Reminiscences of the Twenty-second Iowa volunteer infantry, giving its organization, marches, skirmishes, battles, and sieges, as taken from the diary of Lieutenant S.C. Jones of Company A.

Preface

In the writing of this book there is no desire to antagonize any written history of the Twenty-second Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry. We do not start out to give a complete history of the Regiment, but, having carefully kept a diary of the movements, marchings, battles fought, and skirmishes in which the Regiment was engaged during the three and more years that the Regiment served, and being a personal eye-witness and co-actof in all its battles, sieges, skirmishes, marches, and bivouacs, we aim to follow closely the every day routine of army life and conditions, entering into details where we were personal eye-witness of the same and adding a brief account of prison life in three of the worst prisons in the South. We will also give a list of the killed, wounded, and captured in all the battles, sieges, and skirmishes wherever the Regiment participated, the number of troops in the Vicksburg, Miss., campaign under General Grant, and Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg, Pa.

Lieut. S. C. Jones

Chapter I

More than a year had now passed since the war commenced. The feehng had developed that we had a very serious matter on our hands. Up to this time I doubt if the people had felt that it was so serious a matter. True General Grant's successes at Forts Donaldson and Henry was a gleam of light amid the darkest days, yet there was a shadow of impenetrable gloom like a mantle settling down upon us. The battle of Pittsburg Landing was fought with great loss of life to the Union. Then there was a call for three hundred thousand men, and soon another call for that many more, as if the Government had decided to arise in her mighty strength and power and crush the Rebellion at once.

Enlistments had been going on steadily and the young and middle-aged had been perceptibly thinned out from among us. Up to this time I had not thought it necessary that I should go . I had had a feeling that those who were enlisting were doing it because they delighted in the public martial display of the soldier life; but a feeling came over me at this time that I was needed in the defense of my country, and that my country was fiercely assailed by subtle enemies.

I was familiar with the agitation of the questions that had led to the war. The speeches in Congress and on the stump I had read. The question in my mind was:— "Could the government subdue the slave power, the power that was in rebelHon? For the government to do it — am I needed?" We, the people, are the government, was the thought.

Thus it was that about the middle of June, 1862, I

6 HISTORY OF THE TWEXTY- SECOND

made up my mind to be a soldier and fight for my country, as many thousands like me were doing. Bv enlisting together and joining shoulder to shoulder, to subdue we brought to an end one of the most bloody wars, and brought it to an end in a most successful manner.

These few pages wdll be the acts and reminiscences of the writer and his most intimate comrades, with the marches and battles of the Twenty-second Regiment, and, in order that we may have a full conception of the men who composed the Regiment, we will go back to the Spring of 1861, when President Lincoln issued his first call for troops, i. e., seventy-five thousand men.

Along with other states, Iowa proceeded at once to furnish her quota of men. There was at this time at Iowa City. Johnson County, a militia companv, a military organization that was well drilled. It had been in existence for years, called — 'The Washington Guards." Upon the basis of this company was formed Co. B of the First Iowa Infantry, three months" men, as under the call. As the case was, many of the Washington Guards were not eligible for military duty, and possibly a few did not desire to go at that time, therefore the companv was recriiited until it had its full complement of men and officers.

At this time the United States recruiting officers were extremely particular as to the physical condition of the recruit and many were debarred to their chagrin, notably, one David J. Davis who had but one eye but otherwise perfectly soimd in body. Xot passing as a soldier, he went as Captain's clerk. At the battle of Wilson's Creek he picked up a gun and went into the fight as a private soldier. More will be written of him later. It will be necessary for us to refer to this company throughout our sketch, as it perceptibly is the basis on which the Twenty-second Iowa Regiment was formed.

In the summer of 1862. the thought prevailed that a Regiment could be recruited in Johnson County, with Iowa City as a center. ^Many of the men of Co. B. of the First Iowa Infantr\- were hving here awaiting an opportrmity to go into the service again. Governor Kirkwood seeing the opportimity, placed recruiting commissions in the hands of the more energetic of them, and it was but a short time tiU the forming of six companies was in active operation. Har^^ey Graham who, in the early Spring, had partly recruited a company for the Eighthteenth Iowa Infantr}-, which was now at CUnton, Iowa, awaiting the formation of that Regiment ■ was made Major of the Regiment forming at Iowa City. By Major Graham's personal request to Governor Kirkwood, his company was brought back to Iowa Cit^^ and entered the formation of the Johnson Coimty Regiment on the 8th day of August, 1862.

The greatest enthusiasm was manifested in Iowa Citv in the formation of the Twenty-second Iowa Regiment. Hardly a family in Iowa City and adjoining countrv but was represented in this Regiment. It became evident that we would be compelled to have outside help to form a complete Regiment, so a company was taken from each of the following coimties: Monroe, Wapello, and Jasper counties.

Earlv in the month of August the barracks in Camp Pope were completed and on the 14th we moved into

them.

^Ivdiarv, being my guiding star, I shall quote from it. '"Camp Pope is situated southeast of Iowa Cit>-, at the edge of the town, and on a beautiful green. Barracks are being hurried to completion for a Regiment. The barracks and accompanying buildings are well arranged for the comfort and convenience of the men."

Thomas Banbur\' who is our Post Quartermaster sees to it that we are well fed, while we are waiting for our clothing, camp, and garrison equipage. "September 3rd, Company "A" marched down to the city and drew one month's pay. They had been in the service since early Spring and had not as yet received any pay. On September 9th, Captain Hendershott of the United States Army mustered us into United States Army "for three years or during the war." We have Regimental, company, and squad drill every day, and we have a Camp Guard. We have not received our arms and accouterments yet, but the boys have wooden guns and and swords of their own manufacture, and to us green soldiers they are quite formidable weapons.

September 10th we are fully organized now as a Regiment of ten companies. Seven from this county. A, B, F, G, H, I, K, and D from Monroe County, and E from Wapello County and C from Jasper County. Now that we are fully organized as a Regiment we will refer to that organization only as we refer to each Company by letter.

Harvey Graham having been made Major of the Regiment, the officers of Company A were promoted accordingly, except that S. C. Jones, 3rd Corporal, was made first Sergeant.

We received our arms and accouterments, with all the paraphernalia of war, leather collars, epaulets, etc. Generally we were a motley looking crowd. Our uniforms were mostly ridiculous misfits, some had to give their pants two or three rolls at the heels, others had shirts much too large which were, therefore, baggy, while others had to place paper in their hats so they would not slip down over their ears. The epaulets and leather collars were never worn.

The boys were not long in the service until they could trim their clothing and repair them, making them quite respectably fitting garments. I can now recall many of the boys who could change the straight pocket in the

Lieut. Col. E. G. White Col. W. M. Stone

Col. H. Graham Maj. J. H. Gearkee pants to the more modern style, or when the knee would wear thread bare could cut the leg off and turn the back to the front, and could use other devices to make their clothes last longer, and look more genteel.

Orders came at last for us to go to the front. Accordingly on the 15 th of September, we pulled out of Camp Pope and boarded a train for Davenport, and thence south, aboard the boat, "Metropolitan". We awoke this morning September 16, at a little town above the Rapids called Montrose, landed from the boat, and took the cars for Keokuk.

This morning September 17th, we feel as if we were without "form or void". We passed a miserably cold and wet night. Officers sought shelter somewhere and the men in broken masses did the same.

On our way from Montrose, packed in freight cars of every variety, some of us on the tender, we partook of the first of the many inconveniences that befall an American soldier. Our hair, eyes, and ears, were full of cinders from the locomotive, and the accumulation of dirt on our bodies caused a most miserable feeling.

We left the railroad at Keokuk and embarked on the boat "Sucker State," and continued on our way south.

Chapter II

St. Louis, Mo.

On the 18th, we reached St. Louis, and were immediately marched to Benton Barracks, where we found comfortable quarters. The facilities for bathing and washing our clothes were taken advantage of, and soon we were feeling ourselves again.

We had no guard duty to do, so we put in the time investigating the grounds and watching the recruits practice at horsemanship. Many a green city and country lad was seen pitched from his horse while training him to jump ditches and fences.

We were out on inspection and review, in heavy marching order, that means with gun and full accouterments and full knapsack; General Davidson was the reviewing officer. On the 22nd, we received orders to march into town to go aboard a train which would take us to Rolla.

We got aboard the cattle cars and proceeded on our way. Reached Franklin, 37 miles from St. Louis, after dark.

The 23rd, we arrived at Rolla at 12 m. and marched to camp, situated about two miles from town on the Springfield road.

One year ago, General Franz Sigel's troops occupied this ground as a camp. We have wedge tents and plenty of good running water. The face of the country is rough and hilly.

We have drill daily, company, regimental, and brigade drill. Major Atherton acts as drill officer usually. I will mention here that Garrett who was to be our Colonel never came to us. Our Lieutenant Colonel, William M. Stone, was promoted to Colonel, Major Harvey Graham to Lieutenant Colonel, and our Adjutant, J. B. Atherton was made Major, and First Lieutenant, John W. Porter of Company "F"', was made Adjutant. Promotions in Company "F" were made accordingly.

There is some sickness among the men, measles, mumps, and one case of smallpox. The last was put in a tent at some distance from camp and provided with a nurse, one who had had the disease. Food and medicine were provided every day for them.

This is October 22nd. We moved our camp today. We are putting up Sibley tents. A little stove made purposely for them comes with them, Uncle Sam wants us to keep warm through the winter. The stove is cone shaped and sets in the middle of the tent, and we lay in a circle with our feet to the stove, except a place opposite the entrance that is left vacant, for passing in and out.

This camp is alongside of the railroad. We have a field nearby where we drill. It is quite level and is a good and convenient drill ground. We have a Camp Guard.

November 3rd, Company "A" went as guard to a train to Waynes ville. "I" went on the 4th, guarding a- train to Waynesville. "A" Company returned on the 8th,and "I" Company on the 14th.

On the 17th, Company "F" had a little trouble in regard to the mode of punishing refractory soldiers. One of the men was tied up by the thumbs to the limb of a tree. It was demonstrated at once that the harsher treatment practiced by the regular army did not meet with approval by the Western Volunteers. Milder forms of punishment were therefore adopted.

December 3rd, a detail of two commissioned officers, and sixty-one men was made on Company "A" to guard a train to Waynesville. It marched to Little Piney 12 miles from Rolla, and went into camp about 3 p. m. December 4th, out on our march early this morning. Reached Waynesville, about sun down and went into camp. There were other troops somewhere near us as we could hear their bugle calls.

We returned on the 4th, in empty wagons, making the return trip in one day. Company "F" is doing post duty at Salem, Mo.

Thus we are actively employed, guarding trains, and doing post duty. December 20th, we are all excitement. We received orders and are preparing to move A, H, and I, on a march to guard a train to Houston, Mo.

We go into camp in the evening on Little Piney River. December 21st we started briskly this morning, but evening finds us tired and footsore, from not being used to marching long distances.

We go into camp near a Union man's house. It is almost impossible to know who are and who are not Union among the few who did not choose to go into the Union or Confederate army. It is the general impression that many who remain are in sympathy with the South and at every opportunity aid those in rebellion by furnishing information regarding our movements, yet we are not to ignore the fact, that there were many Union men among them who stubbornly refused to aid and abet those who were in rebellion against their government. Such had often been paid for their Union sentiments by having their houses burned down over their heads. Many after their property was thus destroyed fled to the Union lines, turned over the care of their families to the tender mercies of their freinds and the government, and enlisted to fight for their country.

There were no better fighters in the Union service than the Missourians. During Grant's campaign in the rear of Vicksburg, it was said that in one of his series of battles, the 10th Missouri Union came directly in contact with the 10th Missouri Confederate, and the Union boys were the victors.

No doubt there was decisive action and a determination to even up old scores in a legitimate way. As I said we were tired and footsore and ready to lay down our tired bodies for the much needed rest. We little thought of the many hard marches and painful exigencies that were .to meet us before the end of the war.

December 22nd. On our march today we met an old wanderer with his ox team and tumble down wagon, who had concealed away among his worldly goods a two gallon keg full of whiskey. There always are among a number of men, some who have an intuition, if whiskey is in the neighborhood. They feel it in their system. So it was in this case. The whiskey was captured and would have been confiscated as contraband, but Lieutenant David J. Davis of Company "A" changed the order of events for a while. He only allowed each man a small portion and returned to the owner what was left. He proceeded on his journey and we on our march.

We went into camp eight miles from Houston. Soon after we went into camp there was a suspicion that some of the men had fallen out of ranks and had followed the owner of the ox team, and likely by some trick, taken what was left of the old traveler's whiskey.

It was amusing to note the effect on the mood and manner on different men. Some were happy and joyful and wished everyone to be the same, others were ferocious and unmanageable. As only a very few were noisy, it soon subsided and all were sleeping the sleep of the just.

December 23rd. We were on the march early this morning, and though it rained, we arrived at Houston, 11 a. m., wet and hungry, and went into camp.

We have running water near our camp, and plenty of wood. We went to work at once to build fireplaces in our tents to keep us warm. The December air is very chilly and some days the ground is quite frosty.

CHAPTER III Houston, Mo

Tu;^ 4- • . nousTon, Mo.

7?;/. M» "tJt """"^ ™"'='^ scattered over the hills. Gen F.tz Henry Warren is m command of this Post. There IS a large number of troops here, the Thirtv-third and

I Sn L"t'"„t"'"°'^' Twen'ty-first Iowa, anTottrs th"at 1 can not name now.

There has been considerable sickness amon? the Illinois Regiments. A good deal of foraging is done

euard « frT'^T ^^'^' T detachment was sent to faTn ChaHefM I ^^^°'^- "^"^^ *° SP""^ Galley. Cap- Lleuten/nf n ^ T " '=°':"'nand of the detachment. J^ieutenant David J. Davis, in command of "A" Company, forgot to draw rations for the trip consequently some foraging had to be done ^ Corporals Daniel J. Roberts and John L. Fleming

teaiTund;,^?,' ^'^'^ W.Hockingberr'y, teamster "nd^a team under my command, went across the mountain into a distant valley to Martens' Mills where we found pkn° ty of flour and meal. We took what we thought we would need and returned at nightfall. '"""^"'^ ^^

The tram of wagons had come for corn and hay for the horses and mules of the army. They did not dis turb the food prepared for the citizens ^

We returned to Houston on the 28th, our wagons well loaded with corn and forage. The detachment is in good health and spirits. _

We have not drilled any since we came, nor do we furnish men for guard duty.

This is a wood country, rough and hilly, ihe roads meander through the valleys, where the water accumu- Stes Sickly and when it rains the roads become almost

^Tapt'a^n'charles N. Lee is still in command of the de-

tachment. . ^ j "n"

This is January 6th, 1863. Companies F a"d U came from RoUa. We moved our camp about forty

^s south, so they could have ^oorni^^t^l^^T^l in their proper places. Lieutenant David J .Davis who went o Rolla returned on the 10th. On the mornmg of Se nth, we were called into line in light marching order and held in readiness to move at a moment s no-

tice. J + c

We could hear the booming of cannon and see troops

depart for the front in wagons.

We stacked arms in Hne, and coj^ked^^/^.^l^^^^' meals in anticipation of taking a hand m the battle that was in progress.

A combination of several Guerrilla bands comrnanded by Price and Magruder, came m contact with our troops near Hartsville.

On the morning of the 12th, we ^^re caUed out at 3 a m and were expecting an attack on Houston re ma^ed in line except at meal time^ ^"l^^d ilte our forces were on the retreat. It l^l^^^r'?^^^^^' that the Confederates were so roughly handled that the> had no desire to follow. Our troops returned to Houston and were not molested in their retreat.

Again on the 14th, the camp was alarmed over a report that one of our trains on the way to Rolla was attacked. It proved to be a false alarm. Surgeon Lee joins us here on the 16th.

On the 26th, the troops started on the march South, on the Thomasville road. The roads were so bad, our detachment returned and went into our old camp. Early on the 27th, we started on our march on the West Plains' road, leaving eight sick men there. We only marched eight miles. Exercise seems to do us good. We went into camp in an old clearing.

A house stood not far off with a small pasture held near it, surrounded by a worm fence. Those rails rose up as if by magic and moved over to camp. An order came too late to stop the movement. Col. Samuel Merrill, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, commands our brigade.

January 29th. We onlv marched thirteen miles today, yesterdav we marched twenty miles. The roads are almost impassable. It is reported that our butchers are captured. They, with a small escort of mounted men forage on each side of the line of march for beet and pork for the troops, and if they take anything frorn a Union man thev must give him an order on the United States for the price. It would be very difficult for the owner to prove his loyalty in most cases.

Chapter IV

West Plains, January 30th. We marched eight miles today, reached West Plains. Here we joined our left wing and headquarters. There are quite a number of troops here commanded by General Davidson. We have wedge tents. It is cold and cloud}^ February 2nd. When we got up this morning there were ten inches of snow. As this is extreme weather to what we have been having, there is much suffering among the men. General Davidson had us on Brigade drill.

February 3rd. Snow is melting under the hot sun. The men are destitute of shoes. The march from Houston was hard on foot wear, at least one-fourth of Company "A" need shoes. Other companies are similarly situated, and we could only get five pairs for "A" Company.

February 8th. We leave West Plains. We take up our march going northeast on the Thomas ville road, a very muddy one. Marched ten miles and go into camp for the night.

We start ovit on our march early this morning. The wagon trains and artillery started out earlier than we did. We found wagons and artiller}^ stuck in the mud, some of the wagons abandoned. The moving ,of the trains and artillery was almost an impossibility. There was much wrath and confusion. We had it to do and we tried to make the best of it. We reached Thomasville at 3 p. m. Our teams did not come in till ten p. m. We could get nothing to eat until they came, therefore, we got our supper at about eleven o'clock.

We went into camp here on the banks of Eleven

Point river. February 10th, we drew ninety -three pounds of coarse corn meal to each company. This meal is ground in the vicinity of our camp. The milling is done principally by our soldiers.

We are living on this and fresh meat, gathered up from the country by our butchers, driven along and killed as needed.

February 1 2 th . We pulled out on the march from this place (Thomasville) at six a. m., marched fifteen miles, mostly through a dense forest of large pine, tall and straight as an arrow. The country is rough and rocky, and we saw but one semblance of a house all day. It was eleven p. m. before we got our supper.

February 13th, we started on our march at 7 a._ m. Marched through a valley all day, went into camp in a field on Jack's Fork of Current River. Wood and water are convenient. The teams came in early.

February 14th, we crossed the river on a bridge made of wagons placed end to end. The river is about fifty yards wide, three feet deep, and runs very swiftly. It took the Brigade about three hours to cross over. We marched fifteen miles and on each side for six miles were high mountains, seeming almost to reach the clouds.

February 15. This is a day to be long remembered, for two reasons. First, we saw the town of Emmence, of which so much has been said, as it is the place for which we were marching; but this town contamed but one house, and we could not tell whether the streets were paved or not. Second, today, we were marched some distance out of the road into the woods to see a dead Confederate. Until this time we had not knowingly seen a dead or a live one.

I must say there were some tears shed in sympathy with the wife and little ones. We had not as yet been active in that part of war which makes widows and orphans.

The dead Confederate was killed by our cavalry. He probably belonged to that type of Confederate soldiery, called Bushwhackers, for which our cavalry had little love, for the reason that many of these men had taken the oath of allegiance, and afterward were captured or killed fighting among the Bushwhackers.

By this time, 1863, all suspicious characters were known to our cavalry. We went into camp on a branch of Current River.

Camp near Eminence, February 16th. As we were lying in camp here for the day, some of the boys explored a great cave in the mountian. We crawled, wriggled, and walked about one hundred yards into the mountain, and came to a large roomy cavern twenty-five to thirty feet across, with ceiling twenty feet high, decoraated with stalactites of all forms and sizes. From this, were passages leading farther into the mountain, possibly leading to other caverns.

Along one side there passed a rivulet or stream, descending which three of our company followed for some distance, without finding any material change. I preferred open daylight and sunshine, and withdrew as I had entered.

On the 17th, we started on our march again, at four a. m. We crossed Current River above Eminence, passed the natural well which is twenty feet across on top, perfectly round, with dark blue water, said to be sounded four hundred feet without finding bottom.

Today we crossed Sink Creek fourteen times in twelve miles.

February 18th, 1863. Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap of the Twenty-first Iowa Regiment is in command of our Brigade. Company "A" drew three days' rations — seventy pounds of flour. I presume the other companies drew the same.

February 22nd, Camp Kaohn. We reached this village last night. Our march for the last two days has been very tiresome. We foHowed Sink Creek, a small stream, for miles, crossing it eight times in one mile. We are about twenty miles from Pilot Knob. This is a small village. We are quartered wherever we can find shelter from the falling snow. Company "A" is quartered in an old log barn. There is no floor in it, nor anything combustible, so our fire is a large log heap in the middle of the structure. We are comfortable. The wind and snow make it very uncomfortable outside.

February 23rd. The sun came out warm this morning, and the soft snow makes the roads almost impassable. Our camp ground last night was soft and wet.

February 24th. We only marched six miles the 22nd, not many more yesterday. The pioneers had cut a road through the timber. The roads became impassable. The artillery and wagon train cuts up the road, so that the men of the infantry column have to pick their way along the fence on each side of the road.

We have gone into camp here five miles northwest from Pilot Knob, and remain all day eating and talking, too muddy to leave camp.

On the 25th, we marched to Iron Mountain. The roads are very bad, and getting worse as a drizzling rain is falling. We went into camp on top of Iron Mountain. Iron ore covers the ground. The smelting works were near by our camp. The ore for smelting is quarried from the side of the mountain, and brought to the works on flat cars. It was in operation while we were there. The operators claimed to be Union men. We lay there until the 9th of March. We made out our pay rolls there. Lieutenant D. J. Davis was promoted to Adjutant, and S. C. Jones was promoted to first Lieutenant of Co. "A".

Many of the Regiment visited Pilot Knob about five miles away. We pulled out from camp on the morning of the 9th for St. Genevieve, on the Mississippi River, by way of Farmington by the plank road. Went into camp one and a half miles from Farmington. This is a beautiful place, and nice, level country around here. The people also have the appearance of thrift and being well to do.

On the tenth we went into camp sixteen miles from St . Genevieve . Resumed our march on the eleventh , with the Twenty-first Iowa Regiment in the lead. The Twenty-second boys thought that the Twenty-first marched too rapidly, thereby trying their pluck, and this was resented by the Twenty-second boys bulging forward so that when we came into camp in the evening, the two Regiments were commingled so that the first impression was the predominance of the Twenty-second Iowa. There was much good natured chaffing and some real downright hard feeling.