Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 19 – Lieut. Col. James C. Parrott, 7th Iowa Infantry

No. 19.

Report of Lieut. Col. James C. Parrott, Seventh Iowa Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH REGIMENT IOWA INFANTRY,

Army in the Field, Pittsburg, Tenn., April 10, 1862.

SIR: In compliance with your order, dated April 8, 1862, I have the honor herewith to make a report of the part taken by the Seventh Regiment Iowa Infantry in the battle of Pittsburg, Tenn., on April 6, 7, and 8.

On the morning of the 6th, at 8 o’clock, I received your order to hold the regiment in readiness for a forward movement, the rebels having attacked our outposts. The regiment was formed immediately, and at about 9 a.m. it was ordered to move forward, and it took position on the left of the Second Iowa Infantry. It then moved forward by the flank until within a short distance of the advancing rebels, where it was thrown into line of battle, being in heavy timber, when it advanced to the edge of a field, from which position we got a view of a portion of the rebel forces. I ordered my men to lie down and hold themselves in readiness to resist any attack, which they did, and remained in that position until ordered to fall back at about 5 p.m., holding the rebels in check and retaining every inch of ground it had gained in the morning, being all the time under a galling fire of canister, grape, and shell, which did considerable execution in our ranks, killing several of my men and wounding others. The regiment, when ordered, fell back in good order and passed through a most galling flank fire from the enemy. When it gained cover of the timber it rallied in good style and helped to hold the enemy in check for some time, when it was again ordered to fall back upon the main river road, and there it bivouacked for the night, exposed to a heavy rain of several hours’ duration.

On Monday morning, the 7th, I was so completely stiffened by fatigue and exposure that it was impossible for me to advance with the regiment, but I knew it was placed in good hands when I turned the command over to Major Rice, who led them on that day to the enemy's stronghold, and from him I was proud to learn it did its duty unflinchingly not only against the rebels, but in keeping many of our troops from falling back and leaving the field in disorder. At night the regiment returned to camp, and for the first time in two days had warm food and a good night's rest.

On Tuesday morning, the 8th, I again moved the regiment forward about 2 miles and remained in line all day, not getting in sight or hearing of the enemy. At night it returned to camp in good order.

In conclusion, I am proud to say that the officers and men of the Seventh Iowa Volunteers, with a few exceptions, did their duty nobly, and sustained the proud position won for it on former occasions, of which our State may feel proud. The delinquents, although few, will be strictly dealt with according to the Articles of War.

Our casualties are as follows: One lieutenant and 10 privates killed; 17 privates wounded and 6 privates missing; making an aggregate of 34 killed, wounded, and missing.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 J. C. PARROTT,

 Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Seventh Iowa Infantry.

Col. J. M. TUTTLE,

Commanding First Brigade, Second Division.

__________

* But see revised statement, p. 101

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 150-1

James C. Parrott

VETERAN FRONTIER EXPLORER AND BRAVE SOLDIER

The long and useful career of Gen. James C. Parrott, begun in Maryland in 1811, was closed in Keokuk in 1898. Between these dates much of interest occurred in which General Parrott performed a useful and honorable part. No other man in the service was so thoroughly a part of Iowa history. We have already noted his pioneer journey up the Des Moines River as far as Boone in 1835, before Fremont explored the interior of Iowa Territory and before Captain Allen founded Fort Des Moines.

Born in Easton, Maryland, in 1811, in 1834 he joined the First United States Dragoons, of which Henry Dodge was commander. After serving three years as sergeant, young Parrott located in Fort Madison and engaged in business. In 1852 he moved to Keokuk. When the war broke out, deeming it his duty as a military man to serve his country, in June, 1861, he raised a company for the Seventh Iowa Infantry. As compared with most officers in 1861, he was a veritable graybeard, for he had rounded his half century!

In the battle of Belmont he assisted Colonel Lauman from the field, and before the battle was over he found he, himself, had received four wounds. He was conveyed to a steamer, and told he had less than two hours to live. Grant sent him home to recuperate. Colonel Lauman in his report emphatically commended Captain Parrott and other of his officers for their bravery at Belmont. In December he came back as lieutenant-colonel. Later he participated in several battles in Tennessee. His was the charging brigade that captured Fort Henry, and at Donelson he commanded his regiment. He it was who brought back from Buckner the offer of capitulation. At Shiloh he bravely led his regiment into the ''Hornet's Nest,'' and at Corinth he received a wound from which he never wholly recovered. Colonel Rice in his report said:

"I must make especial mention of Lieutenant-Colonel Parrott, who cheered and encouraged the men and performed his duty with great bravery.''  He made the March to the Sea, and was one of the few far western commanders who in 1865 were privileged to ride through the Confederate capital. The only mounted officer on the left flank, he was the gratified recipient of a beautiful bouquet of flowers from a Richmond lady. Though he was never a full colonel, his depleted regiment not having sufficient numerical strength to entitle it to a colonel, after his retirement in 1865 he was made a brevet brigadier-general. A valued tribute to the love his men bore him is a sword presented by them after his gallantry at Belmont.

For ten years after the war General Parrott was postmaster at Keokuk. In 1874-76, he was G. A. R. commander of the Department of Iowa. Ho died May 17, 1898, aged eighty-seven. His funeral, held in Keokuk, was a generous tribute of love and affection from comrades, friends and neighbors.

SOURCE: Johnson Brigham, Iowa: Its History And Its Foremost Citizens, Volume 1, 415-6

Letter from Lieut. Col. Parrott

(From the Gate City)

FORT DONELSON, TENN.

Feb. 18, 1862

MY DEAR WIFE:  I am happy to inform you that James and myself escaped without a scratch.  Col. Lauman, Major Rice, and in fact all our commanding officers with a few exceptions, are all safe.  Although we had a strong force and an almost impregnable fort to contend with yet they had to yield, and we all look upon it as one of the most signal victories that has yet been gained, in which our gallant little 7^th and the Iowa 2d bore a conspicuous part.  We fought almost side by side, and when our official report shall be published it will show to the world that Iowa stands high on the scroll of military fame.

I will now allude to the plan of attack.  On Wednesday night last we arrived in front of the Fort.  On top of an eminence was planted a battery of the 1^st Missouri of two pieces of Parrot riffled 20 pounders, which battery I was ordered to support with the 7^th.  The boys moved up the hill with a steady and firm step, knowing that it was a post of great honor.  We were compelled to lay on our arms all night without fire and not even a blanket, but taking it all through we spent the night very comfortably.  The night passed quietly, and in the morning I was ordered to join my brigade, which constituted part of the left wing.  Col. Lauman commanded the fourth brigade of the second division, leaving me in command of our regiment.  We joined our brigade and the command was given to storm the enemy’s breastworks at a charge, and away we went, and nothing but fallen timber, deep ravines and other impediments prevented us from mounting their entrenchments.  We gained a secure position within 75 to 100 yards of their works, and kept up our firing until dark, doing considerable execution.  At night we withdrew our forces and bivouacked on the ground we occupied the night previous.

I was suffering severely from a sick headache, and knowing that they would not attack us out of their entrenchments, I retired to the rear for the night. As comfortably as the circumstances of the case would admit, for it was one of the most inclement nights I almost ever witnessed.  It commenced raining about 7 p. m. and poured down for about two hours then it commenced sleeting, and to wind up, it snowed about three inches, and in the morning we had a pretty good Iowa winter.

On Friday morning the 2d Iowa arrived and I had the pleasure of meeting my son and many warm friends, who were delighted to think they had a prospect for a fight.  On Friday we kept up our skirmishing and at night laid upon the ground again.  Col. Lauman and myself bunked together by the side of a log with no covering but one blanket and the canopy of heaven. – About 9 p. m. it again commenced snowing and fell about two inches.  We passed the night with very little comfort, but as good soldiers we did our duty and scarcely heard a murmur from our men.

On Saturday morning the fight opened in earnest on the right wing, and we were for some hours held in suspense on our wing, but shortly after noon we found that the time had come for us to make the decisive blow, and at it we went, Col. Lauman giving the post of honor and danger to the more than gallant Iowa 2d.  They made a most magnificent charge and the no less gallant 7^th followed close to their heels, and drove the enemy like chaff before the whirlwind to their second breastworks, where they again made a stand and gave us all some warm work.  Night approaching we fell back to the rear of their first entrenchment, and bivouacked for the night on the cold frozen ground without fire, Col. Lauman and myself occupying the root of a mammoth oak looking for an attack hourly; but daylight came and with it the sound of bugles from the enemy’s camp.  As soon as it was light I mounted the entrenchments and found that the enemy were displaying the white flag..  I was ordered forward to receive it and met them half way between the entrenchments.  They made a proposition to surrender on conditions.  Their proposition was sent to headquarters and the reply sent back “surrender unconditionally or the fight continues.”  In a short time our terms were complied with, and on that beautiful quiet, still Sabbath morning we marched in under martial music, amid the shouts of thousands of happy and loyal hearts, and took possession of an immense Fort and all its equipments, and thousands of prisoners.  But amid all this rejoicing there were some sad hearts.  Some of our brave boys had bit the dust and many were wounded and suffering.  But such is the fate of War!

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

Battle of Fort Donelson

Official Report of Col. Lauman.

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

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

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 18^th, 1862.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                         41

Wounded,                                                 157

Total,                                                         198

25th Reg’t. Indian Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                         14

Wounded,                                                 101

Total                                                          115

Seventh Reg’t Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                           2

Wounded,                                                   37

Total                                                            39

14th Reg’t Iowa Infantry Volunteers

Killed,                                                           3

Wounded,                                                   23

Total                                                            26

Birge’s Sharp Shooters

Killed,                                                           1

Wounded,                                                     3

Missing,                                                        1

Total,                                                             5

RECAPITUALTION

Killed,                                                         61

Wounded,                                                 621

Missing                                                         1

Total                                                          383

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

I remain respectfully,

Your ob’t servant,

J. G. LAUMAN,

Col. Com’ng. 4^th Brig. 2d Division

To Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith

Commanding Second Division

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

Honor to the Brave

Col. Lauman commanding the brigade that stormed Fort Donelson, prefaces his official report, of which we publish the list of killed and wounded, of the Iowa 7^th, and 14^th regiments – having already published the official list of the gallant 2d regiment – with the following tribute to officers under his command:

“Captains Slaymaker and Cloutman fell just as they entered the enemy’s fortifications.  Cloutman was instantly killed and Slaymaker died gallantly shouting to hi men to go forward and consummate the work.

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

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 2