USA > Iowa > History of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry Volunteers : giving a complete record of the movements of the regiment from its organization until mustered out > Part 12
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Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
O. O. HOWARD, Major General Commanding.
STATE OF IOWA, EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
, October 8, 1864.
MAJOR GENERAL O. O. HOWARD, COMMANDING
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, EAST POINT, GA. :
SIR:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your requisition of drafted men for Iowa regiments in the Army of the Tennessee, and the accompaning letter of September 23rd. You are doubtless aware that the disposition of drafted men and volunteer recruits is taken entirely out of the hands of the state executive, and made under the full direction of the war department. I have, therefore, no control whatever over the subject, and can only unite with you in requesting that the regiments designated, be filled up as far as the number of men furnished by the state will go. The actual number of men due from the state, under the late call, after de- ducting the excesses furnished over former calls, is less than four thousand. You will perceive, therefore, that if the regiments serv- ing under your command should receive the entire number obtained, it will fall considerably short of filling your requisition. In my opinion, it is the policy of the government to send the new levies into the department where they are most needed for immediate and active service, and distribute them to those regiments which have done the most work and sustained the heaviest losses.
No one can appreciate more fully than I do the great services
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performed by the gallant Army of the Tennessee, and its high claims to the grateful consideration of the country. My admira- tion of this army is essentially increased by the fact that many Iowa regiments, to whose heroic achievements the state is vastly indebted for the high place it occupies in the history of the war, have been associated with it from its earliest organization, and have borne a conspicuous part in all the memorable campaigns which have crowned the soldiers of the northwest with such im- perishable honor.
Entertaining these feelings myself, and knowing it to be uni- versally shared in by the loyal people of our state, and having a soldiers warmest affection for the noble men who have survived these perilous campaigns. I should fail in doing justice to my con- victions of duty, did I not join with you in earnestly recommend- ing that their now thinned ranks be speedily filled.
Thanking you, General, for this evidence of your kind feeling toward these brave regiments, and the deep interest, I am assured you constantly manifest in their welfare and good name, I remain, Very truly yours, W. M. STONE.
General Sherman writes the following letter to Grant in regard to future campaigns:
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI. SAVANNAH, GA., December 24, 1864. LIEUTENANT GENERAL U. S. GRANT, CUPY POINT, VAA. :
GENERAL: Your letter of December 18th is just received. I feel very much gratified at receiving the handsome commenda- tion you pay my army. I will, in general orders, convey to the officers and men, the substance of your note.
I am also pleased that you modified your further orders, for I feared that the transportation by sea would very much disturb the unity and morals of my army, now so perfect.
The occupation of Savannah, which I have heretofore reported, completes the first part of our game, and fulfills a great part of your instructions; and we are now engaged in dismantling the reb- el forts which bear upon the sea channels, and transferring the heavy ordinance and ammunition to Fort Pulaski and Hilton Head, where they can be more easily guarded than if left in the city.
The rebel inner lines are well adapted to our purpose, and with slight modifications can be held by a comparatively small force;
HISTORY OF THE THIRTIETH IOWA INFANTRY. 117
and in abont ten days I expect to be ready to sally forth again. I feel no doubt whatever as to our future plans. I have thought them over so long and well that they appear as clear as daylight. I left Augusta untouched on purpose, because the enemy will be in doubt as to my objective point, after we cross the Savannah river, whether it be Angusta or Charleston, and will naturally di- vide his forces. I will then move either on Branchville or Colum- bia. by any curved line that gives the best supplies, breaking up in our course as much railroad as possible; then, ignoring Augusta and Charleston both, I will occupy Columbia and Camden, pausing there long enough to observe the effect. I would then strike for the Charleston and Wilmington railroad, somewhere between the Santee and Cape Fear rivers, and if possible, communicate with the fleet under Admiral Dahlgren (whom I find a most agreeable gen- tleman, accommodating himself to our wishes and plans.) Then I would favor an attack on Wilmington, in the belief that Porter and Butler will fail in their present undertaking. Charleston is now a mere desolated wreck, and is hardly worth the time it takes to starve it out, still, I am aware that, historically and polit- ically, much importance is attached to the place, and it may be that, apart from its military importance, both you and the ad- ministration may prefer I should give it more attention, and it would be well for you to give me some general idea on that sub- jeet, for otherwise I would treat it as I have expressed, as a point of little importance after all its railroads heading into the interior have been destroyed or occupied by ns. But on the hypothesis of ignoring Charleston and taking Wilmington, I would then favor a movement on Raleigh. The game is then up with Lee unless he comes out of Richmond, avoids you and fights me, in which case I should reckon on your being on his heels.
Now that Hood is used up by Thomas, I feel disposed to bring the matter to an issne as quickly as possible. I feel confident that I can break up the whole railroad system of South Carolina and North Carolina, and be on the Roanoke, either at Raleigh or Wel- don, by the time that spring fairly opens; and, if you feel confident that you can whip Lee outside of his intrenchments, I feel equally confident that I can handle him in the open country.
One reason that I would ignore Charleston is this: that I believe that Hardee will reduce the garrison to a small force, with plenty of provisions; I know that the neck back of Charleston can be made impregnable to assault, and we will hardly have time for siege operations.
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I will have to leave in Savannah a garrison, and, if Thomas can spare them, I would like to have all detachments, convalescents, ete., belonging to these four corps, sont forward at once. I do not want to cripple Thomas because I regard his operations as all im- portant, and I have ordered him to pursue Hood down into Ala- bama, trusting to the country for supplies.
I reviewed one of my corps today and shall continue to review the whole army. I do not like to boast, but believe this army hasa confidence in itself that makes it almost invincible. I wish you could run down and see us; it would have a good effect and show to both armies that they are acting on a common plan. The weath- er is now cool and pleasant, and the general health is very good. Your true friend,
W. T. SHERMAN, Major General Commanding.
The following is a confidential letter written by Grant to Sher- man:
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, D. C., December 18th, 186 1. MAJOR GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN,
COMMANDING MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI MY DEAR GENERAL:
I have just received and read, I need not tell you with how much gratification, your letter to Gen. Halleck. I congratulate you and the brave officers and men under your command on the successful termination of your most brilliant campaign. I never had a doubt of the results. When apprehensions for your safety were express- ed by the president, I assured him with the army you had, and you in command of it, there was no danger but you would strike bot- tom on salt water some place; that I would not feel the same secur- ity- in fact, would not have intrusted the expedition to any other living commander. It has been very hard to get Thomas to attack Hood. I gave him the most preemptory orders and had started to go there myself before he got off. He has done magnificiently, however, since he started. Up to last night, five thousand prison . ers and forty nine pieces of captured artillery, besides many way ons and innumerable small arms, have been received in Nashville. This is exclusive of the enemy's loss at Franklin which amounted to thirteen general officers killed, wounded and captured. The eu- emy probably lost five thousand men at Franklin, and ten thousand
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in the last three days operations. Breckinridge is said to be mak- ing for Murfreesboro. I think he is in a most excellent place. Stoneman has nearly wiped out John Morgan's old command, and five days ago entered Bristol.
I did think the best thing to do was to bring the greater part of our army here, and wipe out Lee. The turn affairs now seem to be taking has shaken me in that opinion. I doubt whether you may not accomplish more toward that result where you are than if brought here, especially as I am informed since my arrival in the city, that it would take about two months to get you here, with all the other calls there are for ocean transportation. I want to get your views about what ought to be done and what can be done. If you capture the Garrison of Savannah, it certainly will compel Lee to detach from Richmond, or give us nearly the whole south. My own opinion is that Lee is averse to going out of Virginia, and if the cause of the south is lost, he wants Richmond to be the last place surrendered. If he has such views, it may be well to indulge him until we get everything else in our hands.
Congratulating you and the army again upon the splendid re- sults of your campaign, the like of which is not read of in past his- tory, I subscribe myself more than over, if possible,
Your friend,
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, January 14th, 1864.
. The following resolution of the Senate and House of Representa- tives is published to the army:
Joint resolution tendering the thanks of the people and of con- gress to Major General Wm. T. Sherman, and the officers and sol- diers of his command, for their gallant conduet, in their late bril- liant movement through Georgia.
PUBLIC RESOLUTION No. 4.
Be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the thanks of the people and of the Congress of the United States are due and are hereby tendered to Major General Win. T. Sherman, and through him to the officers and men under his command, for their gallantry and good conduet in their late campaign from Chat- tanooga to Atlanta, and the triumphant march thence through
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Georgia to Savannah, terminating in the capture and occupation of that city; and that the president canse a copy of this resolution to be engrossed and forwarded to Major General Sherman.
Approved, January 10th, 1865.
By order of the Secretary of War.
W. A. NICHOLS, Assistant Adjutant General.
Report of Colonel George A. Stone, 25th Iowa Infantry, com- manding third brigade, of the capture of Columbia, S. C.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
NEAR COLUMBIA, S. C., February 19, 1865.
CAPTAIN:
I respectfully report the action taken by my command in the capture of the city of Columbia:
On the evening of the 16th inst. I received orders from Brevet Major General Wood, to have my command in readiness to cross Broad river in the boats of the pontoon train at a point to be desig- nated by Colonel Tweedale of the First Missouri Engineers; and so soon as crossed, to move at once on the city. The point of cross- ing designated was about half a mile above the wreck of the bridge and about two miles above the city of Columbia. We expected to have effected a crossing and to have moved on the city by day- light but the current of the river was so strong, the engineers did not succeed in getting a line across until three o'clock in the morn- ing of the 17th inst. At 3:50 o'clock I sent over two loads of sharp shooters under Captain Bowman of my staff, with instructions to put them as piekets or skirmishers, the center of his line to be op- posite the crossingat least seventy-five yards distant, with the fanks resting on the river. He had particular instructions to keep his men quiet, and not to reply to any firing of the enemy, unless satisfied they meant an attack on him. I went over with the ad- vance of the first regiment, the 30th Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Rob- erts, and made a personal reconnoissance of the ground. I found I had landed on a small island about two hundred yards in length and twenty-five yards in width in the shape of a crescent. I at once put up a line of works and by this time four regiments had crossed.
The enemy was now discovered to be very active, their skirm- ishers annoying us considerable. From a movement of the troops
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HISTORY OF THE THIRTIETH IOWA INPANTRY.
toward his right, I was satisfied the enemy was endeavoring to re- inforce his line, and that to insure success I should at once attack without waiting for the remainder of the brigade. Accordingly I made the following disposition of my troops for the attack: the 31st Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins commanding, was moved across the island toward the north, nearly parallel with the river, until I found his left about opposite the enemy's right. I next ordered up Major Abernathy, commanding the 9th lowa, with his regiment, his right resting on Colonel Jenkin's left, and Major Abernathy's left toward the river, with directions that when the assault was ordered, he should change directions to the right on the double quick, in order to turn the enemy's left, and also strike him in the rear. The disposition being made to my satisfaction I returned to the island and ordered Lieutenant Colonel Roberts to assault directly in front of us. The 25th Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Palmer com- manding, was ordered to follow as reserve, and sent word to Lieu- tenant Nichols, commanding the 4th Iowa, to join Lieutenant Col- onel Palmer as fast as his men had crossed. Everything now being in readiness, the signal was given and the assault was made by all the regiments at the same time. The result proved no mis- take, either in the planning or the execution. Before the enemy was hardly aware of it, we were right onto his skirmish line. The 30th lowa hero captured thirty prisoners. I accompanied this reg- iment and can by personal observation, testify to the gallant man- ner in which they made the assault. In front of the island were a number of small bayous running parallel with the river about 20 feet wide and some of them waist deep. Few stopped to find logs on which to cross, but plunged in, holding guns and cartridge boxes above the water.
I found Colonel Palmer's brigade of infantry, of General Steven- son's division and apparently a regiment of cavalry were the troops disputing the crossing. Having driven the enemy in our front, and noticing a demonstration on his right to turn my left, I order- ed a halt, and commenced throwing up a line of works, while wait- ing for the advance of Brevet Brigadier General Wood's brigade to get over. So soon as I discovered the brigade had commenced crossing I moved for the city, easily driving the regiment of cav- alry that disputed our advance. We had arrived within about a mile of the city, when a carriage, displaying a flag of truce, ap- proached, containing Mr. Goodwin, Mayor of Columbia, and the city aldermen, who came to offer terms of capitulation. I refused anything but an unconditional surrender, which, after a few words
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HISTORY OF THE THIRTIETH IOWA INFANTRY.
he consented to an unconditional surrender of the city of Columbia. I joined the party in the carriage with Major Creamer of the 30th Iowa, and Capt. Pratt of General Logan's staff, and left the brigado under the temporary charge of Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, of the 31st Iowa, and preceded the column about half a mile. When near the suburbs of the city I noticed some of the advanced skirni- ishers, say fifteen in number, being driven back by apparently a battalion of rebel cavalry. I at onee called a corporal and three men who happened to be near me, and put the mayor and the al- dermen in the corporal's charge, and Major Anderson took about forty of my flankers and advanced on the cavalry. The corporal was instructed that in case one man was killed or wounded he should at once shoot the mayor and his party. Joining the retreat- ing skirmishers, with the forty flankers, we speedily dispersed the rebel cavalry, having no more trouble in gaining the city. I pro- ceeded to the state house with Captain Pratt, and Major Creamer and Lieutenant Riffley of the 30th lowa, and the color sergeant, and put the first United States flag on the building.
During the engagement, the regimental commanders did their duty well. Major Abernathy and Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins on the left and center and Lieutenant Colonel Roberts on the right and Lieutenant Colonel Palmer of the 25th Iowa followed by Lieu- tenant Colonel Nichols of the 4th Iowa; supporting the assault in a handsome manner. Lieutenant Colonel Roberts and his adjutant, First Lieutenant James M. Smith, deserve notice for the gallant manner in which they pushed their line forward. Captain A. B. Smith, of General Wood's staff accompanied me in the assault and also deserves notice for his gallant conduct. My thanks are due all my staff officers, Captain Bell, Captain Bowman, Acting Assistant Adjutant General Snow, and Lieutenant Crane for doing their du- ty well.
I was absent from the brigade about half an hour in placing the flag on the state house, and when I rejoined my command I found a great number of the men drunk. It was discovered that this was caused by hundreds of negroes who swarmed the streets on the approach of the troops and gave them all kinds of liquor from buckets, bottles, demijohns, etc. The men had slept none the night before, and but little the night before that, and many of them had had no supper the night before and none of them had breakfast that morning, hence the speedy effect of the liquor. I forthwith ordered all liquor destroyed and saw fifteen barrels de- stroyed within five minutes after the order had been given.
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Brevet Major General Wood now sent me word to guard the pri- vate property of the citizens, and take possession of all public build- ings. I did so immediately upon receipt of the order, distributing my five regiments through the city, and appointed Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, 31st lowa, provost marshal. A nmber of the buildings were fired during the early part of the evening, but the fires were put out before they had gained much headway. A great many drunken men were now showing themselves in the streets from, I should think, every regiment of our corps, some from the 17th corps and some from General Kilpatrick's cavalry. My com- mand was so scattered throughout the city I found it necessary to have a stronger guard, and therefore applied through my Acting Assistant Adjutant General to Brevet Major General Woods twice, one in the morning for one or two more regiments for a patrol of the city, but received no reinforcement. About 8 o'clock the city was fired in a number of places by some of our escaped prisoners and citizens (I am satisfied I can prove this); as some of the fire origi- nated in basements stored full of cotton, it was impossible to ex- tinguish it. The fire engines were ordered out, but the flames could not be stopped; the buildings were old, nearly all wooden ones and the wind blowing ahnost a gale. At 8 p. m. I received orders that I was relieved by Brevet Brigadier General Wood, and I sent the brigade to camp about one mile out of the town but res mained in the city myself, working all night to assist in extinguish- ing the fire.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE A. STONE, Colonel Commanding. To Captain Fred H. Wilson, Acting Assistant Adjutant General, First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps.
The following is the report of Colonel George A. Stone, 25th Iowa Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of operations from January 10th to March 26th, 1865:
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, NEAR GOLDSBORROUGH, N. C., March 26, 1865. CAPTAIN:
In accordance with orders, I respectfully report a summary of the part taken by this command in the campaign just ended. The campaign commenced on the 10th day of January and ended
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with my command on the 26th day of March, making a duration of two months and sixteen days. On the 10th day of January, last, I had orders to march from our camp near Savannah, Ga., to Fort Thunderbolt. On the 12th of January I took shipping at Fort Thunderbolt, for Beaufort, S. C., with all the regiments of my command, save one, the 25th Iowa, which was left behind to assist in fetching up the transportation of the division. This regiment reported to me in camp near Beaufort, S. C., on the 14th day of January, 1865. On the 27th day of January we broke up camp and resumed the march. During this campaign, this brigade has had four engagements with the enemy. First at Little Congaree Creek, near Columbia, S. C., on the 15th day of February last. The second brigade of this division had the advance on that day and commenced skirmishing with the enemy within two miles of the camp we had left that morning. They drove the enemy without further assistance until near Little Congaree creek, when from the nature of the ground, the enemy was able to make a stubborn re- sistance.
Here my brigade was ordered up and went into position on the left of the second brigade, Colonel Catterson commanding. I was or- dered to form in two lines of battle, two regiments front, and the other regiment, the 4th, to cover the front as skirmishers, and move forward to effect a crossing on the Little Congaree ereck, if pos- sible. Immediately in front of the 4th Iowa was a swamp about waist deep, about 200 yards wide. The regiment did not falter at this obstacle, but gallantly plunged in, led by its commanding of- ficer, Lieutenant Colonel Nichols. We were now about 500 yards above the position held by the rebels on Little Congaree ereck, and a branch of the same stream entering between us and the creek it- self. It was discovered our present position flanked an outpost of the enemy on the same side of the stream we were now on and three companies of the 4th lowa and four companies of the 9th Iowa were ordered to attack this outpost; Major Anderson, 4th Iowa, com- manding the skirmishers making the attack and Captain Bowman, of the 9th Iowa, commanding the reserve. The attack was made with great vigor and was entirely successful. The enemy could not withstand the impetuosity of the skirmishers, and broke off after a few minutes fighting, to the opposite side of the crock. 1 now moved my command forward to the branch of Little Congaree, separating us from the main creek, and with the 4th Iowa I went about three-quarters of a mile up the creek, to a point beyond the enemy's right flank and in their rear. I ordered the 4th Towa to
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cross here on a log as quietly as possible, intending, as soon as that regiment had crossed, to support it with two other regiments, and attack the enemy from the rear. Had I succeeded in this arrange- ment, I have no doubt I should have captured the enemy'sartillery and many prisoners, but the men first over discovered themselves to the enemy and he immediately commenced preparations to leave; the skirmishers drove him off before the column could get over, and this opened the crossing of the Little Congaree Creek. Lieu- tenant Colonel Nichols and Major Anderson of the ith lowa and Captain Bowman of the 9th Iowa, deserve notice for the gallant manner in which they did their duty. The whole division now crossed and formed a line of battle on a platean about a mile from the creek. Iagain went into position on the left. Some rebel cavalry skirmishers threatening my front, I moved on them with four companies of the 25th Iowa and we soon drove them back to their main line. The list of casualities has been already furnished you.
My next engagement with the enemy was at the city of Colum- bia, captured by my command on the 17th day of February, an of- ficial account of which, with the casualities and number of prisoners was made to you under date of the 19th day of February.
I did not meet the enemy again, in any force, till the 20th inst., on our march that day from our camp near Cox's bridge on the Nense river, towards Bentonville. The second brigade, Colonel Catterson, had the advance that day and skirmished freely with the enemy, driving him easily, until we had arrived within three miles of Bentonville. The enemy here became stubborn and threatening an attack on the second brigade, I was ordered up and went into position on Colonel Catterson's left. We now advanced . our line of battle of two brigades about a half a mile and put up works. About three p. m. I was directed by the Brevet Major General Woods, commanding the division, and also by Major Gen- oral Logan, commanding the corps, to take three regiments, and if possible to clear the road in our front and open communication with the fourteenth corps now fighting apparently a mile from us on our left front. I placed the 25th Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Pal- . mer, commanding, which regiment I had ordered out about an hour before, as skirmishers. to take the advance, and directed the 30th Towa, Lieutenant Colonel Roberts commanding, and the 31st lowa, Lieut. Col. Jenkins commanding, to follow as reserve. The 25th Iowa was deployed as skirmishers, with their colors in the road I was going to clear, and my first movement with the regiment was to change direction to the right. This movement was made steadily
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