Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-10-23
rrespondcnce of the Charles City IntelIigcncer
Letters From the Army.
COMPANY X. Sd Iowa INFANTRY,
Rn1iyar Tenn Dct q 1912

FRIEND HuDRETH At . O'Clock A. NJ.
Oct 4th, the Fourth Division common
ccd its march for the river liatchie.
We had three days rations, blanket,
and forty rounds of cartridges, being
in light marching order. 1t was the
intention TO cut off the retreat of the
rebels under Price, who were retreat
ing from Corinth. We marched 26
miles and halted for the night. Our
advance skirmished all day with the
enemy's cavalry. At night we slept
on our arms. On the next morning
we were joined by Major General Ord
and Staff. Gen. Ord took command
Of the forces, composed of the 4th and
part of the Cd Divisions, previously
commanded by Major General Hurl.
but. ......
1t was fine Sabbath morning when
VIC awoke with the reveille and form
ed for the struggle which we knew
must take place ere the set of sun.
Little did our friends at that time
think, as they bowed themselves and
brcathed prayer for the absent, of
the fierce and terrible struggle in the
woods of Tennessee, that sabbath morn
ing!
At y o'clock A. NJ, the scouts hav-
ing driven in the cnemy's vidette's, re.
ported a large force of infantry sta
toned in and around large log house
a gun was ordered forward to shell
them from the position. AS its dis
charge sounded through the woods it
told that the Battle of DAVIS FoRD had
commenced
The battery threw two incendiary
shells and fired the building, which
soon compelled the enemy to retire.
The Second Brigade, under General
Vcatch, now crowded the enemy and
they sullenly fell back. From every
bill their cannon Numbered From
every thicket they had to be forced by
the bayonct. Thus they fell back un-
til they reached the brow of the semi
circular hill which overlooks the Ford.
Over the river, here, was a bridge
which they had not time to destroy.
On the hill they planted three bate
ries and formed their infantry into q
solid line ..-........ .s
At this time the First Brigade under
Gen. Lanman was ordered into action.
They constituted the reserve. 1t was
a fine sight to witness, as they march
ed straight forward in double files, not
needing the storm of shot and shell
whistling around them.
The Iowa Sd were placed in the ad-
vance, because" said Gen Lauman,
they can be depended upon" As
they came to the bridge the enemy
opened fire. 1t was awful +! Three
batteries and all his infantry fire were
concentrated at that point, and only at
half pistol shot Grape, canister
and musket balls fairly rained around,
and the water bubbled as though it
were hail, instead of balls, disturbing
it! Ord, Major General command
ing, fell severely wounded Vcatcl
is down, and over two-thirds of the
officers of the Sd Iowa are wounded
For one short moment those brave
troops faltcred But Hurlbut and Lau
man spurred to the front and cheerec
them on. Lauman raised himself in
his stirrups and exclaimed "Boys
remember Iowa. Forward Double
quick-march |" And, with cheer,
: the boys dashed on, with bayonets
fixed. A desperate struggle, hand to
hand-a terrible commingling of yclls,
cheers, oaths, and groans--now rat.
Ting volley, a wild, fierce charge--thc
enemy give away, and fall back, with
loss of their batteries, which by us
were dearly won.
After falling back a short distance,
the enemy formed new line but
now the batteries which had been pre-
vented from firing by our charge, were
brought up, ard sent such volley of
shells and grape that, at 4 O'Clock p NJ,
after burning His train, the enemy no.
we'd off to the South. We were too
much fatigucd at that time to follow.
Thus was fought and won the Bar
TIE OF DAVIS FORD.
Thus 5000 men, under Gen. Hurl-
but, defeated $4,000 men under Van
Dorm, Price and Lowell.
As the sun went down, the troops
formed in line, the bands struck up
Yankee Doodle, and the music rung
out sweetly, where q short time be-
fore all was tumult, carnage and dcs.
pcratc strife
The Fourth Division lost 700 killed
and wounded. They captured eleven
pieces of artillery, one thousand stand
of small arms and eight hundred pris-
oncrs. They compelled the enemy to
burn his train, captured his ammuni-
ton, also nine caissons and a large
supply of commissary stores.
For the part the Sd Iowa took in
the battle. they received the thanks of
Major Generals Ord and Hurlbut. and
Brig Generals Lauman and Vcatch.
The 3D. tried to do their duty, and it
was gratifyingto be told by their Gen
erals that they did do it. Col. Trum-
bull was cool and brave. as usual.
lie is the most popular, and has the
confidence Of the regiment, more than