The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-10-01
CAMP NEAR JAcrSro, MISS.
September %, 1869.


Nh. EDIroR.-You will probably have
heard some time ere you receive this of
the battle Of luka; but perhaps a few par
tIculats from one who was in the fight,
mny not be unnteresting to your readers
Our Division (Gen. Rosecrans') started
from camp near Jaein.o and Rienza OH the
morning of the 18th, and marched out
toward the right of luka to engage the
enemy in the rear, while Grant, with the
Cornth forces, was to attack them in
front AT about two O'Clock we commence
ed driving in their pickets, and ut about
four the battle commenced, and lasted till
after dark. The firing ceased at abou,
eight o'clock. The battle, altho' short,
was one of the fercest Of the war 1t was
the third engagement had been in, and
| never faced such deadly, terrible show
or If bullets as did at one time in the
short contest at Iuka. The heaviest of
the fighting was done by Iowa troops
the 9th. 10th, 10th and 18th bearing the
brunt Of the battle. They were tho first
in and the last out. They suffered severe
ly, their loss being heavier than all the
other regiments in the fight. The Iowa
Fifth has crowned itself with immortal
honors, and added new laurels to the
many ALREADY won by the troops from our
young and gallant State. They were
stationed where the battle rage the derc.
est, supporting the 18th Ohio battery,
which had been once taken BY the rebels,
and re-taken By this gallant regiment af-
ter regiments were thrown upon them, TO
drive them from their position, but the
brave boy repulsed them at every charge.
with great slaughter. and held their
ground until darkness ended the contest.
Our regiment the 18th Iowa) although
young, and fighting under embarrassing
circumstances. did its duty bravely and
nobly. Our field officers were disabled
shortly after the commencement Of the
battle. COL Rankin had his horse shot
from under him, one of his shoulder straps
knocked of, and his holsters carried away.
His horse, in falling, throwed him on his
head and disabled him for the fight. The
command then devolved upon Capt. Ar
cher, who led us on beyond the lth Ohio
battery, which, by this time, was the most
terrible wreck ever bchcld; dead horses
were almost piled on top of each other,
and dead, dying and wounded men lay
strewn around among the broken wheels,
ammunition boxes and smoked up Gals
sons, forming u sight which was slckening
to behold. just beyond this battery,
while advancing, amid the almost depart
ed twilight, we ran almost face to face
with rebel regiment, and as soon as their
flag was seen, poured into them terri
Bile volley, which they Immediately re-
turned. Here Capt. Archer fell. and we
were again without q commander. The
men commenced falling back, but were
rallied again BY Capt. Young who took
command Of the battalion. BY this time
we found ourselves in one of the most
trying positions soldier can bo placed, re-
eeiving Calling cross FIRE and no chance
of returning it. The Iowa Fifth in front
of US, stationed in an angling position to-
wards our right, and the Iowa Tenth in
the samo position Oh ouI .eii, which LETT
US right at the focus of the cross fire upon
the two regiments. To stand up and live
seemed impossible. Gen. Sullivan came
up at this time. and seeing our critical
position ordered rs to lay down. When
ordered to our feet again ii was too dark
to distinguish our own men. The seth
Ohio coming up to our relief mistook us
for rebel regiment and poured into us q
volley which was impossible for human