Showing posts with label 14th IA INF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 14th IA INF. Show all posts

Monday, October 21, 2019

Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune, February 9, 1862

FORT HENRY, Tenn., February 9, 1862
Via. Cairo, the 11th.

A force of the 2nd Illinois cavalry under Major Mudd, made a reconnoissance to-day in the direction of Fort Donelson.  An advance guard of some forty men, encountered a superior number of the rebel cavalry about seven miles on the main road to Dover.  Capt. Brink, ordnance officer, who accompanied the command, with Carson, were in the advance, and discovered the enemy and gave notice to our cavalry who were feeding some distance in the rear.  The rebels advanced on our small force and gave them battle to a cross road.  Some 20 more of our cavalry coming up to the assistance of our struggling little band, the enemy turned and took to flight with a loss of 5 killed and 23 prisoners, among whom was the captain of the rebel band.  Our loss was 1 man wounded and 1 horse killed.

Gen. Grant and staff to-day, also made a reconnoissance to within 4 miles of Fort Donelson, and a complete knowledge of the roads was obtained.

The Reconnoitering transport steamer H. H. Brown, in charge of Capt. Logan, aid to Gen. Grant, with Col. Riggins and Col. A. H. Markland, the military Mail Agent accompanying the army, made another trip to-day to the railroad bridge across the river at Danville, where a large quantity of army stores, wagons, hides and numerous other articles of value were obtained.

From All appearances in every direction from the Fort, the rebel retreat assumed a complete panic and stampede.  At Danville the quarters of the troops gave evidence that they fled while in the act of preparing either dinner or supper.  The cooking utensils contained the allowance of their morsel.  Beds and cabin furniture were strewn about in reckless confusion, and terror and dismay seem to have filled the breast of the occupants.

An unfinished letter from a soldier to his sister, was found, dated the 6th, (the day of the battle) which stated that the 7th regiment left there the night previous for the fort leaving every room for the conclusion that actual force at this place on the day of the capture of this Fort was not less than 12,000.

Col. Markland, by order of Gen. Grant, took possession of eleven bags of mail matter at Danville and closed the office yesterday.

Gen. Grant and staff visited Danville and took possession of a large amount of property of the same character as that taken to-day, besides the ferry steamer J. M. Martin, which was brought down to this point.

The bridge is a magnificent structure of about 1200 feet in length, besides about 400 feet of trestle work.  The piers of the spans, some nine in number, are built of granite, and in the strongest manner.  The trestle work has been partly destroyed to its being used by rebels.

Reinforcements are arriving very rapidly.  The 14th Iowa, the 13th Missouri, a battalion of Birge’s sharpshooters, the 43rd and 17th Illinois regiments, all arrived during last night and to-day.

The gunboats which went up the river after the capture of the fort have not yet been heard from.

SOURCE: “Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune,” Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, February 12, 1862

Friday, November 7, 2014

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Abraham Lincoln, February 2, 1863

St. Louis, Feb. 2, 1863.
His Excellency the President:

Sir — Appreciating as I do the responsibilities and cares of your position, I have avoided obtruding upon you my opinions, except in cases wherein I would, in my judgment, have been wanting in my duty to my country had I forborne to do so. A case of this kind, in my judgment, now presents itself, illustrating a grave question of policy.

On the 8th of January Col. William T. Shaw received from Major-Gen. Curtis, commanding the Department of the Missouri, written orders to repair to Helena, Ark., and report to the officer commanding the Eastern District of Arkansas, for duty in organizing and mustering in troops to be raised from persons emancipated from servitude for garrison and other duties as contemplated in the proclamation of his Excellency the President of the United States of the 1st of January. In obedience to this order, Col. Shaw repaired to Helena, reaching that point about the 16th of January, and reported to Brigadier-General Gorman, commanding, delivering the order of General Curtis. General Gorman positively refused to recognize Col. Shaw as an officer under his command; positively refused to issue any orders or to afford Col. Shaw any facilities to execute the orders of Gen. Curtis; used grossly insulting language to Col. Shaw for being willing to act under such an order; stated that if he (Gen. Gorman) had any officer under his command that would help to execute such orders he would have him mustered out of service, and that if any man should attempt to raise negro soldiers there his men would shoot them. Throughout the entire interview his demeanor and language to Col. Shaw was grossly insulting and abusive. Shortly after this interview, a member of the Second Arkansas Cavalry handed to Col. Shaw a letter directed on the outside of the envelope, "Col. Shaw, in charge of negro camp." The letter was as follows:


Executive Office, Helena, Ark., Jan. 23, 1865.
General Orders No. 2.

No person, or persons, in the State of Arkansas shall be enlisted, or recruited, to serve as soldiers except by an officer duly appointed by the Military Governor of this State.

amos F. Eno,
Secretary of State, pro tem.


Col. Shaw finding he could not execute the order of Gen. Curtis, reported in person to him.

Mr. President, I do not desire to intermeddle in matters with which I have not legitimate concern, nor do I think I am so doing in bringing this matter to your notice. Col. Shaw is a gallant officer from the State of Iowa, commanding the Fourteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He led his regiment bravely at Donelson and Shiloh; was taken prisoner at the latter place, and after a long and severe imprisonment, was paroled and exchanged in October last. Except in military position, he is at least Gen. Gorman's equal. He has been grossly insulted while endeavoring, as a good soldier should, to execute the orders of his superior officer.

But the precise point to which I desire to direct your attention is this: The proclamation issued by you on the 1st of January last was an act the most important you have ever performed and more important than, in all human probability, you will ever again perform. I shall not here argue whether its results will be good or evil.

Had you not believed the good of the country imperatively demanded its issuance, you would not have issued it. I most cordially and heartily endorse it But, Mr. President, that proclamation cannot be productive of good results unless it is observed and put in force. You know its promulgation has afforded many men a pretext for arraying themselves against the country, and if, having been promulgated, it is allowed to be inoperative, its effects must be all evil and none good. Then how may it be executed? Can it be, will it be, by such men as General Gorman?

Permit me to say, in all frankness, but with proper respect and deference, the history of the world cannot show an instance where a policy of a nation to array men strongly for or against it was ever successfully carried into effect by its opponents. It is not in the nature of things it should be so, and with the facts herein presented within my knowledge, I can not feel that I have discharged my duty without saying that, in my judgment, it cannot produce the good effects its friends believe it is capable of producing, and must produce only evil, unless you depend for carrying it into effect upon those who believe it to be a wise and good measure.

Many men holding high commands in the armies of the Union openly denounce the proclamation as an “abolition” document, and say it has changed the war from a war for the Union into a war for freeing the negroes. This is caught up and goes through the ranks and produces a demoralizing effect on the men whose affiliation has been with the Democratic party, and they say “they did not enlist to fight for niggers;” while the men whose affiliation has been with the Republican party are disheartened and discouraged at discovering that the policy of the President, which they heartily endorse and approve, is ridiculed and thwarted by the men who should carry it into effect. If that proclamation is not to be respected and enforced, it had better never have been issued. I am unwilling to be misinterpreted or misunderstood. I am not influenced by party political considerations. There are few men in the country with whom I have differed more widely politically than with Gen. Butler, yet it is to me a source of great pleasure that he is to supersede, at New Orleans, a distinguished and able officer of my own political faith. Gen. Butler is prompt, ready and anxious to do the work assigned him, and such are the men we must have to obtain success. I care not what their political opinions have been, if they are unconditionally for the Union to-day.

Permit me further to call to your notice the document copied herein issued by “Amos F. Eno, Secretary of State, pro tem. As the Governor of the loyal State of Iowa, duly elected by the people of that State, I would not feel at liberty to order that no person should be enlisted or recruited as soldiers in Iowa, except by an officer duly appointed by myself; and it certainly seems to me that the subordinate of a military governor, appointed by you, for a State in rebellion against the government, should not have that power. This act of this man is evidence of the determination of men holding their authority from you to disregard and bring into disrepute the policy you have felt bound to adopt. There is a further act of this Mr. Eno that I feel obliged to bring to your notice. He claims to act as the Adjutant-General of the Military Governor of Arkansas, and I am informed by authority, upon which I confidently rely, he turned from 100 to 150 sick and wounded soldiers out of a comfortable house, wherein they had been placed, in order to use the house as his headquarters; that these poor fellows were removed while it was raining, and that some of them actually died while being removed. There are many sick and wounded Iowa soldiers at the place, and some of them may have been among those thus treated. I would not, in my judgment, be discharging my duty to them, if I did not bring this matter to your notice and demand an investigation of the facts alleged.

Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 267-9

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Nathaniel B. Baker to Rush Clark, February 19, 1862

STATE OF Iowa, ADJUTANT GENERAL’s Office
February 19th, 1862.
HON. Rush CLARK,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SIR: I have just received the following despatch from Chicago:



CHICAGO, Feb. 19th, 1862.
To ADJUTANT GENERAL BAKER:

The Second Iowa acquitted themselves with great bravery at Fort Donelson — led the best and most successful charge —have suffered terribly. Besides the Second, there were the Seventh, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa Infantry in the fight. The friends of Cols. Tuttle, Lauman, Perczel, Hare, Wood and Shaw, will rejoice that the glory of the fight and the victory belongs, and is attached to their names, and to the brave officers and soldiers under them. Another glorious page has been recorded in the history of Iowa by her gallant troops in the field.

With great respect, I have the honor to rejoice in the glory of Iowa, and the triumph of Union men.

N. B. BAKER.
Adjutant General of Iowa.

SOURCES: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 207; Iowa House of Representatives, Journal of the House of the Ninth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, p. 342

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Colonel William T. Shaw, January 14, 1862

I am well assured you are doing all in your power to promote the comfort of your men. Allow me to suggest one thing that, possibly, may be of service. Hold your company officers to a strict accountability for the perfect cleanliness of their company quarters, and of the clothes of their men, and for the cleanliness and good cooking of the food for the companies. It seems to me the company officers should see to these matters and should be held accountable if they are neglected.

SOURCES: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 179

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Capt. Mahanna, of Co. B 14th regiment . . .

. . . is acting Major at Fort Randal Dakotah Territory, where there are three companies of that regiment stationed.

Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 2

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Mortality of Iowa Soldiers

The following list comprises the names of Iowa Volunteers who have died in the vicinity of St. Louis at the dates named. – For further information, apply to John A. Smithers, 113 Chesnut street, St. Louis.

April
30
Lewis Stah,
Co. K,
16th
regt.
May
3
Wm. H. Johnson,
Co. K,
17th
May
4
Theo. Campbell,
Co. F,
11th
Chas. White,
Co. K,
17th
6
Robt. A. Bennett,
Co. D,
2d
Ben. J. Baker,
Co. K,
14th
7
G. W. Hess,
Co. F,
6th
Gottleib Weltlaff,
Co. K,
16th
Wm. T. Clark,
recruit for
4th
8
John Keppel,
Co. A,
2d
E. A. Ward,
Co. H,
12th
9
Jos. B. Caraway,
Co. B,
12th
Geo. B. Ferguson,
Co. D,
5th
10
Thos. Sharpe,
Co. I,
4th

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 15, 1862, p. 2

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Army Correspondence

CAMP 3D OHIO CAVALRY,
WOOD’S DIVISION, BUELL’S ARMY; May 2.

EDITOR GAZETTE:  It is now ten days since Pope’s army disembarked at Hamburg, four miles above Pittsburg Landing.  It was a glorious scene that opened on us that morning – one that seemed to inspire new life in the great army that composed this fleet.  The poor soldiers had had a terrible time on the overcrowded boats for twelve long days, most of the time exposed to a cold, disagreeable rain, and many of them having to sleep on the hurricane deck.  Notwithstanding their tribulations the soldiers appeared to be perfectly delighted with the marvelous beauty of the Tennessee river – a more charming stream I have not seen this side of the Hudson; such variety of scenery, enchanting views, lovely foliage and yet withal so sparsely settled.  Few residences and not a single town of any size or importance is to be seen from Kentucky to Alabama.

We crossed the Kentucky and Tennessee line early Monday morning, the 22d, and in a short time reached Ft. Henry, which bears the marks of having been bravely defended.  A few miles above we came to the ruins of the superb railroad bridge, the fine draw of which and the stone piers are still standing.  It was an imposing sight to see.  Gen. Pope’s fleet plowing its way majestically down – or rather up – into Dixie.  There were about fifty steamers – some of them the largest that float on the western waters, and of sufficient capacity to carry tow regiments of infantry.  The new Uncle Sam, for instance had on board the 43d and the 39th Ohio regiments, one battalion 2d Iowa Cavalry and one battery of artillery.

Since landing here I have been over the battle ground several times.  One is surprised to see the trees filled with bullets and cut to pieces by cannon balls and shells, and can scarcely understand how any could possibly have escaped before such terrible fire.  It is not only so for a few rods, but for several miles square.  It was one of those battles that can never be fully described.

As for the part that the Iowa bore in that terrible conflict, her eleven regiments, compared now with what they were previous to the battle, will tell where she was and what she did during the great struggle.  I have visited all of her regiments since being on the field, but cannot describe the feeling of loneliness, of utter desolation, which seems to pervade the remnants of the 8th, 12th and 14th regiments.  One cannot go among them without experiencing a feeling of sadness, especially among the boys of the 8th.  There are only about 85 of them left, and having  suffered in that terrible march last October, in Missouri, what few regiments in the U. S. have ever suffered, it has placed them in closer relationship with each other than is common among men of other regiments.  The 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa, and 58th Illinois are now consolidated, and are called the “Union Brigade.”

This is a fine timbered country, and very hilly.  One is surprised to see the large number of springs that are found here, which is great convenience to the army, although a great many of the soldiers are made sick by using their water.

Gen. Halleck has now a battle front that reaches from 12 to 15 miles, and as the columns are steadily advancing, it is probably that the ball will be opened in a few days.  Yesterday I took a ride into Mississippi to within a mile or two of Farmington, a little town 6 miles due east of Corinth.  I was 8 miles southwest of our division, and learned from our cavalry pickets that were farthest advanced, that the secesh pickets have disappeared, and had not been seen for two or three days.  That, with several other circumstances, has created a general impression in the army that Corinth is evacuated, which has been corroborated by rebel prisoners taken on the right of our army.  On my way back to camp last evening I met the vanguard of Pope’s army, on their way to Farmington, which place they would reach last evening, and then strike south.  They were followed to-day by Gen. Crittenden’s division, and will be by ours to-morrow.  As. Gen. Wallace’s forces destroyed the railroad communication to the west of them a few days ago, the impression is created that the rebels at Corinth, if they have not evacuated as usual, are being surrounded, in which event their fate is sealed.

The people at the North have but little idea of the magnitude of Gen. Halleck’s army here.  Ohio and Illinois, alone, have enough men in the field to take the strongest position the rebels could occupy, at least it seems so, to see the number of regiments from those two States.  I have seen over fifty batteries of artillery, and I would not pretend to say how many regiments of cavalry.  There is such an army concentrated here, that we have but little hope of meeting the rebel forces at any one point, and Beauregard is too cunning to permit himself to be caught in such a trap as the entrenchments at Corinth; but a few days more will tell the tale.  Yours, &c.

GAMBIER.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 2

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Regiments Brigaded

The 58th Illinois, 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa regiments have been brigaded together and will act as one regiment until further orders of Brig. Gen. Davies.  Capt. Healy, of the 58th Ills., is the acting Colonel; Capt. Fanton, of the 12th Iowa, Lieut. Colonel; Capt. Kettle, 58th Ills., Major; 1st Lieut. S. E. Rankin, 8th Iowa, Adjutant.  The 58th Ills. is divided in to three companies, A, D and F.  The 8th Iowa into three companies, I, C and H.  The 12th Iowa into one company, K.  The 14th Iowa into three companies, E. G and B.  This general order, it is said, has caused much excitement among Iowa troops.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1


EDITORS NOTE:   I believe "Capt. Fanton" to be John G. Fowler, of Company K, 12th Iowa, Infantry, as the following paragraph appears on page 271 in Henry Lamson Boies’ History of De Kalb County, Illinois:

“Following the fight at Shiloh, the shattered remnant of the 58th was united with similar fragments of the 8th, the 12th and the 14th Iowa, and called the Union brigade. Three captains, G. W. Kittell and R. W. Healy, of the 58th, and Captain Fowler of the 12th Iowa were detailed to serve as field officers.”

Sunday, August 4, 2013

The Iowa Boys At Pittsburg

BATTLE FIELD, PITTSBURG LANDING,
April 26th, 1862.

EDITOR GAZETTE: – If your correspondent of the 11th has neglected to keep you posted up as to our doings, &c., pray excuse me, for I have and a more pressing engagement, which I could not decline. – We, i. e., our mess and Chaplain, had just finished our breakfast on the morning of Sunday, April 6th, in the open air, and were discussing, quietly enough, the meaning of the occasional volleys of musketry from the southwest, which, as heretofore, might be from returning pickets; the men were preparing guns for Sunday inspection, and the Chaplain was just turning into our sleeping tent for a Bible, to pick a text for the day’s sermon, when lo! a squad of fugitives in uniform came running through our camp with the cry of “the enemy are cutting us to pieces!” followed hard by a mounted orderly dashing past to the tent of Col. Hare, who commanded, to-day, our brigade.  The long roll beats, and in fifteen minutes the Iowa 11th is in line of battle, under Lt. Col. Hall.  The other regiments of our brigade, the 13th Iowa, and the 8th and 18th Ill., are moved off half a mile to our left, while the 2d brigade of McClernand’s division (the 11th, 45th, 20th, and 48th Ill.) are between them and us, placing our regiment on the extreme right of McClernand’s division, and of the whole line of battle, from 8 A. M. until 2 P. M.

I am thus particular as to our position, in order to show where credit is due for some hard work claimed by the Ill. 11th and 45th, who were next to us.  We were hardly in line before the scattered fugitives had grown to a huge crowd, and soldiers were seen flying from the foe by thousands, and not a stray shot or shell from a cannon came whistling past – our Chaplain brought us a specimen picked up in lieu of his text – and in long and serried lines the compact masses of the foe moved in sight.  75,000 to 90,000 of the bravest and best drilled soldiers of the South, under Polk, Bragg and Hardee, guided by Beauregard and Johnston, and surprised our camp of five divisions, of less than 40,000 fighting men, and before 8 o’clock A. M. had utterly routed two of these divisions – Sherman’s and Prentiss’.

Look at the map of our battle field given in the Chicago Tribune of the 16th inst., and you will see that the victorious enemy rushing on from Sherman’s towards the river would fall upon McClernand’s and Hurlbut’s divisions next, and they came upon us expecting an easy victory. Our regiment had been detached to act as a reserve for the reinforcement of any part of our division needing aid; but so overwhelming was the force of the enemy, now over three to one, that within twenty minutes of our getting into line we were in the hottest of the fight.  Repeated efforts were made to turn our right flank, and as one brigade of the enemy became exhausted and discouraged, it was withdrawn and fresh forces brought up.

For five hours we maintained the unequal contest and every man fought as though he felt that the salvation of our army depended that day on our holding our position until reinforcements should arrive.  Twice after getting our first position were we compelled to fall back to prevent the enemy from outflanking us, and for the third time we charged upon the foe- although our ranks were reduced one third by dead, wounded and those helping off the wounded – rolling back the storm of war to our first position, and holding the enemy there until our ammunition was expended and we were ordered back by Gen. McC. for more, at one P. M.  We fought in the camp ground of the Ill. 11th and 45th, and those of your Iowa readers who noticed the gallant fighting done there ascribed to these regiments by Chicago reporters will justly be proud to know that Iowa was there.

The account given by the special correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, and copied into the St. Louis and Chicago papers and by far the most accurate I have seen, speaks thus:  “Once more its right swept around and drove the enemy a considerable distance,” &c.  Iowa was there, notwithstanding that no reporter, so far as I have seen has noticed our gallant State except in disparaging terms, as unjust as disparaging.  I venture to say that no troops ever did better fighting than did the Iowa 11th and 13th in McClernand’s division, on the 6th; nor were the 8th, 12th, and 14th behind in valor, though more unfortunate.  They were taken because of fighting too long and to obstinately.  The 6th Iowa was one of our advanced regiments, surprised in the morning.  She literally fought her way back to her friends, and first of all the outposts, was in line for another fight.  The Iowa 2d and 7th, as ever, did their duty, and maintained their reputation, though, not placed in so prominent a part of the field as some other regiments on the first day.  And here I desire to correct an error of the correspondent above alluded to.

The Iowa 15th and 16th were brought up just before noon, to support McClernand’s right, where we were fighting and forming on our own old parade ground, and were under fire nearly two hours before getting a chance to pitch in, and when led up to take their place their place marched boldly and gallantly up into the very jaws of death.  Our old soldiers say, that such a fire of musketry as we were opposed to was never experienced before them in battle; and the two raw regiments, unused to guns, having never practiced loading and firing, many having never seen a cartridge until they received them that morning, were thrown into confusion, and driven from the field; not, however, until a loss of 35 to 40 killed, and 250 wounded in the two regiments attested their courage and devotion.  Courage and devotion are of little use without discipline in such a fight.

Our regiment, as it fell back, obtained new supplies of ammunition and returned to the fight – eight companies to the left of our line, and two companies of rifles, B. and C, under Capt. Foster, were stationed with Birge’s sharpshooters again on the right, now a mile nearer the river, and across a small creek, to guard against the storming of a hill and log house which was admirably adapted to the work of sharpshooters.  We were here subjected to a heavy cross-fire from two batteries; but as often as a force of secesh showed themselves, they dropped back very suddenly again.  Our regiment did good work on the left, and lent gallant aid in beating back the foe in his last efforts to storm our lines.  On the next day our troops acted mostly as reserves, or as support to batteries, and were but little exposed, compared to the risks of the first day.

Iowa went into the fight with ten regiments and one part of a regiment (seven companies 14th,) in all some 5,500 effective fighting men.  250 of these sleep on the battle field; 1,200 are wounded, and some 1,400 are prisoners – prisoners because they fought on while regiments from other States gave way and suffered them, contesting every inch, to be surrounded by immense odds.  These are facts, and yet because we send soldiers and not reporters, must we get no credit; while no other State (although all did well) can show such a record – one half her soldiers given in a single fight.  Reporters on Grant’s staff make him the hero of the fight and he praises his staff.  Now this tickle-me-and-I’ll-tickle-you sort of talk will not do; it can’t make history.  They may all be good soldiers – in a horn – and write on some safe nook, descriptions of charges which were never made.  Why was this gallant army surprised?  The people who have given sons, citizens, husbands, to the country, ask why this needless slaughter, and these “errors of omission” are not atoned for by “errors of commission,” for we fought all day on Sunday without Generals.  Nothing but undaunted bravery of troops and the good conduct of company and regimental officers saved our army on that terrible day.  For while we had less than 25,000 men engaged on Sunday, more than half our total loss occurred on this day.

The 11th buried on Tuesday and since, as a result of this battle, 32 soldiers, and 160 wounded; the 13th nearly as many more.  No officers distinguished themselves more for cool courage than Lt. Col. Hall, commanding the 11th, and Col. Crocker, commanding the 13th, while Col. Hare well maintained his ability to command a brigade, until wounded and compelled to retire.  Maj. Abercrombie, of the 11th was wounded severely while ably seconding Col. Hall.

I have already spun out this too long, but I would fain add one or two incidents of a personal character.  As we were charging the third time on the enemy, Corporal Kersey, Co. B, hand a finger on the left hand shot away, and immediately took out a pocket knife and cut away the fragments of the wound, bound up the finger and was in the fight all day and next saying as he did it, “they can’t drive me out for one finger.”

As we rose over a short hill we could see the enemy advancing down another, just across a small branch, and some fifteen rods distant.  A well directed volley sent the most of them to the “about face.”  The standard-bearer, however, fell and Private Haworth, of Co. B, captured the flag, the first trophy of the day, while the Captain (Foster) picked up the rifle of a fallen rebel, just loaded, and blazed away at the retreating foe.  Capt. McFarland, of Co. G, did the same thing, and both have their Enfield rifles as trophies of a first shot each at the foe.

One spunky little Frenchman, Jo. Laplant, assistant wagoner to Co. B, would not stay with the team, and so mixed in the fight in the afternoon of Sunday, ventured too far, and was taken prisoner.  Deprived of his gun and placed under a guard of three men, to be taken back, he went very submissively along until two guards went back to help off a wounded officer.  Watching his chance, he knocked down the guard, and with the rebel’s gun hastened down to the river side, near the gunboats, where he lay all night and came in next morning.

I notice it very extensively discussed whether we were whipped on Sunday.  Never! And wouldn’t have been, even if Buell had not reached us.  The truth is the rebels surprised our camps and gained great advantages of us, until checked by McClernand and Hurlbut’s Divisions in the morning.  From that on until 4 P. M., our forces slowly retired; but at 4 the gunboats threw their weight into the doubtful scales, and the enemy, exhausted and spent, were entirely checked.  Lew Wallace, of our army, came in with his division that night, and the balance was then in our favor.  We should have gained the next day any way.  Of course the arrival of two divisions of Buell’s army, and especially of Buell himself, was most opportune; for our disjointed, confused and fragmentary army was organized, and massed and directed.  Our numbers on Monday were about 50,000.  Everything then was like clockwork, and the rebels who had the night before saved our camps and baggage so as to use them, were on Monday night busted out too hastily to destroy what they could not keep.  We beat them back on Monday over the ground they had gained the day before. – “Line upon line” Buell hurled his brave troops at them, and they retreated, fighting every step, until they reached the old battle ground of 8 o’clock Sunday morning, when they broke and fled.  The roar of cannon, the terrific whiz of musketry suddenly cease, (except the occasional shots of pursuers,) and naught remained by the peaceful quiet dead and groaning wounded.

In looking over the list of Iowa regiments I desire to pay a tribute of deserved praise to the 3d Iowa Infantry.  After the most heroic fighting on Sunday, in which they lost every field officer and all their captains, they were led the second day by Lieut. Crossly; and again won imperishable laurels by their heroic conduct.

Yours, &c.
L.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Iowa Items

A large company, consisting of 43 persons, having with them 12 wagons and 116 horses, passed through Iowa City last week bound for California.  They were from Northern Illinois.

RESIGNED. – Maj. Brodtbeck, of the 12th regiment has resigned on account of ill health.  Gen. Grant refused him permission to return home when taken sick, but gave him the alternative of going to the hospital or resigning.  He tried the former, but finding his health not improving he gave up his commission.

D. A. Mahony & Co., of the Dubuque Herald, sued the postmaster of that city, at the late term of the U. S. Court, for a claim of $35, for publishing uncalled-for letters from April to December, 1861, and also for $2,000 for not publishing the letter list in the Herald.  The defendant demurred, and the Court sustained the demurrer, holding the plaintiff had no cause of action, and if he had the Court had no jurisdiction.  This is “rough” on Mahony, who had been threatening “starting developments” would be made when the U. S. Court met.

The following Iowa wounded were brought to Keokuk last Monday:

Jasper T. Hubbard, Co. H, 2d; R. H. Jones, Co. G, 6th; J. W. West, Co. G, 7th; Edward T. Lanning, do; R. Austin, Co. H, 7th; H. Nichols, Co. F, 13th; C. H. Martin, Co. G. 13th; M. T. Snyder, Co. K, 13th; H. Loomis Co. G, 14th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Imposition Upon Soldiers

The Davenport Gazette of the 27th, calls attention to certain gross outrages inflicted upon soldiers by some of the steamboats on the river and particularly by the St. Louis and Keokuk line.  The Gazette relates the following facts:  A private of the 14th regiment named William Harvey, from Jones county arrived in town on the Kate Cassell Sunday, from Keokuk.  Mr. Harvey when at St. Louis, was directed to the Die Vernon as a through boat to Dubuque, and did not discover his mistake till too late for the Canada, which was just leaving.  He accordingly came up to Keokuk on the Vernon, and in payment for his passage handed his through pass onto the Clerk, who returned him a ticket entitling him to a passage on the Kate Cassell. – This ticket, brought him only to Davenport, leaving him to make his way to Dubuque the best way he could.  The officers of the Bill Henderson kindly took him to Dubuque yesterday, running the risk of getting their pay.  The Die Vernon will charge Government for passage to Dubuque, of course, and thus make the price of the trip from Davenport to Dubuque clear.  This would be a mere trifle if it were the first occasion of the kind, but the Gazette is assured that the St. Louis and Keokuk boats frequently serve soldiers in that way and in some cases give them no pass beyond Keokuk.  Whether this be true or not soldiers complain very much of the treatment they received from that line of boats when coming home wounded.  If the owners of these or other boats cannot afford to treat soldiers decently, disabled in the cause of their country, they should be made to do it.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Iowa Legislature

(Special to Burlington Hawk-Eye)

DES MOINES, Man, 29, 1862

SENATE. – Mr. McCRARY, of Van Buren, introduced a resolution instructing the Committee on Ways and Means to inquire into the expediency of reducing the salary of the Governor’s Aids.

The Committee on Ways and means reported a substitute for the House bill assuming the Federal tax.

The Military Committee reported a Joint resolution instructing the Governor to procure the balance of the State quota of arms for 1861-2 in long range rifles, instead of ordering muskets.

Mr. WOOLSON reported back from the committee of Ways and Means an act authorizing warrants issued by the Auditor on the War and Defence Fund to be receivable in payment of State taxes.  Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.  Also, a bill providing for the taxation of railroads.

The Senate bill making Iowa money and U. S. Treasury notes receivable for taxes was made the special order for to-morrow.  They spent the balance of the day in Committee of the Whole on Court of quarter sessions bill.


HOUSE. – Mr. FARRELL, of Johnson, introduced a bill exempting young orchards from taxation 10 years.

Mr. LANE, of Scott, introduced a bill authorizing an increase in the number of meetings of boards of supervisors in counties over 20,000 inhabitants.

Mr. ROTHROCK, of Cedar, offered a resolution giving all the foreigners now in our army full naturalization papers on their receiving an honorable discharge from such service.  Referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. McPHERSON, of the Senate, and EATON, of the House, were appointed a committee of Conference to-day on the division of the State into Congressional Districts.


DES MOINES, Jan. 30

HOUSE. – The military committee reported a joint resolution asking the attention of the War Department to the fact that the Eighth Iowa Regiment are without proper tents, have insufficient arms, and no ambulances or hospital stores, and urges that something should be done for their relief.  Also, a joint resolution asking the General Government to pay Col. Edward’s troops for service in Missouri last fall.

Mr. FLINT of Wapello, introduced an infamous bill providing that no negro or mulatto shall come into, or reside in the State without filing his free papers and giving bond in five hundred dollars, for good behavior, and a violation renders him liable to be taken up and hired out to the highest bidder, to the board of supervisors.  Also, granting the right of transit to masters with slaves, through this state.  The vote to indefinitely postpone was 74 to 15.

The House adopted the Senate bill assuming the direct tax of $452,000 annually, and authorizing the Government to notify the Secretary of the Treasury immediately.


SENATE. – The Senate adopted the bill giving jurors $1.50 per day and ten cents mileage, also passed the bill from the Committee of Ways and Means authorizing county Treasurers to receive U. S. Treasury notes and the issues of the State Bank of Iowa in payment of interest and principal of school fund.

PROMOTIONS. – Second Sergeant G. W. Harlan to First Lieut., Co. C, 4th Infantry; Sergeant Major F. Earle [sic], to First Lieut., Co. I, 8th Infantry; First Lieut. E. J. Weiser to Captaincy, Co. D, 3d Infantry; Capt. Stiver[s], 14th Infantry resigned.

Col. Noyes of the Governor’s staff, goes to Davenport to-morrow to superintend the shipment of clothing and hospital stores to Iowa troops in accordance with the resolution of the General Assembly, also if possible to consolidate the German regiment with the Sixteenth Regiment.

T. H. S.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Friday, March 29, 2013

The Iowa Troops in the Pittsburg Landing Battle

From the Dubuque Times.

A dispatch from Chicago to Col. H. A. Wiltse of this city, states that the following Regiments of Iowa troops were in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, viz.

The Second, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Infantry, and the First Iowa Cavalry, making eleven regiments in all.

We are all very anxious to hear farther from the scene of conflict.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

Friday, December 28, 2012

James Dyer Welch . . .

. . . of Company K 14th Regiment, died on the 25th of March at Savannah, Tenn., of inflammation of the brain, aged 19 years and 6 months.  The deceased was a son of Mr. John D. Welch of this county, was in the battle of Fort Donelson and there as elsewhere, exhibited true courage and devotion.  He has given his life to his country.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Henry D. Woodward

HENRY D. WOODWARD, of the firm of C. T. Haskins & Co., dealers in lumber and hardware, Murray, Clarke County, Iowa, was born in Allegany (now Wyoming County), New York, the date of his birth being May 26, 1844, a son of Horace Woodward who was a native of Vermont. Our subject was reared and educated in the schools of his native county and at the age of 22 years he learned the carpenter's trade. He came to Iowa in 1859, locating in Black Hawk County. He enlisted in the late war in Company A, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, in which he served two years and eight months during which time he was mostly on detached duty. He re-enlisted as a veteran in Company K, Seventh Iowa Cavalry and took part in most of the engagements with the Indians. Mr. Woodward was married in December 1872 to Miss Barbara O. Shreves, a daughter of John Shreves, of Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa and to this union have been born three children – Loren S., Belle O., and John A. Mr. Woodward left Black Hawk County in 1871, removing to Adair County, where he remained till 1873. He then came to Murray, Clarke County, Iowa, where he has since resided with the exception of two years, which he spent in Adair County and during his residence here has been engaged in the lumber, hardware and furniture business. He has been elected to several local offices, and is at present, a member of the town council and of the school board. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 268

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 21. Col. William T. Shaw, 14th Iowa Infantry

No. 21.

Report of Col. William T. Shaw, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry.


ANAMOSA, IOWA, October 26, 1862.

SIR: As by the terms of my parole I am precluded from making as yet any official report of the part borne by my regiment, the Fourteenth Iowa, in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April last, and as I feel it due alike to the regiment and to myself, after so long an imprisonment, that their conduct shall be fully reported, I take the liberty of laying before you, unofficially, the following statement:

You will remember that the regiment then formed a part of the brigade of Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, included in the division of Gen. Charles F. Smith. On that day, however, in consequence of General Smith’s illness, General Wallace commanded the division, and Colonel Tuttle, of the Second Iowa, our brigade, which consisted of the Second, Seventh, Twelfth, and Fourteenth Iowa Regiments. Our division occupied the center of the line, having that of General Prentiss on its left, with General Hurlbut beyond him, while the divisions of Generals Sherman and McClernand were on its right. Our brigade occupied the left of the division, and was arranged in the order given above, from the right, so that the Fourteenth occupied the extreme left of the division, next to General Prentiss’ command.

Our line of battle was formed about half past 8 o’clock a.m., about 500 yards from the enemy's artillery, which at once opened a severe fire upon us. The ground was rolling and wooded, but free from underbrush, interspersed here and there with cleared fields and cut up by several roads.
In a short time the enemy's infantry made their appearance, advancing in line of battle. I at once perceived that the line of our brigade was not parallel with theirs, but inclined to it at an angle of about 45 degrees, the left in advance, thus exposing my left flank to the enemy some distance in advance of General Prentiss’ line, upon which it should have rested, and about 200 yards from his extreme right. After consulting with Colonel Woods, of the Twelfth, who was next to me on the right, I threw back my regiment and the left wing of the Twelfth, so as to bring our part of the line parallel to the advancing enemy and in line with General Prentiss’ division, but still failing to connect with it by an interval of about 200 yards. This also improved our position, which had previously been directly upon a ridge, exposed to the enemy's artillery, and gave us that ridge as a partial shelter. The enemy advanced steadily in two lines, about 200 yards apart. I ordered my men to lie down and hold their fire until they were within thirty paces. The effect of this was, that when the order to fire was given, and the Twelfth and Fourteenth opened directly in their faces, the enemy's first line was completely destroyed. Our fire was only returned by a few, nearly all who were not killed or wounded by it fleeing in every direction. I then immediately advanced my regiment, in which I was gallantly joined by the left wing of the Twelfth. Passing almost without opposition over the ground which had been occupied by the first lines, we attacked and drove back their second for some distance, until I was forced to recall my men for fear of my left flank being turned, no part of General Prentiss’ division having advanced with us. In this movement we took a number of prisoners, including 1 captain, whom I sent to the rear. Returning, the Fourteenth took up its old position in the line of battle, and Colonel Geddes, of the Eighth Iowa, now formed his regiment on our left, in line with us and General Prentiss’ division, filling up the gap which had previously existed there. That division, however, with the one beyond it, materially changed its position in the course of the forenoon, its left falling back repeatedly, until the line of these two divisions had swung around almost at right angles to us. I now perceived a large force of the enemy approaching from the left and front, and immediately reported the fact to Colonel Tuttle, who, at my request, sent me a couple of brass 6-pounders, which were near by. These I got into position just  in time to receive the enemy. They advanced with the most desperate bravery, the brunt of their attack falling upon the Eighth Iowa, by whom it was most gallantly borne. I have good authority for saying that the firm resistance of the center at that time was the chief means of saving our whole army from destruction. The fighting continued with great severity for about an hour, during which we repelled what General Beauregard in his official report counts as three of the five distinct charges made by the rebels that day upon our center, and at the end of that time the enemy facing us fell back fully repulsed. Colonel Geddes now withdrew a short distance to take care of his wound, and at his request, as his position was more important and exposed than my own, I moved to the left and occupied it, thus leaving an interval on my right between us and the Twelfth. When Colonel Geddes reformed it was on the right of General Prentiss, with whom Colonel Geddes fought during the rest of the day.

General Prentiss’ line had now swung around so far as to be almost parallel with ours, and back to back with us, about 150 yards in our rear, at our end of the two lines. In this position he was again engaged by a large body of the enemy, who had advanced from the left, having driven in General Hurlbut’s division. At about a quarter to 5 p.m. I received an order from Colonel Tuttle to about-face and proceed to engage the same body of the enemy. In order not to interfere with General Prentiss’ lines I marched by an oblique, passing close to the Eighteenth Wisconsin in his line, and here for the third time that day the Fourteenth engaged with the enemy. After less than half an hour we repulsed them and made a short advance, which revealed to me the facts of our position. The enemy’s center had advanced over the ground defended by us before our change of front and were now attacking us in the rear. Both wings of their forces had advanced so far as to form a junction between us and Pittsburg Landing, their right, which we were now facing, meeting at an angle with their left, which had driven in McClernand's and Sherman's divisions on our right, and into this angle we were about being pressed by this new attack on our rear. General Prentiss having already surrendered with a part of his command, the Fourteenth was left in advance of all that remained, but completely inclosed, receiving the enemy's fire from three directions. The regiment still kept its ranks unbroken and held its position facing the enemy, but the men were almost completely exhausted with a whole day of brave and steady fighting and many of them had spent their whole stock of ammunition. It was therefore useless to think of prolonging a resistance which could only have wasted their lives to no purpose, and at about a quarter to six p.m. I surrendered them and myself prisoners of war. I have only to add that I feel under the deepest obligations to both officers and men of my regiment for their admirable conduct through the day. This was so complete and free from exception, that it would be impossible to mention individuals without doing injustice to the rest. Their steadiness and courage, the accuracy of their fire, and precision of all their movements entitle them to the highest credit, and their general demeanor, both upon the battle-field and in the trying scenes through which we passed as prisoners of war, will always be remembered by me with pride and gratification.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 WM. T. SHAW,
 Colonel Fourteenth Iowa Volunteers.

Hon. SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD,
Governor of Iowa.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 152-4

Friday, October 26, 2012

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 10. Col. Marcellus M. Crocker, 13th Iowa Infantry

No. 10.

Report of Col. Marcellus M. Crocker, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry.


HDQRS. THIRTEENTH REGIMENT IOWA INFANTRY VOLS.,
Camp near Pittsburg, Tenn., April 8, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Thirteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the engagement with the enemy on the 6th and 7th instant.

Early in the morning of the 6th the alarm was given, and heavy firing in the distance indicated that our camp was attacked. The regiment was formed in front of its color line, its full force consisting of 717 men, rank and file. It was at once ordered to form on the left of the Second Brigade, and proceeded to that position at a double-quick, and was then formed in line of battle in a skirt of woods bordering on an open field to the left of a battery. Here it remained for some time inactive, while the enemy's guns were playing on our battery. In the mean time a large force of the enemy's infantry were filing around the open field in front of our line, protected by the woods and in the direction of our battery, opening a heavy fire of musketry on the infantry stationed on our right and charging upon the battery. The infantry and battery to the right having given way, and the enemy advancing at double-quick, we gave them one round of musketry and also gave way. At this time we – as, indeed, all our troops in the immediate vicinity of the battery – were thrown into great confusion, and retired in disorder. Having retired to the distance of 100 or 200 yards we succeeded in rallying and forming a good line, the Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers on our left, and having fronted to the enemy, held our position there under a continual fire of cannon and musketry until after 12 o’clock, when we were ordered to retire and take up a new position. This we did in good order and without confusion. Here, having formed a new line, we maintained it under incessant fire until 4.30 o’clock p.m., the men conducting themselves with great gallantry and coolness, and doing great execution on the enemy, repulsing charge after charge, and driving them back with great loss.

At 4.30 o’clock p.m. we were again ordered to fall back. In obeying this order we became mixed up with a great number of regiments falling back in confusion, so that our line was broken and the regiment separated, rendering it very difficult to collect it; but finally, having succeeded in forming, and being separated from the brigade, we attached ourselves to the division commanded by Colonel Tuttle, of the Second Iowa Volunteers, and formed with his division in front of the encampment of the Fourteenth, Second, and Seventh Iowa Volunteers, where we sustained a heavy fire from the enemy's battery until dark, and there remained during the night on our arms. During the day we were under fire of the enemy for ten hours, and sustained a loss of 23 killed and 130 wounded.

On the morning of the 7th we were ordered to continue with Colonel Tuttle’s division and to follow up and support our forces that were attacking and driving back the enemy. We followed them up closely, moving to support the batteries until the enemy was routed, after which we were ordered to return to the encampment that we had left on Sunday morning, where we arrived at 8 o’clock p.m.

Our total loss in the action of the 6th and 7th is: Killed, 24; wounded, 139; missing, 9; total, 172.*  The men for the most part behaved with great gallantry, and the officers exhibited the greatest bravery and coolness; and I call especial attention to the gallant conduct of my field officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Price and Major Shane, who were both wounded in the action of the 6th, and acknowledge my great obligations to my adjutant, Lieutenant Wilson, who during the entire action exhibited the highest qualities of a soldier.

Respectfully, &c.,

M. M. CROCKER,
Colonel Thirteenth Iowa Infantry.

 C. CADLE, Jr., A. A. A. G., First Brigade, First Division.
__________

* But see revised statement, p. 100, and division return, p. 123.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 131-2

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 6. Col. Marcellus M. Crocker, 13th Iowa Infantry, Commanding the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Tennessee

No. 6.

Report of Col. Marcellus M. Crocker, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, commanding First Brigade.


HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION,
Camp near Pittsburg Landing, April 8, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the First Brigade of the First Division in the action of the 6th and 7th instant, after 4.30 o’clock p.m. of the 6th, at which time Col. A. M. Hare was wounded and carried off the field and the command of the brigade devolved upon me. At this time the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers, Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers retired together, in obedience to command of Colonel Hare, and were rallied by me, and formed after we had retired to position in front of the camp ground of the Fourteenth Iowa Volunteers, and for the rest of the day and until the enemy was repulsed they maintained that position under constant and galling fire from the enemy’s artillery. The fire of his guns ceased at dark, and during the night we remained under arms in that position.

On the morning of the 7th we were ordered to advance with the division, at that time commanded by Colonel Tuttle, of the Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and form a reserve to the advance of our forces that were driving back the enemy and to support our batteries, which we did during the day, most of the time exposed to the cannon and musketry of the enemy. Just before the rout of the enemy the Eighteenth and Eighth Illinois Regiments were ordered to charge upon and take a battery of two guns that had been greatly annoying and damaging our forces. They advanced at a charge bayonets, took the guns, killing nearly all the horses and men, and brought the guns off the field. The enemy having retreated, and there being no further need of the regiments under my command in the field, Colonel Tuttle directed me to return with my regiments, the Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois and Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers, together with the guns captured, to our encampment, which we had left Sunday morning. This I did, arriving at the camp at 8 o’clock p.m. of Monday. During this day our loss was small, the principal loss of the brigade having occurred in the action on the 6th instant.

The entire loss of the brigade in this action during the two days engaged is: Killed, 92; wounded, 467; missing, 18. A list of the killed, wounded, and missing is herewith submitted.*  We went into action with 2,414 men, and came out of it on the evening of the second day with 1,795. Most of the officers and men behaved with great gallantry and coolness.

Of Dresser’s battery and the Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry I can say nothing, excepting that I found what was left of them in camp upon my return on the evening of the 7th, they having been separated from the brigade during all the time that it was under my command.

Respectfully, &c.,

M. M. CROCKER,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Major BRAYMAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
__________

* Nominal list omitted; but see revised statement on p. 100, and division return on p. 123.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 125-6

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 20. Col. Joseph J. Woods, 12th Iowa Infantry.

No. 20.

Report of Col. Joseph J. Woods, Twelfth Iowa Infantry.

MAQUOKETA, JACKSON COUNTY, IOWA,
April —, 1862.

On the morning of April 6, the rebels having attacked our advanced lines at Shiloh, Tenn., the Twelfth Iowa Infantry was rapidly formed and joined the other regiments — the Second, Seventh, and Fourteenth — of the Iowa brigade, being the First Brigade, under Brigadier-General Tuttle, of the Second Division, under General Wallace. The brigade was marched to near the field beyond General Hurlbut’s headquarters and formed in line of battle, the Second and Seventh on our right, the Fourteenth on our left. The Eighth Iowa, of Prentiss’ division, was on the left of the Fourteenth, forming an angle to the rear with our line. An open field lay in front of our right. Dense timber covered our left. A small ravine was immediately behind us. In this position we awaited the approach of the enemy. Soon he made a bold attack on us, but met with a warm reception, and soon we repulsed him. Again and again repeatedly did he attack us, trying vainly to drive us from our position. He failed to move us one inch from our position. On the contrary, we repulsed every attack of the enemy and drove him back in confusion.

Thus matters stood in our front until about 4 p.m., at which time it became evident, by the firing on our left, that the enemy were getting in our rear. An aide-de-camp rode up and directed me to face to the rear and fall back, stating, in answer to my inquiry, that I would receive orders as to the position I was to occupy. No such orders reached me, and I suppose could not. The Second and Seventh Iowa had already gone to the rear, and on reaching the high ground between our position and General Hurlbut’s headquarters we discovered that we were already surrounded by the enemy, caused by no fault of our own, but by the troops at a distance from us on our right and left giving way before the enemy. Seeing ourselves surrounded, we nevertheless opened a brisk fire on that portion of the enemy who blocked our passage to the Landing, who, after briskly returning our fire for a short time, fell back. A brisk fire from the enemy on our left (previous right) was going on at the same time. Seeing the enemy in front falling back, we attempted by a rapid movement to cut our way through, but the enemy on our left advanced rapidly, coming in behind us, pouring into our ranks a most destructive fire. The enemy in front faced about and opened on us at short range, the enemy in our rear still closing in on us rapidly. I received two wounds, disabling me from further duty. The command then devolved on Captain Edgington, acting as field officer. The enemy had, however, already so closely surrounded us that their balls which missed our men took effect in their ranks beyond us. To have held out longer would have been to suffer complete annihilation. The regiment was therefore compelled to surrender as prisoners of war.

Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter was much reduced by chronic diarrhea and Major Brodtbeck was suffering from rheumatism. Being myself the only field officer on duty, at my request Captain Edgington acted as a field officer, the duties of which he performed in an able and efficient manner.

Quartermaster Dorr, though his position did not require him to go into action, volunteered to do so, and throughout the day behaved in a brave and gallant manner, daringly, if not recklessly, exposing his person to the enemy. He made himself very useful in carrying messages and spying out the positions and movements of the enemy and firing on them as occasion offered. Energetic and efficient in his own department, he would fill a higher one with credit to himself and honor to the service.

Adjutant Duncan proved himself on this, as on all occasions, a faithful and efficient officer.
Captains Earle, Warner, Stibbs, Haddock, Van Duzee, and Townsley performed well their part, as did all the lieutenants in the action, in a prompt and willing manner.

The non-commissioned officers and men stood bravely up to their work and never did men behave better.

In the death of Lieutenant Ferguson, of Company D, the regiment lost one of its best-drilled officers and a gallant soldier. It also lost a good man and a good officer in the death of Lieutenant Moir, of Company A.

 J. J. WOODS,
 Colonel Twelfth Iowa Volunteers.

 ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,
First Brigade, Second Division.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 151-2