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OFFICIAL ARMY RECORDS 1862-3

HOSPITAL NO. 2, Iuka, Miss., September 21, 1862.

COLONEL: I respectfully report the part taken in the action by my regiment while I

remained on the field near Iuka, Miss., on the 19th instant:

In pursuance to your orders and that of General Hamilton the regiment was formed on a line

nearly with and to the left of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, Lieutenant Sears commanding, on the

crest of a hill or ridge receding to the left and semicircular in form. In the rear was placed the

Sixteenth Iowa for our support, and not more than 20 yards from us, and to the left was the

Fourth Minnesota, in continuation of the front. The men were ordered to lie down and to hold

their fire until they could make it effective. There was a deep gulch or ravine which it was

impossible to reach with musketry as the line was then formed. To the right wing of the regiment

the line of fire was much circumscribed, the range being confined to the sharp slope of the hill

opposite and to a descending plane to the front of the line on which we were formed of not over

25 or 30 yards in width. On the left of the regiment the descent of the ground was less rapid and

abrupt, but rolling, and at many points offered a cover to an enemy's approach. The fire opened

upon us by their batteries at about 5 p.m., and at first seemed mainly directed at the battery on

our right, but taking in its range the first and second companies of the regiment, who suffered

early and severely in the engagement. The fire from the batteries was from converging points,

and therefore enfilading, under which those troops to the front and to the right and left of our

battery suffered severely. After their cannonading had lasted half an hour or more circumstances

indicated the approach of an attacking column, of which I promptly informed you. They

advanced in three lines, two deep each. As soon as they were perceived on the summit and

descent of the hill on the opposite side, at about 250 yards distant, we opened our fire upon them

and continued it until they were hidden by the declivity below, resuming the fire as soon as they

came within reach. Here they met us with a volley, and our support having given away, with a

force in our front at least four to one, the regiment followed. They fell back nearly 100 yards,

where they were rallied, and although the line was irregular, they still showed a front to the

enemy and continued to fire. By your direction I advanced to the support of the battery. When

within about 40 yards of it I was wounded and compelled to retire to the rear. The command of

the regiment then devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Rugg. His report, which no doubt will

accompany this, will embody all the essential facts connected with the regiment after I left the

field.

Considering that it was the first time the regiment had been under fire and that it was

outnumbered four to one by the veteran troops of the rebel army and that they remained in the

battle to its termination, its conduct may be deemed satisfactory, though not in all respects what I

could wish. To the officers especially much praise is due. They were prompt in the execution of

every command, attentive to every duty, and remained with their men, encouraging them by

word and example, to the last. To Lieutenant-Colonel Rugg I am under especial obligations. He

gave me every aid and assistance while I remained on the field and contributed much to the order

and good conduct of the men. His gallantry was conspicuous at every point of danger. I take

pleasure in also mentioning with approbation the conduct of Adjutant Stanfield, and particularly

that of Sergeant-Major Ellis. Other especial instances of meritorious conduct on the part of

commissioned officers and enlisted men deserving notice will doubtless be mentioned by

Colonel Rugg in his report.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

NORMAN EDDY,

Colonel, Commanding.

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Colonel SANBORN,

Comdg. First Brig., Third Div.

HDQRS. FIFTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS,

September 21, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken in the engagement near

Iuka, on the 19th instant, by the Fifth Iowa Infantry:

We left camp, 6 miles from Jacinto, early on the morning of the 19th instant, leading the

column of the Third Division, and soon came onto the enemy's pickets, posted on the road. Three

companies of my regiment, E, G, and D, were ordered forward as skirmishers, and succeeded in

driving them from their position, and continued to drive them from one position to another,

which they contested, for more than 6 miles, killing 3 and wounding a number, when these

companies were relieved by the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry. Our loss was 1 sergeant

severely wounded. The skirmishers soon came onto the main force of the enemy, placed in a

strong position, and received a volley from one or more regiments. My regiment was ordered

into line on the right of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, which had just been placed in position, when

I was informed that a large force was moving on my right, which compelled me to change front,

and had just got into position on the crest of a hill when the enemy, in strong force (two brigades

as I learned), under Generals Green and Martin, came up in front and poured a terrible fire of

musketry into my line, which was promptly returned. The firing continued without cessation on

both sides for more than a quarter of an hour, when I found the enemy was pressing my left

wing, near the battery, and I ordered a charge, which was executed in the most gallant manner,

every officer and man moving up in almost perfect line, cheering lustily. The enemy gave way

before us, when we poured a most deadly fire into their ranks, causing them to fall back down

the hill. They soon returned with renewed vigor on my front and left, cheering as they came, and

were received with a steady fire from the gallant boys of my regiment, holding our position

under the most terrific fire possible. I then gave the command "Forward," and the enemy were

again driven over the hill, but not until they had come so near as to boldly reach out after our

colors, thus showing the United States flag, and saying, "Don't fire at us; we are your friends." At

this juncture the left wing of my regiment was suffering terribly from a cross-fire coming from

the left of the battery, nearly every officer of the three left companies being either killed or

wounded. At this moment four companies of the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry came up to the

support of my left, and nobly assisted in holding the ground more than an hour, until I found my

ammunition exhausted, when I ordered my regiment to retire to a field about 100 yards distant,

which was done in good order, and where it was reformed under a galling fire. At this time the

Eleventh Missouri Infantry advanced in order of battle, and my regiment retired by the right of

companies to the rear, passing the Tenth Missouri Infantry, which was advancing to take a

position near the road. Under the direction of an aide-de-camp the regiment was here reformed in

line, ammunition distributed to the men, and, the firing having ceased, the men rested upon their

arms for the night.

The casualties in my regiment were, 7 commissioned officers killed and 8 wounded and 33

enlisted men killed and 168 wounded.

In commanding my regiment before the enemy I was gallantly assisted on the right by

Lieutenant-Colonel Sampson, and on the left by Adjt. R. F. Patterson, acting major, and Lieut.

W. S. Marshall, acting adjutant, which officers, without leaving their places, repeated my

commands and cheered my brave boys throughout the fierce engagement. The long list of

casualties of both officers and men is ample proof of the noble manner in which all stood at their

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posts. The highest praise is due to all. A grateful country will reward them for their deeds of

daring.

Very respectfully,

C. L. MATTHIES,

Colonel, Commanding Fifth Iowa Infantry.

Lieutenant MARTIN,

A. A. A. G., First Brig., Second Div., Army of the Miss.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY,

September 21, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, in your brigade,

in the battle on the evening of the 19th instant, 1 miles south of Iuka, Miss.:

The regiment, under command of Col. A. Chambers, was placed in position about 5.30 p.m.

in rear of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, the left of the regiment extending across the road from

which it had filed into position. Immediately after the regiment was formed in line a charge of

grape and shell from a battery of the enemy cut down 6 or 7 men, in-eluding an officer, when the

men were ordered to lie down. In this position but few or none were injured by the repeated

discharges of canister and ball from the rebel battery. In probably half an hour from forming in

line the enemy made a charge of infantry on the battery. Our fire was reserved till the last

moment in the center of the regiment, for fear of killing those manning the battery or the horses

of the same and in the two right companies, till a regiment which was lapping them was

withdrawn; but when the enemy's lines were plainly or partially in sight (which, owing to the

trees and thick underbrush, was not till they were very close), Colonel Chambers ordered the

men to rise and fire, which order was instantly obeyed, for a time stopping the enemy's advance,

but they again charged. The attack was evidently by a very heavy force and with the object of

capturing the battery. Our men stood their ground manfully, and I am not aware that a single

officer or man failed in any part of his duty. They were finally beaten back by the overwhelming

force of the enemy, the center, in the rear of the left section of the battery, retiring first, but

warmly contending with the enemy till they were almost in our ranks. The left, holding a

comparatively safe position, did not retire till they were fired into by one of our own regiments in

the rear. The entire right companies, although under a remarkably heavy fire, held their position

longest and experienced the heaviest loss. Company A, Captain Smith, was the last to leave the

field, and for a time held its ground alone, the regiment on its right having at an early hour been

compelled to retire, and the remaining companies of its own regiment the same at a later hour.

Where all the officers did so well it seems scarcely fair to particularize the conduct or bearing

of one from the other, yet I deem it my official duty to notice the fact that Captain Smith

exhibited in this action bravery and gallant conduct for which he cannot receive too much praise.

He brought out of the battle scarcely half the men he took in it, and the same may be said of

Company F, Captain Fraser. The remaining portion of the regiment was immediately after

reformed by my self and took a position near the battle-field, it then being nearly dark, and soon

after; while changing to another position, was directed to rest on the right of an Ohio regiment,

formed along the Iuka road, where it remained during the night.

I regret to report the severe wounding of Colonel Chambers by gunshot wounds in the

shoulder and neck toward the close of the action. He was taken prisoner at the time of receiving

the wounds, but was left by the enemy in the hospital at Iuka.

I have the honor to inclose herewith a list of the killed, wounded, and missing of the

Sixteenth Iowa Infantry at the late action near Iuka, as complete as it can be made at this time,

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summing up, killed, 14; wounded, 48; missing, 14. the regiment went into the battle with about

350 men, exclusive of details made to take care of the wounded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ADD. H. SANDERS,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Sixteenth Iowa Infantry.

Colonel SANBORN.

Comdg. First Brigade, Third Div., Army of the Mississippi.

HOSPITAL AT IUKA, MISS.,

September 21, 1862.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your orders, I marched, on the

morning of the 18th, from camp west of Jacinto, and encamped that evening 6 miles east of the

town on the Iuka road.

On the 19th we marched to within 2 miles of Iuka, the Fifth Iowa Infantry leading the

column; next the Eleventh Ohio Battery, and next the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry. About 3

p.m. I relieved four companies of the Fifth Iowa, skirmishers, with Companies B, A, G, and I, of

my regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Holman, who continued to drive back the

enemy's line till they came upon his main body, from which they received a volley, causing

considerable loss. They remained in position till the column came up, and upon my arrival I

ordered them into the line and formed the regiment, according to your orders, in rear of the Fifth

Iowa, the right down a steep ravine and the left resting near the Eleventh Ohio Battery. You also

ordered me, in case the enemy should attempt to flank on the right, to move my regiment in that

direction into the open field. I reconnoitered the position on the right, and seeing no indication of

a flank movement, I remained in position. Shortly after the engagement opened in earnest on the

front of the Fifth Iowa, and Colonel Matthies, finding the left of his regiment next to the battery

too hard pressed, called on me for assistance. I, seeing that the battery was nearly disabled and

that the enemy were directing all their efforts against that point, immediately ordered Major

Koniuszeski to mount and go forward with the left wing of my regiment, composed of

Companies F, E, H, and C, in all 162 men, exclusive of hospital details. I at the same time

ordered the right wing to remain where it was and await my orders. Seeing Koniuszeski

dismount, and that he gave no orders at all, or at least adequate to the occasion, I took command

in person, and remained until I thought the time had arrived to bring up the right wing, with

which, being five large companies, I had intended to charge. In the mean time the colors,

contrary to orders, had advanced with the left wing, and a short time previous to my returning to

the right wing I had ordered the colors back to their former position. When I returned to where I

had ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Holman to remain with the right wing I found it gone, as well as

the colors. I immediately returned to the left wing, where, mixed up with the disabled battery, we

remained, without giving an inch, until I was severely wounded, having been slightly wounded

before. I immediately after this ordered the men to retreat down the ravine, and was carried off

the field. We had lost 79 men, including 5 commissioned officers wounded. The fire was very

severe, and the position, in the midst of tangled horses struggling to get away, was difficult both

to take and to maintain in order.

I did not see Major Koniuszeski during the action. Had he, and Lieutenant-Colonel Holman,

who I since understand ordered the right wing to retreat shortly after I left him, obeyed my orders

properly I think a charge with these fresh troops would have prevented the temporary capture of

the battery.

the Fifth Iowa, with my four companies, fought with great desperation and effect, and we left

the field at the same time. I have no means of knowing with certainty why the right wing left the

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field as it did, as I have not seen the command since I was carried off the field to be able to get

any accurate information; but they could not have left without orders, as they were almost

completely under shelter. It will be necessary for Lieutenant-Colonel Holman to explain this in

his report, which should begin at the time those companies left their position.

It gives me great pleasure to mention the names of several officers engaged with me on the

left wing who behaved with distinguished gallantry and energy: Capt. B. D. Dean and Second

Lieut. J. W. Maupin, of Company F; Capt. Robert C. Crowell, First Lieut. R. B. Denny, and

Second Lieut. J. T. Crowe, of Company E; First Lieutenant Schirmer, commanding Company K,

and First Lieut. J. M. Dennis, of Company C. I was not present with the skirmishers in action,

but understand that all exhibited great coolness and energy.

I inclose a list of killed and wounded, as far as known at this time.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE B. BOOMER,

Colonel, Comdg. Twenty-sixth Regt. Missouri Infty. Vols.

Col. JOHN B. SANBORN,

Comdg. First Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HDQRS. TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT MISSOURI VOLS.,

September 22, 1862.

COLONEL: I beg leave to submit the following report of the action of the troops under my

command in the battle near Iuka, Miss., September 19:

By order of Col. George B. Boomer, commanding the Twenty-sixth Missouri Volunteers, I

took command of Companies A, Captain Robinson; B, Captain Welker; G, Captain Rice, and I,

Lieutenant Berry, and relieved the skirmishers of the Fifth Iowa. I deployed Company A on the

left and Company B on the right of the main road leading to Iuka, holding Companies G and I as

a reserve, under command of Captain Rice. I drove back the enemy's pickets without much

firing, excepting on one occasion, when he had taken refuge in a house on the road, where a

brisk skirmish ensued; but we soon forced him to leave his shelter, and continued to advance

under a brisk fire. The enemy's cavalry attempted a charge, but, seeing me prepared to receive

him with a reserve and flanking companies rallying, he promptly fell back. I again deployed and

advanced, and soon came upon the main force, posted about 40 yards above a ridge, covered

with timber and thick undergrowth, his artillery being in position in the road in front. A few

shots were fired by my skirmishers, but the enemy held his fire. At this time I had advanced to

the top of the ridge in the road and discovered the position of the enemy. At this instant

Company B drew the fire of the whole rebel line on the right and fell back and rejoined the

regiment. Company A rallied on the right, and Captain Rice brought up his reserve, and after

getting into position near the top of the ridge these companies gave him their entire fire, and

almost instantly drew the fire of their artillery and two regiments of infantry. My troops were so

protected by the ridge that their fire took no effect. I gave them a few more shots, when Captain

Robinson reported the enemy flanking him on the left and Captain Rice discovered him on the

right. Seeing our battery in position and line of battle formed in my rear I gave the order to retire,

and soon after received orders to rejoin the regiment and await orders. Soon after rejoining the

regiment Colonel Boomer went to the left, leaving Adjutant Schoenen and myself on the right.

The battle soon opened with great fury, the four companies on the left, with the colors, were here

detached by the colonel (as I afterwards learned) and moved forward, under his and Major

Koniuszeski's command, in support of the battery. I remained in position until the advance of the

enemy had turned our left, which placed me and my right under a destructive cross-fire from the

rear, left, and front. The battery had been carried, and one of the caissons came down on my left

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and threw that part of my line into confusion. Seeing that I was being flanked on the left and that

it was impossible to rally the left of my line, which had become disordered, I ordered my

command to fall back to the field a short distance below my first line. This movement was

quickly executed and in good order, when I again formed in line of battle near the edge of

timbers. I then, by order, moved back my line about 150 or 200 yards and took position on the

right of the Tenth Missouri, awaiting the approach of the enemy, where I remained until the close

of the engagement. I was ordered then to remain on arms, which I did until next morning. About

7 o'clock in the evening I was here rejoined by the remnants of Companies E, F, and H, bearing

the colors, in charge of Lieutenant Wheeler and Lieut. Charles F. Brown, regimental

quartermaster. From the opening to the end of the engagement my command was constantly

under a galling and destructive fire, and my loss in killed and wounded was severe.

Permit me further to report that the officers and men under my command, with scarcely an

exception, during the whole engagement conducted themselves with rare coolness and true

soldierly bearing; but Capts. John Welker, T. M. Rice, and William M. Robinson, and Lieut. F.

G. Schoenen, acting adjutant, and Lieut. C.F. Brown, regimental quartermaster, with many

others, are deserving a special notice. Their conduct was truly brave, gallant, and noble. If space

would permit too much could not be said of their signal acts of daring, their coldness and skill in

discharging the duties respectively assigned them on the field. The country may truly be proud of

such men, for under their leadership continued success will mark the progress of our gallant

army. Of those officers above named it will be doing no injustice to any for me to say that

Captains Welker, Rice, and Robinson, and Lieut. C. F. Brown, regimental quartermaster, and

Lieutenant Schoenen, have won for themselves distinguished merits--efficient in camp, brave

and patriotic on the field. I can cheerfully recommend them for promotion in the army.

JOHN H. HOLMAN,

Lieut. Col., Comdg. Twenty-sixth Regiment Missouri Vols.

Col. JOHN B. SANBORN,