USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Iowa City > A succinct history of the 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry : From date of muster into service, October 10th, 1862, at Iowa City, Iowa, to its final muster out, August 13th, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa > Part 5
USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > A succinct history of the 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry : From date of muster into service, October 10th, 1862, at Iowa City, Iowa, to its final muster out, August 13th, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
As a matter af fact, the regiment had not anticipated such good news. From the time we lay at Helena Ark. praying for active service to the present, we had been constantly on the move in a country containing innumerable swamps and bayous. No live springs or wells of pure water. Our supply both for drinking and cooking purposes being drawn from the swamps and pools
.
47
that had became stagnant under the burning Southern sun and was not fit for dumb brutes, let alone men who had come from a country abounding in pure and whole- some water. Do you wonder the good news was hailed with shouts of joy by the regiment? We had in mind the bubbling springs and cold mountain streams of the North land, besides we were destined for new fields of action.
For two years we had been reading "all quiet on the Potomac," or "our army has crossed the Rapidan" and the next day it would be, the army was falling back on Wash- ington. We had often wished we might be transferred to Washington, and now to be assured of the coveted change we just went wild with joy.
While we were rejoicing over our good luck, our vessel was pushing out into the blue water, where the waves be- gan to lift up the bow and sink it again to conform to the action of the waves. All at once a quietness seemed to steal over the boys. One would think we were getting ready for a battle, so still was it, while up and down went the old Arago passing over the great swells of old ocean in her course out into the Gulf. Finally the stillness was broken by some poor fellow, whose face had become white from his unearthly sickness and he had decided to unload his seemingly over-filled stomach into the great deep. This he did by laying down on his stomach, putting his pale face over the side of the vessel doubling up in a knot and yelling "New Yorrik", when Pat (the wag of the regi- ment) would yell out, "We ain't a goin to New Yorrik, we are going to the Potomac, you blamed fool, or "hear that now, that fellow has been stuffing himself with half cooked beans again, and he ought to know they would swell in his stomach, or arrahi there, bejabbers, give the calf more rope," and other expressions of like nature.
If any one can correctly describe the sensations of a sea sick soul, I would like to have it done. I was sea sick but just thirty minutes, just long enough to cause me to cast up a box of sardines I had eaten, and consign them to the elements from whence they had been originally taken. My short experience took place on the bow of the ship as I stood gazing out over the great Gulf of Mexico, when the the bow of the ship was lifted up on a great wave. The
48
lifting up did not bother me, but as the ship's bow sunk in- to the hollow of the waves my poor stomach just seemed to turn inside out, scattering its contents in the waves of the sea, and I learned what sea sickness was, but could not describe it. Just imagine fifteen hundred fellows out of two thousand uniting in one grand "whoop up" of the contents of their seemingly over burdened gizzards and you will have a faint idea of the condition of the troops on the Arago, soon after striking the blue water of old ocean. Our regiment being quartered on the upper deck fared better than those crowded below in the cabins and steerage.
After we had been out a day or two off the coast of Flor- ida, we noticed the captain of the ship and Gen. Grover planning for some defensive operations. 30 pound parrott guns with which the vessel was supplied, were gotten into position on the deck and such other arrangements made as to call out inquiries from the boys. We were informed the rebel cruiser Georgia had captured and sunk one of our vessels shortly before, and was liable to attack us and if she did, we were to fight her and run. This was a new experience to us land-lubbers, who felt sure if we had them on land we could do them up, but this fighting on water with nothing to stand on but a frail plank did not meet our approval, however we were ready to do our part.
The next morning quite early, the look-out at the mast head sang out "a sail ho". Soon off toward the coast loomed up the black hull of a rakish looking craft and the boys said, "Georgia, by thunder", but on her nearer ap- proach she run up the stars and strips, at once relieving us of further anxiety. She proved to be one of our war vessels cruising along the coast looking for blockade runners and the Georgia.
Our experiences on this trip were not pleasant, it was extremely hot, water was scarce, a pint each day to a man and that warm, besides the crowded condition of the vessel and the many who were sea sick, all combined to make our condition unpleasant in the extreme. But we were going to Washington and could afford to be patient and forbearing.
On the Ist day of August at 2 a. m., we were startled
20200
49
from our dreams by a voice from a picket boat at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, saying, who comes there? then sang out through the captain's trumpet, the steam ship Arago from New Orleans. Where bound? Fortress Monroe. What's your cargo? U. S. troops. At 3 o'clock we anchored off Fortress Monroe.
Here water boats came along side and we were furnish- ed a fresh supply of water and ordered to report at Wash- ington City, Gen. Auger commanding. August 2d, we landed at Alexandria. where we left the Arago and took ferry boats to Washington, going into camp at the Penn- sylvania Depot, where we lay until the next day. Oh, what a relief it was to be able to draw in a full draught of the pure air of heaven or quench our thirst at the pure fountains that gushed out of the hills in and about the Nation's capital.
Many a fervent "thank God" welled up from our joyous hearts, because of the change from the swamps of the sun scorched South, to the beautiful sun kissed hills of the northland. No wonder our hearts broke forth in joyful acclamations and meeds of praise.
The fame of Iowa troops had preceeded us to Washing- ton, their fortitude, coolness and bravery in battle was a matter of history, but up to this time no Iowa regiment had ever entered the city and when it was learned, we had arrived, hundreds came to see us, to shake our hands and cheer us by their friendly greetings.
Our representatives in Congress, Senators and Govern- ment officials accompanied by their wives and children come through our camps to bid us welcome and assure us of their sympathy and love. It was amusing to see the boys, they would get their hair cut short, buy a new towel, a cake of what they dubbed "button hole boka soap" and repair to some running brook cold as ice, soap their heads and necks, then souze them into the cold water and rub and scrub until they were red in the face, trying (as they said) to get the filth of the Louisiana swamps off of them.
Our clothes were old and worn, our flags tattered and torn we did not cut a very fine figure along side of the dandies of Washington, who had done nothing but guard duty, neither did we compare very well in appearance with the
50
hundred day's men in and about the city, but when on the 3d, we fell into line and marched down Pennsylvania Ave- nue with our old time proud elastic step, every foot fall in exact time to the be it of the old drum, our old battle scared banners floating in the breeze, the hundreds who lined the streets felt that with a few sach regiments, broken in members as we were Early could not take Wash - ington. The public press in Washington and other cities spoke of us in words of praise an I commendation for our former service and soldierly deportment and we, remem- bering past services, felt a pride in meriting praise from the loy il and true.
On the evening of the third. we went into camp at Ten Alley town, remaining until the 11th. We then went to Fort Bunker Hill, to remove obstructions from its front, returning again to camp.
While here, an effort was made to get the regiment ex- changed into some brigide, doing guard duty about the capital, but as was the talk at the time, General Sheridan said that he had need for tried and true troops. and know- ing us to be such, he would rather have us, than a whole brigade, such as were then guarding about the capital, and our vision of easy times vanished.
On the 14th, we took up the line of march out over the Potomac, toward Leesburg, which we reached on the afternoon of the 17th. Here we were ordered to hasten across the mountain, and join Sheridan at Berryville We left at 3 p. m., crossed through Snicker's Gap, waded the Shenandoah River, and at 3a. m., joined onto the army of the Shenandoah. We were in the very place we had been hoping to see, and had crossed the "Potomac."
It was here we first saw" Little Phil." He came riding along, and asked, ""What regiment is this?" When told he said, "Yes, I have heard of you boys, we will have some fighting for you in a few days, " and the boys cheered.
The army moved back to near Charlestown, (where John Brown was hung, )and threw up fortifications.
Here we were assigned to the 4th brigade, composed of the 28th and 24th Iowa, and the 8th and 18th Indiana. commanded by Col. David Shunk. Fifth division, Gen. Grover commanding, 19th A. C., Gen. Emery in com-
DE
51
mand.
On the 22d, we fell back to near Harper's Ferry, fortified again, and remained until the 27th, skirmishing daily with Early's army. Again moving forward, we took position in front of Charlestown, singing, "We'll hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree" as we marched through the streets, and called to mind the events of but a few years agone. We remained here skirmishing, until the 8th of September, when we advanced to near Berryville, where 1 our brigade took au advanced position, holding it against the attack of the enemy.
Early and "Little Phil" had been manœuvering for some time; a hard battle was to be fought. Eich was trying to bring off the battle on grounds more favorable to his side, therefore it became a matter of importance to us.
After our brigade had taken their position, the Confed- erates seemed to be massing in our front. Phil came out, looked the ground over, and went back to his quarters, is- suing an order that no one should leave the lines with out his gun and plenty of ammunition, and that as many of the boys as wanted to fight the rebel pickets, were at liberty to do so. This, the boys called "Puddin," and the result was. before noon the next day, we had driven the rebel lines half way back to their main body. They were . re-inforced, and we came back in turn. The fighting be-
coming furious many times. . We were often close enough to cuss each other while we fought. One after- noon the Johns sent out a brigade to assist their pickets, and a lively battle was on in no time. Sheridan, hearing the racket, came out on the hill overlooking our line, and watched the fight for some time, and finally said, "Go in boys, if you get the whole army into a fight it will suit me, or if you clean Early out, it will save me the trouble.
There were many incidents of personal daring, and what is called 'close calls' during these days of hot fighting, on our own hook, that deserve mention. The Confederates occupied a spur of a mountain in our front. They would climb around among the rocks and trees, and when a luck- less Blue Coat showed himself on the picket line, ping, would come a minie ball too close for comfort. We re- solved one night, to drive them out the next day. Our
52
plans were formed, and the next morning, many of the regiment were outside the picket line, advancing on the Confed's everybody to approach as best he could, the Con- federates position, and look out for his head, which was always in danger. In a short time after we began sneak- ing up toward them, a Johnny hallowed over and said "Hel- lo Yanks, some of you fellows are going to get killed if you don't look out." Just about this time, one of our boys off to the left, got a bead on him, and shut off his wind. One of the boys in climbing through a fence, had a ball put through the rail his bread basket lay on. Another had a ball put through his hat, from above him, cutting out a bunch of hair over his ear. Another had the seat of his pants perforated, and got the laugh from the Johnnies for jumping.
Hardly a man escaped without some mark of the evi- dence of their close contact with real live rebels. Those days were spent in continuous warfare, often becoming very warm and spirited affairs, until the 18th.
Gen. Grant having left City Point to visit Sheridan, learning of the position of the rebel army, asked Sheridan if he could move on the confederates, beat them in battle and follow up the victory, when answered that he could, Grant said then beat him and do it at once, and on the evening of the 18th, we began to move on Early's army posted along the Opequan creek in a strong position.
A field on which our armies had been twice defeated prior to this time.
All night long we were approaching the rebel position, getting our lines formed for a gigantic struggle. The two armies were about equal in numbers, the confederates had the best of us in position and fought on the defensive. We had to develop their position as we advanced, yet we were going in to win, no matter what the cost and ere the sun's rays had gilded the crest of the mountains on either side of us, our advance had begun and in a short time the regiment was hotly engaged. The first brigade of our division were in our advance in the beginning of the con test and were forced back through our lines.
We steadily advanced, shot, shell and canister, coupled with a murderous fire of rebel infantry, who held a
0
53
position in the rear of aworm or rail fence in our immediate front. and made our position one of the hottest we had ever occupied. We remained here pouring into the confederates volley after volley, until the right of the brigade were pressed back exposing us to a flank fire. When we fell back a short distance to the timber where we rallied and charged a rebel column then in the act of charging the Ist main battery. Advancing to our former position, we held it until our ammuni- tion was exhausted, then fell back to procure a new supply, other troops taking our places, having secured a new supply of cartridges, we advanced to the front line again and began pouring into them a destructive fire.
At this time one of our batteries galloped into action on our righi and began bursting shells into the fence in our front, scattering rails and rebels in a lively manner. Boom, boom went our guns while we were pumping lead as fast as we could load and fire. The confederates began to waver and the order was, forward boys, and forward we went with a rush and a cheer and the day was won. Away they went out throught the cemetery, through Winches- ter, and away up the valley closely pursued by our vic- torious troops. Over to the right the 6th corps were pressing them close, further to the right, our cavalry were coming down over the rebel works charging through their lines and back again, swinging sabers as they went. Crook's 8th corps on the left were doing heroic work. Thus we pushed their now defeated and fleeing columns down through the cemetery, down through Winchester, we pressed them until night came on, and tired, hungry and thirsty, we halted. The victory was won, a grand victory. Nearly a hundred brave boys, who came out of camp the night before are missing, What of them? Some we knew were dead because while fighting by our side, we had heard the cruel spat of the deadly minie ball and saw our mess-mate go down in death, and his brains scattered over the ground. Again the bursting shell in our lines had taken out a half score of brave boys. We had seen others crawling off the fated field with the blood streaming out of death wounds, and the question "how did these brave boys fare," came pressing upon us, and
54
though tired with weary miles intervening between us and them, we go back over the bloody field, looking among the dead and dying for those we loved as comrades in a common cause.
Who can describe that silent search. Here in the open we find Alfred dead, over there by that fence is Bob, Bill, Tom and others, there in the hollow is where Jake, Henry, John and others fell. So we go about under the silent stars, gathering up the brave boys, placing them in nar- row silent graves, wrapped in their blankets, then the sods of the valley are rolled upon their silent stiffened forms. This done we turn our steps to the hospital, at Red Bud Mills on Opequan Creek, where hundreds, yes thousand of our boys in blue lay wounded in every con- ceivable shape, moaning, groaning, suffering and dying, what a scene. We find our comrades and comfort them as best we can, then bidding them good bye we returned to our regiment, passing over the bloody battle field again down through Winchester, joining the regiment now ready for an advance in the wake of the defeated rebel army.
Evidences of their haste was made apparent on every side. Broken guns, demolished wagons, overturned am- bulances, abandoned cannon and dead and wonnded con- federates, were strewn along the way leading up the valley.
"OLD GLORY" AT WINCHESTER. BY M. W. COOK, Co. G. In Dixie's land our Hawkeye band then dared The hosts of "Southern chivalry;"'
Good men and true, and brave ones too, there bared Their arms for death or victory, And sternly fought and nobly wrought On the storm-swept field of Opequan, Where Early's hosts rushed madly on To where we rallied in the wood Around "Old Glory" there.
A valiant crew, our comrades who went down Before the surging battle's tide;
With patriot's zeal, for country's weal, they wooed Grim death as if a bonny bride. Striving like men those comrades then "Fought where they fell and fell where they fought," Just as loyal soldiers ought
Around "Old Glory" there.
55
Like sturdy oak, mid cannon's smoke and flame They stood and struggled long; Heroic lot, they bravely fought, that shame Might never mar or still our song; But every note from comrade's throat Miglit tell of gallant deeds done then Where gathered our brave Hawkeye men Around "Old Glory" there.
The battle storm still thundered on, till prone Upon the crimson sod there lay
With gasping breath or cold in death, a hundred Gallant boys who led the way, Or followed near that banner dear, Whose stars through all that lurid day Shone to guide us on our way Beside "Old Glory" there.
We seek not fame, but meekly claim a place Among the loyal patriots who,
In that wild fray on that wild day, on field Where tierce the foe his good blade drew With savage yell; and shot and shell, Like lightning bolts in wanton glee, Smote comrades as if spire or tree, Around "Old Glory" there.
This too we claim, that never shame our record Bold and fair and clean shall mar; Ever we'll strive to keep alive the spirit That prevailed in days of yore, When comrades fell mid shout and yell On sod red-stained with crimson gore, Where furious raged the fiery fray On that eventful autumn day, When thick as leaves our comrades lay Around "Old Glory" there.
(Note-The Twenty-eighth [owa fought in the "Bloody Angle" at Winchester and lost nearly 100 in killed and wounded. Company G. to which the writer belonged, lost fourteen-five being killed on the field, two mortally wounded, five severely and two slightly- and this out of 33 that were in the engagement.)
The first evidence we found that Early ever expected to stop, we got from a little rooster about five years old, sitting on a gate post in front of a stone house, who with a comical smile on his little rebel countenance, said to us as we passed, "Early will give you hell when you get to Fisher's Hill. He is going to stop there and shoot you with cannons." We cheered the little fellow for the in- formation and went on hunting for Jubal.
56
On reaching Strasburg, we found the boy had been cor- rectly informed, for Early's army had taken position on Fisher's Hill, one of the strongest natural positions, made doubly strong by being well fortified. Here he had ex- pected to defeat us, and turn us back down the valley. Sheridan at once began preparations for an attack. Crook's corps was advanced by the right flank. The 19th A. C. were to attack in front, the 6th corps on the left. When all was ready the 28th and 22d lowa were called ont to take the advance and make the charge on Fisher's Hill. Here Iappend the official report of this engagment as made by. Col. Wilson then in command.
Headquarters 28th lowa in the field near Harrisburg, Va., Sept 27th, 1864.
Col. Sir: In compliance with your request, I submit the following report of the pairt taken by my regiment in the battle of Fisher's Hill on the 22d day of September 1864.
On the morning of the 22d, we moved forward toward the enemy a short distance, who were strongly entrenched at Fisher's Hill. A naturally strong position, a short dis- tance above Strasburg. We got into position and were ordered to entrench, and had scarcely commenced work, when I received orders to report with my regiment to Gen. Grover for special duty. On reporting, I was order- ed to the front line; a commanding position from which the enemy's sharp-shooters had just been driven. As a battery immediately preceeded me, I supposed that I was there as its support and soon had constructed a sort of entrenchment as protection against the enemy's sharp shooters.
Here I remained until about 4 o'clock p. m., when I re- ceived orders from Gen. Grover to deploy my regiment as skirmishers on the right of the 22d Iowa, as far as practic able toward the entrenched position of the enemy.
We advanced toward their works within about three hundred yards. pouring in volley after volley with great rapidity. The enemy seemed to waver, whereupon 1 or dered a charge. With a prolonged shout, we went af them, scaling their works and driving them in confusion before us, capturing a six gun battery. A large quantity of ammunition and a number of prisoners. After follow
1
57
ing them about a mile. I received orders to return for the knapsacks of my regiment, which had been left when the charge began. I have no fault to find with officers or men, all deserve praise, no one flinched or fled when it seemed we were charging right into the jaws of death. Our loss was exceedingly light. B. W. WILSON,
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 28th Iowa.
Night was now upon us. The rebel army were fleeing before our victorious troops and in order to make the most of our advantage we took up the march, following close after the now twice defeated Johnnies, pressing them so close they had no time for rest or sleep. We reached Woodstock at 3 a. m., and lay down for two hours with stones for our pillows and the cold ground for our resting place, we were soon fast asleep.
In the early morning, we were up and after them keep- ing up a running fight all day. Often when reaching the top of some hill we would see the shining bayonets of the rebels rear guard as they toiled up the slope in our advance.
This was kept up for fifty miles. On the 26th, we fell back to Harrisonburg where we stopped until Oct. 6th, when we began falling back toward Cedar Creek. As soon as we began our march down the valley, a division of rebel cavalry began to annoy us, following close on our rear of- ten charging on our rear guard. This continued until we neared Fisher's Hill. Here Sheridan came back to us, ordered our brigade to form a line across the road and lay down.
My recollection is that Sheridan was mad and indulged in some of his strong epithets in our presence. Anyway he said we were going to have some fun and it would be at the expense of the confederates. A brigade of cavalry had been sent away around up the valley to the right with orders to fire a barn or mill as a signal they had reached the designated place, then to cross the valley in the rear of our tormenters. The charging columns were formed near to, and in front of us. Soon a black column of smoke was scen curling up above the trees, the bugle was sound- ed and away went the charging column down across the bottom over the stream and up the hill, yank neck and
٥
٠١
58
neck with Johnny reb. Soon there rang out the cheer from the boys in the rebel rear, then bang and boom. Soon all was still. In the course of an hour a long line of yellow, between two rows of blue came filing over the hills followed by their artillery and trains. We had gobbled the whole force. We cheered the cavalry as they passed through, and guyed the Johnnies about their running qualities, took the road after them and reached Cedar Creek on the 10th.
This, like all other hard campaigns, left us in a rather sad condition, our clothing when we arrived at Washing ton was old and worn, we had not had a chance to get a new supply and at this time were almost naked many were without shirts others were barefooted while socks and drawers were all gone, besides our coats and pants hung in shreds, in many instances it was hard to keep the body covered, the air was becoming cold and chilly, especially at night and when the wind blowed it blew threw more than our whiskers, we were in about the lightest march- ing order we had ever been and felt it keenly.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.