"I am going to stay with this gun."

It is truly impossible to read the following account, likely written by Sergeant John Lockard of the 6th Iowa during the Second Epoch of the Atlanta Campaign, and not get the sense of the utter hardship these men faced on a daily basis. His prose is epic and I can do it no justice in a mere introduction. The following was published in The Burlington Weekly Hawkeye in the last week in June of 1864.

Letter from the 15^th Army Corps – 6^th Iowa Infantry.
Big Shanty Station, Ga., June 14^th, 1864.

Editor Hawk-eye: For six weeks we have been engaged in digging, chopping and skirmishing, the enemy falling back slowly and contesting every position with the greatest stubbornness.

Gen. mcPherson's army, consisting of Gen. Logan's (15^th) corps, and two divisions of the 16^th corps, commanded by Gen. Dodge, left Kingston on the 23d of May, crossing the Etowah river on a fine wagon bridge West of Kingston, which the rear guard of the rebels had just fired when our cavalry came up and took possession, thus saving it for our use. Along the river are some very fine plantations, the soil being a black sandy loam. I noticed several fine fields of wheat, some looking as if it might yield twenty to thirty bushels per acre. Where it has not been used to pasture army horses and mules it will soon be ready for the sickle; but who is to harvest it is more than I can tell, both white men and black having entirely disappeared from the country. It will be a matter for regret if the crop has to be lost. If saved, it would be the means of relieving a great deal of suffering among the poor people of this State. After leaving the Etowah about four miles, we came to a section of country, of several miles in extent, covered with a heavy growth of small pines. Leaving this, we again passed into a broken country, covered with a thick undergrowth of oak and chestnut. An occasional clearing, with its log cabin, marked the places where the Georgians once lived in blissful ignorance of all the wicked world outside of their native thickets. But the approach of the dreaded “Yanks” had been the signal for many of them to desert their homes and remove south. The few who remained took a great interest in our safety, assuring us that we would go back in a greater hurry than we were going forward whenever Gen. Johnston got us to where he wanted to fight us, and warning us against going too far into their country.

Near Dallas, the county town of Pauding country, we found the enemy strongly posted and well fortified. We took up our position on a neighboring hill, and commenced building rifle-pits. This was on the 26^th of May. Skirmishing commenced early in the morning, and grew livelier all the forenoon, as our troops were getting into position. The 4^th division (Gen. Herron's) was on the right of our corps. To our left was the 2d division (Gen. Morgan L. Smith's) Gen. Osterhaus being in reserve. About two o'clock this evening the enemy opened on Col. C.C. Walcutt's (2d) brigade, of the 4^th division, with shell. – Our position was on a sharp ridge, and that of the enemy about five hundred yards distant, across a deep ravine, through which ran a small creek. Their shells were well directed, – many of them bursting in our ranks. Fortunately it did not continue long, the enemy not being able to see the mischief he was doing, owing to the thick timber on our ridge. In our regiment (6^th Iowa) one man (private Scott, Co. C) was killed during this shelling, a shell bursting right against him and crushing in his side. No sooner did the shelling cease than the enemy came out of his works and advanced against us. They got nearly down the side of the hill on which was their works when, finding the musketry fire from our half-finished rifle-pits too hot, they [turned] about and returned to their position on the hill.

All day, the 27^th, a constant skirmishing was kept up by our pickets; very little harm being done on either side, owing to the distance at which the firing was done. They day was spent in strengthening our position, by finishing our rifle-pits, covering our batteries, &c. We worked all night on the 26^th and 27^th.

Early in the morning of the 28^th, the skirmishing recommenced. About eight o'clock, while on the skirmish line giving instructions, Adjt. Newby Chase, of the 6^th Iowa, received a wound in the throat, which proved fatal. Lieut. Chase was a fine officer, a true soldier, and a gentleman in the fullest sense of that term. His loss is felt and deeply mourned by the whole regiment. He sleeps on the field of battle with thousands, who like him have fallen, victims of man's perfidy and ambition. But his memory will always live in the hearts of his comrades in the “Sixth” to whom he had endeared himself by his uniform kindness and urbanity, his noble unselfishness of disposition, and the gallantry of his conduct in the field.

About four o'clock, of the 28^th, the enemy made a furious charge all along the line occupied by the 15^th Corps. They were within a few feet of our pickets before their approach was discovered, having crawled up to them, under cover of the thick underbrush and the smoke of the dead leaves, which had caught fire in many places. In our regiment, Co. D, under command of Lieut. T.S. Elrick, and Co. C, commanded by Lieut. Baldwin, were on the picket or skirmish line. They fought the enemy hand to hand, falling back gradually to the breastwork. They were necessarily exposed to our fire as they came in, but as it was easy to distinguish between the blue coats and the gray, none of them were hurt by it. The enemy charged with great determination. Some of them were killed just outside of our works. They got possession of three guns of the First Iowa Battery, which was in a very exposed position. They made terrible efforts to get off these guns, as they were fine steel Parrots, but the fire from our rifle pits, not over twenty-five yards distant was too severe and failing to carry them off, they were obliged to leave the guns. After tow hours terrible fighting, forty minutes of which was the hardest I ever saw, they were repulsed. – Our men dashed out after them and followed them to our skirmish line, which was re-established on the old ground. Just as the enemy commenced to fall back, a [brigade] of Gen. Osterhaus' division came up to our support in fine style, having come on the double quick for two miles. Finding the crisis past they returned to their old position. Nothing could exceed the coolness and spirit of our men in resisting this charge. The enemy's loss is three thousand, including every field officer engaged, (by their own report,) shows how well directed was our fire. But we did not escape without severe loss. In the 2d Brigade, 4^th division, three of the four regimental commanders were hit, and two of them killed, Col. Dickerman, of the 103d Ills., and Maj. Gisey, of the 46^th Ohio, and Col. Miller, of the 6^th Iowa, wounded severely in the arm. Too much cannot be said in praise of these gallant officers. – While the men were in the ditch and under cover, they had to be exposed to the fire of the enemy unprotected. But Col. Miller (my position did not allow me to see the others) was right up to the line, directing his men where to fire, and keeping them well in their places. No braver man lives than Col. Miller, and no commander enjoys more fully, the respect, confidence and affection of his men. The loss of our regiment during the attack of the enemy on our lines, was seven men killed and fifteen wounded, and one brave officer killed. – Lieut. Baldwin, of Co. C, was shot through the head by a stray ball, after the enemy had been repulsed. A better man never drew a sword.

“He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle.”

But while a man of the 'Sixth Iowa” survives the slaughter of war, he will not be forgotten.

Company C, lost heavily here, as in every engagement in which we have been. There are but ten or twelve men left in the Company.

I cannot forbear to mention the conduct of one gallant soldier of our regiment, who was killed. I refer to Private George Black of Company B. When the skirmish line had been driven in as far as the guns of the 1^st Iowa Battery, already abandoned by most of the artillery men, he stopped, and extending his hand to a comrade, who was near, he bade him good bye, saying: “I am going to stay with this gun.” He did stay with it – and after the enemy was driven back, he was found laying dead with his feet to the foe and face to the skies. He was shot through the heart, evidently having been killed by a shot from the revolver of a rebel captain who lay dead on the opposite side of the gun. The captain's revolver was in his hand, one load having been discharged, and it is thought that both fired and fell at once, each killing the other.

Some of the 1^st battery displayed great bravery – one, in particular, whose name I have not learned – knocking down the first rebel who got to his gun with the swab. But as the battery was outside the line of infantry, it was impossible to hold it; and the enemy came on to them so suddenly, they had not time to get the guns off.

On the [31^st] of May we moved several miles to the left, and relieved the 20^th corps at New Hope Church. Here the enemy's rifle pits and ours, were not over one hundred and fifty yards apart. The ground was nearly level, and the trees bore visible marks of the dreadful fighting the 20^th corps had, to gain the position. Many large trees were killed by the cannon shot and some were dying from the effects of musket balls, so many having been lodged in them. We held this position till the 5^th of June; having advanced twenty-five yards, and put up new works in that time. On the morning of the fifth, we found the enemy gone from his works in our front. The same day we started for Ackworth, on the railroad leading to Atlanta. Arrived at that place on the sixth. Rested two days, and on the ninth our regiment went in company with the 2d Cavalry Division (Gen. Girard) on a reconnaissance to Big Shanty station. Found the enemy in force on a range of hills just beyond Big Shanty, and returned to Ackworth. On the tenth, a general move forward of five miles, to Big Shanty, took place, since which the 15^th corps has been in reserve.

Skirmishing is kept up all the time, and an occasional shell is tossed over towards them, just to keep them awake, I suppose. They never see fit to return the compliment, but we can see them busily at work on a hill three or four miles distant, throwing up entrenchments.

So far, Gen. Sherman has forced them to abandon all their well chosen positions for defense, by operating on their flanks and in the rear. Of course, we know nothing of Gen. Sherman's plans. but since we have been here three days and no attack has been made, we may safely conclude that no direct attack is intended at this point, since, were that the intention, so much time would not be given to the enemy to strengthen his position. It will take some time to get to Atlanta as we have been going the past two weeks. but the people may rest assured that if steady, cool and pertinacious effort can accomplish the work, we will get there some time this summer. No one who is unacquainted with this country can form any idea of the difficulties to be overcome.

The weather has been very wet for some time. It has rained every day for near a week till to-day. For more than forty eight hours ending last evening, at dark, the rain was constant, and most of the time a torrent. This was very trying, as we had no shelter save what was afforded by water-proof blankets, but the boys stood it philosophically, wondering whether it would not raise the Chattahoochee till the gunboats could come up and take Johnston in the rear, forgetting, I suppose, that Mobile was yet in the way.

I never saw our army in better fighting trim than it is to-day. Nothing within the bounds of possibility but that can be done by it.

Our own regiment is in good health. Several deaths have occurred from small-pox since we came back from furlough and considerable anxiety was felt for a time lest it should be general in the division. – But it was confined to our regiment, and has now entirely disappeared. Among the deaths from this cause was Lieut. Wright, of Co. D, whose untimely death is greatly deplored, particularly in his own company of which he was a great favorite.

Since the wounding of Col. Miller, we are ably commanded by Major Thos. J. Emis, assisted by Capt. W.H. Clune.

The cars run here regularly now, bringing plenty of “hard tack,” “swine side,” coffee, sugar, &c., together with the scarcely less indispensable Hawk-Eye, and home news.

Yours, with a Bully for Lincoln, J.L.

Source: The Burlington Weekly Hawkeye, 25 June 1864

"...being just 14 years and eight days old..."

In March of 1885, Private Rawlings of Co. H, 53rd O.V.I. wrote to the editor of the National Tribune to defend his alleged position as the youngest soldier in the Union Army (or more likely, of the Army of the Tennessee). Of course this claim is very difficult to legitimize, but his words alone are interesting enough.

 

THE OHIO BOY.

To the Editor: I notice in your issue of Feb. 19 a dozen or more comrades claiming to have been the youngest “soldier,” and as I was younger than any of them I write you the following: I was born Oct. 16, 1847, and on Oct. 24, 1861 I enlisted at Middleport, O., being just 14 years and eight days old at the time. I carried a musket from the start, and was in all of the following battles: Shiloh, Corinth, Black River, Vicksburg, Jackson, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Little Kenesaw, Nickajack Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Chapel, Jonesboro, Fort McAllister, Savannah, North Edisto, Columbia, Bentonville, and Raleigh. I was never wounded, was never in the hospital except two weeks, never missed a march that the regiment made except one of 20 miles, never was absent from the company for any cause, walked all the way from Memphis, Tenn., to Washington, D.C. I received my discharge Aug. 25, 1865, having served 46 months and one day; and I have never made application for a pension.

– R.H. Rawlings, Co. H, 53d Ohio, Fifteenth Corps, Rutland, O.

Source: The national tribune, 12 March 1885

"The man who gave coffee"

No need for much lead in today. Just a tidbit I found somewhat touching.

Personal.

S.B. Isgrigg, Walnut, Kan., writes: “I like to read stories that happened in the war of '61 – '65. I belong to Walnut Post, 231, and I am not ashamed of the badge I wear. The National Tribune is the first and the only friend to us old soldiers who saved this Nation, and we ought to stand by it as a friend to us. I was in the service from August, 1862, until June, 1865, in Co. A, 83d Ind., Fifteenth Corps. Now, comrades, we see who our friends are (especially in Congress) by reading The National Tribune. Does any of the comrades remember the man who gave the 37^th Ohio coffee on the night of the fight at Kenesaw Mountain? If so I would like to hear from them by card, as I was the man who gave the coffee to them, after dusk and after we had made the second charge on the rebs.

Source: The national tribune, 26 January 1893.

"cut down like grass before the scythe."

Shifting to the right of the army following the devestatingly costly victory on July 22nd, J.R. Tisdale's 29th Missouri found itself meandering through the woods west of Atlanta in hopes of getting some rest on July 28th. Instead, Hood lashed out yet again.

EZRA CHAPEL.

How the Fifteenth Corps Withstood the Rebel Charges.

Editor National Tribune: The First Division, Fifteenth Corps, marched all the night previous from the battlefield of the 22d, where our brave Gen. McPherson fell, to the vicinity of Ezra Chapel, some four miles west of the city of Atlanta. Here our brigade halted in the woods and our boys had an opportunity to cook and eat breakfast, but many laid down for a little rest and sleep; but soon the familiar command 'Fall in! Fall in!” rung out in the morning air, and we were again going forward. Entering the woods to our left we were deployed in line of battle and soon reached an open field, where we encountered the rebel skirmishers and a battery to the right, but we advanced across the field and into the woods again, and halted and commenced a temporary line of works with rails from a fence at the edge of the field we had just passed. The left of our brigade (the Third) was a short distance west of the chapel and fronting south, when we discovered the enemy advancing on us through the woods in great force, and we laid low and awaited their approach.

Within five minutes the storm was upon us, coming down the line from our right like a cyclone, and our brigade was hotly engaged. We kept up a destructive fire for some time, when the enemy fell back repulsed and terribly punished. During the engagement our Major (Murphy, of the 29^th Mo.,) fell, with a bullet through his left breast, mortally wounded. I quickly got a stretcher and we bore him back to the ambulances amid a shower of shot and shell, which appeared to be doing more execution here than on the front line.

Hastening to the front again, we found the enemy advancing in another charge, more desperate, if possible, than before. But the result was the same. The casualties so far in our command were insignificant compared with that of the enemy, who were apparently charging our line without skirmishers in advance of their line. During the fight I had laid aside my knapsack while assisting the Major off the field, and some one got away with it; so I resolved to try and get another, if I had to go to the front and demand one from the rebels. Acting on this suggestion I soon ventured out some 50 yards among the small pines in our front, when, great heavens! what a sight of dead men I beheld there; they lay in the windrows, as though cut down like grass before a scythe. The carnage was awful indeed. While wounded men were calling for assistance I observed a movement of the live rebels to our left and front a short distance, so I concluded to get within our lines as quick as possible. At the same I noticed a good-sized knapsack on the back of a dead Sergeant of the 19^th La. I hastily cut a strap and walked in with the knapsack just in time to escape being caught between two fires, as the enemy were by this time advancing in another charge, while our men were waiting to receive them. Again they were beaten back, and made no further attempt on that part of the line.

I made an excellent exchange in knapsacks; the captured one contained a good outfit. Among other articles were a couple of fine wool blankets, nearly $10 in gold and silver coin, besides a quantity of Confederate money, which I graciously divided with the prisoners, as I had already more of the stuff than I needed.

The old First Division, Fifteenth Corps, sustained its reputation on this occasion as stayers. Gen. P.J. Osterhaus, in command, displayed great courage and coolness, while our brigade and regimental commanders were on the alert from first to last. The brigade to our right, with the 103d Ill. connecting, surely had a lively time during the melee, as did the 3d and 17^th Mo. on our left, where the shells were popping thick and fast throughout the entire engagement.

Prisoners taken and dead and wounded cared for represented the 4^th, 9^th, 19^th and 30^th La. as our opponents, and no braver men ever lived than they. Smarting, no doubt, with the thought of their recent defeats at Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, they fought with a determination to win at all hazard,s but the old Fifteenth Corps was there as a stone wall, with Gen. John A. Logan at the head, and we never for a moment faltered.

Ezra Chapel was the final engagement near Atlanta that led to the capture of that stronghold.

– J. R. Tisdale, 29^th Mo., Chillicothe, Mo.

Source: The national tribune, 10 May 1888.

"...no braver act occured..."

In the fall of 1889, Captain Lucian B. Crooker of Company I, 55th Illinois, reached back in his memory to the perilous assault of the XV Corps' "Forlorn Hope" assault at Vicksburg in 1863. In hopes of putting Captain Groce of the 30th Ohio's family at rest in regards to his valiant actions, Crooker attempted to remove all question of the late officer's courage on the field.

Capt. Groce and the Forlorn Hope.

Editor National Tribune: In your issue of Sept. 5, Lem Kent inquires whether Capt. John H. Groce, of the 30th Ohio, led the forlorn hope on the Graveyard road at Vicksburg in 1864. If he means the forlorn hope which preceded the assault on that road on May 22, 1863, I am enabled to answer him. Capt. John H. Groce, of th 30th Ohio, did command that forlorn hope. In other words, he was senior officer, though assisted by three juniors: one from the 127th Ill., one from the 55th Ill., and one from the 6th Mo. The headquarters flag of Gen. Ewing's Brigade was carried by young Trogden, of the 8th Mo., who planted it upon the outside slope of the rebel fort, where it remained during the afternoon. This detail, or rather this volunteer force consisted of 150 men from the Second (Blair's) Division of the Fifteenth Corps, of whom 19 were killed and 34 wounded, Capt. Groce being among the later. The 55th Ill. had 13 men, including Lieut. William C. Porter, engaged with this detachment. Of these three were killed and five wounded. Those who reached the ditch remained in it and upon the outside slopes of the rebel works form about 2 o'clock p.m. until after dark, when they returned, bearing their wounded comrades, to the unsuccessful lines of the main assaulting force. While in the rebel ditch these gallant men were greatly annoyed by small shell thrown by hand over the rebel works. Serg't Haney, of the 55th Ill., was killed in this manner. I am happy to inform the aged father of Capt. Groce that his son did ably command on that occasion, and that no braver act occurred during the heroic age of the rebelion [sic].

- L. B. Crooker, Captain, 55th Ill., Mendota, Ill.

Source: The national tribune, 3 October 1889

"...fought with Johns[t]on all the way."

After weeks of brutal campaigning, Captain A. L. Wellman of Company F, 48th Illinois Infantry, wrote home to the editors of the Centralia Sentinel (a staunchly republican pro-war paper printed in Marion County, Illinois) on May 22, 1864 to give a solid accounting for his regiment's activities during the first epoch of the Atlanta Campaign with special emphasis given to the fighting at Resaca.

 Camp in the Field; near Kingston, Ga., May 22.

Messrs. Fletcher: -- I wrote you a short time since, in which I warned you to look for stirring news, all of which has proved true. We left Scottsboro on the 3d inst., bringing up the rear of our corps we did not get with the command until 2 o'clock on the night of the 7th, on the old battle-field of Chikamauga [sic]. Was early on the move on the morning of the 8th. Nothing of interest but occasional slight skirmishing with the enemies pickets, which we found posted for many miles, until the morning of the 13th when we found the enemy in considerable force some three miles out from their main works. The cavalry was ordered forward and soon become engaged, but found the enemy in to strong a position, and were compelled to fall back, but not until Gen. Kilpatrick was wounded. I was near him when it happened, and saw him a few minutes after. His wound is only slight, and I hope he will again soon be able to take the field, as we much need such officers at this time.

After the Cavalry withdrew, the Infantry was thrown into position, and soon the skirmishing became general; but we rapidly drove them to their works where we had very heavy skirmishing during the remainder of the day, which closed at dark, but was resumed early the next morning, and continued until the night of the 16th. There was but little else then heavy skirmishing at any time, on our part of the lines, but on our left there was some hard fighting. Those not accustomed to hear fireing would have thought we were having something of a fight, but we only looked upon it as a skirmish.

Why Johnson left the position he held, is a mystery to me, for it is the strongest I have seen in the Confederacy, and if he cannot hold such positions as that, I cannot imagine where he intends to make his final stand.

We are now at Kingston -- distance from Dalton, some fifty miles, we have fought with Johnson all the way to this point, routing him in every fight, capturing quite a number of prisoners, some transportation and some artillery, but how much I am not able to say. All of the prisoners that I have talked to, seem to think that the rebellion is played out. One of them said that he thought we would have to get shorter ranged guns, for the Confederacy was getting so narrow that we would soon be in danger of killing our own men; all of which I thought was a tolerably wise conclusion.

I must give Johnston the credit of making a splendid retreat, but it is not to be wondered at, when we consider that he has studied and practiced that much more than fighting.

We now have railroad and telegraph communication to this point. The sound of the whistles of the rebel engines have scarcely died away, until the sound of the Yankee whistle was heard. They were so tightly pressed that they injured the road but little, they are repairing it as fast as the army moves. I learn that we again move forward in the morning.

Respectfully yours,

A. L. Wellman,

Com. Co. F, 48th Ill. Inf. V. V.

Source: Centralia Sentinel, 16 June 1864

"Fell Into the Trap."

Twenty-nine graying years after the event, First Lieutenant James O'Conner of Company F, 27th Missouri returned to his memories to share a particularly exciting event during the 1865 Carolina campaigns. The incident is particularly palpable now due to its Improvised-Explosive-Device related nature -- proof that unconventional warfare can be a truly American tactical concept as well.

FELL INTO THE TRAP.

How the Fifteenth Corps Was Thrown Into Confusion at Cheraw.

Editor National Tribune: The Fifteenth Corps was advancing on the road toward Bentonville, N.C., going through the town of Cheraw, arriving at the Pedee River about 10 o'clock in the forenoon. The First Division was in advance, commanded by Gen. C.R. Woods. The First Brigade led the advance of the First Division, and consisted of the 27^th Mo., 76^th Ohio, 12^th Ind., 26^th Iowa, and 32d Mo.

On arriving at the Pedee River we found the bridge had been destroyed by the enemy, which necessitated its reconstruction before our command could cross. A halt and several hours' delay was the consequence. The division was drawn up en masse on the most available ground near the approach to the bridge, on a bluff overlooking the Pedee. The First Brigade occupied the ground near the cut in the bluff through which the road to the bridge led. This cut was about 25 feet deep. in our front was a bluff some 60 or 70 feet high, under which the river flowed, and on our left was a ravine, or a depression in the ground, leading to the river, and still further to our left and rear, across the ravine, was an old warehouse, in which the enemy stored fixed ammunition, shot and shell and gunpowder.

On our approach to Cheraw the enemy destroyed the bridge and distributed the shot and shell in the ravine, and scattered a large quantity of gunpowder broadcast amongst it. They knew we would have a halt to build the bridge and that we would occupy the ground with our train, it being the most available, and hence laid the trap for us.

When our command stacked arms the men set about cooking coffee, and in hunting up material for fuel made the discovery of the fixed ammunition in the ravine, and also that ti had been stored in the old warehouse, the floor of which was nearly covered over with loose gunpowder and a train laid to the ravine, and in the warehouse yet remained a quantity of shell and gunpowder. Q.M. Serg't Marvin Trott, of the 27^th Mo., first called my attention to it.

The trap was not over 75 feet from where my company was. I went with Trott, and found the arrangement for our destruction as here stated. Several of the men of our brigade were passing to and from the warehouse across the ravine, hunting fuel to build fires, and I cautioned my company the danger we were in.

It was not over 10 minutes after I returned to my company that the explosion occurred. Somebody dropped fire in it, probably from his pipe. The shells commenced exploding very fast, something after the fashion of a barrel of firecrackers set off. I hallowed to my company to drop flat on the ground.

The supply train was drawn up en masse close in our rear, facing the ground the men occupied, the teamsters not in their saddles, but preparing some coffee. The mules took fright, and a general stampede of teams commenced. The direction in which the animals went was directly over the ground occupied by the First Brigade and right on to the men, the most of whom dropped on the ground.

A grand scramble for dear life now ensued. Between running wild teams and exploding shell the danger was fearful.

Those first to their feet ran before the teams, while many were run over or caught amongst the mules and wagons. Some of the teams tore loose from the wagons by running into one another. The men in hundreds jumped and tumbled down the cut leading to the bridge to the road below, the most of them falling in the scramble and rush down, and many of the teams came dashing down on top of them before they were able to regain their feet. Gen. J.A. Logan and Gen. C.R. Woods and Gen. William B. Woods were down at where the bridge was building at the time of the explosion. I think there were more shells exploded in 10 minutes here than was exploded by the artillery of both armies on the memorable 13^th of May at Resaca, or was exploded a few weeks later at the artillery duel at Kenesaw Mountain.

This was the first time I ever saw any of the First Brigade run for safety, and the only stampede I ever saw in the Fifteenth Corps.

– Jas. O'Conner, First Lieutenant, 27^th Mo.

Source: The national tribune, 18 October 1894.

"I can knock the chimney off."

On August 20, 1885, Orderly Sergeant John W. Bannan of Company A, 4th Iowa wrote to the editor of the National Tribune from his home on the plains of Chetopa, Kansas. His hopes lay in dispelling some of the rumors and confusion concerning the Fifteenth Corps' role in the controversial capture of Columbia, South Carolina and argued that while other comrades had nothing but fading memories as ammunition in debate, he had meticulously maintained a diary during the campaign which he uses to relate his experiences here in substantial detail.

 

COLUMBIA, S.C.

A Member of the 4^th Iowa Consults His Diary.

To The Editor: I have always taken great interest in the historical communications of old comrades, whether they wore the pumpkin rinds, the chevron, or simply stood a high private in the rear rank. All tell more or less truth, and all make more or less mistakes; – caused, no doubt, by relying entirely, or at least to a great extent, on memory. Old comrades, memory of 20 years back is very treacherous. I would not write now if I relied on my memory, as I have set out to write, about Columbia, S.C.,; but I, fortunately for myself if not others, kept a journal of my more than four years' army life. On the 15^th of February, 1865 we camped within 10 miles of Columbia, and on the 16^th marched before the men had breakfast. It had rained all night, but we had a good meal prepared and nearly cooked in the morning – chicken stewed with sweet potatoes and fried fresh pork and corn cakes, also coffee. But when the drum sounded the “fall in” I rolled up my wet dog tent, took some chicken and pork in my haversack, coffee in my cup, and called Co. A to “fall in.” If there had been nothing unusual we would have finished breakfast, but already the Second Brigade, First Division, Fifteenth Corps, was skirmishing with the Johnnies, and as the Third Brigade came next in line of march, and the 4^th Iowa in advance of the brigade, we could not delay a moment for breakfast. The Second Brigade drove the enemy back about four miles to Congeree Creek, where, just across the bridge, a strong fort was built and tow fieldpieces mounted. The Second Brigade could not drive them from this strong position. After a couple of hours' skirmishing and artillery firing, the Third Brigade moved to the left, and each man in the 4^th Iowa took a rail on his shoulder, carried them about 40 rods, and bridged a small stream. After going about half a mile we formed in line of battle, and the other four regiments of the Third Brigade – the 9^th, 25^th, 30^th and 31^st Iowa – formed line about 50 yards in rear of us. The 4^th Iowa deployed and advanced as skirmishers, the other regiments of the brigade following in supporting distance. We passed around one small swamp, but soon came to another, which proved to be about 300 yards wide and passing our flanks, and from knee to waist-deep. Through this swamp we went, and as we came out on the other side the enemy retired in front; made a right half-wheel and moved toward the fort, drove the skirmishers of the enemy across the creek, and were soon on the south bank of the creek within 75 yards of the enemy's works. An hour and a half was consumed in effecting the crossing of the creek. As soon as we gained a foothold the enemy retired, and we were in the fort before he was out of musket range.

Gen. Billy Sherman was in with us soon, and remarked that we looked as if we had been bathing, and by his appearance we thought a bath would not hurt him, as he was covered with mud. We moved forward about a mile, and camped, or stacked arms as if in camp. The rest of the brigade joined us here, and we camped for the night.

On the 16^th of February the Second Division of the Fifteenth Corps moved forward and drove the rebels across the Congeree River, below Columbia, where they had a battery on the east bank of the river.

About noon the First Division, Fifteenth Corps, moved forward and formed in line of battle in front of Columbia, with nothing but the river intervening. De Grasse's battery of Parrotts took position about 20 steps in front of us and shelled the town. I was amused to see the gunners knock the chimneys off the buildings. While watching, several officers assembled in a group, Sherman among them, and a request was made to throw a few shots at the arsenal, over a mile away on the left front. De Grasse handed his fieldglass to a Sergeant, asked him to observe the building designated as the arsenal. The Sergeant said: “I can knock the chimney off.” There being several a chimney was designated, the Sergeant trained his pet, fired, and in due time the chimney flew.

About 4 p.m. we moved up the river about three miles, where the bridge was, but saw only the piers. However, a pontoon was already laid, and we crossed over the Saluda River and move don, as we thought to camp for the night; but the Third Brigade moved on with the pontoon train to the Broad River, and received orders to not light any fires, and be ready to cross the river as soon as ordered. We lay there, and, it being quite cold, was anything but comfortable. Towards midnight a picket was sent across and erected breastworks. The 31^st Iowa crossed as fast as the three pontoon boats could carry them, the 30^th Iowa, then the 9^th and then the 25^th. Day was now breaking and the 4^th Iowa followed and by 8 a.m. of the 17^th of February Col. Stone's Iowa Brigade was on the Columbia side of the Saluda and Broad River, which join just above Columbia and form the Congeree River. The 31^st Iowa, a part of the 30^th, and the picket began skirmishing as soon as light enough, and our lines were gradually moved forward as fast as boatload after boatload landed, and by the time the 4^th Iowa was across the enemy was driven away. The 30^th Iowa took 30 prisoners. We crossed in three pontoon boats, about 15 men in a boat. The brigade numbered about 2,000 men. We had just moved through the timber a distance of about a half mile, re-formed our line of battle, and halted about five minutes, when a carriage was discovered by the skirmishers approaching from the direction of the city with a white flag floating form tis top. The carriage contained the Mayor and two other citizens of Columbia, who surrendered the city to Col. G.A. Stone, of the 25^th Iowa, commanding brigade. The Colonel commanding entered the carriage and with the flag of the 31^st waving from the carriage top rode into the city the 31^st following, and the res tof the brigade in column of fours, the 7^th being in the rear of the line. Soon the 31^st flag was waving proudly from the new State House. The 13^th Iowa of the Seventeenth Corps claim the honor of being the firs tin the city. A few stragglers, perhaps, were in first, and they took a flag with them, which they lost, as they supposed by the fire, but since have had it sent to them.

– John W. Bannan, Orderly Sergeant, Co. A, 4^th Iowa, Chetopa, Kansas.

Source: The national tribune, 20 August 1885

"...our corps piled them up in heaps."

From two miles southwest of the "Hell Hole" at Dallas, Georgia on May 29th of 1864, Captain Speer left yet another record of his Company B, 31st Iowa's actions during the campaign; this time of its involvement in the "First Epoch" of the operations against Atlanta.

 

FROM THE THRITY-FIRST IOWA,

Casualties in Company B.

Correspondence of the Gazette,

Two Miles S.W. of Dallas, Georgia, May 29^th, 1864.

Editors of Gazette: – I wrote a short letter for the Gazette yesterday but am afraid you will not receive it and will now write again. We marched from Woodville, Ala., on the 1^st day of May, and arrived at Snake Creek Gap, three miles above Resaca, on May 9^th, where we build rifle pits to protect the mouth of the Gap. On the 13^th we gave battle to the enemy at Resaca. During the afternoon Sergt. Nelson N. Blakeslee was mortally wounded and H.T. Cooper received a severe flesh wound in the right arm, and James W. Burke a severe wound in the left foot. We left John Tyrrell at Snake Gap, sick with congestion of the lungs, and were notified on the 18^th that he died on the 12^th, after being sick only three days. On the morning of the 18^th James Morrison was unwell and we also left him at Snake Gap. – I have since learned that he died in four or five days afterwards of hiccoughs. At Chattanooga J.O. Mills and W.M. Prouty were unable to march farther and were left to guard baggage which the boys of Company B could not carry on the march. During the 14^th and 15^th we were under fire near Resaca but sustained no further loss. On the night of the 15^th the rebels retreated from Resaca. On the 26^th Geo. Bawn died of sunstroke or congestion of the lungs, after being sick only forty-eight hours. On the same day we skirmished with the enemy without loss and took possession of the town of Dallas. Same evening we took position in front of the enemy, and about one mile south of Dallas. At dawn of day on the 26^th Co. B relieved our pickets for the purpose of skirmishing with the enemy. In less than fifteen minutes afterwards Frederick Jacob was severely wounded in lower jaw and neck by a musket ball. Immediately afterwards an entire rebel regiment came over a ridge and drove in the skirmishers on our left. It then changed direction and marched on our left flank, the boys all discharged their pieces into their ranks at short-range as fast as they could load them. When the rebels came within 100 to 125 yards from us John Clough was dangerously wounded through both jaws and tongue by a musket ball. We were then obliged ot fall back on our regiment, and in doing so Harlow Perry, James Watson, and John Rarick were taken prisoners. As underbrush was thick on the ground I cannot say whether they were wounded or not. In about an hour after our skirmish line was driven in John Parmenter received a slight but painful wound in the neck by a musket ball. At 10 o'clock A.M. we were relieved by other troops, and acted as a reserve until 4 o'clock P.M. of the 28^th, when the rebels were discovered advancing to charge the 2d Division of the 15^th Corps. We immediately moved on double quick for about a mile and a half to support the 2d Division. – When we took our position every man in our regiment was found in his proper place although all were greatly heated and almost out of breath. By the time we arrived the rebels had commenced the assault and in a few minutes Hardee's Corps and one Division of Polk's Corps had assaulted the entire line of the 15^th Corps. They advanced with from two to four lines of their best troops. parts of our line they charged twice and other parts three times, and each time our corps piled them in heaps. During the fight bullets, shells, canister, and grape flew around us thick and fast, but fortunately, this time none of Co. B were hurt. The loss of our Corps on this occasion was trifling. I think we did not lose more than 800 in killed and wounded and no prisoners. General Logan says he feels confident the enemy's loss was not less than 3,000. This time we had the advantage of them. They met us at our own rifle pits. The 4^th and 31^st Regiments Iowa Volunteers are now on the extreme right of the 15^th Army Corps. Last night we worked hard on rifle pits and have now a strong position. Last night about 9 o'clock the enemy assaulted Hooker on our left and were repulsed with heavy loss. I cannot say positively, but from all I can learn, I judge we have Johnson's army nearly surrounded. Many officers who rank high are of the opinion that he has not more than 60,000 troops. I believe we have 120,000 men. They still manifest great stubbornness but their stubbornness only makes the campaign interesting for such men as Sherman and Logan. – In battle we never saw a man appear so well as Logan. Yesterday he was half Peacock and half Tiger. All the boys of Co. B, present, except Windsor Clayton are well, and he is not seriously ill. The ranks of our Company have been greatly thinned within the last seventeen days; and each of the surviving members of the Co. tenders to the relatives of our fallen comrades a soldier's sympathy.

During the present campaign we will not be able to mail letters regularly.

• R. P. Speer.

[Note. – it is more than probable that the Captain is incorrect when he states that James Morrison is dead. Mr. Arthur Morrison of this place, the father of James Morrison [said] he received a letter form him the same evening that we received the Captain's, and that his son wrote that though he had been very near death's door, he was then recovering and considered out of danger. We most sincerely hope that this be true. – Eds. Gaz.]

Source: Cedar Falls Gazette, 10 June 1864

"His Yankees fight like sin."

Source: http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~lstevens/burt/songsheet.html

"...so great a slaughter."

On July 31, 1864, three days after his Company B of the 31st Iowa had mercilessly shot down yipping Rebels charging their rapidly constructed log breastworks at Ezra Church, Captain Robert P. Speer wrote home to the Cedar Falls Gazette in order to fill in both those who could not and those who would not join him on the front in regards to the 15th Corps' actions during what would be known as the 'Third Epoch' of the Atlanta Campaign. The latter part of his letter goes far towards offering a glimpse into the political mindset of soldiers who have experienced such repetitive brutality over the course of several months.

[Note: While Speer's prose seems somewhat blocky, I have left it exactly as it was published, not wanting to insinuate where he might have proposed making a break in the paragraph. Also, some of the copy (largely many of the names) is badly damaged on the only surviving films of the paper, but I have done my best to transcribe the piece with as much accuracy as possible.]

 

FROM SHERMAN'S ARMY,

letter from Capt. Speer.

Chattahoochee Railroad Bridge, Ga.

July 31, 1864.

Messrs. Editors – On the 5^th day of June the 15^th Army Corps was withdrawn from the position which it held near Dallas and relieved the 20^th Corps near New Hope Church where we remained until the 8^th inst. – when we marched to Ackworth, a small village on the Chattanooga and Atlanta Railroad. At Ackworth we were joined by two Divisions of the 17^th Corps under Frank P. Blair; and on the 9^th we rested. Our moving towards the Railroad caused Johnston to fall back, and on the 10^th inst. Sherman's entire army moved forward to a new position near Kenesaw Mountain, on which the enemy was again found in very strong works. At Ackworth I was obliged to go to the rear on account of sickness and remained in hospital until the 10^th of July. I saw a procession at our field hospital on the 4^th of July which I will not forget soon. Between three and four hundred sick and wounded soldiers crawled from their beds and marched round the hospital grounds preceded by a fifer and tenor drummer playing the tune entitled, 'Rally round the Flag Boys.” Their dress was uniform, to wit: Drawers, shirt and shoes. A large proportion of them were wounded. I noticed that many of them did not keep the step, but I think they were excusable as they had unfortunately lost legs and were obliged to march on crutches. Others again had arms amputated or in slings. Some had strips of cotton cloth wrapped round their heads, but it was not to keep the sun off.

The losses of Co. B, at Kenesaw Mountain, was Albert Heldt, killed, and Wm. H. Palmer slightly wounded in the knee. After 10 days skirmishing, several assaults and much the heaviest shelling on both sides which had been done during the campaign, Johnston fell back again to the Chattahoochee river – where he had built the strongest works we have ever seen. Between Kenesaw Mountain and the river Sherman took 4,000 prisoners. In a few hours our army had “dug itself under” again near the enemy's works; where constant skirmishing and shelling was kept up until the 9^th day of July, when the 23^rd and 4^th Corps succeed in crossing the river about three miles above the Railroad bridge. On the 10^th inst. the 16^th corps marched back to Marietta, a pretty village on the railroad and about tow miles south of Kenesaw Mountain – thence to Boswell, a regular Yankee town on the Chattahoochee river and about eight miles above the pontoon on which the 4^th and 23d corps crossed the river. Several years ago a very good covered bridge was built over the river at this place; which the rebels burned when our troops entered town. On the east side of Boswell is a fine stream, affording splendid water power. Very wealthy men from New York and Connecticut, built very large cotton mills, flouring mills, etc., on this stream some years ago. The flouring mills have been furnishing large quantities of corn meal, and the cotton mills 1,500 yard of cloth per day for Johnston's army. But here after they will furnish neither meal or cloth; as they “have all gone up the spout.” On [the copy is destroyed here] 16^th to Boswell, and on the 12^th the 17^th corps followed the 15^th. But little time was required to build a good temporary bridge on the piers and abutments of the old one. On the 13^th inst. the 15^th and 16^th corps crossed the river and rested during the 14^th. On the 15^th day of July the entire army of the Tennessee marched to the railroad near Stone Mountain, which is about twelve miles east of Atlanta. After destroying several miles of railroad, it moved forward again and took possession of Decatur without much opposition. Three regiments (including the 31^st Iowa Volunteers) were ordered to remain at Roswell and hold the bridge and also guard the train and beef cattle of the army of the Tennessee. On the 21^st inst. five different couriers started from the front, with orders for us to fall back with the train and destroy the river bridge, as a heavy body of rebel cavalry was moving towards us for the purpose of capturing our train. But the couriers were captured and we received no orders to fall back until the night of the 24^th. Early on the morning of the 26^th inst. we crossed the river with our train and before night were safe in the rear of the 4^th corps. The distance from Boswell to Marietta was ten miles and to our troops at the front was fifteen miles. Our train consisted of 2,000 six-mule teams and 1,500 head of beef cattle. – And as our entire guard consisted of only 1,200 effective men, I think I am safe in saying that all hands breathed easier when we halted with the train under cover of our army. On the 19^th inst. the enemy attacked the 4^th and 20^th corps and the battle lasted for several hours. During the engagement the enemy lost in killed, wounded and prisoners, 6,000 men. Again on the 22d General Hood attempted to flank us on our left, which was held by the army of the Tennessee. in the operation he lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 15,000 men. Our loss on the 22^nd was about thirty eight hundred. The Iowa brigade of the 17^th corps suffered most severely. During this battle we lost our brave and able department commander, (General McPherson). He was always cool – ever in the saddle, and his fall ensues general lamentation among the men of his army. General Howard now commands the army of the Tennessee. On the 22d General Walker who commanded General Polk's old corps, was killed. On the 27^th General Hood began to mass his forces on our right. And on the same day the army of the Tennessee changed position, from our extreme left to our extreme right. During the afternoon of the 28^th inst. the officers of our signal corps counted 27 rebel stands of colors moving towards us from the city on the double quick – while crowds of rebel ladies stood on the roofs of houses waving flags and handkerchiefs to cheer them on. They intended to flank us and were certain of success – but the 15^th corps and John A. Logan were there. We had no time to build works but were posted on elevated ground near a fence, and our men had only time to throw a few rails in front of them, when the rebels charged in force. Our men, “lay low” and shot low. Poor devils! They were brave, but the air was too full of our lead; and after many fruitless attempts they fell back. They brought forward fresh men – reformed their lines and charged us again more desperately than before. Nearly all their shots were aimed a little too high. When there was no longer hope they crawled back out of range of our guns. Oh! What a fall was there my countrymen! In front of the 15^th corps lay Seven Thousand Killed and Wounded 'Democrats.” (Modern democrats I mean). In no battle since the war commenced has there been so great a slaughter with such trifling loss to us. Our entire loss will not exceed eight hundred men. In the battles of the 19^th, 22d, and 28^th our entire loss will not exceed five thousand, and the enemy's loss will not be less than 28,000 men. it is safe to estimate the enemy's losses, in killed, wounded and prisoners between Dalton and Atlanta at forty-eight thousand men. Within the last ten days Hood received twelve or thirteen thousand reinforcements. Every day he receives squads of men from the swamps and mountains and little garrisons of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. On the 27^th inst., Generals Stoneman and Kilpatrick started for Macon with 13,500 picked men – mounted on picked horses. They have also taken with them three batteries of ten pounders. Sherman has sent Stoneman and Kilpatrick to Macon, to cook General hood's supplies, destroy railroads, etc. We hope they have time to visit our comrades, who are held by the Democratic party at Americus. Sherman could have taken Atlanta some time ago; but it would have done him no good. He is playing to catch Hood and destroy his army. Will he win? We all think so. The present campaign will not end until next Christmas. By that time Grant and Sherman will have killed and wounded one hundred thousand more of the men of Lee's and Hood's armies. Then I think we can have peace. About two-thirds of the women in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and Virginia are now widows. And we pray that God may damn all Northern men who are mean enough to talk, think, or wink, compromise while Grant and Sherman are working on the husbands of the remaining third. I am aware of the fact that tens of thousands of orphan children in the Southern Confederacy go to bed every night hungry; “but the end is not yet.” Compromise or peace men of the North, you must be patient! your “fire in the rear policy” has prolonged the war. You have brought death, want, and suffering to us and our families. Your political maneuvering can't stop the work your friends commenced. The women and children of the South may wail! They may starve! If their friends and neighbors in the rebel armies can bear it we can. We can yet shed tears for our friends and we can also laugh at the calamities of our enemies. The President has issued a call for 500,000 more men. it suits us. But remember that we do not want volunteers who get their patriotism from the county treasury. Let us try a few conscripts. Rebels have made Union men fight and we believe that a little touch with the bayonet once in awhile will make copperheads fight also. On the 21^st of July Sergeant Francis F. Pitkin, of Co. B, was taken prisoner by the enemy. We cannot say when we will be relieved from guarding the train of the army of the Tenn. Nearly all of the boys would rather be with our brigade. There is scarcely any sickness in Sherman's army. We have had excellent water all summer and very pleasant weather for this climate.

– R.P. Speer

Source: Cedar Falls Gazette, 12 August 1864

"Wants to Hear From Many."

On January 31, 1907, Private William Royal Oake of Company A, 26th Iowa wrote in earnest to the editor of The national tribune, in hopes of finding the boys of the 26th he had passed through the war beside. In the process, he left an interesting account of the volunteers from the Fifteenth Corps who manned the Tigress to "run the guns" at Vicksburg but failed in their attempt, washing ashore atop floating debris. Oake met these men in the Vicksburg Jail where he was himself at the time, having been captured while fighting in John Thayer's Third Brigade of Steele's First Division during the fighting.
 

Wants to Hear From Many.



Editor National Tribune: How is it I never see anything in The National Tribune from any of the old 26^th Iowa boys? Are they all dead or are they still behind stumps and in the ditches, where so many of them were during the war, afraid to come out for fear of being shot? Come out of your holes, boys; the war is over, and you won't be shot! I would like to hear also from the boys of the 76^th Ohio and 27^th Mo., which for quite a while were brigaded with us. Especially would I like to hear from Serg't Sam Cooper, Co. A, 27^th Mo., or from any of the boys who may know of him or who were in prison with him in 1863. I also would like very much to hear from the boys of, I think, the 57^th Ohio, who volunteered to go as crew of the transport Tigress, which was trying to run the batteries at Vicksburg in the early part of 1863. She was sunk and the crew all taken prisoners and confined in the Vicksburg jail, where I was at that time. There were newspaper men on that ill-fated steamer when she sank. There were three of them on board, all representing New York papers, I think, who were captured and confined in the Vicksburg jail with the rest of us cattle. One of them was a man by the name of Richardson, who was afterwards shot in New York by a lawyer named McFarland. One of the others was the author of a book entitled “Four Years in Secession.” Well do I remember the morning these men were brought to jail. They looked like drowned rats. They had been floating on bales of hay which had been used as a protection to the steamer, and when she sank they took refuge upon them until picked up by the rebs and brought to Vicksburg Jail. Let me hear from any of those boys thru the columns of that valuable paper, The National Tribune.

– W.R. Oake, Co. A, 26^th Iowa, Sabula, Iowa.

Source: The national tribune, 31 January 1907.





...hopeful beginnings.

Due primarily to the fact that this will be my first foray into the blog-o-sphere, I feel I should preface any material published in this general vicinity with the fact that the general theme of content composing this blog is liable to adapt or evolve over time. My original intent is to create an environment where I might successfully publish my thoughts and musings in regards to the military history of the Fifteenth Corps – arguably one of the most victorious military organizations of the entire American Civil War – as well as the social history of those who made it up.

Though the Fifteenth Corps (and any Corps for that matter), spawning well after the beginning of the conflict, is difficult to define as a coherent collection of divisions and regiments, the blog will focus primarily on the men and units that spent the majority (or all of) their service within the confines of the Corps, but at the same time will not restrict itself entirely from the coverage of material relating to regiments or men who eventually found their way in or out of the Corps over the course of time.

Initially, due to time constraints in my own schedule, I intend on providing a different piece of primary source material for consideration daily in hopes of engendering some positive academic discussion via reader comments. These comments will be moderated by myself, but only in an attempt to maintain professional scholastic discourse within the discussion. As the blog develops (and my schedule permits), I hope to begin providing my own take on and analysis of historical events concerning the corps and the men who found themselves within it from 1862 to 1864, as well as the input of other readers, scholars, etc. pertaining to the same.