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 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
While the enemy once more engaged the left wing opposite Fort Phillips, heavy lines were seen to emerge from the timber opposite Battery Robinette, on the right of Fort Phillips, steadily moving upon that fort. They were, however, twice nobly re- pulsed, though the second time part of the charging rebel forces gained the interior of said fort; and the third time they rallied for a new charge and moved on with undaunted determination against the fort, when two forts on the right and Battery Phillips on the left, having concentrated a most terrific cross-fire upon the charging column of the enemy, they soon began to waver, and in another moment they broke into a disorderly flight, throwing away their guns and accoutrements, and trying to gain the timber across the extensive abatis composed of heavy logs, limbs, branches, which checked their precipitate flight in a great measure. Here, while in the act of running, most of the charging column was pursued with
213
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
a deadly hail of grape, canister and shell, until the remaining small portion got safely out of sight. A slight skirmishing was yet maintained for nearly two hours, behind which, as evidences plainly showed, the enemy began his retreat that same evening.
The battle in which the 3d Brigade alone was engaged, on the afternoon of October 3d, however bravely fought, had no need to take place at all.
The line of the 3d Brigade on the left of the battery in Fort F changed after noon. The 15th and 16th Iowa were formed into a new line facing north toward the railroad, hardly over three hun- dred yards distant. The first brigade was already gone; it fell back to the right and rear of the 3d brigade, far away out of sight and out of connection. Soon the battery evacuated the fort on the left flank of the new line; it also went to the right an hour before towards the inner circle of the fortifications, two miles distant. Mcreover the 11th and 13th Iowa were taken away by General McKean from the position they held during the day ( facing west) at the very moment and from the very place where they ought to have been left flank of the front line. He intended to give battle to an overwhelming force, when the brigade was isolated on its right and left for over a mile, and all troops were withdrawn to the inner fortifications three-quarters of an hour before. The four regiments might have been easily cut off from town had the enemy known the position .
Additional cartridges were then distributed amongst the troops, and early on the 5th of October the pursuing Federal forces started ont.
In this movement the 15th Iowa, with its brigade, participated. At 10 o'clock a. m. heavy cannonading in front brought Gen. Mc- Kean to form his division in line of battle, supported by three bat- teries of light artillery. After two hours delay in that position it was ascertained that the forces under Generals Ord and Hurlbut, arriving from Bolivar, had met the retreating enemy at the Hatchie
214
History of the Fifteenth Regiment
river, and now General Mckean * hurried his division to inter- cept the bridge on the Hatchie river, the only line of escape of the enemy. When the division. arrived at the point, however, the enemy had already escaped and destroyed the bridge behind him.
The pursuit of the enemy was then continued beyond Ripley (50 miles ) without overtaking them. The troops therefore returned to Corinth, the 15th and 11th Iowa bringing up the rear (October 13th ) .
General John McArthur succeeded to the command of the 6th Division October 6th, vice General Mckean transferred.
The Brigade went into camp in front of Battery Phillips.
REPORT OF COL. M. M. CROCKER, COMMANDING 3d BRIGADE.
Headquarters 3d Brigade, 6th Division, Camp near Corinth, Miss., October 13th, 1862. 5 Captain W. T. Clark, A. A. General ---
SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the 3d Brig- ade in the battle of Corinth, and its subsequent movements in pur- suit of the retreating enemy.
About 5 o'clock of the morning of 3d inst., the brigade formed. Two regiments, the 11th and 13th Iowa Volunteers, in line of bat- tle facing to the west; the 15th and 16th Iowa Volunteers, in close column by division in rear of the line. The regiments remained in that position with skirmishers deployed in front, receiving an occasional cannon shot, until about 3 o'clock, when the division on the right having fallen back, a change of front was ordered. The 15th and 16th were then formed in line of battle perpendicular to the first line, and the 11th and 13th in close column by division in the rear. In this position the brigade remained until about 4
Headquarters Army of Mississippi, CORINTH, Oct. 5, '62.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL MCKEAN: Halt your train, inin it out, and park it. I am told it is a mile long. Take nothing with you but ammunition and ration wagons. You have left our advanco guard without a support by your tardy movements. *
By order of
MAJOR GENERAL ROSENCRANS.
215
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
o'clock p. m., when orders were again received to again change front so as to connect the right of the brigade with the left of Gen- eral Davies' division, its left to rest in direction of Battery " E." After the execution of this order had been commenced, notice was received from General Mckean that the division was to move back inside the inner fortifications, and an order received that the 11th and 13th Regiments form in line of battle, a quarter of a mile in the rear of the line formed by the 15th and 16th in front of and parallel to the road over which the artillery of the division must pass, the brigade to protect the movements of the division and the artillery .
The execution of the order to move back had just commenced when the enemy, in greatly superior force, attacked the front line (the 15th and 16th). The officers and men of these regiments, acting with signal determination and bravery, not only held the enemy in check, but drove him back and held their position until notice was received that the artillery had passed safely to the rear, when they were ordered to fall back and form in line of battle on the right of the second line, which they did in good order, the en- emy declining to follow. This engagement lasted three-quarters of an hour; the firing was incessant and the regiments, especially the 15th, suffered severely.
I deem it my especial duty to particularly mention Lieutenant- Colonel Belknap, who commanded the 15th Regiment. This reg- iment was under the hottest fire, and Colonel Belknap was every- where along the line, mounted, with sword in hand, encouraging, by voice and gesture, his men to stand their ground.
Lieutenant Colonel Add. Sanders, who commanded the 16th, is entitled to great praise. He rode along the line of his regiment, encouraging his brave boys who had so lately suffered at Iuka, to remember their duty, and although severely wounded, remained with his regiment until it marched off the field.
216
History of the Fifteenth Regiment
Majors Cunningham, of the 15th, and Purcell of the 16th, did their whole duty and conducted themselves with great bravery. Two companies of the 13th Iowa-Company A, in command of Captain Kennedy, and Company G, in command of Captain Walk- er-had, before the engagement commenced, been deployed as skirmishers. The advance of the enemy drove them in. They were ordered to form on the left of the 15th Iowa. They formed in good order, fighting like veterans, retiring under the brave com- manders without confusion, when ordered to do so.
The artillery of the division having passed, the brigade followed in good order. On arriving inside the fortifications we took posi- tion, the 15th Iowa in line of battle in rear of and to the right of the battery commanded by Captain Phillips, Ist Infantry ; the 16th in rear of and supporting the 5th Ohio Battery, which was in posi- tion on the left of Captain Phillips' Battery ; five companies of the 11th Regiment, in command of Major Abercrombie, in line of bat- tle supporting the 1st Minnesota Battery, in position still on the left of the 5th Ohio Battery; the 13th Iowa and five companies of the 11th, in rear of the 15th and 16th, in close column by division as a reserve.
At night five companies of the 13th Iowa in command of Maj. Van Hosen, were sent into the woods in front of our position as a grand guard.
Thus we remained during the night and until the battle had commenced on the morning of the 4th, when the five companies of the 11th Iowa, also the five companies of the 13th Iowa were relieved and these regiments formed in line of battle, the 11th in the rear of the 15th and the 13th in the rear of the 16th. In this position the brigade remained during the day, receiving occasional shots from cannon and the enemy's sharpshooters stationed in the woods in front. Capt. Smith of Co. A, 16th Iowa, having built temporary breastworks to the right of the 5th Ohio battery, behind
217
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
which he placed his company, kept up a spirited skirmish with the enemy's sharpshooters and did effective service.
During the day the enemy made two efforts to approach our position by coming up a ravine which sheltered them from the heavy guns of Capt. Phillip's fort, but were driven back by the 5th Ohio battery under command of Lieut, Marsh, a very brave and competent officer. At daylight of the 5th, the brigade started in pursuit of the retreating enemy and continued the pursuit until the evening of the 8th inst., when, after resting one day, orders were received to return to Corinth with two regiments, and to leave two regiments to come back with Brig. Gen. McPherson. At daylight on the morning of the 10th, I started to Corinth with the 13th and 16th, leaving the 11th and 15th under the command of Col. Hall of the 11th to return with Gen. McPherson. We marched back to Corinth in less than two days without any un- usual occurrence. The 11th and 15th arrived one day later. Dur- ing the movements, the 11th Iowa was under command of Lieut. Col. Hall, the 13th under Lieut. Col. John Shane, the 15th after the first day, and during the pursuit under command of Col. Reid, and the 16th, after the first day, under Maj. Purcell . The brigade, during the protracted movements of the battle and 3 pursuit, encountering every hardship and privation incident to such campaigning, behaved with great fortitude-meeting every danger and hardship cheerfully; and Iacknowledge my obligation to all the field officers for their cheerful, hearty and intelligent co-operation.
Col. H. T. Reid, of the 15th Iowa, though prostrated by illness and unable to be in the field during the first days engagement, on the second left the sick bed, joined his command, and though un- able to ride his horse, remained with his regiment, traveling in an ambulance until the pursuit was abandoned. I must not fail to mention the renewed obligations under which I rest to my adju- tant, James Wilson, who during the whole time of the battle and
17
218
History of the Fifteenth Regiment
pursuit was tireless in the discharge of every duty, always at his post, always brave, always reliable.
Lieut. Lanstrum of the 15th Iowa, who acted as aid, deported himself as a good and faithful soldier. The loss of the brigade occurred principally in the engagement on the 3d, the 15th suffer- ing most. The killed, wounded and missing are as follows, viz: 14 killed, 110 wounded and 22 missing; total 145: a list of which, together with the reports of the regimental commanders, is here- with submitted .
Respectfully, your obedient servant, M. M. CROCKER, Col. Comd'g. 3d Brigade.
REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. MCKEAN, COMMANDING SIXTH DIVISION.
Jackson, Tenn, Oct. 30, 1862.
MAJ. J. A. RAWLINS, Asst. Adjt. Genl. Dept. of the Tenn .:
I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the 6th division in the battle of the 3d and 4th inst., at Corinth, Miss. On the 1st inst. the division was composed of the following named troops: First brigade, commanded by Col. Benj. Allen, 16th Wisconsin Volunteers, composed of the 16th Wisconsin Volunteers, commanded by Maj. Thomas Reynolds; 17th Wis- consin Volunteers, commanded by Col. J. L. Doran, and the 21st Missouri Volunteers, commanded by Col. David Moore; the last named regiment being detached at Kossuth, ten miles from Corinth. Total number of enlisted men present in the brigade, 1415. Brig. Gen. J. McArthur having rejoined, was assigned to the command of this brigade on the 3d. Second brigade, com- manded by Col. J. M. Oliver, 15th Illinois Volunteers, composed of the 14th Wisconsin Volunteers, commanded by Col. John Hancock; 18th Wisconsin Volunteers, commanded by G. Bouck; 18th Missouri Volunteers, commanded by Capt. J. R. Ault, and the loth Michigan Volunteers, commanded by Lieut. Col. John
.
219
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
McDermott; the last named regiment being detached at Chewalla, twelve miles west of Corinth, and six companies of the 18th Mis- souri being also detached, guarding the railroad towards Bethel. Number of enlisted men present in the brigade 1375. Third bri- gade, commanded by Col. M. M. Crocker: 13th Iowa Volun- teers, composed of the 11th Iowa Volunteers, commanded by Lieut. Col. Wm. Hall; 13th Iowa Volunteers, commanded by Lieut. Col. John Shane; 15th Iowa Volunteers, commanded by Col. Hugh T. Reid; 16th Iowa Volunteers, commanded by Lieut. Col. Add. H. Sanders; the brigade being stationed at Iuka. Total number of enlisted men present in the brigade, 2189. The artillery attached to the division, under command of Captain Andrew Hickenlooper, 5th Ohio battery, acting chief of artillery, consisted of the 1st Minnesota battery, 4 guns, commanded by Lieut. F. Cook; 3d Ohio battery, 6 guns, commanded by Captain W. S. Williams, (the captain and two sections being absent at Bolivar); the 5th Ohio battery, 4 guns, commanded by Lieut. B. Matson: the 10th Ohio battery, 4 guns, commanded by Capt. H. B. White; and Battery " F," 2d Illinois artillery, 4 guns, com- manded by Lieut. J. W. Mitchell, (one section of this battery also being detached at Bolivar); leaving sixteen guns, with 367 enlisted men present with the artillery of the division. The cavalry, under command of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, 1Ith Illinois cavalry, had orders to report to the chief of cavalry for consolidation. * *
The 3d brigade, under command of Col. Crocker, returned from Iuka by forced march, and went into camp. Orders having been received from the Commanding General designating the positions to be occupied by the several divisions, in anticipation of an advance of the enemy -- ( Davies, the nortwest angle between the railroads;) Mckean's Division on the left of Davies with the right resting on the railroad, near Battery "F"; Hamilton's the northeast angle between the railroads, and Stanley's in reserve. The necessary dispositions were made, and at daylight the several
220
History of the Fifteenth Regiment
regiments of this division were in the exact positions assigned them. The first line formed in line of battle perpendicular to the railroad with the right resting near Battery " F." The second line formed in close column, by division. * About 7:30 o'clock in the morning the enemy appeared in front of Col. Oliver's advanced position, driving in his pickets, and advanced to attack him, but was repulsed with great energy. The Colonel being at length satisfied that the enemy were in foree, slowly retired according to his instructions, contesting the ground and destroying the bridges, until the brigade took a favorable position, north of the railroad and a little in advance of the old Confederate entrenchments, where another stand was made. * * *
The enemy after an unsuccessful attempt to approach by the railroad track (bringing forward a battery at one time to play up- on the main line of the division, which was driven back by our artillery ) ultimately succeeded in passing to the right of our line, and McArthur's command again fell back, taking position parallel with, and north of the railroad; the left some distance from Bat- tery "F." This compelled a corresponding change of front in the main line. The 2d brigade being considerably exhausted by severe duty and hard fighting, was at this time withdrawn and formed as a second line in the rear of the third brigade. The enemy at length appeared in front of the new line formed by the 1st brigade, and a charge was made, driving him some distance. This charge was participated in by the 16th and 17th Wisconsin, and 21st Missouri, as well as by a portion of Col. Baldwin's Bri- gade of the 2d division. * * After this charge,
these regiments, having already performed heavy work, were all ordered to form in rear of the main line. of the division, south of the railroad, which was done in good order at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and as I had received notice from the General com- manding that a flank movement was in contemplation, by Hamil- ton's division, on the enemy's left, I considered it best to retain my
221
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
present position for the purpose of engaging the attention of the enemy until such movement could be effected. [Although I re- ceived orders to change front and retire to a position corresponding with the main body of the division on my right, which had retired towards Corinth some time previously. This movement had already commenced, when further orders were received to fall back to the interior line of batteries. The movement was accord- ingly altered so as to throw the artillery into a road in the rear of the line, and leading into Corinth, when the enemy again appeared, driving in our skirmishers and advancing to attack; and the 3d brigade, hitherto but slightly engaged, now found an opportunity to participate in the work. Col. Crocker, with a portion of this brigade was directed to drive back the enemy while the movement' was completed. The Colonel executed this order in fine style, succeeding after a severe action in forcing back the enemy with considerable loss.
In this action the 15th Iowa, under command of Lieut. Col. Belknap. (Col. Reid being sick ) and the 16th Iowa, under Lieut. Col. Sanders, being most hotly engaged, conducted themselves with conspicuous gallantry, and the whole brigade, while covering the movements of the division, manœuvered with all the coolness and precision of an ordinary drill. The movement of the division being completed, this portion of the brigade reformed in good order on the right of the first line, [and the whole division, with the 7th, 50th and 57th Illinois Regiments, moved in perfect order, arriving at sundown, and taking the positions designated within the line of batteries. ] The 3d brigade and three field batteries occupying College Hill, [and the two small brigades, with the 10th Ohio battery, taking positions in the town, under directions from the commanding General. ]
Our troops lay on their arms in the ranks during the night, ready to support the batteries should an assault (as anticipated ) be made early in the morning. About 4 o'clock on the morning of the
222
History of the Fifteenth Regiment
4th, cannonading by the enemy commenced, and after daylight, in addition to the assaults on Battery Robinett and other points of the field, heavy skirmishing took place in front of College Hill. Dur- ing the morning the 1st and 2d brigades were also withdrawn to College Hill, and twice the enemy attempted to assault Battery Phillips,-his columns, supported with artillery, approaching behind a ridge running nearly parallel to our line. Each time the head of his column was suffered to approach within short musket range, when Battery Phillips and the light pieces of this division opened upon him so hotly that he hastily retired. Information subsequently received indicated beyond doubt that these movements were not intended as mere feints. The enemy's last effort was on this part of the field after having been repulsed at all other points. During the day Genl. McArthur, with a portion of his brigade, was sent in advance to reconnoiter, and finding the enemy retiring, he took a position at night near Alexanders; the balance of his brigade, the 2d brigade and the 10th Ohio battery, by direction of the General commanding, started at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 5th to reinforce him, and the balance of the division started at daylight in pursuit of the enemy which was continued this day as far as the Tuscumbia river. * In order to give a more distinct idea of the part performed by this division, in these important operations, the following brief account is added by way of recapitulation :
Oct 2d, heavy skirmishing by 2d brigade, under Col. Oliver, who had advanced to reinforce one of his regiments previously stationed at Chewalla, the Colonel taking up a position at night near Alex- ander's Cross Roads. Oct. 3d, in the morning, the enemy's ad- vance attacked Col. Oliver, but was repulsed; after which the Colonel, ascertaining that the enemy is in force, falls back slowly according to his instructions, contesting the ground by severe fight- ing and destroying bridges, until he makes a stand on favorable ground a little in advance of the old Confederate intrenchments,
223
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
where he is reinforced by the 1st brigade, under Genl. McArthur, who takes command at that point for the purpose of relieving the 2d brigade, considerably exhausted by severe duty. The road leading in from Chewalla runs through the line occupied by the 2d division, commanded by Genl. Davies, and one of his brigades ( Baldwin's) now co-operates in holding the advance position. After several unsuccessful attemps to turn the left, the enemy pass to the right and throw their entire force upon the 2d division, which is forced back, and McArthur's command being turned, is obliged to retire again to a new position which is taken near the main line, north of the railroad, facing north, the main line of this division changing front to correspond and the 2d being now relieved, the enemy at length appearing again, the 1st brigade, together with the 2d division, charge, driving him some distance, when this brigade is called in and formed as a second line.
The division still holds its position, menacing the enemy's right flank to give time for a flank movement on his left by Hamilton's division, and to delay his advance until the reserve can be posted to support the batteries in his front. These movements accomplished, the 6th division at length being ordered to fall back within the interior line of batteries, the enemy again appeared and commenced a furious attack after the division has commenced moving; but is repulsed, after a severe action by Col. Crocker, commanding the 3d brigade; and the division moves in good order and takes posi- tion, at sundown, within the line of defenses, without the loss of a gun; having during the day received the first attack of the enemy eight miles west of Corinth, and having disputed and delayed his advance until after the division on the right was forced by over- whelming numbers to give way, and holding its position on the enemy's flank, assisted in retarding his advance on the batteries until it was too late for him to make an assault on the evening of this day; and, finally, when ordered to fall back to the inner bat- teries, and the enemy again attacks the division while on the
224
History of the Fifteenth Regiment
march, it halts to beat him back, and marches into position within the defenses in good order.
Oct. 4, in addition to severe skirmishing in front the division co- operates with the siege batteries, repulsed the enemy in two attempts to force the works on College Hill, and after the battle the division participated in the pursuit of the enemy as far as Ripley, and on leaving that place to return to Corinth, the rear- guard was furnished by this division.
As far as my personal observation extended, the conduct of the troops (both officers and soldiers ) was worthy of the highest com- mendations. All appeared to do their duty promptly and coolly; advancing with alacrity when necessary, retiring only when ordered, and then in good order, and promptly halting at the word to face about and beat back the enemy.
The men of Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri, together standing and bravely fighting side by side.
* All the commanders of brigades were
active in the discharge of their duties; Col. * * M. M. Crocker, commanding the 3d brigade, is entitled to the highest credit for the skill and bravery with which he executed the various orders of his fine brigade, and especially for his gallant conduct in the engagement near Battery " F." This brigade was previously well disciplined under his command and the care of the meritorious field officers of the several regiments. Capt. A. Hickenlooper, 5th Ohio Battery, acting chief of artillery for the division, on this as on former occasions, showed himself a brave and skillful officer. Of the Field officers, * * Col. A. T. Reid, 15th Iowa Vols., who was sick when the battle commenced, but was with his regiment at daylight on the 4th, and remained in command until the regiment returned from the pursuit. Lieut. Col. W. W. Belknap, who commanded the same regiment on the first day of the battle, and displayed great coolness and bravery in the conflict near Battery " F." Maj. W .
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.