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 26
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The Regiment soon received orders to proceed on veteran fur- lough to Iowa, and on March 13th were embarked on the New Orleans steamer, Continental, for St. Louis.
Cairo, March 18, 1864.
To Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, (by telegraph ) :
The 15th Iowa Veteran Volunteers are here on their way to Keokuk by boat. There are 425 officers and men; will probably reach Keokuk Monday.
WM. W. BELKNAP, Colonel 15th Iowa Veteran Volunteers.
Arriving at St. Louis on the 20th, the regiment marched from the Continental to and on board the steamer Die Vernon, of the Keokuk line, where the 21st Missouri Veteran Infantry, Colonel Dave Moore's old regiment, were enjoying a feast, after which the tables were cleared and reset, and the 15th Iowa each presented with a red ribbon, on which was printed 15th Iowa Infantry Vet- erans, St. Louis, 1864, and then marched in to the banquet, which the loyal citizens of St. Louis had prepared, and which was under direction of a jolly committee of gray beards of that city, who con- tinued to stuff oranges, apples and nuts into the boys' pockets, while
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said boys, remembering it was generally a feast or famine, stuffed themselves with agility and the good things on the table, which far surpassed their late life on the lower river, while the committee en- joyed the entertainment just as heartily as their guests.
[Extract ]. The Daily Gate City, Keokuk, March 21, 1864.
At a meeting of the City Rifles and citizens to make preparations for the reception of the 15th Iowa Veteran Infantry, J. H. Craig was called to the chair, and E. Reynolds elected secretary. On motion the City Rifles were made a committee to receive the regi- ment at the steamboat landing upon their arrival, and escort them to their quarters. Messrs. A. Bridgman, J. H. Sullivan, H. W. Sample, Geo. C. Furman, H. Tucker, Sam. G. Bridges, D. B. Hamill, Wm. Fulton and P. H. Humes, were appointed a commit- tee of general reception, and Messrs. R. P. Lowe, J. H. Sullivan and H. Tucker, a committee to invite the Mayor, City Council, the Commander of the Post, the Military, and other city organizations to join in the reception. The following committees were appointed to solicit contributions and superintend the tables :
First Ward-Mistresses John McCune, J. M. Billings, Thos. W. Claggett, Misses Anna Belknap, Kate Lowe, and Mary Bart- lett, and Messrs. H. Tucker, Chas. Morrison and P. H. Humes.
Second Ward-Mistresses Geo. Seaton, J. C. Hughes, J. W. Rankin, F. H. O'Connor and M. K. Taylor; Miss Ellen Martin, and Messrs. W. H. Cleghorn, Font Alexander and Captain J. W . Kittle.
Third Ward-Mistresses J. W. Taylor, --- Buckingham, D. B. Hillis, S. Hamill. Misses Sarah Buell, L. Knowles, Messrs. A. Collier, W. C. Stripc, and A. J. Wilkinson.
Fourth Ward -- Mistresses D. Collier, R. P. Crecl, J. W. Ogden, H. Fulton, Wm. Graham, Miss R. Lawrence, and Messrs. Harry Fulton, J. C. Patterson and F. N. Weaver.
Committee on Toasts-J. M. Hiatt, Dr. McGugin, Henry Strong, R. H. Gilmore, Dr. M. K. Taylor and Thos. W. Claggett.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
Committee on Music-Captain Morrison, Geo. S. Fuller and J . R. Stinson.
On motion, Hugh W. Sample was elected Chief Marshal, with power to appoint assistants.
General A. Bridgman was elected President, J. H. Sullivan, vice-President, and Rev. Dr. Gillett as chaplain for the reception dinner. Messrs. Sam. G. Bridges, H. Buell, P. H. Humes, S. E. Carey, D. B. Hamill, and G. C. Furman, a committee on Decora- tion of Hall. T. Tucker and G. C. Furman were made a com- mittee to give notice of the arrival of the Regiment by causing the church and fire bells to be rung .
ARRIVAL OF THE FIFTEENTH.
[Extract ] Gate City, Keokuk, Tuesday, Mar. 22, 1864.
The gallant 15th Iowa Regiment, commanded by Colonel Bel- knap, arrived on the Die Vernon yesterday afternoon, and were received at the landing by the City Rifles, of which Colonel Bel- knap was formerly Captain. The Regiment marched through various streets, and on every corner were greeted with hearty cheers, and finally halted on Main, between Second and Third Streets, and held a dress parade.
There are four hundred and twenty of these veterans, and they present a fine appearance, notwithstanding the severe campaign they have just passed through. All appeared overjoyed at their return once more to their homes, and their reception was the most enthusiastic of any Regiment of Veterans that have arrived in this city .
PROGRAMME FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE FIF- TEENTH IOWA.
THE ORDER OF PROCESSION TO-DAY, MARCH 22D, 1864, IN HONOR OF THE FIFTEENTIL REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS.
The Regiment, commanded by its officers, will form at half-past I o'clock P. M. on Main street, their right resting on Second street.
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The military and provost guard will form at the same hour on Main with their right on Third street. The President, vice- Pres- ident, Orator of the Day, Mayor, City Council, and city officers will take their positions in the line on the left of the provost guard, the clergy, judiciary, state and county officers, and the members of the bar will take their position in the line next on the left.
The fire companies of the city will form in the line on the left of the above, and the citizens on their left. The line being thus formed the military and provost gnard will move under the direc- tion of the marshal of the day in front and to the right of the reg- iment, and the whole will then move under the direction of the marshal and his assistants along Second to Johnson, along Johnson to Third, along Third to Main, along Main to Eighth, thence by countermarch along Main to Fifth street and halt. There the reception speech will be delivered by the Hon. Judge Lowe. Re- sponse from Colonel W. W. Belknap, after which the regiment will be conducted to the dining halls of the Estes house to partake of a dinner and the hospitalities tendered by the ladies and citizens of the city. After the dinner, the toasts prepared by the commit- tee will be read, and responses in their order, interspersed by music, and followed by such volunteer toasts and other sentiments and amusements as may be best suited to the occasion.
H. W. SAMPLE, Chief Marshal .
HARRY FULTON, SAM. G. BRIDGES,
Assistant Marshals.
Froin The Daily Gate City, Keokuk, Wednesday, Mar. 23, '64. RECEPTION OF THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.
Yesterday, according to the published programme, the reception festivities to the gallant veterans of the 15th Iowa Infantry came off. As early as 1 o'clock the crowd commenced gathering on the streets, and by half-past 1, the time for the forming of the reg- iment and escort, Main street was lined with people from Second
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
to Fifth awaiting the appearance of the veterans, who were shortly on the ground. By 2 o'clock the procession was formed and marched through the streets, (according to programme ), and halted in front of the Estes house, where they were welcomed home to their state, to our city and her hospitalities, in the following very able and patriotic address by Hon. Judge Lowe, in which he mani- fests a very familiar acquaintance with the history of the regiment since their departure from our city a little over two years ago:
ADDRESS OF HON. JUDGE R. P. LOWE.
Officers and Soldiers of the 15th Iowa:
From the partiality of my fellow townsmen, I have the honor of making a short welcoming address on this occasion, and of ex- pressing to you how sincerely and cordially your return is greeted and rejoiced in by them. Nay, more, I can assure you that this rejoicing, this greeting, this welcoming with open and grateful hearts is not confined merely to this city and community, but is and will be deeply felt and shared in by the people of the whole state. And it affords me inexpressible satisfaction to give you joy, great joy, for the proud and elevated position in which you to-day stand before the country.
After more than two years of hard military service, you come back to us not vanquished, not weary of the service, not despairing of the cause, not unwilling to make still greater sacrifices for the salvation of your country. But you come back to us battle scarred and weather beaten veterans, to repose a few days upon your arms, at your own firesides and among your own kith and kin. God bless both you and them. May your communion with them in the charmed circle of your homes be as sweet and comforting as your deeds of heroism have been brave and brilliant upon the field of battle.
I need not tell you in what estimation the renewal of your ser- vices to the government, with that of other regiments, to ride out
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the storm and to fight out the battles of this war, is held by the whole country . They regard the magnanimity of the act as being above all praise. They feel that it is the highest testimonial of your patriotism and devotion to your country. They know that it should and does challenge the pride and admiration of every true friend of this government; for they are not insensible of the important fact that in this great struggle for the life of the fairest government organization which the sun has ever rose or set upon, that its destiny and fate hang in a large measure upon the arms and brave hearts of our veteran soldiery.
That word veteran is the high distinctive name conferred upon those who, after a long and arduous service, have re-enlisted, a name around which clusters the association of so many dangers, hardships and sacrifices on the one hand, and of renown and glory on the other. Yes, it is upon you and your brother veterans, who have already been the heroes of so many victories, and gathered your inspirations of liberty and the unchallengeable rights of men from so many hard fought battle-fields, that the country now con- fide for its safety and protection from overthrow by its enemies.
Officers and Soldiers! Is it wonderful under these circumstances that your fellow countrymen, on your return, should desire to man- ifest in some way their appreciation of the high honor due to you, not only for past services but for your willingness to consecrate and to risk all that you are and all that you have for the great stake that is still to be fought for in this contest?
I'well remember, as do all our citizens, that in this month two years ago the 15th Iowa, with its due complement of men, fully panoplied and officered, left Keokuk for the seat of war on the Tennessee river.
As your winter quarters had been in this city, and most of your field officers taken from our midst, it was natural from our ac- quaintance with you that we should feel an uncommon interest in your welfare and fame; and as you left you carried with you our
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hearts, our sympathies and our prayers. Yet what a rough intro- duction to the hazards and accidents of grim war did you meet with in the opening scenes of your career. Scarcely two weeks had passed before you were suddenly and unexpectedly precipated into one of the hardest contested and bloody battles of this war. I refer to the battle of Shiloh; in which your Colonel, now Gen. H. T. Reid, was severely wounded; in which your Major, now Col. Belknap, was stricken down; in which a number of other officers and many men, whose names I do not now recollect, were killed and wounded. This but proves how well and faithfully you per- formed your part in that terrible conflict, and that you came out of the same with your names untarnished as warriors. Since then you have participated in the siege of Corinth; afterwards in the battle of Corinth; in the ever memorable siege of Vicksburg, and the battles therewith connected, and in skirmishes I know not how many. You had the distinguished honor of forming a part of General Sherman's command in the late wonderful advance far into the domain of rebellion.
In that expedition you left behind you your tents, you took with you only eight days rations, you were absent thirty days; during which time you travelled near four hundred miles, and inflicted an amount of injury upon the material resources of the enemy that made them stand abashed, and which filled the whole country with astonishment and rejoicing .
I am reliably informed that since you left us you have travelled in the service 3,519 miles; that 1,370 miles of this distance you have marched on foot. You have changed and pitched your camps one hundred and thirty-three times, and you have witnessed every phase of life which attaches to a military campaign. Out of your original force with which you left us, some two years since, only a little above 400 are found in your regiment to-day. Some have fallen in battle; some into the grave from disease, and some by the way-side from physical inability .
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This tells a melancholy tale for the fate of many of your com- rades. But while we are remembering the living, let us not for- get to award all due honor to the memory of the noble dead. They have given their lives in martyrdom to the cause of their country- that country upon which has been stamped the signet of the Al- mighty as the pledge of its future high destiny, and as a prevent- ing intelligence against the storms of faction and rebellion at home and the atrocious jealousies and wicked machinations of its enemies abroad; that country whose national career has been upon the loftiest path in which any nation has ever yet trod, within whose loyal limits is contained to-day the finest body of freemen the world ever knew, whose banner still floats high and triumphant, and under the amplitudes of whose folds, thanks to a kind Provi- dence, you have plighted a soldier's faith that you will once more range yourselves for the deliverance of your country from the stain of treason and the anarchy and ruin which traitor hands de- signed to bring upon it.
This work accomplished, soldiers, and my life for it, that accla- mations louder and wilder than ever followed the greatest victories of Rome or Greece, or England or France, will reverberate over the length and breadth of this land, to the honor and praise of yourselves and your companions in arms.
Officers and fellow soldiers, without detaining you longer, allow me in the name of the people of this state to make you thanks, warm thanks, for your past services and for your future high pur- poses, and may the benedictions of kind Providence be with you and about you till your great mission is performed.
This was responded to on the part of the Regiment by Colonel Belknap in a happy manner, in which he made a grateful acknowl- edgement to the citizens of Keokuk, and most especially the ladies, for their kindness and the welcome given them. He alluded to the long time that the Regiment was with us after they were formed, and of the friendship which sprang up between them
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
and our citizens. He also referred in feeling terms to those who went with them to the front and never returned, but who had laid down their lives in their country's defense; the memories of whom were engraven indelibly on the hearts of all. He spoke of holding a dress parade on the evening of their arrival in the same spot that they did two years ago, the 17th inst., and of the many changes that had occurred in the Regiment since that time, when they were 1,000 strong, and now numbered but a few over 400.
At the conclusion three times three cheers were given for the people of Keokuk; Judge Lowe, the Colonel and the Regiment were also loudly cheered, when they all adjourned to the great dining hall in the Estes house to partake of the more than bounti- ful repast prepared for them by the ladies.
Of the supper we need not speak. The tables were spread with all the skill, taste and liberality for which our ladies are so much noted, and that they achieved magnificent success in this particular, needed no confirmation. General Bridgman presided, and after the Regiment was seated and the blessing asked by Rev. J. J. Stewart, orders were given by the Colonel for the men to fall in, which order was readily obeyed.
Supper being finished, Surgeon M. K. Taylor, in behalf of the ladies, presented Colonel Belknap with a beautiful boquet of flowers with a short speech, to which the Colonel replied in a few pithy remarks.
He then stated that a large number of the men had made arrangements to leave for their homes on the 4 o'clock train, and as that time had arrived they would be compelled to forego the pleasure of remaining and listening to the toasts and responses, which part of the programme was then set aside and the festivities closed by the singing of " Rally around the Flag Boys," in which the whole Regiment joined, and with repeated cheering for the
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ladies, the Colonel and,the Regiment, everyone departed delighted and the occasion will long be remembered and cherished among their most pleasant recollections.
THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.
[Extract. ] The Daily Gate City, Friday, Mar. 25, 1864.
Many have been the remarks that we have heard from our citizens as to the orderly and gentlemanly conduct of the 15th Regiment while they were stationed with us, and we must say that no regiment that has returned to our city has conducted themselves in as quiet and becoming a manner. The chief officers of the Steamer Die Vernon pay the following and very deserving compliment to the Regiment which they brought up from St. Louis on their last trip. Colonel Belknap, his officers and men, may well be proud of it:
To the 15th Iowa Regiment:
As officers of the Steamer Die Vernon, we hereby extend to Colonel Belknap, and all the officers and men of his Regiment, our hearty thanks for the orderly and gentlemanly manner in which they as a regiment and as individuals conducted themselves while on the boat, on their recent trip from St. Louis to Keokuk.
S. S. MATSON, Captain. W. H. Osborn, Clerk.
INVITED TO COME IN OUT OF THE DRAFT.
15TH IOWA INFANTRY VETERAN VOLUNTEERS. .
Recruits wanted for the above Veteran Regiment, attached to Major General McPherson's Seventeenth Army Corps.
Remember the large bounties cease on April Ist. Now is the time to enlist and avoid the draft!
The following officers will give all necessary information and enlist recruits :
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry."
James M. Reid, Captain "I" Company; John C. Brash, 1st Lieutenant "B" Company; Henry Scheevers, 2d Lieutenant " I " Company; L. R. Bissell, Recruiting Officer, Third street, bet- ween Main and Johnson.
WM. W. BELKNAP, Colonel 15th Iowa.
About April 23d, the men began to report at the rendezvous at Keokuk .
DRESS PARADE.
The Gate City of Wednesday, April 27, 1864, says:
The 15th Regiment held their last Dress Parade on Main street, last evening, and a large number of people thronged the sidewalks to witness this, their " last farewell " parade in Keokuk for three years. They made a splendid appearance, and elicited universal admiration from the spectators for their fine and soldierly bearing and the proficiency which they exhibited in the "manual of arms."
The Regiment has been paid off and will leave on this mor- ning's packet for Dixie.
From the Keokuk Daily Gate City, Thursday, April 28, '64:
DEPARTURE OF THE FIFTEENTH.
This regiment, Colonel W. W. Belknap commanding, departed yesterday morning on the steamer Die Vernon for the front, taking with them the best wishes of our citizens and the loyal people of Iowa at large. May the God of Armies be with them on the tented field, and may He turn their enemies back in the day of bat- tle; and after our glorious Union is once more restored, and the stars and stripes wave over every foot of soil in the country, may they return again to their homes to enjoy the benefits they are now enduring so many hardships to procure; and when the war is no more, and peace reigns supreme throughout the land, when all will sing with hearts overflowing with gratitude :
" The Union of hearts, the Union of hands, The Union of States none can sever;
The Union of lakes, the Union of lands,
And the Flag of our Union forever!"
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And a shout go out that will vibrate its echoes o'er the hills and along quiet dells; a shout that will gladden the heart and moisten the eye with tears at the sound of " Peace on earth and good will toward men." May we soon realize such rejoicing; realize the fact that the nation is stronger and more firmly bound together in unity and prosperity than ever before, and hand down to our chil- dren a history and a heritage that is not only grand in prospect, but sublime and magnificent in structure.
At Vicksburg the non-veterans of the regiment and those of the whole brigade, having been consolidated by order of General Mc- Pherson, formed the Iowa battalion of the 17th Corps. Officers being detailed from each regiment of the 3d brigade, March 12th, Major George Pomutz was assigned to command the battalion, and Lieutenant John F. Evans, A Company, detailed as Adjutant of same, which formed an effective force by daily drill during that month, and were ordered, April 6th, to take charge of the new Springfield rifles, (11,000), of the 17th Army Corps, to be shipped on steamer Sunshine to Cairo, that post having been assigned as a rendezvous for the troops composing the 17th Corps. Arriving at that place the Iowa battalion was assigned to garrison Mound City, the invasions of the rebel General Forrest into Northern Kentucky having rendered the government navy yard at that place insecure.
April 25th the battalion was increased by heavy detachments from the 15th and 41st Illinois and 3d Iowa, and formed part of the expedition under General W. Q. Gresham, on the Tennessee river to Clifton. From there it started, May 5th, with a division to Athens and Huntsville, Ala., being the advance guard of the 17th Corps then arriving at Cairo, from veteran furlough.
This expedition, frequently annoyed by rebel cavalry, detach- ments of Forrest's command, and by having in charge 900 head of cattle destined for General Sherman's army at Dalton, arrived at Huntsville on May 20th.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
The larger portion of the corps arriving within four days after- wards the battalion was disbanded, each of the regiments receiving their own non-veterans, and Major Pomutz being ordered to report as corps provost marshal on the staff of General Frank P. Blair, commanding 17th Army Corps, vice General James B. McPher- son, promoted to the command of the Department and Army of the Tennessee, vice General William T. Sherman, promoted to the command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, vice General U. S. Grant, commissioned Lieutenant-General and Commander- in-Chief of the Armies of the United States.
The 15th Iowa having arrived at Cairo from veteran furlough, it was temporarily brigaded with the 11th Iowa and 53d Indiana, constituting pro tem the 2d brigade of General Force's Division, 17th Army Corps, and went into camp at Birds Point, Mo. On May 2d the regiment, with its temporary brigade and division, was ordered to Paducah, Ky., and remained there until May 4th, when it embarked on a steamer and was transported to Clifton, Tenn., where it arrived on the 6th. May 14th, the 15th Iowa was with its old regiments, viz: 11th, 13th and 16th Iowa, designated the 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Corps. May 16th the division and de- tachment, under Brigadier-General M. D. Leggett, marched via Pulaski to Huntsville, Ala., where it arrived on the 23d.
By Special Order No. 5, dated Headquarters 17th Army Corps, Huntsville, Alabama, May 23, 1864, the number of the brigade was changed from 1st to 3d, (commanded by Colonel Wm. Hall, of the 11th Iowa), of the 4th Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. M. M. Crocker.
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PART X
THE BATTLE CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
HUNTSVILLE. ON THE MARCH. DECATUR. ROME. JOIN GENERAL SHERMAN'S ARMY. BATTLES AT BIG SHANTY. NOONDAY CREEK. BRUSHY MOUNTAIN. THE PICKETS MEET AND TRADE. BATTLES AT KENESAW. NICK - AJACK CREEK. BEFORE ATLANTA JULY 20TH, 21ST, 22D, 28THI. JONESBORO. LOVEJOY. " ATLANTA IS OURS, AND FAIRLY WON." RE- PORTS. ORDERS. RECOLLECTIONS. INCIDENTS, ETC.
The re-organization of the several brigades and divisions of the 17th Army Corps, having been rapidly completed upon their arri- val at Huntsville, Alabama, the whole corps under its new com- mander, Major-General Frank P. Blair, Jr., started on May 25th to join Sherman's Army of the Military Division of the Mississippi, then already engaging the enemy under General J. E. Johnston along the railroad line south of Dalton, Georgia.
While at Decatur, May 27th, General M. M. Crocker, command- ing 4th Division, 17th Corps, being forced, by extreme ill health, to relinquish the same, General W. Q. Gresham took command of the division.
The regiment, with its brigade, division and corps, marched through the mountainous, poor districts of Northern Alabama and Georgia, (number of days marched in May, 14, distance marched 209 miles ) to Rome, June 5th, and by way of Kingston and Alla- toona arrived at Acworth June 8th, where it joined General James B. McPherson's Army of the Tennessee, the 17th corps being as- signed position on the left of the 15th corps, and thus became the extreme left of General Sherman's army, consisting of the Army of the Ohio, 23d Corps, Major-General J. M. Schofield command- ing on the right; the Army of the Cumberland, 4th, 14th and 20th
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