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Subject: [IA-CIVIL-WAR] V. Eagle, Jun '63 Champion Hill-V'burg, 28 IA Inf.
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 08:52:22 EDT

The Vinton Eagle
Vinton, Benton Co., Iowa

Wed., June 24, 1863

Army Correspondence

Battle Ground in rear of Vicksburg, Miss.,
May 28, 1863

Mr. S. P. Vanatta:--Dear Sir: I received your letter about the 28th of
last month, but owing to the busy times we have had for some time back, and the
poor mail facilities, I have put off writing until the present time. I don't
know as I will have an opportunity to send this for some time, but when the
opportunity does come the letter will be forwarded. I suppose you are aware the
28th has been in battle, and "covered itself all over with glory." On the
1st of May, we were engaged at the battle of "Port Gibson," and Co. D came
through without a scratch. It is useless for me to give you the details of that
engagement, as abler pens than mine, have no doubt sent an account of it to "old
Benton." I have seen different reports of the engagement, but from them, I
judge the reporters were not on the ground at all, or they willfully withheld
from the public the honor which is due General Hovey's Division.-- From the
statements contained in the St. Louis Democrat one would draw the conclusion, it
was nothing but a mere skirmish. Gov. Yates of Illinois gives an account of
it, in the Chicago Journal, but I consider it very imperfect. He gives much
praise to Illinois troops but says very little in regard to Iowa or other
western troops who bore the heat of the battle "from the rising of the sun to the
going down thereof." I have conversed with those who were at the battles of
Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and they say the infantry fighting was as hard as they
ever saw. But when I compare the battle of Port Gibson with that of "Champion
Hill," the former is almost eclipsed. On the morning of the 16th of May, our
"Pioneer Corps" which was in advance, came upon the rebels at Champion
Hill.-- Hovey's Division was in the advance of the other divisions. We formed in a
rye field, adjoining the mail road to Vicksburg, and sent out skirmishers to
feel the enemy's position. At half past 11 o'clock a.m., the command forward
was given, and the 2nd Brigade moved to the attack. We found the enemy posted
in overwhelming numbers in a skirt of timber south of a large field.-- The
28th Iowa formed in this field, in the rear of the 47th Ind., but as the enemy
was trying to out-flank us on our left, we were ordered to move by the left
flank and form on the 47th. This was accomplished and the whole line became
engaged without any support. We advanced steadily across the field while our boys
delivered their fire with the coolness of old veterans. The enemy in the
meantime were giving back, so as to draw us into their trap. When we had reached
the south fence, and the enemy had fallen back to their reserve they opened on
us, a murderous fire, and at the same time began a flank movement on our
left.
A prisoner told me they had 30,000 opposed to our Division, which was six
times our number. Our boys fought with desperation but it was evident, if we
remained in that position long, we would be cut to pieces, or taken prisoners.
Gen. Hovey ordered us to fall back, which was obeyed by the regiments on the
right. But it seemed impossible at first to make the 28th give back an inch.
The line officers commanded, but the boys had got steam up and fight they
would. The enemy advanced on us steadily sending death into our ranks. At last
the 28th gave back, disputing the ground inch by inch. Long before we had
reached the opposite side of the field, the other regiments had disappeared from
our sight. In falling back we lost many brave boys. My brother fell
mortally wounded about one third of the way across the field. Capt. Kirby [Wm. F.
Kirby] of Co. "I," was shot dead near the same place. After rallying and giving
way a number of times, we formed on a ridge, on which is situated the
Vicksburg and Jackson road. Here is where Lieut. [John] Legan of Co. "A" was killed.
A braver man never took up arms. Beloved by every man in Co. "A" and "D" we
mourn his loss and sympathize with his afflicted family. We fought here one
hour holding the enemy at bay. We knew reinforcements were behind and if we
gave back from that position, our train would be captured. Presently, loud
cheers are heard in the rear of the "Rebs." What does it mean? The question is
soon solved; Quimby has gained their rear by the Raymond and Vicksburg road,
and we are saved. The enemy are in full retreat in the direction of Vicksburg,
closely pursued by Quimby and Logan. The battle is fought, the victory won,
and thank God, we are victorious. 1,600 prisoners are taken on the battle
field, besides many more on the road to the Rail Road bridge across Big Black
River, amounting to several thousand. But our work is not done yet. We have
friends who have fallen in the defense of the right, and we go to minister to
them. All through the long night, the ambulances are conveying the wounded to the
Hospital, and when morning dawns again, many yet lie where they fell. Capt.
Thompson informs me, he has given you a list of the wounded. The last
intelligence we have from them, is they are doing well. We are now at the battle of
Vicksburg, we fight in reliefs of 48 hours. We came out of the rifle pits
yesterday, and return tomorrow, if the place is not surrendered. A charge was
made last week on the rebels which terminated disastrously to our forces. They
have lines of Forts similar to the Fort at Helena, with this exception, they
have only three sides, the rear being open toward the Forts which are situated
still back of them. Our forces took several of these, but could not hold them
on that account. The 22d Iowa lost half their effectual forces. Col. Stone
received a severe wound in the arm.-- Lieut. Col. Graham was taken prisoner and
the Major also wounded. Col. Robinson was killed. On last Tuesday afternoon
the enemy came over with a "flag of truce" and hostilities ceased for that
day. Our boys met the "Rebs" half way, shook hands, traded knives, passed
around their tobacco and exchanged other civilities in a very amicable manner.
Next morning at day-break, the concert commenced again, and is still going on.
At night we enjoy a fine display of fire-works, which are sent up by our mortar
boats, in shape of bombshells. We are within two hundred yards of the rebel
forts and have the thing our own way. It is certain death for them to load
their cannons and they have quit trying. We have been here four days, and they
have not fired a single cannon, to my knowledge, during that time. Their
sharpshooters keep at work, however, but don't accomplish much. The Vinton Eagle
has just arrived, date May 6th. We are in good spirits and consider the fall
of Vicksburg as merely a question of time. It is rumored a battle has been
fought on our old battle ground at Champion Hill, and the "Rebs" under Johnson
[Gen. Joseph E. Johnston] have been defeated. I hope it may prove correct.
The weather is very warm at present during the day, but the nights are quite
cool. As it is time to eat our iron clad crackers and drink coffee, I will
close. Hoping that you are well by this time, and sending my respects to you and
Mrs. V., I remain your true friend,
J. C. Summers. [John C. Summers]

P. S.--We have heard that Wm. McDuff and Benj. Hunnewell [Honeywell, killed
in action later at Cedar Creek, VA, Oct. 1864] have been paroled and are now at
Milliken's Bend in good health.
J. C. S.


[Other source: "Roster and Records of Iowa Troops in the Rebellion, Vol. 3."
Civil War and Iowa: Greyhounds and Hawkeyes. CD-ROM. Creston, IA: O. J.
Fargo, 2000.]

Sue Trout Reisdorph

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