![]() |
Iowa in the Civil War |
|||||||||
|
Articles
from the Davenport Daily Gazette
April 24 - 29, 1862
Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann
Thursday Morning
April 24, 1862
Part 1
A Thrilling Adventure
A letter from Fortress Monroe says:
We learn from Gen. Wool that there was an accident of a most thrilling nature at
General McClellan's headquarters yesterday. Gen. Fitz John Porter ascended in a
balloon, for the purpose of making a reconnaissance. When high up, the rope
broke, and off floated the balloon, directly over the enemy's entrenchments. The
officer was considered to be inevitable lost. The hearts that were wrung with
the hardness and strangeness of his fate, were suddenly cheered as well as
amazed with the spectacle of the return of the balloon over our own camps. It
had ascended to a counter current of air, and was wafted with all its precious
freight, back to safety. Once again over his own troops, the soldier aeronaut
pulled the valve and discharged the gas from the balloon, and came down to earth
"by the run," entirely unharmed. What he saw is for military use, and
not for publication.
Pittsburg Landing
April 15, '62
List of Killed and Wounded of 8th Iowa Infantry in the Battle of Pittsburg
Landing, April 6th, 1862.
Killed.
Co. A-Nelson Howard, Geo. Heller, Augustus Haun.
Co. B-Robt. Moody, Wm Penrose, Zalmon W. Kelly.
Co. C-James H. Young.
Co. D-Samuel Smith.
Co. E-Jno H. Patterson.
Co. F-Capt. Wm. F. Hogan, Geo. Johnson, Calvin L Bland, Jas. Carlyle, Timothy
Hensley, Thos. V. Lane, Jno D. Monical, Wm. M. Torrence.
Co. G-W. Pratt Bush, Thos. F. Greenlee, Jas. Paterson.
Co. H-Isaac Noel, Jeremiah Pattie.
Co. I-Thos. R. Robb, Jno Badger, Henry C. Gordon, Chas. M. Lane, Jno Murphy.
Co. K-A. C. Heinsecker, Jno McQueen, A. Thompkins.
Total, 33.
Wounded.
Co. A-Dan'l. Welsh, Jno R. McDougal, Jerome Lucas, Alex H. Swearengen (since
died.)
Co. B-Lieut. E. Tichenor, Jno Tichenor, Jno Christian, Luther McCullough, Jacob
Walker, Rudolph Murray, Jno A. Rown, Wilbur R. Lockwood, Whittaker Haynes, Wm.
C. Logan, Wm. H. Golden, Hiram Barber, S. A. Walker, Henry Somman, Jno Moody,
Amos Merritt, Christopher Quinn, Christian Lemberg, N. Frylinger, Orlando R.
Fluke, J. Newton Pursell.
Co. C-David J. Palmer, Jas. Marshall, David Parish.
Co. D-Jas. Gardner, Julius Gardner, Leonard Blakesley, Mason Ogan, John A.
Angler.
Co. E-R. F. Wolf, J. R. Pearsall, B. F. Banty, W. McFarland, M. H. Dean, Wm.
Wolf, Albert Bremer, Lemuel Kincade, Frank McConnell, Sabine Fowler, F. M.
Baufman (since died.)
Co. F-Robt. D. Hagin, Wm. Conger, Benj. F. Cox, Geo. W. Hodson, Wm. Kreger, Wm.
W. Cronkrite, Sam'l M. Shrekley, Benj. F. Stevenson, Adolph Seible, Isaac M.
Williams.
Co. G-John Johnson, Jonathan Sprague, Jacob Harr, Geo. W. O'Neal.
Co. H-Capt. Fred S. Palmer, Lieut. D. J. Craigle, Lt. Chas. Wells, Jacob
Fredericks, Johnathan Platz, Elias M. blizzard, Jacob L. Billings, Marion F.
Crull, Luther Colwin, Henry H. Lower, Chas. McDevitt, Stephen D. Rohrer, Solomon
Wilcox, Merton D. Groves, Joseph F. Lyon.
Co. I-Chas. E. Fox.
Co. K-Lieut. W. T. Hayes, G. McHenry, Sam'l Reynolds, L. Thorp, Edgar Brass,
Michael M. Ryan, Geo. Beck, John L. Guthrie, Edward Groves, M. Littleton, J.
Story, A. Vandervort.
Total, 86.
Yours &c.,
C. G. Van Derveer,
Chaplain 8th Iowa Infantry
Thursday Morning
April 24, 1862
Part 2
Iowa 2d Regiment
Company A
List of killed and wounded.
Killed-W. W. Clark; Geo. W. Friend.
Wounded-Severely: Sergeant John Mackley, John Kepple, Joseph Conley, W.
Robinson, Lightly: John Hoff, Ephraim Wiley, Thomas Feban, Wm. Douglas, Joseph
Collins.
Company B
Wounded-Severely: Capt. R. M. Littler, M. L. Thomas, A. Post. Slightly; B.
Farrell, D. J. Scott, Jules Meridith.
Company C
Wounded-Severely: E. Corcoran, W. H. Satliff, Jefferson Wooster, Slightly: Sergt.
H. C. McNeal, Chas. Rowan.
Company D
Missing-Austin Rush, James Crystal.
Wounded-Severely: j. H. Looby, Wm. Riddle, R. D. Barrett, Slightly: N. M. Mills,
Sergt. Wm. Houston, Corpl. B. Houston, Robert Byle, John Sharp.
Company E
Killed-Sergeant Amos Weimer, John C. Haverstick, Elijah Newby.
Missing-Daniel Walmer.
Wounded-Severely: Daniel Brown, Chas. Reed, John Duncan, Theodore Borggs, Reuben
Coop, Slightly: Capt. T. J. McCullough, Lieut. D. B. Wilson, Henry A. Millen,
James Ross, Elwood Williams, J. M. Hughes, L. T. L. T. Webster, J. J. McKee,
Thos. Patton, Marion York.
Company F.
Wounded-Severely: Capt. A. Wilkin, Lieut. Brawner, Sergt. W. Miller, J. W.
Sullivan.
Company G
Missing-Herman D. St. John.
Wounded-Severely: Capt. S. A. Moore, Chas. E. Dunn. Slightly: John Denmuth,
Davis Proctor, Burr Vurmilia.
Company H
Wounded-Severely: Lieut. Scolfield, Thos. Curren, Henry Russell, J. N. Hammill.
Company I
Killed-Corporal Cooly.
Wounded-Severely: Capt. H. P. Cox, Sergt. S. L. Tull, Corp. N. Rodgers, John
Luellen, John S. Herwick, Geo. G. Whittier, Wm. F. Granger, Corp. F. Dailey, G.
F. Cook, H. A. Smiley, Wm. H. Laird, W. F. Robins, Wm. Robins, Charles Reader,
George Meecher.
Company K
Killed-Lieut. John E. Molby. Lightly: W. H. Henderson
A.Axline
Chaplain 2d Iowa Reg't Infantry
April
28, 1862
To
the Editor of the Gazette:--Several days have now elapsed since the memorable
battle of Pittsburg Landing. I presume from various sources you have received
descriptions of the fight. Many reasons, in the form of attendance on the
wounded, hunting for acquaintances in other regiments, and fatigue, have
prevented an earlier communication. I shall now attempt a brief account of the
battle, not attempting to a full description, but confining myself rather to the
brigade to which the 8th Iowa was attached, and more especially to
the regiment which I had the honor to serve. The information I shall give may be
relied on, as it is gathered from personal observation partly, and still more
from others, who being combatants and actually in the engagement are better
qualified to give a correct account.
Commencement
of the Engagement
The enemy’s advance lines were I sight of our outposts as early as
Friday afternoon, April 4th. The fact that a battery was planted near
our lines was communicated to Gen. Sherman, who commanded the division on our
extreme right, and in the advance. He had received orders from Gen. Grant “not
to bring on an engagement,” and supposing the design of the enemy was to
induce skirmishing and endeavor to learn something of our strength, paid no
attention to the battery or the skirmishing of pickets. Evidently our commanders
were not expecting an attack, but soon as Gen. Buell’s column should come up,
intended an advance. Saturday was quiet except skirmishing. On Sunday, April 6th,
the attack was made, and found us entirely unprepared. Our line of encampment
was somewhat in the form of a crescent. The enemy attacked us by what is termed
the letter V movement. The apex of the letter V rested on our center. The two
lines, extending back obliquely, were admirably formed for flanking us on both
wings. We who were camped near the river, heard heavy cannonading early on the
morning of the 6th for an hour or two before we were ordered out.
Meantime, several of our advance regiments were driven back—some had scarcely
time to form a line of battle at all; others, overpowered by numbers, retreated
in good order, loading and firing as they fell back. The first regular line of
battle was formed about 9 a. m. This was the first I saw, and I believe, from
what I can learn, it was the first formed by our main army. I shall now write
more particularly of the part taken by the Iowa 8th, which was in
this line.
Position
of the Eighth Iowa Infantry
Between 8 and 9 a. m. on Sunday, our brigade—third brigade, second
division—was ordered out. This brigade consisted of the 8th Iowa,
52d Illinois, 7th, 37th and 50th Illinois
regiments, under command of Col. Sweeny,, of the 52d Illinois. The 8th
Iowa occupied the right center of the brigade, and in the line of battle the
brigade was posted in the right center of the brigade, and in the line of battle
the brigade was posted in the right center of the line. On our left was Gen.
McClernand’s division and I think Gen. Hurlbut’s. On our right the Iowa
brigade, formerly Col. Lauman’s, but during the battle under command of Col.
Tuttle, 2d Iowa. Shortly after the line of battle was formed, the 52d Illinois
moved off to the right, and was soon followed by the 7th Illinois.
The design of this movement I have never learned, but it left our right entirely
unsupported, and an open space between us and the regiments which filed off. On
the right of the 8th Iowa two cannon were placed. Of these guns our
gallant Colonel took command for a short time, and so pointed them as to rake
the enemy. Col. Geddes was for many years an artillery officer in the British
regular service. He saw these guns were not worked to good advantage, and riding
up to the man in charge gave directions. The man said, “If you can manage
these guns better than I, do so.” The Colonel replied, “I can,” and
immediately took command. With what effect the check which the advancing enemy
received best tells, and more than vindicates the Colonel’s action. On the
left of the 8th was another gun, so pointed as to prevent an oblique
movement of the enemy on our left flank and to protect the regiments on our
left. All this while the enemy were pouring a tremendous volley from cannon and
small arms into our lines. Two guns had been taken from one of our batteries
early in the morning. These guns were now in front of our regiment. Their
recovery was determined on. (sic) Our men had been lying down allowing the
enemy’s fire to pass over them; meanwhile Col. Geddes was riding along the
line or directing the two guns on our right, smoking his pipe and giving orders
with the same coolness as if on battalion drill. It is also due to Lieut. Co.
Ferguson and Maj. Andrews to say that they conducted themselves with the utmost
coolness and bravery. The recovery of the lost guns being determined upon, the
Colonel ordered the 8th Iowa to charge. A more brilliant or
successful charge need never be made. Forward after their gallant commander,
whom every man loved as a brother and trusted as one more than human, rushed our
noble Iowa boys. The guns were seized by our brave boys, and with their own
hands hauled off from the enemy. In this charge most of our brave fellows, who
were killed in the battle, fell; but they fell not in vain. I was over the
ground on Tuesday morning, when we were gathering up their bodies. I passed over
to the place into which they had discharge volley after volley from their trusty
Springfield and Enfield rifles. Never have I anywhere seen—at Wilson’s Creek
or on this battle ground, over all of which I have ridden—bushes and small
trees so completely cut and riddled by rifle balls, as was the spot where our
boys took good aim and true, and nowhere on the whole field did I see the rebels
shot dead, lie thicker than among these riddled bushes. Other regiments fought
nobly, heroically, but we of Iowa may justly be proud to point to that charge of
our 8th, and fearlessly challenge any and all to show, on any part of
the bloody field, evidences of cooler bravery or more terrible execution. It is
with feelings of profoundest sorrow that I have to record, but a few hours after
this brilliant and successful charge.
The
Capture of the Gallant Iowa 8th
The 8th Iowa, after re-taking the captured guns, returned
nearly to their former position. Their right, as already observed, was
unsupported. It became necessary now to change front by flanking on the left,
both to get the guns they had in charge in good position, and to avoid as far as
possible the raking fire of the enemy. Meantime, the enemy’s fire had taken
great effect on the right and left of our line, which was gradually falling
back. The 8th Iowa did not fall back with the line, but held its
ground some time longer. How this happened , is to me not yet fully explained. I
am, however, fully satisfied no blame whatever, can be attached to Col. Geddes.
He did his duty nobly, heroically. In the charge, his horse was shot under him
by a grape, but he sprang from his back and still led his men onward. I
conjecture, and , from the circumstances, with the utmost probability, that Col.
Geddes was not fully aware of his position. He was placed in position by his
commanding officer. His duty was to maintain that position as long as possible,
or until ordered elsewhere. Comparatively early in the action, Col. Sweeney, who
commanded the brigade, was severely wounded. After he left the field, no order,
so far as I can learn, was given to Col. Geddes to change his position. He had
no time to inquire who was tailing back on his left. When overpowered by
numbers, he fell back in good order, bringing on the artillery in his charge,
until after falling back a mile, or perhaps more, from his first position, he
found his regiment entirely surrounded. Nothing now could be done but surrender.
I was informed, though I cannot vouch for its truth, that Col. Geddes tendered
his sword to the Right Rev. Bishop, Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk. However this may
be, the officer who received the Colonel’s sword handed it back to him. Their
swords were returned to all our captured officers, and they were treated in a
very gentlemanly manner. The officer who received and then returned their swords
to our officers, complimented them upon their bravery—“You are brave men;
you have fought bravely, but fought too long.” Said he. Both Col. Geddes and
Lt. Col. Ferguson received flesh wounds in the leg, and both wee taken with
their regiment. A horse was offered Col. Geddes, but he remarked, “I will walk
with my boys.” Where our battalion is by this time, we of course do not know.
No information has been received. I presume they are somewhere in Southern
Alabama or Mississippi, where they can be kept till the close of the war.
Maj. Andrews was severely wounded by a spent ball striking him on the
head. He was carried from the field some two hours before our regiment was
taken, and thus escaped. His wound, though very serious, was thought by the
surgeons not to be dangerous. He started for his home in charge of an attendant
several days since.
Capt. Hogan, of Co. F, was killed; Capt Palmer, 1st Lieut.
Craigie, and 2d Lieut. Wells, of Co. H, were wounded. But I sent you a list of
the killed and wounded of the 8th Iowa, as far as ascertained.
The Last
Stand Made Sunday Evening
All day long the enemy had driven us back. The roar of cannon, whizzing
sound of shells and cracking of rifles and musketry had been incessant. I have
never read of any engagement in which the discharge of firearms on both sides
was so constant and so long continued. Usually such firing settles the battle in
three or four hours. We who were with the wounded heard this firing, and knew
the enemy were slowly driving our men back to the river. Thousands of our men,
for some reason or other, came in by detachments from the field to the river,
all declaring that their regiments were cut to pieces. No effort on the part of
officers could induce these men to return. They seemed to be entirely unmanned,
and for the time at least, were acting as arrant cowards. I had occasion about 4
1-2 p.m. to go from our hospital tents over toward the road leading up from the
landing—as I returned I heard a cavalry officer giving orders by the authority
of Gen. Buell. I inquired of him, and found Gen. Buell had really arrived on
this side of the river, and that Gen. Nelson’s division was then crossing. I
put the spurs to my horse and hastened to give circulation as best I could, to
this most welcome news. We near the river, who saw how things were, had spent an
afternoon of torturing anxiety. The fear of personal danger, though balls and
shell often whistled and sung in most unpleasant proximity to my ears, was quite
lost in the apprehension that our entire force and armament would be taken.
Already the enemy had advanced within half a mile of the color lines nearest the
river, and we had the ground left only for one stand. This was most nobly made.
Two siege guns and a large iron howitzer were placed along our line in the rear.
In front of these was all our available artillery and the infantry which had
been under fire all day. Next the siege guns lay the first brigade—perhaps
more—of Nelson’s division. It was near sundown when the enemy made their
last assault. For half an hour the cannonading and musketry was terrific; but
our men stood firm, while our 64 pounders and howitzer poured into the enemy’s
line a fire they could not stand. About dusk the enemy withdrew, and quartered
themselves in our tents, all of which they had left standing. The enemy expected
to capture us—tents, camp furniture and all, so they destroyed nothing of
these, though the officers were robbed of trunks, clothing, &c. That night
all our troops slept or rather lay on their arms in line of battle. All night
the gunboats Lexington and Tyler threw a shell about every fifteen minutes into
the camp of the enemy. By the way, these gunboats did good service, and the
rebels are very much afraid of their shells. Where I lay out on the bank of the
river, I could see the flash and hear the report of the gun on the boat, listen
to the shell as it went singing over the timber, and then hear it burst with a
report like a 24-pound howitzer. Sunday night it rained very hard for an hour or
two, but as it was warm our boys got along very well. It was hard on the poor
wounded fellows who lay out.
Monday’s
Battle
During Sunday night all of Gen. Nelson’s Division had crossed the
river; also McCook’s and I believe Crittenden’s; Gen. Lew. Wallace was also
on hand with his large Division. Our men who had been in the fight on Sunday
were in good spirits. Soon as we could see on Monday morning, fresh troops were
ordered in the advance—Nelson on the left, McCook the centre, and Wallace on
the extreme right, I think. Soon the battle began—the cannonading, and
musketry was again terrible, Gen. Buell was on the field near Nelson’s
Division, a little to the left, where balls and shells were falling thick and
fast. The place where he stood was shown me by an officer, who received more
than one order from him in person; and also a tree just behind the hero, which
was riddled by a shell. Of Gen. Buell’s history I know little, but that he is
a noble, brave and eminently capable General is abundantly proven by his conduct
on Monday. I have heard military men speak with admiration of his management of
the enemy when the flanking operation was attempted. Gen. Buell had his forces
so placed that when the enemy fell back to change front and flank, he was held
fast, and lost just the distance he had fallen back from his first position.
For two or three hours in the morning the enemy stood well up to the
work. They demonstrated on Sunday and Monday that Southern troops lack neither
valor nor determination. Their loss on Monday must have been very great, for we
pursued them with terrible firing. On Sunday I think our loss was great as
theirs, but on Monday, form all I can learn, we must have slaughtered them. All
our troops fought nobly on Monday; there was no running to the river, but all
stood up to the work. When the sun set on Monday evening, he went down over one
of the most glorious victories, as it was undoubtedly the severest battle ever
won on this continent. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, who planned and commanded on
the rebel side in this battle, was killed on Sunday. Johnson, the Provisional
Governor of Kentucky, was wounded and captured. When
taken he remarked that there was no more chance for Secessia; she had
staked her all in this battle and lost. I believe this Gov. Johnson has since
died. It was reported that Beauregard was killed, then that he was wounded. I
believe him alive, well and in command, and expect we shall have his skill to
combat in our next battle. I can form no correct idea of the number killed and
wounded on either side. I suppose we will soon know with respect to our loss
from the official reports of Surgeons and Adjutants. Gen. Prentiss was wounded
and taken prisoner early on Sunday. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, of Illinois, was
badly wounded, and died soon after he was carried to the boat. The 8th,
12th, and 14th Iowa and 58th Illinois were
taken prisoners. The loss of these noble regiments casts a shadow over what
would otherwise be a most glorious victory.
The
Present Condition of our Army
Yesterday I rode out beyond our advance lines to the pickets. I found, as they used to say about the army of the Potomac, “all quiet along the lines.” There is occasional skirmishing on our outside cavalry pickets, indicating that a portion of the enemy are about somewhere. An attack was somewhat expected the first of the week. Now the indications seem to be that we shall advance as soon as the roads will permit. Troops are still coming in, and those camped far back are moving toward the advance. Our advance divisions are now so arranged as themselves to form a kind of pickets. Batteries are in a position of defence, and from appearances, by five minutes after the “long roll”—ominous sound to the soldier—is beaten, an hundred thousand men would be in line of battle, and all in a position to support each other. Evidently Gen. Halleck does not intend another surprise. We are pretty well prepared for an attack. Our misfortunes of the 6th have taught us a lesson; all now looks fair for success. There is, I think, good reason to hope that before the summer is ended, rebellion will be effectually crushed out in the southwest. Let us hope the grand army of the Potomac, or Rappabannock, I believe it is now, may also speedily be successful in fulfilling its part of the great work.~~~C.
April
28, 1862
To
the Editor of the Gazette:--Several days have now elapsed since the memorable
battle of Pittsburg Landing. I presume from various sources you have received
descriptions of the fight. Many reasons, in the form of attendance on the
wounded, hunting for acquaintances in other regiments, and fatigue, have
prevented an earlier communication. I shall now attempt a brief account of the
battle, not attempting to a full description, but confining myself rather to the
brigade to which the 8th Iowa was attached, and more especially to
the regiment which I had the honor to serve. The information I shall give may be
relied on, as it is gathered from personal observation partly, and still more
from others, who being combatants and actually in the engagement are better
qualified to give a correct account.
Commencement
of the Engagement
The enemy’s advance lines were I sight of our outposts as early as
Friday afternoon, April 4th. The fact that a battery was planted near
our lines was communicated to Gen. Sherman, who commanded the division on our
extreme right, and in the advance. He had received orders from Gen. Grant “not
to bring on an engagement,” and supposing the design of the enemy was to
induce skirmishing and endeavor to learn something of our strength, paid no
attention to the battery or the skirmishing of pickets. Evidently our commanders
were not expecting an attack, but soon as Gen. Buell’s column should come up,
intended an advance. Saturday was quiet except skirmishing. On Sunday, April 6th,
the attack was made, and found us entirely unprepared. Our line of encampment
was somewhat in the form of a crescent. The enemy attacked us by what is termed
the letter V movement. The apex of the letter V rested on our center. The two
lines, extending back obliquely, were admirably formed for flanking us on both
wings. We who were camped near the river, heard heavy cannonading early on the
morning of the 6th for an hour or two before we were ordered out.
Meantime, several of our advance regiments were driven back—some had scarcely
time to form a line of battle at all; others, overpowered by numbers, retreated
in good order, loading and firing as they fell back. The first regular line of
battle was formed about 9 a. m. This was the first I saw, and I believe, from
what I can learn, it was the first formed by our main army. I shall now write
more particularly of the part taken by the Iowa 8th, which was in
this line.
Position
of the Eighth Iowa Infantry
Between 8 and 9 a. m. on Sunday, our brigade—third brigade, second
division—was ordered out. This brigade consisted of the 8th Iowa,
52d Illinois, 7th, 37th and 50th Illinois
regiments, under command of Col. Sweeny,, of the 52d Illinois. The 8th
Iowa occupied the right center of the brigade, and in the line of battle the
brigade was posted in the right center of the brigade, and in the line of battle
the brigade was posted in the right center of the line. On our left was Gen.
McClernand’s division and I think Gen. Hurlbut’s. On our right the Iowa
brigade, formerly Col. Lauman’s, but during the battle under command of Col.
Tuttle, 2d Iowa. Shortly after the line of battle was formed, the 52d Illinois
moved off to the right, and was soon followed by the 7th Illinois.
The design of this movement I have never learned, but it left our right entirely
unsupported, and an open space between us and the regiments which filed off. On
the right of the 8th Iowa two cannon were placed. Of these guns our
gallant Colonel took command for a short time, and so pointed them as to rake
the enemy. Col. Geddes was for many years an artillery officer in the British
regular service. He saw these guns were not worked to good advantage, and riding
up to the man in charge gave directions. The man said, “If you can manage
these guns better than I, do so.” The Colonel replied, “I can,” and
immediately took command. With what effect the check which the advancing enemy
received best tells, and more than vindicates the Colonel’s action. On the
left of the 8th was another gun, so pointed as to prevent an oblique
movement of the enemy on our left flank and to protect the regiments on our
left. All this while the enemy were pouring a tremendous volley from cannon and
small arms into our lines. Two guns had been taken from one of our batteries
early in the morning. These guns were now in front of our regiment. Their
recovery was determined on. (sic) Our men had been lying down allowing the
enemy’s fire to pass over them; meanwhile Col. Geddes was riding along the
line or directing the two guns on our right, smoking his pipe and giving orders
with the same coolness as if on battalion drill. It is also due to Lieut. Co.
Ferguson and Maj. Andrews to say that they conducted themselves with the utmost
coolness and bravery. The recovery of the lost guns being determined upon, the
Colonel ordered the 8th Iowa to charge. A more brilliant or
successful charge need never be made. Forward after their gallant commander,
whom every man loved as a brother and trusted as one more than human, rushed our
noble Iowa boys. The guns were seized by our brave boys, and with their own
hands hauled off from the enemy. In this charge most of our brave fellows, who
were killed in the battle, fell; but they fell not in vain. I was over the
ground on Tuesday morning, when we were gathering up their bodies. I passed over
to the place into which they had discharge volley after volley from their trusty
Springfield and Enfield rifles. Never have I anywhere seen—at Wilson’s Creek
or on this battle ground, over all of which I have ridden—bushes and small
trees so completely cut and riddled by rifle balls, as was the spot where our
boys took good aim and true, and nowhere on the whole field did I see the rebels
shot dead, lie thicker than among these riddled bushes. Other regiments fought
nobly, heroically, but we of Iowa may justly be proud to point to that charge of
our 8th, and fearlessly challenge any and all to show, on any part of
the bloody field, evidences of cooler bravery or more terrible execution. It is
with feelings of profoundest sorrow that I have to record, but a few hours after
this brilliant and successful charge.
Continued…
April
28, 1862
Continued
The
Capture of the Gallant Iowa 8th
The 8th Iowa, after re-taking the captured guns, returned
nearly to their former position. Their right, as already observed, was
unsupported. It became necessary now to change front by flanking on the left,
both to get the guns they had in charge in good position, and to avoid as far as
possible the raking fire of the enemy. Meantime, the enemy’s fire had taken
great effect on the right and left of our line, which was gradually falling
back. The 8th Iowa did not fall back with the line, but held its
ground some time longer. How this happened , is to me not yet fully explained. I
am, however, fully satisfied no blame whatever, can be attached to Col. Geddes.
He did his duty nobly, heroically. In the charge, his horse was shot under him
by a grape, but he sprang from his back and still led his men onward. I
conjecture, and , from the circumstances, with the utmost probability, that Col.
Geddes was not fully aware of his position. He was placed in position by his
commanding officer. His duty was to maintain that position as long as possible,
or until ordered elsewhere. Comparatively early in the action, Col. Sweeney, who
commanded the brigade, was severely wounded. After he left the field, no order,
so far as I can learn, was given to Col. Geddes to change his position. He had
no time to inquire who was tailing back on his left. When overpowered by
numbers, he fell back in good order, bringing on the artillery in his charge,
until after falling back a mile, or perhaps more, from his first position, he
found his regiment entirely surrounded. Nothing now could be done but surrender.
I was informed, though I cannot vouch for its truth, that Col. Geddes tendered
his sword to the Right Rev. Bishop, Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk. However this may
be, the officer who received the Colonel’s sword handed it back to him. Their
swords were returned to all our captured officers, and they were treated in a
very gentlemanly manner. The officer who received and then returned their swords
to our officers, complimented them upon their bravery—“You are brave men;
you have fought bravely, but fought too long.” Said he. Both Col. Geddes and
Lt. Col. Ferguson received flesh wounds in the leg, and both wee taken with
their regiment. A horse was offered Col. Geddes, but he remarked, “I will walk
with my boys.” Where our battalion is by this time, we of course do not know.
No information has been received. I presume they are somewhere in Southern
Alabama or Mississippi, where they can be kept till the close of the war.
Maj. Andrews was severely wounded by a spent ball striking him on the
head. He was carried from the field some two hours before our regiment was
taken, and thus escaped. His wound, though very serious, was thought by the
surgeons not to be dangerous. He started for his home in charge of an attendant
several days since.
Capt. Hogan, of Co. F, was killed; Capt Palmer, 1st Lieut.
Craigie, and 2d Lieut. Wells, of Co. H, were wounded. But I sent you a list of
the killed and wounded of the 8th Iowa, as far as ascertained.
The Last
Stand Made Sunday Evening
All day long the enemy had driven us back. The roar of cannon, whizzing
sound of shells and cracking of rifles and musketry had been incessant. I have
never read of any engagement in which the discharge of firearms on both sides
was so constant and so long continued. Usually such firing settles the battle in
three or four hours. We who were with the wounded heard this firing, and knew
the enemy were slowly driving our men back to the river. Thousands of our men,
for some reason or other, came in by detachments from the field to the river,
all declaring that their regiments were cut to pieces. No effort on the part of
officers could induce these men to return. They seemed to be entirely unmanned,
and for the time at least, were acting as arrant cowards. I had occasion about 4
1-2 p.m. to go from our hospital tents over toward the road leading up from the
landing—as I returned I heard a cavalry officer giving orders by the authority
of Gen. Buell. I inquired of him, and found Gen. Buell had really arrived on
this side of the river, and that Gen. Nelson’s division was then crossing. I
put the spurs to my horse and hastened to give circulation as best I could, to
this most welcome news. We near the river, who saw how things were, had spent an
afternoon of torturing anxiety. The fear of personal danger, though balls and
shell often whistled and sung in most unpleasant proximity to my ears, was quite
lost in the apprehension that our entire force and armament would be taken.
Already the enemy had advanced within half a mile of the color lines nearest the
river, and we had the ground left only for one stand. This was most nobly made.
Two siege guns and a large iron howitzer were placed along our line in the rear.
In front of these was all our available artillery and the infantry which had
been under fire all day. Next the siege guns lay the first brigade—perhaps
more—of Nelson’s division. It was near sundown when the enemy made their
last assault. For half an hour the cannonading and musketry was terrific; but
our men stood firm, while our 64 pounders and howitzer poured into the enemy’s
line a fire they could not stand. About dusk the enemy withdrew, and quartered
themselves in our tents, all of which they had left standing. The enemy expected
to capture us—tents, camp furniture and all, so they destroyed nothing of
these, though the officers were robbed of trunks, clothing, &c. That night
all our troops slept or rather lay on their arms in line of battle. All night
the gunboats Lexington and Tyler threw a shell about every fifteen minutes into
the camp of the enemy. By the way, these gunboats did good service, and the
rebels are very much afraid of their shells. Where I lay out on the bank of the
river, I could see the flash and hear the report of the gun on the boat, listen
to the shell as it went singing over the timber, and then hear it burst with a
report like a 24-pound howitzer. Sunday night it rained very hard for an hour or
two, but as it was warm our boys got along very well. It was hard on the poor
wounded fellows who lay out.
Continued…
April
28, 1862
Continued
Monday’s
Battle
During Sunday night all of Gen. Nelson’s Division had crossed the
river; also McCook’s and I believe Crittenden’s; Gen. Lew. Wallace was also
on hand with his large Division. Our men who had been in the fight on Sunday
were in good spirits. Soon as we could see on Monday morning, fresh troops were
ordered in the advance—Nelson on the left, McCook the centre, and Wallace on
the extreme right, I think. Soon the battle began—the cannonading, and
musketry was again terrible, Gen. Buell was on the field near Nelson’s
Division, a little to the left, where balls and shells were falling thick and
fast. The place where he stood was shown me by an officer, who received more
than one order from him in person; and also a tree just behind the hero, which
was riddled by a shell. Of Gen. Buell’s history I know little, but that he is
a noble, brave and eminently capable General is abundantly proven by his conduct
on Monday. I have heard military men speak with admiration of his management of
the enemy when the flanking operation was attempted. Gen. Buell had his forces
so placed that when the enemy fell back to change front and flank, he was held
fast, and lost just the distance he had fallen back from his first position.
For two or three hours in the morning the enemy stood well up to the
work. They demonstrated on Sunday and Monday that Southern troops lack neither
valor nor determination. Their loss on Monday must have been very great, for we
pursued them with terrible firing. On Sunday I think our loss was great as
theirs, but on Monday, form all I can learn, we must have slaughtered them. All
our troops fought nobly on Monday; there was no running to the river, but all
stood up to the work. When the sun set on Monday evening, he went down over one
of the most glorious victories, as it was undoubtedly the severest battle ever
won on this continent. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, who planned and commanded on
the rebel side in this battle, was killed on Sunday. Johnson, the Provisional
Governor of Kentucky, was wounded and captured. When
taken he remarked that there was no more chance for Secessia; she had
staked her all in this battle and lost. I believe this Gov. Johnson has since
died. It was reported that Beauregard was killed, then that he was wounded. I
believe him alive, well and in command, and expect we shall have his skill to
combat in our next battle. I can form no correct idea of the number killed and
wounded on either side. I suppose we will soon know with respect to our loss
from the official reports of Surgeons and Adjutants. Gen. Prentiss was wounded
and taken prisoner early on Sunday. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, of Illinois, was
badly wounded, and died soon after he was carried to the boat. The 8th,
12th, and 14th Iowa and 58th Illinois were
taken prisoners. The loss of these noble regiments casts a shadow over what
would otherwise be a most glorious victory.
The
Present Condition of our Army
Yesterday I rode out beyond our advance lines to the pickets. I found, as they used to say about the army of the Potomac, “all quiet along the lines.” There is occasional skirmishing on our outside cavalry pickets, indicating that a portion of the enemy are about somewhere. An attack was somewhat expected the first of the week. Now the indications seem to be that we shall advance as soon as the roads will permit. Troops are still coming in, and those camped far back are moving toward the advance. Our advance divisions are now so arranged as themselves to form a kind of pickets. Batteries are in a position of defence, and from appearances, by five minutes after the “long roll”—ominous sound to the soldier—is beaten, an hundred thousand men would be in line of battle, and all in a position to support each other. Evidently Gen. Halleck does not intend another surprise. We are pretty well prepared for an attack. Our misfortunes of the 6th have taught us a lesson; all now looks fair for success. There is, I think, good reason to hope that before the summer is ended, rebellion will be effectually crushed out in the southwest. Let us hope the grand army of the Potomac, or Rappabannock, I believe it is now, may also speedily be successful in fulfilling its part of the great work.~~~C.
Tuesday
Morning
April 29, 1862
Official
Report
Of the
killed, Wounded and Missing of the 13th Regiment.
Headquarters 13th Regiment Iowa Infantry
Camp Near Pittsburg, April 8, 1862
Sir: The following is a list of the casualties in the 13th
Regiment Iowa Infantry, during the action of the 6th and 7th
insts. Near this camp:
Killed.
Co. A, Capt Wild—Privates Benj. McAferty, George M. Doty, Allen S.
Brown, S. A. Rundall. Total enlisted men 4.
Co. B, Capt Miller—2d Lieut Erasmus D Duncan, Sergt Nath’l H.
Johnson, privates Wm. Knapp, Wm. H. Byerly, George McKeever, A. P. Easterday;
Wm. Hart. Total commissioned 1, enlisted men 6.
Co. C, Capt Baker—Corpl F. J. Holmes, privates A. Melone, C. L. Dooley,
Jessee Wells. Total enlisted men 4.
Co. D, Capt Price—Private Geo. Sickey. Total enlisted men 1.
Co. E, Capt Van Hosen—Corporal John
Melton, private Silas D. Allen. Total enlisted men 2.
Co. G, Capt Walker—Private Sam’l Marten. Total enlisted men 1.
Co. H, Capt Marshall—Corporals C. Van Voorhies, H. V. Willey. Total
enlisted 2.
Co.
I, Capt Elrods—Privates Joseph Park, L. P. Arlworth. Total enlisted 2.
Co.
K, Capt Woodford—Private David Knaup. Total enlisted 1.
Recapitulation—Commissioned
officers 1, non-commissioned 5, privates, 18. Total killed 24.
Wounded.
Field Officers—Lt. Col M. M. Price, slightly; Major John Shane,
severely, in shoulder.
Staff—Surgeon Joseph McKee, slightly in leg.
Company Officers—Capt. Thos. H. Miller, Co. B, slightly, in breast; 1st
Lt. E. Shurtz, Co. H, leg, severely; 2d Lt. Jno Watson, Co. F, mortally (since
dead); 2d Lt. G. T. Hampton, Co. H, arm, slightly; 2d St. S. D. Cook, Co K,
ankle, slightly; 2d Lt. Buren R. Sherman, Co. E., leg, severely.
Non-Commissioned Officers—Co. A.-Corp Jno R. McCloskey, breast,
severely; Corp John C. Mason, hip, severely; Corp Jas. S. Brooks, lost finger;
Corp. R. W. Van Zant, hip, slightly.
Co. B—Corp Henry Kissell, shoulder, severely.
Co. C—Sergt J. M. Vincent, back, severely; Sergt Wesley Huff, thigh,
severely; Sergt Edward Essex, lost thumb; Corp T. H. Milner, leg, slightly.
Co. D—Sergt J. M. Vincent, back, severely; 1st Sergt Alonzo
J. Pope, hip, slightly; Corp Richard S. Martin, forehead, slightly.
Co. E—Sergt. Thos. I. Graham, breast, severely; Sergt. David J.
Randall, leg, severely; Sergt. Thos H. Mounts, arm, slightly; Corp Andrew J.
Finch, arm.
Co. F—1st Sergt Mice (sic) McCallister, jaw, severely; Sergt
J. S. Zingenfuse, arm, slightly; Sergt Jacob Bodenhofler, slightly; Corp A. E.
Wood, neck, slightly; Corp Jonas Gauley, arm, severely.
Co. G—Corp Newel C. Keyes, arm, slightly.
Co. I—1st Sergt. Wm. S. Beatty, foot, slightly; Corp T.
Watkins, slightly; Corp Jas. Coates, hand, slightly.
Co. K—Corp Wm. E. Hawthorne, hand, severely; Corp J. M. Smiley, arm,
slightly.
Privates—Co. A—Wm. H. Buchan, shoulder, slightly; J. Billington,
shoulder, severely; J. W. Boyd, hand, severely; J. S. Hampton, hand bowels,
dangerously; J. M. Harper, foot, severely; S. T. Harman, arm and legs, severely;
J. M. Sargent, foot, severely; C. A. Myers, leg, slightly; W. A. Norris, thigh,
dangerously; J. E. Neal, foot, severely; A. B. Smith, arm, slightly; J. K.
Shaver, head, slightly; F. A. Varner, leg, severely; M. J. Umstead, back,
slightly; Wm. M. Hinkley, breast, slightly.
Co. B—Wm. Armurirout, both hands; Jos. Binkerd, leg; Augers French,
breast, slightly; Sylvester Hughes, head, slightly; Wm. Logsdon, hand slightly;
Silas Poling, side, slightly; Clay Rieman, leg slightly; C. M. Wolfe, leg,
severely; Wm. H. Wadkins, shoulder, severely; Wesley Young, side, slightly;
Beriah Battle, severely; J. F. Munger, arm, slightly.
Co. C—John Hall, leg, severely; J. P. Marten, neck, severely; Wm. M.
Alexander, thigh severely; John Stanley, shoulder, severely; J. O. Devott, arm,
severely; Baley Chaney, foot, severely; Lemuel Ford, leg, slightly; David B.
Smith, face, slightly, a. F. Edwards, hip, severely.
Co.
D—Isaac M. Botorpp, groin, mortally, Samuel W. Brunt, back, slightly; Lewis
Castor, foot, slightly; Norval F. Curtis; Wm. Dollton, abdomen, slightly;
Franklin F. Fleming, arm, slightly; Albert Frizler, hand slightly; Wm. Johnson,
arm slightly; Sam’l E. Johnson, neck, slightly; John W. Jacobs, leg, slightly;
Clark C. McIntosh, shoulder, slightly; Upton W. Minteer, arm, slightly; Herrick
Robinson, thigh, severely; Andrew Swanahan, arm, slightly.
Co. E—Jonathan Gallagher, hand; Geo. McKinstry, shoulder; David C.
Oliver, hand; Henry Price, hand; James A. Thompson, shoulder; James H. Work,
knee.
Co. F—Wm. Carlton, groin, dangerously; Christopher Agens, breast,
dangerously; M. M. Jackson, hip, severely; Ezra Coffee, side, slightly; Edwd.
Mace, leg, slightly; Dan’l Lumis, side, dangerously.
Co. G—Robt. Durand, hand; Jeremiah Dearth, head; Wm. Jackson, arm;
David Merchant, arm; Chas. Martin, foot; Oliver Schoonover, leg; Geo. W. Black,
arm; Silas Hanna, slightly.
Co. H—P. H. Mahoney, shoulder, severely; A. b. McKean, thigh severely;
N. M. Adams, neck and thigh, severely; J. M. Nettle, arm slightly; K. Cleaver,
thigh, slightly; Thos. Elder, foot, slightly; N. C. Foy, face, slightly.
Co. I—John McCall, thigh; Jas. Delong, arm; Sam’l Hartzler, hip;
Henry Nicholds, thigh; Simeon Poland, hip; Robt. R. Cox, shoulder; C. K. Barton,
head; Tillman H. Elrod, neck; John W. Farley, shoulder; Jonathan Ogden,
shoulder, John I. Thompson, arm; Freeman G. Chesley, leg; Robt. F. Kyle, breast;
Jas. W. Dickerson, hip; Jno W. Pierson, leg; I. V. Housel, face.
Co. K—Michael Kelly, thigh; Owen McCreath, shoulder; M. T. Snyder, hip;
James Beck, abdomen; Wm. Brown, thigh. (One name illegible.)
Recapitulation—Field officers 2, staff officers 1, company officers 6,
non-commissioned officers 27, privates, 106. Total 142.
Missing.
Co. B—Private Beriah Battles, wounded and missing.
Co. C—George Ragsdale, A. T. Edwards.
Co. D—Chas. H. McPeak.
Co. E—N. Camus, David B. Pillsbury, Nelson L. Post.
Co. F—C. L. Brockman.
Co. H—John H. Jarvis.
Total—Killed 24, wounded 142, missing 9—175.
Respectfully,
&c. M. M. Crocker, Col. Commanding 13th Regt. Iowa Inf.
Comments or suggestions to: Site
Coordinator
![]()
Copyright © 2002 IAGenWeb Project. All rights reserved.