Our Indian Troops, published December 24, 1864

General Stand Watie, commanding our Indian troops in the trans-Mississippi Department, has fully clothed and armed all his men, and is in the vicinity of Fort Smith, attacking and destroying Yankee wagon trains.

SOURCES: Richmond Daily Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, Saturday Morning, December 24, 1864, p. 3; John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 365-6

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Colonel Russell Hastings, February 1, 1866

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 1, 1866.

DEAR COLONEL:— Mr. Sherman called with me on Secretary Harlan of the Department of the Interior this morning. Senator Sherman will use his influence heartily, and I have no doubt successfully, in your affair. There is a possibility of three things which I submit to you:— An Indian agency in the Indian Territory, Fort Smith, being, I think, headquarters; (2) Superintendency of Indian affairs in New Mexico; and (3) Surveyor-generalship of Dakota Territory. All of these places I regard as preferable to any clerkship or the like here. Can you muster physical strength enough for such a place as either of the three? Keep all this to yourself strictly. Neither of the places are vacant and it would be embarrassing to have them publicly spoken of.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

[COLONEL RUSSELL HASTINGS (?)] Private.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 15

Major John L. Young

MAJOR JOHN L. YOUNG, of Leon, is one of the oldest practicing lawyers of Decatur County, having settled here in the fall of 1859.  Judge Samuel Farrey preceded him, and with this exception Major Young is the oldest practicing attorney of Leon.  He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 30, 1833.  He removed, with his parents, John and Nancy Young, to White County, Indiana, where his mother died in 1840, and his father in 1841.  After the death of his parents he was bound out to a farmer in Warren County, where he remained until fourteen years of age, when, becoming dissatisfied with his condition, he ran away and apprenticed himself to the harness trade, at which he continued two years, when, again becoming restless under the restraints placed upon him, he left his employer and resolved to go elsewhere — in fact, had started on his journey when he was induced by a brother to return to Independence, Warren County, where he had worked.  Up to this time he had received but little opportunity for learning, the extent of his education being his ability to read a little.  It was now that he began to realize the importance of education.  He worked at anything he could get to do that would enable him to earn a penny, even engaging as a boot-black and other menial services.  But, fortunately, better opportunities were at hand for him.  The man to whom he had been bound suddenly died, and his widow, a very estimable lady, and possessed of wealth, continued to manifest an interest in him, and proposed to take him with her to Kingston, Ohio, whither she had removed.  Here he received excellent advantages, attending the academy at that place two years, and making excellent progress.  The lady desired to have him study for the ministry, but this course was not agreeable to him.  In the fall of 1852 he came to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and attended a normal school for some time, engaging as a student and teacher until 1855, when he went to Fort Madison and engaged as clerk in the penitentiary, and reading law at the same time with J. M. Reed, Esq.  In March, 1856, he went to Bloomfield, where he engaged in teaching, and also read law under the instruction of Trimble & Baker.  January 18, 1858, he was admitted to the bar in the Supreme Court, at Des Moines.  He practiced at Bloomfield until November, 1859, when he came to Leon, as before stated.  He immediately commenced the practice of his chosen profession with a young man named V. Wanwright.  This partnership was formed in February, 1860.   June 10, 1861, Edwards' Border Brigade was organized.  Mr. young joined this brigade as a private, making several raids into Missouri, going once as far as Hannibal.  He was made Quartermaster of this command, with headquarters at St. Joseph.  In November of that same year he enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, being the first man mustered in.  He had raised twenty-six men for a Missouri cavalry company, but was prevented from taking his men out of the State, so joined the regiment above mentioned  He served as a private three or four months, then came home in recruiting service.  He was very successful in this undertaking, raising 104 in a few days.  Upon the organization of this company Mr. Young was elected its Captain, serving as such until January 20,1863, and participating in the battles of Farmington and Iuka.  At the last mentioned battle a large part of his regiment, including the Colonel, behaved in a cowardly manner.  His company and one other remained unbroken, and he was ordered to take command of what remained of the regiment on the field of battle, and he acquitted himself nobly on this occasion.  The Colonel was put under arrest, and Major Young remained in command of the regiment from that time, September 19, until the first of November.  He commanded the regiment at the battle of Cornith, where it nobly redeemed itself from the disgrace of Iuka.  For his services on this occasion he was highly complimented by General Rosecrans.  January 20, 1863, he resigned and came home.  In August of that year, having recovered his health, he raised a company for the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, was made Captain of the company, and served in that capacity until November 18, 1865, when he was promoted to Major.  This was after the close of the war, the regiment being stationed at Fort Smith, in the border of Indian Territory.  While in the cavalry service his command was principally engaged in guerrilla warfare, in Arkansas, going into Fort Smith in September, 1865, where he had command of all the cavalry at that point.  He as mustered out at Little Rock February 18, 1866.  He then returned to Leon and resumed the practice of his profession.  June 28, 1868, he formed a partnership with Judge John W. Harvey, which continued until 1869, when, through his efforts, a National Bank was secured, and he was made cashier.  He retained this position until 1871.  He then organized the People's Bank at Leon, which did not prove a successful venture.  At the termination of its existence, however, all home creditors were paid in full.  Mr. Young was then for some time engaged in traveling as attorney for Dood, Brown & Co., of St. Louis.  In 1877 he came back and re-formed a partnership with Judge Harvey, which continued until the latter was nominated for judge, in 1882, when Stephen Vargo became associated him.  The present firm of Young & Parish was formed August 3, 1883.  Major Young was married October 19, 1863, to Miss Libbie Woodbury, who accompanied her husband to the army and remained until the company was ordered to the field.  Later, with their boy, Lew, she joined her husband at Fort Smith.  Mrs. Young is a native of Michigan. Her parents, James and Susan Woodbury, were from Sutton, Massachusetts.  Their children are Lew H., Susie, Mollie, Carrie, Maggie, Helen and John Orr.

SOURCE: “Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa,” p. 555-7

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, February 7, 1865

Day cool. A. M. making Inspection reports. P. M. rec my commission as 2d Lt of co G. aggregate too low to muster. The Negro Brigade from Ft Smith is doing most of the Picket duty

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 573

Diary of 1st Sergeant John S. Morgan: Wednesday, January 18, 1865

Quite warm beautiful day. hear Lt S is no better, disease Pnumonia, Rumors (?) of fighting near Ft Smith and boats captured

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 571

Diary of 1st Sergeant John S. Morgan: Thursday, January 12, 1865

Beautiful day — The forces at Ft. Smith ordered to remain, rations sent up by boat. New organization of troop in this Dept talked of.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 571

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Saturday, December 19, 1863

Gen Inspt. at 2 P. M. Small steam boat down from Ft. Smith

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 501

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: October 15, 1862

RICHMOND. – Yesterday morning my sister M., J. W., and myself, drove up from W. to the depot, seven miles, in a wagon, with four mules. It was a charming morning, and we had a delightful ride; took the accommodation cars at twelve and arrived here at two. We drove to the Exchange, and were delighted to find there our dear J. McI. and her little Bessie, on her way to W. to spend the winter. Poor thing, her lot is a sad one! She was excited by seeing us, and was more cheerful than I expected to see her; though she spoke constantly of her husband, and dwelt on her last days with him. She was in Memphis; her little Jemmie was excessively ill; she telegraphed for her husband in Arkansas. He came at once, and determined that it would be better to take the little boy to the house of his aunt in Louisiana, that J. might be with her sister. They took the boat, and after a few hours arrived at Mr. K's house. The child grew gradually worse, and was dying, when a telegram came to General Mcintosh from General Price, “Come at once — a battle is imminent.” He did not hesitate; the next steamer bore him from his dying child and sorrowing wife to the field of battle, Pea Ridge. He wrote to her, immediately on his arrival at camp, the most beautifully resigned letter, full of sorrow for her and for his child, but expressing the most noble, Christian sentiments. Oh, how she treasures it! The lovely boy died the day after his father left him! The mother said, “For a week H. and myself did nothing but decorate my little grave, and I took a melancholy pleasure in it; but darker days came, and I could not go even to that spot.” She dreamed, a few nights after little Jemmie's death, of being at Fort Smith, her home before the war; standing on the balcony of her husband's quarters, her attention was arrested by a procession — an officer's funeral. As it passed under the balcony she called to a passer-by: “Whose funeral is that?” “General McIntosh's, madam.” She was at once aroused, and ran to her sister's room in agony. She did what she could to comfort her, but the dream haunted her imagination. A few days afterwards she saw a servant ride into the yard, with a note for Mrs. K. Though no circumstance was more common, she at once exclaimed, “It is about my husband.” She did not know that the battle had taken place; but it was the fatal telegram. The soldiers carried his body to Fort Smith, and buried it there. To-morrow she returns, with her aunt, to W. She wishes to get to her mother's home in Kentucky, but it is impossible for her to run the blockade with her baby, and there is no other way open to her.

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 166-8

Diary of Judith W. McGuire: March 13, 1862

Our hearts are overwhelmed to-day with our private grief. Our connection, Gen. James Mcintosh, has fallen in battle. It was at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, on the 7th, while making a dashing cavalry charge. He had made one in which he was entirely successful, but seeing the enemy reforming, he exclaimed, “We must charge again. My men, who will follow me?” He then dashed off, followed by his whole brigade. The charge succeeded, but the leader fell, shot through the heart. The soldiers returned, bearing his body! My dear J. and her little Bessie are in Louisiana. I groan in heart when I think of her. Oh that I were near her, or that she could come to us! These are the things which are so unbearable in this war. That noble young man, educated at West Point, was Captain in the army, and resigned when his native Georgia seceded. He soon rose to the rank of Brigadier, but has fallen amid the flush of victory, honoured, admired and beloved by men and officers. He has been buried at Fort Smith. The Lord have mercy upon his wife and child! I am thankful that he had no mother to add to the heart-broken mothers of this land. The gallant Texas Ranger, General Ben McCulloch, fell on the same day; he will be sadly missed by the country. In my selfishness I had almost forgotten him, though he doubtless has many to weep in heart-sickness for their loved and lost.

Bishop Meade is desperately ill to-day — his life despaired of.

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 100-1

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones, December 25, 1864

Christmas ! — Clear and pleasant — white frost.

All quiet below. But it is believed on the street that Savannah has been evacuated, some days ago. I have not yet seen any official admission of the fact.

We have quite a merry Christmas in the family; and a compact that no unpleasant word shall be uttered, and no scramble for anything. The family were baking cakes and pies until late last night, and to-day we shall have full rations. I have found enough celery in the little garden for dinner.

Last night and this morning the boys have been firing Christmas guns incessantly — no doubt pilfering from their fathers' cartridge-boxes. There is much jollity and some drunkenness in the streets, notwithstanding the enemy's pickets are within an hour's march of the city.

A large number of the croaking inhabitants censure the President for our many misfortunes, and openly declare in favor of Lee as Dictator. Another month, and he may be unfortunate or unpopular. His son, Gen. Custis Lee, has mortally offended the clerks by putting them in the trenches yesterday, and some of them may desert.

Many members of Congress have gone home. But it is still said they invested the President with extraordinary powers, in secret session. I am not quite sure this is so.

I append the following dispatches:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

December 23d, 1864.

HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR.

On the 20th, Gen. Early reported one division of the enemy's cavalry, under Gen. Custer, coming up the valley, and two divisions, under Gen. Torbert, moving through Chester Gap, with four pieces of artillery and thirty wagons.

On the 22d, Rosser attacked Custer's division, nine miles from Harrisonburg, and drove it back, capturing forty prisoners.

This morning, Torbert attacked Lomax near Gordonsville, and was repulsed and severely punished. He is retreating, and Lomax preparing to follow.

R. E. LEE.

DUBLIN, December 20th, 1864.

A dispatch from Gen. Breckinridge to-day, dated at Mount Airy, sixteen miles west of Wytheville, says he had fought the enemy for two days, successfully, near Marion. The enemy had retired from his front; but whether they were retreating to East Tennessee or not, he had not ascertained.

CHARLESTON, December 22d, 1864.

TO GEN. S. COOPER.

On the 16th inst, the enemy, 800 strong, occupied Pollard. After burning the government and railroad buildings, they retired in the direction they came.

They were pursued thirty miles, losing a portion of their transportation, baggage, and supplies, and leaving many dead negro troops on the road.

Our force, commanded by Gen. Liddell, acted with spirit and gallantry.

G. T. BEAUREGARD, General.

OUR INDIAN TROOPS.—Gen. Stand Watie, commanding our Indian troops in the trans-Mississippi Department, has fully clothed and armed all his men, and is in the vicinity of Fort Smith, attacking and destroying Yankee wagon trains.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 364-6

From The Arkansas Rebels --- They Extend Their Retreat --- Pike’s Indians Absquatulated --- The Rebel Force And Prospect

ROLLA, MO., March 29. Reliable persons just from our army in the southwest, say that the rebels numbering some 35,000 under Van Dorn and Price, have retreated entirely across the Boston Mountains, and are now at Van Buren and Fort Smith receiving supplies from Memphis and little Rock, via the Arkansas river, which is high.

The Texas troops are much disheartened at the death of McCulloch, and the Arkansas troops feel the loss of McIntosh very severely.  The rebels are badly off for clothing and shoes.

Pike’s Indians have mostly returned to the Indian nation.  They were not formidable in battle, being panic stricken at the effect of our artillery.

Price receved his Major General’s commission in the confederate service on the 16th.

One regiment of Texas troops reached Van Buren on the 15th to reinforce Van Dorn, and more were expected from Louisiana.  The whole rebel reinforcements will not exceed 5,000 in the next six weeks.

They were badly frightened and retreated very rapidly, and for the first three days of their flight had nothing to eat.  Their cannon and baggage train might have been easily captured.

Gen. Curtis’ army fell back to Keitsville to secure forage, Arkansas north of Fayetteville being entirely out.

Our forces are now camped at the head of Cross Timber Hollow, were water and forage are plenty.  Our pickets extend into Arkansas and the rebel pickets come north to the top of Boston Mountains.

Fayetteville is unoccupied.  Very little union sentiment has been developed in Arkansas.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

The Late Battle Of Pea Ridge

Lieutenant Colonel Herron, of the Ninth Iowa volunteers, one of the regiments which bore so gallant a part in the actions at Leetown and Elkhorn, in Arkansas, (known officially as the battle of Pea Ridge,) recently arrived in this city, and is occupying a room at the Planters House.  He is in care of Dr. Charles A. Pope, and has promise of as speedy recovery from his wound as possible.  During one of the fiercest contests of the battle, and in which the Ninth had to struggle against a superior force of the enemy, a cannon ball passed entirely through Lieutenant Colonel Herron’s horse, and striking the rider’s right ankle, produced both a fracture and a dislocation.  While thus prostrated on the field, he fell into the hands of the enemy, and on the retreat of their army to Van Buren he was carried thither a prisoner, and exchanged, after two weeks’ detention, for Col. Hebert, of Louisiana, who was among the captives taken by the Union forces.  He was as well treated while in possession of the rebels as their limited means for hospitality and the courtesies of warfare would allow, and met among them several St. Louisans with whom he was acquainted before the breaking out of the war.  He saw or heard of them at the town of Van Buren, on the Arkansas river, four miles from Fort Smith. – It was on Van Buren that the enemy directed their retreat after the fortunes of the contest at Pea Ridge went against them, the columns of the deceased Generals McCulloch and McIntosh, taking the route via Huntsville, and Van Dorn and Price, the road through Bentonville.  They made capital time to Van Buren, and there effected a re-concentration of their defeated and dispirited followers.

Col. Herron Frequently saw and conversed with Gen. Price, and believes him to be rather the best and most sensible of the rebel magnates.  Price was shot through the left arm with a Minie ball.  It entered a few inches below the elbow and cut the bone without causing a complete fracture.  The arm was painful and much swollen, and Dr. France, Price’s Surgeon, had great difficulty in reducing the inflammation.

Gen. Slack received a mortal wound in the battle, and was found on the field by Federal soldiers, and carried to a hospital used temporarily for the treatment of the rebel wounded. – He lived only four hours.

Gens. McCulloch and McIntosh were buried at the same time, at Fort Smith.  An escort of cavalry accompanied their remains to the grave.

Gen. Rains after getting to Van Buren, became insubordinate, under the influence of copious drinks of bad whiskey.  He met. Maj. Gen. Van Dorn on the street, denounced him, and damned him for a coward – laying the loss of the battle wholly to Van Dorn’s account.  The opinion generally expressed by the rebel officers was that Van Dorn had courage enough, but lacked judgment.  He arrived at the confederate camps only the day before the battle, and was received with a grand artillery salute, the thunder of which was heard in the Federal lines.  Learning from the subordinate generals that their combined forces amounted to 40,000 men, he ordered them to move forward early next morning and surround the Federal troops.  The day before Col. Heron was released, Price received a commission from Richmond as Major-General.  This still left Price subordinate to Van Dorn, but he thinks the latter has retired or resigned leaving Price in chief command.

Two thirds of the rebel soldiers were armed with muskets, many of them of the Springfield and Enfield pattern, and having sabre bayonets.  The balance had shot guns and country rifles with usual variety.  A brigade of three regiments of Louisiana troops had good uniforms of gray cloth, but with the remainder of the army uniforms were few except with the officers.  They had forty-five pieces of artillery, many of the guns being superior to those in the Union army, who counted, all told, but forty two pieces.  The mules and wagons comprising the commissary train were better than our own, but in medical stores and hospital appliances they were very deficient.

The rebels generally were much dispirited. – Their officers studiously deceived them as to the extent of the late reverses.  They admitted that Fort Donelson had been lost to them with a garrison of two or three thousand men but they denied that Columbus had been evacuated, or that the Federal troops occupied Nashville.  The news of the naval engagement in Hampton Roads was bulletined throughout their camps on sheets of paper, printed in large type.  They represented that six Government vessels were then destroyed – on of them with the entire crew of five hundred men. –{St. Louis Rep.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

See Also:

• Iowa Colonels and Regiments: Major General Francis J. Herron

From Arkansas

ROLLA, Mo., March 29.

Reliable persons just from the army in the Southwest, say the rebels, some thirty-five thousand, under Van Dorn and Price, have retreated entirely across the Boston Mountains, and are at Van Buren and Fort Smith, receiving supplies from Memphis and Little Rock via Arkansas river, which is high.

The Texan Troops are much disheartened at the death of McCulloch, and the Arkansas Troops feel the loss of McIntosh very much.  The rebels are badly off for shoes and clothing.

Pike’s Indians have mostly returned to the Indian nation.  They were not formidable in battle, being panic-stricken at the effect of our artillery.

Price received his Major General’s commission in the Confederate service on the 16^th.  One regiment of Texans reached Van Buren on the 15^th to reinforce Van Dorn, and more were expected from Louisiana.  The whole rebel reinforcements will not exceed five thousand in the next six weeks.

Lieut. Co. Herron, of the 9^th Iowa who was taken prisoner, was in the hands of the rebels for two weeks.  They were badly frightened and retreated very rapidly, and for the three first days of their flight had nothing to eat.  Their cannon and baggage train might have been easily captured.  Gen. Curtis’ army fell back to Keitsville, to secure forage, Arkansas, North of Fayetteville being entirely out.

Our forces are now camped at the head of Cross Timber Hollow, where the water and forage are plenty.  Our pickets extend into Arkansas and the rebel pickets come north to the top of Boston Mountains. – Fayetteville is unoccupied.  Very little union sentiment has been developed in Arkansas.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 1

Eighteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The Eighteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry was organized under authority of Special Orders from the War Department, dated May 21-23, 1862. The ten companies composing the regiment were ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood on dates ranging from June 10 to July 21, 1862. The designated rendezvous was Clinton, Iowa, and the camp was named "Kirkwood," in honor of the Governor. The companies were there mustered into the service of the United States by Captain H. B. Hendershott, United States Army, on August 5, 6 and 7, 1862. The aggregate strength of the regiment (Field, Staff and Line officers and enlisted men) when the muster was completed was 877 [see note 1]. Its first equipment with arms was Austrian Rifles (calibre 58) with appendages. It was provided with the other necessary equipment for active service, and on August 11, 1862, received orders to proceed to Sedalia, Mo., at which place it arrived August 28th, and was ordered to proceed to Springfield, Mo., where it arrived September 13th, and joined the Army of the Frontier under General Schofield. The regiment was assigned to the First Brigade of the Second Division, commanded respectively by Colonel Husted of the Seventh Missouri Cavalry and Brigadier General Totten.

On September 29th the army advanced in the direction of the enemy's camp at Newtonia, at which place the troops which led the advance became engaged with the enemy. The brigade and division to which the Eighteenth Iowa belonged were marched quickly in the direction of the troops engaged but, before their arrival, the rebel forces had retreated. During the forced march in the night preceding the engagement, the Eighteenth Iowa had come in contact with an advanced post of the enemy and in the skirmish which ensued lost one man killed and three wounded. The pursuit of the retreating rebel army was continued as far as Fayetteville, Ark., where the Eighteenth Iowa, being in advance, skirmished with the rear guard of the rebel army, but sustained no casualties. The enemy having been driven out of the State of Missouri, and the object of the expedition having been accomplished, General Schofield was ordered to return and make such disposition of his forces as would best protect the State against further invasion. The Eighteenth Iowa was ordered to Springfield, Mo., where a large quantity of supplies for the army had been accumulated. The regiment arrived at Springfield, November 14, 1862. While its loss in conflict with the enemy, up to this time, had been light, the men had suffered greatly from exposure and from the hardships to which they had been subjected on the long march in pursuit of the enemy, and the return to Springfield. They were passing through the common experience of all soldiers, in their first year of service. Many were stricken with disease, the prevailing malady being measles, which spread through the regiment and claimed many victims. The entire casualties now numbered ninety, and yet the regiment had been in active service less than three months.
At Springfield, the Eighteenth Iowa constituted an important part of the garrison which numbered about 1,500 troops of all arms, and several pieces of field artillery. The defenses consisted of earthworks and detached forts, but the number of troops in garrison, were insufficient to man the works at all points. Brigadier General Brown was in command of these troops, with Colonel Crabb of the Nineteenth Iowa in command of the Post. Lieutenant Colonel Cook was in command of the Eighteenth Iowa, five companies of the regiment being on out-post duty some distance from Springfield. The rebel General Marmaduke had, by a skillful and daring movement, eluded the vigilance of the Union Army, and by a series of rapid marches reached the vicinity of Springfield on the evening of January 7, 1863. On the forenoon of that day the scouts of General Brown had discovered the approaching force of the enemy, and the garrison therefore had warning of the impending attack and made every' possible preparation to meet it. The Union men of the town armed themselves, offered their services for the defense, and afterwards fought bravely with the troops. Even the sick in hospital, who were able to leave their beds, took their guns and went to the front On the morning of January 8th, the cavalry pickets of General Brown discovered the enemy's skirmish line and the preliminary fighting began some three miles from the entrenchments. In his history of the regiment, Colonel Hugh Campbe.ll gives the following brief account of the engagement which ensued:

January 8, 1863, the rebel forces, thirty-five hundred strong, under Marmaduke, attacked Springfield, then held by the Eighteenth Iowa, and a few hundred militia. The regiment was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Cook. After a severe engagement, lasting the whole of the day, the enemy retreated, leaving one hundred and eighty killed and wounded. The Eighteenth Iowa suffered severely in the action, losing fifty enlisted men killed and wounded, and two commissioned officers killed — Captain William R. Blue, Company C, and Captain Joseph Van Metre, Company H, who died of wounds received in the action — and two commissioned officers wounded, Captain Landis, Company D, and Lieutenant Conaway, Company C. The regiment behaved nobly, standing their ground against three times their number, and by their coolness and determination saving the town and its valuable stores on which the army of the Frontier, thence drawing its supplies, depended for its existence. ... The regiment received a well merited compliment from Brigadier General Brown, commanding, for their bravery and gallantry in this action [see note 2].


The official report of the part taken by the Eighteenth Iowa in the gallant defense of Springfield not being obtainable [see note 3], the compiler has availed himself of the account given by Major Byers, in his "Iowa in War Times," and that of L. D. Ingersoll, in his "Iowa and the Rebellion," to supplement the statement of Colonel Campbell. The following is a part of the concluding portion of Major Byers’ account:

By two o'clock, the rebels massed their forces several lines deep and made a determined effort on the Union right and center. It was then that Captain Landis, of the Eighteenth Iowa, with a piece of artillery, was pushed forward into an exposed and dangerous position at the right. Three companies of the Eighteenth Iowa, under Captains Van Metre, Blue and Stonaker, were sent along as supports. By a bold dash, with overwhelming numbers, the rebels succeeded in capturing the gun, but not till Captains Blue, Van Metre and Landis were wounded — the two former mortally. At their sides fell many of their brave comrades. At the same moment the rebels got possession of a strong stockaded building south of and near to the town, and from this vantage point poured a heavy fire into the Union line. In another hour Brown's forces were being heavily pressed, and the position seemed extremely critical. Then the "Quinine Brigade” [see note 4] led by Colonel Crabb, rushed to the front They were real soldiers, if they were sick ones. In an hour's fighting they drove the enemy back on their left center, but an immediate and very nearly successful assault by the rebels followed at the right. Some of the militia were giving way. General Brown hurried to their front to re-form them, but was shot from his horse in the endeavor. It was now four o'clock, and Colonel Crabb assumed the command. Again the battle was resumed at the center, and for another hour continued with varying results. Once more some of the militia faltered and for a time all seemed lost, when others, also militia, charged for the lost ground with a cheer. At the same time Lieutenant Colonel Cook, with the remaining companies of the Eighteenth Iowa who had hurried from outpost duty to the scene, came up, and they, too, charged the rebel center with a shout and drove it rearwards. Darkness soon ended the contest, and that night the defeated rebel army withdrew. . . . This handful of brave men and the sturdy, heroic militia of Missouri had saved Springfield with its enormous stores, and it had saved a disaster to the Union Army. . . .


Ingersoll, who wrote a lengthy account of the engagement, giving the details with great particularity, confirms the statements of Major Byers heretofore quoted. Near the close of his account he says:

Meantime five companies of the Eighteenth Iowa, which had just reached the scene of action from an outpost at some distance from Springfield, came up in fine style, under Lieutenant Colonel Cook, and went into the fight on the center with such effect as to drive the rebels back into the stockade, and encourage the men who had been fighting for hours most wonderfully. Darkness was now coming on and the firing gradually ceased. . . . The enemy retired under cover of the night from his position south of town, and had taken position more than a mile to the eastward. Hither Colonel Crabb sent a cavalry force to engage them and retard their advance, but they declined battle, and soon retired in haste. They had lost in the battle more than two hundred in killed and wounded. Our loss was about the same. There were but five companies — A, C, F, G and H — of the Eighteenth Iowa taking part in the contest until near its close, when the other five came up and turned the tide of battle in our favor, as has been related. The number of the regiment engaged was less than five hundred, of whom fifty-six were killed or wounded.


The regiment remained in Springfield during the remainder of the winter of 1863, performing the monotonous duties incident to the camp and garrison life of soldiers. While the holding of Springfield was very necessary and meant so much to the loyal citizens of Missouri, it could not be otherwise than unsatisfactory to the gallant officers and men of the Eighteenth Iowa to be retained upon such duty, while so many Iowa regiments were actively participating in the great campaigns then in progress in other parts of the South, and winning honor and distinction for themselves and their State. In April, 1863, Colonel Edwards, who had been on detached service at St. Louis, returned to Springfield and assumed command of the Post. The operations of the regiment now assumed a much more active character. The rebel General Shelby had invaded Missouri with a considerable force, and, besides holding the Post at Springfield, portions of the Eighteenth Iowa were called upon for active service in the field. The subsequent service of the regiment is described by Colonel Campbell, as follows:

During the spring and summer of 1863, different portions of the regiment, under command of Major Campbell, made three long marches of one hundred and ten miles each, two of them forced marches, besides doing very heavy fatigue and guard duty, in which they were taxed to their utmost strength, by reason of the smallness of the garrison and the constant proximity of the enemy. In the latter of these marches, they participated in the campaign against Shelby, who invaded Missouri and penetrated nearly to the Missouri river; The regiment was ordered to Cassville, Mo., under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell [see note 5], to cooperate in heading off Shelby's retreat. October 9th, Springfield being considered in danger, a part of the regiment was ordered back by forced marches, and marched the distance of fifty-five miles in twenty-seven hours, including halts.

October 16th, Companies D and F, under command of Captain Hay, marched from Cassville to Fayetteville, as escort to a supply train, and at Cross Timbers encountered the enemy under Colonel Brooks, who attacked the train with five hundred men. After a. short but severe contest, the enemy retired with a loss of ten men killed and wounded. October 17th, the remainder of the regiment, under command of Colonel Edwards, moved, along with all the forces of the district of southwestern Missouri, under General McNeil, in pursuit of Shelby, who was then retreating from Missouri, and reached Fort Smith, Arkansas — after an animated pursuit, during which they marched night and day, fording deep streams, and crossing the Boston Mountains — October 31, 1863.

January 2, 1864, a portion of the regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, marched to Roseville, Arkansas, to prevent an anticipated attack upon a supply train on the way from Little Rock, in charge of Captain Clover, Company K, Eighteenth Iowa, with a detachment of the regiment, and returned to Fort Smith, January 8, 1864, having marched seventy-five miles in the depth of winter, the snow being six inches deep, without tents or shelter of any kind. During the rest of the winter, the regiment was engaged in excessive labor, in fatigue, escort, and guard duty, men and officers going on duty for months every other day, and living upon half rations. March 22, 1864, the regiment, under command of Captain Duncan, Colonel Edwards commanding the First Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Campbell being detained at Little Rock by a severe hurt, which disabled him entirely from walking or riding, moved with the Third Division to join General Steele, who with the Seventh Army Corps was moving on Camden, Ark., to cooperate with General Banks. April 12th, the regiment participated in the battle of Prairie d' Anne. April 13th, the Third Division, being the rear guard of the army, was attacked by the enemy in force at Moscow. In this engagement the Eighteenth Iowa, with the Second Indiana Battery, held the enemy in check until the rest of the division came up and forced the enemy to retire. Captain J. K. Morey, Company F, then acting Assistant Adjutant General of the First Brigade, was highly complimented by Colonel Edwards, commanding the brigade, for bravery in this action.

April 18th, the regiment, under command of Captain Duncan, moved from Camden to reinforce Colonel Williams, Second Kansas (colored), who was escorting a large forage train. About fourteen miles from Camden, at Poison Springs, Colonel Williams was attacked by the enemy six thousand strong, under Generals Marcy and Fagan. He had with him the Eighteenth Iowa, the First Kansas Colored, one section of the Second Indiana Battery and about two hundred cavalry. His small force was completely surrounded and separated, and after a fierce and sanguinary conflict, in which the rest of the command was entirely routed and scattered with great loss, the Eighteenth Iowa was completely isolated and hemmed in on all sides. It retired slowly rod by rod, reforming and charging the enemy seven times, and finally cut its way through the enemy's lines and returned to Camden. The casualties in this engagement were eighty enlisted men killed, wounded and missing and one commissioned officer wounded [see note 6]. The regiment received great credit for the deliberate and determined courage with which it held together in the face of such desperate odds and forced its way out. The officers and men behaved gallantly. Captain Thomas Blanchard, when wounded, and under a heavy fire, seized the colors and held them, by ordering the men to form upon him.

April 30th, the regiment participated in the battle of Jenkin's Ferry, at Saline river, where the enemy attacked General Steele's army, then retreating from Camden, and endeavored to prevent his crossing, but was repulsed after a day's hard fighting, with heavy loss on both sides. The regiment returned to Fort Smith May 15, 1864, having marched seven hundred and thirty miles, through swamps and over mountains, subsisting part of the time on raw corn, wading whole days and nights in mud and water, and suffering hardships that have been surpassed in no campaign of the war.

The subsequent months of the summer and fall of 1864, and the winter of 1864-5, were occupied with a series of long and rapid marches, the intervals of which were employed in severe labor on the fortifications around Fort Smith, and extremely heavy guard duty. Different bodies of the enemy, under Shelby, Gano, Cooper, Fagan and Brooks, emboldened by their successes against General Steele, hovered closely around Fort Smith, cut off our communications, captured supply trains, and completely held the surrounding country. During the whole time the troops at Fort Smith were kept upon two-thirds, and, during the greatest part of the time, half rations, and the subsistence that was furnished consisted, for a long time, mostly of damaged bread and meat.

May 25, 1864, the regiment, under command of Major Morey, together with the Second Kansas (colored) and a section of the Second Kansas Battery, all under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, moved to Clarksville, Ark., to hold that place and keep open the navigation of the river, upon which the army at Fort Smith depended for supplies. The regiment lost on the march two men killed by guerrillas. While here, Sergeant Vance, Company C, Eighteenth Iowa, with twenty-eight men, in charge of a forage train, was attacked, ten miles from Clarksville, by forty rebels, but repulsed them and saved his train, killing two and wounding two of the enemy, and losing one man wounded.

August 6th, Clarksville was evacuated by order of Brigadier General Thayer, and the Eighteenth Iowa under command of Major Morey, together with a battalion of the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, and a large train of government stores and refugees, all under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, marched for Fort Smith. On their march they were followed closely by the enemy, who harassed them slightly, but without doing serious injury.

From August 11th to December the regiment was sent, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, upon four successive expeditions. In November, a large supply train of four hundred wagons, enroute for Fort Smith, was lying at Neosho crossing, Cherokee Nation, deterred from advancing by the threatened intervention of Gano's forces between them and Fort Smith. The supplies at Fort Smith were exhausted, and the possibility of holding it all depended upon the safe arrival of this train. November 22d the Eighteenth regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, marched to Fort Gibson to meet the train. On arriving there, he was ordered to proceed by forced marches towards Neosho crossing, one hundred miles distant, with the Eighteenth under command of Captain Blanchard, and the First Indiana Infantry, till he met the train. His command drew for rations a peck of corn in the ear per man, and a little coffee, and upon this supply, with no salt and a little fresh beef, killed on the way, the command marched day and night till it reached the train at Neosho crossing. The suffering from exhaustion on this march exceeded that experienced in any of the campaigns of the regiment. At Neosho crossing, the command met the train, escorted by the Second Kansas (colored), the Second and Third Indiana, portions of the Sixth and Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, and two sections of artillery, under command of Major Phillips, who was waiting for reinforcements. The whole, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, immediately marched for Fort Gibson, and thence to Fort Smith, which he reached December 11th, having marched three hundred and twenty miles in the winter, forded two rivers and numberless swollen streams, making night marches, the only subsistence for his whole, command, for a part of the time, being raw corn, and beef seasoned with gunpowder in lieu of salt [see note 7].


About the last of February, 1865, four companies of the regiment, under command of Major Morey, were detached for garrison duty at Van Buren, Ark., and remained there until July 6th, when the regiment was concentrated at Little Rock, Ark. There, on July 20, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of the service of the United States, and was soon afterwards conveyed to Davenport, Iowa, where it was formally disbanded, the officers and men receiving their discharges and final payment August 5 to 7, 1865, just three years from the date of their muster into the service at Clinton, Iowa.

Colonel Campbell states that only about 400 of the original members of the regiment were with it upon its return to Davenport, and that but eight of its original officers remained with it at that time; he also states that during its term of service it had received 235 recruits, of which 86 were from Iowa, 72 from Missouri and 77 from Arkansas and Texas. The larger number of its officers had received well deserved promotions from the ranks, as vacancies occurred from death, resignation, discharge for disability, or other causes. Quite a number of its officers had been discharged to accept promotion in other regiments. All these changes will be found noted in the subjoined roster, together with the record of each officer and enlisted man, in paragraph form, opposite his name. Every, effort has been made to secure accuracy in this revised roster, but no doubt errors and omissions have occurred, owing to the imperfect manner in which part of the records have been kept, and this imperfect condition is largely, if not wholly, due to the failure of officers to make full reports and returns to the Adjutant General of Iowa during the progress of the war. In some instances names will probably be found not properly spelled, but this could not be avoided, for the reason that the records were the only guide to follow. In the case of the Eighteenth Iowa, the compiler has found no official reports of battles on file, and has been compelled to rely upon such general information as he could obtain from the sources previously indicated — mainly the history of the regiment, from which liberal quotations have been made.

The Eighteenth Iowa Infantry has a record of service that reflects high honor upon its officers and enlisted men and upon the State which sent it into the field. While it was not engaged in any of the great battles of the war, its service was no less important to the cause of the Union than was that of the regiments from Iowa which served in the great campaigns in Mississippi; Georgia and Virginia. Its service was upon the southwestern frontier, against an active and ever vigilant enemy; the posts which it held and successfully defended were most important ones, its conflicts with the enemy and its losses showing plainly with what determined bravery and unflinching fortitude it performed its duty. Its record of long and toilsome marches, of suffering from cold and hunger and from all the vicissitudes of war, entitles it to a place in history second to none of the gallant regiments which went forth from the State of Iowa at the call of the Government to assist in conquering a gigantic rebellion.

To the memory of the brave men of this noble regiment who gave up their lives on the field of battle, or who died from wounds or disease; to those who lived to return to their homes and loved ones, but have since answered the last roll call; to those who still survive, the fading remnant of this once powerful military organization; to the dead and the living, to their wives, families and kindred, and to all who shall come after them and inherit the proud legacy transmitted by these heroic soldiers, who endured and suffered and died that their country might live, this brief history is consecrated.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1127
Killed 28
Wounded 79
Died of wounds 9
Died of disease 113
Discharged for disease, wounds or other causes 253
Buried in National Cemeteries 89
Captured 68
Transferred 15


[Note 1.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1863, Vol. I, pages 651-81, Original Roster of the Regiment.

[Note 2.] Adjutant General of Iowa's Report, 1866, page 277.

[Note 3.] The compiler has made diligent search of the archives for the official report of Lieutenant Colonel Cook, but has failed to discover it, or any official report of the subsequent engagements in which the Eighteenth Iowa participated. He has, therefore, been compelled to rely upon the history above referred to, and such other information (deemed reliable) as he has been able to obtain.

[Note 4.] Convalescents from Hospital.

[Note 5.] Promoted from Major July 17, 1863.

[Note 6.] Captain Thomas Blanchard. Adjutant General's Report, 1867, Vol. I, page 136.

[Note 7.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa for year 1866, pages 276 to 280.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 3, p. 117-23

Brigadier-General Cyrus Bussey

FIRST COLONEL, THIRD CAVALRY.

Cyrus Bussey was born on the 5th day of October, 1833, in Trumbull county, Ohio, where he lived till the year 1837, when he removed with his father, the Rev. A. Bussey, to Southern Indiana. When fourteen years of age, he entered a dry-goods store as clerk; and at sixteen embarked in the mercantile business on his own account. In 1855 he came to Iowa, and settled in Bloomfield, Davis county. Previously to coming to Iowa he had spent two years in the study of medicine; but the practice of that profession not according with his tastes he resumed, after coming to Iowa, his former business.

Mr. Bussey was formerly a Democrat in politics, and in 1858 was elected by that party to the State Senate from Davis county. During the canvass that terminated in his election, the oratorical skill and ability that he displayed in his speeches surprised the people of Davis county, who had heretofore known him as a successful merchant. He served in the State Senate during the session of 1860-61, and. also in the extra war session; and unlike the representatives from Davis county, gave hearty support to the Administration and voted for every war measure. By his fealty to the Government he lost caste with his party and forfeited all prospects of political preferment in his county, for it was intensely democratic.

On the 11th of June, 1861, General Bussey was appointed an aid de camp to Governor Kirkwood, and served in that capacity during the southern border excitement in the summer of 1861, distributing arms and organizing the militia.

On the 10th of August, 1861, he was commissioned colonel of the 3d Iowa Cavalry, and in ten days from that date, had his regiment in rendezvous. Early in February, 1862, he was ordered with his regiment from Benton Barracks near St. Louis, to Rolla, Missouri, which place, after a few days' rest, he left and marched for Springfield, to join General Curtis. He reached Springfield on the 15th instant, but General Curtis had already left in pursuit of General Price toward the Arkansas border. On learning this fact, and hearing rumors of an impending battle, Colonel Bussey decided to push on at once, and join General Curtis' command at all hazards. The roads were heavy and the weather inclement; but on the evening of the 16th instant, he reached Sugar Creek, having accomplished in four days' time, some two hundred miles. It is not the greatest cavalry march on record; but at that day there was not a greater, where it was made in the direction of the enemy.

After joining the Army of the South West, Colonel Bussey was assigned to the command of a cavalry brigade. With this command he fought in the battle of Pea Ridge, and engaged the enemy near Leetown. The circumstances attending the opening of the engagement on the part of the 3d Iowa Cavalry, and the part the regiment sustained in the action are as follows: Van Dorn, declining to attack General Curtis in front, stole in the night-time quietly by the right flank of the original line of battle, hoping to gain position in the rear, and by a sudden attack, and with confusion as his ally, push the Federal army to ruinous defeat. But General Curtis divined his plans, and made disposition of his forces to meet the enemy in the new position.

The new line was formed early in the morning, and the rebel advance encountered near Elkhorn Tavern — Curtis' right. At about the same time, Colonel Osterhaus with an infantry command, and Colonel Bussey with his cavalry brigade, were sent out from the left to strike the enemy in flank, while they were moving into position. This force proceeded through the timber and some open fields to beyond Leetown, when they saw the enemy's train and some cavalry passing by their front. This cavalry the 3d Iowa, under Lieutenant-Colonel Trimble, was ordered to charge; but while moving to the attack, the regiment suddenly came on the infantry of McCulloch, McIntosh and Albert Pike, concealed in the timber. Lieutenant-Colonel Trimble was instantly shot in the head and disabled; and a majority of the men of the 3d Iowa, who were killed and wounded in the engagement, fell here. Nine of Company D were killed and wounded by this fire. The regiment was of course repulsed, and, wheeling about, retired.

But in the meantime a force of rebel cavalry having advanced from the right, charged the command of Colonel Bussey, and, after a short struggle, drove it back in confusion. This rebel cavalry, the 3d Iowa while falling back encountered, and immediately charged and routed it. A running fight then ensued, during which the rebel General Ben McCulloch was shot from his splendid black charger. Company D, Captain Norman W. Cook, had the honor of killing this celebrated rascal. In these charges and counter-charges, both the Benton and Fremont Hussars failed to do themselves credit: some declare that they broke without firing a gun. All of Bussey's command now fell back to the infantry of Colonel Osterhaus, which was found in line of battle. The enemy soon followed, and in this position, which was near Leetown, was done the principal fighting on the left.

The enemy were routed on the 8th of March, and, on the morning of the 9th, Colonel Bussey in command of his brigade and with a battery of artillery started in pursuit. He came up with their rear-guard at Bentonville, which he found in line of battle; but a few shots from his artillery put it to flight. Pursuing still, Colonel Bussey continued to harass the enemy's rear till he had gained his strong-hold in the Boston Mountains. Pea Ridge was Colonel Bussey's first battle, and, in evidence of their admiration of his conduct throughout the engagement and in the pursuit, his regiment presented him with a magnificent sabre, costing over seven hundred dollars. Pea Ridge was also the first battle of the 3d Iowa Cavalry, and it was one of the hardest in which the regiment ever fought It was at Pea Ridge only, that the killed and wounded were subjected to the shocking atrocities of barbarous warfare. Many of the wounded were killed after their capture, by the inhuman wretches, led to the conflict by Albert Pike. Eight of the 3d Iowa alone were scalped, and many bore evidences of having been murdered after their capture. The killed, wounded and missing of the regiment numbered fifty; and among the former were Sergeants W. O. Crawford, G. N. Anderson, R. H. Millard, and J. W. Montgomery. Not to convey a wrong idea, I should state that only five companies of the regiment were in the engagement— A, B, C, D and M. The 2d Battalion, under command of Major H. C. Caldwell, was at the time serving in Central Missouri.

During the spring and summer of 1862, Colonel Bussey continued with the Army of the South West, and accompanied it on its long and tedious campaign through Arkansas to Batesville. On this march, he had command of his brigade, and, with it, was sent on various expeditions; but in all of these he failed to meet the enemy in any considerable force. On the 10th of July, 1862, he was assigned to the command of the 3d Brigade of General Steele's Division, Army of the South West, which he retained till the 2d of the coming September. From the 2d of September till the 11th of January following, he was in command of either a brigade or a division, but on the last named date was appointed to the command of the District of Eastern Arkansas; and the manner in which he discharged the duties of this command, affording, as it did, so great a contrast with the administration of his predecessor, challenged the attention of the General Government.

On the 6th of April, 1863, Colonel Bussey succeeded Major-General Washburne, in command of the 2d Cavalry Division, Army of the Tennessee; but his command here was Brief; for, desiring a more active field of labor, he was at his own request relieved and ordered to report at Vicksburg, where, on his arrival, he was made chief of cavalry. From the last of May till the surrender of Vicksburg, he had command of all the cavalry in the rear of the beleaguered city, and, in \\atching the movements of General Johnson, rendered important services to General Grant.

The advance of General Sherman against Jackson, Mississippi, after the fall of Vicksburg, was led by Colonel Bussey, who, on the 8th instant, engaged the rebel General Jackson, and after a spirited little fight forced him to retire. He was more or less engaged with the enemy till the 16th instant, during which time he visited Calhoun, Beattie's Bluff, and Vernon. On the 17th of July, he started in command of an expedition to Canton, Mississippi, and on this march again encountered General Jackson with a force numbering four thousand strong. The engagement lasted from eight o'clock in the morning till five in the evening, when the enemy, repulsed at all points, fell back and crossed to the east side of Pearl River. On this expedition, Colonel Bussey destroyed thirteen manufacturing establishments, forty miles of railroad, and a large amount of rolling stock. It is proper to state in this connection that, in all these operations, Colonel Bussey's regiment formed a part of his command.

Coloney Bussey was promoted to a general officer on the 5th of January, 1864; and the above statement of his services suffices to show that his title to a star was long anterior to the date of his receiving it. He was nominated and confirmed for "special gallantry," on the reports of commanding generals.

Since promoted to his present rank, General Bussey has served in the Department of Arkansas: until the middle of February, 1865, he was stationed at Little Rock, and much of this time was the president of a court-martial. Immediately after General Reynolds succeeded General Steele at Little Rock, General Bussey was assigned to the command of the 3d Division, 7th Army Corps, and ordered to relieve General Thayer at Fort Smith, Arkansas. The history of these changes in commanders has been discussed elsewhere, and well illustrates the esteem and confidence in which General Bussey was held by his superiors. Soon after he assumed command at Fort Smith, the following appeared in an editorial of the "New Era:"

"The firm administration of the new commander, General Bussey, together with his untiring efforts to deal justice with an even hand to all, have contributed greatly to restore confidence among the loyal people, and infuse new hope for a bright future among them."

And Governor Murphy, in a letter to the same paper writes:

"I have great confidence in your present commander, General Bussey. His judgment energy, and firmness I feel confident will be equal to the task imposed, though it be great. General Reynolds, commander of the Department, will fully sustain him in every measure for the protection of loyal citizens, and the suppression of villainy."

Before closing this sketch of General Bussey and his old regiment, I cannot forbear alluding to some of the many brave officers, who have contributed to make the history of the 3d Iowa cavalry what it is. Majors Perry, Duffield, Drake and Scott; Captains Van Benthuser, Anderson, Cook, Duffield, Robison, Mayne, Hughs, Taylor, Miller, Mudgett and Warner, and Lieutenants Dale, Fitch, Cherrie, Horton, Walker, McCrary, Crail, Spencer, Curkendall, De Huff, Baker, and H. D. B. Cutler were among the officers who accompanied the regiment to the field. Lieutenant Cutler, a brave and genial companion, was for a long time on the staff of General Bussey — I think his adjutant-general.

Among others, too, who are deserving of mention, is the late Lieutenant A. H. Griswold. He was killed in Arkansas, on the 27th of June, 1862, by a party of guerrillas. The circumstances of his murder are as follows:

"With twenty men of Company K, Lieutenant Griswold went out yesterday morning as escort to Captain Fuller's forage-train. The party proceeded down White River about ten miles, where they loaded the train with corn, and were returning to camp without having discovered the enemy. After traveling three miles, the cavalry escort in the rear of the train were fired upon by a party of rebels concealed in a canebrake about twenty yards distant, killing the lieutenant, Corporal Thomas Watson, and Privates Richard Luke and James L. Beacom, all of Company K; and wounding Privates Edwin Beckwith, in elbow, severely; Wesley Pringle, in side, not dangerously; James Marsh, in head, not dangerously; and Marcus Packard, in leg, slightly. The escort returned the fire, and succeeded in bringing off the train, with the killed and wounded. Lieutenant Griswold was a most faithful and efficient officer, and a gentleman, whose loss will be deeply felt by a large circle of friends in the regiment and in Iowa, where he leaves a wife and two children."

General Bussey is five feet, eleven inches in hight, and has a slender, athletic form. He has an exceedingly fair complexion, dark hair, and dark, lustrous eyes. He is not only comely in person, but winning in manners, and, with his pleasing conversational powers, could not be otherwise than popular in any community. He has ready wit, great power of expression, and is able to say whatever he wishes in whatever way he pleases; and in this lies the secret of his success as a public extempore speaker. General Bussey has confidence in himself and his abilities, and is happily free from those airs and indiscretions common to men overburdened with self-esteem. As a business man, he was characterized for promptness and order, and these traits he carried with him into the army. He is ambitious and fond of public eclat, and — who is not?

Mr. J. Thompson of the 1st Iowa Cavalry, in an article on the Iowa general officers, speaks thus of General Bussey:

"His demeanor indicates at once the scholar and gentleman. He possesses fine sensibilities, and a character irreproachable for honesty and morality. His moral qualities have suffered little by three year's contact with the evil associations of the army. Position or promotion does not change him. It gives me pleasure to dwell on the virtues of his private life, because he stands alone in this respect. His conduct during the war proves him not unworthy the position he occupies."

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 583-90

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

The Latest News

We have deferred to the latest moment making up our summary of news. The reader will find but few additional particulars from the battlefield of Shiloh.

It appears that Gens. Johnston, Beauregard, Polk and Bragg had effected a union of their forces at Corinth, Mississippi, a few days before the battle. Corinth is about 90 miles East of Memphis, Tenn., at that point on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad where the Mobile & Ohio Railroad crosses it.

Gen. Grant, commanding the left wing of the Federals, supposed to be 60,000 strong, had pushed his column up the Tennessee River, and landed at Pittsburg, Tenn., a small town on the river, about twenty miles from Corinth. Of this movement our generals were fully aware. The were also advised that Gen. Buell had pushed on his column of 70,000 from Nashville, South, but with the evident design of forming a junction with Grant, at Pittsburg.

Gen. Johnston therefore determined to attack Gen. Grant before Buell could re-inforce [sic] him, destroy his army and return to Corinth.

The Number of our forces is not known; some say 90,000, but we judge that is a large estimate. Our forces moved against Grant on the 6th instant, whose advance column was within 18 miles of Corinth, at Shiloh Church. At an early hour the troops were engaged, and the battle was fiercely contested on both sides during the entire day.

Where all did so well, it would be invidious to particularize, but Gens. Johnston, Polk, Pillow, Breckinridge and Gladden are specially spoken as signalizing themselves. About 2 ½ o’clock, General Johnston fell, a ball having cut the large artery of his leg; he continued in the saddle until he fainted with loss of blood, and expired very soon after. – Gen. Breckinridge is said to have had two horses killed under him, and his clothes were badly torn. Special mention is made of the great valor of the Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana troops, but we have no doubt all fought well. Dispatches state that only 35,000 of Grant’s forces were engaged. – How many of ours is not mentioned. The loss on both sides is said to be heavy, but nothing is mentioned except that our loss is about 3,000, and that we took between 4 and 6,000 prisoners, among whom was Gen. Prentice [sic] and a number of other officers. Eleven car loads of Federal prisoners arrived at Chattanooga on the 9th.

The enemy was completely routed on the 6th, and driven to their boats, leaving in immense amount of ammunition, stores, and guns in our possession, and 100 cannon captured.

On Sunday night Gen. Buell arrived with heavy re-inforcements and attacked Gen. Beauregard vigorously on Monday morning. The battle raged on until 1 o’clock, when both parties seemed to haul off. Gen. Beauregard fell back to Corinth according to General Johnston’s plan, not having been able to save all of his ammunition, supplies and cannon taken from the enemy the day before.

A dispatch from Corinth on the 9th, to the Richmond Dispatch, says, we still hold the battlefield, and it is not though that the enemy will advance. It says that Morgan’s Cavalry on the 8th attacked the enemy in camp and killed a large number of them, and burned the tents of our forces which they had left.

It says that Gens. Gladden, Bushrod Johnson and Hindman were wounded, and at 2 o’clock the firing ceased mutually on both sides on Monday, and both armies fell back.

It is also stated that Gen. Van Dorn had joined Beauregard at Corinth with re-inforcements. Near that point the great battle is yet to be fought.

A gentleman of this City has received a letter from a friend in the west, who states that Ft. Smith had been evacuated by our forces on account of the destitution of forage and provisions in that region, and that Gen. Price had retired to the Arkansas river to obtain supplies. This therefore discourages the rumor of another fight with Curtis.

We learn from dispatches received by the Charlotte Bulletin on the 10th, that Com. Hollins had communicated to the War Department at Richmond that three of the enemy’s gunboats had passed Island No. 10. Of course they will encounter breakers below.

It is states also, that five Yankee batteries commenced the bombardment of Fort Pulaski below Savannah at 6 o’clock A.M., on that day. No fears were felt for the Fort.

We have nothing from the neighborhood of Newbern, except the skirmish given in another article.

A rumor prevailed in Norfolk, which however was believed to be unfounded, that about 300 of our militia had been captured by the Yankees between Elizabeth City and South Mills.

It is also reported that the Burnside fleet was concentrating at Edenton for a supposed advance upon Suffolk. It needs confirmation.

No news about Norfolk or from the Merrimac.

The reported fights on the Peninsula are believed to have been only skirmishes. The enemy was said to be entrenching four miles below Yorktown.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

From the 18th Iowa

Aug, 16th ‘64

Mr. Caverly:–

After a long delay I improve the present time to write you.

In the First place I will give you a limited description of the country; though I may fail to give it its just due, for soldiers have a peculiar dislike for Dixie. I will however say this much – that there are some places here that look very fine and handsome; good facilities for making farms, building houses, barns &c., but most of the land around Fort Smith is very rough and hilly. The mountain scenery is beautiful to look upon, but much of the country is good for nothing else. Ft. Smith has been a flourishing town, and considerable business was transacted there before this war commenced, but like all other southern cities it is justly doomed, and this because ignorance of the people. They have suffered themselves to be misled by politicians who would sell their interest in Heaven for a “nigger.”

If h—l yearns for wicked men, surely the d---l will get has hands full when Jeff Davis, Tombs, Vallandigham, Mahoney [sic] and their co-laborers get their reward. Oh, what a fearful doom awaits them! Had I ever been a Universalist I would now be compelled to believe that there ought to be a place set apart for such men. I wonder if the copperheads of the north think we soldiers take no thought of them? If they do they are much mistaken, for we have our men picked, and the day of settlement will surely come.

The boys of the 18th are in good health generally. Our regiment will give Abraham a handsome majority. We all think that Fremont has acted the part of a dog. I have not yet heard a man say he will vote for him.

I believe that about four from every company are going home on furlough this fall. We are all in a bad humor about the rebels taking our mail, and killing some of the escort. They ran on the mail party on the 12th inst., and killed ten of the escort, and captured the rest. The rebs were from 700 to 1000 strong. The escort numbered only 43. They got over a thousand pounds of mail matter that belonged to Ft. Smith.

No more at present. I remain your friend.

W. W. Reese,
Co. I, 18th Iowa Infantry

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, September 3, 1864