The chase of the day was over, and we were again behind our works. It was a meager consolation that we had dug our last ditch for the reduction of Corinth. There was an indescribable feeling of mortification that the enemy with all his stores and ordnance had at last escaped. We could not but think that beyond the occupation of a little additional territory and a single strategic point to the enemy, we had gained nothing. His military organization was still unbroken. He was as able as before to hurl himself on a weak point, or to give us battle. We had lost a decisive victory by tardiness and excess of caution. If Pope had only been in command, or if Halleck had allowed him to press on as rapidly as he desired, how different, said we, would have been the result! And why had we not pressed the retreat of the enemy, while his soldiers were discouraged by being forced from so strong a position? Had we no generals capable of following up a victory? These feelings were subsequently in a measure relieved by the reports that Buell and Pope were pressing the main column of the enemy with splendid results. Yet nothing transpired to change the general impression that though we had gained much, what we had gained was entirely inadequate to the numbers, means and exertions made use of to gain it. We saw that the enemy had lost much by being compelled to abandon a position of such advantage to him, and in the consequentdemoralization of his troops; but we harbored a vague mistrust that his superior generalship would yet convert his defeat into a victory; and all seemed to feel that the subjugation of the South lay a long way before us.
My own Sickness—Resume of the movements of my regiment—Movement of Sherman toward Memphis—The camp seven miles from Corinth—March resumed—Camp on the "Heights of the Hatchie"—Advance to the Big Muddy—A hard march—Camp at Spring Creek—Next day's march—Reach and camp on Wolf River—Col. Williams again—LaGrange, Tenn.—Railroad communications—Movement upon Holly Springs—Incidents of the march—Occupation of that place—Return to LaGrange—Resignation of Lieut. Col. Scott—A foraging expedition—Feat of General Grant—Start for Memphis—Details of the march—Arrival in Memphis—Go into camp—Gen. Sherman as a military man—The negro—Our sojourn at Memphis—Marching orders—Letter of General Sherman.
My own Sickness—Resume of the movements of my regiment—Movement of Sherman toward Memphis—The camp seven miles from Corinth—March resumed—Camp on the "Heights of the Hatchie"—Advance to the Big Muddy—A hard march—Camp at Spring Creek—Next day's march—Reach and camp on Wolf River—Col. Williams again—LaGrange, Tenn.—Railroad communications—Movement upon Holly Springs—Incidents of the march—Occupation of that place—Return to LaGrange—Resignation of Lieut. Col. Scott—A foraging expedition—Feat of General Grant—Start for Memphis—Details of the march—Arrival in Memphis—Go into camp—Gen. Sherman as a military man—The negro—Our sojourn at Memphis—Marching orders—Letter of General Sherman.
Among the most interesting recollections of my soldier life, are those of the period I spent in military hospitals. Though much of the time my mind was so enfeebled by disease, as not to observe closely that which transpired around me; yet, long as I may live, I shall remember most vividly the sufferings I experienced while there, sometimes relieved by friends, by comrades, and by those appointed and detailed to take care of the sick and wounded; and sometimes in part, or entirely, neglected. It was there that I saw, more than anywhere else, human character divested of its artificial coloring, and exhibited in its brightest tints and gloomiest shades.
It was there that I contracted a debt of gratitude tosome that I can never repay, and conceived a hatred for others that I can never forget. Memories born in the heart amid scenes like these can never be blotted out. But glad as I should be to linger over the names of those who were kind and gentle to me amid these scenes of sickness and gloom, I shall hasten to consider those affairs in which my comrades had a more direct and positive interest.
And here my comrades would have to regret the absence of a link in the chain of this "grave, interesting and authentic narrative," had not a comrade who kept a diary of the wanderings of the Third Iowa, while I was absent from it during this term of sickness, generously come to my aid. After describing the scenes attending the occupation of Corinth, this Cid Hamet of my history goes on to tell us, that, on the afternoon of the 2d of June, orders came to the Third Iowa to march immediately, and before night the 4th and 5th divisions, under command of Major General W. T. Sherman, moved out, taking all their baggage, and, passing through Corinth, camped about a mile to the west of that place on the south side of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. There was no water in this vicinity to relieve the troops from the effects of the suffocating heat and dust of the day; but this state of things was somewhat mitigated by a light shower of rain which fell in the forepart of the night.
The following morning reveille sounded at daylight, and an early march, the 5th division in advance, brought the troops to a small stream of water on the south side of the railroad, where they established a camp, andcommenced repairing the road about four miles to the west, so as to enable them to proceed. For this purpose the Third Iowa furnished a small detail each day. On the 6th, the regiment changed camp to the north side of the railroad. This was about seven miles from Corinth.
On the 10th the troops again moved, and after a toilsome and dusty march of fifteen miles, both divisions camped on a commanding bluff that overlooks the Big Hatchie. As the 4th Division rested upon these hills, little did its soldiers dream that the valley below would one day be consecrated with the blood of many of its members, and that the "Heights of the Hatchie" would be forever linked in memory with its glorious achievements, and the prowess of its commander. It was the "Field of Matamora!" Two days they rested here, during which time a bridge was thrown across the Hatchie by the troops of the 5th Division, in place of the old one which had been burned by the enemy; and then they moved forward four miles, and camped on a stream known as the Big Muddy.
Resuming the march the following morning, June 13th, they defiled all day through a desolate waste of woods, and over dry ridges. The heat was intense. Save from occasional mudholes, there was no water to be found. The dust was shoe-top deep and rose in dense, suffocating clouds, which there was no wind to dispel. The dreariness of the country was relieved by but two farm houses during the whole day's march. Notwithstanding the unparalleled fatigue and suffering, the men kept in the ranks well, and there was little straggling.After a march of thirteen miles, they camped on Spring Creek, a tributary of the Hatchie. Here they found excellent water, and moved at four o'clock in the morning about two miles, and rested for the day in the vicinity of some clear and cold springs.
At five o'clock the next morning the march was resumed. The men had no water during the day except what they took in their canteens in the morning. The march was more fatiguing, if possible, than on any previous day. They passed through Grand Junction and found an excellent camping place on Wolf River, having made a distance of twelve miles.
The following day, the 2d Brigade of the 4th Division made a reconnoissance towards Ripley; they were gone two days. There was much straggling from their ranks, and a number were missing when they returned. For two or three days afterwards, they continued to come up and report to the pickets.
After the evacuation of Corinth, Colonel Williams resumed command of the regiment, and during this march had begun to renew his obnoxious practices. He arrested the quartermaster and reduced Hulbert, the commissary sergeant. Both, however, were vindicated. The former resigning, was appointed Colonel of the 34th Iowa, and the latter was soon after appointed sergeant in his own company in which capacity he served, no one better or more bravely, and was reappointed commissary sergeant under Lt. Col. Trumbull.
On the 22d of June, the 4th Division moved to a position near LaGrange, Tenn., the Third Iowa going into camp on a beautiful wooded hill overlooking WolfRiver. This village, which, in prosperous times, contained about 2,000 inhabitants, is beautifully situated on an eminence which commands a view of ten or twelve miles of level country to the south of the river. It is supplied with excellent springs of water, is surrounded by wide and well cultivated fields, and its elegant residences, surrounded with costly evergreens, gave evidence of the cultivation of its inhabitants. It possessed far more attraction than any town they had yet seen in Tennessee. It was pleasant indeed, after so long a sojourn in the gloomy woods, to pitch tents amid scenes of civilization.
They had advanced slowly from Corinth, had built on the way two bridges ruined by the rebels, besides repairing the railroad so that the cars were now running regularly between LaGrange and that place. The removal of certain obstructions between LaGrange and Moscow, a station nine miles to the west, was all that now remained to put the road in working condition between Corinth and Memphis. A train coming from Memphis had been thrown off the track at Moscow. Part of the soldiers on board marched through to LaGrange in safety, while those who remained were captured by guerrillas, who burned the train. Whether this accident had anything to do with admonishing General Sherman of the impracticability of holding with so small a force so long a line of railway parallel to the enemy's front of operations, my informant does not pretend to judge. At least this line was soon after abandoned, and that by way of Jackson and Columbus opened in its stead.
It seems to have been known that the enemy under command of Breckenridge, were in the vicinity of Holly Springs, Miss., a small city twenty-six miles to the south. This force probably was merely one of observation, the enemy's main body having retired upon Grenada. But there came in exaggerated reports of his immense numbers there, and preparations to attack us. General Sherman determined to move against him, the two divisions starting simultaneously the morning of June 30th, the 4th from LaGrange, the 5th from Moscow. Two days rations were taken in haversacks. They camped at night near a brick church, in the neighborhood of the railroad station of Lamar. There was no water to be procured here except out of one or two wells and some dirty pools, at which places there was such a rush that each regiment was compelled to station a guard over them while its own men took their turn.
The next day, July 1st, was cool and pleasant. A march of seven miles brought the column to Cold Water River, a small stream, pure and clear. The only incident of this day's march was that a battalion of the 4th Illinois had been drawn into an ambuscade, losing four killed and six wounded.
The following day, the 32d and 53d Illinois regiments went forward to reconnoiter, but discovered nothing. On their return, they were taken for rebels, and an alarm throughout the whole force ensued.
The day after this, Lieut. Barnes of General Lauman's staff, went out with three others to some farm houses to buy provisions, and were fired upon by bushwhackers,and all of them wounded. The affair caused considerable excitement, and threw General Lauman into a great rage.
The next day was the national anniversary. The 4th Division moved forward and entered without opposition Holly Springs, "the Saratoga of the South." This delightful little city is situated on the Mississippi Central Railroad, contains excellent springs of water, and was celebrated as a Southern watering place. The citizens behaved toward their new visitors with as much insolence as they dared to manifest. Little did they then, suppose that they were sowing in the bosoms of these men the seeds of a hatred, which would one day lay their beautiful city in ashes! The next day the column started back, and on the 7th again entered LaGrange and Moscow. During the fortnight my comrades stayed at the former place few incidents of note took place. It was here that Lieut. Col. Scott resigned and left the regiment. There was an universal regret at being compelled to part with the man who had commanded us so bravely and befriended us so well. All felt as though they had lost their best field officer, and turned with gloom to the prospect of being commanded, no one could tell how long, by a man who, whatever might be his merits or faults, had, with scarcely an exception, lost the confidence and good will of his men.
One day a forage train of sixty wagons went out in the direction of Cold Water, guarded by six companies of the Third Iowa, under Captain Smith. On their return the escort was menaced by Jackson's cavalry,who endeavored to capture the train. But the Captain's tactics were quite equal to those of the rebel Colonel. He chose open ground and very coolly marched along in plain view of the enemy. They attempted by demonstrations to draw his fire, but failed, and finally withdrew, having for once found their match.
About this time General Grant performed the remarkable feat of riding in one day from Corinth to Memphis, unattended except by one company of cavalry, his body guard and a few staff officers. It must be remembered that with the exception of the immediate vicinity of LaGrange and Moscow, where General Sherman's troops were stationed, the whole country was in the hands of the enemy. At LaGrange the party halted an hour for refreshments, and left one of the staff who had given out. It is said they reached Memphis before night.
Meanwhile General Sherman and staff proceeded to Memphis, leaving orders behind that it was his intention to select at that place grounds for the encampment of the two divisions, and that no officer or soldier should be allowed to follow him to that place ahead of his corps.
July 17th, at 1 P. M., the 4th Division broke up camp at LaGrange, and moving along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, after a tiresome march of nine miles in which many gave out and fell behind their regiments, camped for the night at Moscow, from which place the 5th Division had just moved.
Starting at 3 o'clock next morning, and with little improvement on yesterday's march in respect of straggling,although the weather was cooler than usual both days, the column arrived at Lafayette Station, having marched ten miles.
The march was resumed at 2 o'clock in the morning, the 5th Division still in lead. The forenoon was excessively hot, and marching was difficult in the extreme. The dust rose in such clouds that a man in the ranks could scarcely see the comrade ahead of him. Seventeen miles being accomplished, the column halted for the night at Germantown.
Next day, the column moved forward six miles to White Station, and on the day after that, July 21st, a march of nine miles brought it to Memphis. Foot-sore, ragged and weary, the battalions marched into the city. The Third Iowa had the honor of being in lead of the 4th Division. So thick was the dust on men's faces, that it was difficult to distinguish soldier from contraband—all looked alike. Many had no shoes, and some even were without pants, and had nothing but drawers and shirt in way of uniform. But the boys dressed their files and proudly kept step to the music, while from balconies and windows the Union ladies waved white handkerchiefs in welcome.
Wallace's division was garrisoning the city, but now relieved by Sherman, it embarked to reinforce the army of General Curtis at Helena. General Sherman disposed his troops so as to environ the city and guard all the approaches to it. Our regiment being on the right of the line was camped on the south side of the city and near the river. We had a delightful camping ground, greensward beneathour feet, and noble shade trees waving over our heads.
The period we spent here was one of rest but not of idleness. It was a period of discipline and duty. We were still in the presence of an enterprising enemy, who constantly menaced our extended line with attack. General Sherman was no less a general in camp than in the field. There his great bravery, his splendid tactical combinations in the face of the enemy, his unwearying energy, and his industrious attention to details, had impressed his soldiers with a kind of reverence for him as a military commander, which they felt for no other general. All could see that in genius and in spirit, he was a complete soldier. Though he could add nothing to the patriotism and bravery of the men he commanded, he was now to see they were better supplied, better drilled, better disciplined, and that there be infused into them more of theesprit de corps. Every one will recollect his fine figure on review—how keenly he scrutinized every thing; not a man, nor a uniform, nor a gun seemed to escape his notice. He exercised the closest supervision over the different departments, punished corruption and saw that justice was meted out to all. He administered martial law in the city of Memphis with justice and rigor, but without violence or cruelty. A young soldier studying the profession and practice of arms might well think himself fortunate in being under the tuition of such a general.
It was at Memphis that we first were allowed to admit negroes within our lines. At LaGrange andMoscow and all along the march from those places hither, they had flocked to join us in great numbers. General Halleck's celebrated General Orders No. 3 being then in force, General Sherman was compelled to issue an order forbidding his soldiers from encouraging negroes in leaving their homes, and teamsters from giving them transportation. This order was written by Captain Hammond, his Assistant Adjutant General, and was couched in poor and undignified terms. As soon, however, as orders from Washington allowed him to do so, General Sherman issued orders authorizing the employment of negroes as cooks, teamsters and laborers in the various departments and on the fortifications. Large numbers were put to work on Fort Pickering, an important field work which was projected for the defense of Memphis. Contrabands thronged the camps in large numbers, and soon became an important element in thematerielof the army. All that came within our lines were received and put to work, and supplied with clothing and subsistence. This policy was viewed by the soldiers with very general approbation.
While we were thus resting, our comrades in the East were struggling, through prodigious marches, uncommon hardships, and bloody battles to check the advance of a superior enemy, and his invasion of our soil. Reports from that quarter of disaster crowding upon disaster, disturbed in no small degree the quietude of our camp life, and embittered the sweets of the comparative repose we were enjoying. In addition to this, the enemy began to make demonstrations in theneighborhood of Bolivar, Tenn., and we were not surprised to find our spell of easy soldiering broken, when, on the 5th of September, orders came to march at 3 o'clock next morning, in what direction we could only conjecture.
The two divisions which had been so long together were now to be separated. They who had grown to consider each other comrades, had marched and fought together perhaps for the last time. General Sherman expressed his feelings on this separation in the following letter to General Hurlbut, which, after we had reached Bolivar, was published to us in General Orders. We esteemed it a great honor to receive such compliments from such a general:—
Headquarters, 5th Division, }Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 6, 1862.}Brigadier General Hurlbut, Commanding 4th Division,Army of the Tennessee,—Dear Sir:—Permit me through you to convey to the officers and men of your division an expression of my deep regret that the necessities of the service should at this time separate our commands. Our divisions were the first to disembark at Pittsburg Landing, in the early part of March, and through storm and sunshine, adverse and prosperous times, we have been side by side. Not only have social ties arisen between us, but the habit of acting together has made us one command; and I feel in parting with you as though my own division was divided.I need not express to you my high personal and official respect; for I hope to have evinced it on all occasions. I must say that no officers could have been more zealous, close, and attentive to their important duties than they have been. I can not recall an instance of their being absent from their posts for even an hour. Indeed, with very few exceptions, your division is composed of a class of steady good men, who by their behavior in camp, on guard, on the march and in battle, reflect honor and credit on themselves and their country.Be pleased to convey to all my hearty thanks; and assure them that I will hail the change in events which will bring us again together.With sentiments of high respect,Your friend and servant,(Signed)W. T. Sherman.
Headquarters, 5th Division, }Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 6, 1862.}
Brigadier General Hurlbut, Commanding 4th Division,Army of the Tennessee,—
Dear Sir:—Permit me through you to convey to the officers and men of your division an expression of my deep regret that the necessities of the service should at this time separate our commands. Our divisions were the first to disembark at Pittsburg Landing, in the early part of March, and through storm and sunshine, adverse and prosperous times, we have been side by side. Not only have social ties arisen between us, but the habit of acting together has made us one command; and I feel in parting with you as though my own division was divided.
I need not express to you my high personal and official respect; for I hope to have evinced it on all occasions. I must say that no officers could have been more zealous, close, and attentive to their important duties than they have been. I can not recall an instance of their being absent from their posts for even an hour. Indeed, with very few exceptions, your division is composed of a class of steady good men, who by their behavior in camp, on guard, on the march and in battle, reflect honor and credit on themselves and their country.
Be pleased to convey to all my hearty thanks; and assure them that I will hail the change in events which will bring us again together.
With sentiments of high respect,Your friend and servant,(Signed)W. T. Sherman.
Lt. Col. Trumbull—Preparations to march—Leaving Sherman and Memphis—Heat, dust and straggling—Night on Wolf River—Second day's march—House burning—Annoyances—Halt for the night at last—Next day's March—Reach the Hatchie—Bridging the stream—Guarding the working parties—Hardships and murmurs—March toward Bolivar—Our situation there—A reconnoissance toward Grand Junction—Attempt of the enemy to get in our rear—Masterly retreat—Make a stand and shell back his advance guard—Arrive at Bolivar—Reinforcements—Vigilance.
Lt. Col. Trumbull—Preparations to march—Leaving Sherman and Memphis—Heat, dust and straggling—Night on Wolf River—Second day's march—House burning—Annoyances—Halt for the night at last—Next day's March—Reach the Hatchie—Bridging the stream—Guarding the working parties—Hardships and murmurs—March toward Bolivar—Our situation there—A reconnoissance toward Grand Junction—Attempt of the enemy to get in our rear—Masterly retreat—Make a stand and shell back his advance guard—Arrive at Bolivar—Reinforcements—Vigilance.
At this time Colonel Williams was seriously ill. Capt. M. M. Trumbull, of Company I., had been recommended by the commissioned officers of the regiment to Governor Kirkwood as their choice to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Col. Scott, and having received since official notice of his appointment, Colonel Williams had ordered him to assume command. He accordingly put on the uniform of Lt. Colonel, and we began to address him by his new title, rejoiced that, at a time when an encounter with the enemy seemed probable, we were to be led by an officer of such gallantry and merit.
The sick, who in the opinion of the surgeons were not able to march, were provided for in the hospitals at Memphis. We replenished our stock of rations so asto have a ten days' supply on hand, and busied ourselves in preparations for the morrow's march till late in the night, when we retired to rest, awaiting the expected reveille at one o'clock.
The drums, however, did not beat till half past five, and we awoke to learn that the march had been deferred till 11 A. M. At half past eleven the regiment moved, leading the column; the other regiments and the batteries following in their appropriate order. As we passed the Head Quarters of General Sherman, that officer sat on his charger watching us with all the scrutiny of an inspection. As we took a last look at him, we felt a feeling of regret that he was to command us no longer; but this was in a measure relieved by the thought that our old division commander, whom in times past we had been so happy and proud to follow, still led us. But we had still another source of regret; for, as we looked back upon the spires of Memphis, we could not but think that for a season, at least, such days of pleasant soldiering were over.
The road was free from dust on account of a heavy rain which had fallen the previous day, but the heat was oppressive in the extreme. Notwithstanding, in the commencement of the march, strict orders had been issued against straggling, we had scarcely got beyond the suburbs of the city when men began to give out and leave the ranks, and several were sun-struck and had to be put in the ambulances. Although the General took the precaution to halt and rest the column fifteen minutes each hour, before night the way was lined with men who were unable to keep up. We halted for thenight about eight miles to the northeast of Memphis, on a deeply wooded bottom of Wolf River. Owing to some obstruction which the wagons had met, a part of our train was still some time after dark in getting up, and it was not till late in the night that all the stragglers rejoined their commands.
September 7. It was General Hurlbut's plan to reverse each day the order of march so as to give no preference of place in the column to any regiment or battery. The 2d Brigade took the lead to-day, and the 3d Iowa marched in the rear of the 1st Brigade, and hence formed the rear guard of the column. Gen. Hurlbut was an early riser, and he announced each night the time of commencing the following day's march, which was seldom later than four o'clock in the morning.
This morning the troops began to move at an early hour, and about eight o'clock the 3d Iowa joined in with its train and was in motion. Owing to the light showers of yesterday evening which had succeeded the intense heat of the day, the air this morning was cool with occasional breezes, and consequently the march was less arduous, and the men kept the ranks without much difficulty. We made no halt for dinner.
About 3 P. M. we saw a dense smoke rising in advance, and on approaching discovered that it was a house on fire, and that several soldiers were applying the torch to other buildings near by. All that we could learn of the cause of this operation was that a Confederate flag, an Enfield rifle and a set of accoutrements marked "O. V. M." had been found secreted in it.This had suggested to those who made the discovery that its inmates were traitors, and that it was a matter of duty with them to commit the house and the surrounding buildings to flames, which they were now doing with the utmostsang froid. General Hurlbut the next day issued an order censuring this act in severe terms, and warning his troops against similar conduct in future.
About this time a shower of rain commenced falling, cooling the atmosphere and rendering the roads quite favorable to marching. As it began to grow dark, it became evident from the frequent and annoying halts of the train ahead of us, that the regiments and batteries in the advance of the column were taking their positions for the night. Indeed so slow was our march on account of these halts, that our regiment did not reach its camping ground before eleven o'clock, having accomplished not more than two miles in the last four hours. This was by far the most fatiguing part of the day's march. Notwithstanding we had halted at sundown, dressed our files, loaded our pieces and received the strictest orders against straggling, it was impossible for the officers to keep the men in ranks. Many straggled far ahead and threw themselves down upon the green sward and went to sleep, to be awakened by their comrades or the rear guard. Reaching our position for the night, we ate a hasty supper from our haversacks, and threw ourselves down to sleep. Happy the lot of most of us compared with that of the few, who, exhausted and foot-sore, were yet compelled to watch on picket while we slept.
September 8. We rested in camp to-day. The windwas damp with a drizzling rain, which was most welcome to us, as we expected to renew the march at an early hour. The enemy's cavalry was said to be prowling around us, and apprehensions were felt that a large body of his troops were in the vicinity. We received orders that there was to be no straggling from our stacks of arms, and, to prevent this, to have roll call every two hours. During the day we put up tents, and with the aid of the fresh meat and vegetables we had procured on the yesterday's march, we made ourselves quite comfortable. Towards night we had a careful inspection of arms and ammunition, and received the usual marching orders for the morning.
September 9. The column moved at daylight and continued the march all day without interruption or seeing any indications of an enemy. We camped for the night on a creek bottom, rank with growing timber and abounding in grapes, muscadines, lizards, copperheads, and the like.
September 10. Reveille woke us at 3 o'clock, and an easy march brought us to the Muddy, a small stream very appropriately named, and two miles beyond which flows the Hatchie. We did not put up tents for the night, and a heavy rain which fell towards morning soaked our blankets and proved to be not as much of a luxury as the previous ones had been.
September 11. The drums sounded at half past three. The bridge over the Hatchie in advance of us had been destroyed by a party of Federal cavalry who had passed through the country early in the summer, disguised as cotton burners, but had been detected and pursued.In order to advance, it became necessary to rebuild it. For this purpose General Hurlbut ordered a pioneer party of soldiers and contrabands to be detailed, and the 3d Iowa and 41st Illinois to move forward to protect them while at work. We accordingly moved at 5 A. M. in light marching order, passed over a road leading through a cane and cypress swamp, whose rotten and dilapidated bridges indicated that it had not been used in several years, and reached the river, where we stacked arms and threw across a picket by means of a dug-out which we found here. We passed a wet and cheerless day, watching the pioneers who were busy felling trees, carrying logs into the stream, and laying the foundations of the proposed bridge. Without blankets and almost without food, we were compelled to pass the night here as we had passed the day.
While we thus lay beside our struggling fires, endeavoring to sleep, it may be imagined that our reflections were anything but pleasant. Why were we moving so far to the north of Bolivar, and on such an extraordinary road? Was it to evade, deceive, or surprise the enemy? Had our forces indeed retreated from Bolivar, or were the rebels making designs in their rear? Did the country afford no better roads than this? Or, if it was "strategy" to advance on such a road, would the advantages counterbalance the delay in constructing bridges? Rumor supplied twenty different solutions; but the General, and perhaps a few others, alone knew the correct one.
A party of cavalry arrived during the night from Bolivar with such intelligence as changed matters entirely.The work on the bridge was abandoned, and early in the morning, September 12, we returned to camp and found the column already beginning to move. Loading our wagons and without waiting to take breakfast, we resumed our places in the order of march. The day was cloudy and cool and the roads good. A steady march of thirteen miles brought us to a wooded bottom, where, out of a few pools, we procured a supply of muddy water.
Monday, September 13. We moved early, and the march was a hard one. We halted about two hours in the middle of the day by the side of a mill pond, and took a refreshing bath and a pleasant siesta. The afternoon was very hot and the dust excessive. It seemed that the rains, which had made the roads of yesterday so excellent, had not reached this section. But the men kept their ranks well, and before night we went into camp in a beautiful situation on Spring Creek, about two miles to the west of Bolivar. Here we rested the following day, and on the 16th changed camp to a high and pleasant locality across the creek. The regiments of the division were somewhat separated, and the batteries occupied the most commanding and defensible position. The water was excellent; our supplies were regular and abundant, and the country around abounded in forage for our animals. The weather was delightful. We were able to procure from the inhabitants many luxuries. On the whole the people were quite friendly toward us. They seemed to have settled down to the conclusion that their country was to be permanently occupied by Federals, and inclined to make the best of astate of things they could not prevent. Our duty was heavy; but Col. Trumbull endeavored to lighten it as much as possible. Our foraging expeditions furnished some excitement, and, notwithstanding very stringent orders against plundering, generally kept us well supplied with fresh vegetables and meat. Col. Trumbull was an excellent drill master, and under him our regiment improved rapidly in the evolutions of the battalion.
The 28th Illinois was camped nearest to us, and here there grew up between the men of the 3d Iowa and of that gallant regiment, a feeling of friendship which nothing has since served to obliterate.
On the 19th of September, orders came to our regiment to move the following morning at sunrise, taking all our baggage. It was to be a reconnoissance in force with a heavy train designed to deceive the enemy. The force consisted of the 1st Brigade and two battalions of the gallant 2d Illinois Cavalry, all under command of Brig. Gen. Lauman. The column started shortly after sunrise and took the road leading south toward Grand Junction.
Officers and men were equally ignorant of the object of the movement. We said it could not be a reconnoissance, else we would not have taken our train. Nor could it be that it was intended to occupy Grand Junction with so small a force. But webelievedin our generals, and, inexplicable as the movement seemed, it gave us no particular concern. The day being cool and the roads good, we made a march of about eighteen miles, but camped in a country destitute of water, save what was to be found in a few pools, about five miles tothe north of Grand Junction. The pickets were carefully posted and the men ordered to sleep on their arms, and every precaution was taken against surprise.
The march was resumed at daylight next morning, and when we had proceeded to within a mile of Grand Junction, the cavalry reported the enemy. Let us look at the situation. LaGrange is four miles west of Grand Junction. A road leading from that place to the north, joins at Middleburg, about eight miles south of Bolivar, the way on which we were now marching. On this road the enemy was pushing a strong column past our right flank and endeavoring to get in our rear. The cavalry reported it to be a mile and a half in length. When this word was brought to the General, he saw the danger at a glance, and said with his usual brevity, "We must get out of this." He dispatched messengers to General Hurlbut. The wagons began to turn around. The 3d Iowa countermarched, and then was halted and brought to a front. Every one anticipated the next command, and one or two began to feel of their cartridge boxes; at sight of which Col. Trumbull called out, rebuking, "Wait for the word!" He then gave the command, "Load at will—load!" Soon the column was in motion to the rear, and began to execute a retreat, such as, in rapidity, order and success is seldom surpassed. Our regiment, hitherto in advance, was now in the rear, our battalion of cavalry moved past the column through the fields and became the new advance guard, while the other remained behind to cover the retreat. As this battalion let down the fence and rode past us into the field, the boys greeted each other with such shouts ofgood natured raillery as told plainly that no one was afraid. It soon became apparent that the enemy was also following us in the rear. A gallant cavalry officer with a few men lingered behind to reconnoiter until the rebels were within hailing distance of him. They invited him to come up and have a talk, but he declined, and rode forward to tell General Lauman of what he had seen. The General sent Beauregard, his chief of orderlies, to hurry on the train. The old soldier realized as much as the General himself, that we were in a crisis. He went storming up and down the road, forbidding the teamsters to lock going down the steepest hills, and talking to some of them in such a manner as to secure their lasting gratitude. The manner in which he discharged this important duty excited the admiration of all. The column took a road further to the east than the one on which we had come, so as to make sure of evading the enemy. As we passed through the little town of Van Buren, the citizens came out to watch us, and a grin of delight played on their countenances, which made the boys gnash their teeth.
In three hours, with no loss but that of two horses, we had retreated twelve miles. The day was quite warm, and the dust began to rise heavily beneath our feet. The ambulances and wagons were so full of exhausted men that they could hold no more, and still they continued to give out. We were fast reaching the limit of endurance. General Lauman observing this, and at length reaching a tract of high open fields, he began to wink ominously, "I'll fight them right here," said he, "my men would sooner fight than run at any odds."The next moment we saw the fences tumbling down, and Mann's Battery, a section on each side of the road, was quickly in position. The infantry was formed in two lines, two regiments on each side of the road. The 3d Iowa was on the right of it in the front line, and supported a section of the guns. Behind us, perhaps a half mile, the waters of Spring Creek flowed clear and cool, and here the animals and exhausted men having got water, the train proceeded leisurely on out of the way. A captain of cavalry, with six men, went back to reconnoiter. Colonel Trumbull also rode leisurely back alone over the field. The party met the enemy's cavalry, and were pursued by them. As the rebels came in sight, kicking up a great cloud of dust, the two pieces on the right of the road opened with shell upon them, and a few discharges caused them hastily to disappear.
Meanwhile the two regiments of the second line had moved to the rear, crossed the creek, and proceeded to form a new line faced to the south, on a commanding field about three miles to the north. The enemy making no further demonstrations, the two remaining regiments and the battery, after a time, formed column and passed through this new line about dusk, and soon after met reinforcements, three regiments and a battery under General Hurlbut. Moving leisurely back, we reached our former camping places about 8 P. M.
But apprehensions of an early attack were entertained. In pursuance of orders received from General Hurlbut during the night, we were in line and had our wagons loaded at 3 o'clock next morning, and waitedmost of the day, expecting the approach of the enemy. We however policed our camps, and toward night put up our tents. Reinforcements were started to us from Jackson, and that evening we had a dress parade at which an order from General Hurlbut was read, stating that with reinforcements that had arrived and were about to arrive, he hoped soon to be able to assume the offensive; also that reveille would beat at 2 o'clock next morning, and that the baggage would be loaded at four. The order was obeyed; but the enemy declined battle and the General did not pursue. We again put up our tents; but at night a similar order compelled us to take them down again early in the morning. And thus for several days we were kept in a constant state of vigilance and of preparation for any emergency.
The troops now here in excess of the 4th Division constituted an additional division under Brig. Gen. Ross.
Sudden orders to march—A day's march toward Corinth—Bivouac on the Big Muddy—Fight of the cavalry—Arrival of General Ord—Reveille—Advance of the 2d Brigade—Situation and movements of the enemy—BATTLE OF MATAMORA—Our positions in reserve—Progress of the battle—Carrying the Bridge of the Hatchie—Disastrous situation—Reserves ordered into action—Scene beyond the bridge—Hurlbut saves the day—Carrying the Heights—Practice of the artillery—Retreat of the enemy—Bivouac on the field—On picket—Reconnoissance, details, etc.—Return to Bolivar—Fruits of the victory—Losses.
Sudden orders to march—A day's march toward Corinth—Bivouac on the Big Muddy—Fight of the cavalry—Arrival of General Ord—Reveille—Advance of the 2d Brigade—Situation and movements of the enemy—BATTLE OF MATAMORA—Our positions in reserve—Progress of the battle—Carrying the Bridge of the Hatchie—Disastrous situation—Reserves ordered into action—Scene beyond the bridge—Hurlbut saves the day—Carrying the Heights—Practice of the artillery—Retreat of the enemy—Bivouac on the field—On picket—Reconnoissance, details, etc.—Return to Bolivar—Fruits of the victory—Losses.
Our regiment was on battalion drill on the afternoon of October 3d, when orders came to be ready to march promptly at three o'clock in the morning, with three days cooked rations in haversacks. The evening was spent in preparation, and during the night frequent orders arrived announcing the details of the march. We were to go in light order, taking, besides the ambulances, but two wagons to the regiment, one for ammunition and one for tents, of which each company was to take one. Those not able to march were exempted by the surgeons, and for this purpose an examination was had.
Reveille roused us at one o'clock; at two we had breakfasted; and at three the column formed on the open fields to the west of Bolivar. It consisted of the 4th Division, and the 68th Ohio and 12th Michigan ofRoss' division. General Hurlbut was in command. General Ross was to remain to guard the place.
The column began to move without delay. We passed through Bolivar and took the road leading in a southeast direction toward Corinth. The full moon shone beautifully, but not enough to light the densely wooded bottom through which for two miles beyond Bolivar the road defiles. Besides the frequent mudholes, we had to ford a small creek that flows through a cypress swamp, by which means the ranks were much broken and the column greatly lengthened. When the head of the column gained the bluffs to the east of this, it was halted to wait for the rear to come up. Day had not yet dawned, but the scene was enchanting. The moon cast a pure pale light over all the landscape, which for a long distance lay beneath us to the west. There was not a breath of air in motion; and the profound silence which pervaded all nature was broken only by the heavy tread of man and horse, and the clatter of baggage and artillery wheels. Where and why were we thus marching? The sudden orders, the nature of the preparations, and the unexpected direction we were taking, assured us that it was an uncommon movement, and that there was trouble ahead. All was mystery; but in it every one could see a battle. Little did we think that at that very hour the enemy was preparing to storm our works at Corinth.
As soon as the rear battalions had crossed the stream the march was resumed with energy. The roads were not dusty, and when the day dawned there arose a cool breeze, which enabled us to maintain the same speedwith which we had led out. Fifteen miles brought us by 11 A. M. to a small stream where we halted till 2 P. M., for dinner and rest.
In the afternoon the roads were somewhat dustier. At Pocahontas Station we crossed the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and, soon after, the cavalry, two battalions of the 5th Ohio, came upon a picket of the enemy which they put to flight, losing one man mortally wounded. The column went into camp for the night on the Big Muddy, the 1st Brigade beyond it, the 2d behind it. The Third Iowa occupied precisely the same ground on which it had camped the night of the 13th of June.
The 1st Brigade had just stacked arms, when word came that our cavalry had engaged that of the enemy about a mile and a half to the front, and that they were fighting sharply. Listening, we could hear the indistinct crack of the carbines. Messengers began and continued to arrive from the scene of action; but it was some time before General Lauman seemed much concerned about it. At length we saw an officer ride up excitedly to him. Then the general climbed his horse, and galloping down to our regiment, cried out: "Third Iowa! in line!" We sprang to our stacks and took arms; when he commanded in the same tone: "At will—load!" While we thus stood in line, expecting every moment to see the cavalry breaking back upon us, we saw something in the east, flashing back the rays of the setting sun. It approached us, dancing through the bushes like two great wheels of fire, and soon discovered itself, an enormous pair of spectacles,behind which a cavalry officer came riding frantically up, and with a strange accent cried to Captain Trumbull: "Kapn-ve-kot-ateenuntert-kafalrie-kiust-uns-atwo-richiments-ot-ve-to-peet-a-retreat?" The Colonel very coolly referred him to the General, when he rode off, saying the General knew all about it.
After about an hour's fighting, the contending parties withdrew as if by mutual consent, and our cavalry as per orders retired upon the infantry. We again stacked arms, and nothing occurred during the night to prevent us from sleeping soundly.
About 3 o'clock in the morning, Major General Ord arrived from Corinth, whence he had come by way of Jackson and Bolivar, from the latter place on horseback, escorted by a company of the 2d Illinois Cavalry. He assumed command of all the forces, and approved the plan of battle General Hurlbut had already made. He brought intelligence that the rebels had been defeated at Corinth, and were retreating towards us. Early in the morning, and about the time we heard of his arrival, this news circulated through our fires merely in the shape of a vague rumor of a battle at Corinth.
We were aroused at daylight, and ordered to eat our breakfasts and get ready to move. The cavalry pickets, stationed at a house, fell back into the edge of a wood to eat their breakfast without molestation, and when they attempted to return to their former post, found the house occupied by rebels, and were unable to dislodge them. About seven o'clock, the 25th Indiana, of Veatch's Brigade, moved past us to the front, followedby a battery, and their brigade train. The wagons were parked with our's on the field on which the 1st Brigade still rested. It was not long before we heard the firing of skirmishers, and soon after, we were startled by discharges of artillery rapid and near. It was a section of Bolton's Battery shelling the enemy out of the house. Soon the remainder of Gen. Veatch's command moved past us, the 28th Illinois followed, and Generals Ord and Hurlbut, followed by the body-guard of the former, rode leisurely to the front. General Hurlbut was in full uniform, but General Ord wore a yellow linen coat.
About this time, and still further to the east, we could hear a skirmishing fire, now deepening into heavy volleys, and now slackening into occasional discharges. Suddenly began the noise of artillery, deep and loud, and for a long time we stood by our stacks of arms, and listened with great interest to the mingled sounds of both arms. Orderlies and staff officers rode to and from the field, but from them we could gather little news of the progress of the battle. But it was all in our favor. The enemy was being driven at all points. Retreating from Corinth and encountering our cavalry the previous night, which after the skirmish had retreated from him, he thought we were merely a cavalry force sent out to watch him, or to harass him in the rear, while attacking Corinth. He did not expect a heavy force was moving to attack him in the rear. He was not looking for such generalship on the part of Grant. Nor, when at the block house, he had seen Bolton's artillery and Morgan's skirmishers, was hewilling to give up the delusion which General Hurlbut had so skillfully prepared for him; but with great boldness he pushed a heavy column of his troops across the bridge of the Hatchie, when, to his amazement, he saw General Veatch's infantry deploying before him, and his batteries taking possession of Matamora heights. The enemy quickly got his guns in battery, and his infantry deployed to the right and left. Then a severe artillery duel, and then the skirmishers again joined, and the 2d Brigade advanced at a charging step. The enemy withered before their fire, and finally fled before their approaching bayonets. The charge was gallantly pressed. Most of the rebels rushed, panic stricken, over the bridge; many threw away their guns and plunged through the river; some fled through the woods to the right, and escaped by crossing on logs above the bridge; and about four hundred surrendered on the west bank. A fine four gun battery was also captured.
To second these movements, General Lauman had sent forward the 28th and 53d Illinois regiments of his brigade; the 41st was detailed to guard the wagon train, and the 32d and 3d Iowa were in reserve. As soon as General Veatch's battalion commenced, General Lauman moved forward with these two reserve regiments about two miles, and deployed us, the 32d on the right, the 3d Iowa on the left of the road, about a half mile in the rear of Matamora heights, from which we saw the 2d Brigade move forward to the attack, and heard the noise of the battle. It was to us an hour of hope and fear. The appearance of the three generals,Ord, Hurlbut and Lauman, as they now sat in the road on their horses in advance of us, and received messengers and dispatched orders, and calmly conversed with each other, tended to give us confidence. But we had seen enough of battle to know that its fortunes defy calculation; we knew nothing of the strength of the enemy, and could not but think, that gallantly as they had advanced to the attack, our comrades might be driven back in dismay, and we compelled to interpose between them and a victorious foe.
The generals soon rode forward and found the enemy driven across the river. General Ord ordered Veatch to throw his regiments across and deploy them successively to the right and left of the road. 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. 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. The 53d Indiana crossed first, and, endeavoring to form on this ground, became crowded together in the narrow space between the road and the river, when it met a plunging fire of musketry and canister, and was driven back to the bridge in disorder and with great loss. Here they metthe 25th Indiana, which crossed bravely and stayed them in their retreat. The 14th and 15th Illinois followed handsomely and deployed to the left of the road. Then crossed the 28th and 53d Illinois of Lauman's brigade, which were ordered to deploy to the right, where, like the 52d Indiana, they were crowded together and confused; but they held their ground and bravely returned the fire of the enemy.
Meanwhile the reserves were ordered to the front. General Lauman took the lead, and we advanced by the flank rapidly down the road. We crossed the ridge and came to the village. Beyond us the field was swept by a converging fire of the enemy's batteries. Into this storm of shot, shell and canister, we ran. Beyond the river the battle was at its hight. Its noise was one uninterrupted roar. We knew that our troops were sustaining it bravely; for we met no stragglers as at Shiloh. The bridge was swept by a random fire directed through the tops of the trees. Colonel Trumbull ordered us to fix bayonets. We crossed the bridge on the run, and fixed bayonets, crossing. Beyond the bridge sat General Lauman and staff. Beauregard, the old orderly, was wounded and bleeding freely at the mouth; but he still was able to respond to our cheers, and to call upon us to "give the rebels hell." Colonel Trumbull riding in lead, pointed to the hill and ordered us to charge. The regiment obeyed bravely and had nearly reached the foot of the hill, when it was ordered to file to the right. Here in a moment we became massed and mingled with the regiments which had endeavored to form here before us. Through the dense smoke we couldnot see the enemy; but we could hear the rapid jar of his artillery before and above us, and his canister as it swept through the air in vollies, making inroads into the masses that swayed to and fro around us. The situation was disastrous in the extreme. We were massed and crowded together, and completely at the mercy of the enemy's fire, while we could scarcely hope to injure him with our's. Behind us an almost impassable barrier, obstructing retreat. To attempt to withdraw across the narrow bridge would have insured our destruction. What then were we to do? We could not advance, we could not retreat, nor could we effectively return the enemy's fire. The next moment the enemy's masses might pour down the hill at a charge. We must hold our ground like men, and, if necessary, die here. This terrible resolution seemed to have seized all hearts.
At this juncture General Ord was wounded, and the command devolved upon General Hurlbut, to whom it of right belonged. The day was now lost, and it was for him to regain it. It was for him to correct the fatal dispositions of the former, to make new dispositions of the troops under that appalling fire, and out of shattered and broken elements to organize victory. He rode across the bridge and into the thickest of the fire. He ordered the 46th Illinois, and the 68th Ohio, and 12th Michigan, yet on the west bank, to cross the bridge, and deploy to the left so as to flank the hill. They executed the movement finely, and in a few moments the enemy saw, with astonishment, regiments emerging from the field of his concentrated fire, wherehe had held us so long, and advancing in good order upon his right. His firing suddenly ceased; his colors disappeared from the crest of the hill. He saw his victory snatched from him by superior skill and courage, and fled in dismay.
At this juncture, having quickly formed our regiment, Colonel Trumbull took off his hat and said to us, "Men of the Third Iowa, will you stand by me this day?" All voices responded, "We will!" "Then," replied he, "here's a man that never retreats this day!" Could we have asked for a better leader?
In a few moments the whole force, splendidly aligned, advanced up the hill, and new lines were formed on its crest. The artillery followed, Mann's battery in lead, the planting of which General Hurlbut superintended in person. This battery, which won such honors at Shiloh, now behaved, if possible, more admirably than before. Leaving their caissons and limbers under the crest of the hill, the men ran their guns up by hand and opened a fire upon the enemy's masked battery, directing their aim at its smoke. The other batteries took position to its left, one of them so as to command the enemy's battery with a flanking fire. The practice of our artillery was splendid. As often as one of the enemy's guns would fire, three or four of ours would reply. Meantime a party of volunteer skirmishers from the 15th Illinois, crept up behind the crest of a hill in the open field, between the left of our line and the enemy, and with the most amusing impudence, picked off his wheel horses and cannoneers. In a short time his battery was knocked to pieces andcompelled to leave the field. His rear guard then withdrew, and disappeared from our front. The firing of our cannon had scarcely ceased, when we heard those of Rosecrans in the direction of Corinth, thundering in the enemy's rear. This should have been sufficient to determine the general to press the pursuit. Why this was not done was an enigma to us then, and it has remained unexplained ever since. It is true, we were not prepared for a general pursuit. But the enemy twice beaten was between two victorious armies, and had but one avenue of escape to the south, and that over a single bridge, where a portion of his force might have been cut off. But though the enemy's situation was not realized then, and though, with the knowledge he had, the general followed the best counsels in resting on the field, it is not doubted now that the enemy's retreat might have been pressed till night with splendid results.
We rested in line of battle till nearly night, when the wagons came up and we bivouacked on the field. The battle had lasted seven hours, beginning before eight in the morning, and ending before three in the afternoon. We were fatigued, not so much from the day's fighting as from the hard march of yesterday. A victory is for a time a great equalizer of military caste. It obliterates the distinctions of rank; the officer does not feel above the soldier, and the soldier feels as good as the officer; all become comrades in the general rejoicing. It is hard then for the soldier to disobey the officer; it is likewise hard for the officer to chide the soldier. And when to-night squads of the boys wentto the nearest farm houses, and came back with back loads of fresh meat, the officers,—the general himself, could not utter a word of disapproval.
That night three companies of the Third Iowa, A, F and H, were detailed for picket. Our position was a half mile in advance of the bluffs, and near where the enemy had formed his last lines of battle. Before us lay an open valley which looked strangely beautiful in the light of the moon. Behind us were scattered through the woods the enemy's dead. Our own were yet unburied. The moon as it looked down seemed to be pitying the fate of the brave men that lay staring a death-stare at her serene countenance. The "dim-lit fields" and the shadowy woods surrounding them, possessed a weird appearance, as though the ghosts of the slain heroes were flitting over them. And as we listened to the distant barking of the wakeful dog, and to the moanings of the night owl, we heard, or thought we heard, the far off sounds of the enemy's retreating hosts. And there we watched while our comrades slept. Terrible battle! glorious victory! moonlight watching on a field of death!—what scenes for future recollection!
Early in the morning, the 41st Illinois with two howitzers of Mann's battery, went forward to reconnoiter. They met the army of Rosecrans in pursuit of the enemy, who had retreated to the south, crossing the Hatchie six miles above us, and thus made good his escape. The line of the enemy's retreat was strown with abandoned baggage, wagons and artillery. A large detail under a commissioned officer went forward toburn them. Many squads of stragglers came in, exhausted, sick, disheartened, and telling doleful stories of their sufferings. The day was spent in burying the dead, caring for the wounded and collecting the arms scattered over the field, abandoned by the enemy in his retreat.
Our rations were exhausted, but the country supplied us abundantly. On the morning of the 7th, wagons arrived with rations from Bolivar, and we replenished our haversacks and began our return march. We had not proceeded far before we met another train of wagons coming to take away such of the wounded as had not yet been removed. It was a matter of much regret to us, as we turned our backs to our field of glory, that we had not joined Rosecrans in the pursuit. But we were retiring victorious, and save the thoughts of our dead and wounded comrades, little served to diminish our joy. We halted for the night on the creek where we had taken dinner on Saturday, and the next day at eleven o'clock we reached our camp.
Before dismissing the battalion, Colonel Trumbull addressed us, saying that General Lauman had complimented our good conduct in the battle, and that if our Generals were proud of us, we had equal reason to be proud of our Generals. He therefore proposed three cheers successively for Generals Ord, Hurlbut, Lauman, and Veatch, which were given with a will, and three were then spontaneously given for Colonel Trumbull.
The next day Colonel Trumbull ordered the officers of the regiment, who had commanded companies in the battle, to make out official reports, stating who, if any,had behaved in a manner particularly meritorious, and who, if any, had been guilty of misconduct. Under the latter head, a few were reported, whom the Colonel promptly arrested and confined, and reported to brigade headquarters with the request that they be court-martialed and punished.
Our loss in the whole force engaged did not fall far short of six hundred in killed and wounded. Our regiment lost two killed and about sixty wounded. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded must have been much less than ours. He did not leave many in the field. According to the most moderate reports, the captures were two batteries, including fourteen caissons, four hundred prisoners, one thousand stand of small arms, and about seventy wagons, burned the next day on the line of his retreat.
The Battle of Matamora—Colonel Trumbull's Official Report—General Hurlbut's parting review—His parting orders—How they were received—Congratulatory orders of General Grant—Telegram from the President.
The Battle of Matamora—Colonel Trumbull's Official Report—General Hurlbut's parting review—His parting orders—How they were received—Congratulatory orders of General Grant—Telegram from the President.
The following is Colonel Trumbull's official report of the part taken by the 3d Iowa in the battle of Matamora. I give it as it was furnished me from regimental head quarters. With all due deference to the Colonel, who commanded us so bravely, and who had a better opportunity of knowing our situation during the battle than any one man among us, I think all will agree with me that in some statements he has made slight mistakes. It was not so much the enemy's fire, though that was severe, that threw us into confusion beyond the bridge, as it was the attempt to form us in line to the right of the road, on the narrow space already crowded by broken troops. We were first ordered to charge, and then, by General Lauman, I believe,to file to the right, the general not wishing to advance us into the fire of our own troops, who in the tumult could not hear the order to cease firing. The Colonel does not mention that, before any attempt to re-form the regiment was successful, the enemy had ceased firing and retired from the crest of the hill. This was due to the manner inwhich General Hurlbut had disposed on the left his yet available troops. The promptness with which the regiment again formed was due to the Colonel as much as to the men. When once all could hear and understand the voice of the commander, who through the trying storm they had seen behaving so bravely, nothing more was needed to bring them to their places in ranks:
Head Quarters, 3d Iowa Infantry Camp,}near Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862. }Capt. H. Schofield, A. A. G.—Sir: I have the honor to report the part taken by the 3d Iowa Infantry in the battle of the 5th of October. The 3d Iowa, 300 strong, was on the right of the 1st Brigade, (Gen. Lauman), and formed part of the reserve. When the reserve was ordered into action the 3d Iowa led, crossing the bridge at a cheer, and at a double quick, under so severe a fire that about —— men were shot down in a few minutes, including over half of the commissioned officers present. This necessarily threw the regiment into some confusion, especially as the road was narrow and encumbered with a good deal of underbrush, and the men pressing forward got entangled with the men of other regiments. I saw no way to extricate the regiment, but by planting the colors in the middle of the road, and ordering the men to rally to them. This was promptly done, nearly every man springing instantly to his place. The regiment then moved forward up the hill in company with other regiments which had adopted the same plan, the enemy retiring as we advanced. On reaching the summit, the 3d Iowa wasstationed in the open plain to the left of the road, and toward the close of the engagement was moved to the right of the road near the bend of the river to support the gallant 28th Illinois, (Col. Johnson). The battle was now about over.I have to regret the loss of 1st Lieut. W. P. Dodd, commanding Company H., who was struck by a shell and instantly killed, just before we crossed the bridge. He was a brave and faithful officer, and his loss will fall heavily upon the regiment. I have also to regret the permanent disability of Capt. E. J. Weiser, of Company D, and acting 2d Lieut. D. W. Foote, of Company I, two noble and gallant officers, both of whom have been wounded in battle before. Capt. C. Kostman, commanding Company C, and Lieut. W. B. Hamil, commanding Company K, were both severely wounded while gallantly pressing forward in the front of their respective companies. 2d Lieut. C. E. Anderson, commanding Company G, who had done his whole duty through the engagement, was severely wounded just at the close of the battle. 1st Lieut. J. G. Scoby was especially prominent in rallying the men to the colors. Lieut. Geary, Company H, deserves especial mention, for staying in command of his company after the death of the 1st Lieutenant, all through the battle, and until we reached Bolivar, though suffering from a painful, but not a severe wound. Lieutenants McMurtry and Burdick, of Company D, Lakin and Abernethy, of Company F, and Moe, of Company C, did their duty bravely and well. Company A. was not engaged. 2d Lieutenant G. H. Cushman, acting adjutant, and SergeantMajor, A. W. Montague, both displayed great coolness and courage, and rendered me valuable assistance on the field.The conduct of the rank and file in crossing the bridge, under the terrific fire of the enemy's batteries, and in rallying to the flag as promptly as they did, deserves the highest praise. Several cases of individual bravery among the men, I shall bring to the notice of the General commanding the Brigade, as soon as I have fully investigated the circumstances. I take pleasure in noticing here the gallantry of Corporal Anderson Edwards, the color bearer. This is the third fight in which he has carried the colors of the regiment, and he deserves the notice of the General commanding. I am ashamed to say that a few—a very few cases of misconduct in the presence of the enemy have been reported to me, which on further investigation I shall submit to the General commanding the Brigade, with a request that they may be submitted to a general court martial.I herewith enclose a list of the killed and wounded of the Iowa Third in the action of the 5th. The number of the killed is very small, considering the terrible character of the wounds received.I have the honor to be, sir,With great respect,Your obedient servant,M. M. Trumbull,Captain Commanding 3d Iowa Infantry.
Head Quarters, 3d Iowa Infantry Camp,}near Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862. }
Capt. H. Schofield, A. A. G.—Sir: I have the honor to report the part taken by the 3d Iowa Infantry in the battle of the 5th of October. The 3d Iowa, 300 strong, was on the right of the 1st Brigade, (Gen. Lauman), and formed part of the reserve. When the reserve was ordered into action the 3d Iowa led, crossing the bridge at a cheer, and at a double quick, under so severe a fire that about —— men were shot down in a few minutes, including over half of the commissioned officers present. This necessarily threw the regiment into some confusion, especially as the road was narrow and encumbered with a good deal of underbrush, and the men pressing forward got entangled with the men of other regiments. I saw no way to extricate the regiment, but by planting the colors in the middle of the road, and ordering the men to rally to them. This was promptly done, nearly every man springing instantly to his place. The regiment then moved forward up the hill in company with other regiments which had adopted the same plan, the enemy retiring as we advanced. On reaching the summit, the 3d Iowa wasstationed in the open plain to the left of the road, and toward the close of the engagement was moved to the right of the road near the bend of the river to support the gallant 28th Illinois, (Col. Johnson). The battle was now about over.
I have to regret the loss of 1st Lieut. W. P. Dodd, commanding Company H., who was struck by a shell and instantly killed, just before we crossed the bridge. He was a brave and faithful officer, and his loss will fall heavily upon the regiment. I have also to regret the permanent disability of Capt. E. J. Weiser, of Company D, and acting 2d Lieut. D. W. Foote, of Company I, two noble and gallant officers, both of whom have been wounded in battle before. Capt. C. Kostman, commanding Company C, and Lieut. W. B. Hamil, commanding Company K, were both severely wounded while gallantly pressing forward in the front of their respective companies. 2d Lieut. C. E. Anderson, commanding Company G, who had done his whole duty through the engagement, was severely wounded just at the close of the battle. 1st Lieut. J. G. Scoby was especially prominent in rallying the men to the colors. Lieut. Geary, Company H, deserves especial mention, for staying in command of his company after the death of the 1st Lieutenant, all through the battle, and until we reached Bolivar, though suffering from a painful, but not a severe wound. Lieutenants McMurtry and Burdick, of Company D, Lakin and Abernethy, of Company F, and Moe, of Company C, did their duty bravely and well. Company A. was not engaged. 2d Lieutenant G. H. Cushman, acting adjutant, and SergeantMajor, A. W. Montague, both displayed great coolness and courage, and rendered me valuable assistance on the field.
The conduct of the rank and file in crossing the bridge, under the terrific fire of the enemy's batteries, and in rallying to the flag as promptly as they did, deserves the highest praise. Several cases of individual bravery among the men, I shall bring to the notice of the General commanding the Brigade, as soon as I have fully investigated the circumstances. I take pleasure in noticing here the gallantry of Corporal Anderson Edwards, the color bearer. This is the third fight in which he has carried the colors of the regiment, and he deserves the notice of the General commanding. I am ashamed to say that a few—a very few cases of misconduct in the presence of the enemy have been reported to me, which on further investigation I shall submit to the General commanding the Brigade, with a request that they may be submitted to a general court martial.
I herewith enclose a list of the killed and wounded of the Iowa Third in the action of the 5th. The number of the killed is very small, considering the terrible character of the wounds received.
I have the honor to be, sir,With great respect,Your obedient servant,M. M. Trumbull,Captain Commanding 3d Iowa Infantry.
No one can deny the justness and impartiality with which this report reviews the conduct of the officers andmen. It is to be regretted, however, that more instances of gallant conduct on the part of the latter, of which there were many, could not have been brought to light in this document.
Nothing more can be said of the conduct of General Hurlbut, than that his praise was again upon the lips of every man of the 4th Division. It received at the hands of the Government the prompt recognition it deserved. He was appointed to be a Major General and assigned to the command of the District of Jackson. He took a parting review of the decimated regiments which had marched so long and fought so well under his command. It was not like Napoleon taking leave of his officers at Fontainebleu, nor Washington's farewell to the army at New York; but it was a parting, where, on both sides, there were far more regrets than would seem. As the thinned battalions marched past him, their battered flags saluting, with so many brave, familiar faces absent, the General gazed upon his men, and the men turned their eyes toward their general, with an affection which it does not seem possible could have grown up between soldier and commander in the short space of seven months. On turning over the command of the Division to General Lauman, General Hurlbut issued the following farewell address:
Head Quarters Fourth Division,}District of West Tennessee, }Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862. }General Orders,No. 112.Officers and Soldiers of the Fourth Division:—Comrades in battle, partakers of the weary march and thelong watches! By your discipline and courage the victory has been won, and the title of the "Fighting Fourth," earned at Shiloh, has been burnished with additional splendor on the Hatchie.We were ordered on a forlorn hope to the aid of our beleaguered brothers in arms at Corinth. The march was arduous, the undertaking desperate. My orders were to reach Rosecrans at all hazards, and relieve him or perish.By the blessing of the God of our fathers and our country, the forces which assailed that indomitable garrison were scattered and broken by their invincible courage before our turn came. But there was yet work for the "Old Fourth."The heavy mass of the enemy were retreating by the State Line road, when, after crossing the Muddy, we met them. Each arm of this division gallantly co-operating with the other—cavalry, infantry and artillery, over a rough and dangerous country—over hill and through ravines, forest and thicket—a desperate enemy made no breach in the serried ranks of this command. Aided by your brave comrades of the 68th Ohio and 12th Michigan, from General Ross' command, field after field was swept, position after position seized and occupied, until the crowning struggle of the day came for the occupation of the high grounds east of the Hatchie. The bridge across that stream was carried at a charging step; the work of the artillery was done—that of the infantry commenced in deadly earnest. Major General Ord, a stranger to you, but to whom the division, by its well won reputation, was no stranger,and who had hitherto led the advance, was struck at the bridge and disabled; the command then devolved upon your old commander.By misapprehension of the nature of the country across the Hatchie, a large portion of the division had been massed on impracticable ground to the right of the road, and exposed to a terrific fire of canister at short range. That you bore it without the possibility of active return speaks well for your discipline.Knowing the ground, I immediately determined to throw out the main force to the left, crown the hill side, and flank the enemy; and it is among the proudest moments of my life, when I remember how promptly the several regiments disengaged themselves from their temporary confusion and extended to the left; and with what a will they bent themselves to conquer the hill. In twenty minutes all was over—the crest was gained and held, the artillery rapidly in place, and the field of Matamora was won. The broken fragments of the Confederate army recoiled before your solid advance; their main line of retreat was cut off, and their troops forced over the broken ground east of the Hatchie.Our duty was accomplished. Our wounded, the bloody witnesses to the desperation of the fight, were to be cared for. Already the victorious column of Rosecrans was thundering in their rear. It was my duty to bring in the forces that remained to me.You have returned to camp. No colors lost; not a man or a gun missing. It is a triumph; and you, and I for you, have a right to be proud.With you in this achievement were associated theSixty-eighth Ohio and the Twelfth Michigan regiments. They were worthy to be with you, and their conduct receives the praise of their commanding officer.And now the necessities of the service remove me from the immediate command of the Fourth Division. A promotion won by your courage and discipline removes me to a larger command.I wish you to understand from these, my parting orders, that I know full well that no regiment in my old division desired to be under my command when we met at Donelson. The reason why, I know well, but care not to tell now. Your respect I conquered at Shiloh; your regard I hope to have acquired since.Give to the officer who may succeed me the same prompt obedience, the same steady devotion to duty, and you will make me, wherever I am, proud of the high reputation of the Fourth Division.Remember, every man and officer, that I here again publicly acknowledge, that whatever I may have of military reputation has been won by you; and that I wear it only as coming from you; and that any misconduct or want of discipline on your part, will grieve your old commander. Remember that I place my honor as well as your own in your hands, and that if I find a difficult place that must be held, I shall call for the Fourth. I have no fears how you will answer.Our dead—our glorious dead! The joy of victory is dimmed when we think of them. But they have died as they would wish—died in defense of the Union and the Laws—died bravely on the red field of battle, withtheir unconquered banner over them. Their comrades will avenge them.And when at last our victorious flag shall float over the national domain, reconquered and united, and the weary soldier shall forget his toils in the endearments of home, around your firesides and among your children and neighbors, you shall recite as a part of your glorious history, how you swept the rebel hosts, with every advantage of position, across the Hatchie, and around the opposing hill, with a wall of fire and steel that repelled the chosen troops of Van Dorn and Price. Infantry, artillery and cavalry of the Fourth Division, and your well-deserving companions of the 68th Ohio and 12th Michigan, you have done your duty, each in his place, and each at the right time. You have satisfied your General; and the country in due time shall know what is due to each of you. I bid you, for a while, farewell.Officers and men, continue to deserve your lofty reputation; and then, as heretofore you will continue to receive the approbation of your General and strengthen his hands in the performance of his duties.S. A. Hurlbut, Major General.
Head Quarters Fourth Division,}District of West Tennessee, }Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862. }
General Orders,No. 112.
Officers and Soldiers of the Fourth Division:—Comrades in battle, partakers of the weary march and thelong watches! By your discipline and courage the victory has been won, and the title of the "Fighting Fourth," earned at Shiloh, has been burnished with additional splendor on the Hatchie.
We were ordered on a forlorn hope to the aid of our beleaguered brothers in arms at Corinth. The march was arduous, the undertaking desperate. My orders were to reach Rosecrans at all hazards, and relieve him or perish.
By the blessing of the God of our fathers and our country, the forces which assailed that indomitable garrison were scattered and broken by their invincible courage before our turn came. But there was yet work for the "Old Fourth."
The heavy mass of the enemy were retreating by the State Line road, when, after crossing the Muddy, we met them. Each arm of this division gallantly co-operating with the other—cavalry, infantry and artillery, over a rough and dangerous country—over hill and through ravines, forest and thicket—a desperate enemy made no breach in the serried ranks of this command. Aided by your brave comrades of the 68th Ohio and 12th Michigan, from General Ross' command, field after field was swept, position after position seized and occupied, until the crowning struggle of the day came for the occupation of the high grounds east of the Hatchie. The bridge across that stream was carried at a charging step; the work of the artillery was done—that of the infantry commenced in deadly earnest. Major General Ord, a stranger to you, but to whom the division, by its well won reputation, was no stranger,and who had hitherto led the advance, was struck at the bridge and disabled; the command then devolved upon your old commander.
By misapprehension of the nature of the country across the Hatchie, a large portion of the division had been massed on impracticable ground to the right of the road, and exposed to a terrific fire of canister at short range. That you bore it without the possibility of active return speaks well for your discipline.
Knowing the ground, I immediately determined to throw out the main force to the left, crown the hill side, and flank the enemy; and it is among the proudest moments of my life, when I remember how promptly the several regiments disengaged themselves from their temporary confusion and extended to the left; and with what a will they bent themselves to conquer the hill. In twenty minutes all was over—the crest was gained and held, the artillery rapidly in place, and the field of Matamora was won. The broken fragments of the Confederate army recoiled before your solid advance; their main line of retreat was cut off, and their troops forced over the broken ground east of the Hatchie.
Our duty was accomplished. Our wounded, the bloody witnesses to the desperation of the fight, were to be cared for. Already the victorious column of Rosecrans was thundering in their rear. It was my duty to bring in the forces that remained to me.
You have returned to camp. No colors lost; not a man or a gun missing. It is a triumph; and you, and I for you, have a right to be proud.
With you in this achievement were associated theSixty-eighth Ohio and the Twelfth Michigan regiments. They were worthy to be with you, and their conduct receives the praise of their commanding officer.
And now the necessities of the service remove me from the immediate command of the Fourth Division. A promotion won by your courage and discipline removes me to a larger command.
I wish you to understand from these, my parting orders, that I know full well that no regiment in my old division desired to be under my command when we met at Donelson. The reason why, I know well, but care not to tell now. Your respect I conquered at Shiloh; your regard I hope to have acquired since.
Give to the officer who may succeed me the same prompt obedience, the same steady devotion to duty, and you will make me, wherever I am, proud of the high reputation of the Fourth Division.
Remember, every man and officer, that I here again publicly acknowledge, that whatever I may have of military reputation has been won by you; and that I wear it only as coming from you; and that any misconduct or want of discipline on your part, will grieve your old commander. Remember that I place my honor as well as your own in your hands, and that if I find a difficult place that must be held, I shall call for the Fourth. I have no fears how you will answer.
Our dead—our glorious dead! The joy of victory is dimmed when we think of them. But they have died as they would wish—died in defense of the Union and the Laws—died bravely on the red field of battle, withtheir unconquered banner over them. Their comrades will avenge them.
And when at last our victorious flag shall float over the national domain, reconquered and united, and the weary soldier shall forget his toils in the endearments of home, around your firesides and among your children and neighbors, you shall recite as a part of your glorious history, how you swept the rebel hosts, with every advantage of position, across the Hatchie, and around the opposing hill, with a wall of fire and steel that repelled the chosen troops of Van Dorn and Price. Infantry, artillery and cavalry of the Fourth Division, and your well-deserving companions of the 68th Ohio and 12th Michigan, you have done your duty, each in his place, and each at the right time. You have satisfied your General; and the country in due time shall know what is due to each of you. I bid you, for a while, farewell.
Officers and men, continue to deserve your lofty reputation; and then, as heretofore you will continue to receive the approbation of your General and strengthen his hands in the performance of his duties.
S. A. Hurlbut, Major General.