Brigadier-General George W. Cullum to Brigadier-General Ulysses S. Grant., February 7, 1862

CAIRO, ILL., February 7, 1862.

Brig. Gen. U.S. GRANT,

Comdg. U.S. Forces on Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers:

By direction of Major-General Halleck I am here with his authority to give any necessary orders in his name to facilitate your very important operations. Do you want any more cavalry? If so, General Halleck can send you a regiment from Saint Louis. I have directed General Paine to send you, as soon as transportation can be provided, the Thirty-second and Forty-ninth Illinois and Twenty-fifth Indiana. The Fifty-seventh Illinois will be here on Wednesday, en route to join you. Several regiments are about moving from Saint Louis to add to your forces. Please ask Lieutenant-Colonel McPherson whether he wants intrenching tools or anything else I can supply.

G. W. CULLUM,      

Brig. Gen. Vols., U. S. Army, Chief of Staff.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 7 (Serial No. 7), p. 594

25th Indiana Infantry

Organized at Evansville, Ind., and mustered in August 19, 1861. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., August 26; thence to Jefferson City, Mo., September 14; thence to Georgetown, Mo. Attached to Army of the West and Dept. of Missouri to December, 1861. St. Louis, Mo., to February, 1862. 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, Military District of Cairo, February, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, District of Memphis, Tenn., to September, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, District of Jackson, Tenn., to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to January, 1863. District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Army. Corps, to March, 1863. 2nd Brigade, District of Memphis, 5th Division, 16th Army Corps, to December, 1863. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to January, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE. – Fremont's Campaign against Springfield, Mo., September 22-November 3, 1861. Duty at Otterville and at LaMine Bridge till December. Pope's Expedition to Warrensburg December 16-20. Action on the Blackwater, Milford, December 18. Conduct prisoners to St. Louis, and duty at Benton Barracks till February 2, 1862. Expedition up the Tennessee against Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 2-11. Investment and capture of Fort Donelson February 12-16. Expedition to Clarksville, Tenn., March 19-21. Moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 5-18. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. March to Memphis, Tenn., via Grand Junction June 1-July 21. Duty at Memphis till September 6. Action at Nonconah Creek August 3. Forced march to Bolivar, Tenn., September 6-9, and duty there till October 4. Battle of Hatchie River, Metamora, October 5. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. Action with Van Dorn at Davis Mills December 21 (Cos. "A," "C," "D," "F," "H" and "I"). Moved from Davis Mills to Memphis, Tenn., January 14, 1863. Provost duty there till November, 1863. Railroad guard duty from Grand Junction to Moscow November, 1863, to January, 1864. Moved to Memphis January 28; thence moved to Vicksburg, Miss. Meridian Campaign February 3-March 2. Marion Station February 15-17. Reenlisted at Canton February 29, Veterans on furlough March and April. Moved to Decatur, Ala., April 24, and duty there till August. Action at Fletcher's Ferry, Flint River, May 18. Pond Springs near Courtland, Ala., May 27. Pond Springs June 29. Expedition to Moulton July 25-28. Decatur July 27. Moved to Atlanta, Ga., August 4-8. Atlanta campaign August 8-September 8. Siege of Atlanta August 8-25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Montieth Swamp December 9. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Reconnoissance to Salkehatchie River January 20. Salkehatchie Swamp, S.C., February 2-3. River's and Broxton's Bridges, Salkehatchie River, February 2. Binnaker's Bridge February 9. Orangeburg February 11-12. Columbia February 16-17. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsbore March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 19. Grand Review May 24, Moved to Louisville, Ky., June 5, and duty there till July 17. Mustered out July 17, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 7 Officers and 81 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 270 Enlisted men by disease. Total 361.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1129

4th Division, Army of the Tennessee Historic Plaque: Cloud Field, Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

FOURTH DIVISION, ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,

BRIG. GEN. STEPHEN A. HURLBUT.

__________

1st Brigade,	Col. Nelson G. Williams, 3d Iowa, (W’d.)
	Col. Isaac C. Pugh, 41st Illinois.
2d Brigade,	Col. James C. Veatch 25th Indiana.
3d Brigade,	Brig. Gen. Jacob G. Lauman.
Mann’s Battery, (“C” 1st Mo. Lt. Arty.,) Lieut. Edward Brotzmann.
2nd Battery, Mich. Lt. Arty., Lieut. Cuthbert W. Laing.
13th Battery, Ohio Lt. Arty., Capt. John S. Myers.
1st and 2d Battalions, 5th Ohio Cavalry, Col. W. H. H. Taylor.

__________

This Division encamped here March 18th 1862; the 1st Brigade in front of Division headquarters; the 2d half a mile north; the 3d east along the Brown’s Ferry Road.

Sunday morning, April 6th, 1862, the 2d Brigade reinforced Gen. McClernand, near his headquarters, and served with him until 5 o’clock when it rejoined it’s division.  The 1st and 3d Brigades formed line of battle in the Peach Orchard and were engaged in that vicinity until 4 p.m. when they retired to the right of the siege guns.

On Monday the Division was engaged on the left of the Army of the Tennessee until about noon when its 2d Brigade moved to the left of Gen. McCook’s Division and was engaged in Review Field.

The Division had present for duty, of all arms, officers and men, 7825.

It lost 317 killed; 1441 wounded; 111 missing; total 1869.

From Cairo

CAIRO, Jan. 31.

The military commission acting on the case of Dr. Scales, the horse thief and marauder, returned a verdict of guilty.  He will be sent to St. Louis, where he will be imprisoned during the war.

The 16^th Illinois regiment, Col. Smith, will arrive here at 9 o’clock from St. Joe, Mo.  Three more regiments, the 25^th Ind., 32d and 49^th Ill., with four batteries of artillery from Springfield and three batteries from St. Louis, will arrive here in a few days.

The 28^th Illinois recently mustered at Fort Holt has been ordered to Paducah.

Regiments arriving here will be sent to some other convenient point to be quartered.

Eleven thousand four hundred three inch mortar shells have been ordered here for the use of the mortars of the mortar boats.

The route of the Paducah packets has been extended to Smithland.

Recent intelligence from Columbus gives assurance that great dissatisfaction exists among the troops there, and thousands will desert upon the first opportunity.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Monday Morning, February 3, 1862, p. 1

Private Letter from Adjutant Tyner of the 14th Iowa

ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER,

NEAR DOVER, TENN., Feb. 17.

MY DEAR FATHER. – I expect you all imagine I am dead by this time, but thank God I am here safe, and with but slight injuries.  We left Fort Henry on the 12^th of February, marched all day and encamped three-fourths of a mile from this fort – so near that we dare not make camp fires for fear of drawing shells from the enemy.  We were up bright and early on the morning of the 13^th, got our breakfast of hard crackers and water, and awaited orders.  About 9 o’clock, A. M., we drew up in battle line, loaded our rifles, and in a few moments were marching in full battle front, through the thickest woods, and over the deepest ravines.  We were halted and put over the brow of the hill in front of the enemy’s entrenchments.  This part of their fort is situated on top of a high hill, with high entrenchments and rifle pits thrown up all around.  In front of this entrenchment is a miserable steep hill, on the side of which was fallen timber very thick.  At the bottom was a ravine, and then came another hill, thickly grown with timber.  On top of this was where our regiment was drawn up – we on the right, the 25^th Indiana on our left, and the 7^th Indiana on the extreme left of them.

Just previous to our moving, Col. Lauman, of the 7^th, Iowa, senior Colonel commanding our brigade, detailed me as one of his aids, but allowed me the privilege of being with my regiment – as much as possible, as Col. Shaw and myself were the only officers commanding the regiment.  Our Lieut. Col. was a member of the court martial at St. Louis, and could not be released.  Major Leonard was sick at the time of the fight, and could not go, consequently the Colonel and myself were the only mounted men in the regiment.

The Colonel gave me the command of the left wing of the battalion, and I was behind this part of the regiment when we moved down the hill.  We had not got down in the ravine before the enemy fired at our Colonel and myself.  They had thrown out their sharp-shooters as skirmishers, and they were hid behind fallen trees in our advance.  From this concealment they fired at us – one ball coming so near my face as to make me gracefully nod my head.

We continued our march, and in going up the hill over a little point our regiment was received with grape, shell, canister, ball and musketry.  Such a fire soldiers seldom encounter.  They had three concealed batteries, which they opened on us, and all their men were concealed; not one could we see during the fire – only as they popped their heads over the breastwork, and then woe to them; for we shot every man we saw.  During the first charge the regiment directed the right wing going to the right, to save themselves behind a portion of the hill.  The left wing under my command, instead of giving way, went on until I told them to save themselves behind trees, which they did by laying close to the ground.  About this time a spent ball struck my horse, knocking him down and me with him.  I jumped up and followed the boys until the fire became uncomfortably warm.  I sat down behind a tree, for every man in the regiment had to do this to save himself, but not a man retreated.  They seemed to have spotted every officer in the regiment, for their sharpshooters played on us unmercifully.  I could get in no position to evade the range of some of their rifles.  I will venture that fifty shots were fired within one foot of my head, one passing through my hair on the back of my head.  The whole regiment was under this galling fire for three hours, but by laying close to the ground we saved ourselves, as they could not get the range of their guns low enough.  We had two men killed instantly and 14 fell wounded.  The sharp shooters on our side then commenced work, and silenced every battery we were exposed to, thus leaving us an opportunity to get the regiment out of the fire, and form in the hollow or ravine below, where we were secure from their shots in this position.

We remained until after dark, when the order was given to cautiously move to our quarters of the night before.  The 25^th Indiana, on our left were obliged to quail as we did.  A part of their regiment moved up the hill to a little further than we, but suddenly the enemy from behind the entrenchments, opened fire on them, and they had to run for dear life.  In their retreat to the bottom of the hill, it seemed as though two-thirds of their men fell; but only 14 were killed and 50 wounded.  The unnecessarily exposed themselves and suffered the consequences.  The Iowa 7^th, in this action was cautions to lay low; it lost only one man that day, and he was in our regiment, or where we were.  It is equally as brave as any regiment yet.  The bitter experience at Belmont taught them to move cautiously.  I must say, Colonel Lauman is a brave man, yet I think our Colonel is the bravest man I ever saw.  He was as cool as a human could be, never manifesting either fear or excitement.  He remained on his horse during the whole engagement, and sat there with his legs thrown across the saddle, lady style.  I was not frightened, until they seemed to direct their shots particularly at me, and then I felt as though mere chance would effect my escape.  All the boys yelled and begged of me to move to save myself, and I headed their advice as soon as I could.  In Friday, the day following, we did little but to skirmish and pick the rebels off were we could.  We slept on our arms at night, out in the woods.  The greatest hardship I ever endured in my life, or ever expect to, I realized this trip.  We lived on hard crackers and water, and slept on the ground with only a light blanket.  One night it rained till 12 o’clock, then snowed until morning.  I slept on the damp ground with my little blanket over me, and in the morning every particle of clothing was frozen hard.  I thawed myself out by a large camp fire in the morning.

On Saturday the fight became general.  The gunboats had done all they could, so the only thing left for us was to take the fortification at the point of the bayonet.  The Iowa Second made the first charge, supported by the Iowa 7^th and 14^th, also the Indiana 25^th.  We marched up the hill in as heavy a fire as could be, and men fell on every side.  Capt. Slaymaker, Iowa Second, fell just above me, and I almost stumbled over his body.  We took the first entrenchment, and held the second in spite of the fire.  We laid under their entrenchments all night, in mud that froze us in tight.  On Sunday morning the rebels formed in battle line on their entrenchment without their arms, under the white flag.  They surrendered unconditionally, and the order came for the Second Iowa to march inside the entrenchments first, followed by the 14^th Iowa and then on the 7^th.  We took the fort and marched in first.  Ours was the 4^th brigade, composed of the Iowa 2d, 7^th, and 14^th, also the 25^th Indiana, and Birge’s sharpshooters, all commanded by Col. Lauman.  We all fought like devils, and would have died by inches rather than retreat.  The entire fight lasted four days, during two of which we fought all day. – All the regiments here – 40 in number – had fighting to do, and only those who have seen, can imagine how a battle-filed looks.  Our loss in the 14^th is 3 killed and 21 wounded.  In all the Iowa regiments, 47 killed, and 237 wounded; the Iowa 2d having 40 of the killed and 160 of the wounded.  I had my horse knocked from under me the first day, and was knocked head over heels the second day by a piece of shell, which struck me on the side and stomach, not tearing the skin, but bruising me.  I am up and around, and only a little sore.  My injuries are not worth mentioning.

Your affectionate son,

N. N. TYNER.

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

Battle of Fort Donelson

Official Report of Col. Lauman.

LIST OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED IN THE 2d, 7th and 14th IOWA.

HEADQUARTERS 4TH BRIG. 2D DIV. U S A

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 18^th, 1862.

GENERAL – I have the honor to report the following movements of the 4^th Brigade 2^nd Division.

We left fort Henry on the morning of the 12^th inst., arriving near Fort Donelson the same evening.  Immediately on our arrival I received your order to move the 7^th Iowa Infantry to the front to support a battery of Major Cavender’s 20 pounder Rifle Parrott guns, which were placed in a position to command a portion of the rebel works.  I obtained permission from you to associate the Regiment of Birge’s Sharp’s Shooters in the movement, and placed the two regiments in position where they remained during the night.

In accordance with order, on the morning of Thursday the 13^th inst., I moved the left wing of my brigade, consisting of the 14^th Iowa, Col. Shaw, and 25^th Indiana, Col. Veatch, from their encampment towards the enemy, who were entrenched about a mile distant therefrom.

The advance was made steadily and in as good order as the nature of the ground would admit of, until we reached the ravine at the base of the hill on which where the enemy’s fortifications – Here we halted, until the line could be formed, when the 25^th Indiana under Col. Veatch, moved steadily up the hill towards the entrenchments under a most galling fire of musketry and grape until their onward progress was obstructed by the fallen timber and brush wood.  Having, however, succeeded in obtaining an advantageous position they held it unflinchingly for more than two hours and until ordered to fall back out of the range of the enemy’s fire.  The loss of this regiment in killed and wounded was very severe.  The 14^th Iowa advanced at the same time, and took position on the right and across the ravine and did good execution.  Whilst these two regiments were taking the above positions the 7^th Iowa Infantry under Lieut. Col. Parrott, came up in fine style and took position in the centre, between the 25^th Indiana and then 14^th Iowa.

The 1^st Regiment Sharp Shooters, Western Division, Lieut. Col. B. S. Compton, were posted on the hill to the extreme right, except a detachment of about sixty, who were deployed as skirmishers, and rendered most effective service in that capacity and proving by their deadly aim that they are a most valuable arm of the service.  We held this position until night when we fell back to the position occupied in the morning.  On the following day we remained in camp skirmishing with the rebels during the day and night.

On Saturday the 15^th inst. at about two o’clock, I received your order to advance with my whole brigade and assault the heights on the left of the position attacked by us on the previous Thursday.  The Brigade was promptly in motion in the following order.

The Second Iowa, Col. Tuttle, led the advance followed by the 52^nd Indiana, (temporarily attached to my Brigade,) who were ordered to support them.  This regiment was followed closely by the 25^th Indiana, the 7^th Iowa and the Iowa 14^th.  The Sharp Shooters were previously deployed as skirmishers on our extreme right and left.  Col. Tuttle led the left wing of his regiment in line of battle up the hill supported by the right wing advancing at a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards in the rear.  So soon as he came within range of the enemy’s fire he led his men forward without firing a gun up to and charged into the rebel works, driving the enemy before him and planting his colors on the fortifications.  He was closely followed by the other regiments in the order of advance before named.  The enemy were closely pursued and driven behind their upper works. – Night coming on, we held in the position we had gained, and remained under arms until morning intending at the dawn of day to recommence the attack.  In this engagement the 2^nd Iowa suffered terrible.  Captains Slaymaker and Cloutman fell just as they entered the enemy’s fortifications.  Cloutman was instantly killed and Slaymaker died gallantly shouting to his men to go forward and consummate the work.

In the morning, as day dawned we were attracted to the inner fortifications by the sound of a bugle and saw the rebels displaying a white flag.  In instantly dispatched Lieut. Col. Parrott to ascertain the intent of it.  Who reported that an officer wished to see me.  I repaired to the spot and received from him offers of capitulation, which I at once forwarded to you – the result is well known.

It would afford me much pleasure to particularize the various instances of personal bravery displayed on the occasion by officers under my command, but when all behaved so well, it would be invidious to particularize, but I cannot refrain from mentioning, in this connection, the bravery of Col. Tuttle, Lieut. Col. Baker, and Major Chipman, (who received a severe wound in the thigh) of the Iowa Second, Col. Veatch and Lieut. Col. Morgan, of the Indiana 25^th and Col. Shaw, of the Iowa 14^th, also Lieut. Col. Parrott and Major Rice, who led the Iowa 7^th and to whom I return my warmest acknowledgements foe the gallant manner in which they led their regiment in the engagement on the 13^th and 15^th.  They did all that men possibly could do, and well sustained the reputation of the Iowa 17^th.

For the kindness, attention and skill manifested by the Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons towards the unfortunate wounded for so many consecutive hours, I return my most sincere thanks.

The total loss in killed and wounded, is as follows:

Second Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                         41

Wounded,                                                 157

Total,                                                         198

25th Reg’t. Indian Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                         14

Wounded,                                                 101

Total                                                          115

Seventh Reg’t Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                           2

Wounded,                                                   37

Total                                                            39

14th Reg’t Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                           3

Wounded,                                                   23

Total                                                            26

Birge’s Sharp Shooters

Killed,                                                           1

Wounded,                                                     3

Missing,                                                        1

Total,                                                             5

RECAPITUALTION

Killed,                                                         61

Wounded,                                                 621

Missing                                                         1

Total                                                          383

I herewith append the report of the Colonels of the Regiments attached to my Brigade, to which I invite your particular attention.  With Sentiments of high regard,

I remain respectfully,

Your ob’t servant,

J. G. LAUMAN,

Col. Com’ng. 4^th Brig. 2d Division

To Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith

Commanding Second Division

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

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 10^th inst., on the T  L McGill, a very slow old craft, and arrived at Cairo on the morning of the 12^th.  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 7^th and 14^th Iowa, 25^th 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 17^th and 14^th 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 2^nd 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 15^th 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 11^th 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 52^nd 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 7^th 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 7^th, 12^th and 14^th 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

The Storming of Fort Donelson

It turns out just as we anticipated it was the brigade of Col. Lauman, acting Brigadier General, consisting of the 7^th, 2^nd and 14^th Iowa and the 25^th Indiana which made the gallant charge up the hill over the enemies [sic] breastworks, driving him out of the upper position of his fortifications at the point of the bayonet and deciding the fortunes of the three days’ bloody struggle.  It was this brigade which first planted the stars and stripes upon the rebel works which they carried, restored the flagging spirits of our army, and held the ground which they had taken.

Although the accounts which we get are all Chicago accounts and colored almost as highly as those of the battle of Belmont, being written by the same persons yet, it evidently was not considered wise this time to omit all mention of the most gallant achievement of the three days fighting or of the persons who participated in it.  We find in the Chicago Tribune the following reluctant mention of this decidedly most brilliant bayonet charge, in its execution and result, of the war:

In the afternoon Gen. Grant saw that something should be done to restore the spirits of our disheartened troops, and ordered General Smith to make an assault on the west wing of the enemy’s works.  Gen. Smith, as quick as horseflesh could bear him, rode along his lines and ordered his men to prepare for a charge which caused shouts of joy to ring along his lines. – Without a moment’s unnecessary delay Colonel Lauman’s brigade, the 2d and 7^th Iowa, and the 11^th and 24^th Indiana, charged up to the enemy’s redoubt driving the rebels before them at the point of the bayonet like frightened sheep, and gaining possession of their outer works.

Gen. Smith behaved like one inspired for nothing less than continual victories.  He could be seen riding along the lines with his had swinging on top of his sword amid the thickest of the fight, encouraging his men and cheering them on to victory, regardless of the deadly missiles flying around him.

The Colonel of the 2^nd Iowa was the first to mount the enemy’s works with his men close in his wake.  The storming was complete.  Our troops gained a position inside of their works where they lay on their arms all night and prepared to follow up their success in the morning.

These Chicago reporters are subsisted and paid out of the means of Uncle Sam, by Chicago and Illinois Generals and Colonels, for the express purpose of puffing the aforesaid Generals and Colonels, and they do it without rime [sic] or reason, monopolizing the telegraph lines to the end.  We are surprised that any mention was made at all of Col. Lauman and our Iowa troops.  They tell us that such and Illinois Regiment fought like tigers, but were compelled to fall back – Col. So and So acted like one inspired – the Illinois _th fought with desperate courage until their ammunition became exhausted – the _th Illinois, being cut to pieces were compelled to fall back, which they did with good order, gallantry, etc., etc.  But it being necessary to do something to revive the flagging spirits of our army, the Iowa Brigade, under General Lauman, marched into the rebel fortification and ran up the stripes and stars.  That is all, recited in the fewest possible words, no praise being awarded except to Grant and Smith.

At 2 o’clock, we received the following dispatch, for which we paid the moderate sum of five dollars.  It confirms what we said above:

CAIRO, Feb. 19, 1862

EDITOR HAWK-EYE: – Col. Lauman’s brigade were the first inside the breast works at Fort Donelson.  The casualties of the 7^th Iowa are light, only one man (M. C. Stewart,) company D, is known to be killed.  No more than 15 (fifteen) are wounded, none dangerously.  The Second Iowa is badly cut up.  Two of their captains are killed – one is Captain Cloutman.  Major Chipman is wounded in the thigh.

J. R. N.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 2

The Second Iowa Infantry

The Second Regiment of Iowa volunteers was organized in May, and was the first from the state to enter the service for three years. Samuel R. Curtis was its first colonel, James M. Tuttle first lieutenant-colonel, and M. M. Crocker its first major, all of whom were promoted to generals during the war.

This regiment took a prominent part in the battle of Fort Donelson, which resulted in the first great victory for the union armies in the war. Curtis had been promoted to brigadier-general and J. M. Tuttle to colonel of the Second regiment. The army under General Grant, about 15,000 strong, had moved on to invest Fort Donelson February 12, 1862. The confederate general, A. S. Johnston, was in command of that department, and had sent an army of about 18,000 under Generals Floyd, Pillow and Buckner to garrison the forts on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and resist Grant's march southward. Commodore Foote with several gunboats co-operated with Grant in the attack upon Fort Donelson. Before the battle opened Grant had collected heavy reinforcements. On the 14th the fort was nearly surrounded and the gunboats opened a heavy fire upon it. But the heavy guns from the fort soon disabled two of the vessels, and the fleet dropped down stream with a large loss of men. Early on the morning of the 15th General Pillow led a strong force against McClernand, who commanded the right wing of the union army, and after four hours of hard fighting drove him back with heavy loss. But reinforcements coming to his aid the enemy was driven back behind the defenses. General Grant now ordered General Smith to assault the works on the left. Col. J. G. Lauman, of the Seventh Iowa, commanded the brigade, composed of the Second, Seventh, and Fourteenth Iowa regiments, with the Twenty-fifth and Fifty-second Indiana, and this made up the storming party. Colonel Tuttle led the Second in the advance. The rebel works were 500 yards distant on a hill, obstructed with abatis. At 2 o'clock the line moved to the assault and met with a terrific fire of artillery and infantry. Not a man faltered; on they moved, as the ranks were thinned by the deadly missiles which smote them like hail, but they carried the outer works which they held, sleeping upon their arms as night came on. The confederates now saw that the fort was doomed, and during the night Pillow and Floyd fled with some of their troops on a steamer up the river. In the morning General Buckner surrendered the fort, his army of 13,000 men, sixty-five cannon, 20,000 stand of arms, and a vast quantity of stores. The Twelfth Iowa also took an active part in the battle, making four Iowa regiments which shared in the glory of the greatest union victory of the war up to that time. General Halleck sent the following dispatch to Adjutant-General Baker: "The Second Iowa infantry proved themselves the bravest of the brave; they had the honor of leading the column which entered Fort Donelson." Corp. V. P. Twombly, of Company F, the color-bearer, planted the flag on the captured fort.

Of the 630 officers and privates who led this heroic charge, forty-one were slain and 157 wounded. The great victory at Fort Donelson revived the hopes of the union cause everywhere, and was received with great rejoicing throughout the north. It wiped out the stigma at Bull Run and again showed the valor of western soldiers. The Second Iowa went from Donelson to Pittsburg Landing, and on the 6th and 7th of April did gallant service in the great battle of Shiloh, where it lost more than seventy men. The next battle in which this regiment took part was at Corinth on the 3d and 4th of October. Colonel Tuttle had been promoted brigadier-general; James Baker, colonel; N. W. Mills, lieutenant-colonel, and James B. Weaver, major. The Second did gallant service in this desperate battle and lost nearly one-third of its number engaged. Among the mortally wounded were its colonel, James Baker, and Lieut.-Col. N. W. Mills, who fell while leading in the thickest of the fight On the 13th of October, James B. Weaver was promoted to colonel and took command of the regiment, and it became a part of General Sherman's army, that made the great march to the sea, always doing excellent service on that famous campaign.

SOURCE, Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 91

Lauman’s Brigade Position Marker: Fort Donelson National Battlefield

U. S. A.

BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARLES F. SMITH’S DIVISION

COLONEL JACOB G. LAUMAN’S BRIGADE

2D IOWA.  COLONEL JAMES M. TUTTLE

7TH IOWA.  LIEUT. COLONEL JAMES C. PARROTT

14TH IOWA. COLONEL WILLIAM T. SHAW

16TH MISSIOURI.  LIEUT. COLONEL BENJAMIN S COMPTON

25TH INDIANA.  COLONEL JAMES C. VEATCH

On February 15, 1862, about 2 P. M., this brigade received orders to assault the extreme right of the Confederate position.  The 2d Iowa let the attack and was closely followed by the 52d Indiana, temporarily attached to this brigade.  The 25^th Indiana, 7^th and 14^th Iowa regiments were in support.  The 16^th Missouri, deployed as skirmishers on the right and left of the line, covered the flanks during the attack, crossing the ravine.  The left wing of the 2d Iowa advanced steadily up the opposite hill and reached these rifle pits without firing a shot.  On reaching the works the regiment found the small Confederate garrison in retreat.  It opened fire upon the retreating foe, and awaited the arrival of the right wing.  Whereupon the regiment followed in hot pursuit.  In the meantime, the Confederates received reinforcements and counterattacked to recover the lost position.  Failing in this, they were content to retain possession of the ridge about 400 yards east and over looking these trenches which remained in federal hands.

Detail view: click photo to enlarge.

From The Iowa 2d Regiment

FORT DONELSON, Tenn.,

Feb. 20 1862

EDITOR GAZETTE:– Last Thursday morning we found ourselves on the Cumberland river slowly approaching the scene of contest.  At ten o’clock we stopped to wood.  Col. Tuttle said “come boys” and in a moment a lively scene presented itself as officers and men all turned out to prevent our being delayed while wooding.  We all feared we would be too late to participate.  In a few moments we were on our way up the narrow deep stream, the trees on the bank putting forth their buds in the warm sunshine.  We thought we had seen the last of cold weather this winter.

Thursday night we arrived at our destination and felt grateful that we were allowed to remain on board till morning, as it had stormed, rained and snowed and frozen up in a manner that would have done credit to an Iowa climate.  We marched at once to the left wing of the assailing army, taking two days rations and leaving our knapsacks and blankets aboard the McGill.  You that have seen the cold blustering weather of Iowa can imagine our reflections as we flocked around our fires?  We had no axes and could not find much loose wood.  All night long it snowed and blowed and we bade sleep good-bye.  We were half frozen, and in the best kind of a humor to hurt somebody.

The next day passed gloomily away till about one o’clock when Col. Lauman and Gen. Smith appeared and the order was given to “fall in.”  We were informed that it was expected that the left wing of the 2d Iowa should take the outer works at a charge bayonet without firing a shot.

The order was given and we marched out in an open field and ranged in line of battle for the breastworks, half a mile distant.  We kept a good line until we were half way up the hill to the breastworks.  Here the timber had been felled and formed an almost impassible obstacle to a line of infantry.  Their fire opened upon us, when the boys rushed forward over logs and through the brush up the hill in a manner that would have given a gymnast credit.  Their fire was well aimed and took effect on many of our brave comrades.  George Howell, of company C, was the first to fall, and others followed rapidly.  Capt. Slaymaker fell some 25 yards from the breastworks and died most gloriously, flourishing his sword over his head as he raised upon his elbow, cheering his men forward, telling them to “Charge, Charge, go on, go on, give it to them,” until he expired.  Not for one moment did the column falter, but on they rushed leaping over their dying comrades regardless of their sufferings, of danger, of every thing but the  success of our arms.  Revolving rifles poured a shower of bullets into our ranks by direct and flank fire, from behind their embankments.  In fifteen minutes from the time we had the order to fall in our men were over the works, fighting a hand to hand fight with the few of the enemy that dared brave our bayonets.  The right wing soon came up and fired at us after we had carried their embankments.  Other regiments followed, but as we were in the advance I cannot tell anything of them.  Lieut. Holmes fell on the inside of the breastwork while in advance of the men and was carried from the field.  Sergeant Doolittle fell while gallantly carrying the colors with the advance.  Corporal of company I, raised the banner to support it but a moment, when he fell.  Corporal of company F, grasped it and raising it aloft, feeling at the time that he was sealing his death warrant.  It was a courageous action in one so young to hold his life so cheaply.

In a few moments the enemy had retreated through the woods to an inner work. – Some of the bravest lingered and fired from behind trees.  Numbers of men and officers had fallen.  We were reforming one line when Gen Smith. Came up and told the men, “that we could go through,” and asked if we would go.  He was answered by cheers, and away we went on the run across the hollow to the top of the next hill.  Here we halted and opened a fire on them taking aim and picking off the rebels from behind the trees.  The Col. was stunned by a cannon ball.  Maj. Chipman had been wounded in the beginning of the engagement and the few remaining officers could not control the men if they had wished to. – The enemy had adopted the Indian style of fighting, and the 2d soon convinced them that that was a game that was understood by all parties.

No one is conscious of such music as we heard that day, except those who have been on the battle field.  The cannon ball, grape shot, Minnie ball and musket ball, each as a tone of its own.  Not for a moment did it cease, and many a note was sounded much closer to our ears than was agreeable.  Yet all were cool, loading and firing with precision.  Men fell dead without a groan while their comrades fought on as if it were an every day affair.  Lieut. Bing held his ear close to a soldier’s mouth to hear what he had to say, a Minnie ball whistled between them, cutting the Lieut’s hair.  The sentence remained unfinished.  The artillery was brought up and our men were withdrawn to the breastworks, while our cannon opened on their batteries. – Then we carried off our noble Capt.

We held our position till night when hostilities ceased.  The 2d remained all night and thought that that was the severest part of our work.  All needed sleep, but there we stood, no supper and shivered and stamped our feet all night long.  It was a beautiful night, with the full moon in a clear sky, but so cold that our whiskers were gray with white frost and filled with ice.  It was a long night, but not for a moment would we think of leaving what had cost us so dear.  Our left wing made the charge.  We alone had driven them from their works and held them until reinforcements could be brought up.

The 7th Iowa, 14th Iowa, 25th Indiana, and 52d Illinois were on hand, but the enemy did not attempt to make a charge on us.  Our presence, after one bayonet charge, was all that was required to hold the position.  The enemy was completely discouraged.  Sunday morning we prepared to try the next fortress, having replenished our cartridge-boxes.  Cheer after cheer went up from the enemy’s camp.  Far away over the hills we heard their shouts, and supposed that reinforcements had forced through the lines above us to their relief.  Judge of our surprise when an officer came, as fast as his horse could run, shouting, “They have surrendered!”  Shout after shout went up as he passed, loud enough to wake the dead.  Would that it had but for a moment, that they might know that they were not sacrificed for Liberty’s cause in vain.  What joy filled our hearts when we were ordered to lead the army into the fort, and plant our banner on its ramparts.  It was a greater honor than we had dared hope to win; and when we beheld it flying aloft of their white flag, we experienced the greatest pleasure imaginable.  The Confederates appeared joyous, and received us with cheers, and as we filed back past our troops, regiment after regiment cheered for the 2d Iowa.

Sunday night we slept soundly in the log huts within the fort.  Our killed all died in a few moments, with the exception of Capt. Slaymaker, all were buried on the battle-field, on the top of the hill.  Their graves are marked by a board, bearing name, camp, and regiment.  Our men all died bravely.  Not a shriek nor groan mingled with the din of battle.  They dying quietly expired, and the wounded were borne from the field without the least exhibition of their great suffering.  Their bravery detracted much from the horrors of the scene.  It was not like the many descriptions of battles that I have read.  But for the pools of blood we might have supposed our comrades were sleeping.

Sunday morning I for a few moments left the company as they stood on the breastworks, and strolled over the battle ground.  It wanted some hours of day and the full moon shone peacefully upon the [corpses].  I have read of the glaring eyes and gaping mouth of dead soldiers, but here lay my friends asleep; the eyes are closed, the mouth retains its natural position.  This is not like the dead of our homestead.  I could not but kneel by some of those that I thought must still be alive, but their foreheads were cold; they slept the sleep that knows no waking.  There in the silent repose lay friend and foe side by side.

One of the rebels, a religious character, saw their fire take deadly effect on our little band of 300 men, saw them rush boldly into what appeared certain death.  His heart failed him and he was convinced that they were in the right or they would not face death in that manner.  He surrendered, when he might have escaped.  While planting our flag on the fort a negro remarked to his master, “Why massa, you said these ar’ folks is Yankees and they jes looks like you is.” From what he had heard he supposed we were men in the form of demons.  We have possession of Clarksville, and the 2d will move their [sic] tomorrow.

N. A. H.,

Company C, 2d Iowa.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 2

From Grant’s Expedition

FORT DONELSON INVESTED.

A Battle Progressing.

THE SEVENTH IOWA AGAIN WINNING LAURELS.

CAIRO, Feb. 14.

Capt. C. M. Williard, Co. A. Chicago Light Artillery, left Fort Henry day before yesterday, at half-past ten o’clock, and has just reached this city.

From him we learn that the Artillery left Fort Henry for Fort Donelson between three and four o’clock on the morning of the 12^th, with six regiments of infantry.  Gen. Grant, Staff, and Body Guard left at ten a. m. on the same day.  The rear guard left at two p. m.  The whole force was 40,000 men, with twenty-seven pieces of light artillery.

At four o’clock in the morning of the same day, eleven regiments left Paducah under convoy of the gunboats, to go up the Cumberland river, making the whole force over 50,000 men.  The gunboats expected to reach Fort Donelson at seven o’clock yesterday.  It was designed to attack Fort Donelson with the whole force yesterday afternoon.

Eight regiments of Infantry, two batteries of artillery, and six companies of cavalry (including two of Regulars), have petitioned the United States Senate to confirm Brigadier General Smith, as they would rather serve under him than any other General in the West.  Every commissioned officer in the two brigades signed the application except two.

Ferree, the Chicago Tribune’s correspondent at Paducah, was ordered to leave that place [instantly] on the first boat, up or down.  The first boat happening to be going up the Tennessee river, the “Chevalier” left on the first boat upstream, which was the way he did not want to go, but the order was imperative.

CAMP IN FIELD, NEAR FT. DONELSON,

Feb. 13 – 12:30 P. M.

Fort Donelson is invested by our troops. – Our lines are formed from right to left, from north to south, nearly surrounding the fort.

Heavy cannonading and skirmishing has been going on since 7 1-2 o’clock a. m.  Owing to the extent of our line of action, little can be learned of the result.  I hear however, that the Captain of Company I, 7^th Illinois has been killed.

Gen. McClernand’s division is opening on the right, Maj. Gen. Smith on the left.

We had but one gun boat to play upon the fort until within the last half hour, since when the other gun boats are firing on the fort.

The force estimated within the breastworks from the best information is about 15,000.  No reinforcements can now arrive.  All communication is cut off.

It is now thought that their left redoubt has fallen into our hands.  All the officers are acting with great valor, exhibiting a fearlessness highly creditable to our western army.

Gen. Grant and staff have been riding along the lines all the morning, regardless of the grape that is being showered in every direction.

SECOND DISPATCH

CAMP IN FIELD, NEAR FT. DONELSON,

Feb. 13 – 8 P. M.

The cannonading and skirmishing have continued briskly all day, but have lately discontinued.  A considerable number have been wounded on both sides.

Capt. Walker, of the Carondelet, says he has dismounted three of the enemy’s river guns.  The other gun-boats had not arrived up to six o’clock this morning.

Capt. Brink, with a company of cavalry, went around to the left bank of the river, this afternoon, and reports the gun-boat Carondelet received a 10-inch mortar-ball through her casement, which wounded eight men, but did not injure the boat materially.

The 25^th Indiana, which marched boldly up to the entrenchments had, during the day, forty-two of their men wounded – all slightly.  The 7^th Illinois and the 7^th Iowa, who have been close to the enemy’s fire, lost some men.  Among the killed is Capt. Wendell, of Co. I, 7^th Illinois, and Colonel Morgan of the 9^th Illinois, is wounded.

Birge’s Sharp Shooters have done good service by picking off the connoniers as fast as they appeared at the guns.

The enemy’s rifle shots and grape have been flying thick and fast about here all day.  Some six shots struck around Gen. Grant and staff.  This afternoon while they were riding along the lines, one bullet hit one of the horses of the body-guard near by.

The fort will be stormed in two days, if not surrendered before.

One company has been within 75 yards of the enemy’s entrenchments.

FORT HENRY, Feb. 12.

Gen. Lew Wallace has been left in command of this post and its dependences.

The steamer Illinois, which left here yesterday morning for Paris Landing and the mouth of the Sandy, in charge of Col. Jon Riggins, Jr., aid to Gen. Grant, with two companies of Birge’s sharp shooters, commanded by Capt. Campbell, returned here this evening loaded down with provisions, flour, tobacco, and all manner of stores and goods, the whole camp equipage and baggage of the regiments.

The value of property brought down will exceed one hundred thousand dollars.

The Memphis Avalanche, of the 8^th has the following dispatches in reference to the Fort Henry affair:

NASHVILLE, Feb. 7.

A dispatch from Hon. John Bell, from Fort Donelson, this morning, says that Gen. Pillow was expected at Fort Donelson with 8,000 or 10,000 more troops, by 8 o’clock Saturday morning.

Not many lives were lost at Fort Henry.  Our forces were driven out principally by shells from the enemy’s gunboats.  The Tennessee bridge was burned between five and six o’clock last evening.  Our forces retreating upon Fort Donelson were pursued by the enemy.

It is reported here in Nashville, this evening, that Fort Henry is inundated.

Gen. Pillow has been assigned to the command at Fort Donelson.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 17, 1862, p. 1