The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-02-19

nCe, Col. w. H. l.. Wallace, commanding;
18th, Lieut.. Colonel Ransom command
ing; goth, Colonel G, Carroll Marsh; 45th,
Colonel Smith, and 4Sth, Col. Hainey,-I
all Illinois regiments, with Nc allister's
and Taylor's battery and four siege guns.
The attacking force of the enemy WIS
about $4,000 men. The position and
ground were such that not more than one
Of our regiments could operate at a time,
while the rebels could bring nearly their
whole force to bear against us. The FIRST
regiment to receive the rebels was the
18th, which fought with desperate cour-
age until ammunition became exhausted,
when they were forced to retire with loss
of officers and men, and were replaced by
the 9Th regiment, which fought with like
bravery, but they, too, were driven back
after disbursing their ammunition, and in
turn was replaced by the 18th, which also
fuii back IN turn. Meanwhile the ether
regiments were lending such feeble aid as
their position would admit. Lew. Wal
lace was then ordered to reinforce Gen.
McClernand, and he sent two brigades of
his division from the centre.
The 31st regiment, Col. Logan, fought
like veterans who had never had any other
occupation, and struggled in defending
Swar,z's battery under the most calling
fire of the enemy until every horse ut the
battery was killed with the officers who
had charge of the guns, as well as Lieut..
Colonel White. Captain Nghy, acting
Major, and seven Captains and number
of Iieutenants of the 3lst had been killed,
with Col, Logan wounded, and being
nearly surrounded by the rebels, Captain
Edwin McCook, who was left in command,
drew the regiment, or what remained OF
it, off the field, but not until their last
round was expended and they had began
to drive the rebels before them.
The second brigade now came up and
took the place of the retired one and
fought desperately. losing great number
in killed and wounded, when. with the
assistance of portion of Wallaee's divis-
| ion, the 49th and 59th Ohio, with Tay-
lor's battery, which was stationed on a
hill near by, as the rebels came up. they
/ opened FIRE upon them aud drove por.
ton of them back into their entrench-
ments, while large portion still occupied
the ground they had gained. The obiec,
Of the rebels evidently was to cut theil
way through our troops.
/ In the afternoon Gen. Grant saw ttat
something should be done to restore the
spirits of our disheartened troops, and or.
dered Gen. Smith to make an assault on
the west wing of the enemy's works.
Gen Smith, as quick as horse flesh could
bear him. rode along his lines and ordered
his men to prepare for charge, which
caused shouts of JOY to ring along hi
lines. Without moments unnecessary
delay Col. Lauman's brigade, the I'd and
7th Iowa and 18th and 18th Ind, charged
upon the enemy's redoubt, driving tbs
rebels before them at the point of the b y
onet like frightened sheep and gain |
possession of the outer works. Ger
Smith behaved like one inspired for moth
ing less than continual victories. III,
could be seen riding along the lines will
his hat swinging on top Of his sword
amid the thiekest of the fight. encour
aging his men and cheering them on I,
victory regardless Of the deadly missile
flying around him. The Colonel of til,
I'd Iowa was the first to mount the enc
my's works, with his men close in hi
wake. The storming of the works wa
complete. Our troops gained position
inside the works where they lay on the
arms all night prepared to follow u
their success in the morning, The I'll
Illinois, Col Cook, followed up a. a re
serve, and part of his regiment got int
action, while the balance acted as Skin
mishers with sharp shooters.
After Gen. Smith had gained his posi-
ton inside the encmy's entertainments
Gen. Grant sent word Of his success I
the right wing. and ordered Gen. NJ
Clernand and Wallace to renew their al
tack when the LIST and I'd brigades, whic
had been in the bloody affair in the morn
ing, with Netherlands division, and tw
: brigadcs of Wallace's division, made
: fresh assault upon the enemy. regaine
. the ground they had lost and pushed fo
ward close to the left of their fortifc,
ton. They lay on their arms, prepare
to act in concert with Gen. Smiths co
umn this. Sunday morning, when mo-
desperate attempt will be made to carr
the whole of the rebels batteries md fo
tifcations. We will either be in posse
! sion Of the Fort this noon or suffer Il
? most bloody defeat that ever befel an arm
!. : II is near six o'clock, yet i have heal
no firing of account this morning. Thel
: GEMS to be =, lull that is not understoo'
!, The following are among the killed an
! wounded: kiIlcd-Licut. Col. SmIl
4Sth Illinois. Lieut.. Col Cowan, 10,
! H., Lieut. Col. White, 3lst H.; woun,
!, ed--Col. John A. Logan, lst ILL.,, Sigh
i ly, Col. NJ K Lawler. 18th ILL.,, slight
:" Col. Carroll Marsh. 10Th Ill. sliphtl