The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-08-24
The First Iowa Regiment.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL. MERRITT, OF THE ylRsf
IOWA REGIMENT.


OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL MERRITT, OF THE FIRST
IOWA REGIMENT.
j. N. ScHoyIRLD, Acting Adjutant General:
DEAR SR:-I have the honor to submit the
following report Of the part taken by the Iowa
troops in the late holly contested battle of
" Wilson's Creek"
At 6 o'clock, p. NJ, Of the 9th inst, the First
Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, under command
Of Lieut.. Col. W. H. Merritt, Col. j. F. Bates
being sick, united with the forces at Springfield,
under command of Gen. Lyon, and commenced
the march to Wilson's creek, twelve miles dis
tant. Arriving within three miles of the enemy's
camp and in close proximity of their pickets,
the order was given to halt The troops lay on
their arms until o'clock, q. m, of the 10th
inst, when they advancnd on the enemy's lines.
About o'clock, a. M, our advanced skirmish.
ers engaged the enemys pickets and drove them
in. The First Missouri and First Kansas Volun-
teers, and battalion of regular Infantry under
command of Capt Plumber, with Totten's Bat.
terry, very soon engaged considerable number
of the Rebel forces.
Dubois battery took . position a short dis.
lance east Of where the enemy we're being en-.
gagged, and the Iowa troops were drawn up in
line of battle on its left. A brisk fire was COM
menced and kept up for thirty minutes The
enemy responded promptly with battery in
the ravine, but their shot passed from ten to
one hundred feet over our heads. Detailed
Company D, First Lieut.. Keller commanding,
and Company E, First Lieut.. Abercrombie com.
handing, to act as skirmishers in advance of my
line. Ordered to advance over the hill, en-.
gage the enemy and relieve the lst Regiment OF
Kansas volunteers. III advancing to engage the
enemy, met the LIST Kansas retreating in confu-
sion. They broke through our line on the right.
separating Companies A. and f. from the balance
of the command. While in this confused state
received a lnurderous Are from the enemy's in
fantry. Gave the command to fall back and re.
form the line. The din of firearms and the
loud talking of the retreating troops drowned
my voice, 80 that the command could not be
heard on the left Led the two companies, A.
and +. over the hill halted them and ordered
them to about face and fire on squad of the
enemy's cavalry, advancing to charge on . Sec
ton Of Totten's battery. The FIRE was executed
with promptness and effect, and after receiving
the discharge from the battery, the enemy re-
tied in double quick time, leaving number of
dead and wounded on the field. Ordered COM
panies A and B to help their position until
further orders, and then returned to companies
I, G, H, X, G and B. who had been left facing
the enemy's line found our troops advancing
under CALLING fire from the enemys infantry.
After repulsing the enemy they fell back in good
to the rear and take command OF four compa-
MES, A, F, D, and +, there stationed. Held
our position in front for five hours, alternately
advancing and retiring a. the approach aud re-
pulse of the enemy made it necessary to do So
In every charge the enemy made, We repulsed
them and drove them into the ravine below
About IL o'clock, M, the order was given to re-.
tire from the field, which was done in good or.
der. A We retired over the hill, VIC passed
section of Totten's battery, occupying a com.
handing point to the right, supported on the
right by companies A, F, D and E, of the Iowa
troops, under command of Major Porter, and on
the left by one company of regular infantry un.
der command of Captain Lathrop This com.
mand sustained our retreat with great GOODNESS
and determination, under a most terrific dis.
charge from the enemy's infantry. After the
wounded were gathered up, our column formed
in order of march, and the enemy repulsed. the
battery and infantry retired in good order. Thus
closed one of the most hotly contested engage
ments known to the country, commencing TWEEN.
ty minutes after o'clock, a. m, and concluding
twenty minutes after IL o'clock, H., in which
the enemy brought to the Geld $4,000 we'll arm
ed and well disciplined troops, and 10000 ire.
gular troops, and our own amounted to about
5000 troops in the early part of the engagement
and considerably less than four thousand troops
for the concluding four hours Of it.
1t 10 with great pleasure that acknowledge
the valuable aid..and assistance from Major A B.
Porter, Adjutant George W. Wadron, who was
wounded in the leg, and Sergeant Major Charles
Compton; and to express my unbouaded admi
ration of the heroic conduct displayed by both
officers and men. No troops, regular or volun.
teer, ever sustained their country's flag with
more determined valor and fortitude they have
crowned themselves with impershable honor.
and must occupy conspicuous place in the his.
tory Of their country.
list of the killed, missing and wounded will
be found attached to this report, together with
such notices of individual prowess as were OBJ
served on the field.
Before concluding this report must bear ties.
nmony 70 the gallant and meritorious conduct
fell in charge, at the head of his company.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
WILLIAM b. MERRITT.
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding