Capt. R. M. Littler

DAVENPORT, March 10, 1862.

EDITOR OF GAZETTE:  Upon my arrival in your city on Saturday last, I was greatly shocked at the reports in circulation denouncing Capt. Bob. Littler and his gallant conduct in the late battle at Fort Donelson. – Whilst I know these reports to be totally groundless, I cannot imagine how a man can be so fallen in his own opinion, as he certainly must be, and in the opinion of the world, as to give utterance to such base and cowardly fabrications.  I do not wish to enter into any lengthy detail upon the subject, as I deem it unnecessary, for, by his own statement in your last issue, he gives ample chance for investigation.  But, in justice to Capt. Bob, his friends, his company and his regiment, I will give a statement of the facts, as they came under my observation.

On the afternoon of the 15^th of February, when the 2d Iowa made the charge on the enemy’s breast-works, Capt. Bob. Littler was in the hottest part of the fight.  When the enemy opened fire upon us, Maj. Chipman and Capt. Littler were almost side by side.  Our men were falling all around.  I saw Maj. Chipman fall, and heard Capt. Littler give the order to his men, “Close up men; close up.”  In a moment we were inside their breast-works, and all mingled together.  Federals and rebels.  ‘Twas then I first lost sight of him, for there was no time then to see what the next man to you was doing; it was every man for himself, fighting for life or death.

Sometime after, I should judge about an hour, when the firing had somewhat ceased, I again saw him supporting one of his men who was wounded.  I approached him and passed some few remarks with him concerning the battle, and knowing that he was very sick when he went on the field, scarcely able to stand up, I requested him to leave it.  I told him, as surgeons were scarce, he could be of more service taking care of his wounded men than he could be on the field.  I did not again see him until towards dark, when the firing had ceased and I had supported a wounded man to our camp near the field. – There I saw him binding a handkerchief around one of the men.  He remained with the men, doing all he could to relieve their sufferings, until after dark, when they were removed to the hospital.  I then procured some blankets for him to lie down upon, and bidding him good night left for my own quarters.

From his conduct that day, I say he is no coward, but proved himself a brave man.  The very man I should like to again enlist under in case of another war.  These, sir, are the facts.

JULES MEREDITH,

Principal Musician, 2d Iowa Infty.

I certify to the above.

F. M. SUITER,

Orderly-Sergeant Co. B.

The above statements are correct in every detail, as near as I could learn while at Fort Donelson, and the day I left Capt. Littler was officer of the day.

DR. G. W. McCARN

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

Capt. R. M. Littler

It is with no ordinary pleasure that we publish the following letters, from our fellow citizen, Capt. R. M. Littler, in respect to whom there has been the most villainous reports circulated; but which, from these letters and statements of Messrs. Meredith and Suiter, we believe to be without a shadow of foundation.  The first intimation received at Fort Donelson of such reports being in circulation, we are assured, was a couple of days before the escort left there with the bodies of the dead soldiers.  The last letter is a private one, addressed to a fellow citizen, in answer to a note he sent Capt. Littler, acquainting him with the reports his enemies had circulated:

FORT DONELSON, March 3, 1862.

EDITOR GAZETTE – From the St. Louis Democrat, of the 27^th ult. I take the following paragraph from your paper:

“Capt. Littler, we are informed by an intelligent member of his company, who arrived last evening, bravely led his men in the charge at Fort Donelson, urging them on, till ordered by Col. Tuttle to go back and bring up the right wing, which he accordingly did.  We give place to his statement with pleasure, in order to refute some slanderous stories which gained currency yesterday to Capt. Littler’s discredit.”

I wish to make a correction as relates to the right wing.  This was under the command of Lt. Co. James A. Baker, of our regiment, and followed within one hundred yards of the left wing.  Col. Baker gallantly led his mem, and was with the regiment constantly.  The men composing the right wing did not need to be sent far.

As to my conduct on the occasion, I have no occasion to blush.  For the benefit of those who are ready to circulate slander, instead of fighting themselves, I would refer to the regimental or division commanders,

Yours respectfully, ROBT. M. LITTLER,

Capt. Co. B, 2d Iowa. Vols.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *

FORT DONELSON, Tenn., March 3, 1862

DEAR SIR:– I received your kind note to-day, and am truly grateful for the interest you take in my welfare and good reputation.  I leave my conduct in the hands of my commander.  I have nothing to be ashamed of.  I was with the boys in the charge and thickest of the fire.  I refer you to my orderly Sergeant Suiter, and Drum Major, Meredith, of our Regiment, who being present can satisfy any one of the falsity of the slander.  I can only say that the fighting is not yet over, and any one who thinks I do not do my duty, I advise to come and see for himself.  My friends may rest assured that I will not disgrace them..  I hope you will see Suiter and Meredith, as all I ask is fair play.  I shrink from no investigation.

ROBERT M. LITTLER, Capt. Co. B.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 10, 1862, p. 1

Funeral of the Killed at Fort Donelson

As previously announced, the train from Chicago on Saturday morning bore the remains of George Howell, Edward Peterson, C. H. Lenhart, Wm. Myers, Selucius G. Page and Wm Guthrie, who were killed at Fort Donelson February 15^th.  The two last named belonged to Co. B, the others to Co. C.  The bodies were brought here in charge of Mr. I. M. Gifford and Dr. McCarn, and escorted by six members of those companies, viz; Orderly Sergeant Frank M. Suiter, Jules Meredith, J. W. Page, and L. Whitney, of Co. B, and Hiram P. Earhart and M. L. Minor, of Co. C. – The bodies remained at the deport till afternoon, when they were escorted to Metropolitan Hall by the 16^th regiment, under Colonel Chambers, preceded by the Union Band.  The exercises at the Hall commenced with prayer by Rev. Mr. Dimmitt.  Rev. Mr. Butterfield made feeling and appropriate remarks, speaking of the glorious cause in which they fell, and their heroic deaths, and addressing words of comfort and consolation to the afflicted relations of the fallen, and concluding with an exhortation to the soldiers he addressed, to be faithful to their country and to liberty.

Rev. Mr. Anderson pronounced the benediction, after which the procession formed again, and marched to Oakdale Cemetery, where the remains were deposited in the vault, to await the disposition which their friends may wish to make of them.

The Union Band, under Mr. Strasser, interspersed the exercises at the hall with appropriate music.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 10, 1862, p. 1

Correspondence

A couple of excellent letters will be found on our second page to-day.  That from Mr. Burwell gives a very clear account of the labors of the relief committee since they left this city.  Their position has been an arduous one and they deserve something more than the mere thanks of the community for voluntarily absenting themselves from their families and business and engaging in so praiseworthy an undertaking. ‘Jules’ gives us something later than his last and a little more spicy.  He introduces us to a former fellow citizen whom no doubt the most of us had lost sight of for some time.  But this war makes strange bedfellows.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 8, 1862, p. 1

From The Iowa 2d Regiment

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 25, 1862.

MR. EDITOR:– As these are exciting times, and our friends in Iowa are no doubt anxious to hear all that is going on at this place, I will endeavor to give a few more “items,” for their benefit.

The Iowa 2d are still garrisoning Fort Donelson, and if report is true, regarding the surrender of Nashville, it is more than probably we shall remain here for some time.  The prisoners have all been sent below, our wounded well provided for, excitement has died away, and we have settled down to our regular camp duties.

Col. Tuttle has not fully recovered from his wounds, but is still in command of the regiment, and has been so since we left St. Louis, notwithstanding the Colonel of another regiment has tried to claim that honor during the recent great battle, in which the 2d Iowa acquitted itself so nobly.  The Egyptian reporters from the Southern portion of Suckerdom have tried to make it appear that the Iowa troops only played a minor part in the battle of Fort Donelson, and award all the praise to the troops from their own State, but like the battle of Belmont, in which the same thing was attempted, they have failed.  Justice is not always blind, and the deeds of the Iowa soldiers, as well as those from elsewhere will shine forth, in characters of gold, through all future generations.

On Friday evening at Dress Parade the following order was read:–

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT WEST TENNESSEE.

Fort Donelson, Feb. 17, 1862.

General Order, No. 2: – The Gen. commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the troops of his command, for the triumph over the rebellion, gained by their valor, on the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th insts.

For four consecutive nights, without shelter, during the most inclement weather known in this latitude, they faced and enemy in large forces, in a position chosen by himself.

Though strongly fortified by nature, all the additional safeguards suggested by science, were added.  Without a murmur this was borne, prepared at all times to receive an attack, and with continuous skirmishing by day, resulted ultimately in forcing the enemy to surrender without consideration.

The victory achieved is not only great in the effect it will have in breaking down the rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners of war ever taken in any battle on the continent.

Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the maps of our united country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the memory of a grateful people.

By order,

Signed

U. S. GRANT,

Brig. Gen. Commanding.

This evening on dress parade the following order was read, and shows whether the Iowa troops did any work on the 13^th or not.  I will not give the order in full, as it is somewhat lengthy, but only a portion of it.  Here it is:

HEADQUARTERS 2D DIVISION WEST TENN.

Fort Donelson, Feb. 21, 1862.

General Order No. 8:– The Brig. Gen. Commanding the Division, congratulates the troops under his command on the recent brilliant success of our arms at this place which led to the unconditional surrender of the enemy on the 16^th inst. and to which they contributed in no small degree.  He hopes every thing for the future, from their conduct on this occasion.  He begs to request that the Brigade and Regimental Commanders, every officer, non-commissioned officer and soldier to accept his warmest thanks for their gallantry and good conduct under fire, and for their patient endurance without a murmur, the extremely inclement weather to which they were exposed for several days, and nights, without shelter or fire , and with limited food.

Whilst every regiment did its duty in the most praiseworthy manner, yet it has been the good fortune of a portion of the command, from the accident of service to claim especial notice, without in the lightest degree detracting from the merit of any one, to wit: Birge’s Sharpshooters (Lieut. Col. Compton), Maj. Cavender’s three batteries of parrott guns and the Second Iowa Regiment (Col. Tuttle), more particularly for its successful assault on the enemy’s breastworks on the afternoon of the 15^th inst.

To the officers of the Medical staff, too high praise cannot be awarded for their zealous attention to duty both under fire and in the hospital.

In his official report the Brig. Gen. Commanding will endeavor to do exact justice to all.

By order Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith.

(Signed,)

THOS. NEWSHEM,

Ass’t Adj. Gen.

H. SCHOFIELD, A. A. A. G.

I think the above order is good authority to base our claims upon, and as long as we are in Gen. Smith’s division, you will hear equally good reports from the Iowa 2d.

JULES.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 2

From The Iowa Second Regiment

McDOWELL’S COLLEGE,
ST. LOUIS, February 6, ‘62

EDITOR GAZETTE: As it is some time since I wrote to you, I will with your permission through the columns of your valuable paper, let our friends in Iowa know how we of the 2d are getting along.

News is rather scarce in St. Louis at the present time, and reporters have to be constantly on the lookout if they wish to obtain an “item.” The regiment is in good health and spirits, and are well provided for, and when the time comes – if it ever will – for them to show their courage and valor, I think they will give a good report of themselves. Our quarters are much more comfortable than the ones we had at Camp Benton, and the men do not drill as much, but they have an extra amount of guard duty to do, and that makes it about the same. We have a dress parade each evening near the college, and to see the admiring crowds who assemble to witness them, makes each man try to outdo the other in drill. We have been here a good while, and the same thing over and over again naturally becomes an old song; but it seems that the more the people see our dress parade the more anxious they are to see it again. The crowd increases each day instead of diminishing, and it has become necessary to place a guard across the streets to keep the crowd back.

Company B is as usual “gay and happy.” We have our full complement of men, and nearly all of them are reported for duty – there being but few on the sick list. Capt. “Bob” has not changed a particle; he is the same “Bob” as he was when we left Davenport, and has but one interest in view – the welfare of his country, and the health, happiness and promotion of his company. They are his constant care, and the “boys” think he is the only man in the country to be loved and obeyed.

The Prisoners are well taken care of. – Their quarters and provisions are good. Yesterday, a great number of woolen sack coats, shoes, stockings, shirts, &c., were distributed amongst them. A considerable number have been discharged from custody upon their taking the oath of allegiance, and giving bonds for their future loyalty. – The twenty or thirty contrabands are kept at work, cleaning the streets about the quarters, chopping wood, carrying coal, &c. They are all under the charge of Lieutenant Flanagan, of Co. B, and he is very attentive to the wants and comforts ob both soldiers and prisoners.

Our brass band, under the leadership of Lieut. Ray, has gained great favor with the citizens of St. Louis. Their collection of music is excellent. Three nights of last week they played at Mercantile Library Hall, for a series of tableaux, given by the Ladies’ Aid Society. The hall was crowded to almost suffocation, and the music was loudly applauded. One gentleman arose in the audience, and proposed three cheers for the 2d Iowa brass band, and such a shouting and waving of handkerchiefs was, perhaps, never heard or seen in the Hall before. To-morrow evening, Miss Kimberly, the celebrated actress, who just terminated an engagement at the St. Louis theatre, gives a reading for the same benevolent purpose, and the band have again been invited, and will enliven the entertainment with their sweetest strains. I forgot to mention that the gentlemen managers of the Ladies’ Aid Society tendered an excellent supper to the band, after one of their performances, which was superb – oysters in every style, quails, rabbit, fish, and, in fact, every eatable in market, not forgetting a choice collection of drinkables and cigars. Mirth and music reigned supreme, until late at night, when we took our departure for camp.

Not wishing to occupy too much space in your paper, I will close. Before I do so, However, I must thank you for the papers we receive from you. The GAZETTE comes regularly, and is read and re-read by ever one in the Company, for which you will please accept all their thanks.

JULES

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 2

2d Regiment

Among the wounded at Pittsburg, given in the Chaplain’s report of this regiment, we see the name of our correspondent, Jules Meredith. In his last letter written immediately after the battle, he makes no mention of his own wound.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 2

From The Iowa Second Regiment

PITTSBURG LANDING, Tenn., April 8th, ‘62

EDITOR GAZETTE: Ere this, I have no doubt, the telegraph wires have brought you the intelligence of another hard fought battle, and another glorious victory to our arms.

This was the hardest fought battle on this continent, and to attempt describing it would be a thing almost impossible.

I have no time to give the particulars, as there is a great deal of work to do at the present time, but for the benefit of our friends, who have the interest of the Iowa 2d at heart, and are anxious to hear of their fate – as they know we must have played a prominent part in this great battle – I will say a few words.

The Iowa 2d fared very well – only ten or twelve killed and about one hundred wounded. Companies B & C had none killed and but few wounded; and they slightly; with the exception of Capt. Bob Littler. At ten o’clock on Sunday morning he was struck on the left arm by a piece of shell which shattered it in a horrible manner. He was at the head of his company at the time he was struck. The boys – or at least a few of them – led him from the field to the transports, where his arm was amputated close to the shoulder. He is now at Savannah doing very well. He being the only commissioned officer in the company at the time, the command fell upon Sergt. Suiter, and right nobly did he do his duty – leading the company through the thickest of the fight until its close on Monday evening. He won a commission by his bravery, and is to be promoted to a Lieutenantcy immediately.

Captains Cox, Moore and Wilkins and several Lieutenants were wounded, none of them seriously. Col. Tuttle was acting Brigadier General during the battle, and will be promoted to one if justice has its reward. Lieut. Co. Baker was in command of the regiment. Both won laurels, and two braver men never existed. All the boys, as usual fought well, as did nearly all Iowa troops.

Our loss in killed, wounded and missing will not fall short of ten thousand; the rebels at least double our number. The ground for miles and miles around us is literally covered with dead bodies.

This has been a death blow to the South and goes to show how hopeless is their cause. A wounded prisoner told me Beauregard was telegraphed by Davis to win the fight by Sunday night, or we would be reinforced by Gen. Buell, hence the attack on Sunday. Had not Gen. Buell arrived on Sunday night, nothing but a decided blow on our part would have terminated the battle successfully to us, for the rebels had gained a great deal of ground and taken several of our batteries. – Upon the arrival of Buell, the fight assumed a different aspect; the enemy was driven back until every foot of ground was regained, and also our batteries.

We lay on the field all night, and as soon as it was light enough on the following morning to distinguish objects, hostilities were resumed. By 3 o’clock on Monday we pressed upon them so hard that they were compelled to retreat, which they did in great confusion. Our forces under Gen. Buell are in hot pursuit, and if they are not careful the grand army of the South will be totally annihilated. Their forces are estimated at one hundred thousand.

JULES.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Moring, April 16, 1862, p. 1