Brigadier-General Charles L. Matthies

SOURCE: This item was up for auction on Ebay on June 4, 2014.

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to the House of Representatives of the State of Iowa, May 23, 1861

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: — In reply to your resolutions of inquiry in regard to clothing furnished the First Iowa Regiment, I have the honor to say:

When the telegraphic dispatch from the Secretary of War informing me of the requisition for the First Regiment reached me, I did not anticipate the uniforming the men at the expense of the State, as such course had not, so far as I knew or could learn, been pursued in the Mexican War. Fearing, however, that the suddenness of the danger might render it desirable to furnish uniforms, I immediately wrote to the Secretary of War asking information on that point; but the interruption of communication at Baltimore prevented me from receiving any answer. Judging from the fact that other States were preparing for uniforming their volunteers, that it would be desirable to have the same done here, I sent an agent to Chicago to purchase materials for uniforms; but the sudden and great demand for that kind of goods had exhausted the supplies in that city. On learning this by telegraph, and fearing there would not be time to await a supply from New York, I immediately instructed the persons acting as Commissaries to purchase materials and make uniforms at the points where the several companies had been raised. The persons who had the matter in charge at the several points were, at Dubuque, D. N. Cooley Esq. and Capt. F. J. Herron. Capt. Herron was sent specially from Davenport to Dubuque to select the materials and direct the uniforms in such manner as the companies preferred. At Cedar Rapids, Dr. Carpenter; at Davenport, Hiram Price Esq.; at Muscatine, Hon. Jos. A. Greene, and at Burlington, Major J. G. Laumau. At Muscatine and Iowa City the material was purchased and the making of the clothes superintended by committees of citizens. Under these circumstances it was impossible to procure the same uniform for the whole regiment. All that could be done was to have the men of each company clothed alike, but differing from those of other companies. It was also impossible to procure as good material as would have been desirable, had more time been allowed. Much of the clothing was made by the ladies, which to that extent lessened the cost. The amount of clothing furnished, so far as the means now in my possession enable me to state, is as fallows:

Capt. Herron's company, Dubuque; each man, hat, frock coat, pants, two flannel shirts, two pairs of socks and pair of shoes.

Capt. Gottschalk's company, Dubuque; blouse instead of coat, and other articles same as Capt. Herron's.

Capt. Cook's company, Cedar Rapids; hat, two flannel shirts, pants, socks and shoes, no jacket or coat.

Capt. Mahanna's company, Iowa City; hat, jacket, pants, two flannel shirts, socks and shoes.

Capt. Wentz's company, Davenport; hats, blouse, pants, two flannel shirts, socks and shoes.

Capt. Cumming's company, Muscatine; cap, jacket, pants, two flannel shirts, socks and shoes.

Capt. Mason's company, Muscatine; same as Capt. Cumming's.

Capt. Matthies' company, Burlington; hat, blouse, pants, two flannel shirts, socks and shoes.

Capt. Streaper's company, Burlington; same as Capt. Matthies’.

Capt. Wise's company, Mt. Pleasant; same as Capt. Matthies’.

I am not certain that all the companies were furnished with socks, shoes and shirts. Some of the shoes, I have reason to believe, were not of good quality costing only from $1.25 to $1.50 per pair, others I know were good, costing from $2.00 to $2.50 per pair. One thousand extra shirts were sent to Keokuk to supply any deficiency that may have existed in that particular. Most of the material for pants was satinett, and not of good quality, costing, as far as the same came under my observation, from forty to sixty cents per yard by the quantity. The entire amount expended for clothing, so far as I can give it from the data in my possession, is about $12,000 or $13,000. If it be desirable in your judgment to have the companies of this regiment uniformed alike, it will be necessary to furnish all with coats and pants of the same make, and to furnish an additional number of hats or caps. Hats were procured for all, but some preferred the cap and procured it, and the cost has been provided for. I cannot think that all the companies need new shoes, as some of the shoes furnished were of excellent quality and have not yet been worn more than two or three weeks.

I am satisfied that it is for the comfort of these troops that many of them be furnished with pants and shoes, and some with socks. As the Second and Third regiments will be clothed throughout alike, it would no doubt be very gratifying to the First regiment to be placed in the same position, and it will afford me much pleasure to carry out whatever may be your wishes in regard to it.

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

May 23, 1861.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 131-2

The Iowa Fifth Regiment Volunteers

We presume that a few items, in regard to the organization and movements of this regiment since it has been in the field, will not prove altogether uninteresting to our readers as there has been considerable interest taken in its welfare by high military distinction and civilians. The Fifth first rendezvoused at Burlington, Iowa and the most of the companies were mustered into the United States on the fourteenth of July last.  The field officers commanding the regiment were W. H. Worthington, Colonel, of Keokuk, C. L. Mathies, Lieutenant Colonel, of Burlington (formerly a Captain in the three month’s service under General Lyon), W. S. Robertson, Major, Columbus City, and J. P. Foley, Adjutant, from Bellevue, all of Iowa.  The regiment left Burlington on the 3d of August for Keokuk, where they were quartered for a couple of weeks and took part in the memorable engagement at Athens.  On the eleventh of August left for St. Louis on board the Die Vernon, and after a quick and pleasant trip, arrived there on the 13th.  From there went to Jefferson City were after spending some time were provided with tents and uniforms, our guns having been delivered to us on our voyage up the river.  Much dissatisfaction was exhibited by some of the companies on receiving the common muskets, for they had expected to get rifles.  No blame was attached to our Colonel, however for he had done all that mortal men could do and received the assurance, as some say, that his men would not have to use them but thirty days.  The time must be up now.  While at Jefferson City, the most of the time was spent in drilling and perfecting the troops in the manual of arms.  Nothing occurred worthy of note here, unless we except a trip made to Columbia, for the purpose of showing the people of that place our new knapsacks.  From thence, we were ordered to the Osage – a small place, 8 miles below Jefferson – to guard the R. R. bridge, on the St. Louis and Pacific Railroad, which the rebels, instigated by Claib, had kindly endeavored to burn last spring.  From there back to Jefferson City where we remained for a while sweltering beneath the rays of powerful sun to which our canvass tents offered but poor protection, and finally started for Boonville aboard the War Eagle, which we reached on the 14th of September, ult.  After being quartered at this place and Glasgow for a number of weeks, we were ordered on the memorable march to Springfield, departing on the 14th of October.  Of the trip and numerous incidents which befell us on our march to the latter place I have not time to speak.  Just two months had elapsed ere we made our appearance on the Fair Ground of Boonville again, and we were not sorry for all of the places we have seen in Missouri, Boonville takes the lead in beauty, intelligence, and uniform kindness on the part of the citizens.  The other regiments, Illinois 37th and Missouri 9th, composing the brigade with us under Gen. Kelton, are now quartered at Lamine bridge and if reports speak truly are not very well contented.  We had been in expectation of being ordered into winter quarters either at Tipton or St. Louis, – and our sick were sent to the latter place, – but our sudden departure for Boonville coupled with the fact that the other three companies of our regiment left at Syracuse, are to join us in a few days, would seem to indicate that we are to spend the winter here.  The Fifth regiment numbers among its officers and privates some of the most intelligent, enterprising and patriotic citizens of Iowa – men, who have forsook their farms, offices and counting houses, to shoulder a musket – who enlisted from no mercenary motives – but for the maintenance of the Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws.  But although we have traveled to almost every point of note in the State where it was rumored the secesh would make a stand we have been unsuccessful in getting into an engagement.  None of our boys have been wiped out by the enemy’s bullets while few, comparatively, have fallen victims to disease.  So far the regiment has been tolerably well clothed though in one instance clothing which was destined for us, was forwarded to another regiment, giving us theirs, which consisted of the despicable roundabout.  We are somewhat in need of a new stand of colors, and it is probably that the patriotic ladies of Iowa will send us one ere long.  The band is not quite so full as desirable but, we understand that steps are being taken up to fill it up.  Taking all things into consideration, we have no reasonable ground for complaint, our regiment being fully as well equipped, officered, and disciplined as any in the service. – {Boonville Register.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

We have received a neat little paper . . .

. . . printed at Boonville, called the “Fifth Iowa Register,” from which we have made several extracts.  We are happy to hear from the Regiment, and from our old friend Lieut. Colonel Matthies who is in good health and spirits.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

BRIGADIER-GENERAL C. L. MATTHIES

SECOND COLONEL, FIFTH INFANTRY.

Charles Leopold Matthies was the first man in the State of Iowa, and in the United States, to tender a military company to the Government, to aid in crushing the rebellion. The tender was made by letter through Governor Kirkwood, on the 9th day of January, 1861. The general can not be prouder of the distinction which this act has secured him, than is the State of Iowa.

General Matthies is a Prussian by birth, and was born in Bromberg, on the 31st day of May, 1824. When sixteen years of age, his father, an affluent fanner, sent him to the University at Halle, where he received a thorough military education. On leaving that University, he returned home; and, from that time till he reached his twentieth year, he labored on his father's farm. At the age of twenty, he entered the Prussian army; and, in 1847, served in the campaign against the Insurrectionists, (the Poles) under General Miroslawski. In 1848, he resigned the commission which he had won by his good conduct, and a few months later emigrated to America, arriving in New York in the spring of 1849. In the latter part of the same year, he came to Iowa, and settled in Burlington, where, engaging in mercantile pursuits, he has made his home ever since.

General Matthies entered the volunteer service, as captain of Company D, 1st Iowa Infantry — that noble regiment which, by its heroism at Wilson's Creek, established the military prowess of the State. He was not present in that engagement; for, in the latter part of July, he received notice of his promotion to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 5th Iowa, and at once left to report to that regiment. After the death of Colonel Worthington, he was promoted to the colonelcy. He shared with his regiment the fatigues and hardships of the Missouri campaigns; was with it at Island No. 10, and during the siege of Corinth; and yet, prior to the battle of Iuka, his name was hardly known outside of his own brigade. It was his courage and gallantry in that sanguinary battle that made him distinguished in his army corps, and earned for him the commission of a brigadier-general.

After the evacuation of Corinth, the 5th Iowa, under Colonel Matthies, joined in the pursuit of Beauregard to Boonville, and returned thence to Clear Springs, near Corinth. Late in June, it marched to Ripley with its division; returned immediately to Rienzi, and, on the 10th of July, marched back to Clear Springs. From Clear Springs it changed camp to Jacinto, and, from that point, marched against Price at Iuka, in the evening of the 18th of September, 1862. With the exception of the last, the regiment met the enemy in none of these movements.

General Rosecrans, by incautiously pushing his advance too far, precipitated the battle of Iuka on the afternoon of the 19th of September, when, in accordance with pre-arranged plans, it should have been fought on the morning of the 20th. General Grant first arranged to fight the battle as early as the morning of the 19th instant; and, with that understanding, the forces of Ord moved out from Corinth in the afternoon of the 17th, and the evening of the next day came up with, and drove in the enemy's pickets. But at that hour the chief part of Rosecrans' command was still at Jacinto, and the time for making the attack was changed. General Price, divining Grant's plan of concentration, hurried out from Iuka in the afternoon of the 19th, and threw his entire army against Rosecrans, hoping to overwhelm him before Ord could come up; and thus it happened that Rosecrans fought alone the heedless battle of Iuka. There is another version of this affair, which, judging by the authority from which I receive it, is doubtless the correct one: that Rosecrans, ambitious, and desirous of superseding General Grant, moved up against Price for the express purpose of bringing on a battle and winning glory, well knowing at the time that he was disobeying orders. Any other general, except the magnanimous Grant, would have at once relieved him and put him in arrest.

The 5th Iowa under Matthies, together with the 10th, 16th and 17th Iowa, the 10th Missouri and 80th Ohio, were among the troops in the van of Rosecrans' forces, and were the first to encounter the enemy. The struggle which ensued was protracted and desperate in the extreme; indeed, for courage and endurance it has few parallels. No pen can do more than credit to the 5th Iowa Infantry for its heroism in this terrible engagement. During the fore part of the day, while en route from Jacinto to Iuka, this regiment led the advance of the 3d Division, and, for more than six miles, continued to drive back the enemy, who, in small force, made repeated stands. When the enemy were finally met in force some three miles southwest of Iuka, the 5th Iowa was one of the first regiments in line of battle; and, from that time until it fired its last cartridge, it maintained its position. Its list of casualties is proof of its gallantry. It lost in killed, wounded and missing, from an aggregate of four hundred and eighty-two that went into the fight, two hundred and seventeen men. Fifteen commissioned officers were killed and wounded; and, of the enlisted men, thirty-four were killed, and one hundred and sixty-eight wounded. Lieutenants Lafayette Shawl and E. M. Holcomb were killed, and Captains John Albaugh and Joel Brown, and Lieutenants R. F. Patterson, J. W. Casad, A. L. Mateer, A. Ellis, J. E. Page, Benjamin Jarvis, A. B. Lewis, S. S. Sample, J. E. Pangborn, W. C. Huber and W. H. Colton were wounded. Lieutenant Mateer died of his wounds soon after the battle. Among those mentioned for special gallantry were Lieutenant-Colonel Sampson, and Lieutenant and Acting-Major Patterson, and Lieutenant Marshall. Nearly all were equally deserving of mention.

The 5th was General S. Hamilton's pet regiment; and, after the battle, Colonel Matthies enclosed to him his official report, to which he received the following reply:

"NEW York, October 27th, 1862. " Colonel, C. L. Matthies, 5th Iowa Infantry:

"My Dear Colonel: In sending to me the report of the brilliant conduct of the 5th Iowa at Iuka, September 19th, 1862, you have given me a very great pleasure, as well as paid me a great compliment. When I read the newspaper accounts of battles in the vicinity of Corinth, though still sick, my heart thrilled with pride and satisfaction at the splendid conduct of the regiments composing my old division, especially that of the 5th Iowa and 26th Missouri.

"To show you how well understood it is, the 5th Iowa has become a household word with us, and my youngest boy, a prattler of four years of age, when asked what company he belongs to, says, (and he breakfasts in his knapsack) 'Company A, Fifth Iowa—papa's pet regiment.'

"I am under orders from Washington, and though I may not again have the honor to number the 5th Iowa among those under my command, I shall always point to its conduct, as an evidence of the character of the troops from that State, and how kindly they respond to, and confer honor upon those who have diligently endeavored to look after their welfare, discipline, and instruction, which I honestly think I may claim a share in having done. Feeling, Colonel, that their honor is my honor, I shall watch their future career with the same interest I watched over them when a part of my command. Write my compliments and kind remembrances to all. Believe me, very truly your friend,

"SCHUYLER HAMILTON, "Major-General Volunteers, U. S. A"

The 5th Iowa Infantry next engaged the enemy at Corinth- October 3d and 4th, 1862; and, from that date until the 24th of April, 1863, the time of Colonel Matthies' promotion to brigadier-general, its history is the same as that of the 10th and, I might add, that of the 17th Iowa; for these three regiments served in the same division.

After receiving, in April, 1863, a brigadier's commission, General Matthies was ordered to report to General McPherson, who assigned him to the command of the 7th Division, 17th Army Corps; but this order being soon after recalled, he was given command of the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 15th Army Corps, which he commanded, under General Sherman, from Grand Gulf to Jackson and thence to the rear of Vicksburg. He continued in command of this brigade until the death of Colonel Boomer, of the 26th Missouri, when he was sent back to his old army corps, and given command of the 3d Brigade, of the 7th Division. On leaving the command of General Sherman, that officer honored him with an autograph letter, in which he complimented him highly for his efficient services. His new command was composed of the following troops: the 5th and 10th Iowa, the 26th Missouri and 93d Illinois—four as gallant regiments as ever met the enemy in battle. In the latter part of January, 1864, he was given command of a temporary division, made up of different regiments of the 15th Army Corps, with which he marched to East Tennessee, to aid in driving back Longstreet, who was then threatening Knoxville. Returning from this expedition, he was assigned to an important command, with head-quarters at Decatur, Alabama. He had charge of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad as far north as Linnville, and of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad as far east as Huntsville. He removed his head-quarters to Decatur, on the 1st of May, 1864, and at once began fortifying that place. The works which he erected were of the most imposing character;—so formidable that General Hood, in his flanking tour north, did not essay their capture. In the latter part of May, 1864, the general tendered his resignation, which was reluctantly accepted.

I should not close this sketch without stating briefly the distinguished part General Matthies sustained in the operations around Chattanooga, in November, 1863. General Bragg was defeated in the evening of the 24th, and his only hope, on the morning of the 25th, was to save his baggage, stores and artillery. The point on Mission Ridge that commanded the road over which these must pass was on Grant's extreme left, and, during the entire day of the 25th, the divisions of Ewing, John E. Smith, Morgan L. Smith and Jefferson C. Davis had sharp and sanguinary fighting for its possession; but it had been so strongly fortified, and Bragg had massed his troops there to such an extent that, all efforts on the part of General Sherman were fruitless. There was no harder fighting done on any portion of Mission Ridge or Lookout Mountain, than was done on this point; and acts of individual gallantry, on the part of the Union troops, were numerous. Colonel Holden Putnam of the 93d Illinois, although not an Iowa man, deserves special mention; and nothing can give the Iowa troops, who fought with him on Mission Ridge and at Champion's Hill, more pleasure than to meet his name on these pages. His was the first regiment of General Matthies' Brigade to scale the hill from the White House and assault the enemy in their strong works. His command was instantly repulsed; but, undaunted, he rallied his men, and, seizing the colors, dashed on to the top of the hill in spite of all remonstrances. He was shot dead instantly, through the head. The 26th Missouri soon followed the 93d Illinois, and then the 5th and 10th Iowa, with General Matthies in person; and still the enemy, rejoicing in the strength of their numbers and position, maintained their ground. The 2d Brigade of the same division now came up; but in a few moments after the enemy, emerging in strong force from the railroad tunnel near by, and with their movements concealed by dense brush, suddenly made their appearance in rear of the right flank, when a retreat was ordered. The command was, "For God's sake, get out of this!" It was on that hill-top that General Matthies was wounded; and it was that wound, together with the exposures and hardships of the previous campaign, that broke down his health, in consequence of which he tendered his resignation. He was an excellent officer, and had a reputation for promptness and trustworthiness that but few enjoyed in his division.

General Matthies is a little above the medium in size, with a full breast and heavy shoulders. He has mild, gray eyes, and a round, full, good-natured face. To look at him, you would not take him for a foreigner; but he no sooner speaks than he betrays his nativity. He has never been able to master the accent of our language. He is one of those men whom to know is to like. His sanguine temperament, and earnest, open-hearted disposition enables him, in his happy moods, to talk and laugh with extreme good nature, and, in his less happy ones, to hate and berate his enemies most intensely. He was always on kind and familiar terms with every soldier of his command, and his familiarity in no way interfered with his discipline. The soldiers loved "old Dutchie," he was so good and brave.

I can not take leave of General Matthies without relating the following: When the division of John E. Smith was in camp back of Memphis, late in February, 1863, the general chanced one day to be general officer of the day. At about seven o'clock in the morning of the day in question, a captain, whose 2d lieutenant had deserted to the enemy the night before, and whose 1st lieutenant was enjoying himself in the city, arrived on the picket-line to relieve the old picket-guard. The captain left his reserve in charge of a sergeant, while he went to distribute the first relief at the different posts, and give proper instructions. In his absence, the officer of the day made his appearance. Having at some point stole his way through the lines, he came riding down the road at full speed, and was on the reserve before the sergeant could get his men in line to receive him. The general, who was dressed in a common soldier's overcoat, and without any scarf or other insignia of his office, began administering a rebuke for negligence; but was quickly cut short by the sergeant, who replied, "How did I know who you was? you haven't got any scarf on; I thought it was a soldier just coming in from foraging." "Well, well," said the general, "I know; but — you must be on the watch for guerrillas."

SOURCE: Stuart, A. A., Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 131-8