Captain Charles Wright Wills: July 25, 1864

July 25, 1864

We moved up to the rear of the corps on the 21, and had just got comfortably fixed for the night when orders came that we should report back to the brigade on the front line.  Just as we started a heavy rain set in, and continued while we marched one and one-half miles to the left, where we stacked arms in rear of a line of work occupied by the 6th Iowa. The Rebel line lay in plain sight, just across an open field, and the bullets made us keep pretty close.

At sunset we were ordered to extend, or rather build a line of works to hold our regiment, between the 6th Iowa and 40th Illinois. We had fairly commenced, and the boys were scattered everywhere, bringing rails, logs, etc., when the Johnnie's bugle sounded “forward,” and the Rebels raised a yell and fired a couple of volleys into us. There was a lively rush for our guns, but we saw through it in a minute, and in three minutes were at work again. Only two men were hurt in the regiment, one from Company C, and Wm. Nicholson of my company had the small bone of his leg broken just above the ankle. We got our works in shape about daylight, and about 8 a. m. I heard a cheer from our skirmishers, and saw the Rebel skirmishers run right over their works like deer. Our line followed them and took possession of their works, and no Rebel or works being in sight, and our boys knowing they were only two miles from Atlanta, thought sure they had the town, and all started on the “double quick” for it, yelling, “potatoes” or “tobacco,” or what he particularly hankered for. They got along swimmingly until within about three-quarters of a mile from town, when they ran against a strong line of works and were brought up standing, by a volley therefrom. They deployed immediately, and by the time their officers got up had a good line established, and were whacking away at the fort apparently as well satisfied as if they had got their tobaco.

McPherson had an idea that all was not right, for our line was allowed to advance no further than the one the Rebels had left, and we were set to work changing its front. At dinner when we were about leaving “the table,” Captain Smith mentioned hearing some heavy skirmishing in our rear as we came to our meal. That was the first any of us knew of the battle. In a few minutes we all heard it plainly, and from our works could see exactly in our rear a body of grey coats, advance from a wood and the battle opened, although we did not know what troops of ours were engaged. Have since heard it was a portion of the 16th Corps who were moving out to extend the line. Their being just in that position was a piece of luck, as it saved the trains of the Army of the Tennessee, and, perhaps, the whole army. I should think they fought an hour before the battle swung around toward us. During the battle, our regiment changed position three times, facing east, west and south. We helped repulse four charges, took 115 prisoners, and helped take 400 more. Also ran the enemy out of a line of works they had taken from our 3d brigade, and the best of it is, we lost only ten men. I cannot for my life see how we escaped so well. General Blair is reported to have said that the Army of the Tennessee is eternally disgraced for going outside of all precedent, in refusing to be whipped when attacked in flank and rear, as well as in front. Hood confines his strategy to maneuvering troops for battle, and pretends to be emphatically a “fighting cock.” He attacked Thomas on the 20th and 21st, away on the right, and on the 22d walked into us. He got his comb badly cut, and if I am any prophet at all, will not attempt another fight soon. Sherman estimates the enemy's loss in the three days' fighting at 12,000. Our loss in the same time is less than 3,500. I am surprised that we have not attacked them in return before this, but am far from anxious to charge their works. Although I do know that if we charge with two lines as good as our brigade, and don't go too fast, we can take any ordinary works. The prisoners we got the other day were run down. When our regiment drove the Rebels out of the works of the 3d brigade, a man shot through the thigh, asked me for water as I passed him. I asked him if the Rebels robbed him, he said, no, but they killed a man in the ditch with a spade right in front of him. I looked where he pointed and found a 97th Indiana boy with his thigh broken by a pistol shot, and three cuts in his face by a spade. He was not dead, he knew me, and reached out his hand smiling. He said an officer rode up with some footmen and told him to surrender, when he shot the officer and ran his bayonet through one of the men. Another shot him, and the man he bayoneted used the spade on him. McPherson was killed early in the fight. The Rebels had his body a few minutes, but the 16th Corps charged and retook it. Altogether, it was the prettiest fight I ever saw.

The Rebel plan of attack was excellent, and if their assaulting columns had charged simultaneously, there is no telling what might have been the upshot. As it was, part of 17th Corps changed position in their breastworks three times, that is, repulsed an assault from one side, and being attacked from the rear, jumped over and fought them the other way. I was up to where the 20th and 31st Illinois fought. The dead Rebels lay about as thick on one side of the works as the other, and right up to them. Two more fights like this, and there will be no more Rebel army here. We lost about 600 prisoners, and took 2,000.

Garrard's cavalry division went out to Covington on the Augusta road. Am just going on picket.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 283-6

The Great Battle

CAIRO, April 9. – Maj. Kuykendall of the 31st Ill., who left the field of action on Monday evening, reports that Gen. Johnston was killed, and Beauregard was wounded, a cannon ball having shot his arm off.

No arrival from Tennessee since early this morning, but one is expected every moment.

There is a rumor by way of Paducah that our forces occupy Corinth and that the enemy is completely routed.  We have taken a large number of prisoners.  Carson the scout was killed early in the engagement.

Lieut. Col. Canfield of the 72d Ohio was killed and his body has arrived here.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

From Cairo

CHICAGO, March 13. – Special dispatches to the Post from Cairo 12th, say matters are little changed.

A lieutenant of the 60th Ohio arrived to-day from New Madrid.  His intelligence is not permitted to be telegraphed.  No change in matters at Fort Henry and beyond.

The Times’ special says the steamer Southwestern arrived to-day with troops.

Gen. Cullom left this morning for St. Louis.  Gen. Strong has taken command of this post.

(Tribune’s Special.)

Capt. Blodgett, of Boston has been assigned the command of the [Conestoga], retiring Capt. Pritchard.

The bodies of the 27 killed at Fort Donelson were brought down to-day, and will be sent to their friends to-morrow morning.  Part of them belong to Col. Logan’s regiment.  Col. Logan is improving.

It is reported that Gen. Paine was wounded in a skirmish near Sikestown, Mo., yesterday p. m., not seriously.

Several sick of the 7th Iowa came down from Fort Donelson this morning.  Their regiment has suffered severely in several engagements.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Further News from Fort Donelson

3,000 Rebel Prisoners ask to be Armed and Enrolled in the Armies of the Union.

Clarksville Evacuated.

WHITE FLAGS FLYING AT NASHVILLE.

TENNESSEE VIRTUALLY REDEEM’D

CAIRO, Feb. 20. – Only sixteen remain of company G., 11^th Illinois regiment, who are not killed, wounded or taken prisoners.

Gov. Yates and staff left for Fort Donelson last evening.

The Wounded officers of the 11^th Illinois are Lieut. Col. Ransom, Lieut. Churchill, Co. A, Lieut. Wilcox, Co. B, Lieut. Dean, Co. D., Capt. Andrews, Co. D, Lieut. Duncan, Co. H, and Lieut. Blackstone, Co. I.  The killed are Capt. Shaw, Co. B, Lieut. Boyce, Co. G.  The Missing are Lieut. Kenyon, Co. K, and Lieut. Vore, Co. E.  Not over 100 effective men are left of the 11^th regiment.  The wounded are partly at Mound City and the rest at Fort Donelson.  It is thought that this regiment will return to their old quarters at Bird’s Point.

One thousand secesh prisoners left for Camp Douglas last evening, via the Illinois Central Railroad.  More will follow to-day.  Those sent yesterday were Mississippians and Texans.  Two boat loads have arrived and will be forwarded immediately.

The 2^nd Michigan Artillery arrived last evening by steamer City of Alton.

Jas. Friedeman of Co. D, 8^th Wisconsin was buried today at Bird’s Point.

A rebel officer states that the exaggeration of Major Post of the 8^th Illinois who was taken prisoner before the surrender of Fort Donelson materially aided in preventing any further resistance on their part.

The body of Lieut. Colonel White of the 31^st Illinois has just arrived.

Three thousand rebel prisoners at Fort Donelson have asked to be allowed their arms and enrolled in the army of the Union.

A special order was issued to-day forbidding the issue of passes to Fort Donelson and other points on the Ohio river above Cairo.

The report is current and uncontradicted that Clarksville is evacuated.

It is reported that Gov. Harris has convened the Legislature of the State of Tennessee to repeal all laws passed by the Confederate Legislature inconsistent with the Federal Constitution.

White flags are flying at Nashville, and Gen. Grant has been invited to occupy Clarksville. – If this is true, Tennessee can be counted out of the Southern Confederacy.

The casualties among the officers of the 18^th Illinois, are, Killed, Capt. J. S. Craig, company A, Lieut. John Mauseur, Company C.

Wounded – Col. Lawler, Capt. D. H. Brush, company K; Capt. H. S. Wilcox, company B; Capt. J. W. Dillon, company C; Capt. P. Lawler, company D.

Supposed to be taken prisoners – Lieut. Tole, company D; Lieut. Kelley, company E; Lieut. Thompson, company F; Capt. Cruise, company G; Lieuts. Lawrence and Conner, company K.

The whole number of killed in the regiment is 50, wounded 150.

There is an awful flutter at Columbus, but we hear nothing decisive.

Brig. Gen. John Pope arrived from St. Louis, to-night.

The number of field pieces taken is much larger than heretofore telegraphed.  We have at least 70 guns.

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

Latest From Fort Donelson

FORT DONELSON, Tuesday night,

VIA CAIRO, Feb. 20.

The number of field pieces taken in the Union victory here, is much larger than heretofore telegraphed.  We have at least seventy guns, among them are bronze and iron rifled pieces of English manufacture.  Taylor’s battery captured a beautiful rifled piece, an imitation of the Parrott made in England and 2 bronze rifled pieces.

The prisoners will amount to full fifteen thousand, all contrary assertions notwithstanding.

The small arms captured amount to twenty thousand.

So far as I can ascertain our loss is:

49th Ills. – Killed and wounded, 40.

Taylor’s Battery – I killed, 4 wounded.

18th Ills. – 45 killed, about 60 wounded.

17th Ills. 4 killed, 70 wounded.

12th Iowa – 3 killed, 24 wounded.

58th Ohio – 3 wounded.

14th Iowa – 6 killed 50 wounded.

2d Iowa – 48 killed, 150 wounded.

9th Ills. – 35 killed, 160 wounded.

41st Ills. – 17 killed, 130 wounded.

20th Ills. – 21 killed 118 wounded.

30th Ills, 19 killed, 71 wounded.

8th Ills. – 56 killed, 196 wounded.

31st Ills. – 40 killed 200 wounded.

12th Ills. – 35 killed, 109 wounded.

It is utterly impossible as yet to make out anything like a full list of the names of the killed and wounded.  I will send them as soon as they can be made out by the officers.

The number of the rebels killed is, at the least calculation, 800, and their wounded is more than double that number.

Other important movements are now on foot in this region.  Keep your ears open for more great news.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

Additional from Fort Donelson

CAIRO, Feb. 17.

A dispatch from Gen. Grant says that the fort surrendered unconditionally on Sunday night.

Our cavalry are in hot pursuit of the great thief, Floyd, and hope to capture him and the rest of the flying rebels.

This great victory gives us Tennessee within a week, the old star-spangled banner will float over Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville.  The backbone of the rebellion is broken, the Union is saved, and the Illinois troops are entitled to the chief-share of the glory.

Col. C. C. Marsh, of the 20th Ills., formerly of the Chicago Light Guard, was made a Brigadier on the field for his exhibition of desperate valor.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 18.

The Republican’s Fort Donelson correspondent gives the following account of the fighting on Saturday:

Yesterday morning, just at daylight, a heavy sortie was made by the garrison from the left portion of their works.

This attack was made upon the extreme right wing of the Union army where it was weakest.  During the night the enemy could be heard busily at work, but what at, it was impossible to tell as thicket woods encompassed the union troops on every side, rendering the view in any direction almost impossible.  At daylight a large body of the enemy suddenly appeared on the extreme right wing of Col. Oglelsby’s command and opened a terrible fire with cannon from their redoubts, firing at the same time upon our forces from guns placed in position on the night previous.

The camp of the 29th and 31st Ill. Was most exposed, and the whole brigade was at once formed into line as follows: The 18th Ill. Held the extreme right; the 8th Ill. Next; the 30th Ill. next; then the 29th Ill. Supporting on the right of Capt. Schwartz’s battery; the 31st Ill. defending the artillery on the left.  From the firing of the first gun until 9 o’clock, the battle raged unremittingly and with fearful loss on both side[s].  Again and again our troops drove the enemy back, but they were afterwards reinforced, while our troops had, owing to the extended lines of the army and also their position on the extreme right, to fight unassisted.  More gallant fighting never took place than that of the union troops exposed to the terrible firing of treble their number.  They stood their ground until in some regiments every officer was killed or wounded.

At last, and reluctantly, regiment by regiment, they slowly fell back, leaving Schwartz’s battery and 3 of McAllister’s guns in the rebels’ hands.  Retiring a few hundred yards, they again made a stand, and Gen. Smith arrived with reinforcements, and at once drove the enemy again into their works.  In the first of the battle was also Gen. Wallace’s brigade, the 12th, 17th and 18th; also Col. McArthur’s brigade, all of which troops suffered severely.  Opposed to them were 12,000 rebels supported by guns carefully in position.

Gen. Grant, having command of a division, drove the enemy back with reinforcements, and gained the lost ground.  He at once ordered an advance by Gen. Smith on the left, charging under a hot fire up the steep hill on which was the out redoubt. – Our troops gained the high breastworks, and with hardly a pause, went over them, planting the Stars and Stripes over the walls. – Under a most galling fire they formed and charged, and drove the rebels back, until they fell into a new position behind some batteries.  When evening came the Union troops had been victorious at every point, having gained back the ground lost in the morning; and got within part of the enemy’s works.  Our troops held their position during the night, repelling the repeated assaults.

The scene within the captured fort, after the surrender, showed how terribly the rebel garrison had suffered.  Everywhere were lying fragments of shells, and round shot half buried in the earth.  Tents were torn to pieces, gun carriages broken, and blood scattered around.

In the left redoubt, where the assault had taken place, the dead bodies lay thickly.  Abundant evidence of the stern resistance and gallant attack was visible.

On the extreme right, half a mile distant, where the desperate sorties were made by the garrison, similar scenes were visible.

The gallantry of the Union troops has been well and severely tested, and they have proved more than equal to the task before them.

As the fleet approached the fort this morning a salute was fired, and loud cheers went up when the American flags were visible.  No officer in the army had an idea of Fort Donelson’s defences [sic] until they had been gained and examined.

Several regiments when out of ammunition rushed forward, and although exposed to the full fire of the rebel artillery, gallantly drove their foes back with the bayonet and captured their guns.  The following are the names of some of the rebel officers captured: Col. Garset, Col. Voorhees, Col. Forrest, Col. Brown and Col. Abernathy.

CAIRO, Feb. 17.

The steamer Memphis arrived from Fort Donelson this evening, bringing a Miss. Regiment prisoners, and 50 or 60 wounded soldiers, who were left at Mound City.  Eight or more other boats are on their way with rebel prisoners.

The rebels who escaped are supposed to have gone to Nashville, where or at Clarksville it is supposed the rebels will attempt to make another stand.  This evening a great light was seen for several hours in the direction of Clarksville.  It is supposed the rebels either burned the town or their steamboats in the river to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Federals.  Rebel officers admit that if we take Nashville, the rebellion in Tennessee is gone up.

The prisoners will probably be brought to camp Douglas, Chicago.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 1

31st Illinois Infantry

Organized at Jacksonville, Ill., and mustered in at Cairo, Ill., September 18, 1861. Attachced to District of Cairo to October, 1861. 1st Brigade, District of Cairo to February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of Cairo, February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of West Tennessee, and Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of Jackson, to September, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Jackson, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Department of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps, to April, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--Duty at Cairo, Ill., till February, 1862. Expedition to Belmont, Mo., November 6-7, 1861. Battle of Belmont November 7. Reconnoissance of Columbus, Ky., January 16-22, 1862. Operations against Forts Henry and Heiman February 2-6. Capture of Forts Henry and Heiman February 6. Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 12-16. Garrison at Fort Donelson till April 22. Moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 22-25. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Moved to Jackson, Tenn., June 4-7, and duty there till November. Action at Burnt Bridge, near Humboldt, Tenn., September 5. March to relief of Corinth and pursuit to Ripley October 3-12. Actions at Chewalla and Big Hill October 5. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November 2, 1862, to January 10, 1863. Reconnoissance from LaGrange November 8-9, 1862. Moved to La Grange, thence to Memphis, Tenn., January 10-19, 1863, and to Lake Providence, La., March 10. Moved to Milliken's Bend, La., April 17. Passage of Vicksburg and Warrenton batteries April 22 (Detachment). Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Thompson's Plantation, or Port Gibson, May 1. North Fork Bayou Pierre and Ingraham's Heights May 3. Battles of Raymond, Miss., May 12. Jackson May 14. Champion's Hill May 16. Big Black River Bridge May 17. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19-22 and June 25. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Duty there and at Big Black till February, 1864. Stephenson's Expedition to Monroe, La., August 20-September 2. Expedition toward Canton October 14-20. Bogue Chitto Creek October 17. Meridian Campaign February 3-March 2, 1864. Meridian February 13-14. Chunkey Station February 14. Meridian February 14-15. Brandon February 16. Canton February 29. Veterans on furlough March and April, 1864. Rendezvous at Carbondale, Ill., and moved to Cairo, Ill., thence to Clifton, Tenn., and march to Ackworth, Ga., via Huntsville and Decatur, Ala., and Rome, Ga., April 28-June 8. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign June 8-September 8. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Assault on Brushy Mountain June 15. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Howell's Ferry July 5. Battle of Leggett's Bald Hill July 20-21. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Ezra's Chapel, Hood's second sortie, July 28. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Pursuit of Hood into Alabama October 1-26. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Pocotaligo, S. C., January 14. Salkehatchie Swamps February 1-5. Barker's Mills, Whippy Swamp, February 3. Binnaker's Bridge, South Edisto River, February 9. Orangeburg, North Edisto River, February 11-12. Columbia February 15-17. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro 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 8-11, and Provost duty there till July 19. Mustered out July 19 and discharged at Springfield, Ill., July 31, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 166 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 293 Enlisted men by disease. Total 471.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1058-9

Dollins' Independent Cavalry Company

Organized at Cairo, Ills., with 31st Illinois Infantry, and mustered in September 18, 1861. Attached to 1st Brigade, Military District of Cairo, to February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Army Tennessee, to July, 1862.

SERVICE.--Duty in District of Cairo, Ills., till February, 1862. Expedition from Bird's Point, Mo., to Belmont, Mo., November 6-7, 1861. Battle of Belmont, Mo., November 7. Expedition from Cairo into Kentucky January 16-21, 1862. Operations against Fort Henry, Tenn., February 2-6. Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 12-16. Moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 6-13. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Raid on Mobile and Ohio R. R. April 29-May 14, and skirmish at Purdy, Tenn., May 4. March to Purdy and Jackson, Tenn., June 4-7, and duty there till July. Assigned to Stewart's Battalion, Illinois Cavalry, as Company "C," July, 1862, which see.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1033

Cairo, April 9 [1862]

Our loss Sunday at Pittsburg Landing heavy, embracing camp equipage and 36 field guns. By two o’clock Monday we had retaken our camp and batteries with forty of the enemy’s guns. Major Hunter, 32d Ills., killed; Col. Logan 31st Ills. severly wounded; Col Hall 16th Ills. killed; Major Eaton acting Col. 18th Ills. fatally wounded.

Capt. Carron, one of Gen. Grant’s scouts, shot in the head; Major Page of the 57th Illinois, killed; Gen. Grant wounded slightly in the ankle; Gen. Smith Severly wounded; Col. Peabody of the 25th Missouri, severly wounded; Col. Crufts, acting Brigadier, shot through right shoulder; Lieutenant Co. Ransom, 11th Illinois, wounded badly in the head; Capt. Dillard, 18th, Capt. Mace, 5th and Capt. Carter 11th, killed.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862

The Great Battle

Cairo, April 9. – Maj. Kuykendall of the 31st Ill., who left the field of action on Monday evening, reports that Gen. Johnston was killed, and Beauregard was wounded, a cannon ball having shot his arm off.

No arrival from Tennessee since early this morning, but one is expected every moment.

There is a rumor by way of Paducah that our forces occupy Corinth and that the enemy is completely routed. We have taken a large number of prisoners. Carson the scout was killed early in the engagement.

Lieut. Col. Canfield of the 72d Ohio was killed and his body has arrived here.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862

From Before Atlanta

We have been permitted to peruse a letter from Francis Stickney, of the old 31st (Gen. John A. Logan’s old regiment) to his parents in this place, under the date of the 26th ult., from which we extract the following.

You have perhaps heard, before this time, of the heavy battle of the 21st and 22d. I was in and through it, both days in the thickest of the fight, and came out without a scratch. I am now nurse in the hospital. Our regiment lost very heavily – one hundred and seventy, killed wounded and missing. The rebels moved around our left flank and attacked us in the rear. On the 22d, they charged our works five successive times, but were repulsed with great slaughter. We covered the ground with their dead. Part of the time it was a hand to hand fight with the bayonet. When night came, they gave it up and returned to their works.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, August 11, 1864