USA > Iowa > Iowa colonels and regiments: being a history of Iowa regiments in the war of the rebellion; and containing a description of the battles in which they have fought > Part 12
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"J assumed command of the line formed by the skirmishers of the 6th Iowa; and, at the designated signal, the men dashed forward with a shout, met the line of the enemy's skirmishers and pickets, drove them back, capturing eighteen or twenty, and killing as many more. Clearing the timber, they rushed out into the open field, across the railroad, over the fence, up a gentle slope, across the crest, down into the enemy's line, when two field-batteries of four guns each, pointing west, opened a terrifie cannonade. The enemy were driven from two pieces at the point of the bayonet, our men literally running them through. In rear of the batteries, two regiments were lying supporting the gunners, and, at our approach, they opened
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along their whole line, causing most of the casualties in this gallant regiment. With such impetuosity did the line go through the field that the enemy, so completely stunned were they, would have precipitately fled, had they not been re-as- sured by a large gun-battery, nearly six hundred yards to our right, which enfiladed the railroad line of skirmishers. Startled at this unexpected obstacle, which was now in full play, throwing its whirlwind of grape and canister about us until the corn fell as if by an invisible reaper, I ordered the bugle to sound the 'lie down.' The entire line fell in the corn-rows, and I had the opportunity to look round. * * * * Feeling that I had obtained all the information I could, I ordered the 'rise up' and 'retreat,' which was done in the most admirable manner, under the fire of at least three regiments and seven guns-three of these enfilading my line. But few of those who had so gallantly charged the battery got back. I cannot speak in too extravagant terms of the officers and men of the 6th Iowa on this occasion. * They awakened my admiration at the coolness with which they retired, return- ing the incessant fire of the enemy as they slowly fell back."
The loss of the 6th Iowa in this encounter was one killed, eighteen wounded, and nine missing. The conduct of the regi- ment filled the general commanding the division with admi- ration :
"HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
" IN FRONT OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, July 16th, 1863.
"COLONEL CORSE, commanding 6th Iowa Infantry:
"The valor of your noble regiment has been conspicuous, even amidst the universal good conduct that has marked the operations of all the troops of the 1st Division, during our advance upon Jackson, and since our arrival here. I can not too highly commend the gallantry you have displayed in two successful charges you have made. The true heart swells with emotions of pride in contemplating the heroism of those who, in their country's cause, charge forward under the iron-hail of half a dozen rebel batteries, and, exposed to a murderous fire of musketry from behind strong intrenchments, capture prison- ers under their very guns. Such has been the glorious conduct of the 6th Iowa this morning; and those who shared your dangers, and emulated your valor, will join me in tendering to
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you and the brave men under your command my warmest thanks and most hearty congratulations.
"Most truly yours,
"WILLIAM LOV'Y SMITH,
"Brigadier-General commanding 1st Dir., 16th A. C."
In October, 1863, the 6th Iowa, with its division, (which in the meantime had been transferred to the 15th Corps) marched to the relief of Chattanooga. Under General Hugh Ewing it fought on Mission Ridge. Its position was just to the left of the two brigades of General John E. Smith; and, with those troops, it fought for the possession of that point which covered General Bragg's line of retreat. It was so far to the left that it escaped the flank movement of the enemy from the railroad tunnel, and lost few, if any prisoners. The regiment, how- ever, suffered severely in killed and wounded. Eight fell dead upon the field, one of whom was the gallant Captain Robert Allison. Major Eunis, and Captains Calvin Minton, L. C. Allison and G. R. Nunn were wounded. The total number of killed and wounded was sixty-eight.
If foraging in the enemy's country is always a labor of danger, it is also sometimes attended with sport. Apropos, the 6th Iowa Infantry was one of the most expert and success- ful foraging regiments in the service. At all events, it was, in this respect, the banner regiment from Iowa; and I am aware how high is the compliment I am paying it. If that sergeant is still living, (I did not learn his name) he will recognize the following: Hugh Ewing's Division led John E. Smith's in the march from Chickasaw on the Tennessee to Bridgeport. That of which I speak occurred between Prospect Station and Fayetteville. We were marching along leisurely through & beautiful, highly-improved country, when, of a sudden, there was great confusion in the front. It would remind you of a crowd running to witness a show-day fight. A sergeant of the 6th lowa, with a squad of one man, two intiles and a revolver,
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had left his regiment on a foraging excursion, and returned with a whole train, ladened with the fruits of the land. He had fresh apples and dried apples, sweet potatoes and pumpkins, bed-clothes, and butter-milk in canteens: all were loaded on old rickety wagons, drawn by half-starved mules, and driven by American citizens of African descent. To share these spoils was the cause of the confusion. "Ile had got them for his boys," he said ; but precious few of them did his boys ever get.
At Fayetteville, the 6th Iowa was infantry, and, only two days later, when they passed us in the woods near Winchester, nearly half the regiment was cavalry. "What in the d-1 do you go a-foot for ?" they said to us; but they lost their horses before reaching Chattanooga, and, like us, fought at Mission Ridge on foot. The regiment was as reckless in battle as it was on the march.
General Corse was severely wounded at Mission Ridge, and disabled for several months. His intrepidity there, and his previous good conduct, secured his promotion to the rank of brigadier-general. When partially recovered, he was, I think, ordered on duty in Indiana. In a short time he was placed on General Sherman's staff, and in August, 1864, was assigned to the command of a division. That passage in his military his- tory which will make his name distinguished hereafter, is that which records his defense of Allatoona, Georgia. At the time in question he was in command of the 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, one of the divisions comprised in General Dodge's com- mand during the march on Atlanta. An account of the defense of Allatoona will be found elsewhere. I give below simply the correspondence of Generals French and Corse, and the congratulatory orders of Generals Howard and Sherman:
" AROUND ALLATOONA, October 5th, 8-15 A. M. "COMMANDING OFFICER U. S. FORCE, UNlatoona:
"SIR :- I have phweed the forces under my command in such positions that you are surrounded, and, to avoid a useless
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effusion of blood, I call on you to surrender your forces at once, and unconditionally. Five minutes will be allowed you to decide. Should you accede to this, you will be treated in the most honorable manner, as prisoners of war.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
"S. G. FRENCH, " Major-General commanding forces C. S."
[THE REPLY.] " HEAD QUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, ALLATOONA, GEORGIA, October 5th, 8:30 A M. " MAJOR-GENERAL S. G. FRENCH, C. S. A .:
"Your communication demanding surrender of my com- mand, I acknowledge receipt of, and respectfully reply that we are prepared for the useless effusion of blood whenever it is agreeable to you.
"I am very respectfully your obedient servant, "JOHN M. CORSE, " Brigadier-General commanding 4th Division, 15th A. C."'
How needless was the effusion of blood the following orders of Generals Howard and Sherman will show :
GENERAL FIELD ORDERS NO. 18.
" HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, NEAR KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 16th.
"Whilst uniting in the high commendation awarded by the General-in-chief, the Army of the Tennessee would tender through me its most hearty appreciation and thanks to Brig- adier-General J. M. Corse for his promptitude, energy and eminent success in the defense of Allatoona Pass, against a force so largely superior to his own ; and our warmest congrat- ulations are extended to him, to Colonel Tourtellotte, and the rest of our comrades in arms who fought at Allatoona, for the glorious manner in which they vetoed 'the useless effusion of blood.'
"OFFICIAL.
"O. O. HOWARD, Major-General."
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 86.
"HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD, KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 6th.
"The General commanding avails himself of the opportu-
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nity in the handsome defense made of ' Allatoona,' to illustrate the most important principle in war, that fortified posts should be defended to the last, regardless of the relative numbers of the party attacking and attacked.
"Allatoona was garrisoned by three regiments commanded by Colonel Tourtelotte, and reinforced by a detachment from a division at Rome, under command of Brigadier-General J. M. Corso on the morning of the 5th, and a few hours after was attacked by French's Division of Stewart's Corps, two other divisions being near at hand, and in support. General French demanded a surrender, in a letter to 'avoid an useless effusion of blood,' and gave but five minutes for an answer. General Corse's answer was emphatic and strong, that he and his com- mand were ready for the 'useless effusion of blood,' as soon as it was agreeable to General French.
"This answer was followed by an attack which was prolonged for five hours, resulting in the complete repulse of the enemy, who left his dead on the ground amounting to more than two hundred, and four hundred prisoners, well and wounded. The 'effusion of blood' was not 'useless,' as the position at Alla- toona was and is very important to our present and future operations.
"The thanks of this army are due, and hereby accorded to General Corse, Colonel Tourtelotte, officers and men for their determined and gallant defense of Allatoona, and it is made an example to illustrate the importance of preparing in time, and meeting the danger when present, boldly, manfully and well.
" This Army, though unseen to the garrison, was co-operat- ing by moving toward the road by which the enemy could alone escape, but unfortunately were delayed by the rain and mud, but this fact hastened the retreat of the enemy.
."Commanders and garrisons of posts along our railroads are hereby instructed that they must hold their posts to the last minute, sure that the time gained is valuable and neces- sary to their comrades at the front.
" By order of " Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, "L. M. DAYTON, A. D. C."
"OFFICIAL.
At Allatoona General Corse was again wounded. A musket- shot struck him in the cheek, and, for a time, rendered him
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insensible. Colonel R. Rowett of the 7th Illinois, as ranking officer, succeeded him in command ; and the fighting continued as before with great fury. At twelve o'clock M., Sherman had reached the summit of Kenesaw, and from that point signaled to the garrison : - " Hold on to Allatoona to the last ; I will help you." Not long after the enemy retired, having failed to draw their one million and a half of rations.
For his brilliant defense of Allatoona, General Corse was made, by brevet, a major-general. Since that time, he has remained in command of his division. IIe joined Sherman in the march from Atlanta to Savannah, and from that city to Raleigh. They say Sherman calls him, " my pet."
Subsequently to the engagement at Mission Ridge, the 6th lowa Infantry has been commanded a chief portion of the time by Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Miller. During the winter of 1863-1 the regiment was stationed with its division along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, between Bridgeport and Huntsville; but in the Spring was ordered to the front and served through the Atlanta campaign. It fought at Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, before Atlanta and at Jonesboro ; and lost in killed and wounded, in the months of May and June, an aggregate of one hundred and six. Lieutenant Rodney F. Barker, of Company A, was wounded in the first day's engagement at Dallas. On the 28th of May, the day following, Lieutenant F. F. Baldwin was killed, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Newby Chase mortally wounded. The former was killed while saving two guns of the 1st Jowa Battery from capture, and the latter, shot in the throat and mortally wounded, while on the skirmish line. A correspondent of the regiment says: "Better men never drew swords." Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Miller was severely wounded in this same engagement at Dallas. Indeed, three of the four regimental commanders of the 2d Brigade, 4th
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Division, were struck, two of them being killed-Colonel Diekerman of the 103d Illinois and Major Gisey of the 46th Ohio. The total loss of the 6th Iowa at Dallas, was seven men killed, and fifteen wounded.
On the 15th of June the regiment joined its division in the brilliant charge near Big Shanty, and, two days later, took part in the unsuccessful charge at Kenesaw Mountain. In that of the 15th instant, Lieutenant J. F. Grimes, acting adjutant, was killed. At the opening of the campaign, the 6th Iowa arrived before Dalton, nearly four hundred strong ; and by the middle of July had suffered a loss of fifty per cent. The last services of the 6th Iowa Infantry were performed in the marches from Atlanta to Savannah, and thenee to Raleigh.
General Corse is a small man. IIe is not above' five feet eight inches in hight, and weighs less than one hundred and twenty-five pounds. IIe is small in stature, and, to look at him, a stranger would not think his mind and body much out of pro- portion. He has more ability than he seems to have. He has sharp features, a dark complexion, large, dark eyes, and black hair, which he usually wears long. In his movements, he is dignified and somewhat consequential, carrying a high head, and wearing a stern countenance. (I speak of him as I saw him in the service.) Before he entered the service, his neigh- bors in Burlington told on him the following story. I do not suppose it is true, but possibly it illustrates his character. When he became a partner with his father in the book business, the story goes, there had to be a new sign made. The father suggested that it read, "J. L. Corse & Son;" while the future general insisted that it should read, "John M. Corse and Father."
I omitted to mention in the proper place that, in 1860, the general was a candidate for the office of Secretary of State. Perhaps I ought to omit it now, for I Venture to say, he is not
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proud of that passage in his history ; he was the candidate on the old Hickory ticket, with a certain prospect of being defeated.
In battle I believe General Corse to be as cool a man as ever met an enemy. His defense of Allatoona shows that. He has always seemed to act on the principle suggested by General Jerry Sullivan : "Boys, when you have fought just as long as you think you possibly can, then fight ten minutes longer, and you will always whip." General Corse has richly earned his distinguished reputation, and the State will always be proud of him.
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BRIGADIER-GENERAL JACOB G. LAUMAN.
FIRST COLONEL, SEVENTHI INFANTRY.
JACOB GARTNER LAUMAN was the fourth volunteer officer from Iowa, promoted to a brigadier. He was born in Tarry- town, Maryland, on the 20th day of January, 1813; but removed with his family, when young, to York, Pennsylva- nia. In 1844, he came West, and settled in Burlington, Iowa, where, engaging in mercantile pursuits, he has since made his home. At the outbreak of the war, he took an active part in enlisting and mustering our volunteer troops, and, on the 11th of July, 1861, was commissioned colonel of the 7th Iowa Infan- try -later, the heroes of Belmont.
While under the command of Colonel Lauman, the 7th Iowa was stationed and served at the following points : - Jefferson Barracks, Pilot Knob, Ironton, Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Missouri; Cairo, Illinois; Fort Holt, Mayfield Creek, Camp Crittenden and Fort Jefferson, Kentucky; and Norfolk and Bird's Point, Missouri. The regiment was stationed at the latter place, on the 6th of November, 1861, when it sailed on the Belmont expedition, the object of which was, "to prevent the enemy from sending out re-inforcements to Price's army in Missouri, and also from cutting off columns that I [Grant] had been directed to send out from Cairo and Cape Girardeau, in pursuit of Jeff Thompson."
On this expedition, the battle of Belmont was fought; and the conduct of Colonel Lauman in the engagement, together with that of his regiment, gave him his early popularity as a military leader. At Belmont, the 7th Iowa greatly distin- guished itself, and received from General Grant, in his official
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report, the following mention : - " Nearly all the missing were from the Iowa regiment, (the 7th) who behaved with great gallantry, and suffered more severely than any other of the troops."
Just when the enemy had been driven from their camp, and down the steep bank of the Mississippi, Colonel Lauman, while giving Captain Parrott instructions with reference to the cap- tured artillery, was disabled from a musket-shot wound in the thigh. He was taken back to the transports on one of the guns of Captain Taylor's Battery, just in advance of his regiment, and was only in time to escape that terrible enfilading fire that well nigh annihilated the rear of Grant's forces.
A remarkable incident occurred while the troops were re-embarking after the battle. It is well vouched for, and wor- thy of record. The last transport had just cut its hawser, and was dropping out into the stream, when the enemy suddenly appeared on the bank with artillery. One piece was hastily put in battery, and leveled on the crowded decks of the trans- port. The rebel gunner was just about pulling the lanyard, when a shell, from one of the Union gun-boats, burst directly under the carriage of the gun, throwing gun, carriage and all high in the air. The carriage was demolished, and, while still in the air, the gun exploded. The rebel gunner and several others were killed; and the lives of at least a score of Union soldiers were saved by this remarkable shot.
"It was after the retreat had commeneed that Lieutenant- Colonel Wentz was killed. He died on the field of battle, like a true soldier; he was a truly brave man, and did his duty well and nobly. Lieutenant Dodge of Company B was killed, and Lieutenant Gardner, who commanded Company I, and Lieutenant Ream of Company C, mortally wounded. Among my officers, more or less severely wounded, you will find the names of Major Rice, Captains Harper, Parrott, Kittredge and Gardner, and Ist Lieutenant De Heus, (who commanded com-
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pany A) of whose bravery I desire to speak in the most emphatic manner. I desire also to direct your attention to Captain Crabb, who was taken prisoner, and who behaved in the bravest manner. But I might go on in this way and name nearly all my command, for they all behaved like heroes; but there are one or two more I feel it my duty to name as deserv- ing special mention. Lieutenant Bowler, adjutant of the regi- ment, and Lieutenant Estle, whose conduct was worthy of all praise, and private Lawrence A. Gregg, whose thigh was broken and he left on the field; he was taken prisoner and his leg amputated, but he died the same day, telling his captors with his dying breath, that, if he ever recovered so as to be able to move, he would shoulder his musket again in his coun- try's cause."
"My entire loss in killed, wounded, prisoners and missing, out of an aggregate of somewhat over four hundred, is as follows: Killed, fifty-one; died of wounds, three; missing, ten; prisoners, thirty-nine; wounded, one hundred and twenty- four. Total, two hundred and twenty-seven."
Having recovered from his wound, Colonel Lauman re-joined his regiment ; and at the battle of Fort Donelson was placed in command of a brigade, composed of the 2d, 7th and 14th Iowa, and the 25th Indiana. At Fort Donelson, the gallantry of his brigade-more especially that of the 2d Iowa-made him a brigadier-general. From what occurred just before the success- ful assault was made, it seems that the success of his troops was unlooked for by Colonel Lauman; for to Colonel Tuttle, who desired to lead the charge, he said: "Why, sir, you can't go up there; didn't I try it yesterday?" And to the reply of Colonel Tuttle, that he would, if he lost the last man of his regiment, he said, "Oh, sir! you'll soon get that taken out of you." After the assault of the 2d Iowa at Fort Donelson, Colonel Lauman believed there was nothing that brave men could not accomplish.
After being promoted to the rank of a brigadier, General Lauman was assigned to the command of a brigade in General Hurlbut's Division, with which he fought in the left wing of
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Grant's army at Shiloh. Colonel Williams of the 3d Iowa having been disabled in that engagement, General Lauman succeeded him in the command of his brigade; which com- mand he retained until the following October. He marched with Sherman and Hurlbut from Corinth to Memphis, after the fall of the former place; and, in the following Fall, when the enemy began to show activity in the neighborhood of Corinth, returned with Hurlbut to the vicinity of Bolivar, Tennessee; near which place he was encamped just before the battle of Iuka. To mislead the enemy under Price at Iuka, or, as General Grant expresses it, "to cover our movement from Corinth, and to attract the attention of the enemy in another direction, I ordered a movement from Bolivar to Holly Springs. This was conducted by Brigadier- General Lauman." On the 5th of October, General Lauman commanded his brigade in the battle on the Hatchie.
General Hurlbut's march from Bolivar to the Big Muddy, about two miles west of the Hatchie, has already been given in the sketch of Colonel Aaron Brown. The battle of the Hatchie, or Matamora, opened between the Federal and Confederate artillery, the former stationed on the bluffs, and the latter in the Hatchie Bottom. After a brief artillery duel, the 2d Brigade, General Veatch commanding, charged the enemy's infantry that had crossed the bridge to the west side of the stream, and routed them. Falling back across the bridge, they, with the balance of the rebel forces, took up a position on the opposite bluffs. General Ord, now coming to the front, determined to attack the enemy in their strong position, and accordingly ordered General Veatch to push his brigade across the bridge.
The topography of the battle-ground on the cast side of the Hatchie, is thus well given by Lieutenant Thompson, of the 3d lowa Infantry :
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"Beyond the river there was about twelve rods of bottom, and then there arose a very high and steep bluff. Along the brow of this, the enemy, rallying and reinforced, had formed new lines of battle, and planted artillery, which, from different points, enfiladed the road and bridge, and swept the field on both sides of the stream. Following up the river just above the bridge, it makes an abrupt elbow, and comes down from the east, running parallel to the road on the opposite side [of the bridge]. In this elbow, and on not more than half an acre of ground, a part of General Veatch's Brigade, according to the orders of General Ord, would have to deploy."
Crossing the bridge and filing to the left, it was possible to gain the enemy's right flank; for on that side of the road the north point of the bluffs could be passed; and what seems strange is that, a man of General Ord's ability should not have discovered this strategical point. The balance of General Lau- man's Brigade, which was of the reserve forces, was now ordered across the bridge, and directed to file to the right, into the inevitable pocket. General Lauman, accompanied by his orderlies, led the advance. To cross the open field, and then the bridge, was a most perilous undertaking; for, on the bluffs on the opposite side, as has already been stated, the enemy's artillery was so planted as to give them a converging fire on both the field and bridge. General Lauman reached the oppo- site side in safety, followed by the other two regiments of his brigade, one of which was the 3d Iowa Infantry.
The battle was now raging with great fury, the enemy from their elevated position pouring a deadly, continuous fire on their helpless victims below, whose returning fire was almost wholly ineffectual. Confusion must soon have followed ; but just then General Ord was wounded, and General Hurlbut assumed command. He at once crossed the bridge, and, in person, directed a flank movement around the bluff's to the left. The troops employed were the 46th Hinois, the 68th Ohio, and the 12th Michigan. The enemy's right flank was soon gained
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