Showing posts with label 49th IL INF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 49th IL INF. Show all posts

Saturday, October 26, 2019

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

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 170. Report of Col. Phineas Pease, Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 170.

Report of Col. Phineas Pease, Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.


HDQRS. FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLS.,            
In the Field, December 21, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders, on the morning of the 15th instant I moved my command outside the breast-works at Nashville, Tenn., and took position in line on the left of the Hardin pike. At 8 o'clock moved forward with right on the pike and on the right of the Fifty-second Indiana Volunteers. Advanced steadily, with slight skirmishing in front, and after passing through first skirt of timber moved in an oblique direction to the left. In the meantime had thrown out one company as skirmishers (Company A), which soon became engaged with the enemy's line of skirmishers. The regiment was then advanced to the open field to the right of the brick house, near which Battery G, Second Illinois Light Artillery, took position, where the regiment was ordered to lie down in a sheltered position. About 1 o'clock was ordered forward on right of brigade, and advancing through an open field to within 300 yards of one of the enemy's batteries were exposed to a raking artillery fire of grape and canister shot, also of musketry. At this point was ordered to halt, and in a few moments moved by the left flank under brow of the hill opposite rebel fort, which fort hi a short time was necessarily evacuated by the enemy. Moved from this point in right oblique direction across the Hillsborough pike, capturing one prisoner, of Trueheart's (Alabama) battery, and took position for the night a short distance on right of Granny White pike.

On morning of 16th moved at 8 o'clock across an open field to Granny White pike, where received orders to move in rear of and cover right of First Brigade, then advanced across a small creek to the foot of a hill, whence, in a short time, moved by the right flank, under cover of the hill, and joined on left of Second Brigade. Remained in this position several hours exposed to severe cannonading from the enemy. Soon after 3 o'clock received orders to advance, and together with the entire division charged the enemy's works, capturing Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson (General Johnson was captured by Private J. William Howell, Company B) and Major Trueheart, and sent to the rear, in charge of Lieutenant Spiro, thirty-five prisoners. Many other prisoners were turned back by the regiment and were picked up and credited to other brigades. It being now nearly dark took position in line for the night.

Inclosed is a list of casualties in my regiment during the action.*

I do not feel justified in particularizing where all did so well, for it would be giving the name of each and every officer in the regiment who participated in the engagement. It gives me pleasure to state that every officer performed his duty nobly and manifested great bravery. The enlisted men, with two or three exceptions, behaved well, with courage. To my field and staff officers — Lieut. Col. William P. Moore, Maj. Jacob E. Gauen, and Adjt. F. J. Burrows — I am particularly indebted for their untiring efforts, promptly obeying all orders given thereby rendering great assistance.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. PEASE,                 
Colonel, Commanding Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry Volunteers.
Lieut. J. D. COBINE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
_______________

* Embodied in table, p. 101.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 493

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 169. Report of Col. Edward H. Wolfe, Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 169.

Report of Col. Edward H. Wolfe, Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, commanding Third Brigade,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.


HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,                            
DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,                  
Near Columbia, Tenn., December 23, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: In obedience to the orders of the general commanding division, I have the honor to transmit the following report as to the part taken by this brigade in the engagements with the enemy near Nashville, Tenn, on the 15th and 16th instant:

My brigade was in readiness to move on the morning of the 15th at 6 o'clock, as ordered the evening previous, and at 8 a.m. I moved by the flank outside of my works in front of Nashville, massing the brigade for the moment on the left of the Hardin pike. A portion of the One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Merriam commanding, was deployed as skirmishers, covering my front and connecting on the left with skirmishers of First Brigade, Second Division, and on the right with skirmishers of First Division, my brigade occupying the extreme right of the Second Division. Soon afterward I deployed my column and advanced, connecting on the right and left as above indicated, holding one regiment (the One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Volunteers) in reserve, as ordered by the general commanding. My instructions, in advancing, were to keep well closed up to the left, and also to regulate my movements by that of the command on my right, so as to prevent, as far as possible, any serious gap in the line in that direction. The peculiar position of our lines on that day rendered it very difficult to comply with these instructions, and necessarily caused my advance to be slow and tedious. Soon after advancing my skirmishers became engaged, driving the enemy's skirmishers before them. At no time, however, during the day was my command engaged with the enemy, although my line was frequently exposed to the fire of the enemy, and the brigade on this day sustained a loss of 35 men, including 1 officer, a report of which will be inclosed herewith. Before the close of the day a movement on the part of the Fourth Corps, which charged the enemy's works, somewhat changed my position in the command, and, as I thought at the time, cut off the First and Second Brigades of this division, and to prevent the same thing, so far as my brigade was concerned, I advanced the brigade on the double-quick, as ordered by the general commanding, and did not halt until within the enemy's work in my front, which they abandoned without any resistance, except to our skirmishers. Three pieces of artillery here fell into our hands, which I understand are claimed in the captures of the Fourth Corps. These guns undoubtedly were captured by this division, and if not by my brigade in reality were captured by the skirmishers in my front, which at that time consisted of the Tenth Kansas Infantry, belonging to the Second Brigade of this division. Owing to our constant oblique movement to the left during the day, it was impossible to keep our respective skirmishers in their proper front. The result was, when a charge was made by General McArthur's division, on the right, and which resulted so victoriously, the skirmishers of my own brigade were in front of that division and participated in the engagement. The commanding officer of the One hundred and seventeenth Illinois, from whose regiment all my skirmishers on this day were deployed, states in his report that two of his companies then on the skirmish line captured 3 pieces of artillery and 40 prisoners, and delivered them over to that command as it came up. In the evening the position of my brigade was so changed, as before mentioned, as to throw me upon the extreme left of the division, closing up with the right of the Fourth Corps, and in this position I was ordered to encamp for the night.

On the morning of the 16th, at 7 o'clock, I was again ordered to advance, and, after advancing about a mile, was ordered to take position in the center of the division, where my brigade remained in line in front of the enemy's works until 3 p.m. During this time the enemy were constantly shelling my line, but the position of the ground in front was sufficient to protect the men, and but little loss was sustained. My orders during the afternoon were to again regulate my movements by that of the command on my right. At about 3.30 p.m. that portion of the command commenced its final advance upon the enemy's works. It required but a moment to put my brigade in motion, and the whole command, with a shout peculiar to this corps, advanced rapidly upon the works in front, carrying them with but momentary resistance and sustaining but slight loss. The enemy, surprised at the charge, and witnessing the courage and determination of the troops, fled in every direction, while many threw down their arms and surrendered at once. So completely surprised were the enemy in my front by the assault that they had time to deliver but two or three volleys, and these so poorly directed that but little execution was done. In this assault my brigade captured 5 pieces of artillery and a number of prisoners, including 8 commissioned officers, among whom was the rebel Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson, who was captured and escorted to the rear by Private J. William Howell, Company B, Forty-ninth Illinois Veteran Volunteers.

It is impossible, owing to the excitement and confusion at the time, to give any accurate statement as to the number of prisoners that actually fell into the hands of this brigade. Prisoners were sent to the rear indiscriminately, some with guards and others without, and, in addition to this, many were captured immediately at the works, and left without any guard, and a great many of them must certainly have fallen into the hands of other troops. It is, however, no exaggeration on my part to claim that at least 300 prisoners were captured by my brigade alone, and had I taken the precaution to have secured for the command all the prisoners that actually fell into my hands, I am satisfied it would exceed that number.

After advancing perhaps a mile in rear of the enemy's works, and there being no enemy in sight, I encamped for the night as ordered.

The exceeding small loss sustained by my brigade, compared to the victory gained, I consider unparalleled in the history of the war. My total loss during the two days' fight foots up 52, viz, 5 killed, 46 wounded, and I missing, a full and complete list of which, giving name, rank, date, &c., I inclose herewith.*

Inasmuch as all the batteries of this division were placed under the immediate control of Captain Lowell, G Battery, Second Illinois, acting as chief of artillery, during the two days, I have not referred to the action of my battery during either day, though I have personal knowledge of the valuable services rendered and the crushing execution done by this battery. The battery was engaged constantly during the two days, and the conduct of the officers and men at all times was such as to merit approval. Corpl. Samuel J. Churchill, of this battery, commanding one gun detachment, is highly commended for distinguished bravery displayed on the first day. At a time when two of the enemy's batteries opened upon his guns, compelling for a short time the men of his detachment to seek the protection of the ground, this young soldier stood manfully up to his work, and for some minutes worked his gun alone.

It has been customary heretofore to mention in reports of this character individual cases of meritorious conduct on the part of officers and soldiers, but this I now find it difficult to do, simply because to mention one would render it necessary to mention all. Every officer of my command and every enlisted man, with but few exceptions, performed their duties nobly, and all officers, realizing the importance of the hour, vied with each other in the gallant discharge of duty.

Of my commanding officers — Colonel Pease, of the Forty-ninth Illinois Veteran Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Main, of the Fifty-second Indiana Veteran Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Merriam, One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Volunteers; and Captain Gandolfo, One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Volunteers — I cannot speak too highly. The manner in which they commanded their respective regiments during these movements, as well as elsewhere, has only demonstrated their ability as excellent officers and their courage and bravery as soldiers.

To the officers of my staff — Lieutenant Cobine, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenant Rupe, acting assistant inspector-general; and Lieutenant Kobbe, of the One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp — I am largely indebted for valuable services rendered upon this occasion, and commend them for the zeal and courage they have displayed in the discharge of their duties throughout the campaign thus far.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. H. WOLFE,                       
Colonel, Commanding.
Lieut. J. B. COMSTOCK,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
_______________

* Embodied in table, p. 101.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 490-2

Thursday, July 19, 2012

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

The 28th 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

Friday, June 22, 2012

Julius Raith


COL. RAITH.

Julius Raith was born in Germany in 1819, and came to this country with his father's family in 1836. They settled in St. Clair county, Illinois. When about 18 years of age, he went to Columbia, Monroe county, where he learned the trade of a millwright, and became an expert in that occupation. On the breaking out of the Mexican war he enlisted in Col. Bissell's regiment, and was commissioned as Captain, winning laurels at Buena Vista and in all the engagements of his regiment, which showed itself to be one of the most gallant and meritorious in that campaign. Soon after Captain Raith's return from Mexico, he married a daughter of Hon. John D. Hughes, of Belleville, taking up his residence in St. Louis, where he remained in the pursuit of his occupation as millwright, until 1860, when he removed to Illinois, and built a large flouring mill in O'Fallon, on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, which is still operated in the name of Julius Raith & Co. He constructed some of the best and most noted mills in Missouri and Illinois, and was widely known to millowners and mechanics in the West.

During the summer of 1861, Capt. Raith raised the 43d Regiment, and entered the service as its Colonel in October. At the battle of Shiloh, Col. Raith was in command of the 3d brigade, composed of his own regiment, the 17th, 29th and 49th Illinois. Whilst leading his command, on the first day of the conflict, he was wounded by a minie ball in the leg above the knee. He lay on the battle-field for twenty-four hours, when he was picked up in a feeble and exhausted condition. He was placed on board the steamer Hannibal, and on the way to the Hospital at Mound City, Illinois, suffered the amputation of his leg. He died from tetanus, or lock-jaw, produced by his injuries.

Colonel Raith's wife died in the latter part of 1859, being survived by two sons, one of whom is now ten and the other seven years of age.

SOURCE: James Grant Wilson, Biographical Sketches Of Illinois Officers Engaged In The War Against The Rebellion Of 1861, p. 43

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Further from Ft. Donelson

FT. DONELSON, 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 70 guns.  Among them are bronze and iron rifled pieces of English manufacture.  Taylor’s battery captured a beautiful riffled piece, an intimation of the Parrott, made in England, and 2 bronze rifled pieces.

The prisoners will amount to full 15,000, all contrary assertions notwithstanding.

The small arms captured amount to 20,000.

So far as I can ascertain, our loss is:

49th Illinois, killed and wounded, 40.
Taylor’s Battery, 1 killed and 4 wounded.
18th Illinois, Killed 45; about 60 wounded.
17th Illinois, killed 4, wounded 20.
12th Iowa killed 3, wounded 64.
58th Ohio, wounded 8.
14th Iowa, 6 killed, 50 wounded.
2nd Iowa, 38 killed, 150 wounded.
9th Illinois, 35 killed, 60 wounded.
41st Illinois, 17 killed, 140 wounded.
20th Illinois, 21 killed, 118 wounded.
30th Illinois, 19 killed, 71 wounded.
8th Illinois, 56 killed, 186 wounded.
21st Illinois, 40 killed, 200 wounded.
12th Illinois, 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 to you as soon as they can be made out by the officers.

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

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

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

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Alexander W. Hack, Private, Co. A, 17th Illinois Infantry to Gifford Robinson, February 22, 1862, Fort Donelson, Tenn.

Fort Donelson, Tenn. Feb. 22nd 1862

Cousin Gifford,

When I wrote to you last I was in good quarters at Cape Girardeau, Mo. & I thought that we would probably stay there all winter, but two weeks ago today we left for Fort Henry in Tenn. at which place we arrived at on Sunday night after its surrender to Com. Foot.  We remained there one day when we was ordered to move forward on to Fort Donelson some fifteen miles further on the Cumberland River.  On Tuesday night Feb. 11th we left Fort Henry & march only four miles when we encamped for the night.  Wednesday morning 12th at day light we resumed our line of march on to Fort Donelson.  When we had arrived within about four miles of the fort our advance guard had a little skirmish with the enemy and drove them back into their fort.  We then surrounded them on all sides but the river side.  When the gun boats arrived & gaveled that point we layed on our arms all night so as to be ready at any moment.  Thursday 13th we commenced firing on them this morning without cannon with some little effect.  At one o’clock in the afternoon our regiment and the forty ninth, under the brave Col. Morrison made a charge on the enemy breastwork.  He was in front of the line cheering us on when his horse was shot & he fell slight wounded & was carried off of the field.  The firing was most terrific for about one hour on both sides.  We advanced within 25 yards of their breastworks when they throwed whole bags of shot at once at us out of their cannon besides any amount of round shot, grape, canisters & shell.  So finely we had to retire with considerable loss.  We lost out of our regiment some ten killed & about sixty wounded.  I do not know how many the 49th lostbut probably about the same.  We probably would of lost more if we had not layed down so that their shots went over our heads one could not see fifteen feet ahead of him for the dense smoke.  The enemy lost a great many as well as we did.  Friday 14th - It rained & snowed all last night so that we had to lean up again a tree to sleep.  Our company was out skirmishing the most of the night.  The enemy pickets was firing all night.  We layed on the ground all day supporting Taylors batteries.  If you want to learn to dodge corn etc. try to dodge them cannon balls & shell.  When a ball or shell would come over you would see every man fall on his face trying to dodge them, but we could not always do it for every now & then a shell would come & knock a man’s head off right side of you.  Saturday morning the 15th at day light we open again on them from our batteries with considerable effect while our mess was cooking a little coffee that morning the first for some time for we was very hungry.  We had nothing to eat for two or three days but two hard crackers a day.  We had just turned it out into our cups & was going to drink it when a shell from one of the enemies guns struck in the top of a large tree that we was standing under & burst throwing sticks & stuff all over us & spilling our coffee.  We was then ordered to fall in immediately & go & support Taylors batteries of light artillery & then come the heavy fighting on our right which lasted nearly all day.  Dud Holmes (Co. F, 8th IL.) was shot through heart the first volley before he had time to discharge his gun he died instantly.  The enemy out flanked us so that we had to fall back about a mile.  We then received reinforcements & moved forward on to them again & drove them into their entrenchments & further to for Col. Cook made a charge on their work & drove them back at the point of the bayonet.  By that time it was night & we had to quit until morning.  We layed on our arms all night so as to be ready in the morning.  Sunday the 16th we was about to open on them again when they hoisted a white flag & surrendered to Genl. Grant about day light.  If there was not a few cheers given then there never was.  We captured some fifteen thousand prisoners all their arms, camp equipage, horses, cannon & etc.   We marched into the fort with our band playing Yankee Doodle and Dixey.  The fort was considered one of the strongest positions in the south.  We probably had some forty or fifty thousand troops engaged that of the enemy about thirty thousand.  Our loss is very heavy but I think that the enemy lost more than we did.  I suppose that you have read the particulars of it in the papers before you can get this.  Give my respects to Aunt & all the rest of the family.  What is the reason that you do not write oftener that you do.  You certainly have better convenience than I have.  Give my respects to your female friends.

I remain yours & etc., etc.

Alex W. Hack U.S.A.

SOUCE:  This letter is listed for sale HERE by Museum Quality Americana.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

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

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Latest from Fort Henry

Special to Chicago Journal

FORT HENRY, Tenn., Feb. 9.

A detachment of Cavalry, some 250 strong, hand an engagement to-day about seven miles east of Fort Henry, on the road to Fort Donaldson [sic]. The Union troops were under command of Major Mudd, of the 2d Illinois cavalry. Carson and Brink, of Grant’s Staff, were in the engagement. Five rebels were left dead on the field. Thirty prisoners and thirty horses were captured. One man of the 2d cavalry was wounded.

The 49th Illinois and the 52 Indiana regiments arrived here to-day.

A detachment of the 32d Illinois regiment yesterday evening destroyed a portion of the Louisville, Clarksville and Memphis Railroad. The road is incapacitated for rebel transportation for the present.

Captain Lagon, of General Grant’s Staff, brought down five wagons and other [property]. The rebel camp at the railroad bridge had been previously evacuated.


SECOND DISPATCH

FORT HENRY, Feb. 10.

This morning a box of cartridges exploded in one of the tents of the infantry encamped near the parapet. The arm of one of one of the privates was broken.

Nineteen dead bodies of rebels are reported to have been found in one of the trenches of Fort Henry. Our troops captured, near the railroad bridge, a thousand dollars worth of hides and twelve boxes of beef, and the telegraph office batteries at Danville.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 13, 1862, p. 1

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Brigadier General J. I. Gilbert

COLONEL TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTBY.

James I. Gilbert is one of Iowa's best officers. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born about the year 1824. At the time of entering the service, in the summer of 1862, he was a resident of Lansing, Iowa, where he had lived for about ten years. In Lansing, he has been commission merchant, dealer in general merchandise, produce dealer, and lumber merchant. At the time, or just before entering the service, he was the proprietor of a livery stable, and a dealer in real estate. He was commissioned colonel of the 27th Iowa on the 10th day of August, 1862, and served without special distinction till he joined General A. J. Smith on the Red River Campaign, in the spring of 1864. His gallant conduct at Fort De Russy, and through the whole campaign, and also before Nashville nearly a year later, secured his promotion to a general officer.

The 27th Iowa, which was rendezvoused in the city of Dubuque in the months of August and September, 1862, was made up of "the overplus of companies over the 21st regiment in the northern part of the State." In the early part of October, Colonel Gilbert, with six companies of his regiment, was assigned as an escort to guard a pay-master and train from Fort Snelling to Mille Lacs. The balance of the regiment, under Major Howard, remained at the fort. Early in November, Colonel Gilbert returned to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and soon proceeded to Memphis, via Cairo, Illinois. Major George W. Howard with the balance of the regiment had already proceeded to that point. He reached Memphis on the 20th of November, and one week later joined Sherman in his march from that place to the Tallahatchie, below Waterford. It will be remembered that this movement was made in conjunction with that of General Grant through Central Mississippi, against Vicksburg. The 27th Iowa marched only as far south as College Hill, near Oxford. "The regiment was then ordered to Waterford, Mississippi, and thence to the Tallahatchie River, where it first commenced its work as railroad guards."

When Van Dorn attacked and captured Holly Springs, the 27th Iowa, with other troops, was hurried to that vicinity; but the wily rebel having destroyed the immense Federal supplies, made his escape. The march was then continued northward, for the purpose of meeting and, if possible, of capturing Forest, who was at the same time making his raid on the Jackson and Columbus Railroad. The 27th arrived at Jackson on the 30th of December, and the next day or night, Forest's defeat at Parker's Cross Roads and subsequent flight having been, learned, was marched by a circuitous rout to Clifton. The raiders however escaped. It was this raid of Forest, it will be remembered, that so frightened General Davies at Columbus, and caused him to order the destruction of government property at Island No. 10. The march from Jackson to Clifton was the first fatiguing one the 27th Iowa had yet made. More than one man of the regiment wished that night that he had never entered the army.

From December, 1862, until the following August, the regiment served in Southern Tennessee. It was stationed a principal portion of the time on the Jackson and Columbus Railroad, with head-quarters at Jackson.

On the abandonment of Jackson and the railroad through to Columbus, in the fore part of June, 1863, Colonel Gilbert was ordered down to Moscow, where he remained with his regiment till the 20th of the following August, guarding the railroad. But after the fall of Vicksburg, and the defeat of General Johnson's army at Jackson, Mississippi, the 27th with its brigade was ordered to report to General Steele, who was then about starting on the Little Rock Campaign. The brigade, composed of the 49th and 62d Illinois, the 27th Iowa and 50th Indiana, and commanded by Colonel J. M. True, of the 62d Illinois, arrived at Helena, after the forces of General Steele had left; but immediately starting in pursuit, Colonel True succeeded in uniting with Steele in time to enter Little Rock with the main army. With the routine of camp-life and picket duty, the months of September and October were passed at Little Bock, when, under orders from General Steele, Colonel Gilbert reported back to Memphis in command of his own regiment and the 49th Illinois. At Memphis a portion of the 27th was assigned to duty at the Navy Yard, and the balance put on picket-duty in rear of the city.

Up to this time, the 27th Iowa, as a regiment, had never met the enemy in battle; but the time was now near at hand when it would afford new proof of the intrepidity of Iowa soldiers. The regiment left Memphis for Vicksburg on the 28th of July, 1864, whence, a week later, it left with General Sherman on the celebrated march to Meridian.

At Memphis and just before leaving for Vicksburg, the 27th Iowa was brigaded with the 14th and 32d Iowa, and the 24th Missouri. These troops constituted the 2d Brigade of the 3d Division, 16th Army Corps, which afterward, under command of Colonel William T. Shaw of the 14th, so distinguished itself in the Red River Expedition of General Banks. In the Meridian march, it should be stated that the 27th Iowa went some six miles further east than any other troops of Sherman's command, and in this advanced position captured several prisoners.

The plan for the Red River Campaign had already been matured, on the return of General Sherman to Vicksburg; and on the evening of the 10th of April, 1864, General A. J. Smith left with his expeditionary army for the mouth of Red River, where he arrived on the evening following. The fleet of Admiral Porter arriving that same evening, the expedition, on the morning of the 12th instant, sailed up the river, and in the afternoon arrived at Simmsport, where the infantry forces disembarked. From this point, General Smith marched with his command across the country to the rear of Fort De Russey, while Porter, with his gun-boat fleet, proceeded up the river. Near Simmsport a small body of the enemy's cavalry made their appearance; but they offered no resistance to the advance; and on the evening of the second day the fort was invested. Porter in the meantime had come up with his fleet, but for some reason took no part in the engagement which followed. I have been told that it was the crookedness of the river at this point, together with certain obstructions, that prevented him from operating with the land forces.

Fort De Russey, a formidable earth-work of the enemy on the south-west side of Red River, and some four miles above the town of Marksville, was built on a high point of land, about one hundred paces back from the river, but connected with it by rifle-pits. On the south-west bank of the river, was a six-gun water-battery. The Fort proper mounted but four guns: two six-pounders commanded the open country south-west of the Fort; and two thirty-two pounders covered the Marksville road and the approaches to the south-east. On the north-west side of the fort was dense timber and impassable swamps.

On the 14th day of March, the day of the capture of Fort De Russey, the 27th Iowa led the advance. Marksville, which is some thirty miles distant from Simmsport, was reached at four o'clock in the afternoon; and at this point Colonel Gilbert was ordered to halt his regiment to prevent straggling in the town. He was kept in this position till all the troops had passed, and until the dispositions for the attack had been nearly completed. The 27th as a regiment had not yet been under fire, and, jealous of his own reputation and that of his command, Colonel Gilbert dispatched his adjutant to Colonel Shaw, with this request: "If there is to be any fighting we want to have a hand in it." An order was finally returned for him to bring his regiment forward; and he moved up and took position on the extreme right of the assaulting forces. Two entire brigades charged on the fort, and Colonel Shaw's held the right. The line of battle was semi-circular, and, on the right, was formed in the edge of timber and some two hundred and fifty yards distant from the fort.

In front of the 2d Brigade (Colonel Shaw's) was a ravine, running nearly parallel with the enemy's defenses; but, before this could be reached, the entire line must pass under a severe musketry-fire from the fort and the adjacent rifle-pits. After the reconnoissance had been completed, during which time the fire from the fort had been responded to by the 3d Indiana Battery, a general charge was ordered, when Colonel Gilbert, drawing his sword and stepping to the front of his regiment, said: "Boys, come on." "From that moment," said a member of his regiment to me, "we knew he had the true grit." He was one of the first officers, if not the very first, to enter the enemy's works. If this was not a sanguinary affair, it was a brilliant one, and augured well for the success of the future expedition. The number of casualties of the 27th Iowa, in this engagement, I have failed to learn.

It should be borne in mind that General Banks had not yet come up from Franklin, Louisiana; nor did he come up till a week after the capture of Alexandria; so that the credit incident to the capture of Fort De Russey belongs solely to General Smith and the troops of his command. On the morning of the 15th instant, the 3d Division, having re-embarked on the fleet, moved up to Alexandria, and that same evening the place was entered without opposition. Here General Smith remained till the arrival of General Banks with his command, consisting of portions of the 13th and 19th Army Corps.

From this point, General Banks marched through the country via Natchitoches to Grand Ecore; but Smith, moving up to the head of the rapids, above Alexandria, re-embarked and sailed up the river, arriving at Grand Ecore at about the same time as did General Banks. On the 5th of April, General Banks marched for Shreveport by way of the Mansfield road, and two days later was followed by the command of General Smith; but the advance was soon to be turned into a retreat; and neither the forces of Banks nor Smith were destined to see even Mansfield. No considerable resistance was made to the advance till near Natchitoches, and, to beat this back, no troops were required but the cavalry; but beyond Pleasant Hill, and about thirty miles distant from Natchitoches, the enemy showed so much resistance that it became necessary to send forward a brigade of infantry.

The battle of Mansfield, or Sabine Cross Roads was fought on the afternoon of the 8th of April, 1864, and that of Pleasant Hill on the morning and evening of the 9th. The last was the one in which the 14th, 27th and 32d Iowa regiments so distinguished themselves. These troops, together with the 24th Missouri, I believe impartial history will say, saved the army of General Banks from disorganization and capture; for they were the only troops that maintained their position throughout that terrible day — I mean, of course, of those whose position was in the front. If this be not so, how was it that their losses, in killed, wounded and missing, numbered nearly, if not quite two-thirds of the casualties in Banks' entire army? The position held by the 27th in this engagement was the left centre of its brigade. On its right was the 14th Iowa, and on its left the 32d. Its right rested near the Pleasant Hill and Mansfield road.

The conduct of Colonel Gilbert in this engagement, as at Fort De Russey, was gallant in the extreme. Through the anxious hours that intervened between the first attack in the morning and the final fierce assaults of the enemy in the afternoon, he was never idle, but talked with and cheered his men. Skirmishing all this time was going on; and every moment closed with the assurance that the next would open the fierce encounter. When the conflict finally did open, he stood firm and confident, using, when occasion offered and his duties would permit, a musket against the advancing enemy. Indeed, the colonel was wounded in this engagement, while in the act of shooting a rebel officer. Many brave officers and men of the 27th Iowa were left among the killed and wounded: their names I have failed to learn. One I know — Sergeant George W. Griswold, a brave and faithful soldier. He was wounded severely in the face, and left in hospital within the enemy's lines.

A history of Banks' Expedition after his unplucked victory at Pleasant Hill will be found elsewhere. In the fatiguing and harassing retreat to Simmsport, Smith's Division covered the rear of Banks' army.

Subsequently to the Red River Campaign, there has been little rest for the 27th Iowa Infantry. It joined its division in driving Price from Missouri; was with A. J. Smith at Nashville, and fought in those terrible battles that closed only with the destruction of General Hood's army; and, lastly, was with Its old white-headed general before Blakely, where it led a portion of the charging column that carried so brilliantly the strong-hold. Now it has marched with its division into the interior of Alabama; but it will probably see no more fighting.

After the battle of Nashville, Colonel Gilbert was made a brigadier-general. Since that time, he has been in command of a brigade. He is one of the most popular officers in his division.

Colonel Gilbert is six feet and one inch in hight, and has a broad chest, and an erect and tapering form. His hair, eyes and complexion are dark. He has a heavy voice, and is an energetic talker. At home and among his acquaintances, he is "noted for his love of a fine horse and riding out-fit. He thinks much of style in appearance."

He is quick and active in his motions, and, in civil life, was accustomed to decide the most important business transactions in a moment. His opinions, of which he is very positive, he is always ready to back with a bet; and his losses, of which he rarely has any, he pays promptly. As a business man, he was not considered very fortunate, though he was never placed in a position which prevented him from paying all legal demands against him. Like several other Iowa officers, he is better adapted to the profession of arms than to any other calling. I should not omit to state that, of the Iowa generals, General Gilbert is the finest equestrian the State can boast, not even excepting General Frederick Steele.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 421-8