USA > Iowa > Delaware County > Manchester > Reunion of the 12th Iowa V.[eteran] V.[olunteer] infantry 1st-8th, 1880-1903 > Part 38
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There are iron tablets marking the locations of the lines of battle, of both union and rebel armies, during both days: markers showing locations of camps, also, historieal tablets. Each division headquarters is indicated by a pyramid of shell, on a base of granite; and where a general officer, either Federal or Confederate, was killed or mortally wounded, a manu- ment is erected, consisting of a thirty-two pound Parrot gun, surrounded by four pyramids of shells. all on a base of granite. Two mounted cannon mark the position of each battery.
The states of Iowa, Ilinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, have erected monuments for their regiments engaged in the battle. Other states will probably follow their example. Most of the monuments are of granite with bronze tablets. Each regimental monument is created where the regiment held its position in the battle. That of the Twelfth Iowa stands where the colors were located, during the day. lova and Illinois have also, each erected a state monument; the former being by far, the finer. The bronze work is not yet placed in position on The Iowa monument, owing to a dispute as to the quality of the bronze. When completed, it will stand seventy-four and a half feet to the top of the spread eagle, that is perched on top of the globe that surmounts the column. This will cost $25,000, while cach of the eleven regimental mon- uments will cost about $2,000.
The cemetery, located on a beautiful site, near the river. contains about four thousand dead, many of them unknown; each grave being marked by a marble slab. It is inclosed with a stone wall and iron gates, and is beautifully ornamented by a variety of native trees, and others transplanted; and by a profusion of roses, flowering plants and shrubs. There are a number of magnolia trees, all bearing their rich, cream col- ored flowers. Over the stone walls, climb here and there, the honey- suckle and trailing vines. On the river front are two cannon mounted, as though standing guard over the "bivouac of the dead," while the stars and stripes floats from a staff near by. At convenient intervals along the graveled walks, are iron tablets, bearing poetical quotations from that beautiful patriotic poem by O'Hara.
IOWA
IOWA STATE MONUMENT ON SHILOH BATTLEFIELD.
THELETH IOWA
We visited our Twelfth lowa camping ground. and stood at the edge of the Land, overlooking the little spring branch where Reed and I were performing our Sunday morning ablutions, when the long roll rang out upon the air. on the morning of that fateful day. We drove ont along the road where we had marched that morning, to the place where we took our position in the line of battle along the edge of the Duncan field, a mile and a half to the front. Here we stood, where we had stood forty - one years before, and locked out over the field. In my imagination, I fought over again. my part of that fearful conflict. I could see the rebels marching along in the edge of the woods at the farther side of the field, and take position behind the rail fence. I could see them charge across the field, three times. as far as the ravine near the middle, where we always stopped them by our fire. Then, as they advanced through the woods at our lett. we drove them back in the same way. In every charge, we repulsed them with fearful slaughter. Then as we turned from our position in this "Hornet's Nest." and walked back over our line of retreat, the whole panorama was before me. I could see the rebel force directly in our rear, as we drove them back. 'Then I could see the rebel lines ad- vancing on both sides, our own forces falling back before them. Then, as we attempted, by double-quick, to get out at the gap. that we could see was rapidly closing, the retreating soldiers on either side broke into om ranks, and our line was completely disorganized, and we were practically surrounded. It was impossible to fire, without shooting each other. The rebels were pouring in a murderous fire upon us, and men were falling by the score. I remember many incidents connected with this terrible scene; comrades falling all around me, bullets whizzing by, like so many hees, and of efforts to rally the men. Here, is where we surrendered. I recall, very distinctly, the circumstance of Capt. Edgington surrendering his sword to Gen. Polk. At this point, a tablet is placed, commemorat- ing our surrender, which occurred at about half past five o'clock in the ( vening.
I will not attempt, and would fail if I did to describe my emotions, as I stood on that old battlefield, on the line of battle, where we held our position during that fearful conflict; my wife standing by my side, as interested as though she had passed through all these experiences with me: and later, as we stood on the very spot where the surrender took place, and still later, as we visited the field where we were first helt as prisoners, during that night of terror and of storm. No one who has not passed through such an experience, can understand or realize what it means.
It will be worth the while of any comrade, who can do so, to visit the Shiloh National Park and Cemetery, and take his wife with him. Go when the secretary, Major Reed, is there. For some years he has made a thorough and systematic study of the battle, and is better informed as to all its details, both from a Federal and Confederate standpoint, than any other man. You will find him a comrade, and a competent and obliging guide.
The battle of Shiloh was one of the most sanguinary of the Civil War. The percentage of killed and wounded was greater than at any other battle of that great confliet.
PILO R. WOODS, Co. 0. 12th lowa.
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EIGHTH REUNION
W. F M.Canon.
A visit to the battlefield er Shift for the first time, after an absence therefrom of forty-one years by a man who, just leaving his 'teens, had been a soldier in that awful struggle of young American valor, calls viv- idly to mind the scenes that then and there transpired.
T. J. Lindsay, a soldier in an Ohio regiment, who was desperately wounded in the face on Sunday, and left for dead, and who suffered eight days after before he received proper attention, four of which be had nothing to cat, and whose regiment lost fifty per cent of the number engaged speaking of his list visit to that field in later years says: "There is an epoch in the life of every man whether it be of misfortune or otherwise, the vivid recollection of which time cannot mar. "Which," he says, "was my life epoch. I can see every thing as though it were yesterday. The great gray columns as they came chasing and cheering through the open woods and fields, npon an army prejatt ing for inspection and review, and listening to the sweet southern song birds, as they wel- comed the rising sun, but were soon hushed by the v bizzing, murderous 'Minnie' ".
Further describing the scene on Sunday night after the two armies, exhausted by a day of bloody work, rested on their arms. or matenvered for new positions, this soldier who heard it all, describes the scene as follows: "Sunday night was more terrible that can possibly be pictured. 'The air was filled with pleading cries for help and water, and to add to the horror, the gunboats were throwing their heavy shellsall night among the helpless wounded of both sides, setting fire to the woods in many places, and burning to death many helpless men who might have been saved. Heaven seemed to take pity, for before midnight a heavy deluge of rain came and put out the fires." I have quoted from this soldier because it so fully corroborates my own recollections. The present gen- eration can scarcely realize what the feelings of an old soldier are on recalling scenes like these in which he was a participant.
May 30, 1903 was the first time I had found it convenient to re-visit. the Shiloh battle field. and this was in response to an invitation by the G. A. R. Department of Tennessee, that being the occasion of the annual decoration of the graves of the Nation's dead. The route From Chatta- nooga is by way of Corinth, Miss., the battle field being about twenty-two miles from Corinth, by private conveyance, over the same route taken by Major-General Albert Sidney Johnson when he deliberately marched his 43,960 veterans of the Army of the Mississippi on April 4th and 5th, 1862 to attack Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, with his Army of the Tennessee, 39,830 strong, then just camped and rest ing in repose on the bank of the Tennes- see, at Pittsburg Landing.
I would not dare venture in the limited space here at command, even though it was desirable to do so, to give an extended account of the im- pressions now upon my mind of the scenes of that awful conflict. or even attempt a description of the battle as I saw it, though of the 80.000 men engaged, there are no doubt several thousand yet living, many of whom together with their descendants, are within the boundaries of this vicin- ity, who would be interested in any additional account that might be written. There have been volumes written about the battle of Shiloh, and considerable criticism indulged against Gen. Grant. much of which
27
TWELFTH IOWA
was unjust, but some of which was des rved, but suffice to say, the battle opened before daylight on the morning of April 6, 1862, with an attack upon the federal army, amounting to a surprise, and raged with unabated fury until dusk. The command to which I belonged at the time, the 12th lowa Imantry, was stationed in front of what was known as the "Duncan field," and with several other lowa regiments, was in Gen. W. II. L. Wallace's division. As the day's onslaught closed, my regiment with several others, found themselves surrounded, and were captured, our immediate captor being Gen. Polk. I remember, also, very distinctly of seeing Gen. liardee who came among us commanding us to throw down our arms. Some of us instead of doing so, broke our guns as best we could, across the roots of trees. 1 is interesting to me to know that I easily recognized the exact spot where my regiment las, aided in doing so by a monument of the regiment erected on the exact line we fought all day and with terrible ( Heet repilasi charge after charge made across that field by the enemy. A tree pieceed with cannon balls which stood upon our line, stands there yet. scarred as many veterans are, with old age and the wounds it received. It is needless to say that I eagerly secured relics from these spots, one of which is a piece of rotten wood from the stump of a tree which I am satisfied is the one against which I broke my gun.
In short, except that the undergrowth is removed, and other trees have grown up, Shiloh battle field looks as familiar to me today as it did forty one years ago.
The forces engaged, or present for duty, on April 6, were, "Army of the Tennessee," under General Grant-39,830, Army of the Mississippi under General Albert Sidney Johnson- 43,968.
There arrived on the night of April o, and reinforced General Grant in the battle of the next day. Gen. Lew Wallace, with 5,000 and the "Army of the Ohio," under Gen. Buell, about 18,000.
The casualties were as follows: Army of the Tennessee, killed, 1513; wounded, 6,601; missing, 2,830; total, 10,944. Army of the Ohio, killed, 241; wounded, 1807; missing 55; total 2103; making total killed of 1754; wounded, 8, 408; and missing, 2,885; or grand total loss 13,047. The confed- crate losses were, killed 1728: wounded 8,012; missing, 939; total, 10,699; total losses, both sides. 23,716. It will here be observed that the aggre- gate losses of the two armies at Shiloh were exceeded by very few of the heaviest battles of the war, notably Gettysburg, where the losses were over 40,000, Wilderness, 25,000, Chickamauga nearly 27,000.
The park embraces about 4000 acres, and is beautifully preserved, in charge of commissioners as follows: Colonel Cornelins Cadle, formerly of the Eleventh lowa, now residing in Ohio, chairman: Major J. II. Ash- croft, of the Twenty-sixth Kentucky, of Kentucky; Colonel Josiah Patter- son, of the First Alabama, confederate, now of Memphis, Tennessee: and Major D W. Reed of the Twelfth Jowa, historian of the park, now living in Evanston, Illinois. Two other Twelfth Iowa men are employed, F'. A. Large, guardian, and L. J. Lewis, in charge of the masonry. Mr. Atwell Thompson, formerly connected with the Chickamauga park, is resident engineer, and Mr. W. S. Keller is his assistant.
There are about twenty-five miles of splendidly graveled roads built along the lines occupied by mainroad, during the battle. There are over 400 tablets and markers to designate all important positions of troops of
MGRTHE REUNION
both armies, the "Army of the Tomate" being designated by markers painted bine, the "Army of the chio." yellow and the confederates red. MONUMENTS BERGERD.
There are monuments created by the several states as follows :-- Illinois, 39; Ohio, 31: Indiana. 21: towa, 11; and Pennsylvania, 1. The government bas creeled momments to mark where general officers were killed, including that te tien. Albert Sidney Johnson.
Jowa bad in this battle her Second, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh, Twelfth. Thirteenth. Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth regiments, to all of which handsome monthacts mark the most conspic- nous positions occupied. In addition, łowa has created a magnificent monument 74 feet high with a base 3131 feet. on the most conspicuous spot on the field.
THE NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The most beautiful spot in all these 4,000 acres, is the ten acres on the high bluff overlooking the river where sleep the remains of over 3,600 of the heroes who gave up their lives for the preservation of the mion. The thoughts that came to my mind of scenes which had their termina- tion in this silent city of the dead, crowd upon me, but I can only stop to say, that on these memorial occasions, this cemetery is visited by thous- ands of people. There were fully 4.000 people at the park on this year's memorial day, notwithstanding heavy rains. They came in wagons, bug- gies, horseback, by boat, on foot, many of them from 50 miles distant- men, women and children. The cemetery is in charge of Capt. Shaw, to whom with his excellent wife, Maj. Ashcraft, and to Capt. N. M. Kemp, Commander of Fielding Hurst Post No. 7, Q. A. R., at Adamsville, I am particularly indebted for courtesies shown.
I regret very much the unavoidable absence at the time, of Major Reed, to whom the country is indebted for reliable data connected with the park, and to whom I am indebted for the reliable statistics given in this letter. Maj. Ashcraft was The only one of the commissioners who was present at Shiloh on this occasion, but they all bear the reputation of efficient men, and the result of their labors will soon make of the Shiloh National Military Park, one of the most delightful memorials of Ameri- can valor on the continent.
It needs very little previous preparation by a participant in one of the great battles of the civil war, for a speech on an occasion like that at Shiloh on Memorial day, and the people who attend are good listeners. There are plenty of "both sides" represented in an audience at Shiloh, but I think, from the enthusiasm displayed for the "Stars and Stripes." they all appreciate the spirit of the words,
"The blue and the gray In fierce array No local hates dissever,
Strike hands once more From shore to shore,
'The North and South forever."
W. F. MCCARRON, Co. 1, 12th lowa.
20
TWELFTH IOWA
List of Casualties.
KILLED.
Co. A-EL. Geo. W. Moir, Whitcomb Fairbanks, Barton Il. Johnson, Reuben A. King, William Stotsen. Co C .- Corp. Thomas Henderson, Charles Larson, Charles. Pendleton. Co. D-Lt. Jason D. Ferguson, James 1. Ayers, Daniel Luther. Co. E-Israel W. Fuller, William L. Pauley. Co. F -- Corp. Aborn D. Campbell. Co. G-Ole G. Olson. Co. 1-Thomas HI. Wilson. Co K -- Lewellyn Larrabee. Total 1.
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Co. B - Charles King. Co. C -- Henry George. Co. E- Jacob Howrey Charles Johnson, Samuel J. Lichty, Thomas Porter, John P. Thompson. Co. 9 -- born Crippen, David Clark, John A. MeCullouch, Joseph Pate, Allen Ware. Orry Wool. Co. H Edgar A. Ward. Co. K . Sylvester Gribin, John Moulton. Total 16.
MISSING IN ACTION AND NEVER FOUND.
Co. A - John Moran, William Lelier. Co. C -Geo. W. Grannis. Co., K -- W. H. H. Fuller. Total 4.
DIED IN PRISON.
Co. A - Israel Hall, Roswell J. Qaivey. Co. B. Lt. Byman II. Merrill, Sergt. Daniel Harbaugh, Corp. Frank E. Hancock, Corp. Madison 1. Roc, Jolm L. Bryant, Jens. Hanson, Ole Hanson, Leem Kleven. Henry Kuck, Chas. HI. Noyes, Edwin R. Perry, Ira E. Peck, Simeon Peck, Knud Thron- son, William M. White. . Co. C- Corp. Samuel F. Brush, Corp. Daniel D. Warner, James L. Ayers, Heary Beadle, John Quivey, Willard E. Simer, Samuel Stone, Charles Sigman. Co. D - Robt. McClain, Warren A. Flint, Lewis Snell. Co. E -- Corp. John I. Smith, John Ahrens, William O. Bird, John F. Koch, Hiram Hoisington, Bilas Moon, Washington Richmond, Milton Rood, Stephen Story, Joseph W. Johnson. Co. F-William 11. Barney, William Koffonbach, David N. Lillibridge, William JI. Mason, Elijah M. Overocker, Thomas Otis. George Parks, Ira W. Roberts, Charles P. Toney. Co. (-Lt. Joseph F. Nickerson, Henry Johnson. Co. II LL. Luther W. Jackson, John il. Byrns, William H. Collins, Thomas Clen- denin, james E. Nichols, Royal E. Nutting, Henry L. Richardson, Charles E. Richardson, William J. Slack, Julius Ward. Co. 1- Lt. John J. Marks, Jesse W. Dean, Charles W. Sackett. Co. K-Corp. Benj. B. Nash, Corp. John Fulton, Corp. Merriam Lathrop, Daniel Downer, William T. John- son, Geo. Lande, Thomas Sover, Chas. W. Smith, Philander Wilson. Total 71.
STATE OF IOWA.
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE.
Des Moines, June 15th, 1901.
1, Melvin HI. Byers, Adjutant General of the State of lowa, do hereby certify that I have made careful examination of the records of my office with respect to the 12th Regiment of lowa Volunteer Infantry. That the records of my office show that the foregoing lists of the casualties of said regiment at the battle of Shiloh, Tena., April 6th, 1862, as regards the killed in action, died of wounds, missing and never found, and died in prison, are true and correct and a complete record of such casualties in said regiment at said battle, as shown by the records in this office.
MRAVEN HI. BYERS, Adjutant General.
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EIGHTH REUNION
Love Feast.
After this commeneed the "Love Feast" proper. Our inimitable Col. Jack Stibbs, always doing the unexpected thing and doing it correctly, led off with a reading "The Man Who Carried a Gun", followed by selve- tions of a similar nature, carrying his audience with bha in laughder and tears. He was followed by Capt. Super, Co. D's historian, and Col. Rood, a visiting comrade. It was a jolly good time we had of it, till mi laid tattoo sounded, "lights out".
Comrade Soper's Remarks.
He began by telling a somewhat amusing goat story and applied it as connected with himself and the evening program.
He then proceeded to speak of the ties formed by life in the barracks, the camp, the march and upon the field of battle, as being in comparably more intimate and lasting than any other, and declared that the only ones in any manner approaching this comradeship, are the years of ass- ciation in school and at college, in the class room, the athletic deld and society halls; but even these associations are not to be compared to those gained by four years of active service in actual war.
The speaker, who is chairman of the low com nission app ainte I by the Governor, under the provision of the act appropriating $50,000 for the erection of monuments upon the Battlefield of Shiloh, then proceeded to explain why the dedication of the Shitoh monuments, which had pre- viously been set by the commission for May 30th, 1903, had been indeii- nitely post poned.
Ile stated that the monuments were constructed of Barre granite, but ornamented with various bronze figures; that the commission had made a careful study of bronze before letting the contraets and provided therein that all bronze should be of the character and quality known as United States standard bronze, the alloy of which is composed of 90 per cent copper, 7 per cent tin and 3 per cent zinc; that important pieces of the bronze, including the ball and eagle surmounting the same, weighing several tons, had been cast in Italy; that when the bronze was delivered at Pittsburg Landing to be erected, careful borings were taken under the supervision of the United States Engineer and they were transmitted to a responsible firm of chemists and assayers in Chicago, who analyzed the alloy, from which the figures were cast, and ascertained that there was only from 78 to 82 per cent of copper in that portion of the bronze which had been cast in Italy, and a very much larger per cent of zine than the contract provided for; that the commission, by reason of the failure of the contractor to furnish the bronze called for by the contract, had felt themselves compelled to reject The bronze, which left the state monument. incomplete and the National Park commission did not permit of the dedi- cation of unfinished or incomplete monuments. That also there had been some controversy as to the inscriptions to be placed upon the regi- mental monuments for the 15th and 16th Iowa, and the matter had been appealed to the Secretary of War, which had delayed the completion of those two regimental monuments, the others being complete. That it was impossible to tell when the monuments would be ready for dedication, by reason of the controversies between the contractor and the commission ; but that proper notice would be given of the time fixed for the dedication
f
GEN J. H. STIBBS.
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TWELFTH IOWA
and everybody, and particularly the survivors of the 12th lowa, would be expected to attend; that a favorable season would be selected and a low rate of fare would be secured; that the lowa monuments would be the finest on the field, and that it would well repay a visit to the Park.
(ien. Stibbs' Readings.
Since the war, then. Stibbs, has become quite prominent as an enter- lainer, and there has been a continual demand for his services, at reun- ions and camp fires, where his stories and readings are always received with favor. He tells the boys he is proud of the commissions he held, and especially proud of the fact that he commanded the 12th lowa, but if i; his chier delight to tell of his services as an enlisted man, or to recite some porn which pays tribute to the worth of the man whoserved in the ranks. Below we publish a poem by Comrade C. H. Robinson, of Marion county Indiana, which Gen. Stibbs recited for us at our last reunion, and which he says describes the man who put down the rebellion.
THE MAN WHO CARRIED A GUN.
When grim-vissaged war raised his front in the land, And the smoke of the fight hid the sun. Who was it left home to defend the old the? "Twa ; the man who carried a gun.
When a long day's march was ended at last; Though he'd tramped from the rising of the sun; Who was it stood guard all night o'er the camp? "Iwas the man who carried a gun. And when we'd invested the enemy's works, And had sapping and mining begun:
Who was it wielded the pick and the spade? "Iwas the man who carried a gun.
When the enemy charged on our lines in full force, And his victory almost seemed won; Who was it hurled back his masses at length? "Twas the man who carried a gun.
And when in retreat, though sullen and grim, We were pressed by the rebs on the run; Who was it that turned and checked their advance? "Iwas the man who carried a gum. Who was h, bask, at the end of the fray, When the hotly fought field had been won, That succored the wounded men left on the field? "Iwas the man who carried a gum. While the officers ate all the hospital stores, And had all the whisky and fun; Who was it lived on what he could steal? The man who carried a gun. Lel all honors due to our officers brave Be given for what they have done: But never forget that the country was saved By the hero who carried a gun.
:
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EIGHTH REUNION
BLUE AND GRAY.
"O, mother, what do they mean by blue? And what do they mean by gray?" Was heard from the lips of a little child As she bounded in from play. The mother's eyes filled up with tears; She turned to her darling fair, And smoothed away from the sunny brow Its treasures of golten hair.
"Why, mother's eyes, are blue, my sweet, And grandpa's hair is gray,
And the love we bear our darling child Grows stronger every day. "
"But what did they mean?" persisted the child,
"For I saw two cripples today, And one of them said he fought for the blue, The other one, he fought for the gray."
"Now, he of the blue had lost a leg, The of her had but one arm.
And both seemed worn and weary and sad, Yet their greeting was kind and warm. They told of battles in days gone by, Till it made my young blood thrill; The leg was lost in the Wilderness night, And the arm on Malvern Hill."
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