a well-organized and
confident army was overwhelmed in defeat, from the effects of
which it never recovered.
In the organization of the Army of the Frontier, under
General Schofield, of date the loth of October, 1862, General
llerron was put in command of the 3d Division. The 1st and
2d Divisions were commanded by Generals Blunt and Totten
respectively. For three weeks previous to the 1st of December,
1SG2 and longer, the Army of the Frontier had been watching
the enemy, who hud below, and in the vicinity of the old Pea
Ridge battle-fieM, a large and well-organized army, under
command of the rebel Major-Gcneral Thomas C. Ilindman.
On the first of December, General Blunt, who had been hold-
ing his division on Prairie Creek, near Bentonvillej moved
against a detachment of the enemy, and, driving it from Cane
Hill, held the position. This was no sooner done, however,
than the enemy threatened him in heavy force, and compelled
him to send to General Schofield for reinforcements. General
Blunt's messenger, arriving at head-quarters near "Wilson's
Creek on the evening of the 3d of December, found General
Schofield absent, and General llerron in command. "General
Blunt must have reinforcements or lose his entire command:"
FRANCIS J. HERRON. Zltt
and there was no other alternative; but General Herron,
under instructions, could afford no relief. The expedient
which he adopted was worthy of him, and will redound to his
infinite credit. Dispatching a messenger to General Sehofield,
but without awaiting or expecting a reply, he broke camp and
marched to the rescue.
At day-light on Sunday morning, the seventh of December,
his command passed through Fayetteville, Arkansas, and
halted for breakfast one mile beyond; but before the meal was
completed, members of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry, which com-
posed a portion of the advance-guard, came hurrying back
with word that llindman's cavalry was upon them. The
merest incident often controls momentous issues, and so it
happened here. Major Hubbard, a gallant, positive fellow,
and an officer of General Herron's staff, being in command of
the advance-guard, was captured and taken before the rebel
general. "Plow much of a force has General Herron?"
demanded Hindman. "Enough," replied the major, "to
annihilate you;" and this answer, with Uerron's determined
fighting and superior generalship, saved to our arms the battle
of Prairie Grove; for Hindman, with his twenty thousand,
dared not move out against the handful of men in his front,
(net four thousand all told) for fear of being annihilated by an
overwhelming reserve, marshaled, in his imagination, in the
heavy timber to our rear. Is or did he learn his mistake till
late in the afternoon, and just before the guns of General Blunt
began thundering on his left and rear.
Having completed their hasty meal, Herron's troops resumed
the march and pushed vigorously on, till arriving at Illinois
Creek, about ten miles distant from Fayetteville. There the
enemy were met in force. They were on the south-west Bide
of the creek, and strongly posted on the high ground, which,
on either side, looks down into the valley through which the
204 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
road to Cane Hill passes. The situation was no sooner learned
than .Herron had formed his decision. He must bluff his
adversary, or lose his command; and this was the plan on
which the engagement was fought, which, to General Hind-
man, was a confirmation of Major Hubbard's report. General
Herron first endeavored to push Battery E, 4th Missouri Light
Artillery, and the 9th Illinois Infantry across the ford in his
front; but that was so accurately covered with the guns of the
enemy as to make it impossible. The detachment was driven
back in some confusion. Next, he ordered Colonel Houston to
cut a road through the timber to the right, and, having gained
the opposite side with Captain Murphy's Battery, to open on
the enemy and divert their attention, while he, with s the bal-
ance of his command, pushed across the ford and gained a
position in front of the enemy. The movement was successful.
A further account of this battle will be found in the sketch of
Colonel W. McE. Dye, of the 20th Iowa. I will only add here,
that Hindxnan was defeated, and Herron made a major-gen-
eral.
It will be interesting to know the names of the troops who
earned General Herron this promotion. They were the 9th,
37th, and 94th Illinois, the 19th and 20th Iowa, the 26th Indi-
ana, and the 20th Wisconsin Infantry regiments, together
with four Missouri batteries, commanded by Captains Murphy,
Faust and Baikof, and Lieutenant Borries. The 6th, 7th, and
8th Missouri Cavalry, the 1st Iowa and 10th Illinois, and
the 1st Battalion of the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, were all sent
forward to General Blunt from Elkhom, and remained with
his command till the close of the engagement.
General Herron remained with his command, operating in
Missouri and Arkansas, till late in the following May, when
he was summoned toVicksburg to take part in the reduction
of that place. Immediately after the fall of the city, he made
FRANCIS J. IIERRON. 20o
his expedition up the Yazoo Paver, after -which, he embarked
his command on transports, and sailed for Port Hudson and
thence for Carrollton, Louisiana ; where he arrived on the loth
of August. Subsequently to that date, the general has served
principally in the Gulf Department; but the operations in
which ho took part will appear in the sketches of other officers.
General Herron's Division was attached to Orel's Corps. By
that general he was held in the highest esteem, as is shown by
General Order Number 39, dated, " Head-quarters 13th Army
Corps, Carrollton, Louisiana, September, 2.3th, 1S63."
During the winter of 18C3-4 and for some time after, General
Herron, while serving in Texas, made his head-quarters at
Brownsville. It will be remembered that it was during this
time the forces of M. Ruiz, Governor of Tamaulipas, and those
of Colonel Cortinas, came in collision in Matamoras. L.
Pierce, U. S. Consul stationed in that city, became alarmed,
and sent to General Herron for protection. Colonel Bertram
of the 20th Wisconsin was at once sent across the river with a
portion of his regiment, with which he conducted the Consul
and his property and papers within the Federal lines. Had I
the space, a further history of this affair would be interesting.
General Herron's ventilation of the Department of Arkan-
sas has more recently made his name quite distinguished.
This was a most thankless mission, and he was charged by
some with being partial; but that is not strange. Indeed, we
are not to suppose the exposer would be more popular with the
guilty parties than the expose. The result of his investigations
was published in nearly all the leading papers of the country,
and convinced all honest men that, the Department of
Arkansas had been the theatre of most outrageous abuses.
General Herron has a neat, well-formed person, and dresses
with much taste. In appearance he is intelligent, and in
manners agreeable. He has, I am told, some vanity. His
206 IOWA COLONELS AXD REGIMENTS.
marked traits of character are three. He is always calm and
composed, no matter how great the danger, or how wild the
excitement. At Prairie Grove he led the advance over the
ford of Illinois Creek, and, under the rapid and accurate fire of
the enemy, was in imminent peril; but he was perfectly calm,
and apparently insensible of danger.
Another marked trait of his character is his taciturnity; and
yet, if he talks but little, there is nothing about him
sullen or morose. His voice, which is clear and kind, has a
sort of charm about it that evidences a warm heart and gene-
rous nature. He was always popular with the soldiers of his
command.
His third and most distinguishing trait — that which more
than all others has contributed to make him what he is — is a
self-reliant spirit. This, from his early youth, was always
noticeable, and was the cause of his leaving the Western Uni-
versity before mastering the full course of study. It was a
matter of no consequence to him that his father and his friends
were opposed to this course. He bdlevcd he knew enough to
make his way in the world, and, because he thought so, all
remonstranres were unavailing.
Frank J. Herron was promoted to the rank of brigadier-
general from that of lieutenant-colonel. He is the only officer
from the State who has been thus complimented by the War
Department,
COLONEL DAVID CARSAKADDON.
SECOND COLONEL, NINTH INFANTRY.
Of Colonel Cabsakaddon I have been able to learn still less
than of General Vandever. He is a native of Pennsylvania,
which is all that I know of his earlier history. He settled in
Iowa after the year 1850, and at the time of entering the army
was the proprietor of a livery-stable. He recruited Company
K, 9th Iowa Infantry, in the summer of 1861, and was mus-
tered its captain the 21th of September following. On the
promotion of Colonel Vandever to a general officer, lie was
made colonel of his regiment.
The history of the 0th Iowa, while under the command of
Colonel Carsakacldon, need not be given in detail, for it is
essentially the same as are tho-^e of the 4th, 25th, 26th, 30th
and 31st Iowa regiments. Its loss during the Vicksburg Cam-
paign was about one hundred and forty. In the charge of the
22d of May, 18G3, it was in the front, and suffered severely.
Among the killed in this charge were Captain P. M. Kelsey of
Company A, and Lieutenants Jacob Jones and Edward Tyrrell.
Captain T. S. Washburn and Lieutenant E. C. Little were both
wounded. The former commanded the regiment in the charge.
He was a gallant officer, and died of his wounds soon after
reaching his home in Iowa. Lieutenant John Sutherland of
Company D, was also wounded in the charge of the 22d, and
Sergeant, afterwards Major, lnman.
The following incident is deserving of mention: Sergeant
J. M. Elson, the color-bearer, was shot through both thighs,
while endeavoring to scale the outer slope of the enemy's
defenses. The flag fell forward on the enemy's works, where
207
SOS IOWA COLOXELS AXD REGIMENTS.
it lay till it was siezed by Lieutenant and Adjutant George
Granger. Tearing it from the staff, lie put it in his bosom and
brought it from the field. While on the march from Memphis
to Chattanooga, the regiment lost three men in the affair at
Cherokee Station. Its loss on Lookout Mountain was one man
wounded, and at Mission Ridge, seven. In the affair at Ring-
gold it lost three men killed, and eleven wounded.
Daring the winter of 1SG3-4, the 9th Iowa was stationed near
Woodville, Alabama, and, in the following spring, marched
with its brigade and division to the front. It participated in
the entire Atlanta Campaign, but most distinguished itself on
the 22d of July, 18G4, before the city. An account of general
movements on these two memorable days may be given with
interest. We begin with the 21st instant; for the advance to
and beyond Decatur has been already given.
The 21st day of July closed with the enemy in their line of
works, just beyond Decatur, and from which Sherman had
tried unsuccessfully to force them : it closed with a vigorous
fire of mu-ketry along the whole line, and with the prospect
that the enemy would not abandon their position till forced to
do so. The night following was a magnificent one: the firing
ceased late in the evening, and, not lung after, the moon rose
in all its splendor, lighting up dimly the scene of the recent
conflict. Before mid-night, every thing was quiet, with the
exception of an incessant rattling of wagon-trains and artil-
lery, away off to the left and front. The sentinels said to each
other, that Hood was evacuating Atlanta; and they were
happy in the thought that they were to possess the Gate City
without further blood-shed; hut they were doomed to wretched
disappointment.
When morning broke, no enemy were in view. They had
abandoned their long line of work-- extending from the right
DAVID CARS AH AD DUX. 209
of General Thomas to near the left of General MePherson ; and
where, on the 21st instant, they had brought General Sherman
at bay. An advance was, of course, at once ordered. The line
of march of the Army of the Tennessee was nearly due west,
and along and parallel with the Decatur road. Before the
advance was made, the 16th Corps held the right, and joined
the 2:3d ; the loth Corps the centre ; and the 17th the left. After
the movement was made, and the Army of the Tennessee dis-
posed in line, the loth Corps covered the Atlanta and Decatur
Railroad, leaving the 17th Corps still at its left, and south-east
of Atlanta. But the lines were shortened so as to crowd the
16th Corps out ; and at the time the enemy made their assault,
it was in reserve, in rear of the 15th and 17th Corps. This, as
subsequent events proved, was most fortunate.
The enemy had not fled. They were soon discovered in a
new and strong line of works, not more than a mile and a half
back from those they had just abandoned, Sherman moved
up and took position, shortly before twelve o'clock, at noon.
Di this maneuver of his forces, the rebel Hood showed strat-
egy. He could count on Sherman's advance in the morning,
and, having massed a heavy force on bis left, he would strike
him, just after the advance was begun. There were two obsta-
cles to his success — the tardiness of his troops in coming into
position, and the courage and endurance of the 17th Corps.
But the 9th Iowa was attached to the loth Corps, and was not
less than four miles north of the Federal left, when the Iowa
Brigade, commanded by Colonel Hall, received the first attack
of the enemy.
As soon as the firing commenced on the left, "Wood's Divis-
ion, to which the 9th belonged, was put under arms, and rested
in line. On the left of Wood's Division was Morgan L.
Smith's. Separating these two commands was a deep and
210 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
difficult ravine, along the bottom of which ran a small stream.
The sides of the ravine were covered with brush and fallen
timber; and the banks of the stream, with thick bramble. In
front of Smith's right, and near the ravine, was a bald knob,
on which the enemy had erected a crescent-shaped work, (now
vacant) to cover the approaches from the east. West of this
work and in the direction of Atlanta, the ground was descend-
ing, and heavily timbered. In front of "Wood's right was the
Howard House, where Sherman was making his head-quarters,
and where the body of the gallant and lamented McPherson
was brought, soon after he was killed. I should further state
that, the position of Wood's and Smith's commands was along
the line of works the enemy had abandoned the, previous
night : portions of these had already been reversed.
The attack of the enemy broke with great fury on the left.
The deep and prolonged roar of musketry, broken, occasion-
ally, by the booming of artillery, seemed constantly approach-
ing and increasing. Soon there were other evidences of the
enemy's success. Aids, with despair in their faces, hurried
to and from Sherman's head-cmarters ; and the general
himself grew anxious and nervous. General officers were
sent for, or reported without orders; and among them
were Thomas, Howard, and Logan. General McPherson had
already been killed in rear of the 17th Corps, and news of the
calamity brought to Sherman. The ambulance bearing his
dead body was then approaching the Howard House.
All this had been witnessed by the right wing of Wood's
Division, when its attention was suddenly drawn in the oppo-
site direction. Morgan L. Smith was being attacked by the
enemy, and not only the smoke of the battle could be seen,
but the shouts of the combatants distinctly heard. Smith's
command stood firmly for only a few moments, and then broke
in confusion, the enemy occupying their works. But these
DAVID CAttSAKADDON. 211
successes were only temporary ; and yet, at that instant, with
its left wing forced back and its centre broken, it looked as
though the Array of the Tennessee was overwhelmed with
disaster. In this gallant charge, the enemy captured several
prisoners, besides Be Grass' Battery of twenty-pounder Tar-
rots. This affair took place in plain view of Sherman's head-
quarters; and, if I am rightly informed, the general was
himself a witness to it. Wood threw back the left wing of his
division promptly, so as to confront the advancing enemy.
Colonel, now General, J. A. Williamson commanded the
right brigade, the extreme right of which was the pivot on
which the line turned. Sherman was still present and, after
the new line was formed, said, "that battery must be re-cap-
tured." Wood accordingly selected the 2d Brigade, only three
regiments of which were present — the 4th, 9th and 25th Iowa:
the 31st Iowa was detached, and at lioswell, doing guard- and
picket-duty. Between Colonel Williamson and the euemy
was the ravine of which I have spoken; for the enemy held
the works just before occupied by Smith. With the 4th on the
right, the 9th on the left, and the 25th in reserve, Colonel
William.-on entered the ravine, and, after having with much
difficulty worked his way to the opposite slope, .-hot out on the
enemy's flauk with such impetuosity as to give them Little
time for resistance. The Uh and 9th Iowa re-captured Dc
Grass'' Battery^ a?ul turned it again on the foe, A portion of
the ICth Corps now came up, and claimed a share of the honor;
but it was awarded by both Generals Sherman and Wood to
the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, loth Army Corps.
For the part taken by these troops, during the balance of
this engagement, I refer to the report of Colonel Williamson:
"leaving the pth Iowa in the works, I sent the 4th to the
right, to occupy a rebel battery which commanded the head of
a ravine, leading to our line in the only place where there was
212 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
not a breast- work. The regiment had not more than formed
when it was assaulted by a brigade of rebel infantry, under
command of Colonel Backer, and a very stubborn fight ensued;
but the regiment held its position, and finally repulsed the
assaults, inflicting great loss on the rebels in killed, wounded,
and prisoners.
"The 37th Alabama (rebel) was, according to the statements
made by prisoners, nearly annihilated in this engagement.
After the last assault made by the rebels was repulsed, the
command went to work changing the rebel works and con-
structing new ones, completing them against day-light. I now
received orders to move to the left of the lGth Corps, some two
or three miles to the left of our position."
In the movement of the 27th instant from the east to the
west side of Atlanta, the 9th Iowa with its brigade was given
the post of honor: it covered the rear of its division, in the
line of march. Marching all that day and until about ten
o'clock at night, it rested on its arms till day-light of the
28th, and then, in line of battle, moved forward to its new
position in line. The loss of the 9th Iowa and its brigade
in this day's fighting was slight, the enemy making their
desperate assaults on the forces to its right. Among the
wounded was Colonel Carsakaddon. He was struck by a
musket-shot in the forehead, receiving a wound very simi-
lar to that received by General Dodge a few days after.
Only a portion of Colonel Williamson's Brigade was engaged
in the battle of the 28th. This brigade was relieved on the
3d instant, and placed in reserve, the 9th Iowa being sent to
picket the extreme right. On the 13th of August, having
re-joined its brigade, the regiment took part in assaulting the
enemy's skirmish line, which resulted in capturing the entire
force in the pits.
In the march to Jonosboro, which closed the memorable
campaign, the 9th Iowa took part. It reached the Montgom-
ery Railroad in the forenoon of the 28th of August, where it
DAVID CAESAKADDOX. 213
remained with its brigade one day, destroying the road, and
then marched to within one mile north of Jonesboro. While
lying before Jonesboro on the 31st instant, the enemy made a
desperate assault on the 1st Division; and the part which a
portion of the 9th took in repelling this assault is thus given
by the brigade commander:
"During the assault, four companies of the 9th Iowa, under
Captain McSweeny, went forward and took a position in an
interval between the right of the 4th Division and the left of
the 3d Brigade, where there were no intrenchments, and, while
the battle continued, succeeded in throwing up temporary
works, which enabled them to hold the position."
The loss of the 2d Brigade in the Atlanta Campaign (and the
4th and 9th Iowa suffered the most severely) was two hundred
and eighty.
An account of the march from Atlanta to Savannah, and
thence, through the swamps of South Carolina to Goldsboro
and Raleigh, will be found in the sketch of Colonel William
Smyth, 31st Iowa. After the fall of Atlanta, the 30th Iowa
was attached to the loth Corps' Iowa Brigade, and the brigade
itself changed from the 2d to the 3d. On the march from
Savannah to Goldsboro, the brigade was commanded by Colo-
mi George A. Stone of the 2-'>th Iowa, and met the enemy at
three different points on the line of march. Of the part taken
by the 4th and 9th Iowa on the Little Congaree Creek, near
Columbia, South Carolina, Colonel Stone says:
"1 was ordered to form in two lines of battle, two regiments
front, and the other regiment (the 4th Iowa) to cover the front
as skirmishers, and to move forward to effect a crossing of the
Little Congaree Creek, if possible. Immediately in front of the
4th Iowa was a swamp about waist-deep, and some three hun-
dred yards wide. The regiment did not falter at this obstacle,
but gallantly plunged in, led by its commanding officer, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Nichols. We were now about five hundred
yards above the position held by the rebels on Little Congaree
Creek; but a branch of that same stream intervened between
214 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
us and the creek itself. It was discovered our position flanked
an out-post of the enemy on the same side, of the stream we
were on, and three companies of the 4th Iowa and four compa-
nies of the 9th Iowa were ordered to attack this out-post.
Major Anderson of the 4th Iowa commanded the skirmishers
making the attack, and Captain Bowman of the 9th com-
manded the reserve. The attack was made with great vigor,
and was entirely successful. The enemy could not withstand
the impetuosity of the skirmishers, and broke, after a few
minutes' fighting, to the opposite side of the creek. I now
ordered my command forward to the branch of the Little Con-
ga roe, separating us from the main creek, and with the 4th
Iowa went about three-fourths of a mile up the creek, to a
point beyond the enemy's right flank, and in their rear. Here
I ordered the 4th Iowa to cros> on a log as quickly as possible,
intending, as soon as that regiment had crossed, to support it
with two others, and attack the enemy from the rear.?'
But the movement was discovered, and the enemy retired.
On the march through the Carolinas, the 9th Iowa was com-
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Abernethy, a most excellent
officer. lie is a brother of the late Lieutenant-Colonel John
Abernethy of the 3d Iowa, who was killed on the 22d of July,
before Atlanta. Both entered the service as first sergeants, and
rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
After Colon.'! Catsakaddon was wounded on the 28th of July,
he received leave of absence and came North. He did not
re-join his regiment till after its arrival at Savannah, Georgia,
and, before it left that point on its final campaign, he tendered
his resignation.
The colonel is a short, stocky man, with black hair and
eyes, and has the appearance of much energy and determi-
nation. I am told he is a good sample of a Western man —
unpretending and practical, but rather illiterate. He was a
brave man, and a gallant officer ; and there are few of his old
regiment, who do not cut. ".-tain, for him the greatest good-will
and affection.
COLONEL NICHOLAS PERCZEL.
FIRST COLONEL, TEXTH IXFAXTKY.
Nicholas Perczel is a native of Hungary, where he was
born in the year 1813. He has a military education, and passed
a number of years in active service, before coming to this
country. For several years, he has been a resident of Daven-
port, Iowa, where he has been engaged in the business of
merchant and trader. He was made colonel of the 10th Iowa
Infantry, on the 1st day of September, 1861, and held that
position till the 1st of November, 1SG2, when he resigned his
commission.
Authority to recruit the 10th Iowa Infantry was granted by
the War Department to J. C. Bennett, in July, 1861. Mr.
Bennett was afterword major of the regiment. He, aided by
F. M. 3Iills, Esq., of Des Moines, a brother of the late Colonel
Mills of the 2d Iowa, had nearly completed the regiment's
enlistment, when it was ordered to rendezvous at Iowa City.
The manner in which the regiment was officered created con-
siderable dissatisfaction; but this will not be matter of interest,
either to the old members of the regiment, or to the public.
ColonelTerczel first served with the 10th Iowa in Missouri.
He was engaged in the skirmish near Charleston, on the morn-
ing of the 6th of January, 1802, his loss being eight killed, and
sixteen wounded. These were the first men the 10th Iowa lost
in battle. The colonel was also present at the capture of New
Madrid, and Island No. 10; and with his regiment formed a
part of the force winch, at Tiptonville, captured five thousand
of the enemy, After operations were completed in this direc-
tion, the 10th Iowa sailed with the command of General Pope
215
216 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
to Hamburg Landing, on the Tennessee, and served with that
general during the siege of Corinth, on the left of the besieging
army.
Colonel Perczel commanded a brigade before Corinth, two
regiments of which were his own and the 17th Iowa; and
during the siege of that city was engaged in two important
reeonnoissances and skirmishes. The first of these was made
on the afternoon of the 26th of May, with a force consisting of
the 10th Iowa, and four pieces of artillery. With the enemy,
this skirmish assumed the importance of an engagement ; for,
saying nothing of his wounded, he admitted a loss of one
hundred and twenty-five in killed. The 10th Iowa, the only
troops on our side that suffered loss, had only eight men
wounded. The looses were so disproportionate as to give the
above statement an air of improbability ; but its truth is well
vouched for.
On the morning of the 28th of May, two days later, the 17th
Iowa and the loth Missouri of the same brigade had a skirmish
with the enemy, in which the looses were nearly as dispropor-
tionate. These troops were sent out under the immediate
command of Colonel Holmes of the 10th Missouri; and mov-
ing against the enemy's extreme right, which was held by the
commands of Price and Van Dora, came within musket-range
of the two strong forts on the hills to the south of the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad. The enemy supposed they were
being attacked in force, and came swarming out of their works
and down the steep hills to oppose the advance; while their
pickets, skirmishers and reserves, hurried with greater haste
in the opposite direction. Corinth was evacuated that night,
and, on passing over the ground the next morning, where the
skirmish took place, ninety-three new graves were counted.
The Union loss in this encounter was about thirty in killed and
wounded.
NICHOLAS PEECZEL. 217
On the fall of Corinth and the hasty retreat of the enemy,
the division of General Schuyler Hamilton, to which Colonel
Perczel's Brigade was attached, followed in pursuit, and
marched as far south as Boonville, on the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad. The l-oute from Corinth lay through the heavily-
timbered swamps, which form the head-waters of the Tombig-
bee River, and which would be, at any season of the year,
difficult of passage to a large army with baggage-trains and
artillery. There was but little fighting; but, one day of the
march it rained incessantly, which rendered the corduroy
roads almost impassable. Add to this the fact that the army
had for a long time been lying before Corinth inactive, and the
hardships and fatigue of the march can be imagined. One
scene on the road, at a point some six miles north of Boon-
ville, will never be forgotten by those troops who, on the night
of the 2d of June, ascended from the swamps to the up-Iands,
near mid-night. On an open, even, but gradually-sloping field,
containing not less than two thousand acres, and facing the
Corinth road to the north-east, just in front of where it rises
from the bottom-lands and turns to the left, were encamped
nearly two entire divisions. The previous afternoon had been
rainy, and the soldiers, cold and wet, had built large and bril-
liant camp-fires throughout their entire encampment. The
sky was still hung with dark, heavy clouds, which, as viewed
from the point in the road above mentioned, formed the back-
ground of this magnificent scenery — the grandest I ever
witnessed. It was literally a city of fire, and was ample com-
pensation for the slippery, hazardous, mid-night-march over
the never-to-be-forgotten one-mile-of corduroy.
Pursuit was made to a few miles south of Boonville; but the
enemy, with the exception of some hundreds of stragglers and
deserters, hud made good his escape with his shattered legions.
To pursue further would so extend the line of communications
218 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
as to imperil a safe return ; and a "right about " was therefore
ordered to Corinth. Returning to the vicinity of Corinth, the
the 10th Iowa went into camp at Clear Springs, a place three
and a half miles south of Corinth, and so called from the
beautiful, translucent springs which gush out from the foot of
the hills, on which the camp was" made. The regiment
remained here and at Jacinto, the county-scat of Tishamingo
county, and some twenty miles south of Corinth, till the 18th
of the following September; when, with the balance of Gen-
eral Roseerans' command, it was ordered out to engage the
forces of General Trice, then supposed to be intrenching
themselves near Tuka. In this heedless, blundering fight, the
10th Iowa held the left of its brigade, and, like the other regi-
ments of its brigade, suffered severely.
The pursuit of the enemy in his hasty retreat on the
morning of the 20ih, and the bloody battle at Corinth on the
3d and 4lh of the following October, and subsequent pursuit of
the rebel forces to and beyond the Hatchie, form the next
chapter in the history of this regiment. With the close of
these operations also closed the colonelcy of Nicholas Perczel ;
for, as has already been stated, he resigned his commission on
the first of the following November.
He had in (he meantime been recommended for promotion
to brigadier-general, but for some reason was not appointed by
the President.
Among the officers of the 10th Iowa with whom I became
acquainted early in the regiment's history, were 3Iajor, after-
wards Lieutenant-Colonel Nathaniel McCalla, Captain Albert
Stoddard and Lieutenant and Adjutant John Delahoyd; and
I hope that, in giving their names special mention, I shall do
no injustice to other officers of the regiment equally deserving.
I never met -Major MeCalla without thinking of an old Roman
lieutenant. He is rough in exterior and in manners, and a.-
NICHOLAS PERCZEL. 219
gallant and generous as rough. Captain Stoddard is a hand-
some and most genial fellow, and "was, in the spring and
summer of 1863, Judge- Advocate of the old 7th Division. In
the hour of battle, and at the convivial board, he always took
his place in the front. Lieutenant John Delahoyd was one
of the most reckless aids and adjutant-generals that ever
carried a dispatch in the face of the enemy. He distinguished
himself at Corinth. Having ridden out with the 17th Iowa
to assign it a position, he put the regiment under a terrific
fire of grape and canister, and then, directing it to lie clown,
sat and watched the enemy from his horse. Whenever the
enemy were about to fire, he would say: "Lay low, Seven-
teenth." It is a wonder how he escaped being killed. He
was General Sullivan's adjutant-general, and was one of the
most popular officers of the brigade.
Luring the siege of Corinth, (I believe it was on the l!2d of
May) and while his brigade was encamped near Farmington,
an incident occurred which the colonel will never forget. That
morning a company of the 3d Michigan Cavalry, which, like
all the troops before Corinth, had seen but little service, was
stationed beyond the picket-line, as vedettes on the extreme
left. And I should add further that, an attack from this direc-
tion was being anticipated, and the extreme left wing, by
reliefs, was engaged in digging rifle-pits, and in cutting the
timber which Mould form a cover for the approach of the
enemy, and obstruct the range of the artillery. All was quiet,
and the work Mas steadily progressing, until about two o'clock
in the afternoon, when, instantly, a cry of alarm was heard in
the direction of the enemy, and, turning the eye down the
road, a cavalry-man was seen coming at the top of his speed,
standing upright in his saddle, and whirling his drawn sword
about his head in the wildest manner. In an instant lie had
passed, shouting in a frantic, broken voice, "Tin.' enemy are
220 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
coining against the left in force ! The enemy are coming against
the left in force!" All were instantly under arms, and, with
breathless determination, stood waiting the approach of the
enemy. The guns of the Gth Wisconsin Battery, hurriedly
charged with canister, were turned in the direction of the
threatened attack, when Colonel Perczel, riding down the road
and out through a large, open field to the right, suddenly
saw — that he was sold. The captain of the 3d Michigan Cav-
alry had been frightened at the approach of one of our own
scouting parties. Colonel Perczel was chief in command, and
felt the sell most keenly; but he only said: ""Whare es dat
eap'n ob de Third (?) Hee-che-gan Cabalry, wat run widout
firing one gun?"
Colonel Perczel is about six feet in hight, and both slender
and erect. He has a lively, gray eye, and, in the service, wore
a long, heavy, gray beard. Naturally he is excitable, but
in danger was cool and brave, and was greatly loved by his
command. He knew his merit as a military man, and was
chagrined at being placed under the command of officers who
were not only his inferiors in military knowledge, but who
would get beastly drunk on duty. To escape this unpleasant
situation, I am advised, was the chief cause of his leaving the
service. The general, whom he most despised, died late in
1862, at Corinth, of mania apotu.
COLONEL WILLIAM E. SMALL.
SECOND COLONEL, TENTH INFANTRY.
"William E. Small, the successor of Nicholas Perczel to
the colonelcy of the 10th Iowa Infantry, is a native of the State
of Maine. At the time of entering the service, in September,
1SC1, he was a resident of Iowa City, and a practicing- lawyer.
lie was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 10th Iowa
Infantry, the 10th of September, 1861; and with this rank
served till the second of November, 1S62, when, Colonel
Perczel resigning, he was promoted to the colonelcy of the
regiment.
During his colonelcy, as also from the time of its organiza-
tion, the 10th Iowa Infantry has a proud and interesting
history. From the second of November, 18G2, till after the
fall of Vicksburg, the time of Colonel Small's discharge, this
regiment was always at the front; and, if there was any fight-
ing to he done, like the other Iowa regiments of the 7th Divis-
ion, 17th Army Corps, the 10th was sure to have part in it.
Late in November, 18G2, the 10th Iowa joined its division in
the march of General Grant down the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road. Passing through Abbeville and Oxford, it had reached a
point as far south as the Yockona Diver, when, the line of
communications being cut, it was ordered to return. On the
20th of Dwember, it marched with its division from near
Lumpkin's Mills, Mississippi, to Memphis, having in charge a
provision-train of six hundred and twenty-five wagons; and
this was one of the most vexing and fatiguing marches the
regiment ever made. It was the coldest part of the Southern
Winter, and the trip was made without baggage, or only such
221
'
222 IOWA C'OEONELS AXD REGIMENTS.
as the men could carry on their persons. A cold, sleety rain
was falling almost constantly, and the red, clayey mud, the
dirtiest and daubiest in the world, was half-knee deep. Hang-
ing on their flanks and rear was a band of guerrillas, ready to
pick up the stragglers, and to fire into the train whenever
occasion offered. Usually, men are merry on the march; but,
without rest by day or sleep at night, there was little merri-
ment here. For so short a one, this is regarded the hardest
march the old 7th Division ever made.
After this march was completed, the balance of the winter
of 1RC2-3 the 10th Iowa passed on the Memphis and Charles-
ton Railroad; but, in the opening Spring, moved down the
Mississippi to Helena. Trior to the 22d of March following,
the operations of the division are detailed elsewhere; and the
history of the division is the same as that of this regiment.
On the evening of the last named date, the 10th Iowa sailed
into the mouth of the Yazoo Pass, which opens into the
Mississippi on its east side, and eight miles below Helena.
This was a most wonderful expedition, and, had it not been a
military movement, would have been romantic. For the
labor and skill employed in opening this pass, and in clearing
it of obstructions, General Grant was chiefly indebted to Iowa
troops under General Washburn. For more than a week, the
2 bli, 28th, and 33d Iowa regiments were kept naif-leg deep in
mud and water, hauling out the timber, which the enemy had
felled for purposes of obstruction.
The object of the Yazoo Pass Expedition was a flank move-
ment on Yicksburg, but it ended, as it begun, in strategy. This
was one of the forty-three plans, which General Grant had
pocketed for the reduction of Yicksburg. The story is as
follows, but I do not vouch for its truth: A Federal soldier
was captured on the Deer Creek raid, and taken before a rebel
officer, when the following colloquy occurred: "What in the
WILLIAM E. SMALL. 223
devil is Grant in here for? what does lie expect to do?" "To
take Vicksburg," was the soldier's reply. " Well, hasn't the
old fool tried this ditching and flanking five times already?"
"Yes," said the soldier, "but he has got thirty-seven more
plans in his pocket."
From the mouth of this pass to Moon Lake, (so named from
its crescent shape) the distance is five miles, and was passed
over without much trouble; but, for forty miles after leaving
Moon Lake, it was literally a boat-ride in the forest ; for the
stream was so winding that its course could rarely be seen
more than forty yards in advance. It seemed to have no
outlet ; and gigantic trees,- on every hand, challenged an
advance. Small stern-wheel boats could only be used, and
even these were found to be unwieldy. The force of the
current which put in from the swollen waters of the Missis-
sippi Mas prodigious; and the danger was in going too fast.
Until the boats reached the Cold Water, their engines had to
be kept reversed ; and so it happened that this was called by
the soldiers "the back-water expedition." Even with all the
care that was used, the boats were stripped of every thing that
was fancy, and of much that was substantial. Not a smoke-
stack in the whole fleet was able to weather the storm; and
whole state-rooms were raked off by projecting limbs, into
whose ugly embrace the boats would rush, in spite of the
pilots and engineers ; and, I may add, in spite of from twenty
to fifty soldiers, aligned on the decks and armed with long
poles.
But in spite of all these dangers, the expedition did not lack
amusement; for instance: a tall, awkward fellow, (he did not
belong to the 10th) while standing on the hurricane deck of the
Lady Pike, was watching a large sycamore limb, which a spar
of tin' boat was pushing aside, lie was wondering if it would
not break; when just then it slipped by the spar, and, taking
224 IOWA COLON EES AND REGIMENTS.
him across the face, knocked him several feet, and came near
dropping him into the stream. He carried a " stiff upper-lip,''
if not a brave heart, till the expedition returned. History
may, if it will, omit to mention this expedition; for it has
furnished itself a record that will be read many years hence.
On the trees, at nearly every bend in this stream, the name of
some soldier is literally "recorded on high," and nearly every
regiment in Quimby's and Ross' Divisions is thus represented.
For nearly every boat of the fleet was caught at some one of
these bends, and before it could be released the enterprising
soldiers would carve their names on pieces of broken cracker-
boxes, and nail these to the limbs. When the expedition
returned, the water in the pass had fallen many feet, leaving
these inscriptions high in the air; and there they still hang.
There was one feature of this expedition, which, though
interesting, lacked amusement; though it was experienced
only on the Tallahatchie River and the lower waters of the
Cold Water. The banks of these streams are covered, mostly,
with timber and thick under-brush, forming fine places ol
concealment for guerrillas. We were in the enemy's country
and, acquainted with their chivalric mode of warfare, were
looking for it to be put in practice; yet, when the first guerrilla
gun was fired, it was all unexpected. Standing on the hum-
cane-deck, you would see in the brush near a fallen log, or the
trunk of a standing tree, a blue circling pull' of smoke, and then
hear the pat or .-harp whistle of a bullet. The report of the gun
would follow, when all hands would dodge. In spite of the
anticipation of seeing the thing repeated, the men would laugh
at their folly, and remark, "that shows what a little noise
will do."
On the 6th of April, the last of the fleet arrived above Fort
Pcmberton, at the junction of the Tallahatchie and Yallabusha
Rivers; and a fight was expected the day after; but either
WILLIAM E. SMALL. 225
General Grant had accomplished all he expected to in this
direction, or had learned he could accomplish nothing, and the
entire fleet was ordered to return. The last boat, in a damaged
condition, arrived at the Sand Bar below Helena, at noon on
the 12th of April; and, should one return from Hades, he could
be little more surprised at his safe arrival on terra firma, than
were many who sailed on the celebrated Yazoo Pass Expe-
dition.
In this connection, I desire to speak of a good man, who
rendered important services on this expedition, and who after-
wards died at Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Captain Robert
Lusby of the 10th Iowa, and, at the time of his death,
adjutant-general to General Crocker, was a noble man and
officer.
Next in the history of the 10th Iowa, is the final Vicksburg
Campaign. During this celebrated march, the details of which
are given elsewhere, the regiment met the enemy at the battles
of Jackson, and Champion's Hill. In the last of these engage-
ments, it greatly distinguished itself, and suffered severely, as
also did the regiments of the 3d Brigade, commanded by the
gallant little Boomer. The 5th and 10th Iowa, the 26th Mis-
souri and 93d Illinois, deserve a proud place in the history of
our civil war. On the 10th of May, the 10th Iowa arrived
before the rebel works, in rear of Vicksburg ; and, from that
day till the 4h of July following, the day of General Grant's
triumphal entry into the city, did its full share of duty. With
its brigade, it join d in the memorable charge of the 22d of
May; and, under General McClernand, to whom the brigade
had been ordered to report, was preparing to assault the right
of the enemy's works, when Colonel Boomer fell, shot through
the head. He was killed at sun-down, and near the crest of a
hill within two hundred yards of the enemy's line. Colonel
Boomer was a native of Massachusetts, and a brave and gallant
15
226 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMENTS.
officer. The confusion, incident to the loss of the brigade
commander, created some delay, and, before an advance was
made, orders were received to withdraw to a position behind
the second line of hills. On the 24th of May, the 3d Brigade
reported back to its division, whose position in the line was to
the left of the centre, and about half a mile south of the rebel
Fort Hill; and here the 10th Iowa remained till the surrender
of Vicksburg.
Immediately after the fall of Vicksburg, the brigade of Gen-
eral Matthies, to which the 10th Iowa was attached, (for after
the death of Boomer he had been transferred to this command)
joined the command of General Sherman, in the pursuit of the
rebel forces under General Johnson. The brigade arrived
before Jackson on the evening of the 14th of July, having
marched from Clinton; but had hardly stacked arms, when
orders were received to march back to Clinton, to anticipate
the rebel General Jackson in his cavalry-raid upon Sherman's
train. General Matthies arrived in Clinton late that night,
and just in time to meet and repulse one brigade of Jackson's
cavalry, the only rebel troops sent to that point. For this gal-
lant affair, the K>th Iowa, with the balance of the troops of the
brigade, was handsomely complimented by General Sherman.
The principal portion of the time covered by these opera-
tions, Colonel Small was absent from his regiment: indeed, he
was never with it much, and. if I am rightly informed, was
never present in an engagement. His military record is not in
keeping with that of his gallant regiment. He was a fine drill-
master, which was his chief merit as a soldier.
In person, Colonel Small is below the medium. He has a
nervous temperament, a pale, sickly countenance, and a feeble
constitution. In his manners, 1 am told, he is dignified and
sedate.
1
COLONEL PARIS PERRIN IIEXDERSON.
THIRD COLONEL, TENTH INFANTRY.
Parts P. Henderson was bom at Liberty, Union- county,
Indiana, on the 3d day of January, 182-3. He was educated at
the Common Schools of his native town, where he resided
till he reached his eighteenth year. At eighteen, he learned
the tanner's and currier's trade in Vermillion county, Illinois.
He settled in Warren county, Iowa, in the fall of 1847, and
two years later was appointed organizing-sheriff of that
county. In August, 1851, he was elected County Judge of
his county, which office he held for three consecutive terms.
In the fall of 1859, he was elected to the State Senate, and was
the Senator of Warren county at the outbreak of the war.
In September, 1861, Mr. Henderson was commissioned cap-
tain of Company G, 10th Iowa Infantry, which he had enlisted
in Warren county. On the 27th of January, 1SG3, he was pro-
moted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and, on the 18th of the
following August;* to the colonelcy of the 10th Iowa Infantry.
On the arrival of General Sherman at Savannah, in his grand
march from Atlanta to the sea, Colonel Henderson resigned
his commission, having served three years and nearly three
months. The military history of Colonel Henderson reflects
on him much credit: it is the same as that of his regiment; for,
from the time of his entering the service until the date of his
leaving it, he was present with it. Even during the greater
part of the time of his lieutenant-colonelcy, he commanded it;
for Colonel Small was sick ami absent.
Early in September, 18G3, the 10th Iowa Infantry, which
was then in camp at Vicksburg, left with its division for the
227
228 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMEXTS.
purpose of reinforcing General Steele, then marching on Little
Itock; but, news coming of the fall of Little Bock on the arri-
val of the division at Helena, it remained in camp at that ;
place, awaiting transports in which to return to Vieksburg.
In the meantime, General Sherman's old Corps had been
ordered to report at Chattanooga. The march from Memphis
commenced about the middle of October. Why, I do not
know, but for some reason the 7th Division of the 17th Corps
was separated from its command, and ordered to join General
Sherman in this march. There were many other troops, who j
for a long time had done little, and who, in fairness, should
have been selected for this arduous campaign. It was sup-
posed by the division that the mettle of which it had shown
itself possessed, on so many battle-fields, had determined the
commanding general in this choice; for General Grant was
once reported to have said: — "One knows just what he can
do with that division." Injustice to the veteran troops of
this command, these facts should be stated; for they should
receive the credit due to their gallant services. And here,
although not in strict keeping with my plan, I yield to what
1 know would be the earnest wish of the regiment whose his-
tory 1 am recording, and append the names of the regiments
which constituted this noble command. In the First Brigade
were the 4th Minnesota, the 48th and 59th Indiana, the 18th
Wisconsin, and the 63d Illinois. In the Second Brigade were
the 10th Missouri, the 17th Iowa, the 56th Illinois, and the 80th
Ohio. In the 3d Brigade were the. 5th and 10th Iowa, the 26th
Missouri, and the 93d Illinois. In our great National struggle
there has been no more worthy or potent representative from
the great North West than the 7th Division, 17th Army Corps.
Moving up the river from Helena to Memphis, the 10th Iowa
left that city early in October, and proceeded by rail as tar as
PARIS PERRIN HENDERSON". 229
Glendale, Mississippi, nine miles east of Corinth. From that
point the regiment marched to Chattanooga, hy way of Dixon's
Station; Chickasaw Landing, on the Tennessee River; Florence,
Alabama. Rogersville, Prospect Station, on the Nashville and
Decatur Railroad; Fayetteville, Winchester, Peeherd and
Bridgeport. The Tennessee River, at Chickasaw Landing,
was crossed on the night of the 30th of October, and, in the
evening of the 19th of November, the 10th Iowa, with its divi-
sion, arrived under Lookout Mountain. The night of the 30th
of October, 1S63, was stormy and dismal, which not only ren-
dered the crossing of the Tennessee disagreeable, but soured
the tempers of all. General , in command of the division,
superintended the crossing of his troops, and, like everyone
else, was irritable. On one occasion, while his boat was
approaching the south bank of the river, the detail on shore
had left their post, and no one chanced to be at hand but a
lieutenant, the son of a Congressman. The hawser being
thrown ashore and no one there to receive it, General
cried out, "Take hold of that rope, sir." "I am a lieutenant,
and the son of Congressman ." " Lon't care a d — n, take
hold of that rope." But the lieutenant was relieved by the
detail, who at that instant came up.
I have said that the 10th Iowa, with its division, arrived at
the foot of Lookout Mountain in the evening of the 19th of
November. The head of the division arrived in Lookout Val-
ley just before night-fall, and no sooner was it seen by the
enemy, than he commenced displaying his signal-lights.
Bragg knew that General Grant was receiving reinforcements,
but the number he could not tell, for darkness intervened soon
after the head of the column came in view. Before day-light
the next morning, the division was marched across the Ten-
nessee River*, and behind some hills, out of view of the enemy.
It Mas said that this was one of the plans which General Grant
£30 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
had adopted to puzzle and mislead the enemy; and it may he
correct history. It was even said that General Grant would,
in the night-time, march troops from the north bank of the
river under Lookout Mountain, and, after day-light the next
morning, march them back to their former position. But,
however this may be, it is certain that Bragg was, by some
means, thrown from his reckoning; for he attributed to Gun-
end Grant, at Chattanooga, a much larger army than he had.
From the 20th of November until the 23d, the 10th Iowa,
with its brigade and division, rested in camp behind the hills
above mentioned, but at mid-night of the last named date
marched down to the river to effect a crossing. The crossing
was to be mode in pontoons, and just below the mouth of
South Chickamauga Creek. The pontoon-boats had already
been launched in the North Chickamauga, so that all was in
readiness. The brigade of General Giles A. Smyth, numbering
about eighteen hundred men, led the advance. Embarking on
the pontoon-boats, they floated quietly down into the Tennes-
see, and then made rapidly for the opposite shore; and so quiet
and systematic were their movements that they surprised and
captured the entire picket-guard of the enemy but one. By
day-light in the morning, nearly three entire divisions of Sher-
man's command had reached the south bank safely, and were
behind intrenchnients nearly a mile and a half in length.
These successes injured victory to General Grant at Chatta-
nooga; for he could now swing round on the enemy's right and
rear, and force him to abandon his boasted impregnable
position.
In the fighting which followed, the 5th, the 10th, and the
17th Iowa regiments took a conspicuous part, though neither
of those regiments met the enemy till the 25th instant. Nor
did the 0th Iowa, which was the only other Iowa regiment
that crossed the Tennessee with Sherman, meet the enemy
-
PABIS PEBRIN ITEXDEBSOX. 231
before that time. In a south-westerly direction from where
the crossing was effected, and about four miles distant, was the
long range of irregular and precipitous hills, known as Mission
Ridge; and to wrest these from the possession of the enemy,
was the object of General Sherman's crossing the river. At
about three o'clock in the afternoon of the 24th instant, the
10th Iowa, with its brigade and division, (the whole command
drawn up in column by division) marched down through the
timber and wet bottom-lands that intervened between the
place of crossing and Mission Ridge, to assault and capture a
high hill in the northern portion of the ridge. The movement
was made, and the hill gained without a casualty ; for, not
having been fortified, it was abandoned by the enemy. But
on the next hill beyond, which was about half a mile distant,
were the enemy in large force, and strongly fortified; and
against this position were the attacks of the 7th Division
directed the next day. Retiring from the hill just occupied by
its division, the 10th Iowa bivouacked the night of the 24th in
the woods near the Chattanooga and Knoxville Railroad ; but
there was little sleep for the regiment, for it was during that
night that General Hooker was driving the enemy from Look-
out Mountain; and such an incessant and appalling fire of
musketry was hardly ever heard before in the night-time.
It raged from sun-down until near day-light the next morning.
Thus far every tiling had worked favorably, and "on the
night of the 24th our forces maintained an unbroken line, with
open communications, from the north end of Lookout Moun-
tain, through Chattanooga Valley, to the north end of Mission
Ridge." General Bragg was now defeated; and to save his
army, his baggage, stores and artillery, was with him the
important question. The point against which the attacks of
the 5th, Gth, Kith and 17th Iowa regiments, with their respec-
tive commands, were directed on the 25th instant, covered
232 IOWA COI.OXEL9 AND REGIMENTS.
and protected Bragg's line of communications to the rear;
and hence it was that the fighting at that point was of the
most desperate character; for, that hill lost, and Bragg would
have lost nearly every thing.
The 10th Iowa, with its hrigade, was ordered up to reinforce
General Ewing's command at eleven o'clock in the morning.
Moving west across the railroad already alluded to, it marched
out across an open field, and down into low ground, which
was covered with under-brush. Next, it was faced to the south,
which brought it fronting the hill in question, and for the
possession of Which, General Sherman was now struggling.
Thus far, the entire brigade had lost but two men; but now
orders came for an advance — first to the "White House,
(which was already in flames) and then to the top of the hill.
In the advance- to the White House, the artillery-firing of
the enemy was most frightful. Their position on the hill, or
succession of hills, was semi-circular, and, at different points
along their line, were some forty pieces of artillery in battery,
the range of which was short and accurate. They used solid
shot, shell, canister and grape; and, altogether, it was the most
terrific artillery-fire the 10th Iowa ever passed under in the
o]>^n field. It whs also the most terrific artillery-fire the 5th
and 17th Iowa ever passed under. To this day, I can not recall
that hour, without feeling in sympathy with the old Latin
poet: " &eteruntque coimc et voxfaitcibus Aasit."
On the hill-topi the 10th held the left of the brigade, and
fought with its accustomed gallantry; but the numbers of the
enemy, with their strong position, could not be overcome, and
a retreat had to be ordered soon after General Matthies, its
brigade commander, was wounded. The engagements of
Champion's Hill and Mission Hid'.'.' are regarded by the 10th
Iowa, as among their hardest battles.
PARIS I'EKRIN HENDERSON. £53
From the 2oth of November, 18G3, until the following May,
the histories of the 10th and 17th Iowa regiments are similar.
The 10th marched to Graysville, Georgia, in pursuit of Bragg's
forces, and then, returning, was ordered to Huntsville, Ala-
bama, where it remained until the following May. It was
then sent to Decatur, Alabama, the junction of the Nashville
and Decatur, with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.
"While at Huntsville, the regiment had re-enlisted as veterans;
but it did not receive its veteran furlough until the following
June.
While stationed at Decatur, the 10th Iowa, under Lieuten-
ant-Colonel McCalla, with some one hundred and thirty men
of the 9th Ohio Cavalry, had a little affair with the rebel forces
of General Forest, on the south side of the Tennessee River;
but I omit details, for their recital could give no additional
lustre to the already brilliant record of the regiment.
The 10th Iowa Infantry returned to the front late in July,
1864, and arrived at Kingston, Georgia, on the 1st of August.
Here it remained on guard-duty along the railroad, until the
time of Wheeler's celebrated cavalry raid on General Sher-
man's rear line of communications, when it joined the command
which was organized to make pursuit. The expedition was
out about twenty days, and marched, during that time, more
than five hundred miles. But their fleet-footed adversary
could not be brought to a stand, and, after pursuing him
through East and Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama,
they finally came up with him just as his rear-guard Mas cross-
ing the Tennessee River at Florence. Soon after, followed the
flank movement of General Hood, after which, the 10th Iowa
moved with General Sherman on his memorable march to
Savannah. Its last campaign was from Savannah to Raleigh,
and thai will probably be its last in the war; for the veteran
army of Northern Virginia has now surrendered.
,
234 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Colonel Henderson is about six feet in hight, and well
formed. He has a pleasant face, and an easy, winning address.
No one can know him but to like him. The Colonel was a
brave and efficient officer, and popular with his regiment ; but
he was too kind and conceding, I am told, for an excellent
disciplinarian.
Henderson was one of the Iowa colonels who would do justice
to a subordinate, without an exjrress or imjrficd consideration.
He never bartered his honor to enhance his chances for pro-
motion.
COLOXEL ABRAHAM M. HARE.
FIKST COLONEL, ELEVENTH INFANTRY.
Abraham M. Hake, the original colonel of the 11th Iowa
Infantry, is a native of Ohio, where he was born about the
year 1^12. He was one of the earliest settlers of Muscatine,
Iowa, having established himself in that place before the year
1S39. For several years after settling in Muscatine, he carried
on the hatter's business; and later, opened a hat and cap store.
He was successful in business, and, in the course of a few years,
acquired a respectable fortune. I am told he stands among
the wealthy and most exemplary men of Muscatine. He had
some knowledge of military matters before entering the
service, having been a major of militia in Ohio.
He was mustered colonel of the 11th Iowa on the 1st day of
November, 1861, and served with his regiment until the battle
of Shiloh, when he resigned his commission, on account of a
wound received in that engagement.
But little of the history of the 11th Iowa Infantry was made
under Colonel Hare. The regiment was recruited mainly from
the counties of Muscatine, Iowa, Hardin, Marshall, Louisa,
Cedar, Keokuk, Washington, Henry, Clinton and Linn: Mus-
catine is the most largely represented. It was mustered into
the United States service, by companies, in the months of Sep-
tember and October, 1861, and the following Winter, served
in Missouri. Shiloh was its first battle, and the only one it
was engaged in-duringthe colonelcy of Colonel Hare: indeed,
it was not under him in that engagement; for he was in com-
mand of the brigade to which it was attached. Lieutenant-
Colonel, afterward Colonel Hall commanded the regiment, and
235
23G IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
made the report of the engagement. The 11th and 13th Iowa
were attached to the fame brigade at Shiloh, and the part the
regiment sustained in the engagement, may be seen in the
sketeh of Brigadier-General M. M. Crocker.
Among the killed at Shiloh, the 11th Iowa lost Lieutenant
John F. Compton, Sergeants Henry Seibert, Ezra McLoney
and George E. Daniels; and Corporals William P. Hough,
George J. Burns, and Martin A. McLain. Captain Charles
Foster was wounded, as also was Sergeant E. D. Akers, who
was not long after promoted to the captaincy of his company.
The regiment lost heavily in killed and wounded, but the
exact number I have been unable to learn. The rebel General
A. Sidney Johnson fell in front of the 11th Iowa, .and was
doubtless killed by this regiment.
Colonel Hare was quite severely wounded near the close of
the first day's battle, and left the field. He was wounded
where his brigade made its last stand ; and in speaking of him
General MeClernand says : — " Colonel A. M. Hare, command-
ing the 1st Brigade, who had borne himself through the day
with great constancy and courage, was here wounded, and the
command of the brigade devolved on his able and gallant
successor, Colonel Crocker."
Colonel Hare is a large, athletic man, of billious-sanguine
temperament, and dark complexion. His hair once black, is
now streaked with gray; his eye though mild, is penetrating.
He is determined in purpose, and kind-Jiearted, a fact univers-
ally attested by the "boys" of his regiment. He is cool,
deliberate and fearless in battle, and unostentatious in man-
ners. It is doubtless owing to this peculiar trait of character
that I am unable to get further details of his history. He
seems satisfied with having done bis duty.
COLONEL WILLIAM HALL.
SECOND COLONEL, ELEVENTH INFANTRY.
WILLIAM Hall was born in the city of Montreal, Canada
East, on the 2.">th of January, 1S32; but, though born in Canada,
he is not a foreigner. His parents were, at the time of his
birth, residents of the State of Vermont, and chanced to be on
a visit at Montreal. William remained at home with his
family till 1844, during which time his father resided in
Ogdensburg, New York; Brookville, Canada West; and Roch-
ester, New York. In 1S44 he entered Oberlin College, where
he remained a year and a half, and then entered the Western
Military Institute of Kentucky. At that time, as also at the
breaking out of the rebellion, the rebel Bushrod Johnson was
superintendent of the institution. Commencing with the rank
of private, Colonel Hall went through all the military grades
of the school, and graduated as acting-adjutant, and with the
rank of captain. Soon after leaving that institution, he entered
the Harvard Law School, at Cambridge, Massachusetts; hut,
Without graduating, left in 1854, and came West. Since that
time he has made his residence in Davenport, Iowa. By pro-
fession, Colonel Hall is a lawyer; and I understand he ranked
fairly at the Davenport bar. He had the reputation of being a
hard worker, and of doing the best he could for his clients.
In the summer of 1861 he entered the volunteer service, and
the 23d of September following was commissioned major of the
11th Iowa Infantry. He was promoted to the lieutenant-
colone'ey of his regiment, on the 11th of October, 1861, and, on
the resignation of Colonel Hare, was commissioned colonel.
He held this rank, and served in the field, till the summer of
237
238 IOWA COLONELS AXD EEGIMEXT3.
1SC4, when, Colonel W. W. Belknap being promoted over him
to a general officer, he resigned in disgust. It is reported that,
after his return home, he espoused, conservatism, and vilUfied,
in public speeches, the policy of the Administration; but that
can hardly be so.
As already stated, the 11th Iowa's first battle was Shiloh.
Its second was Corinth; and the part it acted in the latter may
be gained from the following extract from Colonel, now Gene-
ral, Crocker's official report:
"About five o'clock in the morning of the 3d instant, the
brigade formed— two regiments, the 11th and 13th Iowa vol-
unteers in line of battle, facing to the west, and the 15th and
lOth Iowa volunteers, in close column by division in rear of the
line. The regiments remained in that position, with skirmish-
err, deployed in front, receiving an occasional cannon-shot,
until about three o'clock, when, the division on the right hav-
ing fallen back, a change of front was ordered. The 15th and
10th wen- then formed in line of battle perpendicular to the
first line, and the 11th and 13th, in close column by division,
in the rear. In this position, the brigade remained until about
four o'clock I\ M., when orders were again received to again
change front, so as to connect the right of the brigade with
the left of General Davis' Division, its left to rest in the direc-
tion of Battery E. After the execution of this order had been
commenced, notice was received from General McKean that
the division was to move back inside the inner fortifications;
and an order was received that, the 11th and 13th regiments be
formed in line of battle a quarter of a mile in the rear of the
line formed by the loth and 16th, in front of, and parallel to
the road, over which the artillery of the division must pass,
the brigade to protect the movements of the rest of the divi-
sion, and the artillery."
This position, which the 11th Iowa, or the Iowa brigade was
thus ordered to abandon, was south of the Chewalla road, and
a little north-of-west of Corinth. "On arriving inside the
fortifications, we took position, the 15th Iowa in lino of battle
in rear of, and to the right of the battery commanded by
WILLIAM HALL. 239
Captain Phillips, 1st Infantry; the 10th in rear of, and sup-
porting the 5th Ohio Battery, which was in position on the left
of Captain Phillip's Battery ; five companies of the' 11th Reg-
iment, in command of Major Ahererombio, in line of battle,
supporting the 1st Minnesota Battery, in position still on the
left of the Oth Ohio Battery; the 13th Iowa, ami five compa-
nies of the nth, still in the roar of the 15th and 10th, in close
column by division, as a reserve." This last position was held
through all the fighting of the next day, the 11th Iowa being-
drawn up in line of battle in rear of the loth. The only com-
missioned officers of the regiment, wounded in both day's
fighting, were Lieutenants William IT. Wethorby and Dennis
P. Greeley: the latter was wounded by a fading true.
From November 18G1, till the spring of 1804, the history of
the 11th Iowa will be found in the sketches of other officers
and regiments. It re-enlisted in the winter of 1SG3-4, and
came North, on veteran furlough, in March following.
In May, ISO 1, two divisions of the 17th Army Corps ren-
dezvoused at Clifton, on the Tennessee, from which point,
General Blair marched across the country to Sherman, via
Iluntsville, Decatur and Rome. The 11th Iowa was attached
to tins command, and arrived at the front early in June, and,
while Sherman was in the vicinity of Aeworth, Georgia. The
regiment first confronted the enemy before Kenesaw Mountain,
and lost its first man on the loth of June. Before Kenesaw,
"General Hooker was on its right and front, General Howard
on its left and front, and General Palmer between it and the
railroad." The rebel General Polk was killed by a cannon-
shot on the 14th of June, after which the enemy abandoned
Pine Mountain away on the right, and took up a position
"with Kenesaw as his salient point, his right wing thrown
back to cover Marietta, and his left belaud Nose's Creek,
turedj and brought over the works by Private George B.
Haworth, of Company B, and is now in his possession. A
banner, belonging to the 15th Alabama, was also brought over
by Private Edward Siberts, of Company G, which was placed
by him in the hands of Lieutenant Saliey, Provost-Marshal of
the brigade."
Altogether, the 11th Iowa captured, and sent to the rear,
ninety-three persons. Both Captain J. W. Anderson and
240 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
covering the railroad back to the Chattahooehie." While the
enemy were in this position, General Sherman made his bloody
and unsuccessful assault. The flank movement to the right,
led by the 17th Corps, commenced in the evening of the 2d of
July, and an account of it will be found in the sketch of Gen-
eral Hedrick.
Like the other regiments of the Iowa Brigade, the 11th Iowa
suffered its severest loss on the afternoon of the 22d of July;
but an account of this engagement has been given elsewhere.
The following is from Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie's offi-
cial report :
"Many acts of bravery were performed by officers and men
of the regiment, which might be mentioned, did time and
opportunity permit. ,
"Major Foster was wounded early in the action, faithful in
discharge of his duty. Captain Neal was killed instantly by a
grape-shot at the fort late in the afternoon. Captain Barr is
missing. Captain Pose, missing, is supposed to have been
wounded and captured. 1st Lieutenant Cassell, missing; 1st
Lieutenant Caldwell, killed ; 1st Lieutenant Pfoutz, wounded ;
2d Lieutenant Wylie, wounded. I would make honorable
mention of Sergeant-Major John G. Safley, who, with 1st Ser-
geant John A. Luck, Company K, (afterward-; killed — brave
fellow) and a party of picked up men, numbering thirty or
forty, made a dash over the works held by the enemy, bring-
ing over more than their own number as prisoners, amongst
whom were a colonel and captain.
"in the sally, Safley was wounded, but it is not believed
seriously. During the action a Confederate flag was cap-
WILLIAM HALL. 241
Adjutant B. W. Prescott are mentioned for gallantry. The
loss of the regiment, in killed, wounded and missing, was
severe — eight officers and one hundred and twenty-nine men.
Jt has already been stated that Major Foster was wounded.
He died not long after, and the regiment mourned, in his loss,
one of its finest and most popular officers. He was a native of
New Hampshire.
From the 15th of June, 18G4, to the 5th of September, the 11th
Iowa lost, in killed, wounded and missing, ten commissioned
officers, and two hundred and seven enlisted men. One of the
officers, who has not already been mentioned, was Lieutenant
Alfred Carey of Company E. lie was wounded on the 15th of
June, before Kenesaw, and afterwards died of his wounds.
A further history of the 11th Iowa will be found in the
sketches of the other regiments of the 17th Corps' Iowa Brigade.
For several months, Colonel Hall commanded the Iowa
Brigade. He commanded it on General Blair's Mechanicsville
march during the siege of Vicksburg, and until tbe return of
Colonel Chambers of the lGth Iowa from leave of absence. He
also commanded it through the entire Atlanta Campaign. He
was not much liked by bis brigade. He was nearly all tbe
time sick and irritable; but, in justice, I should add, be never
made his sickness an excuse to avoid duty. If danger was at
band, he was never the second man present.
Tbe colonel is a small man, weighing about one hundred and
twenty-five pounds. He has a slender, gaunt, ungainly per-
son, rendered so, I suppose by disease. He wears long, black
hair; lias large, black eyes, and a dark, sallow complexion.
Colonel Hall i< not a comely man. When 1 saw him, in tbe
spring of 1SG4, I wondered bow he had for three years endured
the hardships of the service.
When interested or excited, he moves about nervously, with
16
242 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
his face turned downward, and his hands thrust in his panta-
loons' pockets. He has large self-esteem, and prides himself
in doing things in his own way. If he is as he seems, he is
impervious to flattery; but that can hardly be, for he shows
great indignity, if he thinks his services underrated. It was
on this score that he tendered his resignation.
Considering his ill-health, Colonel Hall was successful as a
soldier. He was a good tactician, and brave and resolute. 1 lis
greatest fault seemed to be in questioning the justness and
propriety of the orders of his superiors. He would obey them,
but it Mas not uncommon for him to do so wider protest. The
following will illustrate how the enlisted men of his command
appreciated his temper.
While the Iowa Brigade was encamped at Clifton, Tennessee,
just before starting across the country to Huntsville, a squad
of raw recruits, from its different regiments, were put on
picket. They were in the enemy's country, and, of course,
were ordered tu load their pieces. Returning to camp in the
morning, they inquired of the veterans how they should get
the charges out of their guns, and received the following
instructions : " Go out there, behind Colonel Hall's tent, and fire
them off: that's the only place— and be sure and all fire at
once." They did us directed. What followed, was better
appreciated by the veterans, than by those who were learning
their fir.-t lesson in soldiering. Colonel Hall, who was in bed,
sprang out in a rage, and ordered the poor fellows tied from
morning till night.
COLONEL JOSEPH JACKSON WOODS.
TWELFTH INFANTRY.
J. J. Woods, of the 12th Iowa Infantry, ha.? a checkered
history, which will be read with interest. He is a native of
Ohio, and was born in Brown county, the 11th day of January,
1823. In 1833, he removed with his father's family to Hush
county, Indiana, whence, after a residence of two years, he
returned to his native county.
Colonel Woods is a West Point graduate. Having completed
his preparatory course at Augusta College, Kentucky, he
entered the West Point Military Academy in 1843. He was a
successful scholar, and graduated in 1SI7, the third in his class.
Receiving a 2d lieutenant's commission in the 1st United
States Artillery, he sailed, on the 10th of October, 1S17, under
orders for Vera Cruz; but, on the fourth day out, the vessel
on which he had taken passage was wrecked near the Great
Bahama. After several days of peril and hardship, ho reached
Nassau, New Providence, and sailed thence to Charleston,
South Carolina, where he passed several weeks with a former
class-mate, by the name of Blake. Ite-embarking again for
Vera Cruz, he reached that place on the 5th of January, 1S48.
In August of th" same year, after having had yellow fever, he
was recalled and ordered to report at Governor's Island, New
York Harbor. lie was promoted to a 1st lieutenancy the 29th
of October, 1848, and soon after sailed with Companies L and
M of Ids regiment for Oregon: these were the first troops sent
by our Government to that Territory. He remained in Oregon
till the winter of 18o3; ami, during his stay in the Territory,
was stationed at Fort YanCouver, Astoria, and Middle Oregon.
213
244 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
At the last named place he had command of the Dalles.
In the winter of 1853, he was ordered to New York City on
recruiting service, where he remained till the following Octo-
ber, when he resigned his commission. Soon after, he pur-
chased a farm in Jackson county, Iowa, on which he has since
resided.
In August, 1861 j Colonel Woods was tendered the lieuten-
ant-colonelcy of the 9th Iowa Infantry; but this position he
declined, and was, on the 23d of the following October, commis-
sioned colonel of the 12th. From that date till the expiration
of his three year's term of service, he served in command,
either of his regiment, or of the brigade to which it was
attached. He left the army in the fall of 1861, with the respect
and good-will of his regiment, and with the high personal con-
sideration of his superior officers. His services merited recog-
nition at Washington; but, with him as with some others,
moiJrsfi/ blocked the wheels of promotion.
The 12th Iowa Infantry, like the other Iowa regiments which
were captured with it in the first day's battle at Shiloh, has a
bright record. Its first battle was Fort Donelson. It had been
present at the capture of Fort Henry; but, like the other
infantry troops, took no part. The late gallant Admiral Foote
captured Fort Henry with his three wooden and four iron-clad
gun-boats, and received the surrender of General Tilghman ;
and no one will dispute with him that honor.
General Smith, in whoso command was the 12th Iowa,
operated on the bluffs on the west bank of the Tennessee, and
General MeClernand, on the east. Had McClcrnand moved
two hours sooner, he would have invested the fort, and cap-
tured five thousand prisoners; but he floundered in miry
swamps, and nearly the entire rebel garrison escaped to Fort
Donelson hefore he came up. It was said the blunder was
JOSEPH J. WOODS. 245
General Grant's ; but, if it was, he retrieved it a few clays after
at Fort Donelson.
After the fall of Fort Henry, the 12th Iowa, with its divis-
ion, marched across the country to the rear of Fort Donelson,
on the Cumberland. The distance is twelve miles. One strong
and important point in the long' line of rebel defenses — that
line extending from Bowling Green, Kentucky, down past
Fort Donelson aud Fort Henry, and across the country to
Columbus — had been wrested from the enemy. Fort Donel-
son captured, and the country south, to the vicinity of the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, including the city of Nash-
ville and the railroad connecting Bowling Green with Colum-
bus, must be yielded by the Confederates. Columbus, too,
must be evacuated, and the Mississippi abandoned as far south
as Memphis. Then, with prompt and energetic movement on
the part of the Federal forces, the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad could be cut, the strategic point of Corinth occupied,
and Kentucky and West Tennessee restored to Federal author-
ity. The issue at Fort Donelson was therefore watched with
impatience and anxiety.
General Grant, with the divisions of Smith and McClernand,
arrived in rear of Fort Donelson in the evening of the 12th of
February, 18G2. That night the troops slept on their arms, as
they also did on every subsequent night, until the fort capitu-
lated. The division of Smith, filing to the left from the Dover
road, swung round against the enemy's right, and that of
McClernaud, filing to the right, formed line in front of the
enemy's left. The right and left of these divisions remained
connected; for the division of General Wallace, which was to
occupy the centre, had not yet arrived, but was on its way up
the Cumberland River. The 12th Iowa was still under Smith,
and was attached to the 3d Brigade, commanded by Colonel J.
246 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Cook. The 4th Brigade of the same division, in which were
the 2d, 7th, and 14th Iowa regiments, was next on the left and
constituted both the left of the division and the left of the
Federal forces.
"Thursday morning-, at half past eight o'clock, (I quote
from Colonel Woods' report) we marched down to, and up the
Dover road about half a mile, when we filed to the left, and
formed line of battle: threw forward the flanking companies
as skirmishers, and marched forward down a long slope that
lay in front, the grape, shot and shell of the enemy flying thickly
around us all the time. Our skirmishers advanced to the top of
the hill that lay in front of us. The battalion halted at two-
thirds of the distance to the top of the hill, where it was pro-
tected from the enemy's fire by the ridge in front." This
position was held by the 12th Iowa the following night; and
that night and the following one will never be forgotten by the
regiment. A fierce north-east storm set in late in the afternoon,
and raged with great fury, and the men, though drenched with
the rain, and chilled with the cold, were allowed no fires, and
suffered most bitterly. That morning the 12th Iowa had lost
it.-- fir.-d man killed in battle- private Edward C. Buckner. He
was shot through the head on the skirmish line, and killed
instantly. In the wet and cold of the following night, the sad
event was talked over by the men, and they wondered who
would be the next to fall.
The entire day of the 1 4th, (Friday) and the forenoon of
the following, were passed by the 12th Iowa in skirmishing
with the enemy; and, during this time, the regiment was gal-
lantly supported by the 50th Illinois, and by Birge's Sharp-
shooters. No assaults were attempted on Friday, for the divi-
sion of General Wallace, and the gun-boat fleet had not yet
come up. The fighting on the south side of Fort Donelson
elosed about noon on Saturday, the loth instant; when the
JOSEPH J. WOODS. 247
enemy, having routed McClernand, returned to their works in
triumph. It was at this hour that General Pillow sent his
laconic report to Nashville: "On the honor of a soldier, the
day is ours." " At about two o'clock in the afternoon of Sat-
urday, the 12th Iowa, 50th Illinois, and Birge's Sharp-shooters
were ordered to make a feint-attack, to draw the enemy's fire.
The men went cheerfully to the work assigned them ; and kept
up a warm fire on the enemy, while Colonel Lauman's brig-
ade, on our left, advanced on the enemy, and got possession of
a part of the enemy's outer works, and hoisted thereon the
American flag." From that hour until night-fall, the 12th
Iowa was sharply engaged, and during that time, the regiment
suffered nearly its entire loss. It moved to the support of
Colonel Tuttle by the left flank, and, marching through the
deep ravine in its front, and over the fallen timber, arrived at
the top of the hill, just as the 21th Indiana commenced falling
back. The regiment entered the rebel works to the right of
Colonel Tuttle, and held its position till morning, when the
Fort and its garrison were surrendered.
The casualties of the regiment in this engagement were
thirty— all, with the exception of three, being sustained on
Saturday afternoon. .Two only were killed. Among the
wounded, was Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter, who "behaved
with the utmost coolness and bravery, and performed his
duties regardless of the danger to which he was exposed."
Major Brodtbcck and Surgeon Parker received special men-
tion for their good conduct. "Every commissioned officer
performed his duty without flinching." Sergeant-Major Mor-
risy, and Color-bearer Sergeant Grannis, and many others,
deserve special mention for their coolness and gallantry.
Privates Buekner and Stillman were the two men killed: the
f .rim r was shot in (he eye, and the latter in the right temple.
With the exception of the 2d Iowa Infantry, no troops are
248 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
entitled to more credit, for the part they sustained in the
capture of Fort Donelson, than this regiment.
The next engagement of the 12th Iowa was Shiloh, where,
for holding its position too long, it was captured. It has been
matter of wonder why General Grant and Admiral Foote, after
the fall of Fort Donelson, did not push on directly to Nashville.
The people of that city, and the rebel troops there stationed,
would he in the utmost consternation; and it was believed that
the place could be occupied with little or no opposition. Both
Grant and Foote appreciated the situation, and were anxious
to advance against the city ; but Hal leek, the general command-
ing the Department, would not give his consent. They called
him the old wheel-horse. Some said he was good only on the
hold-back, and, to succeed, he must have a down-MU enter-
prise. As it was, the enemy, in their mad fright, destroyed
some two million dollars' worth of property which might have
been appropriated by the Government. General Johnson's
army, too, on the march from Bowling Green, might probably
have been captured. A week after the fall of Fort Donelson,
General Bnel occupied Nashville; after which, General Grant
proceeded up the Tennessee River to Savannah arid Pittsburg
Landing 1 .
At the battle of Shiloh, the 12th Iowa was attached to the 1st
Brigade, 2d Division, commanded by General Wallace. Gen-
eral Smith was absent at Paducah. Colonel, afterwards General
Tuttle commanded the brigade. The part taken by the regi-
ment in this engagement is elsewhere given. It formed a part
of that line which, though at last broken, was held with such
obstinacy as to save Grant's army from total rout.
After receiving orders to fall back, Colonel Woods says, in
his official report:
"Seeing ourselves surrounded, we nevertheless opened a
brisk fire on that portion of the enemy who blocked our pass-
JOSEPH J. WOODS. 249
age to the Landing, who, after briskly returning our fire for a
short time, fell back. A brisk fire from the enemy on our left
was going on at the same time. Seeing the enemy in front
falling back, we attempted, by a rapid movement, to cut our
way through; but the enemy on our left advanced rapidly,
coming in behind us, pouring into our ranks a most destructive
fire. The enemy in front faced about, and opened on us at
short range, the enemy in our rear still closing in on us rapidly.
I received two wounds, disabling me from further duty. The
command then devolved on Captain Edgington, acting as field'
officer. The enemy had, however, already so closely sur-
rounded us that their balls, which missed our men, took effect
in their ranks beyond us. To have held out longer would have
been to suffer complete annihilation. The regiment was there-
fore compelled to surrender as prisoners of war."
The regiment's list of casualties was great, though the exact
number I am unable to give. The killed and wounded num-
bered about one hundred and fifty. Of the conduct of his
regiment, Colonel Woods says : — " Captains Earle, Warner,
Stibbs, Haddock, Van Puzee and Townsley performed well
their part, as did all the lieutenants in the action, in a prompt
and willing manner. The non-commissioned officers and men
stood bravely up to their work, and never did men behave
better." Lieutenants Ferguson and Moir, two brave and wor-
thy officers, were both killed. As already stated, Colonel
Woods was twice wounded, and taken prisoner. He was shot
through the left leg and right hand. The former wound dis-
abled him, so that he could not march to the rear with the
other prisoners, and the fortunes of the following day restored
him to liberty ; for he was re-captured by our forces. Over
four hundred of the 12th Iowa were captured, and, of these,
eighty died in Southern prisons. That is the saddest page in
the history of this noble regiment.
The 12th Iowa was re-organized in the winter of lS(J2-3, that
portion of it which had been captured having been previously
exchanged. The regiment was again led to the front by its
250 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
unassuming colonel, and assigned to the 3d Brigade, 3d Divis-
ion, loth Army Corps. The command of the brigade was given
to Colonel Woods. A detailed account of the movements of
the regiment need not be given here; for a full history of
operations in the rear of Vicksburg will be found elsewhere.
The 12th marched with its corps from Milliken's Bend, via
Grand Gulf to Jackson, and thence to the rear of Vicksburg,
where it participated in the long and arduous siege. On the
fall of that city, it marched back with Sherman to Jackson,
and, after the flight of Johnson, assisted in the almost total
destruction of the place.
The regiment's next important services were rendered in
Northern Mississippi, in the spring of 1864; though I should
not omit to state that it marched with Sherman on his trip to
Meridian.
It re-en lifted as a veteran regiment, in the winter of 1863-4,
and came North vn veteran furlough; after which, it was
assigned to the command of General A. J. Smith, and, under
that general, fought at the battle of Tupelo, July 14th, 1864.
Its conduct in this engagement, and in saving Smith's train
from capture and burning the day before, between Pontotoc
and Tupelo, made it one of the star regiments of the expedi- j
tion.
The previous reverses, sustained by the army stationed at
and near Memphis, under General Sturgis, are stated in the
sketches of other officers. The expedition in question left
La Grange, on the line of the Memphis and Charleston Bail-
road, on the 5th of July, 1864; and, proceeding in a south-
easterly direction, passed through Ripley and Pontotoc, and
thence on to Tupelo. The heat and the dust rendered the
march extremely painful and exhausting; but the brave men
endured the hardships with great fortitude, for they were to
retrieve our arms in that quarter from disgrace.
JOSF.PH J. WOODS. 251
On the 13th instant, the 12th Iowa was assigned the duty of
guarding: the supply-train, a task which was not without its
dangers, and which, on account of the hilly and timbered
country through which the. march lay, required the greatest
vigilance. The country, too, was full of scouting- parties of the
enemy. Early in the afternoon, Lieutenant-Colonel Stihbs,
commanding the regiment, was informed by one of his flankers
that, the enemy's cavalry, in large force, were advancing
rapidly through the timber on his right. It proved to be
Maley's Mississippi Brigade. Learning their intended point
of attack, the colonel threw his regiment in their front, and,
concealing his men in the dense brush, ordered them to hold
their fire till they received the proper command. Soon, the
enemy came dashing through the woods, firing their carbines,
and shouting like demons. They were allowed to approach
within less than twenty paces, when a well-directed volley
from the regiment checked them, and a second one drove
them back in confusion, with the loss of their colors. They
continued a scattering fire for fifteen or twenty minutes, and
then retired.
In this affair, the loss of the 12th Iowa was one man killed,
and twelve wounded. Among the latter, was Captain C.
L. Lurabardo. The battle of Tupelo opened the next
morning.
On Thursday, the 1 1th instant, Smith's army was put under
arms at three o'clock in the morning, and was soon after
marched out and formed in line, on the right of the Pontotoc
road. The position of the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, to which
was attached the 12th Iowa, was as follows: "On the extreme
right was stationed the jSth Indiana Battery, four guns; next
in line, on the left, was the 33d Wisconsin, of the 4th Brigade;
next, the 33d Missouri; next, the 2d Iowa Battery, four guns,
commanded by Lieutenant J. Heed: and on the left of the
252 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
brigade, in the most advanced position of our front line of
battle, was the 12th Iowa, the 7th Minnesota being in reserve."
Immediately after the line was formed, skirmishers were
thrown out; and soon, the enemy, moving from their cover in
the timber, appeared in force, and formed for the encounter.
The battle opened with artillery, which was fired with great
rapidity and precision. The range was short, and the screach-
ing of shells, and the whistling of grape and canister, was
frightful. In the meantime, the enemy pushed their infantry
forward, and engaged the whole Federal front. The 12th Iowa <
was protected by an old fence thrown down for a barricade,
from behind which it did terrible, execution, repelling every
rebel assault. And thus the fighting continued for upward of
two hours, when the regiment, having exhausted its ammuni-
tion, was sent to the rear. In half an hour, it returned with
replenished cartridge-boxes, and, taking up its former position,
again engaged the enemy. As the battle progressed, the
enemy made charge after charge, confident of victory. They
would approach within fifty yards of the Federal line, when,
mot by terrible volleys of canister and musketry, they would
stagger fur a moment, and then retire precipitately. To whip
Smith's forces, was to be a "fore-breakfast spell"; but they
must have thought their breakfast a long way off. Finally,
they were charged in turn by the 12th Iowa in the ran, the
35th Iowa, the 33d Missouri, the 33d Wisconsin and two com-
panies of the 7th Minnesota. They could not face the valor
of these veterans, and tied to the woods, leaving the bloody
field in possession of the Federal forces. Nor did they return
that day to renew the contest.
Of the second day's fight, and of the results of both days'
battles, Lieutenant-Colonel Stibbs says:
"On the morning of the 15th instant my regiment was
assigned a position to the left of the Pontotoc road, and formed
JOSEPH J. WOODS. 253
the left centre of the brigade line. We had a substantial breast-
work of cotton-bales in our front, which served as an admirable
protection against the enemy's sharp-shooters. We took full
part in the fight and charge of the day, losing one man killed
and three wounded. Our loss during the three days' fighting
was one officer and eight men killed, one officer and fifty-four
men wounded, and one man missing."
Lieutenant A. A. Burdick, acting regimental quarter-master,
was killed by a shell, while assisting to bring forward ammu-
nition. He was a gallant young officer, and held in the highest
esteem by his regiment. Sergeant Robert Fowler and Corporal
G. R. llolden were also killed.
Being without supplies, General Smith could not continue
the pursuit; and he therefore moved back in the direction of
Memphis. Indeed, I am informed that the object of the expe-
dition was accomplished on the battle-field of Tupelo — Forest
and his command had been routed. The enemy's cavalry
followed on the return as far as Oldtown Creek, giving the rear
guard much trouble; but so skillfully and successfully was the
march conducted, that not a single wagon of the long train was
lost. The expedition arrived at La Grange on the 20th instant ;
and from that point all the wounded were sent forward to
Memphis.
The entire Federal loss in the fighting at Tupelo was about
six hundred, while the enemy's was estimated at not less than
two thousand.
After General Smith's operations against Price in Missouri,
in which the 12th Iowa took part, we next find the regiment
with that general before Nashville. In the battles fought
south of the last named city, it figured conspicuously; and its
gallantry became the more noted, from the fact that it went
into the fight without a single line officer: each company was
commanded by a sergeant. Lieutenant-Colonel J. 11. Stibbs
commanded the regiment, and Captain, now Major Knee was
254 IOWA COLONELS AND KEGIMEXTS.
acting major — both bravo and true men. The regiment's eon-
duct at Nashville is deserving- of the greatest praise; for its
colors were among the first to be placed upon the enemy's
strong redoubts. It accomplished much, with but small loss
— two killed and eighteen wounded. The 12th Iowa last
operated with General Smith, in the reduction of Mobile, or
rather the strong fnvi^, by which that city was defended.
Colonel Woods has a slender, stooping form, brown hair, a
light complexion, and mild, blue eyes. He is, in appearance
and in fact, the most unassuming of the Iowa colonels, lie
speaks slowly and kindly, and was accustomed to give his
commands with great coolness and deliberation. The officers
and men of his regiment at first thought he lacked style and
energy; but they soon learned he possessed great worth as a
commanding officer. He is the farthest removed from every
thing that distinguishes regular armv officers.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL M. M. CROCKER.
FIRST COLOXKT,, THIRTEENTH IM'.VXTUY.
Marcellus M. Crocker is a native of Johnson county,
Indiana, where he was born on the Gth day of February, 1830.
At the age of ten years, he accompanied his father's family to
Illinois, whence, after a residence of four or five years, he
removed to Jefferson county, Iowa. The extent of his early
education I have failed to learn ; but, at the ago of sixteen, he
was appointed, through the recommendation of General A. C.
Dodge, a cadet in the military academy at West Point. He is
not however a graduate of that Institution. After an attend-
ance of some two years and a half, his health failed him, and
lie was compelled to leave the Academy. Late in 18-19, he
returned to Iowa, and began the study of law in the office of
Judge Olney, at Fairfield. He commenced the practice of his
profession in 1851, in the town of Lancaster, Keokuk county,
when- he remained till the spring of 1S55, and then removed
to Des Moines, his present home.
General Crocker entered the service as captain of Company
1), 2d Iowa Infantry. He had recruited his company in April,
1861, fur the three month's service, (as was the case with nearly
every captain of the 2d Iowa) but, the State's quota for that
term of service bavin-- been already filled, he was assigned to
the 2d Iowa, ami, at the rendezvous of the regiment in
Keokuk, was elected its major. With that rank ho entered
the field. Four months later, he was commissioned lieuten-
ant-colonel, vice Tuttle, promoted, and on the 30th of October
following:, was transferred from his regiment, and madecolonel
of the 13th Iowa Infantry. In the winter of lS(52-3, he was
2o6 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
appointed and confirmed a brigadier-general. His promotions
were rapid and richly merited ; for, with her splendid galaxy
of military heroes, Iowa can not boast a better nor truer soldier
than General Crocker.
During his colonelcy of the 13th Iowa, General Crocker took
part in two engagements — Shiloh and Corinth. In the for-
mer, he commanded his regiment, and in the latter the Iowa
Brigade — the oldest and not the least distinguished brigade
command in the Army of the Tennessee. In the former, his
conduct was gallant in the extreme; and how he escaped with-
out injury is really wonderful. I have spoken elsewhere of
the confusion that reigned on the field in the afternoon of the.
first day's battle. At about four and a half o'clock it was at
its bight, and was so wild and terrible as to beggar description.
At that hour, Colonel Crocker was conspicuous. I am told that
his splendid example of courage contributed not a little toward
the establishment of the new line, which successfully resisted
the enemy's further advance that night. The progress of the
battle on the left, I have given in the sketch of Colonel W. G.
Williams. To show its opening and progress on the right, I
quote from the official report of Colonel Crocker ; for that gives
the clearest and most intelligible account of any that I have
seen :
"Early on the morning of the sixth, the alarm was given,
and heavy firing in the distance indicated that our camp was
attacked. The regiment was formed in front of its color-line,
its full force consisting of seven hundred and seventeen men,
rank and file. It was at once ordered to form on the left of the
2d Brigade, and proceeded to that position at a double-quick,
and was then formed in line of battle in a skirt of woods,
bordering on an open field, to the left of a battery. Here it
remained for some time inactive, while the enemy's guns were
playing on our battery. In the meantime, a large force of the
enemy's infantry were filing around the open field in front of
our line, protected by the woods, and in the direction of our
MARCELLUS U. CEOCKER. 257
battery, opening a heavy fire of musketry on the infantry sta-
tioned on our right, and charging upon the battery. The
infantry and battery to the right having given way, and the
enemy advancing at double-quick, we gave them one round of
musketry, and also gave way. At this time we, as indeed all
of our troops in the immediate vicinity of the battery, were
thrown into great confusion, and retired in disorder. Having
retreated to the distance of one or two hundred yards, we suc-
ceeded in rallying and forming a good line, the Sth and ISth
Illinois volunteers on our left, and, having fronted to the
enemy, held our position there under a continual fire of cannon
and musketry, until after twelve o'clock, when we were ordered
to retire and take up a new position. This we did in good
order, and without confusion.
"Here having formed a new line, we maintained it under an
incessant fire, until four and a half o'clock, P. M., the men
conducting themselves with great gallantry and coolness, and
doing great execution on the enemy, repelling charge after
charge, and driving them back with great loss. At four and a
half o'clock, we were again ordered to fall back. In obeying
this order, we became mixed up with a great many other regi-
ments, falling back in confusion, so that our line was broken,
and the regiment separated, rendering it very difficult to
collect it."
This was the last order to retire that was given that after-
noon, and the last ground yielded to the enemy; for the new
line, when firmed, was held successfully. It should, however,
be stated that, it was now near night, and there was little
more fighting that evening. It was in this new position that
Colonel Hare, of the 11th Iowa, was wounded and retired
from the field. During the day, he had commanded the 1st
Brigade of McClernand's Division. After he was wounded
and left the field, the command of the brigade was then
turned over to Colonel Crocker— "his able and gallant succes-
sor."
In closing his report of the battle of Shiloh, Colonel Crocker
.-ays :
"During the day, we were under fire of the enemy for ten
17
258 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
hours, aud sustained a loss of twenty-three killed, and or.
hundred and thirty wounded.
"On the morning of the 7th, we were ordered to continue
with Colonel Tuttle's Division, and to follow up and support
our forces that were attacking, and driving back the enemy.
We followed them up closely, moving to support the batteries, I
until the enemy was routed, after which, we were ordered to
return to the encampment that we had left on Sunday morn-
ing, where we arrived at eight o'clock, P. M. Our total loss
in the action of the Gth and 7th is killed, twenty-four;
wounded, one hundred and thirty-nine; missing, nine: total,
one hundred and seventy-two. The men, for the most part,
behaved with great gallantry. All the officers exhibited the \
greatest bravery and coolness; and I call especial attention to
the gallant conduct of my field officers, Lieutenant-Colonel
Price and Major Shane, who were both wounded in the action I
of the Gth, and acknowledge my great obligations to my adju-
tant, Lieutenant Wilson, who, during the entire action,
exhibited the highest qualities of a soldier."
The last gun was fired at Shiloh, before two o'clock in the]
afternoon of the 7th, and that same evening, the main portion '
of Grant's army marched back to their former encampment-.
where, having buried the dead and cared for the wounded. .
i
they rested.
Immediately after this engagement, the Iowa Brigade was ]
organized, and placed under the command of Colonel Crocker. \
It was composed of the 11th, 13th, loth and 16th Iowa regi-
ments, and afterward, as I have already said, became one of
the most distinguished brigade commands in the Army of the j
Tennessee. Under its first commander, it acquired that disci- 1
pline and efficiency, for which it was noted under each of the j
general's successors— Chambers, Hall and Belknap. It has
distinguished itself on half a score of battle-fields, and once
saved the Army of the Tennessee from calamitous defeat. K
has a most brilliant record. With this brigade, Colonel
Crocker fought at the battle of Corinth; but an account of that
engagement will be found in the sketches of other officers.
1
MABCELLUS M. CROCKER. 259
In the winter of 1SG2-3, the colonel was made a brigadier-
general. His sterling qualities as a soldier, and his continued
gallant deportment earned the promotion. After receiving
his commission, he continued with his brigade till the latter
part of April, 1863, when, by order of General McPherson, he
succeeded General Quiniby in the command of the 7th Divi-
sion, 17th Army Corps— the division which fought so gallantly,
and lost so heavily at Jackson and Champion's Hill. He joined
his division at Bruinsburg, just after it had crossed the Missis-
sippi, and commanded it in the two above engagements.
On the evening of the 13th of May, the 7th Division bivou-
acked, with its army corps at Clinton, ten miles west of
Jackson. The following night it was to camp in Jackson.
The character of the country between Clinton and Jackson,
the condition of the roads, and the state of the weather on the
morning of the 14th instant, I have given elsewhere. Crocker's
Division led the advance. This post of honor was granted by
McPherson, at the general's own request, which barely antici-
pated a similar one from Logan. The march was made, and
Hie enen^y encountered about two and a half miles west of the
city. Their line of battle was along a high ridge, and extended
from north to south, as far as the eye could reach. The rain
was falling in torrents, and, until it partially ceased, the two
armies stood and watched each other. In half an hour it broke
away, when General Crocker, pushing forward the 12th Wis-
consin Battery, saluted General Johnson. Tattle's Division of
Sherman's Corps, which had in the meantime come up on the
south side of the city, opened on the enemy at nearly the same
, instant. The 2d Iowa Battery, Lieutenant Peed, tired the first
gun on the south side of Jackson. The enemy's force was
about ten thousand, and the principal portion of it was it!
Crocker's front; but he pushed his leading brigade, winch was
drawn up in a continuous line, to the farthest point that
260 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
afforded cover, and then ordered a charge. It was a magnifi-
cent sight, for the conduct of the brigade was magnificent.
The battle was bloody, but not protracted: in ten minutes
after the order to charge was given, the enemy were fleeing in
total rout; nor did they stop until they had crossed Pearl
River.
For so great results, the Federal loss was small — only two
hundred and eighty-six; but all, except six or eight of the
casualties, were from the 2d Brigade of Crocker's Division.
The press of Illinois gave Logan the credit of fighting the
battle of Jackson. It was all wrong. His command was not
under fire; nor did it lose a man, even by a stray shot. The
general himself was at the front, where he always was, when
there was any fighting to be done; but he was only a spectator.
He sat quietly on his horse, caressing his huge mustache, till
word came of the flight of the enemy across the river, when he
rode into the city. In his official report, General McPherson
says: — " Colonel Sanborn was directed to send the flag of one
of his regiments, which had borne itself most gallantly in the
battle, and place it on the Capitol of the State of Mississippi,
and shortly before four o'clock the flag of the o9th Indiana was
proudly waving from the dome." The 59th Indiana "bore
itself gallantly," but it did not fire a gun at Jackson. The
10th Missouri, 17th Iowa and SOth Ohio made the charge, and
captured the city; and why the flag of the 59th first waved
from the dome was, the regiments entitled to the honor had
been left on the field, and could not be reached. Had General
Crocker delayed five minutes longer, the colors of the 9-3th
Ohio of Tuttle's Division, would have flaunted from the rebel
Capitol.
As soon as the fighting was done, General Crocker rode
down his line to the 17th Iowa, and to the other regiments of
the brigade, and thanked them for their gallantry; and as he
MARCELEUS M. CROCKER. 261
looked back on the hill-slope, where were lying the dead and
wounded, his eyes filled with tears, and his voice choked with
emotion. "Noble fellows," he said, "I am sorry, but we can
not help it."
Two days after the battle at Jackson, General Crocker com-
manded his division at Champion's Hill. His own, with
Hovey's and Logan's Divisions, fought that battle— the
bitterest of the whole campaign, if we except the charge on
the 22d of May ; but an account of this engagement has been
already given.
In June, 1863, General Crocker came North on sick leave.
His health, always bad, had been rendered much worse by the
hardships aud exposures of the recent campaign, and he
accepted his leave, at the urgent request of General Grant.
There is a story connected with this sick leave, which illus-
trates the kind-heartedness of General Grant, and which
affords me pleasure to relate. On the return of General
Quimby in the latter part of May, he resumed command of
his old division, when General Crocker was placed temporarily
upon the staff of General Grant. Crocker's tent being near
that of Grant, the attention of the latter was attracted by the
severe and almost incessant coughing of the former during the
night ; and, on meeting him the morning after, General Grant
said : "General Crocker, was that you whom I heard coughing
so last night?" "Yes," replied the general. "Well, then,
my dear fellow, you must go straight home, for you will die
here."
The general was at his home in Dcs Moines, at the time the
Union Gubernatorial Convention was held in that city. Dur-
ing its session, he visited the hall of the Convention, and the
evldt with which he was received, was a flattering testimonial
of the esteem in which he was held by his State. He was the
choice of the Convention for Governor of Iowa, and was
2b2 IOWA COLONELS AST) REGIMENTS.
earnestly solicited to accept the nomination; but his answer
was: "If a soldier is worth any thing, he can not be spared
from the field; and, if he is worthless, he will not make a
good Governor." The argument was unanswerable, and his
name was reluctantly dropped.
Early in July, 1863, General Crocker returned to the field,
and was given a division command, and made Commandant of
the District of Natchez. While commanding at Natchez, he
made his expedition to Harrisonburg, Louisiana. "The expe-
dition consisted of the following troops: the 2d Brigade, 4th
Division, Colonel G. Hall, 14th Illinois, commanding; the 3d
Brigade, 4th Division, General W. Q. Gresham commanding;
Company F, 3d Illinois Battery, and the 15th Ohio Battery,
with the 17th Wisconsin Infantry, mounted, commanded by
Colonel Mallory." At Harrisonburg, the enemy were reported
in considerable force, and intrenched in strong works. The
object of the expedition was to destroy these works and ord-
nance property, and capture or disperse the rebel garrison. It
resulted in the capture and burning of one small steamer on
Black River at Trinity, the capture and destruction of Fort
Beauregard at Harrisonburg, the destruction of all ammunition
and six pieces of artillery; and the capture of about twenty
prisoners and two six-pound brass cannon. There was no
battle — only trilling skirmishing.
li\ the fall of 1863, General Crocker returned to Vicksburg,
where he joined Sherman on the Meridian march. In the
following Spring, he joined his corps (the 17th) in its march
across the country to Georgia; but, on account of ill health,
was relieved, and, early in the summer of 1864, was tendered a
command hi New-Mexico, with head-quarters at Fort Sumner.
Believing the climate would be beneficial to his health, the
general accepted this command, since which time he has served
in that department.
MARCEI/LU3 M. CROCKER. 263
General Crocker is about five feet ten inches in bight, with a
blender, nervous form, which can never pass one unnoticed.
He has a passionate temper, and is plain-spoken, often saying
things which, in his calmer moments, he would leave unsaid.
His mode of discipline is severe and uncompromising, and a
careless blunder he would never excuse. On one occasion,
while in command of the Iowa Brigade, a general review was
ordered, and great pains was taken to avoid all mistakes. One
can imagine then what must have been the general's mortifica-
tion to see Colonel , of his leading regiment, ride past the
reviewing officer, with his sword at a protracted "present."
That was bad enough; but next followed Colonel , whose
regiment passed with arms at a " right-shoulder-shift." When
the review was over, the regimental commanders Were sum-
moned to the general's head-quarters, when, beginning with
the chief in rank, he administered the following rebuke: —
"Now, Sir, aren't you a pretty man — and pretend to be a
military man — and educated at a military school ! " " But — "
(began the colonel, wishing to apologize) " Hush up, Sir. I'm
doing the talking here." It all ended in a friendly chat, and
in an order for a new review ; and there was no more mistakes.
As a military man, General Crocker has boon pre-eminently
successful, not only as a disciplinarian, but as a bold and able
leader. Asa division commander, he has no superior in the
State, and, what is a little remarkable, this fact is universally
conceded.
Nor was the general less successful as a civilian, than he has
been as a soldier. Though young, he ranked, at the time of
entering the service, among the best lawyers of Bes Moines —
tiic city which boasted one of the ablest bars in the State.
C. C. Cole, ( now Judge of the State Supreme Court ) J. A.
Kasson, (now Congressman from the 5th Bistrict) C. C.
Nourse, (Attorney General of the State) T. F. Withrow,
264 IOWA COLONELS AXD REG EXTENTS.
(State Supreme Court Reporter) P. M. Cassady, (General
Crocker's law-partner) General Williamson, Polk, Jewett, W.
W. Williamson, Finch, St. John, Ellwood, Rice, Clark,
Mitchell, Ingersoll, Smith, Phillips, White, McKay anrl
Brown, was Des Moines' roll of attorneys in the spring of 1861,
and of these the general ranked among the very best, as an
advocate and circuit practitioner. Some say that, in these
respects, he led the Des Moines Bar.
COLONEL JOHN SHANE.
SECOND COLONEL, THIRTEENTH INFANTRY.
John Shane was born in tho county of Jefferson, Ohio, on
the 2Gth of May, 1822, and was educated at Jefferson College,
Pennsylvania. After graduating, he taught school for a few
years in Kentucky, and then, returning to Ohio, studied
law in the office of E. M. Stanton, Esq., now our honored
Secretary of War. He was admitted to the bar at Steuben-
ville, in 1848, where he continued in the practice till the year
1855, when he removed to Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, his
present home.
Colonel Shane volunteered as a private in Company G, 13th
Iowa Infantry; and, on its organization, was elected its cap-
tain. This rank he held till the 30th of October, 1861, when
he was elected to the majority of his regiment. At the battle
of Shiioh, both Lieutenant-Colonel Price and Major Shane
were severdy wounded. The former soon after resigning his
commission, Major Shane was promoted to the lieutenant-
colonelcy. On the loth of March, 1S63, he succeeded General
Crocker to the colonelcy of the 13th Iowa Infantry, which
position ho retained till the expiration of his three years'
term of service. The principal portion of the history of this
gallant regiment has been made under Colonel Shane; for,
with the exception of Shiioh, it was under his command in all
its engagements, prior to the fall of Atlanta. It is, however,
but proper to state that, for several months after Colonel
Crocker I'll his regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Shane was
indehted to him for its marked efficiency; for, although in
2G5
260 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
command of a brigade and nominally absent, the colonel was
really the commanding officer of the regiment.
I need not record in full the services of the 13th Iowa, for
they are given elsewhere, in connection with the histories of
the other regiments of the Iowa Brigade. Dating from the
middle of April, 1S02, the records of these regiments are almost
precisely the same.
Returning from General Grant's march into Central Missis-
sippi in the winter of 1SG2-3, the 13th Iowa, with its brigade,
returned to the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad,
and, for a few weeks, went into camp at La Fayette, Tennessee.
About the 20th of January, the brigade marched to Memphis,
and on the 22d left that city on transports for Young's Point,
Louisiana. Here the regiment remained for several weeks,
furnishing heavy details to work on the celebrated Vicksburg
Canal, which taps the Mississippi just below Young's Point.
The services of the 13th Iowa and of the Iowa Brigade were,
from this time till the following September, of the most annoy-
ing and fatiguing nature.
In the complicated movements around Vicksburg, which
attended its investment and capture, the regiment acted a
prominent part ; though the services performed were of such a
nature as not to challenge special notice. General McArthur's
Division, to which the Iowa Brigade was attached, was the last
of the 17th Corps to leave the river above Vicksburg, in the
march across the country (o the river below that city. By the
time this division had reached a point opposite Grand Gulf,
the brilliant successes of General McClernand and two divis-
ions of General McPherson's Corps had compelled the evacua-
tion of this point; and all that was now required of McArthur
was to cross the river, and take possession of the place. This
happened on the 6th of May, and, from that date until after
the battles of Champion's Hill and Big Black River Bridge,
JOHN SHANE. 267
Grand Gulf was held by the Iowa Brigade, and made a sort of
base from which Grant's army received its Supplies, and where
all surplus baggage was stored.
There is an amusing and honest story connected with the
occupation of Grand Gulf. Admiral 1). D. Porter, since become
celebrated on the coast of the Atlantic, had tried nearly one
whole day to reduce this strong-hold, with his gun-boat fleet ;
but he so far failed as not to silence a single gun. lie still
watched in the vicinity, and, when the garrison, flanked by
MeClernand and McPherson, were compelled to evacuate, at
once entered and occupied the works, and labeled upon the
breech of every gun, "Captured by Admiral D. I). Porter,
May 6th, 1863." I suppose Admiral Porter did well at Fort
Fisher, as, indeed, he did on the Mississippi; but, though he is
a brave and efficient officer, General Ben. Butler is not the only
one who has had occasion to "blow the froth from his lively
porter."
On the 19th of May, at mid-night, the Iowa Brigade was
ordered back by forced marches across the neck of land to
Young's Point, and sent by boat up the Yazoo, to the assist-
ance of Sherman; but, on its arrival, it was learned that
Sherman had sufik-ient force, and it was ordered again to the
left. It retraced its weary stops, and, crossing the Mississippi
River near Warrenton, marched to the front, arriving on the
evening of the memorable 22d of May, but too late to partici-
pate in the general charge.
What is true of the position of Grant's forces before Vicks-
burg, on the morning of the 22d of May, is not generally
known. The left of McClernand's Corps did not extend to the
river below the city. A strip of country nearly seven miles
in width, between McClernand's left and the river, was held
by the enemy : and it was this gap in the line, which
McArthur was ordered to fill, and which, when filled,
268 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
completed the investment of Vicksburg. In coming into this
position, the Iowa Brigade skirmished nearly the entire day
of the 22d, and, as I have said, arrived before the enemy's
works, just after tbe disastrous charge. But this position
was maintained by General McArthur only until the 2Gth of
May, the date of the arrival of General Lauman's command ;
for in the meantime, the enemy were reported to be concen-
trating in heavy force in the direction of Yazoo City, and the
Upper Big Black, for the purpose of moving on General
Grant's roar, to raise tbe siege; and General Blair, with a
picked command, consisting of McArthur's Division and other
troops was ordered out to disperse them. This, with the
exception of the march to Monroe, Louisiana, and that one
just recently made through the bottomless swamps of South
Carolina, is the hardest one the Iowa Brigade ever made. It
was made by forced marches, in the heat of a Southern sum-
mer's sun, and through dust that was well-nigh suffocating. By
those who participated in it, it will never be forgotten. But
tbe march was the only thing of terror connected with the expe-
dition; for the enemy, who were met only in inconsiderable
force near Mechanics vUle, were dispersed with but few casual-
ties. The expedition, however, was not without its good
results; for, on its return byway of the fertile valley of the
Yazoo, almost fabulous quantities of corn and cotton were
destroyed. Five thousand head of cattle, sheep and hogs, too,
were driven back to Grant's needy army.
After the return of this expedition, the 13th Iowa, with its
brigade, constituted a portion of the force with which General
Sherman held at bay the rebel General Johnson, on the Big
Black. On the 3d and 4th of July, the regiment skirmished
with the enemy's advance, and, on their retreat to Jackson,
followed in close pursuit. Next follows the expedition under
Brigadier-General Stevenson, from Vicksburg to Monroe,
JOHN SHANE. liGy
Louisiana, which was made in the middle of August, 1S(3G; and
nn account of which appears in the sketch of General J. M.
lfedriek, formerly of the 15th Jowa.
The following Autumn, and the greater part of the following
Winter, were passed by the 13th Iowa in camp at Vicksburg.
It was at Vicksburg that the regiment re-enlisted as veteran
volunteers. Immediately after the march to Meridian, in
which the 13th joined, it returned North on veteran furlough.
The balance of its history has been made in the three wonder-
ful marches of General Sherman — from Dalton to Atlanta,
from Atlanta to Savannah, and from Savannah to Goldsboro
and Washington. The regiment bore a conspicuous part in
the memorable engagement of the 22d of July before Atlanta.
Its loss was eleven killed, forty-two wounded, and ninety-six
missing. Among the killed was the brave Major William A.
Walker; and among the wounded, Captain George McLaugh-
lin and Lieutenants Wesley Huff, George B. Hunter, and
Charles II. Haskins. Captain Pope, and Lieutenants Rice,
Parker and Eyestone were captured.
The aggregate loss of the 13th Town during the Atlanta Cam-
paign I have failed to learn.
That which has most contributed to give the regiment a
National reputation is the part it acted, or a portion of it, in
the capture of Columbia, South Carolina, on the 17th of Feb-
ruary, 18G5. The colors of the regiment, in the hands of
Lieutenant-Colonel Justin C. Kennedy, were the first to flaunt
from the capitol building of South Carolina.
l: Head-quarters 4tii Divisios, 17th Ap.mv Corps,
"Near Columbia, S. C, Fobruary ]7, 1865
"Brigadier-General W. W. Belknap:
"Sir: — Allow me to congratulate you, and through you,
Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Kennedy, 13th Iowa Veteran Volun-
teers, and the men under his command, for first entering the
city of Columbia on the morning of Friday, February 17th,
270 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
and being the first to plant his colors on the Capitol of South
Carolina.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
"Giles A. Smith,
" Brevet Jtfaj or- General Commanding. ,"
Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy is a resident of Vernon, Linn
county, Iowa. He is thirty-two years of age, and a native of
the State of Now York. His name will live in American
history.
Colonel Shane is one of the largest of the Iowa colonels, his
weight being two hundred and ten pounds. He lias sandy
hair, (perhaps red) a frorid complexion and blue eyes, looking
out through a large, round, good-natured face. He is of an
easy, jovial nature, relishes a joke, and is fond of good living.
He ranked fairly as a soldier, and was popular with his com-
mand.
At home and in private life, he is much respected. He is
economical, and has secured a snug property. I am told he
was one of the few officers of our army who honestly made
money in the service.
From the organization of the Republican Party in his county,
he has been a prominent, working member. He was a dele-
gate to the State Convention which re-nominated the Hon.
Samuel J. Kirkwood for Governor of Iowa.
COLOXEL WILLIAM TUCKERMAX SHAW.
FOURTEENTH IX FA XTKY.
The beltigerous Colonel Siiaw is a native of the State of
Maine, and was born in the town of Steuben, Washing-ton
county, on the 22d day of September, 1S22. He received his
education at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and after leaving
that Institution removed to Kentucky, where he engaged in
school teaching. He Mas in Kentucky at the time war was
declared by our Government against Mexico, and enlisted in
the 2d Kentucky Infantry regiment, commanded by the
gallant Colonel William II. McKee. He served with his
regiment till the close of the war, accompanying it on every
march, and fighting with it in every engagement, in which it-
took part. He was present in the sanguinary battle of Buena
Vista; nod was on that hill-slope, and in that ravine, where
the battle raged with such fury, and where Colonel McKee was
killed, and the chivalrie Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Clay, Jr.,
mortally wounded. On the declaration of peace, he assisted in
clearing our South-western borders of those hostile tribes of
Indians, which were then so annoying to the frontier settlers.
]>y his greed courage and determination, Colonel Shaw
attained notoriety, and, in 1849, was chosen the leader of the
first party, which crossed the barren and trackless country
lying between Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Santa Fe. This
event at that day was quite notable; and the number and
names of the party have been preserved. It was composed of
thirty-six men— citizens of New York, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Louisiana and Arkansas. In 1852, Colonel Shaw again eross< d
the plains, starting from Council Blufis; and, tins time, he was
271
272 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
accompanied by only one man. In 1853, he settled in Ana-
mosa, Jones county, Iowa, where he has since resided.
Colonel Shaw was made colonel of the 14th Iowa Infantry,
on the 24th day of October, 1861 j and held tins rank till the
summer of 1864, when he was dismissed the service.
The first of the long and bloody series of battles in which
the 14th Iowa has borne a conspicuous part was that of Fort
Donelson. Though present at the capture of Fort Henry, the
regiment was not engaged. In the engagement at Fort Don-
elson, the 14th Iowa held the right of its brigade; and, on the
afternoon of the 13th, two days before the successful assault
which was led by the left wing of the 2d Iowa, under Colonel
Tuttle, charged the enemy's works in connection with' the 25th
Indiana. The object of this assault was the capture of a six-
gun battery, and the enemy's line in front; but through the
failure of the 2-3th Indiana, under the immediate command of
Colonel Lauman, to co-operate in the movement, no advantage
was gained, except that a slightly advanced position was taken
and held.
On the afternoon of the 15th of February, the 14th moved
into the enemy's works to the right of the 2d Iowa, and soon
after they had been entered by that regiment. In this day's
fight the Loss of the regiment was trifling — only one man
killed, and seven wounded. On the afternoon of the 13th,
it suffered mure severely, losing two killed and fourteen
wounded.
In closing his official report of this engagement, Colonel
Shaw says :
" I may mention the valuable services rendered by Sergeant-
Major S. II. Smith, who was shot dead by my side, while
encouraging the men on to enter the breast-works of the
enemy; also 1st Lieutenant William \Y. Kirkwood, comniaud-
ing Company K, rendered very valuable assistance, in forming
WILLIAM T. SHAW. 273
the- line in front of the enemy's breast-works. Captain War-
ren C. Jones, of Company I, also rendered valuable service, in
directing the fire of my marksmen, and, especially, in protect-
ing the retiring of the skirmishers on the 13th instant."
I am informed that Colonel Shaw was mistaken in the case
of Lieutenant Kirkwood. Second-Lieutenant Charles P.
King commanded Company K at Fort Donelson, and distin-
guished himself.
Sergeant I. N. Rhodes, of Company I, also distinguished
himself. Just after his regiment had gained the enemy's rifle-
pits, the 1st Missouri Battery was hurried up to a sally-port,
near by, and opened on the enemy. It at once drew the fire of
a six-gun rebel battery, to the right and front. The firing of
the rebel guns was so rapid and accurate that, the lieutenant in
command of one section of the Missouri Battery became
frightened, and deserted his guns. A sergeant of the battery,
however, named Bremer, stuck to his piece, and returned the
fire of the enemy. Sergeant Rhodes, of the 14th Iowa, seeing
the other pieces deserted, sprang forward with six men of his
company, and continued to work them on the enemy, till
darkness prevented their further use.
From Fort Donelson, the 14th Iowa marched with its
division to Pittsburg Landing, on the Tennessee. The dis-
tinguished part which the 14th took in the sanguinary
engagement of Shiloh, has been noticed in the sketches of
Colonels Geddes and Woods. The 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa
regiments stood side by side, at the time they were surrounded
and captured — the 14th holding the centre, with the 12th on
its right, and the Sth on its left. In speaking of the gallant
conduct of Colonel Shaw's regiment in this engagement, Major
Hamill, of the '2d Iowa Infantry, said:
"They were to our left, and in plain view of us, until up to
the time we learned of the flank movement of the enemy, and
were ordered to fall back to save ourselves. The regiment can
274 IOWA COLOXELS AXD REGIMENTS.
not receive too much credit; for I never saw such splendid
fighting before nor since. They would lie quietly in line
until the enemy was within fifteen or twenty paces, when they
would rise and deliver a deadly fire, and then, in an instant,
charge his line, which, in every instance, they did not fail to
break, and force back in confusion."
Colonel Shaw, who commanded his regiment in this engage-
ment, was captured and retained a prisoner of war until the
following October, when he was paroled at Richmond, and
sent into our lines. The history of his hardships, during his
six months' prison-life, is the same as are those of Major,
now Governor Stone, Colonel Geddes, Captain, now General
Hedrick, and others, who were captured during the first day's
battle.
The 1 1th Iowa, as also the other Iowa troops captured at
Shiloh, were exchanged in the fall of 1SG2, and sent to Annap-
olis, Maryland. "While at Annapolis, some of the officers
telegraphed to General Halleck for permission to visit Wash-
ington; and the general replied: "You can come. Such troops
can go any where: your indomitable courage at Shiloh saved
the Army of the Mississippi from total annihilation." The
courage and endurance of these troops was appreciated by Gen-
eral Beauregard, who is reported to have said, "We charged
the centre [they held the centre] five distinct times, and could
not break it."
The history of the 1 4th Iowa Infantry, subsequently to its
exchange and re-organization, and up to the time when the
greater portion of it was mustered out of the service, is similar
to that of the 32d Iowa. During the spring and summer of
1SG3, it served at different points on the Mississippi River, on
garrison-duty; but shortly before General A. J. Smith moved
with his division from Memphis to Vicksburg, from which
last named point he marched on t lie Meridian Expedition, the
14th was brigaded with the 27th and 32d Iowa, and the 24th
WILLIAM T. SHAW. 1'70
Missouri. Colonel Shaw of the 14th Iowa was assigned to the
command of this brigade; and, with it, saved the army of
General Banks from defeat and capture at the battle of Pleasant
Hill, Louisiana.
In the fall of 1864, the 14th Iowa joined in the operations
which were instituted for the expulsion of General Price's
army from Missouri ; soon after which the regiment was mus-
tered out of the United States service; for it had failed to
re-enlist in sufficient numbers to entitle it to retain its organi-
zation. Only two companies remained in the service.
The 11th is the only Iowa regiment, from the 2d to the 17th,
(and no others of the infantry troops came within the order)
that lost its name and organization, on account of not re-enlist-
ing. The reasons why the regiment refused to renew their
enlistment need not be stated, for they involve an old feud,
which should not be revived.
A true history of the Bed River Campaign will attribute the
chief glory which attaches to the battle of Pleasant Hill, to
the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 16th Army Corps; (Colonel Wil-
liam T. Shaw's command) for these troops saved the army of
General Banks from destruction, on that day of terror.
Bumor says that the army of General Steele should have
been, at least, as far south as Camden, Arkansas, on the 8th of
April, 1864, the day on which General Banks first met the
enemy in strong force, some four miles east of Mansfield,
Louisiana. The object of both Banks and Steele was a com-
mon one — the capture of Shreveport, and the destruction of
the rebel army in Western Louisiana and Arkansas. Of the
character of the orders under which these officers marched, I
am ignorant; but, had they co-operated as they should have
done, the power of the Confederates would no doubt have been
broken in the trans-Mississippi country. As it is, history
276 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
must record disastrous defeat to the armies of both Steele and
Banks.
General Smith arrived with his command within one mile
of Pleasant Hill, at sun-down on the evening of the 8th of
April, 1864, and a little before the fighting of that day had
closed at the front. That night, General Banks fell back with
his troops of the 13th and 19th Corps; and, early on the follow-
ing morning, took up a position about one mile west of
Pleasant Hill. At ten o'clock of the same morning, the com-
mand of General Smith was ordered to the front. Colonel
Shaw's Brigade led the advance, and took up a position on the
Pleasant Hill and Mansfield road. His own regiment was
thrown across the road, and at nearly right angles with it. Ilis
right was held by the 24th Missouri, and his left by the 27th and
32d Iowa— the 32d holding the extreme left. To the right of his
command, was the brigade of General Dwight; but the name
of the brigade on the left, I am unable to give. Nor does it
matter, since it fled at the first onset of the enemy. No sooner
had Colonel Shaw brought his command into line, than the
skirmishers of the enemy were encountered; and then, after
an interval of long and harrowing suspense, followed the fierce
and sanguinary conflict of Pleasant Hill, the details of which
are given in the sketch of Colonel John Scott, of the 32d Iowa
Infantry.
For the part taken by the 1 1th regiment in this engagement,
I refer to the official report of Lieutenant-Colonel, then Captain
W. C. Jones:
"The regiment moved out to the front with the brigade to
which it was attached, at a few minutes before eleven o'clock
A. M., taking position upon the line parallel with an open
field, the right resting upon a road immediately in the rear of
the 20th New York Battery. Company I, under command of
2d Lieutenant G. 11. Logan, Company K, under command of
Captain W. J. Campbell, were deployed as skirmishers toward
WILLIAM T. SHAW. 277
the centre of the field. Their left was resting upon the
skirmish line of the 27th Iowa. Skirmishing occurred at
intervals, until 4 o'clock P. M., when the enemy advanced by
a cavalry charge — our skirmishers rallying in their proper
places, the 25th New York Battery fell in the rear of us. We
reserved our fire until the enemy were in easy pistol range,
when we opened a fire upon them, which almost annihilated
them. Horses and riders rolled almost within our lines. This
charge was followed by an advance of infantry in two lines,
when the conflict became general. The enemy was repulsed in
front with heavy slaughter. The second line advanced upon our
_ front, and a line at right angles upon our ri^ht flank, opening a
terrible cross-fire. Our right w T as changed in the new direction
to meet the new line. In this bloody cross-fire, our lamented
Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Xewbold, fell from his horse, mor-
tally wounded, the ball passing through his body from the
right breast, disabling his left arm. There, also fell Lieuten-
ant Logan, Lieutenant McMillen, and Lieutenant Shanklin,
officers beloved by all, nobly laying their bodies a bleed-
ing sacrifice upon their country's altar. The long list of
casualties below, clearly indicate the unreproachable bravery
and indomitable will of the regiment, Upon the fall of
Lieutenant-Colonel Xewbold, I assumed command of the
regiment, and I tender most hearty thanks to the officers,
commissioned and non-commissioned and privates, for the
gallant manner in which they sustained their reputation,
gained upon the bloody fields of Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth,
De Russy and Pleasant Hill.
"I withdrew the regiment, with the rest of the brigade, by
your order, at six o'clock P. M."
Among the wounded of the 14th Iowa in this engagement,
were Lieutenant Holmes, and Sergeants Ford, Parmenter,
Kichol and M. L. Roberts — the last mortally. Private S.
J. Parker had his head blown completely off by a shell.
Disregarding former services, his conduct in this engagement
alone should have made Colonel Shaw a brigadier-general ; but
he was disgusted with the weakness of certain general officers,
and the exhibitions of his manly wrath procured his dismissal
from the service. Ho was dismissed for publishing a letter
278 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
in the Dubuque "Times," from which the following is an
extract :
" I reported to General Emery at about ten o'clock in the
morning: he then appeared to be both drunk and a coward. I
relieved General McMillan, who was drunk. I did not see
General Emery again till after dark, and the fighting had
ceased. Tic was. then beastly drunk. I saw General kStone,
General Banks' Chief of Staff, thirty minutes before the main
attack was made, and pointed out to him my position, which
he approved and said it must be held at all hazards."
I am informed by officers, who were with Colonel Shaw at
the battle of Pleasant Hill that he stated in his letter nothing
but the truth ; but, though that be so, the publication of the
letter was an ill-judged act, and in violation of wise and
imperative rules. The colonel received his dismissal in the
fall of 1864, and while he was with his command in Missouri,
aiding to drive Price from that State. He returned at once to
his home in Anamosa.
The last three months' service of the 14th Iowa was per-
formed in Missouri. After the death of Colonel Newbold, the
regiment was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. Jones,
the original and celebrated " Paul Bentley," who, in the winter
Of 1862-3, entrapped Mrs. Jeff Thompson and KosaatSt, Louis.
The history of this affair need not be repeated. I will only add
the compliment the colonel received from General Curtis.
"You have," he said, "done me more service than all my
troops stationed at St. Louis."
The 11th Iowa, with its division, took part, during the
month of October and a portion of September, in driving Gen-
eral Price from Missouri. Leaving Memphis on the steamer
BostQna, the 5th of September, it arrived by way of Cairo at
Jefferson Barracks, and, after a stay of a few days, left for Pilot
Knob. It left at mid-night of the 24th of September. Part of
the regiment was distributed along the Iron Mountain Railroad
WILLIAM T. SHAW. 279
for purposes of defense, while the balance went forward with
General Ewing to Pilot Knob.
Having: been re-called to Jefferson Barracks, or that portion
of it stationed along the railroad, it left with its division for
Jefferson City, and marched thence to Tipton. From the last
named point, it returned to St. Louis without meeting the
enemy, and, on the Cth of November, reached Camp Kinsman,
Davenport. Here the non-veterans were mustered out, and
the others — two companies, as I have before stated — were
organized into the Besiduary Battalion. This battalion, which
has since served at Camp Butler, Illinois, was officered as fol-
lows: — Company A: Hugo Hoffbauer, captain; Joseph D.
McClure; 1st lieutenant; Addison Davis, 2d lieutenant.
Company B: Orville Burke, captain ; Thomas B. Beach, 1st
lieutenant; Perry L. Smith, 2d lieutenant.
Colonel Shaw is of only medium size, being five feet and ten
inches in hight, and sparely built ; though there is something
about him which makes him appear larger. He is rough and
abrupt in his manners, is careless in dress, and by no means
comely in person. His eyes are gray and deep-set, and his
cheek-bones prominent. His mouth is large, and has about it
an expression of stubbornness, which, I believe, is his most
prominent trait of character.
Colonel Shaw is a man of great experience, and large and
varied acquirements. Indeed, there seems to be no profession
or science, with which he is not, in a good degree, familiar.
He can bilk law, divinity or physic; and, by his blunt shrewd-
ness, surprises even those who, by these callings, obtain a
livelihood. In nearly all questions, he is noted for assuming
the negative; and, when once interested, he will talk and
argue from morning till night. Many days of his prison-life
were parsed in this way. In prison, Major, now Governor
Stone, was his chief oppouent.
2S0 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
It is a mystery to some why Colonel Shaw was never made
a brigadier-general. He was brave and efficient in the field,
and never met the enemy without distinguishing himself;
and many, destitute of these qualifications, have been made
general officers. He doubtless would have been promoted,
had he been more reticent on the conduct and merits of his
superiors. It was against his nature to let a blunder pass
unnoticed ; and he would quarrel with a superior, sooner than
with a subordinate.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL HUGH T. REID.
FIRST COLONEL, FIFTEENTH IXFAXTKY.
Hugh Thompson Reid was born in Union county, Indiana,
the Sth day of October, 1811. His father, who was a native of
South Carolina, had left that State only a year before his son
Hugh's birth. General Reid worked on his father's farm, in
Indiana, till the year 1S30, when he entered the Miami Uni-
versity, then under the tutorship of Professor Bishop. He
graduated at the Indiana College, in 1S37. Choosing the law
for a profession, he studied for two years in the office of Judge
Perry of Liberty, Indiana, and was then admitted to the bar.
He came to Keokuk, Iowa, in 1813, and began the practice of
his profession. Keokuk has since remained his home.
General Reid first became widely known in Southern Iowa,
from his connection with the Keokuk and Des Moines River
Railroad: indeed, to his energy and perseverance, more than
to the efforts of any other man, this road is indebted for its
existence. At one time its abandonment was talked of; but he
would not consent, and the work was pushed forward. Its
present flourishing condition evidences the soundness of his
judgment.
Late in the summer of 1861, General Reid began recruiting a
regiment for the service. Then, recruiting dragged heavily.
On every hand he met with discouragements; but he finally
succeeded, for he never turned his back on an enterprise once
undertaken. The loth Iowa Infantry was mustered into the
United States service on the 2:>d day of February, 1SG2.
The 15th Iowa left its rendezvous in Keokuk on the 17th of
March, 18G2, and, after a stay of only ten days in St. Louis,
281
282 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
proceeded to the front. At St. Louis the regiment received its
arms and camp equipage. It arrived at Pittsburg Landing at
six o'clock on Sunday morning, the first day of the battle. Its
opening chapter was an eventful one. It fired its first gun at
Shiloh.
General Grant's head-quarters were then at Savannah,
eight miles below, on the river; and at that point Colonel Reid
had, the night before, been assigned to the division of General
Prentiss. On arriving at the Landing, on the morning of the
sixth, his first business was to report to that general, and,
mounting his horse, he rode out toward the front for that pur-
pose; but for some reason, he <Jid not reach the front till the
battle had opened with great fierceness, and he was unable to
effect his object. He therefore returned to the river, and, dis-
embarking his regiment, drew it up in line on the high bluffs,
and waited for orders. It was now hardly nine o'clock, and
yet the frightful stampede had already begun. Long lines of
fugitives, many of them hatless and coatless, and all of them
frightened to desperation, came streaming to the river-bank,
and nothing could stop them.
Colonel Reid first received orders to arrest these fugitives,
and effect their re-organization; but it was utterly impossible,
and he was therefore, after considerable delay, ordered to pro-
ceed hastily to the front.'
I have already stated that the loth Iowa received their arms
at St. Louis, just before embarking for the front : it is therefore
unnecessary to add that the regiment had never been instructed
in the manual of arms. In the process of loading and firing,
they were all novices; but it was fortunate that they were
nearly all of them accustomed to a gun, and could handle it
with efficiency.
Under the guidance of a staff officer of General McClernand,
and followed by the lGth Iowa, Colonel Chambers, Colonel
HUGH T. KEID. 2S3
Iteid started with his regiment for the front ; and, after a long,
circuitous march occasioned by the ignorance or confusion of
tlie guide,— first to the right, in almost the opposite direction
from where the firing was the heaviest, and then to the left in
a south-westerly direction — finally entered a large, open field,
the west side of which was bordered by timber and held by
the enemy. On his right, too, the field was bordered with
timber and held by the enemy ; and here they had artillery
in position, with which, as soon as he came into view, they
opened on him with great vigor. They used shell, grape and
canister, and fired with precision; but Colonel Iteid, heedless
of danger, advanced to engage the enemy in his front. He
was so confident, or so forgetful, that he did not even take the
precaution to deploy his regiment in line of battle; but
marched it by the right flank, into the very face of the
enemy. Some of his regiment said after the engagement that,
if the enemy had opened their lines, he would have marched
straight through and been captured ; but it is needless to say
that these were the colonel's enemies.
Yv'hen he had reached a point where he was met both in front
and on the right by a most galling fire, he drew his regiment
out into line of battle; and the manner in which he did it,
showed his great courage. He first filed it to tiie left, in a line
parallel to that of the enemy, and then counter-marched it
into a position to return the enemy's fire. All this time he
was suffering loss. Such coolness must have been a strange
spectacle to the enemy; and such troops they must have
encountered with hesitancy.
As soon as the regiment was brought to a front, it engaged
the enemy, tir^t by a rapid fire, and then with the bayonet;
and thus the struggle continued for nearly two hours, when,
flanked on both the rigid and left, the order to fall back was
given. The regiment fell back, as did nearly all the troops on
284 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
that field, in confusion. But that is not strange: what is
strange, is how, undisciplined as it was, the regiment main-
tained itself so long, and with such courage.
About this time, Colonel Beid was severely wounded. A
shot struck him in the neck, and paralyzed him. Seeing him
fall from his horse, Major Belknap ran to him, and raised him
up, when he said: "Tell my wife that I died gloriously, fight-
ing for my country." Brave man! He thought he was hit
mortally — dulcc jrro patria mori; but it fortunately proved
otherwise. He revived in a half-hour, and resumed command
of his shattered regiment.
There are various accounts of the particular part taken by
the 15th Iowa at Shiloh: indeed, hardly two men of the regi-
ment saw the thing alike. One says the regiment did not file
left in coming into line, but that it formed "forward on first
company." Another says that, a portion of the regiment filed
left, and the other right, and thus got separated, (which is
true); and still another that, it engaged the enemy across a
large ravine, to the right and front, while standing by the
right flank and before it was formed in line of battle. To
show how great was the confusion, I may further add that, one
of the regiment's field officers, the day after the battle had
closed, was not able to find the field in which the fighting was
done.
The following is Colonel Rcid's statement of casualties, and
his roll of honor :
"Fifteen of the thirty-two commissioned officers, who went
on the field, had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoners:
twenty-two officers and men had been killed, and one hundred
and fifty-six wounded.
"Adjutant Pomutz distinguished himself during the action,
for his coolness and courage. He, too, was wounded. Cap-
tains Kittle, of Company A: Smith, of Company B; Seevers,
of Company C; Madison, of Company D; Hutcheraft, of Com-
pany E ; Cunningham, of Company G; Day, of Company I;
HUGH T. KEID. 285
ami Hedriek, of Company K, who was captured in a charge
upon the enemy, all distinguished themselves for their gal-
lantry and courage, in leading forward and encouraging
their men. Captain Blackmar, of Company F, was wounded
in the action, and disabled; 1st Lieutenant Goode of the same
company was also wounded. Captain Clark, of Company H,
was not in the engagement, having been left sick in the hos-
pital at St. Louis. Captains Hutchcraft and Day were both
severely wounded. Second Lieutenant Penniman of Company
A, and Hamilton of Company I, were killed whilst bravely
performing their duty. First Lieutenant King, and 2d Lieu-
tenant Danielson of Company II, were both severely wounded,
while acting well their part, thus leaving the company without
a commissioned officer. First Lieutenants Studer, of Company
B; Porter, of Company 1) ; Craig, of Company E ; Hanks, of
Company Cf; J. Monroe Reid, of Company 1, who, though
wounded himself, continued iu command of the company after
the captain was disabled and the 2d Lieutenant killed; and
Eldridge, of Company K ; all deserve special praise for the
maimer in which they conducted themselves on the field.
Second Lieutenants Lanstrum, of Company B; Brown, of
Company E; Herbert, of Company C; and Sergeant-Major
Brown, who was severely wounded, conducted themselves
well on the field. The non-commissioned officers generally,
were at their posts, and performed their duty. The color-Ser-
geant, Newton J. Rogers, who fought in the 1st Iowa at
Springfield, gallantly bore our standard forward, ami planted
it among the enemy, where it was bravely maintained and
defended by portions of Companies C, E, I, and K. * * The
Reverend "\Y. \V. Eastbrook, too, for a time laid aside his
sacred office, and resumed the use of the surgeon's scalpel with
great success."
In no respect is Colonel Reid too lavish of his praise. Tlie.
15th loica did nobly. Luring the war, no cruder troops have
met the enemy; and but few have borne themselves with
greater credit.
In tlie retreat from the front to the Landing, Captain Kittle,
of the l"<t!i Iowa, a handsome and brave young officer, was
reported the hero of an incident which I would like to tell,
286 IOWA COLONELS AXD REGIMENTS.
but it is not well vouched for. The following - is true. Soon
after arriving at the Landing, a lieutenant-colonel — a staff
officer — rode up to the frightened crowd on the river hank,
and shouted: "Is there no officer here?" Captain Kittle step-
ping forward said: "Yes, Sir, lam an infantry officer: what
shall I do?" "For God's sake, organize these men, and bring
them out to the new line." . Going at the work, he gathered in
line, by threats and entreaties, a respectable battalion, and
started with them to the front; but the greater part of them
were so filled with terror, that they soon broke and fled back
to the Landing. With the balauce, he went on and took part
in repelling the last assaults of the enemy, that were made
that afternoon. There were many other instances of special
gallantry among the line officers of the 10th Iowa; and the
names of Captains Hedrick, Madison and Blaekmar ; and
Lieutenant J. S. Porter, may be mentioned specially, for their
conduct was admirable.
Colonel Reid continued with his regiment till the 23d of
April, 1st;:}, when he received his commission as brigadier-
general. A portion of this time he had been in command of a
brigade. Subsequently to the battle of Shiloh, and up to the
time he received Ids promotion, the history of his regiment is
the same as that of the other regiments of the Iowa Brig-
ade. General Reid was promoted to the rank of brigadier on
the special recommendation of General Grant; and the general
may well he proud of tins compliment; for General Grant,
knowingly, never compliments the undeserving.
During the spring of 1S03, and till the Gth of the following
August, General Reid commanded the District of Lake Provi-
dence, with the following named troops comprising his com-
mand: the 16th Wisconsin, the 122d Illinois, portions of the
17th andOoth Illinois, and the 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry.
At the last named date, orders were given for the evacuation
HUGH T. REID. 287
of the place. They were issued on account of the sickliness of
the locality. After visiting his family on leave of absence, the
general was placed in command at Cairo, Illinois, lie was
holding this command at the time of tendering his resignation,
which was in the spring of 1S(.?4.
Colonel Reid does not look like the man he is. From what
he has accomplished, I judge him to be a man of more than
ordinary ability. He is tall, and slightly stooping in person,
has coarse features, and a large, sandy, bushy head. He has
large perceptive organs, and small, gray eyes, sunk deeply in
his head. He is perhaps a little more comely than Colonel
Shaw of the 14th, but not much.
In character, he is brave and determined. A neighbor of
his, of long acquaintance, speaks thus of him:
"In the early history of the Half-Breed Tract in Fee county,
which included the city of Keokuk, there was much trouble
about titles to real estate, and at times, a state of tilings border-
ing upon civil war. In these contests, General Reid was
conspicuous, and had to undergo many dangers. On several
occasions, his life was threatened by an infuriated mob; but
he maintained his rights with so much courage, as to secure a
local fame for prowess, which, more recently, has become
national, by his military achievements."
In the essentials, General Reid was a fine soldier. He was
brave, and had good judgment; but he could never master
tactics. "He could not," say many of his regiment, "drill a
company, to say nothing about a regiment;" and many
instances are given, showing how he used to handle his regi-
ment. In passing an obstacle, he once gave the following
command: "File left, boys; and follow my horse round this
stump!" But his regiment noticed this deficiency more, on
account of the great contrast, in this respect, between himself
and his successors, Generals Belknap and Ileclriek. Both those
officers are fine tacticians.
2SS IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
The following incident occurred while General Reid was
colonel of the 15th Iowa: He was stationed with his regiment
at Lake Providence, Louisiana, in February, 1803, when Adju-
tant-General Thomas visited Grant's army, to institute negro
recruiting; for the Government had at last come to the
conclusion that, for a black man to shoot a rebel, was no mur-
der. McArthur's Division, of McPherson's Corps, was drawn
up in hollow square, and addressed by Generals Thomas,
McPherson and McArthur. Finally, Colonel Peid was called
to the stand. Some officers of his regiment felt anxious for
him; but he soon relieved their minds, for he made the best
speech of them all.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL W. W. BELKNAP.
SECOND COLONEL, FIFTEENTH INFANTRY.
William Worth Belknap, the successor of Colonel Reid
to the colonelcy of the loth Iowa Infantry, is a son of the late
General Belknap, who, as a colonel, distinguished himself in
the Mexican War. Entering the United States Army in
1S12, the late General Belknap continued in the service till the
day of his death. For his efficient services in the Mexican
War, he was made a brevet brigadier-general. lie died in
Texas soon after the publication of peace, and near the fort
bearing his own name. He was, at the time of his death,
traveling in an ambulance from one portion to another of his
command.
William, the subject of this sketch, was born in the year
1830, at Newburg, Xew York. He was named after General
William J. Worth, a warm friend of his father's family. In
about the year 1856, he came to Iowa, and located in the city
of Keokuk. Trior to coming to Iowa, General Belknap had
Studied the law, and, soon after settling in Keokuk, he entered
upon its practice. As a lawyer, he was cpiite successful. lie is
one of the few young attorneys, who, settling at that day in
the city of Fast Living and High Prices, was able to secure a
paying practice, and establish himself as a permanent resident.
He was engaged in the practice of his profession at the out-
break of the war, and till as late as the fall of 1861, when he
abandoned it to enter the service.
In compliment for his successful efforts in assisting to recruit
the l-'tli Iowa Infantry, lie was commissioned major of the
regiment. With this rank he accompanied it to the field. On
" 289
290 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
the promotion of Lieutenant-Colonel Dewey to the colonelcy
of the 23d Iowa Infantry, he was made lieutenant-colonel, and
still later— the 22d of April, 1863— was commissioned colonel,
vice Colonel Reid, promoted to a general officer.
If we except General Belknap's services at the battle of
Corinth, where he distinguished himself, his military record,
that has made his name familiar in Iowa, and secured his
appointment as brigadier-general, was almost wholly made
in General Sherman's campaign against Atlanta. The same is
true of his old regiment. Brigaded with the 11th Iowa, the
13th and Kith ever since the spring of 1862, the history of
the 15th Iowa is almost identical with that of these regiments.
It took part in the battle of Corinth, October 3d and 4th,
1SG2; but, with this exception, the loth, with the balance of
the Iowa Brigade, escaped every hard-fought battle until the
spring of 1864 ; and this, too, notwithstanding it was always in
the front, and present in the Department that, of all others,
was characterized by its Moody battle-fields and vigorous cam-
paigns.
Of the different regiments of the Iowa Brigade, the loth most
distinguished itself at the battle of Corinth. The following is
from Colonel Crocker's report, the brigade commander:
"The execution of the order to move back had just com-
menced, when the enemy, in greatly-superior force, attacked
the front of the line (the loth and 16th Iowa). The officers and
men of these regiments, acting with signal determination and
bravery, not only held the enemy in check, but drove him
back, and held their position, until notice was received that
the artillery had passed safely to the rear, when they were
ordered to fall back and form in line of battle on the right of
the second line, which they did in good order, the enemy
declining to follow. This engagement lasted three-quarters of
an hour. The firing was incessant, and the regiments, especi-
ally the 15th, suffered severely. T deem it my especial duty to
particularly mention Lieutenant-Colonel Belknap, who com-
WILLIAM W. BELKNAP. 291
manded the loth regiment. This regiment was under the
hottest fire, and Colonel Belknap was everywhere along the
line, mounted, and with sword in hand encouraging, by voice
and gesture, his men to stand their ground." * * *
The opening of General Sherman's campaign in the spring
of 1864, forms a new and sanguinary chapter in the history of
the Iowa Brigade. Returning .from veteran furlough, the
brigade proceeded to the front at Kcnesaw Mountain, after
which, for nearly sixty days, it was almost constantly under
fire; and its scores of killed and wounded, during this period,
are witnesses of its conspicuous gallantry. From the time the
enemy was flanked at Kenesaw Mountain, till he was forced
back to and into his entrenchments at Atlanta, there were few
engagements in which this brigade did not take part. But the
greatest battle of the campaign was precipitated, just at the
time it was supposed the contest for the Gate City had closed.
During the greater part of the night of the 21st of July,
1864, the rumbling of artillery, and the confusion so common
in the movements of large bodies of men, were distinctly heard
by our troops, in the direction of the enemy; and it was sup-
posed by many that, General Hood was evacuating Atlanta;
McPherson thought otherwise, and was anxious and watchful.
In the disposition of our forces in this engagement, the 17th
Army Corps held the left, and on the extreme left of this corps,
was the Iowa Brigade. The position held by this brigade, was
a commanding ridge on the cast side of the McDonongh road,
and almost at right angles with the main line of battle, which
was west of, and nearly parallel with, the above named road.
The head-quarters of the 15th Iowa were not more than two
and a half miles north of the Atlanta and Macon Bailroad, and
about three miles south-cast of the city of Atlanta. The coun-
try on every si le was broken, and for the most part, heavily
wooded ; but that portion lying in the direction of the Macon
292 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
road, was more especially so. In this dense timber, General
Hood hud massed his forces on the evening of the 21st instant.
At a little after twelve o'clock on the afternoon of the 22d,
Colonel Belknap and Lieutenant-Colonel Hedrick had just
seated themselves for dinner, when the first gam of the senti-
nels was fired. The suddenness of the enemy's attack was
unprecedented. Colonel Belknap had barely time to buckle
on his sword, and hurry from his head-quarters to the front of
his regiment, when the line of skirmishers was driven in.
Almost nt the same instant, the enemy was seen coming at
double-quick, and in a line of battle, nearly at right angles
with that of General Blair's along the MeDonough road. In
the suddenness of his attack, the rebel general was 'aping
Napoleon. He doubtless expected to force in our line, as one
would slide in the sections of a telescope, thus crowding the
Army of the Tennessee together in hopeless confusion ; but he
had reckoned without his host. The Iowa Brigade, having
hastily formed, met and repulsed the assaults of the enemy in
their front; when, his centre being repulsed, his left and right
wing swung round to the Federal front and rear. And in this
way, is accounted for the almost incredible story of our troops
fighting, first on the one, and then on the other side of their
intrench ments. Subjected to a galling artillery-fire, and now
well-nigh surrounded, Colonel Belknap had no other alterna-
tive than to retire, which he aid, in a north-westerly direction,
and across the MeDonough road. During that afternoon, the
15th Iowa fought in seven distinct positions; and its losses are
proof of the stubbornness with which each was contested. The
following were among the gallant dead: Lieutenants Logan
W.Crawford and E. M. Gephart. The latter was killed in
the regiment's fourth position. Seeing, as he thought, a small
detachment of the enemy in cover not far distant, he rallied a
few volunteers, and rushed out to capture them; but they
WILLIAM W. BELKNAP. 293
proved to be quite a large force. He turned to retreat to his
regiment, but was shot before he reached it. lie was a young
man of much promise.
The loss of the loth Iowa in killed, wounded and missing,
was one hundred and fifty-three. Lieutenant-Colonel Hedriek
was severely wounded, as was also his brother, Captain Hed-
rick. Lieutenant W. P. L. Muir was wounded for the fourth
time in the head, and was captured. Lieutenants Evans and
Scheevers were also severely wounded.
At one time during the engagement, the loth Iowa was
assaulted by the 45th Alabama Infantry, Colonel Lampley.
The loth in this instance was protected by earth-works, and
literally slaughtered its assailants, while they were rushing to
tbe onset with the most determined bravery. Only a few of
the entire rebel regiment reached the foot of the works, and of
these, one was killed, and the others either wounded or cap-
tured. Colonel Lampley was captured by Colonel Belknap in
person. Connected with this charge of the -loth Alabama, was
an amusing incident. A young boy, of the genuine chivalry,
was among the party tba t reached the foot of the works. After
the assault had been repelled, and the firing had slackened,
Colonel Belknap stepped up on the works to secure his pris-
oners; but he had no sooner exposed his person than the young
boy fired on him. The ball passed under his chin and cut
through his whiskers. He was enraged and, seizing the boy
by the hair of the head, dragged him over the works; but, in
spite of himself he could not help admiring the pluck of the
young rascal.
For his gallantry in this and in other battles of the cam-
paign, Colonel Belknap, on the recommendation of General
Sherman, was appointed a brigadier-general. After receiving
his commission, he succeeded Colonel Hall of the 11th Iowa, in
■
294 IOWA COLONELS AXD REGIMENTS.
the command of the Iowa Brigade, which he has held ever
since.
General Belknap is about five feet, eleven inches in hight,
and rather portly. His eyes, which are dark-blue and very
expressive, are his handsomest feature. In his manners he is
rather dignified; but he is educated and refined, and a favorite
in the social circle.
In the legal practice, he did not excel as an advocate. He
made no pretensions to oratory; but, in preparing a case for
trial, he had few equals. It was a rare thing for a demurrer to
be sustained to one of his pleadings.
At the time of entering the army, he was reputed an able
and honorable business-man. In the army he has been known
as a good disciplinarian, a brave officer, and a warm friend to
the soldier. His neighbors in Keokuk look upon his brilliant
military career with much pride.
BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL J. M. HEDRICK.
THIRD COLONEL, FIFTEENTH INFANTRY.
John Morrow Hedrick is a native of Indiana, the State
which stands third, in the number of her sons, who, in Iowa,
have been honored with colonel's commissions. He is a son of
J. W. Hedrick, Esq., a resident of "Wapello county, and an
intelligent and influential farmer.
General Hedrick was born in Hush county, Indiana, the
16th day of December, 1S32. In the year 184G he accompanied
his father's family to Iowa, where he has since resided. His
means of education were limited. He never entered the halls
of an academy or a college as a student. He accpiired his edu-
cation at the Common Schools, and at his father's fireside; but,
notwithstanding his limited advantages, he had, at the age of
seventeen, qualified himself for a teacher. From the age of
seventeen to that of twenty, he passed his Winters in teaching,
and his Summers on his father's farm. In 1?52, he entered a
mercantile house as clerk. Soon he became a partner in the
business, and, ere long, proprietor of the house. With the
exception of two years, when he was engaged in the real-estate
business, his entire attention, from 1S52 till the beginning of
the war, was turned to mercantile pursuits. But he was unfor-
tunate in some investments. In 1857-8, he had risked much in
land speculations; and, like the great majority of those who at
that time dealt in wild lands, suffered pecuniary losses.
In August, 1SB1, General Hedrick closed out his business in
Otturawa, for the express purpose of entering the service, and,
before the close of that month, had enlisted a sufficient number
of men to entitle him to a first lieutenant's commission. Before
295
296 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
entering the service, he had held commissions as second lieu-
tenant and captain in an independent military company of the
city of Ottumwa; hut this company existed only in name, and
the knowledge of military matters, which he derived from his
connection with it, was of no importance: indeed, in this
respect, he was as purely a civilian as any officer that has gone
out from the State.
General Hedrick was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of Com-
pany I>, loth Iowa Infantry, the 20th day of September, 1SG1,
and on the 23d of the following December was made quarter-
master of that regiment. While the regiment was at its
rendezvous in Keokuk, he was promoted to the captaincy of
Company K, and with this rank he entered the field.
Shiloh, as has already been stated, was the loth Iowa's first
battle; and the part taken by the regiment in this engagement
has been already given. Captain Hedrick here distinguished
himself, and was wounded and taken prisoner. At the time
the regiment made its partially successful assault against the
enemy, and just when the left wing was overpowered and
forced back by overwhelming numbers, lie was wounded, and
instantly surrounded and captured. Being taken to the rear
he, with about two hundred and fifty other officers, was for-
warded to Corinth, and thence by rail to Memphis; where he
arrived on the night of the 8th, near mid-night. Hustling
the prisoners rudely from the cars, the Confederates huddled
them, both officers and men, into a large store-room, where
they guarded them that night, and where, for the first time
since their capture, they issued them rations. It had been
more than fifty hours since they had tasted food, and now they
received only raw bacon and rotten bread.
But in the meantime the issue of the battle having been
decided, the enemy became apprehensive, not only of the
JOHN M. HEDRICK. 21)7
capture of Corinth, but of Memphis; for a fleet of Union guu-
boats was, at that very time, lying only a few miles above the
city. The Union prisoners were therefore, on the morning of
the 9th, hurried onboard the cars, in order to be sent South;
but for some reason the train did not leave till evening.
At that time, the fiendish cruelties practiced by the Confed-
erates upon all Union people within their lines, had not
purged the city of Memphis of all Union sentiment; for,
during the entire day of the 9th, hundreds of her citizens
crowded closely around the carefully-guarded train, which con-
tuned the prisoners, speaking kind words and, whenever
occasion offered, tendering more substantial testimonials of
their sympathy. But the story of the sufferings of Union
prisoners of war has been often told, and need not be here
repeated.
The sojournings of Captain Hedrick in the South, and the
route he traveled with his brother officers, may be given with
interest. Leaving Memphis on the evening of the 9th of April ,
lie was taken, first to Jackson, Mississippi; from Jackson to
Meridian; from Meridian to Mobile; from Mobile up the Ala-
bama iliver to Selma; and from Selma to Talladega, where for
two weeks lie Mas quartered with his brother officers in a
vacant Baptist College. From Talladega he was taken back
to Selma, where lie remained two months; from Selma to
Montgomery; from Montgomery to Atlanta; from Atlanta
to Madison; and from Madison to Richmond, via Augusta,
Columbia, Raleigh and Weldon. At Itichmond Captain Hed-
rick was paroled, after a prison-life of six months and seven
days, and entered our lines on the 18th day of October, 1SG2.
After remaining several weeks with his family at Ottumwa,
he learned that he was exchanged, and at once returned to his
regiment. Ue re-joined it on the 9th of February, 18G3, at La
Fayette, Tennessee, and was immediately promoted to the
298 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
majority, his commission dating the 17th of January, 1863.
On the 22d of the following April he was made lieutenant-
colonel ; and with this rank ho won his chief laurels. When,
after the fall of Atlanta, Colonel Belknap was made a briga-
dier-general, Lieutenant-Colonel Hedrick was promoted to the
full colonelcy of the loth Iowa Infantry, his commission dating
the 20th of August, 186-1. He was breveted brigadier-general
in the spring of 186-3, for gallant services in the Atlanta Cam-
paign.
As has already been stated, the 15th Iowa saw its hardest
service in General Sherman's campaign against Atlanta. Just
before returning home on veteran furlough, the regiment had
accompanied General Sherman on the Meridian march," which,
however, is celebrated only for the rapidity of the movement,
and the large amount of rebel property destroyed ; and still
earlier the regiment had joined in the siege of Vicksburg, and
in the subsequent march on Jackson; but in none of these
movements was it in any general engagement. It did not
accompany its corps on the march through Bruinsburg, Port
Gibson, Raymond and Jackson, to the rear of Vicksburg ; but
with its brigade was stationed at Grand Gulf.
In the march to Monroe, Louisiana, which, considering its
length, is the hardest with one exception that was ever made
by the Iowa Brigade, the loth Iowa was commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Hedrick. The expedition was commanded
by Brigadier-General Stevenson, and left Goodrich's Landing
above Vicksburg, about the middle of August, 1863. The line
of march, which was almost due .west, lay across the broad
bottom-lands that, for nearly fifty miles, stretch westward from
the Mississippi. These bottom-lands, lying as they do below
Lake Providence, had in the previous Spring received rich
deposits from the Lake Providence Canal ; and the road, which
was narrow and straight, was bordered with the most luxuri-
JOHN M. HEDRICK. 2W
ant vegetation, in many places the weeds being twelve feet
high. There was hardly a breath of air stirring, and, from
morning till night the troops for the most of the way had no
protection from the burning rays of the sun. The weather too
was dry, and the dust almost suffocating. In addition to all
this, the timber and the rank and dense vegetation was thickly
inhabited by snakes of all kinds, and of the most fabulous size
— enemies which the troops held in much greater terror than
the few hostile rebels who hovered in their front. The only
alleviating circumstance in this expedition seemed to be that
the country had never been ravaged by our army, and supplies
were abundant. Of the two hundred and eighty-one men of
the 15th who started on this march, sixty had to be brought
back to the river in wagons and ambulances. Several too, who
were unable to bear the fatigue, were left within the lines of
the enemy, in care of Surgeon Gihbon.
The fruits of the expedition, which was some twenty days
out from Yicksburg, were small. Monroe, the terminus of
the Vicksburg and Monroe Railroad, was entered without
opposition, the enemy abandoning the place, crossing the
Washita, and destroying their pontoons. A few prisoners
were captured, and a small quantity of Confederate stores
destroyed.
The march of the Iowa Brigade with the greater portion of
its army corps from Clifton, Tennessee, to the front at Kene-
saw Mountain, has already been given. On the morning of
the 2d of July, 1S64, the 17th Army Corps formed the left of
Sherman's army before Kenesaw. The Iowa Brigade held
the right of its corps. Already, Sherman had despaired of
dislodging the enemy from their strong-hold in his front, and
that night he ordered a flank movement to the right, by way
of Nick-a-jack Creek, Just at dusk, the 17th Corps, which was
to hold the advance, broke camp, and, with the division of
300 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
Giles A. Smith in the lead, took up its line of march down the
valley, just in rear of the main line of works in the centre and
on the right. The movement was a surprise to the enemy;
and yet, the character of the country to be passed, which was
broken and heavily timbered, enabled them to make much
resistance. Keeping a considerable force of cavalry with
light artillery constantly in the front, they would halt at
every commanding point along the road, and, with their artil-
lery, supported by their cavalry, dismounted, harrass the
advance. These positions, in nearly every instance, had to be
charged.
During two days of this march, (the 4th and 5th of July)
Lieutenant-Colonel Hedrick, with four companies of the 15th
Iowa, and four of the 16th, as skirmishers, led the advance.
On the second day's march, the following incident occurred:
on a heavily-wooded point, the enemy was found in posi-
tion, and the reserves brought up and deployed, for a charge.
Instantly, as the charge was ordered, the lowans swept reck-
lessly down through the ravine, and up the opposite slope to
the crest, where the enemy had just shown themselves. They
gained the point, and now for the pursuit. With a shout, they
started down through the brush, each man striving for the
lead, when — bang! bang! bang! went the enemy's artillery
from the hill not more than seventy-five yards in advance. A
deadly volley of musketry followed, when the boys, returning
as quickly as they went, reported to their officers: ''Damn
'em, they are right up there!"
Soon after discovering Sherman's movement to NIck-a-jack
Creek, the enemy evacuated Kenesaw and Marietta, and hur-
ried to their left, where, on the morning of the Gth, they showed
sufficient force to prevent a further advance; for their position
was a strung one on the hills that lay on the east side of Nick-
a-jack Creek, and near where that stream forms a junction
JOHN M. IIEDKICK. 301
with the Chattahoochie. From the 6th of July to the 10th, the
time wag passed in skirmishing with the enemy; but, in the
meantime, General Sherman had entered Marietta, and passed
up the Chattahoochie fifteen miles to Roswell, where he secured
a crossing. That stream was now passed, and the capture of
Atlanta made certain. This happened on the morning of the
10th instant; and in the afternoon and evening of the same
day, the enemy abandoned their works on the iNick-a-jack, and
crossed the Chattahoochie. A tedious march up the valley
past Marietta, and the 17th Corps also crossed the river at Ros-
well, and led the advance to Decatur, which was entered with
little opposition, on the evening of the 19th instant. [In giv-
ing the movements of the 17th Corps, I am also giving the
movements of the loth Iowa, and of the other regiments of the
Iowa Brigade.]
The advance from Decatur to the south-east side of Atlanta,
on the 20th, was fiercely contested ; but the enemy, at night-
fall, had been successfully forced back to their defenses around
the doomed city. On the following morning, followed the
fierce assault of the 21st, which was unsuccessful, and in which
the loth Iowa lost some fifty in killed and wounded; but the
great battle of the campaign, and the one in which the 15th
Iowa suffered most, and most distinguished itself, was that
fought on the afternoon of the day following.
After the engagement of the 21st, the Iowa Brigade marched
to the extreme left of its corps, and took up a position as a sort
of picket-reserve; and in this position it was assaulted near
the hour of dinner-call, on the following day ; but a description
j of this engagement has.heen already given.
Colonel Iledriek was wounded in the early part of the
engagement, and just before his regiment was forced hark.
lie was shot with a minnie ball directly over the spine, in the
small of the hack. The hall, striking and cutting las sword
JOHN M. HEDRICK. 302
belt in two, was turned slightly to the left; and, passing down
across the ilium, came out near the lower point of the hip.
Completely paralyzed by the wound, he was at once placed
upon the shoulders of two men to be taken to the rear when he
instantly received another shot through the left fore-arm. The
first wound was supposed to be mortal ; and, but for his vigor-
ous constitution, it must have proven so. For many weeks he
was kept upon his back, and even now he can not move about
without the aid of crutches. Having partially recovered, he
was detailed on a court-martial in the city of Washington,
where he is stiil serving.
Since the battle of the 22d of July, before Atlanta, the loth
Iowa has been commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Pornutz, a
Hungarian by birth, and, I am told, a good officer. The
services of the regiment, since the fall of that place, are com-
prised in the march from Atlanta, via Savannah, to Raleigh
and Washington,
Of General Hedrick as u military man, I dare not speak as I
Otherwise would, were he not my fellow-townsman. All who
know his military history concede that he is an officer of great
worth.
In person, he is tall and slender, with spare features, dark-
brown hair, and large, dark eyes. He is an energetic and
rapid talker, and expresses his opinions with great positive-
ness; which he can do with safety, since he has much general
information. He has a firm step, and a hearty laugh; is hope-
ful, cheerful and self-confident, and endures reverses with great
fortitude, lie is as much esteemed as a citizen, as he is admired
as a soldier.
COLONEL ALEXANDER CHAMBERS.
SIXTEENTH 1XFANTRY.
Alexander Chambers is thirty-two years of age, and a
native of the State of New York. I know little more of his
history prior to his entering the volunteer service except that
he was a lieutenant of the 18th Regular Infantry, and a resi-
dent of Owatonna, Minnesota. After the war hroke out, and
before he was made colonel, he served as a mustering officer of
Iowa troops. He was the United States mustering officer of
the following Iowa regiments: the 1st, 2d and -1th Cavalry;
and the 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th, Gth, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 10th and 14th
Infantry. Though not an Iowa man, his military services
certainly go to the credit of the State. He was commissioned
Colonel of the 16th Iowa, in February, 1S62, and served with
this rank till the winter of 1863-4, when he left the volunteer
service and returned to his former position as captain in the
ISth Regular Infantry; for he had been promoted to a cap-
taincy, in the summer of 1861.
Colonel Chambers' first engagement, which was also the first
of his regiment, was Shiloh. In that action he was slightly
wounded. The position of his regiment in the first day's
battle was on the right of the loth Iowa, and the part it sus-
tained sufficiently appears in the sketch of General H. T. Reid.
In the closing paragraph of an official statement concerning
this engagement, Colonel Chambers says :
" The field officers were particularly cool under a destructive
fire, and rendered great assistance. The horses of all the field
and staff officers Avere killed or wounded, evidently showing
an intention on the part of the enemy to pick off the most
prominent officers. Captains Ruehl and Zettler, both gallant
803 .
304 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
men, were killed or mortally wounded, and 1st Lieutenant
Frank N. Doyle, a brave and efficient officer, was also killed.
The loss during Sunday's fight was two officers and sixteen
non-commissioned officers and privates killed, and nine
officers and twenty-four non-commissioned officers and privates
wounded, and fifteen non-commissioned officers and privates
missing. "
Among the wounded officers, were Captains A. Palmer, E.
S. Fraser, and E. M. Newcomb; and Lieutenants Lewis
Buride, J. H. Lucas, G. If. Holcomb, and Henry Meyer. It
was reported that the regiment did not conduct itself with
credit, but its losses tell a different story. The conduct of
Lieutenant-Colonel A. II. Sanders was especially gallant, as it
ever after was, in the face of the enemy. <■
It is elsewhere stated that immediately after the battle of
Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing, the Iowa Brigade was organized,
nnd that the organization was preserved till the close of Gen-
eral Sherman's campaign through the Carolinas, in the spring
of ISO"). The lfith Iowa was the junior regiment of this brig-
ade, and much relating to its history will be found in the
sketches of Generals Crocker, lleid, Belknap and Hcdrick, and
Colonels Hall and Shane. But the 10th has a chapter in its
history, not to be found in those of the other regiments of its
brigade. It fought Price at Iuka; was conspicuous upon th<'
field, and suffered terribly in killed and wounded. Next to
the 5th Iowa Infantry, it lost more heavily than any other
regiment on that bloody field.
"For some ton days or more before the final move of the
rebel army under General Price, eastward from the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad, it was evident that an attack upon Corinth was
contemplated, or some change to be made in the location of
that army. This caused great vigilance to be necessary, on the
part of our cavalry, especially that to the southern front, under
Colonel Mizner. The labor of watching and occasional skir-
mishing was most satisfactorily performed, and almost every
ALEXANDER CHAMBERS. 305
move of the enemy was known as soon as commenced. About
the llth of September, Price left the railroad — the infantry
and artillery probably moving from Baldwin, and the cavalry
from the roads north of Baldwin, toward Bay Springs. At
the latter place, a halt of a few days seemed to have been
made; likely, for the purpose of collecting stores and reeon-
noitering our eastern flank. On the 13th of September, the
enemy's cavalry made their appearance near Iuka, and were
repulsed by the small garrison under Colonel Murphy of the
Sth Wisconsin Infantry, still left there to cover the removal of
stores, not yet brought into Corinth. The enemy appeared
again in increased force on the same day, and, having cut
the railroad between there and Burnsville, Colonel Murphy
thought it prudent to retire to save his force,"
ITow the 16th Iowa became separated from its brigade and
fought with Eosecrans at Iuka happened thus: When' Colonel
Murphy was attacked by the enemy, he sent back for rein-
forcements: Colonel Crocker was directed to send a regiment
to his support. The ICth Iowa was ordered forward, and thus
formed a junction with General Eosecrans. In speaking of
the part the ICth and other regiments of his command bore at
Iuka, General Eosecrans says :
" The 16th Iowa, amid the roar of battle, the rush of wounded
arlilh -ry-horses, the charges of a rebel brigade, and a storm
of grape, canister and musketry, stood like a rock, holding the
centre, while the glorious 5th Iowa, under the brave and dis-
tinguished Matthies, sustained by Boomer, with his noble little
26th .Missouri, bore the thrice-repeated charges and cross-fires
of the rebel left and centre, with a valor and determination,
seldom equaled, and never excelled by the most veteran
soldiery."
So far as I can learn, the killed and wounded of the lGth
Iowa at Iuka numbered about sixty-five. Colonel Chambers
was wounded and obliged to turn his command over to Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Sanders. Lieutenant and Adjutant George
Lawrence, a gallant young officer, was killed. Captain A.
Palmer and Lieutenant J. II. Lucas of Company C, were both
SOG IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
wounded, as they had also been at Shiloh. Lieutenants Alcorn
and Williams were also wounded, both severely. Iuka was
the 16th Iowa's second engagement, and their courage and
intrepidity, on that field, was a triumphant answer to all
insinuations of former ungallant conduct. They were the
heroes of their brigade, and when they marched back to
re-join it they were looked on with admiration, and received
the eager gratulations of their sister regiments.
Next in the history of the regiment is the battle of Corinth,
a full account of which has been given elsewhere. It lost its
commanding officer at Iuka, and suffered the same misfortune
at Corinth. Lieutenant-Colonel Sanders was severely wounded
in the thigh, in the afternoon of the first day's fight. Of this
gallant officer's conduct, Colonel, afterward General Crocker
says:
"Lieutenant-Colonel Add. II. Sanders, who commanded the
lGth, is entitled to great praise. lie rode along the line of his
regiment, amid the storm of bullets, encouraging his brave
boys, who had so lately suffered at Iuka, to remember their
duty, and, although severely wounded, remained with his regi-
ment until it marched off the field."
Major William Purcell succeeded Colonel Sanders in the com-
mand of the regiment. Its loss in the engagement I have been
unable to learn, but, next to the loth Iowa, it suffered more
severely than any other regi ment of its brigade. Major Purcell
was slightly wounded, but not so severely as to compel him to
leave the field. Captain C. W. Williams was taken prisoner.
Color-Sergeant Samuel Duffin, and Color-Corporals McElhaney,
Eighmey and Kara are mentioned for their gallant conduct
on the field.
The pursuit of the defeated and dispirited rebel army to the
Hatchie, and the return to Corinth; the march to the Yockonn
late that same Fall ; the trip down the Mississippi to Young's
Point, and the operations around Vicksburg; the march to
ALEXAXDER CHAMBERS. 307
Mechanicsville, up the Yazoo ; the expedition to Jackson, and
the escape of Johnson ; the raid to Monroe, Louisiana, and,
later, that to Meridian, Mississippi ; the long and tedious
march from Clifton on the Tennessee, to North-western Georgia,
in the Spring of 1864, and the operations of the Iowa Brigade
on the memorable Atlanta Campaign, will be found in the
sketches of those officers and regiments, whose histories they
help to make up. The lGth Iowa Infantry took part in all
these operations.
It has already been stated that Colonel Chambers resigned
his commission in the winter of 1863-1. Subsequently to that
date, the 16th Iowa has been commanded by that excellent
officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sanders. Indeed, for many months
prior to the resignation of the former officer, Colonel Sanders
commanded his regiment; for, on the departure of General
Crocker to assume command of the 7th Division, of his corps,
Colonel Chambers succeeded him in the command of the Iowa
Brigade.
I pass now to the most interesting and exciting chapter in
the history of the 16th Iowa— a chapter which, could I write
it as it was made, would e(juid any passage in war-literature.
Certainly no regiment in all Sherman's grand army of "ninety-
eight thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven men" can fur-
nish an instance of greater and more distinguishing valor, than
that of which I write.
How Sherman, having crossed the Chattahoochie, threw his
army by a grand right-wheel around Atlanta, with the Army
of the Tennessee— Blair, Logan and Dodge— on the left, I
have written elsewhere. In the sketch of General Belknap, I
have also given an account of the enemy's opening attack,
which, for suddenness and desperation, would have done credit
to the best marshals of France. The 22d of July, and the
assault on Sherman's left, are the day and the battle of which
30S IOWA COEONEL3 and kegimexts.
I speak. The ICth Iowa " was posted upon. the left of the 11th
Iowa, and in the immediate front of the 13th Iowa, the 15th
Iowa being upon the left and upon a prolongation of the line
of the 13th, the brigade being the left of the 4th Division,
which held the left wing of the Army of the Tennessee." The
lGth Iowa, therefore, held the extreme left and front of Sher-
man's victorious legions— a post of honor deserving double
honor, on account of its gallant defense. "Companies B and
G, under the respective commands of Captain Henry Lefeldt
and Lieutenant Timm, were deployed as skirmishers in front,
connecting on the right with the skirmishers of the 11th Iowa,
and on the left with those of the 15th." This position had
been taken up, and these dispositions had been made, (earth-
works in front of each regiment having been in the meantime
constructed) on the previous afternoon. And it is proper to
state in this connection that the left of the Army of the Ten-
nessee had not joined in the general advance made by Sher-
man's army on the morning of the 22d.
As elsewhere stated, the ground occupied by tho Iowa
Brigade was open, with the exception of being covered with
under-brush; but, immediately after taking up the position,
the 11th, 10th, and 16th Iowa had " policed " in their front,
from thirty to fifty yards. No enemy could pass that line
under cover, and to come within it was almost certain death.
The skirmish line was posted in the thicket beyond.
Ju.-t before noon of the day in question, General Giles A.
Smith, in person, had directed Colonel Sanders to have his
regiment ready to fall in at a minute's notice, adding, "you
must hold your works to the last, as the safety of the division
may depend on the delay occasioned the enemy at this point."
This was the last order received by Colonel Sanders from his
superior that day. Already the reign of ominous silence,
which commonly precedes great battles, portended the ap-
ALEXANDER CHAMBERS. 309
proaching conflict, and, hardly hud General Smith rode back
to his head-quarters, when the roar of musketry along the
skirmish line signaled the advance of the enemy. It was
sharp and spiteful, and told the brave boys, who sprung for
their guns and the trenches, that a desperate struggle was at
hand. Instantly the skirmishers, with anxious faces, made
their appearance, and came running back to the works. They
were sent back by Colonel Sanders, but had scarcely entered
the thicket, when they were fired on and again driven back.
The enemy were coming in heavy line of battle, and closely on
the heels of their own skirmishers, while the 10th Iowa,
crouched in their trenches and, with their muskets pointed
toward the threatened point, awaited their approach. <( When
you fire, fire low, but don't fire a gun till you receive my
command, no matter how near they come," were the orders of
Colonel Sanders, and they were strictly obeyed. Then fol-
lowed a moment of anxious, protracted suspense and then
the opening battle.
The enemy advanced their line boldly into the clearing in
front of the Sixteenth's works, and, with bayonets fixed and
their pieces at a charge, began raising their accustomed shout,
when Colonel Sanders gave the order to fire— first to the rear
rank, and then to the front. "The response was a terrific and
deadly volley from one rank, followed immediately by another,
and then a continuous, rapid firing, as fast as eager, experi-
enced soldiers eould load and discharge their guns. The result
of our fire was terrible. The enemy's line seemed to crumble
to the earth; for even those not killed or wounded fell to the
ground for protection. Another heavy line of the enemy
advanced, and was repulsed in the same terrible manner.
Officers ami men worked enthusiastically, and guns became so
heated that they could not he handled, the powder Hashing
from them as the cartridges were dropped in. The officers
310 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
prepared the cartridges for the raen, and helped them load
their guns. More splendid firing, or more effectual in its
results, was never before witnessed in the army." I have
taken the above from Colonel Sander's report; for, should J
make the same statement myself, it would pass for fiction.
Simultaneously with the attack on the 10th, the 11th and
15th Iowa were charged in their works. The left of the 15th
had no protection, and, as the enemy came swinging round to
its rear, it had no alternative but to draw out of its works and
retire. The 11th Iowa was dislodged in like manner. But
just before this occurred, the enemy in front of the 16th
(the 2d and 8th Arkansas and two companies of Texan
troops) put up the white flag and surrendered as prisoners of
war. When they arrived in Colonel Sanders' rear, he found
that he had two prisoners for every man in his ranks. But
there were other prisoners to the left, or men whom Captain
Smith claimed as prisoners, but who refused to throw down
their arms. Learning this, Colonel Sanders hurried down to
the left, and began disarming them himself, but he had taken
the guns of only two, when he was surrounded by a rebel
squad, who demanded: "Surrender, Sir, and we won't hurt
you." Startled by such a demand, he turned and looked about
him. For the first time he now saw that, the works of the
loth and 15th Iowa in his rear were in the possession of the
enemy. Believing that he had held his works " to the last,"
and hoping that he might break away and escape with his
regiment to the rear of the 11th Iowa, he sprung away, and,
with the exclamation —"I am not talking of surrender now,"
hurried back to his command. The rebels stared in wonder
and none fired at him except a rebel captain, who instantly
after was shot dead by Captain Lucas of the 16th Iowa.
On reaching the right of his regiment, the last hope tied;
for the works of the 11th Iowa were already in possession of
ALEXANDER CHAMBERS. 311
the enemy. The regiment was thus surrounded, and had no
choice but to surrender or be butchered. The lGth Iowa was
the sixth Iowa regiment to be captured nearly entire. " The
regiment numbered, on the morning of the twenty-second,
four hundred and twenty-five effective men : of these, a
fatigue detail of three officers and eighty men was made in
the morning, most of whom were captured afterward, while
fighting in front of field-works near by."
During the Atlanta Campaign, or rather up to the 23d of
July, the 16th Iowa lost in killed, wounded and captured,
three hundred and sixty-eight men. Of these, twenty were
killed, and one hundred and six wounded. Private Charles
M. Stark was the first man of the regiment killed. He was
shot through the head on the 14th of June, and while on
picket near Big Shanty, Georgia. From the 14th of June to
the '22d of July following, hardly a day passed without
adding one or more to the regiment's list of casualties ; and to
show the character of warfare in which the regiment engaged,
it may be stated that, of the twenty killed, nine at least were
shot through the neck or head. Quarter-master-Sergeant John
W. Drury was the only man killed by a shell, and Corporal
James Huntington, the only one killed by a solid shot.
Lieutenant George II. Holcomb was one of the killed, and
among the wounded were Captains Hugh Skillings and Peter
Miller, and Lieutenants Thomas A. liurke and Samuel Duffin:
the latter afterward died of his wounds.
The greater part of the enlisted men of the ICth Iowa, who
were captured on the 22d of July, were exchanged in Septem-
ber, 1SG4 ; but the officers were held until the following Winter
and Spring. The regiment has closed the interesting portion
of its history in the siege of Atlanta, and in the Savannah and
Carolina Campaigns, all of which operations have been fully
detailed.
312 IOWA COLONELS AXB REGIMENTS.
I am told Colonel Chambers is a trim, black-haired, black-
eyed gentleman, with the airs and deportment of a regular
army officer. lie was a severe disciplinarian, and, by reputa-
tion, ranked well with the Iowa Colonels. After the fall of
Vicksburg, he was appointed by the President a brigadier-
general; but the appointment failed confirmation in the Senate.
His status defeated him ; he was neither an Iowa nor a Minne-
sota man. Iowa would indorse his appointment, provided he
was credited to Minnesota, and Minnesota, vice versa. He is
the only Iowa officer who was killed by having too many
friends.
COLONEL JOHN WALKER RANKIN.
FIRST COLONEL, SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.
John W. Rankin was born on the 11th day of June, 1823.
He is of Scotch Irish descent, his mother being a relation of
Burns, the poet. He was educated at Washington College,
Pennsylvania, whore, graduating at the age of sixteen, he was
complimented with the Latin Oration. After leaving college,
he taught school for a few years, and then studied law. He
was admitted to the bar in 1844. Before coming West, he
practiced his profession in Wooster, and in Ashland county,
being, at the latter place, a partner of Judge Sloan. He settled
in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1848. Since living in Iowa, he has been
district judge, State senator, United States assistant quarter-
master, and colonel. He was appointed Assistant Quarter-
Matter of United States Volunteers in the summer of 18G1, and
discharged the duties of the office with credit. In the winter
of 1SG1-2, he was granted authority by the Secretary of War to
raise a regiment of volunteers. He entered with energy upon
the business of recruiting, and, in a little more than thirty days
from the time he began active operations, the 17th Iowa Infan-
try was mustered into the United States service. Colonel
Itankin received his commission on the 17th of April, 18G2,
and two days later, under orders from Halleck, left Keokuk
with his regiment for St. Louis.
In what I have to say of the 17th Iowa, I desire to be impar-
tial. That it was composed of as fine a body of men as ever
went out from the State, is true, in proof of which I may state
that, at the time it was enlisted, it was supposed, by both the
State Executive and the Secretary of War, that it would be
313
31^- IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
the last regiment furnished by the State for the war. Lieuten-
ant C. J. Ball, mustering officer, and Surgeon S. B. Thrall,
examining officer, both able and efficient in their respective
departments, will bear me witness that no man was passed if
he had the slightest physical blemish, and no man mustered
unless, in size, he more than filled the letter of the regulations.
It was supposed at the time the 17th Iowa entered the service
that the war was near its close. This was the opinion of the
chief military men of the day ; though nearly all of these men
are fossils now. The resplendent victory at Fort Donelson
threw the North into ecstasies of joy. That one was soon fol-
lowed by the bloody triumph at Shiloh; and then it was
declared that no more troops were wanted. It might have
been so, had first reports been true ; for the news of the battle
of Shiloh, which was read to the 17th Iowa on dress-parade,
declared that twenty thousand Union troops had been placed
hors du combat, and that the enemy had lost more than double
that number.
The regiment stared in amazement, and thought there were
none left to kill. It was well for the enemy that the news was
false; for, had it In en true, he would have marched back to
Corinth with hardly a corporal's guard. The v:ar ivould have
been near Us dose. " I can crush the rebellion in the South
West with what men I have," a certain general in the West
declared to the Secretary of War; and an order was even issued
for disbanding the 17th Iowa, and was only recalled, after
the utmost exertion on the part of Colonel Rankin. Many
honestly believed that the 17th would never fire a gun : never-
theless, the regiment has fired more guns, and slain more
rebels, than almost any other equal number of men in the
field.
The first march of the 17th Iowa was from the St. Louis
wharf to Benton Barracks: the debarkation and inarch was
JOHN W. EAXKLX. 315
made in the mud and rain ; and the regiment experienced a
foretaste of soldier-life. Embarking on the steamer Conti-
nental, Colonel Rankin left St. Louis with his command for
the front, on Sunday morning, the 4th day of May, 1S02, and
arrived at Hamburg Landing, on the evening of the 6th
instant. Under orders from General Ilalleek, he reported to
General Pope, and was assigned a position at the extreme left
and front of the besieging army at Corinth. Here began the
brilliant record of the 17th Iowa; for, though it was once
disgraced on papa; and over the signature of a major-general,
it was never disgraced in the eyes of its' sister regiments. The
regiment arrived at the front, on the evening of the Oth of
May, the day of the battle near Farmington, where the 2d
Iowa cavalry, and the troops of Colonel Loomis' Brigade
deported themselves so handsomely. On the afternoon of that
day, the 17th beheld for the first time terror-stricken cowards
fleeing from the scene of action. Never present in battle, they
are always the first to herald disaster. "Turn back! turn
back ! ! " they said ; " the whole army is killed and captured ! "
but on arriving at the front all was found quiet.
On the. 28th of May, 1S62, Colonel Rankin received orders to
advance his regiment as skirmishers, and, having ascertained
the character and strength of the enemy's works, to fall back.
Accompanying the order were the compliments of General S.
Hamilton in the following language : — " For gentlemanly and
soldier-like conduct, your regiment has been assigned this post
of honor." The reconnoissance was made in connection with
the 10th Missouri, and resulted in a sharp fight. More than
one hundred rebels were killed and wounded; and that same
night Corinth was evacuated. Next followed the march to
Boonville, Mississippi, in pursuit of General Beauregard, and
on which General Pope captured thirty thousand stand of
arms, and ten thousand prisoners. (?) These were splendid
3iG IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
successes ; but, though the 17th Iowa had marched near the
van, it first learned the glad news while encamped in the
woods near Boon vi lie. Beauregard made good his escape, and
Pope returned to Corinth. To new troops, this march was one
of great hardships. It was made in the early days of Summer,
when, in that climate, the days are hot and the nights cool.
Un inured to the hardships, and ignorant of the customs of
soldier-life, the 17th Iowa suffered severely; for they parted
with nothing, and struggled along with burdens that would
have broken down even veterans. They would not throw
away even a cartridge.
Ordered into camp at Clear Springs, Mississippi, the 17th
remained there until the latter part of June, and then joined
the forces which marched out bevond Ripley. One incident
on this march will be remembered by every member of the
regiment who joined in it. It happened on the evening of the
second day of the return to Camp Clear Springs. In the even-
ing of that day, which had been cold and rainy, camp was
made in a low bottom, and soon after the camp-fires were
lighted, a dense fog arose, which was almost blinding. This
proved the cause of the fright which followed. At about eight
o'clock, sudden cries of alarm were given from the hill above—
"For God's sake get out of there, or you will be all dead in
half an hour." The regiment was filled with fright, and in
ten-minutes' time every camp-fire was deserted. That night
the poor fellows slept between corn-rows on the hill-side. Dr.
MeG was a ivag as well as a good surgeon, and, whether he
perpetrated the above in sport or in earnest, I never learned.
After returning from the Ripley march, the 17th Iowa remained
at Camp Clear Springs until the middle of the following August,
and then marched with its division to Jacinto, about twenty-
five miles south of Corinth, where it remained till just before
the battle of Iuka.
JOHN W. RANKIN. 317
In August, 1SG2, Hon. Samuel F. Miller, Colonel Rankin's
law-partner, was appointed to a judgeship of the United States
Supreme Court. The husiness of the firm was large and com-
plicated, embracing many cases of great importance, which
required the personal attention of one of the original members
of the firm. Indeed, I am informed that it was the under-
standing, when Colonel Rankin entered the sendee, that, in
case Judge Miller should leave the firm, the colonel was to
resign his commission. At all events, he tendered his resigna-
tion, which was accepted on the 3d of September, 18G2. On
the 19th of September, 1862, was fought the rough-and-tumble
battle of Iuka ; and Colonel Rankin had not yet left for his
home.
Iuka was the 17th Iowa's first engagement, and by the for-
tunes of war the regiment was temporarily put in disgrace. It
was gross injustice, and the fact that the commanding general
who issued the order of censure was afterwards retired in
shame from an important command affords us no satisfaction.
And now I regret for the first time that I was a member of the
17th Iowa, for in stating the truth some may think me partial.
How the battle of Iuka was brought on is explained in the
sketch of General Matthies. Rosccrans either blundered or dis-
obeyed orders, and it mutters not which ; for, in either case, he is
equally censurable. The battle was fought on the afternoon of
the l'.Uh of September, and that morning the 17th Iowa, with its
brigade, marched from Jacinto some twenty-five miles south-
west of Iuka. Immediately after arriving at the front the
regiment was hurried into the action. Its position was at the
cross-roads and along an open ridge; and just across a narrow
ravine, filled with (V-i^q brush, were the enemy. Hardly had
the regiment come into line, when it was met with a terrible
volley of -rape, canister and musketry, and General Sullivan
ordered it to a less exposed position. While Colonel Rankin
31S IOWA COEOXELS AND KEGIMEXTS.
was giving the proper command for the movement, that
happened which was the cause of the regiment being censured.
A portion of Roseerans' body-guard, in reconnoitering at the
front, came on the enemy's line. Surprised and alarmed by
the terrible fire which met them, they rode hurriedly back, and
finding the 17th Iowa drawn up across the road dashed
through its ranks, knocking down and injuring several men.
At about the same time, Colonel Rankin's horse was shot, and,
becoming unmanageable, ran and threw him, his head strik-
ing the roots of a tree, which rendered him insensible.
Captain Anderson of the 80th Ohio, supposing him dead, laid
him by the side of a tree, where he remained till late that
night. For months afterward, I am told, the colonel did not
recover from the effects of this stroke.
Standing/or Uie first time under a galling fire; overrun and its
ranks broken by stampeding cavalry; its commanding officer
disabled, and all happening in the same instant, is it matter
of wonder that the 17th Iowa was thrown into temporary
confusion, and partially disorganized? A portion of the left
wing got separated from the right; but the greater part of the
regiment was present throughout the engagement. Indeed, it
may be said that, in all its hard-fought battles, the 17th Jowa
never did better, all things considered, than it did in its luck-
less fight at Iuka. Go read the inscriptions on its battle-flags !
go count its gallant dead, whose bleaching bones give addi-
tional sacredness to a dozen battle-fields! or, what you may
more easily do, go ask those who know its history, if the
regiment has not a gallant record. And it was not ingloriously
begun at Iuka.
The losses of the 17th Iowa at Iuka, numbered about forty.
Among the killed was Lieutenant Oliver IT. P. Smith, a good
man and a brave officer, lie was shut in the midst of contu-
sion, and doubtless by our own men ; lor the ball entered the
JOTIN W. RANKIN. 319
hack of his head, and he never turned his bach to the enemy.
Captain, now Lieutenant-Colonel S. M. Archer was among
the severely wounded. lie had just before assumed command
of the regiment.
It was reported that Colonel Rankin was under the influence
of liquor in the action at Iuka. If he was, and if the injury he
received was attributable to that fact, I do not know it. I
have been told by officers of the regiment (for I was not present
in the engagement) that all the liquor was destroyed before the
troops were marched out from their camps. In addition to
this, I was told by Assistant Surgeon McGorrisk, afterward
surgeon of the 9th Iowa Infantry, and still later, surgeon-in-
chief of the 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, that, while the
command of Rosecrans was en route for Iuka, General Stanly
rode up to Colonel Rankin and asked him for a drink. The
colonel, pulling his flask from his pocket, replied, "I am sorry,
general; but you see I hav'nt got any." Lieutenant Delahoyd,
brigade adjutant-general, was present, and confirms the above
statement. lam no particular friend of Colonel Rankin, for
he is the only officer who ever threatened to put me in arrest,
and, as I think, unjustly. But then, it is my duty to give facts
as they are. The truth is, the conduit of the 17th Iowa would
never have been censured, had it not been for the malice of a
certain brigadier, and the disappointment of a certain aspiring
captain, who dared in no other way to strike at the reputation
of Colonel Rankin.
Colonel Rankin is a small man, with light complexion, and
a nervous-sanguine temperament. Before entering the service,
he was unused to hardship and exposure, and, for many weeks
after entering the field, suffered much from sickness. He is
warm-hearted, generous and unassuming; and no man of his
influence and -landing, in the State, has fewer enemies than
he. In politics, he is an ultra-Republican, though with both
320 IOWA COLONELS AND REGIMENTS.
parties in his county he has always been popular. With an
average democratic majority of five hundred, he was, in 1808,
elected to the State Senate from Lee county. All were sur-
prised, but. only a few disappointed. The colonel is quick to
invent, quick to execute, and has one of the best legal minds in
Iowa.
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