USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 61
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The Diadem, with the sick of the Twenty-seventh, was to follow us ; but, luckily, the enemy saw fit to leave in order to avoid capture by a strong detachment of troops then marching from this place to protect the boats. That evening we met the regiment at Campter, and learned the full extent of the loss. I do not now recollect the names of those from our county. The loss of our brigade, which does not in- elude the missing, is as follows : Twenty-seventh lowa ; killed, two ; wounded, seventy-six. Fourteenth lowa ; killed, eighteen ; wounded, sixty-two. Thirty-second Iowa ; killed, twenty-nine ; wounded, a hundred and thirty-two. Twenty-fourth Missouri ; killed, nine ; wounded eighty-six, Third Indiana battery ; three wounded. The
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loss of the remainder of our division was twenty killed, one hundred and sixty-eight wounded.
The whole permanent loss to the Twenty-seventh, will, I hope, not exceed twenty-five or thirty. Many wounds are very slight. Some of the most severely wounded were left in the hands of the enemy. The losses of our whole force are probably nearly three thousand, and the enemy's loss about the same. Our loss was greater in prisoners, the enemy's in killed. The troops all fought well, and the Twenty-seventh was not outdone by any. 1 will write you again from Alexandria.
FROM THE SAME, May 20th.
The fleet of transports arrived at the falls just above Alexandria, on the twenty-third ultimo, and all passed down to the landing in two or three days. Ten heavy-draft gun-boats were enabled to come down. The Eastport-heavy iron-clad-was aground forty miles above, as was also the Hastings, a sort of independent transport. They were destroyed as effectually as possible. On Tuesday, the twenty-sixth, the whole army had arrived. On or about the first in- stant, General Smith's command was thrown out several miles, where they remained till the thirteenth, occasionally engaging in slight skirmishes. The remaining infantry and cavalry were camped around the town in every direction. Large parties were engaged in handling quartermaster and commissary stores, in bringing in sugar and cotton and putting it on boats, and in building a dam at the foot of the falls, which was commenced by Admiral Porter, on the thirtieth ultimo. It was a very lively town for two weeks. On the morning of the thir- teenth, the last gun-boats were safely over. The dam was an extensive work, and reflects great credit upon the chief engineer, Lieutenant Colonel Bailev, of a Wisconsin regiment.
The entire fleet and army left Alexandria on the thirteenth instant, General Smith's command and some cavalry having the rear. In the morning, some person, said to be a soldier, set fire to a building on Front street, about opposite to the centre of the town. Exertions were made by our men to prevent the spreading of the fire. Houses and churches were torn down and blown up, but to no purpose. The fire was raging at 3 o'clock P. M., when the fleet left, and, from what I can learn, fully one-half of the town was consumed.
Of course, there was no apology for the incendiary-nor is there much sympathy in the army for the citizens. They have brought, by their rebellion, an army into their midst, and they must expect not only to submit to the proper and authorized results of military occupation, but also to suffer from unmilitary, unauthorized and wanton acts of those bad inen who are to be found in every army. As to making war upon women and children, the only question in my mind as to whether it is most proper to shoot the rebel father and husband, or to burn down the shelter of his family, is one of policy. If, by the latter course, be could be induced for a brief season to forego the exercise of his amiable intention to kill me, and devote his little furlough to the reinstatement of his household goods, I am almost certain that 1 should incline to the incendiary policy. Besides, who knows but the endearments of con- jugal and filial society, might soften the heart of the stern warrior, and bringing his modern Zantippe to insist upon an extension of his fur- lough, with a slight portion of the vehemence with which she once bade him go out and exterminate the hated "Yanks," and bring her a nice skull for a drinking cup. These feminine(?) characters are no myths. As to exasperating any body down here, that can't be done. They are just as savage now as they dare be.
The fleet was but little disturbed on its way down. It arrived at the mouth of the Bayou Atchafalaya on the fifteenth, and dropped down to the place of our previous landing, above Simmsport, the next day. A large number of transports were waiting, and a bridge of boats was formed, and the extensive trains of General Banks' commenced crossing at once, Several boats were also engaged in ferrying. On the eighteenth there was sharp fighting between the enemy and the First and Second brigades of Smith's division, with cavalry-the artillery fir- ing said to be heavier than on our lines at l'leasant Hill. Our loss is estimated at fully two hundred-a large portion of the wounds severe. The loss of the Twenty-seventh is four dead and fourteen wounded. Charles Coulon, company H, isamong the dead. Hoover, same con- pany, is severely wounded. The enemy was entirely satisfied and did not renew his attacks. We leave this afternoon for Red River landing, where our troops will arrive in the morning, when we take them on board and leave for Vicksburgh. We learn that General Smith is pro- moted, and we all say deservedly. H. C. H.
FROM THE SAME, VICKSBURGH, May 31, 1864.
MESSRS. EDITORS :- The masterly retreat of the Red river expedi- tion is completed, and the army is safe. After the battle of the Old
Oaks, on the eighteenth, the enemy concluded to let us depart in peace. The summary of the results of the expedition, which I sent you some time since, needs no particular amendment, except the addition of the loss of the boats mentioned in my last, and of about two hundred men lost on the march from Alexandria, and at Old Oaks. A senseless plan was most miserably executed. What business thirty thousand men had in that country at the present juncture, no one knows. But for the probability of capturing cotton and sugar, it is certain they would never have been sent there. General Banks' policy has always been to scatter his men all over the country. If cotton- traders are permitted, encouraged, and assisted, the inference is plain that General Banks is largely in the cotton business. If he is not, he has taken such a course as to induce the belief, and must suffer accord- ingly. The strictures of the northern press upon his operations are heartily endorsed by the army. General Canby assumes his command with the full confidence of the army in his integrity and military ability. Some of both companies C and H are sick, but I believe none dan- gerously. H. C. H.
FROM THE SAME, MEMPHIS, June 18, 1864.
MESSRS. EDITORS :- The regiment has now been eight days at this place, and is recruiting quite fairly, though under rather unfavorable circumstances. Our camp is just in the suburbs of the city, is only partially shaded, and is too small. The supply of shelter tents, or their substitute, rubber blankets, is also insufficient. The shelter tents are made of fine cloth, and of so small dimensions as to expose both head and feet to every driving rain. However, it is generally voted a fine place in comparison with Red river. Orders to march, and to be pre- pared to march, have been frequent during the week; but, to our great satisfaction, have been seasonably countermanded. Forrest's operations are evidently watched from this point, and no one can predict when we may be after him. The defeat of General Sturgis at Guntown and Ripley is not as bad as at first reported; but it was a severe blow, not only in the loss of men, but in artillery, stores, and transportation. The two regiments of negro troops engaged are reported to have fought with great determination and bravery, A detachment of the Fifty-ninth, numbering two hundred and forty men, which had been reported as captured entire, came in on the night of the fourth day of the fight, bearing their colors. It is reported that the rebels put to death the colored soldiers captured. That course will hardly pay them; for the colored troops and their officers are not to be scared out of the fight by this added danger, On the contrary, they will go in and retaliate, to the full satisfaction of rebels.
Several regiments of hundred days' men have arrived, and passed down the river. The Forty-seventh Iowa were sent to Helena. While here the boys were visited by their acquaintances in our regiment. Cap- tain Herrick and his company are doing well. The regiment seems to be made up too much of boys. It seems to me poor policy, unless the men are all gone out of lowa.
There have been several changes in the commissioned officers of the Twenty-seventh. Lieutenant Sill has been promoted to captain, and First Sergeant l'oor has been promoted to first lieutenant, in company C; Lieutenant Wilcox, company H, promoted to captain commissary of subsistence on the general staff; and Lieutenant Harrington, adju- tant, is promoted in regiment of colored troops. There are, I think, about six hundred and twenty men and officers present with the regi- ment, and nearly two hundred absent, sick, and on detached service. H. C. H.
CAMP TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA INFANTRY, } MEMPHIS TENNESSEE, July 25, 1864. 5
EDITORS CONSERVATIVE : Since my last, dated at Moscow, Ten- nessee, the Twenty-seventh has added another to the list of its marches, and lost no credit by its conduct on the battlefield. On the fifth instant, a force of fifteen thousand, consisting of two divisions of infantry, a brigade of colored troops, the usu il proportion of artillery and cavalry, all under the command of General A. J. Smith, moved from Lagrange, Tennessee, in a southerly direction. We marched from Davis' mill, our first camp, by daily marches of ten or twelve miles, through Riply to Pontotoc, which we reached on the eleventh. Here the enemy showed themselves for the first time, and on the roads lead- ing to Okolona. Resting over the twelfth, the army took up the march for Tupelo, eighteen miles distant, early in the morning of the thirteenth. This day the enemy attacked our rear and made desperate efforts to destroy the train, but were beaten off at all points with severe loss. The Twenty-seventh was the advance of the infantry, and saw nothing of these fights. The enemy showing so decided a dispo- sition to display his powers, General Smith disposed his troops in fighting order, in a good position, and camped for the night. Early
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next morning skirmishing commenced along the lines, and further dis- position of troops for a general engagement was made. The attack began, along a large part of the line, at about 7 o'clock, and lasted till Io o'clock, Two regiments of the second brigade were used as a re- serve protection to the train, and the Twenty-fourth Missouri and Twenty-seventh Iowa to the front, to support batteries. The Twenty- seventh was little exposed to fire, it being in a hollow and the bullets, shot and shell passing over our heads. Only a very few were wounded. The repulse of the enemy was decisive, with an estimated loss of five to one.
At night we were called out to repel an attack on our left, which was done quickly, after the preliminary "brilliant" operation of shoot- ing a few of our own pickets, who were very gallantly holding their own position.
The next day the return march was taken up. The enemy attacked our rear and train, but as usual were handsomely beaten. They, how- ever, followed closely with cavalry and mounted infantry ; drove in our cavalry pickets, and planting a gun on a hill commanding our camp, threw in shell with great precision. The Fourteenth and Twenty-seventh Iowa were at once put in line, and advanced through woods, brambles and creeks, emerging into a large cornfield. These regiments formed the right-other regiments and dismounted cavalry being on the left. We advanced steadily through the field, delivering fire as occasion offered, the enemy retiring before us to the crest of a hill beyoud. After resting awhile, a part of the regiment laying down to avoid bullets, grape, and canister, a further advance was made and the enemy left. This was his last appearance with any considerable force.
The Twenty-seventh lost, during the raid, about thirty men which was a greater loss than that sustained by any other regiment of the di- vision. G. R. Parish, company C, was struck with a spent ball, but is now on duty. S. Mckinney and N. Eddy, company H, lost each a finger.
What was the object of the expedition I do not know ; but the re- sults are a loss of about three hundred and fifty men, in killed, wound- ed, and missing. The enemy's loss is variously estimated at from one to three thousand. This disparity is accounted for by the fact that the enemy, in all cases, by the generalship of our command, were forced to make the attack. They were in all attacks repulsed-in no instance did they drive us from our position.
The return was not a retreat ; it was intended from the start, and deliberately executed. I infer that the true object of the movement was to divert the attention of Forrest. I will add that the colored troops bore an honorable part in these fights, and have proved their reliability. The Third division took the advance at Collierville and ar- rived here on the twenty-third, well worn out. It is currently rumored that we are booked for another move at once, and it is probably true. The general health of the regiment is as good as could be expected. H. C. H.
["Hawkeye," Benjamin J. Miller, of company H, another correspondent of the Conservative, gives (as fol- lows) some additional incidents of their forward and retrograde movements, which characterized the military operations of this department .- E. P.]
CAMP TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA, NEAR MEMPHIS, } July 26, 1864.
FRIEND BARNHART :- After a hard march and hard fighting, we have again returned to what we might term "our home," for a short stay I presume. The correspondent of your paper, H. C. H., has doubtless given your readers a full account of the fight on the thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth instants before this. On the evening of the thirteenth the rebels attacked our train near a small town called Harrisburgh, located a few miles west of the Mobile & Ohio railroad, killing a few mules and frightening the drivers considerably. The train was well guarded by the Fourteenth Wisconsin and Twelfth Iowa, which were soon formed in line and poured in a few volleys upon them, when the rebs took to their heels. We came into camp the same evening and bivouacked in line all around our train to secure it from surprise. On the morning of the fourteenth the rebels com- menced shelling our train, which proceeding annoyed us very much. Our batteries were planted in good positions, and worked to good pur- pose. The enemy massed heavily on our lines leading from Tupola to Iontotoc. The Third Indiana battery gave them double charges of grape and canister, and the Second Iowa and Second Illinois batteries, well supported, drove them from their position. We were
protected by a small hill directly in our front, but were compelled to hug the ground closely to avoid the bullets which flew thick and fast over us. At night we disposed of our meagre supper and lay down, but not to rest; for we were soon aroused by a volley of musketry from the colored brigade. Companies A and B were left out as skirmishers in the evening when the regiment fell back, and meeting too great odds they were retiring slowly. A volley was fired into their ranks when they saw fit to withdraw, and we took our position of the evening pre- vious. The cavalry succeeded in destroying the railroad at Tupola and some important tressel work below the town. Our rations run- ning short, limiting us to one cracker a day, we were forced to retire as speedily as possible.
CAMP TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, } HOLLY SPRINGS, August 8, 1864.
MESSRS. EDITORS :- As I wrote you, the Twenty-seventh came down to this place on Thursday last, since which time we have occu- pied a tolerably pleasant position east of the town. The full effects of Van Dorn's operations at this point (in December, 1862) appears in the ruined walls of all the depot buildings, and of all the principal business buildings up town. There are no marks indicating that busi- ness had been carried on in the place since our first occupation. Like all towns I have been in which were occupied by rebels, it is desolated; improvements of every kind are neglected, and all shows that war is abroad in the land. Alexandria, Louisiana, does indeed furnish an exception to this statement.
The whole of General Smith's forces are now said to be in this vicin- ity. and our regiment is under orders to be ready to march at an hour's notice. We shall likely move south to the Tallahatchie, and on to Oxford and Grenada. This, however, is mere speculation, as we have a general who develops his plans only by the orders for their exe- cution. There is an opinion prevalent that we shall be at Memphis in a few weeks. The health of the regiment is generally good, and but few are left behind on this march. None have returned who have been furloughed since July Ist. We expect strong reenforcements when we return. The troops make great havoc of the products of the country, and thrive thereon remarkably well. Apples and peaches are ripening and are plentiful. Green corn is a staple, and considerable quantities of potatoes are developed by our best jayhawkers. On the whole we are doing well.
Promotions in the regiment have been made as follows: Sergeant G. P. Smith, company G, to be quartermaster, and Sergeant Major C. H. Lewis to be adjutant. These promotions, especially that of Sergeant Major Lewis, are considered as very fit to be made. The weather in Dixie, this summer, though warm, is entirely tolerable. The same daily breezes prevail here which afford such pleasurable relief upon the prairies of the west. Rains have not been frequent, nor has there been any lack of water. On the night of our arrival here there was a shower which was so severe and long continued as to leave scarcely a dry man in the regiment. We don't want any more like it.
The general feeling of the army is that we shall prevail. All that is required is an exercise of that fortitude which the rebels have so well taught us by their example. Of personal bravery we have enough, as is attested by every battlefield. But have we national courage and fortitude which will insure the prompt reenforcement of our shattered armies, and thus crown our arms with entire and final success? We, down here, believe it and believe that the Union is well nigh restored. But if Sherman or Grant is unsuccesful, why, try again. It is no time to go back-to yield-after having spent so many millions and lost so many thousands of brave lives. The blood of heroes slain would ery out against an abandonment of the advantages which their deaths have helped to purchase. No, we must go on, and shall prevail. More from our next stopping place. H. C. H.
CAMP TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA, NEAR MEMPHIS, { August 31, 1864. 5
MESSRS. EDITORS :- For the sixth time we are agam camped in the suburbs of this goodly city. The history of our travels since my last, from Holly Springs, is as follows:
On the seventeenth instant we marched to Waterford, about ten miles south, on the Mississippi Central railroad. The place is of no impor- tance except as a railroad station. On the eighteenth marched to Ab- beyville, also a small town and station, three miles south of the Talla- hatchie river. Passed in sight of Fort Noble, and other similar earthworks, garrisoned by our regiment in the latter part of 1862, I was much amused and interested by the various reminiscences of that campaign, which our approach to well known localities brought up. The defence of Fort Noble by company C against rebels that never came-the capture of the attendants at our regiment hospital, and the
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gallant and ineffectual pursuit after the successful rebels-the sad inci- dents attending the death of poor Leuder-the rapid march to Holly Springs; and any number of exploits in foraging, were all described with the greatest minuteness. It was conceded by all, however, that our first campaign was by no means the most severe.
At Abbeyville we were detained two days by a heavy rain, during which time we amused ourselves in trying to keep as comfortable as possible. The facilities for such a purpose afforded by a single blanket per man, are found somewhat deficient. The march was recommenced Sunday, the twenty-first, over very heavy roads. The distance made was seven miles. Next day our division had the rear, and had just commenced the march when a general halt was made for several hours, and about the middle of the afternoon our return march commenced our advance had reached Oxford. Noon of the twenty-fourth found us in camp on the Tallahatchie, where we remained till the twenty- fifth, awaiting the construction of the bridge. Holly Springs was reached on the twenty-sixth. Remained there till the twenty-eighth, and marched hither in three days. The distance is fifty miles, over a very fine country now mostly uncultivated. The reason of our return was undoubtedly the reception of dispatches concerning Forrest's raid on Memphis, confirming previous information that the enemy would not present themselves in our front in any considerable force. I infer that the series of "side shows" of this sort are now "played out," and that instead of being kept here for fruitless raids after Forrest, the surplus men of this army will be sent where they can do good.
The intention of all our movements here has been to create a divi- sion of the enemy's force. The enemy are not drawn away from their strong points, and our force is thus rendered entirely ineffective. Rumors are rife that we are to go to Atlanta in a few days.
The health of the regiment is good-the supply of fruit has been abundant and freely appropriated, and the consequence is an almost entire exemption from fevers. When the furloughed nien return to the regiment it will be, perhaps, in as good a condition for effective field service as it has been heretofore. H. C. H.
ON BOARD STEAMER BELLE MEMPHIS, 1
CAIRO, ILLINOIS, September 7, 1864.
MESSRS. EDITORS :- You will see by above date that the surmises contained in my last are verified. The Twenty-seventh is again travelling, and it is currently believed that the point of destination is some place beyond Atlanta. The whole Third division is now here and on the river, and the Second is expected to follow on its return from White river, where it was sent a few days since. The several divisons of the Sixteenth corps will very likely soon be reunited under the command of either General Smith or General Dodge. The re- moval of these troops, and the return of the one hundred days' men, together with the sending of the second division of cavalry into the de- partment of Arkansas, will very materially lessen the forces heretofore operating in the district of Memphis.
We arrived here at an early hour this morning, and may remain an hour or a week just how long is unknown. There are now present with the regiment very nearly five hundred men. All men able to travel have been returned from hospitals, and also men on detached duty. There are yet many absent on sick furlough and in various hos- pitals. It is rather a serious matter when nearly three-eights of a reg- iment are absent for such a cause, but many regiments have such reports to make. Companies Cand H have a few sick-none danger- ously.
First Sergeant G. W. Smyzer has been promoted to the second lieu- tenancy. Major Howard, Captains Hemenway and Granger and Lieutenants Bedung, Robins and Sims are returned fromn absence or sick furlough. Lieutenant Colonel Lake has returned and is now in command of the regiment.
The question of the enforcement of the draft is exciting considerable discussion. It seems to be agreed that the last men called for must be forthcoming at once, in order to take full advantage of our present successes, and it is very generally believed that there will be no post- ponement. Let them come, we say, and let us conquer without delay. The army demand the most vigorous policy possible, knowing that in this manner only can the L'nion be preserved.
The nomination of AcClellan is satisfactory to many, and mainly on the ground that he is the man to carry on the war. Unconditional peace men are scarce. Enough of this. I just hear that we are to tranship to the Souix City, probably for Louisville. The pay rolls are being signed, and we expect a supply of greenbacks which will be very acceptable just now. You will hear from me again when opportunity offers.
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