COLONEL BENJAMIN CRABB

NINETEENTH INFANTRY.

Benjamin Crabb, of the 19th Iowa Infantry, is a native of Ohio, and was born in the year 1821. I am ignorant of his early history, and of the time he first removed to Iowa. When I first knew him, he was the proprietor of a hotel in Washington, Iowa. I think that was his business at the outbreak of the war.

Benjamin Crabb first entered the service in the summer of 1861. He was captain of Company H, 7th Iowa Infantry. At the battle of Belmont, he distinguished himself, and was thus complimented by Colonel, afterward General Lauman: "I desire also to direct your attention to Captain Crabb, who was taken prisoner, and who behaved in the bravest manner." After being exchanged he re-joined his regiment, and remained with it till the 13th of August, 1862, when he resigned his commission, to accept the colonelcy of the 19th Iowa Infantry.

"This regiment was organized in the city of Keokuk in August, 1862, and was the first in the State under the President's call, dated July 2d, for 300,000 volunteers. The companies were mustered into the United States service, as they reported — the first, on the 17th day of August, and the last, on the 25th day of August, 1862: its aggregate number, at the date of organization, was nine hundred and eighty men."

The early history of the 19th Iowa, as also that of the 20th, was made under General F. J. Herron. Leaving Keokuk on the 4th of September, 1862, the regiment proceeded to Benton Barracks, Missouri, where it was assigned to a brigade, commanded by that officer. Its stay at Benton Barracks was only six days. Then, marching to the Pacific Railroad Depot, it proceeded by cars to Rolla.

The first three month's service of this regiment is made up of marchings and counter-marchings in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. On some of these, the enemy were met in slight skirmishes; but the majority of them were characterized simply by that dragging, fatiguing monotony, which is unbearable, especially if the roads and weather be unfavorable. To show the nature of these services, I quote a portion of the regiment's record, which covers only six days of its service:

"October 17th — broke up camp at Cassville, Missouri; marched southward four miles and camped for the night. October 18th — marched southward thirty-one miles, and camped on Sugar Creek, Benton county, Arkansas; lay on our arms all night. General Blunt's Division was camped near by. At five o'clock P. M., of the 20th, broke up camp; made a night's march over the Pea Ridge battle-ground, and on to White River; crossed the river — water about three feet deep, clear and cold. On the 22d instant, marched fifteen miles; halted and prepared supper. We were then within a distance of six miles from Huntsville, Arkansas. Fell in again at six P. M., and made a night's march of fourteen miles to White River, at a point below where we had first crossed, arriving at two A. M., on the morning of the 23d of October; bivouacked until seven A. M., when, without waiting for breakfast, crossed White River; marched forward, much of the time on double-quick, reaching the telegraph road at Bloomington, at twelve M.; formed at once in line of battle, expecting an attack. Remained in this position three hours, and were then ordered forward on the main road to Cross Hollows, Arkansas, where we arrived at five P. M., and went into camp, having made a forced march of one hundred miles in three days and three nights, over a very rough and mountainous country, and having compelled the enemy to retreat across the Boston Mountains."

The month of November, as well as the previous one, was passed by the 19th Iowa and the greater part of the Army of the Frontier, in a constant chase from one point to another.

The country was full of rumors; the general officers in immediate command were young and ambitious, which, taken together, made the time pass most restlessly with the poor infantry troopers. Thus far the enemy had declined to stand and fight. They were not, however, without spirit. They were organizing; and the coming December was to test their prowess. November, 1862, closed with the divisions of Totten and Herron at Camp Curtis, near Wilson's Creek, Missouri, and that of Blunt at Cane Hill, Arkansas. The enemy had in the meantime organized, and were advancing to give Blunt battle; but a history of these events has been previously given. Herron struggled with the confident but cautious enemy till Blunt came up from Cane Hill, when the cloud that before had threatened almost certain destruction, broke and disappeared. The 19th Iowa was doubtless the banner regiment of the unequal and terrible battle of Prairie Grove; but the 20th Iowa is entitled to hardly less praise, as also is the 20th Wisconsin.

The records of the regiment thus modestly tell the story of this engagement:

"The 19th Iowa and 20th Wisconsin charged and broke the rebel centre, and took a battery, but were unable to hold it. Lieutenant-Colonel McFarland was killed dead on the field, while leading the regiment in this charge. Lieutenant Smith, of Company F; Lieutenant Johnson, of Company I; and Sergeant-Major C. B. Buckingham, were also killed on the field. Our whole loss was forty-five killed, and one hundred and fifty-five wounded. Captains Wright, of Company D; Paine, of Company I; Jordan, of Company B; and Lieutenant Brooks, of Company D; were severely wounded."

Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel McFarland was a brave and good man, and his loss was sincerely mourned. He was a native of Pennsylvania, a resident of Mount Pleasant, and first entered the service, as captain in the 11th Iowa Infantry.

After the battle of Prairie Grove, the 19th Iowa enjoyed its first rest since leaving Springfield in the previous October. It camped on the battle-field the night after the engagement, as though unwilling to part with its dead comrades, just buried. The regiment remained at Prairie Grove nearly three weeks; and then broke camp and, with its division, marched across the Boston Mountains to Van Buren, on the Arkansas. From Van Buren it returned to Prairie Grove. And now its marchings again became uninterrupted: indeed, from the 2d of January, 1863, when it left Prairie Grove for White River, till the 25th instant, when it went into camp near Forsyth, Missouri, it heard little else than the beat to "fall in," and the command, "forward." At Forsyth, it remained to guard the place, while its division proceeded to Lake Spring, Missouri.

Late in April, 1863, the regiment proceeded to Ozark, and from that point marched against Marmaduke, who was threatening the country in the vicinity of Hartsville; but it failed to meet the fleet-footed rebel. The services of the regiment in Missouri were now drawing to a close. On the 3d of June, it marched from Salem, Missouri, to Rolla, whence it proceeded by rail to St. Louis, and embarked on the transport Chautau for Vicksburg.

Such has been the character of service imposed on the Federal troops in Missouri — most annoying and fatiguing in its nature, and almost wholly destitute of honor. Had the 19th Iowa been retained in Missouri, and had it not fought at Prairie Grove, every man of it might have marched to his grave, and yet the regiment be without a record.

But little of the history of the 19th Iowa was made under Colonel Crabb. He remained with it, and in command of it, till its arrival at Springfield, in September, 1862. At Springfield he was made Commandant of the Post, and never I think joined it afterward. He was at Springfield, at the time that place was attacked by Marmaduke in January, 1863; and, after General Brown was wounded, assumed command of the Federal forces; and I am informed that he succeeded to the duties and responsibilities of the command with much honor. He resigned his commission in the following Spring, and returned to his home in Washington.

The 19th Iowa left St. Louis for Vicksburg, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Kent: it was one of the regiments of General Herron's Division, and, before Vicksburg, was on the right of that command. Its duties during the siege, and its triumphal march into the city after its surrender, Lieutenant-Colonel Kent gives as follows:

"Our fatigue duty consisted in digging rifle-pits, planting batteries and siege-guns to bear upon the enemy's works. This was continued and unremitting, (well named fatigue-duty) until the morning of the ever-glorious fourth day of July, when the glad news came to us that, Vicksburg had surrendered. We were then ordered to join in the march of the triumphant army, which we did; and now occupy a part of the enemy's works."

Private Thomas Fender, of Company I, was the only man of the regiment wounded during the siege.

After the fall of Vicksburg, the 19th Iowa joined in the expedition up the Yazoo River, which was made by General Herron's Division, and which is detailed elsewhere. On the return to Vicksburg, General Herron sailed with his command for Port Hudson; whence, after a few days' stay, he proceeded to Carrollton, Louisiana; and now soon follows the saddest page in the history of the 19th Iowa.

Early in September, the enemy appearing in force in the vicinity of Morganzia, General Herron was sent back to that point, where he operated for about a month. During these operations, the 19th Iowa was captured in the engagement at Sterling Farm, near the Atchafalaya. I quote from Major Bruce's official report:

"On the 29th instant, the enemy, having received reinforcements, turned our right and attacked us in the rear, cutting off our retreat. He at the same time attacked us in front. My regiment was first called into action, met the enemy boldly, and at short range, delivering a deadly volley, which compelled him to fall back. He however rallied again in overwhelming force, and, after a firm and desperate struggle, in which we were well supported by the 26th Indiana, we were completely overpowered and compelled to surrender. Many of our men, however, refused to give up until the guns were taken from their hands by the rebels.

"The rebels were commanded by General Green in person, and consisted of three brigades — in all, a force of five thousand men. Our entire force was about five hundred. My regiment had only about two hundred and sixty men in the action: many having been left sick in convalescent camps at Carrollton, Louisiana, were not present on the expedition. The fight was short, but deadly, considering the numbers engaged. The corn and high weeds concealed the enemy's lines, until they approached within pistol-shot. Many of our men escaped and. came straggling into camp for two days afterward."

The loss of the 19th Iowa in this action, was two officers and eight enlisted men killed, and one officer and eleven enlisted men wounded. Eleven officers and two hundred and three enlisted men were captured, and marched to prison at Camp Ford, Texas. Lieutenants Kent and Roberto of the regiment were among the killed. Captain Taylor, of Company G, was severely wounded, and died of his wounds soon after. The 19th Iowa constituted the first installment of Iowa troops, taken to Camp Ford; and its locality and surroundings may be given here with interest. I quote from a letter of Chaplain M. H. Hare, of the 36th Iowa, who, at a later day, was himself a prisoner of war in this wretched den.

"The prison-camp is one hundred miles south-west of Shreveport, Louisiana, and four miles from Tyler, Texas. It is situated on high table-lands, covered with pine and oak, and might be considered, for this country, healthy. There are about eight acres in the stockade. A spring in the south-west corner of the lot furnishes a good supply of water, impregnated with sulphur, and tolerably cool. Old prisoners say this water is healthy. The stockade is formed by placing logs, halved, upright, planted some two feet in the ground, and standing seven feet above the surface. The prisoners have to build their own quarters, and are very much in the condition of the old Israelites, who were required to make brick without straw."

The 19th Iowa was captured on the 29th of October, as already stated, and was at that time the fourth Iowa regiment that had been captured entire, or nearly so. Three others have since suffered the like misfortune. In April, 1864, the 36th was captured near More Creek, Arkansas; in July of the same year, the 16th was captured south-east of Atlanta; and, in the following October, the 17th was captured at Tilton, Georgia. The 19th Iowa were the first Iowa troops that, as prisoners of war, suffered great cruelties, on the west side of the Mississippi. Indeed, previous to this, the Confederate authorities at Richmond had not resolved on disabling their captives for further service, by exposure and starvation. But these were not the only cruelties practiced; for instance: "A private of the 26th Indiana regiment, named Thomas Moorehead, was one day near the guard-line, waiting for wood, when he was abruptly commanded to fall back. The Federal soldier was aware that an order had been promulgated forbidding prisoners to approach within three paces of the line, and he had halted, therefore, at a distance much greater. Nevertheless, in compliance with the sentry's demand, he was turning back, when the brute, whose name is remembered as Frank Smith, shot him, the ball passing through his body and shattering the arm of another prisoner, who stood near by. Moorehead, fatally hurt in the bowels, died the same night; and the wounded man was left without surgical assistance, other than could be afforded by a hospital-steward, captured soon after."

I have said the 19th Iowa were marched as prisoners of war to Tyler, Texas; but they had many sufferings before reaching that place. They were first sent to Alexandria, then to Shreveport, and from that point to Tyler. It is said their guard from Shreveport to Tyler, were rebel Red River steamboat-men, who practiced on them great cruelties. In the early winter of 1863-4, they were paroled for exchange, and marched back to Shreveport; but for some reason no exchange was effected, and after remaining at Shreveport all Winter they were again sent to Tyler. Their treatment on this march was more brutal than ever. Their course was marked by the blood from their swollen and lacerated feet. "Men, who failed to keep up from swollen feet, were lassoed and dragged by the neck. Many were wounded by blows from swords and muskets. Proper representations of this treatment were made to General Kirby Smith, but without effect." They were finally exchanged on the 23d of July, 1864, and delivered to Colonel Dwight near the mouth of Red River. Proceeding to New Orleans, their wretched condition excited much sympathy; and they were photographed in a group, and prints of the negative sent to all parts of the country.

Though it seems hardly possible, there are not wanting those who now clamor for an amnesty that shall shield the instigators of these enormous crimes from justice. For my part I will never cease to pray that blood may flow till all these inhuman wretches have suffered the full penalty of the law. Let our innocent blood be avenged, or peace will never be secure! Let all leading traitors die!

That portion of the 19th regiment which escaped capture at Sterling Farm, and its sick and convalescent at Carrollton and other points, were afterward united, and, under Major Bruce, joined in General Banks' expedition into Texas, late in the following October.

The above expedition left New Orleans, and, passing down to the Gulf through the South West Pass, anchored out side the bar in the evening of the 28th instant. On the morning of the 29th, it put to sea. The three-days trip across the Gulf will never be forgotten by Banks' old command. The majority of the troops were land-men, and, with pleasant weather and an even sea, would have experienced little pleasure; but the elements conspired against them. The morning of the second day out broke with a violent storm from the north, which lashed the waters into frightful commotion. Unfortunately, many of the troops were embarked on old and frail transports. These were loaded to the water's edge, and every surge of the heavy sea made them groan like huge monsters at bay. Several of the boats became leaky, and, to lighten them, mules, wagons, caissons, and forage were thrown overboard. The storm finally abated, and the whole fleet arrived at the Island of Brazos Santiago in safety. The bar was crossed on the second of November, and a landing effected. The 19th Iowa was the first regiment to land, and that was soon followed by the 20th.

Four days were consumed in disembarking the troops, unloading the baggage and supplies, and in reconnoitering. Then, —November 6th— a portion of Herron's Division, of which was the 19th Iowa, led the advance to Brownsville, which was entered on the evening of the next day, without opposition. Portions of the town were at the time in flames, as also were the barracks of Fort Brown. The town had been occupied by rebel troops; but they fled on the approach of the Federals. I should not omit to state that the country through which our troops marched was historic: the line of march led past the battle-fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Large quantities of cotton captured, and the breaking up of a considerable trade between Mexico and the Confederacy, were the chief fruits of this military movement.

In the summer of 1864, that portion of the 19th Iowa which escaped capture returned to New Orleans, where it was joined by its comrades, just released from Tyler, Texas. The regiment then joined in the operations that resulted in the capture of the forts guarding Mobile Bay. Much of the fall of 1864, and of the following Winter, it passed at different points along the Mississippi, and operated with the forces that were changed from one point to another in Louisiana and Arkansas, to check-mate the movements of the enemy. It last served under General Granger in the operations against Mobile, being brigaded with the 20th Wisconsin, 23d Iowa, and the 94th Illinois. With its brigade, it held the extreme left of the Federal forces before Spanish Fort. In the reduction of this strong-hold, it suffered little if any loss.

Benjamin Crabb was the only colonel the 19th Iowa had. At the time of his resignation, the ranks of the regiment had been so depleted in action and by disease, as to reduce it below the minimum of a regimental organization. In justice to a gallant and faithful officer, I should state that the regiment, a chief portion of the time since the resignation of Colonel Crabb, has been commanded by Major John Bruce, a Scotchman by birth, and a resident of Keokuk, Iowa.

Colonel Crabb is a large, portly man, and has the appearance, on short acquaintance, of being easy-going and good natured. He walks like a lazy man, but his neighbors say he is not. He was an efficient officer, and left the service, I am told, on account of ill-health.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 351-60

From Gen. Shields Division

WASHINGTON, April 17.

The following has been received at the War Department:


MOUNT JACKSON, 11 A. M.

Our troops occupy Mount Jackson at 7 o’clock this morning, and are now in front of Rudesville, where the enemy appears to be in force. The people report that they intend giving battle there. They resisted our advance in order to gain time for the burning of bridges, railway cars, engines &c., which had accumulated at the terminus of the road; but our movement was so sudden, and the retreat of the rebels so precipitate, that we were enabled to save the bridges and two locomotives and some cars. All these had been prepared with combustible material for instant conflagration.

Many prisoners have been taken, and several horses captured from the enemy. The troops have acted admirably.

Col. Carroll’s brigade of Gen. Shields division led the advance on the back road to the rear of Mount Jackson, and Gen. McCall on the turnpike. Gen. Williams with his main division brought up the reserved. We shall occupy New Market to-night.

Gen. Shields has so far recovered as to command his division in person.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19, 1862, p. 1

From California

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19. – News from British Columbia to the 16th.

Spring had opened, and miners in crowds were leaving Victoria for the gold fields.

Col. Carleton, with about three hundred California volunteers and a battery, left the southeastern border of this State on a secret expedition. Some say for Arizona and New Mexico: others for Salt Lake.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 22. – The Indians are again showing symptoms of hostility on the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.

A Party of whites were killed by them on the 13th, near Owen’s river in Esmeralda District of Salt Lake. It is reported that they have destroyed several mail stations and stolen much – killed several Employees of the Overland Mail Company. The mails are temporarily stopped, and the telegraph lines are liable to destruction at any moment.

A regiment of California volunteers now in this State, should be ordered to duty on the plains at once.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3

The more a woman’s waist is shaped like an hour glass . . .

. . . the more it shows us that her sands of life are running out.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

Special to New York Papers

(Tribune’s Dispatch)

WASHISNGTON, April 22. – The General Commanding at the Warwick Creek fight whose reported condition on that occasion called forth Representative Morrill’s resolution empowering the President to cashier drunken officers is said to be Gen. Wm. F. Smith. It is stated that he fell from his horse twice, spearing his clothes and face with mud. Mr. Morrill said that the two companies of Green Mountain boys stood in the marsh fifty minutes without support or orders to retreat.

Most of the friends of Mr. Bingham’s confiscation bill feel sanguine that the House will pass it under the previous question tomorrow. It is believe that the vote will be a rather close one.

Several vessels of the river flotilla have been up the Rappahannock, some of them as far as Fredericksburg. About nine miles above the Tappahannock a schooner had been sunk to obstruct the river, but Commander Wigman in the Yankee, with his consorts, pushed their way through. At one point the boats were fired upon by musketry. No one on board was injured. Twelve or thirteen vessels, two of them steamers, found in creeks were brought down. The river is now considered open for navigation, and timber for rebuilding bridges burned by the rebels, will soon reach Falmouth. Nothing has been heard of the rebel force but it is supposed to be in force not far back of Fredericksburg.

The finance Committee of the Senate has done with the machinery sections of the tax bill, having made such amendments as in its judgment was calculated to perfect the system adopted by the House. An effort was made to raise the tax on whiskey and other distilled spirits to twenty five cents a gallon, but the committee decided to impose some charge on stock in hand on the 30th of June, when the act is to go into operation, but left it to a sub committee to decide how much it should be. The tax on beer and other fermented liquors will be two dollars a barrel instead of one dollar. No other changes have yet been made.

Charles A. Dana, of New York, has been appointed by Secretary Stanton as one of the Commissioners to investigate the war accounts at Cairo.

Professor Bache and Mr. Westervelt have declined to serve on the Board appointed to examine the Steven’ Battery.


(Times’ Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, April 23. – An officer of artillery in town to night from near Warrenton Junction reports the rebels in strong force on the south bank of the Rappahannock in the direction of Gordonville. Gen. Ewell is said to be at the crossing of the river where the Railroad bridge was burned, with five hundred men. Gen. G. W. Smith is at Gordonville strongly entrenched, with thirty thousand men, and Gen. Jackson is crossing over from the Shenandoah Valley to unite 8,000 to the force, making it a total column of 46,000 men. If the figures are reliable we are in sufficient force in front of Manassas to manage this rebel army.

I am assured by a gentleman of this city whose position brings him in business contact with Mr. Mercier that his mission had reference only to a large amount of valuable tobacco belonging to the French Government. The property is known as the Belmont tobacco. While there it is said that M. Mercier examined somewhat into the condition of the bogus Confederacy, in order to report to the Emperor the true condition of things.


(Herald’s Special.)

WASHINGTON, April 23 – A change in the Navy Department has been positively determined upon. The President is waiting only to fix upon the individual who is to fill the place of Secretary of the Navy. Gen. Banks, Judge Davis, of Illinois, and Gov. Sprague, of Rhode Island are all strongly urged for this distinction, but the selection has not yet been made.


(Special to Post.)

The sensation story in the Philadelphia Inquirer of this morning, to the effect that Secretary Welles is to be removed is entirely untrue. This I learn on good authority. I learn that Mr. Welles sometime since tendered his resignation to the President, but it was not accepted. Probably this circumstance has given rise to the rumor of an immediate change in the Cabinet. All the current reports of the removal of Mr. Welles are destitute of foundation.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3

It was a saying of Lord Halifax . . .

. . . that if ordinary beggars are to be whipped, the daily ones in fine clothes, out of a proportionable respect for their quality, ought to be hanged.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

Elizabeth City Occupied, etc.

WASHINGTON, April 22. – The Secretary of the Treasury has directed all sub-Treasurers and depositors to receive no more temporary deposits at rates of interest exceeding five per cent.

Richmond papers of yesterday contain a telegraph report of the landing of our forces near Elizabeth City, N. C., and an engagement at that point. They admit that their forces retired to the Dismal Swamp Canal with the loss of [38] killed and wounded, and say the federal loss was heavy.

They notice the occupation of Fredericksburg and complain of the withdrawal of their troops which were in force there, without contest.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862

Tribute to a Companion in Arms

MACON CITY, April 10, 1862

At a meeting of company C, 7th Cavalry regiment Missouri volunteers, held at their quarters, at Macon City, Mo., on the evening of the 9th inst., for the purpose of giving an expression in relation to the death of our fellow-soldier, George H. Emmerson; who was shot by rebels from the brush while in the discharge of his duty as a soldier, on the 8th of April 1862.

On motion of Sergeant Beckwith, a committee of five was appointed to prepare and present to the company such expression of sympathy as the occasion required, whereupon the committee through their chairman, reported the following resolutions:

Resolved, That in the death of our fellow-soldier, Geo. H. Emmerson, the country has lost a brave and faithful soldier, the company a generous companion, his mother a dutiful son, his brother and sisters an affectionate brother. He was always first in danger and brave to a fault, one that could be relied upon for his devotion to his country and companions.

Resolved, that the heartfelt sympathy of the members of company C, his late companions in arms, be tendered to his bereaved mother and other relatives in their deep affliction. He, like thousands of others, has been offered up on the altar of his country; he died in a noble cause, that of freedom and the suppression of this infamous rebellion.

Resolved, that a copy of the above resolutions be sent to his bereaved relatives, and copies sent to the Macon Gazette and Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa for publication.

M. P. SPELLMAN, Ch’n.
A. M. BALTZELL, Sec’y

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

The teeth of a certain scolding lady . . .

. . . being loose, she asked a physician the cause of it, who answered it proceeded from the violent shocks she gave them with her tongue.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

XXXVIIth CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

WASHINGTON, April 18.

SENATE. – The bill to establish a land office in Colorado was taken up and passed.

Mr. Hale, from special committee appointed in July last, to inquire into the question of the property of the Government at the Navy yards of Pensacola and Norfolk, and at the armory at Harper’s Ferry, made a voluminous report, which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Chandler presented memorials from citizens of Michigan, in favor of confiscation of the property of the rebels and emancipation of their slaves.

The bill establishing an armed mail steamship line from San Francisco to Shanghai, touching at the Sandwich Islands and Japan, each vessel to be commanded by a Lieutenant of the Navy, was taken up.

Pending a vote on the bill the hour for the special order arrived, and Mr. Howard addressed the Senate on the bill to confiscate the property and free the slaves of rebels.

Mr. Fessenden opposed the bill. Pending a vote the senate adjourned till Monday.


HOUSE. – The House passed a bill, making further appropriations for certain civil expenditures, including half a million for completing the west wing of the treasury department.

The House then considered several private bills.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19, 1862, p. 1

Charles F. Kellogg

Private, Co. F, 2nd Iowa Cavalry

Gen. Curtis and Gen. Sigel

A writer in the Missouri Republican, writing in defense of Gen. Sigel, closes his communication with the following authoritative contradiction of a libel perpetrated and widely circulated against Gen. Curtis:

I avail myself of this writing to contradict, on the authority of Gen. Sigel, that he was ever present at a conference of division commanders, at which “a surrender was seriously considered” at Pea Ridge; and I am satisfied that this and other rumors and extravagant statements which have gained currency in the newspapers are as distasteful as they are annoying to Gen. Sigel, and especially is he displeased with all those contrasts drawn between the German and the American, since it is his pride and honor to command an army nearly equally balanced with German and American, who are harmonious in camp, and equally valiant in battle. If the credit is claimed for either, injustice is done to the other.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

A jewel of a damsel . . .

. . . residing at New Haven, Ct. has furnished under the signature of “Vona,” a few stanzas expressive of the out-gushing desire of her blessed little heart. The following is a sample. Just hear the darling: –

With the blessings I have my wants are but three,
Mist simple and definite, nothing that’s wild.
I ask for no more than is needful to me,
A husband to love, with a cottage and child.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

From Arkansas

Special to St. Louis Democrat.

FORSYTH, Mo., April 13th.

Judge Morrison and O. Johnson of Huntsville, Arkansas, arrived at Gen. Curtis’ headquarters last night, having been obliged to fly from their homes since the battle of Pea Ridge, by threats made against them by a band of Texan rangers stationed at Ozark. Judge Murphy was the only member of the Arkansas seceding convention whose vote was cast against the secession of the State at Huntsville in convention. – Men are depressed with gloom, not being aware of the recent victories. No mails having been received since Price’s flight from Springfield.

It was proclaimed by the rebels that Price had retaken Springfield, and surrounded Curtis, Pike and his Indians had whipped Hunter, and that the Federals were repulsed with great loss at Island No. 10 and were falling back along the whole line, and that Jeff. Davis was about to head 400,000 troops to invade Maryland and the Northern States. These assertions were generally believed. No one had the hardihood to dispute these falsehoods. The Judge gives much information of interest relating to Arkansas matters.

Gov. Rector is better and wolfish. He called an extra session of the Legislature, but it was three weeks before a quorum was present. In his message he recommended an act to be passed punishing with heavy fine any person who even expressed doubt of the success of the Confederate arms, and that a second offense be declared felony. – An act was passed imposing a tax of thirty dollars per bale on cotton, thus favoring the production of grain to the discouragement of cotton raising.

Col. Wright of the 6th Missouri cavalry returned to Cassville on the evening of the 9th, having made a successful expedition with four companies of his command through the southwest corner of the State. All jayhawking bands in that locality were dispersed. Several skirmishes took place, which resulted in the death of several prominent rebels. 125 prisoners were captured, all of whom except the leaders and some 25 untractable [sic] ones were released on taking the oath of allegiance.

A number of horses were captured, together with 122 head of cattle, 237 bushels of wheat and 4,500 pounds of bacon.

All rebel gangs not captured were driven by Col. Wright down to Stand Waity, a point on the line of the Indian Territory, 25 miles below Neoshio.

It is reported that a body of rebels, 600 strong, are encampted [sic] between Cowskin and Buffalo Creek, and Pike is now at the head of 1,500 Indians, fifteen miles below.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19th, 1862, p. 1

From Gen. Mitchell’s Division

CINCINNATI, April 22. – The Gazette’s Huntsville (Ala.) correspondent says that Beauregard’s dispatch to Gen. Cooper, calling for reinforcements, was found in the Telegraph office, having passed over the wires before Mitchell’s division reached Huntsville, and about one third of the reinforcements called for had already passed down to Corinth. The remainder are collected at Chattanooga and other points on the Tennessee river, being unable to move forward on account of the obstructions placed in their way by Gen Mitchell. Beauregard’s dispatch was impartially written in cypher, but was easily translated by Gen. Mitchell. The rolling stock captured by Gen. Mitchell has been sent to Nashville.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1662, p. 3

The Boston Commercial Bulletin states . . .

. . . on what it considers reliable and indisputable authority, that an extraordinary effort is to be made by emissaries from the rebel government, as well as by rebel sympathizers in England, to furnish and fit out swift sailing iron clad steamers, not only for the purpose of breaking the blockade, but to successfully cope, if they are allowed the opportunity, with our own navy, or make a raid on some unprotected harbor.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

A treaty has been negotiated . . .

. . . with Great Britain providing for the more effectual suppression of the slave trade by the joint efforts of the two Governments.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

There is a strong probability that . . .

. . . the Army of the Potomac will go into winter quarters and leave the campaign to the armies of the West and South West. The Washington Republican and Chronicle, both of which are Administration papers, indicate this policy. The Republican of Dec. 17th says:

For ourselves we hope that as a few weeks will terminate the ordinary winter of this latitude, the army designed for defense of Washington will go at once into winter quarters. It may seem unnecessary, and too obvious a suggestion, that the season to go into winter quarters is winter. It is very easy for people in comfortable houses with warm fires and warm beds, to object to soldiers going into winter quarters. That sort of clamor kept our armies all last winter sickening and dying under tends, when they ought to have been hutted, as was done by the more sensible reb’s. It is in the South and South West and not in Virginia that the winter campaign can be conducted with advantage. At any rate it does not become those who sustained the inaction of our army during the pleasant months of fall, now to make hue and cry if it waits for weeks until winter breaks before undertaking active operations.

The Chronicle of the same date says:

If war should be successfully prosecuted in the Gulf States it would make but little difference [whether] the army of the Potomac does anything or not. The rebel army at Richmond would be cooped up, and would starve in two weeks, or else have to fight at a disadvantage. Our Progress down in Mississippi has frightened the rebel leaders, and they have sent Gen. Johnston out there to insure success.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

Mr. Carlile presented a petition . . .

. . . that Democratic, thereby meaning certain secesh papers, be allowed the same privilege of passing through the mails that Republican papers enjoy.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN EDWARDS

COLONEL, EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY.

John Edwards was born the 24th day of October, 1815, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and lived with his parents at the old homestead till he reached his eighteenth year. Leaving Kentucky at eighteen, he removed to Indiana, and settled in Lawrence county; where, purchasing a form, he continued his residence till the year 1849. In Indiana he was highly respected, and, during the last years of his residence there, was elected at different times to each branch of the State Legislature.

In 1849, he sold his farm and emigrated to California. Settling in the Nevada District, he was, in 1851, elected by the people to the Alcalde; for the State Government had not at that time been formed. After serving in that body for one year, he returned to Indiana, and was again elected to the State Senate. In 1853, he came to Iowa and located in Chariton, where, engaging in the practice of law, he has since resided.

In Iowa, General Edwards has been a prominent public man. In 1858, he was a member of the State Constitutional Convention ; and subsequently served three terms in the State Legislature. He was the representative from Chariton at the outbreak of the war, and Speaker of the House. He was from the first a staunch war-man; and coming from the extreme southern part of the State took a lively interest in preparing for the defense of our southern border, which was at that time being threatened by the Missouri rebels. On the 9th of June, 1861, he was commissioned aid de camp to Governor Kirkwood, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of cavalry; and was the first man in the State promoted to that office. For several months he had charge of a large portion of the border between Iowa and Missouri, during which time, he twice marched his troops into Missouri — once as far south as the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. Resigning his commission as aid de camp, June 20th, 1862, he was, on the 17th of July following, made colonel of the 18th Iowa Infantry. For his able and faithful services in Missouri and Arkansas, he was, in the winter of 1864-5, promoted to a general officer; and I believe none will say he did not richly earn his promotion.

The history of the 18th Iowa Infantry while under the command of Colonel Edwards is as replete with interest as that of almost any other Iowa regiment. It does not enjoy the reputation that many others have; and for the reason, I believe, that the people are ignorant of its record. From the time it engaged and defeated the braggart Marmaduke, at Springfield in January, 1863, to the time it fought Price and his subordinates on the Saline River, in the spring of 1864, its conduct has, in every instance, been such as to elicit much praise from both its division and department commanders. Indeed, I believe it would be unwilling to exchange either its number or its record with any regiment of the State; for, if others have served with more distinction, they have not with greater honesty and fidelity.

The. first march of the 18th Iowa was from Sedalia, Missouri, to Springfield; its first campaign, from Springfield into Northern Arkansas; and its first severe engagement, at Springfield, on the 8th of January, 1863.

In August, 1862, Colonel Edwards marched his command from Sedalia to Springfield, where he was organized in the Army of the South West, at that time commanded by General Schofield. In the expedition to Cane Hill, arid other points in Northern Arkansas, which soon followed, he took part, remaining with the main army till its return to Ozark, when, with his regiment, he was given charge of the sick and prisoners, and sent back to Springfield. Arriving in the latter part of November, 1862, he was, in the following December, detailed on a court-martial in St. Louis. Springfield remained the head-quarters of the 18th Iowa from that time until October of the following year.

The battle of Springfield, as already stated, was the regiment's first engagement, and in premising, I quote briefly from General Marmaduke's official report:


"Head-Quarters, 4th Division, 1st Corps, T. M. D.
Batesville, Ark., January 18th, 1863.

"Colonel: — In obedience to instructions from General Hindman, I marched from Lewisburg, Arkansas, December 31,1862, via Yellville, Arkansas, to strike the enemy in rear and flank, with sixteen hundred men under Shelby, and two hundred and seventy men under McDonald. Before marching, I telegraphed to Lieutenant-General Holmes, if it would not be best to move up the troops under Colonel White, to co-operate in the movement, to which he consented; and the order was given. Colonel Porter, with six hundred men, moved forward for this purpose." * * *

"Shelby captured and burned the fort at Ozark: the garrison fled. With Shelby and McDonald, I attacked Springfield, Missouri; and, after eight hours hard fighting, driving the Yankees before me into their strong-holds, I captured one piece of artillery, (six-pounder) a stockade fort, and a large part of the town, which the Yankees burned as they retired. At dark the fighting ceased, the greater part of the town, the fort and many of the dead and wounded Federals being in my possession. The Federal force there was four thousand two hundred. My loss was twenty killed and eighty wounded — Yankee loss much greater. I did not deem it best to renew the attack, and the next day marched toward Rolla."


By his own statement, Marmaduke attacked Springfield with at least eighteen hundred and seventy men. The place was commanded by General Brown of Missouri, and garrisoned with the 18th Iowa, (numbering five hundred muskets) a few companies of Missouri State Militia, and some one hundred and fifty convalescents of the Army of the South West. "The only defenses were some incompleted works." In one particular Marmaduke's report is correct — the fighting lasted about eight hours; but in other respects it is at issue of falsehoods — a grim joke. On its own face, he should have been court-martialed and dismissed the service.

The 18th Iowa held the works south of Springfield, and the Missouri troops those on the east. The fighting commenced early in the morning of the 8th between the skirmishers. Little advantage was gained by the enemy until late in the afternoon: then, massing his troops south-east of the city, he charged gallantly, and overbore the militia-men, capturing their works. This was the only critical hour of the day, and, through the promptness and intrepidity of the 18th Iowa, it soon passed. "In the most critical juncture of the attack, when the militia were retreating in confusion, and defeat appeared certain, a part of the 18th Iowa was ordered to the threatened point; and by a desperate charge, in which they lost four commissioned officers and fifty-two enlisted men, killed and wounded, broke the enemy's lines, and restored the wavering fortunes of the day. The enemy retreated in haste, under cover of the night, leaving their dead and wounded on the field." And thus it happened that Marmaduke "did not deem it best to renew the attack." He marched north-east from Springfield; was met and severely punished by Colonel Merrill of the 21st Iowa, at Hartsville; and then swung round south to Batesville, where he issued his report. And thus ended his movement against "the enemy's rear and flank."

Colonel Edwards was placed in command of the Post at Springfield, in April, 1863; and, from that time forward, has been in the immediate command of his regiment but little. All of its history, however, has been made under him; for, whether in command of a post, a brigade, or a district, it has always been with him. In August, 1863, the colonel was assigned by General McNeil to the command of the District of South West Missouri. In the same month, Shelby made his invasion of Missouri, with a force numbering more than two thousand men. Colonel Edwards promptly organized his forces and made pursuit; and it was said his "combinations were such as would have resulted in the interception of the enemy, had they not been disconcerted by causes beyond his power to control."

General Steele captured Little Rock the 10th of September, 1863; and the next October General McNeil, in whose command was the 18th Iowa, marched from Springfield in pursuit of the enemy, and captured and occupied Fort Smith, Arkansas. A chief portion of the time since, Colonel Edwards and the 18th Iowa have served at that post. In December, 1863, the colonel was placed in command of the Post of Fort Smith, which he held till January, 1864. At the last named date, he was given a brigade command, which he has held ever since. His first brigade consisted of the 18th Iowa, 2d Kansas Cavalry, 1st Arkansas Infantry, and the 2d Indiana Battery; and his second, of the 18th Iowa, the 1st and 2d Arkansas Infantry, and the 2d Indiana Battery. With this last command, he accompanied General Steele on the march to Camden.

For the part taken by Colonel Edwards and the 18th Iowa in the unfortunate Camden march, I am indebted to one who shared the hardships and perils of the campaign:

"On April 11th and 12th, Colonel Edwards and his brigade took part in the battle of Prairie de Anne, in which the whole forces of Price, Maxey, Shelby and Gano were opposed to General Steele. April 13th, 1864, the battle of Moscow took place thirty miles north of Camden. The 3d Division guarded the rear of the army, and had just gone into camp, when six thousand of the enemy, under the rebel generals Dockery, Fagan, Maxey and Gano, attacked them, driving in their pickets and pouring a heavy fire into their quarters. Colonel Edwards with his brigade, alone at first, but soon reinforced by the 2d and 3d, repulsed the enemy and drove them five miles. The engagement lasted from one to six o'clock P. M."

"On the 17th of April, Colonel Edwards, being then encamped at Camden, ordered the 18th Iowa, and one section of the 2d Indiana Battery, under command of Captain Duncan of the 18th Iowa, to reinforce Colonel Williams of the 1st Kansas, (colored) who was in charge of a forage train to Poisoned Springs, about eighteen miles distant from Camden. The 18th Iowa guarded the rear of the train, and. the 1st Kansas the front. The whole were surrounded by a force of the enemy six thousand strong, on the morning of the 18th instant. The 1st Kansas, after losing heavily, was completely surrounded and compelled to retreat in haste through the line of the 18th Iowa, which was now left to sustain the attack alone. The regiment was broken by fierce charges of the enemy seven times, and as often stubbornly re-formed, contesting every inch of ground, until being surrounded on three sides and falling rapidly under a withering fire, and being left alone on the field, it finally cut its way through, and returned in good order to its camp at Camden, having lost one officer and seventy-six men, killed, wounded and prisoners."

"In this engagement, Captains Blanchard, Clover, Stonaker and Conway showed especial bravery and gallantry. Captain Blanchard, who commanded the color-company, and who was already wounded, seized the colors at a critical time, when the regiment was hotly pressed, and told Captain Clover, who was mounted, to form the regiment on him, which that officer did in gallant style, the men responding with cheers. It was owing in a very great measure to the exertions of these officers that the regiment was extricated from its perilous position. Sergeant Dean, Company E; Sergeants Bowers and Oleson, Company A; Sergeant Mordis, Company C; Sergeant Bullock, Company B; and Sergeant Kirkpatrick, Company H; behaved with a courage and coolness which deserve special notice. Everywhere, all behaved with common bravery."

In the terrible battle of Saline River, fought on the 30th of April, and which is described elsewhere, Colonel Edwards, with his brigade, held the reserve; and had in charge the ordnance train. This being the last of the engagements fought on the campaign, the 18th Iowa, and the other troops of Steele's command, returned to their places of starting, unmolested. On arriving at Fort Smith, the records of the 18th Iowa showed the following: From the time of entering the field till the 23d of May, 1864, the regiment had marched over eighteen hundred miles, and had lost in action, and from disease contracted in the service, thirteen commissioned officers, and five hundred and sixty enlisted men — nearly two-thirds of its original strength; for, when mustered into the service, its aggregate of officers and enlisted men was only eight hundred and sixty-six.

Subsequently to its return from South Western Arkansas, the 18th Iowa has been retained on garrison-duty at Fort Smith. It has marched on some expeditions, but has, I think, been in no engagement, since the Camden Campaign.

For the valuable services which I have briefly enumerated above, Colonel Edwards was made a brigadier-general; but the most honorable part of his record remains yet to give.

From the organization of the first volunteer troops, our army has been infested with thieves and robbers: indeed, this has been a crowning evil of the war. For officers of a low grade, quarter-masters have led the crowd; and it long since passed into a proverb that an honest quarter-master could not long retain his commission. But the most stupendous robberies have been practiced by officers of high rank, and holding important commands; for they would not soil their hands with hundreds, but with hundreds of thousands. In their operations, too, they were not limited to a few clerks, but had whole commands. I venture the assertion that, in the last four years, the Government has been defrauded of not less than one hundred millions of dollars.

For many months during General Steele's administration in Arkansas, Fort Smith was a den of thieves; and Steele, though not implicated himself, was removed because these abuses were not corrected. General Thayer, Steele's subordinate, was doubtless guilty; and yet, backed by Kansas politicians, who had snuffed the breezes of our Capital, he escaped disgraceful dismissal.

Let it be said to the credit of General Edwards that, though he served at Fort Smith from the time the place was first occupied by our troops, none ever breathed the least breath of suspicion against him. Indeed, it is said (and if true let it be recorded to the eternal infamy of those concerned) that, because he had complained of these abuses, his life was threatened, and he dared not, unaccompanied, appear in the streets after dark. At home, he was called "Honest John Edwards," and the sobriquet has been doubly earned.

General Edwards, in appearance and in character, is a good type of a Northern gentleman. He is unassuming in his manners, and brave and chivalrous without being boastful and pretending. He has not a commanding person, and with strangers would not pass for what he is worth. With one exception, the portrait here published is a correct likeness: the expression of his countenance is much kinder than the portrait represents. He has blue eyes, a light complexion, and a sanguine temperament, and is slightly stoop-shouldered. When he walks, he usually drops his head forward, and keeps his face turned to the ground. He is not a brilliant man, but he is able and honest.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 343-50

A Sharp Skirmish

NEW YORK, April 23. – Capt. Elder who reached this city this p. m., states that on the 18th, as a reconnoitering party of the 8th Regiment Michigan volunteers went out under command of Col. Fenton to accompany Lieut. Wilson of the Engineer Corps to Wilmington Island, for the purpose of erecting fortifications, they encountered a regiment of Georgia troops in ambush, and a skirmish ensued, which ended in a complete route of the rebels, leaving their dead on the field. Our troops pursued them for two miles. As it was dark when they returned, our informant could not ascertain the number of rebels killed and taken prisoners.

The following is a list of killed and wounded of the Michigan 8th:

KILLED – N. Minor Pratt, Adjt.; F M Badger, 2d Lieut. Co C; private Timothy Conder, co A; A Shorter, co A; Geo Sherback, co D; Chas A Bailey, co D; A Vandantock, Co D; Derkie Kapte, co D; James Barton, co H; Edwin Ayers, co I; Ely Myers, co K; Richard Patzie, co K.

WOUNDED – Capt B B Church, left thigh slight; Capt A A Gould, left leg slight; 2d Lieut Geo Jennings co A, Serious; Privates C Schappi, co C, left leg serious; Silas Turner, co C, side and back serious, Chester Walker, co C, right leg serious; Andrew Colborne, co D, serious; Nicholas Castlin, co D, serious; Warren Cole, co A, mortally; A Jennings, co A, left hip, serious; Charles Sindrick, co K, slight; John R Bunting, co I, serious, Walter Pynes, co I, left hip serious; James Cooper, co D, serious; Barney Cullen co A, right hand serious; Richard Hankman, co D, right hand serious; Ross Campbell, co K, left side serious; Stephen Watters, co D, left foot slight; Samuel S Labeuf, co D, right side of head slightly; W B Colf, co I, right shoulder back serious; Thomas Preston, co I, left hand slightly.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3

The late Gen. Mitchel . . .

. . . stated to Henry Ward Beecher, that when he held 150 miles of the Tennessee river, he was enabled to do so because he ad intelligent slaves in his employ, who kept him advised of the movements of the enemy. As a reward for their fidelity, he gave his pledge of honor that they should not be returned to slavery; but when he was called to another field, Buell forced them right back into the hands of their masters, and the sufferings of many of them are now over.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

Vetoes

Gov. Kirkwood has vetoed the bill reducing the salaries of Supreme Judges; District Attornies [sic], and State officers. Also the bill in reference to the State University.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL C. R. WEVER

THIRD COLONEL, SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.

Brevet General Clark Russell Wever was born in Hornsfield, Jefferson county, New York, on the 16th day of September, 1835. He resided with his parents until he attained his majority, and then visited Mexico and Texas. After traveling extensively through those countries, he returned to his native county, where he remained till the year 1858. In the fall of that year he removed West, and settled in Burlington, Iowa, where he opened a broker- and exchange-office. He subsequently removed to Carthage, Illinois, which was his place of residence at the time he entered the service. He assisted in recruiting Company D, 17th Iowa Infantry, early in 1862, and, on its organization, was chosen its captain. He accompanied his regiment South, and was with it during the siege of Corinth, and on the march to Boonville; but soon after it started on the Ripley march, he was attacked with typhoid fever, and sent back to Corinth. He lay in the Clear Springs and Corinth Hospitals for several weeks, and until it was thought by the surgeons that he could not recover his health in that climate. He was then sent North, where he remained till the following October, when he re-joined his regiment at Moscow, Tennessee, just before it started on its march down through Central Mississippi. On the resignation of Colonel Hillis, before Vicksburg, he was promoted to the colonelcy of the 17th Iowa Infantry. I should not omit to state that he had been promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment, In the preceding October, soon after he re-joined it at Moscow.

From October, 1863, until after the fall of Vicksburg, his history and that of his regiment are the same. He was present with it in every campaign, and in every battle.

In writing the history of the 17th Iowa, I could fill a volume; but I must confine myself to leading events. From Champion's Hill the regiment marched to the rear of Vicksburg, and took up its place in line. It was in reserve in the charge of the 22d of May, and lost only seven men. The place where it suffered most during the siege was at Fort Hill, on the Jackson and Vicksburg road.

General Logan's pet scheme for breaking the enemy's line, and forcing the surrender of Vicksburg, was the blowing up of Fort Hill, and the occupation of its site. The Fort was a work of considerable elevation, and of prodigous strength, and was the key to a large extent of the rebel fortifications. Securely lodged here, and General Logan would have been in a position to enfilade their lines, both on the right and left, and render their works untenable. The mining had all been completed, and the fuse was ready for lighting, by noon of the 25th of June; and that afternoon was fixed upon as the time for the explosion.

From the Union lines, a narrow, deep trench led to the fort, running up the hill in a north-westerly direction, and near the celebrated oak, under which Grant and Pemberton afterward arranged the terms of capitulation. This trench, just before the explosion, had been filled with troops, who in the confusion that would follow were to rush in, occupy and fortify the position. The explosion took place just before sun-down, and was a sight of terrible magnificence. For a moment the air was filled with earth, boards, blocks of wood, cotton-bales and human beings. Of the latter, many were buried in the debris, and some thrown into the Union lines; and among these was a poor negro, who, dead with fright, plead for his life on the ground that, "he had only jus done come out from de city to bring his massa's dinner."

The troops in the trenches now rushed into the crater, which had been formed by the explosion; but, although the enemy were surprised, they would not yield their position. On the outside of the crest of the fort and toward Vicksburg, they swarmed in great numbers; and, by their peculiar mode of attack, made it impossible for the Federal troops to fortify. They used both musketry and hand-grenades — from six- to twelve-pound shells. Though this mining scheme was General Logan's own, he was not limited to his own troops to push it to consummation; and General Smith's (formerly Quimby's) Division was called on for reinforcements. The 17th Iowa was one of the poor unfortunates; and early in the evening this regiment, with the 56th Illinois, marched out into the trench above alluded to. It was ordered into the crater by reliefs, the first relief entering a little before eleven at night: the reliefs were three, and altogether held the crater a little more than three hours. Perdition, painted in the most glaring and hideous colors of the most rigorous theology, could not be a more horrible place for poor mortals, than was this crater for the unfortunate soldiers.

That night was one of gloom and terror for the 17th Iowa, and will never be forgotten; though, to portray correctly the scene of mortal strife and anxiety, is utterly impossible. The night was dark and gloomy; and as the brave troops stood in the approaches, awaiting their turn in the fearful carnage, they were greeted by the heavy and incessant booming of artillery for miles around, and the screaming of shells, flying and bursting in every direction. On the hill in their front was the crater, filled and defended by Union troops, and assaulted on three sides by a chagrined and infuriated enemy. Friend and foe were separated only by a thin crest of earth; and so near were they together that they could touch each other with the muzzles of their guns. This scene of strife, which was lighted up by the constant explosion of hand-grenades and the discharge of musketry, was appalling; and yet the brave men, who just now were standing only as spectators, must soon become actors on this stage of death. This was the most dreadful hour of suspense ever experienced by the 17th Iowa Infantry; and the engagement itself was not more appalling.

The killed and wounded of the regiment in this contest were shockingly mutilated; and a larger portion of the wounded died, than of those wounded in any other engagement; and it is not strange, for every casualty in the regiment was caused by the bursting of hand-grenades. The musketry-fire of the enemy was too high. In the list of casualties, which were thirty-seven, were Captains Ping and Horner—both wounded. First-Sergeant Moses Stuart Pettengill, a brave, efficient and faithful soldier, was also wounded, and severely. All were so sore and lame for a week after the engagement, as to almost render them unfit for duty.

After the fall of Vicksburg, the 17th Iowa was ordered into camp on the hills south-east of the city, where it remained till it was ordered, with its division, to reinforce General Steele near Little Rock. It proceeded by boat to Helena, leaving Vicksburg on the 12th of September; but the history of its movements from that time until its arrival at Chattanooga, appears in the sketches of other Iowa officers, whose regiments were attached to the same division.

The 17th Iowa left its camp at Bridgeport for Chattanooga, at day-light on the 18th of November, and in the evening of the 19th instant bivouacked under Lookout Mountain, and seemingly within a stone's throw of the fires of the enemy's picket-posts, which were scattered along the side of the mountain about half-way up from its base to its summit. At two o'clock the next morning, the regiment, with its brigade and division, crossed the Tennessee, and, marching up its north bank till it had passed behind some hills, which covered it from the view of the enemy's lookout on Lookout Mountain, went into camp, just after day-light. Just before the fighting in Chattanooga Valley opened, all the troops which had marched through with General Sherman from the Mississippi River had arrived in camp on the north side of the Tennessee. General Osterhaus' Division, however, should be excepted; but in place of these troops was the division of Jefferson C. Davis, which was in camp near North Chickamauga Creek. With this command General Sherman was to re-cross the Tennessee, just below the mouth of South Chickamauga Creek, and oust the enemy's right from the line of hills known as Mission Ridge.

General Grant's plan of attacking Bragg was known in the main to nearly the entire command of General Sherman, as early as the morning of the 23d of November: it might have been known to the commands of Thomas and Hooker; and, if the like has happened in any other instance during the war, I do not know it. It was the more remarkable, since in some respects the commanding general had taken great precaution to secure secrecy; for the citizens, for several miles around, were kept under the strictest surveillance. But it was known that the contest would commence on the afternoon of the 23d instant; for then General Grant was to demonstrate whether the report of Bragg's falling back was correct. The troops stationed at Chattanooga, and the corps of General Howard were selected to develop the enemy's force on the hill-slope in rear of Chattanooga.

Back of the camp of the 17th Iowa, was a high, precipitous hill, from whose summit was a fine view of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Valley, the north and east sides of Lookout Mountain, and the west slope of Mission Ridge; and from this hill, which is some four miles distant from Chattanooga, not only the greater portion of the 17th, but the greater part of its brigade and division, witnessed the contest in the country below: it was the first engagement to which the 17th Iowa had been a spectator, where it was itself unengaged, and removed from danger. The enemy were surprised. They supposed, as it was afterward learned, that the Union troops were simply parading on a review; and the affair proved more fortunate for General Grant than he had hoped. The enemy lost their strong position on Indian Hill or Orchard Knoll. But the enemy were not evacuating; Bragg was simply sending reinforcements to General Longstreet, in East Tennessee; and on this fact a deserter had based his report of the enemy's falling back. But the troops dispatched to Longstreet were now hastily recalled; for General Bragg saw that his own position was in danger.

In the three days' desperate fighting that preceded the total rout of General Bragg's forces, the 17th Iowa took no part until the afternoon of the 25th instant. The regiment was among the first troops to cross the Tennessee, on the night of the 23d, and, in the afternoon of the 24th, was marched out against what was supposed to be a strongly intrenched position of the enemy, on the north end of Mission Ridge; but on arriving at the hights no enemy was found. It then rested on its arms until about noon of the next day, when, with its brigade, it was sent forward to the support of General C. L. Matthies' command. The engagement on Mission Ridge was, I believe, one of the hardest field-fights the 17th ever had. But the enemy defended successfully their strong position through all that day, which enabled General Bragg to save a good share of his stores and artillery. In this engagement the 17th Iowa had only about two hundred men, and its list of casualties was sixty.

In the pursuit of the disorganized Confederate forces, the regiment marched only as far as Graysville, Georgia, and then returned to Chattanooga. From Chattanooga, it marched to Huntsville, Alabama, where it remained until the following May, and was then ordered in the direction of Atlanta; and from the above named date till the 13th of October, 1864, it was stationed in detachments along the line of railroad, between Chattanooga and General Sherman's front, to defend that road from sorties of the enemy.

On the 13th of October, 1864, the 17th Iowa Infantry, then commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel S. M. Archer, was captured at Tilton, Georgia; but it did not surrender until after the most stubborn resistance. Tilton, Georgia, is situated on the line of the Chattanooga and Atlanta Railroad, and is nine miles south of Dalton, and six, north of Resaca. The defenses of the place, which three weeks previous had been assaulted by the rebel cavalry command of Wheeler and successfully defended by the 17th Iowa, consisted of simply a block-house and outer trenches. Wheeler was the precursor of the young, gaunt and maimed General Hood.

It was known for several days previous to the time in question, that the garrison was in danger of being attacked, and every thing was put in a condition for resistance. On the evening of the 12th instant, Colonel Archer had been informed that the enemy were in the vicinity; and at a little past six of the following morning they made their appearance before the picket-line. Two companies were at once sent out as skirmishers, and the balance of the regiment drawn up in line outside the block-house. By nine o'clock the skirmishers had been driven in, and the whole command was compelled to retire within its works. Soon after, a flag of truce, which before had been unrecognized, was received by LieutenantColonel Archer, who, in company with Captain Hicks, went out to meet it. The colonel received and read the following:


“Head-quarters Stuarts Corps, Army or The Tennessee,
Near Tilton, Georgia, October 13th, 1864.

"To The Officer Commanding United States Forces, Tilton, Georgia:

"SIR: — I have ample force to take the garrison at Tilton. To save loss of life, I demand an immediate and unconditional surrender. If this demand is complied with, all the white troops and their officers shall be paroled within a few days, and the negroes shall be well treated: if refused, I will take the place, and give orders to take no prisoners.

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Alex. P. Stuart, Lieutenant-General, C. S. A."


To this, Lieutenant-Colonel Archer, through Captain Hicks, replied:

"Give my compliments to General Stuart, and tell him if he wants my command, to come and take it."

"But we have thirteen thousand men, and can storm your works," insisted a rebel officer.

"Can't help that; I was put here to hold this place, and you can't have it till you blow us out."

"I admire your pluck; but you haven't got a d—d bit of judgment."

This was said by a rebel colonel, who had accompanied the flag of truce, after which the colonel was allowed ten minutes in which to retire to his command. The unequal fight now opened; and less than two hundred men, in the block-house and surrounding trenches, were besieged and assaulted for five long hours, by not less than five thousand.

Having tried unsuccessfully to carry the place by storm, and destroy the block-house by fire, the enemy, at a little after one o'clock in the afternoon, brought up their artillery. Twelve-pounders were first put in battery in the skirt of the timber south of the block-house; but their position was so little elevated that they could do but little damage. Soon after, twenty-four pounders were placed in position on a commanding point to the west of the block-house. Further resistance was now useless, for every shot came plunging down the hill and through the block-house, knocking the timbers and scattering splinters in every direction. Finally, a shell burst in its centre, which prostrated every man inside: twelve were killed and wounded. The roof was now nearly all shot away, and the upright timbers fast falling. To resist longer would be madness, and the white flag went up.

In the meantime the place had been entirely surrounded, and now the gray rascals came flocking in from every quarter, headed by general and field officers. Riding up to Lieutenant-Colonel Archer, Lieutenant-General Alexander P. Stuart said: "Do you know whom you have been fighting? Your obstinacy has given me a d—d sight of trouble, and detained me nearly a whole day." "Well, general," replied the colonel, "that was what I was put here for;" after which General Stuart's provost-marshal general remarked, "I thought there would be trouble, when I learned this was an Iowa regiment."

About the same time that Tilton was attacked by the corps of Stuart, Dalton was attacked by General Cheatham, and Resaca by General Lee. The former place, which was commanded by Colonel Johnson, was disgracefully surrendered; while the latter, commanded by Colonel Wever of the 17th Iowa, was gallantly defended.

The terms of surrender, brought by flag of truce to Colonel Wever, were the same as those accompanying the demand for the surrender of Tilton; and Colonel Wever's reply was similar to that of Lieutenant-Colonel Archer. "In my opinion," he said, " I can hold this post; if you want it, come and take it." To defend the extensive works of Resaca, Colonel Wever had only about seven hundred men—only enough, when deployed as skirmishers, to occupy the entire line of works. But, in shrewdness, the colonel was more than a match for his adversary; for his troops were deployed in the manner above stated, and every flag and guidon that could be commanded was stuck around on the works in the most commanding places. The ruse was successful, and, after some skirmishing, and a vigorous use of artillery, the enemy retired. For his successful defense of this post, Colonel Wever was highly complimented by General Howard.

In closing this sketch of Colonel Wever and the 17th Iowa, the reader must indulge me, while I name some of the many brave men with whom I served so long, and for whom I formed the deepest attachment; and, that I may not appear partial, I shall select the names of those who, in the discharge of their duty, either lost their lives or were severely wounded.

Captain David A. Craig of Company H was a brave and noble man. He died in the fall of 1863, from disease contracted in the service. Captain S. E. Hicks was most generous and noble-hearted. He was a true friend, and one of the bravest men in the regiment. He was captured with his regiment at Tilton, and afterward lost his life while endeavoring to swim Coosa River, to escape the enemy. Captain L. T. McNeal was quiet and unsociable, but a most excellent officer. He was shot through the knee on Mission Ridge, and died from the effects of the wound some three weeks after. Captain William Horner of Company G., though unassuming, is an able man, and possesses fine judgment. He was wounded severely in the hip at Fort Hill, on the evening of the 25th of June, 1863, and his life, for a long time, despaired of. Captain Charles P. Johnson is a most gallant officer. He was shot through both thighs in the first battle at Jackson, Mississippi, and, for sixteen long months, lay upon his back in a rebel hospital in Georgia. Captain John F. Skelton was also wounded at the first battle of Jackson. He was shot in the right eye, the ball passing through his head and coming out under the left ear. Being necessarily left in the hands of the enemy, he was retained a few days at Jackson, and then transferred to Libby Prison. After the lapse of five months, he made his escape and came in our lines. He was captured again at Tilton, Georgia, and again made his escape, traveling, in company with Lieutenant Deal, through more than five hundred miles of the enemy's country, and reaching the Gulf through the dismal lower-waters of the Chattahoochie. Lieutenant D. W. Tower, a gallant, modest young officer, was shot through the knee at Champion's Hill, and had his leg amputated. After the stump had healed, he donned a wooden leg, and again joined his regiment. He was also captured at Tilton. Young Lieutenant Inskeep was shot through the neck and killed, at the battle of Jackson.

Our quiet and able surgeon, Doctor Udell, and the facetious and urbane Doctor Ealy; Assistant-Surgeons McGorrisk, Biser and Coleman; our sedate and worthy chaplain, Wilson, who hated gray-backs as he hated the Great Adversary; Major S. M. Wise; Captains Newton, (who died of wounds received before Vicksburg), Huston, Ping, (who goes into a fight just as a man goes who is late at his work), Hoxie, Craig, Moore, (a most genial fellow), Edwards, Rice, Brown, Snodgrass, (a good fighter and the most stubborn man in the regiment); Lieutenants Garrett, Sales, (the judge), Neuse, Scroggs, Stapleton, (an excellent officer who died of disease), Park, Johnson, Godley, Morris, Swearngin, Barnes, Reach, Burke, (the wit and editor), Tamman, Inskeep, Stever, Griffith, Woodrow, Spielman and Woolsey; and, with a few exceptions, all the enlisted men from Joseph M. Atkins to Ashel Ward, the alpha and omega of the regiment—all deserve more than a passing notice; all were brave and deserving men, and merit the lasting gratitude of the country. The recalling of their names and friendship will ever be among the pleasantest of my army recollections.

In the winter of 1864-5, Colonel Wever accompanied the remnant of his regiment North on veteran furlough; and I should not omit to state that, although the term of service of the 17th Iowa lacked some two months of coming within the order creating veterans, yet, for gallant services, it was permitted to re-enlist, and to share all the incidental honors and emoluments. On the expiration of their furlough, Colonel Wever, led his handful of men back to the front by way of New York City; for, in the meantime, Sherman had captured Savannah. Their last march was that made from Beaufort to Goldsboro and Washington.

I can not close this sketch, without giving expression to my love and esteem for Company D, of the regiment. Their patience, bravery and endurance I can never forget. Others were just as good and brave; but I loved them less.

Colonel Wever is about six feet in hight, and has a slender, but not an elegant form: there is an awkward twist about his shoulders. He has dark hair and complexion, and piercing black eyes. Considering his age and opportunities, he is rather a remarkable man. His education is limited; but, in spite of that, he has worked his way up above many who in that respect were greatly his superiors. He is recklessly brave in the face of the enemy, and one of the most ambitious men I ever met. He aspired to be a full brigadier, and it is a shame he was not promoted to that rank; and, in giving expression to this opinion, I do not think I am influenced by the many kindnesses he has shown me.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 331-42

While, as a general rule, the masses . . .

. . . of the Democracy of the north ar battling for their country against traitors, many of its leaders, like Vallandigham and Mahoney, are plotting a re-union with those same traitors, whom they style their ”Democratic brethren.”

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

From Arkansas and Southern Missouri

BENTON, TEXAS, CO. MISSOURI, April 19. – The Missouri Democrat’s correspondent says: We have been amused at the reports of the whereabouts of Price and Van Dorn. One day they are at Pittsburg, Tenn., and the next at Pitman’s Ferry, on the Black river, whilst we know they are at neither place. Last Monday Price and Van Dorn’s commands were at Desark, Ninety miles below Jacksonport, on White river. So far from the rebels being at Pitman’s Ferry they have actually evacuated Pocahontas. The town is now deserted, the merchants having removed their goods. Jacksonport is also nearly deserted – the troops having been removed to Desark, ninety miles south, where the rebels seem to be concentrating in large force. Price is reported to have gone to Corinth; Albert Pike with 2,500 Indians and 600 Texan Rangers were left on the border to harass Curtis and engage the Kansas troops, if possible, while upon our south Coleman is in close proximity. One Edgar Ashbury is also trying to raise a regiment for guerilla warfare on the border. Col. Schenable is at Yellville, Arkansas, with 1,500 men. General McBride has gone to headquarters to get an order to raise an independent command to operate in Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri. Col. McFarland with his command has gone to Desark.

Lieut. Col. Wood, commandant of this post has been absent nearly a week. He returned last evening, and already we are under marching orders. So look out for something in this district soon.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3

The Siege of Yorktown

The rebels have for several days been building large fortifications on the Gloucester side of the York River, about two miles from Yorktown, and within sight of our gunboats, but their guns were of too long a range to allow the approach of our gunboats to shell the works. About one thousand men were at work on the fortifications and the mortars are not of sufficient ranged to check the fortifications. Yesterday morning, however, the gunboat Sebago arrived, having a 100-pound rifled Parrott gun, and at once opened upon them with shell, which were so well aimed that they could be seen falling in their midst and exploding with fatal effect. The rebels could be distinctly seen carrying off their killed and wounded and in the course two hours the work was entirely suspended, the men retiring out of range. At every attempt to renew the work they were driven back up to night.

The guns mounted by the enemy on the Yorktown side of the river, number not less than fifty – one hundred pounder, some of them rifled, bearing directly on the bar. Our gunboats are at present about two miles below town.

There is said to be skirmishing along the whole like before Yorktown, and the Berdan sharpshooters are spreading terror among the gunners of the enemy by their unerring aims. The enemy have made several sorties with infantry to dislodge or capture our rifleman, but have been driven back with heavy loss.

As to the arrangement for the final siege we need only say the work goes bravely on.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19, 1862, p. 1

COLONEL DAVID BURKE HILLIS

SECOND COLONEL, SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.

David B. Hillis is a native of Jefferson county, Indiana; and was born on the 25th day of July, 1825. He is a son of the late David Hillis, who was quite a distinguished politician, and at one time Lieutenant-Governor of Indiana. Colonel Hillis was educated at the University of South Hanover, Indiana; studied medicine at Madison, Indiana, and, at the age of twenty-one, commenced the practice of his profession in Jackson county, of the same State. For eleven years, he gave to his profession his undivided attention; and, at the end of that time, had attained a good standing among the members of his fraternity. In 1858, he abandoned his profession to engage in mercantile pursuits. Moving West, he located in Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, where he continued in business till the summer of 1860, when he removed to Keokuk, Iowa, and there, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Oscar Kiser, established himself in the dry-goods business. In August, 1861, he was appointed an aid de camp to Governor Kirkwood. This position he held till the 14th of March, 1862, when he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 17th Iowa Infantry. In August, 1862, Colonel Rankin tendered his resignation, and on its acceptance Lieutenant-Colonel Hillis was promoted to the colonelcy of his regiment. During the siege of Vicksburg, he resigned his commission, and returned to civil life. He left the service with much credit.

In continuing a record of the services of the 17th Iowa Infantry, I shall try to be honest and impartial. Several Iowa regiments have done as well; but I believe none have done better. Close on the heels of the battle of Iuka, was the battle of Corinth. In the former the regiment was disgraced, but in the latter it "atoned for its misfortune:" so said its commanding general.

"General Orders No. 145.

Head-quarters Army Of The Mississippi,
Third Division, District West Tennessee,
Corinth, Mississippi, October 23d, 1862.

"The General Commanding cannot forbear to give pleasure to many, besides the brave men immediately concerned, of announcing in advance of the regular orders that the 17th Iowa Infantry, by its gallantry in the battle of Corinth on the fourth of October, charging the enemy, and capturing the flag of the 40th Mississippi, has amply atoned for its misfortune at Iuka; and stands among the honored regiments of his command. Long may it wear, with unceasing brightness, the honors it has won.

"By order of Major-General W. S. Rosecrans."

And long has the noble regiment worn its honors with unceasing brightness, baptizing them in eight hard-fought battles; but, not so much did those brave men atone for their conduct at Iuka, as did General Order No. 145 atone for that of No. 130, of the same commanding general. That "the conduct of the 17th Iowa at Iuka formed a melancholy exception to the general good courage of the troops" must stand a lie in history. Colonel Hillis was present at neither Iuka nor Corinth.

In the pursuit of the enemy after the battle of Corinth, the hardships endured by the troops were great. They suffered on the march from heat and thirst, and at night, from the cold. They had few rations, too, and suffered no little from hunger; but not so much on this march, as they did in the pursuit of the enemy after the battle of Iuka; for then a large sum was offered for a small ear of corn. The 17th Iowa returned to Corinth after a nine days' march, and went into camp.

The history of General Grant's campaign against Vicksburg through Central Mississippi, which was organized in November, 1862, is well known. The 17th accompanied the forces of General Grant on that march, moving first by way of Davis' Mills, and arriving at Moscow, on the 18th of November. On the 30th instant, the march was resumed in the direction of Grenada, Mississippi, and continued southward until about the middle of December. On the 21st of that month, the 17th Iowa started on the return, arriving at Holly Springs on the 24th instant, and going into camp at Lumpkin's Mills.

If this campaign failed in its object, it was not void of interesting and amusing incidents. Here the 17th first became expert in the art of foraging; and it was said by some officers of the regiment that their men could "fall out," butcher, dress and quarter a hog, and resume their places in the ranks, without losing "the step." With these shrewd, hungry boys, orders of "no foraging on private account will be allowed" were totally disregarded, no matter from how high authority they emanated. Even before the eyes of general officers, hogs would be turned loose from their pens, and bayoneted and butchered. Fresh pork and sweet potatoes were great luxuries, for the indulgence of which the men willingly periled their personal liberties. On one occasion, General Sullivan endeavored to oppose force against force; but he was soon knocked over by the accidental blow of a clubbed musket, and the hog borne off in triumph. The camp-making of the troops, when they halted for the night, too, was amusing. Camps were usually made in spacious fields, surrounded by strong Virginia fences; but, in ten minutes after the command "stack arms" was given, not one rail would be left upon another for half a mile round. The work was done with system, and on the principle of squatter-sovereignty; for, after the rails were thrown in piles, one would squat on them, while the other members of the mess would remove them on their shoulders to the proper quarters.

After the last named march, and that one to Memphis for supplies, the 17th Iowa was ordered into camp at Bray's Station, on the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Here it remained for about six weeks; and this was the only real rest the regiment enjoyed up to January, 1864. On the 8th of February, 1863, the regiment marched to Memphis, and, on the 2d of the following March, left with its division for the vicinity of Vicksburg. In the next four months, it saw its most arduous service.

Moving down the Mississippi, the division stopped for two days near Grand Lake, Louisiana, some thirty miles above Lake Providence, and then, re-embarking, sailed up the river to the Sand Bar, just below Helena. On the night of the 6th of March, while encamped near Grand Lake, that place was visited by a most frightful thunder-storm. The wind blew with the violence of a hurricane, and swept nearly all the tents from their fastenings. The strong hawsers, too, which held the transports to the shore, were snapped, and the boats forced out into the stream. Without any means of controlling them, (for the fires were all out) they came very near wrecking; and not a few fine-skinned officers, who preferred quartering in a state-room to remaining with their commands, were frightened well-nigh to death. "They did not mind going into battle," they said, "but deliver them from another such a ride as that." Some thought they could boast of having been, for once, in peril.

The 17th Iowa next joined in the Yazoo Pass Expedition, an account of which will be found elsewhere. In this movement the regiment did not suffer a single casualty, though one of the boats, on which a portion of it was embarked, came near sinking in fifty feet of water. It had struck a snag, and the hold was half filled with water, before the accident was discovered. The confusion which followed was alarming. The boat at once made for the shore, and no sooner reached it than men, knapsacks, boxes and barrels, and guns with fixed bayonets, all left the hurricane-deck together. The distance was some twenty feet; and how it happened that no one was killed is surprising.

The transit by steamer from the Sand Bar to Milliken's Bend, and the march across the country from that point to Bruinsburg and round to the rear of Vicksburg, follow next in the history of the 17th Iowa. On that march it bore a proud and note-worthy part in two bloody battles.

One incident which occurred while en route for Milliken's Bend, I should not omit to mention; for by the accident the whole regiment came near sinking in the Mississippi. When nearly opposite the mouth of White River, the fleet bearing the 7th Division was hailed by a Federal gun-boat. While the Rose Hambleton, on which the 17th was embarked, was turning to answer the challenge of the gun-boat, she was struck by the boat following her, near the after gang-way, and her guards and a large hole in her hull stove in. Had any other than soldiers been on board, the boat must have gone down; for the hole knocked in her hull was large enough to drag a horse through. The men were aroused from sleep and hastily moved to the opposite side of the boat, and in this way the lower edge of the hole was raised above the water. This all happened at mid-night. The Mississippi was swollen out of her banks and the nearest land was miles away.

The regiment crossed to the east bank of the Mississippi on the morning of the 1st of May, 1863, the day on which General McClernand routed the enemy at Thompson's Hill, or Port Gibson, and with its division pushed on with all dispatch to the front; for it was then supposed that the enemy had sufficient strength to give much trouble. The battle-ground was passed over during the forenoon of the next day, and that night the enemy was brought to bay on the hills across the north fork of Bayou Pierre, and about eight miles north of Port Gibson. But he was dislodged next morning with only slight skirmishing, and the pursuit was continued to Hawkinson's Ferry, on the Big Black River. Here the 17th Iowa rested a few days, and then, with its division and corps, resumed the march in the direction of Raymond. Near Raymond on the 12th of May, where General Logan's Division so handsomely and signally defeated the enemy, the regiment was double-quicked to the front, and thrown into line of battle; but the enemy yielding his position it was not brought into action. Two days later it was one of the three regiments that did the chief fighting at the first battle of Jackson.

On the evening of the 13th of May, 1863, the 17th Army Corps under Major-General McPherson, bivouacked at Clinton, and, at day-light of the following morning, marched for Jackson, with the 2d Brigade of the old 7th Division in the van. For many hours, a drenching rain had been falling, and for nearly two days scarcely an ounce of food had been tasted. The roads were heavy, and by a Potomac general would have been pronounced impassable; but the Union army was to camp in Jackson that night. The column moved on slowly, a strong line of skirmishers feeling the way before it. Finally, descending a wooded hill, it came to an open country, and within plain view of General Johnson's army, drawn up in line of battle. On the right of the road, the country was open and, from a low bottom, gradually ascending; but, on the left and not far in advance, it was undulating and covered with a young growth of oak timber. It fell to the lot of the 17th Iowa to fight here. On the right was the 10th Missouri, in the centre the 80th Ohio, and on the left the 17th Iowa. The balance of the division was drawn up in line by brigades to the rear, and within easy supporting distance.

The guns of General Sherman were already thundering on the south side of the city, and were being answered by those of General McPherson; and down the road, which separated the right of the 17th Iowa from the left of the 80th Ohio, the shell and solid shot of the enemy flew in rapid succession. Near one o'clock, the entire line of the 2d Brigade began to advance slowly, while its skirmishers drove in those of the enemy. No guns were fired, except those of the skirmishers and the artillery, till we were within three hundred yards of the enemy's line. Here a halt was ordered and bayonets fixed. The 17th was lying under the crest of a small hill; beyond was a ravine, and a little further on, the chivalry — one Georgia and two South Carolina regiments. In an instant the artillery ceased firing, when the order was given, and the charge made. Colonel Hillis simply said: — "Boys, when I tell you to go down there, I expect you will go."

The enemy stood for a moment, and then fled in confusion; but not till he had strewed the hill-slope with eighty of our dead and wounded. The regiment went into the fight with only three hundred and fifty men, and the contest was of not more than ten minutes' duration.

The 17th stood panting on the spot but just now wrested from the enemy, when General Crocker, with hat in hand, came riding up. "God bless you, colonel," and then turning to the regiment, he added: "don't let any one tell me the 17th wont fight." This was Colonel Hillis' first hard-fought battle; and his gallant conduct secured the love and admiration of his regiment. Among the dead were Lieutenant John Inskeep and fifteen others; and I regret that want of space prevents me giving their names. Captains L. W. Huston and C. P. Johnson, and Lieutenant John F. Skelton were among the wounded. Captain Johnson and Lieutenant Skelton, with the other severely wounded, were left in hospital in the enemy's lines.

As General Crocker predicted, the Union army camped in Jackson on the night of the 14th of May. On the following morning, the 17th Army Corps marched back in the direction of Vicksburg; and, on the day succeeding that, was fought the stubborn battle of Champion's Hill. The 2d Brigade camped at Clinton, ten miles west of Jackson, in the evening of the 15th instant; and it was rumored that, for its gallantry at Jackson, it had been detailed as a sort of body-guard to General Grant, who, during that night, had his head-quarters established at Clinton. But day-light, on the morning following, was ushered in by the booming of cannon away off in the direction of Vicksburg; and as the brave boys of the 17th looked at each other, they seemed to read in their faces mutual concern and anxiety; for, I care not how reckless men may be, the first thought of entering battle is chilling and repulsive; and he who is constantly boasting of his valor is the one of all others to be watched in action. It proved as all expected, for orders to move immediately and rapidly came instantly; and the regiment, foot-sore and weary, was off again for the scene of action.

At Champion's Hill (for I cannot drag out the story longer) five hundred men snatched victory from a self-confident enemy. The Union lines, on either side of the Jackson and Vicksburg road, had been overpowered, and the troops were fast yielding their last position, when the 17th Iowa and 10th Missouri coming up succeeded, after five successive charges, in turning the scale of battle. Before the 17th was fairly in line, it raised a shout, which, being taken up along the entire line, led the enemy to believe that the Federal reinforcements did not number less than fifteen thousand men. This seems improbable; but a Confederate quarter-master, who was taken prisoner, afterward declared that the Union reinforcements could not have been less than that number. At that point, General Grant came near being defeated; but he had ample reinforcements near at hand, and had the enemy been successful there and followed up the attack, their defeat in another position would have been even more disastrous than it was. Though General Grant in his official report declares: "Expecting McClernand momentarily with four divisions, including Blair's, I never felt a doubt of the result," yet, when he was seen coming down from the hill from which his forces were being slowly but surely pressed, his countenance wore an expression of sadness and doubt, such as the 17th never saw it before. It was just at this instant that the 17th Iowa and the 10th Missouri, passing their general, went under fire; and I believe that I do no injustice in claiming that these troops acted the chief part in turning the scale of battle at Champion's Hill.

Though the 17th Iowa was not engaged more than thirty minutes before the enemy fled, yet its loss, in killed and wounded, was fifty-nine. Corporal J. R. Holt and privates James Kain, John Kirkland, Ezra Stoker and William Turner were among the killed. Corporal H. W. Mulford, a young man of exemplary habits and promise, was one of the mortally wounded.

Among the regiment's spoils in this victory, were the colors of the 31st Alabama, and four guns of Waddell's Alabama Battery. The regiment also captured more than three hundred prisoners. That night it encamped on the battle-ground, and the next day, with the 10th Missouri, buried the dead, and cared for the wounded. It arrived in rear of Vicksburg in the morning of the 20th instant; and, from that day till the surrender of the city, did its full share of duty on the skirmish line and in the trenches.

In personal appearance, Colonel Hillis is attractive. He is not a large man, but is strongly and compactly built; and steps promptly and firmly. His complexion, hair and eyes are dark, the last being full and lustrous. On first acquaintance, one would think him a little haughty and aristocratic; but his sociableness and congeniality soon remove this impression. As an officer, he ranked high, and, had he remained in the service, would have been promoted in a few weeks to a brigadier-general.

Colonel Hillis has good business talent, and a fine education. He is also somewhat of a politician, and makes a pretty and forcible extempore speech.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 321-30