From the 15th Regiment

We learn from a private letter that Capt. Hutchcraft was wounded in the arm severely; Capt. Blackman in the back slightly; and Capt. Day in the hip.  Lieutenants Perryman, Hamilton and Fisk were killed, and J. Monroe Reid wounded in neck slightly.  Twenty-five privates were killed.

Col. Reid, Dewey and Belknap arrived at Cairo on the 12th and are probably on the way up.

- Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862

J. Monroe Reid

Colonel Reid was a son of Hugh T. Reid, who was one of the leading Lee County attorneys in his day and won distinction as a soldier in the Civil war. J. Monroe Reid studied law and for many years had an office at 24 North Fifth Street, Keokuk. In 1877 he wrote his "Sketches and Anecdotes of Old Settlers, Newcomers, the Mormon Bandits and the Danite Band." Among the old settlers mentioned in his work were Dr. Samuel Muir, Capt. J. B. Browne, C. F. Davis, Isaac R. Campbell, Chief Keokuk, Edwin Guthrie and George C. Anderson, Keokuk's first banker.

Colonel Reid's literary style is probably more forcible than elegant, but in his book are preserved many incidents connected with the early life of Lee County. He came to Keokuk from Indiana, enlisted as a private in Company A, Second Iowa Infantry, and four years later was mustered out as captain and brevet lieutenant-colonel of the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry.

SOURCE: Nelson C. Roberts & S. W. Moorhead, editors, Story of Lee County, Iowa, Vol. 1, p. 285

From Pittsburgh Landing

We give the following extracts from a private letter received last night:

PITTSBURGH LANDING, April 10.

ED. GATE:– This is the bloodiest battle ever fought on this continent – the fiercest and most desperate conflict of the campaign. Our loss is greater than at Ft. Donelson. The wounded are being cared for as fast as possible, and all that human hands and human sympathy can do is being done for our brave soldiers. – Our Iowa men have suffered severely; our loss not yet ascertained.

The 15th Iowa arrived on Sunday and entered at once into the engagement. Their loss as I have been able to gather was:

Co. Reid, wounded in the neck severely.
Major Belknap, in the back, slightly.
Capt. Hutchcraft, in the arm, severly.
Capt. Blackmar, in the back slightly.
Capt. Day, in hip.
Lieut. Perryman, killed.
Lieut. Hamilton, killed.
Lieut. Fisk, killed.
Lieut. J. M. Reid wounded in the neck, slightly.
Twenty-five privates killed.

Co. A, 2d Iowa, 2 killed, John A Hough one of them.

As soon as I can procure reliable lists will send them to you.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862,

Letter from Capt. Reid.

Camp 15th Reg., Iowa Inft. Vol.
3d Brig., 1st Div., Vicksburg
December 13th, 1863

Part of our Army Corps commanded by Major-General McPherson, and about nine “nigger” regiments of artillery, infantry and cavalry are now holding this post.- Brig.-Gen. Dennis commands our division, Brig.-Gen. Alex Chambers our brigade and Brig.-Gen. McArthur commands the post of Vicksburg.

We have nothing of thrilling interest – no skirmishes, and with the exception of occasional firing on pickets of nights and at target every morning when the Grand Guard is relieved, all is calm as a summer monring. The weather is so mild and pleasant; persons coming from the north would hardly realize that it is winter. Yet we have an occasional cold “spell of weather,” with cold winds and rains; yet like “morning cloud and the early dew,” it soon passes away. Our regiment is generally very healthy – In my company there is not a single man on the sick list, and we have had during the summer and autumn, fewer sick men than any other company in the regiment. Three-fourths and perhaps more, of my company will reenlist at the expiration of their two years service, as “Veteran Volunteers” among these about all the boys from Clark County. Hailing from “Old Lee,” the “Empire County… let me say to you, reader, and to their many friends and relatives, (and to their sweethearts too) for I am an old bachelor myself, and never forget the ladies – that I feel proud of the boys in my company from Clark County. “None but the brave deserve the fair,” and they are truly a gallant set of boys as ever shouldered a musket, and are “dreaming of the hour” when they hope to go home as a company to reorganize and recruit, see their friends, and have a good time generally. An order has recently been issued by the terms of which, when three-fourths of any company or regiment reenlist as Veteran Volunteers, they are permitted to go home to the State from whence they came, and will be permitted to spend not less than thirty days at home. Under that order Co. I will be almost certain get North, as we have counted noses, and ten men have gone in as Veterans, and nearly all the others, whose times are not yet up have signed a paper agreeing to do so. By the 20th of February the “Veterans” will be ready to march.

Sutler’s goods are here at pretty reasonable prices.

No Newspaper is yet published in Vicksburg; but white and unbleached American [illegible, looks like wheels], and a theater are in operation. Quite a number of officers have their wives and children here.

The River is now in good stage and we get Northern and New Orleans papers almost daily.. Oranges, apples, persimmons and fresh oysters are plenty with a sprinkling of cat-fish and almost everything else in the market, which is open every day.

Guards daily patrol the city, taking up citizens and able bodied “niggers” without passes,- the latter are pressed ino the service.

Dutch balls, suppers &c. are the order of the day, - a few nights ago the heroes of Wilson’s Creek had a grand time. I was not present, but understand it was a very “spirited” affair.

A General Court Martial, the “Court of Inquiry,” and a Court Martial for our division are now in session. No civil Court is yet established.

Col. John Adir McDowall, late of the 6th Iowa, and now U. S. Revenue agent, arrived here on the 11th inst.

Confederate money is only worth ten cents on the dollar, and corn meal $2.00 per bushel.

James M. Reid
Capt. Commanding Co. I

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Oscoela, Iowa, January 9, 1864