Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, July 19, 1865

Our night along the lake shore was quite cool. We arrived in Chicago this morning at 2 o'clock, and then marched to the Rock Island station, where at 8 o'clock we took train for Davenport, Iowa. We arrived at Davenport at 5 p. m. A large crowd of citizens was at the station to receive us, among them our old colonel, William Hall, who gave us an address of welcome.¹ Although he was suffering from sickness, he came to welcome us, and as he could not stand on a platform, he remained in his carriage to address us. We then marched up to old Camp McClellan, where we shall remain till we get our discharge and pay, which we expect in two or three days. The Second and Seventh Iowa have just received their pay and are striking out for home.

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¹ “I cannot stand long enough to make a speech, I can only say to the citizens of Davenport, In response to the warm and generous welcome that they have extended to my comrades of the Eleventh Iowa, and myself, that the record we have made as good soldiers from the State of Iowa, while fighting in defense of our common country, will be duplicated by the record we shall make as good citizens, when we shall have returned to homes and loved ones.” — Roster Iowa Soldiers II, p. 282.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 288-9

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, October 1, 1863

We had brigade inspection this morning at 7 o'clock, by General McArthur. Colonel Hall of our regiment is in command. There were three regiments of infantry, one of cavalry and three batteries. In the afternoon I was on fatigue duty, and part of the time in a heavy rain; this is our third successive day of rain.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 145

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, July 30, 1863

It is quite hot and sultry. There is no news of importance. Colonel Hall has again taken command of our brigade. I bought a two-pound can of butter, paying $1.25, and five loaves of bread for fifty cents.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 132

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, July 7, 1863

A high wind today ended in rain tonight. Colonel Chambers of the Sixteenth Iowa, who has been commanding our brigade, left for Vicksburg this morning to obtain release from this command in order to return to the regular army. The boys of the brigade are glad to see him leave. Colonel Hall takes charge again of our brigade. I went on brigade guard tonight. Our countersign is “Vicksburg.”

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 127

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, May 2, 1863

The weather has been warm and quite pleasant for several days and the roads are drying fast. Things are very quiet here. Colonel Hall is now in command of our brigade. We have drill twice a day, though this afternoon there was none, in order to give the boys time to wash their clothes and clean up for inspection. I received $5.00 from Captain McLoney, for the month of April, as cook for the officers' mess.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 112

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, April 16, 1863

The weather is very pleasant. Mrs. Hall, the wife of our colonel, returned to camp today from the North. Another large fleet went down the river today.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 110

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, April 6, 1863

Four loads of sanitary goods from Iowa were landed today for the Eleventh Iowa. Colonel Hall arrived this morning from home and the boys were glad to see him. One year ago today he commanded the Eleventh Iowa at the battle of Shiloh. The boys are all in fine spirits. The Sixteenth Iowa received their pay today. It is reported that our cutting of the levee at Lake Providence will prove of no avail, as the channel of the Tensas river is so narrow, and it is impossible to cut out the big overhanging trees, so as to make it wide enough for a fleet to pass through. The project will have to be given up as impracticable.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 108

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, February 10, 1863

This is a clear, warm day. We disembarked early this morning and marching out about one mile from the river to Sparrow's plantation, we pitched our tents on the large lawn of the plantation house, bordering the lake. Mr. Sparrow, the owner, is a congressman in the rebel congress, and he and his family having gone away, left their negroes in charge of the plantation. Our colonel has established his headquarters in the plantation house. The First Kansas out on scout duty today got into a skirmish with the rebels and lost two men killed and eight wounded.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 99-100

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, November 5, 1862

It was cold last night to lie in open bivouac. A cold northwest wind was blowing, and although we built fires to sleep by, yet the night was very uncomfortable, for while one was warm on the side next to the fire he was freezing on the other. We lay still all day to rest, but many of the boys slipped out in small squads for forage; they ran all over the country and fetched in fresh pork by the wholesale. I was in a squad of six with our corporal and we came in with our haversacks filled with sweet potatoes. On returning to camp, we passed too close to the colonel’s tent, and he happened to be standing outside taking a sun bath. He called the corporal to his side, asked him where he had been, where he belonged, and taking out his penknife, cut from the corporal's blouse his chevrons and gave him an order to his captain, reducing him to the ranks.¹ The rest of us passed on to our tents. While we were out foraging, the colonel issued an order directing each orderly sergeant in the regiment to have his company fall in line every thirty minutes for roll call, and every man not answering to his name was either to be put in the guardhouse or on extra duty. I was caught, but being a pretty good friend of the orderly, I got off easy. He ordered me to carry a kettle of water to the company cook, telling me that since this was my first offense, he would let me off with that. None of the boys was punished very hard.

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¹ This, it has always seemed to me, was a mean, contemptible thing for the colonel to do. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 81

The Iowa Boys At Pittsburg

BATTLE FIELD, PITTSBURG LANDING,

April 26th, 1862.

EDITOR GAZETTE: – If your correspondent of the 11th has neglected to keep you posted up as to our doings, &c., pray excuse me, for I have and a more pressing engagement, which I could not decline. – We, i. e., our mess and Chaplain, had just finished our breakfast on the morning of Sunday, April 6th, in the open air, and were discussing, quietly enough, the meaning of the occasional volleys of musketry from the southwest, which, as heretofore, might be from returning pickets; the men were preparing guns for Sunday inspection, and the Chaplain was just turning into our sleeping tent for a Bible, to pick a text for the day’s sermon, when lo! a squad of fugitives in uniform came running through our camp with the cry of “the enemy are cutting us to pieces!” followed hard by a mounted orderly dashing past to the tent of Col. Hare, who commanded, to-day, our brigade.  The long roll beats, and in fifteen minutes the Iowa 11th is in line of battle, under Lt. Col. Hall.  The other regiments of our brigade, the 13th Iowa, and the 8th and 18th Ill., are moved off half a mile to our left, while the 2d brigade of McClernand’s division (the 11th, 45th, 20th, and 48th Ill.) are between them and us, placing our regiment on the extreme right of McClernand’s division, and of the whole line of battle, from 8 A. M. until 2 P. M.

I am thus particular as to our position, in order to show where credit is due for some hard work claimed by the Ill. 11th and 45th, who were next to us.  We were hardly in line before the scattered fugitives had grown to a huge crowd, and soldiers were seen flying from the foe by thousands, and not a stray shot or shell from a cannon came whistling past – our Chaplain brought us a specimen picked up in lieu of his text – and in long and serried lines the compact masses of the foe moved in sight.  75,000 to 90,000 of the bravest and best drilled soldiers of the South, under Polk, Bragg and Hardee, guided by Beauregard and Johnston, and surprised our camp of five divisions, of less than 40,000 fighting men, and before 8 o’clock A. M. had utterly routed two of these divisions – Sherman’s and Prentiss’.

Look at the map of our battle field given in the Chicago Tribune of the 16th inst., and you will see that the victorious enemy rushing on from Sherman’s towards the river would fall upon McClernand’s and Hurlbut’s divisions next, and they came upon us expecting an easy victory. Our regiment had been detached to act as a reserve for the reinforcement of any part of our division needing aid; but so overwhelming was the force of the enemy, now over three to one, that within twenty minutes of our getting into line we were in the hottest of the fight.  Repeated efforts were made to turn our right flank, and as one brigade of the enemy became exhausted and discouraged, it was withdrawn and fresh forces brought up.

For five hours we maintained the unequal contest and every man fought as though he felt that the salvation of our army depended that day on our holding our position until reinforcements should arrive.  Twice after getting our first position were we compelled to fall back to prevent the enemy from outflanking us, and for the third time we charged upon the foe- although our ranks were reduced one third by dead, wounded and those helping off the wounded – rolling back the storm of war to our first position, and holding the enemy there until our ammunition was expended and we were ordered back by Gen. McC. for more, at one P. M.  We fought in the camp ground of the Ill. 11th and 45th, and those of your Iowa readers who noticed the gallant fighting done there ascribed to these regiments by Chicago reporters will justly be proud to know that Iowa was there.

The account given by the special correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, and copied into the St. Louis and Chicago papers and by far the most accurate I have seen, speaks thus:  “Once more its right swept around and drove the enemy a considerable distance,” &c.  Iowa was there, notwithstanding that no reporter, so far as I have seen has noticed our gallant State except in disparaging terms, as unjust as disparaging.  I venture to say that no troops ever did better fighting than did the Iowa 11th and 13th in McClernand’s division, on the 6th; nor were the 8th, 12th, and 14th behind in valor, though more unfortunate.  They were taken because of fighting too long and to obstinately.  The 6th Iowa was one of our advanced regiments, surprised in the morning.  She literally fought her way back to her friends, and first of all the outposts, was in line for another fight.  The Iowa 2d and 7th, as ever, did their duty, and maintained their reputation, though, not placed in so prominent a part of the field as some other regiments on the first day.  And here I desire to correct an error of the correspondent above alluded to.

The Iowa 15th and 16th were brought up just before noon, to support McClernand’s right, where we were fighting and forming on our own old parade ground, and were under fire nearly two hours before getting a chance to pitch in, and when led up to take their place their place marched boldly and gallantly up into the very jaws of death.  Our old soldiers say, that such a fire of musketry as we were opposed to was never experienced before them in battle; and the two raw regiments, unused to guns, having never practiced loading and firing, many having never seen a cartridge until they received them that morning, were thrown into confusion, and driven from the field; not, however, until a loss of 35 to 40 killed, and 250 wounded in the two regiments attested their courage and devotion.  Courage and devotion are of little use without discipline in such a fight.

Our regiment, as it fell back, obtained new supplies of ammunition and returned to the fight – eight companies to the left of our line, and two companies of rifles, B. and C, under Capt. Foster, were stationed with Birge’s sharpshooters again on the right, now a mile nearer the river, and across a small creek, to guard against the storming of a hill and log house which was admirably adapted to the work of sharpshooters.  We were here subjected to a heavy cross-fire from two batteries; but as often as a force of secesh showed themselves, they dropped back very suddenly again.  Our regiment did good work on the left, and lent gallant aid in beating back the foe in his last efforts to storm our lines.  On the next day our troops acted mostly as reserves, or as support to batteries, and were but little exposed, compared to the risks of the first day.

Iowa went into the fight with ten regiments and one part of a regiment (seven companies 14th,) in all some 5,500 effective fighting men.  250 of these sleep on the battle field; 1,200 are wounded, and some 1,400 are prisoners – prisoners because they fought on while regiments from other States gave way and suffered them, contesting every inch, to be surrounded by immense odds.  These are facts, and yet because we send soldiers and not reporters, must we get no credit; while no other State (although all did well) can show such a record – one half her soldiers given in a single fight.  Reporters on Grant’s staff make him the hero of the fight and he praises his staff.  Now this tickle-me-and-I’ll-tickle-you sort of talk will not do; it can’t make history.  They may all be good soldiers – in a horn – and write on some safe nook, descriptions of charges which were never made.  Why was this gallant army surprised?  The people who have given sons, citizens, husbands, to the country, ask why this needless slaughter, and these “errors of omission” are not atoned for by “errors of commission,” for we fought all day on Sunday without Generals.  Nothing but undaunted bravery of troops and the good conduct of company and regimental officers saved our army on that terrible day.  For while we had less than 25,000 men engaged on Sunday, more than half our total loss occurred on this day.

The 11th buried on Tuesday and since, as a result of this battle, 32 soldiers, and 160 wounded; the 13th nearly as many more.  No officers distinguished themselves more for cool courage than Lt. Col. Hall, commanding the 11th, and Col. Crocker, commanding the 13th, while Col. Hare well maintained his ability to command a brigade, until wounded and compelled to retire.  Maj. Abercrombie, of the 11th was wounded severely while ably seconding Col. Hall.

I have already spun out this too long, but I would fain add one or two incidents of a personal character.  As we were charging the third time on the enemy, Corporal Kersey, Co. B, hand a finger on the left hand shot away, and immediately took out a pocket knife and cut away the fragments of the wound, bound up the finger and was in the fight all day and next saying as he did it, “they can’t drive me out for one finger.”

As we rose over a short hill we could see the enemy advancing down another, just across a small branch, and some fifteen rods distant.  A well directed volley sent the most of them to the “about face.”  The standard-bearer, however, fell and Private Haworth, of Co. B, captured the flag, the first trophy of the day, while the Captain (Foster) picked up the rifle of a fallen rebel, just loaded, and blazed away at the retreating foe.  Capt. McFarland, of Co. G, did the same thing, and both have their Enfield rifles as trophies of a first shot each at the foe.

One spunky little Frenchman, Jo. Laplant, assistant wagoner to Co. B, would not stay with the team, and so mixed in the fight in the afternoon of Sunday, ventured too far, and was taken prisoner.  Deprived of his gun and placed under a guard of three men, to be taken back, he went very submissively along until two guards went back to help off a wounded officer.  Watching his chance, he knocked down the guard, and with the rebel’s gun hastened down to the river side, near the gunboats, where he lay all night and came in next morning.

I notice it very extensively discussed whether we were whipped on Sunday.  Never! And wouldn’t have been, even if Buell had not reached us.  The truth is the rebels surprised our camps and gained great advantages of us, until checked by McClernand and Hurlbut’s Divisions in the morning.  From that on until 4 P. M., our forces slowly retired; but at 4 the gunboats threw their weight into the doubtful scales, and the enemy, exhausted and spent, were entirely checked.  Lew Wallace, of our army, came in with his division that night, and the balance was then in our favor.  We should have gained the next day any way.  Of course the arrival of two divisions of Buell’s army, and especially of Buell himself, was most opportune; for our disjointed, confused and fragmentary army was organized, and massed and directed.  Our numbers on Monday were about 50,000.  Everything then was like clockwork, and the rebels who had the night before saved our camps and baggage so as to use them, were on Monday night busted out too hastily to destroy what they could not keep.  We beat them back on Monday over the ground they had gained the day before. – “Line upon line” Buell hurled his brave troops at them, and they retreated, fighting every step, until they reached the old battle ground of 8 o’clock Sunday morning, when they broke and fled.  The roar of cannon, the terrific whiz of musketry suddenly cease, (except the occasional shots of pursuers,) and naught remained by the peaceful quiet dead and groaning wounded.

In looking over the list of Iowa regiments I desire to pay a tribute of deserved praise to the 3d Iowa Infantry.  After the most heroic fighting on Sunday, in which they lost every field officer and all their captains, they were led the second day by Lieut. Crossly; and again won imperishable laurels by their heroic conduct.

Yours, &c.

L.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 29, 1862

We had inspection this morning at 8 o'clock by the general inspector. Colonel Hall and Captain McLoney arrived from home this morning. The Colonel had been wounded at Shiloh and went home to let the wound heal. Mrs. Hall is with the Colonel in camp and the men of the regiment have great respect for her; she is so kind to the sick in the regimental hospital.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 55

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, May 16, 1862

Nothing of importance has taken place today, but I think we will have a fight soon. We have plenty of rations, but the drinking water is very poor. The health of the men is better, however, since we have become more active, and the men are getting back their old-time vigor. Some of the boys who have been sick are now returning to the regiment. Major Abercrombie is in command of the regiment while Colonel Hare and Lieutenant-Colonel Hall are at home recovering from wounds received at Shiloh.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 49

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 9 – Lieut. Col. William Hall, 11th Iowa Infantry

No. 9.

Report of Lieut. Col. William Hall, Eleventh Iowa Infantry.

HDQRS. ELEVENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS,

April 9, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Eleventh Regiment Iowa Volunteers in the action of the 6th and 7th instant as follows:

At between 7 and 8 a.m. on the 6th instant I received orders from you to form my regiment, consisting of an aggregate of 750 officers and men, and march them in close column about 200 yards to the front and there await orders, which I did. In about half an hour I received orders from you to march about one-fourth of a mile to the left and there form as a reserve. On arriving at the place indicated I immediately deployed in line of battle. In a very few moments I received orders from Major-General McClernand to advance to the front, which I did at a double-quick for a distance of over a quarter of a mile, my right resting on a pond and supporting Dresser's battery, my left resting along a road and on another battery. I had scarcely got into position before the enemy appeared in force, and I opened fire immediately, throwing them into confusion. They soon reformed and opened on me a very destructive fire of musketry and artillery, which I sustained for nearly two hours, during which time my loss in killed and wounded was very severe. Major Abercrombie, who commanded the right wing and who rendered me the most gallant and efficient aid, here received a severe wound in the head, which necessitated his retiring from the field, remaining, however, during the time above mentioned. My horse was here shot under me, and I received while on foot a slight wound in my left ankle. A large force of the enemy appearing on my right and apparently endeavoring to turn it, I received orders to retire, which I did, forming about 100 yards from the left of the regimental parade ground with Companies A, B, C, E, G, H, and K, the left wing and Company C retiring in good order. Companies D, F, and I, while retiring, were exposed to a most galling fire of artillery and musketry, which swept the open space through which they had to go, and were thrown into confusion and did not form. I immediately received orders from Major-General McClernand to take my position about 50 yards in advance, where I remained under cover for a short time until the enemy approached quite close, when I fired and advanced at double-quick, driving them before me and capturing a standard from the enemy.

When about 50 yards in the rear of my position, when supporting Dresser's battery, in the morning, I received report from the commanders of companies that the men were out of ammunition, which fact I immediately reported to Major-General McClernand in person, and held my position until I was re-enforced, when I received orders from General McClernand to retire and procure ammunition. Before I issued the order to retire the troops ordered to occupy my ground broke in confusion, throwing my men into temporary disorder, but they rallied and formed at my camp, where I learned that my ammunition had been taken to the river half an hour before, and I could not learn, after repeated inquiries, where I could procure any, and the fire becoming very hot, I retired until I received ammunition, and was joined by part of Companies D, F, and I. While issuing ammunition I received orders from Major-General Grant to advance immediately, and ordering Companies B and C, who were armed with rifles and were then unable to procure cartridges of a suitable caliber, to remain until they procured them and rejoin the regiment, I immediately moved forward, taking the first road to the left, until I found a line, and formed on its right, opening fire on the enemy, where I remained until ordered to retire and form on the left of a battery of heavy guns placed behind corn sacks. I held that position until I received orders from General Grant to advance and deploy skirmishers and feel of the enemy. I advanced some hundred yards or more, deploying Company A, Captain Grant, with instructions to find the enemy, and remained until the batteries in my rear opened fire, when I returned to the rear of the batteries, and remained until ordered to advance and support a battery placed on the left of the heavy guns before mentioned. Here I detailed 12 men from Company G and ordered them to take charge of two 12-pounder howitzers which I found without officers or men, and which they used with good effect. I remained in this position until the enemy were repulsed and during the night.

On the morning of the 7th I received orders from General Grant to move out on the main road leading from the river and to take the first road leading to the left, and to advance until I found the line. After marching about a mile and a half I found a heavy gun which was playing upon the enemy. I immediately formed on its left in support and remained until ordered to move to the right and front, where I formed in line of battle, when I received orders from General Hurlbut to advance and deploy skirmishers to the left and front. I immediately advanced, deploying Company B to the left and Company A to the front. The firing after some time becoming more remote, I recalled my skirmishers and remained in line of battle until ordered to return to my camp.

With but few individual exceptions all my officers and men conducted themselves with the greatest gallantry. I make special mention of Capt. John C. Marven, of Company K, who rose from a sick bed, not having been able to do duty for ninety days.

Respectfully submitted.

 WILLIAM HALL,

 Lieutenant-Colonel Eleventh Regt. Iowa Volunteers, Comdg.

 Lieut. C. CADLE, Jr.,

A. A. A. G., First Brig., First Div., Army of the Tennessee.

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 130-1

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 5 – Col. Abraham M. Hare, 11th Iowa Infantry, Commanding 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Tennessee

No. 5.

Report of Col. Abraham M. Hare, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, commanding First Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION,

Pittsburg, Tenn., April 8, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the First Brigade of the First Division in the engagement with the enemy on the 6th instant.

Early in the morning of the 6th, upon the alarm being given, the brigade, composed of the Eighth and Eighteenth Regiments Illinois Infantry, the Eleventh and Thirteenth Regiments Iowa Infantry, and Dresser's battery, were formed in the open field in front of their respective encampments.  I received orders about 8 o’clock a.m. to move three regiments to the left of the Second Brigade. The Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois and Thirteenth Iowa were accordingly ordered to form in line of battle in that position, and moving in double-quick formed in good order in a skirt of woods bordering on a field, the Eighteenth Illinois on the left and the Thirteenth Iowa on the right. At the same time I was ordered to form a regiment on the right of the Second Brigade, which position, by my orders, the Eleventh Iowa, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hall, immediately took, and, with a battery, formed a reserve for the time being.  After seeing the order executed I joined the three regiments at their position on the left, as above stated. Upon arriving at that point I found this portion of my brigade there formed under the fire of the enemy's cannon and musketry. On the right was a battery of our guns, supported by infantry still on its right. Against this battery the principal fire of the enemy was directed, and large bodies of infantry were moving around the field in its direction. A charge being made by these bodies of the enemy's infantry, directed upon the battery and our infantry on the right, they broke and retired in great disorder. Seeing the enemy approaching in great numbers, and our troops on the right having given way, my regiments also broke and retired in confusion.

Having retired to the distance of about 100 yards I succeeded, with the assistance of the field officers of my regiments, in rallying them and forming them in line in the same order as before. Here we maintained our position in good order, under a constant fire of the enemy, until 12 o’clock m., when, discovering that the enemy were approaching in great numbers, and that our troops on the right and left had retired, I ordered my regiments to retire and take up a new position about 200 yards to rear, which they did in good order and without confusion. We remained in this position, repelling charge after charge of the enemy, until 4.30 o'clock p.m., all the officers and men behaving with the greatest gallantry. At that hour, my regiments having exhausted their ammunition and great numbers of them having been killed and wounded and the forces on my fight and left having retired, I again ordered them to fall back, which was done in good order as before. At this time I received a severe wound in the hand and arm, which compelled me to retire from the field.

Dresser's battery and my own regiment, the Eleventh Iowa, I did not see after they took their position in the morning, but I am satisfied that they behaved with great gallantry, and their reports, herewith submitted, fully attest the bravery with which they acted.

To Lieut. Col. William Hall, who commanded the Eleventh Iowa, great praise is due for the bravery and skill shown by him on the field of action. Major Abercrombie, of the Eleventh Iowa, who was wounded severely during the early part of the engagement, displayed that coolness and bravery which characterize a good soldier.

To Col. M. M. Crocker, of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers, I wish to call especial attention. The coolness and bravery displayed by him on the field of battle during the entire action of the 6th, the skill with which he maneuvered his men, and the example of daring and disregard to danger by which he inspired them to do their duty and stand by their colors, show him to be possessed of the highest qualities of a commander, and entitle him to speedy promotion. His adjutant, Lieutenant Wilson, who accompanied him on the field during the day and shared all its dangers, I wish to mention as the bravest of the brave.

Capt. William H. Harvey, of Company K, Eighth Illinois, was instantly killed while commanding his regiment, and died the death of a brave man. Capt. Robert H. Sturgess, of Company H, took command of the regiment and led them gallantly through the day. Maj. Samuel Eaton was badly wounded while commanding his regiment – the Eighteenth Illinois. Capt. D. H. Brush, next in command, was soon after also severely wounded. Captain Dillon, of Company C, arrived on the field at this moment and took command, but was almost instantly killed. From that time the regiment was led on by Captain Anderson, who did his duty nobly.

My thanks are due to my volunteer aide, Lieutenant Caldwell, of General Oglesby's staff, who assisted me during the day; and I express my very great obligations to my adjutant, C. Cadle, Jr., who accompanied me on the field and rendered me most efficient service, and during the whole action, by his promptness, energy, and activity, exhibited all the best qualities of a soldier.

Respectfully, &c.,

A.M. HARE,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Maj. M. BRAYMAN, Assistant Adjutant-General.

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 123-5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, December 23, 1861

We arrived at California about sunup, almost frozen; it cleared off during the night and a cold northwest wind was blowing. Leaving the train we entered the several churches in town and built fires to warm by, Company E going into a Catholic church, where the sexton and his wife brought us some hot coffee. We then put into winter quarters, occupying vacant houses and storerooms and made all the “secesh” skedaddle. The companies in quarters here are B, E, G, K and H, under command of Lieut. Col. William Hall. We just learned why it was that we were rushed up here last night. It had been reported at Jefferson City that a train with “secesh” prisoners was to pass through this place today, bound for St. Louis, and that their sympathizers in this locality were planning a raid on the train to liberate the prisoners.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 25-6

Dedication Exercises at the Eleventh Iowa Regimental Monument: Shiloh National Military Park

November 22, 1906

_____

10:00 A. M.

Music: Fifty-fifth Iowa Regimental Band

“The Vacant Chair”

Address:

Captain G. O. Morgridge, Eleventh Iowa Regiment

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today we stand in the presence of the dead. It is a day full of solemn memories to those who participated in the events that transpired here in 1862. It was at this place that the regiment which this monument commemorates gave up many lives and endured much suffering in its country's service. After Iowa resolved to commemorate her heroes by rearing monuments to mark the places where they fought, I was appointed by Governor Shaw commissioner for the Eleventh regiment. His action was recommended by Colonel A. M. Hare, Colonel Ben Beach, and many officers and men of the regiment. Today it is my pleasure to present to you a mass of granite located where the regiment fought and many fell. It will say to the world after we who remain have joined our comrades, and until this stone shall crumble in the dust, “These stood for Liberty.”

*The inscription on the front of this monument gives in brief the regiment's place on this field. The rear inscription I did not prepare and have never approved, nor has it ever been approved by the Iowa commission. It is not in accord with our Colonel William Hall’s official report of the part taken by our regiment in the engagement.

Colonel Cornelius Cadle, chairman of the Shiloh national military park commission, said:

“Mr. Chairman:

“The regiment whose monument has just been dedicated was commanded by Colonel A. M. Hare. In this battle he commanded the First brigade of McClernand's division, was severely wounded and carried from the field. His daughter has just placed upon the monument a wreath of immortelles, in memory of her father and his comrades. I present to you Mrs. Ida Hare Warfield.”

Mrs. Warfield expressed her appreciation of being present on the ground where her father fought.

Benediction:

Rev. Dr. A. L. Frisbie of Des Moines, Iowa

“Accept, O God, this stone, before our people and before thee — lest we forget. We would cherish in our hearts thoughts for those who gave themselves for us, for our common country — who contributed all that they were that government by the people might stand perpetually. We thank thee for the sacrifices made here, and we pray thee that from them we may learn the lesson of true devotion; that so we may become a people that shall stand among the people of the earth able to govern ourselves.

“And may the peace that passeth understanding, the peace that rests upon the dead, the Divine peace of truth and right, be upon all the people, in the Redeemer’s name.  Amen."

*NOTE — In order to avoid anything which might mar the spirit of the occasion, this paragraph was omitted in reading.

SOURCE:  Alonzo Abernathy, Editor, Dedication of Monuments Erected By The State Of Iowa, 215-6

See Also:

•           11th Iowa Infantry Monument: Shiloh National Military Park

•           The Iowa Monuments At Shiloh National Military Park

Trip to Bowling Green, Nashville and Fort Donelson

INDIANAPOLIS, March 18^th, 1862.

EDITOR GAZETTE. – On my return from Davenport ten days since I joined a friend in a trip to Dixie in which I saw much to interest me, and though your numerous war correspondents have given you information of events happening in the region visited, I will venture to send a few lines.  We left this place Friday evening, the 8^th inst., for Louisville, and the following morning took cars from that city for Bowling Green.  It was the first day that Passengers were allowed to leave Southward-bound without a pass. Though an examination of baggage was still made.  A few camps in the immediate vicinity of Louisville, and throng of soldiers on the train made one thoroughly conscious of the troublesome times in which we live.  Near [Munfordville] the desolation caused by the late military occupation of the country was spread everywhere, and the soil with the constant treading it had undergone had become a vast bed of mortar like mud.  The soldiers left there, whom we saw, were those who had been too sick to join the forward movement made a few weeks since and now their sunken eyes, sallow skins and drawling gait as they moved told too sorrowfully the tail of their sufferings.  It was the saddest sight I ever witnessed.

Green River Bridge which we crossed was one of the finest structures of the kind in the country, but it too had suffered from the hands of the Philistines, one of its fine stone piers having been destroyed by order of the renegade, General Buckner.  Our forces have constructed a substantial trestle to span the broken section of the bridge and our trains have passed on it for sometime.  Not far from here my attention was called to notice a field in which, in December last, a battle had been fought, between some three hundred of the Indiana Thirty Second (German regiment) and a much larger force of the rebels, Texan Rangers.  The Indianians fought bravely and repulsed their foe.  An instance that occurred in the fight is worth recording as characterizing the bravery and endurance sometimes shown in our miscalled degenerate day.  A lieutenant of the thirty-second was surrounded by the enemy; he fought them vigorously, and laid eight of his assailants in the dust, where they were afterwards found around his own corpse.  At last, with several mortal wounds, he gathered his remaining strength for a final effort and seizing the bridle of a horse with his hand, he made a desperate leap and caught the cheek of the foe between his teeth and held his death grip so firmly as to unsaddle and bring him to the ground.

As the train approached Bowling Green the conductor pointed out the various spots of interest near that place.  The bridges for the railroad and turnpike have been destroyed, and the nature of the cannel and the bottom of the Barren river, with some other unfavorable circumstances, will occasion a good deal of delay in repairing them.  At present the train stops about half a mile north of the river, and fully a mile from the town.  The south side of the river has a precipitous bank, admirably adapted for defence, and three hills in the vicinity of commanding height, enclosing a triangular area, have been fortified.  The highest in the outskirts of the village is known as College Hill – so named, no doubt, in honor of a prospective college building, the half reared walls of which have been used to add strength and extent to the fortifications.  The works are of inferior construction, unable to withstand a close pressed investment.  The parapet is built mainly of stone and logs, either of which scattered by a common shot are quite as bad to the defenders as a bomb shell.

The town is a God-forsaken place, having been more than exhausted by the rebels, and not being in much of a way for improvements since the advent of the Federals.  Whoever enters it from the north pays tribute to a sea of mud in crossing the river bottom and finds himself at the only hotel, in an outrageously dirty hole.  I saw the marks of several of the shells that Gen. Mitchell sent into the place on his first approach, and that made the rebel magnates “skedaddle” so promptly.  A marvel of the town is a Union man, the owner of a livery stable and a number of other connected buildings, to which the chivalry were in the act of applying the torch on the day above mentioned, when a shell with Gen. Mitchell’s compliments hit the building, doing slight damage.  The event was ominous, and the fleeing traitors left the buildings unburned.  The shell is kept by the owner of them, and will no doubt, recall in days to come, the fortunate hit it made.  The Louisville and Nashville R. R. had here a fine passenger and freight station, round houses, &c., which with six locomotives, machinery, &c., were burned.  In the ruins I saw pieces of guns, beef bones with the burnt meat still adhering where they had burned a considerable quantity of quartermaster stores, which they had no time to remove – rum, ruin, everywhere.

The passage from Bowling Green south is made with a half burned locomotive, which the rebels failed to destroy entirely or to steal, it is weak, and necessitates a delay that compelled waiting until the next day before proceeding on our journey. – The track is very bad in places, having just been repaired.  The arrival of our forces was a fortunate occurrence in this relation, the rebels having impressed the citizens along the line to begin a certain day to destroy it utterly.  But they miscalculated.  Gen. Mitchell had a word to say, which retarded the operation.  Ten miles from Nashville a temporary bridge obstructed our journey, it being too frail to allow a locomotive to pass, we waited an hour or two till a train going north to met us, the cars were pushed over, engines changed, and about 4 p. m. we were on the banks of the Cumberland, waiting the ferry boat to land us in the Rock City.

It was Sunday afternoon; the weather delightfully pleasant, particularly so to one who had just left snow-drifts and storms in Iowa.  The streets were thronged with gaily dressed contrabands, grinning with delight at the novelty of their surroundings, and strongly contrasting with the grim acidity of their masters.  At the St. Cloud we gained comfortable quarters, soiled the hotel register with Yankee signatures, but a few pages from the entries of the chivalry from all parts of the confederacy.  The halls and porches of the house were thronged with officers of our army; a few citizens mingled with them without intercourse.

I remained in Nashville two days, which afforded me a chance to see the city, and draw some inferences in relation to the loyalty of the citizens.  But few of them have any feeling worth the name of Unionism.  Many of them will take the oath of allegiance for business purposes, and violate it so soon as a chance occurs.  I saw numbers of them come from the office of the Provost Marshal, walking hurriedly away, and watching the sidewalk, too sneaking to look an honest man in the face, and by their conduct marking their allegiance as spurious.  I met many acquaintances, old comrades in camp, who are connected with Gen. Buell’s army, from whom I learned much in relation to our forces and movements, which is contraband information under present orders.

From Nashville we took steamer for Ft. Donelson, and experienced to our heart’s content the annoyance and uncertainty of traveling in a border country.  The captain of the boat was two days in learning whether his departure would be for Somerset, four hundred miles up the Cumberland, Cairo, the upper Tennessee, or Pittsburgh.  At every stopping place with a telegraph station, a new order would be received changing the route, and the captain was certainly the most harassed man I have seen in some time.

We were at Fort Donelson half a day, which afforded a chance to see the works and visit points of most interest.  I obtained as trophies a couple of Secesh knives, known as “Mississippi tooth-picks.”  They are barbarous in manufacture and looks, characterizing well with the institution they were to defend.  I will not attempt any descriptions of the locality.  The works are strong for their kind, and were surrendered through cowardice.  The late improvements in the materiel of war are such as to make, I believe, all field works untenable against a well prepared assailant.  The ground there is well fitted for defence from assault, and yet so characterized that sharp shooters can approach and silence the artillery unless it be protected by casemates, saying nothing of the virtue of the assailing shells. 

At Smithland we changed steamers for Paducah and Cairo.  Slept all night on the guards of a steamboat that was loaded with sick for the hospitals below.  The sight of the poor sufferers was terrible, and prompted the bitterest anathemas against the promoters of the rebellion.

At Paducah, while awaiting departure for Cairo, a steamer from Missouri river came up alongside and stopped for a few minutes. It had aboard the Eleventh Iowa, bound for some point on the Tennessee.  I went aboard, and met for a moment with Lt. Col. Hall and lady.  Found them in good health, though saddened with the loss of their only child.  The boys of the 11^th were in the best of spirits.  Numbers of them recognized me as from Davenport, and entrusted letters to my care to be mailed at Cairo.  I showed them one of my “Mississippi tooth-picks” which did not intimidate them in the least.  They were well pleased with the sight, and will no doubt if a chance is offered them, win specimens for themselves.

At Cairo I visited the gunboat Louisville, met unexpectedly an old ‘comrade  in arms,” and was shown everything of interest about here.  Saw where the shot hit her in the Fort Donelson engagement, etc.  They are truly a terrible engine of ware, and have in addition to their cannon an abundance of hand weapons to resist any attempt to board them – pikes, pistols, cutlasses, and an arrangement for throwing hot water in a quantity quite irresistible.  The boats expected to leave immediately for Island No 10.  I wanted much to go with them, but engagements here prevented it.  Since then they have made the attack.

I arrived here after just one week’s absence amply repaid for the trip by the knowledge gained for the operations of active war.  Yours,

D. TORREY.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 22, 1862, p. 2

Returned

Hiram Price, Esq., returned home yesterday morning from Pittsburg Landing, where he spent a number of days among the wounded. Mrs. Col. Hall also arrived yesterday morning from the Tennessee river. Mrs. Hall has seen more of the battlefield than often falls to the lot of her sex, having been in the tent with her husband when the 11th regiment was attacked, a portion of the volley even entering the tent. Acting under instructions Mrs. H. immediately started for the landing, three miles distant, where she arrived in safety. Col. Hall was wounded, and lost his horse, saddle, pistols, &c., and had a second horse killed under him early in the fight, but remained on the field all day and night of Sunday. The wound was so much swollen that it was necessary to cut his boot to get it off, but he suffered only a temporary inconvenience.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 22, 1862, p 1

From the 11th Iowa - Continued . . .

Since the above was in type, the following has been received. Although not so late as the letter we published yesterday from the same correspondent, it will be found of interest:–

PITTSBURG LANDING, April 8, 1862.

FRIEND SANDERS: – The most terrible battle of the war thus far – the most terrible ever fought on this continent, and both for the numbers engaged, the fierceness of the contest and the multitudes killed and wounded, one of the most fearful of modern times – has been fought at this place during the last two days. The battle commenced at daylight on Sabbath day, and raged with scarcely a moment’s cessation until dark. Shells were thrown at short intervals from two of our gunboats during the night, and on Monday morning the fight was renewed, if possible, with greater desperation and lasted until night.

The attack was made by the rebels, under Beauregard, Bragg and Johnson [sic]. Our officers seemed to be taken at unawares, and we were driven back inch by inch during the first day, retreating in all five or six miles. At dark on Sabbath evening it seemed that all was lost and that our whole army of 100,000 or more men would be captured or driven into the river. Our men fought bravely, nearly without exception; but the country is nearly all heavily timbered and broken, and the enemy understood the ground better than we did. It was the general impression all day on the Sabbath that we were outgeneraled. Buell and his forces were not here, and they enemy knew it. In a Memphis paper left by the enemy in the camp of the 11th, the fact is states that the attack would be made on the Sabbath, that Buell could not get here, and that victory was sure to the South; and inasmuch as everything was stake, exhorting the people pray for success.

But, thank God, the victory is ours. Buell arrived with the head of his column on Sabbath evening, landed a large force during the night, and all Monday and Monday night fresh troops were pouring in, which gave new life to our exhausted regiments, and proved too much for the enemy. The enemy, being nearly surrounded, fought desperately, and maintained their ground all the forenoon, but soon after noon began to retreat and soon to run. Our cavalry and artillery followed them closely – how far I do not know – it is said fifteen miles last night, and fresh troops were still arriving this morning and joining in the pursuit.

Of course, it is impossible to give any detailed account of this great battle at present. It is safe to say that many thousands on both sides were killed and wounded. I will venture to guess that 5,000 of our men – either dead or wounded – were at the landing on the boats this morning, and most of the dead were left on the field.

I know little except of the 11th Iowa. They stood their ground alone, except as a battery was in their rear, against at least six times their number, until their ammunition was exhausted, and retired only when they were ordered.

Col. Hare was in command of the brigade and was not with the regiment, but with three other regiments, which, strangely were taken to another part of the field. He was slightly wounded. Lt. Col. Hall was in command of the 11th. His horse was killed almost at the first fire, and he was slightly wounded, but bravely kept his position during the two days, and led his men three times into the terrible fight.

Major Abercrombie was wounded and had to retire. Lt. Compton, of Co. E, was killed – the only one of our commissioned officers. Lieut. Miles, of Co. F, was wounded seriously, perhaps mortally. Lieut. Magoun [sic], of Co. H, was wounded, but not dangerously. Lieut. Hinsman, of Co. K, was wounded; I do not know how seriously.

Thirty of our regiment are known to be dead, and two hundred or more wounded. How any escaped is a mystery, as a perfect storm of bullets was rained upon them for nearly an hour. They escaped in a measure by lying flat on their faces and sides, and only rising partly to fire. In their rear, as I happen to know by most sensible demonstrations, balls were flying altogether too thick to be agreeable. It is believed that our wounded were brought off the field. The dead have since been buried near where they fell.

The 16th Iowa, who were in another part of the field, I learn were badly cut up, but I do not know the particulars.

The 12th Iowa were nearly all taken prisoners, as also several other regiments – I do not know how many.

Let us thank the God of battles and of all righteousness, that so many of us are left alive and well, and that in this most terrible fearful conflict the victory is on the side of liberty, truth and justice.

The rebel Gen. Johnson [sic] is said to be killed and Beauregard to be a prisoner – minus an arm. I do not know the truth of these reports. You will get all the facts probably from others sooner that I can give them. I will give you more when I can find time to write.

Yours,
CHAPLAIN

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Friday Morning, April 18, 1862, p. 2

COLONEL WILLIAM HALL

SECOND COLONEL, ELEVENTH INFANTRY.

William Hall was born in the city of Montreal, Canada East, on the 25th of January, 1832; but, though born in Canada, he is not a foreigner. His parents were, at the time of his birth, residents of the State of Vermont, and chanced to be on a visit at Montreal. William remained at home with his family till 1844, during which time his father resided in Ogdensburg, New York; Brookville, Canada West; and Rochester, New York. In 1844 he entered Oberlin College, where he remained a year and a half, and then entered the Western Military Institute of Kentucky. At that time, as also at the breaking out of the rebellion, the rebel Bushrod Johnson was superintendent of the institution. Commencing with the rank of private, Colonel Hall went through all the military grades of the school, and graduated as acting-adjutant, and with the rank of captain. Soon after leaving that institution, he entered the Harvard Law School, at Cambridge, Massachusetts; but, without graduating, left in 1854, and came West. Since that time he has made his residence in Davenport, Iowa. By profession, Colonel Hall is a lawyer; and I understand he ranked fairly at the Davenport bar. He had the reputation of being a hard worker, and of doing the best he could for his clients.

In the summer of 1861 he entered the volunteer service, and the 23d of September following was commissioned major of the 11th Iowa Infantry. He was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment, on the 11th of October, 1861, and, on the resignation of Colonel Hare, was commissioned colonel. He held this rank, and served in the field, till the summer of 1864, when, Colonel W. W. Belknap being promoted over him to a general officer, he resigned in disgust. It is reported that, after his return home, he espoused conservatism, and vilified [sic], in public speeches, the policy of the Administration; but that can hardly be so.

As already stated, the 11th Iowa's first battle was Shiloh. Its second was Corinth; and the part it acted in the latter may be gained from the following extract from Colonel, now General, Crocker's official report:

"About five o'clock in the morning of the 3d instant, the brigade formed — two regiments, the 11th and 13th Iowa volunteers in line of battle, facing to the west, and the 15th and 16th Iowa volunteers, in close column by division in rear of the line. The regiments remained in that position, with skirmishers deployed in front, receiving an occasional cannon-shot, until about three o'clock, when, the division on the right having fallen back, a change of front was ordered. The l5th and 16th were then formed in line of battle perpendicular to the first line, and the 11th and 13th, in close column by division, in the rear. In this position, the brigade remained until about four o'clock P. M., when orders were again received to again change front, so as to connect the right of the brigade with the left of General Davis' Division, its left to rest in the direction of Battery E. After the execution of this order had been commenced, notice was received from General McKean that the division was to move back inside the inner fortifications; and an order was received that, the 11th and 13th regiments be formed in line of battle a quarter of a mile in the rear of the line formed by the 15th and 16th, in front of, and parallel to the road, over which the artillery of the division must pass, the brigade to protect the movements of the rest of the division, and the artillery."

This position, which the 11th Iowa, or the Iowa brigade was thus ordered to abandon, was south of the Chewalla road, and a little north-of-west of Corinth. "On arriving inside the fortifications, we took position, the 15th Iowa in line of battle in rear of, and to the right of the battery commanded by Captain Phillips, 1st Infantry; the 16th in rear of, and supporting the 5th Ohio Battery, which was in position on the left of Captain Phillip's Battery; five companies of the 11th Regiment, in command of Major Abercrombie, in line of battle, supporting the 1st Minnesota Battery, in position still on the left of the 5th Ohio Battery; the 13th Iowa, and five companies of the 11th, still in the rear of the l5th and I6th, in close column by division, as a reserve." This last position was held through all the fighting of the next day, the 11th Iowa being drawn up in line of battle in rear of the 15th. The only commissioned officers of the regiment, wounded in both day's fighting, were Lieutenants William H. Wetherby and Dennis P. Greeley: the latter was wounded by a falling tree.

From November 1861, till the spring of 1864, the history of the 11th Iowa will be found in the sketches of other officers and regiments. It re-enlisted in the winter of 1863-4, and came North, on veteran furlough, in March following.

In May, 1864, two divisions of the 17th Army Corps rendezvoused at Clifton, on the Tennessee, from which point, General Blair marched across the country to Sherman, via Huntsville, Decatur and Rome. 'The 11th Iowa was attached to this command, and arrived at the front early in June, and, while Sherman was in the vicinity of Acworth, Georgia. The regiment first confronted the enemy before Kenesaw Mountain, and lost its first man on the l5th of June. Before Kenesaw, "General Hooker was on its right and front, General Howard on its left and front, and General Palmer between it and the railroad." The rebel General Polk was killed by a cannon shot on the 14th of June, after which the enemy abandoned Pine Mountain away on the right, and took up a position "with Kenesaw as his salient point, his right wing thrown back to cover Marietta, and his left behind Nose's Creek, covering the railroad back to the Chattahoochie." While the enemy were in this position, General Sherman made his bloody and unsuccessful assault. The flank movement to the right, led by the 17th Corps, commenced in the evening of the 2d of July, and an account of it will be found in the sketch of General Hedrick.

Like the other regiments of the Iowa Brigade, the 11th Iowa suffered its severest loss on the afternoon of the 22d of July; but an account of this engagement has been given elsewhere. The following is from Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie's official report:
"Many acts of bravery were performed by officers and men of the regiment, which might be mentioned, did time and opportunity permit.

"Major Foster was wounded early in the action, faithful in discharge of his duty. Captain Neal was killed instantly by a grape-shot at the fort late in the afternoon. Captain Barr is missing. Captain Rose, missing, is supposed to have been wounded and captured. 1st Lieutenant Cassell, missing; 1st Lieutenant Caldwell, killed; 1st Lieutenant Pfoutz, wounded; 2d Lieutenant Wylie, wounded. I would make honorable mention of Sergeant-Major John G. Safley, who, with 1st Sergeant John A. Buck, Company K, (afterwards killed — brave fellow) and a party of picked up men, numbering thirty or forty, made a dash over the works held by the enemy, bringing over more than their own number as prisoners, amongst whom were a colonel and captain.

"In the sally, Safley was wounded, but it is not believed seriously. During the action a Confederate flag was captured, and brought over the works by Private George B. Haworth, of Company B, and is now in his possession. A banner, belonging to the 45th Alabama, was also brought over by Private Edward Siberis, of Company G, which was placed by him in the hands of Lieutenant Safley, Provost-Marshal of the brigade."

Altogether, the 11th Iowa captured, and sent to the rear, ninety-three persons. Both Captain J. W. Anderson and Adjutant B. W. Prescott are mentioned for gallantry. The loss of the regiment, in killed, wounded and missing, was severe — eight officers and one hundred and twenty-nine men. It has already been stated that Major Foster was wounded. He died not long after, and the regiment mourned, in his loss, one of its finest and most popular officers. He was a native of New Hampshire.

From the 15th of June, 1864, to the 5th of September, the 11th Iowa lost, in killed, wounded and missing, ten commissioned officers, and two hundred and seven enlisted men. One of the officers, who has not already been mentioned, was Lieutenant Alfred Carey of Company E. He was wounded on the 15th of June, before Kenesaw, and afterwards died of his wounds.

A further history of the 11th Iowa will be found in the sketches of the other regiments of the 17th Corps' Iowa Brigade.

For several months, Colonel Hall commanded the Iowa Brigade. He commanded it on General Blair's Mechanicsville march during the siege of Vicksburg, and until the return of Colonel Chambers of the 16th Iowa from leave of absence. He also commanded it through the entire Atlanta Campaign. He was not much liked by his brigade. He was nearly all the time sick and irritable; but, in justice, I should add, he never made his sickness an excuse to avoid duty. If danger was at hand, he was never the second man present.

The colonel is a small man, weighing about one hundred and twenty-five pounds. He has a slender, gaunt, ungainly person, rendered so, I suppose by disease. He wears long, black hair; has large, black eyes, and a dark, sallow complexion. Colonel Hall is not a comely man. When I saw him, in the spring of 1864,1 wondered how he had for three years endured the hardships of the service.

When interested or excited, he moves about nervously, with his face turned downward, and his hands thrust in his pantaloons' pockets. He has large self-esteem, and prides himself in doing things in his own way. If he is as he seems, he is impervious to flattery; but that can hardly be, for he shows great indignity, if he thinks his services underrated. It was on this score that he tendered his resignation.

Considering his ill-health, Colonel Hall was successful as a soldier. He was a good tactician, and brave and resolute. His greatest fault seemed to be in questioning the justness and propriety of the orders of his superiors. He would obey them, but it was not uncommon for him to do so under protest. The following will illustrate how the enlisted men of his command appreciated his temper.

While the Iowa Brigade was encamped at Clifton, Tennessee, just before starting across the country to Huntsville, a squad of raw recruits, from its different regiments, were put on picket. They were in the enemy's country, and, of course, were ordered to load their pieces. Returning to camp in the morning, they inquired of the veterans how they should get the charges, out of their guns, and received the following instructions: "Go out there, behind Colonel Hall's tent, and fire them off: that's the only place—and be sure and all fire at once." They did as directed. What followed, was better appreciated by the veterans, than by those who were learning their first lesson in soldiering. Colonel Hall, who was in bed, sprang out in a rage, and ordered the poor fellows tied from morning till night.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 237-242