USA > Iowa > History of the Fifteenth Regiment, Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, from October, 1861, to August, 1865, when disbanded at the end of the war > Part 17
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15
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
RECAPITULATION.
Killed.
Mortally.
Wounded
Wounded
Total
Wounded.
Missing
Total
Casualties.
Field and staff
No 1-Commissioned Staff.
" A" Company .
4
. . 19
.. 21
.0
.. 25
" B" Company
1
5
. .6
. . 11
. . 1 .. 13
" C" Company .
.1
1 . . 13
.14
.. 0 .. 15
" D" Company
4 . . 14
.. 18
.1
.22
" E" Company .
4
3
. . 17
.. 20 . .1
.25
" F " Company .
8
.17
.. 20
.0
.23
"G" Company
.13
.. 14
.. 2
.. 17
"H" Company .
2 . . 16
.. 18
.1 .. 20
" I " Company
.4 ... 6
. . 15
.. 21
.1 .. 26
" K" Company .
2
.5
.
.12
.. 17
.4 .. 23
Total
24.
.. 32
.146
.178
. . 11
.213
3
... 3
0
.3
1
.1
.. 1
.1
1
. 1
NOTE: Without original lists of casualties, it is impossible to make a list that will agree with the number stated in the reports of battles, and, after the reports have been forwarded to headquarters, other casualties are always found.
Adjutant Pomutz states, about noon the divisions of Generals Prentiss and Sherman on the left and front of McClernand's were pushed back to their second and third lines, and before a brigade sent by the latter to reinforce Sherman could occupy the position assigned to it, that division was again compelled to fall back, prin- cipally by reason of an Ohio brigade having given way precipi- tately, by which McClernand's left became suddenly exposed (see McClernand's report to General Grant, April 24, '62), in addition to his right already being so.
The Regiment suffered severely, the total loss being 188, which of the number engaged, 760 makes over one-fourth of its effective force. The enemy were outflanking the 15th and 16th on the right and left, there was no artillery to support their line. Finally, after more than two hours resistance, it became necessary for the two regiments to fall back, when to the fire in front those from the two flanks were added, or to run the evident risk of both being captured by overwhelming numbers. The 15th was still advan- cing on the enemy, when the order to fall back, as given by Gen-
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
eral McClernand, was communicated to the line officers on the right of the 16th Iowa ( which was on the immediate right of the 15th, ) and was passed along the lines to the line officers of the 15th, when first the 16th, then the 15th, commenced falling back in some disorder. This disorder could and undoubtedly would have been prevented had the order been communicated to the Colonels commanding these Regiments, but as Lieutenant Freeman and another staff officer of General McClernand had already been wounded in car- rying orders in this part of the fight, and as the firing was very heavy at the points where Colonels Reid and Chambers were posted, it is to be presumed that the officer who carried the order thought he had sufficiently performed his duty by delivering it at the point of least danger-on the right of the line. Generals Mc- Clernand and Sherman were both present during the fight, and immediately after these Regiments fell back across a ravine, some 400 yards to.the rear, commenced reforming their lines nearer the landing preparatory to the great conflict which took place later in the day, and which turned victory in favor of our arms.
Meanwhile General Hurlbut's Division, then in the rear and re- serve, received and checked the advance of the enemy .
Great credit is due to the officers and men of the Regiment for having thus proved themselves, on a terrible field, to be of a good mettle under the most discouraging circumstances, resulting from the attack by the enemy on Prentiss's and Sherman's Divisions in the early morning and from the enemy's following up his advan- tages, thus gained by rapid advancing and bringing up his superior overwhelming numbers along the whole line. To the fire, by bat- tallion and by company of the enemy, the Regiment answered with fire by file, which was the only possible firing by men who never had a chance to learn the other modes before they were placed on one of the most terrific battle-fields, and which proved to be most destructive to the enemy .
.
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
By the statement of First Lieutenant J. B. Clark, of the First Rebel Tennessee Battery, which was opposite the position of the 15th and 16th lowa, and lost heavily, within its first hour of the fight its Captain and Second Lieutenant being killed, besides the First Lieutenant shot through his right jaw, and 31 others killed and wounded, and 19 horses disabled, it had to be relieved before their next advance was tried.
Among the officers of the Regiment most conspicuous for their gallant conduct Colonel Reid stands foremost. He displayed an iron energy equal to the emergency of the situation, inciting the men to stand their ground and imparting his contempt of danger to the entire command. He received a severe wound in the back of the neck, the ball passing through close to the jugular vein, and although paralyzed by it, he fell from his horse, he soon was seen remounted and continued in command through the remainder of the fight.
Major Belknap and Adjutant Pomutz, both also mounted, were on hand wherever their presence was required along the line, keep- ing the men deployed whenever there was a tendency on their part to collect into groups, and exhorting the same that instead of firing too rapidly they deliver their fire with steady and deliberate aim. Both were wounded-the Major in the back of his shoulder and his horse shot under him, the Adjutant receiving towards the end of the fight a severe wound in the left thigh; continued on horse- back until weakened by loss of blood he was thrown by his horse.
Assistant Surgeon W. H. Gibbon established his primary at a distance of 250 yards in rear of the Regiment, there attending to the wounded brought in from the line, amongst occasional showers of bullets crossing his temporary hospital. No other surgeon at that time nor ever since was known to have ever selected a place for his primary so close to the fighting line. The Regiment not having been brigaded in any of the Divisions, it was attached to
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
Hurlbut's Fourth Division during the afternoon of the 6th and 7th, when the enemy was driven some seven miles towards Corinth.
A REMINISCENCE OF SHILOH.
Sunday morning, April 6th, 1862, the 15th Iowa arrived at Pitts- burg Landing, after the Regiment had marched off the boat and were engaged in making coffee. I was detailed as one from Com- pany B, being 4th Corporal, to go after ammunition and assist in issuing it to the men of the company, while engaged in that duty, Colonel H. T. Reid standing near me was approached by a man who asked him what Regiment that was. Colonel Reid answered the 15th Iowa. The man then said: After the men have had their coffee and received their ammunition, to move to the top of the bluff and stop all stragglers and await further orders. Colonel Reid looked at him, when the man said, I am General Grant.
After being in position on the bluff for some time we were or- dered to advance. Captain W. T. Smith, on looking at his watch, said, remember it is 20 minutes past 8. The history of the more than 3 hours fight we had is familiar to all. After the Regiment was flanked on the left and right we fell back through an open field in which were the camps of the 11th and 13th Iowa. In going back I came across Major Belknap, he being severely wounded but able to take care of himself. He asked me what company I belonged to, and on telling him he said he had a small bottle in his side pocket, and if I would get it out its contents might do us good. It was done. The Major said we must stop in the edge of the timber and reform as many of the Regiment as possible, which was done, and some 200 men of the 15th, some of the 16th, and a few men from an Illinois Regiment. While standing in line General Grant, with some of his staff, rode along in front, and out in the open field. Seeing us he rode to where Major Belknap was stand- ing, and asked him what troops they were and what they were doing. Major Belknap informed him, and General Grant said,
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
can you depend on the men. The Major replied: yes, or I could not have halted them here. Then General Grant told him to go with one of his staff officers, calling him by name, to a certain por- tion of the field to support a part of the line there. General Grant then asked Major Belknap his name. When told, General Grant said, "Any relation of Colonel Belknap of the Old Army?" The Major replied : "He was my father!" General Grant then held out his hand to him and said: " I knew your father well, and was with him in Mexico!"
If you will take the time, the distance to the field where we fought, the time we held the line, and allow some time for collect- ing the men where we halted, you will find that it was about the time that General Buell says he met General Grant on a steamboat. And then recalling the time when General Grant first spoke to Colonel Reid, it is an easy matter to decide as to the hour of Gen- eral Grant's arrival on the field.
W. H. GOODRELL, Late of Company B 15th Iowa.
A TELEGRAM.
Pittsburg, Tenn., April 9, 1862.
To MRS. H. T. REID:
A great fight. It lasted two days. Keokuk all right.
H. T. REID. 1
"FIFTY ROUNDS TO BEGIN WITH."
Considerable has been said of late in regard to the battle of Shiloh, whether our army was surprised or not on that memorable Sunday morning, April 6, '62. I was a non-commissioned officer in Company E, 15th Iowa Infantry. Our Regiment left St. Louis by steamer April 1st, for Pittsburg Landing. On Saturday, the 5th, a few miles above Fort Henry, we met a steamer coming
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
down the river and were informed that a battle was then in prog- ress at the front, (meaning Pittsburg Landing). We were all spoiling for a fight, and there was no little amount of grumbling done by members of the Regiment on account of the fear that we would not be there in time to take part in the battle.
About 4 o'clock P. M. we landed at a wood-yard some 75 miles below Savannah, Tenn., and soon another steamer coming down the river landed alongside, and we learned from some military officers on board that up to the time of their departure, early that morning, nothing but brisk skirmishing had taken place, but that a general engagement was likely to commence at any hour. We arrived at the landing at 4 o'clock A. M. April 6th, and before leav- ing the boat were visited by members of different Regiments who had been camped near the landing for some days-among the num- ber several from the 2d Iowa Infantry. These soldiers informed us that a battle might take place at any time. Sure enough, in less than two hours from the time we landed we were greeted by occa- sional booms of artillery in the distance.
We were soon ordered to disembark, and "fifty rounds of am- munition" was distributed to each man. In a few minutes more we were marching toward the front. By this time volleys of mus- ketry, as well as artillery, could be distinctly heard. As we marehed on we met demoralized officers and men by the hundreds, making their way toward the river. Some of them informed us we would smell H-11 before we got much further.
About half past 10 o'clock we struck the enemy, or rather he struck us, for as we were marching by the right flank across an open field, the 13th Louisiana Rebel Infantry, wearing our uniform which they had stolen from the Baton Rouge Arsenal, rose from their concealment behind a winrow of leaves, where the day pre- vious one of our Regiments had cleared off a camping ground, and poured a volley into us, killing two and wounding several of our
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
men. We changed front, and were hotly engaged for the next two hours, and finally driven back.
Now as to the battle being a surprise I must say that, notwith- standing it was the first time I had been under fire, I was not sur- prised after the various rumors we had heard all the way up the river, and from older soldiers that had been camped at the front for some days prior to the engagement. If there were some soldiers there who expected the Rebel General, A. S. Johnston, to politely inform General Grant by letter or otherwise, that he expected to attack him at a certain time and in a certain manner, they must have indeed been surprised at Johnston's seeming lack of courtesy.
I agree with General Tuttle when he says an officer would have been laughed out of camp had he proposed to build works for the defense of our army at that time. We wanted a square, stand-up, open fight. We got all we wanted of it, and I venture to say that no soldier that took part in the two days' engagement at Shiloh has ever spoiled for a fight since. I think General Tuttle hits the nail square on the head when he says the enemy got the bulge on us at the beginning of the battle and held it most all of the first day.
W. P. L. MUIR.
A SCENE FROM THE DECK OF A STEAMER.
The bank of the Tennessee river was covered with fugitives who fled from the brave Regiments that were fighting like giants in the front. The writer, who was lying on the deck of the " Tigress," wounded, here witnessed a scene he will never forget. A gallant young Major of the 15th Iowa who, with his Regiment had just landed, went amongst them and implored and begged them to return and assist their brave comrades who were being butchered at the front. He told them they were unworthy of the name of men and of the mothers that bore them, but they remained sullen
193
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
and deaf to every appeal. This young officer, by his gallantry, became a Major-General and Secretary of War-Belknap.
DAVID MOORE, Colonel 21st Missouri Infantry .
James Martin, of Keokuk, then a boy, and now a prosperous merchant of that city, was employed by Major Belknap to accom- pany him in the service. While the battle of Shiloh was being fought on April 6th, "Jim," excited by the sounds of the battle, seized a musket, rushed to the field, joined the ranks, and did good service until the close of the day .
AN INCIDENT AT SHILOH.
Monday evening, April 7th, at the close of the day's battle, Ser- geant H. C. McArthur, K Company, was selected by Major Bel- knap and sent in command of a detail to bury the dead comrades of our Regiment. While marching to the front occasion presented itself to prove his ability to command. While enroute a panic occurred in advance. Mac and the detail of about 75 men were moving along a low piece of ground, and heard great confusion beyond the hill, followed instantly by Infantry men and Cavalry men rushing pell mell down the hill towards them. Instead of breaking to the rear with the mass of fleeing soldiers, he ordered his men to " Fix Bayonets," and moved on the double quick up to the brow of the hill to find, as Mac said, " much to his delight only a stampede of a lot of stragglers in his front."
ONE OF THAT DETAIL.
THE NEWS AT HOME-[EXTRACT ], GATE CITY-KEOKUK, TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1862-BY TELEGRAPH-AFTERNOON REPORT-LATER FROM THE GREAT BATTLE.
Colonel Reid wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Dewey wounded; Major Belknap wounded; Captain Hedrick killed; only 407 of the 15th Regiment answer to Roll Call.
194
History of the Fifteenth Regiment
Special to Chicago Tribune, Cairo, April 13-10 p. M. S
Colonel H. T. Reid, 15th Iowa, from Keokuk, was paralyzed by a ball in the back of his head. Lieutenant-Colonel Dewey was badly wounded. Major Belknap was severely wounded in the shoulder; Captain Hedrick killed. This noble Regiment had just arrived Sunday with 1,045 men. Only 407 answered to their names after the battle. They had received their guns at St. Louis, and left Keokuk only two weeks ago and were in Prentiss's Division. Letters received last night state: "Colonel Reid received an order from General Grant to join Sherman's Division. Marching there he found only one Regiment ( an Ohio one ) fighting bravely. The 15th stood by them and fought until nearly surrounded by superior numbers, and were ordered to fall back. Colonel Reid and Major Belknap were wounded, and they and Lientenant-Colonel Dewey all had their horses killed under them; 17 officers were killed or wounded. Colonel Reid speaks highly of his men, who stood up without flinching, though many of them had never before loaded a musket. Major Belknap covered himself with glory by his gal- lantry and determined perseverance in rallying his own men and those of another Regiment, in moments of confusion, and bringing them into line of battle and fighting like a veteran. Three cheers for the Major.
Was Shiloh a surprise or was it not? Hath given rise To many a battle fought with ink, Where printers love the beer they drink ; But whether it was or was not so We won't stop here to say, But we know who held the REAL ESTATE At the close of the second day .
The work of reorganizing the troops began at once.
ยท
M. M. Crocker HINGEGEN. MAR CELLE M RICAER
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 2.
Headquarters 6th Division, Army of West Tennessee, In the Field April 13, 1862. 5
I. The troops of this Division are temporarily brigaded as fol- lows, viz:
The 12th Michigan, the 25th Missouri, the 16th Wisconsin and the 21st Missouri to constitute the 1st Brigade, to be under the command of Colonel Quinn, of 12th Michigan, the senior officer.
The 18th Missouri, 61st Illinois, and 15th Michigan, constitute the 2d Brigade, under command of Colonel Fry, of the 61st Illinois, senior officer.
The 18th Wisconsin, the 15th and 16th Iowa, to constitute the 3d Brigade, under command of Colonel Reid, of the 15th Iowa, Senior officer.
II. All reports, returns and communications from Regiment for headquarters, must be made through their respective Brigade com- mander. By order of General Mckean.
WM. T. CLARK, Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel H. T. Reid assumed command of the 3d Brigade, though suffering from the severe wound through his neck received on April 6th. Adjutant Pomutz, also wounded on same date, being detached as Assistant Adjutant General.
SPECIAL ORDER NO. 9.
Headquarters 6th Division, Army West Tennessee. 1
In the Field, April 18, 1862. $
The following changes are made in the disposition of the troops of this command: * * * The 11th and 13th Iowa are as- signed to the 3d Brigade, and Colonel M. M. Crocker, Senior officer will take command. By order of General MeKean. Offi- cial.
W. T. CLARK, Assistant Adjutant General. GEO. POMUTZ, A. A. A. General.
%
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
And this Brigade organization continued through its whole time of service to the day of its muster-out, July 24, 1865. It was therefore the oldest Brigade organization in the Army of the Ten- nessee, commonly known as the Old Iowa Brigade of the 17th Army Corps.
In the absence of Colonel Crocker, the brigade was commanded by Colonel A. M. Hare, of the 11th Iowa, and by Brigadier-Gen- eral J. M. Tuttle, from July 4 to July 28, '62, then by Colonel Reid on several occasions, and for longer periods; and on Colonel Crocker being promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, April 18, 1863, Colonel Hall, of 11th Iowa, took command till May 30, 1863, when Colonel Chambers, of the 16th Iowa, and Senior in the brigade, returned from the north and took command of the bri- gade in the rear of Vicksburg, and continued in command till April, 1864, when by reason of his nomination as Brigadier-Gen- eral not being confirmed by the Senate, he returned to the 18th Regular Infantry. Colonel Hall then commanded (except on July 21st '64, when he was in command of the 4th Division, and Colonel John Shane, of the 13th Iowa, in command of the brigade ) until July 31st, 1864, when General W. W. Belknap was assigned to the same. While General Belknap had temporary command of the Division, during the pursuit of Hood in the fall of 1864, Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Abercrombie, of the 11th Iowa, and later Major Geo. Pomutz, of the 15th Iowa, took temporary command ot the brigade. General Belknap being assigned to command the 4th Division, at Washington, D. C., May 31st, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Beach, of the 11th Iowa, took command of brigade until Brevet Brigadier-General A. Hickenlooper was assigned to the command by orders from Corps headquarters, June 16th, 1865.
A LETTER FROM THE FRONT.
Camp of the 15th Iowa Volunteers, 3d Brigade, 6th Division. April 29, '62, near Pittsburg, Tenn.
EDITORS CONSTITUTION :- Yesterday the welcome, genial and cozy countenance of our townsman, Samuel G. Bridges. Esq.,
=
0
A.M. HARE. COL. WITH IOWA INFTY.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
loomed up in our camp, and a more welcome visitor never came. Bridges is a brick, and he proved himself so to-day . The Regi- ment was drawn up in line, and the letters below were read by Ac- ting Adjutant H. G. Brown, to the Regiment. The colors were unfurled, and a more beautiful banner never floated. It is the " Stars and Stripes," made of the most costly silk, with the name of the Regiment emblazoned in gold on the blue field, the staff adorned with tassels of white and blue silk, and surmounted by a beautiful gilded eagle. Col. Reid responded to the letter in an eloquent speech. Three cheers were given for Bridges, three for the flag, and three others for the old flag, (that, having been well riddled by eleven balls through its silken folds, and four balls cut- ting its staff nearly in two), which has been sent to the Governor, and three cheers and a tiger by Bridges. Mr. Bridge's letter of presentation is as follows :
Camp near Pittsburg, Tenn., April 29. ) Col. H. T. Reid, Commanding 15th Reg . Iowa Vol.
DEAR SIR :- I have the honor, and take pleasure in presenting to the 15th Regiment, Iowa Volunteers, a set of National Colors to be carried by the Regiment in the great cause in which they are engaged. The intention of making this presentation, was formed while the 15th was at Camp Halleck, Keokuk, and the gallantry exhibited, and the hard fighting done by the Regiment on the bloody field of Pittsburg, have endeared them more to my heart and to the hearts of all their fellow-citizens of Iowa, and have rendered the performance of this pleasant duty doubly grateful. Men of the 15th, accept this gift from one of the humble citizens of the State, which we all love-from one who trusts that under its bright folds you will march forward to honor, and to victory, and that soon by the blessing of God, the battle of the Union be won and the rebellion overcome.
The foilowing is the letter of Colonel Reid to Gov. Kirkwood, transmitting the flag carried by the 15th in the battle of April 6th.
.
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
Battle Field near Pittsburg, Tenn., April 29. - To S. f. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa,
DEAR SIR: 3 Herewith I send you the flag of the 15th Iowa, which was carried in the battle of Pittsburg on Sunday, the 6th of April. It was planted in the midst of the enemy, and supported and defended there for two hours, and triumphantly brought away. The shots through the flag-staff and the eleven ball holes through the flag sufficiently attest the fact that it has been among the enemy. I also send with the flag, a copy of my official report of the battle as far as the 15th was engaged, both of which, I hope you will pre- sent to the Historical Society, as evidence that the 15th has done its share in sustaining the honor of our State, and the glory of our arms on the field of battle.
H. T. REID,
Com. 15th Iowa, Vol. Inf. Iowa.
SIEGE OF CORINTH .- BATTLE OF CORINTH.
SIEGE OF CORINTH. SUMMER AND FALL CAMPAIGN OF 1862. BOLIVAR. IUKA. BATTLE OF CORINTH, OCT. 3D AND 4TH. REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. WM. W. BELKNAP. THE CASUAL- TIES ARE AGAIN OVER ONE-FOURTH OF THOSE ENGAGED .-- PURSUIT OF REBEL ARMY TO RIPLEY. RETURN TO CORINTHI. REPORTS OF COL. CROCKER; GEN. MCKEAN, GEN. ROSENCRANS. GEN. U. S. GRANT CONGRATULATES THE ARMY.
The several divisions of the Army of the Tennessee, under Gen. Grant, and those of the Army of the Ohio, under Gen. Buell, under the chief command of Gen. Halleck -- the 15th Iowa with its 3d brigade, 6th division, was assigned to the right wing of the army commanded by Gen. Geo. H. Thomas; and it was placed generally on the extreme left of 'that wing, while advanc- ing upon the enemy forming its camps in line of battle.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
It took part in the advances upon and the siege of Corinth, April 28th to May 30th, the last fortified position of the division being within half a mile from the main rebel works in its front. While the order for a final advance and assault upon these works was already out on the morning of May 30th, 1862, the enemy was discovered to have evacuated Corinth during the preceding night. The same was taken possession of by troops of Grant's army, while the Army of the Ohio, under Gen. Pope, undertook the pursuit of the enemy then retreating south in the direction of Topelo.
In June, the Regiment, in common with the rest of the brigade, was doing important picket and grand guard duties west of Corinth and south of the Memphis and Charleston railroad, towards Che- walla, where new detached forts were in process of erection. June 27th, found the Regiment detailed as a provost guard in Corinth, Major Belknap being provost marshal under Gen. E. O. C. Ord, commanding post.
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