The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-12-30

TUESDAY, DEFENDER 80.
HEADQUARTERS l9rH Iowa NoL's,
Camp Prairie Grove, Dee. 10, 1862.


to you the part that the 18th Regimen
took in the late battle Of the eth instant
The 10Th Regiment, 500 strong, was
ordered into line of ba tile at IL o'clock
NJ. Lieut.. t<,l Mcfarland commanding
BY order of Col. O-me three companies
were detached and depIoyed as skirmish-
ers. The companies we're A. B and G,
and owing 10 the circumstances Lieut.
Root, the acting Adjutant Of the Regi-
mept, was ordered 10 take command,
which was done, the skirmishers advanc-
ing under heavy fire to a corn field on
the right of Co. l., Isl Mo- Reg't Artil-
lery, and were ordered to hold it at all
hazards, which was done until ordered 10
fail back and form in line OF battle. The
Regiment was then ordered to advance to
the left of the White House on the bill to
support the 20th Wisconsin which was
holly engaged The 18th, led by Lieut..
Col. Nj Farland, advanced up the hill
steady and across the orchard back Of
the house where The 2o'h Wis. gave way
the l9.h still advancing to the fences
adjainIng the woods when the enemy who
lay concealed arose to their feet, B regi-.
ments deep, pouring destructive fire on
us from three sides which caused tho regi-
ment to wave and fall back to the bat
terry on the left of the road leading up the
hill. Lieut.. COL Mcfarland here fell shot
through the body. then took command
and rallied what was left of the regiment,
las the reg't met with a severe loss in the
charge | then left the men that had
raj led in charge of Capt Roderiek, Of Co.
k,and went to rslly some scattered troops,
when Col. Orme rode up and ordered
Capt Roderick to fall in and rally with the
Gath Ills, which he done, led by Colonel
orme In person, driving the enemy back
with great slaughter and held their posi-
ton until ordered to fall back and reform.
In the retreat Of the Goth Wis. the color
bearer was shot, letting fall the colors,
when the enemy made desperate effort to
ge' ~, but portion Of the 18th rallied. |
anu getting possession OF il. carried il off |
the field with them.
In making out this report it is with |
pleasure 1 can say tie officers and men
behaved nobly and fought desperately, as
II the fate of the battle depended on him
alone. Twill mention especially Capt. Rod
erick, OF Go. K, whom left in charge of
some scattered troops, also Capt. Rich
mond, of 90. H, and Capt. Taylor. ofC
u also, Lieut.. Brooks, of Co. |. who
brought the colors off the field, and in do
Ing so was badly wounded. Others are
equally meritorious, but are too hume rous
to mention at present.
The report of the detachment of skirm-
lshers give to you as received.
10 MAJOR Kent, Cop4eFg 1871 Regimeot
Iosca Volunteers
SIR Having been ordered to t.l.
command OF the three companies of
sklrmlshers on the 7th, the day of battle
advanced them to the right of bat
terry n, of the lst Mo, where the r;,bt
wing, under Capt. Bruce, was attacked nv
superior force of the enemy, but few
well directed shots drove them hack ri
would here notice the bravery of Canta;n
bruce ana the men under him. After
advancing up near the wood the enemy
came out OF cover showing heavy body
! OF infantry and two battaliions of cavalry
iney met with warm reception from the
right under Capt. Bruce which made them
scatter AT thls time got an order from
Col. Orme 10 fall back TO the cor, Ola |
80 as 70 let the batteries shell the woods
which was done in good order and held |
untli ordered TO join the Regiment.
lolgned,J R. RooT. Lieut.
Cond'g Skirmishers
on the morning of the sth | was ord
cred into line at 6 o'clock and advanced
across the creek and formed in line of
battle and advanced up thronoh, tho
timber on the left Of the Goth Wis, Iv.o
then ordered to occupy the fence east ofl
the house, which ! did, crossing part of the
ground that was fought over the dav j..
lore. occupied the position until ord
cred to fall back SO as to lie. both sides
nave chance to collect their dead I
selected an advantageous piece of ground
ana occupied 1t until ordered into camp
Below is list Of the killed, wounded
and missing of the 18th Regiment com.
nehclng with the field aud staff and then