The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-04-30
Army correspondence.
PIrTsBURG LANDING, Tenn.
RIVER, April 10th. 1862.

place. III oecesS'a 10 WHICH the puolc mas
been looking with anxiety than this point
the late late scene Of the most terrible
battle fought on this continent-astruggle
in which were engaged the very best men
of the Northwest against superior force
Of the picked regiments Of the Southern
army and under the leadership Of their pet
General Beauregard. As you have before
this received full particulars Of the fight,
I will not 80 into any detailed account, for
being myself injured and taken prisoner
on Sunday night Of the FIRST days fight,
I had little opportunity Of witnessing that
Of Monday, although l was situated at
times between the fires OF both parties with
a shower Of shell and shot crashing all
around me.
The third Iowa was in Gen. Hurlbut's
division, first brigade, and situated upon
the extreme risht-Col Williams com.
handing the brigade. Shortly after the at
tack, which was made early OH Sunday
morning, this division was ordered forward
to support the center Of the line Of battle
which was wavering under the runous fire
from the enemy. Here we held the rebels
in check for four long hours against fearful
odds, amid perfect torrent of shell, grape,
and musketry. Pcrceiving an effort to
flank US by the enemy, We were obliged to
fall back gradually, at the same time giving
them back regular fire. however they con-
tinued to press upon our right with their
overwhelming force, supported by heavy
field batteries which were making sad hav-
oc upon our lines, scattering death in every
direction. Seeing that it was their object
| to cut US off entirely, an order was given
to retreat which was executed in good or
der, to point where the fire of the gun
boats with that of a battery Of heavy siege
guns prevented any further approach of the
enemy. In this retreat our regiment pass
ed over their old camp ground, the tents
having been dropped to enable our bate
ries to get better range Of their pieces-and
it was here that we encountered most ter.
rifle cross-fre of musketry and rifle shot
from the left and rear, making at that peri
cd our ono. happy and cotton village no
desirable place Of sojourn.
Owing to an obstinate ball which had
pcrsistently got stuck in the center Of my
muskct barrel, and could be forced neither
one way nor the other, had stopped lit
tie way behind at different intervals, behind
different trees, trying different experiments
to get my "masheen" in shooting order, but
in vain, when seeing gun a short distance
ahead Of me, I dropped the obdurate fire
lock, and selling the other started on big
double quick to regain my regiment. 1t
was fearful race and miraculous one, as
the bullet holes in my blouse will testify.
had gained small ravine in the direction
Of the rvtreating party when squad Of ar
tilery came dashins down the slope, and
was inadvertently knocked over by the nor
SEES, and one of the wheels Of the caisson
passed over my back. This accident left
me stunned for time, and though doing
no serious injury to my person, yet detain-
ed me long enough for party Of secesh to
com" up and bag me a prisoner. l was
treated by them as kindly as circumstances
would permit and with six or eight wound
ed of our regiment was conducted near a
large tree and guard was posted oSer the
place. 1t was here that the further prog
rcss Of the enemy upon our rttreating
troops was effectually checked by the MUIR
derous fire from our gunboats and land bat
terry.
1t was an awful moment. Buell. had only
just arrived, and his forces had not yet
crossed the river. Hundreds Of our men
had become panic stricken, and were rush
ing in fearful confusion towards the trans
ports, many jumping into the river and a
number drowning in their mad attempts at
flight. To the credit Of the Hawkeye state
be it spoken that none Of her troops were
in the stampede which was nigh proving so
disastrous. On the contrary they have gain
cd the credit of being the best troops in the
field ; and for their gallant fighting on Sun
day and Monday have elected the warmest
encomiums from those high in command.
There is no lodging the fact that had it
not been for the gunboats our cause was
hopeless the first day, and our whole force
would have been obliged to surrender, or
be driven into the river. In the fullness of
my gratitude then, am almost constrained
to the opinion that should fate ordain that
should ever enter the state Of COMMUNAL
blessedness, and Providence smile upon me
in the way of a pledge, SHOULD unhesitat-
ingly christen it "GUNBoAT," without any
| special reference to sex or calibre.
had little opportunity on Monday of
witnessing the fight, which was complete
| victory on our side, and resulted in the rout
of the enemy with fearful slaughter, and
the capture Of many of their cannon and
small arms abandoned in their rapid flight.
Our regiment foaght bravely, making one
splendid bayonet charge, capturing bate
ry and driving the rebels before them. The
loss of the Sd Iowa in the whole engage
ment was over two hundred in killedsand
wounded. Col. Williams was injured in
the early part of the day by his horse fall
ing upon him, killed by a cannon ball. -
Capt. Letfingwell was struck in the breast
by piece OF shell, though inAicting, as his
many friends will be happy tolearn, no Sc
rious injury, it was nevertheless "very
clus." There was only one officer killed in
the regiment, yet there are two-thrds of
them wounded. Maj. Stone, Lieut's O'Neil
and Knight, and about one dozen priyates
were taken prisoners near their own camp.
The loss in our Co. c in killed and woun-
dcd is as follows:
Private McLoon, killed near camp.
Capt. Letfngwell, wounded in breast,
slight.
/ Sergeant Sparks wounded in the abdo-