Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-07-26
Full Account Of the Fight at Monroe
CORRESPONDENCE CT THE GAZETTE.
CnlLLICoTuE, July II, /

Full Account Of the Fight at Monroe.
CORRESPONDENCE CT THk GAZETTE.
CnILLrcoruE, July II, 1861.
You, no doubt, have all heard of the fight
at Monroe Static from the various new spa
per accounts that have been given of the az
far the past week, some of which it would
be difficult for one to recognize.
On the 9Th of July we took the train and
proceeded to Palmyra. We, that is, part
Of six companies of the Iowa Sd and por.
ton Of the Illinois troops, in all numbering
perhaps little less than $50 men, with one
field piece, a six-pounder On the evening
of the 9Th We returned as far as Monroe Sta
ton, intending to 60 out TO a secession camp
some 6 miles from the Station, near place
called Florida. We got out Of the cars and
Immediately made preparations for march,,
not waiting for our supper, but intending to
make force march for the place of destina-
ton. Just as We were ready to start it com.
menced raining, raining! no, it poured down,
and by the time we were wet to the hide we
were ordered to 60 into the cars, so in we
went, and there remained, sleeping as we
could in our wet clothes until morning, when
after hastily swallowing little bread and
raw pork we started for Florida. It was al.
most an interposition of Providence the rain
occurred and prevented our march in the
evening, for a surprise would have been i'm.
possible. and the force Of the rebels under
the command of Owen and Harris, was much
larger than we had any idea Of
which Eap
country, we continually came in sight of
scouts, so that we were certain that the ene-
my were perfectly posted upon our move
ments. After marching some ten miles we
came to hill covered with timber, up this we
column reached the opening, word came back
that the enemy were drawn up in line of bat
tie on the prairie before u.s. We took not
double quick step, but a run up the hill, out
upon the prairie, in the heat of the day, and
formed ourselves into line of battle. And
this was or first experience in forming in
line with the expectation that the enemy
would fire into US from the woods just in adj
vance of us, bat no enemy appeared, and we
had our labor for nothing. So we sent back
for our blankets. which in our hurry we had
thrown down by the yside, and after rest
ing prepared to move on. 1t seems that
there was an advance guard Of some 80
horsemen drawn up, which were seen by the
advance guides, but as soon as we began to
appear they disappeared, and we saw moth
ing more of them for sometime. Taking up
our line Of march again we went on some
thing less than mile, and halted for lunch
of bread and raw pork.
After rest of perhaps two hours, we
started and passed on for two OF three miles
meeting with no incident of interest-only
that we observed upon all sides line of
scouts observing our movements, and occa-
sionally good Union man would pass thro'
our line and scan our numbers. At length
we came upon long trail road leading in
the direction of Florida; a long this we passed.
At the end of this road it proved to be inter.
sected by lane upon the right, and upon
the other side of the road were two tall stone
chimneys, the ruins of former dwelling
house, also, an old house with high garden
fence, in the junction of the lane and road
there were also to old leg barns, and back of
all was thick forest descending rapidly.
When We were within five rods of the cross
lane we were suddenly fired upon by the foe
from behind the fences, buildings and woods,
we halted little. as you may have seen a
balky horse sometime, formed into line and
immediately began to reply to their fire,
where ever a man showed his head. The
bullets whistled around our heads but the
boys stood the fire well, and all were eager
to get shot at the foe. The firing lasted, per-
haps ten minutes, when our cannon sent a
grist of shot and grape down among the fem
ces and bushes, and in a short time none
hat IT,in 70 hn NJ
ont scouts, who brought in 7 horses and
drove in or prisoners, but they had been
to mill and were just returning home, though
strange to say, they had forgotten their grist,
We had none killed, but three wounded
one Capt. McAllister, was quite severely
wounded, three buck shot having hit him
he is, however, doing finely, or was at last
reports, and no doubt will in short time be
able to join his coppany. Wewounded one
of the rebels MORALLY, and he stated that
some four or five others were as severely
dealt with. And this was our first fight
Learning from reliable sources that there
were some 1000 rebels in camp, with artill
cry, and many of us having but four or five
rounds of cartridges each, it was thought best
not to advance further, so resting ourselves
until nigh shutdown, we commenced retro
grade march, going back some two miles, we
entered wheat field, taking the cut grain
for beds, and laying down with cur arms at
our side, in line OF battle, without even
soldiers rude supper, and slept undisturbed
until morning, when taking little repast of
what little provisions we had, which consist.
ell of little dried beef, pork and few crack
ers, we started for Monroe Station, marching
slowly and cautiously and keeping good
Coming up to piece Of woods and
cross road, situated not unlike the place Of
our first skirmish, we found that an ambus-
cade had been laid for us, but one volley
from the cannon sent them from their cover,
some tumbling from their horses, and making
in fact very laughable appearance. We
had no further adventures with the rebels,
until we arrived within two miles of Monroe
where we found some 200 cavalry drawn up
in line Of battle, and making a show for
fight We Nfmed line to receive them at
the point Of the bayonet, if necessary The
first shot from our cannon unhingeda horses
hind leg. and the brave bridge burners took
a hasty retreat. In five minutes not one was
to be seen.
But they did their Legitimate business, for
some two hours before, they set fire to
train of twenty cars and the depot buildings.