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

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: November 5, 1863

Up at 4 A. M. Co. "C" ordered to go with Capt. Easton on scout. Got on wrong road, being dark. Trotted two or three miles, returned and fell in with the regt. Moved to near Rheatown and waited for 5th Ind. to come down from Leesburg. Rainy and unpleasant. 14th Ill. to front. Returned near old camp. During night rained heavily. Boys got very wet. Slept well and dry.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 96

Friday, January 3, 2014

14th Illinois Infantry Monument: Shiloh National Military Park


ILLINOIS

14TH INFANTRY
2D BRIGADE – VEATCH
4TH DIVISION – HURLBUT
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE




14TH INFANTRY

COMMANDED BY
COL. CYRUS HALL.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Went into battle on this line about 9:30 a. m., April 6, 1862, and with slight changes of position held it until 11:00 a. m., when the regiment fell back to the road and formed a new line.  It lost in the battle 9 officers and 117 men wounded; 35 men killed; 4 missing; total 165.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Evacuation of Island No. 10


Nine Steamers Fall into Our Hands, &c., &c.

ST. LOUIS, March 18. – The news of the evacuation of Island No. 10 was sent to the headquarters in this city by General Pope, from New Madrid.  The latest intelligence to the press, by way of Cairo, was to Sunday evening whist General Pope’s dispatch was dated the next day.  The fact that the newspapers here have no particulars by telegraph of the occupation of the island by the Union troops has given rise to a doubt in the minds of some, and particularly the secessionist, as to whether Gen. Halleck’s announcement in his speech at the Planter’s House last evening was not premature.  But now there is no question in relation to the matter.  Gen. Pope has telegraphed that in addition to the evacuation of the Island, the rebels abandoned, without destroying, nine large transport steamers, which must eventually fall (if they have not already) into our hands.  The batteries at New Madrid and Point Pleasant completely blockaded the river, so that it was impossible for the rebel boats to pass.

The Union loss at the fight at Salem Ark., is five killed and twenty-five wounded.  The rebel loss is 100.  Among their killed is Col. Woodside.

The following are portions of a letter from a member of the Fourteenth Illinois Regiment, on board the steamer January, in the Tennessee river, 12 miles from the Alabama line, dated March 12th:

Yesterday, about 2 o’clock, as we were steering up the river, crowds of Union men and women gathered on the banks of the river, and with the wildest enthusiasm and demonstrations of joy, hailed and welcomed us.  One old lady held up both arms outstretch for fifteen or twenty minutes.

The rebels have begun the work of drafting in Carroll county, Tenn., and many of the Union citizens of that county have come to this place to join the Union army.

A secesher fired into one of the boats yesterday, and then skedaddled into the bushes. – The ball wounded one man slightly in the shoulder.

The boys on [board] yelled at a furious rate at the novel sight; twenty six-sturdy, intelligent and well dressed Tennesseans hailed us, and the boat put in and took them on board, and they enlisted in our regiment.

It is reported that there are many rebels not far from here.  A company of cavalry went out yesterday.  It has not yet returned.  We shall leave here as soon as the expedition gets ready – perhaps to-morrow.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

Friday, March 16, 2012

Army Correspondence

FORT DONELSON, NEAR DOVER
Stewart County, Tenn., Feb. 19, 1862

MR. EDITOR:  A kind Providence has spared me to fulfill my promise of writing a few lines from Tennessee.  I am now sitting upon a camp cot in a tent pitched upon a slippery red clay side hill, in the Redan, or rear Fort, with my portfolio upon my lap, whilst a cold and pitiless rainstorm is raging without.  As we have no stoves you can judge that my position, if not my disposition is not the best in the world for writing a readable article.  I will, however, endeavor to make a few extracts from my diary since leaving St. Louis, which I find covers some twenty odd pages in my note book.

Having been relieved of our prisoners at McDowell’s College, we left for St. Louis on Monday evening on the 10th inst., on the T  L McGill, a very slow old craft, and arrived at Cairo on the morning of the 12th.  Here our destination was changed from the Tennessee to the Cumberland.  Left Cairo in the evening and found ourselves next morning some ten or fifteen miles above Smithland.  The day was pleasant and scenery beautiful.  The Cumberland valley, if properly titled, would be one of the richest and most productive in the world.  But alas the effects of our national curse are everywhere seen.  Ill planned houses, dilapidated fences and overtaxed soils are all the improvements with few exceptions that meet the eye.  The women at the little towns and farm houses along the river generally waved some kind of a white rag and the “niggers” universally grinned us a welcome. – Very few “men folks” were to be seen.  Our fine Brass band played as we passed the towns, and its music reverberated from hill to hill, apparently charming the astonished “natyves.”

In the afternoon we overhauled the transports, thirteen in number, and five or six gunboats accompanying them.  They all moved on slowly together, making a grand spectacle never before seen in this stream.  The river was very high and admitted the largest class of steamer, such as the Alex Scott, Memphis, &c.  About 10 o’clock the wind tacked round to the north and it commenced snowing.  In the morning we found ourselves laid up against the west bank of the river.  About two inches of snow was on the ground.  The disembarkation of troops began early and most of the gun boats proceeded up the river to feel for torpedoes and get the range of the guns in the main Fort.  Our regiment, with five or six others, were soon under way to connect with those thrown across from Fort Henry.  After marching four or five miles over hill and dale we struck the left wing commanded by Gen. Smith.  This wing rested on a slough running back about two miles from the river, below the fortified hills.  We were placed in Acting Brigadier General Lauman’s Brigade on the extreme left wing.  It comprised the 7th and 14th Iowa, 25th Indiana and Birge’s regiment of Sharp shooters.  The several regiments in General Lauman’s Brigade had endeavored the day previous to storm the outer Forts and were repulsed with considerable loss, being saved from a general Massacre by the faithful sharp shooters, who clung to the snowy side hills from morning till night and picked off the enemy’s gunners every time they attempted to load their heavy pieces.  The Illinois 17th and 14th on the right wing in General McClernand’s division, had also attempted to storm a battery and were repulsed.

Thus matters stood when our regiment, the 2nd Iowa Infantry, arrived at the scene of action.

The gunboats were to open fire at noon when a general movement was to be made inward by the land forces.  They found the river clogged with felled trees which they had to pull out and it was fully 3 o’clock before they opened upon the fort and 4 o’clock before the firing became general.  Our regiment was chosen to charge the left wing.  The flank companies were sent out as skirmishers but before the general attack was ordered the gun boats ceased firing and the matter was laid over till the morrow.

During the forenoon of the 15th the enemy made a desperate attempt to cut through the right wing.  Eleven regiments on our side were engaged, some of which were badly cut up.  The 11th Illinois alone losing 68 killed and a large number wounded.  The enemy’s cavalry broke through and escaped but their infantry were driven back.  I walked over that battle field after the surrender and found it a sickening sight indeed.  The woods were literally strewn with corpses and almost every bush was shattered with balls.  At 3 o’clock in the afternoon our regiment was ordered to charge on the forts.  Col. Tuttle led the left wing in advance, and Lieut. Col. Baker the right, closely following the Colonel.  The batteries were planted on the brest [sic] of a hill which receded in deep hallows and sharp ridges towards the bottom where we had been encamped.  The dense growth of oak on the steep points had been felled down the hill and their limbs trimmed up and sharpened.  Against these we had to charge for nearly half a mile constantly exposed to the enemy’s fire without an opportunity of returning it, as green oak logs were placed on top of the embankments with loop holes through them for riflemen whom it was impossible for us to see.  Our brave fellows began to fall before the leaden storm which rained down upon us.  Capt. Cloutman of company K (Ottumwa) fell pierced through the heart.  Capt. Slaymaker of company C, (Davenport) fell shot through the abdomen, and cheered his men on with his last gasp.  Our excellent Major Chipman, fell badly wounded, and a number of other officers before which the rebels with their six shooting rifles quailed and fled.  We had just cleared about half a mile of those rifle pits when the enemy, in several interior Forts opened on us with grapeshot.  An order now came to charge the Forts and onward we moved to the attack within musket shot.  Here we stood for half an hour torn by grape and musketry, awaiting the cowardly Indiana 52nd which was ordered to support us but got no further than a deep hollow behind us where their fired up and killed some of our men.  The gallant 7th Iowa was then ordered forward and broke through these cowards to relieve us.  Our glorious old Colonel, who stood constantly at the head of his men, wept to see them falling around him and gave the order to fall back slowly behind the first batteries we had taken, leaving the field to the 7th, 12th and 14th Iowa regiments all of whom Gen. Lauman had on the field.  But it soon became evident that our small arms were availing but little and all the troops were called back where several pieces of artillery had been brought up and kept up an exchanges of shots with the enemy until dark, when the firing ceased.  Four regiments bivouacked in the trenches.  In the morning the enemy surrendered and we marched in.

I am freezing.  In my next I will give a description of the Fort.

H. S.

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

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Chapman's Peoria Independent Battery Light Artillery

Organized from 14th Illinois Infantry and attached to that Regiment till February, 1862, when designated Battery "B," 2nd Light Artillery, which see.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1044

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Late News - By The Mails

Later from Gen. Grant’s Column.

The Enemy will make another Stand.

THEIR STRONGHOLDS NOT TAKEN.


Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, April 11.

Our reporter has just arrived from Pittsburg, and furnishes the following:

The attack commenced about daybreak Sunday morning. Taylor’s battery and Waterhouse’s battery opened the fight, supported by the 23d Illinois on the right, the 77th Ohio supporting the left of Taylor’s, and the 53d Ohio supporting the left of Waterhouse’s. These regiments belonged to Sherman’s Division, occupying the extreme right. Both of the Ohio regiments ran – the 77th without firing a gun – leaving Waterhouse without support. He fought half an hour, however, retreating with only three guns. Capt. Waterhouse was wounded in the thigh by a Minie bullet, but not fatally. His battery was very badly cut up. His 1st Lieutenant, Abbott, was slightly wounded in the shoulder, with Chandler and Woodward, and five gunners were also wounded.

Taylor continued the fight, supported splendidly by the 22d Illinois, until he and his support were outflanked on both sides. He then retreated through a cross fire, having but one man killed and seventeen wounded. He lost 12 horses, his forge and battery wagons.

Meanwhile Waterhouse, with his three guns, took up a second position, supported by the second brigade of McClernand’s division, Colonel Marsh commanding, composed of the following troops, viz: the 11th, 17th, 20th, 45th and 48th Illinois. During the forenoon they were compelled to retire through their own encampment with heavy loss into some woods in the rear, where they formed a second line of battle.

McClernand ordered an advance. They advanced 100 rods and came in sight of the rebels, and here commenced on of the most fiercely contested engagements of the day, resulting in the repulse of the enemy, who were driven back through our encampments. The enemy met strong reinforcements and our ammunition being out retired. Another brigade took our place, but were compelled to retreat until within half a mile of the river; at that time our artillery and gunboats opened fire, the latter causing awful slaughter. The enemy were occupying our camp and the gunboats threw shell over our heads, and the ground was literally filled with rebel slain.

When Taylor’s battery took up their second position, it was upon the parade ground of the first division. The rebel battery took position about eight hundred yards in their front, resulting in a splendid artillery duel, which silenced the rebel battery and blew up their caisson. Our boys set up a shout which fairly drowned the musketry. Taylor’s battery, after that, were ordered in the reserve.

The left wing, with Prentiss on the left of Sherman, were drawn back parallel with the right. The gunboat firing was kept up all night.

Poor Carson, the scout, was killed about sunset. He had just come across the river with intelligence that Buell was crossing. He reported to the commanding General, stepped back, and that instant his head was shot off by a cannon ball.

Several Mississippi regiments who had arrived Saturday night at the rebel camp, double quicked to the battle-ground and were immediately repulsed.

Col. Hicks of the 40th Illinois is badly wounded, but not fatally. Lieut-Colonel Kilpatrick, 14th Illinois, killed; Lieut-Colonel Ross, 32d Illinois, wounded, dangerously.

Col. David Stuart was wounded through the left chest, but in spite of his Surgeon’s remonstrances, he went back upon the field.

When the boat left Col. Wallace was still living with faint hopes of recovery.

Col. Sweeney, of the 32nd Illinois, was wounded four times, not fatally, but kept the field until ordered off.

Col. Haynie was also wounded.

Gen. John McArthur was wounded in the foot.

Dr. Roscotton of Peoria, brigade surgeon, was seriously injured. Dr. Young, 48th Illinois, was wounded in the head; Frank W. Rielly, assistant surgeon 48th Illinois had a Minie ball shot through his leg, but his wound is not fatal.


SECOND DAY.

The attack was commenced by Lew Wallace’s division, who had come up in the night from Crump’s Landing, on the enemy’s left. The enemy fought with bulldog courage, and were driven back inch by inch, hotly contesting the ground. Six of our batteries were recaptured, and about thirty of the rebel guns taken. A Michigan battery captured by the 16th Wisconsin on Monday.

At this time, Beauregard was wounded in the arm, in his efforts to recover their battery. He led the attack in person, urging his men on with his sword. He was successful in taking the battery, but it was again taken from him. It was captured and recaptured no less than six times. Co. A, Chicago Light Artillery, was so severely handled on the first day that they were only able to man three guns on Monday. – But with these, after a desperate conflict, they succeeded in completely silencing and capturing a rebel battery of six guns, but they were compelled to relinquish it from lack of horses to draw the guns off. They had to take off their pieces by hand.

Out of seven men who were drawing one, five were struck down, two killed and three wounded. There were in all two killed and thirty-two wounded.

The general retreat of the enemy commenced about dark Monday. Our cavalry followed them up all night until their horses were tired. But for the impassable condition of the roads (it having rained) the rout would have been complete, and would could have carried their entrenched camp at Corinth. This latter will be impossible, for the above reasons, for some days. Their artillery is superior to ours. They have some of the finest ordnance officers in the country. Their small arms are also equal to ours.

Our reporter places the loss of the enemy at 15,000 killed and wounded, and our loss at 10,000 killed and wounded. These will be found moderate estimates. The enemy have taken more prisoners than we.

The 8th Iowa, Col. Geddes, were captured almost en masse. Gen. Prentiss, after he was captured, escaped and came into our camp alone.

The rebels had the very flower of the Potomac army with them. Breckinridge was reported killed on Sunday.

When our reporter left Wednesday morning, our advance, which had been pursuing, had only occupied the ground formerly held by him about seven miles from the enemy’s entrenched camp, which is located half-way between Corinth and Pittsburg.

The enemy are straining every nerve to get in reinforcements, and bloody work must yet occur before we drive them from their position.

The names of the killed and wounded are coming, but are so numerous and scattered as to preclude the getting of anything like a detailed account. Every means of transportation is being used for the wounded, and every facility afforded those who have so nobly come forward to care for them.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 1

Monday, November 2, 2009

BRIGADIER-GENERAL M. M. CROCKER


FIRST COLONEL, THIRTEENTH INFANTRY.

Marcellus M. Crocker is a native of Johnson county, Indiana, where he was born on the 6th day of February, 1830. At the age of ten years, he accompanied his father's family to Illinois, whence, after a residence of four or five years, he removed to Jefferson county, Iowa. The extent of his early education I have failed to learn; but, at the age of sixteen, he was appointed, through the recommendation of General A. C. Dodge, a cadet in the military academy at West Point. He is not however a graduate of that Institution. After an attendance of some two years and a half, his health failed him, and he was compelled to leave the Academy. Late in 1849, he returned to Iowa, and began the study of law in the office of Judge Olney, at Fairfield. He commenced the practice of his profession in 1851, in the town of Lancaster, Keokuk county, where he remained till the spring of 1855, and then removed to Des Moines, his present home.

General Crocker entered the service as captain of Company D, 2d Iowa Infantry. He had recruited his company in April, 1861, for the three month's service, (as was the case with nearly every captain of the 2d Iowa) but, the State's quota for that term of service having been already filled, he was assigned to the 2d Iowa, and, at the rendezvous of the regiment in Keokuk, was elected its major. With that rank he entered the field. Four months later, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, vice Tuttle, promoted, and on the 30th of October following, was transferred from his regiment, and made colonel of the 13th Iowa Infantry. In the winter of 1862-3, he was appointed and confirmed a brigadier-general. His promotions were rapid and richly merited; for, with her splendid galaxy of military heroes, Iowa can not boast a better nor truer soldier than General Crocker.

During his colonelcy of the 13th Iowa, General Crocker took part in two engagements — Shiloh and Corinth. In the former, he commanded his regiment, and in the latter the Iowa Brigade — the oldest and not the least distinguished brigade command in the Army of the Tennessee. In the former, his conduct was gallant in the extreme; and how he escaped without injury is really wonderful. I have spoken elsewhere of the confusion that reigned on the field in the afternoon of the first day's battle. At about four and a half o'clock it was at its hight [sic], and was so wild and terrible as to beggar description. At that hour, Colonel Crocker was conspicuous. I am told that his splendid example of courage contributed not a little toward the establishment of the new line, which successfully resisted the enemy's further advance that night. The progress of the battle on the left, I have given in the sketch of Colonel W. G. Williams. To show its opening and progress on the right, I quote from the official report of Colonel Crocker; for that gives the clearest and most intelligible account of any that I have seen:

"Early on the morning of the sixth, 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 seven hundred and seventeen men, rank and file. It was at once ordered to form on the left of the 2d 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 meantime, 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 of our troops in the immediate vicinity of the battery, were thrown into great confusion, and retired in disorder. Having retreated to the distance of one or two hundred yards, we succeeded in rallying and forming a good line, the 8th and 18th 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 twelve 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 an incessant fire, until four and a half o'clock, P. M., the men conducting themselves with great gallantry and coolness, and doing great execution on the enemy, repelling charge after charge, and driving them back with great loss. At four and a half o'clock, we were again ordered to fall back. In obeying this order, we became mixed up with a great many other regiments, falling back in confusion, so that our line was broken, and the regiment separated, rendering it very difficult to collect it."

This was the last order to retire that was given that afternoon, and the last ground yielded to the enemy; for the new line, when formed, was held successfully. It should, however, be stated that, it was now near night, and there was little more fighting that evening. It was in this new position that Colonel Hare, of the 11th Iowa, was wounded and retired from the field. During the day, he had commanded the 1st Brigade of McClernand's Division. After he was wounded and left the field, the command of the brigade was then turned over to Colonel Crocker — "his able and gallant successor."

In closing his report of the battle of Shiloh, Colonel Crocker says:

"During the day, we were under- fire of the enemy for ten hours, and sustained a loss of twenty-three killed, and one hundred and thirty 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 eight o'clock, P. M. Our total loss in the action of the 6th and 7th is killed, twenty-four; wounded, one hundred and thirty-nine; missing, nine: total, one hundred and seventy-two. The men, for the most part, behaved with great gallantry. All 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."

The last gun was fired at Shiloh, before two o'clock in the afternoon of the 7th, and that same evening, the main portion of Grant's army marched back to their former encampments, where, having buried the dead and cared for the wounded, they rested.

Immediately after this engagement, the Iowa Brigade was organized, and placed under the command of Colonel Crocker. It was composed of the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th Iowa regiments, and afterward, as I have already said, became one of the most distinguished brigade commands in the Army of the Tennessee. Under its first commander, it acquired that discipline and efficiency, for which it was noted under each of the general's successors—Chambers, Hall and Belknap. It has distinguished itself on half a score of battle-fields, and once saved the Army of the Tennessee from calamitous defeat It has a most brilliant record. With this brigade, Colonel Crocker fought at the battle of Corinth; but an account of that engagement will be found In the sketches of other officers.

In the winter of 1862-3, the colonel was made a brigadier-general. His sterling qualities as a soldier, and his continued gallant deportment earned the promotion. After receiving his commission, he continued with his brigade till the latter part of April, 1863, when, by order of General McPherson, he succeeded General Quimby in the command of the 7th Division, 17th Army Corps — the division which fought so gallantly, and lost so heavily at Jackson and Champion's Hill. He joined his division at Bruinsburg, just after it had crossed the Mississippi, and commanded it in the two above engagements.

On the evening of the 13th of May, the 7th Division bivouacked, with its army corps at Clinton, ten miles west of Jackson. The following night it was to camp in Jackson. The character of the country between Clinton and Jackson, the condition of the roads, and the state of the weather on the morning of the 14th instant, I have given elsewhere. Crocker's Division led the advance. This post of honor was granted by McPherson, at the general's own request, which barely anticipated a similar one from Logan. The march was made, and the enemy encountered about two and a half miles west of the city. Their line of battle was along a high ridge, and extended from north to south, as far as the eye could reach. The rain was falling in torrents, and, until it partially ceased, the two armies stood and watched each other. In half an hour it broke away, when General Crocker, pushing forward the 12th Wisconsin Battery, saluted General Johnson. Tuttle's Division of Sherman's Corps, which had in the meantime come up on the south side of the city, opened on the enemy at nearly the same instant. The 2d Iowa Battery, Lieutenant Reed, tired the first gun on the south side of Jackson. The enemy's force was about ten thousand, and the principal portion of it was in Crocker's front; but he pushed his leading brigade, which was drawn up in a continuous line, to the farthest point that afforded cover, and then ordered a charge. It was a magnificent sight, for the conduct of the brigade was magnificent. The battle was bloody, but not protracted: in ten minutes after the order to charge was given, the enemy were fleeing in total rout; nor did they stop until they had crossed Pearl River.

For so great results, the Federal loss was small — only two hundred and eighty-six; but all, except six or eight of the casualties, were from the 2d Brigade of Crocker's Division. The press of Illinois gave Logan the credit of fighting the battle of Jackson. It was all wrong. His command was not under fire; nor did it lose a man, even by a stray shot. The general himself was at the front, where he always was, when there was any fighting to be done; but he was only a spectator. He sat quietly on his horse, caressing his huge mustache, till word came of the flight of the enemy across the river, when he rode into the city. In his official report, General McPherson says: — "Colonel Sanborn was directed to send the flag of one of his regiments, which had borne itself most gallantly in the battle, and place it on the Capitol of the State of Mississippi, and shortly before four o'clock the flag of the 59th Indiana was proudly waving from the dome." The 59th Indiana "bore itself gallantly," but it did not fire a gun at Jackson. The 10th Missouri, 17th Iowa and 80th Ohio made the charge, and captured the city; and why the flag of the 59th first waved from the dome was, the regiments entitled to the honor bad been left on the field, and could not be reached. Had General Crocker delayed five minutes longer, the colors of the 95th Ohio of Tuttle's Division, would have flaunted from the rebel Capitol.

As soon as the fighting was done, General Crocker rode down his line to the 17th Iowa, and to the other regiments of the brigade, and thanked them for their gallantry; and as he looked back on the hill-slope, where were lying the dead and wounded, his eyes filled with tears, and his voice choked with emotion. "Noble fellows," he said, "I am sorry, but we can not help it."

Two days after the battle at Jackson, General Crocker commanded his division at Champion's Hill. His own, with Hovey's and Logan's Divisions, fought that battle — the bitterest of the whole campaign, if we except the charge on the 22d of May; but an account of this engagement has been already given.

In June, 1863, General Crocker came North on sick leave. His health, always bad, had been rendered much worse by the hardships and exposures of the recent campaign, and he accepted his leave, at the urgent request of General Grant. There is a story connected with this sick leave, which illustrates the kind-heartedness of General Grant, and which affords me pleasure to relate. On the return of General Quimby in the latter part of May, he resumed command of his old division, when General Crocker was placed temporarily upon the staff of General Grant. Crocker's tent being near that of Grant, the attention of the latter was attracted by the severe and almost incessant coughing of the former during the night; and, on meeting him the morning after, General Grant said: "General Crocker, was that you whom I heard coughing so last night?" "Yes," replied the general. "Well, then, my dear fellow, you must go straight home, for you will die here."

The general was at his home in Des Moines, at the time the Union Gubernatorial Convention was held in that city. During its session, he visited the hall of the Convention, and the eclat with which he was received, was a flattering testimonial of the esteem in which he was held by his State. He was the choice of the Convention for Governor of Iowa, and was earnestly solicited to accept the nomination; but his answer was: "If a soldier is worth any thing, he can not be spared from the field; and, if he is worthless, he will not make a good Governor." The argument was unanswerable, and his name was reluctantly dropped.

Early in July, 1863, General Crocker returned to the field, and was given a division command, and made Commandant of the District of Natchez. While commanding at Natchez, he made his expedition to Harrisonburg, Louisiana. "The expedition consisted of the following troops: the 2d Brigade, 4th Division, Colonel C. Hall, 14th Illinois, commanding; the 3d Brigade, 4th Division, General W. Q. Gresham commanding; Company F, 3d Illinois Battery, and the l5th Ohio Battery, with the 17th Wisconsin Infantry, mounted, commanded by Colonel Mallory." At Harrisonburg, the enemy were reported in considerable force, and intrenched [sic] in strong works. The object of the expedition was to destroy these works and ordnance property, and capture or disperse the rebel garrison. It resulted in the capture and burning of one small steamer on Black River at Trinity, the capture and destruction of Fort Beauregard at Harrisonburg, the destruction of all ammunition and six pieces of artillery; and the capture of about twenty prisoners and two six-pound brass cannon. There was no battle — only trifling skirmishing.

In the fall of 1863, General Crocker returned to Vicksburg, where he joined Sherman on the Meridian march. In the following Spring, he joined his corps (the 17th) in its march across the country to Georgia; but, on account of ill health, was relieved, and, early in the summer of 1864, was tendered a command in New Mexico, with head-quarters at Fort Sumner. Believing the climate would be beneficial to his health, the general accepted this command, since which time he has served in that department.

General Crocker is about five feet ten inches in hight, with a slender, nervous form, which can never pass one unnoticed. He has a passionate temper, and is plain-spoken, often saying things which, in his calmer moments, he would leave unsaid.

His mode of discipline is severe and uncompromising, and a careless blunder he would never excuse. On one occasion, while in command of the Iowa Brigade, a general review was ordered, and great pains was taken to avoid all mistakes. One can imagine then what must have been the general's mortification to see Colonel ____, of his leading regiment, ride past the reviewing officer, with his sword at a protracted "present." That was bad enough; but next followed Colonel ____, whose regiment passed with arms at a "right-shoulder-shift." When the review was over, the regimental commanders were summoned to the general's head-quarters, when, beginning with the chief in rank, he administered the following rebuke: — "Now, Sir, aren't you a pretty man — and pretend to be a military man—and educated at a military school! " " But—" (began the colonel, wishing to apologize) "Hush up, Sir. I'm doing the talking here." It all ended in a friendly chat, and in an order for a new review; and there was no more mistakes.

As a military man, General Crocker has been pre-eminently successful, not only as a disciplinarian, but as a bold and able leader. As a division commander, he has no superior in the State, and, what is a little remarkable, this fact is universally conceded.

Nor was the general less successful as a civilian, than he has been as a soldier. Though young, he ranked, at the time of entering the service, among the best lawyers of Des Moines — the city which boasted one of the ablest bars in the State. C. C. Cole, (now Judge of the State Supreme Court) J. A. Kasson, (now Congressman from the 5th District) C. C. Nourse, (Attorney General of the State) T. F. Withrow, (State Supreme Court Reporter) P. M. Cassady, (General Crocker's law-partner) General Williamson, Polk, Jewett, W. W. Williamson, Finch, St. John, Ellwood, Rice, Clark, Mitchell, Ingersoll, Smith, Phillips, White, McKay and Brown, was Des Moines' roll of attorneys in the spring of 1861, and of these the general ranked among the very best, as an advocate and circuit practitioner. Some say that, in these respects, he led the Des Moines Bar.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 255-64

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Battle of Pittsburg Landing - Report of Brig. Gen. Tuttle

Headquarters 1st Brigade 2d Div.,
Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 10, 1862

BRIG. GEN. J. McARTHUR, COMMANDING 2D DIV. – General: I have the honor to report the part taken by the 1st Brigade in the action of the 6th and 7th, as well as such other regiments and corps as were under my command during the engagement.

On the morning of the 6th I preceded with my Brigade, consisting of the 2nd, 7th, 12th and 14th Iowa Infantry, under the direction of Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, and formed line on left of His Division. We had been in line but a few moments when the enemy made their appearance and attacked my left wing, (12th and 14th Iowa) who gallantly stood their ground and compelled the assailants to retire in confusion. They again formed under cover of a battery and renewed the attack upon my whole line, but were repulsed as before. A third and fourth time they dashed upon us, but were each time baffled and completely routed. We held our position about six hours, when it became evident that our forces on each side of us had given way so as to give the enemy an opportunity of turning both our flanks. At this critical juncture Gen. Wallace gave orders for my whole Brigade to fall back, which was done in good order. The 2nd and 7th retired through a severe fire from both flanks and re-formed, while the 12th and 14th, who were delayed by their endeavors to save a battery which had been placed in their rear were completely surrounded and cut off, and compelled to surrender. In passing through the cross fire Gen. Wallace fell mortally wounded, and as you was reported wounded, and Capt. McMichael informing me that I was the ranking officer, I assumed command of the Division and rallied what was left of my Brigade, and was joined by the 13th Iowa, Col. Crocker, 9th Ill., Col. Mersy, 12th Ill., Capt. Stephenson, and several other fragments of regiments, and formed in line on the road, and held the enemy in check until the line was formed which resisted the last charge, just before dark of that day.

On Monday morning I collected all the Division that could be found, and such other detached regiments as volunteered to join me, and formed them in column of battalion, closed in mass, as a reserve for Gen. Buel [sic], and followed up his attack until we arrived near the position we had occupied on Sunday, where I deployed into line in rear of his forces, and held my command subject to his order. The 2d Iowa and 12th Ill. Were called on at one time. The 2d was sent to Gen. Nelson’s Division and was ordered to charge bayonet across a field on the enemy, who were in the woods beyond, which they did in the most gallant manner, the enemy giving way before they reached them. The 7th Iowa under orders from Gen. Crittenden charged and captured one of the enemy’s batteries, while the 13th Iowa rendered Gen. McCook valuable service near the close of the engagement.

On Tuesday, the 8th, when our forces were again called to arms, I called out the 2d Division, and all obeyed the call with alacrity except Col. Crafts J. Wright of the 13th Mo., who refused to obey orders and did not make his appearance during the day. The Division remained on the field all day and were ordered to return to camp after dark. The officers and men under my command behaved nobly and gallantly during the whole time, with the exception above named. The officers deserving special mention in this report are so numerous that I will confine myself to field officers alone. Lt. Col. Baker of the 2d Iowa, Lt. Col Parrott and Maj. Rice of the 7th Iowa, Col. Woods of 12th Iowa, Col. Shaw and Lt. Col. Lucas of the 14rh Iowa, particularly distinguished themselves for bravery and ability on the field. Col Crocker of the 13th Iowa, although not under my command originally, was attached to it on Sunday evening and remained with my Division until Monday evening. He proved himself to have all the qualities of a good and efficient officer, and was prompt to duty when the enemy was to be met. Col. Mersy, 9th Ill., also proved himself a brave and efficient officer. Col. Morton commanding 2d Brigade, and Col. Baldwin 3d Brigade, on the last day turned out their Brigades promptly and marched in column in the outposts. Col. Wood of the 12th Iowa was twice wounded, and when the enemy was driven back on Monday he was recaptured and is her unfit for duty. Appended I send you a list of the casualties of the Brigade only, as others will report directly to you.

Very Respectfully,
Your obt. Servt.

J. M. TUTTLE
Col. Commanding 1st Brigade 2d Div.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, April 22, 1862

NOTE: The casualty lists are lengthy and will appear in separate blog posts:
· Killed Wounded and Missing of the 2d Iowa Infantry

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Further Particulars from the Battle at Pittsburgh

CAIRO, April 14. – The first fighting at Pittsburg on Sunday morning last was opened by Col. Peabody sending Major Powell with one hundred and thirty men to reconnoitre; they met a large force of the enemy and were driven back; 300 were then sent out and they were driven back again. The enemy then attacked our men while breakfasting; they rushed to arms and pitched in to fight on their own hook. Gen. Grant was down on the steamer Tiger. – Col. Peabody was shot in the thigh.

Gen. Prentiss is reported to have said that he would sooner be taken prisoner [than] to retreat.

The rebel Col. Bushrod Johnson, who violated his parole given at Donelson, was taken prisoner.

A son of Gov. Sam Houston is wounded and a prisoner in St. Louis. Also a son of Pierre Soule has been taken prisoner.

The government has bought the steamers January and City of Louisiana for floating hospitals.

Col. Wood’s cavalry has gone to St. Louis; only 115 men of his regiment that are not taken prisoners, except what were in hospitals on Friday.

The Iowa 14th reported not taken prisoners.

One half of the 14th and 35th Illinois were taken prisoners.

The Missouri 19th went into the fight on Sunday with 600 men, and only ninety could be found at evening.

The 18th Missouri, 61st Illinois and 16th Wisconsin were in the centre of Prentiss’ division held their position for four hours in the middle of the day on Sunday.

Adj. Gen. Bilman of Prentiss’ division said he could muster only seventeen hundred men out of sever regiments on Sunday evening.

One of our sick men left in one of our tents is reported to have been hauled out thirty yards and his throat cut on Sunday night from ear to ear. Another had his boots stolen off his feet.

A man who helped bury the dead says he counted on a certain spot 170 dead rebels and only 38 Federals, they never put in less than two rebels to one Federal.

The rebels hauled off their dead Sunday night.

A surgeon visited 34 regiments of Grant’s army to ascertain the loss, and says the average killed is 34 to each regiment killed, and one hundred wounded.

Gen. Grant informed a surgeon just before leaving on Friday, that our loss was 1,500 killed 5,000 wounded and 3,500 prisoners. I have this from the surgeon. It seems too small.

We have one thousand rebel prisoners. Five hundred are wounded. The dead are buried.

Twenty five hundred wounded loyal troops lien in the transports at Pittsburgh receiving medical care.

Every facility is given by Gen. Strong to friends to help them in search of wounded and killed.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday April 15, 1862 and also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862