Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-04-25
Correspondence of the Gazette.
From the Third Iowa Infantry,
rITTs1CRG TENN.. Anril 18th.

rirrs1rRG TENN, April 5th 1862.
Last night for the first time for long while,
the long roll was beaten. There was a Skin
miSh out some three miles from us. The
Third sprang to their arms. The long sick
list disappeared in an instant, and almost
to a man, each soldier shouldcrcd his musket
Lieut.. Wayne got up from his sick cot, and
buckled on his sword and started with us,
but Capt. Smith discovered him and ordered
him back to his tent, whittier he went ike a
lion growing and raging to his lair. We
marched out about one and fourth miles,
when news came that the scene had closed
for the evening, and through the mud we re-
turned to our camp. Itappears that recon
noticing party Of the tncmy came within
our lines, but all that can learn this morn
ing is, that they met with some loss and that
we took ten prisoners.
Sunday, April 6th.-Thc battle commenced
carly in the morning, taking our forces by
surprise. No preparation for the coming
struggle had been made. No line Of battle
formed, and some Of the regiments that had
been in service but a short time were station.
ed upon the outer lines, and still more strange,
one Of these regiments had no cartridges with
them, but were ordered out to prepare their
camp ground. The first intimation they had
of the fight, was voley of muskcty from
the rebels. Of course they were obliged to
run, and this added to the confusion. How
general commanding the number Of troops
that we had here, could allow force of one
hundred thousand or more to steal upon him
may well be asked. The fight commenced a,
seven o'clock, and Gen. Grant was not upon
the field until about half past ten. The figh,
ragged for miles around all day long, and there
was the continual rattle of muskctry and
the booming Of cannon from morning until
dark. But unprepared as we were our lines
were gradually lessened and our forces driven
back to the river. . The ground was disputed
almost inch by inch, and some Of the time a,
different points, the enemy were obliged to
retire, but this would result in our own troops
being thanked in the end. By four o'clock ir
the afternoon it became evident that we were
being effectually beaten, and that nothing but
the arrival of fresh troops could save the
whole army from being taken. Fortunately
Gen. Buel arrived upon the opposite side o.
the river at this time, and signified that il We
could hold our last stand for an hour he coulG
throw in three thousand fresh troops. The
position was held and in less than an hour
Buell. was on the field with this small force
and with them saved the day. The enemy
were obliged to wait, and if they conquered
us, must take another day. All the nigh,
long, fresh troops were coming in, and by
day light, Buell. had thrown across the river
fifteen thousand men. As they came across
they took up their position in line Of battle
and when daylight appeared, the rebels were
not a little surprised in being attacked by oul
forces. And now came fearful struggle
and the fight was renewed by both sides with
determination upon either part, to win the
fortunes Of the day. Gradually the enemy
were obliged to fall back to positions they had
won from us the day before, and here and