1
OFFICIAL ARMY RECORDS
1864-6
Extract from statement of John Wells, of Elliott's battalion, Jeff. Thompson's brigade,
Shelby's division, prisoner at Keokuk, Iowa, October 31, 1864.
I first saw Major Wilson when he was taken prisoner and was under guard. I was under arrest
and under guard at that time. I was a soldier in Company A, Capt. Anderson Bolles, Elliott's
battalion. I was put under guard for being on a spree, noisy, and would not go on duty on the day
we got to Pilot Knob before the fight commenced. The fight commenced in the morning, I think,
and ended that evening. They retreated out of the place that night, I believe. I heard the magazine
blow up. Next day, some time, Major Wilson was brought in, and he was put in, him and a
captain--I don't know his name--with some more prisoners, I think about twenty-five or thirty;
some were citizens and some were soldiers. The citizens were taken up to press into the army, I
think. These prisoners were brought up when we were in a street in the town, passing through the
town. Major Wilson was not wounded that I know of. The wounded had been left in hospital.
Some time that evening on the march I spoke with Major Wilson, tramping along the big road
together. Major Wilson was laughing about the looks of Price's men, ragged and on poor horses,
and wondered if Price expected to stay in Missouri with such an army. I told him I had heard if a
man deserted and came North he would be kept in prison during the war. He said it was not so;
that they would let him take the oath and go about his business. I told him if they did not keep
their eye on me mighty close I was going to Iowa or Illinois. The next night out about Potosi all
the prisoners, including Major Wilson, were turned over to headquarters guard at General Price's
headquarters in a big field. I remember the place exactly; there was a big spring there. I don't
think it was more than five or six miles from Potosi. It was after we passed Potosi. I was returned
to duty that night. That was the last I saw of Major Wilson. I never heard that he was badly
treated or hurt afterward. Major Wilson had on a blue blouse with shoulder straps. I think he had
blue pants with yellow cord, but am not certain about that; a black hat. He was a man about
medium size, slender made. I don't remember his eyes sure, but think they were black, or at least
dark; upper lip shaved; goatee, or beard growing below chin and lower part of his cheek; his hair
was dark; am not sure whether it was right black.
Question. Repeat what you stated when first examined in regard to an interview between Jeff.
Thompson and Major Wilson.
On the road between Pilot Knob and Potosi Jeff. Thompson came up and shook hands with
Major Wilson, laughing, and said that the tables were turned; that some time he (Major Wilson)
had him (Jeff. Thompson) prisoner, and that now he (Jeff. Thompson) had him (Major Wilson).
He told the commander of the escort to treat him well. Captain Bolles was in the advance of the
escort. It was under the command of a Lieutenant-Colonel Priste or Fisk [Fristoe] or some such
name. At that time the major was afoot, and I think Jeff. Thompson ordered him a horse or mule
to ride. He was on a mule or horse when he was turned over to headquarters.
KEOKUK, IOWA, October 31, 1864.
Maj. J. F. MELINE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Milwaukee, Wis.:
MAJOR: The assistant quartermaster at Davenport states that no horses are purchased there
for the Cavalry Bureau. No protection worthy of the name can be afforded against guerrilla raids
except by a mounted force, and as no cavalry is at hand I repeat the suggestion made in my letter
of the 29th, that thirty horses be provided here, which,
with twelve horses here, including
2
ambulance horses, would enable us to make up a small mounted force of convalescents, if
necessity should arise. The horses can be kept here in charge of the quartermaster and groomed
by details from the convalescents, under direction of non-commissioned officers. Horse
equipments not sufficiently serviceable for continued use in the field, but sufficiently so for
temporary use, can be obtained from among those turned in at the ordnance depots at Saint
Louis. If these suggestions meet the approval of the major-general commanding, I respectfully
ask that thirty horses and equipments for forty horses be procured and sent to this point. There is
but one line officer here, a lieutenant commanding the company of Second Battalion Veteran
Reserve Corps. I respectfully ask that Lieutenant Morton, Veteran Reserve Corps, now at Camp
Reno, be ordered here for duty. I wish him to act here as provost-marshal of this place. Service
of this kind is needed here. I also respectfully repeat my suggestion, that if practicable the
services of a detective from Saint Louis, one who has had experience in Missouri, be secured
here for a few weeks. The season in which guerrillas can conveniently operate is about ending by
the approach of cold weather, and Price's retreat must in great part, it is thought, restore quiet.
Because of this and because I am aware that the force in this department is small and little at
hand for use in this section, I content myself with making the above suggestions.
With great respect, major, your obedient servant,
T. C. H. SMITH,
Brigadier-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 269.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, November 1, 1864.
V. The Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volunteers is hereby transferred to the Second Brigade,
Second Division, Seventh Army Corps, and will proceed to Pine Bluff without delay, and report
for duty to the commanding officer of that post, taking with them their regimental property,
transportation, and the necessary amount of subsistence for the march.
VI. Upon the arrival of the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry at Pine Bluff, the Twenty-eighth
Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers will be relieved from duty at that post and will proceed to Little
Rock, and report for duty to the commanding officer First Division, Seventh Army Corps.
By order of Maj. Gen. F. Steele:
W. D. GREEN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, STATE OF IOWA,
Des Moines, November 1, 1864.
Maj. Gen. JOHN POPE:
GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo
relative to alleged dangers on the southern border of this State, and inclosing copy of one from
Mayor J. M. Hiatt, of Keokuk, on the same subject. The probability of formidable raids into this
State by Missouri bushwhackers was quite imminent some weeks ago; in fact, a gang of mounted
men crossed over into Davis County, murdered three of our citizens, and committed other
depredations of various kinds. They did not advance far into the State, however, and soon
returned to Missouri. Since then we have not been molested, and I am inclined to the opinion that
with the expulsion of Price from that State, and the vigorous measures which have been adopted
by Generals Rosecrans and Curtis, that but little danger need be apprehended from that quarter at
present; yet I cannot say that the people living along that exposed line are at any time entirely
safe while the war continues. But they are very well
supplied with arms, and I am endeavoring as
3
rapidly as possible to complete the organization of the militia, so as to place them in a reasonable
position of defense against these irregular visitations from Missouri. Accept my thanks, general,
for the interest you manifest in the safety of this State and your willingness to aid in the
protection of our borders, and be assured that if circumstances require your assistance I shall
promptly advise you of it.
I am, general, very truly, yours,
W. M. STONE.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, Wis., November 2, 1864.
Hon. WILLIAM M. STONE,
Governor of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa:
GOVERNOR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant.
Ten days since I sent Brigadier-General Smith to Keokuk with orders to look after the security of
the southern border of your State, and to make such arrangements for that purpose as were
practicable. I inclose a copy of his report to me. He is still at Keokuk, and will remain there until
all excitement has subsided. I will communicate to you anything of consequence which I have
from him.
I am, Governor, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, Wis., November 3, 1864.
Brig. Gen. T. C. H. SMITH,
Keokuk, Iowa:
GENERAL: Your several reports have been received and are entirely satisfactory. I transmit
inclosed copy of a letter just received from Governor Stone, to which I invite your particular
attention. You will observe that the Governor considers the Iowa militia abundantly able to
protect the border against guerrilla raids, or any other danger to be anticipated since the retreat of
Price. I desire to remind you that it is not always good policy to inaugurate a regular system of
military precautions, and to post troops and prepare for hostilities, where no such arrangements
have hitherto existed. I gather from your reports, as also from the letter of the Governor, that the
anticipation of danger entertained some weeks since has nearly subsided, and is rapidly
subsiding. It is my experience that it is very much easier to establish military arrangements and
post troops than it is to do away with such arrangements and remove the troops afterward. Once
establish such a system and I fear it will be fixed upon us long after its necessity or propriety has
passed away. I fear if you make the arrangements you suggest, the clamor of the people will
force us to continue them at much expense and inconvenience long after the necessity has
passed. I am therefore very reluctant to go into any system of defense for the border of Iowa,
except what is and what always has been furnished by the local militia. We may get an elephant
in our possession which we will not be able to get rid of for a long time to come. I prefer greatly
to stand upon the Governor's letter and the belief that since Price's retreat there is really no
danger on the Iowa border, except what the local militia can attend to, as they have always done.
I shall delay sending horses, therefore, until I hear from you again. As soon as you think you can
do so safely, you had best return here, placing Major Ten Broeck in charge of matters in
Southern Iowa, if you think it judicious. You will readily understand what I mean without further
explanation.
4
Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
KEOKUK, IOWA, November 3, 1864.
Maj. J. F. MELINE,
A. A. A. G., Hdqrs. Dept. of the Northwest, Milwaukee, Wis.:
MAJOR: I went up yesterday to Ottumwa, the county seat of Wapello, to learn the condition
of things west of this and the views and wishes of the citizens. Colonel Viall, of the staff of the
Governor of this State, and who, as he informs me, is intrusted with the administration of the
militia system in the southern counties, accompanied me. There are over 1,000 militia in each,
organized in the counties of Van Buren, Davis, and Wapello. Of these a company of about forty
in Van Buren and fifty in Davis are now in active service, patrolling, each company, the southern
border of its county, being mounted infantry, drawing pay and a per diem allowance for use of
horses. None of the other militia are on this basis, but the majority of the companies have agreed
to come to drill mounted, and act, if called out, as mounted infantry, most of them being farmers
owning horses. They are well armed with Enfield rifles (all the militia, whether armed or not)
and a number of the officers and many of the men have been in the volunteer service in this war.
As estimated., this mounted force, which could act at once hi an emergency, numbers over 1,600,
about equally distributed in the three counties named. In this county, for the reason that the use
of horses involves more expense and inconvenience (few of the members of the militia
companies owning horses), there are no militia organized as, or who will act as, mounted
infantry or cavalry. The measure suggested in my previous letters, to provide a small mounted
force here, will thus complete the protection by mounted force of the three counties in the
southern border next east of the Mississippi River. I was glad to receive this morning the
dispatch by telegraph from the major-general commanding in regard to detectives.
With great respect, major, your obedient servant,
T. C. H. SMITH,
Brigadier-General.
LITTLE ROCK, November 4, 1864--5 p.m.
Brig. Gen. POWELL CLAYTON:
It is uncertain when the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin will be ordered up. The Twenty-ninth
Iowa was to start to-morrow morning for Pine Bluff, but they have been ordered to remain here
awaiting the movements of the enemy.
C. H. DYER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 306.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., November 4, 1864.
2. The detachment of the First Iowa Cavalry now at Schofield Barracks will proceed to and
take post at Benton Barracks for the purpose of procuring remounts and refitting for field service.
Capt. J. L. Woods, assistant quartermaster, will furnish necessary wagon transportation to
Benton Barracks.
KEOKUK, IOWA, November 4, 1864.
Maj. J. F. MELINE,
5
A. A. A. G., Hdqrs. Dept. of the Northwest, Milwaukee, Wis.:
MAJOR: The rapid and vigorous organization and arming of militia forces in the southern
counties of this State, which Price's advance in Missouri induced, has given the people
confidence in their ability to dispose of any raiders, and since his retreat their apprehensions have
almost entirely died out. I can see but one indication of mischief as things are now. There can be
no question that the recruiting parties which dispersed into Northern Missouri are still many of
them there, and it is possible that before making their way south, they may suddenly collect
together and attempt some undertaking of consequence. It is matter of common knowledge here
that mounted men (suspicious characters) have been making their way into Illinois the past few
weeks. The men arrested by my order were on a recruiting errand. Colonel Duffield, late of the
Third Iowa Cavalry, who was captured on the evening of the 2d instant on the packet from Saint
Louis to this port, the Kate Kearney, at Clarksville, and who was subsequently paroled, told me
that he conversed with a number of the party and came to the conclusion that they were rebel
recruits from Illinois. I am told here that it is matter of common knowledge in Hancock County,
Ill., opposite, that recruiting and drilling have been going on there for weeks. In view of these
and other similar facts, and of the notorious complicity of the secret political societies formed
against the Government, with the rebels, in this region at least, and of the giving out as to what is
to be done on election day, I think it better that I should remain here till after the 8th instant.
With great respect, major, your obedient servant,
T. C. H. SMITH,
Brigadier-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. --.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, November 6, 1864.
I. Col. William McE. Dye, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanding First Brigade,
Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, will proceed with three regiments of his brigade, viz,
Twentieth Iowa, Twenty-third Iowa, and Thirty-fifth Wisconsin, to Brownsville, and will await
further orders at that station. The other regiments of his brigade will join him as soon as
practicable after the arrival at Devall's Bluff of a brigade now under orders at the mouth of White
River.
II. The assistant quartermaster at Devall's Bluff will furnish such land transportation as may
be necessary to carry five days' rations for the command and ten days' rations of forage for the
animals pertaining thereunto.
By order of Major-General Steele:
WM. D. GREEN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 275.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, November 7, 1864.
V. Col. William McE. Dye, Twentieth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, commanding First Brigade,
Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, will proceed with three regiments of his brigade (the
Twentieth Iowa, Twenty-third Iowa, and Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry) to Brownsville, and
there await further orders at that station. The other regiments of his brigade will join him as soon
as practicable after the arrival at Devall's Bluff of a brigade now under orders at the mouth of
White River. The assistant quartermaster at Devall's Bluff
will furnish such land transportation
6
as may be necessary to carry five days' rations for the command and ten days' rations of forage
for the animals pertaining thereto.
By order of Maj. Gen. F. Steele:
W. D. GREEN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SIOUX CITY, IOWA, November 7, 1864.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:
SIR: I learn that the expedition against the Indians is now at an end, but still some 2,000 or
3,000 men are retained at the different military posts on and near the Missouri River, above this
place. This number of men, in my opinion, is not required for this service. At least 1,000 can be
spared for service elsewhere. I believe I understand the situation, and I do not like to see these
men retained here when they are needed so much elsewhere. The officers and men of the Sixth
Iowa Cavalry, as I am informed, desire to go south, and I request that this regiment be ordered
south immediately. It is not needed in this field of service. You are aware that I have always
advised a less force in this service than has been employed. If sent south it should be done at
once, before winter commences.
Very respectfully,
A. W. HUBBARD.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 311.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., November 9, 1864.
5. The detachment of men belonging to Colonel Winslow's cavalry brigade, of the Right
Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps, now in this city, in charge of Sergt. R. K. Miller, Company D,
Fourth Iowa Cavalry, will take post at Benton Barracks, Mo., until the division to which they
properly belong arrives at this post.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 139.
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., 7TH ARMY CORPS,
Little Rock, Ark., November 10, 1864.
I. During the absence of Col. A. Engelmann, Forty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col.
John A. Garrett, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, is hereby assigned to the command of the
Second Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps, and post of Little Rock.
By order of Brig. Gen. F. Salomon:
A. BLOCKI,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SAINT LOUIS, November 10, 1864--11.10 p.m.
Col. S. H. MELCHER,
Commanding, Jefferson City:
Dispatch written by Captain Thoms--I only saw it this morning. All troops of Sixteenth and
Seventeenth Army Corps are to be sent here. The First Iowa and Seventh Kansas Cavalry are to
come here; all other troops mentioned by you to go into camp--a stragglers' camp--and their
horses to be as well cared for as possible. No stable will be built, as it is believed there are
stables enough at the Fair. Grounds for the use of troops
temporarily at the post. As soon as
7
orders are given assigning the troops to their permanent station a copy will be sent you, and then
stragglers and men on detached service can be sent to their regiments.
JOHN V. DU BOIS,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS NORTHWESTERN INDIAN EXPEDITION,
Sioux City, Iowa, November 10, 1864.
Capt. J. H. PELL,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
CAPTAIN: Yours of the 26th of October reached me only to-day. I send my answer back by
express. Your actions I approve, and have reported to headquarters. When they bring in the white
woman prisoner you are authorized to give $200, or three unserviceable horses and a lot of
rations, &c. I calculate horses at the old rate among Indians, i.e., $50 per horse. You are also
authorized to make them a good present in rations when they arrive, and tell them I will go in a
few days where I can talk with their Great Father, and will send word to them when I will be
there to see them and make peace with all who wish to be at peace; that though the Government
is determined to fight till they either exterminate all the Indians or have no more war, yet their
Great Father would be glad to hear he had no more trouble with his red children, and that after I
see him and talk to him I will come myself this winter and talk to them and tell them all he says,
and I will send word ahead, and runners, &c., that they can all come in and talk to me; that they
can trust me, for nothing will I say but what I will do.
Yours, &c.,
ALF. SULLY,
Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mouth of White River, Ark., November 11, 1864--10 a.m.
Lieutenant-Colonel CHRISTENSEN,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: I forward the last advices from General Steele received this morning. Have sent
copy of General Steele's letter of 9th to General Halleck. Brigadier-General Dennis with two
regiments of Second Brigade, Second Division (Slack's), and the Twenty-sixth New York
Battery, four guns (Captain Fox), are now going on board boats, and will be off for Devall's
Bluff immediately. The remainder of that brigade will probably get off to-morrow morning. I
inclose correspondence with Brigadier-General Dennis in reference to his permitting Mr.
Hudson, who, I understand, lives south of the Arkansas River, to bring cotton within our lines at
this post. There are eight bales here which the assistant quartermaster has been ordered to hold
for the present. General Dennis was all ready to go to Devall's Bluff when these developments
were made, and I did not place him in arrest. He seems to regret his conduct in the matter, but, so
far as I can see, has no excuse for a plain violation of existing orders. Lieutenant Eyerly,
Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers, the mustering officer of the Second Division, has gone home to be
mustered out of service, leaving only one mustering officer in the corps. If there is any officer in
New Orleans at all suitable for the position, please appoint him as mustering officer of the corps,
and order him to report to these headquarters in person. Lieutenant Earl is now on a scout
between White and Arkansas Rivers. If it is possible we will find out something about the man
who shot General Canby.
Very respectfully, &c.,
J. J. REYNOLDS,
8
Major-General.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, STATE OF IOWA,
Des Moines, November 11, 1864.
Maj. Gen. JOHN POPE.:
GENERAL: Your letter of the 2d instant, inclosing copy of report made to you by Brigadier-
General Smith from Keokuk, is before me. Since writing to you on the 1st instant I have
examined more fully into the condition of things on our southern border, and find that while the
danger of any formidable raids into this State is somewhat remote, we are quite subject to the
incursions of mounted marauders from Missouri, who, by dashing into the State at points which
are unguarded, are enabled to penetrate some distance, doing much damage to our people, and
return with impunity. A militia, however well organized and armed, are not a complete
protection against them, and some measures are necessary to forewarn our people of their
intended approach and designs. If we could be thus prepared we are competent to defend
ourselves. For this reason I approve the suggestion of General Smith to employ a detective to act
in conjunction with the provost-marshal at Keokuk, who, by means of his acquaintance with men
in Price's army and knowledge of men in Missouri, may be able to keep our authorities duly
advised of hostile designs against this State. I hope his suggestion will be adopted, as it would, in
my opinion, supersede the necessity of keeping troops on constant duty here.
I am, general, very truly, yours,
W. M. STONE.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 46.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, Wis., November 12, 1864.
In accordance with the terms of General Orders, No. 251, current series, from the War
Department, Adjutant-General's Office, the command of the Military District of Iowa being
composed of mixed troops equivalent to a brigade, the Military District of Iowa is hereby
designated as a Separate Brigade, to date from October 25, 1864.
By command of Major-General Pope:
J. F. MELINE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
JEFFERSON CITY, November 13, 1864- p.m.
Col. JOHN V. DU BOIS,
Chief of Staff:
The Mars left to-day at daylight, the Evening Star at 12 o'clock, the Ewing at 3 p.m., the
Enterprise at 4.30, the Omaha at 4.30. The War Eagle will leave at daylight to-morrow. They
have taken all the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps, First Iowa Cavalry, and Winslow's
cavalry, so far as I know of. The Hannibal is just in. Callison also here. If the Thirty-third
Missouri and Battery K, [Second Missouri Artillery,] are ordered there is transportation ready.
S. H. MELCHER,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS NORTHWESTERN INDIAN EXPEDITION,
Sioux City, Iowa, November 13, 1864.
Maj. Gen. J. POPE,
Milwaukee:
9
GENERAL: I inclose you a copy of a letter just received from Colonel Dimon, First U.S.
Volunteers, as I thought it might interest you. I shall leave here in a day or so for Milwaukee. I
think by a little good management we can end all troubles, and I will be glad to see you on the
subject.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brigadier-General.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Devall's Bluff, Ark., November 14, 1864--9.30 a.m.
Col. THOMAS H. BENTON, Jr.,
Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, Little Rock, Ark.:
COLONEL: General Andrews directs that you assume command of the brigade at once, with
headquarters temporarily at Little Rock. Move to Pine Bluff when your regiment moves.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE MONROE,
Assistant Adjutant-General
GENERAL ORDERS No. 1.
HDQRS. 2D BRIG., 2D DIV., 7TH A. C.,
Little Rock, Ark., November 16, 1864.
1. In obedience to Special Orders, No. 178, from headquarters Second Division, Seventh
Army Corps, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Second Brigade of said division,
with headquarters temporarily at Little Rock, Ark.
2. First Lieut. E. J. Tremble, Sixty-second Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, is hereby
announced as acting assistant adjutant-general, and First Lieut. S. H. Blanc, One hundred and
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as brigade quartermaster. They will be obeyed and respected as
such.
3. Commanders of regiments and detachments will forward their reports to the acting
assistant adjutant-general at this place until otherwise ordered.
THOMAS H. BENTON,
Colonel Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Devall's Bluff, Ark., November 21, 1864.
Col. J. R. SLACK,
Commanding Second Brigade:
COLONEL: You will please cause the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry Volunteers of your
command, with its entire force, camp and garrison equipage, &c., to embark on steamer Rose
Hambleton to-morrow morning, the 22d instant, at 10 a.m., or as soon as possible after that time.
By order of Brig. Gen. E. S. Dennis:
RICHARD A. KENT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Benton Barracks, Mo., November 22, 1864.
Col. J. J. WOODS,
Commanding Third Brigade:
10
COLONEL: I am directed by the general commanding to inform you that the following
assignments of boats has been made for embarking your brigade: The steamer Camelia will carry
brigade headquarters, the Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers, and the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers;
the Silver Cloud will carry the Twelfth Iowa Volunteers and the Seventh Minnesota Volunteers.
You will please commence embarking the wagons to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock. Cause
sufficient details to be made to take the wagons apart and put them on board. The wagons and
harness will be put in the hold, the wagon-beds and ambulances upon the roof; the camp and
garrison equipage and stores as much as possible in hold. The troops will be kept in camp in
readiness to embark as soon as everything else has been put on board. They will be furnished
with ten days' rations, commencing to-morrow, which can be drawn and be put on board the
boats. The boats are arranged at the levee by brigades, so that there will be no trouble in having
your command together.
I have the honor, colonel, to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. H. F. RANDALL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
MILWAUKEE, WIS., November 22, 1864.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, DEPT. OF THE NORTHWEST:
SIR: In regard to the letter from Hon. A. W. Hubbard to the Secretary of War about sending
some of the troops now in my district South, which letter has been referred to me, I have the
honor to state I have nearly 2,000 men in that section of country, not 2,000 or 3,000 as stated.
These men garrison posts from Fort Union down the Missouri to Sioux City, and from there
north to the Minnesota frontier. Take from these 2,000 the sick, men on quartermaster's duty as
teamsters, &c., and it will leave but about 1,500 men; not a very large force, considering the
extent of country they occupy. Should peace be permanently made this winter with the Indians a
part of this force could be withdrawn, but I do not think it would be prudent to do so now. As
regards the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, I would like that regiment to be sent South, if their place could
be filled by other troops. The regiment has only one year to serve, and it would be a benefit to it
to see service a little different from the Indian service they have been in since they have been
organized.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brigadier-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 50.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, Wis., November 23, 1864.
At the request of the brigadier-general commanding the Military District of Iowa, the
headquarters of that district are hereby transferred to Dubuque, Iowa.
By command of Major-General Pope:
J. F. MELINE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 194.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, Wis., November 23, 1864.
11
II. Brig. Gen. A. Sully will proceed immediately to Dubuque, Iowa, to which place his
headquarters are this day transferred by General Orders, No. 50, current series, from these
headquarters.
By command of Major-General Pope:
J. F. MELINE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 109.
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF LITTLE ROCK,
Little Rock, Ark.. November 25, 1864.
I. The Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry is assigned to duty at the post of Little Rock as city guard.
Lieut. Col. R. F. Patterson, commanding, will report to Col. John A. Garrett, commanding post.
By order of Brig. Gen. E. A. CAIT:
C. H. DYER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 193.
HDQRS. SECOND DIV., 7TH ARMY CORPS,
Devall's Bluff, Ark., November 25, 1864.
I. Col. James M. True, Sixty-second Illinois Infantry Volunteers, having returned from
veteran furlough with his regiment and reported for orders, will assume command of the Second
Brigade of this division and establish his headquarters at Pine Bluff, Ark.
Col. Thomas H. Benton, jr., Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, will transfer to Colonel True the
records and public property of said brigade headquarters, and report to him for orders.
By order of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews:
GEO. MONROE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY FORCES,
MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., November 20, 1864.
1. The undersigned hereby assumes command of the cavalry forces Military Division of West
Mississippi, ordered to report to him by paragraph 1 of Special Orders, No. 189, of November
19, 1864, from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi.
II. The following-named officers are announced on the staff of the brigadier-general
commanding, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly: Maj. A. G. McQueen, First Iowa
Cavalry, chief of staff; Capt. A. S. Montgomery, First Louisiana Cavalry, acting assistant
adjutant-general; Capt. Charles H. Thompson, U.S. Volunteers, chief commissary of subsistence;
Asst. Surg. A. Hartsuff, U.S. Army, medical director; First Lieut. Theodore D. Johnson,
regimental quartermaster Third Iowa Cavalry, chief quartermaster; First Lieut. E. A. Denicke,
Signal Corps, U.S. Army, chief signal officer; First Lieut. B. K. Roberts, Seventh Iowa Cavalry,
acting aide-de-camp.
J. W. DAVIDSON,
Brigadier-General and Chief of Cavalry, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 110.
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF LITTLE ROCK,
Little Rock, Ark., November 27, 1864.
12
I. Col. Thomas H. Benton, jr., Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, having been relieved from
command of Second Brigade, Second Division, will assume command of his regiment, reporting
to the commander post of Little Rock.
By order of Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr:
C. H. DYER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 152.
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Little Rock, Ark., November 27, 1864.
I. The Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry is hereby detailed to relieve that portion of the
Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry now on duty at the saw-mill on the Benton road. The
commanding officer Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry will cause all Government property on
said place to be guarded and protected, quarters erected for his command, and proper works to be
constructed for the defense of the place.
By order of Brig. Gen. F. Salomon:
A. BLOCKI,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 153.
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., 7TH ARMY CORPS,
Little Rock, Ark., November 28, 1864.
II. Lieut. Col. Arthur Jacobi, Ninth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, is hereby
relieved from the command of the First Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps.
III. Col. C. H. Mackey, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, is hereby detached from his
regiment and assigned to the command of the First Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps.
By order of Brig. Gen. F. Salomon:
A. BLOCKI,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
PINE BLUFF, ARK., November 28, 1864.
Brigadier-General CARR:
Will the Twenty-ninth Iowa take the place of the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin? I desire to
know, so that the quarters of the Twenty-eighth may be reserved for the Twenty-ninth.
POWELL CLAYTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE FRONTIER,
Fort Smith, Ark., November 28, 1864.
Col. S. H. WATTLES, Commanding Indian Brigade:
SIR: The ox train is so much longer than I anticipated in reaching Fort Gibson that I deem it
necessary that you send up some more troops to meet the mule train coming from Fort Scott
under escort of four companies already sent by you. The escort which I have directed you to send
back with the ox train from Fort Gibson will not, I fear, meet the mule train far enough above
Neosho to make the mule train safe. Hence you will start at once two companies of the Second
Kansas Colored Regiment and three companies of Indian troops, with orders to go till they meet
the mule train coming down. As you will probably take these companies from the troops now
with the ox train, I would send up the Eighteenth Iowa to
meet the ox train. I suppose some of
13
Colonel Blair's troops are with the ox train or will be with the mule train, these will go back with
the ox train, but if they are not sufficient to make ox train safe going back, you will see that it has
a sufficient escort through to Fort Scott.
JOHN M. THAYER,
Brigadier-General
P. S.--I learn from Colonel Blair that there will be about seventy mule teams with the ox
train, but there is another mule train coming down which is the one I refer to in the above
communication.
J. M. T.
LITTLE ROCK, November 29, 1864.
(Received 10.15 a.m.)
Brig. Gen. POWELL CLAYTON:
The brigadier-general commanding the district directs me to say that it is not intended to send
the Twenty-ninth Iowa to Pine Bluff at present.
S. E. GRAVES,
Captain and Acting Aide-de-Camp.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Memphis, December 8, 1864.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff:
Your dispatch of December 6 received this morning. Only four nominal regiments of cavalry,
say, 1,000 effective men, remain at Memphis; but stock in poor condition from long, hard service
and want of hay. I have ordered up four regiments from Vicksburg, say, 1,500 effective men,
who have just returned from a successful raid on the Mississippi Central Railroad, destroying the
bridge over the Big Black, near Canton, Miss., and a large amount of army stores. The cavalry
from Vicksburg will arrive in five or six days, and every effort will be made to accomplish your
orders. I can operate successfully against the enemy's communications if I have the cavalry. The
Fourth Iowa, Third Iowa, and Tenth Missouri Cavalry are moving from Missouri to join General
Thomas in Middle Tennessee. These regiments belong to this command. An order will reach
them if telegraphed immediately to Colonel Wins-low, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, at Cairo, Ill., who
awaits your orders and authority to bring the cavalry to Memphis. One-half of these regiments, in
detachments, are already at Memphis, with all camp and garrison equipage.
N. J. T. DANA,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS POST,
Salina, Kans., December 8, 1864.
Maj. B. S. HENNING,
Comdg. District of Upper Arkansas, Fort Riley, Kans.:
MAJOR: I have the honor to state that I have this day ordered Second Lieut. Charles E.
Everton to take command of this post, and I will start to-morrow with a detachment of my
company and number of citizens in pursuit of Indians. They are on Clear Creek (a tributary of the
Solomon River), about forty miles from here. I have suitable scouts that can take me to where
they were on the 7th instant. There are about 100 Indians. They drove in some buffalo hunters.
Messrs. White and Chapman are here; they are direct from where the Indians were. I have no
doubt but what I can be able to attack them by daylight on the 10th instant. I hope that this move
will be sanctioned by you.
14
I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ELISHA HAMMER,
Capt. Company G, Seventh Iowa Vol. Cav., Commanding Post.
HEADQUARTERS U.S. FORCES,
Morganza, La., December 9, 1864.
Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Mil. Div. of West Miss., New Orleans, La.:
SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival of the following-named regiments at this place last
night from the mouth of White River: Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry Volunteers; One hundred and
fourteenth Ohio Infantry Volunteers, and Eighty-third Ohio Infantry Volunteers. In pursuance of
Special Orders, No. 205, paragraph 9, dated headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi,
New Orleans, December 5, 1864, the last-named regiment was at once dispatched to Natchez,
Miss.
I have the honor to remain, your most obedient servant,
DANIEL ULLMANN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 222.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., December 9, 1864.
By direction of the President of the United States (General Orders,
No. 294, War Department), I hereby assume command of the Department of the Missouri.
All orders now in force and all staff officers now on duty will be recognized and obeyed until
otherwise ordered. The following additional staff officers are announced: Maj. J. W. Barnes,
assistant adjutant-general (in charge of office); Capt. George E. Ford, Fourth Iowa Infantry, aidede-
camp; Lieut. George C. Tichenor, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, aide-de-camp; Lieut. Edward
Jonas, Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, aide-de-camp.
G. M. DODGE,
Major-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 1.
HDQRS. 1ST BRIG., RESERVE CORPS,
MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Memphis, Tenn., December 12, 1864.
In obedience to Special Orders, No. 205, headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi,
the undersigned hereby assumes command of the First Brigade, Reserve Corps, Military Division
of West Mississippi, consisting of the following regiments: Twenty-eighth Illinois Volunteers,
Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteers, Forty-seventh Indiana
Volunteers, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteers, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteers. Commanding
officers of regiments will forward to these headquarters, without delay, a full roster and a copy
of their tri-monthly of their respective commands for the 10th instant.
M. K. LAWLER,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., December 13, 1864.
15
13. The Forty fifth Missouri Volunteers will proceed without delay by rail to Louisville, Ky.,
reporting by telegraph to Major-General Thomas, upon arriving at that point, for further orders.
The quartermaster's department will furnish transportation.
14. The emergency having passed which required that the veteran portion of the First Iowa
Cavalry be retained on duty in this department, that portion of the regiment now within this
department will proceed without delay to join the main portion of the regiment in the Department
of Arkansas, in compliance with paragraph 4 of Special Orders, No. 87, current series, from
headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi. The quartermaster's department will furnish
transportation.
By command of Major-General Dodge:
FRANK ENO,
Assistant Adjutant-General
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 53.
HDQRS. 1ST BRIG., 1ST DIV., 7TH A. C.,
Little Rock, Ark., December 14, 1864.
The Twenty-eighth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, having been relieved from
duty at Pine Bluff, Ark., and joined the brigade, in obedience to Special Orders, No. 269,
Department of Arkansas, of date November 1, 1864, will proceed at once to prepare winter
quarters, as provided in General Orders, No. 57, headquarters First Division, Seventh Army
Corps, of date October 3, 1864.
By order of Col. C. H. Mackey, colonel Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanding
First Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps:
A. S. KENDRICK,
First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, December 14, 1864.
Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Mil. Div. of West Miss., New Orleans, La.:
COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that by direction of Major-General Halleck the
Thirty-ninth, Forty-fifth, Forty-seventh, and Forty-eighth Regiments Missouri Infantry and
Second Regiment Missouri Cavalry have been ordered to report to Maj. Gen. George H.
Thomas; also the battalion of the First Iowa Cavalry have been ordered to join their command
and the Sixth Missouri Cavalry to join their regiment in compliance with former orders.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. M. DODGE,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF IOWA,
Dubuque, Iowa, December 16, 1864.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, DEPT. OF THE NORTHWEST:
SIR: The following dispatch was this day received from Captain Pell, assistant adjutantgeneral:
GENERAL: Mrs. Kelley was delivered up by the Indians on the 9th instant. The Indians
talked humbly at the council and seemed delighted to be at peace. They expect you here with
presents to ratify a peace.
16
I have telegraphed back to the Indians that I could not come at present but would write to
them and report what they had said to the President.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS POST,
Salina, Kans., December 19, 1864.
Lieut. J. E. TAPPAN,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dist. of Upper Ark., Fort Riley, Kans.:
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to state that on the 16th instant I sent Sergt. Malcom P.
Doud and seven men of Company G, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, to scout the country in
regard to Indians. They proceeded as far as Spring Creek, a tributary of Salt Creek, and
southwest to Saline River, and down said river to this place. They saw no Indians. They were
within about ten miles of where they were encamped. They report that they saw smoke about the
same place where they were. I sent one corporal and two men to-day to Fort Solomon with
instructions to get Abraham White and Mr. Ingersoll (citizens) to go with them and to see
whether the Indians are still at same place. If not there to find their location and strength, if
possible. The corporal and one of the citizens will report to you if they find them.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ELISHA HAMMER,
Captain Company G) Seventh Iowa Vol. Cavalry, Comdg. Post.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, Wis., December 19, 1864.
Hon. WILLIAM M. STONE,
Governor of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa:
GOVERNOR: I have returned to General Sully, at Dubuque, certain papers with indorsement
of General N. B. Baker, adjutant-general of Iowa, in relation to turning over to the U.S. military
authorities certain prisoners charged to be guerrillas and bushwhackers who have been
committing depredations in Southern Iowa and who were captured by a force of State militia. Of
course, I am quite willing to take charge of these prisoners and make the necessary disposition of
them by courts martial or military commission, but I would suggest to you that the effect would
be infinitely better if these men were tried and punished by the authorities of the State of Iowa.
Having been captured by the State militia, acting under your orders, they are properly amenable
to punishment by the authorities of the State. So long as these villainous bushwhackers and
guerrillas understand that they are finally responsible only to the Federal authorities they will
avail themselves of every opportunity in the absence of U.S. troops to invade Iowa and commit
robbery and murder. Once let them understand that they will be promptly and summarily dealt
with by the State authorities, and that Iowa is abundantly able to protect herself against them, or
bring offenders to condign punishment by her own officers, and without delay for reference to
the U.S. authorities, and I feel sure that your southern border will not long be infested by these
rascals. I offer this suggestion for your consideration, and have directed General Sully to confer
fully with you in this view, because I believe the measure suggested to be most conducive to the
best interests of the State and to a permanent peace on the southern border. If, however, you
think otherwise, or are not able to carry out this view, General Sully will take charge of the
prisoners and make such disposition of them as seems best.
I am, governor, respectfully, your obedient servant,
17
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF UPPER ARKANSAS,
Fort Riley, Kans., December 22, 1864.
Lieut. J. E. TAPPAN,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., District of Upper Arkansas:
LIEUTENANT: For the information of the colonel commanding the district, I have the honor
to call your attention to the following matters in connection with the District of Upper Arkansas
on which he will be called to act: First, the report of Capt. E. Hammer, Seventh Iowa Cavalry,
stating that he discovered a large body of Indians on Fifth Creek, a branch of Salt Creek, which
is a branch of the Solomon, and about twenty-five miles from Fort Solomon; second, to the fact
that there is a large force of Colorado soldiers under command of Colonel Chivington, First
Colorado Cavalry, in the district in pursuit of Indians, and at last date were at Fort Lyon and
expected to proceed to Fort Larned (see report of Major Anthony, dated December 2, 1864);
third, that the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians have been congregating near Fort Lyon for some
time, but that the Cheyennes were attacked and dispersed by Colonel Chivington and Major
Anthony, and no Indians were supposed to be in that immediate vicinity at last date. My opinion
is that a large portion of the hostile plain Indians are now in the northeast portion of the district,
and should judge on the Solomon and Republican, and close watch will be necessary to prevent
their committing depredations on the frontier. The term of service of the First Colorado Cavalry
on duty in this district is expiring, and arrangements should be made to fill their places by other
troops, as there is no doubt but that the operations of Colonel Chivington will create great
activity on the part of the Indians in their depredations and should be guarded against. Of the
officers and soldiers I can speak in the highest terms, and have no doubt but that the colonel
commanding will find them all he could desire. With my best wishes for his success,
I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. S. HENNING,
Major Third Wisconsin Cavalry.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 88.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, &c.,
Little Rock, Ark., December 26, 1864.
Lieut. Col. R. F. Patterson, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, is hereby appointed provostmarshal-
general of the Department of Arkansas.
By order of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds:
W. D. GREEN,
Assistant Adjutant-General
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS,
October 1, 1864.
SIR: For the Second Division, Nineteenth Corps, at the recent battles of the 19th last near
Winchester and 22d last near Fisher's Hill, Va., and the operations immediately connected
therewith, I have the honor to make the following report:
At 2 a.m. on the 19th the division, being the advance of the Nineteenth Corps, left its camp
near Berryville and marched in the direction of Winchester. When within about two miles of the
Opequon ford, pursuant to orders, we halted to allow the Sixth Corps, moving on our right with
its ordnance and ambulance train, to take the advance.
Soon after daylight the firing of artillery
18
and small-arms became quite rapid in the direction of Winchester, and I received orders to push
forward, in advance of the before-mentioned train, with all practicable rapidity. Having arrived at
the front, the division was rapidly formed in two lines of battle on the right of the Sixth Corps.
General Birge's (First) brigade formed the right and Colonel Sharpe's (Third) brigade the left of
the first line, with Colonel Shunk's (Fourth) and Colonel Molineux's (Second) brigade on the
right and left, respectively, of the second line. In this order, at 11.45 a.m., in conjunction with the
Sixth Corps on the left and the First Division in echelon on the right, the lines advanced over a
country much broken, and quite densely wooded on our left, and soon encountered the enemy in
strong position and force, with artillery well posted and served. The enemy's first line was
broken and driven in by our steady advance with considerable loss on our side, but without
check. During this advance, owing to the nature of the ground and the greater obliquity of the
movement on the left than could have been anticipated, an interval of some 400 yards occurred
between the left of General Birge's brigade and the right of Colonel Sharpe's. I do not think,
however, that in the general result this interval operated to our disadvantage, as it enabled us to
cover greater distance to the right where the enemy nearly outflanked us in strong force. To
prevent, however, the enemy from taking any advantage of this interval Colonel Molineux's
brigade was ordered to advance from the second line and cover the opening. Upon the arrival of
General Birge's brigade to an advantageous position, and in prolongation of the line held by the
troops on the left, it was ordered to halt and lie down and await orders, but having driven the
enemy from his first line, in the noise and excitement of the battle, though from my personal
observation the officers without exception did their duty, they were for a time unable to restrain
the impetuosity of the ranks, and the whole brigade charged as a man and drove the enemy some
300 yards beyond where its flanks were supported or could at that time receive the proper
support. Receiving a fire of artillery and small-arms upon front and flanks, of course it was
obliged to retire. It did not do so, however, until the lines on the left had retired, including
Colonel Sharpe's brigade, which held its position until its left was exposed to the enemy's
advance by the falling back of the troops on his left. As the advance line retired the reserve line
moved forward in front of the woods from which we had at first debouched, and with the
assistance of two sections of Captain Bradbury's (First Maine) battery, held the enemy
completely in check. Colonel Sharpe, commanding the Third Brigade, was severely wounded in
the first advance, and the command of his brigade devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel Neafie, of
the One hundred and fifty-sixth New York, who still held his command on the immediate right
of the Sixth Corps. General Birge's brigade reformed on our second line in the edge of the woods
on our right, the Fourth Brigade holding the front on that flank, while Colonel Molineux's held
the advanced position on the left. This ground was hotly contested for some hours, and the
enemy pressed heavily upon our right flank and annoyed our lines considerably by a battery
which nearly enfiladed them. When the ammunition of these brigades was expended they were
relieved by the First Division and resupplied themselves from the rear.
I must make special mention here of the excellent service done by the Eleventh Indiana
Volunteers, Colonel Macauley commanding, and the One hundred and thirty-first New York,
Colonel Day commanding; the One hundred and fifty-sixth New York, Lieutenant-Colonel
Neafie commanding, and the First Maine Battery, Captain Bradbury commanding. None of the
troops, however, who were here engaged failed to do their whole duty and to reflect credit upon
the soldiership of the rank and file and upon the gallantry of their commanders.
At a little after 3 p.m. General Crook's command took position on our right and moved upon
the enemy's flank, and an advance of the whole line was immediately ordered and executed with
alacrity. The enemy, though disputing the ground stubbornly with artillery, continued to retire,
inflicting at the same time but small loss upon our
advancing lines. We bivouacked at dark for
19
the night just beyond the town of Winchester. On the 20th the division marched to Strasburg, and
on the next day nothing worth mention occurred, excepting a reconnaissance by the Ninth
Connecticut, who found the enemy in some force on the other side of the Shenandoah and
returned to camp about 9 p.m. The enemy was here in our front in strong position, with two lines
of works. Early on the 22d the army moved to fire immediate front of the works, the Second
Division, Nineteenth Corps, on the extreme left. Hastily-made works were thrown up along the
whole line, under the immediate direction of General Birge on the right and Colonel Molineux
on the left. Constant though not heavy skirmishing, with some artillery practice, continued all the
morning on both sides. To strengthen and shorten our lines it became necessary to drive in the
enemy's skirmishers and occupy their lines. This was handsomely done by the One hundred and
twenty-eighth New York Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Foster commanding, supported by the
One hundred and seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, Major Lewis commanding, after a most
efficient and beneficial shelling from a battery under the immediate supervision of Captain Taft,
chief of artillery of the corps, and one section of Captain Bradbury's battery. A strong working
party immediately commenced strengthening the position thus seized, and though under a hot
fire, especially of artillery, the line was nearly finished in its entire length when the order to
advance was received along the whole line. Though the ground was very unfavorable for an
advance, the troops pushed on with the greatest zeal and with all the rapidity possible, cheering,
and with colors flying. The enemy, after firing a few rounds of artillery and doing some not very
effective musketry firing, fled from behind their works, so closely followed up, however, as to be
unable to take away their artillery or its ammunition. One company of the One hundred and
seventy-sixth [New York], commanded by Captain Entwistle, was, I think, undoubtedly the first
upon the works, and the captain took possession, with his company, of four pieces of artillery.
He was so closely followed by the Twenty-eighth Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson
commanding, that there could have been but a short interval of time between the arrival of both,
but to Captain Entwistle, with his company, I think, is due the honor of first taking possession of
the pieces. A large quantity of small-arms, too numerous to count or collect in the hurried pursuit
of the enemy, were found scattered over the ground in rear of the works. We found our advance
well into the works about dark, and I was ordered to push the advance of my division, without
waiting to organize or collect those who had become separated in the hurry of the advance, upon
the road taken by the enemy. A portion of Colonel Molineux's brigade, being the nearest at hand,
was hurried to the front, and a line of skirmishers, consisting of the Eleventh Indiana Volunteers
and One hundred and thirty-first New York Volunteers, were hastily thrown out on the left and
right of the road, and the advance commenced. About 8.30 p.m. we came upon the rear guard of
the enemy, consisting, as we were informed by a prisoner, of the Sixth Georgia Volunteers. The
firing between our skirmishers and the enemy was rapid, but of short duration, the enemy
retiring. The advance was continued without interruption for about an hour, when again our
skirmishers were checked by the enemy's fire of musketry, supported by two pieces of artillery,
well trained upon the road. Lines of battle were immediately hurried forward, but the enemy
retreated and we saw no more of him during the night. I regret to say, that from some
unaccountable misconception of our position in front by the troops in the rear, on both occasions
when the skirmish line was fired upon by the enemy it was also fired upon by troops in the rear,
notwithstanding every precaution was taken to prevent such an occurrence. Our losses were not
heavy during the night advance, but owing to the intense darkness and the broken character of
the country, the advance was very slow and extremely tedious. The immediate command of the
skirmish line was conducted at first by Colonel Molineux, and, subsequently, by Colonel
Macauley, to both of whom great credit is due for their zeal, activity, and success under very
adverse circumstances. At about 4.30 a.m. on the 23d our
advance reached Woodstock, about
20
twelve miles from Strasburg, where the army bivouacked until 12 m. During the advance from
Strasburg about 200 prisoners fell into our hands, and six wagons were abandoned and burnt on
the road by the enemy.
For list of casualties in both battles and in the advance to Woodstock see appendix.
For further details, I have the honor to inclose the reports of brigade commanders and the
commander of the battery.
In closing this report I would respectfully ask the attention of the major-general commanding
the corps to the gallantry in battle as shown by the success wherever placed and the heavy list of
casualties consequent thereon of this command; also, in addition to the regiments and officers
specially mentioned in reports of brigade commanders and the commander of the battery, I
would make mention for their gallantry and untiring zeal during the operations covered by this
report of Brigadier-General Birge, commanding First Brigade; Col. E. L. Molineux, commanding
Second Brigade; Col. Jacob Sharpe, commanding Third Brigade, at Winchester, where he was
severely wounded; Col. Dan. Macauley, commanding Eleventh Indiana Volunteers, and Third
Brigade, after the absence of Colonel Sharpe; Colonel Day, commanding One hundred and
thirty-first New York Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Neafie, commanding One hundred and
fifty-sixth New York Volunteers; Captain Bradbury, commanding First Maine Battery, and the
following-named officers of my staff, viz, Capt. Joseph Hibbert, jr., assistant adjutant-general;
Maj. E. McD. Hart, One hundred and fifty-ninth New York Volunteers, acting assistant
inspector-general; Capt. H. A. Darling, commissary of subsistence; Capt. D. H. Finley,
Thirteenth Connecticut, mustering officer; Captain Rhoades, Third Massachusetts Cavalry;
Captain Curtis, provost-marshal; First Lieutenant Parsons, judge-advocate; First Lieut. T. C.
Otis, aide-de-camp.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Cedar Creek, Va., October 28, 1864.
SIR: Brevet Major-General Grover, commanding division, being temporarily absent on
account of wounds received during the action of the 19th instant, I have the honor to submit the
following report of the operations of this command on that day and the 20th and 21st instant:
Tuesday evening, October 18, orders were issued by General Grover to the First Brigade
under my command, Second Brigade, Colonel Molineux, and Third Brigade, Colonel Macauley,
to be in readiness to move at 5.30 the next morning, for the purpose of making a reconnaissance
toward Strasburg, the Fourth Brigade, Colonel Shunk, being directed to move forward and
occupy as soon as vacated the line then held by the First and Third. In compliance with these
orders the whole command was under arms in light marching order, and the First Maine Battery
hitched up at 5 a.m. 19th instant, the relative position of the brigades being as follows: Four
regiments of the Second Brigade, the First Brigade, and four regiments of the Third Brigade
formed the first line from right to left as named, the right connecting with the First Division of
this corps, the left reaching nearly to the pike. The remaining regiments of the Second Brigade
and the Fourth Brigade formed the second line, the One hundred and seventy-fifth New York
being detached from Third Brigade as guard to ammunition train, a picket-line of 350 men from
Second and Third Brigades covered the front, connecting with the picket-line of the First
Division on the right and that of the Eighth Corps on the left. The First Maine Battery occupied
commanding ground on the right of Third Brigade and in front of the Fourth. The whole position
was very strong against attack from the front, and had been strengthened by earth-works thrown
up along the front of the first line, the general direction of which was parallel to Cedar Creek, but
was entirely commanded by the high ground on the left of the pike, occupied by the Eighth
Corps, and was indefensible against an attack from that
direction. About 5.15 a.m. and before
21
any of the troops had moved out on the projected reconnaissance, musketry firing was heard,
apparently on the left of the picket-line of the Eighth Corps, and soon after on our own picketline
in front. By direction of General Grover, the following disposition of the forces under his
command was promptly made: The first line occupied the works in their immediate front,
sending out sharpshooters and skirmishers to the banks of the creek; the One hundred and
seventy-sixth New York and part of the One hundred and fifty-sixth New York, on the left of the
Third Brigade, were thrown back nearly at a right angle with the brigade line, and the Fourth
Brigade moved to the left, connecting with and forming on the prolongation of this line; the
Twenty-second Iowa and Third Massachusetts [Cavalry (dismounted)], from the Second
Brigade, were moved to the left as support to the battery. While these movements were being
made, the firing in the direction of the Eighth Corps became very heavy and incessant, and our
pickets in front were gradually driven back to the creek. As day dawned the enemy appeared in
strong force on the high ground on the left of our position, from which he had forced back the
Eighth Corps and rapidly advanced, his lines extending from the creek to our left and rear as far
as could be seen through the smoke and prevailing fog. The troops on the left, thus attacked in
front and flank, made a stubborn resistance, and on the line of the Third Brigade a hand-to-hand
conflict ensued, during which the colors of the One hundred and seventy-sixth and One hundred
and fifty-sixth New York Regiments were seized by the enemy, but in both instances were torn
from the flag-staffs and saved. At the same time a battery opened on our lines from the left and
another from the high ground in front and on the opposite side of the creek. Pressed by an
overwhelming force, said having already lost very heavily, our line was forced back, retiring in
good order, but leaving some prisoners in the hands of the enemy. Colonel Macauley,
commanding the brigade, was severely wounded early in the engagement, and Major Hart, of
General Grover's staff, soon after received a wound from which he died the next morning.
Lieutenant-Colonel Neafie, One hundred and fifty-sixth New York, took command of the Third
Brigade. The enemy now made a desperate effort to secure the guns of the First Maine Battery,
four of which were in their original position, and well and rapidly served, Lieutenant Haley
commanding, the other section, under Lieutenant Morton, having been sent to the left. Lieutenant
Haley was wounded, and Lieutenant Snow succeeded in getting all but two caissons off the
grounds, but was finally obliged to abandon one gun and three caissons, the horses being shot.
Lieutenant Morton was killed and one gun of his section captured, but all were subsequently
retaken. In the meantime the First Brigade and that part of the Second Brigade not engaged were
holding their respective positions, but losing from infantry and artillery fire from front, flank,
and rear. By order of General Grover they now fell back, the First Brigade along the line of
works, forming a new line on the crest of the hill to the right and perpendicular to the original
line, and holding it till turned by the enemy, when it fell back to the hill previously occupied by a
brigade of First Division. Making a short stand here, it was again pressed back, and again made a
stand in an open field, with the Fourth Brigade on its left; having, in the efforts made to check
the advance of the enemy, lost severely in killed and wounded and some prisoners. The Second
Brigade moved out by the right flank and formed on the right of the Sixth Corps, taking
advantage of every favorable position to halt and cheek the advancing enemy, which it did
several times very gallantly. The Third Brigade withdrew more to the left, and being ordered to
form on the right of division of the Sixth Corps operated with it till about 10 o'clock, and about
11 joined this command. From the position taken by the brigades, as above described, they
gradually retired, conforming to the movements of the army, and making stands at three different
points until, between 10 and 11 o'clock, an advance was ordered, and the division moved some
distance to the front, forming on the right of the Sixth Corps in two lines, the First and Second
Brigades in the first, and the Fourth and Third (which
came up about this time) [in] the second
22
line; the First Division of this corps on the right. A strong skirmish line was deployed to the
front, which was driven in about noon, and the enemy in Strong force attacked our lines, but was
effectually repulsed. He continued, however, to annoy us with his artillery, but inflicting slight
loss. Soon after the repulse another advance was ordered, General Grover directing that the
connection with the Sixth Corps should be maintained on the left, but the right pressed forward
more rapidly, thus gradually swinging to the left. The troops advanced with the greatest
impetuosity, under a severe fire from the enemy's infantry on the crest of a hill in front and an
accurate and rapid fire from a battery on the hill beyond, drove him out and occupied the hill,
where a halt was ordered. While holding this position, and shortly after gaining it, General
Grover, who had been wounded early in the day, was again wounded in the arm, compelling him
to leave the field, and I then took command of the division. About 4.30 p.m. I received orders
from Brevet Major-General Emory to advance, and the troops again moved forward with the
same gallantry and impetuosity as in the previous charge, the enemy retreating in great confusion
and our forces pursuing without a halt till the camp which had been left in the morning was
reached. By direction of the brevet major-general commanding the pursuit terminated here, and
the division went into camp, each brigade occupying its original ground. At 8 p.m., in
compliance with orders from the brevet major-general commanding, the Fourth Brigade moved
toward Strasburg and bivouacked for the night in rear of the First Division, occupying the town.
At 7 a.m. on the 20th the division marched to the heights overlooking Strasburg, and, by
direction of General Emory, was placed in position, where it remained until 7 the next morning,
21st, when the whole division returned to its former camp on Cedar Creek.
I inclose reports of brigade commanders, to which reference is invited, for more minute
details of the part taken by each in the battle of the 19th than the limits of this report permit.
A numerical list of the casualties in the division is appended. A nominal list has been
forwarded.
Of the gallantry, steadiness, and good conduct of the troops of this division during the
various and trying phases of the action of the 19th I cannot speak in too high terms. Every
brigade kept its organization during the day, and with few exceptions the behavior of officers and
men was all that could be asked for. Of the Second Brigade, operating in connection with mine
and moving on the same line, I am able, from personal observation, to speak with the highest
commendation. In the Fourth Brigade every regimental commander was wounded. Of the
desperate resistance to the advance of the enemy early in the day made by the Third Brigade I
have already spoken. Its conduct during the advance in the afternoon was no less praiseworthy. I
respectfully ask the attention of the brevet major-general commanding to the instances of
individual heroism and meritorious conduct mentioned in the reports of brigade commanders.
To the members of General Grover's staff, who reported to me for duty after he was
wounded, my thanks are due for their efficient aid and support. Their gallantry on the field was
conspicuous. To Capt. E. A. Fiske, Thirtieth Massachusetts Volunteers, and Captain Godard,
Twelfth Maine Volunteers, of my own staff, I am very greatly indebted for untiring attention to
their duties, performed with ability and good judgment, and their bravery in action deserves
special mention.
Respectfully,
HENRY W. BIRGE,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding Second Division.
Maj. DUNCAN S. WALKER,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Detachment Nineteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., 19TH ARMY CORPS,
23
Near Harrisonburg, Va., September 26, 1864.
SIR: In compliance with orders I have the honor to submit the following report of the
movements of this brigade since September 19:
At 2 a.m. on the 19th of September the brigade promptly moved on the Berryville pike
toward Winchester, and was halted, in common with the other brigades of the division, until the
Sixth Corps and its train had passed. The Opequon Creek was passed in good order and the
column well closed up, and, after advancing about two miles, was, in obedience to orders,
formed in line of battle some 200 paces in rear of the Third Brigade. The Twenty-second Iowa,
being on the left, was exposed to the view of the enemy, and being shelled by them, was formed
a little to the rear in echelon. At 11.30 a.m. the brigade advanced, following the movements of
the preceding brigade, the right passing through a heavy belt of timber, the left through an
exposed ravine. While advancing I received an order to advance my brigade to cover an opening
which had occurred between the First and Third Brigades in the front line. The line advanced at
quick step in admirable order, under a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery, and was only
checked in its advance by the flanks being exposed by the retiring of the troops on the right and
left. The line was halted, and immediately opened a destructive fire on the enemy, the Eleventh
Indiana, on the right, obliquing its fire to check the enemy advancing on its flank. At the same
time the One hundred and fifty-ninth New York and Twenty-second Iowa, on the left, stubbornly
contested their ground with the advancing enemy, exposed to a deadly flank fire. At this time I
received the order to fall back and form in the edge of the belt of timber immediately in the rear.
This was accomplished by the right of the brigade promptly and in good order. The center and
left being on more open and exposed ground and not being sheltered by timber, were obliged to
fall back some 300 paces in the rear, losing very heavily in killed and wounded. The advancing
columns of the enemy, which outflanked us from the left, captured a number of prisoners from
the One hundred and fifty-ninth New York and Thirteenth Connecticut; but our left, in falling
back, brought in an equal number of the enemy. While this was occurring on that flank the
Eleventh Indiana, One hundred and thirty-first New York, and a portion of the Third
Massachusetts [Cavalry (dismounted)], and a regiment from the Third Brigade (One hundred and
seventy-sixth New York) promptly opened a heavy and well-sustained fire upon the advancing
lines of the enemy, which soon caused them to fall back. These gallant regiments followed them
for some distance, took up a position on an advantageous ground, and caused the enemy's retreat
to become a hasty flight. This advanced position was held by us until every cartridge was
exhausted. Finding this to be the case, and that the regiments on the left of my brigade were not
effecting anything, from the nature of the ground they occupied, I formed my left wing in rear of
my right for the purpose of sustaining and relieving it. About the same time certain regiments of
the First Division relieved the Eleventh Indiana, One hundred and thirty-first and One hundred
and seventy-sixth New York, and Third Massachusetts, who were then formed in the edge of the
timber, and the whole brigade resupplied with ammunition. The command while remaining in
the woods suffered somewhat from the artillery fire of the enemy, which enfiladed the position
from the right, but were in good order and spirits when again ordered to advance in line of battle
in support of the First Brigade, whose line I re-enforced on the left by one of my regiments (the
One hundred and thirty-first New York). The brigade remained in support of the First Brigade
during the advance upon the remaining positions of the enemy, and, although several times
exposed to a well-directed and destructive fire of solid shot and shell from the enemy's batteries,
steadily advanced in perfect line until the retreat of the enemy from the field ended the battle.
I cannot too warmly express my admiration of the coolness and steadiness of the officers and
men of the brigade during this engagement; but in simple justice I would call to your notice the
conspicuous gallantry of the following officers and
enlisted men: Col. D. Macauley, Eleventh
24
Indiana; Col. N. W. Day, One hundred and thirty-first New York; Lieut. Col. L. D. Sargent,
Third Massachusetts; Lieut. Col. W. M. Rexford, One hundred and thirty-first New York; Maj.
G. Butler, Eleventh Indiana; Maj. C, Lewis, One hundred and seventy-sixth New York; Actg.
Adjt. Samuel D. Pryce, Twenty-second Iowa; Lieutenants Ripley, Beaton, and Maddux,
Thirteenth Connecticut; Captains Noyes, Dean, and Twitchell, Third Massachusetts; Lieutenants
Stevens, Grover (wounded), Cunningham, and Brownell, Third Massachusetts; Captain
Richmond, Lieutenants Smith and Howard, both wounded, One hundred and fifty-ninth New
York; Captains Hunt, Corsa, and Raymond, Lieutenants Pinckney, Henry, and Abbott, One
hundred and thirty-first New York; Capts. Jesse Custer and Ross, Lieutenants Mullen (killed),
Woods (wounded), and Adjutant Macauley, Eleventh Indiana; Sergt. Maj. George A. Remley
(killed), Twenty-second Iowa; Sergeant-Major Bonneif, One hundred and thirty-first New York;
Sergeant Simonds, Third Massachusetts; Color-Sergeant Seston, Eleventh Indiana, (killed);
Corporal Bierbower, Privates Regan and Sterling, Eleventh Indiana; First Sergeant and Acting
Lieutenant Leith, Corporals Scott and Miller, Private Roach, One hundred and thirty-first New
York; Sergeants Brown and Coons, One hundred and fifty-ninth New York.
To the following officers of my staff I am indebted for prompt and gallant services under
fire: Capt. G. W. Hussey, Lieuts. B. F. Copeland, G. W. Handy, and H. D. Pope.
I regret that my loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners is very heavy, especially amongst the
sharpshooters, who rendered efficient service and lost more than half their number. I have the
honor to inclose herewith a list of the killed, wounded, and missing in the engagement (marked
A).
On the morning of the 20th I broke camp at 5 o'clock and marched to Strasburg, where we
went into position, and camped on the extreme left near the ford. On the 21st changed camp to
the right of the Strasburg and Woodstock pike. On the morning of the 22d moved to the right and
formed in line of battle in rear of First Brigade. About 8 a.m. I was ordered to march back and
take up a position on the left, protecting our line of communication with Strasburg, with orders to
assume command of all the infantry and artillery in that position. Finding the Third Brigade,
Colonel Macauley commanding, throwing up works to protect the hill and the ravine to the right,
I formed my brigade in rear and threw up a second line. I then placed two companies of the
Twenty-second Iowa in the stone mill on the Shenandoah to guard against any advance in that
direction, and sent the One hundred and fifty-ninth New York to throw up and hold a rifle-pit in
the orchard and on the road, to more completely guard against any attempt to outflank us on our
left. The works held by the two brigades were strengthened, so as to enable the First Maine
Battery to open on the enemy a very effective fire. Our working parties and the battery were
much annoyed by the enemy's sharpshooters in a line of rifle-its directly in our front, and at 1
o'clock I was ordered to make a simultaneous attack in connection with a regiment of the First
Division and one from my own line upon their rifle-pits. The following disposition was made:
Colonel Macauley ordered the One hundred and twenty-eighth New York to deploy as
skirmishers. A strong working party was assembled in the rear ready to rush forward to
strengthen the advanced position when taken; the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York
(Third Brigade) in support of the working party, and the Twenty-second Iowa, of my own
brigade, deployed and held in reserve in case the One hundred and twenty-eighth New York
failed to carry the position. The attack was entirely successful. The rifle-pits taken were
immediately strengthened to one continuous line, and the enemy showing some disposition to
retake the position, the Twenty-second Iowa was thrown out to support our advance parties,
while a new line was reformed in our old position ready to repel any attack. The new line of
battle consisted of regiments and parts of regiments of the Second and Third Brigades, the
remainder being engaged as working parties and supports in
the front.' At 4.30 p.m. I received
25
orders to open a fire of artillery and infantry to divert the enemy's attention; this was accordingly
done. At 5 p.m. received orders to advance. I requested Colonel Macauley to take command of
the right wing of the attack (while I more immediately attended to the left), and I would
respectfully refer to that gallant officer's report of the regiments which he then had under his
command. We advanced under an annoying fire, with some loss, and occupied the new works,
while the skirmishers advanced to the front. Upon the charge being ordered, the men advanced
with great spirit, driving the enemy, who made but a weak resistance, from our front. The ground
was very much broken, and, in consequence, although the troops advanced with great rapidity, I
found the main position on the hill had been already taken by other troops, but to the right of
those regiments which I led, the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York, of the Third Brigade,
supported by the skirmishers from the Twenty-second Iowa, had captured four pieces of artillery.
On arriving at the fortifications at the crest of the hill with the Eleventh Indiana and One hundred
and thirty-first and One hundred and fifty-sixth New York in good order in line of battle, I
received an order to push forward up the road, leading the head of the column. I threw the
Eleventh Indiana and One hundred and thirty-first New York on each side of the road as
skirmishers, supported by the Third Massachusetts and Twenty-second Iowa as reserves, with a
company of the Fourteenth New Hampshire (with fixed bayonets) some distance in advance of
the road to prevent any dash of cavalry which might annoy the head of the column. In
compliance with orders, the advance was made with as much rapidity as the darkness and the
nature of the ground would permit. About 9.30 p.m. our skirmish line was fired upon, and by
some unfortunate mistake the regiments in the rear, not belonging to my command, opened a fire
on my reserves and skirmish line, from which I lost a number of men. The skirmishers held their
ground, and as soon as the confusion had ceded, advanced again. I sent word to the rear,
particularly requesting that the troops in rear should be cautioned not to fire, but hardly had we
advanced a mile when a brisk fire was again opened upon us from musketry and artillery in front,
and again 1 sustained a fire from our own troops in the rear. The enemy was evidently prepared
to meet us at this point; wire and other obstacles had been placed to delay the skirmish line, and
two pieces of artillery were well trained upon the road. After a short delay the advance was again
made and the enemy driven with but little opposition. The road was found strewn with the
remains of burning wagons, and a large number of prisoners was captured by the command, and
sent to the rear. At 3.30 a.m. we bivouacked on the south side of Woodstock. The conduct of the
troops was most admirable, especially the Eleventh Indiana and One hundred and thirty-first
New York, who sustained their reputation under most trying circumstances, viz, a night attack
and a fire from the rear. I would especially mention the conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel White,
commanding the reserve, and Major Butler, the skirmishers on the left of the road. At 9 a.m. the
One hundred and fifty-ninth New York arrived, having been detailed as a guard for prisoners.
This regiment succeeded in capturing a number of the enemy, who had been passed during the
night the main army. Left Woodstock at 12 m. and marched to a point one mile and a half south
of Edenburg, and went in position in reserve and on the left. On the morning of the 24th broke
camp at 6 a.m. and marched to New Market, and encamped to the right and rear. On the morning
of the 25th broke camp at 6 a.m. and marched to Harrisonburg and encamped to the west of the
town.
I herewith inclose a list of killed and wounded in the action at Fisher's Hill, and upon the
march since that action (marked B).
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWARD L. MOLINEUX,
Colonel 159th New York Volunteers, Comdg. Second Brigade.
Capt. J. HIBBERT, Jr.,
26
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Div., 19th Army Corps.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., 19TH ARMY CORPS,
Near Cedar Creek, Va., October 23, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of my brigade during
the action of the 19th instant:
Having received orders on the previous evening from the general commanding the division to
have my brigade ready to move out of the works on a reconnaissance in light marching order at
5.30 a.m., I caused breakfast to be prepared for the men at an early hour, and at the appointed
time we were in line awaiting orders. At about 5.40 a.m. I heard the sound of heavy musketry in
the direction of the position of the Eighth Corps, and apprehending an attack immediately
ordered my command into the rifle-pits, throwing out a few sharpshooters to give me early
intimation should an attack be made on my front. Shortly afterward I received orders to detach
two regiments to my left to support the battery which commanded the pike and ground about the
main bridge, and accordingly I sent the Twenty-second Iowa and Third Massachusetts
(dismounted) Cavalry, in the meantime directing that the other regiments pack their shelter-tents
and other property, permitting a few men to do so at a time, the rest remaining in position. By
this time a battery of the enemy directly in my front on the other side of the creek opened a fire
of shell upon us, and the mist breaking from the valley discovered a line apparently prepared to
attack us. It was not long before a fire of shell, enfilading our line from the left, with another
directly in my rear, and a sharp musketry fire from the same direction (the position occupied by
the Eighth Corps), showed me that the enemy had outflanked us. I sheltered my men as much as
possible in the rifle-pits, and awaited orders. In the meantime the troops on my left and the
batteries passed me, together with the two regiments of this brigade which had been sent in
support of the batteries, all apparently retiring toward the pike (the two regiments mentioned
rejoined me subsequently). Finding that we were completely outflanked, that the retreat was
general, and that my men were rapidly falling from a fire they could not return, and that a line of
battle was being formed in the rear by the Sixth Corps, I moved out by the flank in good order,
detaching the Eleventh Indiana, by order of Brevet Major-General Emory, to hold the hollow and
stone wall near the headquarters of the Second Division. With the remaining regiments, in
compliance with the order of Brigadier-General Grover, I filed to the right and formed in line on
the right of the Sixth Corps, then going into position, but immediately received orders to retire
about 100 yards to support a battery. Hardly had I done so before the battery retired without
firing. The position I then occupied was an exceedingly favorable one, on a hill directly in front
of the white house, and one which supported the flank of the Sixth Corps, then actively engaged
with the enemy. To support the battery would be retiring without doing anything to check the
advance of the enemy, and would leave a gap between the Sixth Corps and part of the Nineteenth
Corps then engaged on my right. General Grover therefore countermanded the former order, and
directed me to hold the position, and if possible to keep it, at the same time cautioning me that
the line of battle was about to fall back, and to cover the movement by my infantry fire as long as
possible. The Eleventh Indiana and the Twenty-second Iowa here reported to me, but the enemy
showing symptoms of outflanking us on our right and gaining possession of a dangerous belt of
woods sent the One hundred and fifty-ninth New York and Eleventh Indiana and my
sharpshooters to watch that point, and they were soon engaged fighting on the right, and with the
First Brigade, Second Division, and portions of the First Division. It was not long before our line
of battle commenced moving back in good order followed by the enemy. Up to this time my men
had been concealed and were lying down, but our time had now come, and rising up we poured
in upon them so rapid and close a fire that we soon had
the gratification of seeing their line retire
27
for shelter behind a hill. Another attempt was made by the enemy to advance, but was foiled by
our fire, when I received orders to retire to a line abreast of the Sixth Corps, which was done in
good order. In the subsequent positions (three) taken in retiring, the brigade behaved with great
steadiness, and the skirmish line formed and held by the Eleventh Indiana more especially
redounds to the credit of that noble veteran regiment. About 11 o'clock orders were received to
advance again, which was done, and a line formed, this brigade on the left of the Sixth Corps, in
a heavy belt of timber, a breast-work of rails thrown up and skirmishers sent to the front. After a
heavy shelling the enemy made an attack upon our front, the brunt of which, I believe, fell upon
this brigade. It was repelled very easily, but I have to regret the loss at this point of the gallant
and patriotic soldier and gentleman, Capt. Duncan Richmond, One hundred and fifty-ninth New
York, who fell mortally wounded while encouraging his men. After the repulse of the enemy a
heavy artillery fire was opened upon us from the front, and soon after we were ordered to
advance, keeping up the connection with the Sixth Corps, and gradually to swing around toward
the left. The Thirteenth Connecticut was deployed as skirmishers in front, and we advanced in
the following order from right to left: Third Massachusetts, One hundred and fifty-ninth New
York, Eleventh Indiana, One hundred and thirty-first New York, Twenty-second Iowa. Upon
passing the edge of the woods the line came up to the skirmishers, who were unable to advance,
the infantry fire of the enemy being exceedingly heavy, and their shell practice admirably
accurate. The Confederate infantry was advantageously posted behind a stone fence about 400
yards in advance. Behind them about the same distance, on the hill, under cover of a stone wall
and rails, was a second line, supporting a battery. A heavy fire was opened upon them, the line
halting to deliver it, and then a most gallant and brilliant charge was made, driving the enemy in
scattered and broken squads from both positions. The regimental colors of this brigade were
almost simultaneously planted on the hill, but to Corporal Bierbower, of the Eleventh Indiana,
must be awarded the honor of first planting the colors there, almost instantly followed by those
of the One hundred and thirty-first and One hundred and fifty-ninth New York and a regiment of
the Sixth Corps (Fifteenth New Jersey). I claim, and I believe with justice, that the brigade, with
one regiment of the Sixth Corps, occupied this portion of the line some minutes before the left
came up and had to charge up a most difficult hill of plowed ground under a terrific fire of
musketry and artillery. In this charge one regiment alone, One hundred and fifty-ninth New York
Volunteers, captured 3 commissioned officers and 31 privates of the enemy. This position was
held by us for some half hour under a heavy fire of shell and round shot, most of my men being
without cartridges; yet when again ordered to advance they did so with great animation and
spirit, supplying themselves with ammunition from dead bodies and prisoners. From this point
the enemy made but feeble attempts to stand, and it was not long before we arrived at our old
ground and went into camp.
The conduct of both officers and men during this trying day was most admirable--cool and
steady in retreating, patient under fire, and impetuous in the attack; and I trust their conduct will
meet with the unqualified approval of the division and corps commanders. All did well; those of
whom I have had the pleasure of making honorable mention in report of former actions won new
honors. I cannot refrain from naming for personal and conspicuous gallantry Col. N. W. Day,
One hundred and thirty-first New York; Lieut. Col. William Waltermire, One hundred and fiftyninth
New York; Lieut. Col. W. W. Darnall, Eleventh Indiana, and the other regimental
commanders. Color-Sergeant Gray, One hundred and thirty-first New York, Color-Sergeants
Coons and Hallenbeck, One hundred and fifty-ninth New York, and Color-Corporal Bierbower,
Eleventh Indiana, have been especially named to me for conspicuous bravery.
It has been my exceeding good fortune to be supported in this action, as well as former ones,
by a brave and efficient staff, and my thanks are due to the
following members: Capt. G. W.
28
Hussey, acting aide-de-camp; Lieut. B. F. Copeland, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieut. H.
D. Pope, acting provost-marshal, and Lieut. David Wilson, acting aide-de-camp.
I herewith submit list of casualties.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
EDWARD L. MOLINEUX,
Colonel 159th New York Volunteers, Commanding Brigade.
Capt. JOSEPH HIBBERT, Jr.,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Div 19th Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SECOND IOWA INFANTRY,
Harrisonburg, Va., September 26, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following brief report of the part taken by the Twentysecond
Regiment Iowa Volunteers in the late battles of the Opequon, September 19, and Fisher's
Hill, Va. September 22, 1864, and the march to this place:
On the morning of September 19 we took up our line of march from Berryville, Va, and
reached the vicinity of Winchester, Va., about 10 p.m. [a.m.] Having formed a line of battle we
were ordered to charge the enemy strongly posted in a piece of timber immediately in our front.
In doing this we were compelled to advance over an open field about half a mile distant from the
enemy's lines, and were subjected to a destructive fire of musketry, grape, and canister.
Advancing to the crest of the hill a short distance from their line, we were ordered to lie down to
protect ourselves from their terrible fire of musketry, grape, and canister, the latter opening on us
at short range and doing terrible execution in our ranks. The protection afforded by the ground
upon which we were ordered to lie down was very slight, and the right of our re, merit advanced
to the ravine occupied by the One hundred and fifty-ninth New York. Having remained in this
position about half an hour, we were ordered to retreat and fall back to our original position. This
withdrawal was made absolutely imperative from the fact that the brigade on our left broke in
confusion as soon as we had gained the crest of the hill, and from the destructive enfilading fire
from the enemy, who were advancing in that direction, it was very apparent that we were obliged
to advance or retreat to save being surrounded and captured. In the meantime the enemy had
been driven from their position and retired in the direction of Winchester. Rallying our men the
best we could, we advanced with the brigade through the timber in pursuit of the enemy. In this
advance we were subjected to a fire of shot and shell, and had many killed and wounded. By
night the enemy had been completely routed and driven from the field, and we were ordered to
go into camp and rest until morning.
In this engagement officers and men never fought with more valor. It would be invidious to
particularize when all did so bravely. If we were not successful at first it was no fault of ours. In
every instance we did as we were ordered, and not a man shrank from duty on, the field of battle.
The following is a list of casualties this battle:
On the morning of the 20th we again took up our line of march in pursuit of the enemy, and
reached Strasburg on the evening of the same day. We rested one day, and the next morning
were again ordered to advance, the enemy being posted in a very strong position on Fisher's Hill.
At noon of the same day the Twenty-second Iowa was ordered to support the One hundred and
twenty-eighth New York Regiment, which was to advance to carry the enemy's rifle-pits. The
One hundred and twenty-eighth carried them in gallant style, and we were ordered to advance as
skirmishers some 200 yards in front of the rifle-pits, and remained in this position until our army
was ordered to charge the enemy's works. During the time we occupied this line we kept up a
continual fire on the enemy, and fired on an average of 120 rounds per man. We rallied the
skirmish line and started in pursuit of the enemy, who had
fled from their strong position. During
29
the excitement of the moment we had not sufficient time to rally our men, who were deployed
three-quarters of a mile in length, and in consequence of which the men were very much
scattered the remainder of the evening. In the pursuit the Twenty-second Iowa was ordered to
support the Eleventh Indian,, which was deployed in the advance of the army. We continued the
advance until one hour before daylight the next morning, when we had reached the town of
Woodstock, and went into camp until morning. At midnight we received a temporary check from
the enemy's rear guard, who were drawn up in line of battle to impede our advance. In this action
and on the march the following is a list of casualties.
In the late march the men have acted cheerfully and willingly, but have suffered severely for
want of shoes, a great many being barefooted.
Hoping that this report in brief will give you all the information necessary, I have the honor
to be, sir, your obedient servant,
HARVEY GRAHAM,
Colonel, Commanding.
Lieutenant COPELAND,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SECOND IOWA INFANTRY,
Cedar Creek, Va. October 22, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report in brief the part taken by the Twenty-second Iowa Volunteers
in the late action of Cedar Creek, Va., on the 19th instant:
On the evening of the 18th orders were received from the brigade commander to be in
readiness to move at 5.15 o'clock in light marching order. In obedience to this order my regiment
was in line at the stated time, momentarily expecting to move on are reconnaissance in the
direction [of] Strasburg. While thus in line a heavy fire of musketry broke out on the left of the
line, in front of the Eighth Corps, which proved to be an assault upon our works by the enemy. In
a short time we were ordered to move forward in support of a battery; but had no sooner arrived
upon the ground before the enemy had possession of our works and were advancing in heavy
force, pouring a deadly fire of musketry and artillery in our ranks. There being but two
regiments in this perilous situation (Twenty-second Iowa and Third Massachusetts), and the
troops in our front having fled in confusion through our ranks, it was impossible to hold the
enemy in check with this small force, and our lines were broken and the men retreated in
disorder. About three-fourths of the regiment having reached the crest of the hill, rallied and held
the enemy in check for a short time, but could not stand against such an overwhelming force of
the enemy, and again fell back. In this stand the enemy were so close to our ranks that their fire
burnt the clothes of our men, and while falling back many were captured. Having fallen back to
the rear a considerable distance our lines were again formed and awaited an attack. In the
afternoon we were again ordered to advance with the brigade, and after an obstinate fight drove
the enemy from our front, and in a short time unfurled our flag in the camp occupied by us in the
morning. In this part of the engagement the enemy were completely routed and fled in every
direction. We found our camp totally destroyed by the enemy, losing all of our tents, knapsacks,
blankets, haversacks, and rations, leaving the regiment almost entirely destitute of clothing and
subsistence, in consequence of which the men have suffered from the effects of the cold weather.
In view of this fact, that we were ordered out in light marching order, with not sufficient time to
break camp, before the enemy had attacked our position on the left and had broken our line,
rendering it necessary for us to lose no time in getting to the scene of action, I deem it very
proper that the men should be remunerated for the losses which they have sustained by the
casualties of war in thus being deprived of everything
through no neglect of their own.
30
The casualties in my regiment were 72 in number, a nominal list having been forwarded to
your headquarters.
I cannot close this brief report without mentioning with pride the gallant conduct of both
officers and men in this severe engagement, ending in the most brilliant victory of the war.
Hoping that this report will meet your approbation, I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient
servant,
HARVEY GRAHAM,
Colonel, Commanding.
Lieut. B. F. COPELAND,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 2d Div., 19th Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS 156TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
Near Harrisonburg, September 30, 1864.
In obedience to orders I have the honor to report the following operations of my regiment
from the 19th of September to the present date:
I broke camp on the advanced line on the right of Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps,
at Berryville, at 1 a. m. September 19, and reported with my command at headquarters Third
Brigade, Second Division, at 1.30 a.m.; marched from thence to about one mile and a half
beyond Opequon Creek and formed line of battle about 10.30 a.m. My regiment formed the left
of the brigade line, and joined the right of the advance line of the Sixth Corps, and threw out a
line of skirmishers under the command of Capt. Alfred Cooley, which joined with the skirmish
line of the Sixth Corps, and covering the front of my regiment. The line was immediately and
warmly engaged by the enemy's skirmishers in the woods on our front. About 11 a.m. I was
ordered to advance and guide on the right of the Sixth Corps, which order I executed, and in
order to do so I was obliged to oblique my regiment very much to the left. The advance was
made under a severe fire, across an open field of about 500 yards in width, until we came within
150 yards of the enemy, who were posted in two lines with cavalry in their rear and a battery
directly in our front, when the left of my regiment plunged into a thick woods. From this point
our advance Was down a Slope, exposing us to a terrific fire from both lines of the enemy. We
still advanced until we came within thirty yards of the enemy's line, when, finding that we had no
support in our rear and the line on our left and right was giving way, we were obliged to fall back
about 200 yards, where we halted, rallied the men on the colors, and opened fire on the enemy,
which checked his advance. At this time 1 saw a line advancing to our support on our right flank,
and fell back with my regiment to the woods from whence the right of the Sixth Corps had
advanced. I there halted and reformed my line under a severe fire, which was vigorously
returned.
The enemy now began to fall back, when we charged and drove him in disorder over the hill,
capturing some prisoners, the enemy leaving a number of killed and wounded behind him. I
halted, realigned regiment at the edge of the woods, and gave three cheers, and then advanced
about seventy-five yards to the brow of the little hill commanding their position. I then ordered
my command to tie down, and opened a rapid and effective fire on the enemy's line. About this
time I was notified that Col. Jacob Sharpe, commanding Third Brigade, was wounded, and that
the command of the brigade devolved upon me. I then moved the One hundred and twentyeighth
New York, under the command of Captain Anderson, to the right of the One hundred and
fifty-sixth New York and on the same line, and a portion of the Thirty-eighth Massachusetts,
under command of Captain Bennett, on the right of the One hundred and twenty-eighth New
York (a portion of the Thirty-eighth Massachusetts, under command of Major Allen, being with
the Second Brigade), and the entire line opened a vigorous
fire. About 3 p.m. I saw that the line
31
on our right was advancing at a charge, and I ordered an advance of the entire brigade line,
which was executed in gallant style. The One hundred and fifty-sixth New York, Capt. James J.
Hoyt commanding, had expended all their cartridges, and advanced without firing a shot, driving
the enemy rapidly before them, capturing a number of prisoners, among them a colonel and
lieutenant-colonel. The advance was continued up to the works on the top of the hill, when the
line was crowded out by the advance of the troops on our right, and the brigade was halted for a
short time to replenish our ammunition. The advance was continued to two miles beyond
Winchester, where I reported to General Grover and went into camp for the night.
Colonel Foster having joined he assumed command of the brigade next morning, September
20; the regiment marched to Strasburg that day, and on the next day, September 21, we went into
position on the hills. On the 22d the regiment was moved to a hill in the front of the enemy's line
on Fisher's Hill. My regiment occupied the extreme left of the brigade line. I was ordered to
fortify the hill and hold it at all hazards. About 12 m. I was ordered to send a working party,
without arms, to fortify a hill in case the One hundred and twenty-eighth New York succeeded in
driving the enemy's front in. The left wing of my regiment, under command of Capt. James J.
Hoyt, and supported by the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York, advanced to the hill
occupied by the skirmishers of the One hundred and twenty-eighth New York and fortified the
hill under a severe fire. The rest of my regiment was subsequently sent forward under my
command, where we remained until relieved by the Twenty-eighth Iowa. I then marched my
regiment back, took our arms, and about 6 p.m. advanced on the left of the Second Brigade to
attack the enemy, and charged them in line of battle for a distance of two miles. Since that time I
have nothing of unusual importance to report. We have accompanied the brigade in all its
movements to the present date.
My total loss on the 19th at Winchester was: Wounded, commissioned officers, 3; enlisted
men, 88. Killed, enlisted men, 20. At Fisher's Hill, September 22: Wounded, enlisted men, 4.
Total, 115.
I cannot close without expressing my appreciation of the bravery and good conduct of the
officers and men of my command. To mention one of the officers would seem to impute that
others did not do their whole duty, which was not the ease, but I cannot close without expressing
my thanks to Lieut. M. Hasbrouck, acting quartermaster, who volunteered his services and
rendered me efficient aid. I regret to state that he received a severe wound from a piece of shell
during the last charge, which disabled him temporarily. I would further state that the colorsergeant
and four corporals were shot down under the colors, doing their duty bravely and well.
I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED NEAFIE,
Lieutenant-Colonel: Commanding 156th New York Volunteers.
Capt. CHARLES W. KENNEDY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Brigade.
HDQRS. FOURTH BRIG., SECOND DIV., 19TH ARMY CORPS,
Harrisonburg, Va., September 26, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the following operations of my command since leaving
Berryville, Va., September 19, 1864, to the present date:
On the morning of the 19th instant moved from camp near Berryville, and after crossing the
Opequon took position on the extreme right of the line in rear of the First Brigade as supporting
column. After a short rest, orders being given to advance, moved forward about 100 yards in rear
of General Birge, and was still advancing when the left regiments were thrown into confusion by
the falling back of the front line and an enfilading fire
from the enemy's battery at short range.
32
The regiment on the right (Eighth Indiana) held its position until all on the left had retired, when,
to avoid being flanked, it fell back in good order, and after being rejoined by the Eighteenth
Indiana, in accordance with orders took position on the right flank and held it until relieved by a
portion of General Crook's command. The Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth Iowa, under their
respective commanders, with a part of Colonel Molineux's brigade, moved to the support of the
battery stationed in the strip of woods on the left of my brigade, and gallantly repulsed the
enemy, who was advancing to take the battery. The loss of those two regiments (Twenty-fourth
and Twenty-eighth Iowa) in this part of the engagement was very heavy, especially in line
officers, of whom over one-half were killed or wounded. Upon the advance of the Sixth Corps,
my brigade having been reformed, I moved forward on the right of the division in the advance
line and so continued until we bivouacked at Winchester. The casualties during the engagement
were 4 officers and 25 men killed, 12 officers and 137 men wounded, and 27 men missing; total
loss, 16 officers and 189 men.
On the morning of the 20th advanced toward Strasburg, arriving there in the afternoon, and
took up position on the left, near the Shenandoah River, and bivouacked for the night in rear of
General Birge. On the morning of the 21st I was ordered to the right of the pike, and on the 22d
moved still farther to the right, in the woods, and erected fortifications in rear of First Division.
In the evening, in obedience to orders from General Birge, moved to the left and occupied the
works erected by Colonel Macauley's brigade, where I remained about an hour, and then pushed
forward after the retreating enemy. Early in the afternoon of the 22d the Twenty-eighth Iowa was
detached and sent forward as skirmishers, being under the direct orders of General Grover, and
advanced to the enemy's works, passing the sharpshooters of the advance brigade. They charged
the battery in their front in the face of a heavy fire, and Succeeded in routing the enemy, who
fled precipitately by cutting their horses loose and retreating pell-mell. This regiment, with
Captain Entwistle's company, One hundred and seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, captured
four pieces of artillery and followed on in the advancing column after the retreating enemy about
three miles, when I ordered them back to camp to get their knapsacks, which had been left
behind when ordered out in the afternoon. They rejoined the command at Woodstock the
following morning. As we advanced on the pike, after the retreating enemy, our advance was
fired into about four miles from Strasburg, when I formed my brigade in line of battle on the
right of the pike, and moved forward until the enemy retired, when I again proceeded by the
flank, and at 5 a.m. 23d instant arrived at Woodstock and bivouacked. The casualties during the
afternoon and night were 3 officers and 12 men wounded.
Great credit is due to the officers and men of the command for their endurance and bravery in
the several engagements, but I would especially mention Lieut. Col. B. W. Wilson, commanding
Twenty-eighth Iowa, who behaved in so gallant a manner in repelling the enemy's charge on our
battery at Winchester, as well as his conduct in the charge on the enemy's battery at Strasburg,
which resulted in its capture.
I will forward a nominal list of casualties as soon as completed.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID SHUNK,
Colonel Eighth Indiana, Commanding.
Capt. JOSEPH HIBBERT, Jr.,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Second Div., Nineteenth Army Corps. HDQRS. FOURTH BRIG.,
SECOND DIV., 19TH ARMY CORPS,
Cedar Creek, Va., October 24, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of my command in
the engagement on the 19th of October, instant:
33
On the evening of the 18th instant I was ordered to move forward on the following morning
(19th) at 5 o'clock and occupy the works of the First and Third Brigades, who were ordered on a
reconnaissance in the direction of Fisher's Hill, where the enemy were encamped. Accordingly,
at that hour my command was under arms, when heavy musketry firing was heard on our left in
the direction of the Eighth Corps, and I was ordered to move by the left to protect the flank,
which I immediately did, my right resting near the left of the Third Brigade the line extending
diagonally across the pike, the right regiment (Eighth Indiana) supporting Battery D, First Rhode
Island Artillery. In consequence of the dense fog, which existed at the time, the enemy advanced
on the battery and were within a short distance of it before we could distinguish whether they
were friends or foes, the more so, as we supposed them to be a portion of the Eighth Corps, and
notwithstanding we received a very heavy fire from that direction we did not reply to it until
they charged directly on the battery. Five pieces were withdrawn successfully, and while
attempting to save the last one Major Hart (of General Grover's staff), Capt. William D. Watson,
and Lieut. George W. Quay (both of Eighth Indiana) were killed, and Lieut. Col. A. J. Kenny
(commanding Eighth Indiana) severely wounded. By this time the left had entirely given way
and the enemy's line was on my flank and rear, when I fell back about 500 yards and took
position with my line facing the pike, and held it until the enemy in large force had crossed the
pike, when to avoid being cut off I again fell back, passing to the west of the stone house
(General Sheridan's headquarters) to a point nearly half a mile north of it, when I halted, formed
line on the left of First Brigade (General Birge's), and remained until ordered to move by right of
regiments to the rear, which I did, taking position on the right of the Sixth Corps as supporting
column of Second Brigade (Colonel Molineux's), where we formed a temporary breast-work of
fence rails. One regiment of my command (Twenty-fourth Iowa) was here, by order of General
Emory, moved to the right of the First Division to protect the right flank, and did not rejoin me
until we moved forward and had advanced some distance. At 3.30 p.m. we assumed the
offensive and advanced upon the enemy,. steadily driving them from every position, until we
again had possession of the campground occupied by us in the morning; here we halted. About 8
p.m., in obedience to an order from General Birge -(commanding division), I moved forward to
near Strasburg to support First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, and under order from General
Dwight bivouacked for the night without fires, the men suffering severely for want of blankets
and proper clothing to protect them from the excessive cold. On the following morning (20th) the
Second Division moved up and I rejoined it with my command.
It would appear invidious to mention individual cases of gallantry during the day where all,
both officers and men, did their whole duty. I can only refer to A. J. Kenny, lieutenant-colonel,
commanding Eighth Indiana; W. S. Charles, lieutenant-colonel, commanding Eighteenth
Indiana; J. Q. Wilds, lieutenant-colonel, commanding Twenty-fourth Iowa; B. W. Wilson,
lieutenant-colonel, commanding Twenty-eighth Iowa, who were wounded early in the
engagement, while bravely leading their men against the enemy; Ira Hough, private, Company E,
Eighth Indiana; Richard Taylor, private, Company E, Eighteenth Indiana, who each captured a
battle-flag from the enemy.
My brigade captured during the day 42 prisoners.
The casualties in my command were 28 officers and 304 enlisted men killed, wounded, and
missing.
I cannot close this report without referring to the bravery of the lamented Major Hart (of
General Grover's staff), who was killed while cheering on the men in their attempt to save the
last gun of Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery. In him we have lost a noble, brave, efficient
officer.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
34
DAVID SHUNK,
Colonel Eighth Indiana, Commanding.
Capt. E. A. FISKE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Div., Nineteenth Army Corps
HDQRS. TWENTY-FOURTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
Camp Russell, Va., November 19, 1864.
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Twentyfourth
Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers in the battle of Opequon or Winchester, Va.,
September 19, 1864:
The regiment was commanded by Lieut. Col. J. Q. Wilds, but circumstances beyond his
control prevented him from making an official report prior to the battle of Cedar Creek, at which
place he was severely wounded and has since died; for this reason I take the responsibility of
making it myself. On the 18th of September orders were issued from army headquarters
requiring all transportation to be sent to the rear, also all extra baggage, retaining only such
articles as could not be dispensed with, these to be carried by the men and officers' horses. Thus
stripped of everything that would encumber its movements, the Army of the Shenandoah retired
to rest in camp near Berryville, Va., on the evening of the 18th, with orders to be in line of battle
ready to move at 2 o'clock next morning. The Twenty-fourth Iowa belonged to the Fourth
Brigade, Second Division, Detachment Nineteenth Army Corps. The brigade, consisting of the
Eighth and Eighteenth Indiana Veteran Volunteers, and the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth
Iowa, was commanded by Col. D. Shunk, Eighth Indiana Veteran Volunteers; the division, by
Brig. Gen. C. Grover; the corps, by Brevet Major-General Emory. At 3 o'clock the advance
sounded, and the Nineteenth Corps moved out on the Winchester pike, halting about three miles
west of Berryville for the Sixth Corps, commanded by Major-General Wright, to pass, as it was
to have the advance.
The Army of West Virginia, under command of General Crook, moved by another road to
the right. Shortly after sunrise, the Sixth Corps having passed, the Nineteenth Corps was put in
motion. The Second Division, having the advance, arrived at Opequon Creek about 9 a.m., when
heavy skirmishing and some cannonading was heard in the front near Winchester. Here we
received orders to push forward rapidly, as the cavalry and Sixth Corps were already engaged.
When we had reached a point about three miles from Winchester we turned to the right and
moved in the direction of the Winchester and Martinsburg pike about one mile, and formed line
of battle on the right of the Sixth Corps. The Second Division was formed in two lines; the First
and Third Brigades formed the first line, and the Second and Fourth Brigades the second. The
Twenty-fourth Iowa was on the left center, the Twenty-eighth Iowa on the left, Eighth Indiana on
the right, Eighteenth Indiana on the right center, the Fourth Brigade being on the extreme right.
Soon after the First Division, Nineteenth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-General Dwight, came
up and formed in the rear as a reserve. In this position we remained until about 12 m., when the
advance sounded and the whole line moved forward steadily. The front of the whole division was
covered by a strip of woodland nearly a third of a mile wide. Beyond this woodland was an open
field, about a quarter of a mile wide, beyond which was woodland again. When the second line
emerged into the open field the first line was just entering the wood on the opposite side, having
driven the enemy's skirmishers across the open field, and were driving the enemy. The enemy,
discovering that our right flank was unprotected, threw a heavy column of infantry, with one
battery of artillery, around on our right nearly at right angles with our lines, and kept them
concealed in a deep hollow. In consequence of a flank fire from this column the first line gave
back and passed through the second, when about half way
across the field. This created some
35
confusion, but the line was soon in good shape again and moving forward steadily. When within
100 yards of the woods the column that had been thrown around on our right opened out with
musketry and canister-shot, showering the iron hail along and almost parallel with our ranks and
mowing down our men by the score.
As soon as the flank movement was discovered the whole line was ordered to fall back to the
woods, which was done in as good order as could be expected under the circumstances. The line
was reformed and advanced about one-fourth of the way across the field and halted, holding the
enemy at bay until some troops could be thrown around to our right, as the enemy's lines
extended nearly half a mile to the right of ours. Up to this time the Twenty-fourth had had 2
officers mortally wounded, and 2 more severely, 6 enlisted men killed, and about 30 wounded.
This line was held under a most destructive artillery fire from both the front and right flank for
about two hours, when General Crook came up with the Army of West Virginia and formed on
the right, relieving the most of the Fourth Brigade. Captains Rigby, Smith, and Martin, with
Lieutenant Lucas, had been posted with their commands in a point of timber nearest the enemy,
with orders to hold it at all hazards, and were not relieved. I had supplied them with ammunition,
and when the fresh troops in making the final charge came up even with them they moved
forward with the line, which drove the enemy from every position taken, until it became a perfect
rout. In this last charge the Twenty-fourth lost a number of brave soldiers wounded and one
killed. After the Fourth Brigade was relieved (except as above mentioned) boxes were filled up
with ammunition, and it was moved to the extreme right in order to prevent any more flank
movements of the enemy, but General Averell coming in with his cavalry rendered the
movement entirely unnecessary. After the enemy was entirely routed and driven pell-mell from
the field the regiment was got together and marched about two miles, and went into camp near
Winchester on the Front Royal pike.
Casualties during the day: Officers mortally wounded, 2; severely, 4; enlisted men killed, 9;
wounded, 56; captured, 3; total, 74, a list of which is hereto appended.
I cannot close this report without referring to Capt. J. R. Gould, of Company D, and Lieut. S.
S. Dillman, of Company E, both having been mortally wounded while leading their men on in
the hottest of the bat' tie. Both were brave almost to rashness. In them the Twenty-fourth lost two
valuable officers and society two valuable men.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
ED. WRIGHT,
Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-fourth Regiment Iowa Infty. Vols.
Col. N. B. BAKER,
Adjutant-General of Iowa.
HDQRS. TWENTY-FOURTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
Camp Russell, Va., November 19, 1864.
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Twentyfourth
Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers in the battle of Fisher's Hill, Va., on the 22d of
September, 1864:
It had been a matter of doubt in my mind as to whether the part taken by the Twenty-fourth
in that engagement was entitled to a report, but having received an order from Brevet Major-
General Grover, commanding division, to have it inscribed on the banner of the Twenty-fourth as
one of the battles in which the regiment had been engaged, I thought proper to make the
following report and forward it with the historical memoranda for 1864: The Army of the
Shenandoah, after having driven Early from Winchester, Va., on the 19th, arrived at Strasburg on
the evening of the 20th, and found the enemy posted in a
strong position on Fisher's Hill, his line
36
reaching from the base of the Massanutten Mountain to near the base of Little North Mountain,
fronting on Strasburg, and about one mile and a half south. During the 21st continual skirmishing
was going on in front, with but few casualties on either side. The Army of West Virginia, under
command of General Crook, was thrown forward in the direction of Little North Mountain and
near the enemy's left. The Sixth Corps, commanded by Major-General Wright, followed Crook,
and occupied the center. The Nineteenth Corps, Brevet Major-General Emory commanding,
moved in between Wright's left and the Shenandoah, the line passing through the north side of
Strasburg. In this position both armies rested on their arms during the night, the pickets within
hailing distance.
On the morning of the 22d strong skirmish lines were thrown out, the whole army being put
in motion and moved to the right near two miles, which threw a portion of Crook's command
beyond the enemy's extreme left. The Nineteenth Corps was formed in two lines immediately in
front of Fisher's Hill, the left resting on Strasburg, the Second Division on the extreme left, the
Third Brigade (Colonel Macauley) and First Brigade (General Birge) forming the first line. The
Second Brigade (Colonel Molineux) and Fourth Brigade (Colonel Shunk) formed the second
line, the Fourth Brigade being on the right. In this position we were ordered to throw up works,
as the enemy could reach us with his artillery, occasional shots from which were bounding
through our lines. The works were immediately commenced, and by 10 p.m. works of sufficient
strength were completed to protect us from the enemy's shells, which were increasing. During
this time heavy skirmishing was going on in front, and Crook was winding his way along the
base of Little North Mountain, endeavoring to get to the enemy's rear. By 3 p.m. the enemy's
skirmishers had been driven back near half a mile, and Crook was progressing finely. The
Twenty-fourth was now ordered out and moved to the extreme left through a shower of the
enemy's shells, having to cross an open plain immediately in front and within easy range of the
enemy's guns on the hill, and took position in support of the First Maine Battery, which was
keeping up a vigorous fire on the enemy's works. This position we were ordered to hold at all
hazards. The Second Division, Nineteenth Corps, was moved to the left, and took position
immediately in front of the enemy's works on the hill, but concealed behind a ridge from which
the enemy's skirmishers had been driven during the fore part of the day. About sunset it was
ascertained that Crook had been successful in getting in the rear of the enemy's left, when, at a
preconcerted signal from Sheridan's headquarters, the whole line was ordered to advance at the
double-quick, which was done, accompanied by such yells as Sheridan's army only can give.
The enemy, seeing the whole line advancing, prepared to receive the attack and opened on the
lines with all the artillery that could be brought to bear, which was promptly answered by our
artillery and the loud shouts of the advancing lines. Our lines pressed forward, driving the enemy
from every position taken, until every rebel was either driven from the hill, killed, or captured.
The victory was complete, everything that could impede their progress was left behind, guns in
position and caissons with teams all ready to move. Early's army was now for the second time
"skedaddling" up the Valley.
It was now dark, but we were ordered to push forward in hopes of capturing more of the
fleeing enemy. The pursuit was kept up all night, arriving at Woodstock at daylight on the
morning of the 23d, where tired, hungry, and sleepy, the victorious army rested for a few hours.
The night was very dark, the route to be passed one entirely strange, and the enemy, finding that
he was pursued, kept out a rear guard with one piece of artillery, the only one left. The guard
fired on us frequently during the night at different points, rendering the march very difficult. The
Twenty-fourth was very fortunate, although at one time receiving the entire volley of the enemy's
rear guard at close range.
Casualties, 1 officer severely wounded and 4 men slightly.
37
The officers and men all did their whole duty and were anxious to push forward.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
ED. WRIGHT,
Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-fourth Regiment Iowa Infty. Vols.
Col. N. B. BAKER,
Adjutant-General, State of Iowa.
-----
HDQRS. TWENTY-FOURTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
Camp Russell, Va., November 19, 1864.
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Twentyfourth
Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers in the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., on the 19th of
October, 1864:
The regiment belonged to the Fourth Brigade, Second Division, ;Nineteenth Army Corps,
Brevet Major-General Emory commanding corps, Brigadier-General Grover commanding
division, and Colonel Shunk, Eighth Indiana Veteran Volunteers, commanding brigade. The
brigade occupied the left of the second line, which was about 200 paces in rear of the line of
works occupied by the first line. The left of the brigade rested about 200 yards to the right of the
pike leading from Winchester to Staunton. The works in our front were occupied by the Third
Brigade, Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, with Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery,
near the pike on the left. The regiment occupied the right center of the brigade, with the Twentyeighth
Iowa on the left. The Eighth Corps, under command of Major-General Crook, was posted
on the left of the pike and about 300 paces to the front. The Sixth Corps was on the right of the
Nineteenth, with its right thrown back toward Middletown about one mile. Our teams parked
about one mile in the rear. The enemy was in camp at Fisher's Hill some four miles to the front.
In this position we all retired to our "virtuous couches" on the evening of the 18th, not even
suspecting our danger or the Yankee trick that Early was going to play on us next morning. Soon
after retiring to bed Colonel Wilds, then in command of the regiment, received orders to have
the men under arms at precisely 5 o'clock next morning, as the first line was to make a
reconnaissance to the front and the Fourth Brigade was to move up to the works as soon as
vacated. In obedience to this order, at 5 o'clock the regiment was all in line of battle and ready to
move to the works. Having reason to believe the reconnaissance would not last more than one or
two hours, as the order was not to bring on an engagement, everything except arms and
accouterments were left in tents. At 5.10 o'clock firing commenced on the picket-line of the
Eighth Corps. Supposing it to be only a reconnaissance by the enemy it created but little alarm.
In a few minutes heavy firing commenced on the left and front of the Eighth Corps.
It was not yet daylight, and a dense fog, which had settled to the ground, rendered it almost
impossible to distinguish objects at any distance. Soon after the firing commenced on the left the
brigade was ordered to move by the left flank until the left of the Twenty-fourth Iowa rested on
the pike. Colonel Wilds ordered me to ride to the left of the regiment and lead it to the place
indicated, but before reaching the pike I was ordered to halt and take position, as we were
already receiving the enemy's fire. The regiment was halted, and the right thrown forward so as
to form a line across the crest of the hill at an angle of 45 degrees with the pike, the right of the
brigade, Eighteenth Indiana Veteran Volunteers, supporting the battery on the left of the first
line. The fog was so dense that it was impossible to tell what was in front of us, and as the Eighth
Corps was falling back at the time our fire was reserved until the enemy had pressed his columns
close up to and charged the battery on the right, one piece of which was captured. We held the
position, however, until Colonel Shunk, discovering that the enemy had thrown a column across
the pike on our left, ordered the brigade to fall back
about 500 yards and take position parallel to
38
and facing the pike. This was done in good order, and the position taken and held until it became
necessary, in the opinion of General Grover, to fall back in order to prevent being cut off
entirely. Up to this time the regiment had lost 6 men killed and about 40 wounded. The order was
given to fall back as rapidly as possible in the direction of the camp of the Sixth Corps. The
enemy came in heavy force on our left and captured 4 officers and about 40 men. The brigade
fell back about one mile and formed between the First Brigade, General-Birge; and the Sixth
Corps, which was on the left. Previous to this time Colonel Wilds had been wounded and carried
from the field. I had also received a bruise on my hip from a piece of shell, and a wound from a
musket ball in the left arm, near the elbow, which sickened me so that I could not ride for near an
hour, and the regiment was commanded by Capt. L. Clark during my absence.
Soon after I returned to the regiment, which was then in the position above mentioned, the
enemy made a flank movement to the left of the Sixth Corps, rendering it necessary for it to fall
back, and we were ordered to retire by the right of regiments to the rear. We moved in this
manner nearly three miles, halted, took position, procured ammunition, and prepared to renew
the battle. After we had rested about half an hour, Major-General Sheridan came on the field,
having been absent since the morning of the 18th. He ordered the Eighth Corps to take position
on the left of the pike between Middletown and Newtown, the Sixth Corps the center, and the
Nineteenth Corps the right. Sent two divisions of cavalry to the right and one to the left. The
Fourth Brigade was formed on the extreme left of the Nineteenth Corps, connecting with the
right of the Sixth Corps. In this position the troops were ordered to rest and throw up some
temporary works. About 12 o'clock I was ordered to move the Twenty-fourth Iowa to the
extreme right of the Nineteenth Corps and protect the flank. I immediately moved to the place
indicated, took position, and threw out a skirmish line. In this position I remained until 3 p.m.,
when I received orders to call in my skirmishers and take my place in the line as it was going to
advance. My skirmishers had just reported when the advance was sounded. In order to get my
position in the line I had to double-quick about one mile, and during the greater part of this
distance we had to pass through the fire of the enemy's guns, which overshot our advancing
columns, the shells exploding in the rear. About 3.30 o'clock I got my place in the line, which
steadily advanced, driving the enemy from every position taken until we reached the camp we
left in the morning. Here we halted and made some coffee (those of us who were fortunate
enough to have any), the first we had tasted since the evening of the 18th. We found one
wounded officer there, who had hidden among the rocks during the day, and quite a number of
our wounded men. Everything was taken from our camp, leaving the men and most of the
officers without haversacks, blankets, or shelter-tents. At 8 p.m. the regiment moved forward
with the brigade to a point near Strasburg to protect the parties that were sent out to collect the
property abandoned by the enemy in his hasty retreat. There we bivouacked for the night without
fires, the men suffering severely for want of blankets and proper clothing to protect them from
the excessive cold. On the following morning (20th) the remainder of the Second Division came
up, and we went into camp about one mile from Strasburg.
It would appear invidious to mention individual cases of gallantry during the day, when all,
both men and officers, did their whole duty. I cannot close, however, without referring to the
bravery of our lamented Colonel Wilds, who was wounded soon after daylight, and died
November 18. In him we lost a noble, brave, and efficient officer. Captain Knott and Lieutenant
Kurtz were wounded and captured, but both were retaken in the evening. Captain Smith and
Lieutenant Davis were captured in the morning about daylight.
The loss of the regiment was: Killed--enlisted men, 7. Wounded--officers, 6; enlisted men,
39. Captured--officers, 2; enlisted men, 39. Total casualties, 93, a list of which is hereto annexed.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient
servant,
39
ED. WRIGHT,
Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
Col. N. B. BAKER,
Adjutant-General State of Iowa.
HDQRS. TWENTY-EIGHTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
Near Harrisonburg, Va., September 26, 1864.
COLONEL: In compliance with orders from brigade headquarters, I submit the following
report of the part taken by my regiment in the engagement near Winchester, Va., on the 19th day
of September, 1864:
Early on the morning of the 19th instant I broke camp near Berryville, Va., and advanced
with the rest of the brigade on the Winchester pike. After crossing the Opequon we formed in
line of battle, my regiment occupying the extreme left of the brigade. On receiving orders to
advance I immediately moved forward, and was soon warmly engaging the enemy. The First
Brigade of our division (being in advance) gave way and were pressed back through our lines,
yet we moved steadily forward for about fifty yards under one of the most withering fires of shot,
shell, and canister I have ever witnessed. Here I was ordered to halt. At this point the fighting
was most terrific, yet, I am happy to say, none showed a disposition to either flinch from duty or
fallback. We remained in this position until the right of the brigade, being pressed back, exposed
my command to a severe flank fire, and I was forced to fall back a short distance to the cover of
the timber, where we rallied and drove back the enemy, who were in the act of charging one of
our batteries (First Maine). We soon charged forward and took possession of our former position,
where we remained until, our ammunition being expended, we were relieved by troops from
Crook's command. We then obtained a fresh supply of ammunition and pressed forward to the
front line again, where we remained until ordered to join the brigade in pursuit of the retreating
foe. We followed them beyond Winchester. Here, night overtaking us, we lay down to rest and
dream over the events of the day.
Too much cannot be said in praise of both officers and men who stood boldly forth in
defense of the old flag and did their duty so nobly. Not an officer flinched nor a man gave back,
except by my order. I cannot forbear making especial mention of the following officers for
gallantry on the field: Capt. J. W. Carr, of Company C, was severely wounded, yet he continued
to cheer the men under his command until borne from the field. Adjt. Joseph G. Strong was
wounded in the early part of the engagement, had his wounds dressed on the field, and refused to
leave the same, although advised to do so by surgeons, but continued to rally and cheer the men
until victory was ours. He is a brave and fearless officer and worthy of promotion. First Lieut. D.
S. Dean, of Company C, was wounded, and told his own son not to leave the ranks to assist him
until the rebels were whipped, and he did not until ordered to do so by me.
Casualties: Killed, 12; wounded, 53; missing, 22; total, 87.
With many respects, I remain, your obedient servant,
B. W. WILSON,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry.
Col. D. SHUNK,
Eighth Indiana Infty., Comdg. 4th Brig., 2d Div., 19th Corps.
-----
HDQRS. TWENTY-EIGHTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
In the Field, near Harrisonburg, Va., September 27, 1864.
COLONEL: In compliance with your request, I submit the
following
40
report of the part taken by the Twenty-eighth Iowa in the battle of Fisher's Hill, Va., on the
22d day of September, 1864:
On the morning of the 22d we moved forward a short distance toward the enemy, who were
strongly intrenched at Fisher's Hill, a naturally strong position, a short distance above Strasburg.
Some considerable maneuvering was made in the early part of the day, but we finally got a
position and were ordered to fortify. We had scarcely commenced work when I received orders
to report with my regiment to General Grover for special duty. On reporting, I was ordered to
the front line, a commanding position from which the enemy's skirmishers had just been driven.
As a battery immediately preceded me, I supposed that I was there as its support. I soon had
constructed a sort of intrenchment, a protection against the bullets of rebel sharpshooters. Here I
remained until about 4 p.m., when I was ordered by General Grover to deploy as skirmishers on
the right of the Twenty-second Iowa and to proceed as far as practicable toward the intrenched
position of the enemy. We steadily advanced toward their works to within about 300 yards,
when, pouring in volley after volley with great rapidity, the enemy seemed to waver, whereupon
I ordered a charge. With a prolonged shout we went after them, scaling their works, driving them
in confusion before us, capturing a six-gun battery, a large quantity of ammunition, and a number
of prisoners. After following them for about a mile, and heavy lines of infantry coming up, I
received orders to return for the knapsacks of my regiment which had been left previous to
making the charge.
I have no fault to find with either officers or men; all deserve praise; not one flinched or fled,
when it seemed as though we were charging into the very jaws of death.
My loss was extremely light; I lost only five wounded in the charge.
With respect, I am, your obedient servant,
B. W. WILSON,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Col. D. SHUNK,
Eighth Indiana Infty., Comdg. 4th Brig., 2d Div., 19th A. C.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST MAINE BATTERY,
In the Field, near Harrisonburg, Va., September 26, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command
in the recent engagements and pursuit from September 19 to September 26:
In obedience to orders, I marched with the column at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 19th.
The march was urged rapidly until the enemy was discovered in position, when I halted under
cover of rolling ground and awaited orders for the general advance. I had no part in the
engagement until it became general, which was late in the forenoon, when the line of battle
passed through the first piece of woods which separated us from the enemy's line and which was
being held by our skirmishers under a brisk fire. I then advanced through the wood, moving in
the rear of the First Brigade, until the opening was reached on the other side, where I brought
four pieces into position upon the left of the road and opened fire upon the enemy's line, which
could be seen about 800 yards distant, lining the edge of the opposite wood. These two sections
were commanded by Lieutenants Morton and Snow. Our troops were now heavily pressed upon
the right of my position, and I moved down a section under Lieutenant Sanborn to help sustain
that portion of the line. I had scarcely got in battery upon the edge of the woods when the line in
front of me gave way and I was left without any infantry in my front. Only one thing remained to
be done. The troops must have time to reform, and I was ordered into the gap which they had
left. The section galloped into position immediately, and opened a most destructive fire upon the
enemy's line and upon a battery which he had just planted
directly in our front. This section was
41
now under heavy fire from sharpshooters, from the battery in front, and from an enfilading
battery upon the right, which was concealed by a piece of woods. The lieutenant commanding
the section was wounded quite early and carried from the field. But affairs did not long remain in
this condition. The infantry had reformed and charged most gallantly. The enemy fled after a
most obstinate resistance, and the battery, after firing its last round of ammunition, retired to
procure a fresh supply. It is proper for me to state, in this connection, that when the line of
infantry broke, all my caissons, which had been within easy distance, were ordered to the rear by
the corps chief of artillery, and some delay was consequent in obtaining ammunition. The portion
of the battery upon the left of the road had been engaged and under a heavy fire throughout. As
soon as ammunition arrived, Lieutenant Snow's section was thrown out to where Captain Taft
had placed a section in advance of our former position upon the right. As our line had continued
to advance steadily, the repulse of the enemy now became a rout, and I pursued with the infantry,
as rapidly as the nature of the ground would permit, coming in battery at every available point
and shelling the enemy whenever it was possible to do so. Fatigued with success and tired in
pursuit, we gladly availed ourselves of the order to bivouac for the night near Winchester.
On the 20th we marched from Winchester to Strasburg without being engaged. Nothing of
importance occurred, and upon the 21st I made some experimental firing from the heights on the
left of the pike before Strasburg with one piece of artillery, with no results. On the 22d, it having
been decided to attack the enemy in his Strasburg position, my battery was placed in position
upon the line of Colonel Molineux's brigade, two pieces upon the first line, two upon the second,
and two upon the high ground just in rear of the second line. The only firing was done upon the
first line. Throughout the early part of the day the firing was desultory and directed mainly upon
the enemy's skirmish line, which was at times very annoying. At 12.30 p.m., a general advance
having been ordered along the line, a vigorous shelling commenced and continued for half an
hour, when the line advanced. As upon the 19th, the enemy was routed, and the pursuit was kept
up until the morning of the 23d, when we rested at Woodstock. At 12 m. marched from
Woodstock and encamped for the night near Edenburg. On the 24th the column moved at 7 a.m.
and encamped for the night beyond New Market. Though the enemy's rear was closely pressed,
my command took no active part in the engagement. On the 25th we marched to Harrisonburg,
where we are still in camp.
Where all my subaltern officers behaved so admirably, it would be unjust to discriminate
between them. Lieutenant Sanborn's position was, perhaps, the most trying, and he was wounded
while gallantly working his guns under the most terrific fire of the day; I am happy to be able to
state that his wound is not dangerous. My non-commissioned officers and men cannot be too
highly praised for their steadiness and valor. I desire also to mention Captain Rigby, Twentyfourth
Iowa, who retired slowly and with great coolness amid much confusion, and halted his
men at my guns with a cheer. Upon this nucleus many men were induced to halt and reform who
might otherwise have been still more demoralized.
My casualties were 2 men killed and 1 officer and 6 men wounded. I lost 5 horses killed and
3 disabled by wounds.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. W. BRADBURY,
Captain, First Maine Battery.
Capt. E. D. HALEY,
Commanding First Maine Battery.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., 19TH ARMY CORPS,
Near Cedar Creek, November 3, 1864.
42
Maj. DUNCAN S. WALKER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Nineteenth Army Corps:
SIR: I have the honor to report that, as corps officer of the day, I visited the pickets and
reserves of this corps about 4 o'clock this morning. I was accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel
Ilsley, Second Division officer of the day, and Lieutenant Wilson, of my brigade staff. I found
the First and Second Brigades, First Division, and the First Brigade, Second Division, doing their
duty very creditably. The Third Brigade, First Division, had small fires upon their posts;
otherwise, they were doing duty very fairly. The Second Brigade, Second Division, had no fires
upon their posts, but at the time I arrived their reserves were not under arms nor the pickets
deployed. We rode between their posts and into their reserves without being challenged, or, in
fact, hardly noticed. The Third Brigade of the Second Division had fires on their posts, and we
rode between the posts without challenge, and coming from the direction of the vedette we made
prisoners of the two men on post, one being asleep, the other without arms. Passing ourselves off
for Confederates, we gained in a whisper a full knowledge of position of the line of picket-posts
and reserves, and the number of men in the reserve. These men belonged to the One hundred and
seventy-sixth New York, and were Germans, with but a poor knowledge of the English language,
and had but little idea of what their duty was. Lieutenant-Colonel Ilsley had shown the picket
officers of the Second Division the written division instructions when he went on duty as
division officer of the day. The officer whom I deem most culpable in neglect of duty is Captain
Shockey, Twenty-second Iowa; and next, I would mention First Lieutenant Leland, One hundred
and seventy-sixth New York.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
NICHOLAS W. DAY,
Colonel 131st New York Volunteers, Commanding Brigadier.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Hillsborough, Ga., November 19, 1864.
Brig. Gen. GILES A. SMITH,
Commanding Fourth Division:
GENERAL: In accordance with instructions from department headquarters, the Third Iowa
Infantry will report to the commanding officer Second Iowa Infantry (Fourth Division, Fifteenth
Army Corps), as directed by Special Field Orders, No. 159, extract I, the first time we are
encamped near the Fifteenth Army Corps.
By command of Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair:
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS NO. 310.
HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Savannah, Ga., December 18, 1864.
VIII. Brig. Gen. J. W. Sprague, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, will cause the
pontoon bridge now being protected by him to be taken up at once and sent, with the train
belonging to it, to park in the fields in rear of these headquarters. He will leave in his present
position the two smallest regiments of his command and with the rest will proceed to King's
Bridge at an early hour to-morrow morning, reporting to General Easton, chief quartermaster
Military Division of the Mississippi, and relieving the First Brigade of the Fourth Division. He
will cause the section of artillery now with him to report to Maj. A. C. Waterhouse, chief of
artillery, Seventeenth Army Corps.
43
IX. Brig. Gen. J. W. Sprague, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, will detail from
his command two commissioned officers experienced in working men and one good noncommissioned
officer. They will report to Lieut. Col. A. Hickenlooper, assistant inspectorgeneral,
Seventeenth Army Corps, at King's Bridge, at 7 a.m. to-morrow-row, and will remain on
duty with Lieutenant-Colonel Hickenlooper until the wharf is finished. He will detail each
morning, to report to Lieutenant-Colonel Hickenlooper, at King's Bridge, at 7 o'clock, 150
axmen, properly officered, and six wagons with teams complete, but without beds, with two men
to each team as assistants. First detail will report to-morrow morning.
X. Maj. J. C. Marven, Eleventh Iowa Volunteers, provost-marshal, Seventeenth Army Corps,
and Capt. J. H. Davis, Forty-first Illinois Volunteers, commanding pioneer corps, Fourth
Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, are hereby authorized, subject to the approval of the War
Department, to raise a regiment of U.S. Colored Troops, to be employed in this corps as
pioneers. Maj. J. C. Marven will at once select ten good men, upon recommendation of division
commanders, and assign them to the duty of recruiting the regiment. As fast as companies are
organized men will be assigned by orders from these headquarters as officers, and their names
forwarded to the War Department for appointment.
XI. Col. B. F. Potts, commanding First Brigade, Fourth Division, will, on being relieved tomorrow
morning at King's Bridge, by the Second Brigade, First Division, report to Brig. Gen. G.
A. Smith, commanding Fourth Division.
By command of Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair:
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 81.
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS,
Savannah, Ga., December 28, 1864.
I. During the temporary absence of the general commanding, Col. James A. Williamson,
Fourth Iowa Infantry, will assume command of this division.
By order of Brig. Gen. C. R. Woods:
FRED. H. WILSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 8.
HDQRS. 3D BRIG., 1ST DIV., 15TH A. C.,
Savannah, Ga., December 28, 1864.
During the absence of Col. James A. Williamson, temporarily commanding the First
Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, Col. George A. Stone, Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry, will assume
command of this brigade.
By order of Col. James A. Williamson:
CHARLES MACKENZIE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 61.
HDQRS. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Savannah, Ga., December 30, 1864.
In accordance with paragraph 3, General Orders, No. 59, headquarters Department and Army
of the Tennessee, series of 1863, the following-named officers are relieved from duty with their
respective commands and are hereby assigned as acting
assistant inspectors-general, and will be
44
obeyed and respected accordingly: Capt. Albert Head, Tenth Iowa Volunteers, for Second
Brigade, Third Division, Fifteenth Army Corps; Lieut. A. D. Cameron, Seventh Iowa Veteran
Volunteers, for Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps.
By command of Maj. Gen. P. Joseph Osterhaus:
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 83.
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS,
Savannah, Ga., December 31, 1864.
I. The general commanding having returned to duty, Col. James A. Williamson, Fourth Iowa
Infantry, will reassume command of the Third Brigade of this division.
By order of Brig. Gen. C. R. Woods:
FRED. H. WILSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Savannah, Ga. December 26, 1864.
CAPTAIN:
The orders issued regulating the march of the columns from Atlanta south assigned me again
to the extreme right, with the privilege of using one or more parallel roads, if it did not interfere
with the columns on my left (Seventeenth Army Corps). I respectfully refer the major-general
commanding to the accompanying map, marked B, for the routes taken by and the camps of the
different divisions at the end of every day's march.
On November 15, 1864, in pursuance of orders received, the Fifteenth Army Corps left its
encampments--Generals Woods, Smith, and Hazen, marching in one column from Atlanta,
arrived via Rough and Ready, in the vicinity of Stockbridge; General Corse, who had on the
previous night reached the Chattahoochee River, was necessarily delayed at Atlanta, receiving
and issuing quartermaster's stores, which were laid apart for them, and therefore had to halt for
the night in the vicinity of Rough and Ready. The head of the former columns (First, Second, and
Third Divisions) found near the aforesaid railroad station some rebel pickets who, evidently
surprised at our unexpected appearance, fled. Near Stockbridge the rebel general, Lewis, with
about 1,000 mounted troops and one section of artillery, held a position, but he also yielded it
after a very feeble show of resistance. This rebel general subsequently indulged merely in the
destruction of bridges to oppose our advance, keeping his troops at a very discreet distance. The
First, Second, and Third Divisions were encamped in the vicinity of Stockbridge, with a view to
prevent a collision with the Seventeenth Army Corps, whose march was also directed toward
Stockbridge.
McDonough being the point to be reached on the 16th of November, I directed General
Hazen (Second Division) to march on the main road via Stockbridge, while Generals Woods and
Smith moved via Lee's Mills, and General Corse was to take a direct road from his camp at
Rough and Ready, by Lee's Mills, to McDonough. At McDonough the whole of the Fifteenth
Army Corps was for the first time assembled, and the divisions in supporting distance of each
other.
The corps marched on November 17 in one column to Locust Grove, where, to facilitate the
movement, two columns were formed, moving toward Planters' Factory, on the Ocmulgee River-
-Generals Woods and Hazen via Indian Springs, Generals Smith and Corse via Jackson. On the
same day I succeeded in pushing the Twenty-ninth Missouri
Infantry to that river, and secured
45
both banks for the intended bridges. As soon as the pontoon could be laid down at the Ocmulgee
Factories, General Smith crossed and took a defensive position on the east side of the Ocmulgee
(November 18), the other divisions of the corps remaining in their respective camps until the
Seventeenth Corps had crossed.
At 7.30 a.m. November 19 the Seventeenth Corps yielded the bridge to us and we
commenced crossing, General Hazen leading. General Smith had previously received orders to
march on the direct road to Hillsborough, Generals Hazen and Woods were to follow Smith,
while General Corse, who brought up the rear, had orders to march, via Monticello, to
Hillsborough. This general was also directed to destroy, before leaving the west bank of the
Ocmulgee, the cotton factory, &c. which had been used for military purposes by the rebel
Government. Rain, very bad roads, and the long trains of the whole Army of the Tennessee,
including those of the cavalry, and the pontoon trains and some 4,000 head of beef-cattle,
delayed General Corse considerably. His rear could not leave the river before next morning
(November 20), and he could march only as far as Monticello, while Woods, Smith, and Hazen
reached the vicinity of Clinton that day. General Kilpatrick's cavalry had preceded us to that
place and left on our arrival for Macon. Some rebel cavalry kept hovering around Clinton, and
repeatedly attacked our pickets without making any impression.
Early on the morning of November 21 I pushed the Twenty-ninth Missouri (mounted) toward
the Macon railroad, with orders to destroy the track, and thus prevent the further use of the road
for military purposes. Colonel Gage struck and broke the road at 10 a.m. General Smith's
division marched the same day from Clinton on the direct road toward Gordon, while Woods and
Hazen moved toward Irwinton. A large force of the enemy being reported at Griswoldville, near
which place the outer column (Generals Woods and Hazen) had to pass, it was considered
prudent to move only the most necessary trains (ordnance) with this exposed column, and give
the bulk of the trains, in charge of General Smith, the inner route. The divisions of Woods and
Hazen camped for the night in supporting distance of each other near the Macon railroad. The
enemy showed, notwithstanding the presence of the large cavalry force of General Kilpatrick,
some temerity, and attacked the column of Woods several times. As it appeared impossible for
General Corse's division, with the incumbrances clogging his movements, to reach Clinton in
time on November 21 to secure that place against rebel assault, I ordered a brigade of Hazen's
division (Col. Theodore Jones) to remain there until the arrival of General Corse. Colonel Jones
was constantly annoyed by rebel cavalry. When General Corse came up on next day, he
considered the remaining of Colonel Jones most desirable, and this zealous officer therefore held
his position until all and everything had safely gone by this point of danger, and then followed
General Corse on the direct road to Gordon.
Your orders for the 22d of November were to make a demonstration against Griswoldville,
while our trains were to be pushed on toward Gordon with all the dispatch the terrible condition
of the rutted roads permitted. I consequently ordered one brigade (General Walcutt's) of General
Woods' division to move early on the south side of the railroad in the direction of Griswoldville.
When I joined General Walcutt to accompany the expedition, I found a brigade of General
Kilpatrick's in his front, and a portion of it, which had tried to drive back the rebel advance line,
had just come back without having succeeded. General Walcutt was ordered at once to relieve
the cavalry, and the advance was sounded. A strong line of skirmishers, supported by two
regiments and some cavalry, which General Kilpatrick had kindly furnished, soon struck the
rebels, who were in line behind a creek, or rather swamp, in an open pine land and caused them,
with that peculiar spirit of our troops, to look for their horses and run. General Walcutt kept
pushing forward, and his men pursued in double-quick with cheers and laughter the fleeing
horsemen, waded the creek, marched through the belt of
timber beyond until they reached an
46
open prairie-like field, which was in possession of large rebel cavalry forces. General Walcutt
halted here just long enough to correct his lines, caution his skirmishers and supports to be
prepared for a cavalry dash, and then they emerged into the open field and made for the rebels,
who, throwing away the best chance that can be desired by an intrepid cavalry, fled in confusion.
General Walcutt followed rapidly, capturing many horses, equipments, &c. When beyond
Griswoldville the rebels, who were commanded by General Wheeler in person, took different
roads; and as I had some knowledge of Wheeler's way of maneuvering--which is not formidable
in the dash of arms, but sometimes successful by great activity and circumspection--I ordered
General Woods to have General Walcutt's command rallied and take a defensive position near
the open field mentioned above. The position selected was in the edge of the timber and along a
slight rise in the ground, at the base of which a kind of marshy swamp formed a natural
obstruction to the approach; the right and left of the position was pretty well secured by swamps,
&c. Light breast-works, built of rails, were put up to cover our men, and a section of artillery of
Captain Arndt's (First Michigan) battery was ordered there. These preparations were considered
sufficient to meet any of General Wheeler's reconnaissances, which he might undertake after
finding out that he was no longer pressed, but had to stand a more severe trial. In the afternoon
the rebel commander brought forward four brigades of infantry and a battery of artillery,
supported by a strong cavalry force, to dislodge General Walcutt from his position. For several
hours their attempts were repeated with the greatest impetuosity. Their artillery threw a terrific
fire into the frail works of Walcutt, while their columns of infantry marched in heroic style to
within fifty yards of our line. It was all in vain! Walcutt and his brave brigade proved that
superior skill, coolness, and valor made up for the great disparity in numbers. When night came
the enemy retired, leaving over 300 dead on the battle-field and a number of wounded, who were
taken care of by our medical corps; also a number of prisoners were taken. Our loss was
comparatively light. The brave General Walcutt was wounded by a piece of shell during the
fight, and Colonel Catterson assumed the command of the brigade.
During these operations at Griswoldville the division of General Hazen had passed behind
General Woods and taken a defensive position in his support two miles south of Gordon. General
Smith entered Gordon and General Corse passed by Clinton. A portion of General Woods'
command during the day was employed in destroying the railroad track from Griswoldville to
within three miles of Gordon, and General Smith, immediately after his arrival, put his men to
work to meet General Woods' parties. General Smith finished the work of destruction in the next
two days.
General Hazen advanced on the 23d within seven miles of Irwinton, and Woods intrenched a
line south of Gordon commanding all the approaches from the west and south. Both divisions
marched the following day to Irwinton. At last, on November 24, General Corse's division and
the brigade of Second Division (Colonel Jones) arrived with all the trains at Gordon, relieving us
of a great deal of anxiety. These officers deserve the highest credit for their faithful execution of
orders under difficulties almost insurmountable. They brought a train of many hundred wagons
fifty miles and over roads whose condition beggars all description. General Corse encamped for
the night in the position vacated by General Woods; Colonel Jones joined his division. The
corps was to cross Oconee River, at Ball's Ferry, consequently the four divisions marched early
on November 25 from their respective camps toward that point. Hazen and Woods arrived at the
ferry; Corse and Smith at Milton and Irwinton, respectively. In order to protect the right flank of
our column during its crossing of the river against some rebel forces reported to be at Big Sandy
Creek, the Twenty-ninth Missouri (mounted) was stationed along that stream, with orders to
destroy all bridges and guard all such points where crossing could be effected. They found some
opposition at the Light Wood Knot bridge, but succeeded in
destroying it, notwithstanding.
47
When I arrived at the Oconee I found there the First Alabama Cavalry, who reported the enemy
in position on the east bank. A reconnaissance confirmed the report; but their number was
apparently small, and, perceiving that we were preparing in earnest to force a crossing, they left
during the night.
Bridges were laid in the morning of November 26, and the corps crossed in the following
order: Corse, Woods, Hazen, and Smith. The latter general had orders to remain until the bridge
was taken up and the trains all on the way. The two leading divisions marched the same
afternoon to Irwin's Cross-Roads, and from there three brigades were detailed on next morning to
destroy the Savannah railroad to Station No. 13. The remaining brigades and trains of these
divisions (Woods' and Corse's) marched the afternoon ([November 27) on the Augusta dirt road
to the intersection of the Savannah dirt road, with orders to proceed, on November 28, on the
latter road, to a point near railroad station No. 11, and there meet the divisions of Generals Smith
and Hazen. These divisions came to Irwin's Cross-Roads on the morning of November 27, and I
intended to march with them on next day, by plantation roads, to the point of meeting;
consequently all the divisions of the corps encamped the next night (November 28) in supporting
distance and within seven miles of Station 11.
On November 29 Woods and Corse followed a very dim road (called the Democrat road) to
its intersection with the Swainsborough and old Savannah road. The divisions of Hazen and
Smith marched on the main Sandersville and Savannah road until they struck, one mile south of
Station No. 11, the Seventeenth Army Corps, who had the right of way. The ground permitting, I
ordered a parallel road to be cut for about two miles to a fork which led into a road that ran
parallel to that taken by Woods and Corse. The country here is almost a perfect wilderness--longleaved
pines cover the poor sandy soil but sparsely, and exclude all other vegetation except
where an occasional creek or marsh, lined with narrow skirts of shrub-like undergrowth, breaks
this monotony; but what makes the soil almost worthless for agricultural purposes rendered it
favorable to our operations. An energetic corps of axmen to corduroy roads across the creeks and
marshes opens hi a short time enough space for any number of columns. On November 30, when
we marched toward the little town of Summerville, the Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions
moved part of the way abreast of each other. Generals Woods and Corse reached that day a point
within three miles and a half of railroad station No. 9 l/2. Generals Hazen and Smith halted at
Summerville. As the accompanying map shows, there are two roads running substantially
parallel to and south of the Ogeechee River and the Savannah railroad; they unite opposite
Station No. 2. Both roads were represented practicable, and consequently the corps was divided
into two columns--Hazen and Smith were to march from Summerville, via Statesborough, to No.
2; the left column (Woods and Corse) on the inner route. I took care to regulate the marches
daily, so as to have the columns always in supporting distance, and used a portion-of the Twentyninth
Missouri (mounted) to keep up communication and explore the intermediate ground
between the columns. The two columns crossed Scull's Creek on December 2, and were ordered
to lie over on December 3, to give the columns to our left time to come up with us. The troops of
these columns were partly employed in breaking the railroad, and in order to assist this work,
detachments of General Woods' troops had crossed the Ogeechee, at Green's Bridge, on
December 1 (which we had to repair), and burnt the railroad in the vicinity of Station No. 8.
Next day (December 2) a pontoon was ordered to be laid opposite Station No. 7, and large
portions of the divisions of Generals Corse and Woods put to work destroying the railroad there,
which they did most effectually for many miles. On the 4th and 5th of December the two
columns continued their routes, bringing the left column opposite Guyton (Station No. 3), while
the right column camped about four miles off on the headwaters of Black Creek, December 5.
General Hazen, who led the right column, on both days with
a force of General Wheeler's
48
cavalry; after a lively skirmish at Statesborough, the rebels dispersed and did not make their
appearance any more. The next day the corps had to lie over again; but very early in the morning
I pushed the Twenty-ninth Missouri forward to secure the crossing of the Ogeethee River, near
Station No. 2 (at Wright's and Jenks' Bridges). We found the bridges burnt. I ordered at once a
foot bridge to be constructed on the remains of Wright's Bridge, and directed General Woods to
send one brigade to the bridge and hold it. The commanding officer of the brigade (Colonel
Williamson) threw a regiment across the Ogeechee, and constructed on the east side breastworks,
and then pushed a detachment of fifty men, under Captain McSweeney (Ninth Iowa), to
the railroad with orders to break it, and thus prevent the enemy from re-enforcing his troops, who
opposed the advance of the columns on the east side of the river. Captain McSweeney moved
directly for the railroad about two miles off and broke it in plain view of a train coming down
loaded with troops. He then fell back pursued by the rebels, but he kept them in check. When in
the evening the enemy attempted to drive Colonel Williamson's men from the breastworks
thrown up in the afternoon, he was repulsed with some loss. Our appearance on the flank of the
rebels drew their attention to the lower crossing, and they sent a detachment of infantry to Jenks'
Bridge, three miles below Wright's.
The next morning December 7) the divisions of Generals Woods, Smith, and Corse were
concentrated near Jenks' Bridge. General Hazen was ordered to send, by way of a diversion, the
brigade of Colonel Oliver, which had been pushed on the day previous toward Jenks' Bridge, to
the Cannouchee and take possession of the bridge near Bryan Court. House; with the rest of his
command General Hazen was to follow Colonel Oliver's brigade as far as Black Creek. When
Colonel Oliver withdrew in the morning from Jenks' Bridge he left the Ninetieth Illinois
(Colonel Stuart) there to watch the rebels on the east side of the river. General Corse on his
arrival at Jenks' Bridge found Colonel Stuart behind a line of rifle-pits, lively disputing the
crossing. To re-enforce Colonel Stuart one section of Arndt's battery was brought into position
and opened. They succeeded in keeping the rebels under cover while some pontoons were
launched, and, manned by the Ninetieth Illinois (Colonel Stuart), crossed the river. As soon as a
boat-lead of men got a foothold on the other bank the rebels fell back to a line of works at the
eastern extremity of a long dam or levee, which formed the connection across the swamp
between the river and the high land. The dam is about half a mile long. Our pontoniers could lay
the bridge without being molested any further. While this work was going on and the floodbridges
in the dam were repaired, General Corse crossed a portion of his command in boats, and
they worked their way through the swamp and the thick woods toward the rebel position. To
facilitate their dislodgment General Woods was ordered early in the morning to push Colonel
Williamson's whole brigade across Wright's Bridge above and try to strike the enemy's flank.
When the pontoons were laid I ordered the advance. The Second Iowa Infantry, of General Rice's
brigade (Corse's division), confronted the rebels. They moved up in very good style, pushing
sharply on the enemy's wings, and forced them very soon to make for their support, which was
intrenched in double line on an elevation where the road from Jenks' Bridge crosses at right
angles the Wright's Bridge road. Colonel Williamson's brigade was advancing on the latter road.
When I had cause to believe this column in supporting distance, I directed General Rice to attack
the rebels in their breast-works. The Second Iowa rushed up to them over an open plain and
carried the works, killing and wounding a number and capturing about thirty prisoners. Colonel
Williamson arrived at the moment the works were taken, and he dispatched some companies to
the railroad, while General Rice advanced on a parallel road to the station. The enemy fled. A
portion of Corse's division was stationed at the railroad station, while the remainder of the
division and Colonel Williamson's brigade intrenched and occupied a line at the cross-roads
mentioned above.
49
In the evening (December 7) General Hazen reported that Colonel Oliver had arrived at the
Cannouchee, but found the bridge partly burnt and strongly defended. The crossing of the river
was deemed essential in order to destroy the Gulf railroad, which was largely used by the rebel
authorities at Savannah. Under orders from headquarters Department and Army of the Tennessee
I moved next morning (December 8) toward Cannouchee River with General Hazen's division
and that of General Woods', except Williamson's brigade, which was to occupy Station No. 2
until the arrival of the Seventeenth Army Corps. After reconnoitering the Cannouchee River I
brought, however, only General Hazen's division to the bridge near Bryan Court, House, halting
Woods' four miles norther it at the forks of the road to Fort Argyle. The enemy's position on the
south side of the Cannouchee was naturally very strong. Wide, impassable swamps line both
sides of that stream, and there are but very few points where a crossing is practicable. There is
none below Bryan Court-House, and parties sent twelve miles upstream could not learn of
another above. From the Court-House a good road leads to the bridge, but an impenetrable liveoak
swamp is on the other side of it. A levee and three bridges, Of an aggregate length of 800
feet, lead through the swamp to the highland; the levee and bridges were swept by a section of
artillery and by infantry covered by breast-works. I was, however, informed that there had been
an old ferry below the bridge, and thus I hoped to be able to effect a crossing there if the exact
spot could be found. By minute inspection of the banks during the night the landing of the old
ferry was detected, and an expedition sent in a boat across the river struck high ground and a
rebel picket. Our men fired and crested the greatest alarm in the rebel camp. They opened with
infantry and artillery most vigorously, and, to my astonishment, they left the position by 2 a.m.
The next morning (December 9) showed that the contemplated crossing at the old ferry,
which the rebels could not prevent, would have exposed their flanks, and, therefore, their sudden
departure. Troops were crossed as fast as possible in boats, while the damaged bridge was being
repaired. I ordered General Hazen to send two of I is brigades to the railroad, which was in full
work yet. One brigade marched toward King's Bridge and Way's Station, the other to Fleming
Station; both with orders to destroy the road as effectually as possible. (This work of destruction
was afterward completed and extended for twenty miles by General Hazen.) The remaining
brigade was placed in reserve at the bridge. The expeditionary brigades returned during the night
from their work at the railroad, having, with the assistance of the Twenty-ninth Missouri
(mounted), driven everything from the road and taken some prisoners.
On the morning of December 8 General Smith was left in charge of the trains corralled at
Jenks' Bridge (west side), and General Corse, who was on the east side of the Ogeechee River,
moved his division down the stream toward Dillon's Bridge, which he found burned, however,
and had to be replaced by pontoons. On the following day (9th) the general pushed on and met
some rebels at the Savannah Canal and drove them back to their main line, which he assaulted
and carried, taking 1 piece of rifled artillery and some 60 prisoners. General Corse's report was
laid before you, and I respectfully refer to it for the particulars of this brilliant affair. General
Corse followed the rebels across Little Ogeechee and to the north fork of it; but was recalled by
General Howard behind the Ogeechee, where he threw up a line of defense. General Smith, with
the trains of the Third and Fourth Divisions, moved to the canal, and, early on the morning of
December 10, from there up the towpath along the canal (south side) abreast of General Gorse,
who advanced again beyond the Little Ogeechee on the Savannah road.
I left, on December 10, General Hazen, with orders to march by way of a foot bridge
constructed at Dillon's Ferry to the support of Corse, while General Woods, with the trains of the
First and Second Divisions, moved across the Ogeechee River by the pontoon bridge near
Dollon's and closed on Smith's division (the trains were to be left at the canal). General Corse's
advance, which I had joined, found no opposition west of
the north fork; but behind that stream,
50
which is rather a wide swamp subject to the influence of the tides, the rebel fortifications and
camps were stretched out. The rebel troops gathered on and behind the parapets, and with their
banners defiantly unfurled awaited the approach of our column. The open and exposed ground,
swamps, and stream in front of the rebel works forbade all sudden attacks, and the men of the
advance were kept accordingly under cover, while skirmishers probed all along the lines as
closely and carefully as possible. I ordered Captain De Gress' 20-pounder Parrott battery to be
brought forward in a position from which it could throw an oblique fire into their main works,
which covered the Savannah road, without coming under fire of the rebel batteries. With wonted
precision De Gress landed his shots and created great commotion in the garrison. The profiles of
the works and the traverses were too heavy, however, to inflict any serious damage. A section of
Battery H, First Missouri Artillery, opened from an advanced position near the Savannah road,
coveted only by some trees. It caused the rebels to open at once with six guns and great
vehemence; so much so, that it was not considered prudent on our side to continue the fire. The
troops of the four divisions were before night in the positions assigned to them and encamped
just out of range of the enemy's artillery. In pursuance of orders received during the night, the
Fifteenth Army Corps was to occupy the ground on the right of the Savannah road, and
accordingly in the morning of the 11th of December General Corse shifted to the right and as
near the Gulf railroad as the march would permit, Woods occupying ground between Corse's left
and the Savannah road. General Hazen camped d'cheval of the road about two miles in the rear
of the front divisions, and General Smith moved to Station No. 1, on the Gulf railroad, pushing
his pickets forward on that road and to the right to cover the approaches from the south. These
movements were very difficult to execute owing to the rain which had converted the road
through the marshy soil into a sea of mud and quagmire. To prevent serious delays hereafter I
ordered the pioneers at once to construct a double corduroy track from our front to the rear.
On the 12th of December I sent, on the general's order, a section of 20-pounder Parrotts and
the Twenty-seventh Missouri Infantry (General Woods' division) to Cheves' rice mill, to assist in
some movement against Fort McAllister; and in the night the division of General Hazen, with
Battery H, First Missouri Artillery, and the remaining section of De Gress' 20-pounder Parrotts,
were ordered to march very early on the 13th, via King's Bridge, to the aforesaid fort and take it.
Fort McAllister was very strong and apparently well garrisoned. General Hazen arrived before it
at 2 o'clock, and at 3.45 p.m. he had completed his arrangements for the assault. They proved to
be in keeping with that noble soldier. When the advance sounded the brave men rushed through a
line of torpedoes and heavy abatis, jumped into the wide and deep ditch, and climbed in one
heroic elan, which secured them the fort after a few minutes' struggle, but not without a heavy
loss, mostly occasioned by the explosion of the torpedoes. Twenty-three siege and field guns and
215 men, the entire garrison, were the immediate prize of the capture; but the most important
feature of this victory was that it opened communication with the fleet and thus furnished to our
armies the necessary supplies, and put beyond doubt the final capture of Savannah, whose
garrison and inhabitants were, according to all information, but scantily supplied. The Second
Division garrisoned the captured fort. The artillery was ordered back to take a part in the
preparation for the contemplated assault on the Ogeechee lines, as General Hardee, the
commander of the rebel forces in Savannah, had refused, on December 17, to surrender. Generals
Woods and Corse since December 13 had steadily pushed their line forward and were in close
proximity to the rebel works. All points which offered a chance for crossing the swamps and the
river between our and the rebel works were looked up and most carefully studied; in fact,
everything was done to complete our knowledge of the difficult ground before us. I caused a
number of substantial batteries to be thrown up. In selecting the sites for these the principal
attention was paid to the rebel fort on the Savannah road,
where they had a number of heavy
51
siege pieces in position, and which they undoubtedly considered the key of their whole line. The
rebels had also a number of batteries farther to their left, and their fire annoyed Generals Smith's
and Corse's lines to some extent; however, the guns used in these batteries were light field
pieces, and it appeared that the enemy thought their left sufficiently secured by the natural
obstructions; at least, its lines of infantry there were weak, and I did not wish to disturb this
belief by an ostentatious display of activity. The ground on our side was covered with timber,
and thus permitted us to prepare for any operations that might become desirable in perfect
concealment.
On the 19th of December I received your orders to prepare everything for an assault on
December 21. The closest investigation of the ground before us showed that the stream could be
crossed in two places (in addition of the Savannah road), where it is but very narrow and the
approaches to it practicable. One of these points was in General Woods', the other in General
Corse's front. Both places never had drawn the enemy's attention, and parties of General Woods
and General Corse had gone across in boats without being observed by the rebels. Trestles were
built and pontoon-boats gotten ready; the rifle-pits were pushed within 150 to 200 yards of the
rebel works. Major Stolbrand, chief of artillery, brought ten pieces of artillery on and to the left
of the Savannah road, keeping the remaining eight pieces in reserve, and in a convenient place
where they could be ordered to any point where the contemplated attack might demand them. On
the morning of December 20 an impression was created that the rebels were withdrawing their
pieces from the fort on the Savannah road. To prevent such an undertaking I ordered Captain
Zickerick (Twelfth Wisconsin) on the Savannah road battery and Captain Arndt on the Cemetery
battery to open on the fort. Their practice was splendid. The enemy, who, after considerable
work, succeeded in opening his heavy batteries, had to cease firing very soon under the terrific
accuracy of our guns. General Woods' advanced line of infantry, which was rather less than 150
yards from the rebel main line, kept the enemy's sharpshooters completely silent and behind their
breast-works. This morning's experience gratified the best hope of a successful assault in the
coming night, but orders from General Sherman postponed the attack. During the night of the
20th General Woods' pickets kept the enemy closely under their control, always fearing they
would get away. Their fears were correct. Leaving their guns and ammunition in the fort, the
rebels sneaked away in the darkness of the night, and the Sixth Iowa Infantry entered, before
daylight, their fortifications. Savannah was ours. It proved the richest capture of the war. In my
immediate front on the Little Ogeechee and in the portion of the lines around Savannah, which
was assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps on the morning of 21st of December, forty-seven
guns, with all ammunition, were found, not counting in the armament at McAllister.
In order to recapitulate, I state that since October 4 to December 21, the Fifteenth Army
Corps had marched, in forty-six actual marching days, 684 miles; cut, corduroyed, and otherwise
constructed thirty-two miles of road and built 1,502 yards of bridge; while it destroyed most
effectually over 60 miles of railroad. Being on an exposed flank, the corps had a large share of
the fighting during the campaign, and the actions at Allatoona, Griswoldville, and McAllister
will shine as bright stars in the record of the corps.
Our losses in battle were comparatively light, and I am happy to state that, thanks to the very
efficient and skillful medical corps under the direction of Doctor Niccolls, surgeon of volunteers,
not a single man of our wounded was left behind and given up to the mercies of a prejudiced
enemy. All those poor sufferers came with us through the wilderness of Georgia, and are all
doing well. It is a consoling thought that even the remains of those noble martyrs are resting in
soil which soon will be redeemed from treason and become our country once more. Lists of
casualties have been forwarded.