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Subject: [IA-CIVIL-WAR] Even More Praise for Iowa Troops
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2002 16:47:59 EST


[first appearing in Forney's Press]

The Daily Iowa State Register
Des Moines, Iowa

Thursday, April 3, 1862

Compliment to Iowa Courage.--The gallant General Charles F. Smith, of
Pennsylvania, in a recent letter to the Hon. J. W. Grimes, the able Senator
from Iowa, thanking him for his voluntary and eloquent report of his claims
for promotion, says, in complimenting the State pride of the Senator:
' It affords me the greatest pleasure to add, that although all the Iowa
regiments behaved creditably, the behavior of the Second regiment during the
assault of the 15th [Feb. 15, 1862, at Fort Donelson, TN] was as fine an
exhibition of soldierly conduct as it has ever been my fortune to
witness.'--Forney's Press.


{Regarding General Joseph Hooker and the Fourth Iowa Infantry at Mission or
Missionary Ridge in Tennessee in November 1863]
The Vinton Eagle, Wed., Mar. 30, 1864:

"Jo. Hooker and the Fourth.--When the 4th Iowa Infantry had reached the
top of Mission Ridge, after having captured 500 Rebels, General Hooker came
along. Looking steadfastly at the Iowa boys, he asked the name of the
Regiment. On being answered, he said:
“Boys, you have a splendid Regiment. Permit me to say, however, that you
are a little too fast! When you get started after the Rebels, the very Devil
himself can’t stop you!”
Thus said fighting Jo. Hooker."


This brief item apparently refers to the Federal soldiers' charge up
Missionary Ridge on Nov. 24, 1863, an action made without awaiting specific
orders from commanders. Fortunately for the Union men, their charge proved
successful. For more detail on this battle you might read about the battle
of Chattanooga (Tennessee).


Sue Trout Reisdorph

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