The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-10-11

arms- Galantry of tie 18Th Iolrn--Are
ordered to retreat three times before they do
So Then form a ne1c Tine Of battle
What Gen. Mexican and Col. Crocker say
Of them.
On the morning Of the 18th instant,
before breakfast, our brigade, the Sd, all
Iowa troops, we're ordered out in line of
battle-being stationed some two and a
half miles west of Corinth--and were i'm
mediately marched out in northerly di
rection. Soon we heard heavy volleys of
musketry and firing from the artillery
guns in one of our forts near in rapid sue
ce.sion. This firing of musketry was not
from our brigade, but west and in front
where they were stationed.
During the afternoon, however, our
skirmishers having discovered the po-
sition of the enemy, gradually rctreated,
the enemy pursuing them. They came
on in Overwhelming numbers perfect
avalanche of butter-nuts- of
victory and sure of success. The 18th
Iowa under Lieut.. Colonel Belknap, and
the 10th under Lieut. Col Saunders were
posted in advance to meet their charge
Colonel Reid was very sick confined to his
bed with severe attack of bilious fever.
Colonel Chambers has gone home, being
severely wounded at Iuka. The l5th was
posted in advance of the 10th, the 18th
and 18th being posted in the rear on the
right of the 10Th as . reserve. On come
the "secesh" of "Mr. Prices company"
Our troops were stationed on ridge and
were ordered to "keep cool and receive
their fire till the enemy came in full
view" 1t was hard to "keep cool'' I'M
der the circumstances. Many itched to
shoot, but all held their mules" till the
rebels discovered us and fired, when It,
Col. Belknap gave the order "iet them
haze il''-and such another volley as the
"bully boys of the 18th gave them has
not been heard since the ever memorable
battle Of Shiloh. The very earth trembled
with the shock. Then came 'loading and
firing at will, and great lanes were
moved IN the ranks of the "butter-nuts'
who tumbled fall or limped of, bowling
with wounds in every direction. but the
hoarse voices of their officers were heard
"close up and their places were filed by
others. In fact there seemed to be no.end
to them-thcy wavered, but were urged
on by those behind. But the gallant 9th
held their ground, nearly every man fight
ing and hurrahing. Three times they
were ordered to retreat and form new
line. Lieut.. Col. Belknap rode up and
down the lines while a hail storm Of rebel
bullets rained about, fearless of any per-
sonal danger, telling them to stand up to
the work but they wanted no urging to
do it. AT the third order to retreat, 1t.
Col. Belknap told item 10 fall back to
their new line. and like veterans they fell
back fighting as they retrsated. When We
came to the new line the colors were plant
cd, halt ordered when the whole regi-
ment again "fell in" to line and faced the
enemy. General Mexican was present
during the fight and saw them. and said
of the 18th forming new line of battle
that "that was one Of the most difficult
thing among regulars-he never saw
regulars do it better" Col. Croker, too.
said all the other regiments we're good
regiments, but there IS The l 5th, II has done
rhat no other regiment has done-they
ron't retreat uheu they are ordered.
Our loss in that engagement in killed
was sixteen and wounded 46, as far a,
ascertained. Among the killed are Lieut.
Kinsman, of company C, Lieut.. Cathcart
Of company G, Lieut.. Eldridge, Of com.
pany X. Capt. Hanks and Major Cunning.
ham, were slightly wounded. enclose
you an imperfect list of the wounded
Lieut.. Col. Belknap. of whose gallant bear
ing all speak in the highest terms, was no,
1
hurt. The second day the fourth brigade
supported the batteries at one of the fort,
near town which was not attacked.
have been Frustrated since the battle Of
Iuka with fever and ague, and am SO very
feeble that / cannot be up, but q few