Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-03-18
col. TUTTLE'3 hEIV"l
y, -. Act: on Before Fort Done''0


psfore Fort DonelsOn.
-xas 70 Iowa INFANTRY,
HsApouAn. Tenn, Feb. 18th, }
Cor. &c. LAuMAS, COMA
! BRIGADE "a ro
Co,osrL.-I have the hoLcor 70 *. "a
port to you the part which my con w. w. ~
took in the capture of this place. -
"a Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers
were transported up the Cumbcrland
river on the steamer McGiIl, and landed
about three miles below the fort on the
l4,h inst. and Immediately marched to
the headquarters of Gen. Smith, where |
arrived about IL O'Clock, A. NJ. OF the
same day, and was by Gen. Grant as
signed to Gen. Smiths Division, and oy
Gen. Smith to your Brigade. When
we arrived at the top Of the bill, nearly
! opposite the right ofthe enemy's works,
in pursuance of an order from you, !
deployed companies A and b as sk'r-
mishers. They mediately crossed
ravine il trout Of our line, and skirmish-
ed until night, when they were called
| in. In the meantime, the regiment was
assigned position on the extreme left OF
oar forces, where we spent cold and
disagreeable night, without tents or
blankets. We remained in this position
until two O'Clock, p. NJ, Of the next
day, when we were ordered to storm the
fort;fications of the enemy in front by
advancing the left wing OF the regiment,
supported short distance in the rear
by the right wing. took command OF
the left wing in person, and proceeded
in line of battle steadily up the hill un-
til VIC reached the Notifications, without
firing gun. On scaling the works, we
found the enemy flying before us, except
a few, who were promptly put to the
bayonet. then gave the order to fire,
which was responded to with fatal pre-
cision, until the right wing, with Lieut..
Col. Baker, arrived, headed by General
Smith, when we formed in line OF battle
again, under a calling fire, and charged
on the encampment across the ravine,
in front, the enemy still retreating be-
fore us. After we reached the summit
of the hill beyond the ravine, we made a
stand, and occupied it for over an hour.
In the meantime, the enemy were being
reinforced, and one of our own regi-
ments poured disastrous fire upon us
in the rear. Our ammunition being
nearly cxhausted,I ordered my command
, to fall back to the entertainments, which
they did steadily and in order. am
not able TO name the regiment that fired
upon our rear, but do know that the
e greater part of the casualties we re.
ceivcd at that point was from that source
, for | myself saw several of my men
fall, who know were shot from the
hill behind US. We then took our posi-.
ton behind the intrenchments, aud soon
afterwards, owing to an injury received,
as reported among the casualties of the
engagement, retired from the field,
leaving Lieut.. Col. Baker in command,
until the following morning. During
the night our pickets, who were posted
in the cnemy's camp, were fired upon
several times, but, with that exception,
all remained quiet until morning, when
tho enemy gave signal for parley
which was succeeded by tie joyful in.
telligenco that they had surrendered
5 the fort. We were then ordered by
: Gen. Smith to take the post Of honor, in
, marching to the fort, where we planted
our colors upon the battements beside
the white flag of the enemy, tor which
generous consideration he has our hear.
ty thanks. When come to speak OF
5 those who particularly distinguished
themselves for GOODNESS and bravery, sc
many examples occur to me that it seems
invidious to make distinctions. OF those
/, few who were in the most responsible
f positions, Lieut.. Col. Baker, Major
Chapman and Adjutant Tuttle, to say
that they were cool and brave woulC
not do them justice. They were gallant
to perfection. Lieut.. Col. Baker had ,
# bali to pass through his cap and come
: out near his temple. Major Chipmar
was among the first to fall severed,
: wounded, while cheering on the men O
> the left wing, and refused to be carried
= from the field, but waived his swort
q and exhorted the men to press forward
@ Captains Slaymaker and Cloutman fel
dead at the head OF their companies bo
fore they reached the intrenchments
. near them also tell Lieut.. Harper. Iii
\ death was that Of true and gallan
d soldier. Captains Cox, Mills, Moor
and Wilkin were at the heads of thei
), companies, marked examples Of gallant
ry and efficiency. Lieutcnants Scofield
0 Ensign, Davis, Holmes, Huntington
d Weaver, Mastick, Snowden and Coo
IF frey, in fact nearly all my officers, com
N missioned and non-commissioned, dc
D. ported themselves nobly throughout tn
:. engagement. Sergeant Major Brawne
~ deserves very honorable mention for hi
10 gallant conduct. Surgeons Marsh an,
c. Nassau also deserve the highest prais
- for their skill and untiring devotion to tn
= welfare Of the wounded. Doctor Nassa
:. was particularly noticed for his drawer
20 on the field. l cannot omit in tbis rcnor,
o, an account Of the color guard: Colo
ut Sergeant Doolittle fell early in the On
ID gagement, pierced by four balls. an,
dangerously wounded the colors wer
then taken up by Corporal Page, compa
lie ny Is, who soon fell dead thew ver
II. again raised by Corporal Churchill, com
h pauy J, Who had his arm broken iu.t a
he entered the intrenchments, when the
~ were taken by Corporal Twombley com
70 pauy F. who was almost instantly knock
If ed down by spent ball. but he jmme