History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 60

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574

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FROM THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

FORT PICKENNY, MEMPHIS, December 24, 1862.

EDITORS CIVILIAN :- Our detachment arrived at this place one week ago to-day. We found that our regiment had left here, as we had supposed, and that its present place of sojourn is near Holly Springs. Any further definite particulars concerning it I cannot obtain.

A very strong force of sick was left behind, numbering about ninety. There are now here about one hundred and fifty of the regiment, over one hundred of whom are on the sick list. We found almost every one of those left behind by the regiment suffering from some form of disease. A large proportion of them are now convalescent, and it is well that they are, as it is impossible to obtain medical attendance. Most of them have no medicine whatever. A few, by great persistence, get a prescription once in two or three days. The cases are not gener- ally of a very serious character, but it was a great mistake that a surgeon was not left in charge. There is a very large hospital in the city, where a few have been taken. They report good care. The Medical department of the army, as far as I have been able to observe, is not in the most perfect working order. Much suffering is experi- enced for the lack of medicines. I ran all over the fort to get a few very simple prescriptions put up, but without successs. The large force

which has been here, and the number of sick left behind, explains the condition of affairs.

When we shall go to the regiment, it is quite impossible to conjecture. A strong force is required now to make the attempt by land, and the very uncertain condition of our railroad connections makes it unsafe to go to Columbus. We may stay here for months, and we may go in a week.

Several of companies C and HI have applied for discharge, and will obtain them as soon as they can be put through the proper forms. Those wishing to send letters to us here, should address "Detachment Twenty-seventh Regiment, Iowa Volunteers, Fort Pickenny, Mem- phis, Tennessee." Aside from the sickness among us, we fare well for soldiers. We are inside the fort, which is really a fortified camp, be- low and adjoining the city, of perhaps a mile and a half in length, and of one or two hundred rods in width. Quite a large number of houses are enclosed and occupied for hospitals, officers' quarters, and other purposes. The river bank is of clay, very steep, and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet in height. The whole works are of earth, and are mounted with heavy guns. With a proper garrison it would be hard to take.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, General Sherman's expedition was embarking. The number of troops, it is impossible to estimate-I judge, however, from fifty to seventy-five thousand. The troops now here number five or six thousand, about one-third of whom are unfit for duty. There are apprehensions of an attack upon the fort, and a part of our force is constantly stationed upon the outworks. Just now another rumor is in circulation, that the Twenty-seventh has been in a fight at Holly Springs. It is quite probable. The condition of the whole of west Tennessee is most unhappy. Run over as it is alter- nately by Federal troops and guerillas, it is fast becoming despoiled of its improvements and its people. How long this will continue, who knows?

Business in the city is not lively, except such as pertains to the army. Cotton is brought in to some extent, and sells quickly at much less than New York prices. Provisions of all kinds are high, as is also clothing. There are many secesh here who have recently been considerably exer- cised by certain orders of Major General Hurlbut, bearing quite hard upon disloyal persons. The weather has been for the most part very fine-a few rainy days and some frosty nights. On an average it is quite as warm and pleasant as the last of September and first of October in your latitude. To-day it is quite mild, with appearances of rain. It is not forgotten here, that to-morrow is Christmas, We confidently expect that while we find a fine dinner entirely out of the question, our friends at home, while enjoying themselves at their feasts, will hold us in remembrance and do ample justice for all.

H. C. H. [H. C. H. may feel well assured that the enjoyment of many Christmas feasts was marred by recollections of the men "at the front."]

FROM THE SAME.

January 7, 1863. Last week a supply train came in from General Grant's army, and the Fifth Iowa was one of a dozen regiments forming the escort. I saw Thomas Blondin only. Lieutenant Donnan and others went outside the fort, and reported the Independence boys doing well. They certainly have a hard time. Again our camp is full of all sorts of rumors as to the whereabouts of our regiment. I suppose that they are in the vicinity of Holly Springs, and conjecture that they may form a part of the advance of General Grant's army. We are in con- stant expectation of hearing directly from them. Twice we have pre- pared to set out to join the regiment. About fifty only are able to endure the march.

The chance for sick men is as poor as ever. To-day a number of our detachment started for St. Louis. Hilling, Brady, Allen, and Min- ton, of company C', left. None of company C or H now here are in immediate danger, but quite a number are in a condition whichi demands prompt relief. They have asked for discharges, and will get them when they can be examined. More than two thousand men from all regiments in Grant's and Sherman's commands are here in a similar condition, but still very few deaths occur. Occasionally there is a small- pox scare, though but few cases have occurred. Hoffman, of com- pany C, is now convalescent from it.

Major General Hurlbut is still in command here, and is the man for the place. The city is secesh, through and through, and requires a commander of cautious, firm decision-one who is not troubled with squeamish notions or secesh sympathies-and the general fills the bill.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

One of his last orders provides that for each and every raid made upon the Charleston & Memphis railroad, by citizens and guerillas, he will banish from Memphis ten secesh families, commencing with the wealthiest and most influential.

The commander of the fort is General Asbott, a veteran soldier, and formerly on General Fremont's staff, in Missouri. Very few officers of high rank are to be found in these parts since General Sherman's ex- pedition sailed. We hear of the loss of several officers at Vicksburgh, but are in suspense as regards the issue of the contest. Thereis reason to fear that we are repulsed. The failure of General Grant to advance on Jackson, and of General Banks to cooperate with Sherman, may place the latter in a very critical position. It would seem that the rebels ought to have been compelled to fight at Jackson and Vicksburglı at the same time. Every one is anxious, and all have much confidence in General Sherman's ability, and in the valor of our soldiers.

H. C. H.

FROM THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

JACKSON, TENNESSEE, January 11, 1863,

EDITORS CIVILIAN :- I last wrote you on the march, near the Talla- hatchie river. Since then we have done considerable marching. We marched from where I last wrote you, to near Oxford, when our divis- ion was separated, and part of it went back to Memphis with General Sherman. Our brigade was also separated, and we were then ordered to Waterford, and from there to the Tallahatchie river to guard the railroad bridge. While there the guerillas made a dash upon our hospital, and took eleven or twelve of our men prisoners. I don't know the names of any but Brown, a member of company C. All of them have been paroled and sent to Memphis. While our forces were pursuing the guerillas, word came into camp that we were about to be attacked by fifteen hundred rebels. We were immediately drawn up in line of battle near our hospital, and commenced constructing a forti- fication out of fence rails. After waiting some two or three hours-the enemy not coming we were ordered on to Waterford, as that place was threatened. We were put through on double quick, and there found some of our cavalry that had been surrounded at the raid on Holly Springs, but had succeeded in cutting their way through Van Dorn's force by hard fighting. We remained at Waterford the rest of the night, and at daylight set off for Holly Springs, arriving there about 1 o'clock. The rebels had disappeared. About ten thousand men marched into Holly Springs that day. The town presents an awful appearance. The heart of the city has been burned out, and all the buildings containing Government stores are destroyed. The mag- azines exploding, shattered nearly every window in town, and shells kept bursting nearly all day. The citizens seemed frightened nearly to death, and I do not much wonder at it. We lay there two days, and then were ordered back to the Tallahatchie; from whence we marched to this place after a few days, reaching here on the night of the thir- tieth of December. Next day our camping ground was assigned us, and we went to work erecting our tents preparatory to a good night's rest; but no such good luck for the Twenty-seventh regiment. At 7 o'clock P. M., we received orders to march forthwith, without tents or knapsacks, and with but one blanket to the man, in the direction of the Tennessee river, after Forrest and his crew, cavalry, and supposed to be eight thousand strong. We marched till 3 o'clock the next morn- ing, and then were permitted to lie down one hour and a half, without fire. After a short nap we partook of some raw meat and hard bread and started off for Lexington. We here met General Sullivan and the Thirty-ninth Iowa, with some other regiments coming on toward Jackson with some four or five hundred prisoners and seven pieces of artillery, which he had captured from Forrest a few days previous, about twelve miles from Lexington. I did not ascertain what the loss was on our side. Forrest's loss is reported heavy, and he was retreat- ing in great confusion toward the Tennessee river. Our brigade, under General Lauman, Colonel Truman's brigade and two battalions pur- sued him. When within seven miles of the river our advance cavalry fired into his rear, but night was upon us and we had to wait till morning. At daybreak one brigade and a battery moved forward. Our brigade and battery were held back as a reserve. At 12 o'clock the cannonading began, and we were ordered forward on double quick, through mud and water boot top deep. We were ordered to throw off everything that would impede our progress. Some got their blankets into the wagons, and some left them by the wayside. When we got to the river we found that our artillery could not get a position. It was Forrest's cannonading we had heard on the opposite side of the river, to cover his retreat. We found his men about all across the river. The advance was ordered to fire on them with musketry, which was done;

but they all skedaddled, and report says they sunk the ferry boat to prevent us from following them. They threw shells pretty sharp while they were about it. The citizens at the river told us that Forrest said that if he could get across the Tennessee river alive, he would come back again. The prisoners taken in the fight near Lexington were dressed in our uniform, which, no doubt, they got at Holly Springs. Our boys made them take it off, and put on their butternut clothes. We were now ordered back to Jackson; and, when we got within eighteen miles of the place, were ordered to Bethel, a little town on the railroad, about eighteen miles this side of Corinth. From there we were ordered back to Jackson, where we arrived on the eighth instant. Old regiments that were with us say that, such marching and hardship, they have never before seen. We left Jackson with one and a half day's rations, all that could be got in the city, but we had plenty to eat most of the time, such as it was. My mother used to tell me that "hunger was a good cook," and I believe it. We had but two camp kettles and two skillets to the company, and you may guess at the balance, as we had to depend on foraging for support. We are now brigaded again, but whose brigade we are in, I can't tell you. I think that we come under General Sullivan's division.

I have no official word from the thirteen boys that I left at Memphis. Colonel Gilbert has written for those of the regiment at Memphis to come and join us. The boys here are able to be around, though some of them are on the sick list-none dangerous. Some of them will have to be discharged, as they will never be of any use to the service. It takes a man with an iron constitution to stand such marching as we have done. I am in hopes we shall lie here awhile, till we can recruit up some. I have been very hearty since coming south-never felt bet- ter in my life. At this time I have a little rheumatism in my right knee, but I dont apprehend that it will be serious. This place is strongly fortified with cotton bales and Union soldiers. A report has just reached us that Holly Springs has been laid in ashes by the Kan- sas jayhawkers, but I cannot vouch for its correctness.

T. M. M.

CAMP TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA INFANTRY GRAND ECORE LANDING, LOUISIANA, April 17, 1864.

FRIEND BARNHART :- As I see you are moving along with the Conservative, and presuming your readers would like to hear from the Twenty-seventh, I take this opportunity to give an account of the bat- tle of Pleasant Hill, and the part we took in it.

On the morning of the ninth instant we were in camp within one mile of Pleasant Hill, when we were aroused at 3 o'clock in the morn- ing by the beat of the reveille call. Thought I to myself, now for a hard day's march, but I was somewhat disappointed, for soon every man's cartridge-box was filled with fifty rounds of cartridges, while the camp fires were extinguished and darkness surrounded us. The boom- ing of cannon soon gave us to understand that the enemy was not far distant. Soon the day began to dawn-the sun rose and spread its golden rays over the trees, and nature seemed as pleasant and tranquil as a June morning in Independence. About 8 o'clock we were ordered to "fall in," and were soon on the road, our brigade-Colonel Shaw's -in the advance. We soon halted and loaded our pieces, the road being lined with teams pushing their way to the rear; General Banks' retreat, as the boys' called it. Passing through the village we "double quicked " for a short distance, when we came in sight of our battery planted on a small elevation in a field in which were some scattering pine bushes. A line of battle was formed in the edge of the woods fronting to the field. The Twenty-seventh and Fourteenth Iowa were in the centre of the brigade, while on the left lay the Thirty-second lowa, and on the extreme right, supporting the battery, lay the Twenty-fourth Missouri. We soon relieved two Maine regiments that had been holding the enemy in check for some time. Our skirmishers were sent in the advance, while we lay in a small ravine that nearly sheltered us from the whistling bullets, which flew thick and fast over us. Occasionally a shell fell amongst us, which wounded a number of men, but killed none. Thus matters stood until about 5 o'clock P. M., when a regiment of rebel cavalry, six hundred strong, made a charge on our battery; but upon their approach the Twenty-fourth Missouri poured a few volleys into them, causing both men and horses to lick the dust. A few of them eame around to our front, who met the same fate as their comrades.

Soon after this charge was made they followed it by a solid body of infantry coming up at " right shoulder shift." Upon arriving in range, their lines were soon opened by our bullets, but as quickly closed again. For a while the battle raged along this line, but a colored regiment on the left of the Thirty-third Iowa, giving way unknown to us, we were

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soon flanked, and under a cross fire. The other regiments fell back, and Colonel Gilbert, seeing our precarious position, ordered us to fol- low suit. We were then between three fires, and had just the space occupied by two companies to get out through; and it was every fellow for himself, or be a prisoner. We twice tried to rally, but were so close pursued by the rebels that we were unable to do so. They fol- lowed in hot pursuit until they came to the next line of battle, which gave them a volley after we had passed their line, which was soon followed by another from the next line. We formed immedi- ately, becoming the third line of battle. We were compelled to hug the ground pretty closely, as their bullets still found their way through the brush; but, being unable to break the line they were forced to fall back. About 9 o'clock we should have gained a complete victory, had not General Banks retreated. A. J. Smith's guerillas, as he called us, covered his retreat. We came off and left our dead unburied, and our wounded to do the best they could. Our brave color-bearer, C. C. Mulick, fell while bringing the colors out, but they were soon grappled by the boys and are safe. Our colonel was slightly wounded in the hand by a buck shot, and, by the way, Colonel Gilbert is as brave a man as ever led a regiment. There were three severely wounded in company H. C. C. Mulick in the hip, H. H. Love, flesh wound in leg, and H. Booth in the hand. The two former were left on the field; others of the company were slightly wounded, and there were a great many hair-breadth escapes. The Twenty-seventh lost eighty-three men, with nine companies engaged. Our loss in the two days' fight was three thousand and thirty-nine, besides the cavalry loss, which has not been reported. In the first day's fight we lost twenty-two guns one hundred and fifty wagons, and ten days' rations. On the second day we took twenty-two cannon; and the prisoners in our hands report their loss as very heavy.

[The first day's fighting must have been on the eighth, in which the Twenty-seventh was not engaged .- E. P.]

On the morning of the tenth, at 3 o'clock, we took up our line of march for Grand Ecore. We marched fifteen miles and camped. The next morning we were again on the march, and reached here in the evening. We found that our boats and supplies had gone up the river, but we had a few rations left, which were soon divided among the boys. On learning the condition our boats were in, we were com- pelled to go and relieve them, as the enemy had planted a battery just below where they lay, and produced a complete blockade. Their posi- tion was such that the gun-boats could not touch them, and they were attacked every day by small bodies of the rebel cavalry until we went to their relief. They had been pretty well aired by round shot and shell, but none were disabled. Surgeons and nurses have been sent out from this place under a flag of truce, to take care of the wounded left on the battlefield. General Banks is censured very much by some of the officers. If General Smith had been in command I think we should have been at Shreveport before this.

HAWKEYE.

FROM THE TWENTY-SEVENTH.

GRAND ECORE, LOUISIANA, April 20, 1864.

MESSRS. EDITORS :- The first number of the Conservative was re- ceived by me at this place ; for which favor, thanks, It will afford me pleasure to send you an occasional letter, informing your readers of the doings of the Twenty-seventh lowa ; but, beyond a mere mention of facts, I will not promise much. The scope of thought with the soldier is almost necessarily limited to consideration of personal mat- ters, and speculations as to the intent and result of military opera- tions. That the past year has seen a wonderful change in the general estimate of the capability of the negro for military service, there is no doubt. The faet has been incontestably shown, that he will not only do for a soldier, but that he makes a good soldier. He endures fatigue and privation without complaint, and he fights bravely. The chivalrous rebel has allowed himself to be excelled in humanity by the freedmen soldiers of the Republic ; and the patriotic soldier of the North can well learn of them how to practice that patient endur- ance of duty and quiet subordination, which must always characterize the true soldier. I am not alone in wishing that we had two hundred thousand more of them in the field, to save our brethren of the North from the toils and dangers of a soldier's life in a climate so deadly to most of them -- but my pen has run away with me.

Assuming that your readers are already acquainted with our part in the Sherman expedition, I will commence with the setting out of the Red river expedition. On the tenth of March it left Vicksburgh, eon- sisting of about twenty transports loaded with troops, and supplies of

every kind, for thirty days; Brigadier General A. J. Smith in command. A heavy convoy of gun-boats joined us at the mouth of Red river, and all started up the stream on the twelfth. Sailed down Atchafalaya bayou to Simmsport. Thence the land forces marched across a fine country to Fort De Russey, near Marysville, which was taken, with small loss, on the fourteenth.

The Twenty-seventh here manifested good intentions, but were un- able to achieve great glory, being left at Marysville until the fight was commenced. They were under artillery fire for some time, and came up to the charge at the moment of the surrender. The fort was in- complete and but feebly garrisoned, but still there was a formidable defence. The spoils were eleven pieces of artillery-mostly heavy guns captured on the Indianola and Queen of the West-nearly four hundred prisoners, and a considerable quantity of amunition and com- missary stores. The works were destroyed, and the last of the expe- dition reached Alexandria on the thirteenth, which was occupied with- out resistance.

A portion of our force under Brigadier General Mown, made a raid and captured a fine battery, and about three hundred prisoners, on the twenty-first. We remained here awaiting the arrival of General Banks' force, and for a rise in the river to enable our boats to go over the falls, just above Alexandria, until the twenty-sixth, when our troops marched to Cotila bayou, some twenty-five miles. The trans- ports joined them on the twenty-eighth, and here we waited till April 2nd for transports to replace the boats of Ellett's Marine brigade, ordered back. On the seventh General Banks' troops, consisting of detatchments of the Thirteenth and Nineteenth corps, having reached Smith's command, formed the rear of the army on the march. Com- pany C, of our regiment, was detailed for guard duty on headquarter transport, Clara Belle, before leaving Vicksburgh, and has remained on board during the whole time. The transports, with suitable con- voy of gunboats, proceeded as fast as the nature of the navigation would allow ; and, on the afternoon of the eleventh, reached Loggy bayou. Here we found an abandoned rebel steamer lying entirely across the river. While making arrangements for its removal, a dis- patch arrived, informing us that a severe battle had been fought ; that our troops were retreating, and ordering the boats to return. The boats at once dropped down the river. We were fired on occasion- ally, as when ascending the stream ; but met with no determined at- tack nntil Tuesday, when the enemy appeared at numerous points, and opened sharp musketry fire. In the afternoon, while a transport was aground, and several others were rendering assistance, the enemy came down on us with a battery and several hundred cavalry. A consider- able force of infantry was also at hand to support the battery. They mamtained the fight with great bravery, for an hour or more, when they retired, leaving their battery. The boats nost exposed to their attacks bad but very few troops aboard, and these managed to keep in shelter. The gun-boats, Lexington and Monitour, engaged the battery, and dealt havoc generally. Some pieces of field artillery on the Clara Bell, and two other transports near by, prevented the enemy from approaching, in any force, within range of musketry. Our loss was probably twelve wounded, some very dangerously. Henry Romig accidentally shot himself through the hand. Our men who went on shore immediately after the fight, say the rebel loss was one hundred and sixty killed, lying near the bank ; and a rebel deserter states it at two hundred and twenty. The next day we came on to another bat- tery, on the north side of the river, which was so well out of range of our gun-boats that its fire could not be silenced. One transport and several gun-boats had passed it in the forenoon ; and, in the afternoon, the Clara Bell was ordered to pass down, lashed to another transport which was disabled. Just before night we did so, the enemy present- ing his compliments of shot and shell lively enough to satisfy the bravest of our crew. Five shot passed through the cabin, some of them exploding on our decks. Luekly enough, being on the main deck none of us were injured. The rebels were unable to depress their guns sufficiently to reach the machinery of the boat.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 60

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 574

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574