Showing posts with label Edwin R. Kennedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edwin R. Kennedy. Show all posts

Friday, April 18, 2008

Edwin R. Kennedy

Captain, Co. F, 6th Iowa Infantry

He was the son of J. R. Kennedy and was born about 1840 in Indiana, and resided in Osceola, Clarke County Iowa when he enlisted as a private in Company F of the 6th Iowa Infantry on July 1st, 1861 and 16 days later he was mustered in. He was promoved to 3rd Sergeant on January 13, 1862 and then to 1st Sergeant on July 1st of that same year. He was wounded by a shell fragment in his left leg during third charge made by the 6th Iowa Infantry during the battle on Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863. His brother, Liberty H. Kennedy was killed during the same charge having been shot through the heart. He re-enlisted and was mustered in on March 15, 1864 and was promoted to Captain on June 29, 1864. He was mustered out on July 21, 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky and returned to Clarke County, Iowa where on May 17, 1866 he was married to Martha E. Webster.

SOURCES: Civil War Soldiers And Sailors System; Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers In the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 1, p. 852; Clarke County Iowa Early Marriages 1852 – 1873, p. 12; Letter From E. H. Kennedy Of The 6th Regiment, The Union Sentinel, 12 DEC 1863; 6th Iowa Infantry: Intelligence from Chattanooga, The Union Sentinel, 12 DEC 1863

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Letter from E. R. Kennedy of the 6th Regiment.

Hospital No 4, Div. 15th A. C.
Nov. 27 1863

Dear Parents:

I have sad news for you; the worst that can come from me.

We have been in another hard fight, and Rebel bullets are no respecter of persons. You have to morn the loss of a son. I a brother. Liberty! Poor fellow, was shot dead in the third charge. He fought bravely, and was shot with his gun cocked, and in the act of shooting. I am sorry to tell you, that I was unable to see him: I was wounded in the same charge, and from what I learn about the same time he was struck. My wound is in the left leg half way below the knee, done with a piece of shell. Liberty was shot through the heart, and died without a groan. Thomas Kirkpatrick helped to bury him. I knew nothing of it until he was buried. He lies at the foot of the hill where we fought. This news is sad, but it is a relief to know that he died at his post; he never faltered; was always ready, and was a soldier in every respect.

Several of the company were wounded.

Capt. Minton took command of the company of the 24th [ult. ?] and in the second charge was wounded in the right arm below the elbow: The Surgeons say it will have to come off. Thomas Barrows wounded in the left ankle, not dangerous. Frederick B. Johnson in left leg close to the body. He has not more than one chance of ten to get well. Elam Ford in the forehead with a piece of shell, slightly. Thomas Carson in the side of the head with a ball, slightly. We are all of the company that are in the hospital. Sever others are slightly wounded that are with the regiment. Charles Wright was hit with a shell. Edward Chambers hit on the little finger. Charles Miler on the knee. Isaac Gregg on the ear. There may be others; as I have not been to the regiment since I received my wound, I have not the full particulars –

They are in pursuit of the rebels. They have captured 15,000 to 20,000 prisoners according to report, and between 50 to 100 pieces of artillery.

I can hear the roar of artillery ten or fifteen miles away, still growing more distant.

The 25th day of Nov. is a day to be long remembered, especially by our regiment. We threw a pontoon across the Tennessee river on the 24th, and took a hill two miles from the river, and fortified it that might. The next morning between seven and eight o’clock we were called out, we formed behind some logs, the rebels had thrown up the night before, for their skirmishers at the food of Mission ridge. We formed 4 columns deep, and charged on their works. Gen. Corse was wounded near their works. We were compelled to fall back and rally again. We rallied behind the logs, again we charged and silenced their battery, and again fell back. For what reason I cannot say. Col. [ ]umis came up on our right, charged and took their works. The rebels then came down on us. We were again ordered to charge. We went at it with a cheer. I did not go more than five rods before I was hit, my gun was knocked from my hands, and I have not seen it since. It was in this charge that Liberty was killed.

We have had a very hard time; we have not had a whole night’s sleep since the 16th. We have been either marching or working. Some of the soldiers were robbed of their clothing and money as they lay corpses on the field of battle. Some were untouched.

Where we will be taken I cannot tell. I will write again in a few days.

E. R. Kennedy.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 12, 1863

Friday, April 11, 2008

6th Iowa Infantry: Intelligence from Chattanooga

The 6th Iowa Inft. – Intelligence from this regiment, looked for with so much anxiety since the battle of Chattanooga, has at length come, to sadden the hearts of many of our citizens, while it robes others in weeds of mourning for those who have fought their last fight. Mr. Liberty Kennedy, son of J. R. Kennedy of Franklin township was killed; a brother, E. R. Kennedy was wounded. Capt. Minton, we are told was severely wounded in the arm; and with feeling of pain we add another to the list whom we have know in days past as a scholar and friend. Frederick B. Johnson, son of F. W. Johnson of Oceola is dangerously wounded. A ball entering the thigh came out near the knee, shattering the bone very badly. It is thought that if he recovers at all, amputation will be necessary. Poor fellow! With many others he has learned that fortune does not always smile upon the good and brave. In July last, he was taken prisoner, and after suffering several weeks in rebel prisons, was paroled, and a few weeks since exchanged – in time for this, we fear, to him fatal battle.

May it please that Being in who he trusts, to order it otherwise.

Thomas Barrows was also wounded, but slightly.

F. W. Johnson left for Chattanooga Yesterday.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 12, 1863