Major-General William T. Sherman to Salmon P. Chase, January 11, 1865

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,                

In the Field, Savannah Jan 11 1865

Hon S. P. Chase.

Washington D. C.

My Dear Sir,

I feel very much flattered by the notice you take of me, and none the less because you overhaul me on the negro question.  I meant no unkindness to the negro in the mere words of my hasty dispatch announcing my arrival on the Coast.  The only real failures in a military sense, I have sustained in my military administration to have been the expeditions of Wm. Sooy Smith and Sturgis, both resulting from their encumbering their columns with refugees. (negroes)  If you understand the nature of a military column in an enemys country, with its long train of wagons you will see at once that a crowd of negroes, men women and children, old & young, are a dangerous impediment.

On approaching Savannah I had at least 20000 negroes, clogging my roads, and eating up our substance.  Instead of finding abundance here I found nothing and had to depend on my wagons till I opened a way for vessels and even to this day my men have been on short rations and my horses are failing.  The same number of white refugees would have been a military weakness. Now you know that military success is what the nation wants, and it is risked by the crowds of helpless negroes that flock after our armies.  Me negro constituents of Georgia would resent the idea of my being inimical to them, they regard me as a second Moses or Aaron.  I treat them as free, and have as much trouble to protect them against the avaricious recruiting agents of the New England States as against their former masters.  You can hardly realize this, but it is true.  I have conducted to freedom & asylum hundreds of thousands and have aided them to obtain employment and homes.  Every negro who is fit for a soldier and is willing I invariably allow to join a negro Regiment, but I do oppose and rightfully too, the forcing of negroes as soldiers.  You cannot know the arts and devices to which base white men resort to secure negro soldiers, not to aid us to fight, but to get bounties for their own pockets, and to diminish their quotas at home.  Mr Secretary Stanton is now here and will bear testimony to the truth of what I say.  Our Quarter master and Commissary can give employment to every negro (able bodied) whom we obtain, and he protests against my parting with them for other purposes, as it forces him to use my veteran white troops to unload vessels, and do work for which he prefers the negro.  If the President prefers to minister to the one idea of negro equality, rather than military success; which as a major [involves] the minor, he should remove me, for I am so constituted that I cannot honestly sacrifice the security and success of my army to any minor cause.

Of course I have nothing to do with the status of the negro after the war.  That is for the law making power, but if my opinion were consulted I would say that the negro should be a free man, but not put on an equality with the whites.  My knowledge of them is practical, and the effect of equality is illustrated in the character of the mixed race in Mexico and South America.  Indeed it appears to me that the right of suffrage in our Country should be rather abridged than enlarged.

But these are matters subordinate to the issues of this war, which can alone be determined by war, and it depends on good armies, of the best possible material and best disciplined, and these points engross my entire thoughts.

With sincere respect & esteem

W. T. Sherman                 

Maj. Genl.

SOURCE: John Niven, Editor, The Salmon P. Chase Papers, Volume 5: Correspondence, 1865-1873, p 6-7

Captain Charles Wright Wills: September 30, 1863

Steamboat Diana, 70 miles from Vicksburg,

September 30, 1863.

We left Vicksburg in advance of the rest of the fleet at 8 o'clock this a. m. I am officer of the day and have found a good deal to do. Our regiment and the 40th Illinois are both on board and we are somewhat crowded. Gen. W. S. Smith and our division commander reached Vicksburg just before we left. The boat he came down on, the Robert Campbell, was burned about 50 miles above Vicksburg, and from 30 to 60 persons lost. The general and Colonel Hicks, our brigade commander, both escaped by swimming. General Smith says that a number of boats have been burned within two weeks by Rebel incendiaries and agents, the object being, by destroying our transportation, to make it impossible to reinforce Rosecrans from Grant's army. General Smith is not yet with us, and we think he will not follow if we go to Chattanooga, for he was once under Rosecrans, and they had some serious difficulty. If he does retain command of the division we will probably stop at some point on the M. and C. railroad again. We all think a great deal of Smith, but would ten times rather lose him than have to, on his account, again go to guarding railroads. It has rained steadily for the last 48 hours, not very fast, but everything uncovered is thoroughly soaked. My company was first stationed on the berth deck, but when steam was raised it [became] so hot that I took them up on the hurricane deck where, though they have to stand the rain, it will certainly be better for them than breathing the hot steam.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 194

Charles A. Dana to Edwin M. Stanton, June 14, 1863 – 8 a.m.

BEHIND VICKSBURG, June 14, 1863 — 8 a.m.,

VIA MEMPHIS, June 17 — Noon.

(Received 7 p.m.)

All the indications point to the speedy surrender of this place. Deserters who came out yesterday say that the Tennessee and Georgia regiments have determined to stack their arms within three days and refuse to continue the defense on the ground that it is useless, and that it is impossible to fight on the rations they receive. All the deserters are worn out and hungry, and say the whole garrison are in the same condition; besides, the defense has for several days been conducted with extraordinary feebleness, which must be due either to the deficiency of ammunition, or exhaustion and depression in the garrison, or to their retirement to an inner line of defense. The first and third of these causes no doubt operate to some extent, but the second we suppose to be the most influential. These deserters also say that fully one-third of the garrison are in hospital, and that officers, as well as men, have begun to despair of relief from Johnston. The troops of General Herron got into position yesterday. The advance of the Ninth Army Corps is also believed by General Grant to have arrived at Young's Point, though he has no positive report, and does not expect one till it has its place as a part of the besieging force on the south of the city, whither he has sent orders for it to proceed. After the arrival there of this corps, General Herron is to move to the right of General Lauman, and occupy that portion of the lines which is now held by Hovey's division, which McClernand will then station as a reserve to support the other divisions of his corps. All of W. S. Smith's division are now at Haynes' Bluff, where I saw them yesterday working upon the intrenchments with admirable zeal. The fortifications there for an army of 25,000 troops will be in a condition for practical use by the 16th instant. It is a stronger defensive position even than Vicksburg. The distance hence to Drumgould's Bluff is 11 miles, to Haynes' Bluff 14. Drumgould's, on which the rebels placed their most elaborate works, is an isolated mamelon. Snyder's and Haynes' Bluffs are connected by a ridge, though flanks on the river side are separated by two ravines and a bayou slope. Snyder's commands the lower, Haynes' the upper bend of the Yazoo. Snyder' Bluff is now being fortified. When the works there are completed, they will be extended around Haynes' also. They will then form an intrenched camp for 50,000 troops. From Joe Johnston there is no news since my last dispatch, except that which merely confirms its principal contents. He has made no new movements in this quarter.

Sebastian, Senator from Arkansas, has determined to claim his seat in the next Congress. With the fall of Vicksburg, he says that all west of the Mississippi is emancipated from the Confederacy, and that Arkansas can be brought back into the Union. He has taken no part in the war.

Please inform me by telegraph whether you wish me to go to General Rosecrans after the fall of Vicksburg, or whether you have any other orders for me. I should like to go home for a short time.

C. A. DANA.

Hon. E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 1 (Serial No. 36), p. 98-9

Captain Charles Wright Wills: May 7, 1863

Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn.,

May 7, 1863.

Isn't the Grierson "raid" glorious? Two other expeditions started from this point and were gone respectively five and ten days each. Although they made good long marches and took about 40 prisoners and 500 animals, still we forget them in looking after Grierson. We have the Rebels well scared in this country. Five thousand men could sweep everything north of Jackson, if they could only hold it. Papers to-day give us the news on the Rappahannock up to the 4th of May, which includes the route of Siegel's Dutchmen and leaves Hooker in what seems to me a close place. Well, he can at worst but fail. What a consolation. General Oglesby wrote to Hurlbut to detail me on his staff General Hurlbut referred the letter through division and brigade headquarters for the letter of my company and on its return to Hurlbut, General Smith objected to my being detailed out of his command. He thought Oglesby might find his staff in his own command. All right! I would like to have been with Old Dick though. I'm on a General Court Martial now. Confound the Court Martials.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 174-5

Captain Charles Wright Wills: April 24, 1863

Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn.,

April 24, '63.

We have just returned from the hardest and yet by far the most pleasant scout in which I have up to this time participated. We started from here one week ago to-day, Friday, and my birthday (how old I am getting) on the cars. We were four and a half regiments of infantry, one six-gun battery and no cavalry. At 3 o'clock p. m. we were within seven miles of Holly Springs and found two bridges destroyed. We worked that p. m. and night and finished rebuilding the bridges by daylight the 18th. We had only moved two miles further when we reached another bridge which we found lying around loose in the bed of the stream. The general concluded to abandon the railroad at this point, so we took up the line of march. We passed through Holly Springs at 12 m. I don't believe that I saw a human face in the town. A more complete scene of desolation cannot be imagined. We bivouacked at dark, at Lumpkin's mill, only one mile from Waterford. At 9 p. m. a dreadful wind and rain storm commenced and continued until 1. We were on cleared ground, without tents, and well fixed to take a good large share of both the wind and water. I'm positive that I got my full portion. 'Twas dark as dark could be, but by the lightning flashes, we could see the sticks and brush with which we fed our fire, and then we would feel through the mud in the right direction. Nearly half the time we had to hold our rubber blankets over the fire to keep the rain from pelting it out. After the storm had subsided I laid down on a log with my face to the stars, bracing myself with one foot on each side of my bed. I awoke within an hour to find that a little extra rain on which I had not counted, had wet me to the skin. That ended my sleeping for that night.

Nineteenth. — We went down to Waterford and then turned westward, which course we held until nearly to Chulahoma. When we again turned southward and reached the Tallahatchie river at "Wyatt," where we camped for the night. Our regiment was on picket that night and an awful cold night it was. We marched through deep, yellow mud the 19th nearly all day, but I don't know that I marched any harder for it. Up at 3 o'clock and started at 4, the 20th, and marched 25 miles southwest, along the right bank of the Tallahatchie. Our rations were out by this time and we were living off the "citizens." The quartermaster with a squad of men he had mounted on contraband horses and mules would visit the chivalric planters, take their wagons, load them with their hams, meal and flour, and when we would halt for dinner or supper, issue the chivalries' eatables to us poor miserable Yankees. While the quartermaster attended to these principal items the "boys" would levy on the chickens, etc., including milk and cornbread. Gen. W. S. Smith commanded and the butternuts failed to get much satisfaction from him. The first night out a "citizen" came to him and complained that the soldiers had killed nine of his hogs, and asked what he should do to get his pay. "My dear sir," said the general, "you'll have to go to the boys about this matter, they will arrange it satisfactorily to you, I have no doubt." “Citizen” didn't go to the boys though. Another one came to ask pay for his hams. "Your hams, why everything in this Mississippi belongs to these boys, a great mistake, that of your's, sir." The men soon found out what kind of a general they had and whenever a butternut would appear among us they would greet him with a perfect storm of shouts of, "here’s your ham, here's your chicken," etc., and often a shower of bones of hams or beef would accompany the salute. On the 20th the general decided to make some cavalry, and on the 21st at night we had nearly 400 men on "pressed" horses and mules. These soldiers would just mount anything that had four legs, from a ram to an elephant, and the falls that some of the wild mules gave the boys would have made any man laugh that had life enough in him to breathe. How the women would beg for a favorite horse! I saw as many as five women wringing their hands and crying around a little cream-colored mare on whose head a soldier was arranging a rope bridle as coolly as though he was only going to lead her to water. You could have heard those women a quarter of a mile begging that cuss of an icicle to leave the pony, and he paid no more attention to them than he would have done to so many little chickens. An officer made the man leave the animal and I think the women took her in the house. I saw two girls, one of them perfectly lovely, begging for a pair of mules and a wagon a quartermaster was taking from their place. They pushed themselves in the way so much that the men could hardly hitch the animals to the wagon. But we had to take that team to haul our provisions. The night of the 20th at 8 o'clock, the general called all the officers up to his quarters and told us that we would have a fight with General Chalmers before breakfast the next morning. He ordered all the fires put out immediately and gave us our instructions for defense in case we should be attacked during the night. After he was through I, with eight other officers, was notified that we should sit at once as a court martial to try the adjutant of the 99th Indiana, for straggling and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman in taking from a house sundry silver spoons, forks, etc. I'll tell you our sentence after it is approved. That kept us until 11 o'clock. At 1 o'clock a. m. we were wakened without bugles or drums, stood under arms, without fires until 3, and then marched northwest. At this point we were only eight or nine miles from Panola, Miss. We marched along through Sardis on the Grenada and Memphis R. R. and northwest about 15 miles to some cross roads, which we reached just 20 minutes after the Rebels had left. 'Twas useless for our infantry to follow their mounted men, so we turned homeward with 75 miles before us. Just look over and see how much sleep I got in the last four nights. We marched through the most delightful country from the time we left Wyatt. I think it will almost compare favorably with Illinois. We saw thousands of acres of wheat headed out which will be ready to harvest by the 15th or 20th of May. Some of the rye was as tall as I am. Peaches as large as filberts and other vegetation in proportion. There seemed to be a plenty of the necessaries of life, but I can assure you that eatables are not so plentiful now as they were before we visited the dear brethren. We reached the railroad at Colliersville last night. That is 26 miles west, making in all some 175 miles in eight days. The guerrillas fired on one column a number of times but hurt no one until yesterday, when they killed two of the 6th Iowa, which regiment was on another road from ours, the latter part of the trip. We took only some 20 prisoners but about 400 horses and mules. They captured about a dozen of stragglers from us and I am sorry to say two from my company, Wilson Gray and Stephen Hudson. The last three days we marched, every time that we would halt ten minutes one-fourth of the men would go to sleep. You should have seen the boys make bread after their crackers gave out; some lived on mush and meal, others baked cornbread in cornshucks, some would mix the dough and roll it on a knotty stick and bake it over the fire. It was altogether lots of fun and I wouldn't have missed the trip for anything.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 171-4

Captain Charles Wright Wills: March 31, 1863

Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn.,

March 31, 1863.

I have lost my negro, Bob. The cavalry have been indulging in a pretty rough fight near here, and I am engaged on a “Board of Survey” which will occupy me for some days to come. There is also a good quality of Scotch ale in town, no paper collars, and a great deal of robbing and scoundrelism generally. There is some kind of a scare along the line, and the authorities this morning shipped to Memphis some 600 negroes, to get them out of the way of the trouble. I made my Bob send his wife and children, and the scamp, when it came to the parting, couldn't resist her pleading, and so he joined the party. It is beautiful to see such an exhibition of love and constancy in the brute species. All of these Africans will undoubtedly be sent to Illinois or somewhere else. I declare I don't like to see them introduced into our State, for they increase like rabbits. I believe will eventually outnumber the white race, in any country in which they are planted. This matter of slavery is an awful sin and I'm satisfied debases the governing race, but if we have to keep these negroes in the country, I say keep them as slaves. Take them from secesh and turn them over to Unionists, but don't free them in America. They can't stand it. These negroes don't average the ability of eight-year-old white children in taking care of themselves. There are exceptions of course; arm all the latter and make them fight Rebels. They will probably be fit for freedom after a few years as soldiers. I received the Register with the letters from our regiment and Peterson's dressing of the Democrat. ’Tis jolly to throw stones at that paper. You see if they all don't get their fingers burned by that foulmouthed Davidson. A decent man has no business talking against him, and will always come out behind. I am sure that he would be hung if he would venture within our regimental lines. One of my boys cut a great caper to-day. He is an old Dutchman, and has been aching for a fight ever since we left Peoria. He has told me several times that he had a mind to run off and go down to Vicksburg until the fight is over and then he would come back again. This morning I sent him to Lafayette (near Memphis) as guard for these contrabands. The old fellow went on to Memphis and I expect will be at the Vicksburg battle. I know that he won't leave me for good, though this act makes him liable to punishment as a deserter. He is a funny old dog but an excellent soldier. For goodness sake send me those shirts. All I have sewed together wouldn't more than make one long enough to reach the top of my pants. Any one of them would fly out over my coat collar if I'd stoop down.

About 100 of the 6th Illinois Cavalry were surprised night before last some 20 or 30 miles north of this place. The first notice they had of the enemy was a volley of balls and shot among them as they lay asleep by their bivouac fires, about 12 p. m. Eight were killed and about 25 or 30 wounded by the first fire. The 6th got up and went into the Rebels in a most gallant manner, killing and wounding a number and capturing a major, two captains and some others. The enemy numbered some 400, and had the advantage of a complete surprise and were then badly whipped. The 6th boys deserve infinite credit for their fighting, and their colonel, a rope for his carelessness. He fought like a hero, though. ’Twas Lieutenant Loomis. I don't believe that Napoleon had any better cavalry than this brigade here for fighting. Second Iowa, 6th and 7th Illinois are the regiments, and well handled they'd whip the devil. Just imagine the details of the above fight, and if you can't help thinking that every one of our men engaged was a hero, I'll disown you. I'll tell you a couple of items to show you how the war is being conducted here now. A train was captured a few miles west of here a few days ago, and three prisoners taken, carried off. A lieutenant among them was footsore and unable to keep up; one of the Rebels, for that reason alone, shot him through the head, killing him. The conductor of the train surrendered, but a Rebel after that shot at him three times, when the conductor concluding it was death anyway attempted to escape and succeeded. This morning I saw a crowd across the street and walked over. Some secesh prisoners had been brought in, among them the conductor had discovered the man who tried to kill him. The conductor tried hard to get to kill the scoundrel, but the guard prevented him. I tell you, if any of that stripe of fellows fall into my hands, you'll have a brother who has been concerned in a hanging scrape. I'm as decided on that point as I know how to be. I don't see any prospect of an immediate fight in this country. There is no force except a few hundred guerrillas within 50 miles of us, but General Smith uses every precaution. We are all under arms an hour before daylight, and the picketing is very systematical and good. The pickets are, however, annoyed more or less every night. These citizens are bringing immense bills of damages before our board. Three came in to-day amounting in the aggregate to $50,000, and more I think. To-morrow General Smith closes the lines at this post. No more going in or out by citizens. That is the best thing that has happened before my eyes during the war. The town has been full of citizens every day since we have been here, and of course they are all spies.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 166-8

Captain Charles Wright Wills: March 29, 1863

Camp at Lagrange, Tenn., March 29, 1863.

All perfectly quiet except the regular picket firing every night which here exceeds anything I ever before met in my experience. ’Tis singular, too, for we have a large force of cavalry here and I should think the rascals would hardly dare to venture so near them. A few days since three guerrillas came up to one of our cavalry pickets, and while he was examining one of their passes the others watching their chance gobbled him. They at once retreated. The sergeant of the picket heard a little noise on the post and just got there in time to see the secesh disappear. He raised the alarm, and a party followed them on the run for 15 miles, rescued our man, killed three and captured four of the rascals, Yesterday some of Richardson's men displaced a rail on the track ten miles west of this place, and captured a train. They got away with their prisoners, but hadn't time to destroy the cars. ’Tisn't safe to go three miles from camp now, although 100 men can go 40 miles in any direction safely. Do you hear of any deserters returning under the President's proclamation? I hope to the Lord that my black sheep won't come back. A letter came for him to-day, and I opened it. ’Twas from his father advising him to get out of this “Abolishun” war as quickly as he could. His “Pa and Ma” are welcome to him. Generals Sullivan, Denver and Hamilton have all left this country within the last few days, for Vicksburg. General Smith commands our division now. We are now in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps. The colonel of the 6th Iowa is the ranking officer in the brigade but he is now sick, so Colonel Wolcott of the 46th Ohio now runs. Two captains of the 46th Ohio, and myself have been constituted by Smith a “Board of Survey,” to appraise damages committed by our army in the property of loyal citizens here. I think he has just done it to get the citizens off his hands. Have no idea that they will ever be allowed anything for their losses. There were three bills, each over $2,500. sent in to us yesterday. I hope the general will allow us to drop the business this week; if he will not, however, we can be kept busy for almost any length of time. By Smith’s orders the reveille is sounded now at 4 o'clock a. m. and the men appear with arms and accoutrements, and form line of battle. This is to avoid any bad consequnces which follow a Rebel cavalry dash at daylight, if we should be found in our tents. I think 'tis an excellent policy to be always ready for the enemy, but I declare I dislike this early rising very much.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 165-6

Major General William T. Sherman to Ellen Ewing Sherman, March 10, 1864

STEAMBOAT Westmoreland,

APPROACHING MEMPHIS, March 10, 1864.

Again I am approaching you. I have done all I undertook, and am now en route for Huntsville, but must stop it may be a week at Memphis to complete certain matters made necessary by General Grant's orders received yesterday, when I expect to come to Cairo and Louisville and Huntsville. I do not think I can come to Cincinnati, for too much rests with me now, and however disposed, I must go on for the spring campaign which I judge will be the most sanguinary of all. . . .

I have just received from General Grant a letter in which he gives me and McPherson credit for having won for him his present high position. . . .

I have no doubt you were amused at the thousand and one stories about my Meridian trip. It certainly baffled the sharp ones of the press and stampeded all Alabama, but in fact was a pleasant excursion. Weather was beautiful, roads good and plenty to eat, what fighting we had was all on one side. Our aggregate loss is 21 killed, 68 wounded, and 81 missing, 170 all told. But in a day or two I will send you my report which will be clear and explicit. I have sent 10,000 men up Red River under General A. J. Smith with Admiral Porter to co-operate with General Banks. They are to be gone only thirty days when they come around to me at Huntsville. I want to make up my army there to 40,000 men. So when we cross the Tennessee look out. Grant in command, Thomas the Centre, Schofield the Left and Sherman Right—if we can't whip Joe Johnston, we will know the reason why; Banks in the meantime to come out of Red River and swing against Mobile. If he had been smart he could have walked into Mobile when I was in Meridian. I am down on Wm. Sooy Smith. He could have come to me, I know it, and had he, I would have captured Polk's army; but the enemy had too much cavalry for me to attempt it with men afoot. As it was I scared the Bishop out of his senses. He made a clean run and I could not get within a day's march of him. He had railroads to help him, but these are now gone. Had I tolerated a corps of newspaper men how could I have made that march a success? Am I not right? And does not the world now see it? ...

On my way down I picked up at Natchez a prisoner of war, Professor Boyd, my favorite among the officers of the academy at Alexandria. I never saw a man evince more gratitude. He clung to me till I came away. Stone promised to be kind to him and to exchange him the first opportunity. He told me all about the people up river and said they talked about me a great deal, some with marked respect and others with bitter hatred. . . .

Many of the negroes are gone and the present trip up Red River will clean out the balance. Boyd tells me the motto over the door of the Seminary is chiselled out. You remember it in my letter of resignation: 'By the liberality of the General Government of the United States. The Union, Esto perpetua.' The fools! Though obliterated it lives in the memory of thousands and it may be restored in a few days. I wanted to go up Red River, but as Banks was to command in person I thought best not to go. Grant wanted me to command, but I reported my reason as before stated. Banks ranks Grant and myself. But now Grant will be Lieutenant-General and will command all he pleases. Of course I can get anything I want, but as soon as the spring campaign is over I want to come here and look after the Mississippi. Like the story of Gil Blas, Here lies my soul.' Though Willy died here his pure and holy spirit will hover over this the grand artery of America. I want to live out here and die here also, and don't care if my grave be like De Soto's in its muddy waters.¹ . . .

__________

¹ It was at General Sherman's own request that he was buried, in 1891, at St. Louis by the side of his son.

SOURCES: M. A. DeWolfe Howe, Editor, Home Letters of General Sherman, p. 284-6.  A full copy of this letter can be found in the William T Sherman Family papers (SHR), University of Notre Dame Archives (UNDA), Notre Dame, IN 46556, Folder CSHR 2/12

The Part Taken by the 13th Ohio Regiment in the Fight

(Correspondence of the Cincinnati Commercial.)

{OFFICIAL REPORT.}

BATTLE FILED PITTSBURG LANDING,
April 8th, 1862.

Frank J. Jones. A. A. G. –

SIR: – I have the honor to submit the following statement of the part taken by eight companies of the 13th Regiment O. V. I. , under my command, in the action of April 7th inst., near Pittsburg Landing, On Tennessee river. After having passed the previous night in awaiting orders near the Landing, my regiment, a part of the 14th Brigade, under Acting Brigadier General [W.] S. Smith, marched out to a position in the center, about one and a half mile distant. The 13th Ohio Regiment occupied the center of the brigade. An advance of the rebels on our lines took place about 8 A. M., and during a sever struggle and through a heavy shower of musketry and artillery, this regiment, in connection with the remainder of the brigade, charged upon the rebels, and succeeded in capturing three pieces of artillery, viz two 6-pounds, and one 12-pound howitzer, belonging to the Washington battery. After spiking one of the guns, and meeting with a severe loss, [the enemy appeared] in force, and succeeded in compelling us, with their fresh troops and superior numbers, to fall back about 400 yards, when reinforcements [reached us] and a new line of battle was formed, and in regular order we recommenced the fight under a heavy fire of canister.

While charging the rebel battery and retiring from it, four of our commissioned officers and many of our non-commissioned officers and privates fell, killed or wounded while manfully and courageously performing their duties.

The enthusiasm and perservering bravery of my command, as exhibited in this charge, were highly commendable. The officers and men seemed determined to accomplish the object in view, and although our plans [were] for the time frustrated by unforeseen causes, the spirits of the men never for an instant failed them but each succeeding attempt to overpower the enemy was made with renewed courage and confidence in their abilities.

In the afternoon and towards the close of the battle, the regiment was reformed, and with the major portion of the brigade changed its position down the road and to the right of that occupied in the morning.

A sudden dash of the enemy was made on Mendenhall’s Battery, which had been posted on the roads in advance of us. Our lines were immediately placed under command of acting Brigadier General W. S. Smith, and the 13th Regiment O. V. I., forming a part of the first line of attack, charged upon, drove back the enemy, and again captured the rebel battery, which we had failed to hold in the morning. This charge was brilliant and decisive. The position was held against a strong effort of the rebels to regain possession of their battery.

I have the honor to be, &c.,
Lt.-Col. J. G. HAWKINS,
Commanding 13th Reg. O. V. I.

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862

General W. S. Smith

{Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial}

EXTRACTS.

Four miles from Savannah, we halted to allow Nelson to get out of the way, as we were at the rear of his trains. At 6 P.M., having distributed two days’ rations of the necessaries of life to the soldiers, (that is, hard crackers,) we were taking arms preparatory to start, when in rode Col. Smith, the commander of our brigade, accompanied by a mounted Orderly only, after a ride of nearly sixty miles, accomplished in ten hours. He had reached us at the critical moment, and we already felt his presence more than the addition of five hundred men; and then sequel will show that the enthusiasm manifested on the occasion was the result of an earnest conviction that, in this instance, the right man was in the right place.

(I will state in parenthesis that for several weeks previous Col. Smith had been separated from his command, engaged in superintending the repairs of the railroad leading from Nashville.)

His reception, as I have intimated already, was of the warmest and most cordial description. He made a few brief remarks, and off we started, arriving in Savannah about 8 o’clock in the evening. The scene here was indicative of the days struggle.

The final capture of the famous Washington battery, of New Orleans, which did so much damage to us at Bull Run, will send a thrill of pleasure through the heart of the Nation, and Ohio must feel proud of the brave men whose strong arms and stout hearts contributed so much to the achievement. Gen. Buell rode fearlessly along the lines throughout the day and [watched] with a keen eye our advance and capture of the battery. Gen Crittenden proved worthy of the confidence [reposed] in him, and our men desire no other to lead this division to battle. Acting Brigadier Gen. W. S. Smith commanding our brigade, the 14th, was the hero of this fight, however within the scope of my eye, and you must bear in mind that I am only describing this part of the great battle. Other and abler hands will doubtless attempt the whole. Believe me, however, that I make no invidious distinction in claiming this title for our brave commander. The officers and men of the 11th and 26th Kentucky Regiments, which, with the 13th Ohio, compose our brigade, all concede him this honor.

Seizing our beloved flag from the color bearer, he waved it over his head and with a few words of a kind to kindle the enthusiasm of the men he led the charge himself; mounted, and exposed to the terrible fire of the infuriated rebels, and with sword in hand, was the first to dash upon the battery and knock out the brains of one if not more, of the gunners with his sword. It is [in] scenes of this kind that we fully realize the force of individual character, in infusing multitudes with a spirit of daring that inspires each man to deeds of valor. Confident of success, they never stop to count the cost till the victory is won. Ours has not been cheaply bought; Major Runkel fell severely wounded, sword in hand, in the very front of the battle. Capts. Gardner and Henderson and Lieut. Lindenberg were also wounded while leading their men to victory. I will mention here for the comfort of the families and friends of the above named officers that their wounds, though sever and painful, are not dangerous.

Where all did so well it does not become me to speak of individual daring, but the conduct of our color-sergeant, Stone, deserves the highest praise, and this particular position, as the bear of our flag, enables me to speak his praise without even indirectly reflecting upon others, which the mention of officers of the same rank does, unless you praise them all.

Our loss is not more than two thirds of that of the enemy, and ours, in the two days, in killed alone, is estimated at three thousand.

We now hold a position three miles in advance of that occupied by us on Monday morning. But we do not regard the victory as decisive, although we believe the back-bone of their grand army to be broken.

Respectfully, T. B. G.

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862

Reception of Gen. W. S. Smith

Gen. SMITH arrived here on last Monday on a short furlough. His coming was announced by a dispatch sent from Loveland in the morning, and we was met at the deport by the band and a large concourse of people, though the rain was pouring down at the time of the arrival of the cars and had been nearly all day.

An enthusiastic reception was given him, when he made a brief speech. It was announced that in the following evening Gen. SMITH would make a speech at the M. E. Church, in which he would give some account of the battle of Shiloh, in which he took a very conspicuous and active part. Though the announcement was not made until nearly five o’clock P.M., and it was raining all the time, the Church was crowded to over flowing with ladies and gentlemen, eager listeners to the man whom ever one present loved to honor.

He gave a brief, yet clear account of the battle and of the part his Brigade took in it. Gen. SMITH makes no pretensions to being a speaker. He is a soldier, though, in its noblest sense, and his remarks were listened to with that wrapt attention which an audience gives one for whom they entertain the highest regard and the warmest friendship. Had we room we would be glad to give his remarks, but we find it impossible to do so.

At the conclusion of his speech, he tendered back the sword presented him by our citizens when e became colonel of the 13th Regiment, but it was voted that he retain it with the universal “aye!” of the vast assembly present.

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862

The 6th Regiment. Letter from Lieut. Alden.

Owing to the disturbance of mail arrangements, this letter did not reach us until yesterday. Ed.


Jackson Mississippi
July 18th 1863

Dear Sentinel:

After a long silence, I will again write you a few lines, in regard to the where-a-bouts and doings of the 6th Iowa.

Immediately after the capitulation of the Rebel Garrison at Vicksburg, your division was ordered to Big Black River, where we arrived on the evening of the 4th of July, at the only point of crossing above the R. R. Bridge, where a strong force of Jacksons Rebel Cavalry was posted to prevent our crossing. Gen. Smith selected our regt. And ordered us to cross the river at Bridsing Ferry, and to hold the position till he could send us support. The only means of crossing was two canoes lashed together, but the scouts [now] coming in, pronounced the river fordable, and Col. Corse determined to cross the stream by wading. We arrived at the river at 9 P.M. and to our consternation found it had risen 3 feet, so that it would have been madness to attempt a crossing on foot. Half a doz. Men were selected, and ordered to cross the river in the canoe, and ascertain if the enemy was still there. When they had got into the middle of the stream a volley of musketry was fired upon them, and they were compelled to retreat to the west side again. Fortunately none in the boat was hurt. A brisk fight was then kept up all night across the stream, and at daylight it commenced in earnest, and at 9 A. M. we had driven them from the river. The most of our army crossed that day. Our loss was one killed, and 9 wounded. We buried 7 rebels and found several of their wounded, tho' they had taken the most of their wounded away.

We arrived at this place in front of the enemy’s works on the10th inst., and our Regiment was again put in the front. We skirmished with the rebels from 3 p.m. until dark, having driven their pickets a half a mile. At 4 o’clock on the morning of the 11th, our Regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and moved forward, fighting over the ground from which the enemy retreated, until we were within half a mile, and in sight of the enemy’s works. Our loss on the 11th was three killed and nine wounded. On the morning of the 16th our regiment was again placed in the front, and ordered to charge the enemy’s works (it was then thought they were evacuating, which was not the case) which we did with credit to ourselves, as the following letter from Gen. Smith, commanding the first Division will show:


H’d Quarters 1st Div. Army Corps
In front of Jackson, Miss.
July 16th 1863

John M. Corse, Col. Commanding the 6th Iowa Infantry

Sir:

The valor of your noble Regiment has been conspicuous, even amidst the universal good conduct that has marked the operation of all the troops of the 7th Division during our advance upon Jackson, and since our arrival here. I cannot too highly commend the gallantry you have displayed in the two successful charges you have made. The true heart swells with emotions of pride in contemplating the heroism of those who, in their country’s cause, can go forward under the iron hail of half a dozen rebel batteries and exposed to a murderous fire of musketry from behind strong entrenchments, and capture prisoners under their very guns. Such has been the glorious conduct of the Sixth Iowa this morning, and those who shared your dangers and emulate your value, will join with me in tendering to you and the brave men you command my warmest thanks and most hearty congratulations.

Most truly yours,

Wm. S. Smith
Brig. Gen. Commanding


The loss in our Regiment on the 16th was 29 wounded, 3 killed and 7 missing. Cap. Minton, of Company “F,” was severely wounded in the breast, arm, back and neck. The surgeons think he will recover. Lieut. A. C. Rarick, of Company “F,” wounded slightly in the neck. – Thomas Gray; Com. “F,” in leg, slightly. [Elam] Ford, Co. F, in ankle, slightly. – H. C. Stewart, in leg, severely. Joseph Wry, in hip severely.

Charles Griggs, Company “B,” Killed. William Brown, Company B, wounded in arm, severely. Corp. J. C. Lucas, in both legs severely.

The following men are missing since the engagement of the 16th, supposed to be prisoners

James. M. Laughlin, Com. B, F. B. Johnson, James Wilson and A. N. Sharp of Co. F.

The rebels evacuated this place on the night of the 16th, leaving large lots of ammunition and commissary stores behind them. We succeeded in capturing most of their rear guard – about two thousand men.

Our wounded are all doing well.

My facilities for writing are poor and having but little time I will cut this short.

Yours truly,

Ed. F. Alden

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, August 15, 1863