History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history, Part 61

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918

USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 61

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Amasa Chapman, Third Corporal. Morriman Carlton, Third Corporal. John C. McMilleu, Fourth Corporal. Samuel B. Stewart, Fifth Corporal. William S. Everett, Sixth Corporal. Samuel Wilson, Seventh Corporal. Ilen y Bishop, Seventh Corporal. Milton H. Stanton, Eighth Corporal. Edward C Mills, Musician. Rufua L. Praslee, Musician. Stephen T. Campbell, Wagoner.

Privates.

Calvin Bradshaw, Garralenus Burris, Peter Cocklin,

Jacob H Baldwin, Ebenezer Cummings, William I. Cocklin, Julın Collins,

Warren L. Dean, William Denny, Ebenezer Friel, Francis R. Howard, Richard Haworth, Allen E. Hawkins, Rufus P. Irwin, Augustus Just, William Kennard,

Joshua M Kear, Alfred Leak,

Burr Mosier,

William McCormick,

Allen J. McCarty,

Augustus Mcclintock, Pierce Maher, Joseph Northgraves, Granville Pierson,

Jacob Neth, Daniel W. Porter,

Samuel Plice, William H. Smith, Frederick A Seamon, Harrison Stevens

James Roberts, David Stype. Horace H. Smith,

Daniel O. Touthaker, Francis C. Wilson,

William L. Whistler, Richard Worth,

William S. Torrence, Johu W. Tuouell, John Wilson, Wooster J. Woodward, Newton L. Mills,

James A. Trent,

Hezekiah Baughman,

James W. Bond,

Divid Duckett,

Stephen T. Campbell, Jesse Casteel,

Simeon Field,

Isaiah Duckett,

Lyman J. Jardine, George W. Hardy,

Martin Obrecht, Jobn Mathew,

Danicl S. Parker, William W. Pike,

James F. Smith, William A. Pugg,

William R. Ferry,

Milton H. Stanton,

TWENTY-THIRD IOWA INFANTRY.

This regiment, one of the bravest and most gallant of that noble army of heroes who bore the State flag of lowa into the jaws of death on many a strongly con- tested field, was organized at DesMoines, and mustered into the service of the Uni-

William R. Collet, William S. Chapman, Lorenzo Decker, Hiram A. Disbrow, John Emmons, James M. Gill, Gerhard A. Hebiug, David Heckathorn, John W. Haag, William Jarvis, Williaus F. Judd, Jacob Ketner, Meritt Littlefield, Edwin Lowe, Joseph McConnell,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

ted States, at that place, on the 10th of September, 1862. The officers at that time were, William Dewey, of Fremont county, Colonel; W. A. Kinsman, of Council Bluffs, Lientenant-Colonel; S. L. Glasgow, of Corydon, Major. After a short time spent in training and drilling the men, the regiment was forwarded to Missouri and assigned to active duty. It became a part of the Second Brigade, Fourteenth Division, and took part in many of the engagements of that body of men.

Col. W. M. Stone, afterward governor of Iowa, but then commanding the brig- ade, in making his official report of the engagement at Thompson's, or Ander- son's, hill and Port Gibson, says: "The following part was taken by the Second Brigade, consisting of the Eleventh Wis- consin, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wood; the Twenty-first Iowa, commanded by Colonel Samuel Merrill; the Twenty- second Iowa, commanded by Major Asher- ton; the Twenty-third Iowa, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Glasgow; and the First Iowa Battery, commanded by Cap- tain Griffiths, in the bloody engagement of May 1, 1863, on Anderson's Hill. About ten o'clock on the night of the 30th of April, when the Fourteenth Divi- sion was on its march from Bruins- burg to Port Gibson, the Second Brigade being in advance, I was called upon to take charge of it, and went imme- diately to the front. My instructions were to reach Port Gibson at as early an hour as possible, and occupy the several bridges across Bayou Pierre, at that place. Four companies of the Twenty-first Iowa, and one howitzer from Captain Griffiths'

Battery, were sent forward as an advance guard. Two of these companies under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Dunlap, a brave and skillful officer, were deployed as skirmishers, and the other two, under command of Major VanAnda, were left back as a support to the howitzers. The balance of the brigade moved in column in supporting distance behind. The road over which we moved passed through a country much broken by gorges and ravines, and thickly covered with tall tim- ber, underbrush and cane, so peculiar to the southern country.

While moving forward in this order, and about three-quarters of a mile from Magnolia church, our skirmishers were fired upon by a heavy picket force of the enemy, posted in an angle of the road. I immediately formed the advance columns in line on both the right and left of the road, and ordered Colonel Merrill forward with the remaining companies of his regi- ment. I then moved them slowly for- ward, covered by skirmishers, uutil I be- came satisfied that we had not yet reached the immediate vicinity of the enemy's main force. We then moved forward in column in the previous order, and as our shirmishers reached the head of the lane in front of Magnolia church, they received a tremendous volley of musketry from the enemy, strongly posted on the right and left of the church.

I again formed the advance companies in line, and sent an order back for the en- tire brigade to move forward to our sup- port. The advance howitzer was placed in a position in the lane; but while these dispositions were being made, the enemy opened a battery upon us at short range,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

throwing shell in' rapid succession all around us. Finding myself in the face of the enemy in a position carefully se- lected with a perfect knowledge of the ground, I concluded at once that we had reached the place where the battle of the night was to be fought. The infantry were formed in line and the batteries or- dered in position on the rear of our ad- vance. In the meantime the howitzer in the lane, cammanded by Sergeant William K. Leebert, was replying to the rebel bat- tery with great spirit and apparent ac- curacy. Soon our entire battery opened upon the enemy, in conjunction with Cap- tain Clouse's First Indiana Battery, and continued to return the enemy's fire with great rapidity until two o'clock in the morning, when by mutual consent the fir- ing on both sides ceased, and our men lay down upon their arms to await the com- ing down, when they were to meet the rebel infantry face to face in bloody com- bat. This artillery duel was one long to be remembered by those who witnessed it. The fire of the rebel batteries, on ac- count of their knowledge of the ground, was quite accurate, and many of our men and horses were disabled by them. The extreme darkness, the screaming and bursting of shells, and the rattle of grape through fences and timber, conspired to render the scene presented by this mid- night battle one of most terrific grandenr.

Soon after sunrise, the battle was re- newed by the enemy, who held their posi- tion during the . night. Their batteries opened upon us with great vigor, and their infantry moved forward to the at- tack. My command was promptly in line, and Captain Griffiths vigorously returned

their fire with his admirable battery. Other brigades and batteries were soon engaged on our right and left, and the two contending forces became hotly engaged. Our position being in the center of the line, I was ordered by Gen. Carr to hold my infantry in readiness to charge the enemy's lines, when the decisive moment should arrive, though we were all the time in range of the rebel artillery and musketry. About ten o'clock it became evident that the enemy were massing their forces upon our immediate front, as their minsketry was increasing in volume, and rapidly advancing towards us. At this juncture, I moved my brigade for- ward in double lines of battalions for the purpose of charging upon the advancing columns of the enemy. We were com- pelled to cross a deep hollow, thickly cov- ered on both slopes with underbrush and cane, but my men moved forward with the spirit and steadiness of veteran troops, and with unbroken lines. When the thicket was passed, and as we advanced into the open field, close to the enemy's lines, we opened our fire upon them with such rapidity and precision, that, unable to resist it, they soon broke and re- treated in utter confusion. This ended the battle of the morning. Our victory was complete. The dead and wounded of the enemy lay thickly scattered over the ground, while their prisoners and small arms that feel into our hands were counted by the hundreds. We remained but a few minutes on the victorious field. I moved at once in pursuit of the retreat- ing foe, and when about one mile from the late field, my advance regi- ment, the Twenty-third Iowa, was

49.2

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

fired upon from the timber. I saw at once that the enemy had been strongly reinforced, and were determined to make another stand. Their position was well chosen, on a high hill covered with tim- ber, and commanding the entire ground over which we were compelled to ap- proach. My command was soon in line, with Captain Griffiths' battery in position, which soon opened with its usual spirit upon the enemy. Simultaneous with this the rebel batteries opened [upon us with accurate range, and for about half an hour we sustained alone the concentrated fire of their infantry and artillery. Finally, other brigades and batteries be- came engaged, and the battle raged with terrific fury along our lines; my com- mand, however, remained in front dur- ing the entire engagement, and all the time under the enemy's fire. They retired only after the battle liad ceased, and the enemy had again retired from the field.

During these five hours' hard fighting, I am proud to say that the officers and men of the brigade acted with the utmost coolness, and with a determined courage that would have done honor to the bravest of troops. They promptly obeyed every command, and displayed a degree of heroism which nothing but the influ- ence of exalted patriotism could have produced.

To Colonel Merrill, of the Twenty-first Iowa; Lieutenant-Colonel Glasgow, of the Twenty-third Iowa; Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, of the Eleventh Wisconsin; and Major Anderson, of the Twenty-second Iowa, I am under great obligations for the coolness and promptitude with which they

obeyed my orders in the various move- ments of the field. Their associate officers, too, are entitled to great credit, all of them, as far as I have been able to learn, performed their duties nobly. To the dauntless and heroic men of the ranks, and the line officers, all honor is due. Never did brave men endure more, with less murmuring than they, during these thirty consecutive hours of hard marching and severe fighting, and when the history of the war is fully written, they will be remembered among the bravest defenders of the Republic. I desire to make par- ticular mention of Captain L. II. Whittle- sey, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, acting Assistant Adjutant General, for his great energy and activity throughout the battle. He was always at the right place at the right time, and almost constantly in the hottest portion of the field. No braver man or truer soldier ever entered the field of battle, and I shall be much pleased to see him occupy a position where his tal- ents and bravery could be more success- fully employed. Lieutenant Jackson, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, and Lieutenant Waterbury, of the Twenty-third Iowa, acting Aids, rendered me essential service, and they both displayed the greatest cool- ness and bravery in carrying orders under the hottest of the fire.

I must also avail myself of this oppor- tunity to express my admiration of the gentlemanly deportment, the coolness and conspicuous bravery of the Brigadier- General commanding the division, during all the severe fighting. His presence on the field during the heaviest of the battle, and the clearness and self-possession with which his orders were given, con-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

tributed much to infuse confidence among all who were under his command.

With me there is a higher significance attached to the victory of yesterday than the mere defeat and rout of the enemy. We fought the veteran troops of the Confederacy, who gloried in the laurels won upon the earlier fields of the war. They were gathered from several States, and were led by a general who fought us at the memorable battle of Shiloh over a year ago. We have met them again, upon more equal terms and in a contest as fierce as Shiloh, considering the num- ber engaged. Hand to hand we fought them, and demonstrated the fact, beyond all dispute, that the fiery valor of the South is no match for the cool and stub- born courage of the Western soldier."

General E. A. Carr, commanding the division, issued the following general order to the troops under his command, congratulating and praising them for their heroic conduct in this conflict:

"I desire to congratulate the officers and soldiers of this division on the bril- liant and successful manner in which they have performed their duty iu the differ- ent conflicts of the late battle near Port Gibson.

* *

Coming from Missouri, where you had endured great hardships during the last winter, you were honored by being placed at the head of the grand army of the Mis- sissippi, and you have proved yourselves well worthy of that honor.

You have encountered and defeated the same men against whom we have so long contended in Missouri and Arkansas, and you have added another wreath to those

you won at Black Water, Blackwell's Sta- tion, Frederickton, Pea Ridge, Round Hill, Hartville, Haines' Bluff, and Post of Arkansas, and I am sure 'you will go on with your glorious achievements until the demon of rebellion shall be destroyed and our land shall once more rejoice in the blessings of peace and prosperity.

While we mourn our fellow-comrades, we cannot forget that they have offered up their lives for the noblest of purposes -that of preserving to their country a government at once free and stable, which shall give, in conjunction with the largest liberty to the citizen, the greatest security for his life and property.

To their friends and to our wounded comrades we tender our sympathies, and hope that time and the thoughts of what they suffer for will soothe their pain and sorrow.

The loss of the First Brigade was- killed, twenty-six; wounded, one hundred and forty-three. That of the Second Bri- gade was-killed, fifteen; wounded, sev- enty-nine. Total in the division, two hundred and sixty-three. This comprises only those placed hors du combat. Scratches are not reported.

When all have done their duty, it is in- vidious to make distinctions, but the con- duct of some individuals seems to merit special mention, even at the risk of leav- ing ont deserving men whose names have not been reported to me. These shall re- ceive their due credit as soon as I am in- formed of their merits.

Brigadier-General W. P. Benton distin- guished himself in daring gallantry and good management during the whole battle.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

Indiana continues to be glorified in her sons.

Colonel C. S. Harris, Eleventh Wiscon- sin, though he had been obliged to give up the command of his brigade on account of illness, was on the field and shared the dangers.

Colonel William M. Stone, Twenty-sec- ond Iowa, who succeeded to the command of the Second Brigade, took his place with the extreme advance guard, at night, during the advance upon the enemy, exposed himself freely, and exerted himself so much that he became completely exhausted in the afternoon, and was compelled to relinquish his command to Colonel Samuel Merrill, Twenty-first Iowa, for above an hour. By his bravery and admirable manage- ment of his brigade, he reflects his new honor on his noble State.

In this engagement, the Twenty-third lost the following men:

Killed-Calvin Johnson, A; J G. Webb, ("; C. C. Batterille, D; Mortimer W. Goss, E; W. II. Cumming, F; Henry Burns, K. Total, six.

Wounded .-- Lieutenant D. P. Ballard, G. W. Smiley, J. E. Banning, H. J. Hiest- and, A; W. Bissel, Henry Carr, G. W. McLanghlin, William Musgrove, B; Wil- liam Woodward, James O'Blennis, C; W. Ilogue, Jacob A. Tabler, D; Captain Wil- liam R. Ilenry, Marshall Craig, E; George T. Cavender, A. A. Brown, William Franks, D. H. Skidmore, E. A. Jones, F; N. W. Iliatt, H; Frank R. Howard, Peter Cocklin, Jacob Neth, I; Alvey Smith, James Hoile, Harrison IIubbard, David Inman, K. Total, twenty-seven.

In the same month, the Twenty-third Iowa achieved immortal honors at the

battle of Black River Bridge, of which they were the acknowledged heroes. At that place but a few minutes were occu- pied in the assault and carrying of the works raised by the rebels, but these were of so serious a nature, and the resistance so stubborn, that although the Twenty- third carried them by storm, it was only at fearful loss. They were supported and assisted by the Twenty-first Iowa, and after the fight, General Lawler passed down the lines and shook each man by the hand. According to Horace Greeley, General Grant called it one of the most brilliant and daring achievements of that momentons campaign.

In all the other engagements that re- sulted in the fall of Vicksburg this cele- brated regiment took a prominent ,part. On the 7th of June, 1863, about a month prior to the fall of that city, about a hun- dred and twenty of the men of the Twenty-third, were surprised by a body of the rebels and although the engagement lasted but a few moments, over sixty of the little band of heroes were either killed or wounded. Captain J. C. Brown, of company I, was among the latter, and was sincerely mourned by his comrades.

In many a stricken field the Twenty- third bore off honors. The principal battles participated in by them, were Jackson, Fort Esperenza and Spanish Fort, and was finally mustered out at Ilarrisburg, Texas, on the 26th of July, 1865. It lost while in the service, forty- one killed, two hundred and thirty-three died, and three captured.

Captain Coe, of company I, resigned soon after the regiment got into Missouri, on account of ill health, and was succeed-

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

495

ed by J. C. Brown. The latter was kill- ed at Milliken's Bend, in 1863, and was succeeded by Capt. J. J. Van IIouten.

The ladies of Lewis presented company I, of the 23d with a beautiful flag, which became the regimental flag, and was the winding sheet of the regiment's Colonel (Dewey) when he died.

Captain J. J. Van Houten, who com- manded company I, of the Twenty-third Iowa regiment of Infantry, died in At- lantic, during the latter part of October, 1884. The Telegraph spoke of him thus: "Captain J. J. Van Houten died at the store of J. C. Yetzer, in Atlantic, last night, between 11 and 12 o'clock. He had been in the employ of Mr. Yetzer for several years and boarded at his house and slept at the store. He had been un" well for several days and last evening was found in the yard back of the store by Charles Chapman, lying down and unable to get up. Mr. Chapman summoned help and carried him into the store. Dr. Reber was immediately summoned and attended him, but he was past medical ·help and he gradually grew weaker, suf- fering greatly until death relieved him of all pain. Mr. Van Houten came to Lewis in January, 1861, and has lived in this county ever since. He was a printer by trade, and set the first type ever printed from in this county. He learned his trade in Des Moines, and was foreman of the Cass County Gazette, published at Lewis, from the time it was established in Jan- uary, 1861, until Angust 1, 1862, when he enlisted in company I, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, and was made orderly sargeant. Ile served three years in defense of his country, and that he was a brave and

faithful soldier all his comrades will tes- tify. He was promoted and when mus- tered out August 16, 1865, was captain of the company. During the many years he had been in the employ of J. C. Yetzer here a friendship had grown up between the two men which rivaled that existing between Damon and Pythias. Van was well known to the citizens of this county, and no man had more friends. He had long been a member of the order of Odd Fellows and also of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the members of those orders as well as the printers of this city will escort the remains to the train this evening. The funeral will occur at Des Moines to-morrow at 2 o'clock, and his ashes will be laid to rest beside those of his parents. Of the family there are now living, one brother and seven sisters, all of whom reside in Des Moines, except two sisters, who live in Florida."

THIRTY-NINTH INFANTRY, COMPANY B. Harvey R. Hitchcock.

THIRTY-NINTH JOWA INFANTRY.

The several companies composing the Thirty-ninth Regiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers were from the following coun- ties: Two from Madison, two from Dal- las and Guthrie, two from Polk, one from Greene, one from Clarke, one from Deca- tur and one from Des Moines. These companies were assigned to the regiment, and its colonel commissioned September 12, 1862; and he was directed to order the companies to rendezvous at Des Moines, and assumed command at once.

The first company reported at Des Moines on the 20th day of September,and

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

within a week all were in camp, except the company from Des Moines county, which did not join the other companies until the removal of the regiment from Des Moines to Davenport. The whole energies of the officers while remaining at camp, Burnside (near Des Moines), were devoted to instructing the men in drill and other duties of soldiers. On the 26th day of October, pursuant to an order from the governor and commander-in-chief, the regiment moved to Camp Herron, Daven- port. Here the men were speedily uni- formed, and, on the 4th of November, armed with Enfield rifled muskets, it re- quiring seven hundred and seventy-three muskets for that purpose.

The regiment was mustered into the United States service by Captain II. B. Hendershott, Second Artillery, Novem- ber 24, 1862. The delay in mustering was caused by two or three companies not hav- ing the minimum number of men, and when mustered, it was upon a special or- der of the war department, to accept the regiment as it was. Captain Hendershott mnstered in an aggregate of eight hun- dred and two officers and men. A mini- mum regiment consists of eight hundred and forty-two rank and file.

While at Davenport (counting a few cases at Des Moines) the regiment had nearly three hundred cases of measles, and the usual proportion of other camp diseases. Many of the men were only convalescent when the regiment was or- dered from Davenport to the front, and forty-one men were unable to move with' the command, and were left behind in hospital.

On the 13th of December the command left Davenport by rail, with orders to re- port to Brigadier General Tuttle, com- manding at Cairo, arriving there on the 14th inst. The regiment lay at that point two days, during which time it received a disagreeable taste of a Cairo rain and sleet. The men were then transferred to a steamboat, but were so crowded that very many experienced for the first time the exposure they soon learned to endure. From the effects of that exposure many were dropped from the rolls during the next six months, under the head of "died" or "discharged."

On the 16th the regiment was ordered down the river, with orders to report to General Davies, at Columbus, Kentucky, who, on their arrival at that place, order- ed them to take cars for Corinth, Missis- sippi, to report to General G. M. Dodge. This day the rebel General Forrest first approached the railroad near Jackson, Tennessee, and upon the arrival of the reg- iment at that place about dark, the com- mand was ordered to debark by Brigadier General Sullivan, commanding the dis- trict of Trenton, Forrest cut the road that evening a few miles north of Trenton, about half an hour after the train convey- ing the Thirty-ninth passed over, cutting off the train following it. The regiment was kept lying behind earth-works at Jackson for four days, a momentary at- tack being expected by the commanding general. Here the men suffered much from short rations, and were unable to cook what they had. It finally became apparent that the move on Jackson was but a feint to hold troops there while Forrest cut the road north of the town.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

On the 22d instant, the regiment, with two others, was sent up the road to drive off the enemy and repair the road. It arrived at Trenton on the 26th, having been much exposed to rain, and deprived almost entirely of sleep on the road and at Humboldt. Forrest was known to be at Huntingdon, some thirty miles east. Other troops were ordered to Trenton, and two brigades were organized, the Thirty-ninth Iowa, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois, and Fiftieth Indi- ana comprising the brigade.

The regiment was ordered to march at dark on the 27th, every man to carry five days' rations and one hundred rounds of ammunition. Not a team or ambulance with the regiment. This was the first march of the regiment. Just from Iowa, many but a couple of weeks out of hospi- tal, all worn out by short rations and loss of sleep, and over-burdened hy carrying rations and ammunitions-those who have been in the service will appreciate the condition of the men. The boys marched all night, going in camp when nearly day- light. At eight o'clock were ordered to again resume the march, and marched all day. The next morning many of the men were completely worn out, others were too foot-sore to proceed, and they were compelled to leave over one hundred men. During the day they attempted to make their way back to Trenton, but at Shady Grove were surrounded by a regiment of Forrest's cavalry and one hundred and one were made prisoners. (They did not rejoin the regiment until in October, 1863).

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Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918