USA > Iowa > Clayton County > Strawberry Point > Address to the surviving members of the Twenty-first Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, on occasion of their fourth reunion, at Strawberry Point, Iowa, September 3d, 1889 > Part 3
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26
WORDS OF WARREN.
Comrades of the 2Ist Iowa, I have finished the task assigned me. I have sketched inadequately some of the inci- dents and scenes for which you deserve well of your State and Country, and for which they will not forget you. Let me recall now as applicable to your whole career the words of your first General, Fitz Henry Warren, addressed to you after Hartville, and add for him that to the last hour of reasoning conscious- ness in life he took a proud pleasure in speaking and hearing of your achievements. Soldiers, he said :
"History, in the larger battles of this great rebellion, may make no full mention of your names, but the truth that a determined column, more than half of whom were never before under fire, stood like veterans, without faltering or flinching, before volley after volley and charge after charge, will be a glorious memory to those who love you, and an honest pride to your own hearts. But I must not fail to do justice to the 500 who, knowing that the enemy were still in force below, rushed with me to give them battle again, and when I learned of their flank movement toward Houston, counter-inarched, making 64 miles through mud and rain in 20 hours, to defend your camp; and all this in perfect order and discipline, without a murmur or complaint. Nor may I pass without mentioning the cool and determined courage of the weak force left to defend when my courier came in to warn of the approach of the enemy with an order to hold to the last extremity, officers and men, invalids and convalescents, stood ready, without panic or alarm, to defend to the last. Soldiers, your endurance and your valor are beyond praise ; your accomplishment worthy of highest commendation. Beyond the hope of reinforcement, you have held your position, fought the enemy, and saved Lebanon and Rolla, with your own post from burning and sack."
He added these further words, which I appropriate and make my own :
"I give you my admiration of your heroism, and my thanks and gratitude that my name can be associated with yours as the proudest memory of my future life."
Comrades, it is 17 years since last I met so many of you face to face. It is not likely that we shall all meet again. No man knows how near him, in the dark recesses of the future, lies the muffled drum that shall beat for him. The whole of life is one great battle line. From infancy to old age, disease and death with all their forces, are constantly attacking in front and flank and rear. That for many years to come you may meet them with as much courage, constancy, fortitude and success, as you met the rebel hosts in the sun-burned South, I most sincerely hope.
27
OTHER DANGERS.
But comrades, in the strife of arms there are many resting places, where the joyous camp is staked and sheltering tents are pitched beneath the cooling shade of trees, or in green meadows, through which run laughing crystal streams. There messages of love and cheer from home make music in the soldier's heart, to which he listens as to perrennial songs which flow from birds of paradise. In the great battle line where death and disease lead the opposing host, there are many places, from which repulsed, our enemies flow backward like the receding waves of the ocean, leaving in our hands trains filled with supplies of health and strength, and transports laden with joy and hope.
But, besides the battles of physical forces, there is through the whole of life another greater and more constant warfare, where the battle always rages and never ceases. From the cradle to the grave the struggle of moral forces contending for the mastery of man is constantly waged. Upon this struggle, more than upon the others, depends the happiness of families, the greatness and perpe- tuity of nations. Affection for home and family, patriotic enthu- siasm, pride and love of country, find here their fairest and largest opportunity for the development and display of high soldierly qualities, where the prizes of victory are manliness, nobility of character, truth, gentleness and purity.
Macauley's celebrated paragraph regarding the disbanding of Cromwell's army, has been read by thousands with admira- tion as the eloquent statement of an eloquent fact:
"Fifty thousand men, accustomed to the profession of arms, were at once thrown on the world ; and experience seemed to warrant the belief that this change would produce much misery and crime-that the dis- charged veterans would be seen begging in every street, or would be driven by hunger to pillage. But no such result followed. In a few months there remained not a trace indicating that the most formidable army in the world had just been absorbed into the mass of the community. The royalists themselves confessed, that in every department of honest industry, the discarded warriors prospered beyond other men; that none were charged with any theft or robbery ; that none were heard to ask an alms ; and that, if a baker, a mason, or a wagoner attracted notice by his diligence and sobriety, he was, in all probability, one of Oliver's old soldiers."
If that were true of Cromwell's army, how emphatically true of Grant's. If wonderful in Cromwell's 50,000 men, how transcendently wonderful in Grant's one million men. Won- derful indeed it is, and yet not wonderful. The wars of Englishmen against the Stuarts, father and son, were wars in defense of personal, civil and religious liberty ; against encroach-
28
FLOWING TIDES.
ments of the crown and a great religious hierarchy. Every man who entered the ranks of the parliamentary armies had a personal interest in the issue. His own liberty, his own property were involved and menaced. The whole nation was aroused, and a great popular enthusiasm created, which called out the best men from all ranks of life. It was enthusiasm for liberty, a holy and righteous enthusiasm, and when the reaction came and the troops were disbanded they were not the dregs of mercenary armies, mere soldiers of fortune, who returned to civil life, but men who had intelligent conceptions of the great principles for which they fought, and loved them. In no previous. civil or religious war in Europe, in none which followed in Europe or America, including our own revolu- tionary struggle, did men's souls rise to a greater height. But in the war for the Union a higher, grander principle was invoked. While ostensibly undertaken for the preservation of constitutional compacts and forms, priceless in themselves, and of vast import to the world at large, yet it had its origin and received its vital, energizing, impelling force from consid- eration of the rights and liberties of an alien race of tropical clime and color, far removed from all social affiliation or intellectual sympathy with those who waged it. Never before in the history of this world did the tide of moral enthusiasm rise so high. Never before did great masses of men climb to such elevation of sentiment, or impose upon themselves such arduous duty. Was it to be expected that armies recruited under such circumstances should return to civil life, only to lower the moral tone of the communities into which they poured, and drag down the national character to a lower level ? That was impossible. Reactions were to be looked for, here and there they came, to individuals they came, and to communities, but the nation at large, after twenty-five years of peace, occupies a higher plane than ever before, and the beaten and humil- iated South is fast coming to that day when the Union soldier will be regarded as her greatest benefactor and friend. Does this era seem slow in coming ? Do any of us, when we hear of great and cruel wrongs perpetrated on the black men of the South, and seemingly without redress ever ask our- selves if the war was in vain, and the boasted result a sham and delusion ? Let us be patient. Stars look down at night and prophecy of the coming morn, and a thousand facts of current dates imply the advent of the brighter national life. But yesterday a white man of high rank in one of the pro-
29
FINAL VICTORIES.
fessions in the city of Charleston, was tried for his life before a mixed jury, composed largely of blackmen, and public senti- ment in the South has been outraged because they did not condemn him to death. Let us be patient. Never before in human experience did a social revolution of such mighty volume roll on such swift wheels. And it is so because reconstruction was not by confiscation, forfeiture, or revenge, but because it was based on the principle dominant in the hearts of the Union soldiers at the close of the war, and in which you fully shared.
" If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink."
Comrades, not alone in the South, but everywhere the mighty struggle of moral forces goes on. In great commun- ities and in every individual human heart. In this struggle it becomes us to quit ourselves like men. Little it avails us if we win all other battles and lose this, for if all religious forms and systems were swept away into oblivion and forgetfulness it would still remain eternally true, that only, "The pure in heart shall see God." That you may all see Him is my earnest hope and fervent prayer, and upon you and yours, your chil- dren and your children's children, through all time and beyond, I invoke HIS SWEET BENISON.
O
0
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0
O
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o
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ADDENDA.
The foregoing paper having been somewhat hastily pre- pared in short intervals of time from pressing business engagements, originally contained, almost of necessity, some errors. In revising it for the press I have made such verbal corrections as were needed for accuracy of statement, except in one instance, page 9, which was noted too late for restate- ment. I overlooked item in report of Marmaduke, that prior to " Hartville" he had detached Carroll's corps of 500 men on other service, and that official reports place his losses at Springfield and Beaver Creek at 151 instead of 100, as he himself stated.
I have also added one complete paragraph, that relating to "Old Bob" on page 19. This was written on a separate slip to be read at the reunion, but in arranging the manu- script for delivery, was overlooked until too late.
The paper itself was too long for an evening address and must have sorely tried the patience of those who listened to it, although they were too generous to indicate the feeling. For this, I now again give them my thanks. Being now printed, and therefore, if read at all, can be perused at leisure, I do not hesitate to add some further remarks and quotations which would have been inexcusable on the former occasion.
HARTVILLE.
The full story of this expedition has never been told and could not be, but it is well for the living to recall, even imperfectly, the hardship and peril endured elsewhere than on: the battle line. For the sake of the children and friends of those who were with us, but never again with them, I shall be pardoned for adding a few more particulars.
.
31
ON THE WAY.
FRIDAY, 9TH JANUARY, 1863 .- There is buzzing in camp. The rebels are on a raid to capture Springfield, "The Gibraltar of the Southwest,"* with its stores ; and the General has a telegraphic order to send assistance. After a hasty preparation, the detachment marches at noon, five hun- dred Iowa and Illinois infantry, two hundred Illinois and Missouri cavalry and a section of artillery, with a train of 40 wagons, the latter for purpose of carrying ammunition, ra- tions, knapsacks and men exhausted, for this is to be a forced march. There are many disappointments, but all cannot go-anxious faces too among those who go and those who stay, for brothers, fathers, sons are left behind, and there is probably warm work ahead. Nevertheless it is a cheerful, even mirthful array, without laggards, for the monotonous round of camp life is at last ended and the prospect of an actual tilt with the enemy is accepted with pleasure. There is romance to be tasted. We meet a foraging party coming in from a three days trip, and, can't I go? can't I go? meet with stern negatives. The detail is already filled, and fresh men are needed for the long journey, not tired ones. But one brave, resolute heart finds a less resolute one and effects an exchange- Alas ! for him-Alas! for them, whose only son he is. We push on with only short stops for twenty-three miles, then wait for the moon to rise, which it does about II o'clock, after which we proceed until within a few miles of Hartville. The rebel Colonel Porter is now reported in front of us with a large force, and to have occupied the town only a few hours before.
SATURDAY, IOTH .- We are kept under arms until daybreak, when the coast being clear we march on Hartville, stack arms and prepare breakfast in the streets. We have been here once as a garrison and have some acquaint- ances-there is much chaffing of citizens-there is much sport with some who taking us for a part of the rebel host, bid us beware of the "Yanks" -- there is the practical joker and his tricks-there is the faithful friend "Hardtack," but, this time, no "Chicken," for the " Reb" was here yesterday. We. are here reinforced by one hundred and eighty additional Illinois cavalry, under Captain Black. Then there is the "Forward,
*Shelby's Report.
32
A SURPRISE.
SATURDAY, IOTH .- Continued.
+
March," and the keeping of step while the spectators (mainly women loyal and disloyal) are looking on. These are soon left behind-hopeful or anxious-with huddling children. Little they know of actual war, though they hear much-little they dream of coming disaster, of the smell of powder, the fumes of sulphur, of burst- ing shell, of riddled walls and crashing timbers, of deadly strife, of men swarming into the houses and court house to fire from windows, and swarming out again purused by angry shot-of men lying in the streets, some moaning, some silent. Of all this, and more, they know nothing. They will know enough and soon enough-tramp-tramp. Where is Porter ? Gone far away to join Marmaduke. Tramp-tramp-seven miles more-we are tired and footsore-here is a nice stream of water and plenty of wood for fires- let us bivouac here and go to rest early to pay for last night. But first, yonder is a cornfield and shocks of corn-the horses must have fodder. Beneath one shock there is found a pit of cabbage-happy the finder-but see the race of cavalrymen and infantry, the division and sub-division, down to "just one mouthful."
SUNDAY, IITH .- The cavalry bugle sounds reveille at 2 A. M .-- prepare to march. Does any one know that bugle note is heard by an enemy encamped not far away, and whose advance is even now marching to seize the mill and grind corn at Hartville ? Fires are lighted, coffee made, jokes and laughter fill the air-Hark-a . shot at the picket post-another, and a volley. There are cries everywhere "Fall in"-" Fall in." There is rattle of bayonets as rifles are pulled from the stack. There is clanking of sabres and mounting in haste. An infantry skirmishing line is thrown forward-a dash of cavalry down the road under Captain Brad- ley-a crash of musketry-and three riderless horses gallop the woods-the Captain and two of his men are on the sod which soon shall cover them. Then the brass howitzers open their deep throats, and the woods in front of us are vigorously shelled. A few shots only in reply falling harmlessly. Gradually our fire slackens, then ceases. We stand and wait for
33
BATTLE OF HARTVILLE.
SUNDAY, IITH .- Continued.
dawn. At daybreak infantry skirmishers find no enemy, but the cavalry pick up 29 prisoners, including two surgeons, who report Marmaduke present with his whole force returning from Springfield, all mounted and num- bering five thousand. He is now going over the hill to seize Hartville and get in our rear. Countermarch back to Hartville. The empty wagons are instantly filled, and mules whipped to their fastest gait. The cavalry are already on their way and the artillery fol- lows with the remaining infantry on a run. But seven miles-how long they are -- the rebels will be there before us-they are not, however-we are here with them and our brave cavalry boys, dismounted, already occupy the ridge and will hold it until the infantry get into line.
There go McDonald's cavalry to take possession of the Houston road ; and there go their guns upon the hill, horses galloping. Ours are here too. Hurrah ! for the Battery-Hurrah ! BANG-BANG-BANG- Who will care for the women and children now, and who will remember to KEEP HOLY this Sabbath day ? By and by there are volleys and volleys of mus- ketry-and rushes on our lines always beaten back.
Our position is a low ridge covered with straggling trees, undergrowth and brushwood, from which a gentle slope extends to the village in the valley below, the slope itself being mainly cleared and free from obstruc- tion.
The artillery being in full play, the fight is opened by a charge of Porter's regiments of cavalry and mounted infantry. They dash through the town into the open ground only to find themselves in front of a position difficult to assail by cavalry. Checked in full career by the warm reception they meet with, they attempt to dismount and form in our front within range of musketry, but the withering fire poured upon them throws them into hopeless confusion. Their commander being shot down and horses unmanageable they retire in utter de- moralization, leaving on the ground a two-gun battery, which is afterwards recovered by them.
An attack is also made by Shelby's brigade of Arkansas and Missouri troops-stalwart and daring like
34
WALDSCHMIDT'S
SUNDAY, IITH .- Continued.
their leader. They greatly outnumber us and they come charging with boundless confidence, with yells and loud clamor. It is a wild and angry surf which beats upon our shore. Our men are surprisingly steady, although it is their first engagement, and load and fire with great rapidity. The terrific volleys stagger even Shelby's men- they waver and break. The rebel line is urged on by cheers and imprecations, but the fire is too hot for them. Unable to withstand the unslacking fusillade from our line, the recoil becomes a panic and they seek shelter under cover of the dwellings, barns and business houses of the town. *
Our front is clear for the time being, but our infantry keep up their fire. They have not been schooled to save ammunition, and officers and men are alike without ex- perience. The cavalry are more cautious, but they have seen service and know the value of reserved cartridges. The incessant racket of musketry goes on. Wherever there is indication of the enemy there falls the hail of lead. Enough is wasted to slaughter an army-but this has its compensations-the continued and terrific volleys demoral- ize the opposing force and make it impossible to form and charge again en masse. Thereafter they fight in detach- ments, with constancy and dogged resolution, but always and forever beaten back. Meanwhile Lieutenant Wald- schmidt gets in his work, and it is very effective. His position enables him to sweep the field of a wide arc with his guns, and his shot fall far and near. His brass pieces are the terror of the foe, but inspire our own men with confidence and firmness.
The court house is the most conspicuous object in the town. A large square building full of openings. The rebels crowd into it to fire upon our position from its windows. Waldschmidt explodes a shell in the very heart of it, and dark lines radiate from it in all direc- tions, leaping from windows and fleeing from doors. It is in full view and a loud roar of exultation bursts from our line. Hurrah ! for the battery-Hurrah ! Hur- rah ! Ever and anon other bands of rebels without ex- perience try the same thing, with like results-and so
*Shelby's Report.
35
GUNNERY.
1780736
SUNDAY, IITH .- Continued.
with the neighboring houses.
As the day wears away repeated efforts are made to break our line-now here
now there. The battery is the great stumbling block that out of the way the rest could be done. A sud- den and determined rush is made for the guns, which comes near being successful. Some of Waldschmidt's horses are down, others wounded and disabled, but the infantry spring to his assistance and help to pull the pieces out by hand. When the storm bursts he is safe behind a line of fire, before which the attacking party again recoils, but carrying away an almost empty caisson, a few small arms and some overcoats, Marmaduke's only trophies for his days work .* He will bitterly reflect upon his mistake in having left in the morning a field of certain victory, and permitting the federals to occupy a position, from which, with all his energy and daring he cannot now dislodge them. Our battery is still intact and ceases firing only to cool off or to change position-for the enemy's Parrott gun frequently gets the range and compels a new location. When night comes the guns are brought safely away as serviceable as ever. On the other hand the enemy's guns, with ex- ception of the rifled Parrott, are badly served and do little harm.
The daylight is coming to an end, and our right, the 99th Illinois, being out of ammunition is withdrawn slowly and in perfect order to the Lebanon road, the ammunition wagons being with the train which is struggling with its own difficulties. The artillery with small store of shell remain- ing, very soon follows. The rebels showing signs of punish- ment and fatigue are also retiring from our front. Under cover of the friendly darkness, which comes as a boon to both sides, our forces-the train being safely over the hill- are all rapidly withdrawn toward Lebanon; theirs go off toward Arkansas. There will be no more charging or firing to-night, and the women and children may come from their hiding places.
MONDAY, 12th .- The retreat continues during the night, but owing to the fatigues already borne, there is much straggling. All, however, reach Lebanon in the after- noon, after a march of 40 miles, but greatly exhausted.
Marmaduke's Report .*
36
BIVOUAC IN WOODS.
MONDAY, 12TH .- Continued.
The country through which we pass is drawn upon for vehicles of all kinds, and for every available horse, things scarce enough, and which are all returned to owners who call for them at Lebanon.
TUESDAY, 13th .- Commence our return to Houston 60 miles away. There are reports of a large force of rebels in the country, and the column is carefully guarded against surprise. We bivouac at night in sparse woods, but are not permitted to build fires-cold rain falling.
WEDNESDAY, 14th .- Rain continues all night. It is impossible to lie down or sleep. It is bitterly cold, and the men suffer intensely-they move about incessantly in vain efforts to mitigate the deathly chill of this winter night, carrying their arms and using every precaution to pro- tect guns and ammunition from the rain. It is truly a night of horrors-one never to pass out of memory-its duration seems eternal, and when at last the gloomy dawn appears, it is hailed with delight. The distress from the cold rain, and reaction from strong and pro- longed excitement, have a very calamitous effect. Many fall by the wayside and are obliged to be carried in the wagons, which now form a veritable ambulance train. At night, the rain having ceased, though heavy clouds still threaten us, we again bivouac in the woods. Extreme weariness brings indifference to danger. Numer- ous fires are built, and clothing and blankets partially dried. What a luxury it is to wrap the weary body in a damp blanket, and lie down before a blazing log --- the warm steam finds every pore of the skin, producing a delicious sense of comfort impossible to express in words, and makes one long for ever afterwards to try it over again. Profound sleep brings forgetfulness of previous suffering, and shuts out all thought of what may yet be in store for us.
THURSDAY, 15th .- Awakened by reveille to find ourselves under a light blanket of snow which has fallen during the night. But the sky is clear, and the march resumed under more cheerful aspects, although the condition of the roads makes walking more difficult and painful than ever for the blistered feet of the men; but a rumor that our camp at Houston is in danger gives new life and vigor to all. Swollen streams without bridges,
37
RETURN TO CAMP.
THURSDAY, 15TH .- Continued.
which cannot be waded, and the Gasconade River, barely fordable, are crossed in the wagons and on the cavalry horses, those poor jaded beasts being made to carry double, and to cross and recross many times. We arrive in camp at last to learn that the cannonading at Hartville having been heard at Houston and also a courier received from Merrill, a relief party of 500 men under General Warren had marched nearly thirty miles, but returned immediately to protect Houston itself against a threatened attack.
CAMP AT LAST .-- We are back at home again, not as we lightly went forth but six days ago-neatly appareled and accoutred-fresh from inspection-but with unkempt hair and torn garments, water soaked and covered with mud. But we are at home again, giving to and receiving joyous greetings from our comrades, who henceforth, after our own immediate friends, will be nearer and dearer to us than all the world besides. By animated groups around the camp fires for many hours is told and retold the story of the expedition.
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