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Subject: Cedar Valley Times, Jan. 5, 1865, 12th Iowa Inf. at Nashville
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 11:34:27 EST
The Cedar Valley Times
Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., Iowa
Thurs., Jan. 5, 1865
The Late Battle of Nashville.
Bravery of Iowa Soldiers.
We have been permitted to read a letter written by an officer in the 12th
Iowa to a friend in this city, which gives some account of the part taken in the
battle of Nashville by that regiment, and thinking that some extracts from the
letter would be interesting to our readers we take the liberty to publish
them.
The writer says: "I never saw or heard of such a spirit as animated the men
of our Corps and particularly of our Division, during this fight; each Brigade
seemed determined to outdo the others. Every man was at his post and all
seemed totally regardless of danger.
On the first day our Brigade had but little fighting until near night; our
skirmish line was strong and well handled, so that our main line had but little
opposition except from artillery, the fire of which injured us but little.
About noon our right having swung forward three or four miles, our first and
second Brigade, together with a part of [Edward] Hatch's [2nd Iowa] cavalry, made
a successful charge on two of the enemy's forts, capturing six guns and a
large number of prisoners.
Our Brigade was posted so that we could see the whole movement, and our boys
at once declared their intention of capturing the first battery that came in
our front; shortly after we were moved forward and swung round so as to bring
us directly in front of a strong fort. Gen. [Andrew J.] Smith was with us at
the time, and after examining the position, said that we might charge just as
soon as the right of our line came up, so as to protect our flank.
At about eight o'clock Col.Hill [Col. S. G. Hill, 35th Iowa Infantry], our
Brigade commander, gave the word "forward,"--and with fixed bayonets and a
regular Yankee yell we made the rush. The rebs saw us start, and believing they
would be unable to hold their works, moved their artillery and most of their
support to a fort farther to the rear, and to their right, from which they gave
us a terribly raking fire as we came on to the hill.
Our Brigade commander, Col. Hill, was killed just as we had gained the fort.
As we were in considerable disorder, Lt. Col. [John H.] Stibbs ordered the
Brigade to halt to reform the line, which was done under the cover of a heavy
stone fence, at the same time pouring in a heavy cross fire on the retreating
rebels.
In the meantime Col. Marshal [Wm. R. Marshall], of the 7th Minnesota, and
Adj. [David W.] Reed, of the 12th Iowa, with the colors and about two hundred men
of the 7th and 12th, pushed forward on the enemy's flank, gaining the second
and then the third fort, capturing a battery, about two hundred prisoners, and
a large amount of ammunition and small arms.
Our line, as soon as reformed, hurried rapidly forward, but darkness coming
on, we were compelled to give up the chase and prepare for the night. The
charge was a grand one, and we suffered but little loss in making it as our
movements were so rapid that the enemy could give us but one volley before we had
gained their works. Could we have had another hour's daylight we could have
made some further important captures. Gen. Smith followed us in our charge and
pronounced it a fine affair.
The second day we fought with artillery principally, until nearly four
o'clock, when having pushed our lines well forward and having everything in
readiness, Gen. Smith ordered our Division to make the charge. Our first Brigade
moved in advance,--the second following a minute later on their left, and then our
third Brigade.
The enemy's fire was terrible, but our columns moved straight forward never
halting a moment until we had gained the works and driven the rebels in utter
rout. In front of our Brigade the ground was such that we managed to pass
one-third of the distance, before we were exposed to a heavy fire, and the balance
of the way we passed over so quickly that we suffered but comparatively a
small loss.
The charge was the grandest one of this war, and was a complete success.
Gen. [George H.] Thomas says that had we faltered or given back before the charge
was finished it might have cost us our army; but our bold front and rapidity
of movement were such, that our advance was irresistable.
After we had once driven the rebels from their works they fled before us like
a clock of frightened sheep, leaving guns, colors and hundreds of prisoners
for us to pick up.
After charging on the double-quick for about three quarters of a mile, Col.
Stibbs ordered his Regiment to halt and reform. He succeeded in stopping the
Regimental flag and most of the men; but Sergeant Major [Sylvester R.] Burch,
with our national colors and about sixty men, being in advance and not hearing
the order to halt, pushed ahead and remained at the front as long as they
could find a rebel to shoot or gobble.
The officers of the 12th Regiment behaved nobly. Captain [Samuel G.] Knee
acting Major, and Lieut. Reed acting Adjutant, both did splendidly; no better or
braver officers than they are, ever came from Iowa.
Quartermaster [Homer C.] Morehead had to be left behind with his train, and
feels very much grieved because he cannot claim having done his full share of
the fighting. I know he would much rather have been at the front and in the
fight than where he was.
Sergeant Major Burch did finely, as he always has done, and will probably
soon be trimmed with shoulder-straps as a reward for his good conduct. Our
Surgeon, Dr. [Myron] Underwood stood at his post like a hero and dressed our
wounded under the heaviest fire.
Chaplain [Frederick] Humphrey rendered invaluable service in taking care of
the wounded, and is spoken of very highly by all. In fact every man of the
Regiment did his duty, and to mention the particularly deserving ones I should
have to give you the names of all.
Our campaign thus far has been terribly severe. The two day's battle was
fought in the rain, and since then we have had rain in torrents, until to-day,
when the wind changed and we now have snow.
Our boys are in high spirits and all are willing to endure every hardship, if
by so doing we can catch Hood and gobble up the balance of his army."
[The battle of Nashville, Dec. 15 and 16, 1864, was one of the most severe
battles of the war, for both sides. It's worth studying by those interested in
the final campaigns, and in Gen. Hood's last desperate attempts at success.
The weather made matters worse, with freezing rain and large numbers of
Confederate soldiers fighting barefoot. Sue]
Sue Trout Reisdorph
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