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Gc 973.74 M69d 1757975
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
V
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01082 4818
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/recollectionsof200dean
RECOLLECTIONS -OF THE- 26th Missouri Infantry
COL. BENJAMIN D. DEAN. 1863.
-IN THE- WAR FOR THE UNION. -
LAMAR, MISSOURI.
PRINTED AT THE SOUTHWEST MISSOURIAN OFFICE. IS92.
1757975
F 8349 . 4941
Dean, Benjamin Devor, 1828- Recollections of the 26th Missouri infantry. in the war for the union. Lamar. Mo., Southwest Missourian office, 1892. vil, (11, 256 p. incl. front., port. 23ºm. Dedication signed : Benjamin D. Dean.
1. Missouri infantry. 26th regt., 1861-1865. 2. U. S .- Hist .- Civil war-Regimental historles-Mo. inf .- 26th. I. Title.
2-14549
Library of Congress
E517.5.26th
66906
unter CARSSb1;
1
GEN. GEO. B. BOOMER. First Colonel of the 26th Missouri Infantry. killed at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863.
MY COMRADES :
I dedicate these fragmentary recollections to you as a memento of our services in camp, in field, and on the march. If this volume proves interest- ing to you, and ultimately becomes a treasured heirloom to your descendants, the object of its publication will have been fulfilled.
Yours in Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty,
BENJAMIN D. DEAN.
F8379.4941
66906
SPECIAL NOTICE.
This book was printed in, and published from, the office of the SOUTHWEST MISSOURIAN, as a business enterprise. About 150 known survivors were noti- fied that its pages were open for their sketches, and several have availed them- selves of the privilege. The work has entailed a greater amount of labor and research than was at first anticipated, and no pains have been spared to make it as complete and reliable as our resources would permit.
H. Z. WILLIAMS, Publisher. H. F. LINCOLN, Compiler.
COL. B. D. DEAN. From a photograph taken in 1890.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
[From the ". HISTORY OF MISSOURI."]
BENJAMIN DEVOR DEAN, of Lamar, Barton county, Mis- souri, was born on the 7th of October. 1828. in Greenville, Darke county, Ohio. His, father, Aaron Dean, was born in New Jersey; immigrated to Ohio, at an early day; and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was an intelligent farmer, and an officer in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm; was educated at Green- ville-studying, at the age of twenty-two, dental surgery, which profession he practiced for several years. He then
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
engaged in merchandising with marked success. In 1857. Dean came to Missouri, purchased a farm near Union. Franklin county, and in the following spring settled upon the property.
In 1861, he raised a company for the 26th Regiment of Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned its Captain. He was in the battle of Iuka, Mississippi, where he received three wounds. He was complimented by his Colonel for his good conduct upon that occasion. .. By your bravery and skill," said that officer. " on the bloody field of Iuka, you have made the reputation of my regiment." General Rosecrans declared that the 11th and 26th saved the day. . On the 28th of May, 1863. Dean was commis- sioned Colonel by Governor Gamble -- he having been pro- moted " for gallant conduct at Champion Hills, Mississippi. and at the attack on the fortifications at Vicksburg." He was the first of the three thousand men who crossed the Tennessee river at midnight. November 23d. 1863, and at- tacked the confederate forces on Mission Ridge, causing them to fall back from Lookout Mountain. On the rith of July, 1864, he was assigned to the command of the 3d Brigade of the 3d Division of the 15th Army Corps. On the Ioth of November he moved forward for the Grand March with General Sherman to the sea. On the 9th of January, 1865, he was mustered out of the service with his regiment at Savannah, Georgia, and returned to his home in Missouri. In 1872 he was elected Treasurer of Franklin county, and re-elected in 1874, by a large majority. Mr. Dean was on the Republican ticket as Presidential Elector for the 5th Congressional District, and was twice elected Mayor of Union. He was made a Mason in 1856, was one
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
of the charter members of Union Lodge, No. 731, and occu- pied the position of Master thereof, for eight years. He was also D. D. G. M. of that Masonic District for one year. Colonel Dean married Sarah A. Harlan, daughter of Nathan Harlan, a prominent farmer and extensive stock dealer of Warren county. Ohio, and has three children as follows:
MRS. FLORENCE D. MEYER, of Los Angeles, Cal.
AARON G. DEAN, of Lamar, Mo. WILLIAM S. DEAN, of Lamar, Mo.
Colonel Dean removed to Sedalia in 1877, and in ISSo he was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen, and was chosen Chairman of the Board for two terms, and on retiring from the Board of Aldermen, was presented with a handsome gold-headed cane appropriately inscribed. He was also one of the Directors of the Sedalia University, and Commander of Geo. R. Smith Post, No. 53, Grand Army of the Republic.
In 1887, Col. Dean visited California, and after a five months' sojourn. returned and engaged in farming in Laclede county for two years. Removing to Lebanon, Mo., he prac- ticed dentistry for a time, and then removed to Lamar, Mo., where he engaged in the merchant-tailoring and ready-made clothing business. Col. Dean is an Elder of the First Pres- byterian Church of Lamar.
ERRATA.
On page 2, last paragraph, sixth line, instead of " pres- ent at the battle of Tiptonville," should read " surrender of Tiptonville." Also in tenth line, instead of the " capture of Island No. 10," should read " capture of New Madrid."
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Portrait of Gen. G B. Boomer Page.
II
Portrait of Col. B. D Dean. (1863) III
Portrait of Col B. D. Dean (1890) and Biographical Sketch V-VII
Organization and Early Service I-7
Distinguished Mention at Battle of Iuka of Captains Welker, Rice, Dean, Robinson, Crowell, and Lieut's Brown, Maupin, Denny, Crowe, Schirmer, Dennis and Shænen 5-6
The Vicksburg Campaign . . 8-16
Battles of Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga 17-25
The March Southward . 26-56 Surrender of Savannah 57-59
Capt. W. M. Robinson-Portrait and Biographical Sketch 61-64 Lieut. Col. T. M. Rice writes of the march "Through the Carolinas" 65-75 Commendatory Letters of Col. Dean . 76-78 Memoir of Gen. Boomer, by his sister, Mrs. A. B. Stone, of N. Y. City.
Early Life
79-85
Arrival in Missouri 86-92
As a Business Man . 93-109
The Patriot
110-129
The Soldier
130-153
Death and Burial
154-161
Testimonials
162-174
Major R. C. Crowell-Biographical Sketch 175-177
Capt. W. H. Mengel- Portrait and Biographical Sketch 178-180
Other Biographical Sketches 181-199
Serg't W. M. Jones' War Experiences 200-207
Map of Iuka Battlefield .
208
Capt. J. T. Crowe- Portrait and Biographical Sketch 209-210
Lieut. C. P. Carman- Portrait and Sketch 211-229
Reunion Proceedings 230-242 Roster of Officers 243-249
Roster of Survivors
250-256
THE 26TH MISSOURI INFANTRY -IN THE-
WAR FOR THE UNION.
In preparing these " Recollections" covering a portion of the services of the 26th Missouri Volunteer Infantry during the Rebellion, it was not Col. Dean's intention to attempt to write a history of the regiment, (or anything similar to it. ) as he has been compelled to trust to his memory, and such documents as he has in his possession, entirely for details, but rather to recall to his comrades, incidents of the service they had together. and for this reason, too, personal refer- ence as far as possible. is avoided.
In 1861, Col. Dean was living at Union. Franklin county. Missouri, and had raised a company of seventy men ( F ) for the 26th Missouri Infantry, and was commissioned as Cap- tain. This work was completed about December 20, 1861. and the recruits were encamped at Sullivan. on the railroad for a time, and then proceeded to Pacific, Mo., where they were joined by four companies recruited by Col. George B. Boomer, in Gasconade, Osage and Maries counties.
The command then proceeded to St. Louis, and at Mc- Dowell's College on December 31st, 1861, was mustered into the United States' service for three years. Special Or- ders. No. 14, signed by Chester Harding, Jr., Adjutant Gen-
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
eral, directed that the company and parts of companies of Missouri Volunteers, mustered into the service for three years, under the command respectively of L. D. Maynard and First Lieutenants R. C. Crowell, H. L. Elsworth and John F. F. Koops, stationed at Medora; the three compa- nies mustered into the same service, under the respective commands of John H. Holman, John Welker and D. W. C. Brown, together with the unassigned recruits raised for Hol- man's Battalion of Sharpshooters, and three companies raised for the 26th Missouri Volunteers, and mustered into the same service, under the respective commands of Cap- tains Wiseman, Dean and Rucker, making an aggregate of eight hundred and twenty company officers and enlisted men, were consolidated into the 26th Regiment of Missouri Vol- unteers.
Captain John H. Holman was appointed Lieutenant- Colonel and A. W. Maupin, Major, who declined to accept. and L. E. Kaniuszeski received the appointment.
As soon as the muster rolls were completed. George B. Boomer was appointed Colonel.
In February, 1862, the 26th Missouri embarked on a steamer whose destination was said to be Fort Donelson, but the surrender of that stronghold turned our course, and the command landed at Bird's Point, and joined General John Pope's expedition against New Madrid, and was pres- ent at the battle of Tiptonville, on April 9, 1862, and Far- mington, April 22, 1862. Col. Boomer led the 26th in these movements. The colors of the regiment, carried by Ser- geant H. Koops, were the first to be planted on the fort after the capture of Island No. 10. This movement resulted in the taking of over 6,000 prisoners at Tiptonville, Tenn., and
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
the regiment bore a conspicuous part in the success of the day. The 26th was also with Gen. Pope's command when it marched down the Mississippi and took part in the en- gagement at Hamburg and siege of Corinth.
THE BATTLE OF IUKA.
At the battle of Iuka, September 19, 1862, the 3d Di -. vision, 15th Army Corps, which included the 26th Mo., had been driving the enemy's cavalry pickets and came up with Price's command about four o'clock in the afternoon. Each colonel had orders to hold his ground at all hazards. It was a square stand up fight, and at times the rebel on- slaught was terrific.
Companies A and B of the 26th Missouri were thrown out as skirmishers, and the report was sent to General Ham- ilton that the rebels were in full force in two lines of battle.
Colonel Boomer, of the 26th, was impatient to meet the enemy and asked permission to send the regiment in ad- vance to meet the Confederates.
The right wing of the regiment under Lieut .- Colonel Holman was ordered to press forward, and had gone but a short distance when Price's artillery opened a terrific fire upon it, when it was ordered to fall back to the rear. The right wing of the 26th was not further engaged during the battle.
The brigade was ordered into position, and the left wing of the 26th Missouri and 5th Iowa Infantry were rushed up to support the 11th Ohio Battery. The rebels determined to force our line and moved into the desolating fire that met them with unfaltering courage. As they came within close range, that single battery, the 11th Ohio, opened on them
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
with grape and cannister. The guns were worked with great rapidity, and at each discharge gaps opened in the dense ranks, but they closed up again and the hostile line swept steadily forward. At length the 48th Indiana pressed by three times its number-its gallant commander cut down-fell back in disorder. This left the 11th Ohio death- dealing battery exposed, and with an exultant shout the en- emy sprung upon it. The Confederates received the bat- tery's cannister and grape without flinching, and swept over it and captured it; but not till every officer, and nearly every gunner was killed or wounded, and not a horse left standing.
Our forces rallied. and sent the rebels back to cover. Maddened by their loss the rebels rallied. and with yells pre- cipitated themselves upon the Union force and recovered the battery, but they were met with such an overwhelming fire that they were unable to take the battery away. Around these guns the battle raged with awful fury. Every flank movement of the enemy was promptly stopped, and they were compelled to fight it out in front, and from five o'clock till dark. the 5th Iowa, and rith and 26th Missouri held that single road. During the night, the Confederates evacuated the place, leaving many of their wounded behind them, and their dead were interred by the Union burial parties.
Colonel Boomer, while leading the left wing of the 26th Missouri, was wounded by a rifle ball, in the left lung. and carried off the field. The other officers wounded in this engagement were Captain R. C. Crowell, Captain B. D. Dean. (in three places. ) Lieutenant Denny and Lieu- tenant Maupin. Lieutenant Crowe had seven bullet holes in his blouse. First Sergeant Alonzo Bliss and Second Ser-
:
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
geant William Roan were killed by Captain Dean's side- Sergeant Roan's blood was scattered over Captain Dean. First Lieutenant W. L. Wheeler was also wounded at luka, by a ball passing through his canteen and bruising him. The water saturated his clothing and caused him to believe that he was bleeding to death.
History gives the 26th Missouri merited distinction. Its left wing charged and recharged the rebels on that day, and once recaptured the 11th Ohio Battery.
In summing up the part taken by the 26th Mo., at Iuka, it is noted that but four companies were engaged, F, E, H and C, numbering 162 men. Enlisted men killed, 21; officers wounded, 5; enlisted men wounded. 70; missing, I -Total. 97.
The following is an extract from Col. Boomer's official report which he wrote while in the hospital at Iuka :
" It gives me great pleasure to mention the names of several officers engaged with me on the left wing who be- haved with distinguished gallantry and energy: Capt. B. D. Dean and Second Lieut. J. W. Maupin, of Company F; Capt. Robert C. Crowell. First Lieut. R. B. Denny, and Second Lieut. J. T. Crowe. of Company E: First Lieut. Schirmer. commanding Company K. and First Lieut. J. M. Dennis, of Company C. I was not present with the skir- mishers in action, but understand that all exhibited great coolness and energy."
Gen. C. S. Hamilton, commanding the Third Division. in his report of the battle of Iuka, says that " the fearful list of killed and wounded in the few regiments actively engaged shows with what heroism and desperation this fight was won.
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
I say boldly that a force of not more than 2,800 men met and conquered a rebel force of 11,000 on a field chosen by- Price and a position naturally very strong and with its every advantage inuring to the enemy. A list of casualties is herewith submitted. It is known that 263 wounded, num- bering over 400, fell into our hands. The number of able- bodied prisoners who fell into our hands is large. I report. with the greatest satisfaction, but 26 missing from my com- mand. Over Soo stand of arms were gathered on the battle- field, mostly of improved patterns, showing that the rebels are not wanting in this essential means of making war. The dead of my division number 135, the wounded 527, and the missing 26. Of my staff and escort, officers, wounded, 4; private, killed, I. Total, 693."
The revised government report of the casualties in the Union forces at Iuka, makes the total, 790; an increase over the figures named above by General Hamilton.
Lieutenant Colonel John H. Holman of the 26th Mis- souri, in his report to Col. John B. Sanborn, commanding Ist Brigade, 3d Division at the battle of Iuka, pays the fol- lowing tribute to the officers and men of his command:
" Permit me further to report that the officers and men under my command, with scarcely an exception, during the whole engagement conducted themselves with rare coolness and true soldierly bearing ; but Captains John Welker, T. M. Rice, and William M. Robinson, and Lieut. F. G. Schoenen, acting adjutant, and Lieut. C. F. Brown, regimental quarter- master, with many others, are deserving a special notice. Their conduct was truly brave, gallant. and noble. If space would permit too much could not be said of their signal
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
acts of daring, their coolness and skill in discharging the duties respectively assigned them on the field. The country may truly be proud of such men, for under their leadership continued success will mark the progress of our gallant army. Of those officers above named it will be doing no injustice to any for me to say that Captains Welker, Rice, and Robinson, and Lieut. C. F. Brown, regimental quarter- master, and Lieutenant Schoenen, have won for themselves distinguished merits-efficient in camp, brave and patriotic on the field. I can cheerfully recommend them for promo- tion in the army."
·
Capt. Dean's wounds were such as to cause his removal to the rear, and thence to the hospital at Corinth. After a short time he was sent to the St. Louis hospital, and when his wounds permitted, visited his home at Union, Mo. In about one month Capt. Dean returned to Corinth and took command of his company.
After the battle of Corinth, October 3d and 4th, 1862, the regiment went to Germantown, Tennessee, and re- mained a short time, ultimately camping near Memphis.
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THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN.
The Vicksburg campaign in the spring of 1863, gave the 26th Missouri an important part to enact. General Grant determined to get in the rear of Vicksburg, for it could be taken in no other way. The regiment was em- barked. on two boats, the right wing under command of Major Charles F. Brown and the left wing in charge of Capt. B. D. Dean.
The destination was Moon Lake, separated from the river only by a thin strip of land. From this lake a narrow stream, called the Yazoo Pass, leads into the Coldwater River, which flows south into the Tallahatchie. that in turn unites with the Yazoo. Grant's intention was to get into the latter river, by which means he would be able to move down in the rear of Haines' Bluff. and thus turn the fortifi- cations there. The canal of the lake was quickly cut, the waters of the Mississippi poured through it, and our steamers floated into Moon Lake. The boats sailed through the Ya- zoo Pass. The country was flooded with water and the current very rapid-compelling the use of cables to control the boats and prevent them running into the trees. The snags tore the boats, which were forced to continually back water. The task could not be accomplished, and although we had landed. we were forced to go back without silencing a
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
fort near the confluence of the stream, which was so sur- rounded by bogs as to be unapproachable. This expedition might well be called steamboating through the woods. The smoke-stacks were taken off of the boats to enable them to pass under the limbs of the trees.
The 26th Missouri then went to Millikin's Bend, disem- barked and went into camp, and was at that point when the blockade was run.
The 15th Army Corps, of which the 26th Missouri was a part, marched down the right bank of the Mississippi be- low Vicksburg and crossed in gunboats to below that point, passed through Port Gibson, and took part in the battle near Raymond, on May 12th, 1863.
On the night of the 13th the rain fell in torrents and continued until the next day at noon, rendering the roads muddy and slippery: yet our troops in close order and in cheerful spirits, moved off through the storm, making a weary march of fourteen miles, and at noon came upon the enemy about two miles from the city.
The 26th boys were here drawn up in line of battle, and behaved bravely under fire. Jackson was evacuated, and the boys had an opportunity of visiting the capital, and reading one of the rebel newspapers printed on wall-paper, and filled with rebel braggadocia regarding their ability to whip the Yankees. The editor himself and everybody else threatened to take part in the punishment of the Union troops, but alas their legs ran away with their courage.
The Union force then marched back towards Vicks- burg. The various incidents of this march were barren of any facts requiring especial description. The federal troops were confident of victory and eager to meet the enemy.
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
and on May 16th, the 26th Missouri again took the field against the Confederates, and participated in
THE BATTLE OF CHAMPION HILLS.
The 26th went into this engagement under very trying circumstances. General Hovey's Division was being hard pressed, and falling back, the Third Brigade, Col. Boomer, commanding, was ordered up on the double-quick. The ground over which the 26th Missouri passed, was very much obstructed, and in consequence some of the companies had to break the line of battle and move by the flank under the shells of the enemy. On reaching the line of battle, not- withstanding our fatigue, the roth Iowa and 93d Illinois im- mediately engaged the enemy; the 5th Iowa and 26th Mis- souri lying down behind them waiting their turn which soon came. Colonel Boomer, our gallant brigade commander, seeing the enemy approaching on our right flank, ordered the 26th Missouri to meet them, which it did on the double- quick by "about face," "half wheel" and forward move- ment, getting possession of a deep ravine which the enemy was trying to secure. In making this movement, our brave regimental commander, Major Charles F. Brown fell mor- tally wounded, and a few moments later our Senior Captain John W. Welker was instantly killed. These casualties gav" the command of the regiment to Captain Dean.
The position gained by the above movement was a strong one, and enabled us to stop the enemy who out- numbered the 26th Missouri, which finally drove the Confed- erates from before it, after firing forty rounds of ammuni- tion. Being nearly surrounded by the enemy, we changed our position under heavy fire, but the position was so strong
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
that the loss was slight considering the hot engagement.
We charged the rebels, drove them back and captured a number of prisoners. On falling back to Acting General Boomer's position, he earnestly complimented the 26th Mis- souri for their gallant conduct on the field.
In this battle, two officers and 16 enlisted men were killed; three officers and 66 men wounded.
The regiment bivouacked the night succeeding this fight and next day marched to Black River, crossing on a bridge made of cotton bales.
On May 19th, the 26th Missouri took part in the invest- ment of Vicksburg, and occupied a position on the left of what was afterwards called Fort Hill. During the night, we sent our two companies, A and B, to form a picket line, which caused the enemy to do some shelling.
Considerable skirmishing was experienced on May 20th and 21st. Grant had determined to carry the works at Vicksburg on the 22d, two advances being made without effect. General McClernand sent a dispatch to General Grant, saying he had silenced a fort in his front and de- sired one of the best divisions to support him in a charge.
Colonel G. B. Boomer, in command of the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 15th Army Corps, was ordered to report to General Carr in the afternoon, who ordered him to lead the charge, but before obeying the command, Col. Boomer, evi- dently knowing it to be a reckless move, at once called the regimental commanders, and told them he wanted them to hear General Carr's orders. Colonel Boomer thus relieved himself of the responsibility of the order to charge.
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TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
DEATH OF COL. GEO. B. BOOMER.
Carr then designated the fort, stating that the batteries had been silenced, and ordered the charge to be made. "Forward," was sounded and the line was started with a rush and yell. Then followed a terrible scene. The " si- lenced fort" opened an artillery fire upon the men, which compelled them to seek the cover of a hill, where they lay down to escape the incessant shower of shot, shell and rifle balls from the rebel fort, and to rest from the exertion of the preliminary charge.
Colonel Boomer, after awhile rose up, and had shouted "Attention !" as if to resume the charge, when a rifle ball struck him in the head. killing him instantly. This occurred on May 22d, 1863. Col. Boomer's commission as a Briga- dier General is reported to have reached camp shortly after his death. Several pages descriptive of the life and services of General Boomer will be found in another part of this volume.
The command of the brigade then devolved upon Col. Putnam of the 93d Illinois, who sent for the regimental com- manders to confer with them. He wanted to know whether he should continue to charge, and asked for an opinion in re- gard to the subject. Captain Dean commanding the 26th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, said he would not move without positive orders, as it was impossible to do anything under the terrible artillery fire from the fort. Colonel Put- nam said he was aware of that, but General Carr's orders were to charge the fort. Captain Dean replied that the situation had changed since General Carr had given his orders. The other commanders agreed with Captain Dean.
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