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Subject: Marengo Repub., Oct. 14, 1914, 28th Iowa, 1864 - 1
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 20:21:19 EDT

The Marengo Republican
Marengo, Iowa Co., Iowa

October 14, 1914

From "History of the 28th Iowa Volunteer Regiment" [a part of the history,
and written by John T. Simmons, Chaplain of the 28th Iowa Infantry]:

Chapter IV.

Transfer to the Potomac--Ocean Voyage--The Regiment
in Washington--Joins Sheridan--Shenandoah Valley--Battle
of Winchester.


The regiment went into camp at Tennallytown, on the evening of the 3rd [of
August, 1864] inst., where it remained until the 11th, when it removed to Fort
Bunker Hill, and spent three days in removing obstructions in front of the
fortifications, and then returned to camp. On the morning of the 14th of August,
we struck camp, and marched in the direction of Leesburg [VA], which we
reached about noon of the 17th; left at 3 p. m., marched all night, passed Snicker's
gap, and near midnight waded the Shenandoah, and formed a junction with Gen.
[Philip] Sheridan's army near Berryville, then falling back from Strasburg.
Still moving back we halted near Charlestown, and threw up fortifications.
Here we were assigned by Gen. Emory to the 4th Brigade, 5th Division, 19th Army
Corps. On the 22nd Inst., the army again moved back near the heights of
Harper's Ferry, where we again fortified and lay until the 27th inst., and then
moved forward and took position in front of Charlestown; the place famous for the
hanging of old John Brown. On the 8th of September we again moved forward,
encountering the enemy near Berryville. Our Brigade swung, took a bold position
in front, and held it. The enemy withdrew, and threw up entrenchments, and
remained until the 19th inst., when the army moved forward. At 3 a. m. we
encountered the pickets of the enemy near Opequon creek; these were soon driven in
by the cavalry, and by 10 a. m. our lines were formed for a general
engagement. Of the part taken by the regiment in this sanguinary sturggle let the
official report of Col. Wilson tell:

"Headquarters 28th Iowa Infantry,
in the Field near
Harrisonburg, Va., Sept. 26, 1864.

"Colonel:--Sir: In compliance with orders from Brigade Headquarters I submit
the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the engagement near
Winchester, Va., on the 19th day of September, 1864. Early on the morning of
the 19th, we broke camp near Berryville, and proceeded with the rest of the
Brigade, on the Winchester pike. After crossing the Opequon I formed in line of
battle, my Regiment occupying the extreme left of the Brigade; on receiving
orders to advance I immediately moved forward, and were soon warmly engaging
the enemy. The first Brigade of our Division being in advance were pressed back
through our lines, yet we moved steadily forward for almost fifty yeards
under one of the hottest fires of shot, shell and canister I ever witnessed. Here
I was ordered to halt. At this point the fighting was most terrific. Yet I
am happy to say that none showed either a dispostion to shrink from duty or
fall back. We remained in this position until the right of the Brigade being
pressed back, left my command exposed to a severe flank fire, and I was obliged
to fall back a short distance to the timber, where we rallied and drove back
the enemy, who were in the act of charging one of our batteries, 1st Maine; we
soon charged forward and took possession of our former position, where we
remained until our ammunition was exhausted, and were relieved by troops from
Crook's command. We then obtained a fresh supply of ammunition and pressed forward
to the front line again, where we remained until ordered to join the Brigade
in pursuit of the retreating foe. We followed them beyond Winchester, where
night overtook us, and we lay down to brood over the events of the day. Too
much cannot be said in praise of the officers and men, who stood forth boldly in
defense of the old flag. Not an officer flinched, not a man gave way, except
to my order. I cannot forbear making special mention of the following
officers, for their gallantry on the field. Capt. J. [John] W. Carr was severely
wounded, but continued to cheer his men until borne from the field. Adjutant
Joseph G. Strong was wounded in hand and hip, in the early part of the
engagement, had his wound dressed on the field and refused to leave the same, though
advised to do so by the Surgeon, but continued rallying and cheering the men
until the victory was ours. Appended you will find a list of the killed, wounded
and missing. Your obedient servant,

B. W. Wilson
Lieut.-Col. Com. [Commanding] 28th Iowa.

D. Shunk, Col. 8th Ind., 4th Brig., 2nd Div., 19th A. C.

The aggregate loss of the regiment in this engagement was eighty-seven.
Capt. John E. Palmer was killed on the field and Capt. Scott Houseworth received a
mortal wound from which he died the fourth day. Why the gallantry of these
offiers was not mentioned specially in the report was not because they did not
earn it. Each of them were true men, loved most by those who knew them best.
The Regiment lost in them two of its noblest patriots, and efficient
officers. Their fate attests their gallantry. Perhaps an apology may be found in the
hurried preparation of a field report; and even yet there it will be ever
deemed inexcusable by those who knew their worth. In this, as in many other
official reports, many other officers and men, who distinguished themselves for
gallantry, but went through unscathed, are not specially mentioned. To show the
high regard in which these fallen officers and men were held by their
comrades, I append the following resolutions:


[continued]


Sue Trout Reisdorph

Roster source: "Roster and Records of Iowa Troops in the Rebellion, Vols.
1-6."
Civil War and Iowa: Greyhounds and Hawkeyes. CD-ROM. Creston, IA: O. J.
Fargo, 2000.

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