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 29
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the division present. Captain Rogers, of Company E, being driven in from the picket line, brought in his whole company and joined in the fight at the third position. Several important captures were made during the day, one of the most remarkable being that made by Private Reuben Meek, of Company B, 15th Iowa. He, with some stragglers pressed by him into service, having captured and brought in seventy-one rebels, this being only a little less than the regiment lost while in the first position.
On July 23d and subsequent days, the newly-taken positions were strengthened by fortifications; the dead were gathered and buried, and the wounded taken to the rear.
Headquarters 3d Brig., 4th Div., 17th Army Corps, Before Atlanta, Ga., July 25th, 1864. 5
Captain C. Cadle, Jr., Ass't Adj't Gen'l :
SIR :- I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the engagement of the 22d inst .:
The brigade was in position on the extreme left of our line in the following order, viz: The 11th Iowa, with its right resting on a road leading at right angles from the old McDonough or Flat Shoal road, to the new McDonough road, and its left resting on the Flat Shoal road, being formed in the arc of a circle; the 16th Iowa, with its right resting on the left of the 11th and extending across the Flat Shoal road and perpendicular to it; the 15th Iowa to the left and about thirty yards to the rear of the 16th and slightly in refuse to it; the 13th Iowa to the rear of the 11th and 16th Iowa.
My line was about three miles southeast of Atlanta, and facing from it, in which position it was intrenched with one section of Company F, 2d Illinois Light Artillery on the right, and one on the left of the 11th Iowa, the first brigade being on my right.
About 12 M. my line of skirmishers was driven in, and the ene- my advanced in force upon my front and flank, opening a severe fire of musketry and artillery. Receiving orders from General
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BATTLE OF ATLANTA. OPERATIONS OF FOURTH DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS.
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Smith to hold my front line, and that my flank would be protected, I ordered up two companies of the 13th Iowa to the left of the 11th Iowa, and two companies to the left of the 16th Iowa, having be- fore that sent one company to the left of the 15th Iowa. This position was held, pouring in a heavy and continuous fire into the enemy, and checking them until completely flanked, and I was or- dered to retire. The regiments retired by the right flank in good order, the 11th taking position behind the front of the line of works built by the 1st brigade and facing to the rear. The 13th on the left of the 11th, and perpendicular to it and facing south. The 15th on the right of and in prolongation of the 13th; the 16th Iowa and three companies of the 13th, including the one on the left of the 15th Iowa, were utterly unable to make their way out, being completely cut off and surrounded by a superior force of the enemy. This position was held, repeatedly repulsing the enemy, until the right of the 15th Iowa was flanked, when the brigade again retired and was formed in the rear of the same work, and a portion of the works of the 3d division, which position was held, repulsing re- peated assaults, until about 4 o'clock p. M., when the enemy again advancing in the rear, the brigade was formed on the other side of the works, where the enemy were repulsed with terrible slaughter, losing two stands of colors and a large number of prisoners. The fire again coming in rear and flank the brigade again formed in rear of the works, but, owing to a severe fire of artillery and mus- ketry on the flank, were finally compelled to retire to a line facing south and perpendicular to the line of works, with seven companies of the 11th Iowa, their right resting on the hill which was occupied on the morning of the 21st inst. by General Force's brigade of the 3d division, and extending to the left, in which position the brigade repulsed assault after assault.
These seven companies of the 11th remained in the above position during the night, with their colors opposite to and but a few feet distant from the colors of the enemy. Captain Anderson, Com-
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pany A, 11th, with a portion of his own company, and other men of the division, holding the crest of the hill, and most gallantry de- feating every attempt of the enemy to advance; the other portion of the brigade forming on the left of the 1st brigade, where they remained during the night. At the commencement of the engage- ment 180 men and 7 officers were on fatigue detail, most of whom subsequently joined the command at different times during the day.
Thus stubbornly contesting the ground inch by inch, first on one side of the works, then on the other, then back again, and in the open field, front and rear, my command fought, both officers and men, with a cool determination and heroic bravery seldom equaled and never surpassed.
When surrounded, the 16th Iowa, under their brave and fearless commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Sanders, and the companies of the 13th Iowa, were most gallantry holding their works, and repulsing the enemy in front, not a man leaving the line.
The colors captured by my command were brought in, one by Private Geo. B. Hayworth, of Company B, 11th Iowa, being the Stars and Bars, and is now in his possession; the other by Private E. Siberts, of Company G, 11th Iowa, being the battle flag of the 45th Alabama, and claimed as a trophy by the loth Iowa, in whose front that regiment charged, the color bearer being reported as having been shot by Private Crowder, of Company C, of that reg- iment. The whole number of prisoners captured by my command and sent to the rear was 257. . One Colonel, one Lieutenant-Col- onel, one Major, two Captains, three Lieutenants, and 130 enlisted men captured by the 15th Iowa; one Colonel, one Captain, and 91 men captured by the 11th, and 20 men by the 13th.
Where all officers and men devotedly did their whole duty, I can make special mention of but few. Among them Colonel John Shane, commanding 13th Iowa, cool and brave, fearlessly rallying his men in the thickest of the fight; Colonel Belknap, commanding the 15th Iowa, displayed at all times the highest qualities of the
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soldier, cheering his men by his voice, and encouraging them by his personal disregard of danger; Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Aber- crombie, commanding the 11th Iowa, who, with a quiet and calm determination, inspired his men with his own steadfast spirit; Lieu- tenant-Colonel J. M. Hedrick, 15th Iowa, wounded in the noble discharge of his duty; Major Foster, 11th Iowa, also wounded, bravely rallying his men; Major Walker, 13th Iowa, killed at his post, where the brave should die; Adjutants King, 15th, Prescott, 11th, and Rood, 13th, for gallant and efficient services.
* Sergeant Major J. G. Safely, who, with First Sergeant J. A. Buck, Company K, 11th ( afterwards killed ), with a party of men, about 30 or 40, made a dash on the works held by the rebels, . bringing back with them more than their own number, of prison- ers, among them a Colonel and a Captain Safely being wounded.
My warmest thanks are due to Lieutenant O. D. Kinsman, Act- ing Assistant Adjutant General, Captain Bassett, Lieutenant Kel- logg, Lieutenant Stone and Lieutenant Safely, members of my staff, who performed their arduous and trying duties with a heroism deserving of the highest praise.
On the graves of the silent dead, buried where they fell, a grate- ful people will look with sorrowing pride, and to the survivors award well-earned honor.
.My loss is very severe, being 4 officers and 33 men killed, 10 of- ficers and 140 men wounded, and 22 officers and 455 men missing, many of whom are believed to have been killed or wounded, inak- ing an aggregate of 664 officers and men. I inclose herewith a complete list of casualties.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM HALL,
Colonel 11th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Commanding Brigade.
.
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Headquarters 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, Before Atlanta, Ga., July 28, 1864. 5
LIEUT. COL. A. J. ALEXANDER, A. A. Gen. 17th Army Corps:
SIR :- I have the honor to submit the following report of the. part taken by the 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, under my com- mand, in the engagement of Friday, the 22d of July, 1864. After the attack on the enemy's position by my division on the 21st inst., I was ordered by Major General Blair to move to the left of Gen. Leggett's division, to meet a similar movement of the enemy, who was extending his line in that direction. The 17th Corps now occupied the extreme left of the army, and my division was on the left of the corps, my line running north and south, with the 1st brigade, Colonel Potts, on the right, joining General Leggett, and the 3d brigade, Colonel Hall, on the left, with regiments thrown back, and facing south to protect my flank, and a picket line run- ning back a mile and a half to guard against any movements around my rear. This line was intrenched during the night, the enemy being engaged throwing up works about a thousand yards in my front. Early next morning my pickets were advanced in connection with General Leggett's, the enemy's skirmishers falling back with little or no opposition, although they were well pro- tected by log and earth-works, a short distance behind which we came upon a nearly completed line of their rifle pits, the result of their previous night's labor. This position was in full view of and not more than sixteen hundred yards from the enemy's entrench- ments in front of Atlanta, which was but a short distance beyond. While making preparations to occupy this line, but before com- mencing the movement, reports were sent in from the picket line on my left flank, that there were indications of an enemy in their front, and very soon after some skirmishing was heard far back on my left or rear, which soon extended along the whole line. The pickets were forced back and followed closely by the enemy's line of battle, which moved rapidly forward, striking my left flank
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exactly perpendicular to my line of battle. Artillery was also opened from a ridge in the rear of their assaulting column, which did us considerable damage. I directed Colonel Potts to send two regiments of his brigade to Colonel Hall's left, but before they were fully in position, they were met by a heavy column of the enemy, which they succeeded in checking until their left was turned, when they fell back to the works.
I ordered Colonel Hall to withdraw his two flank regiments which this movement enveloped, and to move them by the right flank around the front or east side of my main line of works, having already directed the men occupying that line to take the same position and drive back the enemy now already pressing their rear. This movement was promptly executed, and success- ful except in the case of the 16th Iowa on the left which was com- pletely surrounded and over 230 men captured. My whole line was now hotly engaged, and although fighting from the opposite side of their works, from the one intended when they were constructed, still, owing to the absence of any deep ditch, it afforded them very good protection, while their well directed and rapid volleys were doing good execution in the enemy's ranks, driving them back some distance into the woods until their fire was partially silenced. Skirmishers were immediately ordered out, who discovered the enemy, not far back, but apparently in no con- dition to renew the attack. This disposition was scarcely made when another column was discovered advancing from the south- west, threatening, considering the side of the works we now occu- pied, our right and rear. To meet this, two regiments of Colonel Hall's brigade were formed, perpendicular to the works on which the left rested. the right extending west toward Atlanta, the re- mainder of the brigade still occupying the works. Colonel Potts' brigade was formed about 75 yards to the rear of Colonel Hall's perpendicular line, and parallel to his, both being directed to hold that position against any odds. By the time these lines were
26
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formed the enemy emerged from the woods into the open field, in solid column, three lines deep, striking Colonel Hall's line on the front and right, forcing him back to the works: our skirmishers on the road still holding back the enemy, enabling Colonel Hall to put his whole brigade back again on his original side of the works, and this assault was repulsed . It was now past 4 o'clock, and not five minutes elapsed from the repulse of the last assault, when another still more desperate attempt was made from the opposite or east side, in the present rear of Colonel Hall's brigade.
Again the men jumped over their works, and the most desperate fight of the day now took place. The enemy, having the cover of the woods, could approach in many places within fifteen or twenty yards of our works without discovery. Rebel com- manders, with such men as would follow them, would not unfre- quently occupy one side of the works and our men the other. Many individual acts of heroism here occurred. The flags of two opposing regiments would meet on the opposite sides of the same . works, and would be flaunted by their respective bearers in cach others faces; men were bayoneted across the works, and officers with their swords fought hand to hand with men with bayonets. Colonel Belknap, of the 15th Iowa Volunteers, took prisoner Col. Lampley of the 45th Alabama, by pulling him over the works by his coat collor, being several times fired at by men at his side. The colors of his regiment were taken at the same time. The enemy's loss in this attack must have been very severe. * It was now about 6 o'clock. The forces of the enemy engaged were Hardee's corps, two divisions of which were engaged on my im- mediate left, Cleburne's in front, and Cheatham's in reserve, with Walker's division on the right, and Bates' on the left. Other forces, who had been left in Atlanta, now advanced from that direction, which compelled us to again change our position to the east side of our works. This was scarcely done, when we were
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opened upon from our left and rear with artillery, loaded with grape, accompanied with heavy musketry, which compelled the abandonment of another portion of our ground, this attack coming from both front and rear. I now formed Colonel Potts' brigade in rear of our works and perpendicular to it, with a portion of Col. Hall's troops on his right, the remainder occupying the works vacated by General Leggett's command. This perpendicular line was so enfiladed by the fire from the advancing troops from At- lanta, that I was compelled to swing my right still further back, con- necting with the 3d division, formed across a corn-field facing south. By direction of General Blair, Colonel Wanglein's brigade of 1st division, 15th corps, reported to me, and was formed on my left. In this position another attack was made by the enemy, by fresh troops brought up for the occasion, but it was again unsuccessful, though as persistently persevered in as on any previous occasion . * By dark the enemy had retired, except along the line of works, which position they held until nearly daylight next morning, thus being enabled to get off their wounded, but leaving the ground literally strewn with their slain.
We remained in this position during the night. In this engage- ment, which lasted from 12 o'clock M. until 7 o'clock P. M., seven hours, with scarcely any cessation, the only change being in the fury with which it raged; the troops of this division displayed the greatest gallantry . The first attack, sweeping around our left and attacking suddenly in our rear, might have thrown any veteran troops into confusion, but at the command they promptly took the other side of their works and fought with great coolness. Officers did their whole duty, and by their example and efficiency prevented any accident, which at many a critical moment would have been fatal. Four times during the battle they were compelled by at- tacks in their rear to change from one side of their works to the other, and change front twice to repel assaults from the left, thus
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occupying seven different positions during the engagement, besides minor changes of a portion of the command.
My loss was 1,040 men killed, wounded and missing. The loss of the enemy was not less than 4,000 killed and wounded, 326 prisoners, * including one Colonel, two Lieutenant-Colonels, and several other officers, and five stands of colors. Although the enemy held a portion of the left of our works, which was of no particular importance to either party, I consider their attack an entire failure in the object contemplated, and one, a few repetitions of which would destroy their own army .
For over four hours there was no communication with my hos- pital, and many of the wounded, who were unable to walk, fell into the hands of the enemy. I think fully one-third of those re- ported missing were either killed or wounded. Colonel W. W. Belknap, 15th Iowa, displayed all the qualifications of an accomplished soldier. * Many acts of gallantry were dis- played on the field by both officers and men, but having been only a short time in command of the division, I am unable to give the list of names, but refer you to the report of my brigade command- ers. * Captains Cadle, Doane, Marvin and Gurley, of my staff, had their horses shot; Lieutenant X. Piquet, ordnance of- ficer, was captured by the enemy while supplying the command with ammunition. *
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
GILES A. SMITH, Brig. Gen.
From General Wm. W. Belknap's address at the First Brigade reunion Sept. 28, 1881 :
The Iowa brigade was attacked first by Govan's brigade of Cle- burne's division of Hardee's corps. It contained the following regiments: 1st, 15th, 2d, 24th, 5th, 13th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 19th Arkansaw and 5th Confederate. This brigade captured the 16th
*Of which the 31 Brigade captured 257, and the 15th Iowa 138, over one-third of the whole.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
Iowa after the most gallant fighting on the part of that regiment, as the Confederate General says in his report. Afterward our brigade was assaulted by Lowrey's brigade, formed by the 3d, 5th, Sth and 32d Mississippi regiments, and the 16th, 33d and 45th Ala- bama regiments, in which the latter regiment was severely pun- ished, and its Colonel captured by the Colonel of the 15th Iowa. The following orders were issued by General Hardee in accordance with orders from General Hood the night before.
Headquarters Hardee's Corps, -
21st July, 1864-7:30 P. M. S
GENERAL: At dark you will withdraw your division within the city defenses. You will not take position on the line, but bivouac your troops with your left to the right, looking from Atlanta, of the railroad. Your skirmishers will be left out and will occupy your present line of defenses. It is proper to notify you that Cheatham's corps will also withdraw into the city defenses. The General enjoins watchfulness upon your skirmishers.
By command of
LIEUT .- GEN. HARDEE,
T. B. Roy, Ass't Adj't Gen.
To Major General Cleburne.
The next order is as follows:
11 P. M .- By direction of Lieutenant General Hardce, your divi- sion will move at 1 o'clock to-night on the road which will be in- dicated by the guide. Your skirmishers will be left on the line you occupied to-day. Respectfully,
T. B. ROY, Ass't Adj't Gen.
The following is a statement made by Captain Irving A. Buck, the Adjutant-General of Cleburne's division, who placed Govan's brigade in position on that day : .
" Although 17 years have elapsed, the incidents of the 22d of of July, 1864, are distinct in my mind. Our left brigade, Govan's, being heavily engaged and needing assistance, I was directed by
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General Cleburne to bring up our reserve brigade (Lowrey's) to Govan's aid. While riding back to execute this order I discovered that a gap of about a brigade front existed between our division and that upon our right ( Walker's), the two having swung apart in passing through dense woods, where to maintain the alignment was impossible. Knowing that the order to Lowrey was given in ignorance of this dangerous condition of things, and believing that the situation was too momentous to admit the loss of time necessary to communicate the facts to General Cleburne, I continued on. Finding General Lowrey, and after delivering my instructions, told him of this gap, and suggested that it should be filled, stating the posture of affairs, and saying that I had no orders to this effect, but that under the circumstances he would be justified in exercising his discretion and powers as a general officer to disregard the order and fill the space and avert a great danger. He was prompt to assume this responsibility, and after showing him the threatened point, I galloped back to General Cleburne, who approved the action. Very fortunate it was that Lowrey so decided, as he encountered the Federal troops moving upon this gap, and although he was very roughly handled, meeting heavy losses particularly in officers, the movement was stopped, which would have severed our corps and exposed our division to a flank attack, which could but have proven disastrous. This fierce attack upon Lowrey was made by your brigade, and the fighting must to a large extent have been by the 15th Iowa, as Colonel Lampley, of the 45th Alabama, was captured by you personally, and the colors of the regiment, which I have seen in your hands since the war, were taken by the 15th Iowa.
Lampley was too slightly wounded to have caused his death, which occurred some days later, and it is supposed that depression from chagrin at his misfortune contributed largely to his sad end. How little cause for shame or mortification he had upon his own
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account or that of his command, none other than yourself, who witnessed their gallant conduct, better knows.
This day was the most severe, fatal and hard-fought which it was the fortune of the division to be in during my services with it, and the record of its losses well attests the gallantry with which attack was made and met.
IRVING A. BUCK, Late Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cleburne's Division .
In another letter he writes:
Baltimore, August 20, 1883.
GEN. W. W. BELKNAP-Dear Sir :- It is with great regret that I find my business engagements are such as to forbid my accepting your kind invitation to attend the reunion of Crocker's brigade on the 26th of September. To assure you this decision has been arrived at reluctantly and only after my going was found to be im- possible, is quite unnecessary, as you are well aware that it is a cherished desire of mine to meet individually those I have such good cause to remember so well collectively. It would afford me infinite pleasure to take by the hand those brave men who were so often opposed to Cleburne's division in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign. But to my mind all other actions sink into minor con- sideration beside that of the 22d of July-where the relative merits as soldiers were displayed in a fair field and fight. Without detri- ment, I can truthfully say, to the reputation of either side, " It was Greek meeting Greek." No greater evidence of good troops can be given, than by the Iowa Brigade, when taken at the disadvantage of an exposed flank, turned by a sudden attack, and when pressed back to take up a new line, under fire, without demoralization, re- versing their works and defending themselves, with their backs to their original front. This severe test of the highest of soldierly qualities reflects credit alike upon the command and the commander who had disciplined and trained them to this eminent degree of effi- ciency, M. M. Crocker. As to the damage inflicted upon us I
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could well testify, if necessary, but our losses were sufficient in themselves-thirty general, field and acting field officers, and a total of 1,407 casualties in our division alone. It was never the same after this sad day, as the loss of field officers was irreparable, particularly in Govan's brigade, and one brigade, Polk's, never afterwards appeared as an organization, but the remnant assigned to other commands, and Mercer's brigade replacing it in the di- vision. The testimony of no one person can add weight to the fame of Crocker's men which history accords them and the long list of battles upon their colors confirmed. I merely write this as a just and willing tribute to their gallantry, as witnessed by one upon the opposite side. Well may the survivors of the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th Iowa be proud to boast that they were members of the Iowa Brigade. Wishing you all a pleasant time and many happy returns, I am, yours respectfully,
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