The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-03-12

reacheatD3pe cOuiu see nlih Cooking MS
rifle, then turn his head around as much as
to say "kecp yer eyes peeled" Another
instant and his tall form was on the very
top Of the breastwo He discharged his
rifle in the face Of those in the trenches and
darted like an arrow, unhurt, back among
the fallen trees. "A shower Of balls were
rained at him, but too late. Several heads
appeared above the breasWorks, but "keep
yer eyes peeled was not Forgotten. Sew
eral hundred balls swept the works, and
many head sank behind them to rise no
more. "Nimrod" remained concealed till
night came on, when he returned in safety
to his comrades looking as unconcerned as
though his cowcatcher had never pointed
towards the enemy. This occurred on the
I left wing in front Of the Iowa 18th. -
During the day the weather had been
warm and pleasant, but the night proved to
be one Of the most severe. We were or
dercd to remain i'm our places all night.
Immediately after dark the rain poured
down in torrents till every article of our
clothing; was completely soaked 1t con-
tinued to rain till midnight when it turned
into snow, which soon gave place to Bit
ing frost I'VE had suffered before, but
xhow the word suffer will convey no idea of
what we endured. cannot describe it.
have felt it, and so must the reader in order
to realize what the Soldiers around Fort
Donclson endured that night. -
r The morning Of. the l4th broke upon us
cold and clear. As soon as it became light
we discovered that during the night the
rebels had strung logs along the top of the
works, and cut loop holes in them so that
with safety to themselves they could watch
our movements and pick off our men. The
day passed away with nothing gained The
gun boats had proved inefficient and it was
expected that on the morrow the land forces
would be ordered to charge upon the Fort.
The night came on as cold as the previous
one. Cold as it was, our men stood it like
old storm-t,ie,l veterans. The pious prayed
inwardly, and the profane sworo harder
than ever. Some lay down and Rugged
themselves as a last resort, and all warmed
themselves, prospectively, at the fires in the
Fort Little did many of our brave men
dream that the morrow would see them
colder than now:
With the first light Of the 9th the enemy
poured their legions with fury on our right
wing. Our forces, which were mostly
lllinoisans at this point, fought bravcly far
a time, but at last fell back, leaving the
rebels in possession Of a battery, and the
ground which they had held for two days.
| Other forces (WallaccsD were ordered for
ward, when, with the aid Of Taylor's bat
terry, the rebels were driven back, and the
: Most ground and battery re.taken. 1t is
useless to eulogize the fighting here, for
Nusticc. yes, more than stice has been
done the Illinois troops by Illinois journals
Illinois Generals, illinois Colonies, and
! Illinois soldiers have received all the praise
that blazing adjectives in the superlatiye
can give. Yet division was broken and
driven back, and regiments were scattered
in disorder. Nothing was gained, but
many soldiers lost. Bat the afternoon
gives us on the left charge that would
have done honor to the old Imperial Guard
of France, that sent terror and death into
the hearts of the rebels, and ended in a
0ict0ry none dare dispute.
At 4 o'clock, Col. I.auman was ordered
to charge with his brigade on the rifle pits
of the rebels Although that order was the
death knell to hundreds, it was received
with an exultant shout. The Iowa I'd was
ordered to lead the charge. At the com
mand "Forward!" Col futile waved his
sword and shouted Come on, my bully
boys!' 1t was enough. Each man felt
that electric, patriotic thrill rush through
his frame. They dashed up the hill-tore
themselves, through tangled brush and fall
en- trees and nelrcd rapidly the deadly rife
pits. The rebels reserved their fire till our
men were so near that every ball would ex-
ecute its fatal mission. Suddenly along
their lines blazed one broad fame of fire.
The firing at once became terrific. Can.
non, rifles, and musketry, opened at once
and belched forth their deadly contents in
the breasts Of those noble men. The sud
Il den shock caused not moments waycring
in their lines, though scores fell at the FIRST
fire. The firing only increased the rapili,y
of the charge. Onward they rushed, though
every step left a brother, son, or friend to
weller in his blood. Illinois writers, where
were your pencils then? Iowa struggles
for hundred rods IN the teeth Of three
fires on the right, another on the left,
while hell itself seemed to be pouring from
the center and no chance for revengc till
the breastworks are crossed and they Crap
pie hand to hand with the enemy. But the
distance was crossed. Half of the regi-
ment was only left, yet they poured over
the embankmcnt and killed the rebels by
hundreds while they struggled in the pits.
The traitors ran for their inner breastworks,
alsu u WAS Wt,he cio.s' ,ne n,'eIse.'n
space that 'hey pa'a '.e aeot Wh'c'l 'hey
mao just 'hcufrea-pa'a II win '".e'es.
po ,n, ana Compound.
Inc IOWA "a was Inc nrss 70 pant inc
STRIPES ana stars on .ns enemy breast
works works men inc ,1th IOWA, whlch wa. was
hela u, reserve, aiscoverea inc nag, thsy
co"ia pc neid noiohser.@f = - esessea
Coi. ood TO iea them go 10 .ne support OF
: amcir nlo'hers. ne .lorwala was granted.
Ing .he I'm sent up enc via shen' ana IN