USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 14
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On the morning of March 26th. the Twenty-first, having had the advance for twenty-four hours, was relieved by the Ninety-ninth Illinois and took its place in the line of march, the third from the front. Soon the picket firing of the enemy opened upon the advance. Major-General Granger immediately dis- patched an adjutant to the commander of the Twenty-first, Colonel Van Anda. with orders to advance his regiment to the front at once. This was a great compliment to the gallant regiment from a brave general. When the regiments in front received the order to open ranks for the passage of the Twenty-first. the remark ran along the line, "There is to be fighting in front, there goes the old Twenty-first." About 8 o'clock A. M. four companies were thrown ont as skirmishers, who kept up a continnous fire upon the retreating enemy, often aided by the other companies of the regiment, for ten miles, when the rebels made a bold stand ; and at 9 o'clock P. M. the advance of the regiment drew the fire of the enemy from their earthworks, having driven a large army since 8 o'clock that morning.
On account of the woody nature of the country here. the regiment lost but three men killed and five wounded during the entire day. At 2 o'clock A. M. of the 27th, after having thrown up triangular earthworks for protection the next morning, the regiment was relieved by the Forty-seventh Indiana, and Colonel Van Anda received permission to withdraw to a piece of pine timber about forty rods distant to make coffee, but the men were too sleepy and exhausted to eat or drink, and lay down on their arms. During the night. the One Hundredth and Sixty-fifth New York were formed in the line ocenpied by the Twenty-first the day before, and just at daybreak 800 cavalry dashed upon them with their rebel yells. The New York regiment was panie stricken. threw away their guns and broke for the gunboats. The Twenty-first heard
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
the yell and the first rebel gun and in less time than it takes to tell the story, were in line and drove the rebel cavalry back to their fort like a whirlwind. The One Hundredth and Sixty-fifth New York was disgraced and put on fatigue duty unloading boats. The enemy being driven into their works, preparation for a siege commenced. Pits were dug by every man who could get a spade or shovel. On the night of the 28th, Capt. J. L. Noble, of Company H, was near the rebel forts with a working party, having stacked half their arms, when the entire front was attacked by a large body of the enemy. With admirable bravery and presence of mind. Captain Noble rallied his men to their guns and drove the rebels back in great disorder.
The regiment took active part in the siege until the 30th. when it was with- drawn to escort a supply train to General Steele. April 2d the regiment was ordered to Fort Blakely, marched five miles and eneamped near the Biminet, and at daylight on the 3d took position in the rear of the fort. During the operations against Fort Blakely the men entered the riffe pits at dark on the evening of the 7th and were under the most terrific fire of shells for two hours. After fighting in this position for thirty-six hours withont rest or food, they were ordered to the support of General Smith in a contemplated assault upon Spanish Fort, seven miles away. On the march. three men out of the rank of four would go to sleep and be kept moving by the fourth in turns. The fort. the strongest on the bay, surrendered, however. before the regiment could reach it and when that well known shout of victory went up from around its walls these 600 weary men gave one loud and long cheer, sank down in their tracks and slept until morning. The proud City of Mobile had fallen and the victorious army of the Union were invited by its rebel citizens to come and occupy it. The transportation boats had arrived and the regiment embarked for the city. The bay was full of torpedoes, but a rebel pilot who knew where they were was placed at the wheel. The Twenty-first was landed on the shell road seven miles below. and with the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin ordered to occupy and guard the city. They led the advance of the victorious army. No grander sight was ever witnessed by a soldier. Union men and women who had long and patiently waited for the auspicious hour decorated the heads of the soldiers with beautiful wreaths, and old Stars and Stripes that had not seen the light for years were proudly thing to the breeze. Sergt-Maj. John Dubois received special mention in Colonel Van Anda's report of the operations before Fort Blakely. Soon after the fall of Mobile, the Twenty-first was sent up the Red River for the purpose of paroling rebel prisoners. Having performed this duty. it was ordered to Baton Rouge, where it was mustered out July 15, 1865.
This regiment was mustered out of service at Baton Rouge. July 15. 1865. Officers not otherwise accounted for were mustered out as with the regiment.
REGISTER OF FIELD AND STAFF
Colonel. Samuel Merrill, resigned on account of wounds .Inne 21, 1864.
Lieutenant colonel, Cornelins W. Dunlap, killed in the assault on Vicksburg. May 22. 1863.
Lieutenant colonel, Salue G. Van Anda, appointed May 23. 1863, from major : mustered out. July 15, 1865.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Major, Salue G. Van Anda. appointed May 2, 1862: promoted to lieutenant colonel.
Major, William D. Crooke, appointed May 26. 1863. from captain of Com- pany B; resigned January 27. 1865.
Adjutant, Horace Poole, appointed September 2, 1862; promoted to captain and assistant adjutant general May 17, 1864.
Adjutant, George Crooke, appointed May 4, 1864; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Quartermaster. Charles R. Morse, appointed August 16, 1862; resigned September 23, 1863.
Quartermaster, John S. Platt, appointed October 19. 1863, from private of Company E; mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Surgeon, William A. Hyde, appointed August 20, 1862; resigned November 20, 1862.
Surgeon, William L. Orr, appointed December 2. 1862. from assistant surgeon Third Iowa Cavalry; resigned October 29, 1864.
Surgeon, Dwight W. Chase. appointed November 16. 1864; resigned May 30, 1865.
First assistant surgeon, Encins Benham, appointed Angust 26. 1862; resigned July 26, 1863.
First assistant surgeon, Hiram II. Ilunt, appointed May 4. 1863, from hospital steward Twenty-seventh lowa Infantry ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Second assistant surgeon. Richard A. Barnes, appointed August 27. 1862; resigned March 17, 1863.
Chaplain, Samuel P. Sloan, appointed September 1. 1862; resigned January 5, 1863.
Chaplain, Lorenzo Bolles, appointed January 6. 1863. from private of Com- pany K; resigned July 16, 1863.
Chaplain, James Hill, appointed August 4, 1863: served as first lieutenant Company I ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Sergeant major, William P. Dickinson, appointed September 9, 1862. from private of Company II : discharged on account of wounds November 10. 1863.
Sergeant major, John Dubois, appointed June 1. 1863. from sergeant Com- pany II : mustered out July 15, 1865.
Quartermaster sergeant. Judson G. Hamilton, appointed September 9, 1862. from private of Company A; reduced to ranks at his own request August 31. 1864.
Quartermaster sergeant, Linus P. MeKinney, appointed September 1. 1864. from private of Company G; reduced to ranks at his own request February 1. 1865.
Quartermaster sergeant, Austin E. Cook, appointed February 4, 1865. from first sergeant of Company K ; mustered ont July 15. 1865.
Commissary sergeant, E. H. Townsend, appointed September 9, 1862, From private of Company F'; reduced to ranks November 1, 1862.
Commissary sergeant, Jeffrey A. Parker, appointed November 1. 1862, from private of Company I: mustered out July 15, 1865.
Hospital steward, Rufus L. Grosvenor, appointed November 6, 1862. from private of Company. A : mustered out June 10, 1865.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Musician. William Matson, appointed September 9, 1862, from musician Company A; mustered out June 10, 1865.
Musician. Isaac S. Large, appointed September 9, 1862, from Company A : mustered out June 26. 1865.
COMPANY C
Sergeant. John Cousins, enlisted August 15. 1862.
Private
Lambert. William IL .. enlisted December 12. 1863.
COMPANY H
Captain. Joseph M. Watson, appointed August 23, 1862: resigned January 18. 1864.
Captain. James L. Noble, appointed January 19, 1864, from first lieutenant : mustered ont July 15, 1865.
First heutenant. JJames B. Jordan, appointed August 23, 1862: resigned March 11, 1863.
First lieutenant, James L. Noble, appointed March 11, 1863, from second lieutenant ; promoted to captain.
First lieutenant, Willie E. Brown, promoted to first lieutenant.
Sergeant, John Dubois, promoted to sergeant major.
Sergeant. Ora HI. Melendy, discharged March 19. 1863.
Sergeant. James Heath, discharged January 24, 1863.
Sergeant. David D. Griffith, discharged February 22, 1864.
Corporal. John Van Kuren, promoted to sergeant : died of wounds June 18. 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee.
Corporal, Walter Moon, promoted to sergeant ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Corporal. William W. Wirtz, promoted to sergeant ; died September 5, 1863. at Memphis, Tennessee.
Corporal. Elijah P. Gillespie, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. August 11. 1864.
Corporal. Daniel H. Hinkle, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Corporal, Jason D. Gilbert, promoted to sergeant ; instered out -July 15, 1865. Corporal. Newman S. Preston, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Corporal. Horace B. Duel. mortally wounded as color bearer May 17, 1863; died of wounds May 20, 1863. at Black River Bridge, Mississippi.
Musician, Alvin E. Richmond. died Jine 6, 1864, on Matagorda Island, Texas. Teamster. JJoseph Allen, discharged January 26, 1863.
Privates
Angell, Alfred, discharged July 20, 1863.
Nekley, Martin A., mustered out July 15, 1865. Abbott. George W .. mustered out July 15, 1865. Vol. 1 8
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Allen, William G., discharged December 20, 1864.
Anderson, Charles C., mortally wounded May 22, 1863; died of wounds June 14, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee.
Barnes, Leonard B., mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Blood, Myron D., promoted to first sergeant ; mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Bly, Joseph, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Bohannon, Samuel, mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Carlton, Charles, killed January 11, 1863.
Cassell, Henry, killed in the assault on Vicksburg May 22, 1863.
Cassell, William, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Collins, William, detailed in Pioneer Corps, October 3, 1863: supposed to have died.
Coolidge, Melville, died September 17, 1864, at Memphis, Tennessee.
Crosby, Philus S., discharged January 24, 1863.
Davis, Ira, mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Dickinson, William P., promoted to sergeant major September 9, 1862. Dodd, Thomas C., discharged April 19, 1863.
First, James, discharged August 18, 1863.
Fox, Sylvanus B., promoted to corporal : mustered out July 15, 1865. Gage, Marion, accidentally wounded ; discharged January 24, 1863.
Gilbert, Ebenezer B., mustered out July 15. 1865.
Goldsmith, Alfred, mustered out May 22, 1865.
Gregory, Ezra, mustered out JJuly 15, 1865.
Haigh, William, mustered out June 15, 1865.
Hart, William O., promoted to corporal; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Johnson, John B., died February 20, 1865, in general hospital at Dauphin Island, Alabama.
Jordan, Wade H., mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Kephart, Alfred B., promoted to corporal ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Kephart, Caleb E., died July 28, 1864, at New Orleans, Louisiana.
Keller, Albert N., mustered out JJuly 15, 1865.
Kelley, Daniel, died May 5, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee.
Kenyon, William, killed May 17, 1863.
King, Matthew F .. mustered out July 15, 1865.
Lett, Andrew J., mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Lukenbill, Jeremiah, died October 8, 1864, at Memphis, Tennessee.
MeCormick, Duncan, mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Mabb, Albert, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Marshall, W. N., wounded at Vicksburg: discharged January 24, 1864.
Matsell, Robert E., mustered out May 8, 1865.
Melendy, Charles, promoted to corporal: mustered out July 15, 1865.
Miller, Henry T., transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade February 19. 1864.
Moore, Charles C., mortally wounded May 17, 1863; died of wounds JJune 14, 1863, on hospital boat. D. A. January, near Memphis, Tennessee.
Moore, Elisha B., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Moore, George, mustered out July 15, 1865.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Moore, George W., discharged August 2. 1863; died in hospital at Memphis, Tennessee.
Myers, De Witt.
Nichols, Arthur 11., wounded at Vicksburg : mustered ont July 15. 1865.
Nicholson. William, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Olds, Osmar, transferred to Invalid Corps March 15, 1864.
()'Rourke. Michael, mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Parker, George, M., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Paul, Henry R .. promoted to corporal and sergeant : mustered out July 15. 1865.
Pedro. George V., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Penney. Lewis C., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Potter, Gideon, died March 31. 1863, at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana.
Putman, John W., transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade February 19, 1863.
Quitmeyer, Louis, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Ragan, William 11., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Ridler, John W., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Scott, Allen, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Scott, Aristides R., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Scott, Cornelius, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Shilling. John, transferred to signal corps October 7, 1863.
Simpson, Nelson, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Snodgrass, William 11., mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Shultz, George, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Vesy, Samuel D., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Vosburg. Martin JJ., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Walters, Hliad, promoted to corporal; discharged January 24, 1864. Watts, John, promoted to corporal; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Watts, David, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Weatherby, Theodore G., promoted to sergeant ; mustered out July 15, 1865. Williams, Isaac, discharged April 14, 1865.
Companies H and K were mustered into the service, the first on August 25, and the latter on August 23, 1862, at Dubuque.
Recruits
Annis, Myron T .; Cole, Victor T .; Connor, JJohn D .; Gilbert, Leroy A. : Lan- ning, Nathan; Osborn, Ilenry; Scott, Demosthenes; Williams, Harvey A .: all transferred to Thirty-fourth Jowa July 12, 1865; Gilbert, JJohn A., mustered out July 15, 1865.
COMPANY 1
Second lieutenant, Hiram Buel, enlisted as private March 15, 1862; promoted sergeant, then second lieutenant March 7, 1864; resigned October 24. 1864.
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IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Privates
Fuller, Daniel E., enlisted August 22, 1862; wounded at Black River Bridge May 17, 1863; transferred to Invalid Corps February 15, 1864.
Fuller, F. D .. enlisted Angust 22, 1862.
COMPANY K
Captain, Alexander Voorhees, appointed Angust 20, 1862; mustered out July 15, 1865.
First lientenant, William A. Roberts, appointed August 20, 1862; died of wounds June 15, 1863, at St. Louis, Missouri.
First lieutenant, Henry Harger, appointed June 15, 1863, from second lieu- tenant; resigned January 7, 1864.
First lieutenant, Loyed E. Spear, appointed January 8, 1864, from second lieutenant ; mustered out JJuly 15, 1865.
Second lieutenant, Henry Harger, appointed August 20, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant.
Second lieutenant, Loved E. Spear, appointed June 15, 1863, from first ser- geant : promoted to first lieutenant.
First sergeant. Loved E. Spear, promoted to second lieutenant.
Sergeant, Anstin E. Cook, promoted to first sergeant, and to quartermaster sergeant February 4, 1865.
Sergeant. Gorham K. Nash, promoted to first sergeant ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Sergeant, Addison E. Hopson, mortally wounded May 17, 1863; died of wounds May 23, 1863, at Black River Bridge, Mississippi.
Sergeant, Oliver B. Miller, discharged January 21, 1863.
Corporal, William 1l. Jackson, promoted to sergeant: died July 4, 1863, at Vieksburg, Mississippi.
Corporal. Benjamin F. Metzler, promoted to sergeant ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Corporal, Alexander Phillips, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Corporal, Leonard W. Archer, transferred to Invalid Corps, September 30. 1863.
Corporal, Jacob B. Miller, wounded in the battle at Hartville and at the siege of Vicksburg; mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Corporal, Douglass F. Slawson, mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Corporal, Duncan G. Livingston, promoted to sergeant : mustered ont July 15. 1865.
Corporal, Erastus Smith, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Musician, James Slawson, discharged June 12, 1863.
Musician, Jerome V. Topliffe, died December 28, 1862, at Houston, Missouri.
Wagoner, Leverette S. Stone, captured at Beaver Creek. November 24, 1862; transferred to invalid corps.
Privates
Abbey. Griffin C., promoted to corporal ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Bolles. Lorenzo, Jr .. promoted to chaplain January 6, 1863.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Blue, Ennis, discharged January 21. 1863.
Bryan. Thomas, mnstered out May 9, 1865.
Blood, George W., discharged January 21, 1863. Blood, Wallace W., mustered out July 15, 1865. Bacon. Clinton D .. died August 8, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee. Beeks, James, injured by a falling tree : discharged January 1, 1863.
Cameron, Charles, mustered out July 15. 1865.
Carpenter, Nathan G., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Dalrymple, John A., promoted to corporal; mustered ont July 15. 1865.
Dennis, Jeremiah T .. discharged January 21, 1863.
Dunlap, Preston H., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Dunlap, Thomas B .. mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Dunton. Clemens P., mustered out -July 15, 1865.
Enfield. William, discharged July 21. 1863.
Fear. Freeman, wounded at battle of Hartville: died July 16. 1863. at Mem- phis, Tennessee.
Field, Hiram. mustered out July 15, 1865.
Gosting, Edward. mustered out July 15, 1865.
Goldsworthy. Samuel, promoted to corporal : mustered ont July 15. 1865.
Gildersleeve. Franeis JJ., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Gale. William L .. discharged June 12, 1863.
Grapes, Samnel, mustered out July 15. 1865.
Green. John A .. wounded in Wolf River expedition December 28, 1864; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Guiles, Henry, mustered out July 15. 1865.
Guthrie, Thomas H., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Guthrie. T. Lusk. discharged March 12, 1863.
ITarbach. Calvin B., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Harmon, Merritt W., promoted to sergeant ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Ilaslem, William, killed May 17, 1863.
Hefner, Francis M., killed May 22, 1863.
Ilefner. Harrison. killed January 11, 1863.
Himmel. Christopher M .. died June 2, 1865, at New Orleans, Louisiana.
Hiner. David. mustered ont July 15, 1865.
Iliner, Henry, severely wounded May 17, 1863; discharged for wounds January 19. 1864.
Hiner, William, mustered out -July 15, 1865.
Horton. Arnold F., mortally wounded May 22. 1863; died of wounds May 31. 1863, near Vicksburg.
Jackson, James, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Kahmar, Rheinard, discharged June 28, 1864.
Lees, John, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Lovelace, David, transferred to Invalid Corps February 29, 1864.
Lovelace, Lucius A., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Luchinger, Adam, wounded at Hartville January 11, 1863; discharged March 16, 1863.
MeCartney, James, wounded at the siege of Vicksburg : mustered out July 15, 1865.
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IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
MeCuteheon, William A., promoted to corporal; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Merrick, Reese, mortally wounded May 17, 1863; died of wounds May 22, 1863, at Black River Bridge, Mississippi.
Merry, John F., discharged March 23, 1863; reenlisted June 10, 1864, in Company F, Forty-sixth Infantry.
Meyers, Edwin, mortally wounded May 17. 1863; died of wounds May 20, 1863, at Black River Bridge, Mississippi.
Nolan, John, mustered out July 15, 1865.
O'Brian, Walter M., missing May 15, 1863.
Olmstead, William W., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Paul, Henry, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Pitcher, Reuben, died July 16, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee.
Poor, Joseph, mustered out June 16, 1865.
Preston, William, transferred to Invalid Corps November 16, 1863.
Reid, John H., mustered out June 16, 1865.
Robbins, Amos, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Robinsou, Isaac, died March 25, 1863, at St. Louis, Missouri.
Rieker, John, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Risher, Robert, died April 15, 1865, at New Orleans.
Rutter, Alonzo J., mustered out July 15, 1865.
Simons. George, wounded at Hartville ; transferred to Invalid Corps February 29, 1864.
Simons, Thomas, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Smith, John, died June 19, 1864, at New Orleans, Louisiana.
Stone, Henry B., wounded at Hartville; discharged June 18, 1863.
Southern, Leonard W., mustered ont July 15. 1865.
Sullivan, John, mustered out JJuly 15, 1865.
Talmadge. Edgar L .: died June 4, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee.
Van Antwerp, Jacob, captured at Beaver Creek, November 24, 1862 ; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Voorhees, Charles C., promoted to sergeant ; mustered out July 15, 1865. Williams, John W., died July 16, 1863, at St. Louis, Missouri.
Wilson, Allen L., mustered out July 15, 1865.
White, Ward, discharged April 21, 1863.
Recruits
The following were transferred to the Thirty-fourth lowa, July 12, 1865 : Albinger, Joseph; Afford, Cornelius E .; Blood, George W .; Crosier, Cassius M .; Dalrymple, Isaiah ; Davenport, Leonard: Dunlap, Ephraim ; Edgington, Marion S .; Green, Newton ; Green, William ; Hamblin, Philander; Houston, Joseph N. : Karch, Michael; Kerle, Robert Jones; MeCutcheon, James Il .; Midkiff, Preston ; Porter, Henry G .; Robinson, Henry; Smith, Merritt A .: Srack. Robert B .: Tompkins, William; Webb, Lawrence; Ninuns, Charles, died March 12, 1865, at Dauphin Island, Alabama ; Decker, Clark, deserted from One Hundred Seventy- seventh Ohio; returned May 10, 1865.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
TWENTY-SEVENTIL INFANTRY
Company F. Twenty-seventh Regiment, was formed at Greeley in 1862, from men enlisted in Coffin's Grove, Manchester and Greeley. The people of Greeley gave the men a bountiful dinner and presented the company with a flag on the day they met and chose their officers. The regiment went into eamp for drill at Dubuque but was sent to Minnesota in October of that year to aet as escort to the offieers paying the friendly Indians in that state. The command was then ordered to Cairo and thence to Memphis. The regiment was moved under Sherman, in the demonstration against the rebels at the Tallahatchie. December 21st. six companies of the regiment moved into Holly Springs, just vaeated by Van Dorn. In January. 1863, the regiment took part in the engagement at Lexington, Ten- nessee, where Forrest was badly trouneed. In August, the regiment was sent to Arkansas and assisted in the capture of Little Rock. It remained at that place till November, when it returned to Memphis.
The following extract from a letter published in the Delaware County Union of April 1. 1864, from Lient. W. N. Boynton, of the Twenty-seventh łowa Infantry. dated Vicksburg. March 10. will give some idea of the services performed by that regiment :
"We have just returned from one of the biggest marches ever made by in- fantry during this war, having marched entirely across the State of Mississippi and back again, a distance of 475 miles : and this, too, without finding any force of the enemy worth mentioning. We left Vicksburg on the 3d of February and returned on the 5th of March. having had some of the prettiest weather ever known at this time of the year. It only rained a part of two days during the entire time. We destroyed fifty-five miles of railroad, burned nine towns, viz. : Jackson (the remnant ). Morton, Brandon, Hillsboro. Decatur, Meridian, Enter- prise (by the Seventh Army Corps), Marion, Marion Station and a little town called Union. All of these were most effectually cleaned out. We also burned eighteen railroad bridges, twenty-two water tanks and seven railroad depots, cotton and cotton gins too numerons to mention. Dwelling houses also caught a foretaste of the future. In fact. complete devastation and desolation followed us everywhere. Never had I had better reasons for thanking my 'lucky star' that war was not in the 'land of my home,' than on this occasion. Well may the people of the North thank God, or 'Grant's big guns, with fighting boys to man them,' that war is not at their doors."
March 10. 1864, the regiment started from Vicksburg on the Red River expedi- tion and four days after assisted in the capture of Fort DeRussey. Colonel Woods says the regiment moved too rapidly for a long charge, but all the time under good control. The boys mounted the parapet and fired on the rebels, who immediately raised the white flag and surrendered. The regiment reached Grand Ecore, Louisiana. April 4th and on the 9th was in the engagement at Pleasant Hill. Cavalry charged upon the position occupied by the Twenty- seventh, resulting in the annihilation of the attacking foree. Later in the day the regiment was under a heavy fire for two hours and came near being eap- tured, owing to the other forces nearby having withdrawn. When the order rame to retreat. the regiment was being pressed hard on the flanks, but after a sharp struggle, marched off in line, and in good order. Captain Holbrook, of
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