MILITARY: Civil War History
SECOND REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
The Second Regiment of Iowa Cavalry was organized under the proclamation of
President Lincoln, dated July 23, 1861. The twelve companies composing the regiment
were ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood, between the dates July 20 and Sept. 4,
1861. Davenport was the designated rendezvous and there the different companies were
mustered into the service of the United States by Captain Alexander Chambers, United
States Army, on dates ranging from August 30 to September 28, 1861. The total number
of enlisted men and officer of the regiment at the date of muster in of the last company
was 1,001, but this number was considerably increased by additional enlistments before
the regiment left the State.
The regiment was fortunate in having for its first commander a graduate of West
Point, who, at the time he received his commission from Governor Kirkwood, was a
Major in the Third Regiment of United States Cavalry, with a record of fifteen years of
honorable service in the Regular Army. While he was a strict disciplinarian, he was also
just and fair in the enforcement of discipline and in his retirement of the officers and men
under his command, and thus secured their confidence and respect. He was a superior
military instructor, and his regiment rapidly acquired the rudiments of a military education
so necessary for the work which was before them, and the practical experience which soon
followed—under the command of this thoroughly trained officer—was of more value than
a longer period of drill and instruction in camp would have been. The other field officers
were very capable men and soon demonstrated their fitness for the discharge of their
respective duties. They were without military training and experience, but possessed of
superior intelligence, and soon became proficient in the knowledge of tactics and the
handling of men in action. This was particularly true of Lieutenant Colonel Edward
Hatch, who was possessed of the true military spirit in such large degree that he was from
the first conspicuous for his superior ability, and was held in the highest esteem by
Colonel Elliott and by all the officers and men of the regiment.
On the 7th of December, 1861, the regiment left Davenport and was conveyed by
transports to St. Louis, where it went into quarters at Benton Barracks. During the time it
remained there Colonel Elliott exerted himself to the utmost in imparting such instruction
as would secure for the regiment as much knowledge of the theory and art of war as it was
possible to obtain before it would be called upon to take the field. While at Benton
Barracks the regiment suffered greatly from sickness and there were a great many deaths.
There was probably no period in its subsequent history when disease made such sad havoc
in its ranks in so short a time. The men had not yet become used to the great change in
conditions of living; had not yet learned how to properly prepare their food; and, above
all, the sanitary conditions of the barracks were bad, the ventilation was poor and their
quarters were overcrowded. It was therefore a welcome change when the order came for
the regiment to take the field.
On the 17th of February, 1862, the regiment, with its horses and camp equipage,
embarked on transports' and was conveyed to Bird's Point, Mo. Shortly after its arrival
there, Major Love, with four companies of the regiment, started in pursuit of a band of
rebels supposed to be encamped near Charleston, Mo., but did not succeed in finding
them. On February 28th the remainder of the regiment, under command of Colonel Elliott.
Proceeded to Charleston where it was joined by the detachment under Major Love and the
entire command then went in pursuit of the rebel forces under Colonel Jeff Thompson, but
did not succeed in overtaking them, they having separated into small parties and dispersed
upon the approach of Colonel Elliott's command. The capture of a few rebels was the
total result of this first short expedition into the enemy's territory, but, as the weather and
roads were bad and Colonel Elliott had yet to learn the methods adopted by the elusive
enemy, (who had the advantage of a thorough knowledge of the country.) this initial
movement served to enlighten the officers and men and gave them an experience by which
they were benefited in their next expedition, which was productive of excellent results.
The compiler here avails himself of the information contained in the official record and
report of the subsequent operations of the regiment in the campaign which followed:
On February 27th began our active pursuit of Jeff Thompson's army towards
New Madrid, driving in his scouts and bodies of cavalry, over a country almost
impassable, fording, sometimes swimming, swamps scarcely penetrable, in snow and rain,
capturing prisoners and horses. This duty occupied the regiment until March 12th, when
we rejoined Pope's army at New Madrid in time to participate in the attack and
bombardment of that place; after it was reduced, from March 12th to April 6th, occupied
continually guarding teams, scouting and picket duty.. April 7th, crossed the Mississippi,
our advance under Lieutenant Gustavus Schnitger, being the first troops in Island No. 10,
capturing 200 prisoners. We pursued the retreating enemy toward Tiptonville. We were
then ordered back to Camp New Madrid, being absent five days.
On the 12th of April, 1862, the regiment, with the Army of the Mississippi,
commanded by General Pope, embarked on transports at New Madrid and moved down
the river toward Fort Pillow, but, by order of General Halleck, the objective point of the
expedition was changed, and the fleet of transports proceeded to the mouth of the
Tennessee and thence up that river to Hamburg, where, they landed and the troops
disembarked. Here the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Cavalry Division,
Army of the Mississippi, and, with that organization, at once entered upon an active and
aggressive campaign. Colonel Elliott was placed in command of the brigade, and
Lieutenant Colonel Hatch was left in command of the regiment. The following extracts
are made from the official reports of Lieutenant Colonel Hatch, and embrace the principal
operation of the regiment to the close of the month of August, 1862.
IV. April 29th, we attacked and burned the enemy's camp (97wall tents) at
Monterey, Miss., thoroughly routing them; lost one man killed and three wounded.
We took eleven prisoners.
V. May 3d, received at nine o'clock in the morning an order from Colonel
Elliott, commanding the Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, to proceed with the
entire regiment immediately to the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, between Burnsville
and Glendale, and there to destroy a trestle work and otherwise to render useless. For the
time being, the railroad at that point.
Without quoting the details of the movements of the regiment which led up to the
perfect and complete execution of this order and the capture of several prisoners, besides
a number of mules and wagons, without, any casualties to his command, suffice it to say
that Lieutenant Colonel Hatch returned with his regiment to its camp at 8 o'clock in the
evening of the day he received the order. The promptness and skill with which the order
was executed served to increase the confidence of the regiment in its commander: the
officers and men, having faith in his good judgment and bravery, were ready to follow
him in any dangerous undertaking and to yield implicit obedience to his orders. That this
confidence was fully justified was demonstrated only a few day later, as the following
extracts from his official report will show:
VI. May 8th—Skirmish with the enemy near Farmington, lost two men
killed and six wounded. Lieutenant Washburn cut his way through the enemy after being
captured, losing his horse by many balls.
VII. May 9th—Complying with an order of Colonel Elliott, commanding
Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, to report with Second Regiment Iowa Cavalry to
General Granger, I did so. Receiving instructions from General Pope to report to General
commanding the advance at Farmington, reported at twelve o'clock to General Palmer,
who ordered me to throw out two companies on left of the main Farmington road, and
hold the balance of the regiment in reserve under the hill, where the crossing of the swamp
approaches Farmington. Our infantry who had held the field above us being driven to the
brow of the hill, General Paine ordered the regiment to charge the enemy's batteries.
Moving column to top of hill, I ordered Major Coon, with companies H, G, C and part of
A, of the Second Battalion, and Major Love's Third Battalion, to charge the battery on our
left in echelons of squadrons. Deploying the columns to the right and left, when we had
passed our infantry lines, we attacked the skirmishers and supports of the enemy, driving
them in and killed and wounded some. The battery on our left near the Farmington road,
on account of the ground being impracticable, the battery and supports protected by a
fence; the fire from this was very severe, and though our men could not reach the guns,
the enemy's gunners, evidently alarmed at the charge, ceased working their guns. Major
Coon's Battalion, led by him, gallantly attacked the battery near the building known as the
cotton mill (the center battery). Lieutenant Reily, commanding Company F, of Third
Battalion, attacked and carried two guns in battery on our extreme right. The center
battery was fairly carried, the gunners driven from their guns, the, the enemy limbering up
his guns without taking them off the field. Finding our horses badly blown, from a long
charge over rough ground, and the infantry of the enemy in great force, I, under a heavy
fire, ordered all companies on my right to retreat to the right and rear, forming on the
swamp road, and those on my left to join the regiment in this road. I ordered Major
Hepburn to move to the rear, retaining Major Coon with two companies to pick up the
wounded and scattered. My orders were carried out better than I could have expected.
My Chief Bugler's bugle was rendered useless in the charge; four of my orderlies having
had their horses killed, and two being shot out of the saddle when transmitting orders.
The conduct of officers and men was in every way commendable. Captains Lundy,
Egbert, and Lieutenant Owen, wounded near the enemy's guns, Lieutenants Horton,
Moore and Schnitger all had horses killed under them. Captain D. J. Crocker and
Lieutenant Moore of Company K, Captain McConnell and Lieutenant Foster of Company
L, all of the First Battalion, led in the finest manner by Mahor Hepburn, rode through the
hottest fire and were rallied by Major Hepburn on the right when retiring, in fine style,
and formed in good order in the rear of the swamp to await orders. Major Coon, Captain
H. Egbert, Captain William Lundy, Lieutenant Owen and Lieutenant Horton of the L
Battalion, led the charge on the right in the finest matter, riding boldly in advance of their
commands, and in advance of the entire regiment. The daring of Lieutenant Queal,
commanding Company B. was conspicuous, cheering his men to the very muzzles of the
enemy's guns. Captain Bishop of Company I, and Captain Graves of Company D, obeyed
my orders promptly under heavy fire. Lieutenant Schnitger, Acting Regimental Adjutant,
and Lieutenant Metcalf, Battalion Adjutant, did their duties to my entire satisfaction.
Before and at time of charge, Captain Freeman and Lieutenant Eystra, with detachments
of companies A, G and H, as skirmishers dismounted, did excellent service in the swamps
on our left, holding the enemy's skirmishers in check. There were about 400 men in the
charge. Our loss will scarcely exceed fifty killed and wounded, fifty horses killed and
fifty rendered unserviceable from wounds.
The report of Lieutenant Colonel Hatch(from which the preceding quotations were
made) describes with great particularity of detail the operations of the regiment during the
remainder of the campaign. Limitation of space will preclude further extended quotations
from the report covering this period of the service of the regiment. The compiler will,
however endeavor to cover in a condensed form the most important events (as shown by
the report) which occurred, from the day following the charge at Farmington up to and
including August 27, 1862, upon which date the summer campaign may be said to have
ended and the fall campaign begun.
On May 13th a portion of the regiment had a skirmish near Farmington, driving the
enemy;s skirmishers within their lines. On May 26th, detachments from the Second Iowa
and Second Michigan Cavalry, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Hatch, left camp
near Farmington in the evening, under orders to locate and attack a force of the enemy
supposed to be encamped near Burnsville, or Jacinto, Miss., encountered the enemy's
pickets near the latter place in considerable force, but the main body had made good their
retreat, and, in obedience to his orders, Lieutenant Colonel Hatch abandoned the pursuit
and returned to camp the next morning, having marched thirty-five miles during the night,
a part of the way through swamps and over difficult roads. On the 28th, the Second Iowa
and Second Michigan Cavalry, under command of Colonel Elliott, (the Second Iowa
under command of Lieutenant Colonel Hatch,) left camp at Farmington and marched
rapidly by a circuitous route, for the purpose of deceiving the enemy as to the object of the
expedition, and, on the morning of May 30th, appeared before the town of Booneville, the
force of the enemy which had been left to guard the town falling back before him with but
slight resistance. The capture of Booneville was followed by very important results, as
the following statement of Lieutenant Colonel Hatch will show: "I found standing on the
track an engine disabled, 26 cars loaded with 10,000 stand of arms, 1,000 small and side
arms, 800,000 rounds of ball cartridge, 100,000 rounds of fixed ammunition for six and
eight pound guns, three mounted field pieces, one car of horse equipments and team
harness, haversacks, cross belts, cartridge boxes, canteens and knapsacks for 10,000 men;
and a large amount of stores. The railroad depot was filled with commissary stores, 3,000
stands of arms, shells of a large size, medical stores and 300 kegs and barrels of powder
marked "Alabama Powder Company.'"
Upon entering the town the telegraph wire was cut, thus preventing speedy
communication to the enemy
And the arrival of a sufficient force to save the immense quantity of supplies which had
fallen into the hands of the regiments. The train and buildings were at once set on fire and
everything destroyed, thus inflicting great damage to the rebel army which had just
evacuated its stronghold at Corinth and was in full retreat southward. Shortly after this
brilliant exploit, in recognition of his valuable service as a brigade commander, Colonel
Elliott was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assigned to the position of
Chief of Staff to Major General Rosecrans, and Lieutenant Hatch was promoted to
Colonel of the regiment. The only casualties in the regiment during the expedition to and
capture of Booneville were one man killed, two wounded and four captured by the enemy
while scouting. On May 10th, Captain Kendrick, while on a scout with a detachment of
the regiment, had an encounter with the enemy, in which he lost one man killed and two
wounded, and captured fifty prisoners.
On the 4th of June the regiment and brigade, while in pursuit of the retreating rebel
army, had a brisk engagement with the rear guard of the enemy, in which the regiment lost
tow men killed, eight wounded and two missing. A prisoner, captured in this engagement,
reported the loss of the enemy to have been thirty men, killed and wounded. During the
greater part of the month of June the regiment was almost constantly engaged in watching
the movements of the enemy in advance of the army, had several skirmishes and captured
a number of prisoners. On June 24th, it moved forward, taking the extreme advance of the
army, the Second Iowa being encamped nearest the enemy, one-half mile in advance of
the brigade.
On the morning of July 1, 1862, the enemy was discovered in strong force
approaching the ramp of the Second Iowa, whose pickets reported the number of rebels in
sight as greatly superior to the combined strength of the regiment and that of the Second
Michigan, and those two regiments, constituting as they did the outpost of the Union
army, would have been justified in retreating until they could have been within supporting
distance of the infantry. But the officer who had succeeded General Elliott is command of
this small cavalry brigade saw his opportunity for a strategic movement that would enable
him to overcome the superior force to which he was opposed. The entire strength of his
command was far less than the maximum number of a single regiment of cavalry, (less
than 600 men,) but, from this small force he boldly detached four companies, two from
each regiment, with orders to move rapidly and gain the rear of the approaching force of
the enemy. He then posted his remaining force in a strong position and awaited the attack
of the enemy, whose force in a strong position and awaited the attack of the enemy, whose
force was estimated to be not less than 4,000. The two cavalry regiments were splendidly
armed and mounted, had absolute confidence in their leaders, and the result proved the
confidence was not misplaced. Without attempting to give the details of the fighting
which ensued suffice it to say that the attack of the rebels was met by such a heavy fire
that they fell back in disorder and were met by a charge of the detachment which had been
sent to attack them in rear, which resulted in their being driven from the field, but left 17
killed and 12 wounded, among them two officers, and in addition, 13 men captured. The
total loss of the enemy was estimated at over 100, while that of Colonel Sheridan's
Brigade was but 47 killed, wounded and missing, divided about equally between the
Second Iowa and Second Michigan Cavalry. Considering the disparity in numbers, this
was one of the most notable achievements of cavalry troops that occurred up to that time,
or, as a matter of fact, that occurred at any time during the war. The General commanding
promptly issued a highly commendatory order from which the following extract is taken:
GENERAL ORDERS
No. 81.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY of the MISSISSIPPI, July 2, 1862.
The General commanding announces to this army that on the 1st instant Colonel P.
H. Sheridan, Second Michigan Cavalry, with eleven companies of the Second Michigan
and eleven companies of the Second Iowa Cavlary, was attacked near Booneville by eight
regiments of rebel cavalry under Chalmers, and after an eight hours' fight defeated and
drove them back, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. The coolness,
determination and fearless gallantry displayed by Colonel Sheridan and the officers and
men of his command, in this section, deserve the thanks and admiration of the army……
By order of General Rosecrans, United States Army.
W. L. ELLIOTT,
Brigadier General and Chief of Staff.
This order was promulgated to the cavalry division commanded by General Gordon
Granger, and ordered to be read at the head of each company in his command, together
with an order of his own, from the concluding part of which the following extract is taken:
A soldier's dearest need is his consciousness that his duties to his
country have been well and worthily performed, and next to this is the reflection that his
conduct is rightfully appreciated by his country and his superiors in command more nobly
earned or better deserved than by the soldiers of this division, and no greener laurels have
been won in this great struggle by the hardy some of the West than those of the Cavalry
Division of the Army of the Mississippi.
In his dispatch to General Rosecrans—written on the field—Colonel Sheridan said:
I was attacked this morning by from eight to ten regiments of cavalry, under
command of General Chalmers, and have driven them back. They attacked my advanced
guard about two miles southwest of Booneville, on the Blackland road. I immediately
supported it by one battalion of my own regiment, and then sent additional supports. I
then directed Captain Alger, with two companies of the Second Iowa and two companies
of my own regiment, to charge them in the rear—this was handsomely done—and at the
same time Major Coon of the Second Iowa, with his battalion, to make a dash in front and
on their left. This haltered the enemy very much and enabled me to hold them during the
whole day. About 3:30 P.M. they commenced retreating. I regret that I am not able to
follow them up. I sent for Mizner's Cavalry to Rienzi; also for artillery support from
General Asboth. They have not arrived. I have just written to General Asboth that I will
not need infantry support. You had better be the judge. The enemy will not again attack
me today, and probably have retreated finally. My command behaved handsomely. I
regret the loss of some officers and men; I do not as yet know how many. The enemy
have been badly injured. This force came from Tupelo and Saltillo. I learn this, as well as
their strength, from prisoners taken.
In this official report, written the next day, Colonel Sheridan describes in detail the
different movements of his command and those of the enemy during the engagement. He
makes special mention of the gallantry and good conduct of Colonel Hatch, Majors Coon
and Hepburn and Captains Gilbert and Queal of the Second Iowa. He also highly
commends a number of officers of his own regiment, the Second Michigan; and gives
equal credit to both organizations for the brave and gallant manner in which they obeyed
his orders and won a glorious victory where defeat seemed inevitable. In his official
report, Colonel Hatch, in addition to the names of officers mentioned by Colonel
Sheridan, includes those of Captain Graves and Lieutenants Foster and Wright. The
compiler has devoted a somewhat larger amount of space to this engagement than to those
which preceded it, or than he will be able to devote to most of those which follow. He
considers himself justified in doing so because of the fact that it marked an important
epoch, not only in the history of the regiment but of the war. It was the formative period
in the development of the military genius of the three officers who occupied the most
conspicuous position and who, at the close of the great War of the Rebellion, and won the
great distinction,--Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, that great triumvirate of American
military chieftains, who were not inspired or actuated by the motives of self
aggrandizement that governed that other great triumvirate in the days of ancient Rome, but
were animated by one common patriotic purpose and that alone—the salvation of the
Republic.
Following closely upon the battle of Booneville came the promotion of Colonel
Sheridan to the rank of Brigadier General and his transfer to a larger command in the
Army of the Ohio. On the 9th of July the camp of the Second Iowa was moved to Rienzi,
Miss. There the regiment remained in comparative quiet until the 26th of August, on
which date a considerable force of rebel cavalry made a sudden dash upon the pickets of
the regiment and captured six of them. Colonel Hatch immediately went in pursuit of the
enemy, following them for twenty miles, and twice brought them to a brief stand, in-
flicting heavy damage upon them, taking eight prisoners and a quantity of arms and
ammunition, which the enemy abandoned after making their last stand. The loss of the
Second Iowa consisted of the six prisoners taken on the picket line, besides six others
wounded in the subsequent engagements and a number of horses killed and disabled. The
pursuit was abandoned late in the evening, the men and horses becoming exhausted on
account of excessive heat. Lieutenant Colonel Hatch calls particular attention to the
operation of a detachment under the command of First Lieutenant Anton Scherer, of
Company E, which pursued a portion of the enemy on the Ripley road for nine miles,
keeping up a running fire and sometimes charging with the saber. Lieutenant Scherer only
abandoned the pursuit upon being recalled by Colonel Hatch at dark.
On the 5th of September, 1862, the regiment broke camp at Riensi and, from that
date, was engaged in the campaign which ensued and lasted until the end of the year. The
operations of the regiment in this campaign were so numerous that they cannot be here
described on account of limitation of space. Suffice it to say that the duties performed
were arduous in the extreme. The officers and men were almost constantly in the saddle
during the day and often far into the night, operating upon the flanks and in advance of the
army, coming frequently into contact with small parties of the enemy, giving and
receiving hard blows now an then killing, wounding and capturing a few of the enemy
here and there, and suffering like reverses in their turn, in the hard-fought battles of Iuka
and Corinth the regiment performed important service but did not become closely
engaged. They were always ready however, to execute any orders they received, and the
General commanding was kept advised of the movements of the enemy everywhere upon
the field by the quickly moving detachment of cavalry, while upon the infantry and
artillery devolved the heavy, continuous fighting which determined the fortune of battle in
favor of the one and against the other of the contending armies. The great battle of
Corinth, on the 3d and 4th days of October, and that which followed a day or two later on
the Hatchie River, closed the fall campaign.
Another great campaign was now undertaken by General Grant, which had for its
objective point the rebel stronghold at Vicksburg, Miss. The preliminary movements of
this campaign, was well as most of the fighting during its progress, devolved upon the
cavalry, and in these movements and conflicts the Second Iowa bore a conspicuous part.
At this time Colonel Hatch was in command of the brigade to which his regiment was
attached, and Lieutenant Colonel Hepburn was serving upon the staff of General
Rosecrans, the command of the regiment devolving upon Major Datus E. Coon, an officer
in every way well qualified and worthy of the honor thus bestowed. The regiment
advanced from Corinth on November 2, 1862, and joined the cavalry division at Grand
Junction on the 4th. On November 12, the army began its march southward, the cavalry
brigade, commanded by Colonel Hatch, taking the advance, the scouts keeping well out in
front and on the flanks. The enemy's cavalry was alert and watchful and skirmishing
occurred frequently. On several occasions the enemy was encountered in force and the
loses on both sides were quite heavy. The most notable of these encounters were at Water
Valley and Coffeeville. In the former of these Colonel Hatch was entirely successful,
defeating the enemy, killing and wounding many and capturing 150, besides a large
number of horses and mules. At Coffeeville, however, the rebel General Van Dorn made
a determined stand with a large force of infantry, artillery and cavalry, and, after a short
but hard-fought engagement, the Union cavalry found themselves too greatly out-
numbered and were compelled to retreat. The loss of the Second Iowa in this encounter
was 22 men, killed and wounded. In his official report of the operations of his brigade on
the Mississippi Central Expedition, Colonel Hatch gives the full details of each movement
and engagement. His description of the desperate situation in which the Second Iowa
Cavalry was placed, at the junction of the Water Valley and Panola roads, and the
splendid manner in which they fought to extricate themselves, the conspicuous gallantry
of the four rifle companies, who were surrounded but refused to surrender and fought their
way through the ranks of the enemy and had five out of seven officers wounded, is of
special interest. In closing his report he says: "Of the officers and soldiers of my
command I cannot speak too highly, especially of the officers and soldiers of the Second
Iowa Cavalry, who, when the enemy was advancing upon them from the front and into the
advancing columns." The Colonel makes special mention of the gallantry of Majors Coon
and Kendrick and Lieutenant Belden. Van Dorn now concentrated all his available
cavalry and executed a bold and brilliant movement. Passing entirely around General
Grant's army, he suddenly appeared before Holly Springs, where an immense quantity of
supplies and military stores had been accumulated, guarded by a force of infantry, cavalry
and artillery, deemed amply sufficient for defense against any ordinary force of the enemy
that might have been reasonably supposed to be available to be brought against them.
Even with the superior force with which Van Dorn made the attack, the forces guarding
the place might have held out until they could have been reinforced, but for the
incompetency of the officer to command, who was subsequently dismissed from the
service for having surrendered himself and the greater portion of his command, after
making but a feeble resistance. The following extract from General Grant's order of the
unfaithful officer shows his appreciation of the gallant conduct of the officers and men
who refused to surrender and cut their way out through the enemy's lines:
It is gratifying to notice, in contrast with this, the conduct of a portion of the
command; conspicuous among whom was the Second Illinois Cavalry, who gallantly and
successfully resisted being taken prisoners. Their loss was heavy, but the enemy's was
much greater. Such conduct as theirs will always insure success. Had the commandant of
the post exercised the usual and ordinary precautions for defense, the garrison was
sufficiently strong to have repulsed the enemy, saved our stores from destruction and
themselves from capture.
The destruction of his supplies compelled General Grant to abandon the expedition,
which, up to that time, had promised such satisfactory results, and to at once again a
retreat towards his main base of supplies at Memphis. This retreat was fraught with great
suffering, the men and animals being reduced almost to the point of starvation before the
wagon trains, sent from Memphis and La Grange, under heavy escort, could reach them
with the much needed supplies. The compiler has a vivid personal recollection of the
pangs of hunger which he and his comrades endured on that dreadful march.
The regiment with its brigade and division had accomplished much, up to the time
the campaign was brought to such an abrupt termination. In their many encounters they
had inflicted heavy damage upon the enemy, not only in killed and wounded, but had
captured many prisoners, horses and mules, besides destroying much property of great
value to the enemy. When the retrograde march began, they constituted the rear guard of
the army, which was again the post of honor, involving the same constant vigilance and
arduous service which was required in leading the advance. In addition to the duty of
guarding the rear of the army against the near approach of the enemy, the cavalry division
performed another very important service—that of rendering the railroad useless to the
enemy after they had regained possession, of it. At length, on the 28th of December, the
regiment reached La Grange, Tenn., where it went into camp and enjoyed a season of
comparative rest for the remainder of the winter. Detachments were occasionally sent out
in pursuit of roving bands of the enemy, and for the purpose of guarding forage trains, but,
beyond a few encounters with the enemy by these detachments, the regiment was not
called upon for any movement in which all its officers and men were to participate until
the commencement of active operations by the entire army in the early spring of 1863.
On the 10th of March, 1863, Colonel Hatch, with his regiment, left camp at La
Grange, and by a rapid march proceeded to Waterford, Miss., and, in obedience to orders,
burned the railroad bridge which spanned the Tallahatchie River near that point, and also
destroyed a quantity of supplies for the rebel army which he found there. He then y a
skillful movement avoided, coming into contact with a superior force which had been sent
against him, and returned to his camp at La Grange, the men and officers of the regiment
having been almost constantly in the saddle for three days and two nights. The regiment
either as a whole or in detachments, was actively engaged during the remainder of March
and the first, half of April in active operations against the enemy, preventing concentration
of the rebel forces, and, in the various minor engagements which ensued, capturing a
considerable number of prisoners, horses and other property; but, while inflicting these
damages upon the rebels, the regiment sustained—only in less degree-the inevitable
casualties which such operations involved.
On the 17th of April, 1863, the Second Iowa Cavalry, then comprising a part of the
cavalry brigade under the command of the interpid Colonel Grierson, again left its camp at
La Grange and started upon what proved to be one of the most, remarkable cavalry
expeditions of the war. On the second day out, in obedience to orders from Colonel
Grierson, Colonel Hatch led the Second Iowa against a force of the enemy which
threatened to delay the advance of the main column. In his official report of the
engagement which ensued, Colonel Hatch clearly demonstrates the fact that, by his thus
having distracted the attention of the enemy and held it for thirty-six hours, he enabled
Colonel Grierson to get so far beyond the main force of rebels that he could not be
overtaken, thus enabling that gallant officer to make a complete success of his expedition.
The enemy had mistaken the Second Iowa Cavalry, under Colonel Hatch, for the main
force, and the skill with which that delusion was effected, together with the tremendous
risk and hazard to which his relatively small command was exposed, is graphically
described in the official report of Colonel Hatch, in which he gives the details of his
encounter with the superior force of the enemy at the town of Palo Alto. In this desperate
encounter one company of the Second Cavalry was separated from the regiment, but
although completely surrounded, refused to surrender and was subsequently released from
its perilous situation by an impetuous charge, led by Colonel Hatch, in which the ranks of
the enemy were broken. After making that gallant charge and rescuing the company, the
regiment slowly retreated, fighting by the rear, the enemy constantly following, until, four
days later, the pursuit was abandoned and the regiment joined the other Union troops at its
old camp near La Grange. The losses of the enemy greatly exceeded those sustained by
the regiment on the retreat, Colonel Hatch having availed himself of every advantage of
position to keep his men as well covered as possible, and, fighting always of position to
keep his men as well covered as possible, and, fighting always on the defensive, with
repeating arms, was able to over come the disparity of numbers. The regiment had,
however, expended nearly all its ammunition at the time the enemy drew off from the
pursuit. The General commanding accorded to Colonel Hatch and his regiment the credit
of having made possible the success of Colonel Grierson's great cavalry raid, which
terminated at Baton Rouge on May 2d, with such important results. The conclusion of his
official report, written before it was known that Colonel Grierson had safely reached his
destination, plainly indicates that Colonel Hatch fully appreciated the importance of
having diverted the attention of the enemy from the main object of the expedition. He
says: "The fight at Palo Alto, diverting the enemy from Colonel Grierson, has
undoubtedly given him thirty-six hours start."
The compiler is admonished that more than half the space he can devote to this
historical sketch has already been exhausted, he will, therefore, be compelled to condense
even more closely the account of the location of the regiment for the remainder of its
period of service. Reference to official reports for details must, therefore, be more
frequently made than in the preceding pages.
Soon after his return to La Grange, Colonel Hatch was placed in command of a
brigade, and the command of the regiment again devolved upon Major Coon. This
command marched southward to Okolona without meeting with much opposition, the
object of the expedition being mainly the capture of horses and mules for the use of the
cavalry and the transportation trains of the army. In this it was very successful, returning
on the 5th of May with over 300 animals and, a few days later, making a raid extending
eighty miles in another direction, with similar results. On the latter expedition the brigade
encountered a rebel force under its old antagonist, General Chalmers, who after a brief
engagement, was defeated with a much greater loss than that sustained by the brigade.
From about the middle of My until the 23d, of August, 1863, the headquarters of the
regiment and brigade were at La Grange, but during that time the regiment, either as a
whole or by detachments, engaged in a number of important operations, which may be
summarized as follows: The raid southwest from La Grange to Panola, a distance of one
hundred miles, which was made for the purpose of retaliation for the firing upon and
destruction of federal transports on the Mississippi river and the killing, in at least one
instance, of women and children. The reprisals were heavy. In the vicinity where the
depredations had been committed, much property was destroyed, and 1,000 horses and
mules were captured and brought back to the camp at La Grange. The next expedition
was directed against the cavalry command of the rebel General Forrest, which at that time
occupied the town of Jackson, Tenn. Colonel Hatch marched with his brigade against this
force on the 12th of July. In the engagement which ensued the Second Iowa was
conspicuous for its gallantry, under its capable leader, Major Coon. Among the casualties
in this engagement was Lieutenant John K. Humphrey of the Second Iowa, severely
wounded. In his official report of this engagement Colonel Hatch gives the loss of the
enemy as follows: 4 Captains, 3 Lieutenants and 31 men killed, and not less than 150
wounded, while the total loss in his own command was but 16. The superior quality of the
arms of his men, and the fact that the heavy loss upon the enemy was inflicted while they
were in full retreat, accounts for the great disparity in the casualties. On the 13th of
August, Major coon, with two hundred men of the Second Iowa Cavalry and detachments
from other regiments of the brigade, making in all a force of five hundred men well
mounted and equipped, started from La Grange under orders from Colonel Hatch to
proceed south to Grenada, Miss., and destroy a large amount of railroad rolling stock and
other property which the rebel government had accumulated at that point for the use its
army. The object of the expedition was successfully accomplished. The property
destroyed consisted of two large depots, sixty locomotives, five hundred cars, machine
shops and flouring mills, and a large number of army wagons. This was a serious loss to
the rebel army and went far toward counteracting the effect of the rebel General Van
Dorn's raid upon Holly Springs and his destruction of the supplies for the Union army at
that place. May Coon returned with his detachment to La Grange August 23d, after an
absence of eleven days.
The regiment with its brigade now marched to the city of Memphis, where it went
into camp August 27, 1863, remaining there until November 1st, on which date under
command of Lieutenant Colonel Hepburn, it marched to Collierville to reinforce the
troops at that place. The rebel General Chalmers was then approaching Collierville with a
large force, and the regiment was just in time to aid in repelling his attack. After a hard-
fought engagement the enemy was driven from the field. They succeeded in carrying off
most of their wounded, but left their dead, forty-one in number, and fifty captured, among
whom were one Brigadier General and eight others who were commissioned officers. The
loss of the Union side in this engagement was thirty-seven. Among the wounded was
Captain Charles C Horton, of the Second Iowa Cavalry. Upon its return from the pursuit
of the enemy the regiment went into camp at Collierville, remaining there until November
26, 1863, on which date it marched to Covington, in West Tennessee, and, upon arriving
there, went into camp. From this point scouting parties were sent out to watch the
movements of a large force of the enemy under the command of the noted rebel General
S. D. Lee, which was reported to be advancing from Oxford. On the 1st of December
Colonel Hatch moved from Covington with his brigade and, marching rapidly, reached
Moscow, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, just in time to reinforce the small
garrison at that place to repulse the enemy under General Lee, after a hard-fought
engagement, in which Colonel Hatch was very severely wounded, the ball passing through
his right lung and entirely through his body. He refused to leave the field, however, and
continued to direct the movements of his troops until the enemy had been defeated, and
were in full retreat, leaving sixty of their number dead upon the field, but succeeding in
removing their wounded. The loss in Colonel Hatch's command was eight-one—killed,
wounded and missing. The regiment now returned to its former camp at Collierville.
On December 22, 1863, the regiment, with Captain Graves in command, (Major
Coon having succeeded Colonel Hatch is command of the brigade,) left its camp and, with
all the cavalry which could be hastily concentrated for that purpose went in pursuit of the
noted rebel General Forrest, who with about 2,000 men, had again boldly invaded
Tennessee and was engaged in enforcing a merciless conscription of troops for the rebel
army. Notwithstanding the activity of the pursuit, the daring rebel leader succeeded in
safely out of the State with a very large number of unarmed conscripts, who were
subsequently armed and assigned to the depleted ranks of regiments in the rebel army.
Returning from the pursuit of Forrest, the regiment reached its encampment at Collierville
December 31, 1862.
On January 2, 1864, the regiment left its camp at Collierville and started for
Memphis, where it arrived on the 4th and went into camp. The men suffered greatly at this
time, both upon the march and in camp, the weather being extremely cold for that latitude.
A large number of recruits joined the regiment and were mustered into the service at
Memphis, making its aggregate strength greater than it had been at any time since the fall
of 1862. During the remainder of the month the recruits were drilled and instructed in the
duties of the cavalry soldier and became quite proficient before the regiment again took
the field, but they had yet to learn their most important lessons and the stern realities of
the soldier's life in time of war. The officers and men of the regiment felt a just pride in
the splendid record of their gallant Colonel, who was now separated from them on account
of his severe wound. They also entertained the highest regard for General Grierson, who
had demonstrated his great ability as a cavalry leader. The warmest feeling of personal
friendship existed between these two officers. It was through the strong personal
endorsement of General Grierson that the too long delayed promotion of Colonel Hatch
was finally secured, and it is deemed proper and fitting to here insert the evidence of
appreciation shown by the General in his letter to the Secretary of War.
HEADQUARTER CAVALRY DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
MEMPHIS, TENN., Jan. 14, 1864.
HON. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War,
Sir: Permit me most respectfully and earnestly to recommend to your consideration
Colonel Edward Hatch, of the Second Iowa Cavalry, for promotion to Brigadier General.
He has been under any command for the part twelve months, and for the last eight months
has commanded a brigade of cavalry. He has proved himself to be an efficient and skillful
officer, and has rendered invaluable services to the country. I consider his promotion not
only due to himself but to the best interest of the service. He is now slowly recovering
from a wound through his lungs, received in a recent engagement at Moscow, Tenn.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant.
B. H, GRIERSON, Brigadier General
Commanding Cavalry Division,
Sixteenth Army Corps.
On the 5th of February, 1864, the regiment again broke camp and marched to
Germantown, where a large force of cavalry, under command of Generals W. S. Smith
and B. H. Grierson had been concentrated for the purpose of co-operating with General
William T. Sheridan, who had then just started from Vicksburg on his famous Meridian
Expedition. This cavalry force was under orders to join Sherman at Meridian. The rebel
General Forrest had again succeeded in getting together a large force of cavalry and by a
series of skillful manuevers and well-planned attacks, managed to delay the advance of the
Union cavalry until General Sherman—who had waited for some time at Meridian for this
cavalry force to join him—had started and was well on his way toward Vicksburg. This
enabled Forrest to receive reinforcements from the rebel cavalry, which had ineffectually
opposed Sherman's advance, and it at once became necessary for smith and Grierson to
retreat to Germantown or Memphis. The movements and engagements of this cavalry
division, both upon the advance and retreat, are well described in the "History of the
Second Iowa Cavalry," published soon after the close of the war, when all the events, so
graphically narrated, were fresh in the mind of the writer, and which are found to be in
substantial accord with the official reports."
After giving an account of the advance movement and the engagement in which the
Second Iowa was most conspicuous, and in which Lieutenant H. C. Dwire was killed, and
Major Coon, Captains Graves, Queal and Horton and Lieutenant Bandy displayed great
gallantry in directing the charge against the enemy, (the engagement ending with the
defeat of the rebels and the capture of West Point,) he proceeds to describe the retrograde
movement. At the beginning of the retreat, Major Coon was directed to take the Second
Iowa and a battalion of the Sixth Illinois and hold the enemy in check until the large
transportation train could get safely under way. The rebel General Forrest made a
desperate attack upon this rear guard for the purpose of capturing the train. Instead of
falling back before this force, Major Coon requested the brigade commander, Lieutenant
Colonel Hepburn, of his own regiment, to allow him to make a standing fight and to send
him reinforcements. Hepburn's reply to this appeal was that the orders of General Smith
must be obeyed, and the retreat continued. There was nothing left but for the rear guard to
continue to slowly retire, protecting both its front and flanks, as best it could, against the
persistent attacks of the enemy. The battalions, under the command of Captains Queal
and Horton, dismounted and fought under the command of Captains Queal and Horton,
dismounted and fought from behind trees with their Colt's revolving rifles, which inflicted
very heavy damage upon the enemy. Finally the commanding General, realizing the
desperate situation in which his rear guard was placed, sent back a brigade to their
support. While these fresh troops at once engaged the enemy at the support. While these
troops at once engaged the enemy at the front, Major Coon's command was temporarily
held in reserve, but still constituted a portion of the rear guard. The Second Iowa had left
fifty of its brave men upon the field, the heaviest loss it had ever sustained in any
engagement up to that time. The fight did not terminate until 10 o'clock P.M., and the
retreat continued until 2 o'clock A.M., when the troops were allowed a brief rest, the
retreat being resumed at daylight. General Smith, being very ill, now relinguished the
command to General Grierson, and that officer, by the exercise of great skill and energy,
conducted the retreat to Germantown. The day he assumed command the situation looked
very desperate. Forrest repeatedly renewed his attacks on the rear and flanks of the
retreating army, captured part of its artillery and, at one time, threatened the capture of the
entire command. It was only by the most determined bravery and persistent fighting that
Grierson finally arrived within reach of infantry reinforcements, and the daring rebel
leader abandoned the pursuit. The officers and men of the Second Iowa Cavalry were
almost constantly in the saddle for sixty hours and, for the greater part of that time,
engaged in action. Upon reaching Germantown both men and horses had reached the
point of extreme exhaustion. The regiment arrived at its camp on the 26th of February,
having been absent on the expedition sixteen days.
After resting a short time, the regiment marched to Memphis and went into camp
there. Major Coon and General Grierson now made a special effort to induce the men to
re-enlist for another term of three years, or during the war. These officers were very
popular with the regiment, and their efforts resulted in the re-enlistment of a sufficient
number of men to entitle the regiment to the designation of a veteran organization. The
re-enlisted men were again mustered into the service on the 28th of March, 1864, and,
from that date, the regiment had the new title of Second Iowa Veteran Cavalry Volunteers.
The aggregate strength of the regiment at this time was 1,088, of which number 45 were
commissioned officers, 360 re-enlisted veterans, and 683 non-veterans and recruits. The
re-enlisted men were granted a furlough of thirty days, to begin from the time they arrived
at Davenport, Iowa. They embarked on steamer at Memphis, April 7, 1864. Upon
reaching Davenport they were accorded an enthusiastic reception. They then received
their furloughs and departed for their respective homes. On the 15th of May they
reassembled at Davenport and, on the 17tth, departed for St. Louis. In the meantime
Colonel Hatch had been promoted to Brigadier General, Major Coon succeeding him as
Colonel of the regiment and Captains Horton, Schnitger and Moore had become Battalion
Majors. At St. Louis the veterans were supplied with horses and then proceeded to
Memphis, where they arrived on the 29th of May and rejoined the non-veterans and
recruits, who had, in the meantime been preforming garrison duty at Fort Pickering, under
command of Lieutenant Colonel Hepburn. Here the regiment was supplied with the latest
improved arms, Spencers' seven-shooting carbines, at that time considered the most
effective cavalry arm in the service.
Another active and aggressive campaign was now about to begin. The rebel
General Forrest had captured Fort Pillow and won a victory over the troops commanded
by General Sturgis. Emboldened by these successes. Forrest had established his
headquarters at Tupelo, Miss., where he was daily augmenting his forces and bidding
defiance to any force that might be sent against him. General A. J. Smith was ordered to
Memphis to take command of the Union forces there and to proceed against Forrest. The
Second Iowa Cavalry now belonged to the Cavalry division commanded by General B. H.
Grierson, its own Colonel, D. E. Coon, being in command of the brigade to which his
regiment was attached, while the regiment was under the command of Major C. C.
Horton, whose series of admirable official reports describe with great particularity of
detail all the movements and operations of the regiment from the day he became its
commander to the close of the year 1864. Appended to these reports are the lists of
casualties sustained during the period embraced, showing how the regiment had fought
and suffered during the campaign. The principal engagements in which the regiment took
part, and included in Major Horton's reports, are here given in the order in which they
occurred: Tupelo, Miss., Ripley, Miss., Pontotoc, Miss., Oxford, Miss., Hurricane Creek,
Miss., Shoal Creek, Ala., Aberdeen, Ala., Butler Creek, Ala., Lawrenceburg, Tenn.,
campbellville, Tenn., Linville, Tenn., Mount Carmel, Tenn., and near Franklin, Tenn. In
addition to these engagements there were many skirmishes by detachments and individual
encounters with the enemy by the scouts. During the greater part of this time the former
Colonel of the regiment—General Hatch—was in command of the cavalry division to
which the regiment and its brigade belonged. This was a matter mutual satisfaction to the
General and to the officers and men of his old regiment. They were renewing the contest
with their old enemy, the rebel General Forrest and his forces, with whom they had so
often met in conflict before. These two Generals had learned each other's methods of
attack and defense, and, in the dreadful game of war in which they were engaged, it
became a question of skill and ability on the part of these great cavalry leaders as to which
should gain the advantage. In so far as the element of bravery and daring of the leaders
and their followers was concerned, it may be said that the one equaled the other. They
were all American soldiers, and, as a rule, displayed the same courage on the battlefield.
Major Horton makes special mention of the following officers of his regiment during the
campaign—Battalion Majors Schnitger and Moore, Captains Stiles, Bandy, Goodrich and
Foster, Lieutenants Watson, Rumple, Budd and Griffith. While the Major especially
commended these officers for gallantry and coolness in action, he also commends all the
officers and men of his regiment, and states that he finds it hard to mention the
conspicuous acts of bravery of some without doing injustice to others. The distance
marched on this campaign was nearly 600 miles. The loss of the regiment, from
September 30, 1864, to January 1, 1865, was 12 killed, 3 mortally wounded, 44 wounded
and 8 captured by the enemy. Two of the men captured were severely wounded before
they surrendered. Tow others, who were captured, escaped and returned to the regiment
on the 28th of December, 1864, leaving the net loss of the regiment 65. The loss of the
cavalry division during the same period was 600, that of the Second Iowa being
considerably above the average.
On December 2, 1864, the regiment, with the brigade and division, fell back to
Nashville, crossed the Cumberland River and went into camp at Edgefield, to which place
the tents and knapsacks had been forwarded. The men were very glad to again have these
equipments, having been deprived of them since leaving their camp at White's Station in
September. In the meantime they had bivouacked in the open field, with no protection
save that afforded by the army blanket. The weather had now become intensely cold and
the men suffered very greatly. It was evident that another desperate struggle was now
impending and could not long be delayed. The opposing armies of Generals Thomas and
Hood were constantly employed in fortifying the positions they occupied, that of Thomas
being along a chain of hills encircling the city of Nashville, and that of Hood along
another chain of hills from one to four miles distant from that city. General Thomas, after
making every preparation to meet the threatened attack, finally determined to assume the
offensive, and made the necessary disposition of his troops for the purpose of assaulting
the enemy along the entire line of his works. The cavalry division. Commanded by
General Hatch, was ordered to recross the Cumberland River on the 12th of December. and
was assigned to a position on the right of General A. J. Smith's Corps. Everything being
in readiness, the advance was ordered on the morning of December 15, 1864. And the
result of the tremendous struggle which ensued went fat towards the complete overthrow
of the so-called Confederate Government and the restoration of peace. It was the greatest
battle in which the Second Iowa Cavalry participated and the one in which the regiment
won its highest honors. In this battle Colonel Coon commanded the brigade, while
Lieutenant Colonel Horton (recently promoted from Major) command the regiment,
assisted by Major Schnitger and Captains Foster and Bandy, his battalion commanders.
The compiler of this sketch feels that he is justified in trespassing somewhat on the limits
assigned him, in quoting from the official report of Lieutenant Colonel Horton, to such an
extent at least as to show the most conspicuous features of the service performed by his
regiment in this great battle. It will be noted that the regiment fought mainly dismounted
on the first day and part of the second day of the battle.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND IOWA CAVALRY, VETERAN VOLUNTEERS,
GRAVELLY SPRINGS, Jan. 2, 1865.
GENERAL: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the
Second Iowa Cavalry since the 15th of December, 1864, embracing the two days' battle
near Nashville, and the subsequent pursuit of the rebel General Hood. In obedience to
orders from brigade headquarters, moved from camp on the morning of the 15th of
December, 1864, at eight o'clock, men dismounted and horses following in the rear. After
marching one mile, our brigade--the Second of the Fifth Division, Cavalry Corps—took
position on the right of General A. J. Smith's Corps of Infantry, the Sixth and Ninth
Illinois Cavalry on my left, the Seventh Illinois Cavalry on my right. Complying with the
movements of the commands, my left moved forward, swinging the while to the left, the
enemy's skirmish line falling back steadily before our advance. Their main line was
found some four miles from town, occupying formidable works on a commanding hill.
By continually swinging to the left our brigade struck their left flank. The division battery
("T" of the Second Illinois) now galloped into position in an open field and opened on the
works, evidently much to their annoyance, as the guns of both forts were immediately
turned upon the battery and my regiment, which had been formed to the left and rear as
support. Remained lying in this position, exposed to a galling fire from both forts for
nearly an hour, losing two men killed and one wounded, when I received orders to move
forward and join in an assault upon the first fort. The regiment moved steadily forward
under a severe fire until within three hundred yards of the works, when the order to
"Charge and take that fort!" from General Hatch rang along the line. With a shout the
men sprang forward, and with a shout the fort was carried. Company G, Lieutenant Budd
commanding, having been thrown out as skirmishers, were nearest the works, and
consequently the first to enter. On man was knocked down by a blow from a musket just
as he was scaling the works. One of General Smith's batteries shelled the fort after it was
captured, six shells bursting in and over it after we had entered. Captured here four brass
Napoleons and sixty prisoners. Thirty killed and wounded rebels were found lying the
fort. Leaving a guard with the guns, I pressed forward after the retreating enemy,
capturing many prisoners. Orders were now received form Colonel Coon to move by the
right flank and charge the second fort, situated some seven hundred yards to our right on a
conical hill. The men were so eager in the pursuit of the fugitives from the first fort that I
was able to rally only two hundred of them; with these I joined the brigade in the assault.
The fort was defended with a stubbornness and gallantry seldom surpassed—the enemy
only ceasing to use their artillery after the works were scaled. A short but desperate hand-
to-hand struggle ensued after the works were entered. My colors, borne by the gallant
Sergeant Hartman, Company F, were the first to float from the fort. The Sergeant fell
mortally wounded while in the act of planting the colors on one of the guns. Seizing my
hand as I bent over him, he exclaimed, "Major, tell my friends I died doing my duty." In
this fort were captured two guns, with caissons; one battery wagon, and nearly one
hundred prisoners. Notwithstanding my colors were the first to enter the works, it would
be unjust to claim the guns or prisoners as my particular prize. As the different regiments
of the brigade entered so nearly at the same time. Lieuutenants Watson and Griffith,
Companies I and D, who, not having heard the order to rally in time to join in the assault
on the fort, moved by the right and charged on our left flank, attacking and repulsing a
force of rebels who were endeavoring to re-enforce the fort, now reported with some sixty
prisoners each. Quartermaster Sergeant Beeson, with my bugler, Anderson, and two
mounted orderlies (Truesdale and Winn) charged with the saber, killing and wounding
several and taking some seventy prisoners. Number of prisoners captured during the day,
two hundred and fifty. Regiment lost, while supporting the battery and charging the two
forts, six men killed, and two commissioned officers and eighteen men
wounded….Moved again at daylight….Found the enemy in strong force, occupying a line
of hills on "Little Harpeth," four miles south of Franklin. General Hatch moved his
division to the front, formed on the right of General Hammond, Second Iowa on the
extreme right. The line moved at a walk for some three hundred yards, then the trot, and
finally the charge was sounded. At the signal, all sprang forward, but the center found it
impossible to carry the position on account of the steep and rocky hill-side. They halted
here, dismounted, and engaged the enemy on foot. Not receiving the order to halt, and
having better ground in front, I pressed forward, charged up the hill and through a thick
wood, until we reached the enemy's left and rear, who now opened on me with grape and
canister from the batteries. Wheeling the regiment to the left, I ordered the charge upon
the battery to our left, but the horses were poor and so much blown that they could only
raise a slow trot, perceiving which, the enemy charged us in turn, but were handsomely
repulsed with the carbines.
A strong force of rebels were now reported passing through the gap between my
regiment and the balance of the brigade. The fact that the day was dark and rainy, and that
they wore rubber ponchos, and were many of them dressed in blue, had led my men to
believe them to be our own troops, so they were nearly in the rear of the third Battalion
before the mistake was discovered. Company K, Sergeant John Coulter commanding,
were nearly surrounded, and were compelled to cut their way out with the saber. Sergeant
Coulter, with Corporal Heck and privates Black and Anderson (same company), charged
the rebel color guard, and, after a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, in which Heck and
Black were killed, and Coulter and Anderson badly wounded, the colors of Rosse's
Brigade were captured and borne triumphantly off by the Sergeant. Eight dead rebels,
lying within the space of a few yards, attest the desperate nature of the conflict. After a
few moments' close fighting, in which the saber and butts of guns were freely used, the
rebels fell back. The regiment being somewhat disorganized, I withdrew from the range
of the artillery to reform and communicate with the brigade. Although I found the enemy
too strong to drive, I held my ground and finally compelled them to vacate their position
on the hill. General Hatch now pressed them on the pike, capturing three pieces of
artillery. My loss during the engagement was seven killed, eight wounded and thirteen
captured. Several others were captured, but made their escape, to some instances
returning with their guards as prisoners. Regiment captured in all some fifty
prisoners….Of the conduct of the officers and men, I can only speak in terms of highest
commendation. Where every soldier (officers and men) deserves special mention, it is
hard to discriminate. I will only make special mention of Lieutenant Sydenham,
Regimental Adjutant, and my battalion commanders. Major Schnitger and Captains
Foster and Bandy, to whom I am greatly indebted for the efficient, prompt and gallant
manner in which all my orders were executed. Appended is the loss sustained by the
regiment during the campaign, sixteen killed, four officers and twenty-nine men wounded;
thirteen prisoners.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES C. HORTON.
Lieutenant Colonel Second Iowa Cavalry,
Commanding Regiment.
To GEN. N. B. BAKER,
Adjutant General of Iowa.
That portion of Lieutenant Colonel Horton's report which has been omitted
describes in detail the operation of the regiment while in pursuit of General Hood's army,
and embraces the dates from December 17th to 26th, inclusive.
On December 27th a detachment of five hundred of the most effective men and
horses in the brigade, of which two hundred were chosen from the Second Iowa, was
ordered to proceed in advance of the cavalry division and follow Hood's retreating army
to the Tennessee River. This detachment pressed so closely upon the enemy's rear guard
as to compel the abandonment of a large number of ambulances and wagons. Captain
Bandy and Lieutenant Hamilton, with fifty men of the Second Iowa, gave the parting
shots that hastened the retreat of the last of the enemy across the river on the evening of
December 28, 1864. The regiment had thus been conspicuous in all the operations against
Hood's army from the commencement of the battle of Nashville until that army was
almost destroyed and all that remained of it was in full retreat. Among all the splendid
regiments which composed the cavalry division commanded by that prince among leaders,
General Edward Hatch, there was none which gained greater honor and distinction than
the Second Iowa Cavalry. The Second Brigade of the division to which the regiment
belonged, and which was commanded by its own Colonel during the entire campaign, had
to its credit the capture of one General, two Majors, two Captains, six Lieutenants and
1,175 enlisted men of the rebel army, also 4 stand of colors, 1,315 muskets, 15 pieces of
artillery, 21 wagons and 7 ambulances.
The regiment, with its brigade and division, upon returning from the pursuit of
Hood's army, arrived at Eastport, Miss., January 11, 1865, and went into winter quarters
at that place.
On the 19th of February, Major Schnitger, with four hundred men from the Second
Iowa and Ninth Illinois Cavalry, conducted a successful expedition against a force of
cavalry under command of the rebel General Roddy, returning to camp with a large
number of prisoners, most of whom were found hiding in the wood. They having deserted
the rebel commander, who continued to retreat with the remainder of his force and made
good his escape. During the remainder of the winter the regiment was not called upon for
active duty, as the war was practically ended. During the spring and summer of 1865, the
operation of the regiment extended over a considerable territory in the northern section of
Alabama and Mississippi, but these operations were more in the nature of a pacific than
hostile character, the real necessity for the retention of troops in the Southern States
during this period being for the purpose of maintaining order, and assisting in the
readjustment of the function of civil government.
Upon the disbandment of the brigade which he had so long commanded, Colonel
Coon issued the following order.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, FIFTH DIVISION, C. C. M. D. M,
DECATUR, ALA., July 7, 1865.
(General Order No. 11.)
Veteran Companions: This day the identity of the Old Second Brigade, is lost, and
its unflinching battle line, that covered our retiring forces at West Point and Prairie
Station, that save a disorganized command at Okolona, that raised the well earned cry of
victory at Hurricane Creek and Tupelo, that presented it unbroken front to Hood's
advancing hosts at Shoal Creek, Mt. Carmel, Linville, Lawrenceburg Pike and Franklin,
and that taught the world a new lesson in cavalry warfare when it waved its victorious
battle flag on the captured redoubts before Nashville; that unwavering battle scarred line
has at last by order of your Department Commander been broken, and in parting I feel
proud in giving expression to the heartfelt God speed and sincere well wishes mutually
exchanged by the officers and men of the brigade. You have endured storms, hunger,
fatigue and disaster and enjoyed sunshine and plenty, and many a victorious march
together. Under each other's faithful watch, you have slept without fear in many a
dangerous bivouac. Shoulder to shoulder you have stood the battle tide of many a
sanguinary field, and the greatest good I can wish for you is that your future happiness and
prosperity may be as great and unremitting as your past patriotism, fidelity and courage,
while better cause for honest pride I shall never have than this: I once commanded the
Second Bridge.
Officers, Soldiers and Comrades, Farewell.
By order of
DATUS E. COON.
Brevet Brigadier General/
JOHN H. AVERY,
Capt. and A. A. A. G.
It should be here stated that, as their original terms of service had expired, those
who had not re-enlisted ha been mustered out of the service and returned to their homes.
Those men had, by virtue of their three years' faithful service, become veterans in fact
though not in name, the title having been officially bestowed upon their comrades who
chose to remain until the close of the war. No criticism could, however, be justly made
upon the action of those men who had honorably fulfilled the obligation they had taken
upon themselves at the beginning of the war, and they returned to their homes with the
highest regard of their comrades who remained.
Early in the month of September, the Veteran Second Iowa Cavalry was ordered to
proceed to Selma, Ala., at which place, on the 19th day of September, 1865, it was
mustered out of the service of the United States. It was then provided with transportation
to Davenport, Iowa, and, upon arriving there, was disbanded, and the officers and men
returned to their respective homes.
Major General A. J. Smith, in concluding his farewell address to the troops he had
so long commanded, used the following words of praise and admonition:
"Your military history is without blot or stain. With this record of your service you can
return to your respective homes, with the consciousness that you have performed your full
duty, won the respect and admiration of your commanders, and well deserved the
confidence and trust of the country that in her hour of danger placed you in ranks and
trusted to you her battles. Still continue to merit that confidence and trust, by becoming as
good citizens as you have been soldiers. Remember that for a Republican government the
main requisite is enlightened, moral and industrious citizens. Unless you become such the
results of your entire service are lost to you. Let the memory of what you have endured
endear to you every foot of American soil. Having asserted the supremacy of the General
Government in arms, assist, now, in creating for it a glorious future among nations."
The survivors of the Second Iowa Cavalry have, as citizens, as faithfully observed
this parting injunction of their old commander as they obeyed his orders when fighting for
the preservation of a united country. Let those who come after them cherish their memory
and emulate their patriotic example in time of peace, and, if need be, in war.
SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.
Total Enrollment 2,053
Killed 44
Wounded 173
Died of wounds 28
Died of disease 207
Discharge for wounds, disease and other cause 199
Buried in National Cemeteries 84
Transferred 42
Mustered into service of the United States at Davenport, Iowa, Sept. 28, 1861, by
Captain Alexander Chambers, United States Army.
Mustered out of service Sept. 18, 1865, Selma, Alabama.
FIELD AND STAFF.
George H. Noyes. Age 32. Residence Clinton, nativity New Hampshire. Appointed
Assistant Surgeon from Assistant Surgeon of Eighth Infantry Sept. 10, 1861. Mustered
Sept. 19, 1861. Promoted Surgeon June 9, 1862. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma,
Ala.
COMPANY "H"
Ambrow, Philip. Age 27. Residence Clinton County, nativity Germany. Enlisted Aug.
14, 1861. Mustered Sept. 5, 1861. Mustered out Oct. 3, 1864, Davenport, Iowa,
expiration of term of service.
COMPANY "C"
Binford, John D. Age 20. Residence Clinton, nativity Iowa. Enlisted Sept. 3, 1862.
Mustered Sept. 3, 1862. Mustered out June 17, 1865, Eastport, Miss.
Bradshaw, Frank M. Age 18. Residence Clinton County, nativity Mexico. Enlisted Oct.
6, 1864. Mustered Oct. 7, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala.
COMPANY "K"
Edwards, Charles. Age 21. Residence Clinton County, nativity Pennsylvania. Enlisted
Dec. 19, 1862. Mustered Dec. 19, 1863. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala.
COMPANY "L"
Ellithorp, Charles. Age 23. Residence Brookfield, nativity New York. Enlisted Aug. 24,
1861. Mustered Sept. 12, 1861. Wounded April 25, 1863. Died of wounds April 26,
1863,near La Grange, Tenn. Buried in Mississippi River National Cemetery, Memphis,
Tenn. Section 1, grave 3.
COMPANY "C"
Frimemood, James. Age 24. Residence Clinton County, nativity Canada. Enlisted Aug.
14, 1861, as Sixth Corporal. Mustered Sept. 1, 1861. Died of disease Jan. 12, 1862, St.
Louis, Mo.
COMPANY "C"
Kelly, John B. (Veteran.) Age 21. Residence Clinton County, nativity Ohio. Enlisted
Aug. 14, 1861, as Second Corporal. Mustered Sept. 1, 1861. Promoted First Corporal
April 1, 1862. Re-enlisted and re-mustered March 1, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865,
Selma, Ala.
COMPANY "C"
Loftis, John. Age 27. Residence Wheatland, nativity Ireland. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1861.
Mustered Sept. 1, 1861. Mustered out Oct. 3, 1864. Davenport, Iowa., expiration of term
of service.
COMPANY "L"
MCtHURSTON, James. Age 22. Residence Lyons, nativity Maine. Enlisted Dec. 7,
1861. Mustered Dec. 7, 1861. Promoted Seventh Corporal March 22, 1862; Fifth
Corporal May 1, 1862; Fourth Corporal Aug 1, 1862; Second Corporal Oct. 15, 1862.
Mustered out Jan. 13, 1865, expiration of term of service.
COMPANY "C"
Morris, Sterling A. Age 22. Residence Clinton County, nativity Ohio. Enlisted Aug. 14,
1861, as Second Sergeant. Mustered Sept. 1, 1861. Promoted Company Commissary
Sergeant July 11, 1862. Wounded Feb. 21, 1864, Prairie Station, Miss. Mustered out Oct.
3, 1864, Davenport, Iowa, expiration of term of service.
COMPANY "D"
Morrison, George. Age 36. Residence Clinton County, nativity Ireland. Enlisted Feb. 22,
1864. Mustered March 4, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala.
COMPANY "L"
Mullett, George W. Age 23. Residence Clinton County, nativity Ohio. Enlisted Oct. 15,
1861. Mustered Oct. 15, 1861. Mustered out Oct. 3, 1864, Davenport, Iowa, expiration
of term of service.
COMPANY " M"
Moore, Jacob I. Age 20. Redisence Clinton County, nativity Canada. Enlisted Feb. 25,
1864. Mustered Feb. 25, 1864. Died of disease Aug. 21, 1864, Memphis Tenn. Buried in
Mississippi River National Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn. Section 2, grave 462.
COMPANY "C"
Ryan, Charles T. Age 18. Residence Clinton County, nativity Indiana. Enlisted Oct. 6,
1864. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala. See Company I, Forty-fourth Infantry.
COMPANY "L"
Rappen, John. Age 19. Residence Clinton County, nativity Germany. Enlisted Oct. 7,
1864. Mustered Oct. 7, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala.
Riggs, Charles R. Age 25. Residence Clinton County, nativity New York. Enlisted Aug.
24, 181, as First Sergeant. Mustered Sept. 12, 1861. Taken prisoner Aug. 26, 1862,
Rienzi, Miss. Returned to Company Sept. 10, 1862. Discharged for promotion as Captain
of Sixty-first Regiment Colored Infantry, Aug. 26, 1863.
Russ, Claus C. Age 25, Residence Clinton County, nativity Denmark. Enlisted Aug. 24,
1861. Mustered Sept. 12, 1871. Mustered out Oct. 3, 1864, Davenport, Iowa, expriration
of term of service.
COMPANY "L"
Scott, Quinton. Age 30. Residence Clinton County, nativity England. Enlisted Aug. 24,
1861. Mustered Sept. 12, 1861. Discharged for disability Aug. 21, 1863, Mound City, Ill.
Spurrell, Walter. (Veteran.) Age 20. Residence Clinton county, nativity England.
Enlisted Aug. 24, 1861. Mustered Sept. 12, 1861. Re-enlisted and re-mustered March 1,
1864. Promoted Fifth corporal Nov. 1, 1864; Fourth Corporal Feb. 5, 1865; Third
Corporal March 1, 1865; First Corporal July 1, 1865; fifth Sergeant Sept. 19, 1865.
Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala.
Strohm, Jacob. Age 22. Residence Clinton County, nativity Ohio. Enlisted Oct. 5, 1861.
Mustered Oct. 5, 1861. Promoted Seventh Corporal Nov. 22, 1861; Fifth Corporal March
22, 1862; Third Corporal May 1, 1862; Second Corporal Aug. 1, 1862. Taken prisoner
Aug. 26, 1862. Re-joined Company Sept. 10, 1862. Promoted First Corporal Oct. 15,
1862. Mustered out Oct. 3, 1864, Davenport, Iowa, expiration of term of service.
COMPANY "M"
Sherwood, Winfield S. Age 18. Residence Clinton county, nativity Ohio. Enlisted Feb.
23, 1864. Mustered Feb. 23, 1864. Died of disease Aug. 27, 1864, Memphis, Tenn.
Buried in Mississippi River National Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn. Section 2, grave 429.
COMPANY "B"
White, David O. Age 18. Residence Bloomfield, nativity Indiana. Enlisted Oct. 7, 1863.
Mustered Dec. 11, 1862. Mustered out Sept. 19. 1865, Selma, Ala.
COMPANY "C"
Wolfe, John A. Age 19. Residence Buena Vista, nativity Pennsylvania. Enlisted Aug.
14, 1861. Mustered Sept. 1, 1861. Died of disease Aug. 6, 1864, Andersonville, Ga.
Buried in National Cemetery, Andersonville, Ga. Grave 4916.
WOLFE, Lucian H. Age 22. Residence Buena Vista, nativity Pennsylvania. Enlisted
Aug. 14, 1861. Mustered Sept. 1, 1861. Died of disease April 12, 1864, Memphis, Tenn.
Buried in Mississippi River National Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn. Section 1, grave 43.
COMPANY "L"
Wakeman, Alonzo W. Age 22. Residence Clinton County, nativity New York. Enlisted
Aug. 24, 1861. Mustered Sept. 12, 1861. Discharged -----------, 1862.
Wells, William. (Veteran.) Age 21. Residence Clinton County, nativity Ohio. Enlisted
Aug. 24, 1861. Mustered Sept. 12, 1861. Re-enlisted and re-mustered March 1, 1864.
Promoted Fifth Corporal Feb. 5, 1865; Fourth Corporal March 1, 1865; Second Corporal
July 1, 1865; Sixth Sergeant Sept. 19, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala.
Westel, Edward, (Veteran.) Age 27. Residence Welton, nativity England. Enlisted Aug.
24, 1861. Mustered Sept. 12, 1861. Re-enlisted and re-mustered March 1, 1864.
Promoted Fifth Corporal March 1, 1865; Third Corporal July 1, 1865; First Corporal Sept.
19, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala.
Wood, Cyrus H. (Veteran.) Age 37. Residence Clinton County, nativity Vermont.
Enlisted Aug. 24, 1861, as Sixth Corporal. Mustered Sept. 12, 1861. Promoted Fourth
Corporal March 22, 1862; Second Corporal May 1, 1862: First Corporal Aug. 1, 1862;
Company Commissary Sergeant Oct. 15, 1862. Re-enlisted and re-mustered March 1,
1864. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865, Selma, Ala.
COMPANY "M"
Williard, John S. Age 18. Residence Clinton County, nativity New York. Enlisted Feb.
22, 1864. Mustered March 1, 1864. Wounded severely; arm amputated Aug. 5, 1864,
Holly Springs, Miss. Discharged for wounds Jan. 27, 1865, Memphis, Tenn.
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