Iowa Old Press
Burlington Weekly Hawkeye
Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa
April 15, 1865
Col. Stone's Report
HEAD-QUARTERS Third Brigade, First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, Columbia,
South Carolina, Feb. 18, 1865. Adjutant General N.B. Baker, Davenport, Iowa. - I
herewith respectfully hand you a report of the capture of Columbia the capital
of South Carolina, on the 17th inst., by the troops under my command- the Iowa
Brigade. Early in the evening of the 16th inst., I had orders from Brevet Maj.
Gen. Wood, commanding the Division, to be in readiness to cross Broad River
during the night in pontoon boats, at a point to be designated by Col. Freedale,
of the Engineers, and so soon as crossed, to move on the city. The point
determined upon was about one mile above the wreck of the bridge, and two miles
above the city. It was expected to have effected a crossing by midnight, but the
current of the river was so very strong, the engineer did not succeed in getting
a line across till 3 o'clock of the morning of the 17th inst. At ten minutes
before 4 o'clock, I sent over two boatloads of sharp-shooters, under Capt.
Bowman of my staff, with instructions to have them placed as skirmishers-the
centre of teh line to be opposite the landing, at least seventy-five yards
distant, with each flank resing on the river. He had particular instructions to
keep his men quiet, and not to reply to any firing from the enemy unless
satisfied they meant an attack before the column could cross. I went over with
the advance of the first regiment-the 31st Iowa and made a personal
reconnoisance of the ground.
It was discovered we had landed on a small island, crescent shaped, about 200
yards in length, and say 25 yeards in width at the widest place. By the time
four regiments had crossed we had erected a line of works
completely covering the island. Day was just dawning and the enemy but 100 yards
distant, discovering our proximity, became very active, and opened a very
annoying fire from their sharp-shooters. From the movement of troops towards his
right, I was satisfied the enemy were making preparations to reinforce his line,
and that to insure success with slight loss, I ought at once to attack without
waiting for the remainder of the brigade-part of the 4th Iowa. I accordingly
made the following disposition of the different regiments for
the attack: The 31st Iowa. Lieut. Col. Jenkins commanding, was moved across the
island towards the mouth, nearly parallel to the river, until I found his left
opposite the enemy's right; Maj. Abernethy, commanding the 9th Iowa, was placed
on Lieut. Col. Jenkins' left, and rested at an angle of at least 45 degrees,
with instructions that when the assault was ordered, he should change direction
to the right on the double-quick, in order to turn the enemy's right and also
strike him in the rear. These dispositions made to my satisfaction, I returned
to the Island, and ordered Lieut. Col. Roberts, commanding the 30th Iowa, to
assault immediately in
front of it; the 25th Iowa, Lieut. Col. Palmer commanding, to follow as a
reserve and sent word to Lieut. Col. Nichols, commanding the 4th Iowa, to join
Col. Palmer as fast as he men crossed. Everything now in readiness the signal
was given and the assault made by all the regiments at the same time. The result
proved no mistake either in planning or the execution. Before the enemy was
hardly aware of it, we were right into the skirmish pits and scattering them in
every direction. The 30th Iowa here captured 23 prisoners. I
accompanied this regiment in the charge and cna by personal observation testify
to the gallant manner in which they made it. In front of the Island are a number
of small bayous running parallel to the river, about 20 feet wide and waist
deep; few stopped to find logs on which to cross, but plunged in holding guns
and cartridge boxes above the water. The enemy seeing his skirmish line
destroyed, and the eagerness with which our success was being followed up,
became confused and soon broke, leaving our way open to the city. From the
prisoners I learned the crossing had been disputed by Col. Palmer's brigade of
infantry and a regiment of Wheeler's cavalry. When within a mile of the city a
carriage was discovered approaching flying
a flag of truce. It proved to contain Mr. Goodwyn, Mayor of Columbia ,and the
City Alderman, who came to offer terms of capitulation. After some words had
passed, they consented to my terms, and unconditionally surrendered to me the
city of Columbia. I joined the party in the carriage, accompanied by Major
Anderson of the 4th Iowa, and Capt. Pratt of Gen. Logan's Staff, leaving the
Brigade under the temporary charge of Lieut. Col. Jenkins, and preceded the
column about half a mile. When we had approached the suburbs of the city I
noticed the advance guard was being driven by apparently a battalion of rebel
cavalry. Hastily assembling some skirmishers, who happened to be on the flank of
the column, and in advance of it, I moved to the support of the advanced guard.
I had left the Mayor and his party under the charge of a corporal and three
men, and being so incensed at this violation of good faith after the city had
surrendered, that I instructed the corporal in case our little party should be
defeated, or should lose on man killed or wounded, to shoot the Mayor and his
Confederates without further orders. The corporal assured me of the pleasure it
would afford him to obey this order, and the Mayor owes his present existence to
our success in dispersing the rebel cavalry with no loss. Proceeding to the
State House with Capt. Pratt, I planted the first United States flag on that
building. During the night the city was fired in a number of places by some of
our released prisoners and negroes. A high wind was prevailing at the time, and
although every thing was done that could be to prevent it, at least one-third of
the city was destroyed. Whilst I regret as much as any one the manner in which
the city was fired, I believe that by the Rules of War it would not only have
been right to have laid it in ashes, for having to fight our way in after it had
been surrendered but that I ought to have so done.
I cannot at this writing give you an official invoice of the capture of this
place, but it will consist in part as follows:
5,000 stand of small arms;
40 pieces of artillery;
200 prisoners (including those in hospital.)
40 Federal officers released;
Artillery and small arm ammunition in immense quantities, &c.
To Iowa alone is creidt to be given for capturing the Capitol of the State that
has been disloyal since the days of John C. Calhoun, and the contemplated
Capitol of the Confederacy, as none but Iowa troops were engaged. During the
engagement the Regimental officers did their duty well, - Major Abernethy and
Lieut. Col. Jenkins on the left and centre, and Lieut. Col. Roberts on the
right.
Lieut. Col. Palmer with the 25th Iowa; followed up by Lieut. Col. Nichols of the
4th Iowa, supported the assault in a handsome manner.
Lieut. Col. Roberts of the 30th Iowa, with his Adjutant, 1st Lieut. James M.
Smith, deserve notice for the gallant manner in which they pushed their line
forward. Capt. A.B. Smith, of Gen. Wood's Staff accompanied me in the assault,
and also deserves notice for his gallant conduct.
My thanks are due all my Staff officers, Capt. John N. Bell, Capt. A. Bowman,
A.A.A. Gen'l. Sam. W. Snow, and Lieut. Baron H. Crane, for doing their duty
well.
I inclose you a list of the casualties.
I am General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
GEO. A. STONE,
Col. 25th Iowa Vols., Comd'g Brigade.
[Transcriber Note: Lieut. Baron H.(Hutchinson) Crane (1838-1887) was my first
cousin four times removed and a member of 2 Lieut. Co. B 25 Reg. Ia. Vol. per
his GAR marker in Forest Home Cemetery, Henry Co, IA; C.J.B.]
--
Information is wanted of Matthew T. and William H. Sparks, brother members of
the 5th Iowa regiment, who were taken prisoners at the battle of Mission Ridge,
over a year ago. Their father- Mr. John R. Sparks, of Lynville, Jasper county,
Iowa - has not been able to hear from them since. Any returned soldiers or
released prisoners who may know anything of the fate or whereabouts of these two
men will confer a great favor by writing to their father. They have been
reported to have died in the Andersonville prison, but this is not positively
known. -- Chicago Journal.
[submitted by C.J.L., Sept. 2003]
Burlington Hawk-Eye
Burlington, Des Moines co. Iowa
April 22, 1865
Gov. Stone has offered a reward of $300 for the apprehension of Garrit Riley,
who murdered Thomas Cunningham near Rossville, in Alamakee county, on the 6th
day of March, A.D. 1865. Riley is an Irishman, speaks with some brogue --
about forty years of age, five feet eleven inches high, weight, about one
hundred and seventy, dark brown hair, small blue eyes, light yellow complexion,
pock-marked in the face, walks straight, and full breast. He is a terrible
villain.
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submitted by S. F. Apr 2004
submitters note: I believe that Thomas Cunningham is buried in the Cherry
Mound cemetery, Linton twp. Allamakee co. Iowa