USA > Iowa > Lee County > Keokuk > The Second Iowa Infantry at Fort Donelson, February 15, 1862 : together with an outline history of the regiment from its organization at Keokuk, Iowa, May 27, 1861, to final discharge at Davenport, Iowa, July 20, 1865 > Part 1
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M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00822 4310
The
2 nd
IA.
Second
Iowa Infantry
At Fort Donelson
FEBRUARY 15, 1862
Together with an Outline History of the Regiment from its Organization at + Keokuk, Iowa, May 27, 1861, to Final Discharge at Davenport, Iowa, July 20, 1865
By CAPT., V. P. TWOMBLY
1
Lowas
PLAIN TALK PRINTING HOUSE, DES MOINES.
173.7477 Jat
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1842- . T9 The Second Iowa infantry at Fort Donel- son, February 15, 1862; together with an outline history of the regiment from its organization at Keokuk, Iowa, May 27, 1861, to its final discharge at Davenport, Iowa, July 20, 1865. By Cant. V. P. Twombly. Des Moines, Plain talk printing house (19? ] cover-title, 27 p. illus. (ports. ) 24cm. 1 56563
The Second Iowa Infantry At Fort Donelson
February 15, 1862.
BRIG. GEN. JAMES M. TUTTLE.
2 79
IN MEMORIAM
JAMES MADISON TUTTLE
BORN SEPTEMBER 24, 1823, SUMMERFIELD, Omno. DIED OCTOBER 24, 1892, CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA. BURIED AT DES MOINES, IOWA, OCTOBER 31, 1892.
COMPANIONS:
Since our last meeting, our Companion General James M. Tuttle has died. Few who have known him in his rugged strength and his conscious power, have ever thought of him as one to whom death would come so early. Though living beyond the usual age, we have felt him to be a man who would be with us many years and perhaps outlive the most of us. He and his life work have gone into history, and there, as in the hearts and memories of all who knew him, he has an assured and lasting place.
He was a sturdy, active, useful citizen, a true and loving husband and father, and a faithful and helpful friend.
His career as a soldier has been written and is known to us all. He formed a company for the Second Iowa Infantry, in May, 1861, and was made Lieutenant Colonel at its organization. Later in the year he became its Colonel, and served as such until the spring of 1862, when he was made a Brigadier General for conspicuous service at Donelson and Shiloh. He always wished to be where there was most to do, and always did his full share and did it well. If he ever expected defeat, no one found it out. He was without military education, but was a born fighter, and his personal presence in time of action was always an inspiration to his troops. He did as much as any man to make great the name of Iowa and her soldiers.
To us of the Loyal Legion his death was a personal loss. He was our friend as well as our Companion, and as such we shall miss him while we live. To his bereaved family we offer our deepest sympathy. Our own sense of loss gives us at least a partial realization of theirs.
G. L. GODFREY, Lieutenant Colonel Ist Alabama Cavalry. E. L. MARSH, Captain 2nd lowa Infantry. H. C. MONEIL, Lieutenant 2nd lowa Infantry. --
Committee.
By order of
CAPT. CHAS. E. PUTNAM, U. S. Vols., Commander.
Official: CAPT. V. P. TWOMBLY, 2nd Towa Infantry', Recorder.
٠٠٢
INTRODUCTION
DES MOINES, IOWA, February 15, 1901. To My Comrades of the 2nd Iowa Infantry, Greeting:
Volume 7, Series 1, Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Union and Confederate Armies, published in 1882, contains all of the reports of commanding officers and staff officers engaged in the Fort Donelson, Tenn., campaign (in February, 1862) then in the hands of the War Depart- ment. For some reason the reports of General Chas. F. Smith, com- manding the 2nd Division, and Colonel J. G. Lauman (7th Iowa Infantry), commanding tth Brigade, 2ud Division, Army of West Tennessee, had not then come into the hands of the Department, and together with other de- layed reports were published early in 1898 in Volume -, Serial No. 109, pages 7, 8, 9 and 10, and until so published Colouel Tuttle's report of the operations of his regiment was unsupported by the reports of his superior officers. As will be seen, these reports of General Smith and Colonel Lau- man fully substantiate all our Colonel says of his regiment. To bring these reports together in such form that they may be placed in the hands of my comrades of the 2nd Iowa Infantry Veteran Volunteers and friends of the regiment is my purpose in pablishing this pamphlet. It has been a source of great gratification to me to find and read these delayed reports and I trust it may be to you.
In Colonel Tuttle's report, when he speaks of the Color Guard, ke only names four of the Guard who were understood to have handled the colors before being killed or wounded, but as the two other Corporals of the Gnard were wounded, one mortally, I have always regretted they were not also named, so I here give the full guard and the record it made at Donel- son as taken from the official records of the regiment:
Age 22, Color Sergeant H. B. Doolittle, Co. C, three severe wounds.
Age 26, Color Corporal G. S. Page, Co. B, killed; shot in head.
Age 23, Color Corporal J. H. Churcher, Co. I, wounded; arin amputated.
Age 19, Color Corporal H. E. Weaver, Co. H, wounded; mortally.
Age 23, Color Corporal J. W. Robinson, Co. E, wounded; severe, in face.
Age 19, Color Corporal V. P. Twombly, Co. F, carried colors over rebel works and to close of battle. -
In forming for the charge the colors were ordered to go with the left wing and did so, retaining its position on the right of said wing.
The regiment entered the engagement about 630 strong and lost 40 killed and 160 wounded, largely during the advance ap the hill and before it fired a shot.
Some years ago an article written by one of the 25th Indiana Infantry and published in the National Tribune claimed the colors of that regiment were the first to enter Fort Donelson. This claim is easily disposed of by
8
INTRODUCTION.
a quotation from the report of Colonel Veatch of that regiment: "We advanced in line of battle up the hill on the run and entered the enemy's works at the point where they had been taken by the 2nd lowa."
In connection with these reports of the part taken by the 2nd Iowa In- fantry at Fort Donelson I also add an outline of the history of the regi- ment from its organization in May, 1861, to its mnster out in July, 1865.
As I tender this Memorial sketch of our old regiment to you at my own expense I take the liberty of adding something of a personal character, for which I offer no apology, at the same time hope my com- rades will be pleased to see it. I will be glad, to receive a line from every one of you.
Fraternally yours,
VOLTAIRE P. TWOMBLY.
BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON AND THE 2D IOWA INFANTRY
HEADQUARTERS 2D IOWA INFANTRY, 1 FORT DONELSON. TENN., February 18, 1862. 5
COLONEL J. G. LAUMAN, Commanding Ith Brigade.
COLONEL: I have the honor to report to you the part which my com- mand took in the capture of this place.
The Second Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers was transported up the Cumberland river on Steamer MeGill and landed about three miles below the Fort on the 14th inst., and immediately marched to the headquarters of General Grant, where I arrived about eleven o'clock a. m. of the same day and was by General Grant assigned to General Smith's division, and by General Smith to your Brigade. When we arrived at the top of the hill nearly opposite the right of the enemy's works in pursuance of an order from you, I deployed Companies "A" and "B" as skirmishers. They im-
mediately crossed a ravine in front of our line and skirmished until night, when they were called in. In the meantime the regiment was assigned position on the extreme left of our forces, where we spent a cold and dis- agreeable night, without tents or blankets. We remained in this position until two o'clock p. m. of the next day, when we were ordered to storm the fortifications of the enemy in front by advancing the left wing of the regi- ment supported a short distance in the rear by the right wing. I took command of the left wing in person and proceeded in line of battle stead- ily up the hill until we reached the fortifications without firing a gun. Ou scaling the works we found the enemy flying before us except a few who were promptly put to the bayonet. I then gave the order to fire which was responded to with fatal precision until the right wing with Lieutenant Colonel Baker arrived headed by General Smith, when we formed in line of battle again nuder a galling fire and charged on the encampment, across the ravine in front, the enemy still retreating before us. After, we had reached the summit of the hill beyond the ravine we made a stand and oc- capied it for over an hour. In the meantime the enemy was being rein- forced and one of our own regiments poured a disastrous fire upon us in the rear. Our ammunition being nearly exhausted I ordered my command to fall back to the entrenchment, which they did steadily and in good order. I am not able to name the regiment which fired upon our rear, but I do know that a greater part of the casualties we received at that point, was from that source, for I myself saw several of my men fall. who, I know, were shot from the hill behind us. We then took our position be- hind the entrenchments and soon afterwards owing to an injury received as reported among the casualties of the engagement, I retired from the field, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Baker in command until the following
10
THE SECOND IOWA INFANTRY
morning. During the night our pickets who were posted in the enemy's camp were fired upon several times, but with that exception all remained quiet until morning when the enemy gave signal for a parley, which was succeeded by the joyful intelligence that they had surrendered the fort. We were then ordered by General Smith to take the post of honor in marching to the enemy's fort, where we planted our colors upon the bat- tlements beside the white of the enemy for which generous consideration he has our hearty thanks.
When I come to speak of those who particularly distinguished them- selves for coolness and bravery so many examples oceur to me that it seems invidious to make distinctions of those who were in the most re- sponsible' positions. Lieutenant Colonel Baker, Major Chipman and Adjutant Tuttle, to say that they were cool and brave would not do them justice. They were gallant to perfection. Lieutenant Colonel Baker had a ball pass through his cap and come out near his temple, Major Chipman was among the first to fall, severely wounded, while cheering ou the men of the left wing, and refused to be carried from the field. but waved his sword and exhorted the men to press forward. Captains Slaymaker and Coutman fell dead at the head of their companies before they reached the entrenchment. Near them also fell Lieutenant Harper. His death was that of a true and brave soldier. Captains Cox, Mills, Moore and Wilkins were at the head of their companies, marked examples of gallantry and
efficiency. Lieutenants Schofield, Ensign, Davis, Holmes, Huntington, Weaver, Mastiek, Snowden and Godfrey, in fast nearly all of my officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, deported themselves nobly through- out the engagement. Sergeant Major Brawner deserved very honorable mention for his gallant conduct. Surgeons Marsh and Nassau also deserve the highest praise for their skill and untiring devotion to the welfare of the wounded. Dr. Nassau was particularly noticed for his bravery in the field, taking off the wounded during a heavy fire from the enemy. I can- not omit in this report an account of the color guard. Color Sergeant Doolittle fell early in the engagement pierced by four balls and danger- ously wounded; the colors were then taken by Corporal Page, Co. B, who soon fell dead. They were again raised by Corporal Churcher, Co. 1, who had his arm broken just as he entered the entrenchment, when they were taken by Corporal Twombly, Co. F, who was almost instantly knocked down by a spent ball, but he immediately rose and bore them gallantly to the end of the fight. Not a single man of the color guard but himself was on his feet at the close of the engagement.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Sgd.) J. M. TUTTLE, Colonel 2nd lowa Infantry.
7
.
Hours Very July V. O. Jwor thy -1887-
11
AT FORT DONELSON.
HEADQUARTERS 4TH BRIGADE, 2ND DIVISION, U. S. A. FORT DONELSON, February 18th, 1862. 5 4th Brigade, 2nd Division: * *
GENERAL: I have the honor to report the following movements of the
** * ** *
On Saturday, the 15th inst., at about two o'clock p. in., I received your order to advance with my whole Brigade and assault the heights on the left of the position attacked by us on the previous Thursday. The Brigade was promptly put in motion in the following order:
The 2nd Iowa, Colonel Tuttle, led the advance followed by the 52nd In- diana (temporarialy attached to my Brigade) who were ordered to support them. This regiment was followed closely by the 25th Indiana, the 7th Iowa and 14th Iowa. The sharpshooters were previously deployed as skirmishers on our extreme right and left. Colonel Tuttle led the left wing of his regiment in line of battle up the hill, supported by the right wing advancing at a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards in the rear. So soon as he came within range of the enemy's fire, he led his men forward without firing a gun up to and charged into the rebel works, driv- ing the enemy before him and planting his colors on their fortifications. He was closely followed by the other regiments in the order of advance be- fore named. The enemy were closely pursued and driven behind their inner works. Night coming on, we held the position we had gained, and remained under arms until morning, intending at the dawn of day to re- commence the attack. In this engagement the 2nd Iowa suffered terribly. * *
* * * * With sentiments of high regard, I remain repeetfully, Your obedient servant,
J. G. LAUMAN,
Colonel Commanding 4th Brigade, Und Dicision.
To BRIGADIER GENERAL C. F. SMITH,
Commanding 2nd Division.
A TELEGRAM.
ST. Louis, February 19th, 1862.
ADJUTANT GENERAL N. B. BAKER:
The 2d Iowa Infantry proved themselves the bravest of the brave; they . had the honor of leading the column which entered Fort Donelson.
(Signed) H. W. HALLECK,
Major General.
12
THE SECOND IOWA INFANTRY
Siege and Capture of Fort Donelson, Tennessee February 12-16, 1862.
REPORT OF MAJ. GEN. CHARLES F. SMITH, COMMANDING SECOND DIVISION.
[This report of General Smith clearly shows that the attack by his Division was ordered by General Grant, and following the rebel attack on our right in the morning was undoubtedly the tactical move, and that the brilliant charge of the 2nd Jowa Infantry made the movement successful cannot be doubted after reading Tuttle's, Lauman's, and Smith's reports. ]
HDQS. SECOND DIVISION, DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE. PITTSBURG, TENN., March 29, 1862.
SIR: I present to the major-general commanding the district the fol- lowing as the report of the operations of my division during the attack on Fort Donelson:
.
That part of the division under my immediate orders was organized as follows: The 3d Brigade, commanded by Col. John Cook; 7th Illinois, consisted of his own regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bab- cock; 50th Illinois, Colonel Bane; 12th Iowa, Colonel Woods; 52nd In- diana, Colonel Smith, and 13th Missouri, Colonel Wright. The Ith Bri- gade, commanded by Colonel Lauman, 7th Iowa, consisting of his own regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Parrott; 2d Iowa, Colonel Tuttle; 14th Iowa, Colonel Shaw; 25th Indiana, Colonel Veatch; and 16th (14) Missouri (commonly called Western Sharpshooters), Lieutenant Colonel Compton. The 2nd Battalion, Ist Missouri Light Artillery, com- manded by Major Cavender, consisting of three batteries of four Parrott guns each-10 and 20 ponnders-commanded, respectively, by Charles Welker, Richardson, and Stone. Arriving on the evening of February 12 at short distance from the ont-work of the enemy on his right, the invest- ment of the place was partially comthenced by throwing the 4th Brigade on our left and the 3d Brigade on its right, joining the 1st. Division on the right, with the 1st (McArthur's) Brigade in reserve, with a battery in advance on the road leading to Dover mid Fort Donelson. Early on the following morning (13th) the regiments were posted in order of investment in easy cannon-range of the enemy's line of defense from the west-his ex- treme right-to the south, a somewhat central position with reference to that line, going as far as possible to the left of the 1st Division. The ground covered by the division was thickly wooded and exceedingly hilly and broken. The enemy's works were on the highest ground in the vicin- ity. He had an infantry breast-work in front of his main line (vagnely called rifle-pits), crested with logs, from under which they fired, the whole strengthened by a wide abatis from felled timber of large size. Ignorant of the ground, we had to feel our way cautiously. As soon as the regiments were measurably in position, orders were given to brigade commanders to cover our front of attack with as many skirmishers as possible, well sup- ported by their regiments, keeping a strong reserve; to press forward as steadily and rapidly as the ground would admit, and, if the opportunity of- fered, to assault with the bayonet.
During this time Major Cavender's batteries, by sections or pieces,
-
13
AT FORT DONELSON.
were posted to the best apparent advantage, well supported, with orders to open on the enemy. This was handsomely done and quick response made. Our pieces were shifted from time to time, and served with good effect, better, as we afterwards knew from the enemy, than was suspected; their long ranges sending shells into the fort and causing sharp loss and great moral effect. Our casualties were numerous on this day. The report of the different commanders, partially confirmed by my personal observa- tions, satisfied me that an assault on almost any part of the entire front covered by us was not practicable without enormous sacrifice of life. At nightfall the skirmishers were recalled and the troops ordered to remain in position, but from necessity without fires, as the night was very inele- ment-rainy, snow, sleet, and cold -- and the discomfort of the men was very great. On the next day (14th) the same system of annoyance was kept up, but, under the orders of the commanding general, to a more limited extent. At nightfall the advance parties were recalled as before. Our casualties on this were not so numerous as on the day before. The night inclement as before, with the same discomfort. During the conrse of this day I made a personal reconnoissance of the ground ou our extreme left and satisfied myself that the only apparent practicable point of assault was in that quarter, the enemy's extreme right being protected by an impassable slough, which fact was communicated to the commanding general. Under the orders of the commanding general the division remained quiet on the next day (15th), except to keep up the annoyance by skirmishers and slow artillery fire, until toward 3 o'clock p. m., when I received the general's personal order to assault the enemy's right a half mile or more from my habitual position. On receipt of the order the artillery was ordered to open heavily and the brigade commanders to press forward with large numbers of skirmishers, and make a dash at any available opening, whilst the 2nd Iowa, supported by the 52nd Indiana, (belonging to the 3rd Bri- gade, but which had been posted to guard the left), 25th Indiana, 14th Iowa, ete., was ordered to lead the assault. The regiment (2nd Towa) was ordered to rely on the bayonet and not to fire a shot until the enemy's ranks were broken. Right gallantly was the duty performed. The left wing of the regiment, under its colonel (Tuttle) moved steadily over the open space, down the ravine, and up the rough ground, covered with heavy timber, in unbroken line, regardless of the fire poured into it, and pansed not until the enemy broke and fled. It was quickly followed by the other wing, under Lieutenant Colonel Baker, in the same manner, the united body pur- suing the enemy through their encampment and towards the enemy's works just above, where they skirmished for a considerable time. The more- ment of this regiment was a very handsome exhibition of soldierly con- duct.
The 52nd Indiana, ordered to follow and support the 2nd Iowa, from the nature of the ground and want of tactical knowledge, instead of going to the left, as I had intended, came up (in) confusion, and instead of mov- ing forward, remained behind the earthwork just taken, from where, and from some unexplained cause, fired a number of fatal shots into their
14
THE SECOND IOWA INFANTRY
friends in front. They remained in this position until ordered to reform in the rear. The 25th Indiana, following in order, moved in advance to the support of the 2nd Iowa, and covered it when that regiment, for want of cartridges, retired behind the intrenchments just taken from re-inforee- ments of the enemy. As soon as the out-work was taken I sent for a sec- tion of Stone's battery, which soon arrived and opened upon the enemy with happy effect, silencing a heavy gun (24-pounder). Meantime the regi- ments of the 3d (Cook's) Brigade arrived, but as it was getting late I deemed it better to dispose of the troops for the night and be in readiness for a renewed assault on the morrow, the crest of the enemy's works being only some 400 yards distant and the ground more or less favorable. In- creasing the artillery on the ground just taken by a couple of 20-pounder Parrott guns, the 4th Brigade was disposed to guard the position, with the 3rd Brigade in reserve several hundred yards in rear. The 9th and 12th Illinois (1st Brigade) having reported at this time, the latter was thrown forward around the base of the hill toward the enemy's main work, the 9th remaining in reserve. The night very cold, but without the cruel storm, --
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL,
Hdqrs. District of West Tennessee, Surannah, Tenn.
[The foregoing is a true copy of the original pencil draft of General C. F. Smith's report, unfinished and unsigned. General Smith died April 25, 1562. |
An Interesting Letter
Written by John A. Duckworth, then 2nd Sergeant in Co. G, was promoted to Ist Liontenant November 14, 1862, Captain April 3, 1863, and died of disease in December, 1864, before Savannah, Georgia, after the woundmg of Lieutenant Colonel Howard, July 22, and Major Hamil. August 30. 1864. Captain Duckworth. being the senior officer present, commanded the regiment for nearly a month. He was a most efficient officer und was highly respected by the whole regiment.
FORT DONELSON, TENN., February 18, 186.2
A. P. BENTLEY, (Editor home paper, Bloomfield, Iowa.)
DEAR SIR: Before this reaches you, you will have heard of our fight and of the surrender of the fort to our forces- of the bloody conflicts which took place at different times and places in the face of the enemy's entrench- ments, and of the desperate charge our regiment made upon the rebel ont- works. You will also know the names of our gallant dead, and while you all rejoice that victory is onrs, your hearts will bleed on account of their untimely fate; yet I will try and give you a few particulars relative to our regiment, as they transpired during the eventful days of the 14th, 15th and 16th.
We landed on the south side of the Cumberland, four miles below Dover, on the morning of the 14th very early. It was very cold, having snowed the night before, and started immediately, in company with sev- eral other regiments, to make connection with the troops that had come up from Fort Henry, two days before. An hour's march brought us to the other forces, and we learned that on the day before, the Iowa 14th and In- diana 25th engaged the enemy's center, and were repulsed with considerable
15
AT FORT DONELSON.
loss. We stopped in a small ravine, filled our canteens, and then took a position on the extreme left, on a gentle slope, covered with heavy timber, five hundred yards on the west side, and in sight of the enemy's outworks. There was no fighting of consequence done on the 14th. An occasional shot was fired by a company of Birge's sharp-shooters, who occupied a ra- vine between us and the enemy. Night came on, and we built fires and prepared for the long and weary watch. Our supper consisted of a scanty supply of crackers and fat pork. We had no blankets; and it was freezing cold. It was a night long to be remembered, but not a murmur was heard. A fence close by supplied us with fuel, which we took while the enemy's bombs were bursting among us. Welcome day came at last, and we took breakfast, which was like our supper, only the supply was more scarce. The ball opened on the morning of the 15th at daylight, on the right wing of our army. The enemy tried to cut their way through our lines and make their eseape, but they were driven back with terrible slaughter. Fighting continned on the right till noon, when the rebel troops were drawn off, and it was decided to storm the enemy's outworks on the right flank - the same that was directly in front of our regiment. These consisted of enrth works hastily constructed, with a trench out and inside. On top of this logs were laid, elevated so as to give room to take aim between the top of the breast work and the under side of the log. This served as a pro- teetion to the heads of those who stood behind. They were thrown upon the summit of the ridge, and extended near four hundred yards. In front. of this there was a cleared spnee about six yards wide, then for the distance of about one hundred and fifty yards, the timber had been felled in all di- rections, to prevent an advance upon the fortifications. From this to the bottom of the ravine there was a skirt of open woods, near two hundred yards. At the bottom of the ravine stood a rail fenee, and from this, clear beyond our left flank, the ground was clear. This was defended by the 2d Kentucky (rebel) regiment, infantry, and a Tennessee regiment. They were on the enemy's extreme right, and of course were crack troops. We did nothing during the forenoon. Between 2 und 3 o'clock we were ordered to fall in immediately. When we had formed, General Smith, and acting Brigadier General Lauman, rode along our line and told us that it was his desire that we should take the ontworks which I have tried to deseribe. We replied that we would. The charge was to be made by our left, com- prising Companies B, Captain Littler; C, Captain Slaymaker; G, Captain Moore; K, Captain Cloutman; and F. Captain Wilkin. These were to take possession of the breastworks. The right was to come immediately after ns, and take possession of a supposed battery, concealed on the ridge two hundred yards beyond the breastworks. The left wing was com- manded by Colonel Tuttle, the right by Lieutenant Colonel Bakker. The left was drawn up in line of battle, on the open ground to our left, when we were addressed by Colonel Tuttle as follows: "Now, my bully boys.
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