Showing posts with label 8th IA CAV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 8th IA CAV. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Sigel At Pea Ridge

Columbus N. Udell, son of Dr. Udell of the Senate, is a member of Col. Bussey’s Cavalry Regiment, and was in the late battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas.  Writing to his mother he says that the Federal army was largely indebted to Franz Sigel for the victory which they won.  For nearly two days they had been surrounded by the superior numbers of the enemy, when Sigel planned and executed a ruse, the result of which really settled the fortunes of the battle.  He commanded his artillerymen to load their guns with blank cartridges.  As the enemy approached, the guns were fired, but not a single man was seen to fall.  A half a dozen times was this repeated, until the rebels concluded that the federals had exhausted their ammunition, and they therefore made an indiscriminate rush upon the federal battery.  Sigel withheld his fire until the enemy had got into the right position, and then hurled such a storm of grape and canister among them that mowed them down like grass.  No body of men could face such a murderous fire, and the rebels in that portion of the field were put to utter rout.

No wonder such a man has been made a Major General. – {Des Moines Register.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 1

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

William E. Harper


WILLIAM E. HARPER, recorder of Clarke County, was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, near the city of Warsaw, November 9, 1844. He was the third of seven children, four of whom are now living. The father, James Harper, is a native of Indiana. The mother, Delilah (Mason) Harper, was also a native of Indiana.  They immigrated to Clarke County in 1857, and settled n a farm, where they remained many years. They then moved to Osceola, where they still reside. William E. passed his boyhood on a farm, and received such educational advantages as the common schools of that day afforded.  At the outbreak of the civil war, when he was but eighteen years of age, he entered the service as a private soldier, enlisting in Company D, Eighth Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, and served faithfully two years in the Western army. He took an active part in the Atlanta campaign with his regiment, also in the last campaign of the war; he with his regiment in 1865 was with General Wilson’s cavalry corps when they made their famous raid toward Mobile, Selma, Tuskaloosa and other points, after which he returned to Georgia, where he was mustered out August 13, 1865.  After being honorably discharged, Mr. Harper returned to Clarke County, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. September 26, 1865, he married Miss Emarilla, daughter of G. N. Tillotson, of Clarke County. They have two children – Levi S. and Addie L.  In 1873 Mr. Harper left the farm and moved to the city where he accepted a clerkship in a store. In 1882 he was the Republican nominee for county recorder, and was elected by a large majority. So well did he discharge the duties of his office, that in 1884 he was re-elected. Mr. Harper is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is well known, and by his genial manner has won many friends.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 323

Friday, January 27, 2012

The Eighth Iowa Cavalry

This regiment was raised by Col. J. B. Dorr, of Dubuque, by special authority from the secretary of war, in the summer of 1863. The companies were recruited largely in the counties of Fremont, Page, Jefferson, Wapello, Van Buren, Clarke, Ringgold, Henry, Appanoose, Dubuque, Jackson, Marshall, Clayton, Johnson, Cedar, Muscatine, and Polk. The regiment numbered 1,234 men and was mustered into the service at Davenport in September, 1863. The field officers were: Colonel, J. B. Dorr; lieutenant-colonel, H. G. Barner; majors, John J. Brown, James D. Thompson, and Alvo J. Price. In October the regiment was ordered to Chattanooga to guard lines of railroad and suppress the guerrillas. During the winter it captured nearly 500 of the members of small rebel bands, and afforded security to union men in eastern Tennessee. On the 28th of July Colonel Dorr, with a part of the Eighth, joined General McCook's expedition to Lovejoy. In a battle near the Chattahoochee, on the 29th, the Eighth cavalry bore a prominent part, and lost about thirty men. The next day the command was assailed by General Roddy's army on its way to Atlanta. A sharp conflict ensued and Colonel Dorr and his regiment, after a fierce fight, were taken prisoners near Newnan, Ga. The remainder of the regiment was under command of Major Price for a time, but upon his resignation in September, Captain Cummins succeeded him. Colonel Dorr was exchanged in November and resumed command, and was with the army at the battle of Franklin. The Eighth took part in the battle of Nashville, and joined in the pursuit of Hood's army, and soon after stopped at Waterloo. About the middle of January, 1865, it joined General Wilson's army in its great raid. The Eighth remained at Macon, Ga., about three months, where the gallant Colonel Dorr died from a congestive chill on the 28th of May, 1865. Lieutenant-Colonel Barner was promoted to colonel and took command of the regiment, and in July it was mustered out.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 123

Sunday, March 6, 2011

William Christy

WILLIAM CHRISTY was born in Trumbell county, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1841; he died late in March, 1903, at Phoenix, Arizona. He came with his family to Osceola, Iowa, when he was fourteen years of age. At seventeen we find him engaged in teaching school, and at twenty he entered the Union army as a private in Company I, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, under Col. W. W. Belknap. He was afterwards promoted to second lieutenant of Co. D. Eighth Iowa Cavalry. He participated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, and was four times wounded while leading a cavalry charge at Jonesborough, Tenn. He was captured at the battle of Lovejoy Station, Ga. and remained several months as a prisoner within the Confederate lines He was promoted to a captaincy and at the close of the war was mustered out as lieutenant-colonel. After his military service he entered a business college in which he later on became a teacher. Returning to Osceola, he was elected treasurer of the State in 1872, and re-elected two years later. Upon retiring from this office he was elected cashier of the Merchants National Bank of Des Moines, which institution he had helped to organize. The following year he was compelled by ill health to resign, when he took up his residence at Prescott, Arizona. A year and a half later he removed to the vicinity of Phoenix, which became his home. He entered largely into the business of stock raising, fruit growing and banking. He first discovered that citrus fruits could be grown successfully in that region, and he and his brother also first introduced shorthorn cattle into the Salt River Valley. He was deeply interested in irrigation. His business operations were deemed of the highest importance to Arizona. On the day of his funeral the governor ordered the flag to be placed at half mast, and many other tributes were paid to the dead soldier and man of affairs.

SOURCE: Annals of Iowa, Third Series, Vol. 6, No. 2, July 1903, p. 157

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Thompson

Company G.

James Danforth Thompson, son of Captain Isaac K. and Emily D. Thompson, is a native of Fredonia, Chautauqua county, New York, and was born on the 19th day of September, 1832. His early life was passed on the farm of his father, attending the common school, and subsequently the academy in his native village. Like many young men having their own way to make in life, he engaged at the age of seventeen in teaching during the winter months, to secure means to defray his expenses at the academy during the remainder of the year. At the age of nineteen years he entered the law office of Hon. O. W. Johnson, in Fredonia, New York, where he continued until he was compelled by ill health to discontinue his studies, and in the fall of 1852 he visited Cincinnati, and subsequently spent the winter in Kentucky. In the summer of 1853 he engaged in civil engineering on railroads in southern Ohio, and in the spring of 1854 for awhile on the Michigan Southern railroad in northern Ohio.

Having regained his health, he resigned his position as engineer and started for Iowa, arriving at Eldora, county seat of Hardin county, on the 10th day of June, A. D. 1854, when he at once engaged in practice of his chosen profession. In the fall of that year he was elected prosecuting attorney of the county, and in April, 1857, as an independent democrat, was elected judge of that judicial district.

In 1861, at the first intimation of war, he announced himself unconditionally in support of the general Government, and as chairman of the democratic central committee united in a call for a public meeting to endorse its action, and was one of the most active at the special session of the State Legislature, in May, 1861, to urge that body to authorize the Governor to tender the United States a regiment of cavalry, armed and equipped at the expense of the members of the regiment. So soon as it was known that the Governor would be authorized to offer the regiment he returned from Des Moines, and at once began enlisting men for a company, buying and furnishing a number of horses to those unable to buy. When the order came to go into rendezvous he marched his command across the country to Burlington, Iowa, at which place he was, on the 31st day of July, 1861, mustered into the army of the United States as Captain of Company G, First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Volunteers. Upon General Fremont refusing to order the regiment into service unless the men would sell their horses and equipments, he was ordered by Colonel Warren to St. Louis to secure a modification of the order, which he was largely instrumental in accomplishing.

On his return Captain Thompson was sent to Davenport to induce Adjutant General Baker to order Captain Heath's and Captain Ankeny's companies to join the First Regiment at Burlington. In this he succeeded. and Companies L and M completed the First Iowa Cavalry.

Being absent from his regiment when ordered to St. Louis, he only joined it after his company had marched with General Fremont to Springfield. and was ordered to escort a supply train from Tipton to Springfield, but upon reaching the Osage river was ordered back to Syracuse, and soon after joined his company.

Was with General Pope in his march to cut off General Raines, and commanded his company at the battle of Milford, on the 19th day of December, 1861, and was present at the capture of Colonels Robinson and McGoffin and their command of 1,500 troops. The next day he escorted General Pope back to Sedalia.

He commanded his company in the march into Howard county. which resulted in the defeat of Colonel Poindexter, at Silver Creek. January 8th, 1862.

When Major Torrence was relieved of the command of the First Battalion, Captain Thompson was placed in command, and on the 22d day of February commanded the cavalry on the march toward the Missouri river.

In April, 1862, he commanded the troops sent to defend Warrensburg from Quantrell [sic], and on the following day defeated Colonel Parker, captured him and fifteen or twenty of his command, and then returned to Sedalia.

In May he was ordered to Lexington. and thence to Clinton. Missouri, He was then detailed to serve on military commission at Butler. Bates county, serving till the commission was ordered to Sedalia. in August, 1862.

In October of that year he resigned (on Surgeon's certificate of disability) from the First Iowa Cavalry.

In 1863, having improved in health, was commissioned Major of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, and was subsequently breveted Lieutenant Colonel for gallant and meritorious services.

Commanded sub-district west of Nashville in 1863 and 1864. In February, 1864. was ordered to Iowa to escort recruits to their commands, along the railroad from Nashville, Tennessee, to Huntsville, Alabama.

In March was detailed on military commission at Nashville. His health having again yielded to the effects of the hard service and exposure, he was sent to the Nashville hospital, and in the summer of 1864 honorably discharged on Surgeon's certificate of permanent disability.

Returning home. Colonel Thompson engaged in agriculture until 1866, when ho was induced to accept the nomination of the people's party for Congress and was defeated.

In the spring of 1867 he was appointed and confirmed United States Pension Agent at Des Moines.

In 1875 he left Iowa and has since made his home in California. For a time he practiced his profession in San Francisco, but of late years has been engaged in mining, railroading and real estate. His headquarters are rooms 23 and 24, 230 Montgomery street, San Francisco.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 336-9

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Col. Elliott Shurtz

COL. ELLIOTT SHURTZ died at the Soldiers' Home in Marshalltown, April 12, 1902. He was a native of Ohio, and at the time of his death was 74 years of age. He enlisted from his native state and served through the Mexican war with credit. At the outbreak of the rebellion he went to the front with Co. H, 13th Iowa Infantry, of which he was lieutenant. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, in which he bore a very active part, and was so severely wounded that he had to retire from the service for a time. Upon his recovery, he raised and organized Co. I, 8th Iowa Cavalry, and returned to the front as its captain. He participated in the memorable Atlanta campaign, in which he was wounded and taken prisoner. A portion of one hand was shot away. After his return from the front he resided in Marshalltown until his death. General Grant appointed him postmaster of that city during his first term as president, in which position Col. Shurtz remained for twelve years. He served also as a member of the city council. Few men of his rank in the Union army came out of it with a prouder record. At his final muster-out he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel.

SOURCE: Charles Aldrich, editor, The Annals of Iowa, Vol. 5, 3rd Series, p. 479

Friday, July 2, 2010

Quartermaster Joseph B. Dorr

Quartermaster Joseph B. Dorr, was born in Western New York August 25, 1825; removed to Buffalo in 1845 and to Jackson County, Iowa, in 1847; commenced the publication of the Western Democrat at Andrew in 1849, and three years later removed to Dubuque and entered into partnership with D. A. Mahoney and published the Dubuque Herald. In 1855 he bought out his partner's interest in the Herald and published the paper alone until 1861. When the war broke out, his loyalty caused him to sink party and financial interests and tendered his services to the Governor of the State. He was commissioned Quartermaster of the 12th Iowa November 5, 1861, and entered at once upon the discharge of his duties. He was with his regiment constantly until the battle of Shiloh when he was captured and confined at Macon, Ga. With Lieutenant Elwell of Company E, he escaped from prison and made his way to the Union lines. He then applied for and received authority to raise a regiment of cavalry in Iowa. He enlisted 1,700 men and on the 30th day of September 1863 was mustered into United States service as Colonel of 8th Iowa Cavalry. During the summer of 1864 he was commanding his regiment in the Atlanta campaign. In one of the cavalry raids to the rear of Atlanta he was wounded, his regiment surrounded and nearly captured. Colonel Dorr refused to relinquish the command; ordered and led a charge which broke the enemy's lines and enabled a part of his regiment to escape. The wounded Colonel was captured and taken to Charleston, S. C., where he, with other officers, was placed under the fire of the Union guns, and remained there until October when he was exchanged and returned to his command. He was in active service in Tennessee and Georgia during the winter of 1864-5. In this service he contracted disease of which he died, in the service, May 28, 1865.

SOURCE: David W. Reed, Campaigns and battles of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 254-5

Friday, March 12, 2010

Sixteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The organization of the Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry began when the first company was ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood, September 17, 1861. The designated rendezvous was Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa, and there seven companies of the regiment were mustered into the service of the United States on dates ranging from December 10, 1861, to March 12, 1862, by Captains Alexander Chambers and S. A. Wainwright, of the United States Army. Of the remaining three companies, the records show that Company F was mustered in at Keokuk, Iowa, in February; Companies I and K, at Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, March 24, 1862, by Captain Chambers. It will thus be seen that it was more than six months from the date on which the first company was ordered into quarters before the organization of the regiment was completed.

The files of reports and returns in the office of the Adjutant General of Iowa contain several papers relating to an incipient militia organization called the "German Regiment," from which it appears that John P. Koch had been commissioned as Colonel, and authorized to raise a regiment bearing that designation. It also appears that but two companies, with an aggregate strength of 161 men, were recruited for that regiment when its organization was abandoned and the two companies were merged into the Sixteenth Regiment. On Page 22 of the report of the Adjutant General of Iowa — 1861-2 — appears the roster of the Field and Staff of the German Regiment then forming, but including only the names of John P. Koch, Colonel, and Charles Altman, Adjutant. The next and last reference to this organization is found on Page 13, Vol. I, of the Adjutant General's report for 1863, in which he says: "Since my last report the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry and the German (Iowa) Regiment have been consolidated, and the regiment is known as the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry." There were a large number of volunteer organizations from the different states which were given distinctive names, some prior to and others after being mustered into the service of the United States. On Page 30 of a volume compiled under the direction of the Adjutant General at Washington, published in 1885, entitled, "Synonyms of Organizations in the Volunteer Service of the United States," the following statement appears under the caption "Iowa": "German Regiment Sixteenth Infantry (part)." The name is thus officially and historically identified with the regiment, although the designation could have no significance as applied to its completed organization.

It should be kept in mind that Iowa was then a young State, that the greater part of its territory was but sparsely populated, and that It had already sent into the field fourteen regiments of Infantry, five regiments of Cavalry and three batteries of Artillery. It was not, therefore, an indication of lack of patriotism that the call for two more regiments of Infantry — coming at the same time — was not as promptly responded to as the first and second calls had been. It will be seen, by comparing the subjoined roster with those of the earlier regiments, that the average age of the officers and men was much greater. This plainly indicates a larger proportion of married men, whose duty to their families had restrained them from enlisting until the necessity for their making the sacrifice became imperative. Moreover, when these men volunteered their services, many battles had been fought, the great magnitude of the rebellion was realized and the dangers and hardships of a long and terrible war confronted them. They had given due consideration to the question of duty to their country; were not carried away by enthusiasm, but their action was deliberate, and their subsequent conduct demonstrated that they were equal to all emergencies.

The regiment left Davenport March 20, 1862, was conveyed by steamer to St. Louis and marched thence to Benton Barracks, where it went into quarters, was furnished with arms, ammunition and field equipage, and, without having the opportunity for drill and instruction except to the most limited extent, was hurried to the front. It had the good fortune, however, of having a commander who was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a thoroughly trained soldier. He was a Captain in the Eighteenth Regiment of Infantry in the Regular Army at the time he was appointed Colonel of the Sixteenth Iowa by Governor Kirkwood, and had been acting as Mustering Officer for Iowa troops since the commencement of the war. The regiment was thus better fitted for immediate active service in the field than it would have been under a commander without military training or experience. On the 1st of April Colonel Chambers was ordered to embark his regiment and proceed to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., and, upon arriving there, to report to General Grant.

On the morning of April 6, 1862, the regiment arrived at Pittsburg Landing. The great battle of Shiloh had begun, and the roar of the conflict at the front was heard as the regiment was leaving the boat. Here the men loaded their guns for the first time. Wounded men and some panic-stricken stragglers began to arrive from the firing line, with tales of disaster to the Union troops, indicating that the rebel forces were superior in numbers and were victorious on every part of the field. This was a hard experience for these men who had, but a few days before, left their homes in Iowa, and was a severe test to their courage and discipline, even before they were ordered forward to meet the enemy. The order soon came, and the regiment marched promptly to the front under the leadership of their gallant Colonel, to the aid of the troops who were being hard pressed by the enemy. The official report of Colonel Chambers shows the heroic conduct of his regiment in that great conflict, and the compiler of this historical sketch regrets that the limitation of space which he is compelled to observe will not permit the reproduction of the report in full. The following extracts, however, give the main features of the report, omitting details:

• • • From 9:30 to 10:30 A. M.. the time occupied In reaching the battlefield, we met more men returning, of all arms, than belonged to the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments, but I must say, for the credit of the State of Iowa, not one of her quota did I meet. On crossing an open field, beyond which was the position of the rebels, two of my command were wounded. My regiment was formed on the right of this field in rear of a fence. • • • I ordered the men to lie down, when the greater part of the enemy's fire passed harmlessly over us. I had, however, several wounded here. From this position the regiment was ordered forward to the edge of timber, within close range of the enemy, as many of my men were wounded at the same time by both ball and buckshot. • • • For nearly or quite an hour the regiment held Its ground against a much larger force of the enemy, supported by artillery, when It was compelled to give way before the destructive fire, or be captured. Word came down the line that a retreat had been ordered. • • • At this our whole line gave way and became mixed up with other regiments. My regiment was rallied by Lieut. Col. A. H. Sanders to the number of about 300 and was posted in rear of a battery during the remainder of that day and night, during which time those who had become mixed with other regiments returned and reformed with those under the Lieutenant Colonel, I having been wounded in the hip joint, which was very painful and rendered me quite lame. The next day the regiment held the same position in rear of the battery during the fight. • • •

With a few exceptions the officers and men behaved with judgment and gallantry. The field officers were particularly cool under a destructive fire and rendered great assistance. The horses of all the field and staff officers were killed or wounded, evidently showing an intention on the part of the enemy to pick off the most prominent officers. Captains Ruehl and Zettler, both gallant men, were killed or mortally wounded, and First Lieut. F. M. Doyle, a brave and efficient officer, was also killed. The loss during Sunday's fight was two officers and sixteen non-commissioned officers and privates killed, and nine officers and ninety-four non-commissioned officers and privates wounded, and fifteen non-commissioned officers and privates missing [see note 1]. • • •


The experience gained by the regiment in this great battle was invaluable. In the numerous battles in which it was subsequently engaged it had the advantage of the training and drill which it had not received before the battle of Shiloh, but it was never afterwards placed in a position in which the bravery and fortitude of the officers and men received a more thorough test. It was the common experience of all soldiers that their first battle, no matter how favorable the conditions under which it was fought, was the severest test to their courage. At Shiloh the conditions under which the Sixteenth Iowa went into action were most unfavorable. The impression its men received, the moment they left the boat and formed in line of battle, was that the enemy was successful on every part of the battlefield; and this impression was sustained as they marched to the front and met large numbers of wounded being taken to the rear, also many demoralized and panic-stricken soldiers who had not been wounded but had deserted their regiments in the face of the enemy and sought safety in flight. The fact that the men of this new and untried regiment did not become infected with the feeling of panic, but marched steadily forward and went into that hell of battle with the coolness of veterans, fought until the only alternative was retreat or surrender, and afterwards rallied to their colors and rendered important service until the close of the battle, entitles them to a place in the front rank as heroic soldiers. In its subsequent history the record made at Shiloh was fully maintained but, in the judgment of the compiler, never surpassed.

After the battle the regiment was ordered to move toward Corinth, the strongly fortified position to which the rebel army had retreated. General Grant's army cautiously advanced, constructing earth-works at regular intervals along its front, thus guarding against another possible attack by the enemy and preparing for the siege of the rebel stronghold. On the 27th of April the organization of a brigade, consisting of the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments of Iowa Infantry, was effected, and Col. M. M. Crocker, of the Thirteenth Iowa, became its commander. This organization was maintained until the close of the war and was known throughout the army as "Crocker's Iowa Brigade"; although, after Colonel Crocker was promoted to Brigadier General, it had many different commanders, most if not all of whom were, or had been, officers of some one of its regiments [see note 2]. The history of the Sixteenth Iowa is, therefore, closely interwoven with that of the brigade to which frequent reference will be made in giving the outlines of the further service of the regiment.

During the siege of Corinth the regiment, with its brigade, performed arduous and important service and contributed its full share to bring about the evacuation of that stronghold, just as General Grant had determined to order an assault upon the fortifications. The evacuation took place during the night of May 30, 1862. The regiment now went into camp near Corinth, where it remained until July 28th, at which time it marched, with its brigade, to Bolivar, Tenn., where it was engaged in watching the movements of the enemy, erecting fortifications and guarding against threatened attack by the enemy. A considerable rebel force remained in the vicinity of Bolivar for several weeks but, as was later shown, not with the intention of attacking the Union troops stationed there, but to draw away from Corinth enough Union troops to make it possible for the rebels to recapture that important post. When the real purpose of the enemy was discovered, the regiment with its brigade was ordered to return to Corinth. Upon its arrival there it was ordered to march toward Iuka and watch the movements of the enemy.

On the 19th of September, 1862, the brigade was in close proximity to the enemy. The Sixteenth Regiment was ordered forward late in the evening of that day, while the other regiments of Crocker's brigade were held in reserve. The part taken by the regiment in the battle which ensued is shown in the official report of Lieut. Col. A. H. Sanders, who, after Colonel Chambers had been severely wounded, assumed command of the regiment.


HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY,
Sept. 21, 1862.

SIR, — I have the honor to report the part taken by the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, in your brigade [see note 3], in the battle on the evening of the 19th Instant, one and one-half miles south of Iuka, Mississippi.

The regiment, under command of Col. A. Chambers, was placed In position about 5:30 P. M. in rear of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, the left of the regiment extending across the road from which it had filed into position. Immediately after the regiment was formed in line a charge of grape and shell from a battery of the enemy cut down six or seven men, including an officer, when the men were ordered to lie down. In this position but few or none were injured by the repeated discharges of canister and ball from the rebel battery. In probably half an hour from forming in line, the enemy made a charge of infantry on the battery. Our fire was reserved till the last moment in the center of the regiment, for fear of killing those manning the battery or the horses of the same, and in the two right companies, till a regiment which was lapping them was withdrawn; but when the enemy's lines were plainly or partially in sight (which, owing to the trees and thick underbrush, was not till they were very close) Colonel Chambers ordered the men to rise and fire, which order was Instantly obeyed, for a time stopping the enemy's advance, but they again charged. The attack was evidently by a very heavy force and with the object of capturing the battery. Our men stood their ground manfully, and I am not aware that a single officer or man failed in any part of his duty. They were finally beaten back by the overwhelming force of the enemy, the center, in the rear of the left section of the battery, retiring first but warmly contending with the enemy till they were almost in our ranks. The left, holding a comparatively safe position, did not retire till they were fired into by one of our own regiments In the rear. The entire right companies, although under a remarkably heavy fire, held their position longest and experienced the heaviest loss. Company A, Captain Smith, was the last to leave the field, and for a time held its ground alone, the regiment on its right having at an early hour been compelled to retire, and the remaining companies of its own regiment retiring at a later hour.

Where all the officers did so well it seems scarcely fair to particularize the conduct or bearing of one from the other, yet I deem it my official duty to notice the fact that Captain Smith exhibited in this action bravery and gallant conduct for which he cannot receive too much praise. He brought out of the battle scarcely half the men he took into it, and the same may be said of company F, Captain Fraser. The remaining portion of the regiment was immediately after reformed by myself and took a position near the battlefield, it then being nearly dark, and soon after, while changing to another position, was directed to rest on the right of an Ohio regiment, formed along the Iuka road, where it remained during the night I regret to report the severe wounding of Colonel Chambers by gunshot wounds in the shoulder and neck, toward the close of the action. He was taken prisoner at the time of receiving the wounds, but was left by the enemy in the hospital at Iuka.

I have the honor to inclose [sic] herewith a list of the killed, wounded and missing of the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry at the late action near Iuka, as complete as It can be made at this time, summing up, killed 14, wounded 48, missing 14 [see note 4]. The regiment went into the battle with about 350 men, exclusive of details made to take care of the wounded.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

ADD H. SANDERS,
Lieut. Col. Comd'g Sixteenth Iowa Infantry.

COLONEL SANBORN,
Comd'g First Brigade, Third Div., Army of the Mississippi [see note 5].


The regiment had again contributed its full share to the defeat of a superior force of the enemy in this hard fought battle. Its loss was even greater than at Shiloh, in proportion to the number engaged. Soon after the battle of Iuka the regiment returned, with its brigade, to Corinth and, on the 3d and 4th of October, participated in the battles which were fought there. Major William Purcell, who commanded the regiment after Lieutenant Colonel Sanders had been compelled to retire on account of his severe wounds, wrote an admirable official report of the conduct of his regiment during both days of the battle. After describing the positions occupied by the regiment prior to that in which it was attacked by the enemy, he says:

In this position we remained until the Second Brigade fell back, and, the batteries with the Eleventh and Thirteenth Iowa being ordered to the rear to form a line oblique to the one then held by us, we remained in position to cover this movement, and were under the immediate command of Colonel Crocker when the enemy drove in our skirmishers and charged furiously up the hill upon which the Fifteenth and Sixteenth were posted. This charge was repulsed, and after holding the enemy in check and severely punishing him, were ordered to fall back upon the new line. The movements of the batteries and of the rest of the brigade having been effected, the Sixteenth was ordered, in company with the Fifteenth, to retire, which they did slowly and In good order, rejoining the rest of the brigade, remaining there until ordered to retire with the batteries to the inner fortifications. • • • During the fight this day Lieutenant Colonel Sanders was severely wounded in the thigh and had his horse shot In several places, but retained command until the regiment was ordered to the inner line of fortifications, when he retired to have his wounds dressed, and the command devolved upon me.

On the morning of the 4th the Sixteenth retained its position in support of the Fifth Ohio Battery, throwing forward, under cover of temporary breastworks. Company A, under command of Captain Smith, to engage the enemy's sharpshooters. While in support of the battery three of our men were wounded by the sharpshooters of the enemy. Permit me to say while at this point, that the officers and men are entitled to great credit, and their superior officers and their State may well be proud of them. They did their whole duty in the engagement on Friday. • • • I noticed with pleasure the courage and bravery displayed by the Color Sergeant, Samuel Puffin, Company F. He stood waving the colors and encouraging the men both by actions and words. He was the last to leave the field, and bore the colors away with him while the missiles of death flew thick and fast around him. The Color Corporals, McElhany, of Company E, H. B. Eighmey, of company H, and J. Kuhn, of company C, also deserve mention for their gallant conduct. • • •


For the third time the regiment had met the enemy in a hard fought engagement and acquitted itself with honor. Its losses in battle and on the skirmish line now aggregated 250. It had also lost a large number by death from disease and by discharge for disability, and yet it had been only six months in active service in the field. Its subsequent splendid record cannot be adequately described without exceeding the space allotted to this sketch. The compiler will endeavor, however, to cover as fully as possible the principal battles and movements in which the regiment participated, including only the most important details.

The regiment now remained in camp for nearly a month. On November 2d the brigade was ordered to march to Grand Junction, and, arriving there November 5th, joined the army which was to engage in the movement against Vicksburg. November 28th the march to the South began, the Third Brigade of the Sixth Division of Hamilton's Corps (Crocker's Iowa Brigade) being assigned to the advance. The Sixteenth Iowa, with its brigade, bore its full share of the great hardships of that winter campaign, which proved a failure on account of the brilliant exploit of the enemy's cavalry in getting in the rear of General Grant's army and capturing the immense depot of supplies which had been accumulated at Holly Springs, Miss. This compelled the abandonment of the expedition and the retreat of the army. During this retreat the troops suffered greatly from the cold and from lack of sufficient food. The regiment, with its brigade and division, reached Memphis early in January, 1863, and on January 18th again started for Vicksburg, this time on transports down the Mississippi river. Landing at Milliken's Bend, the troops went into camp. From this point, detachments from the Sixteenth and other regiments of the Iowa Brigade were sent out for the purpose of watching the movements of the enemy, and were engaged in some skirmishing in which slight losses were incurred.

On the 20th of January, 1863, the regiment, with its brigade and division, was assigned to the Seventeenth Army Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson, Brigadier General McArthur being retained in command of the division, and Colonel Crocker, of the brigade. On February 8th the brigade and division were conveyed to Lake Providence, and there began the arduous undertaking of connecting the Lake with the Mississippi river by cutting a canal. This work was steadily prosecuted, and completed on the 16th of March, 1863. While at Lake Providence the regiment and brigade were inspected by Inspector General Wm. E. Strong of the Seventeenth Corps, who paid a very high compliment to Colonel Crocker for the splendid condition and perfect drill of his brigade.

April 21, 1863, the brigade left Lake Providence and, from that time until the surrender of Vicksburg, was actively engaged in the arduous operations which culminated in that most important event. About the time these operations began, Col. M. M. Crocker was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the command of the Seventh Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps. It was with deep regret that the officers and men of the brigade witnessed the departure of this accomplished officer. They fully appreciated the fact that it was on account of his rigid enforcement of discipline, and his ability as an instructor, that the brigade had reached such a high state of efficiency and had gained such an excellent reputation throughout the army. Colonel Hall, of the Eleventh Iowa, succeeded to the command of the brigade during the remainder of the Vicksburg campaign. Colonel Chambers, of the Sixteenth Iowa, was still absent on account of the wounds he received at Iuka, and Lieutenant Colonel Sanders, although not fully recovered from the wound he received at Corinth, was — during the greater part of the campaign — in command of the regiment and wrote the official report, in which he describes in detail the movements of his regiment and the different positions occupied by it, from May 16 to July 4, 1863.

The service of all four of the regiments of the Iowa Brigade during this period was practically of the same character. The compiler may, therefore, summarize in the same words he used with reference to the Thirteenth Iowa, as equally applicable to the Sixteenth and to every regiment of the brigade:

"During the entire campaign, which ended with the surrender of Vicksburg, the Sixteenth Iowa with its brigade performed most arduous and important service. It was moved from point to point, was part of the time with the army of observation, in the rear of the lines of troops engaged in the siege, watching the rebel force under General Johnston, who was constantly threatening an attack for the purpose of raising the siege, and part of the time with the investing forces in the intrenchments, assisting in the prosecution of the siege, but everywhere doing its full duty and sustaining its well won reputation for bravery and efficiency."

At the time of the surrender, the regiment was skirmishing with the enemy on Black River, in the rear of Vicksburg. The following quotation is made from the brief outline of the movements and operations of the regiment, furnished to the Adjutant General of Iowa by Maj. J. F. Conyngham [see note 6]:

Had a sharp engagement with the enemy July 4, 1863, part of the regiment having crossed the river and driven the enemy from his position on the opposite bank. July 12th was ordered to re-enforce General Sherman at Jackson and bring up an ammunition train. Johnston having evacuated Jackson, the army returned to Vicksburg July 28th; camped near Vicksburg till the 6th of August. The regiment was engaged in the march to Monroe, La. Returning to Vicksburg remained in camp till the 3d day of February, 1864; when we started on the Meridian campaign. After a march across the entire State of Mississippi, returned to Vicksburg, March 4, 1864. Left Vicksburg March 17th on veteran furlough. The regiment again started from Davenport, Iowa, May 3d; arrived at Clifton, Tenn., about the middle of May; marched to Huntsville, Ala.; arrived at the latter place May 22d; marched to Decatur, Ala., thence across the mountains to Rome, Ga., where arrived on the 5th of June. Starting again the next morning, joined the main army under Sherman near Ackworth on the 10th; arrived in front of Kenesaw Mountain on the 11th; had a sharp engagement with the enemy June 15th; part of the regiment was engaged in the attack on Kenesaw Mountain June 27th, meeting with heavy loss. The regiment was under the enemy's fire from June 14th to July 2d; moved from left to right of our line, meeting the enemy again July 4th; had another sharp engagement, driving the enemy. On the 5th, we again had the advance, driving the enemy from his fortified position and across Nick-a-jack Creek; were under fire of the enemy until the 16th day of July, when the rebels were compelled to cross the Chattahoochee river, and pushed on to Atlanta. Was engaged In the battles of July 20th, 21st and 22d, meeting with heavy losses in killed, wounded and prisoners, reducing the regiment to less than 100 men present for duty; engaged in the battle of July 28th. Continued to take an active part in pushing forward our lines of investment till Aug. 26th, when the siege was raised, the army marching for the vicinity of Jonesboro, where the regiment was again under fire; was in the pursuit to Lovejoy's Station, returned to Atlanta, remained till September 1st, when active movements were again commenced by the transfer of Hood's rebel army to the north of the city. After engaging in the pursuit of the enemy towards Dalton and through Snake Creek Gap, thence to Gaylesvllle, Ala., returned to Atlanta. Our regiment being again Increased to 450 men present for duty, by the exchange of prisoners in the month of September and the assignment of drafted men, we started from Atlanta, November 15th, marched to Savannah, before which place we arrived December 10th, after much hard marching and skirmishing, and drove the enemy behind his fortifications. At Savannah our regiment was the first to seize the Savannah and Charleston Railroad, and, under the direction of Brigadier General Belknap, commenced destroying the same. Was engaged in the siege till the evacuation of the city. Marched to the suburbs of the city and went into camp on the 21st, where we remained, getting ready for the next campaign.

After a review of the entire army by General Sherman, we were put in motion Jan. 6, 1865, for Beaufort, S. C. Marched against Pocotaligo Jan. 15th, our corps (the Seventeenth) driving the enemy out of his strongly fortified position. Remained near Pocotaligo until the 28th, when the new campaign commenced. Marching to Rivers Bridge, on the Salkehatchie, met the enemy strongly fortified. At this point the Salkehatchie forms an almost impenetrable swamp about two miles wide, which was waded by the Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps (of which the Sixteenth formed a part) on the 3d day of February, 1865; and the enemy was driven from his position. Continuing the march, driving the enemy before us, capturing every place which he attempted to hold, and after encountering many hardships, privations and dangers, arrived at Goldsboro, N. C, on the 23d day of March, 1865. Remaining at Goldsboro until the 10th day of April, the regiment was again on the march In search of the enemy. Pushing forward, the command entered Raleigh on the 16th, and camped there until the 2d of May. The war being brought to a close, the command marched for Washington, where it took part in the grand review May 24th, left Washington June 7th and arrived at Louisville, June 12th.


The record from which the foregoing quotation is made embraced the entire period of service of the regiment, but only that portion of it commencing July 4, 1863, has been quoted, for the reason that the compiler of this sketch found it necessary, in preparing the earlier history of the regiment, to refer to official reports and other data, going more fully into the details of its operations than the closely condensed record given by Major Conyngham. At Goldsboro, N. C, under date March 25, 1865, Captain Conyngham, (subsequently commissioned Major,) in an official report addressed to Brig. Gen. N. B. Baker, Adjutant General of Iowa [see note 7], says:

I have the honor to submit the following as a brief outline of the movements of the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry Veteran Volunteers, during the sieges of Atlanta and Savannah, the campaigns through Georgia and Carolinas, commencing on the 23d day of July, 1864, and ending on the 23d day of March, 1865. I embrace the above dates, not that I was in command of the regiment during the entire period, but because there has been no report made to your office during the time stated, and as I am the only officer, now in the service, of those who have commanded during the period.


This report, while giving a more detailed account of the movements of the regiment for the time indicated, refers mainly to the events already briefly described. In the desperately fought battle before Atlanta, July 22, 1864, after completely exhausting its ammunition, and being entirely surrounded by the enemy, the regiment with its gallant commander, Lieut. Col. A. H. Sanders, surrendered as prisoners of war. Upon his return from captivity, Lieutenant Colonel Sanders made a detailed report for Adjutant General Baker; Capt. C. W. Williams also submitted a report of the battle, with a list of the killed, wounded and missing, and Oliver Anson, Sergeant Major of the regiment, gave an account of the experience, while in prison, of those who were captured [see note 8]. The length of these reports precludes their reproduction in full, but the compiler has chosen the following extracts from them, to show how splendidly the Sixteenth Iowa maintained its well-won reputation as a fighting regiment in this tremendous conflict before Atlanta. Lieutenant Colonel Sanders' report is, in part, as follows:

SIR, — I have the honor to report the action of the Sixteenth Iowa Veteran Infantry in the battle before Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864, resulting in the capture of nearly all of said regiment and myself.

On the morning of July 21st, my regiment charged on the rebel batteries, and, after a desperate assault, lost sixty-five men. The regiment was complimented by General McPherson for its daring bravery. General McPherson's last words to me, the day he was killed, were: "The old Sixteenth shall be remembered." On the afternoon of the 21st, the old Iowa brigade was removed to the extreme left flank of Sherman's army, about two miles from Atlanta. The Sixteenth Iowa formed a line at right angles with the main line of the army. Immediately on the right of the Sixteenth's works, the Eleventh Iowa established themselves in rifle pits; on a road running between the Eleventh and Sixteenth Iowa's works were planted two Napoleon guns of the Second Illinois battery protected by heavy works. On the left of the Sixteenth, and a little to the rear, the Fifteenth Iowa had rifle pits. About a hundred yards to the rear of the Sixteenth, the Thirteenth Iowa had breastworks. During the night of the 21st, each regiment of the brigade built substantial rifle pits along the line that I have designated, and each cleared a space of fifty yards In front of its works. Still the heavy underbrush concealed the works of the different regiments from each other's view.

On the 22d were under arms at daylight, but no enemy appeared. The afternoon before, immediately on our arrival, I had thrown out two companies (B and G) several hundred yards in front, to act as pickets and skirmishers. About noon on the 22d I received an order from General Smith [see note 9], in person, to have my regiment ready to fall in at a minute's notice, and that he expected me to hold those works to the last, as the safety of the division might depend upon the delay we could occasion the enemy at that point. This was the last order I received that day from any commanding officer. About 1:30 o'clock P. M., our skirmishers in front commenced a brisk firing. I immediately formed the regiment in the intrenchments, and soon after the skirmishers were driven in upon us. I again sent them out, but a strong line of the enemy forced them back. Lieutenant Powers, commanding the battery, opened fire on the advancing enemy, but I requested it stopped until the enemy should get nearer. I ordered my men not to fire a gun until they received my command, no matter how close the enemy came. The rebel line advanced steadily to the charge, and I permitted them to approach to the open space of fifty yards in front of my works, when, cautioning the men to aim well and fire low, I ordered the rear rank to fire, and then the front rank. The response was a terrific and deadly volley from one rank, followed immediately by another, and then a continuous rapid firing, fast as eager and experienced soldiers could load and discharge their guns. The result of our fire was terrible; the enemy's line seemed to crumble to the earth, for even those not killed or wounded fell to the ground for protection. Lieutenant Powell's battery here did excellent execution. Another heavy line of the enemy advanced, and were repulsed in the same terrible manner. • • • .

More splendid firing, or more effectual in its results, was never witnessed in the army. The Second and Eighth Arkansas regiments, with two Texas companies, got into a position in our front, in which they could not advance, and dared not attempt to retire, but hugged the ground close, suffering a terrible fire. While thus lying down, they raised the white flag. I ordered the firing to cease, and these regiments threw down their guns and hurried over to our works as prisoners. We had at this time double the number of prisoners we had men in ranks. A part of these men were sent to the rear, but before the remainder could be secured the enemy had taken the Thirteenth's works immediately in our rear, and commenced a heavy firing into our ranks. • • •


The report then describes the desperate situation in which the regiment was placed; how the fight was continued against tremendous odds until it became evident that the other regiments of the brigade had been outflanked and compelled to abandon their works, when, all hope of receiving re-inforcements being abandoned, the brave officers and men of the Sixteenth Iowa reluctantly surrendered themselves as prisoners of war. At the conclusion of his report Lieutenant Colonel Sanders shows the utter hopelessness of the situation, and that he would not have been justified in urging his brave men to further resistance. He says:

At the time of our surrender we were entirely out of ammunition, the rebels having been so long in our rear that supplies were prevented from reaching us. Why we were left alone, an isolated regiment, surrounded and helpless, while the other regiments around us were ordered from their works, as I suppose they were, I cannot realize. If the sacrifice of this noble regiment was intended to give the army in our rear time to rally, then It was well, and the sacrifice was nobly made of a band of as brave and faithful men as any who fought upon the field that day. They could not be taken from the front, and only surrendered when further resistance would have been suicide. • • •

I should have stated in its proper place, that while firing heaviest, and guns so heated that they could scarcely be handled, we were re-enforced by companies D and K, of the Thirteenth Iowa, commanded by Captain Pope and Lieutenant Rice. Captain Pope informed me that they were ordered to our assistance, fearing our ammunition as well as men must soon be exhausted. I assigned these companies places along the trenches, and they went into the work like veterans, fought nobly to the last, and surrendered with us.


That the order to withdraw from their works was given to the two flanking regiments of the Iowa Brigade is shown by the following extract from the report of Gen. Giles A. Smith, who commanded the Fourth Division [see note 10]:

I ordered Colonel Hall to withdraw his two flank regiments which this movement enveloped, and to move them by the right flank around the front or east side of my main line of works, having already directed the men occupying that line to take the same position and drive back the enemy, now already pressing their rear. This movement was promptly executed, and successful except in the case of the Sixteenth Iowa, occupying the extreme left, which was completely surrounded, and over two hundred and thirty men captured.


That the order failed to reach Colonel Sanders was no doubt owing to the fact that the staff officer, to whom it was intrusted, found himself cut off by the enemy, and was thus prevented from delivering it. Capt. C. W. Williams of the Sixteenth Iowa also wrote a report of the part taken by his regiment in the battle of July 22d, in which he says, in part [see note 11]:

The other regiments of the brigade did all that could be done under the circumstances to arrest the calamity to this regiment, but it will be remembered that they were attacked by a large force upon the left flank, and were compelled to change front under a severe cross fire of the enemy, so that the best they could do was to take care of themselves. It is proper to add, that a detail for fatigue duty had been made from the regiment just previous to the attack, consisting of three commissioned officers, viz: Captain Williams, and Lieutenants Conyngham and Weingartner, and eighty enlisted men, all of whom were absent from the regiment, and did not rejoin it, having nearly a mile to travel. The detail was posted upon the left of the Third Division, and materially aided in the final repulse of the enemy, all doing their duty nobly. Some twenty-five of them were killed, wounded and missing, most of them before they gained the works, as they were exposed to a cross fire of the enemy's artillery during the Interval of leaving their works and gaining our main line, as well as to direct a fire of musketry. • • • I append to this report a list of the killed, wounded and missing, on the 22d Inst.; also a complete list of casualties in the regiment from June 14th to August 8th, inclusive, making an aggregate of 369 killed, wounded and missing.


Sergeant Major Oliver Anson, in a communication addressed to General Baker [see note 12] relative to the capture of the officers and men of the Sixteenth and their treatment while prisoners of war, says, in part: "• • • We were taken to Macon, and there the enlisted men were separated from the officers, and taken to Andersonville, six miles farther south. The enlisted men of the regiment captured numbered 225. • • • The men are suffered to lie out in the open air without any shelter whatever, and many of them are in a manner naked. They do not get enough to eat, and what they do eat is not fit to eat. It is killing the men faster than the army. When I went into the prison on the 28th of July, there were over 33,000 prisoners, and on the 7th of September, the issuing clerk told me they issued to 29,553, and since the 28th they had captured the Eighth Iowa Cavalry and some of the Fifth, and a large number from McCook and Stoneman, besides making captures from Sherman's army, and yet the number ran down in spite of them. • • •"

The compiler has endeavored to compress within the limits of this brief sketch the main outlines of the history of this splendid military organization, and to give some of the details of its most important achievements. In the subjoined roster will be found the record of personal service of every soldier who at any time belonged to the regiment, condensed into a paragraph opposite his name. The transcript of these rosters has been carefully made from the official records of the office of the Adjutant General of the State of Iowa. In addition to official sources, surviving officers of the regiment have been asked to correct errors and omissions and to complete records, but only to a limited extent has it been found possible to secure such information.

The commonwealth of Iowa has fulfilled a high duty in providing for the preservation of the history of her brave sons who went forth to battle for the unity of the States, and for the perpetuation of a Government which has proved such an inestimable blessing, not only to the loyal and patriotic men who so nobly fought to save it but, also, to those misguided men who fought so desperately to destroy it.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1,441
Killed 62
Wounded 311
Died of wounds 35
Died of disease 220
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes 224
Captured 271
Transferred 29
Burled in National Cemeteries 141


[Note 1.] War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Vol. 10, Pages 286 and 287. Same Volume, Page 104, tabulated casualties, shows total loss 131. Bronze tablet on regimental monument to Sixteenth Regiment Iowa Infantry at Shiloh shows losses as follows: Killed, officers, 2, men, 15; wounded, officers 11, men 91 (8 mortally); captured or missing, men 13.

[Note 2.] At the close of the war the survivors of these four Iowa regiments formed an organization by which they have preserved the name "Crocker's Iowa Brigade." They meet biennially in reunion. Gen. W. W. Belknap was its first commander, and, at his death, was succeeded by Col. H. H. Rood, its present commander. (1908.)

[Note 3.] As will be observed at the close of this report, the Sixteenth Iowa fought under another brigade commander at the battle of Iuka, being entirely detached, for the time being, from its own brigade.

[Note 4.] War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 17, Page 100.

[Note 5.] War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 17, Page 78. Tabulated losses, Sixteenth Iowa: Killed 14, wounded 48, missing 13.

[Note 6.] Adjutant General of Iowa, Report for year 1866, Pages 272-274, inclusive.

[Note 7.] Adjutant General of Iowa Report for year 1866, Pages 274-5.

[Note 8.] These reports are found in the report of the Adjutant General of Iowa for the year 1865, Vol. 2, Pages 1104-13, inclusive.

[Note 9.] Brig. Gen. Giles A. Smith.

[Note 10.] Adjutant General of Iowa Report for 1865, Vol. 2, Page 1278.

[Note 11.] Adjutant General of Iowa Report for 1865, Vol. 2, Page 1107.

[Note 12.] Adjutant General of Iowa Report. 1865, Vol. 2, Page 1113.



SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 2, p.1059-70

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Colonel Joseph B. Dorr

EIGHTH CAVALRY.

The late Colonel Joseph B. Dorr was a native of Erie county, New York, where he was born the 6th day of August, 1825. He was educated at the common schools of Erie county, where he continued to reside till the year 1847. In the fall of that year he came West, and settled in Jackson county, Iowa, and, in the year following, became the editor and proprietor of the "Jackson County Democrat." That paper he continued to edit and publish till the year 1849, when he established the "Western Democrat and Common School Journal," the first educational journal published in the State of Iowa.

After a residence of nearly five years in Jackson county, Mr. Dorr removed to the city of Dubuque, where he soon after became an associate editor of the "Dubuque Herald." In 1855, he became sole proprietor of the "Herald," which he continued to publish till May, 1861. In justice to the colonel I should state that, his editorial connection with that paper ceased at the close of the Presidential Campaign of 1860. Though always a member of the Democratic party, he was never of the peace persuasion. From the beginning of our present troubles, he was an earnest war man.

In the summer of 1861, Colonel Dorr assisted in raising the 12th Iowa Infantry, and on its organization, was made quartermaster of that regiment. To an honest man, the position of regimental quarter-master is the least desirable of all. Its duties are difficult and arduous, and such as to render the officer extremely unpopular. With the common soldiers, to be a quarter-master is almost synonymous with being a rascal. I believe that Quarter-Master Dorr discharged the duties of his office honestly and faithfully. He was certainly popular with his regiment. At Shiloh he distinguished himself. Voluntarily waiving all claims to personal security, which are usually considered as attaching to the office of quarter-master, he acted as aide to Colonel Woods on the field, and was with his regiment taken prisoner. His services were appreciated by Colonel Woods, for in his official report he says:

"Quarter-Master Dorr, though his position did not require him to go into action, volunteered to do so, and, throughout the day, behaved in a brave and gallant manner, daringly if not recklessly exposing his person to the enemy. He made himself very useful in carrying messages, and in spying out the positions and movements of the enemy, and firing on them as occasion offered."

Colonel Dorr was commissioned colonel of the 8th Iowa Cavalry the 14th of April, 1863; but was not mustered to that rank till the 30th of the following September. He served in the field with his regiment, being a considerable portion of the time in command of a brigade, till the spring of 1865. He died of disease at Macon, Georgia, on the 8th of May, 1865. He was a most excellent citizen, and a splendid soldier.

The 8th Iowa Cavalry was rendezvoused and organized at Camp Hendershott, Davenport, Iowa; was mustered into the United States service on the 30th of September, 1863; and a few days later was ordered to report to General Rosecrans, at Chattanooga. The regiment left Iowa on the 17th of October for Louisville, where it arrived on the 21st instant.

On the 17th of November it had reached Nashville; but Thomas had in the meantime succeeded Rosecrans, and the regiment was ordered to report to General A. C. Gillem, who stationed it as follows: — The 1st Battalion and regimental head-quarters were at Waverly; the 3d Battalion forty-nine miles west of Nashville, and the 2d Battalion some thirty miles west of Nashville. The different battalions served at these stations until the spring of 1864, doing patrol- and guard-duty. During this time, no opportunity for distinction offered; but, to show that the duties of the regiment were arduous, it need only be stated that the portion of Tennessee, where it served was intensely disloyal, and infested with guerrillas.

"One expedition was made during December, 1863, which deserves notice as an opening incident in the history of a new regiment. On the 20th, Lieutenant Wilbur F. McCanon, Company G, with forty men, crossed Duck River during a violent storm of wind and rain, and under most disadvantageous circumstances, the stream being swollen out of its banks and running at a furious rate. The crossing was not effected till after dark; but, without halting, he pushed out over the low lands, already running with torrents from the overflowing river, and, traversing a thickly-wooded country a distance of fourteen miles, reached the rendezvous of a portion of Hawkins' men, and captured Captain Nance, one lieutenant, and twelve men with their horses and arms. I had expected that Colonel Hawkins and his staff with twenty-five or thirty of his best men would be found there, but he had been too careful of his life and liberty to trust himself within twenty miles of the post for quarters. The party returned across the river by day-light the next morning. Lieutenant McCanon is entitled to much credit for his perseverance under difficulties."

In February, 1864, the rebel Roddy made his appearance in Southern Tennessee, with a force estimated at four thousand men, with two full batteries. He came as far north as Pulaski and attacked that place, but was repulsed. Word was sent by General Rosseau, commanding at Nashville, to Colonel Dorr at Waverly, of the fact, with instructions to scout the country south, and develop the intentions of the enemy. Captain Burns with his company was, accordingly, dispatched to Centreville, nearly forty miles distant; but on arriving there the captain learned that Roddy had retired across the Tennessee. His expedition however was not fruitless; for on the return ho got word of a rebel recruiting party on its way to Western Kentucky, and made pursuit. The chief of the party, which was overtaken and captured, proved to be Lieutenant-Colonel Brewer, of Forest's command. The colonel made a show of fight, and would not surrender till quite severely wounded. With him, were captured important dispatches.

Captains Evans, Root, Cummings, and Shurtz, of the 8th Iowa Cavalry, are especially mentioned for their success in hunting down scouting parties of the enemy while stationed in the vicinity of the Nashville and North Western Railroad. The following is a summary of the labors of the regiment, before leaving for Chattanooga to join in the Atlanta Campaign.

"The whole number of prisoners taken by the regiment, up to the 12th of March, 1864, was between four and five hundred. Over one thousand deserters from the rebel service came in and took the oath of allegiance at the different posts of the regiment, and more than seven thousand dollars in bonds were taken from disloyal persons, to give no aid nor comfort to the rebellion, and to assist in putting it down."

After refitting at Nashville, the 8th Iowa Cavalry proceeded to Chattanooga, where it arrived on the 10th of April. It was ordered to report immediately at Cleveland, where it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, commanded by General E. M. McCook. With this command, it led the advance on Atlanta, and made its brilliant record. Colonel Dorr commanded the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Earner, for a time, commanded the regiment. The brigade was composed of the 1st Tennessee, 2d Michigan, and 8th Iowa Cavalry regiments. To give a full account of the operations of the 8th Iowa, from the 3d day of May, 1864, the time when, with its division, it first moved against the enemy near Dalton, till the march on Jonesboro late in the following August, which necessitated the evacuation of Atlanta, is impossible. I will quote briefly from the history of the regiment relating to the early part of the campaign, to show the nature of its services.

"On the 3d of May, the regiment moved with the division on Red Clay, by the Dalton road. On the 4th, the 8th was posted so as to cover the road to the east, supported by and supporting the 2d Michigan, on the Dalton road. On the 5th, sent out a reconnoitering party from the 8th, under command of Major Price, and found the enemy about four miles off on the Dalton road. On the 6th, sent detachments from the 8th and other regiments to scour the roads to our left. On the 7th, the brigade, the 8th Iowa Cavalry in advance, moved down the Dalton road, and, turning to the right, drove the enemy out of Varnel's Station, which we occupied. Skirmishing continued all day with a considerable force, which made its appearance on the high land to the left of the railroad. About four P. M., received orders to move so as to cover cross-roads, two miles west of the station, and had just commenced the movement, when the enemy opened upon us with shell, wounding a few men, and killing a few horses. On the 9th of May, moved to a point on the railroad three miles south of Varnel's Station, the 2d Brigade being upon our left. The 8th took post across the railroad, the left of the regiment resting on the ridge east of the railroad, one battalion being held in reserve. The 2d Michigan was on the left of the 8th, and the 1st Tennessee on the right. In this manner, about ten A. M., the brigade advanced on the enemy posted on the ridges, and drove him back some three miles. The 8th having the advance on the railroad encountered more opposition, but gallantly pushed the enemy before them at all points, including his temporary works on the ridge east of the railroad, which were captured by Company E. Corporals Pease and Sharp particularly distinguished themselves, and received promotion for it."

An instance occurred at Varnel's Station, which illustrates the courage and gallantry of Colonel Dorr. The enemy were posted in the edge of timber, and along a ridge which could only be reached by passing up through a steep, open field, covered by the musketry and artillery of the enemy. The strength of the enemy was unknown, as was also the fact that they had artillery. Colonel Dorr, who was in command of his brigade, and who wished to develope the strength of the enemy, selected a company from his regiment (I think company E) and, placing himself at its head, charged up the ascent nearly to the enemy's works. He was of course met by a withering fire and compelled to retire precipitately. He gained his former position, with the loss of only one man wounded; but, had not the fire of the enemy been as high as it was, hardly a man of the party could have escaped.

On the 13th of May, the 8th Iowa Cavalry, with its division, marched against the enemy at Ray's Gap, six miles west of Tunnel Hill; but before the command came up the enemy fled, abandoning their strong works. The 8th arrived on the rocky hights only in time to see Johnson [sic] fleeing from Dalton, and Sherman sweeping through the place in pursuit.

The 8th Iowa led the advance over the Conasauga River, near Resaca, and also over the Coosawattie, where Colonel Crittenden feared to venture with a whole cavalry brigade. On the 19th instant, near Cassville, the regiment, with its division, run [sic] on the flank of the whole rebel army. General Stoneman coming up with his cavalry command soon after, an attack was planned and made, which resulted in forcing the enemy back near the town. Majors Price and Root, Captain Hoxie and Lieutenant McCanon are specially mentioned for gallantry in this affair. On the 24th instant, McCook came on Jackson's division of rebel cavalry at Burnt Hickory, and, during that afternoon, Captain Walden of the 8th distinguished himself by charging and routing a portion of the enemy from a strong position. At Burnt Church, Lieutenant Anderson of the 8th distinguished himself.

On the 5th of July, General McCook shifted his division from the right to the left of Sherman's Army, and, pushing on to the Chattahoochie, continued to hold different fords till the 17th instant. The next day a portion of the 8th Iowa crossed the river: it was the first cavalry on the Atlanta side of the Chattahoochie. But, where the 8th Iowa Cavalry most distinguished itself during the Atlanta Campaign, was on the disastrous raid to cut the Atlanta and Macon Railroad near Lovejoy's Station, Georgia. The object of the raid was successfully accomplished, but at a great sacrifice.

General McCook left his camp below Vinings' Station on the Chattahoochie, about noon of the 26th of July, for the rear of Atlanta. Moving down the west side of the river all that afternoon and the following night, he crossed to the east side by the Riverton Ferry, and marched south-east for Lovejoy's Station. On the route, he passed through Palmetto, on the Atlanta and West Point Railroad, and Fayetteville, and struck the Atlanta and Macon Railroad, about noon of the 29th instant. He had met opposition at only one place on the march. At Palmetto, six hundred of the enemy confronted him; but they were instantly driven off, and the depot buildings burned. Near Fayetteville, a large rebel train was captured, with several prisoners. Instantly after reaching the Macon road, the work of destruction begun. In two hour's time, nearly two miles of the road were torn up and burned; the telegraph wire was cut down; the water-tank and woodshed were burned, and also a number of platform and box cars, standing on the track. General McCook started on the return, about two o'clock in the afternoon; but the history of this portion of the expedition I shall give in the language of Colonel Dorr.

"The 1st Brigade was in the rear, in the retrograde movement. About one mile west of Lovejoy's Station, Jackson's Division of rebel cavalry were found on our road, and between us and the 2d Brigade. Almost at the same moment, I received orders from Colonel Croxton, commanding the brigade, to move forward and attack the enemy. The regiment moved up at a trot, and soon came up with the brigade commander, who ordered me to charge the enemy. I advanced at a fast trot until within striking distance, when I ordered the charge, and the regiment, right in front in column, dashed forward gallantly on the enemy. The rebels were in column in the road, and in line on the right and left of the road. Their front line gave back rapidly under this headlong charge; but those in the rear and on the left of the road poured in a most deadly fire, before which the head of the column went down like grass before the scythe. That portion of the enemy's force on the left of the road had been mostly concealed from me by the nature of the ground. I saw, just as the head of the column struck the enemy, that this portion of their force must be routed, or the column in the road would be exposed to a flank as well as a front fire. Instantly, I ordered the companies in rear of the 1st Battalion into the field on the left of the road, for the purpose of charging that portion of the enemy's line; but at this critical moment I discovered that they had not come up, having been ordered by Colonel Croxton, as they were following the 1st Battalion, to turn off the road and form in a field to the left. I had but two hundred and ninety-two men with me on the raid, and, by this order, I was, without notice, left with only about one hundred men to charge an entire brigade, and that the best brigade in the rebel service, being composed of the 3d, 6th, and 9th Texas. Indeed, it has never been certainly ascertained that Jackson's whole division was not in the field: a battle-flag, believed to be his, was seen on the left of the road, and nearly reached by my men. *"

In the fighting at this point, during which Colonel Dorr was compelled to withdraw, the 8th lost, among the killed, Lieutenant James Horton, acting adjutant, and Lieutenant J. H. Cabb. "Both were as gallant young officers as ever drew a sabre." The regiment then withdrew in the direction of Newnan.

"During the night following, we continued the march through swamps and over most difficult roads, portions of the regiment, under command of Major Isett and Root, operating on the flanks and rear. About noon of the 30th, the head of the column entered Newnan, when it unexpectedly came upon Roddy's dismounted cavalry On their way to Atlanta. This force, in addition to Wheeler's which came up soon after, gave the enemy fully eight thousand men, and enabled them to force back the Federal column, and occupy the road in front. The 2d Brigade was in the front, followed by the 1st, Colonel Harrison's Brigade being in the rear. Both the 2d Brigade and Harrison's were slightly engaged. The 8th was ordered to dismount in the road, where the command was halted, and ordered to throw up barricades, which was done. We remained in this position for sometime without hearing any thing of the enemy. While absent a few hundred yards from the regiment on account of a wound received at Lovejoy's Station on the 29th, I received orders to move forward, and requested Captain Sutherland, adjutant-general, who brought me the order, to give to Major Root, who was with the regiment. In a few moments I came up and found the regiment had made a charge, one portion under Major Root, and the other under Major Isett. The enemy gave way in confusion, and Major Isett captured a large number of horses of Ross' Brigade. General Hume, commanding a brigade, was captured by Lieutenant George M. Detwiler, but was re-captured by the enemy, together with the gallant officer by whom he had been taken.

"The 8th had cleared the way. Captain Walden reported this to me just as I came up, and it was also reported to the brigade commander; and had the whole division then moved forward, we should have been able to hold the road. But the enemy so largely outnumbered that portion of the expeditionary forces engaged that they soon rallied and again occupied the road. * * * * * It was five o'clock when General McCook determined to abandon his artillery, ambulances and wounded. The artillery-carriages were cut down, and the pieces spiked and heavily loaded with percussion or shell.

"About this time, Colonel Croxton, commanding the brigade, was reported missing, when I received orders to take command of the brigade. Major Root having been missing since the first charge, I directed Major Isett to take command of the regiment. But now I soon learned from Captain Sutherland that the other regiments of the brigade could not be found. Of the 8th Iowa, there was not far from one hundred men, which was, indeed, all that was left of the 1st Brigade; and of these several were wounded, and many of them without arms, having lost them in the fight. After abandoning the artillery, the column moved to the left and crossed some fields, intending to take a by-path through the woods, which entered the La Grange road some little distance from the battle-field. Just as the head of the column was entering the forest, General McCook rode back to me and asked if I could form the 8th on the brow of the hill that we had just passed and check the enemy. I replied, 'I can.' He then ordered me to do so, saying: 'This retreat must be protected.' I at once directed Major Isett to form the regiment on the ground indicated, which was in plain sight of the enemy, who were then seen advancing. In this position we were obliged to remain, seeing the enemy move toward our flank, until the fragments of regiments, the stragglers and skulkers, who filled the road over which the column had moved, got out of the way. Every minute's delay I knew lessened our chances of escape; but there was no help for it, and the regiment, with a few exceptions, did their duty gallantly, and calmly awaited orders. General McCook with the main column was heard sharply engaged, as he successfully cut his way out."

The rest is soon told. Seeing that the enemy did not intend to attack him in the position he then held, but that their object was to cut him off and capture him, Colonel Dorr mounted his command and continued the retreat. He first endeavored to escape through timber to the left, but, finding that impracticable, turned and hurried on after the retreating column. The road led through heavy timber, and he had scarcely entered it when he met the 4th Tennessee, returning at full run, with the alarming story that they were cut off. It was impossible to pass these frightened men in the narrow road, and the colonel turned back to let them through, after which, he dashed down the road, determined to cut his way out; but in the meantime a whole rebel brigade had gained his immediate front, making escape impossible. Some few of the regiment, striking out by themselves, finally reached the Federal lines. All others were made prisoners.

In speaking of the conduct of his regiment, Colonel Dorr said: "In the engagement, which was of the severest character, the men and officers of the 8th behaved with a gallantry and steadiness, which drew from General McCook a public compliment on the battlefield. As on the day before, there were but few exceptions to this, .while there were many instances of great gallantry displayed." And then follow the names of Major Isett, Captain Morhiser, Captain, now Major Shurtz, Captains Moore and Doane, Lieutenants Moreland, McCanon, Loomis, Belfield, Bennett, Pritchard, Anderson, Morrow, Ogle, Detwiler, and Haight. He also adds a long list of non-commissioned officers and privates. Lieutenant John B. Loomis and Sergeant William Mitchell were among the killed; and Captain, now Major Shurtz, Lieutenant J. T. Haight and Sergeants William Pulliam, (who afterward died) and T. M. Thomas were among the wounded.

Colonel Dorr was retained a prisoner of war till the following Fall, and was then exchanged. He re-joined his regiment the 7th of November, 1864, while it was stationed at Florence, Alabama, and a few days before General Hood crossed the Tennessee, and marched on Nashville. He commanded his regiment in the engagements round Nashville, and in the pursuit of the flying enemy; and, finally joined General Wilson in his brilliant raid through Alabama and Georgia. That was his last march; for, as already stated, he died while in camp with his regiment, near Macon.

The only time I ever saw Colonel Dorr was in the summer of 1863, when he was traveling through the State on business relative to his regiment, then being recruited. He was, at the time, in company with an old Democratic friend, who, like himself, was an earnest war man. In the course of conversation his friend suggested— " Why don't you go and talk with Mr ?" (also a former party friend, but then, antibelligerent.) "I'll tell you," he replied, " there is no use in talking to him, till you whip out his friends."

Colonel Dorr was a man of about five feet eleven inches in hight, and had, when I saw him, a stocky and vigorous frame. The expression of his face, which was deeply bronzed by exposure, was frank and manly. I judged him to be a man of great energy, and of much practical ability. As a citizen, he was held in the highest esteem; and his death was deeply mourned in Dubuque. His "kindness of heart," says the "Times" " hardly knew bounds; and appeals from needy ones were never disregarded by him. Those who were most intimate with him, and understood his motives, loved and admired him most. The feeling among the -Union men in this city over the news of his death is that of sincere grief. He leaves a wife and several children, for whom there is felt a deep sympathy."

I have already said he was an excellent soldier. He was brave to rashness, and his love for his men was unbounded. The following is from a communication, sent by him to the Adjutant-General of Iowa:

"I take the greater pleasure in incorporating their names in this report, because the enlisted soldier, whose gallantry wins promotion for his commanding officer, rarely reaps any other reward than the consciousness of having done his duty. He bleeds and dies for his country; he wins her battles, and crowns her standard with glory. At last, he occupies six feet by two of his native soil, or that of a foreign land, and leaves no void behind, except in the hearts of those who called him father, son or brother."

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p.639-50

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Colonel Edward Francis Winslow

SECOND COLONEL, FOURTH CAVALRY.

Edward F. Winslow was born in Kennebeck county, Maine, on the 28th day of September, 1837. He was raised and educated in Augusta, his native town, where he continued to live till the spring of 1856. In 1856, he came to Iowa, and settled in Mt. Pleasant, where he entered the mercantile business. He was engaged in this business at the time of entering the service, in the fall of 1861.

Colonel Winslow enlisted in the war as captain of Company F, 4th Iowa Cavalry. On the 3d of January, 1863, he was promoted to a majority in his regiment, which rank he held till the 4th of the following July, when he was mustered colonel. Since promoted to his present rank, he has been in command of his regiment but little. He commanded it during the month of July, 1863, and also while it was at home on veteran furlough. At all other times, if we except a few weeks in the fall of 1863, when he was chief of cavalry to the 15th Army Corps, he has been in command of a brigade of cavalry. With the succession of Colonel Winslow to the command of his regiment, a new and more fortunate chapter opened in its history. Prior to that time, the discipline of the regiment was bad, and its efficiency questionable. Indeed, I am told that at one time mutiny was threatened; but, under the new commander, order and confidence were soon restored.

A brief summary of the services of the 4th Iowa Cavalry, subsequently to the time it left Helena in the spring of 1863 to date, may be given as follows: It led the advance of General Sherman's Corps in the march from Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, to Jackson, and thence to the rear of Vicksburg; operated during the siege of the city on the right-rear of the besieging army, and in front of the line held by General Sherman on the Big Bear Creek and the Big Black River; returned with Sherman to Jackson after the fall of Vicksburg, marching thence under General Bussey to Canton; accompanied the expedition across the country to Memphis, which passed through Yazoo City, Lexington, Grenada and Panola, in August; took part in the movement that was made in September, 1863, to divert the attention of the enemy while Sherman was en route with his corps from Memphis to Chattanooga; accompanied the reconnoissance made, in October following, by Major-General McPherson in the direction of Canton; led the van of Sherman's army in the rapid march from Vicksburg to Meridian, Mississippi; came North on veteran furlough in the early spring of 1864; returned to the front in April, and reported at Memphis, from which point it marched on the expeditions of General Sturgis against Forest, and on those of General A. J. Smith against the same rebel leader; marched from Memphis in pursuit of General Price in Missouri, in September, 1864; accompanied General Grierson in his raid from Memphis down the Mobile and Ohio Railroad to Okalona, and thence to Vicksburg; and, finally, reporting to General Wilson, accompanied that officer in his brilliant and successful march through Alabama and Georgia, to Macon.

Two instances are given, where officers of the 4th Iowa, in command of detachments of their regiment, distinguished themselves in rear of Vicksburg. The following occurred just after the investment of the city: "Being ordered to Haines' Bluff on a reconnoissance, the regiment was halted at Mill Dale, and Captain Peters [now lieutenant-colonel] with twenty men of Company B, went to the point indicated in the order, capturing seven men, nine large siege-guns, and a quantity of ammunition, remaining in the works until the gun-boat De Kalb, which had been signaled by Captain Peters, came up and received the prisoners, cannon, &c. Captain Peters and the regiment are justly entitled to the credit of capturing this strong-hold."

The other instance is that where Major Parkell, with a detachment of one hundred and twenty-five men from Companies A, K, F, and I, was suddenly surrounded while on a scout in the vicinity of Big Black River. The enemy, whose strength was estimated at not less than six hundred, demanded instant surrender; but the major, instead, resolved to fight his way out, and succeeded. The fight was short, but most bitter, as I have been informed by Captain Zollars of the regiment; and, indeed, the list of casualties evidences as much. One officer and ten enlisted men were killed, and the wounded and captured numbered thirty-three. Lieutenant Joshua Gardner was one of the killed, and Lieutenant W. J. McConnellee was captured.

The operations of General Sherman in his expeditionary march against Johnson, after the fall of Vicksburg, have been fully detailed elsewhere, and can not be repeated with interest. After returning from that expedition, the 4th Iowa Cavalry rested near the Big Black till the 10th of August, and then left on a raid through the country to Memphis. As already stated, the line of march lay through Yazoo City, Lexington and Grenada. This expedition was commanded by Colonel Winslow, and resulted in the destruction of much of the Mississippi Central Railroad, and the burning of a large amount of railroad stock.

The 4th Cavalry re-enlisted as a veteran regiment in the winter of 1863-4, and, immediately after its return from the Meridian march, came North on veteran furlough. On the expiration of its furlough, Colonel Winslow left in command of it for the front, and was proceeding to Vicksburg, when he received orders from General Sherman assigning him to duty under General Sturgis, at Memphis. The regiment reached Memphis on the 23d of April, and from that time till the last of July following was almost constantly in the saddle and on the scout. Indeed, from that time till its arrival at Macon, Georgia, nearly one year later, the regiment enjoyed little rest. At Memphis, in the spring of 1864, the regiment was brigaded with the 3d Iowa and 10th Missouri Cavalry, and all its subsequent history has been made with those regiments. The brigade, from the time of its organization, has been under the command of Colonel Winslow.

Among the operations participated in by the 4th Iowa Cavalry, that of General Sturgis against Forest, made in the early part of June, 1864, is prominent. If the expedition terminated disastrously, it did not with discredit to this regiment; for few soldiers have ever shown greater patience, endurance and courage in the hour of calamitous defeat than did those of the 4th Iowa Cavalry, and I should add, of the entire 2d Brigade. The "regiment left Memphis on this expedition the 2d or 3d of June, marching by way of La Fayette, Salem, Bucksville and Ripley, where it arrived in the forenoon of the 7th instant. Thus far the march was made in an almost incessant shower of rain; but no enemy had been encountered. That evening, however, Company C of the 3d Iowa Cavalry, while out in search of forage, was attacked by rebel cavalry in considerable force, and a sharp skirmish, lasting nearly an hour, followed. In this skirmish two companies of the 4th Iowa were engaged, and lost four men wounded. On the 8th and 9th, the advance was continued in the direction of Guntown, or Baldwin, without opposition, though evidences of the nearness of the enemy were seen all along the route. The 1st Brigade of Cavalry led the advance on the morning of the 10th instant, and was the first to engage the enemy in the disastrous battle of Guntown, or rather of Brice's Cross Roads; for Guntown was nearly six miles distant from the battle-field.

Guntown, Mississippi, is situated in a region of country which is made up of barren hills and difficult morasses. In this same region of country the Hatchie, Tallahatchie and Tombigbee Rivers take their rise. Just north of Brice's Cross Roads, where the main battle was fought, was one of these swamps; and through this, General Sturgis must march to meet the enemy. The roads, which are narrow and difficult of passage in their best stages, were, at the time in question, in a wretched condition, rendered so from the incessant rains. Indeed General Sturgis, to a large extent, attributed his defeat to the condition of the weather and roads, and in that he was doubtless correct; but he offers no excuse for bolting down into that difficult swamp with his whole train, while the rattle of musketry was telling him of the presence of the enemy in force, not more than two miles in advance.

On the evening of the 9th instant, Sturgis encamped at Stubb's plantation, fifteen miles from Ripley, and some seven miles from where the enemy were first encountered. The march was resumed on the following morning, the cavalry leaving their camp at five o'clock, and the infantry following closely on their heels. The manner in which the engagement opened, and its progress till the arrival of the infantry, General Sturgis gives as follows in his official report:

"On this morning I had preceded the head of the infantry column, and arrived at a point some five miles from camp, when I found an unusually bad place in the road, and one that would require considerable time and labor to render it practicable. While halting here to await the head of the column, I received a message from General Grierson that he had encountered a portion of the enemy's cavalry. In a few minutes more, I received another message, saying the enemy numbered six hundred, and were on the Baldwin road; that he was himself at Brice's Cross Roads, and that his position was a good one and he would hold it. He was then directed to leave six or seven hundred men at the cross-roads to precede the infantry on its arrival, in the march on Guntown, and, with the remainder of his force, to drive the enemy toward Baldwin, and then rejoin the main body by way of the line of railroad, as I did not intend being drawn from my main purpose.

"Colonel McMillen now came up, and I rode forward toward the cross-roads. Before proceeding far, however, I sent a staff officer back, directing McMillen to move up his advance brigade as rapidly as possible, without distressing his troops. When I reached the cross-roads I found nearly all the cavalry engaged, and the battle growing warm; but no artillery had yet opened on either side. We had four pieces of artillery at the cross-roads; but they had not been placed in position, owing to the dense woods on all sides and the apparent impossibility of using them to advantage. Finding that our troops were being hotly pressed, I ordered one section to open on the enemy's reserves. The enemy's artillery soon replied, and with great accuracy, every shell bursting over and in the immediate vicinity of our guns. Frequent calls were now made for reinforcements; but until the infantry should arrive I had, of course, none to give. Colonel Winslow, 4th Iowa Cavalry, commanding a brigade, and occupying a position on the Guntown road a little in advance of the cross-roads, was especially clamorous to be relieved, and permitted to carry his brigade to the rear. * * * * * * * *

"About half-past one P. M., the infantry began to arrive. Colonel Hoge's Brigade was the first to reach the field, and was placed in position by Colonel McMillen, when the enemy was driven a little. General Grierson now requested authority to withdraw the entire cavalry, as it was exhausted and well nigh out of ammunition. This I authorized as soon as sufficient infantry was in position to permit it, and he was directed to organize his command in the rear, and hold it in readiness to operate on the flanks."

The rest may soon be told; for alarm begun to seize on all. The enemy, seeing their successes, pressed their victory with great energy and determination, and the infantry line was hardly formed before it was broken. General Grierson was called on for cavalry to support the right flank, and it no sooner met the enemy in that quarter than it was repulsed. An effort to hold the left was equally unsuccessful. All saw that the day was lost, and acted with indecision and irresolution. Sturgis was already driven from the high ground, and beaten back on his wagon-train. This he made a spasmodic effort to save; but, seeing the enemy in heavy columns swinging by his left flank, he gave the order to retreat. And such a retreat! Every thing but his army, and much of that was lost. For the portion saved, he was indebted chiefly to the cavalry, and in no slight degree to the Iowa cavalry regiments. It is positively asserted that the 2d Brigade, of Grierson's Division, reached Collierville (and the enemy made pursuit to that point) in a less disorganized condition than any other brigade command of the army.

The list of casualties of the 4th Iowa cavalry in the battle at Brice's Cross Roads and in the retreat to Collierville is not given. The regiment's historian, Adjutant Ambrose Hodge, closes his account of this affair as follows:

"On arriving at Collierville, the men had been in the saddle fifty-four consecutive hours, fighting the greater part of the time without feed for their horses or provisions for themselves. The regiment arrived at Memphis, on the 14th instant, the men and horses being completely worn down by excessive labor performed on this march. The distance traveled was three hundred and fifty miles."

Following the disastrous expedition of General Sturgis, was that of General A. J. Smith; and the latter was as successful as the former had been unfortunate. The 4th Iowa Cavalry joined Smith on this march, and fought in the battle of Tupelo; but an account of this expedition has already been given in the sketch of Colonel Woods of the 12th Iowa Infantry. Neither in this, nor in the second expedition of General Smith against Forest, are the losses of the regiment stated. It was during the absence of the 4th Cavalry, or rather of eleven companies of it, in August, that Forest dashed into Memphis, on a hurried call on General Washburne. Company C was left behind, being detailed on provost-duty in the city, and was the only company of the regiment that, actually encountered Forest. In this affair, the company lost Lieutenant L. P. Baker, severely wounded. It is reported as having conducted itself with/much gallantry.

Next, in the history of the regiment, follows the expedition against General Price in Missouri, an account of which has been given in the sketch of Colonel Noble and his regiment. During the Missouri Campaign, Colonel Winslow was severely wounded. He was shot in the leg, while his brigade was charging the enemy, on the Big Blue River, near Westport. Though severely wounded, it is stated he refused to leave his command till the enemy had been driven from the field.

In the charge made on the 25th of October, near the Osage, the 4th Iowa Cavalry captured two hundred and thirty-five prisoners, and two stand of colors, and lost during the expedition four killed and twenty-six wounded. Lieutenant H. W. Curtis, of Company F, was killed in the charge on the Osage, and Major A. B. Pierce, commanding the regiment, was severely wounded in the foot. Among those mentioned for special gallantry during the campaign, were Major Pierce, Captains Drummond, Dana and Lee, all commanding battalions of the regiment, and Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant John S. Keck. Company commanders, in all cases, managed their commands in a manner highly creditable to themselves.

If we except the expedition made by General Grierson through Mississippi, late in December, 1864, there remains but one more important campaign to be recorded in the history of the 4th Iowa Cavalry — that made under General Wilson through Alabama and Georgia.

On the route from Missouri to the Military Division of the Mississippi, and during the few weeks of rest that the brigade of Colonel Winslow enjoyed before starting on the Macon march, there is little of special interest; and I therefore pass at once to the history of the memorable raid. Brevet Major-General Wilson, with a cavalry corps numbering about twelve thousand men, left Chickasaw on the Tennessee on the 21st of March, 1865, for a destination known to few of his command. The outfit was extensive and had been long in making; and it was known to the command that the expectations of the commanding general were commensurate with his preparations, and that was all. The rest, the future must disclose. The route of the column was nearly south-south-east, till its arrival at Montevallo. From that point, it was south to Selma, and thence, nearly due east, to Montgomery, Columbus and Macon. In this line of march was included four of the most important inland cities of the Confederacy — important as places of note and pride, and as manufacturing points.

Let me state, while I have it in mind, that, on the march in question, the 3d and 4th Iowa Cavalry were attached to the division of General Upton, (the 4th) and the 5th and 8th to that of General McCook. These were the only Iowa troops who accompanied the march.

The enemy first made a determined stand at Six-Mile Creek, between Montevallo and Selma. They had just previously occupied Montevallo, with the expectation of defending it; but, on the near approach of the Federal column, their hearts foiled them, and they fled in the direction of Selma. At Six-Mile Creek, the enemy were under Chalmers, Roddy and Lyon, with the inhuman wretch, Forest, as commander-in-chief. The battle was fought on the last day of March, and on that day the division of General Upton was in the lead of the column. The enemy were found in a strong position, which was defended by artillery; but after some skirmishing they were charged and routed, losing their artillery and more than two hundred prisoners. The second fight was at Ebenezer Church, about twenty miles from Selma. Here the enemy were no more successful; for after a brief engagement they were a second time routed and forced back toward Selma. This battle was fought on the 1st of April. The following day, General Wilson defeated Forest for the third time, and entered and occupied Selma.

Selma, on the north bank of the Alabama, and one of the chief railroad-centres of that State, was defended by two lines of works, each swinging entirely round the city, and resting on the right and left of the river bank. The outer line was guarded by a strong palisade. This strong-hold was captured by two divisions of the Federal troops — Generals Upton's and Long's. General Long took position on the right, and General Upton on the left. Line of battle was formed on the high ground, and, after the usual skirmishing and signaling, an assault was ordered. As In all successful charges, the work was well and quickly done. With less than three thousand men, the outer works were carried, in the face of artillery and nine thousand muskets; and only some two thousand of the latter were in the hands of the citizen militia.

In taking the outer line of works, the 3d Iowa Cavalry was In the front, and the 4th, in reserve; but, in taken [sic] the second line, the 4th held the front. Lieutenant George W. Stamm, of the 3d Iowa Cavalry, who wields a good pen and I believe a good sword, says: "Immediately after we took possession of fortifications, the 4th Iowa Cavalry were mounted, and rushed on the flying foe with an impetuosity which nothing could withstand. Weary, out of breath and heated with our double-quick, we saw them pass us like a whirlwind, scattering death and confusion among the Johnnies, while the brass band that had boldly ventured to the front was playing the enlivening strains of 'Yankee Doodle,' in singular unison with the rattle of musketry and the shouts of victory." Thus Selma was captured, the great military store-house and manufacturing depot for the Confederates, in Alabama. The enemy lost many killed and wounded, and about two thousand prisoners.

Montgomery fell without a struggle, as also did Macon, Georgia; but Columbus, Georgia, made a determined defense. General Wilson appeared before the place at noon of the 16th of April, and that evening carried it, as he had Selma, by assault. Columbus is situated on the east bank of the renowned Chattahoochie; but the works that protected it from the west, and which General Wilson was obliged to carry, were on the west bank of the stream. Both above and below the city, bridges spanned the Chattahoochie: the approaches to each were covered by artillery, mounted in strong forts. Rifle-pits and other defenses commanded the approaches in every other quarter westward. The 2d Brigade of General Upton's Division first approached the city, and when near the works that defended the lower bridge made a charge with the hope of carrying the position and gaining the bridge. They were unsuccessful, being repulsed with much loss. Colonel Winslow's First Brigade now coming up was sent back by the commanding general, and directed to gain, by a circuitous route, a position in rear of the upper bridge. The movement was successfully made, and at dusk in the evening a charge was ordered which resulted in the fall of Columbus. As at Selma, the 3d and 4th Iowa Cavalry were in the front line. Indeed, there was little fighting done during the whole campaign in which these regiments did not have part.

I have already said that the last fighting of the expedition was done at Columbus. After resting here one day, General Wilson marched on Macon; but when near the city, he was advised of the terms agreed on between Sherman and Johnson, and informed that his entrance into the place would not be opposed. The 4th Iowa Cavalry is now in camp at Macon, and the war is virtually ended.

The loss of the regiment during the campaign was not very severe. Captain E. R. Jones, Chief Bugler Tabor, and Sergeant Beezley, were among the killed, and Quarter-Master Sergeant Detrick and Sergeant Stocks among the wounded. The entire loss of the regiment in killed and wounded was, I think, twenty-five. Captain Jones was killed in the charge at Selma.

I never saw Colonel Winslow, but am told he has an intelligent and pleasing countenance, and a feminine voice. He is a man of great energy, great ambition and unlimited self-confidence. All agree that he is a splendid officer. He has both the courage and the skill to handle troops successfully in the face of the enemy. His worst fault, if it can be termed a fault is his self-conceit, which sometimes discovers itself immodestly.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 609-20