The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-10-18
Letter From the 9TH Iowa.
RIENZI. Miss. Oct. IL. 1862

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Mr. EDrroR:-I beg room in your paper
fora short account of the battle at Corinth,
as witnessed it myself The ball opened
early on Friday morning on our left, before
our division arrived, which was under COM
mand of Gen. Davis. 4
Our brigade led the column which was com
manded by Gen. Hacke!man Weproceed.
ed through Corinth and about one mile west
where we formed line of battle, but the
enemy not being in view, Col. Rice was or
dered forward with his regiment and two
pieces Of artillery, as far as the old breast.
works, which the rebels made early last
spring. We felt our way slowly with Skin
mishers ahead, until wo got to the breast
works, and found no enemy, which was re-
ported to Gen. Davis. The whole division
was then moved UP, and took possession Of
the bitches, bnt all this time the fighting
was going OF, with the 9th Division on the
right. Our brigade took its position on the
right the 7th Iowa on the left of the brig
ade; the I'd Iowa the centre, and the SD
Illinois the right ~
will say here that we had battery of
four guns between the Cd and 7th Iowa.
The timber in front Of the breastworks had
been cut down for about four hundred yards
which gave us a very nice view of the whole
performance. Our skirmishers were sent
out in front over the fallen timber, bat did
not get far till they were fired into from the
opposite side. Our batteries soon opened
upon the enemy, filing the woods full Of
shell and grape. but the enemy seemed to
pay no attention to it. Here was the most
interesting sight I ever witnessed. The
rebels pouring in ovei the fallen timber by
thousands, while our bullets raked wide
gaps through their pressing columns, bat
soon the gaps were filed up, and they
pressed on. Finally they got in reach of
ihe musketry, which poured in hot ter
rife fire, but the yellow wretches still press
ed on. until they mounted the breastworks,
and charged the brigade on our left, which
thought gave way rather too easy, but had
they remained longer they would have near
iy all been slaughtered but we fell back in
good order, formed new line, and waited
the approach of the enemy. They soon
come aud formed line in front of US, at the
same time planted battery at very short
distance from our line, where we had bat
terry. The Infantry were ordered to lay
down, when the most terrific artillery fight
of the war took place. Oou regiment being
next to the battery, suffered more than any
in the brigade. 3scas
Both batteries kept up rapid fire until
they both run out of ammunition. Hundreds
of shells burst over and among our boys,
woupaing several Of them. Notwithstand-
ing heterrible fire to which our boys were
exposed, they behaved nobly, with the ex-
ception of a few, who run like hounds. =
The cannonading had ceased but moment,
when the rebel Infantry poured in upon US.
Col. PARROT remarked to Gen. Hackelman
that the rebels were coming down the hill
on double quick thicker than hops; the
General replied: We'll, give them the devil
Our boys hearing the remark, waited no
longer for the order to fire, but every one
pitched in, and must say that never saw
men fight cooler. / was in command of Co.
F, Capt Mahon not being able to march
Ny boys stood until the rebel flag was with
in 25 yards of them. II is with deep re.
greet that | am called upoa to record the
loss of eight of my brave boys, killed and
wounded. Alonzo Neighbor, that brave and
noble boy, was -hot through the breast
had sclactcd him TO at as Ser .eant on