Showing posts with label 122nd IL INF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 122nd IL INF. Show all posts

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 161. Report of Col. Thomas J. Kinney, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 161.

Report of Col. Thomas J. Kinney, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS 119TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,     
In the Field, Tenn., December 21, 1864.

SIR: I herewith forward report of the part taken by my regiment in the battle of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th instant.

We moved out of our works a little after daylight on the morning of the 15th instant and formed line of battle on the left of the Hardin pike, my regiment on the right of the brigade and joining the Third Brigade. After waiting until about 9 a.m., all things being ready, we moved to the front in line, steadily advancing and swinging to the left until near noon, when we came to a stand in a ravine in support of the Second Illinois Battery. Remained there some two or three hours, when orders were received to move forward. In connection with the Third Brigade, we moved forward over the hill and down into the next hollow, and there halted again, wailing for all things to be prepared for a grand charge upon the enemy's works. While in this position we experienced a heavy artillery fire from the enemy's guns, which were planted on a hill some half a mile off. At about 4 p.m., as all things seemed ready for the charge — the Fourth Army Corps had massed their forces at right angles with our line and charged the works of the enemy in our front, thereby completely cutting us off from a direct charge — we moved by right flank until we cleared the Fourth Corps, then to the front again, but we were all too late in the charge, as the fort had been taken by the skirmish line of the One hundred and twenty-second Illinois Volunteers before the Fourth Corps reached it. Dark then came on, and we went into camp on the ground we occupied.

On the morning of the 16th we were again in line soon after daylight, and moved forward in the same position occupied the day previous. We had advanced not over half a mile when the enemy opened a heavy artillery fire upon us from works erected by them on a hill in our front. We steadily advanced our skirmish line and moved forward the line of the brigade, and carried the position with great ease. Our brigade, taking position on this ground, awaited further developments and for the time to come when we should make the grand charge upon the rebel breast-works, which were some 1,000 yards in front. There were several batteries manned upon this elevation which kept a continual fire upon the enemy's works during the afternoon, which called forth a brisk reply from his guns and occasioned our men at times to lay very close to the ground. At about 3 p.m. the order was given to charge the works, and well and bravely was it done. They were carried with perfect ease, the charge being almost simultaneous along the whole line from right to center and then taken up by the left of our line. After taking the works we advanced through the timber to an open field, and across that to the foot of the mountain, the enemy fleeing before us as fast as possible. Here we captured two Napoleon guns and many prisoners. I then reformed my regiment and moved by the right flank along the road some distance, and then again by the left flank, in line of battle, up a ravine, and here I captured one 10-pounder Parrott gun, one Rodman, and two more Napoleons.

Having become detached from the rest of the brigade I halted my regiment and waited for orders, which were received. The One hundred and twenty-second Illinois and Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteers came and passed in my rear, and formed in line on my right, closing up the interval between my regiment and the Third Brigade. We then prepared for camp, it being then dark. Orders were received at 8 o'clock to move out and form line in the open field at the foot of the mountain, which was done, and then we went into camp for the night. Was up next morning at daylight and found the enemy had entirely left and were in rapid retreat.

The captures made by my regiment were 6 pieces of artillery, 15 caissons and limbers, 16 wagons, 3 two-horse wagons, which I suppose were used for ambulances, 1 ambulance, together with their contents of supplies, small-arms, and fixed ammunition for artillery and small-arms. In prisoners, I am not able to say how many we did capture, as they were sent to the rear as fast as taken, except some ten or twelve sent to headquarters on the morning of the 17th instant. Major-General Johnson was taken by Company C of my regiment, and sent to the rear and delivered to Captain Whitaker by Private Daugherty, of Company C, and a private in the Eighty-ninth Indiana — name unknown. It is proper to say here that I did not, nor did the men, know who he was until he was delivered to Captain Whitaker, when he told him in presence of my men that his name was Johnson and he was a major-general, but that he had told him (Daugherty) that he was a colonel. I make this explanation, as I am informed nearly every regiment in the command claim to have captured him. I also captured Colonel Voorhies, of the Forty-eighth Tennessee, one surgeon, and several line officers, all of whom were duly delivered to the provost-marshal of the division, or otherwise disposed of by orders. The four last guns captured were the battery of Captain Beauregard, son of General Beauregard, as I was informed by a member of the battery captured near it.

I shall not attempt to particularize in regard to the acts or conduct of the officers and men of my command, only to say that they did their whole duty, with perhaps a very few exceptions. I must, however, speak in favorable terms of Lieut. and Adjt. H. S. Buck, who was on hand at all times and rendered me all assistance in his power in keeping my regiment in order. He is cool, brave, and active, and deserves promotion.

The casualties in my regiment were very few. I lost none killed and had but 8 men wounded, a list of which is herewith forwarded.*

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
THOMAS J. KINNEY,         
Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
 Lieut. S. D. SAWYER,
 Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
_______________

* Nominal List Omitted

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 477-9

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 160. Report of Col. David Moore, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 160.

Report of Col. David Moore, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, commanding First Brigade,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,               
DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,  
In the Field, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor herewith to report the following as the part taken by the First Brigade in the battle of the 15th and l6th instant, before Nashville, Tenn.:

On the morning of the 15th instant, agreeable to orders, the brigade marched out in front of our works and formed line of battle in the center of the division, the Third Brigade on my right, and the Second Brigade on my left. About 10 a.m. we advanced in line with the division, having thrown a strong line of skirmishers to the front. We advanced steadily, our skirmishers soon coming in contact with those of the enemy, and driving them steadily backward until our line reached a large house, about a mile from the place of starting. Artillery was moved forward and put in position on the right of my brigade. The One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry was posted on the right of and supporting the artillery. This regiment, with the Eighty-ninth Indiana and One hundred and twenty-second Illinois, formed the front line, while the Twenty-first Missouri was placed a short distance in the rear as a reserve. A heavy artillery fire was opened from the Ninth Indiana Battery and the Second Illinois, Battery G, upon the enemy in our front, the men being ordered to lie down in the ravine. Late in the afternoon we again advanced in line with the division, our skirmishers going up close to the enemy, and the artillery continued to play with effect upon the enemy until about 5 p.m., when the enemy fled, the skirmishers of the One hundred and twenty-second Illinois capturing one battle-flag. The enemy having fled from their position, we were ordered to go into camp for the night.

In the morning of the 16th we advanced with the division, our skirmishers soon coming in contact with those of the enemy. We moved forward by order, and took position on the left of the division near some works which the enemy had abandoned. The Ninth Indiana Battery being near the center of my brigade, was moved forward to a house on the crest of the hill, from which position they opened a terrific cannonade upon the enemy's lines, which was continued for several hours. The officers and men of that battery displayed the greatest coolness and courage during the conflict, although often subjected to the most terrific fire of shot and shell from the enemy's batteries. I would here call your especial attention to Lieut. Samuel G. Calfee, who was in command of the Ninth Battery, as a most worthy, brave, and efficient officer. About 4 p..m. a charge was ordered, and to bring my brigade into proper position it was necessary to describe a half wheel to the right. This was quickly done--the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois on the right, the Eighty-ninth Indiana in the center, and the One hundred and twenty-second Illinois on the left, and the Twenty-first Missouri in reserve. When the command was given to charge, the men, with a cheer which rent the heavens, precipitated themselves upon the enemy's batteries and intrenchments, receiving a heavy fire of shot and shell from the front and at the same time a heavy cross-fire from the enemy's works on my left. As the brigade neared the line of works the firing for a few moments was very heavy, but the enemy soon broke and fled in wild confusion, leaving behind him his batteries and many of his men in our hands. Colonel Kinney, of the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois, following the retreating enemy, captured prisoners at every step, and finally overtook and captured one 10 pounder Parrott gun, one Rodman, two Napoleons, and two 12-pounder howitzers. The Eighty-ninth Indiana and One hundred and twenty-second Illinois charged to the left after crossing the breast-works, following the stream of fugitives, overtaking and capturing many prisoners, also two Napoleon guns, with horses and equipments complete. Two guns (Napoleons) of the battery which was firing upon our lines from the front were captured by the brigade in the first part of the charge. The brigade captured near the foot of the hill one major-general (E. Johnson). He was captured by Private John Wagner, Company H, and Private H. Daugherty, Company C, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois, and William Cully, Company H, Eighty-ninth Indiana. He was taken to the rear by the two men last named and delivered to Captain Whitaker, of the One hundred and seventeenth Illinois. These men also captured at the same time General Johnson's private papers and headquarters records, as well as the headquarters wagons and ambulances. The brigade captured in this charge, 1 Parrott gun, 1 Rodman, 6 Napoleons, and 2 howitzers, 13 wagons, 3 ambulances, 15 caissons and limbers, and near 400 prisoners, among whom were the major-general above named and Colonel Voorhies, of the Forty-eighth Tennessee, also a large number of other officers.

Col. Thomas J. Kinney, commanding One hundred and nineteenth Illinois, is a brave and gallant officer, and well deserves the confidence of all. His officers and me, acquitted themselves with great credit. Lieut. Col. Hervey Craven, commanding Eighty-ninth Indiana, is cool, courageous, and prompt, and, in common with all his officers and men, displayed the greatest gallantry during the engagement. Lieut. Col. James F. Drish, commanding the One hundred and twenty-second Illinois, with commendable energy and unflinching courage, led his gallant regiment on to the charge in a style unsurpassed, creditable alike to him and them. Lieut. Col. Edwin Moore, commanding Twenty-first Missouri, did not participate in the charge, his regiment being held in reserve. To speak of individual instances of personal bravery would require too much time, or do injustice by naming some and leaving others unnoticed; suffice it to say, all did their duty fearlessly, nobly, and well.

I cannot say precisely how many prisoners were captured by my brigade, for the reason that they were sent back in squads as fast as captured and delivered to the first officer who could be found in charge of prisoners. But of the capture of the artillery, wagons, &c., and also Major-General Johnson, I have positive proof. The number of prisoners will not fall far short of 400.

I would call your especial attention to the officers of my personal staff. Lieut. Samuel D. Sawyer, acting assistant adjutant general, who charged with the command and had his horse killed under him, but was immediately remounted, and rendered me most important service in directing the movements of the troops. I would recommend him as a brave and gallant officer and one worthy of promotion. Lieut. John J. Chubb also charged forward with the command with great coolness and courage. He is a gallant and efficient officer, deserving of promotion. Lieutenant Converse was so unwell as to be unable to participate in the charge. The horses of nearly all my staff officers were killed during the engagement, the horse of Lieutenant Converse having been killed the first day.

The engagement resulted in the total rout of the enemy, and a complete and glorious victory for Union and liberty.

To the officers and men of my command I tender my profound thanks; I am proud of them and their achievements. To the commanding general I tender my acknowledgments; I am proud to be commanded by him.

I inclose a list of casualties in the First Brigade during the engagement.*

I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. MOORE,              
Colonel Twenty-first Missouri,           
Comdg. First Brig., Second Div., Detach. Army of the Tennessee.
Lieut. JAMES B. COMSTOCK,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
____________________

* Embodied in table, p. 101.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 475-7

Saturday, March 8, 2014

122nd Illinois Infantry

Organized at Carlinville, Ill., and mustered in September 4, 1862. Moved to Columbus, Ky., thence to Trenton, Tenn., October 8-12, 1862, and duty there till December 18. Attached to District of Jackson, Tenn., 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December. 1862. 4th Brigade, District of Jackson. 16th Army Corps, to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, District of Corinth, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps, to December, 1863. District of Columbus, Ky., 6th Division, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1864. 2nd Brigade. 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to November, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1865.

SERVICE. – Right Wing of Regiment moved from Trenton, Tenn., to Humboldt, Tenn., November 12, 1862, to hold Mobile & Ohio R. R. from Trenton to Jackson. Regiment moved to Jackson, Tenn., December 18, 1862. Operations against Forest in West Tennessee December 18, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Action at Salem Cemetery, near Jackson, December 19, 1862. Parker's Cross Roads December 30. Battle of Red Mound (or Parker's Cross Roads) December 31. At Trenton, Tenn., till February 17. Moved to Corinth, Miss.. February 17, and duty there till June 25. Dodge's Expedition to Northern Alabama April 15-May 8. Rock Creek, near Tuscumbia, April 22. Tuscumbia April 23. Town Creek April 28. Guard Memphis & Charleston R. R. from Middletown to Grand Junction, with Headquarters at Salisbury, Tenn., June 25 to October 31, 1863. Moved to Iuka, Miss., October 3I-November 1; thence to Eastport, Miss., November 5, and duty there till December 8. Moved to Paducah, Ky., December 8, and duty there till January 18, 1864. Moved to Cairo, I11., January 18, and duty there till June. Operations against Forest in West Tennessee and Kentucky March 16-April 14. Repulse of Forest's attack on Paducah, Ky., March 25 (Cos. "C," "H," "K"). Moved to LaGrange, Tenn., June 26-July 3. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., and return to Memphis, Tenn.. July 5-21. Battle of Harrisburg, near Tupelo, July 14-15. Old Town Creek July 15. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., September 8. Pursuit of Price through Missouri September to November. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., November 25-December 1. Battles of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Moved to Eastport, Miss., and duty there till February, 1865. Movement to New Orleans. La., February 9-21; thence to Dauphin Island, Ala., March 6. Campaign against Mobile and its defences March 22-April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. March to Montgomery April 13-26, and duty there till June 5. Moved to Mobile June 5, and duty there till July 15. Mustered out at Mobile July 15 and discharged at Springfield, Ill., August 4, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 38 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 121 Enlisted men by disease. Total 161.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1097-8

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Colonel Henry J. B. Cummings

THIRTY-NINTH INFANTRY.

Henry Johnson Broadhead Cummings is the only representative that little New Jersey can claim among the Iowa Colonels. He was born in the town of Newton, Sussex county, on the 21st day of May, 1831, and continued to reside at that place until he was ten years of age. He then accompanied his parents to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he lived till he reached his eighteenth year. His education was acquired at the common schools of that county. In his eighteenth Winter, he taught school, and after its close, entered the law-office of Judge Maynard of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and began the study of the law. From 1851 to 1854, he edited a paper in Schuylkill Haven, after which he resumed his legal studies in the office of Henry Johnson, Esq., of Muncey, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. But, being without means, he was again compelled to return to the editorial tripod. In 1856, he came West and located in Winterset, Iowa, where he opened an office, and for the first time entered upon the practice of his profession. That same Winter, he assisted in organizing the Republican Party in Madison county; and, in the following August, was elected Prosecuting Attorney for that county. Later, he became a law-partner of the Hon. M. S. McPherson, who, in 1860, was a member of the Iowa State Senate.

Colonel Cummings first entered the war as captain of Company F., 4th Iowa Infantry. While the regiment was at its rendezvous in Council Bluffs, he was elected by the line officers its major. He was not, however, commissioned by the Governor; for Captain English, of the same regiment, had been previously promoted to that rank. Captain Cummings served in the 4th Iowa Infantry until the 6th of September, 1862, when he was promoted to the colonelcy of the 39th Iowa Infantry.

The first engagement of the 39th Iowa, was at Parker's Cross Roads, Tennessee, on the 31st of December, 1862. The enemy were led by Forest, and numbered from five to seven thousand men. The Union forces engaged comprised only one brigade, commanded by Colonel Dunham of the 50th Indiana, and numbered not quite sixteen hundred men.

So soon as the enemy learned of General Grant's plans for the capture of Vicksburg, in the fall of 1862, they at once set on foot schemes for their frustration; and, only a few days after the Federal army had marched from Holly Springs, Van Dorn and Forest were dispatched against General Grant's rear, to overwhelm small garrisons, and destroy all supplies and lines of communication. Van Dorn marched for Holly Springs and vicinity, while Forest made his appearance along the Jackson and Columbus Railroad. On the morning of the 31st of December, 1862, Forest, with the greater portion of his command, was encamped in the timber, about half a mile west of Parker's Cross Roads. A small detachment was stationed at the Cross Roads; and these Colonel Dunham, while moving with his command down the road in the direction of Red Mound, encountered at about eight o'clock in the morning.

But, to give an intelligible history of this affair, I should refer briefly to the previous movements of the 39th Iowa. On the 18th of December, 1862, the regiment left Columbus, Kentucky, under orders to report to General G. M. Dodge at Corinth. Arriving at Jackson, it was ordered by General Sullivan to disembark; for an attack upon that place by Forest was hourly looked for. It remained at Jackson four days, when, it becoming evident that Forest did not intend attacking that place, it was sent back to Trenton. There it was organized with the 50th Indiana and 122d Illinois, and sent in pursuit of Forest, then reported at Huntingdon, thirty miles east. Parker's Cross Roads is between Huntingdon and Lexington, where, as above stated, a portion of Forest's command was encountered.

The 50th Indiana was at once deployed as skirmishers, and drove the small detachment back to the main body, stationed on the hill or in the timber. Colonel Dunham now began making his dispositions to attack them in this position; but he soon learned that the position was so strong, and that their numbers so superior to his own that an attempt to rout them must be unsuccessful. After a vigorous use of his artillery, he therefore withdrew his command south, and took up a position on the east side of the road on a gentle rise of ground near Red Mound. The enemy followed and took up a position on the brow of a hill about one thousand yards distant. The enemy had eleven pieces of artillery, and the Federal troops but three; and in all other respects they were equally superior. The engagement now opened with artillery; but only a few shots had been fired, when Colonel Dunham saw that he could not hold his present position. He therefore moved down the hill into low ground, and took position behind a rail fence. The 39th held the left, the 122 Illinois the centre, and the 50th Indiana the right. The enemy still held the brow of the hill In front.

Their position was most admirable. Retiring just behind the crest of the hill, and charging their artillery, they would then shove it forward, and, depressing the pieces, continue a most destructive fire on our lines. Their infantry, too, at long range and well covered, did much execution; while our troops, lying along the fence in the bottom, were able only by their presence to hold the enemy at bay. The right of the line, however, was able to do some execution. Thus matters stood till about four o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy, despairing of routing the Federal troops from the position they then held, dismounted a force of about one thousand men, and sent them round to the rear of Colonel Dunham's right flank. Moving by a circuitous route through the timber, they were not discovered till their skirmishers opened fire on the right-rear of the Federal line. This was the signal for the enemy on the hill in front to concentrate their artillery-fire on the Federal left; for this was necessary to save their own men, approaching from the rear; and now the shower of grape and canister, which fell on the 39th Iowa, was terrific. With the enemy approaching in its rear, and this terrible fire in front, the right wing of the 39th broke, and sought shelter in a cornfield to the west of the road. Portions of the 50th Indiana and 122d Illinois also joined in this brief stampede. But relief was now near at hand: a brigade of reinforcements — the "Ohio Brigade" —soon fell upon the enemy's rear, and scattered their lines in confusion. This, however, was not done till after the 39th Iowa had rallied, and, with the balance of the brigade, driven back the enemy's flanking-party. The engagement now closed, and the Federal troops rested that night on the battle-ground. The following is the result of the engagement: Four hundred prisoners were captured. Five hundred horses and seven cannon were also among the spoils of war; but the three pieces of artillery belonging to the command of Colonel Dunham had been literally knocked to pieces. The losses of the 39th Iowa, in killed, wounded and missing, were forty-seven. Three only were killed; and among these was the color-guard, J. C. Stearns. The gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Redfield, while rallying his men, was severely wounded in the shoulder. Major Griffiths, Captain Browne and Lieutenant Rawls were also among the wounded. This was the first engagement of the 39th Iowa; and all things considered, it sustained itself well.

With the battle of Parker's Cross Roads closed the old year of 1862. On the morning following, the 39th Iowa, with the balance of its brigade, started on the return march to Jackson, where it arrived on the evening of the 2d. At Columbus, as already stated, Colonel Cummings had been ordered to report to General G. M. Dodge, commanding 2d Division, 16th Army Corps, and on the 6th instant he left Jackson with his regiment for Corinth. Arriving at Corinth, the 39th Iowa was assigned to the 2d Brigade, Colonel M. M. Banes, and, for more than a year thereafter, was attached to that command. From the date of its arrival at Corinth, till the time it joined the forces of General Sherman in the grand march on Atlanta, the history of the 39th Iowa may be soon told. It was stationed on garrison-duty, and passed the most of its time in camp.

The march to Tuscumbia, Alabama, the object of which was to cover the movements of Colonel Streight, in his raid into Georgia, I must not, however, omit to mention. All things being in readiness, General Dodge moved out of Corinth with his entire division on the 15th of April, and, proceeding by easy marches, arrived at Bear Creek without incident. At Bear Creek, his advance encountered the enemy under Roddy, and soon after that force was strengthened by the arrival of Forest. But General Dodge pushed steadily on, driving back the enemy with a line of skirmishers, until he arrived at Town Creek. Here the enemy, on the opposite bank, had their artillery in position, which was well supported. An artillery-duel followed of half a day in length, when, bridges having been constructed under the enemy's fire, the forces of General Dodge began crossing to the east side of the stream. The enemy now retired precipitately, and General Dodge, knowing Colonel Streight, who had passed by the enemy's left flank, was well on his way, returned to Corinth. The 39th Iowa arrived at Corinth on the 2d of May. Four days after, Company H of the regiment, while guarding a corral near Corinth, was surrounded by a large body of rebel cavalry and captured. Its Captain, James H. Loomis, was made a prisoner, and only a few of the men escaped.

Colonel Cummings remained with his regiment at Corinth, until November, 1863, and then marched with the command of General Dodge to the line of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad.

He arrived with his regiment at Pulaski the 11th of November, and the day following was sent north seven miles to Reynold's Station, where regimental head-quarters were established. Five companies remained at head-quarters. Three were stationed at grist-mills; and two on guard-duty, at railroad-bridges. Seven weeks later, regimental head-quarters were removed to Culleoka, twenty miles further north. The regiment remained here till the 12th of the following March, when, with its brigade, it marched south to Athens; but its day of garrison- and railroad guard-duty was now soon to close.

In the early part of May, 1864, the 39th Iowa marched with its brigade to Huntsville, where the whole command of General Dodge assembled, preparatory to joining General Sherman on the march against Atlanta: from that point it moved directly to the front at Dalton. But the movements of the left wing of the 16th Army Corps during the Atlanta Campaign have been given elsewhere, and up to the time of the occupation of Rome, the history of the 39th is the same as that of this command: the 39th Iowa, and, I think, all the regiments of its brigade — the 7th, 50th and 57th Illinois Infantry regiments, went no further than Rome, being left at that point to guard Sherman's flank, and his line of communications. Where the regiment most distinguished itself, and where it lost its best officer — Lieutenant-Colonel James Redfield — was at Allatoona, Georgia.

Its defense of this place was gallant in the extreme, and a full history of the affair would be read with the greatest interest; but want of space forbids me giving it. The following is from a statement of Major, afterward Lieutenant-Colonel Griffiths:

"The entire force on our side was one thousand eight hundred: that of the enemy, seven thousand. Our forces were commanded by Brigadier-General J. M. Corse. They arrived at 10 o'clock P. M., expecting that the enemy would not attack, knowing they (we) were reinforcements. In this we were deceived. They attacked in the morning at 7 A. M. General Corse had time only to hastily dispose of his little force, when they came up with massed columns.

"The 39th Iowa was placed at the forks of a road, three hundred yards from the fort, where the heaviest column of the enemy charged. It was important to hold this position, and check the enemy. This they did twice, although terribly cut to pieces. The third time the enemy was in such force as to be irresistible, and the remainder of our regiment fell back, contesting every foot of ground to the fort.

"General Corse and the veteran troops, who witnessed the heroism and determination of the 39th on that day, say they have never before seen such fighting. They pronounced it 'Chickasaw Bayou,' continued for five hours. It was during this time that the above named officers, except Lieutenant Blodgett, were killed. He was one of the four officers who succeeded in reaching the fort, and was shot while carrying a message from General Corse to Colonel Rowett. There were ten of our officers in the engagement: five were killed, and two wounded and captured, leaving but three with the command.

"It gives me great pleasure to testify to the heroism, valor and gallantry of these officers. I have seen them before when in discharge of their duties and under fire, and can say of them that in every emergency they displayed coolness and determined courage. As officers, they had the respect and confidence of the command. As men, they had won, by their geniality of disposition and uniform courtesy of manner, the kindest regards and affections of their officers and men, so that we can feelingly exclaim: Their places, who can fill them?"

The regiment lost, in killed, five officers and twenty-seven enlisted men, and, in wounded, one officer and sixty-one enlisted men. Two officers and sixty-eight enlisted men were captured. The commissioned officers killed, were Lieutenant-Colonel James Redfield and Lieutenants O. C. Ayers, A. T. Blodgett, N. P. Wright and J. P. Jones. Lieutenant-Colonel Redfield was a man of much excellence. It has often been said he should have been colonel of the 39th Iowa.

Colonel Cummings is a short, fleshy man, with blue eyes, and a large, red face. In his manners, he is dignified and consequential. He is reputed as being able to endure as much rest as any man in Iowa. He was a good tactician, but, beyond that, possessed little merit as a soldier.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 525-32


Sunday, January 11, 2009

BRIGADIER-GENERAL HUGH T. REID

FIRST COLONEL, FIFTEENTH INFANTBY.

Hugh Thompson Reid was born in Union county, Indiana, the 8th day of October, 1811. His father, who was a native of South Carolina, had left that State only a year before his son Hugh's birth. General Reid worked on his father's farm, in Indiana, till the year 1830, when he entered the Miami University, then under the tutorship of Professor Bishop. He graduated at the Indiana College, in 1837. Choosing the law for a profession, he studied for two years in the office of Judge Perry of Liberty, Indiana, and was then admitted to the bar. He came to Keokuk, Iowa, in 1843, and began the practice of his profession. Keokuk has since remained his home.

General Reid first became widely known in Southern Iowa, from his connection with the Keokuk and Des Moines River Railroad: indeed, to his energy and perseverance, more than to the efforts of any other man, this road is indebted for its existence. At one time its abandonment was talked of; but he would not consent, and the work was pushed forward. Its present flourishing condition evidences the soundness of his judgment.

Late in the summer of 1861, General Reid began recruiting a regiment for the service. Then, recruiting dragged heavily. On every hand he met with discouragements; but he finally succeeded, for he never turned his back on an enterprise once undertaken. The 15th Iowa Infantry was mustered into the United States service on the 22d day of February, 1862.

The 15th Iowa left its rendezvous in Keokuk on the 17th of March, 1862, and, after a stay of only ten days in St. Louis, proceeded to the front. At St. Louis the regiment received its arms and camp equipage. It arrived at Pittsburg Landing at six o'clock on Sunday morning, the first day of the battle. Its opening chapter was an eventful one. It fired its first gun at Shiloh.

General Grant's head-quarters were then at Savannah, eight miles below, on the river; and at that point Colonel Reid had, the night before, been assigned to the division of General Prentiss. On arriving at the Landing, on the morning of the sixth, his first business was to report to that general, and, mounting his horse, he rode out toward the front for that purpose; but for some reason, he did not reach the front till the battle had opened with great fierceness, and he was unable to effect his object. He therefore returned to the river, and, disembarking his regiment, drew it up in line on the high bluffs, and waited for orders. It was now hardly nine o'clock, and yet the frightful stampede had already begun. Long lines of fugitives, many of them hatless and coatless, and all of them frightened to desperation, came streaming to the river-bank, and nothing could stop them.

Colonel Reid first received orders to arrest these fugitives, and effect their re-organization; but it was utterly impossible, and he was therefore, after considerable delay, ordered to proceed hastily to the front.

I have already stated that the 15th Iowa received their arms at St. Louis, just before embarking for the front: it is therefore unnecessary to add that the regiment had never been instructed in the manual of arms. In the process of loading and firing, they were all novices; but it was fortunate that they were nearly all of them accustomed to a gun, and could handle it with efficiency.

Under the guidance of a staff officer of General McClernand, and followed by the 16th Iowa, Colonel Chambers, Colonel Reid started with his regiment for the front; and, after a long, circuitous march occasioned by the ignorance or confusion of the guide, — first to the right, in almost the opposite direction from where the firing was the heaviest, and then to the left in a south-westerly direction — finally entered a large, open field, the west side of which was bordered by timber and held by the enemy. On his right, too, the field was bordered with timber and held by the enemy; and here they had artillery in position, with which, as soon as he came into view, they opened on him with great vigor. They used shell, grape and canister, and fired with precision; but Colonel Reid, heedless of danger, advanced to engage the enemy in his front. He was so confident, or so forgetful, that he did not even take the precaution to deploy his regiment in line of battle; but marched it by the right flank, into the very face of the enemy. Some of his regiment said after the engagement that, if the enemy had opened their lines, he would have marched straight through and been captured; but it is needless to say that these were the colonel's enemies.

When he had reached a point where he was met both in front and on the right by a most galling fire, he drew his regiment out into line of battle; and the manner in which he did it, showed his great courage. He first filed it to the left, in a line parallel to that of the enemy, and then counter-marched it into a position to return the enemy's fire. All this time he was suffering loss. Such coolness must have been a strange spectacle to the enemy; and such troops they must have encountered with hesitancy.

As soon as the regiment was brought to a front, it engaged the enemy, first by a rapid fire, and then with the bayonet; and thus the struggle continued for nearly two hours, when, flanked on both the right and left, the order to fall back was given. The regiment fell back, as did nearly all the troops on that field, in confusion. But that is not strange: what is strange, is how, undisciplined as it was, the regiment maintained itself so long, and with such courage.

About this time, Colonel Reid was severely wounded. A shot struck him in the neck, and paralyzed him. Seeing him fall from his horse, Major Belknap ran to him, and raised him up, when he said: "Tell my wife that I died gloriously, fighting for my country." Brave man! He thought he was hit mortally—dulce pro patrla mori; but it fortunately proved otherwise. He revived in a half-hour, and resumed command of his shattered regiment.

There are various accounts of the particular part taken by the 15th Iowa at Shiloh: indeed, hardly two men of the regiment saw the thing alike. One says the regiment did not file left in coming into line, but that it formed "forward on first company." Another says that, a portion of the regiment filed left, and the other right, and thus got separated, (which is true); and still another that, it engaged the enemy across a large ravine, to the right and front, while standing by the right flank and before it was formed in line of battle. To show how great was the confusion, I may further add that, one of the regiment's field officers, the day after the battle had closed, was not able to find the field in which the fighting was done.

The following is Colonel Reid's statement of casualties, and his roll of honor:

"Fifteen of the thirty-two commissioned officers, who went on the field, had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoners: twenty-two officers and men had been killed, and one hundred and fifty-six wounded.

"Adjutant Pomutz distinguished himself during the action, for his coolness and courage. He, too, was wounded. Captains Kittle, of Company A; Smith, of Company B; Seevers, of Company C; Madison, of Company D; Hutchcraft, of Company E ; Cunningham, of Company G; Day, of Company I; and Hedrick, of Company K, who was captured in a charge upon the enemy, all distinguished themselves for their gallantry and courage, in leading forward and encouraging their men. Captain Blackmar, of Company F, was wounded in the action, and disabled; 1st Lieutenant Goode of the same company was also wounded. Captain Clark, of Company H, was not in the engagement, having been left sick in the hospital at St. Louis. Captains Hutchcraft and Day were both severely wounded. Second Lieutenant Penniman of Company A, and Hamilton of .Company I, were killed whilst bravely performing their duty. First Lieutenant King, and 2d Lieutenant Danielson of Company H, were both severely wounded, while acting well their part, thus leaving the company without a commissioned officer. First Lieutenants Studer, of Company B; Porter, of Company D ; Craig, of Company E ; Hanks, of Company G; J. Monroe Reid, of Company I, who, though wounded himself, continued in command of the company after the captain was disabled and the 2d Lieutenant killed; and Eldridge, of Company K; all deserve special praise for the manner in which they conducted themselves on the field. Second Lieutenants Lanstrum, of Company B; Brown, of Company E; Herbert, of Company C; and Sergeant-Major Brown, who was severely wounded, conducted themselves well on the field. The non-commissioned officers generally, were at their posts, and performed their duty. The color-Sergeant, Newton J. Rogers, who fought in the 1st Iowa at Springfield, gallantly bore our standard forward, and planted it. among the enemy, where it was bravely maintained and defended by portions of Companies C, E, I, and K. * * The Reverend W. W. Eastbrook, too, for a time laid aside his sacred office, and resumed the use of the surgeon's scalpel with great success."

In no respect is Colonel Reid too lavish of his praise. The 15th Iowa did nobly. During the war, no cruder troops have met the enemy; and but few have borne themselves with greater credit.

In the retreat from the front to the Landing, Captain Kittle, of the 15th Iowa, a handsome and brave young officer, was reported the hero of an incident which I would like to tell, but it is not well vouched for. The following is true. Soon after arriving at the Landing, a lieutenant-colonel — a staff officer — rode up to the frightened crowd on the river bank, and shouted: "Is there no officer here?" Captain Kittle stepping forward said: "Yes, Sir, I am an infantry officer: what shall I do?" "For God's sake, organize these men, and bring them out to the new line." Going at the work, he gathered in line, by threats and entreaties, a respectable battalion, and started with them to the front; but the greater part of them were so filled with terror, that they soon broke and fled back to the Landing. With the balance, he went on and took part in repelling the last assaults of the enemy, that were made that afternoon. There were many other instances of special gallantry among the line officers of the l5th Iowa; and the names of Captains Hedrick, Madison and Blackmar ; and Lieutenant J. S. Porter, may be mentioned specially, for their conduct was admirable.

Colonel Reid continued with his regiment till the 23d of April, 1863, when he received his commission as brigadier- general. A portion of this time he had been in command of a brigade. Subsequently to the battle of Shiloh, and up to the time he received his promotion, the history of his regiment is the same as that of the other regiments of the Iowa Brigade. General Reid was promoted to the rank of brigadier on the special recommendation of General Grant; and the general may well be proud of this compliment; for General Grant, knowingly, never compliments the undeserving.

During the spring of 1863, and till the 6th of the following August, General Reid commanded the District of Lake Providence, with the following named troops comprising his command: the 16th Wisconsin, the 122d Illinois, portions of the 17th and 95th Illinois, and the 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry. At the last named date, orders were given for the evacuation of the place. They were issued on account of the sickliness of the locality. After visiting his family on leave of absence, the general was placed in command at Cairo, Illinois. He was holding this command at the time of tendering his resignation, which was in the spring of 1864.

Colonel Reid does not look like the man he is. From what he has accomplished, I judge him to be a man .of more than ordinary ability. He is tall, and slightly stooping in person, & has coarse features, and a large, sandy, bushy head. He has large perceptive organs, and small, gray eyes, sunk deeply in his head. He is perhaps a little more comely than Colonel Shaw of the 14th, but not much.

In character, he is. brave and determined. A neighbor of his, of long acquaintance, speaks thus of him:

"In the early history of the Half-Breed Tract in Lee county, which included the city of Keokuk, there was much trouble about titles to real estate, and at times, a state of things bordering upon civil war. In these contests, General Reid was conspicuous, and had to undergo many dangers. On several occasions, his life was threatened by an infuriated mob; but he maintained his rights with so much courage, as to secure a local fame for prowess, which, more recently, has become national, by his military achievements."

In the essentials, General Reid was a fine soldier. He was brave, and had good judgment; but he could never master tactics. "He could not," say many of his regiment, "drill a company, to say nothing about a regiment;" and many instances are given, showing how he used to handle his regiment. In passing an obstacle, he once gave the following command: "File left, boys; and follow my horse round this stump!" But his regiment noticed this deficiency more, on account of the great contrast, in this respect, between himself and his successors, Generals Belknap and Hedrick. Both those officers are fine tacticians.

The following incident occurred while General Reid was colonel of the l5th Iowa: He was stationed with his regiment at Lake Providence, Louisiana, in February, 1863, when Adjutant-General Thomas visited Grant's army, to institute negro recruiting; for the Government had at last come to the conclusion that, for a black man to shoot a rebel, was no murder. McArthur's Division, of McPherson's Corps, was drawn up in hollow square, and addressed by Generals Thomas, McPherson and McArthur. Finally, Colonel Reid was called to the stand. Some officers of his regiment felt anxious for him; but he. soon relieved their minds, for he made the best speech of them all.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 281-8