Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, October 12, 1861

A number of new recruits are arriving, and the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry is being made up. Drill this afternoon. Five of the boys of my company got passes to go home for two or three days.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 13

Weekly Report of the Mortality among Iowa Soldiers in Hospitals and Camps in the Vicinity of St. Louis, Mo., for the week ending March 8.

March 2 – Hiram Cronk, Co. F, 12th Infantry.

March 2 – George Penfield, Co. K, 12th Infantry.

March 2 – Charles F. Beck, Co. C, 2d Iowa Infantry.

March 2 – G. W. Lay, Co. F, 14th Infantry

March 4 – Chapin Duncan, Co. D, 2d Cavalry

March 7 – Jos. Jackson, Co. I, 14th Infantry

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2

We had a call yesterday from Maj. Leonard . . .

. . . of the Iowa 14th, who left Fort Donelson Sunday night last.  He has been on the sick list some time past, but was able to be with his regiment at Donelson during the three days fighting.  He contradicts the report of the cowardice of Capt. Littler of the 2nd Regiment – says he heard nothing of it on the ground, and is confident if any such exhibition of the white feather hat taken place he should have heard of it, being with the 2nd or in its immediate vicinity most of the time.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 1

Private Letter from Adjutant Tyner of the 14th Iowa

ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER,

NEAR DOVER, TENN., Feb. 17.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your affectionate son,

N. N. TYNER.

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

CAIRO, Feb. 23d, 1862

C. DUNHAM – Sir:  We send you a list of the soldiers now at Mound City Hospital – Iowa troops, wounded at Fort Donelson.  Those marked * came up to Cairo on the steamer Hazel Dell, Saturday morning and leave here to-day by special train on furlough for home.  Up to this time no passes are granted up the Ohio where many of our wounded remain.  Gen. Pain, who is in command here, informed me that he had sent a man up to Paducah and Fort Donelson especially to make out a complete list of the wounded and mission which will be published soon.

Our loss in the battle is reported here as high as 500 killed and 1500 wounded and missing. – It is also reported by the wounded now here that none of Co. E, 2^nd Iowa were killed but two or three slightly wounded.

The Iowa troops are covered with glory.

PRATT. R. SKINNER, Jones Co.

CHAS S. CLARKE, Jefferson Co.

__________

List of troops wounded at Fort Donelson, now at Mound City

SECOND REGIMENT.
Eli Ramsay,	Corporal,	Co. A,	thigh,		slight.
Robert Hall,	Private,	“	leg,		severe.
Geo. D. Laylor,	“	“	jaw,		“
S. W. Evans,	“	“	leg,		“
*W. W. K. Harper,	“	“	hand,		“
J. J. Goodwin,	“	“	foot,		slight.
F. A. Stromson,	“	“	back,		“
*J. M. Batters,	“	“	arm,		“
*John Langler,	“	“	thigh,		“
Arthur Dranckee,	“	Co. B,	arm,		“
H. Drankee,	“	“	arm,		“
*G. W. Scott,	“	“	face,		“
E. Steometic,	“	“	leg,		“
*C. E. Dike,	“	“	shoulder,		“
Jno. P. Scott,	“	“	hip,		“
A. H. Clark,	“	“	leg,		“
E. M. Manny,	“	“	heel,		“
Jacob Bertschi,	“	“	arm,		“
*A. W. Scott,	“	“	leg,		“
Chas. Rasenberry,	“	“	shoulder,		“
J. H. Tracy,	“	“	thigh,		“
*S. Todd,	“	“	arm,		“
Wm H. Royster,	“	Co. C,	knee,		“
J. G. Gulalt,	“	“	groin,		“
W. P. Warde,	Corporal,	“	thigh,		“
W. H. McGill,	Private,	“	abdomen,		“
H. P. Doolittle,	Sergt. ,	“	“		“
______ Littler,	Captain,	“	head,		“
O. Slamaker,	Private,	“	head,		severe.
Wm. M. Campbell,	“	“			slight.
Chas. Flury,	“	“	arm,		“
*Geo A. Bell,	“	“	face,		“
*G. F. Hall,	“	“	arm,		“
*Wm. McChann,	“	“			“
Jos. Hunter,	“	“			“
G. A. Smith,	“	“	head,		“
Edgar F. Ensign,	“	Co. D,	groin,		“
Andrew Slatten,	“	“	leg,		severe.
J. M. Combs,	“	“	knee,		slight.
H. Sucarer,	“	“	head,		severe.
*W. H. Brenton,	“	“	hand,		slight.
*John Z. Williams,	“	“	arm,		“
Henry Laurence,	“	“	neck,		“
Robert Patrick,	“	“	neck,		severe.
Wm Ragan,	Corporal,	“	thigh,		severe.
John Wagel,	Private,	“			slight.
Pater Butler,	“	“	head,		“
F. G. Carr,	“	“			“
*Peter Duher,	“	“			“
Michael Page,	“	Co. E,	thigh,		“
*Sam’l Huffman,	“	Co. F,			“
*Chas. Cojer,	“	“	elbow,		severe.
*John S. Marriott,	“	“	arm,		slight.
Sam’l Hoffman,	Corporal,	“	leg,		“
J. S. Merritt,	Private,	“	shoulder,		severe.
J. H. Duffield,	“	“	thigh,		“
H. D. Duffeild,	“	“	hand,		slight
Alonzon Bradford,	“	“	leg,		“
Franklin B. Milson,	“	“	hand,		“
F. M. Armstrong,	“	“	hand,		severe.
Edwin Goddard,	“	“	arm,		“
George West,	“	Co. G,	knee,		“
James Steans,	“	“	shoulder,		slight.
James H. Stevens,	“	“	“		“
H. W. Pertle,	“	“	groin,		severe.
*E. B. Kinnick,	“	“	head,		serious.
G. Johnson,	“	“	back,		slight.
*H. S. Sloan,	“	“	thigh,		“
S. Foutz,	“	“	thigh,		amput’d.
Thos. Collier,	“	“	back,		slight.
John M. Jones,	“	“	abdomen,		dang.
_____ Kennedy,	“	“			severe.
John H. Patterson,	“	“	side,		slight.
S. L. Shipman,	“	Co. H,	hip,		severe.
*S. Schoffner,	“	“	hip,		“
Chas. L. Cojer,	“	“	arm,		“
A. M. Eustadn,	“	“	leg,		“
Dan’l McKeen,	“	Co. I,	knee,		“
R. Russell,	“	“	head,		slight.
R. A. Parsons,	“	“	thigh,		“
*Jerome Polley,	“	“			slight.
Alex S. Thompson,	“	“	knee,		severe.
S. S. Sherer,	corporal,	Co. K,	thigh,		serious.
*B. E. Hammitt,	sergt. ,	“	breast,		slight.
E. G. Vaughn,	private,	“	side,		“
Wm. H. Goodell,		“	breast,		severe.
Jos. W. West,	“	“	arm,		slight.
David Cook,	“	“	back,		“
*Thomas Gallaher,	“	“	arm,		“
SEVENTH REGIMENT
J. B. Barber,	Private,	Co. B,	arm,	slight.
Jacob Helmick,	“	Co. C,	knee,	severe.
Wkilson Elsie,	“	“		slight.
Hugh C. Allen,	“	Co. E,	thigh,	“
William E. Newton,	“	Co. G,	leg,	serious.
TWELFTH REGIMENT
Henry Fry,	Private,	Co. B,		slight.
Joseph Statz,	“	“	arm,	amput’d.
Wm B. Warren,	“	Co. C,	thigh,	slight.
Edwin Cralden,	Sergt.,	Co. D,	hip,	“
Thomas J. Wilson,	Private,	Co. I,	hip,	dangerous.
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT
C. H. Coddington,	sergt	Co. F	arm,	amput’d.
E. A. Edgar,	Private	“	hand,	slight.

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

A number of the wounded Iowa soldiers . . .

. . . from Fort Donelson, and several sick ones from the hospitals, on their way to their homes, passed through this city yesterday.  The wounded were from the Iowa 2d, 7th and 14th. One had been shot through the mouth, another in the neck, another in the eye, another in the head, one in the back, and one in the thigh – all of them severe wounds.  On their arrival they were taken into the East Burlington depot by Capt. Newman, who was in waiting, and their wounds dressed by Dr. Harvey.  Capt. Newman then brought them over the river and provided them with a comfortable dinner on the cars and started them on their way home.

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

Adjutant Tyner, of the Iowa 14th Regiment . . .

. . . in a letter which we find in the Davenport Democrat, Speaks in the highest terms of the gallant conduct of the Iowa Second and Seventh at Fort Donelson.  He says the 2^nd Iowa “is the best Regiment in existence and fought better than any Regiment on the field.”  This is pretty high praise.  The same letter gives the highest praise to Col. Shaw of the 14^th, for courage and gallantry.  The fact is Iowa has cause to be proud of all her regiments, officers and men.  No better or braver troops have been furnished by any State.

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

Battle of Fort Donelson

Official Report of Col. Lauman.

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

HEADQUARTERS 4TH BRIG. 2D DIV. U S A

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 18^th, 1862.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                         41

Wounded,                                                 157

Total,                                                         198

25th Reg’t. Indian Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                         14

Wounded,                                                 101

Total                                                          115

Seventh Reg’t Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                           2

Wounded,                                                   37

Total                                                            39

14th Reg’t Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                           3

Wounded,                                                   23

Total                                                            26

Birge’s Sharp Shooters

Killed,                                                           1

Wounded,                                                     3

Missing,                                                        1

Total,                                                             5

RECAPITUALTION

Killed,                                                         61

Wounded,                                                 621

Missing                                                         1

Total                                                          383

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

I remain respectfully,

Your ob’t servant,

J. G. LAUMAN,

Col. Com’ng. 4^th Brig. 2d Division

To Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith

Commanding Second Division

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