Recollections of Field Service with the Twentieth Iowa Infantry Volunteers; or, What I saw in the Army, etc

Preface

. The war has ended ! Pleasant words to all. Again as one Nation — one and inseparable — will we continue to flourish, growing in prosperity and strength, until all crowned nations, whether empires, kingdoms, principali ties or dukedoms shall acknowledge that a Republican form of government, fostered by the great principles of Liberty, Equality and Justice, is ever destined to thrive until it can never, never be dissolved. Now that the din of war has ceased aud the smoke of battle cleared away, it is not inappropriate that brief sketches or histories of the doings and exploits of the various regimental organizations which formed the component parts of the Great Army of Freedom be given. The au thor of this small work having been a member of the Twentieth Iowa Infantry Regiment, and participated in most of the marches, travels, skirmishes, battles, sieges and charges in which it took part during three years of service, has deemed that a record of such would prove of interest not only to those who were there, but their friends, now and in the future. With this view he has carefully

PREFACE.

. IV prepared the " Recollections of Field Service," confi ning himself to actual occurrences and noteworthy incidents faithfully described, preferring solid facts and reali ties to embellished fiction. While accomplishing what is chronicled in these pages the regiment naturally met with some sad losses. Many an honored member of its ranks at the organization now sleeps the sleep that knows no waking. They fell, martyrs for their country's sake, bravely sustaining the dear old flag that now again so proudly floats over every State in the Union. Dropping a sympathetic tear to their sacred mem ory, let us remember that " they live in Fame though not in life." I now therefore give these pages to the public, trusting they will meet the approbation of all. Having' been writ ten in part amid the scenes they imperfectly describe, some faults may be observed, but as the writer disclaims all pretensions to a " high style " of authorship, he hopes his friends will overlook them. INDEX. Preface 8

Chapter I

The War — Organization of the Regiment — Its Composition—Mustering In— "Red Tape "—Flag Presentation — Order to March — Arrival at Camp Herron — Bounty — Men on a " Rampage " in Davenport — Embarkation for St. Louia — Incidents on the way — Benton Barracks— Venders of " Pi zan-Cakes "—Ordered toRolla 9

Chapter II

Missouri and the Rebellion— The Pacific Railroad— Kolla anc! its Surroundings — Catching Mules — Ordered to Springfield— On the March- Arrival at the Little Piuey— Confiscating Rebel Beef— Receive our Tents, and learn the mystery of making " Slap-Jacks "— Waynesville — Crossing the Gasconade River — March to Lebanon— Gen. F. J. Herron— Mill Springs— Arrival at Springfield 29

Chapter III

General Appearance of Springfield — Brigade Formed— Geu. Totten — A Rough "Joke" — On the March- Camp " Mush " — " Facsimile " Currency — " Guss " a Financier — March to Mt. Vernou — Exciting Rumors — A Night March — Battle of Newtonia — Arrive too Late — Incidents of the Battle — March to Gadfly and stick fast in the Mud — Incidents of a Rainy Night — Morning and Breakfast — March to Cassville . 51

Chapter IV

Cassville — The State Election — March to Pea Ridge — Excitement and a Night March — Turnips es. Orders — Find the Rebel Camp but not the Rebels — Mysterious Movements — Another Night March — Stealing a Quilt — Gallantry of an Officer — Mudtown and Cross- Hollows — Osage Springs — Unofficial Account of the Campaign VI INDEX

Chapter V

Another Night March — Fayetteville Occupied — Disap pointment— " Jayhawking " a Necessity — Pillaging — Inexplicable Conduct of our Commanders — Sudden Evacuation of the Place— Our Sick Abandoned, who fall into the hands of the Rebels— Return to Missouri — Keithsville Burned — March to Marions ville 83

Chapter VI

Marionsville— Its Characteristics — Hardships Endured by a Loyal Family— A Forced March— Battle Ground of Wilson's Creek — Continue the March — " Violation of Orders" — Men fall exhausted by the roadside — Arrive at Ozark — Why the March was made 91

Chapter VII

Another Rumor and Another March — Go to Finley, when another Rumor brings us back — Bivouack in the Mud — The Chaplain turns "Jayhawker" — "Guss" gets Poisoned — March to Cam]) Lyon — A Change of Commanders — Thanksgiving Day — Ordered to Arkansas — A Forched March of One Hundred and Twelve Miles in Three Days 101

Chapter VIII

The First Alarm — Approaching the Battle Field — Confusion of Wagon Trains — Panic among the Arkansas Cavalry — Getting into Position — Feeling the Enemy -Battle or Prairie Grove — Disasters on the Left — Charge of the 20th Iowa — Terrible Artillery Firing — Critical Situation — Arrival ot Blunt — Night and Victory— The Day after the Battle— Rebel Hospi tals — Wounded Men eaten by Hogs — Burying our Dead 113

Chapter IX

Pursue the Enemy across Boston Mountains — Capture of Steamboats and Supplies — Van Buren — Property Destroyed—Arrival of Gen. Schofield— Return March- Withdrawal from Arkansas— On Recruiting Service —Journey Homeward— Battle ot' Springfield— Pre sentation of a new Flag by the Ladies of Davenport —Rejoin the Regimentat St. Louis— Promotions and Changes „ 14S INDEX VII

Chapter X

Movements of the Regiment during the months of J anuary, February, March and April — Arrival in St. Louis — The Army Reviewed by Gen. Curtis— Remove to Pilot Knob — Draw Shelter Tents — Dissatisfaction with them — March to St. Genevieve — Embark for Vicksburg — Condition of Troops on board a Transport — Voyage down the River and arrival at Young's Point 161

Chapter XI

Operations previous to our Arrival — Cross the river at Warrenlon — Take our position with the Besieging Forces — On duty in the Rifle Pits — Unsuccessful Assault by the Seventeenth Corps — Capitulation of the Garrison — Terms of Surrender — Entering the Works — Appearance ot' the City — Mule Meat — Fourth of July Celebration — Hunting a Camp 181

Chapter XII

Embark on board Transports tor Port Hudson — Order changed, and we go on an Expedition to Yazoo City — Capture of that place — Loss of the Gunboat De Kalb— Ordered to co-operate with Sherman against Jackson — March to Black River and Canton — Gen. Sherman's movements against Johnston, and capture ot Jackson — Return to Yazoo City, and Voyage to Vicksburg — A great haul of Contrabands and Cotton. 208

Chapter XIII

Remove to Port Hudson — Increase of Sickness — Appearance of the Fortifications — The 19th Army Corps and the Negroes — Voyage to Carrollton — Beset by peddlers, and what we did about it — New Orleans — Salutary effects of Gen. Butler's rule in the city — How he administered Martial Law — Incident of the Slave . Marketv-Major-General N. P. Banks— The Labor System and the Negroes — Expedition to Morganzia — Capture of Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Leake and his command by the Rebels — Return of the Division to New Orleans 28* INDEX

Chapter XIV

Expedition to the Coast of Texas— A Storm at Sea — Arrival at Brazos de Santiago — In mistake we Shell the Mexican town of Bagdad— Disembark at Point Isabel — Men Drowned — Revolutions at Matamoras — Expedition and capture of the Works on Mustang Island — On detached service — Expedition and capture of Madisonville — Activity of Cotton Speculators — Gen. Banks' Red River Expedition — Disasters caused b3' Cavalry blunders and cotton dealers — Failure of the campaign — Return of Gen. Banks 343

Chapter XV

Rejoin the Regiment at Mustang Island — Resignation of Major William G. Thompson — Scouting Expedition on the coast — Capture the commander of a Blockade Runner — Out in a storm — Expedition to Lamar and St. Marys — Capture of a Rebel Gunboat officer, a schooner and a town — Refugees, and some ot' their characteristics 258

Chapter XVI

Ordered to Brownsville — Evacuation of the Island — On the way — The Rio Grande River — Character of the Inhabitants on its Banks — Arrival at Brownsville — On duty there — Alarms and Skirmishing — Forts Armstrong and Brown — Fourth of July — Evacuation of Brownsville and voyage to New Orleans 276

Chapter XVII

Re-embark for Mobile Bay — Capture of Fort Gaines — Fort Powell blown up by the Enemy — Our Fleet passing the Forts — Capture of the Rebel Ram Ten . nessee— Siege of Fort Morgan — Bombardment — The Fort on Fire — Its Surrender 286

Chapter XVIII

Return to New Orleans— Ordered to Morganzia— Expedition to Simmsport— Skirmishing with Guerrillas. aud Burning of Simmsport— Return to Morganzia, and embark for White River— Arrival at Duval's Bbiff. 295

Chapter XIX

Voyage to Pensacola, Florida— Operations against Mobile— " Poor White Trash"— Assault and capture of Fort Blakely— Occupation of Mobile by our forces —On duty as Provost Guard— Promotions and changes—Mustered out— Return home— Conclusion. . FIELD SERVICE.

Chapter I

The War — Organization of the Regiment— Its Composition — Mustering In — " Red Tape " — Flag Presentation — Order to March — Arrival at Camp Herron — Bounty — Men on a " Rampage " in Davenport — Embarkation for St. Louis — Incidents on the way — Benton Barracks — Venders of "Pi-zan- Cakes " — Ordered to Rolla. Alternate fortune and disaster for more than a year had followed our arms at points nearest the Capital. Hope seemed to die, and the loyal heart sicken, at the barrenness of those fields where our struggles were called victories. There were such evident glimmerings of distrust, not only among the people towards their commanders, but eveu among the commanders them selves, that the whole nation trembled for the perilous ness of the condition. The erroneous belief entertained during the early part of the war by the people of the loyal States, that the struggle would be of brief duration, now gave way under disaster and defeat.

But the bold front assumed by the insurgents, the magnitude of their preparations and resources, and the successive victories that crowned their arms, were Mgell calculated to arouse the hitherto inactive North to an appreciation of their danger, and to call forth exertions commensurate with the great principles at stake They saw this was now no stuggle for place and party power, no strife between a national brotherhood for victory on some measure of mere public policy, but a gigantic attempt to upheave the very foundation of our Union, and raze to the ground the fair fabric of the American Republic. It was with no small interest the lovers of civil and religious liberty, both at home and abroad, gazed upon this open ing struggle. Within the folds of our common flag were deeply hidden all the future hopes of freedom throughout the world.

Free government was now called to pass through the crucible of internal strife to test her moral strength, and her very ashes destined to be blown away by the hostile breath of despots, or phœnix-like, rise rejuvenated to new duties and a new destiny. Many recreant sons of the Republic, educated at the military schools of the nation, now parracides, drew their swords to destroy that government whose protection they had enjoyed and whose benevolence had reared them. They found in the person of Jeff. Davis a fitting leader for their nefarious scheme, capable and willing to repudiate the fairest form of government that human wisdom ever reared, and become " Not a murderer masked and cloaked, with hidden knife, " Whose owner owes the gallows life for life, " But public murderer ! — that with pomp and gaud, " And basest scorn of Justice, walk abroad "To wring more tears^and blood than e'er were wrung " From all the culprits Justice ever hung," ■ that upon the ruins of the Union they might raise a new superstructure whose corner stone would be slavery.

The issue between Liberty and Slavery was now for the first time in our National history fairly made, — they had appealed to the sword, and upon the battle-field alone the question could now be decided — and one must die — thanks to a gracious Providence -end our brave sol diers — slavery ivas slain. Vast rebel armies had been pushed forward to our Southern border, where they occupied strong lines of fortifications. At all points the Government was con fronted by insurgent forces already clothed with the prestige of success, and the public mind agitated by vague rumors ot " foreign intervention." But the stern determination of the rebels to disrupt the Government, the insidious efforts of northern sympathizers to tam per with the army, and induce mutiny, only served to fire anew the loyal heart of the West.

Our broad prai ries quickly teemed forth her thousands, who, gladly " rallying round the flag " of their beloved country, made themselves felt along the whole line of the insur gents' assumed territory. Displaying an unconquerable valor at Belmont, Forts Henry and Donelson, Pea Ridge, and Island No. 10, they inaugurated a series of victories which ultimately secured to the Government the posses sion of the Mississippi river to the Gulf of Mexico. These brilliant achievements seemed at once to infuse new life and vigor into the whole nation, and become a marked epoch in the war. The temporizing spirit of conciliation, the attempt to keep intact the States and their peculiar institutions, and the yet more suicidal policy of sending back to bondage a people loyal at heart, ever ready to favor by all the means in their power the Fed eral cause, at times the only means of gaining informa tion of the condition and position of the enemy, which policy had well nigh paralyzed the Government, and had hampered every movement of our forces, began now to give way to a determination to meet the great issue forced upon us by the revolted States with a vigorous action, and an "unconditional surrender" was now demanded by the Government, the people and the army.

Already throughout the entire North the masses were beginning to forsake the peaceful avocations of life, and prepare in earnest for a gigantic struggle to crush rebellion ; and by practical demonstrations of physical power prove to traitors in time to come that " this Union must and SHALL BE preserved!" Accordingly when the President's call for 300,000 troops was issued in July, 1862, it met with an immediate and hearty re sponse, notwithstanding the obstacles thrown in the way of volunteering by open enemies and secret sympathizers. Under this call our regiment was organized. Op the 15th of August five full companies from Scott, and five from Linn counties, reported in camp at Clinton, Iowa, and were at once organized — forming the Twen tieth Regiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers. Will iam McE.

Dye, formerly holding rank as Captain in the regular army, having already received the appointment of Colonel, assumed command of the regiment immediately after its organization. Joseph B. Leake, Esq., of Davenport, then State Senator, entered the ser vice as a private in Company " G," which he had assist ed in recruiting, and had been chosen its first Captain, was at once promoted to Lieut. Colonel. William G. Thompson, Esq., of Cedar Rapids, a distinguished member of the legal profession, was chosen Major, and on the 20th of August the Regiment was duly mustered into the State service. Upon examination of the papers by the proper officer, preparatory to mustering in, a num ber of the minor boys in several companies found them selves without the written consent of their parents, or guardians, to enlist in the service, without which they could not be received.

Here now was a dilemma, a sud den blighting of all their hopes. They had already be come attached to their camp and their comrades; the pomp and circumstance of glorious war had filled their youthful hearts with bright hopes for the future. In the phrenzy of their imagination some saw the "strap," perhaps the " leaf," and some even imagined they saw in the dim distance a bright and twinkling " star." But now they contemplated with melting hearts the tumbling to atoms of those fair fabrics of their future greatness. The youthful spirits of some sunk, and they yielded to their adverse fortunes. Not so with all — there were some " Young Americas " among them, whose charac teristic is to laugh at impossibilities. They determined their present rejection should not prevent their departure with the regiment.

Hurrying away to their homes with a determined energy that gave ample token that they would make live soldiers, procured the proper consent and returned to camp in time to join the regiment before its departure. Others whose homes were at too great a distance to attempt to reach them and return, resorted to other means to accomplish their purpose. Whether they conjured up the spirits from the " vasty deep," or called expert autographers from the gloomy shades of the silent giave through some generous rapping medium, we do not know, but a few hours found each possessed of the needed document duly signed without leaving camp, and which passed the scrutinizing eye of the inspector. We are not here to moralize on their ingenuity and zeal in securing their position in the regiment, we only know they all made good and brave soldiers.

On the 24th, Capt. H. B. Hendershott, United States Mustering Officer, arrived in camp, and on the 25th proceeded to inspect and muster the regiment into the United States service. This duty was commenced by reading to us the Articles of War, which is the great statute book of the army. After we were inspected, mustered in and returned to our quarters, the boys expatiated with great freedom upon what they had heard, and what they had promised to perform. Some thought Uncle Sam a little hard on them; others declared it was the hardest " Constitution and By-Laws " of any society they had ever joined, while all agreed it was a " difficult matter to be a good soldier, and a very dangerous thing to be a bad one." The same day each soldier in the regiment received one full month's pay, twenty-five dollars of his one hundred dollars bounty, and two dollars premium — total, forty dollars.

A general cheerfulness now pervaded the whole camp, and amidst songs, and mirth, and bustle, each swore anew to prove faithful to the other, and fight to the last for " Uncle Sam, the Union and the Flag." On the 26th we saw ourselves for the first time an organized regiment. Though we had been enlisted from two counties only, yet the men were comparatively strangers to each other, representing as they did every nationality, and speaking every known language. — Brought together, by one common motive and devoted alike to one common cause, a spirit of companionship at once filled every breast, and we soon found ourselves united in the bonds of a disinterested friendship that will sever alone with life. The greater portion of the regiment, however, were of American birth, coming from the rural districts, possessed of a hardy constitution and tempered with that vigorous spirit which has ever characterized the farmers of the West.

There were also representatives from the " drooping city's pale abortions," who, under the invigorating effects of out-door exercise and " hard taok " soon rivalled their more robust com rades in feats of agility and strength, and the powers of endurance. None had entered the service from mercena ry motives, but all were actuated by principles of the truest loyalty, and a lofty devotion to their common country. They saw the Temple of Liberty whose every stone had been cemented by the blood of a patriot father — whose very foundation had been laid deep in the sufferings, the sacrifice and the treasure of the heroes of the Revolution — and they saw her lofty spire pointing upward, teaching them to put their trust in Heaven. — They saw beneath the shade of her walls the exile patriots gathering, and gathering from every land ; — they saw the Goddess of Liberty weep as it were tears of blood over the degenerate sons of her once happy home, and they come — not as mercenaries — not as " hirelings," but as patriot soldiers to offer their services, and if need be their lives, upon the altar of their coun try.

They saw the walls of that Temple broken by the parracidal hand of the traitor, and her very foundation sapped by a treacherous sympathizer, and they come to the rescue. Now their record is a record of glory. No smell of treason is on their garments — their deeds they leave as a rich heritage to their offspring ; — their children will never curse their memory, nor with crim soned cheek ask them, " Why, father, why did you fill my veins with a traitor's blood f " They felt that this liberty was only given them in trust, that their children and their children's children would yet demand it at their hands, and they would not prove recreant to that trust. Now thoroughly organized, arms and equipments were issued, a regimental band was arranged, drums and fifes drawn, and under the inspiring strains of martial music we hurried through the bustle of preparation and entered fully on the discharge of our military duties. — The officers at once organized a " school," and com menced the study of " tactics " and the " regulations " to qualify themselves for their new duties.

They em-. ployed as preceptor Lieut. Burlock, a graduate of West Point, who proved himself well qualified for the task, and under whose instruction most of the officers soon evinced a good degree of proficiency. Drill hours were established, and officers required to drill their companies. All seemed to enter upon their duties with a zeal and cheerfulness that promised well for the future In a very few days, however, the novelty of camp liie lost its charms, when a spirit of ennui seized both officers and men, and " homesick " began to prevail in its epidemic form throughout the camp. Applications for " leave of absence " were numerous and urgent. " Home " — with its loved ones — its business and itH charms — could not be forgotten so soon. Many were successful in obtaining their furloughs, while those who unfortunately failed seemed to have ample satisfaction in freely pouring out their vituperation on what they termed " red tape."

The men abused their company officers for this " unwarrantable abridgment of the liberties of an American citizen," while the officers, themselves chafing under like constraint, retaliated upon the Colonel ; all parties using at the same time the utmost caution that the object of their censure should not become aware of it. This ludicrous restiveness on 'J, the part of a few of the men was fully equalled by some of the officers in laughable exhibitions of the " hifalu tin' " accompanied by a few displays of the " spread eagle." What of that, said the boys, had they not been called to fill responsible positions, and why should they fail to demonstrate their importance — otherwise the distinction might fail to be observed But these little episodes in the incipiency of camp life soon gave way to a better and more harmonious feeling, and officers and men alike exhibited an increased attention to duty and obedience to orders The differences in rank were thus first brought to our notice, and imperceptibly began to supplant the first habits of familiarity between officers and men.

Dis tinctions thus once acknowledged, were extended and enforced. Discipline, we were told, demanded it, and it was therefore cheerfully acquiesced in by the men who now considered themselves soldiers, enlisted in a common cause and were ready to make all reasonable sacrifices for the accomplishment of the object which had brought them together. The morale of the regiment seemed to undergo a radical change. Relieved from the restraints of home, many of the men for the first time in their lives, acquired habits of profanity and intemperance, while many heretofore intemperate and profane abandoned both. Strangely fluctuating, surging from one extreme to the other, the whole regiment in a few weeks settled down to a better state of morals than at FIELD SERVICF, 19 it* organization, and would favorably compare with any other in the army.

One of the most pleasing incidents at Camp Clinton was the presentation of a flag to the regiment by a patriotic lady of Lyons. The presentation ceremonies were neat and appropriate; the Rev. G. F. Magoun addressing the soldiers in an eloquent and patriotic speech, which was responded to on behalf o'i the regi ment, by Major Thompson, in a like able and eloquent manner. The remainder ot our stay at Camp Clinton was devoted to arranging our Company business and to drilling. On the 30th orders were issued to prepare to remove to Davenport on the following day, and we hailed the prospect of a change with delight. The morning of the 31st found the regiment busy at an early hour breaking camp aud making hasty preparations for our removal. The camp was now somewhat agitated by the startling intelligence that we were to march the entire distance from Clinton to Davenport — forty miles.

The announcement of such a vast under taking was received with dismay. Some pronounced the report false — some declared it was impossible to perform the journey in less than ten days, while others boldly maintained " the thing couldn't be done at nil." Some said they always knew that •• Man's inhumanity to man " " Had made its countless millions weep,' and now they too were to be made its victims. Some censured the President of the United States — some the Governor — some the Adjutant General — but the greater portion of the grumblers contended that the company officers were to blame ; but they, poor fellows, were as much averse to the undertaking as the men. Before the hour of departure, however, our anxiety was relieved by the information that we would be transported on boats. It was late in the afternoon before our arrange ments for departure were complete, and at twilight we marched aboard the steamers Bill Henderson, Add.

Hine, Canada and a barge, which had just arrived at the landing. I have since often travelled on a single boat, with an entire brigade, and the brigade and regimental quar termasters' transportation on board, which occupied less space than our regiment did at this their first embarkation on three. My sleeping apartment for the night was an old cheese box with my back against the wall — the only un appropriated spot I could find upon the boat. " Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep*," now cast her leaden sceptre o'er our weary limbs, and soon hushed our troubled minds to rest. No incident of importance occurred on this our first voyage, except that a great many small articles persisted in getting into the posses sion of the wrong men, occasioned by the confusion incident to a crowded boat.

We arrived at Davenport on the morning of Septem ber 1st, and disembarked a short distance above the Railroad bridge. After detailing guards for the baggage still remaining on the boats, until transportation for it oould be obtained, the regiment formed and marched to "Camp Herron," stopping a few minutes on the way at the Burtis House. The barracks then in process of erec tion, under direction of Mr. J. S. Conner, A. Q. M. A., were completed the following day, when we took formal possession. Our sutler, W. K. Spearing, was already established in camp, and prepared to supply our wants for camp life to a limited extent. The following complimentary notice of our regiment appeared in one of the daily papers on the morning after our arrival : " Twentieth Regiment. — This splendid body of men arrived from Clinton yesterday morning.

They were under command of Major Thompson, Col. Dye having gone to his home in Marion They landed at East Davenport and marched down town and out to Camp Herron, which is just being fitted up. After arriving at camp most of the boys got furloughs to go to their homes, and the livery stables were well patronized by them. During the day their quarters were visited by immense numbers of our citizens who are more deeply interested in this regiment than in any other which has left the State. They will probably remain here a day or two, if not longer." Those of the regiment who had enlisted from Scott county were here paid the bounty due them from the county, viz : $75 to married and $50 to unmarried men. This bounty was very gratefully received by the men, as it enabled them to provide for their families — render them comfortable, and lessen their regret at parting.

Lines were established around the camp, but no particular regard was paid to an order for confining the men within them. Every indulgence was allowed that they might have ample opportunity to arrange such home matters as was necessary before finally leaving for the field. From a continued expression of kindness on the part of the citizens, and particularly the ladies, our stay at Camp Herron was rendered exceedingly pleasant ; it imparted a cheerfulness to the men and kept them in the best of spirits. The monotony of the camp was occasionally relieved by a couple of " unruly members " of the regiment who, having ventured too far within the precincts of •' tangle foot," and indulged somewhat freely in "that which inebriates," manifested a strong desire to enter at once on their new profession — fighting.