From The Eighth Iowa Infantry

SEDALIA, Mo., March 10, 1862.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAVENPORT GAZETTE. – The time we have been wishing to arrive has, I believe, come at last.  An order has been received by our Col. ordering our regiment to the seat of war.  Orders of this kind are you know, usually exceedingly brief – simply stating the fact, and leaving the point of destination in interesting and exciting obscurity, thus giving ample scope for those in camp who have to speculate on the unseen and unknown, to exercise their speculative features.  I believe the present order commands our regiment to proceed to St. Louis so soon as railroad cars for men, baggage, mules, horses, wagons, &c. shall have been sent here in sufficient number for our removal.  When we reach St. Louis we shall probably learn more definitely where we are bound for.  From what I have been able to learn from authentic sources, it seems a brigade of Iowa troops is soon to be formed, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. McKean, and designed to take an active part in the fighting which is expected to be done in Kentucky, Tennessee or further South.  This brigade is to consist of the 6^th, 8^th, 11^th and 13^th Iowa Infantry, all of which are now stationed at different points along the Pacific RR.  One regiment will probably get off to-morrow evening or the next morning.  Our boys are all rejoiced at the prospect of meeting the enemies of our country and flag in open and fair field fight.  We are quite willing to leave “bush wacking,” for the more honorable civilized mode of warfare.  Remembering the caution, “let not him that putteth on his armor boast himself as much as he that taketh it off;” we make no promises or protestations, further than that we will do what we can to maintain in undimmed brightness, and if we are able add to the luster of that glorious halo which already surrounds the arms of the State of Iowa.  We have full confidence in our field and line officers, none less in the valor and patriotism of our men.

The order to march was received by our Col. – sent on to him by an express from Sedalia – while on

A SCOUTING EXPEDITION.

Information had been brought by refugees that an organized band, variously estimated at from 300 to 1,000, under the command of Jackman and Marchbank, recruiting officers holding the rank of Captain in Price’s army, was stealing, robbing and murdering in Bates Co. and the lower portion of Henry Co.  This information being regarded as reliable, Col. Geddes determined to pay his compliments to these armed marauders in a way they would be likely to remember.  Last Monday morning, Mch. 3d, he left Sedalia for the purpose of executing this determination.  The force which he commanded in person, consisted of the 1^st battalion 1^st Iowa cavalry, under Maj. Torrence, five Cos. 8^th Iowa infantry, under Lieut. Col. Ferguson and Maj. Andrews, three Cos. 26^th Indiana and two of the 6^th Missouri, under Maj. Clark (this battalion was sent up from Otterville,) and one section 1^st Mo. light artillery, under Lieut. Marr.  The weather was exceedingly cold, the wind blowing strong and freezing across the prairies and directly in our faces.  Nothing of interest occurred the first day out.  The second day, in temperature and wind, was like unto the first.  We passed through the village of Belmont, formerly very strongly “secesh,” now almost deserted, and thence onward to  Clinton, the county seat of Henry Co., When near this place the advance guard was ordered to charge on the town, and guard every load leading out.  This order was promptly and well executed.  When the command came up we found about 40 persons “corralled.”  A motley group this; clothed in various colored home-made linsey, divers[e] and curious head rigging in the shape of what were or had been hats and caps, with blankets white and blankets grey thrown over their shoulders and ingeniously fastened about the neck.  We had come upon the town unexpectedly, and with a rapidity which gave the fellows from the country, who were in town, no chance for escape.  Doubtless most of those we caught had been in Price’s army – perhaps some belonged to Jackman’s band. – One man was taken on a Government horse branded U. S., with a Government saddle; two we took along with us and have brought into Sedalia.  The balance, as nothing could be proved against them, were sworn en masse and turned loose. – It was a novel sight, that – forty men, more or less, with uncovered head and right hand uplifted, swear allegiance to the Constitution and the “Old Flag,” and to repudiate the Jefferson D. confederacy.  I fear they will not all keep that oath.  That night we went on to the Deep Water, and lay out in the timber on its bank.  We were well sheltered from the wind, but the ground was frozen hard, and where I lay down not very smooth.  Next Morning we were up by daylight, and by sunrise we were on our way to one Rickey’s store, a notorious stronghold and headquarters of the thieving rebel band where we expected to meet the enemy in force.  In this we were disappointed.  The rebels by some means found we were too strong for them, and ran for their hiding places like rabbits.  As we approached the store, we could see mounted men on all sides, hastening with all dispatch across the prairie to the timber.  They were too far from us, and too near the timber, to send out cavalry in pursuit.  Soon as the command came up to the store, skirmishers of infantry were sent out through the timber, and scouts of cavalry over the prairies in different directions.  Some of our skirmishers had the pleasure of exchanging shots with the rebels, and returned late in the afternoon, with a diversity of fire-arms, and many prisoners.  The cavalry were out all night, and next morning brought in between 20 and 30 prisoners and arms in proportion.  Among the prisoners was Capt. Marchbank.  The scouting party which took him got after Jackman, but he, being acquainted with the country, and well mounted, while our horses were jaded with the three days’ and one night’s hard riding, escaped their grasp.  Next evening our command started from Round Prairie, taking an occasional prisoner and fire-arm as we passed along.  Soon as the men could get at it, skirmishing and scouting parties were sent out.  Cos. C & K had a very interesting skirmish with some rebel pickets, killing one and capturing several of their horses.  We had by this time 60 or 70 prisoners, about as many firearms – rifles, muskets, shot guns, carbines, &c., - three kegs of powder, and several pounds of shot.  The afternoon and evening at headquarters were very busily occupied in examining the prisoners and administering the oath, requiring bonds, and then turning them loose, or remanding them again to the charge of our soldiers for safe conduct to this place. – Thinking that perhaps some of your readers may be curious to know what we make the fellows swear I send you a copy of the

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

“Without mental reservation, I do most solemnly swear, in the presence of God whom I call to witness my sincerity and fidelity, that I do, and will hereafter continue to bear true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States and to the old flag, ‘the stars and stripes;’ that I do, and will forever repudiate all allegiance to, or sympathy with the so-called Confederate States of America; and that I will never aid or abet, or render any assistance or comfort by word or act, or in any way or manner to the so-called Confederate States of America, so help me God.”  This oath was gotten up by one of our number for the occasion, and was taken by no less than thirty-six, whose names and places of residence I have carefully recorded.

While at Round Prairie the order to go South reached our Colonel.  It was his intention to give the rebels in that neighborhood a longer benefit, but the order cut our visit short.

Friday morning we took the back track, bringing along with us several Union refugee families whose neighbors would not allow them to remain.  This action of the refugees – coming away under the protection of our command – excited still more the ire of their enemies, who hung in squads about our rear threatening an attack, which, however, they were prudent enough not to attempt.  This afternoon information was brought Col. Geddes that a band of about 150 rebels were skulking in some timber a little off our line of march.  He immediately sent out a detachment of cavalry who engaged in a skirmish with them, but neither killed or captured any.  In this skirmish a man was slightly wounded in the neck by two buckshot, and his horse was killed.  This was the only casualty in our command.  We went in camp Friday night having marched that day 34 miles.

Saturday we came on to Sedalia.  The command came in about 4 P. M., making 36 miles.  It will be seen that in less and two days we marched 70 miles.  This, I think, will be admitted on all hands, as very good marching for Infantry, even though they did ride in wagons drawn by mules.  The aggregate distance was about 150 miles, exclusive of the extra miles, and they were many – travelled by skirmishers and scouting parties.

We brought in with out about 30 prisoners, who in due time will be tried, and some of them, I think, sent to the penitentiary at Alton.

The country through which we passed was very fine indeed.  I cannot conceive of a better agricultural country.  Our course was southwest through broad rich prairies, well supplied with timber and streams of water.

It has not yet transpired what Infantry regiment will take our place here.  Nearly all the 1^st Iowa Cavalry are now here, the balance will be in a few days.

I hope to write you again before many days, and to have the satisfaction of dating my letter many miles south of Sedalia.  I trust the onward movement may be pressed with activity and vigor, till secessionists are swept from “Secessia” into the Southern Gulf.  Let us nail to the flag-staff a red flag on which is emblazoned in indelible characters the watchword “Forward to victory,” and bear it in advance of the glorious old “Stars and Stripes,” till this revered ensign floats triumphantly over the tomb of Rebellion, and the dishonored ashes of traitors.

Yours, &c.

C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Colonel William M. G. Torrence

SECOND COLONEL, THIRTIETH INFANTRY.

William M. G. Torrence, the successor of Colonel Abbott to the colonelcy of the 30th Iowa Infantry, was the eighth of the Iowa colonels who lost their lives in the service — Worthington, Baker, Mills, Dewey, Kinsman, Abbott, Hughes, and Torrence. Of those who lost their lives in battle, he was the fifth — Baker, Mills, Kinsman, Abbott, and Torrence.

Colonel Torrence was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he was born the 1st day of September, 1823. His parents were Presbyterians, of which church he was also a member. His mother died in his early infancy, and left him to the kind care of an esteemed and most worthy sister, who reared him with almost maternal tenderness.

In early manhood, he left his native State for Kentucky, where he became a school-teacher; and in this capacity he passed several years. He was engaged in school-teaching in Kentucky, at the time war was declared against Mexico; but, like Colonel Scott of the 32d Iowa, left the school-room and volunteered. He was a first lieutenant in that war, and a member of the 1st Kentucky Mounted Volunteers, commanded by the portly, perfidious Humphrey Marshall. His cool judgment and commendable courage in action won him distinction. He was highly complimented for the part he acted at the battle of Buena Vista, being tendered a commission in the regular army of the same rank as that which he held in the volunteer service; but he declined the honor, and, at the close of the war, returned home with his regiment.

In the latter part of 1847, Lieutenant Torrence came to Iowa, and settled in Keokuk, where he resumed his former occupation, and where he made his home till the outbreak of the rebellion. During his residence in Keokuk, he was for several years City Superintendent of Public Instruction. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted a company (A) for the 1st Iowa Cavalry, and was in June commissioned major of the first battalion of that regiment. In the winter of 1861-2, he served with his battalion in Central Missouri, and had command of posts in Howard, Pettis and Cooper counties. At Silver Creek, in January 1862, he engaged and defeated the rebel Colonel Poindexter, capturing and destroying his camp and his train. While a member of the 1st Iowa Cavalry, he served with credit to himself, and was equally successful as a post-commandant, and as a leader of expeditions to hunt out and punish guerrillas. He was a terror to the Missouri bushwhackers.

On the 3d of May, 1862, for reasons unknown to me, Major Torrence resigned his commission, and returned to his home in Keokuk.

After the call of the President for additional troops in the summer of 1862, Major Torrence again volunteered, and was made lieutenant-colonel of the 30th Iowa Infantry. In October, 1862, he accompanied his regiment to the field, and was with it in all its subsequent campaigns and engagements. At Arkansas Post, where he commanded his regiment, he particularly distinguished himself; and at the memorable charge against the enemy's works at Vicksburg, where Colonel Abbott was killed, he bore himself with equal gallantry. On the 29th day of May, 1863, he was commissioned colonel of the 30th Iowa; and, from that day till the 21st of October, 1863, he remained in command of his regiment.

The history of the 30th Iowa during the colonelcy of Colonel Torrence covers the siege of Vicksburg; the march to Jackson under General Sherman after the surrender of Vicksburg, and a portion of the march from Memphis to Chattanooga. It was on the last named march that the colonel was killed.

An account of all the above operations has already been given in the sketches of other officers and regiments, and can not be repeated with interest. This however should be said in justice to the 30th Iowa: no regiment from the State surpasses it in gallant and meritorious services; and, of the Iowa troops called out in the summer of 1862, no regiment has done more fighting, and few have done as much. In the face of the enemy, it has always conducted itself with conspicuous gallantry, challenging the admiration of both its brigade and division commanders. From the time of its entering the field to the present, the 30th has served in the same division with the 4th, 9th, 25th, 26th and 31st Iowa regiments.

The services of the 30th Iowa, and of the Iowa troops before Vicksburg, were arduous and exhausting. After operations had settled down into a regular siege, the troops suffered chiefly from the intense heat in the trenches, and from the want of good water. The labor in digging the approaches, and of constructing new forts and planting artillery, was the hardest and most dreaded. The Federal camps were so securely established back behind the hills, as to render them comparatively safe from the enemy's scattering musketry, and from the ponderous missiles of their artillery. The skirmish-line was the place of chief danger; and yet, the skirmish-line was the scene of much amusement. Regiments took their regular turn on the skirmish-line, every two or three days, usually going out in the morning, and holding their posts for twenty-four hours. They were protected by old logs, fallen trees, and slight earth-works. Every man had his chosen place — in the crotch of a fallen tree, at the end of a log, behind a stump, or somewhere; and the regular day for his regiment at the front, was sure to find him there, unless he had been struck by a "Johnnie," or left sick in camp. Thousands to-day can go to the very spot where, during the siege of forty-five days, they slammed away.

A favorite amusement with many of the men, was to stick their hats on the end of their guns, and then, thrusting them just above the works, invite the "Johnnies" to "hit that." It was nothing uncommon, too, for the men to "take a game of seven-up." It is wonderful what indifference to danger men acquire from being constantly exposed to it.

The greater portion of the months of August and September, 1863, were passed by the 30th Iowa in camp on Big Black River. In the latter part of September, the regiment marched with its brigade to Vicksburg, and proceeded thence by boat to Memphis. Going by rail from Memphis to Corinth, It marched thence for Chattanooga. The 30th was attached to General Osterhaus' Division, which marched out to Tuscumbia, Alabama, to call the attention of the enemy from Sherman's real line of march. It was on that march that Colonel Torrence was killed.

He was shot by the enemy, in ambush, just beyond Cherokee Station and among the wild hills of northern Alabama. I remember the day well. It was in the afternoon of the 21st of October, and stormy and dismal. The troops of John E. Smith's Division, being only about seven miles in rear of Osterhaus', could hear the firing distinctly. That night no baggage was unloaded, and we slept in a cold, drizzling rain. We expected to be thrown to the front the next morning, and all were gloomy. But the next morning we remained in camp, and watched the ambulances that were bearing to the rear the dead and wounded of Osterhaus' Division: when the dead body of Colonel Torrence went past, there were not a few sad hearts among the Iowa troops. The Colonel was shot through the breast while at the head of his regiment, and died almost instantly.

The following, as nearly as I can learn, are the circumstances under which Colonel Torrence was killed; and General Osterhaus was severely censured by some, for the part he acted. The enemy were met just beyond Cherokee. Between the Federal and Confederate forces was an open field, bordered by dense timber; and Osterhaus' line of march was eastward in the direction of Tuscumbia. Forming his line, he advanced across the field, when the enemy fell back into the woods, in their rear. Colonel J. A. Williamson, in command of the brigade to which the 30th Iowa was attached, on arriving at the edge of the timber, left his command in line, and rode forward to reconnoitre. On returning, he met Colonel Torrence advancing with his regiment by the flank, and said to him: "How is this, Colonel? you are not obeying orders." Colonel Torrence, lifting his hat, and in his bland, gentlemanly way, replied: "I am acting under the orders of General Osterhaus." Colonel Williamson then rode back to the balance of his command, but had hardly re-joined it, when a volley of musketry was heard down the road.

Colonel Torrence had discovered the enemy only an instant before they fired, and was just deploying his regiment in line. He was shot through the breast, and, as I have before said, fell from his horse, and died almost instantly.

In the skirmish near Cherokee, (for so it was called) the loss of the 30th Iowa was twenty-seven in killed, wounded and missing. Captain William H. Randall was among the killed. He was a native of Indiana, and a resident of Birmingham, Van Buren county. Brave, modest and unassuming, he was deservedly one of the most popular officers of his regiment.

If I ever saw Colonel Torrence, I did not know him; but I am told he was a tall, slender man, with agreeable manners and affable address. At the time of his death, his head was heavily sprinkled with gray. He was a good scholar, and, judging from his official papers, a man of good taste and judgment. He was a Christian gentleman, and, as a citizen, held in the highest esteem.

The following is an extract from his last communication sent to the adjutant-general of Iowa:


"Head-quarters 30th Regiment Iowa Volunteers,
Iuka, Mississippi, October 13th, 1863.

"N. B. BAKER, Adjutant-General of Iowa:

"Accompanying this, you will receive two flags, worn out in the service. They were carried by the 30th Iowa during their marches a distance of five thousand seven hundred miles, between October 26th, 1862, and October 10th, 1863."


Quite in contrast is the following extract from the report of an Iowa officer, whose name I will not give.

"Exposed to every danger, they were ever conspicuous for their cool, daring courage, and the ardor of their souls, blended with pure love for their country, beamed from their countenances, and hung about them, ' Like the bright Iris, o'er the boiling surge.'"

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 461-6