Showing posts with label Birge's Sharpshooters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birge's Sharpshooters. Show all posts

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Birge's Regiment Western Sharpshooters.

Organized at Benton Barracks, Mo,, under authority of General Fremont September and October, 1861. Mustered in as 14th Regiment Missouri Infantry November 23, 1861 (which see).

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1321

Monday, October 21, 2019

Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune, February 9, 1862

FORT HENRY, Tenn., February 9, 1862
Via. Cairo, the 11th.

A force of the 2nd Illinois cavalry under Major Mudd, made a reconnoissance to-day in the direction of Fort Donelson.  An advance guard of some forty men, encountered a superior number of the rebel cavalry about seven miles on the main road to Dover.  Capt. Brink, ordnance officer, who accompanied the command, with Carson, were in the advance, and discovered the enemy and gave notice to our cavalry who were feeding some distance in the rear.  The rebels advanced on our small force and gave them battle to a cross road.  Some 20 more of our cavalry coming up to the assistance of our struggling little band, the enemy turned and took to flight with a loss of 5 killed and 23 prisoners, among whom was the captain of the rebel band.  Our loss was 1 man wounded and 1 horse killed.

Gen. Grant and staff to-day, also made a reconnoissance to within 4 miles of Fort Donelson, and a complete knowledge of the roads was obtained.

The Reconnoitering transport steamer H. H. Brown, in charge of Capt. Logan, aid to Gen. Grant, with Col. Riggins and Col. A. H. Markland, the military Mail Agent accompanying the army, made another trip to-day to the railroad bridge across the river at Danville, where a large quantity of army stores, wagons, hides and numerous other articles of value were obtained.

From All appearances in every direction from the Fort, the rebel retreat assumed a complete panic and stampede.  At Danville the quarters of the troops gave evidence that they fled while in the act of preparing either dinner or supper.  The cooking utensils contained the allowance of their morsel.  Beds and cabin furniture were strewn about in reckless confusion, and terror and dismay seem to have filled the breast of the occupants.

An unfinished letter from a soldier to his sister, was found, dated the 6th, (the day of the battle) which stated that the 7th regiment left there the night previous for the fort leaving every room for the conclusion that actual force at this place on the day of the capture of this Fort was not less than 12,000.

Col. Markland, by order of Gen. Grant, took possession of eleven bags of mail matter at Danville and closed the office yesterday.

Gen. Grant and staff visited Danville and took possession of a large amount of property of the same character as that taken to-day, besides the ferry steamer J. M. Martin, which was brought down to this point.

The bridge is a magnificent structure of about 1200 feet in length, besides about 400 feet of trestle work.  The piers of the spans, some nine in number, are built of granite, and in the strongest manner.  The trestle work has been partly destroyed to its being used by rebels.

Reinforcements are arriving very rapidly.  The 14th Iowa, the 13th Missouri, a battalion of Birge’s sharpshooters, the 43rd and 17th Illinois regiments, all arrived during last night and to-day.

The gunboats which went up the river after the capture of the fort have not yet been heard from.

SOURCE: “Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune,” Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, February 12, 1862

Letter from G. W. B., February 8, 1862


FORT HENRY, Tenn., Saturday Night,
February 8, 1862

For all the purposes of navigation a “booming river” is most admirable, but when viewed in connection with the operations of an army on land, the consequent general overflow of all bottoms, and swollen condition of all tributaries, hardly present so favorable an aspect.  Just now the high water would seem to be our most formidable foe.  Although it will probably permit the federal flag to be exhibited to the people along the Tennessee, even into Alabama, it is likely that it in turn will prevent the same flag from waving over the ramparts of fort Donaldson for at least several days longer than would be the case where the stream at a somewhat lower stage.

It was intended to move promptly against the above named fortification to-day, but so formidable have been the demonstrations of the rapidly rising stream, that let alone moving, it has been with no little difficulty that our army has been kept fairly afloat.  The moat around the fort has assumed the dimensions of an inland sea.  The fortification itself is as veritable an island as one need look upon, while the ground of the camps beyond, and in fact all of the “narrow neck” of land between this point and fort Donaldson is nothing more nor less than an extended quagmire.  The numerous little streams running into the Cumberland and Tennessee are all in a swollen condition and with miles of backwater which with the roads (bad enough at best) present such formidable obstacles to the movements of our heavy artillery necessary for the reduction of the place, as to render a movement almost impossible.  But let not the country be impatient.  The floods have reached their maximum, and in the meantime our engineers are hourly gaining their information in regard to the place.  The blow will soon fall.  The little delay will not make it any less sure, nor none the less heavy.

FEDERAL GUNBOATS IN ALABAMA.

Much interest is felt here among us to learn the particulars of the gunboat expedition up the river.  The boats should be back by to-morrow.  Capt. Phelps, of the Conestoga, received orders to go ahead as far as he could, and he is not the man to return without having fulfilled his orders to the letter.  It is probably that the fleet will be able to proceed as far up the river as Florence, Alabama, thus exhibiting the Federal flag through the “Enemy’s country” for over a hundred and fifty miles, and into the very heart of the rebeldom.  in many respects this is the great expedition of the war, and will doubtless have a moral effect upon the people of Central Tennessee unequal to another victory.  The boats left immediately after the reduction of the fort, and their presence will probably be the first intimation to thousands of people along the river that he had reduced one of their strongholds and were now penetrating the very heart of their vaunted confederacy.  The consternation as well as the surprise and joy (for be it known there is not a feeble union sentiment lying latent in Tennessee) of the people along the river upon the sight of the strange steamers, bearing aloft the national colors, can well be imagined.

WHAT FORT HERNY WAS KEY TO.

To those who have not taken the pains to look at their maps, the reduction of the fort, with its seventeen heavy guns, may appear only as a gallant affair, which will be productive of an excellent effect upon the Union cause at home and abroad, but otherwise of no very great importance.  But let one glance at our position, and trace the course of the Tennessee—for the next two months navigable for the largest steamers, through the entire breadth of the State—and the importance of the road we have now opened will at once become apparent.  We have now a safe and expeditious highway into the very heart of the Confederacy.  Six or eight miles only from the river at Florence is the Memphis and Charleston railroad—the grand trunk road for the South—which, as the great avenue over which is transported the principal supplies of the rebel armies in Tennessee and Virginia, may well be regarded as one of the main arteries of the rebel system.  It will also be noticed that the river before it bends to the eastward, flows through a corner of Mississippi, where an army once dropped down, would be within an easy week’s march of Memphis.  Would it be the most surprising thing in the world if His Reverend Highness the Bishop General Polk, should awake some fine morning to find a federal army snugly ensconced here, and the two hundred and odd cannon and famous submarine battery, of about as much value to him as so much old iron?  I need not also call attention to the critical condition of Nashville and Bowling Green, when the fortifications of the Cumberland and shall also have been swept away, as they assuredly will be, ere many days have passed.  Indeed it seems very much as if the rebels, in their fright had been so busily engaged in barricading their main approaches, that they had quite forgotten the smaller  avenue through which it was possible for an enemy to find an entrance.  Does it not seem that if the “day and the hour” had at last come for the grand forward movement to be inaugurated?  Shall we not now see McClellan releasing his superabundant legions now stagnating on the Potomac, and pouring them through this new avenue, and striking this rebellion in its very core.

THE RETREAT OF THE REBELS.

We are continually discovering further indications of the great haste in which the rebels outside of the fort decamped.  The road leading to Fort Donaldson is completely strewn with guns, blankets, knapsacks, cartridge boxes, and everything of which they could well dispossess themselves.  It is supposed that every one of the field pieces with which they started out have fallen into our possession.  The piece found by Col. Logan yesterday makes twelve, making two complete field batteries.  They are all spiked but can soon be rendered fit for service.  Among a thousand other things discovered about the woods in the vicinity by the soldiers are the complete plans of Fort Donaldson as drawn by the engineers which is, of course, a most invaluable discovery.  It is not known, however, as to how great an extent the plans have been carried out.  Great difficulty is experienced in getting reliable information in regard to the fort.  The negroes who remain give some most laughable instances of the haste in which the rebel force took to their heels.  It was nothing more nor less than a regular Bull Run stampede.  Nothing in the shape of a quadruped was left behind.  Even Gen. Tilghman’s horse was stolen by some frightened brother officer.  It is not probable that we should have found in the fort even the Small number we did, had not the General, after discovering the universal Stampede on the part of the force outside, and of also nearly all the garrison within, promptly stationed a guard at the draw bridge, with orders to shoot down any others who attempted to implicate their inglorious example.  A company of cavalry was stationed at the railroad bridge, twenty miles above here, and upon the approach of the gunboats on Thursday evening, the Captain, with characteristic Southern braggadocio, draw up his men in line on the river bank with the evident intention of blowing them out of the water.  The little rebel gunboat Dunbar was just above the bridge, but as soon as our gunboat approached, as may be imagined, beat a speedy retreat.  Intent upon the capture of this prize, the cavalry company was entirely overlooked, and as I have above stated, were bravely paraded up behind the trees of the river bank, with, to all appearances, exceedingly hostile intent.  Their Double-barrels had been duly loaded with the inevitable buckshot, and then came the ready—present—when, with the infernal shriek which penetrated to the very marrow of their bones, went whizzing by after the Dunbar one of the Conestoga’s shells.  The concluding order of fire was never given, but with one universal shout of horror, Captain and men scattered for the woods, leaving behind them, in many instance, even their hats.  My informant, the keeper of the draw-bridge, who was a witness of the scene, still retains as a trophy the valiant Captain’s sombrero.  He tells me that three of the Company where drowned in the back water of the river in their hasty flight.

THE RAILROAD BRIDGE.

Gen. Grant and staff, with several representatives of the press, and a body guard of sharpshooters, visited the bridge this afternoon.  The distance from the fort to the bridge is 23 miles.  This structure is one of the very finest of the kind in the country, being over 1,200 feet in length, and with about 300 more feet of tressle work, on the westerly side.  There are seven piers besides those of the draw, making nine in all.  The Memphis, Clarksville and Louisville Railroad has proved a most important auxiliary to the rebels, traversing a country rich in agricultural productions, and affording a speedy transit for troops and supplies to Columbus and Bowling Green.  The interruption of travel on this road, will be of itself be a sad blow to the confederacy.  The last rain passed over the road on Thursday, just before the bombardment.  There have been a few companies of rebels permanently stationed here for several months past.  When, in common with the rest of the rebel soldiery of this section, they, on Thursday, fled before our approach, they left their transportation, commissary stores, and everything besides their own precious selves, behind them.  The wagons deserted are perfectly new, and equal to the best we have.  In accordance with the positive instructions of Gen. Halleck, the bridge was not destroyed, but only partially disabled, by cutting away a few of the supports of the tressle work, which can be readily repaired.  It is probable that the next train watch crosses the bridge will be under Federal auspices.

UNION SENTIMENTS—“MASSA LINCOLN.”

That there is a latent Union sentiment still lingering in the hearts of the people of this section of Tennessee there can be no doubt.  Our troops have been cordially received in many instances, while the great majority of the population here would readily submit to any rule which would give them peace.  I have heard not a few express their gratification at the reduction of Fort Henry, saying—“Now, that flag is down, I reckon we shall again have peace.”  Many of them say they voted for the union twice, but the last time seeing it was all of no avail, either yielded to the popular clamor and voted for secession, or kept away from the polls all together.  The leaders of public opinion, the press and the politicians have so long vilified the North, and subsequently the Union army, and no industriously misrepresented the objects of the present war, that the most absurd beliefs are entertained by the common people in regard to us.  May of them believing that rapine and plunder would surely ensue upon our approach, have left their homes and every thing in them, and fled to the woods for safety.  The most monstrous stories are firmly believed by many of them.  For instance, one lady yesterday said to an Illinois Colonel, who visited her that she had but one objection to our troops—they were so cruel.  Upon seeking an explanation of this, she said we burned the bodies of all dead rebels who fell into our hands, and that she had it upon excellent authority that Zollicoffer’s remains were treated in this way.  But few negroes are found in the country, most of them having been run off upon our approach.  Those who have remained manifest a great interest in regard to everything connected with the army and the North.  The first person met by the officer of the boat landing at the fort after the flag had been struck, was one of these contrabands.  With mingled joy and consternation imprinted upon his countenance, and with uplifted army he exclaimed “Afore God, sir, is Massa Lincoln coming in that boat?”

MORE TROOPS.

The Memphis, with the Forty-third Illinois and the Birge’s Sharpshooters have just arrived.

SOUTHERN HONOR.

We had a striking exemplification of the much vaunted Southern honor here yesterday.  A rebel captain, who was among the prisoners who surrendered, upon leaving the Uncle Sam where he had been entertained by General Grant and staff, to the best of their power, very coolly pocketed the revolvers of Capt. Lagow, Gen. Grant’s aid.  The operation was witnessed by several, and upon being requested to hand over the weapons as they could not appropriately be termed his side arms, he blustered and grew very red in the face, but it was all of no avail.  There were too many witnesses, and he had to surrender.  In justice, however, to the South, it should be added that the officer was a quartermaster!  Another officer, high in the command, ordered 28 suppers for some of the privates, which he was given the privilege of doing if he would duly pay the steward of the boat for the same.  The suppers were cooked and eaten, when the generous officer coolly told the steward he had no money but Tennessee currency, and that he supposed it was of no service to him; and turning on his heel, left him to whistle for his pay.

DEAD BODIES FOUND IN THE FORT.

No less than nineteen dead bodies were exhumed in the fort to-day, which had been hurriedly buried in one heap after the fight, and before we reached the fort.  The apparent slight loss of the rebels has been a matter of great surprise, but this recent discovery puts rather a new light on the matter, and it would not be if still more were found.  It will be remembered that only four dead men were found in the fort when we took possession.  This will make at least twenty three who fell beneath the unerring shots of our sailors.

G. W. B.

SOURCE: “From Fort Henry,” The Daily Missouri Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri, Thursday, February 13, 1862, p. 2

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

1st Independent Company Ohio Sharpshooters

Organized at Dayton, Ohio, September-October, 1861. Attached to Birge's Western Sharpshooters, 14th Missouri Infantry, and later 66th Illinois Infantry as Company "G."

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1495

2nd Independent Company Ohio Sharpshooters

Organized at Findlay, Ohio, September-October, 1861. Attached to Birge's Western Sharpshooters, 14th Missouri Infantry, and later 66th Illinois Infantry as Company "H."

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1495

3rd Independent Company Ohio Sharpshooters

Organized at Lima, Ohio, March and April, 1862. Attached to Birge's Western Sharpshooters, 14th Missouri Infantry, and later 66th Illinois Infantry as Company "K."

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1495

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Missouri State Monument: Shiloh National Military Park


UNION ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

2nd. Division 2nd. Brigade
13th. Mo. Col. Crafts Wright
14th. Mo. Birge Sharp Shooters
Col. B. Compton
1st. Mo. Light Artillery
Batty. D Capt. Henry Richardson
Batty. H Capt. Frederick Welker
Batty. K Capt George Stone

3rd. Division
1st. Brigade Col. Morgan Smith, 8th. Mo.
8th. Mo. Lt. Col. James Peckham
1st. Mo. Light Artillery
Batty. I Lt. Charles Thurber

4th. Division 1st. Mo. Light Artillery
Mann’s Battery C. Lt. Edward Brotzmann

6th. Division 1st. Brigade
Col. E. Peabody, Lt. Col. H. Woodyard
21st. Mo. Col. David Moore
24th. Mo. Lt. Col. Robert Vanhorn
2nd. Brigade Col. Madison Miller 18th. Mo.
18th. Mo. Lt. Col. Issac Pratt
Unattached Infantry 23rd. Mo.
Col. Jacob Tindall, Lt. Co. Quin Morton


CONFEDERATE ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI

Reserve Corps 2nd. Brigade
1st. Mo. Col. Lucius Rich


MISSOURI


[Inscribed on the back:]

IN MEMORY OF HER SONS WHO FOUGHT AND DIED TO PRESERVE THOSE FREEDOMS IN WHICH THEY BELIEVED

BATTLE OF SHILOH
APRIL 6TH AND 7TH 1862

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Private Letter from Adjutant Tyner of the 14th Iowa

ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER,
NEAR DOVER, TENN., Feb. 17.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your affectionate son,

N. N. TYNER.

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

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Battle of Fort Donelson

Official Report of Col. Lauman.

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


HEADQUARTERS 4TH BRIG. 2D DIV. U S A
FORT DONELSON, Feb. 18th, 1862.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers
Killed,                                                         41
Wounded,                                                 157
Total,                                                         198

25th Reg’t. Indian Infantry Volunteers
Killed,                                                         14
Wounded,                                                 101
Total                                                          115

Seventh Reg’t Iowa Infantry Volunteers
Killed,                                                           2
Wounded,                                                   37
Total                                                            39

14th Reg’t Iowa Infantry Volunteers
Killed,                                                           3
Wounded,                                                   23
Total                                                            26

Birge’s Sharp Shooters
Killed,                                                           1
Wounded,                                                     3
Missing,                                                        1
Total,                                                             5

RECAPITUALTION
Killed,                                                         61
Wounded,                                                 621
Missing                                                         1
Total                                                          383

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

I remain respectfully,
Your ob’t servant,

J. G. LAUMAN,
Col. Com’ng. 4th Brig. 2d Division

To Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith
Commanding Second Division

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

Friday, March 16, 2012

Army Correspondence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

H. S.

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

Monday, July 4, 2011

From The Iowa 2d Regiment

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 25, 1862.

MR. EDITOR:– As these are exciting times, and our friends in Iowa are no doubt anxious to hear all that is going on at this place, I will endeavor to give a few more “items,” for their benefit.

The Iowa 2d are still garrisoning Fort Donelson, and if report is true, regarding the surrender of Nashville, it is more than probably we shall remain here for some time.  The prisoners have all been sent below, our wounded well provided for, excitement has died away, and we have settled down to our regular camp duties.

Col. Tuttle has not fully recovered from his wounds, but is still in command of the regiment, and has been so since we left St. Louis, notwithstanding the Colonel of another regiment has tried to claim that honor during the recent great battle, in which the 2d Iowa acquitted itself so nobly.  The Egyptian reporters from the Southern portion of Suckerdom have tried to make it appear that the Iowa troops only played a minor part in the battle of Fort Donelson, and award all the praise to the troops from their own State, but like the battle of Belmont, in which the same thing was attempted, they have failed.  Justice is not always blind, and the deeds of the Iowa soldiers, as well as those from elsewhere will shine forth, in characters of gold, through all future generations.

On Friday evening at Dress Parade the following order was read:–


HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT WEST TENNESSEE.
Fort Donelson, Feb. 17, 1862.

General Order, No. 2: – The Gen. commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the troops of his command, for the triumph over the rebellion, gained by their valor, on the 13th, 14th and 15th insts.

For four consecutive nights, without shelter, during the most inclement weather known in this latitude, they faced and enemy in large forces, in a position chosen by himself.

Though strongly fortified by nature, all the additional safeguards suggested by science, were added.  Without a murmur this was borne, prepared at all times to receive an attack, and with continuous skirmishing by day, resulted ultimately in forcing the enemy to surrender without consideration.

The victory achieved is not only great in the effect it will have in breaking down the rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners of war ever taken in any battle on the continent.

Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the maps of our united country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the memory of a grateful people.

By order,

Signed

U. S. GRANT,
Brig. Gen. Commanding.


This evening on dress parade the following order was read, and shows whether the Iowa troops did any work on the 13th or not.  I will not give the order in full, as it is somewhat lengthy, but only a portion of it.  Here it is:


HEADQUARTERS 2D DIVISION WEST TENN.
Fort Donelson, Feb. 21, 1862.

General Order No. 8:– The Brig. Gen. Commanding the Division, congratulates the troops under his command on the recent brilliant success of our arms at this place which led to the unconditional surrender of the enemy on the 16th inst. and to which they contributed in no small degree.  He hopes every thing for the future, from their conduct on this occasion.  He begs to request that the Brigade and Regimental Commanders, every officer, non-commissioned officer and soldier to accept his warmest thanks for their gallantry and good conduct under fire, and for their patient endurance without a murmur, the extremely inclement weather to which they were exposed for several days, and nights, without shelter or fire , and with limited food.

Whilst every regiment did its duty in the most praiseworthy manner, yet it has been the good fortune of a portion of the command, from the accident of service to claim especial notice, without in the lightest degree detracting from the merit of any one, to wit: Birge’s Sharpshooters (Lieut. Col. Compton), Maj. Cavender’s three batteries of parrott guns and the Second Iowa Regiment (Col. Tuttle), more particularly for its successful assault on the enemy’s breastworks on the afternoon of the 15th inst.

To the officers of the Medical staff, too high praise cannot be awarded for their zealous attention to duty both under fire and in the hospital.

In his official report the Brig. Gen. Commanding will endeavor to do exact justice to all.

By order Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith.

(Signed,)

THOS. NEWSHEM,
Ass’t Adj. Gen.

H. SCHOFIELD, A. A. A. G.


I think the above order is good authority to base our claims upon, and as long as we are in Gen. Smith’s division, you will hear equally good reports from the Iowa 2d.

JULES.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 2

Thursday, December 30, 2010

From Grant’s Expedition

FORT DONELSON INVESTED.

A Battle Progressing.

THE SEVENTH IOWA AGAIN WINNING LAURELS.

CAIRO, Feb. 14.

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

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

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

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

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


CAMP IN FIELD, NEAR FT. DONELSON,
Feb. 13 – 12:30 P. M.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


SECOND DISPATCH

CAMP IN FIELD, NEAR FT. DONELSON,
Feb. 13 – 8 P. M.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


FORT HENRY, Feb. 12.

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

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

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

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


NASHVILLE, Feb. 7.

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

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

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

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

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