Showing posts with label Osterhaus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Osterhaus. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Wednesday, March 8, 1865


Last night rained hard with heavy thunder & vivid Lightning. The Brigade is inspected at 2 P. M. by Maj Genl. Osterhaus. hear artillery all the time every day from 9 A. M. to 4. P. M. batteries practicing. Dan Costellos Show exhibits at the Cove tonight. Col Loflund presents me a sword.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 577

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, June 21, 1864

Another all day rain and things were very still all along the lines until late in the afternoon when there was some brisk skirmishing. General Hooker made two charges on the rebel works yesterday; the first time he was repulsed, but the second time he carried them and took several hundred prisoners. General Osterhaus at the same time made a charge and took about two hundred prisoners. There is no news from Richmond.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 200

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Battle in Arkansas!


Price, McCulloch, Van Dorn and Frost Defeated.

McCULLOCH MORTALLY WOUNDED!!

ST. LOUIS, March 11. – The following is Gen. Curtis’ official report of the battle in Arkansas:


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST,
PEA RIDGE, ARK., March 9, 1862.

To Major General Halleck:

General:  On Thursday, the 6th inst., the enemy commenced an attack on my right, assailing and following the rear guard of the detachment under Gen. Sigel to near the main lines on Sugar Creek Hollow.  He ceased firing when he met my reinforcements about 4 P. M.  During the night I heard by scouts that he had marched on so as to attack my right in the rear, therefore early on the 7th I ordered a change of front to the right and my right, which thus became my left, still rested on Sugar Creek Hollow. – This brought my line across Pea Ridge, with my new right resting on the head of Cross Timber Hollow, which is the head of Big Sugar Creek.  Also ordered an immediate advance of Cavalry and light artillery under Col. Osterhouse, with orders to attack and break what I supposed would be a reinforced line of the enemy.

This movement was in progress when the enemy at 11 a. m., commenced an attack on my right.  The fight continued mainly at these points during the day.  The enemy having gained a point hotly contested by Col. Carr at Cross Timber Hollow, but was entirely repulsed with the fall of their commander, Gen. McCulloch, in the charge of our forces under Col. Davis.  The plan of attack on the centre was gallantly carried forward by Col. Ostrahouse [sic] who was sustained by Col. Davis and the entire division; also by Gen. Sigel’s command which had remained till almost the close of the day on the left.  Col. Carr’s division held the right under a galling and continuous fire all day.

In the evening, the firing having entirely ceased in the centre and there having been none on the left, I reinforced the right by a portion of the second division under Gen. Asboth.  Before the day closed I was convinced that the enemy had concentrated his main force on my right.  I therefore commenced another change of my front, formed so as to face the enemy, when he deployed on my right flank in strong position.  The change had been only partly effected but was fully in progress, when at sunrise on the 7th my right and centre renewed firing along the whole extent of the line, my left, under Gen. Sigel, moved close to the hills occupied by the enemy, driving him from the heights, advancing slowly towards the head of the hollow.

I immediately ordered the center and right wings forward, the right turning the left of the enemy, and cross fired on his center.  This position enclosed the enemy in an area of a circle.  A charge of infantry extending throughout the whole line completely routed the whole rebel force which retired in great confusion but rather safely, through the deep and impassable defiles of Cross Timber.

Our loss is heavy; the enemy’s loss can never be ascertained, for the dead are scattered over a large field, and their wounded too, may many of them be lost and perish.  They are scattered in all directions; but I think his main wing has returned to Benton Mountains.

Gen. Sigel follows towards Kirtsville, while my cavalry is pursuing him towards the mountains, scouring the country and bringing in prisoners.

Major General Van Dorn had command of the entire force at this battle of Pea Ridge.

I have not as yet the statements of the dead and wounded so as to justify a dispatch, but I will refer you to a dispatch that I will forward very soon.  The officers and soldiers in this command have displayed such unusual gallantry, I hardly dare to make any distinction.  I must however name all of my commanders of divisions.  Gen. Sigel who gallantly carried the heights and drove back the left wing of the enemy.  Brig. Gen. Asboth who was wounded in the arm in his gallant effort to reinforce the right.  Colonel and Acting Brigadier General Davis who commanded the centre when McCullough fell on the 7th, and pressed forward the centre on the 8th.  Col. And Acting Brig. Gen. E. Carr, who was also wounded in the arm and was under the continuous fire of the enemy during the two hardest days of the struggle.  Also commanders of brigades, Cols. Dodge, Osterhause and Vandever; while that of Schiffer and Grupel were distinguished for their gallantry  For that of others I must refer to the reports of commanders.  I must also tender my thanks to my staff officers, Capts. J. S. McKenny, A. A. Adj’t., Capt. McStark, and Capt. John A. Hale and Field, and Lieuts. J. M. Adams and Stills, all acting aids, and Lieut. Hooper, my only engineer officer.

All the staff officers did gallant service in carrying orders and aiding in their prompt execution.

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri may proudly share the honor of the Victory which their gallant heroes won over the combined forces of Van Dorn, price and McCullough at Pea Ridge, in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas.

I have the honor to be, General,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed)
SAM’L R. CURTIS,
Brigadier General.


A special to the St. Louis Democrat from Sugar Creek, says after a contest of three days duration, we have beaten the enemy at Sugar Creek Hollow.  Their forces consisted of Van Dorn’s, Price’s, McCullough and Frost’s commands, and were forced to retreat in wild confusion, with the loss of a considerable number of cannon, flour, muskets, ammunition, caissons, &c., &c.

Their forces are variously estimated at from 20,000 to 30,000.  McCulloch is ascertained to be mortally wounded, as well as McIntosh and Rector.  The latter is a son of the Governor of Arkansas.  McRae and a number of other persons are prisoners in our hands, and a large number of the rank and file.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

Monday, February 13, 2012

From Arkansas

In Camp on Sorry Creek, near Batesville, Ark., May 21st – Quite a spirited skirmish took place on the 19th near Pearcy, on the Red River, between about 250 men of Gen. Osterhause’s division and some 600 rebels under Col. Coleman and Hicks, and in which the latter were routed with a loss of 18 left on the field and quite a number wounded.  Our loss was 15 killed, 35 wounded.  The rebels have burned all the bridges across the Bayou Des Cipress.  Ten thousand bales of cotton have been consumed on the Arkansas River by order of General Beauregard.

Brigadier General Ryan, who is in command of the forces of this State, has three regiments of Texans at Little Rock and the Arkansas militia is said to be gathered at some point in considerable numbers.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 4

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Official Report of the Battle of Pea Ridge

ST. LOUIS, March 11.

The following is Gen. Curtis’s official report of the battle in Arkansas:

(By telegraph from Springfield, Mo., 10th, to Maj. Gen. Halleck.)

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE SOUTH
WEST PEA RIDGE, Ark., March 9.

GENERAL:  On Thursday the 6th inst. the enemy commenced an attack on my right, assailing and following the rear guard of the detachment, under Gen. Sigel, to my main lines on Sugar Creek hollow, but he ceased firing when he met my reinforcements about 4 p.m.  During the night I became convinced that he had moved on so as to attack my right or rear; therefore, early on the 7th I ordered a change of front to the right, and my right which thus became my left still rested on Sugar Creek hollow.  This brought my line across Pea Ridge, with my new right resting on the head of Cross timber hollow, which is the head of Big Sugar Creek.

I also ordered an immediate advance of cavalry and light artillery, under Col. Osterhaus, with orders to attack and break what I supposed would be a reinforced line of the enemy.  This movement was in progress when the enemy at 11 a. m. commenced an attack on my right.  The fight continued mainly at these points during the day, the enemy having gained a point hotly contested by Col. Carr at the cross timber hollow, but was entirely repulsed with the fall of their commander, Gen. McCulloch, in the center by our forces under Col. Davis.

The plan of the attack on the center was gallantly carried forward by Col. Osterhaus, who was sustained by Col. Davis’ entire division, supported by Gen. Sigel’s command, which had remained till near the close of the day on the left.  Col. Carr’s division held the right under a galling and continuous fire all day.  In the evening the firing having entirely ceased in the center, and there having been none on the left I reinforced the right, by a portion of the second division under Gen. Asboth.  Before the day closed I was convinced the enemy had concentrated their main force on my right.  I therefore commenced another change of my front forward, so as to face the enemy where he had deployed on my right flank in strong position.  The change had been only partially effected, but was fully in progress, when at sunrise on the 8th, my right center renewed the firing with renewed energy along the whole extent of the line.  My left, under Gen. Sigel, moved close to the hills occupied by the enemy, driving him from the heights and advancing steadily towards the head of the hollow.  I immediately ordered the center and right wings forward – the right turning the left of the enemy and cross firing on his center.  This final position enclosed the enemy in an area of a circle.  A charge of infantry extending throughout the whole line completely routed the whole rebel force, which retired in great confusion, but rather safely, through the deep and impassible defiles of cross timber.  Our loss is heavy.  The enemy’s loss can never be ascertained, for the dead are scattered over a large field, and their wounded too may many of them be lost and perish.  The foe is scattered in all directions, but I think his main force has returned to Boston Mountians.

Gen. Sigel follows toward Keitsville, while my cavalry is pursuing him toward the mountains, scouring the country, bringing in prisoners and trying to find the rebel Maj. Gen. Van Dorn who had command of the entire force at the battle of Pea Ridge.

I have not as yet the statements of the dead and wounded, so as to justify a dispatch, but I will refer you to a dispatch I will forward very soon.  The officers and soldiers in this command displayed such universal gallantry, I hardly dare to make a distinction.  I must however name all of my commanders of divisions.  Gen. Sigel, who gallantly carried the heights and drove back the left wing of the enemy, Brig. Gen. Asboth, who was wounded in the arm in his gallant effort to reinforce the right, Col. and acting Brig. Gen. Davis, who commanded the center on the 7th and pressed forward the center on the 8th, Col. and acting Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr, who is wounded in the arm and was under the continuous fire of the enemy during the two hardest days of the struggle, and also commanders of Brigades, Cols. Doyle, Osterhaus and Vandever, while that of Schoffer and Greusel were distinguished for their gallantry.  For that of others I must refer to reports of commanders.  I must also tender my thanks to my staff officers, Capt. J. S. McKinney, A. A. A. G., Capa., W. H. Stark and Capt. John Ablefeldt, and Lieuts. J. M. Adarus and Stitto, all acting aids, and Lieut. N. Heeper, my only engineer officer.

All the staff officers did gallant service in carrying orders and aiding in their prompt execution.  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri may proudly share the honor of the victory which their gallant heroes won over the combined forces of Van Dorn, Price and McCulloch at Pea Ridge, in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.

I have the honor to be, General, Your obedient servant,

SAML. R. CURTIS, Brig. Gen.


A special to the St. Louis Democrat, from Sugar Creek says: After a contest of three days’ duration we have beaten the enemy at Sugar Creek Hollow.  Their force consisted of Van Dorn’s, Price’s, McCulloch’s and Frost’s commands, who were forced to retreat in wild confusion, with the loss of a considerable number of cannon, flour, muskets, ammunition, &c.  Their force is variously estimated from 20,000 to 30,000.

McCulloch is ascertained to be mortally wounded, as well as McIntosh and Reiter.  The latter is a son of the Governor of Arkansas.

McRae and a number of other prominent men are prisoners in our hands, besides a large number of rank and file.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 1

Monday, November 15, 2010

From Gen. Curtis’ Column

Correspondence of the St. Louis Democrat.

BATESVILLE, Ark., May 10 – A portion of Gen. Davis’s and Gen. Asboth’s divisions and two of Gen. Longstret’s regiments left her to-day for the North.  An adequate force is still here, however, for operations in this district.  Our advance, under Gen. Osterhause, crossed White River and took the road to Little Rock, the Capital of the State.

As many as 150 persons per day have come in and taken the oath of allegiance, embracing judges, ministers and many of the most influential citizens.  The sentiment of the people is rapidly becoming more and more loyal.

The news of our occupation of this place was received by Gov. Rector, at Little Rock, on the 5th, and produced great excitement.  Some of the citizens advised peace, while others were rampant for defending the city to the last extremity.  The following day the Governor issued a proclamation to the State militia to repair immediately to the Capital to repel the invaders. – Many of the militia were issuing special calls.

6,000 Texans were daily expected at Little Rock, but they were under orders for Corinth.  Guerrilla bands are being formed in some sections and large mobs may be mustered at county seats, but no serious obstacles to our advance are anticipated.

Albert Pike, at last accounts, was camped at Boggy Department, 100 miles southwest of Fort Smith.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 3

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

From Southern Missouri

DESOLATION OF THE COUNTRY.

(Special Cor. To the Missouri Dem.)

Rock House Creek, Mo., April 6.

The advance guard of our army, under Gen. Osterhaus, camped at this point last evening, having marched twenty miles from their old camp at Cross Timbers. – The people in this vicinity are mostly Union, there being but three secessionists on this road from Cassville to Flat Creek. I stopped with a good Union man last night and found several of his neighbors present, all anxious to be informed whether our army was going to leave them to the tender mercies of the secessionists. – They said no money could hire them to endure the constant annoyance submitted to last summer. They were obliged to leave their families and crops suffering, and shelter themselves for days and weeks in the bush to get out of reach of the rebels. Bands of outlaws frequently came down from Cassville and would rob Union men of everything in their houses; blankets, bread, bacon, &c., and if they caught the owner he would be taken to Cassville under a strong guard. In consequence of uncertainties of the future and unquiet state of the country, but a few are making any preparations to put in crops. Farms are laid waste and fences burned up along the main road, and Union men are discouraged. The secessionists have mostly gone South with their negroes. Some Union people have not only abandoned the idea of making crops, but are setting there waiting, intending to forsake all and emigrate to a place of safety.

The wounded are doing well at Cassville. The Court House and all prominent stores are being used as hospitals, it being a fortunate circumstance for them that the owners of the principal buildings had stampeded from the town.

On the 30th and expedition consisting of cavalry and two mountain howitzers reconnoitered the country about Huntsville. At the latter place it was found that a force of rebel cavalry, whom we intended to bag, had made good their retreat.

The flag planted by Gen. Curtis at Keitsville was ruthlessly torn down, but was recently brought in, and when last seen was floating over the Provost Marshall’s office at Cassville.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Reports of Lieut. Col. George Burton, Fourth Iowa Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH IOWA INFANTRY,
Lookout Mountain, November 25, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, agreeably to your order, about 7 a.m. of yesterday the Fourth Iowa Infantry moved forward and took a position on a hill immediately in front of Lookout Mountain, and near the Tennessee River, supporting the First Ohio Battery (Battery K, First Ohio Artillery) there planted.

About 11 o'clock, when the engagement became spirited on the right by the personal order of Brigadier-General Osterhaus, I sent forward 50 of my regiment as skirmishers, under command of Major Nichols, to the bank of the creek skirting the base of the mountain near the river, and engaged the attention of the enemy at that point. I also shortly afterward, by further direction of General Osterhaus, moved the regiment down the hill in advance of the battery, sustaining and relieving.

About 4 p.m. I received an order from Colonel -------, on the staff of Major-General Hooker, to report forthwith with the regiment to Brigadier-General Geary, commanding (Second) Division, (Twelfth) Army Corps.

I thereupon crossed the creek, and under the direction of General Geary, arrived and ascended the mountain, reaching a position assigned us near the cliffs about dark, and awaited orders. Soon afterward I relieved the Twenty-fourth (?) Ohio Infantry., who represented themselves as out of ammunition. Here our right rested on the base of the cliffs connecting onto the left of the Thirty-sixth Indiana, on line extending directly down the mountain, our left joining at right angles the right of the Thirty-first Iowa. While here the regiment assisted materially by its enfilading fire in repulsing two charges of the enemy, and must certainly have inflicted upon them a severe loss.

About 1 a.m. of to-day we were relieved by the Seventh Ohio. Too much praise cannot be awarded both officers and men for the coolness, promptness, and firmness with which they advanced to and held the various positions assigned them, in nearly every case under a heavy fire. Our loss in the day's engagement was 1 killed and 6 wounded, a list(*) in detail of which is hereby appended.

I have the honor to subscribe myself, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEO. BURTON,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Fourth Iowa Infantry.

Capt. GEORGE E. FORD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

–––

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH IOWA INFANTRY,
Camp near Ringgold, Ga., November 28, 1863.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that, about 10 a.m. of yesterday, we arrived at Ringgold, and were immediately ordered by Col. J. A. Williamson to follow the Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, and move by the right flank in rear of the center of that regiment for the purpose of supporting it. The Seventy-sixth Ohio at this time was in advance of us, moving to a point at the base of Taylor's Ridge, a short distance to the east of the town. On arriving at the base of the hill, I obeyed the order strictly until the regiment was half way up the ascent, when, at the request of the major commanding the Seventy-sixth Ohio, I brought my regiment into line immediately in his rear, still moving steadily forward. When near the crest of the hill, the men of both regiments, from the steepness and ruggedness of the ground and the heaviness of the enemy's fire, being somewhat deployed, the regiment was ordered to fix bayonets, and charge in line with the Seventy-sixth. The order was gallantly obeyed; the crest of the hill was taken and held for about ten minutes, when the enemy, being in heavy force, rallied in our front and charged upon our right and left flanks simultaneously, at the same time pouring upon us a heavy direct and enfilading fire. Under these circumstances, having no support, we were compelled to fall back about 30 yards down the hill, where we succeeded in holding our position until re-enforcements arrived. About 2 o'clock we again advanced and scaled the hill. The enemy, however, had by this time evacuated his position. Under the order of Col. J. A. Williamson, who was present, we now moved a short distance along the ridge toward the gap near the town, when we advanced down the hill and drove the enemy from the railroad bridge, which they were endeavoring to destroy. While the regiment was putting out the fire on the bridge nearest the gap, by further order of Colonel Williamson, I sent Major Nichols, with 40 men, to save the railroad bridge in advance on the road by which the enemy had retreated, which was also in flames.

Both officers and men merit the highest praise for their coolness and bravery during the day's engagement.

Our casualties were 7 killed, 24 wounded, and 1 missing. A list(*) in detail is hereto appended.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

GEO. BURTON,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Fourth Iowa Infantry.

Lieut. LEMUEL SHIELDS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

*Omitted.

SOURCE: The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 31, part 2: NOVEMBER 23-27, 1863. – The Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, p. 618-9

Friday, July 10, 2009

Report of Col. James A. Williamson, Fourth Iowa Infantry commanding Second Brigade.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS,
Camp at Ringgold, Ga., November 28, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the action of this brigade in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ringgold, including all its movements from the 24th until the evening of the 27th instant.

The brigade is composed of the Fourth Iowa Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. George Burton; the Ninth Iowa Infantry, commanded by Col. David Carskaddon; the Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry, commanded by Col. George A. Stone; the Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, commanded by Col. Milo Smith; the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. A. Roberts, and the Thirty-first Iowa Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. J. W. Jenkins. At the hour named in the order of the night previous the brigade moved, following the First Brigade, to a point in front of Lookout Mountain, near where the attack was to be commenced, and formed line of battle by battalions en masse at deploying intervals. Very soon after my line was formed I received an order from you to send a regiment to support a battery on the hill immediately in front of Lookout Mountain, and commanding that portion of it when our troops were making the attack.

I detached my right regiment, the Fourth, and sent it to the place designated. Soon after this I received another order to send one more regiment, to report to yourself, for some purpose unknown to me. In obedience to the order, I sent you the Twenty-fifth.

The four remaining regiments I held in line until about 11 o'clock, when I received an order from General Osterhaus to send another regiment to support a battery of Parrott guns immediately in our front. In obedience to this order, I sent the Thirtieth.

I was then ordered to follow in the direction the First Brigade had taken with my three remaining regiments, which I did, until I arrived at the crossing of Lookout Creek, at which place General Osterhaus ordered my rear regiment (the Ninth) to remain and receive all the prisoners then there and those to be sent back. I crossed the creek with my two remaining regiments, when General Hooker in person sent another regiment (the Twenty-sixth) down the railroad to support some troops at a point or gap somewhere toward our left.

I then proceeded up the mountain side with my one remaining regiment (the Thirty-first), accompanied by General Osterhaus in person, with a part of his staff, and came up with the First Brigade at a point where troops not belonging to the First Division were in line, engaging the enemy. At this point I had some doubt as to where I should place my regiment on account of a dense fog which had settled down on the mountain side and prevented me from seeing the location of our troops, but soon found the line formed by a part of the First Brigade, and placed the regiment on the left of it. I was very soon joined by the Ninth and Twenty-sixth, which had been relieved and sent up to me, and placed them in line. At this place I learned from General Osterhaus that the Fourth Iowa had been sent forward early in the day, and that they were at that time somewhere up the mountain side; also that it had behaved well in the morning in driving the enemy from their breastworks. About 2 p.m. an aide-de-camp from General Hooker ordered me to relieve a regiment of General Geary's command, which was in the extreme front, under heavy fire and out of ammunition. I immediately sent my adjutant-general, Capt. George E. Ford, with the Thirty-first Regiment, to relieve the regiment, which was the -------.

While my adjutant was there he found the Fifty-fourth Ohio [?]--also of General Geary's command--was out of ammunition, and relieved it with the Fourth Iowa, which he found up at the front.

After these regiments had been eight hours under fire, they sent me word that their ammunition was nearly exhausted. I immediately informed General Osterhaus of the fact, and was informed by him that the Twenty-fifth and Thirtieth Regiments of my brigade, which had been left behind, must relieve them.

Captain Ford then started on foot in search of these regiments, but they had been ordered to different points, and could not be found, the captain returning after several hours' walk, nearly worn out by his unceasing exertion in the discharge of his duty.

In the meantime, before Captain Ford returned, I applied to General Geary, asking him to relieve my regiment, inasmuch as they had relieved his in the first instance. He refused to do it. I then took some ammunition from the remaining regiments with me to the regiments under fire, and afterward, at about 1 a.m. went to General Geary and procured 8,000 rounds of ammunition to replace what had been taken from my regiments.

Soon after 2 a.m., the enemy having previously ceased firing and retreated, General Geary relieved the Fourth and Thirty-first regiments, and they fell back to their places in line of battle.

Early in the morning of the 25th, the Thirtieth and Twenty-fifth Regiments, having been relieved by General Butterfield, of General Hooker's staff, reported to me, and took their positions in line, thus bringing my brigade together for the first time since the morning previous.

About 9 o'clock on the morning of the 25th, my brigade was ordered to march toward Missionary Ridge. When we arrived near the pass where the enemy made the first stand, I received an order to take two regiments and ascend the hill in the left of the gap or pass.

I accordingly took the Fourth and Thirty-first and pushed rapidly to the top, meeting with but little opposition. I pushed my skirmishers forward into the valley, where I expected to find the enemy, but they had gone. I remained on the top of the ridge for a short time, until the Ninth and Thirtieth Regiments came up (the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth having been ordered by General Osterhaus to take a position on the western slope of the ridge to keep back any flanking force of the enemy which might come from our left), when I went forward to the valley, and then moved out by the flank, through the gap, down the pass to the open ground, when I was ordered to make a short halt. While at the halt, 2 men of the Ninth Iowa captured Lieutenant Breckinridge, a son of Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, of the Confederate Army. In obedience to orders, I again proceeded up the main road by the right flank, still leaving the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth in the position which had been assigned them. The road on which I marched was up on a ridge east of and parallel with Missionary Ridge. I had not proceeded far before I heard heavy firing toward the front, on the left flank.

I immediately ordered the Fourth Regiment detached, and deployed it as skirmishers on my left flank, and soon discovered that the enemy occupied that part of Missionary Ridge where I had been but a short time before, and then moved my brigade forward, in line of battle, obliquely to the right, closing up on the First Brigade, at the same time bringing my left forward, in line with General Cruft's division on my left. I then received orders from General Osterhaus to go rapidly forward in line.

This movement was executed gallantly by the four regiments of the brigade present going down the side of the ridge we were then on and up the steep ascent of Missionary Ridge, all the time under a heavy fire from the enemy, but driving them before us.

As I ascended the hill, I was in much doubt and perplexity as to whether I might not be inflicting severe injury on my own skirmishers, and also on the right of the division on my left.

This uncertainty kept me from reaching the summit as soon as I otherwise might have done; but, notwithstanding this, I think I may justly claim that one of my regiments (the Fourth) was the first to reach the top, and that the brigade was there as soon as any other troops.

I took a great number of prisoners, but could not state accurately how many, as I ordered them to be left behind under a very small guard, while the command pushed forward, and before I could ascertain the number they were turned over to the officer who seemed to be taking charge of all prisoners. The brigade captured as large a number as did any other command.

Many instances of personal bravery might be mentioned, but it must be sufficient to say that all of the regiments did well.

Lieut. W. M. Stimpson, of my staff (of the Thirtieth Iowa Regiment), received a wound in the head in the beginning of the engagement, but continued to discharge his duty until the end.

The brigade encamped on the field (here the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth came up, having been relieved) and took care of our wounded, and buried our dead during the night. On the following morning, after picking up a large number of arms, delivering them to ordnance officer, I moved forward, following First Brigade, and encamped for the night 4 miles east of Chickamauga Creek.

On the morning of the 27th, the brigade marched at 5 o'clock toward Ringgold, where it arrived about 10 o'clock and found the enemy strongly posted on a range of hills, known as Taylor's Ridge, a short distance to the east of the town. General Osterhaus ordered me to send one regiment to support the Seventy-sixth Ohio, of the First Brigade, which had been sent with a view to taking the hill. I immediately ordered the Fourth Regiment forward, instructing its commander to push forward and render all the assistance possible to the regiment in front, and then, in obedience to an order from General Osterhaus, I brought forward another regiment (the Thirty-first), and placed it along the railroad to act as sharpshooters, to cover the advance of the two regiments sent forward.

Finding that the two regiments sent up were meeting with stubborn resistance, I took two other regiments (the Ninth and Twenty-sixth) and went forward with them in person, advancing up the side of the hill (which might be more properly called a mountain) until I came in line with the Fourth Iowa and Seventy-sixth Ohio on their left.

In the meantime, before I could get the two regiments (the Ninth and Twenty-sixth) up, the Fourth Iowa and Seventy-sixth Ohio had advanced to the top of the hill, but for the want of support, after suffering severe loss, had been compelled to fall back a short distance (not more than 50 or 60 paces from the summit), where they were when I came up.

While I was gaining this position my two remaining regiments, the Twenty-fifth and Thirtieth, had in obedience to my order gone up to my left and were fast approaching the top, their skirmishers being not more than 75 paces from the summit, when three regiments (as I am informed of the Twelfth Army Corps) came up, one on the left of the Twenty-fifth-and one between the Twenty-fifth and Thirtieth, the other passing through the Twenty-fifth by the flank.

Colonel Stone ordered and begged them to go up on his left, but the officers in command said they had orders for doing as they did, and persisted in their course.

At this time the fire of the enemy had almost ceased, but they could be plainly seen making dispositions of their forces to repel the advance of these regiments. Colonel Stone cautioned them that the enemy would open a destructive fire on them if they went up in the manner they were going. They replied they would teach "Western troops a lesson," and advanced a short distance farther, when the enemy opened a terrific fire on them. They stood manfully for a minute or two, when they gave way, and came down like an avalanche, carrying everything before them, and to some extent propagating the panic among my regiments.

The fault of these regiments seemed to be more in the way in which they attempted to go up the hill than in anything else. While Colonel Stone preferred the method of taking it by skirmishing and cautiously advancing, the regiments above named tried to go up as if on parade where the men could barely have gone up by clinging to the rocks and bushes. Colonels Stone and Roberts did all they could to hold their men together, and soon succeeded in restoring order and confidence, and again went up the hill.

Having no support on the right, and those regiments on the left having given way in confusion, I found it would be folly to try to carry the hill until I should be re-enforced, and accordingly made the best disposition of my force to hold the ground already gained, and sent a messenger to inform General Osterhaus of the fact, and received from him an order to hold my position and await re-enforcements.

I held my position for a short time. No re-enforcements or support coming to my aid, and finding that the fire from the enemy had slackened, I again went forward and gained the top of the ridge and found the enemy retreating, and a strong force farther on burning the railroad bridge across East Chickamauga Creek.

I immediately went forward, keeping up a heavy fire, and drove them away before they accomplished their work.

I had the fire put out on the first bridge, and sent Major Nichols, of the Fourth Iowa, and a small party of men, who volunteered for the service, to put out the fire on the bridge farther on. This he accomplished, after driving a much larger force than his own away.

I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of Major Nichols throughout all the campaign, and especially in every action. First Lieut. Charles W. Baker, of Company C, and Second Lieut. Thomas H. Cramer, of Company K, Fourth Iowa, both distinguished themselves in the front of the fight, capturing prisoners from the very midst of the enemy. Lieutenant Cramer was instantly killed, after making a capture of a lieutenant and several men, and Lieutenant Baker mortally wounded (since dead) while heroically cheering the men on. Maj. Willard Warner, Seventy-sixth Ohio, and his officers and men won my unqualified admiration.

Many instances of heroic daring and bravery came under my observation, and would be reported specially if regimental commanders had furnished me the names of the parties.

Capt. George E. Ford, my assistant adjutant-general, was severely wounded in the leg while trying to prevent the troops on my left from giving way, during the engagement at Ringgold.

Lieut. L. Shields, aide-de-camp, also received a slight wound in the hip at the same time.

I am much indebted to my staff officers--Captain Ford, Captain Darling, and Lieutenants Shields and Stimpson -- for their efficient services.

Accompanying this report you will find list(*) of killed and wounded of the several regiments in the different engagements.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. A. WILLIAMSON,
Colonel 4th Iowa, Comdg. 2d Brig., 1st Div., 15th A. C.

Capt. W. A. GORDON,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Division, 15th Army Corps.


* Embodied in revised statement, p. 86.

SOURCE: The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 31, part 2: NOVEMBER 23-27, 1863. – The Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, p. 613-7

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

From Gen. Osterhaus’ Column

{Correspondence Missouri Democrat.}

ROCK HOUSE CREEK, MO., - April 6. – The advance guard of our army under Gen. Osterhaus encamped at this point last evening, having marched 84 miles from their old campground at Cross Timbers.

The people in this vicinity are mostly Union – there being no secessionist on the road from Cassville to Flat creek. I stopped with a Union man and found several of his neighbors present and all anxious to be informed whether our army was going to leave them to the tender mercies of the secessionists; they said no money could hire them to endure the constant annoyance submitted to last summer; they were obliged to leave their families and seek shelter for themselves for days and weeks in the bush, to get out of reach of the rebels. Bands of scouts frequently came down from Cassville and would rob men of everything in their houses, bread, bacon, &c., and if they caught the owner he would be taken to Cassville under a strong guard. In consequence of the uncertainties of the future and unquiet state of the country, but few, if any are making any preparations to put in crops. Farms are laid waste and fences burned up along the main road, and Union men are discouraged. The secessionists have mostly gone south with their negroes. Some people have not only abandoned the idea of planting crops, but are getting their wagons out intending to forsake all and emigrate to a place of safety.

The wounded are doing well at Cassville, the court house and stores are being used as hospitals. It is a fortunate circumstance for them that the owners of the principal buildings had stampeded from the town on the 30th.

An expedition consisting of cavalry and two mountain howitzers repaired to the country about Huntsville. At the latter place it was found that a force of rebel cavalry whom we intended to nag, had made good their escape.

The flag planted by Gen. Curtis at Keltsville, was subsequently torn down, but was recently brought in, and when last seed was floating over the Provost Marshall’s office at Cassville.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1864