Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-11-15
THE BATTLE at BEENHOaT
Bravery of the Iowa Seventh.

The Davenport Gazette learns from Lieut.
j. F. Warner, of company X, 9TH Iowa, som
additional information regarding the par
taken by this regiment in that bloody er
gagemcnt. We quote:
When they landed near the battle field the,
were assigned position near the centre o
the line formed for the attack. Our RICH
was held by the Illinois 9th, next TO whicl
was the Illinois odd, then the Iowa 7th. Thu
left was held by the Illinois 3lst, betweei
which and our regiment was the Illinois 3Uth
The line was formed some two miles from the
camp to be attacked, and extended circularly
in such way as to bag the enemy by turn
ing both Their TANKS.
The severcst engagement was with the
Iowa 18th, Col Lauman, and the Illinois 22I
Col Dough-rty They commenced the com
hat, and we've the only reg ments actually
within the cnemy's camp. The Iowa boy,
were first to gain the object Of the contest
and to them belongs the glory of having fired
the tents and camp eqMpage of the rebels
and of having seized their cannon, which
they hauled some distance, and for want OF
horses were compelled to deliver them to
raylor's Brigade.
Lieut.. Sample, of company X, took with
his own hands the camp flag of the rebels
and guarding it from the eager soldiery,
brought it away trophy from tho fled.
Individual Instances of the most daring
bravery occurred One soldier, bearing the
stars and stripes, rushed far ahead OF our line
into the very midst Of the enemy, and waving
our flag over the field melted the Iowa boys
to redoubled deeds Of daring.
The 18th went into The engagement with
but 4G5 men, excluding comm ssioned officers,
and 226 of these arc reported among the
killed wounded and missing, being about
one-half the total number-a proportion as
large as has been reported in any previous
instance since the war begun, and but rarely
equaled in military history. No wonder the
enemy mistook them iur regulars, for never
have troops worn our regular uniform with
more glory.
The fate of the gallant field officers will
form record to which we will point with
pride for a long time to come. Col. Lauman
badly wounded; It. Col. Wentz, killed; M
jor Ricc, wounded Adjutant Bowler, missing
and reported killed After the engagement
not field officer or field officers clerk
could be found, so severely had they suffer
ed
Lieut. Col. August Wentz was killed by a
bullet hitting him in the side, and fell mortal
iy wounded At the time the enemy had re-
ceived the endorsements which compelled
the Federal forces to retire, and they had just
fallen back from the camp. Col Wcntz but
a short time previous, was urging his men to
deeds Of valor 10y referring to the battle OF
Wilson'S Cyal, Sovjpr
"rhe Iowa First did we'll at Springfield,
but the Seventh are cqualing them"
When he fell mortally wounded, the men
sprung to bear him away, but he forbad;
them saying "Let me alone, boys; want to
tie on the battlefield" These we've his la t
words.
The next dry the wife of Col. Wentz OBJ
tai ,cd pass from one Of the staff officers,
and went to Columbus on the steamer Mem
phs for the body of her husband Every
courtesy the occasion demanded was paid her
by the rebel officers A Lieutenant Colonel
of one of their regiments accompanied her to
the battle field, where she found the body,
robbed of its clothing. and ordered it taken
to the boat, ON which it returned to Cairo.