Eighth Ward General Hospital At Hamburg, Tenn., Sunday, May 11 [1862].

ED. RUSSELL, Esq., Cor. Sec’y S. R. A.:–

Dear Sir:  On the afternoon of the 9th inst., the 2d Iowa cavalry was brought into action as an advance of Gen. Pope’s division.  They executed an order to charge on a rebel battery in a most gallant manner, and saved from capture or total destruction Gen. Paine’s brigade; but in doing so, three of our brave boys fell dead and forty were wounded.  The regiment lost, I am told, 140 horses killed and disabled.  Although I tried hard, I could procure no sooner reliable information.  I believe none of our infantry suffered.  I here give all the attention the circumstances would permit to the wounded.  Most of them are to be put on board of a steamboat to be sent home; those worst wounded are still in “hospital camp,” which is agreeable to order of Gen. Halleck.  Our sick are doing pretty well; the weather is very warm.  My charge is being greatly increased; attend to more than 200 – there being about 4,000 sick in all.  I am making every preparation to meet the increasing demands.  Sanitary Commissions are the salvation of the army, but good cooks are needed very much.  Another surgeon should be here to take charge of our men at Pittsburg.  Burwell is there.  We have none at present at Savannah, but many will be sent there soon in the event of a battle, of which there can be no doubt, and that a desperate one too.

At Pittsburg are more than 500 sick of Iowa soldiers.  Mrs. Harlan furnished all our hospitals in that (Grant’s) division last week with all needed sanitary supplies; and reports the sick doing well for the climate, which is, but the way, anything but favorable to health for Northern men – very warm days and cold nights, produce the form of fevers (congestive), diarrheas, &c. – Direct to Dr. A. S. Maxwell, general hospital at Hamburg, Tenn., care of Post surgeon.

LIST OF KILLED OF 2D IOWA CAVALRY.

Lt. Owens, Co. H; Sergt. Ayers, Co. A; John Wilson, Co. B; Jas. B. Armstrong, Co. C (died after bringing into camp).

MISSING OF 2D CAVALRY.

Wm. E. Walker, Co. B; John D. Burg, Co. B.

WOUNDED OF 2D CAVALRY.

Wm. H. Bulla, Co. F, thigh; C. H. Brock, Co. B, in arms; S. T Hato, Co. G, arm and side; Jas. Fought, Co. F, contusion; T. I. Parks, Co. F, breast; Jas. Taylor, Co. C, shoulder; John S. Bush, Co. B, breast and shoulder; a. Hinely, Co. G. back; Jas. Slawter, Co. D; Sylvester Hazen, Co. M, shoulder; Sergt. S. H. Waterman, Co. G, thigh; Capt. Egbert, thigh.

The boat on which were the wounded (D. A. January) left just as I was going on board with some of our sick, when I intended to have got the names of those of the wounded cavalry, so the list is incomplete.

Heavy firing has been heard all morning on the right wing, (Gen. Grant’s) – a skirmish, I suppose, as it is understood Halleck has got a complete communication of the different divisions – being divided by impassable sloughs, which are being bridged in many places.  I tell you, it is only those who see that can fully appreciate the extent and character of obstacles to be overcome by our army, to make success at all certain.  Perhaps there are few points either North our South, where nature and the improvements (railroads, etc.) has done more to complete a strong military position for defence, than this same Corinth, and our friends need not be alarmed if they should learn that a siege be the only course to effect their defeat.  An assault, I think, will be attempted, if we do not succeed in drawing them out.

It is now raining; the roads had become very dusty on high land.  Our main line of the army is about four miles from Corinth; the pickets are within speaking and shooting distance of each other, two miles from Corinth, a large swamp intervening, and many guns, it is said, can be seen.  Four large siege guns, 64’s, planted here, are being taken out to-day to the advance.

News has just come in that Gen. Buell’s division has been attacked and is falling back.  If true, it is easy to see the intent – to draw them out of their works and bring on a general engagement.  Very heavy firing is heard.  Excuse haste.  I must close for the mail.

Yours truly;

A. S. MAXWELL.

If editors would sent lots of papers here to an agent who would sell them fast, the boys would take it as a great favor to have it in their power to buy them.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 2

From the 2d Iowa Cavalry

CAMP ON HAMBURG AND CORINTH ROAD,

Friday, May 9, 1862.

FRIEND SANDERS. – Of yesterday’s skirmish, and loss, I wrote you last night and to-night as a faithful chronicler, I am compelled to add further to the record, which though of noble deeds, will carry anguish to loving hearts.  About noon, orders came to be ready to move at the firing of a signal gun.  The signal soon came, and in ten minutes the regiment was in column, and on its way to the front.  I may mention that most of our force which had advanced yesterday, had retired back to camp. Vacating the ground they had occupied.  Yesterday our regiment was a mile and a half beyond Farmington; to-day two miles this side of town.  They met. Gen. Paine’s Division and three batteries, retreating.  Passing this column on coming to an opening a mile wide, on the opposite side of which the rebels had three batteries, they formed into line, Lt. Col. Hatch, commanding, with Majors Hepburn, Coon and Lave, commanding respectively the 1st, 2d and 3d batteries [sic].  The rebels had the range, and their batteries were well manned and playing rapidly on our lines.  Gen. Paine rode and ordered the regiment to “charge” those batteries.  The batteries were three-fourths of a mile distant, and formed a line a half a mile in length – sweeping with the murderous fire the whole space.

The charge sounded and officers and soldiers swept forward and through the leaden tempest!  Shot and shell hurtled through the air, or plowed up the ground beneath.  The woods flanking the open space were occupied by rebel sharpshooters, and they too poured forth their murderous fire on the rushing line.  Through such a fire of iron ball is seldom faced in a charge and horses and men went down by sections, yet onward at full speed charged the 2d Cavalry through canister and grape, to within one hundred yards of the guns, when they were found to be supported by dense lines of infantry.  When knowing we were unsupported, the rally was sounded, and we retired, but had the satisfaction of seeing the batteries limber up and cease firing.

The regiment was absent from camp less than three hours.  The charge was of short durations, but from the annexed list, which is reliable, Iowa may see whether her glory has been dimmed by the 2d Cavalry – whether another laurel has not been added to her brow – another bright page added to their immortal list – a record made that when Iowa is tried, she is never found wanting.

1ST BATTALION. – Commissary Sergt. W. W. Miller, by a spent ball in leg, slightly.

Co. K. – Killed, none.  Wounded, Corpl. Elias W. Shephard, in the head; Derwin Downer, flesh wound in leg; R. M. Downer, in leg by a piece of shell; Fred Lehart, in head; G. R. Bradley, in leg by a piece of shell; Abraham Leffler, in head and chest.

Co. L. – Killed, none.  Wounded, Corpl. M. B. Hubbard, in head; G. W. Kelso, in the thigh.  Missing, James Raymond.

Co. E. – Wounded, Lewis Kephart, in hand; Bugler, Wm. Dunderdale, in head; Corpl. W. Aldrich in head slightly; Sergt. J. W. Jennings, in hand.

Co. M. – Wounded. Nathan Smith, in the foot, amputated below knee; Sylvester L. Hazen, in shoulder, slightly; J. S. Breedan, in Leg; John Parker, wounded and missing.

3D BATTALION. – Co. I and D, all safe.

Co. F. – Wounded, Labon J. Parks, in breast, severely; Wm. Bulley, in thigh and rectum, severely; Sergt. James Fought, in thigh, slightly; Sergt. Daniel Okeson, missing.

Co. B. – Killed, John Burgh, (missing yesterday and supposed killed.)  Wounded, J. S. Brush, in right shoulder severely; W. M. Freeman, in breast by shell; Corp. Porter J. Webb, in leg; slightly; Corp. Walker, Missing; Cloud H. Brock, in arm, severely; Daniel Craft, in side, slightly.

2D BATTALION. – Co. A. Killed, Sergt. Frederick L. Ayer.  Wounded, J. B. Gaddis, in arm and side, slightly; B. F. Wagoner, in shoulder slightly; Otis Legg, in side, slightly.

Co. H. – Killed, Lt. Benjamin F. Owen.  Wounded, Corp. Haskins, in leg, slightly; A. V. Reeves, in thigh, slightly; A. N. Detwiler, in breast, slightly.

Co. G. – Wounded, Capt. Wm. Lundy, in the head, slightly; Sergt. L. H. Waterman, in hip, dangerously; Corp. J. T. Haight, arm and side; Anderson Heinly, severely, through from side to side.

Co. C. – Wounded, Capt. Henry Egbert, in thigh, by a piece of shell; James Armstrong, through both hips and bladder, (poor fellow, as I now write, just midnight, I hear his constant groans; brave man, I fear he must die;) Wm. Gordon, right heel – Amputation below knee; James Taylor, through the shoulder severely.

Total – 2 killed, 39 wounded, one wounded and missing, and three missing.

Captain Lundy, Lieuts. Schnitger, C. C. Horton, Co. A, and Chas. More, Co. K, had their horses shot under them.  Ninety-seven horses were killed and disabled, and nearly as many more wounded.  A shell divided Lt. Col. Hatch’s heavy brass stirrup, another passed so close to captain Kendrick’s head, as to deafen one side, and numerous sabres, scabbards and revolvers show the scars of cannon shot, shell and bullets.  The surgeons had all the wounds dressed before night, and the sufferers, with the exception of one or two, are quite and doing well.

It seems to be the opinion among officers, outside the regiment, that the charge, though a desperate resort, was splendidly executed, and that it saved Gen. Paine’s Division.

The weather is fine and work ahead.  And now for my blankets; I bid you adieu.

DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 2

Lt. Anton Scherer

We saw a few days ago in the Clinton Herald, among the changes in the military of the Sate, an announcement that Lt. Anton Scherer, of Capt. Kendrick’s company, had been mustered out of service.  We refrained from saying anything about it at the time, in the hope of receiving some satisfactory explanation.  Such an explanation Capt. Egbert furnished us yesterday.  It appears that Lt. Scherer has been sick a great deal of the time since leaving here, and was taken down on the arrival of the regiment at Pittsburg.  The surgeon in charge sent him down the river, but neglected to report the fact.  Hence, when he was missed, it was supposed he had deserted, and he was accordingly mustered out, by order of Gen. Halleck.  He has obtained a rehearing, it is understood, and we hope the injustice done him will be repaired.  So good an officer and brave a man cannot be spared from the service, and certainly should not be wrongfully banished from it.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 1

Iowa At The South

Capt. Egbert informs us that the “secesh” have a profound regard for Iowa troops.  They would, on an average, prefer not meeting them, especially the 7th Iowa.  A prisoner, with whom Capt. Egbert had a conversation, told the captain that if they (the secesh) ever got a chance, they would annihilate the 7th Iowa – get it out of the way altogether.  The 7th is no doubt ready at any time to risk the annihilation threatened whenever the secesh have time to undertake the job.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 1

Capt. Egbert left town yesterday morning . . .

. . . for his home in Cleona township.  He was wounded in the thigh by a shell, as we stated yesterday.  He gave us some very interesting particulars relative to the skirmish between Gen. Paine’s forces and the enemy, supposed to be under Gen. Price, last Friday, in which he was engaged, and of which we publish an account in another column in a letter from “Diff.”  In a skirmish the day previous, John Wilson, a private in Co. B., 2d cavalry, from Marshall county, was killed.  Capt. E. says that on Friday the 2d had only 400 men in the action, though every company was represented.  The balance had been detailed on special duty, or were absent from other causes.  The health of the regiment has been very good ever since they left St. Louis, and they have very few in hospital.  Lt. Col. Hatch now commands the regiment, Col. Elliott having command of a brigade composed of the 2d Iowa and the 2d Michigan Cavalry.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 1

Wounded

Capt. Egbert, of the 2d Cavalry, arrived in town last evening, and is stopping at the Pennsylvania House.  He was wounded in the leg, last Saturday in the skirmish between Pope’s forces and those of Price.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 16, 1862, p. 1