Showing posts with label Ft DeRussy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ft DeRussy. Show all posts

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, July 11, 1864

The Rebels are upon us. Having visited upper Maryland, they are turning their attention hitherward. General Wallace has been defeated, and it was yesterday current that General Tyler and Colonel Seward were prisoners, the latter wounded. But it seems only the last is true of the latter.

There is now a call from the War Department for gunboats at Havre de Grace, Gunpowder and Bush Rivers. Have ordered off three, but was afraid they would not arrive in season, for the call was not made and its necessity was scouted at Headquarters until the Rebels had cut the York and Baltimore Road. We have word by telegram this P.M. that the bridge over Gunpowder has been burned but a gunboat was on hand. Have no particulars.

Tom G. Welles was this day appointed to the staff of General McCook. I regret his passion for the service and his recklessness and youth.

The Rebel pickets appear in strength in front of Forts Stevens and DeRussy on the borders and within the District lines. Went to Stanton, but got from him nothing at all. He exhibits none of the alarm and fright I have seen in him on former occasions. It is evident he considers the force not large, or such that cannot be controlled, and yet he cannot tell their number nor where they are.

I rode out this evening to Fort Stevens, latterly called Fort Massachusetts. Found General Wright and General McCook with what I am assured is an ample force for its defense. Passed and met as we returned three or four thousand, perhaps more, volunteers under General Meigs, going to the front. Could see the line of pickets of both armies in the valley, extending a mile or more. There was continual firing, without many casualties so far as I could observe, or hear. Two houses in the vicinity were in flames, set on fire by our own people, because they obstructed the range of our guns and gave shelter to Rebel sharpshooters. Other houses and buildings had also been destroyed. A pretty grove nearly opposite the fort was being cut down. War would not spare the tree, if the woodman had.

I inquired where the Rebel force was, and the officers said over the hills, pointing in the direction of Silver Spring. Are they near Gunpowder or Baltimore? Where are they? Oh! within a short distance, a mile or two only. I asked why their whereabouts was not ascertained, and their strength known. The reply was that we had no fresh cavalry.

The truth is the forts around Washington have been vacated and the troops sent to General Grant, who was promised reinforcements to take Richmond. But he has been in its vicinity more than a month, resting, apparently, after his bloody march, but has effected nothing since his arrival on the James, nor displayed any strategy, while Lee has sent a force threatening the National Capital, and we are without force for its defense. Citizens are volunteering, and the employees in the navy yard are required to man the fortifications left destitute. Stanton and Halleck, who scouted Fenton's application and bluffed my inquiries, are now the most alarmed men in Washington.

I am sorry to see so little reliable intelligence. It strikes me that the whole demonstration is weak in numbers but strong in conception that the Rebels have but a small force. I am satisfied no attack is now to be apprehended on the city; the Rebels have lost a remarkable opportunity. But on our part there is neglect, ignorance, folly, imbecility, in the last degree. The Rebels are making a show of fight while they are stealing horses, cattle, etc., through Maryland. They might easily have captured Washington. Stanton, Halleck, and Grant are asleep or dumb.

The waste of war is terrible; the waste from imbecility and mismanagement is more terrible and more trying than from the ravages of the soldiers. It is impossible for the country to bear up under these monstrous errors and wrongs.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 71-3

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: Sunday, May 15, 1864

On the march at 7 a. m. Left the river and passed through a forest five miles coming out on a plain or open prairie near Fort DeRussey. We found the rebels in force with several pieces of artillery. A large part of the army wheeled in position four lines deep. It was a beautiful sight all in open view. The rebels fired a few shells and retreated. Quamtrell's [sic] guerrillas on the opposite side of the river had a good time all day firing into our transports. A little beyond the town of Marksville the advance came up again with the enemy at about sundown. Our brigade was ordered to the front at double quick. We arrived within supporting distance of the cavalry and night coming on the firing ceased. We were soon supported by two or three other lines in our rear when we laid down on the prairie and slept on our arms all night.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 113

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 14, 1864

Heavy skirmishing most all day. Expected a big battle. Did not materialize. Gunboats all over the falls and came down with the transports. Enemy fired on them from the opposite side of the river. Gunboats shelled the woods. Halted ten miles above Fort De Russey where the rebels had destroyed one gunboat and two transports coming up the river. One of them was the John Warren. The mail was all torn up and scattered over the ground. Many rifle pits were dug in the levee.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 112

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 9, 1864

Dam broke away and two ironclads run through. Two gunboats reported destroyed near Fort De Russey.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 111

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: March 28, 1864

After tying up to the bank all night for fear of sharp shooters along the shore in the woods; we passed Fort De Russey at Snaggy Point. This fort had the honor of being taken twice by our gun boats: the first time by Commander Farragut before the seige of Port Hudson, about May 1, 1863 and a few days before this, Snaggy Point is at a sharp bend in the river which is very shallow in low water on account of sunken logs in the stream. It has special advantages as a location for a fort mainly from the fact that it commands a view of the river for a long distance above and below. It was here we had such an interesting time going up the river in July of 1860 when I was on my way to Texas. We were on a small stern wheel boat named the “News Boy” with a cargo of grain. We were two days getting round this point. They unloaded the grain into lighters and snaked the boat over the logs by hitching to trees and winding the rope round the capstan. I never dreamed of seeing a fort here at that time but strange things happen in this world sometimes. Arrived at Alexandria at four p. m. and encamped on the same ground we did the year before, on the Rapides Bayou. The falls in the Red River at this place will not admit of navigation more than six months in the year and the river had begun falling at this early date in March so that the gun boats had difficulty in getting up over the falls and a noble large transport loaded with army stores and general merchandise was already hopelessly stranded on the rocks: so we had to witness the painful sight of her going up in smoke and flame with all her valuable cargo. When I went up that river in July of sixty alluded to before, there was hardly water enough going over these same falls to drive a saw mill, let alone floating all the United States Navy in the Western waters: and General Banks had it there at that time, all above the tails and as the sequel will show it cost us no little trouble to get the boats down again. We were here brigaded with the one hundred and fifty-ninth and ninetieth New Ycrk and the thirteenth Connecticut Volunteers, General Grover's Division.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 92-4

Friday, December 9, 2016

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: March 27, 1864

We passed Baton Rouge and Port Hudson entering the mouth of Red river at about noon. On the way up two men hailed us from the shore in the woods. We took them in and found they were deserters from the gun boats at Fort De Russey. Poor fellows, they could get nothing to eat along that river but aligators: and I guess the hard tack and salt junk tasted good to them. They were turned over to the Essex when we arrived at the fort and what happened to them after that we never stopped to learn.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 91

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, March 17, 1864

Headquarters Div. Seventeenth Army Corps,
Red River Expedition, Fort De Russey,
Avoyelles County, Louosiana, March 17, 1864.
My Dear Wife:

My last hurried letter to you was dated from on board ship at Vicksburg. The fleet of transports under my command sailed from that point at seven o'clock, Thursday, 10th inst., arrived at mouth of Red River and reported to Admiral Porter on Friday at noon. At 10 A.m., Saturday, sailed up Red River and Atchafalaya under orders and signals from flagship Black Hawk, to Simmesport. Morning of Sunday debarked my troops for inspection, review and drill by regiments. At seven o'clock P.M., received marching orders, and at 8 P.M. marched, bringing up the rear of the column, repaired bridges through the night, roads for greater part of the way bad and swampy; bivouacked at 4 A.M., Monday, eight miles from Simmesport. Meanwhile, Gen. A. J. Smith, with General Mower's command, had reconnoitred the front, driven four regiments of the enemy from a fortification, situate some five miles from Simmesport, and was making across country for Moreauville on Bayou L'Eglise. Gave my troops rest two hours; at six o'clock took up the line of march, moving forward rapidly till eleven o'clock, when I halted, ordered coffee for the men and fed the animals. Meanwhile pioneers were reconstructing bridge destroyed by the enemy. At noon resumed march which till this time had led us for the most part through a rich and highly-cultivated country past extensive canefields and sugar-houses, now crossing a bayou and penetrating a swamp spreading some few miles before us. Ascending a slight elevation, we suddenly emerged in one of the most beautiful prairies imaginable. High table land, gently undulating, watered by exquisite lakes occasional groves, the landscape dotted with tasteful houses, gardens and shrubberies. This prairie, called Avoyelles, is settled exclusively by French emigrés, many of whom, as our army passed, sought shelter under the tricolor of France. Pushing forward rapidly, we gained Marksville at 4.30 P.M. Deserters had warned us that the enemy were on our left flank and rear as early as three o'clock. My troops were well closed up. Two and a half miles beyond Marksville, I formed line of battle at 5.30, my right resting immediately on the left of the advanced forces. My transportation and ambulances parked far to the rear. As my command came to front, brisk musketry firing commenced at the fort. Some shells fell to the rear and right of my line. I was ordered by the general commanding to look well to my rear and left wing, that I might anticipate attack from General Walker with six thousand Texans. I stood to arms. At 6.30 news was brought me that the fort had surrendered. I threw out heavy pickets, stacked arms and went into bivouac, a piercing cold “Norther” sweeping over the plain. In summary, I remark that the command on the 14th inst, marched twenty-eight and a half miles, built a substantial bridge of sixty feet in length, repaired minor ones, and took a fort between sunrise and sunset. But one brigade, Colonel Ward, commanding, was actively engaged; their casualties nine killed, thirty-seven wounded. The substantial results I enclose in memorandum of ordnance and ordnance stores, to which may be added a large amount of commissary stores, flour, beef, sugar and molasses, and three hundred and thirty-four prisoners, thirty-four of whom were officers from lieutenant-colonel to third lieutenant.

Meanwhile, convoy and fleet had made slow and devious way through the tortuous windings of Red River, where navigation at present stage of water is difficult. Rapid current, frequent eddies, sharp bends and snags, are the natural obstacles; to these the enemy added rafts and spiles; nevertheless, as the fort surrendered, the Black Hawk rounded to land shortly afterwards the general commanding received the congratulations of the Admiral, whom he will compliment by present of the nine-inch Dahlgren, of the Indianola, and the two heavy guns of the Harriet Lane, recaptured. My command is in occupation of the fort, and will be engaged to-day and to-morrow in the demolition of the casemates, bridges, etc., etc., and finally the blowing-up of the magazines, in which we shall permit to be destroyed vast quantities of powder. The main body under command of General Mower, convoyed by Admiral Porter, sailed last night for Alexandria, where I expect to join them in three days. Gen. A. J. Smith remains with me, and gunboats Essex and Benton, Captains Grier and Townsend.

A glance at the map will give you my present locality without the aid of sketch; but I will enclose herewith draft and dimensions of fortifications that you may intelligently answer questions; to which end, indeed, I have written you a sort of condensed report. If you have not “Colton's” maps, you had better buy first volume, North and South America; meanwhile you can borrow and trace me down the Mississippi, up the Atchafalaya, pronounced “Chafalia,” to Simmesport, across country to Marksville, from thence to Fort De Russy, on the Red, thence up the river to Alexandria.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 356-9

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, July 11, 1863

VlCKSBURG, July 11, 1863.
My Dear Mother:

I have just debarked on my return from Port Hudson and finished my report to General Grant. I am ordered back to Natchez, for which point I shall start at eight o'clock in the morning, so have brief time for communication with you. On the 1st inst., by order of General Grant, I reported to Admiral Porter for transportation to Port Hudson, whither I was going as bearer of despatches and oral communication from General Grant to General Banks. You are probably not aware of what a flagship is or the sort of style they preserve on board of one. The Black Hawk, Admiral Porter's, is probably behind none of them in point of elegance, and the Admiral, who is a special friend of mine, always receives me with all the honors.

From the flagship I reported to General Dennis at Young's Point, and then procured an ambulance to take us around by land to where the gunboat Arizona was lying, the vessel that had been assigned to me. I have had command before of a good many steamboats, but never of a vessel of war. The Arizona is a beautiful little craft, a yacht, elegantly fitted up, trim built, with everything ship-shape in real man-of-war style. She was formerly of the Southern Steamship Line between New Orleans and Galveston, seized by the rebels in 1861, ran the blockade to Havana with a cargo of cotton, recaptured by Admiral Farragut's squadron in 1862 off Mobile—at this time running under Confederate colors and called the Carolina, and commanded by Captain Forbes. On seeing the Admiral, Captain Forbes claimed to be bound to Matamoras, but the Admiral remarked to him, “I do not take you for running the blockade, but for your damned poor navigation. Any man bound to Matamoras from Havana and coming within twelve miles of Mobile light has no business to have a steamer.” Accordingly, she was sent to Philadelphia as a prize, being purchased by the government for 86,000 dollars. She was speedily altered into a gunboat and early in 1863 was put in commission. Leaving Philadelphia she captured a prize of about $140,000 in value on the fourth day out. Arrived at New Orleans on April 1st, she sailed for Brashear City on the 6th, took two regiments of Major-General Banks on board and landed them at Grand Lakes, the next morning fought and destroyed the Queen of the West, and the day after proceeded to the wreck and recovered all the guns, two fine Parrott rifles, and three twelve-pounder Porterfield pieces, brass. On April 20th attacked, in company with the Clifton, the fortifications at Butte La Rose, silenced the battery in twelve minutes, capturing the guns, ammunition, 114 prisoners, and the small arms. On the . . . day of . . ., attacked, in company with the Albatross, and repulsed the enemy's gunboats at Fort de Russy, but owing to some misunderstanding of orders was not permitted to remain and destroy them. The day after proceeded upon the expedition with Admiral Porter towards Alexandria, and on the . . . day of . . ., the city surrendered to Captain Upton, a very wealthy citizen and one of influence there, and a grandson of Putnam of revolutionary memory; he who killed the wolf in the cave, and about that anecdote the boys may read. I have been somewhat prolix in describing the boat and her commander, because my relations with both have been very intimate the last ten days, and because she is again assigned to me to go to Natchez. I lay on her with the fleet under the guns of Vicksburg till the 22d inst.; early in the morning weighed anchor and down stream, destroying all river transportation as we passed along — all boats, skiffs, flats, etc. Met the gunboat Louisville at Grand Gulf, got some news from below, most favorable, touched at St. Joseph, and put off Mrs. Rodgers. Her meeting with her daughter and under such circumstances, was a scene affecting in the extreme. They had not seen each other for more than four years — are ladies of the greatest refinement. Taking advantage of circumstances while the scene was transpiring, ordered the men to load the boat with vegetables, meats and poultry; in other words, foraged extensively. Such is war. Got under weigh, and steamed down to the next plantation, where we stopped all night, it being too dark to move. Here we called at the house and found a pretty and interesting young lady, much chit chat and quarrelling about the war, and while we quarrelled, my men drove brisk trade with the negroes for honey, tomatoes, melons, fowl, etc. Under weigh at eight o'clock, steaming down, still destroying as we go. Touched at Mrs. Duncan's plantation, abandoned, and in the hands of negroes; will endeavor to send with this some memento of the occasion. As we reached Natchez, discovered cattle in large numbers that had just crossed the river; ordered shell from twelve-pound howitzer thrown among them; cattle scattered and drivers fled. Ordered the boat to round to and sent a missive to the civil authorities that if they permitted the transit of cattle or other munitions of war for the use of the enemy, I would burn and destroy the city. To that missive I received the following reply:


Mayor's Office, Natchez, July 3, 1863.
Sir:

Your communication of this date is duly at hand. The city authorities regret that you conceive it necessary to inflict such a penalty as you name upon the defenceless inhabitants of this city for acts of which they are innocent and over which the city authorities have no control. To avert the calamity, however, we will represent your demand to the military authorities without delay. At the same time we would observe with due deference, that we are at a loss to understand how the destruction of the city will accomplish the object you have in view.

Respectfully, your obt. Servant,
W. Dix, Mayor.
Thos. Kilby Smith,
Colonel . . .


Not liking the tone of the above despatch, I proceeded to carry my threat into execution, when down came the marshal and begged like a dog. I gave my opinion and ipse dixit in no very measured terms, and taking a promise, wended my way, destroying, however, some sixty skiffs and fleets at that point. Anchored in stream at nine o'clock, July 4th; under way at twelve o'clock; touched at plantation for wood and forage, vegetables, etc. Nine o'clock reached Port Hudson and reported to Commodore Palmer on board sloop-of-war Hartford, anchored off stream. Commodore stiff old salt of the old school — about as stiff I suppose as Uncle Hunter was on board ship. Took on, however, in behalf of the army, about the same quantity of airs as he took for the navy, and imagine he did not make much by the interview in the way of airs. Next day, July 5th, reported to steamer Albatross, the captain of which sent ashore for horses for me, and about ten o'clock got mounted, with my orderly, on a sorry jade said to have belonged to a Secesh colonel who had been taken prisoner. Set off for General Banks's headquarters, about twenty miles distant. Sun blazing hot, waded swamp, passed by bayou, and lagoon, and through dense forests, heard the alligators barking like young puppies. Saw sugar cane growing for the first time, passed sugar mills, close to enemy's pickets, and just enough of danger to make the jaunt spicy and interesting. Sun broiling; wore cloth cap and felt it; should have been sunstruck, but adopted my old precaution of stuffing the crown with fresh green leaves every now and then — a most cooling application to the head. Glad enough to reach General Banks’s headquarters at two o’clock, after a ride of four hours; dismounted thirsty and exhausted. General met me with great courtesy — bottle of champagne and plenty of ice, cool goblet; oh, how refreshing!  . . . felt sufficiently better to take a nap of an hour, and then the General, by way of amusement, invited me to ride with him and staff over the left of his lines; gave me a good mount, and off we started for a thirty miles’ ride and about five miles’ walk through the saps and mines of his approaches upon the fortifications, back at eleven o'clock, supped and laid down at twelve. Clothes wet through with sweat, did not sleep well, rose, however, early in the morning, July 6th.  . . . Breakfast over, General invited me to ride on the right, horses saddled and off at seven. Rode far and walked through more miles of sap and made close investigation of mines; two men shot through the head by rifle balls close by my side; sharpshooters on both sides vigilant and alert. Called upon one or two generals, back to camp and dinner by two o'clock. Admiral Farragut made his appearance before dinner was through. . . . I imagine rather a clever man and a fine officer. . . .

July 7th received despatches of the fall of Vicksburg, per telegraph, despatch boat Price having got aground on her way down; much enthusiasm. Army fired salutes of an hundred guns; also navy; drank General Grant's health; took good care to have a despatch intercepted by the enemy, and devoted the afternoon to close investigation of saps, mines, and approaches on the right of our lines, in company with General Banks; back to camp, and late to bed; hardly asleep before General Banks made his appearance at my bedside in shirt and drawers to advise me that General Gardner had sent flag of truce, and to ask if what he had heard in reference to the fall of Vicksburg was true. Symptomatic; immediately volunteered to go with flag of truce myself and make proper reply. Rode out at one o'clock, nine miles; passed our pickets, sounded bugle call, and shortly afterwards was met by enemy's flag with lanthorn. Their party consisted of two colonels and their aides-de-camp; had with them much parley; flag returned, to consult with General Gardner; agreed to wait for them two hours. Flag again appeared with despatches for General Banks and overtures for surrender. Back to headquarters at great speed. General Gardiner writes that he has defended his post as long as he considers his duty and offers terms and to appoint commissioners to meet outside of breastworks to arrange conditions. Accordingly, General Banks appointed Brigadier-General Stone, Brigadier-General Dwight, and Colonel Burge commissioners, with instructions to demand unconditional surrender. They were met by Colonel Miles, Col. Marshall Smith, and Colonel Steadman, on behalf of the enemy. All the day passed tediously, waiting the action of the commissioners. Finally, at nightfall, they made their report. Garrison to be surrendered at seven o'clock the following morning, and a rough estimate of results of the Port Hudson capture is as follows:
  • Upwards of five thousand prisoners, including one major-general, one brigadier-general, four colonels, and large number of field and company officers.
  • Thirty-one field cannon;
  • Twenty S. C. and siege cannon;
  • Major-Gen. Frank Gardner, formerly U. S. A.;
  • Brigadier-General William Beale;
  • Colonel Miles;
  • Col. Marshall Smith, formerly U. S. Navy;
  • Colonel Steadman;
  • Major A. Marchent, formerly U. S. Artillery.


Despatches were at once prepared for me, and at nine o'clock, with escort, I set off to ride over the same road. I came to place of hail of gunboats. It was intensely dark and raining hard; some miles of road through dense and muddy swamp; had to search for pathway by aid of lantern; guide at fault and way lost; outside of picket lines, and great danger of capture; found way and reached Mississippi shore at three o'clock in morning. Hailed Hartford, and got aboard; reported to Commodore Palmer; had Arizona assigned me; got aboard of her by the light of the wild-eyed dawn, and at four o'clock laid down with intense headache to court sleep, which had been a stranger to me for two days and two nights. I had been much exposed to sun and feared sickness. I lay still for one hour and am then called upon by naval officers anxious for news; a thousand questions about Port Hudson; no rest; under weigh at eight o'clock, and shortly afterwards breakfast. . . . The captain has a pet, a beautiful doe, with whom I made friends coming down, and as I returned, with her large black dreamy eyes, she was apparently glad to see me and gave me welcome by licking my hand. She walks all over the ship perfectly tame, and it seems strange to me that an animal so wild and timid by nature should become so fond and gentle. The day is calm and perfectly beautiful, the bright blue sky dappled with fleecy clouds, the rapid motion of the boat stirs the atmosphere till it fans the cheek with voluptuous freshness. Fatigue passes away. I am the bearer of glad tidings of great joy, and with heart elate sail triumphant. For the time being, brief as it may seem, I govern on the quarterdeck of the yacht, and save for the presence of Cleopatra, rival Antony. The day wears on, and at six I am invited to dinner. The captain and I mess alone, but with the strictest formality. . . .

Anchored in the stream at eleven o'clock; too dark to run. Friday, July 10th, weigh anchor, and steam up at four o' clock; pass Natchez at 9 A.m. Many cattle on the bank — evidently have been crossed for the use of the rebel army — some two thousand head. Heave a dozen shell and send some rifle balls among them. Crowds of men and women gather on the bluffs of Natchez to see us pass. We take on negroes from point to point as they rush to the river side, stalwart men seeking liberty under the folds of the American flag. We hail a skiff containing six parolled prisoners from Vicksburg; they have floated down the river and are seeking their homes at Natchez and up the river. Much cannon practice from our vessel I propose, to prevent all crossing of the river, and to dismay the inhabitants. I find my hearing much affected by close proximity the past two or three months to heavy guns while being rapidly discharged. We meet many vessels from Vicksburg, seven gunboats; the Mississippi is open.

I hold to-day conversation with captain's Calcutta servant, an Hindostanee; speaks and writes Arabic, is a follower of Mahomet. If my memory serves me right, the first Mussulman I have made acquaintance with, tall, not quite black, straight nose, thin lips, handsome. I hear the Arabic language spoken in its purity, I believe, for he is educated, and also the Hindostanee. He has travelled throughout China; perfectly familiar with Canton, Calcutta, Paris, London, Boston, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Australia, the South Sea and Pacific Islands, San Francisco, and the Havannah, and for the most part North America; was a follower of Nana Sahib, and is not twenty years old.

Saturday, July 11th, anchor at four o'clock, having moved all night opposite Mrs. Fanars, at the town of St. Joseph; called upon the ladies, who are in great distress, husbands and fathers being all under arrest at Alton . . . Comfort the poor women all I can, and here I may say to-night I have got an order from General Grant to release their poor devils of husbands—so that must be set to my credit, if I am a fiend and a " damned Yank." To-day meet more gunboats, more parolled prisoners in skiffs. Day cool and pleasant.

Abner Read was shot and mortally wounded the day I left Port Hudson; he was badly shot, and could not possibly recover. He was commander and a good deal thought of by the navy. Wife will remember him; he was a brother of the judge.

Well, we arrived at Vicksburg about four o'clock this afternoon; reported to the Admiral and to General Grant; both glad to see me back and hear my news, and on the strength of my report am ordered to take some transports and some troops and garrison Natchez. I shall set sail for that point in the morning at eight o'clock, and am writing for dear life to-night in order to get ready.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 315-23

Friday, February 26, 2010

Fourteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The Fourteenth Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry was organized and mustered into the service of the United States under the proclamation of President Lincoln, dated Oct. 3, 1861. The circumstances attending the organization of this regiment were somewhat peculiar. Three of the ten companies which had been assigned to it by Governor Kirkwood — companies A, B and C — were ordered to go into quarters at Iowa City, on dates ranging from the 1st to the 7th of October, 1861, and were there mustered into the service by Capt. Alexander Chambers, of the Regular Army, on dates ranging from the 23d to the 25th of October, 1861. The seven companies — D to K inclusive — were ordered into quarters at Davenport, on dates ranging from September 23 to October 30, 1861, and were there mustered into the service by Captain Chambers, on dates ranging from the 2d to the 6th of November, 1861. It will thus be seen that, when the last company was mustered into the service, the regiment had its full complement of ten companies, three of which were in rendezvous at Iowa City and seven at Davenport.

By an order of the War Department, companies A, B and C were transferred to the Forty-first Regiment of Iowa Infantry and were sent to Fort Randall, Dakota Territory. To fill the vacancy thus occasioned, the organization of three new companies was authorized. In his report for the year 1861, Adjutant General N. B. Baker gives the complete roster of the ten companies originally assigned to the regiment. In his report for 1863 he gives the roster of the regiment with the new companies, A and B, and in his 1864 report, the separate roster of the new company, C, is given [see note 1]. The regiment, therefore, left the State with but seven companies, aggregating 621 men, rank and file. The new companies, A and B, did not join the regiment until the end of its first year of service, while the new company, C, did not become a part of the regiment until in June, 1863, when, for the first time after taking the field, the regiment had its full complement of ten companies. Its service, as an entire organization, therefore begins at the date last mentioned. In the subjoined roster will be found the names of the original Field and Staff and Line Officers of the regiment and, in the alphabetical list which follows, the subsequent changes on account of death, promotion, or from whatever cause, will be found noted. The compiler has adhered to the official records in compiling this historical sketch of the regiment. He has not attempted to go into details except where they are given in quotations from official reports. Under the prescribed limitations, only an outline history of the most important events which occurred during the period covered by its service could be given. At the date of muster into the service, the seven companies (D to K) together with the Field and Staff had an aggregate strength of 621, rank and file. The companies transferred (A, B and C) had an aggregate strength of 267.

On the 28th and 29th of November, 1861, the seven companies of the regiment left Davenport under command of Col. Wm. T. Shaw, under orders to report to the commanding officer at St. Louis, to which point they were conveyed by steamboats, and, upon landing there, marched to Benton Barracks, where troops were being concentrated for instruction and preparation for an active and aggressive campaign. Colonel Shaw had served as a volunteer in the war with Mexico, and, with this previous experience as a soldier, added to his natural genius for military affairs, was well fitted to command his regiment and to instruct his officers and men In matters of drill and discipline. The regiment attained a high state of efficiency during this period of instruction, but suffered much from sickness, which was the common experience of all the troops in the early stages of their service.

February 6, 1862, the regiment marched to St. Louis and, embarking on steamer, proceeded to Cairo and thence to Fort Henry, where it landed and went into camp. On the morning of February 12th it took up the line of march for Fort Donelson. On the next day it was in position in front of the enemy's works, and formed a part of the Fourth Brigade, commanded by Col. J. G. Lauman of the Seventh Iowa Infantry. The regiment performed important service in the short siege which followed and which resulted in the surrender of the fort. Its operations are described in detail in the official report of Colonel Shaw, as follows:


HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY,
FORT DONELSON, TENN., Feb. 19, 1862.

SIR, — On February 13th, my command, consisting of seven companies, was formed In line of battle by your order, and ordered to advance with the Twenty-fifth Indiana, upon the works in front, and take a battery of two guns. I advanced under a heavy fire of musketry, until I passed the point of a ridge on my right. I then received a heavy fire of grape from guns to the right, which, however, did but little damage, as the range was too high. Perceiving no guns In front, and the line being much broken owing to unevenness of the ground, and the thick fallen timber, I halted my command to place men In the best position to advance, It being impossible to advance In line of battle ; also to protect them as much as possible from the cross fire from my right. I perceived at this time that the forces on my left, under your immediate command, had halted. I waited to see by their movements, whether we were to advance on the guns or the rifle pits, the latter being the direction pointed out to me by you when I was ordered to advance on the guns. After waiting about an hour and seeing no movement on my left, except from two advanced companies of skirmishers, who were retiring behind the main line, I withdrew my left wing, which was most exposed, out of range of the enemy's guns, and remained there until night, keeping a few of my best marksmen sufficiently advanced to keep the enemy from coming outside their entrenchments to annoy my men by their marksmen.

About dark I received an order from you to fall back and take my old position for the night, but, by a subsequent order from General Smith, I took a position one-half mile nearer the enemy. My loss during the day was light, being but two killed and fourteen wounded. On Friday, the 14th inst., we remained In front of the enemy without changing our position. Saturday, the 16th, I remained in the same position until afternoon, we being on the right of our brigade. Towards night the attack on the enemy's works was made by a flank movement of the brigade, commencing on the left. Arriving in front of the enemy's works, I deployed my left wing, and marched them up the hill in line of battle. The right wing, owing to the nature of the ground, moved up by the left flank, and formed inside the entrenchments. After remaining for some time under a scattering fire of musketry, and rather sharp fire of grape and shell, I formed my men behind the entrenchments on each side of two pieces of artillery, which had been placed In position after our entrance Into the entrenchments, where we remained until morning, when the enemy surrendered. My men behaved themselves well during both engagements, holding their fire till ordered, and then delivering it with regularity and precision. I have never seen men behave themselves better, whether under fire or bearing with patience and fortitude the fatigue and hardships necessarily Incident to so long an engagement In such weather. My loss this day was one killed and seven wounded. Where all behaved so well. it is difficult to mention Individuals, without doing seeming injustice to others, but I may mention the valuable services rendered by Sergt. Maj. S. H. Smith, who was shot dead by my side while encouraging the men on to enter the breastworks of the enemy; also, First Lieut. Wm. W. Klrkwood, commanding company K, rendered very valuable assistance in forming the line in front of the enemy's breastworks. Capt. Warren C. Jones, of company I, also rendered valuable service in directing the fire of my marksmen, especially in protecting the retiring of the skirmishers on the 13th Inst.

WM. T. SHAW,
Colonel Fourteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteers.

Col. J. G. Lauman, Commanding Fourth Brigade, Second Division [see note 2].


As will be seen from the above report, the seven companies of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry conducted themselves with honor at Fort Donelson. Their loss was light, as compared with the Second Iowa Infantry, which was assigned the post of honor in leading the assault upon the fort, but they obeyed the orders given them, occupied the positions to which they were assigned and, in every way, acquitted themselves with credit.

The regiment remained at Fort Donelson until about the middle of March, 1862, when it again embarked and, proceeding to Pittsburg Landing, on the Tennessee river, landed there, and went into camp on the 18th. Here it became a part of the First Brigade of the Second Division. The division was commanded by Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, and the brigade — consisting of the Second, Seventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth regiments of Iowa Infantry — was under command of its senior Colonel, James M. Tuttle, of the Second Iowa. On the morning of April 6, 1862, the Second Division occupied the center of the line of battle of the Army of the Tennessee, and the First Brigade was the last in line on the left, while the Fourteenth Iowa, being on the left of the brigade, occupied the position to the extreme left of the division. Colonel Shaw's report of the part taken by the seven companies of his regiment in the battle of Shiloh was made to Governor Kirkwood, after he reached his home in Iowa. He was then on parole as a prisoner of war, and, being precluded by the terms of his parole from making the official report to his brigade commander, he submitted it direct to the Governor of Iowa. The report is dated Oct. 26, 1862. On account of its length the compiler quotes only those portions which relate to the principal movements of the regiment in the battle. After describing the first position of his regiment. Colonel Shaw says:

Our line of battle was formed about half past 8 o'clock A. M., about 500 yards from the enemy's artillery, which at once opened a severe fire upon us. • • • In a short time the enemy's Infantry made their appearance, advancing In line of battle. I at once perceived that the line of our brigade was not parallel with theirs, but inclined to It at an angle of about 45 degrees, the left in advance, thus exposing my left flank to the enemy some distance in advance of General Prentiss' line, upon which it should have rested, and about 200 yards from his extreme right. After consulting with Colonel Woods of the Twelfth, who was next to me on the right, I threw back my regiment and the left wing of the Twelfth, so as to bring our part of the line parallel to the advancing enemy and in line with General Prentiss' division, but still failing to connect with it by an interval of about 200 yards. This also improved our position, which had previously been directly upon a ridge, exposed to the enemy's artillery, and gave us that ridge as a partial shelter. The enemy advanced steadily in two lines, about 200 yards apart. I ordered my men to lie down and hold their fire until the enemy were within thirty paces. The effect of this was, that when the order to fire was given, and the Twelfth and Fourteenth opened directly in their faces, the enemy's first line was completely destroyed [see note 3]. • • •


After describing the attack upon and driving back of the enemy's second line, and then being compelled to fall back for want of support and to avoid being flanked by the enemy, Colonel Shaw continues his description of the subsequent desperate assaults by the enemy, of the heroic resistance of the troops composing his brigade and division, and the holding of the center until after the Union troops upon both flanks had fallen back, and proceeds to show the desperate and hopeless situation of his regiment, as follows:

General Prentiss having already surrendered with a part of his command, the Fourteenth was left in advance of all that remained, but, completely inclosed, receiving the enemy's fire from three directions. The regiment still kept its ranks unbroken and held Its position facing the enemy, but the men were almost completely exhausted with a whole day of brave and steady fighting and many of them had spent their whole stock of ammunition. It was therefore useless to think of prolonging a resistance which could only have wasted their lives to no purpose, and at about a quarter to six P. M. I surrendered them and myself prisoners of war. I have only to add that I feel under the deepest obligation to both officers and men of my regiment for their admirable conduct through the day. This was so complete and free from exception, that it would be impossible to mention individuals without doing injustice to the rest. Their steadiness and courage, the accuracy of their fire, and precision of all their movements entitle them to the highest credit, and their general demeanor, both upon the battle field and In the trying scenes through which we passed as prisoners of war, will always be remembered by me with pride and gratification.


The total loss of the seven companies of the regiment engaged in the battle of Shiloh was 273, killed, wounded and captured [see note 4]. It can be justly claimed for the regiment and its heroic commander that no more efficient or important service was performed by Union troops upon that historic battlefield. Prior to the battle the regiment had a considerable number of men sick in hospitals. Those who recovered, together with those who had been absent on furlough and detached duty at the time of the battle, and those who had escaped capture, were subsequently assigned to a temporary organization called the "Union Brigade," in which they served with credit until the regiment was exchanged. The most important service rendered by this detachment of the regiment was at the battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862, in which it acquitted itself with honor, as shown by the official reports. The officers and men who had surrendered were held as prisoners of war until late in the autumn of 1862. They were at first released on parole and sent through the rebel lines to Richmond, Va., thence to Annapolis, Md., and from there they were conveyed to Benton Barracks, at St. Louis, where they were regularly exchanged, Nov. 19, 1862. They had suffered greatly while in confinement, and it required several months for them to recuperate sufficiently to again become fitted for active service in the field. In the meantime, the detachment which had been serving in the Union Brigade rejoined the regiment, and here two new companies — A and B — also reported for duty.

On the 10th of April, 1863, the nine companies, under command of Colonel Shaw, again embarked on steamer at St. Louis and proceeded to Cairo, Ill., where they landed and went into camp. Here they remained, doing garrison duty and sending out detachments upon various small expeditions to quell threatened insurrection on the southern border of Illinois, which they successfully accomplished. At Cairo, the last company (C) necessary to complete the regimental organization reported for duty, and the regiment — for the first time since taking the field — had the full number of companies to which it was entitled. In the latter part of June the regiment moved to Columbus, Ky., and for the next seven months was engaged in performing garrison duty. This was the most monotonous period in its history. The time was utilized, however, by Colonel Shaw and his officers in perfecting the regiment in drill and discipline. The new companies and recruits were thus brought up to a high degree of efficiency, and were prepared to follow the example of their comrades of the seven companies who had already become thoroughly seasoned soldiers, having twice met the enemy in battle, and having gone through that most trying experience that the Union soldiers were subjected to — long months of confinement and suffering in southern prisons. The regiment was thus well prepared to enter upon the duties of an active campaign.

On the 24th of January, 1864, Colonel Shaw received orders to embark his command and proceed to Vicksburg. Upon its arrival there, the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade of the Third Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, with Colonel Shaw as senior officer in command of the brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Newbold in command of the regiment. On the 4th of February the Sixteenth Army Corps started from Vicksburg on that most remarkable expedition which penetrated to the heart of the State of Mississippi, and inflicted great damage upon the enemy, by the capture and destruction of supplies, railroad track and rolling stock. Starting with but ten days' rations, the Union troops cut loose from their base of supplies and, for the ensuing month, supplemented their scanty rations with such food as could be procured in the country through which they marched. The Fourteenth Iowa sustained its full share of the hardships of the expedition. The regiment was in light marching order. No tents were taken, and the officers and men bivouacked in the open air, all faring alike. It was the inclement season of midwinter and storms were frequent; the suffering from such exposure was, at times, intense.

On the 4th of March, the regiment returned to Vicksburg, having marched over 300 miles. After a brief rest, the brigade and division embarked — March 10, 186 4— at Vicksburg and, three days later, landed at Atchafalaya Bayou, ten miles below the mouth of Red River [see note 5]. On the evening of March 13th, the command started on the march towards Fort De Russey, thirty-five miles distant. Seven miles of the distance were covered in the night, and the next morning, at 6 o'clock, the march was resumed, the Fourteenth Iowa and the other regiments of the brigade commanded by Colonel Shaw being ordered to take the advance. A considerable force of the enemy made a stand at Bayou de Glaize and delayed the advance for a couple of hours, but they were forced to retire, the passage of the stream was successfully accomplished, and the brigade pushed rapidly forward until, at about 4 P. M., it came within range of the guns of the fort. The artillery was ordered forward, and at once opened a brisk fire which was promptly responded to by the guns of the fort. An attack was determined on, and the brigade was put into line and ordered forward. The assault was stubbornly and bravely resisted, but, two hours after the first artillery shots were exchanged, the Union troops held possession of the fort, and its gallant defenders had surrendered. It was a brilliant and remarkable military exploit. In his official report Colonel Shaw makes special mention of the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Colonel Newbold and the Fourteenth Iowa. He also mentions the commanding officers of each of the regiments, and the batteries, and extends his thanks to their officers and men for the promptness and enthusiasm with which they executed all orders, and the good order with which they came into action after so long and fatiguing a march. He also makes special mention of all his staff officers — including Lieutenant Buell of the Fourteenth Iowa — for the prompt and efficient discharge of their duties, and, near the close of his report, says: "I am proud to say that not a single instance came under my observation of any officer or soldier attempting to shun danger or duty during the engagement; and my opportunity was good for observing each regiment as it came under fire."

From Fort De Russey the brigade proceeded to Alexandria, arriving there on the 16th of March, and remaining there until the 26th, when it marched to Cotile Landing on Red River, where it embarked on transports and was conveyed to Grand Ecore, La. Landing there it disembarked and marched to Pleasant Hill, La., where Colonel Shaw received orders to report to Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks, who ordered him to at once march his brigade to the extreme front of the army and relieve General McMillan's brigade, then actively engaged in skirmishing with the enemy. The order was promptly obeyed and, upon relieving the brigade indicated, Colonel Shaw's command at once became engaged on the skirmish line. This skirmish fighting was maintained at intervals for about five hours before the enemy advanced to the attack in force — about 4:30 P. M. — and, from that time until darkness put an end to the battle, the brigade held its ground, retiring only when the order was given by the division commander — Gen. A. J. Smith — just as darkness was closing in and the enemy had succeeded in passing both flanks and was getting in the rear of the brigade. One of its regiments — the Thirty-second Iowa — failing to receive the order to retire was surrounded, but fought its way through the enemy's lines and rejoined the brigade after dark. Out of a total loss of 753, sustained by the five brigades which composed the two divisions commanded by Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith at the battle of Pleasant Hill, the brigade commanded by Colonel Shaw lost 484 [see note 6].

The gallant Lieut. Col. J. H. Newbold commanded the Fourteenth Iowa in this battle and, when the contest was raging most fiercely, fell from his horse mortally wounded. Of him Colonel Shaw says, "He was a brave, Industrious and conscientious officer, whose loss to his regiment is irreparable." Upon the fall of Lieutenant Colonel Newbold, Capt. Warren C. Jones assumed command of the regiment and wrote the official report of its conduct in the battle. He makes special mention of the fall of Lieutenant Colonel Newbold while gallantly performing his duty; of Lieutenants Shanklin and Logan, who were killed, and Lieutenant McMillan, mortally wounded; also of Lieutenant Hazlett who, at the time, was thought to be among the killed, and was so reported, but who recovered and served until the close of the war. He described the splendid manner in which the regiment fought throughout the engagement and concludes his report by saying, "I tender my most hearty thanks to the officers, commissioned, non-commissioned, and privates, for the gallant manner in which they sustained the reputation of the regiment, gained upon the bloody fields of Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and De Russey." Notwithstanding the heavy loss it had sustained, Colonel Shaw's brigade was ordered by General Banks to cover the retreat of his army, which commenced at one o'clock the following morning and was safely accomplished.

On the 11th of April the brigade reached Grand Ecore, and, on the 13th, crossed Red River and proceeded a few miles above Campti to save the transports from threatened attack and destruction. The enemy retreated upon the approach of the brigade, and the transports were enabled to move to a position of safety. Returning to Grand Ecore, the regiment and brigade went into camp there and, on the 22d of April, after the rear of General Banks' army had passed, again took up the line of march to cover its retreat, and was in the engagement which took place at Cane River on the 24th. On the 26th it reached Alexandria. From the 26th of April to the 2d of May Colonel Shaw's little command, after having suffered the greatest loss of any brigade in the army, was kept constantly in the rear, by order of General Banks, and performed the most important and hazardous service. On the 2d of May it moved out about eight miles, where it formed line and commenced skirmishing with the enemy, driving them back over two miles during the day. There was more or less skirmishing every day until the evening of May 8th, at which time it was ordered to go into camp, the enemy having been driven back seven miles. As their skirmishers were withdrawn, no further fighting was anticipated. On the 9th of May, however, the brigade was again ordered to the rear and right, to protect the approaches to Alexandria.

On the evening of May 13th the regiment and brigade again joined Gen. A. J. Smith's forces and, on the morning of the 14th, were covering the retreat of the army, with the enemy pressing closely in their rear. Marksville was reached that night, and the next morning a heavy skirmish with the enemy began and was continued at intervals until the forenoon of May 18th. The brigade had just crossed Yellow Bayou, when the enemy appeared in force near the opposite bank. Colonel Shaw's brigade, with two others, was ordered to recross the bayou and meet the enemy. The order was promptly obeyed. The enemy was driven from the field with heavy loss in killed and wounded, while 300 of their number surrendered as prisoners of war [see note 7]. The loss in Colonel Shaw's brigade was 48, killed and wounded. The Fourteenth Iowa had one man killed and thirteen wounded in this engagement, as shown by the official report of Capt. L. A. Crane, who was in command of the regiment. While this small command was thus gallantly fighting in the rear, the balance of the army was three miles distant from the action. The brigade remained in line of battle all the next day and until 2 A. M. of the 20th, when it again crossed Yellow Bayou and proceeded on its march to the mouth of Red River. On the 22d of May the brigade embarked on transports and was conveyed to Vicksburg, arriving there on the morning of May 24, 1864.

The compiler is aware that he has given but an imperfect sketch of the operations of the regiment and its brigade during the Red River Expedition. The great importance of that part of its service is fully demonstrated in the official reports, copies or copious extracts from which could not be given on account of the limitation of space assigned to this sketch.

The true value and extent of the service performed by General Smith's two divisions on the Red River Expedition are indicated in the reply of General Banks to General Grant, when the latter ordered those troops returned to Vicksburg. General Banks says in his reply:

You instructed me that if the expedition could not be accomplished within ten or fifteen days of the time designated by General Sherman, the command of General Smith would be ordered to return to Vicksburg, even should it occasion the abandonment of the chief object of the expedition. The time specified I understand to be the 15th or 17th of the month, and I have hopes that within ten or fifteen days of that time our object will be accomplished, when General Smith will return. A large fleet of gun-boats and transports are in the upper river, which cannot possibly descend below Alexandria on account of the falling water. I have in my Immediate front an army of 25,000 men, among them some of the best troops of the rebel government, and commanded by distinguished and desperate officers. The withdrawal of General Smith's command from my forces at this time places me at their mercy, and the army under my command. It will lead to the sacrifice of the army and navy, as well as the abandonment of the expedition.

The official returns show the aggregate strength of General Banks' army, present for duty, was 39,041, and that General Smith's command, present for duty, aggregated 11,620, which, if withdrawn, would have left General Banks an army of 27,421, with which to resist the rebel army of 25,000, which he says confronted him [see note 8]. Nowhere else in his official reports has he given recognition to the value of the service rendered by General Smith's command on this expedition. The humiliating confession which he makes, that he could not save his army without the aid of General Smith's command, shows him to have been utterly unfit for the command of the expedition, the disastrous results of which were justly attributed to his incompetency and mismanagement. The bravery and efficiency of his subordinates could not atone for this. The Fourteenth Iowa, while justly proud of its own record and that of the brigade with which it served on this unfortunate expedition, fully sustained the severe criticism which Colonel Shaw subsequently published, in which he was so completely vindicated by the investigation of the War Department, resulting in the removal of General Banks from his important command.

After a short rest at Vicksburg the regiment moved up the river to Point Chicot, where it assisted in driving back a rebel force which was blockading the river; and from that point proceeded to Memphis and, soon afterwards, moved south with Gen. A. J. Smith's command. It took an important part in the expedition, participating in the battles of Tupelo and Town Creek, Miss., in which it was commanded by Capt. Wm. J. Campbell, whose official report shows that the regiment fully sustained its reputation for bravery and good conduct in battle, and gives the details of its movements in these engagements, In both of which the enemy was defeated and driven from the field. The regiment's loss in the two days' battle was three killed and eighteen wounded. Captain Campbell closes his report as follows: "The officers and men of this regiment, who were in each engagement, have my warmest thanks for the manner in which they conducted themselves during the battles, and on the march during the whole expedition. It is hard to compliment without injustice to some, where everyone is trying to do his duty." [See note 9.]

The regiment now returned to Memphis and enjoyed a well-earned rest of several weeks in its camp near that city. Its next active service was rendered as part of the force which marched to Oxford, Miss. There were occasional skirmishes with the enemy during this expedition, but no casualties are reported in the Fourteenth Iowa. Returning to Memphis, the regiment embarked and was conveyed to Cairo, Ill. Here Gen. A. J. Smith was again prevented from joining General Sherman in his Georgia campaign by an order to proceed to St. Louis with his command and re-inforce the troops there, which were called upon to take the field against the rebel General Price, whose army had again invaded the State of Missouri. The regiment disembarked at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis.

On the 25th of September, 1864, a detachment of four companies of the Fourteenth Iowa, under command of Capt. Wm. J. Campbell, was sent to reinforce the troops under command of Gen. Thomas Ewing, Jr., at Pilot Knob, Mo. The service rendered by this detachment is fully described by Captain Campbell in his official report [see note 10]. The engagements in which these companies participated constitute the closing chapter of the battle history of the Fourteenth Iowa. At Donelson and Shiloh the regiment fought as an incomplete organization, and at Fort Davidson, Shepherd Mountain and Leesburg, this little detachment closed the splendid record. General Ewing's command was greatly inferior to the rebel forces, but he made a gallant defense of the fort, and inflicted heavy loss upon the enemy, with comparatively light loss to his own command, until his position was rendered untenable by the enemy obtaining possession of Shepherd Mountain, which overlooked the fort, and compelled its evacuation. General Ewing then blew up his magazine, spiked his guns, and, cutting his way through the enemy's lines, began his retreat towards Rolla. The retreat was conducted with great skill. The detachment of the Fourteenth Iowa had joined General Ewing's command on the morning of Sept. 27, 1864, and Captain Campbell was ordered to occupy the summit of Shepherd Mountain, which he did until compelled by a greatly superior force of the enemy to retreat and join the troops within the fort. The following extract from Captain Campbell's report shows the arduous and important service performed by his command during the retreat:

On the morning of the 28th at 2 o'clock A. M., by order of Brigadier General Ewing, I moved my command in advance, and took up the line of march on the Caledonia road, arriving at Webster, distant thirty miles, where we encamped. On the 29th of September at 1 o'clock A. M., took up the line of march, covering the retreat with my command to Leesburg, distant thirty-six miles. About 10 o'clock A. M., the enemy attacked our rear guard of cavalry and drove them in. I immediately formed in line of battle, and checked the advance of the enemy. The column moved forward, and I covered the retreat with continual skirmishing the entire way. Arriving at Leesburg at sunset, my command was formed in line of battle on the left, facing the enemy, where we remained encamped during the night. On the 30th of September commenced building temporary fortifications which were occupied till the morning of October 2d at 2 o'clock, when we took up our line of march for Rolla, Mo., distant thirty-one miles, where we arrived at 6 o'clock P. M. The officers and men of my command behaved with the utmost coolness and bravery during the several engagements in which we took part. First Lieut. Hugo Hoffbauer, acting Adjutant, has my warmest thanks for the manner in which he conducted himself, and the valuable service rendered by his untiring energy during the several engagements, and while on the march.


The loss of the detachment was three killed and fifteen wounded. In the meantime, the other portion of the regiment was engaged, with other troops, in a toilsome march to intercept another force of the enemy, but, when they reached Tipton, Mo., the enemy was still in full retreat and the pursuit was abandoned. Not coming into contact with the enemy, no casualties resulted except those caused from exposure and hardship on the march. Early in November the two detachments were ordered to return to St. Louis, and from there the regiment was conveyed to Davenport, Iowa, where it was mustered out of the service of the United States on the 16th day of November, 1864.

The re-enlisted men and recruits, whose terms of service had not expired, were consolidated into two companies and designated as the "Residuary Battalion of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry." The battalion was sent to Springfield, Ill., and was there engaged in various duties, but was not again sent to the front, as its services were no longer required for active duty in the field. These companies were retained in the service of the Government until Aug. 8, 1865, on which date they were mustered out at Davenport, Iowa.

The official records in the office of the Adjutant General of Iowa show that another company was nominally attached to the Residuary Battalion. It was known as company C, was composed of drafted men and substitutes, and received the designation of "Permanent Company at Camp McClellan." This company had no officers. It was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, May 13, 1865.

The record of service of the Fourteenth Regiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers is one of the best. Its survivors can justly claim that, during the long years in which they marched and fought and suffered, they never wavered in their devotion to their government and its flag. Their children and children's children may well be proud of the legacy of heroism they have inherited. The compiler of this brief history extends a soldier's greeting to the survivors of the old Fourteenth Iowa, and, on behalf of the State which has made provision for this preservation of the record and roster of the regiment, extends greeting to the families and relatives of those whose memory they cherish and honor, and who will ever be commended as an example and inspiration to all loyal and liberty-loving people of the State.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1720
Killed 31
Wounded 168
Died of wounds 25
Died of disease 123
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes 225
Captured 270
Burled in National Cemeteries 71
Transferred 290


[Note 1.] Adjutant General's report, 1861, Pages 327 to 351, Inclusive. Adjutant General's report, Vol. 1, 1863, Pages 507 to 536, Inclusive. Adjutant General's report, 1864, Pages 194 to 197, Inclusive.

[Note 2.] War of the Rebellion Official Records. Series I, Vol. 7, Page 231.

[Note 3.] War of the Rebellion Official Records. Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 10, Page 152.

[Note 4.] War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 10, Page 101, tabulated return of casualties at Battle of Shiloh.

[Note 5.] War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Vol. 34, Page 343. "Itinerary of operations on Red River Expedition, March 10th to May 20, 1864."

[Note 6.] War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, "Vol. 34, Pages 313, 366, 368 and 360.

[Note 7.] War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 34, Pages 359 and 361.

[Note 8.] War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 34, Pages 169 and 186

[Note 9.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1865, Vol. 2, Page 1086.

[Note 10.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1866, Page 196.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 2, p.721-30

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