Showing posts with label 45th IL INF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 45th IL INF. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Major General Ulysses S. Grant to Congressman Elihu B. Washburne, August 30, 1863

Vicksburg, Mississippi,
August 30, 1863.

YOUR letter of the 8th of August, inclosing one from Senator Wilson8 to you, reached here during my temporary absence to the northern part of my command; hence my apparent delay in answering. I fully appreciate all Senator Wilson says. Had it not been for General Halleck and Dana,9 I think it altogether likely I would have been ordered to the Potomac. My going could do no possible good. They have there able officers who have been brought up with that army, and to import a commander to place over them certainly could produce no good. While I would not positively disobey an order, I would have objected most vehemently to taking that command or any other, except the one I have. I can do more with this army than it would be possible for me to do with any other without time to make the same acquaintance with others I have with this. I know that the soldiers of the Army of the Tennessee can be relied on to the fullest extent. I believe I know the exact capacity of every general in my command to lead troops, and just where to place them to get from them their best services. This is a matter of no small importance. . . .

The people of the North need not quarrel over the institution of slavery. What Vice-President Stephens acknowledges the cornerstone of the Confederacy is already knocked out. Slavery is already dead, and cannot be resurrected. It would take a standing army to maintain slavery in the South if we were to make peace to-day, guaranteeing to the South all their former constitutional privileges. I never was an abolitionist, not even what could be called antislavery, but I try to judge fairly and honestly, and it became patent to my mind early in the rebellion that the North and South could never live at peace with each other except as one nation, and that without slavery. As anxious as I am to see peace reestablished, I would not, therefore, be willing to see any settlement until this question is forever settled. Rawlins and Maltby10 have been appointed brigadier-generals. These are richly deserved promotions. Rawlins especially is no ordinary man. The fact is, had he started in this war in the line instead of in the staff, there is every probability he would be to-day one of our shining lights. As it is, he is better and more favorably known than probably any other officer in the army who has filled only staff appointments. Some men, too many of them, are only made by their staff appointments, while others give respectability to the position. Rawlins is of the latter class. My kind regards to the citizens of Galena.
__________

8Henry Wilson of Massachusetts (1812-1875), who in 1872 was elected Vice-President of the United States on the ticket with General Grant.

9Charles A. Dana (1819-1897), Assistant Secretary of War, and late editor of the New York Sun.

10Jasper A. Maltby (1826-1867), lieutenant colonel Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry, August, 1861; colonel, November 29, 1862, and brigadier general, August 4, 1863.

SOURCES: James Grant Wilson, Editor, General Grant’s Letters to a Friend 1861-1880, p. 27-9, 115;  James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins, p. 434

Friday, April 1, 2011

From Cairo

CAIRO, February 18.

Gov. Yates, Ex-Gov. Wood, Auditor Dubois and many prominent citizens from all parts of Illinois are here to look after the wounded Illinois soldiers from Fort Donelson.  Gov. Morton and many prominent citizens of Indiana are also here for a like purpose, on account of the gallant men of that State who participated in the battle.

A salute of fifteen guns was fired this morning by order of Brig. Gen. E. A. Paine, in honor of the arrival at this place of Gov. Yates, commander-in-chief of the Illinois troops.  It was answered at Bird’s Point at 2 o’clock p.m.  His Excellency held a public reception at the St. Charles Hotel, and all the officers paid their respects to the Governor.  He was received by Col. Buford and the others of the 27th Illinois, and the officers of each regiment came up in a body led by ther several regimental bands.

Col. Buford said they came to welcome the men, who had supplied the wants of the Ill. Boys and so nobly cared for all the troops he had sent forth to avenge the wrongs and injury to the flag of our country.  Gov. Yates responded briefly, but with deep feeling, paying a handsome tribute to the memory of the fallen at Fort Donelson, congratulating their brethren in arms, for the achievement of the late victory of our arms over a traitor foe.  Seven thousand of the rebel prisoners from Fort Donelson, have arrived here and departed up the Mississippi, to be disposed of by Gen. Halleck.  The question of what to do with them was discussed among the commanding officers here last night and the conclusion seems to be that they will be divided, a portion going to Alton and a portion to Chicago and probably a third portion to Fort Wayne and Detroit.  Troops are continually arriving and departing for the seat of war, and our army will soon again be in readiness to advance.

It is believed that, if permitted to do so, very many of the rebel prisoners would gladly take up arms on the side of the Union.  The privates almost to a man declare that they have seen quite enough of the secession elephant.  The officers, however, are generally very morose, and bitter in their expressions relative to the north.

In addition to the list of killed and wounded previously reported, are the following:

45th Illinois, commissary serg’t Traverse, Killed; Lt. Col. Maltby, ball in leg; Cornelius Shay, flesh wound in the thigh; Lieut. H. Boice, severe wound in hip from a minie ball; Geo. Poppleton, severely wounded in the foot.


Times’ Dispatch

CAIRO, Feb. 18.

Col. Buford, with a small force, went down the river on a reconnoisance to-day.  When within four miles of Columbus, heavy cannonading was heard, not, however, with any regularity.  On moving across the river, where a view of the place could be obtained, he discovered a heavy cloud of smoke, covering a large space.

Col. Buford believes the solution of the affair to be, that the rebels are dismounting their guns and blowing up magazines preparatory to evacuating the place.

A large number of the rebel prisoners brought down yesterday belonged on the Cumberland river, as they passed their homes looked wistfully for some face of recognition.  Many were under the impression they would be paroled, and when they found they were to be sent North, were ready to take any oath.  Two-thirds manifest a desire to return to their allegiance.  Some acknowledged they had been humbugged into their present unfortunate position.

Six thousand prisoners have already arrived here, and the others will be brought down as soon as transportation can be procured.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 1

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

List of sick and wounded on board the steamer Jennie Whipple . . .

. . . from the Hospitals at Keokuk and St. Louis:

John Iback, co K, 5th Iowa; Geo. Sullers, Co E, 5th Iowa; N H Smith, Co I, 5th Iowa; H C Rouse, co C, 10th Iowa; N. Tilliam, co C, 10th Iowa; B Dunbar, co C, 10th Iowa; G Gufford, co C, 10th Iowa; – Cora, Co A, 10th Iowa; C G Bailey, co A, 10th Iowa; – Clemmers, co A, 5th Iowa; Benton Ayers, co A, 5th Iowa; C J Boles, co K, 5th Iowa; C L Holcomb, co F, 10th Iowa; S Shockly, co B, 10th Iowa; J Ricer, co I, 10th Iowa – Haller, co F, 5th Iowa; – Brassfield, co F, 2d Iowa cav.; E Estebrook, co F, 2d Iowa cav.

Also, Lieut M P Benton, co F, 8th Iowa, wife in attendance; Capt. J. B. Hawley, co H; 45th Illinois, wife in attendance; Lieut. G. F. Vail, co K, 16th Wisconsin, brother in attendance; also corpse of private Andrew Pye, 23d Missouri.

And now a touching incident: Miss Annie B___ of Davenport, came down with us from Davenport, expecting to meet her betrothed, one of Iowa’s brave patriots, one of those brave Iowans, who have proved such heroes in our late victorious battles, Corporal J. S. Christian. Poor fellow, he died at the Hospital at Keokuk but yesterday, too soon for the loved ones to meet in life. He had left the boat this morning but a short time, when the corpse was brought on board. She now accompanies the illustrious dead to the hearth that was soon to make her a wife. We all feel that we cannot honor this loving and devoted woman too much.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

Sunday, September 6, 2009

BRIGADIER-GENERAL JACOB G. LAUMAN

FIRST COLONEL, SEVENTH INFANTRY.

Jacob Gartner Lauman was the fourth volunteer officer from Iowa, promoted to a brigadier. He was born in Tarrytown, Maryland, on the 20th day of January, 1813; but removed with his family, when young, to York, Pennsylvania. In 1844, he came West, and settled in Burlington, Iowa, Where, engaging in mercantile pursuits, he has since made his home. At the outbreak of the war, he took an active part in enlisting and mustering our volunteer troops, and, on the 11th of July, 1861, was commissioned colonel of the 7th Iowa Infantry — later, the heroes of Belmont.

While under the command of Colonel Lauman, the 7th Iowa was stationed and served at the following points: — Jefferson Barracks, Pilot Knob, Ironton, Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Missouri; Cairo, Illinois; Fort Holt, Mayfield Creek, Camp Crittenden and Fort Jefferson, Kentucky; and Norfolk and Bird's Point, Missouri. The regiment was stationed at the latter place, on the 6th of November, 1861, when it sailed on the Belmont expedition, the object of which was, "to prevent the enemy from sending out re-inforcements to Price's army in Missouri, and also from cutting off columns that I [Grant] had been directed to send out from Cairo and Cape Girardeau, in pursuit of Jeff Thompson."

On this expedition, the battle of Belmont was fought; and the conduct of Colonel Lauman in the engagement, together with that of his regiment, gave him his early popularity as a military leader. At Belmont, the 7th Iowa greatly distinguished itself, and received from General Grant, in his official report, the following mention: — "Nearly all the missing were from the Iowa regiment, (the 7th) who behaved with great gallantry, and suffered more severely than any other of the troops."

Just when the enemy had been driven from their camp, and down the steep bank of the Mississippi, Colonel Lauman, while giving Captain Parrott instructions with reference to the captured artillery, was disabled from a musket-shot wound in the thigh. He was taken back to the transports on one of the guns of Captain Taylor's Battery, just in advance of his regiment, and was only in time to escape that terrible enfilading fire that well nigh annihilated the rear of Grant's forces.

A remarkable incident occurred while the troops were re-embarking after the battle. It is well vouched for, and worthy of record. The last transport had just cut its hawser, and was dropping out into the stream, when the enemy suddenly appeared on the bank with artillery. One piece was hastily put in battery, and leveled on the crowded decks of the transport. The rebel gunner was just about pulling the lanyard, when a shell, from one of the Union gun-boats, burst directly under the carriage of the gun, throwing gun, carriage and all high in the air. The carriage was demolished, and, while still in the air, the gun exploded. The rebel gunner and several others were killed; and the lives of at least a score of Union soldiers were saved by this remarkable shot.

"It was after the retreat had commenced that Lieutenant-Colonel Wentz was killed. He died on the field of battle, like a true soldier; he was a truly brave man, and did his duty well and nobly. Lieutenant Dodge of Company B was killed, and Lieutenant Gardner, who commanded Company I, and Lieutenant Ream of Company C, mortally wounded. Among my officers, more or less severely wounded, you will find the names of Major Rice, Captains Harper, Parrott, Kittredge and Gardner, and 1st Lieutenant De Heus, (who commanded company A) of whose bravery I desire to speak in the most emphatic manner. I desire also to direct your attention to Captain Crabb, who was taken prisoner, and who behaved in the bravest manner. But I might go on in this way and name nearly all my command, for they all behaved like heroes; but there are one or two more I feel it my duty to name as deserving special mention. Lieutenant Bowler, adjutant of the regiment, and Lieutenant Estle, whose conduct was worthy of all praise, and private Lawrence A. Gregg, whose thigh was broken and he left on the field; he was taken prisoner and his leg amputated, but he died the same day, telling his captors with his dying breath, that, if he ever recovered so as to be able to move, he would shoulder his musket again in his country's cause."

"My entire loss in killed, wounded, prisoners and missing, out of an aggregate of somewhat over four hundred, is as follows: Killed, fifty-one; died of wounds, three; missing, ten; prisoners, thirty-nine; wounded, one hundred and twenty-four. Total, two hundred and twenty-seven."

Having recovered from his wound, Colonel Lauman re-joined his regiment; and at the battle of Fort Donelson was placed in command of a brigade, composed of the 2d, 7th and 14th Iowa, and the 25th Indiana. At Fort Donelson, the gallantry of his brigade — more especially that of the 2d Iowa — made him a brigadier-general. From what occurred just before the successful assault was made, it seems that the success of his troops was unlooked for by Colonel Lauman; for to Colonel Tuttle, who desired to lead the charge, he said: "Why, sir, you can't go up there; didn't I try it yesterday?'' And to the reply of Colonel Tuttle, that he would, if he lost the last man of his regiment, he said, "Oh, sir! you'll soon get that taken out of you." After the assault of the 2d Iowa at Fort Donelson, Colonel Lauman believed there was nothing that brave men could not accomplish.

After being promoted to the rank of a brigadier, General Lauman was assigned to the command of a brigade in General Hurlbut's Division, with which he fought in the left wing of Grant's army at Shiloh. Colonel Williams of the 3d Iowa having been disabled in that engagement, General Lauman succeeded him in the command of his brigade; which command he retained until the following October. He marched with Sherman and Hurlbut from Corinth to Memphis, after the fall of the former place; and, in the following Fall, when the enemy began to show activity in the neighborhood of Corinth, returned with Hurlbut to the vicinity of Bolivar, Tennessee; near which place he was encamped just before the battle of Iuka. To mislead the enemy under Price at Iuka, or, as General Grant expresses it, "to cover our movement from Corinth, and to attract the attention of the enemy in another direction, I ordered a movement from Bolivar to Holly Springs. This was conducted by Brigadier-General Lauman." On the 5th of October, General Lauman commanded his brigade in the battle on the Hatchie.

General Hurlbut's march from Bolivar to the Big Muddy, about two miles west of the Hatchie, has already been given in the sketch of Colonel Aaron Brown. The battle of the Hatchie, or Matamora, opened between the Federal and Confederate artillery, the former stationed on the bluffs, and the latter in the Hatchie Bottom. After a brief artillery duel, the 2d Brigade, General Veatch commanding, charged the enemy's infantry that had crossed the bridge to the west side of the stream, and routed them. Falling back across the bridge, they, with the balance of the rebel forces, took up a position on the opposite bluffs. General Ord, now coming to the front, determined to attack the enemy in their strong position, and accordingly ordered General Veatch to push his brigade across the bridge.

The topography of the battle-ground on the east side of the Hatchie, is thus well given by Lieutenant Thompson, of the 3d Iowa Infantry:

"Beyond the river there was about, twelve rods of bottom, and then there arose a very high and steep bluff. Along the brow of this, the enemy, rallying and reinforced, had formed new lines of battle, and planted artillery, which, from different points, enfiladed the road and bridge, and swept the field on both sides of the stream. Following up the river just above the bridge, it makes an abrupt elbow, and comes down from the east, running parallel to the road on the opposite side [of the bridge]. In this elbow, and on not more than half an acre of ground, a part of General Veatch's Brigade, according to the orders of General Ord, would have to deploy."

Crossing the bridge and filing to the left, it was possible to gain the enemy's right flank; for on that side of the road the north point of the bluffs could be passed; and what seems strange is that, a man of General Ord's ability should not have discovered this strategical point. The balance of General Lauman's Brigade, which was of the reserve forces, was now ordered across the bridge, and directed to file to the right, into the inevitable pocket. General Lauman, accompanied by his orderlies, led the advance. To cross the open field, and then the bridge, was a most perilous undertaking; for, on the bluffs on the opposite side, as has already been stated, the enemy's artillery was so planted as to give them a converging fire on both the field and bridge. General Lauman reached the opposite side in safety, followed by the other two regiments of his brigade, one of which was the 3d Iowa Infantry.

The battle was now raging with great fury, the enemy from their elevated position pouring a deadly, continuous fire on their helpless victims below, whose returning fire was almost wholly ineffectual. Confusion must soon have followed; but just then General Ord was wounded, and General Hurlbut assumed command. He at once crossed the bridge, and, in person, directed a flank movement around the bluffs to the left. The troops employed were the 46th Illinois, the 68th Ohio, and the 12th Michigan. The enemy's right flank was soon gained and turned, which compelled them to abandon the bluffs; — and thus the day was saved from disaster.

This pocket-blunder of General Ord, and the subsequent indiscretion of General Lauman, have been considered by some as connected with the latter's ill-fortune at Jackson, Mississippi, in the summer of 1863. The story is as follows: — In the winter of 1862-3, a supper was given in Memphis, where Generals Ord, Veatch, Lauman and others, were present. When the wine was passing, and all were merry, the affair on the Hatchie occurred to General Lauman, and he remarked to General Ord: —"General, that was a bit of a blunder, in putting us into that pocket, wasn't it?" (I may not give the language, but I give the idea.) General Ord, it is said, made no reply; but gave his eyes a wicked leer, which, even then, some thought meant mischief.

Soon after the battle of Matamora, General Hurlbut was made a major-general, and assigned to the command of the District of Jackson, Tennessee. General Lauman succeeded him in the command of his division.

If we except the march of General Grant into Central Mississippi, in which General Lauman joined with his division, his military history, for the six months following the battle of Matamora, is void of great interest. During this time, he had his head-quarters, first at Bolivar, then at Moscow, and then at Memphis. When Vicksburg was beleagured, he left Memphis to report to General Grant in rear of that city; and, on the fall of Vicksburg, marched with his division on the, to him, unfortunate campaign to Jackson. His position before Jackson, and what happened on the 12th of July, appear in the sketch of Colonel Aaron Brown, of the 3d Iowa Infantry. With reference to a further history of this affair, I shall only add an extract from the official report of General Sherman.

"On the 12th [July], whilst General Lauman's Division was moving up into position, dressing to his left on General Hovey, the right of his line came within easy range of the enemy's field artillery and musketry, from behind his works, whereby this division sustained a serious loss, amounting in killed, wounded and missing to near five hundred men. This was the only serious loss which befell my command during the campaign, and resulted from misunderstanding or misinterpretation of General Ord's minute instructions, on the part of General Lauman.

At the time of the occurrence of this misfortune, General Ord's head-quarters were to the right of the Clinton and Jackson road, and near where the left of his command rested. Near that of General Ord's, was the tent of Surgeon Wm. L. Orr of the 21st Iowa. When the heavy firing opened in front of General Lauman's command, Ord, in a tone of much surprise and alarm, called hurriedly to one of his aids: "What does that mean? what does that mean? Ride out there quickly and see." General Lauman was at once relieved of his command, and ordered to report to General Grant at Vicksburg. Upon his departure he issued the following order:


"Head-quarters Fourth Division, Sixteenth Army Corps,
In The Field, Near Jackson, Miss., July 12th, 1863.

"Fellow-soldiers :

Having been relieved from the command of the 4th Division by Major-General Ord, the command is turned over to Brigadier-General Hovey. To say that I part with my old comrades with sorrow and regret, is simply giving expression to my heart-felt feelings. I shall ever remember the toils and hardships we have endured together, and the glory which the Old Fourth has won on hard-fought fields, and the glory which clusters around their names like a halo — with pride and satisfaction.

"And now, in parting with you, I ask a last request, that, in consideration of your past fame, you do nothing, in word or deed, to mar it; but that you give to your present or future commander that prompt obedience to orders which has always characterized the division, and which has given to it the proud position which it now enjoys.

"Officers and soldiers, I bid you now an affectionate farewell.

"J. G. Lauman,
Brigadier-General."


But for his ill-fated blunder at Jackson, General Lauman would doubtless ere this have been made a major-general.

Reporting to General Grant, he was sent, I think, to an Eastern Department, and assigned a command somewhere in Northern Virginia; but before his arrival, the command had been given to another. He was then ordered to report to his home in Burlington to await further orders from Washington, which, thus far, he has failed to receive. The general, I am informed, has made frequent efforts to secure an investigation of the causes, whereby he was thrown under opprobrium, but without success. Rumor says that both Grant and Sherman have put him off with, "we have no time to convene courts-martial.''

The war is now closing, and he will, probably, go out of the service, without being restored to a command. Indeed, his health is broken down, and he is now totally unfit for service.

Like the majority of the Iowa general officers, General Lauman is of only middle size. His person is slender, and his weight about one hundred and forty pounds. He has a nervous, excitable temperament, and a mild, intelligent countenance.

As a military leader, he is brave to a fault, but he lacks judgment. He would accomplish much more by intrepidity, than by strategy; and, if his intrepidity failed him, he might lose every thing.

He has been a successful merchant, and stands among the wealthy men of Burlington. As a citizen, he has always been held in the highest esteem, and is noted for his kind-heartedness and liberality.

Source: A. A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 163–170

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Further Particulars of the Battle

KILLED AND WOUNDED

Gallant Conduct of the 15th Iowa Regiment

Col. H. T. Reid Wounded


CAIRO, April 12, 10 p.m. – The body of Gen. Wallace of Ottawa, accompanied by his staff and Col. T. L. Dickey, arrived on the steamer Woodford this evening. She brought down some 500 prisoners, on their way to St. Louis.

A special train with the body of Gen. Wallace will leave this evening for Ottawa.

Col. Hugh T. Reid, 15th Iowa from Keokuk, was paralyzed by a ball in the back of his head.

Lieut. Dewey, badly wounded in shoulder.

Major Belknap, slightly wounded.

Captain Hendericks killed.

This noble regiment had just arrived on Saturday with 1,045 men. Only 407 answered to their names after the battle. They had received their guns at St. Louis, and left Keokuk only two weeks ago – were in Prentiss’ Division.

An officer just arrived, says Prentiss is still a prisoner.

Nearly all of the 55th Illinois, and the 12th, 14 and 8th Iowa were surrounded and taken prisoners, while maintaining their ground and fighting like heroes.

The 14th, 16th and 18th Wisconsin were all in the fight. The 16th was in Prentiss’s Division, and with others were mostly dispersed and captured. What remained fought bravely and suffered terribly.

The 18th reached Pittsburg Saturday evening and marched to the front of Sherman’s Division; were exposed on Sunday to the heaviest fire, returning it with an energy worthy of veterans. This Regiment was entirely raw; had been paraded only a few times; had been hurried down from Milwaukee right into the heat of the fight, and many had never loaded a gun till they did it before the enemy. All these regiments did splendidly.

It is impossible as yet to procure a list of casualties.

Gov. Hovey and party with a boat load of hospital stores left this evening to relieve the wounded.

Fifty-fifth Illinois – Co. C – 2nd Lieut. Thorden Hodges, Corp. Dan’l Sullivan, Sergt. Myron Gunning, Privates Brazella Orewell, Nathan Knapp and O. Aellgernon, killed. Wounded, Capt. Boyd Rich, slightly; Sergt. Orville Parch; Chas Turney, seriously; Joseph Goodwin, Clark Winchester, Michael Ambery, slightly; Nelson Helgeroson, seriously; Theodore Shultz, Jacob Simpcox, J. Filmore Christopher Kittleson, slightly.

Thirtieth Indiana – Col. Boss seriously wounded. Half the regiment reported killed or wounded. They fought bravely.

Forty-fifth Ill. – Co. B. – Sergt. B. Burch, Killed. Wounded – Halloway Wood, Geo. Warner, seriously; Israel Tower, Charles Hollenback, slightly; L. Tower, John Holean, James Colimer Geo. W. Hayden, Jas. Robinson, White Sanford

Twenty-eighth Ill. – Col. H. A. Johns, slightly wounded; Maj. Grisham, Adjt. F. B. Dead, wounded. Lieut. Col. Kilpatrick, killed.

Company a – Dan’l Newton, Jeremiah Hedder, killed. Corporal Henry Walker, John E. Nash, Henry Keath, James McKinney, Richard Linch, Henry Coopenborough, George Hatchan, John Cordys, wounded. Total killed and wounded in this company, 25.

Captain Butler, Company B, slightly wounded.

Company F – Capt. Esell, Lt. Sawyer, slightly wounded.

Illinois 55th. – Col. D. Stuart, short through the breast.

Company F – Henry Rogers, Loyd Davis David Older, Blank Heuel, and Geo. Long, supposed to be killed, Capt. S. A. Wright, Corporal R. Hanna, Serg’t James M. Shavers, Wilber Leibiger, A. Moore, Sam’l Johns, James McKnight,.[the next line of text was blurred by the microfilm printer & thus was rendered illegible] Joshua Benton, Alvin Shannon, Phillip H. Ferguson, Wounded.

Illinois 4th – A. Fibs, killed. Colonel Hicks, Capt. Hooper and Lieut. Humphrey wounded.

Chicago Artillery – Edward Russel and a few others. Thirty wounded.

Taylor’s Battery – Blank Putz, killed and ten wounded. No guns lost.

Col. Dillon’s Cavalry had two privates mortally wounded. The whole regiment was on the field and had 15 horses killed.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862