The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-04-24

The following letter, written by Sergt.
Oldroyd to his relatives in this town,
giving the fate Of the Iowa l4th, will
be found quite interesting.
PIrTsBuEG LANDING, April 10th 'G2.
Dear--
have at last, found
a little time which gladly embrace to
pen you few lines and let YOU know
that am still alive and we'll Iou
have no doubt ere this heard Of the
hards and bloody battle which was
fought here on Sunday and Monday
last. could not, even it [ had the
time, give YOU full detail Of what
transpired under my own observation,
and YOU would not wish to hear it
But have sad news to break to you
and to the friends of my Companions
aud brother Soldiers. Last SIN lay
morning as we were preparing for in
spection as usual, we heard noise in
the distance resembling very much
heavy shower Of rain. and would have
thought it such, but the continual
booming Of the cannon in connection,
told us too plainly that the rebels had
attacked us, and that a bloody contest
was ensuing The long roll was heard
beating in every direction; and now
the order was ''to arms boys and form
in line This was quickly done and
we were soon marching on to the scene
Of action which was about two miles
or more distant We were then form
ed in line and ordered to lay down and
await further orders ORr position
was in the rear of the S,h Mo. battery,
which We were to support. One Of
our Generals q have forgotten his
nance rode al ne our lines speaking
encouraging words to the Boys, '.Boys
keep cool. aim low {. and remember you
arc from IOWA. in reply to which
was given one lon. hearty cheer. But
our battery was by this time playing
upon the enemy pretty brisk!y, which
would as a matter Of course, draw
fire from them in orr direction Shell
and grape flew over us thick as hail
and we Rugged the ground closer and
closer. The enemy then made charge
on US We waited till they got in
good range, then jumped up and the
the way we pr, coll lead NJ them was
three or four hrulroA yards and a,lvanc
ei on their grounds: we then tcn back
formed our lines AMI wai.ca far annih
or chslge. They railie! AMI come on
again. W. pushed them back the Soc
onl time AMI hell the groua |, Wing
down or ssanlin" behind trees t. |, a i.
Jump up and lire, then down a.,ai'.
/ was standing ~ 4 tree taking Il, cool
aim rs | could when whz came 4 bal,
through my hat, woanling me slightly
on he head. The ball produced such
a shock that II fell ne to the ground. -.
| heard some one hailoo "Ollrosd is
shot" Several Of the boys came to Inc
and asked me if I was much hurt |
Said s'no but a pretty close call
though Il did not hurt me very bad
but made me very dizzy. l finally
GOT up and went back to large tree
and sat down; how long | sat there
| don't know. but soon compile OF our
boys came up and told me to 90 to our
tent. l started aud soon heard heavy
firing in the direction Of our regiment
went to camp and got some boiled
meat to take back with me for the
Company, it was only half cooked when
We heard our Regiment was all cnt up
and taken prisoners. The enemy was
on rs very fast aud their
shell began to fall around our fire.
/ helped to get our sick boys ont Of
range Of them and then went back to
look for the Regiment, in hopes that
the report was false one; but they
were no where to be found. It was
now getting dark and the firing ceased
except an occasional shot from one Of
our large guns.
Monday morning came and the battle
began to rage terribly. by this time
came to our aid and orr
men began to regain their former posi-
tons, and took some guns back which
they lost the day before. AS our Regt
was gone, | went and assisted in carry
ing off the wounded in preference to
.,A< %L4 Gill .~...~