Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-10-17


We are again in camp at Bolivar. Upon
the 4th, at 8 o'clock in the morning, we left
Bolivar and marched toward the IIatchee riy-
sr at place known as the Davis Bridge on
the Cerinth and Grand Junction road We
arrived at Middleton, on the Memphis and
Charleston R. r., atabout 8 in the afternoon
we met the advance scouts Of the enemy at
tins place, and for the rest Of the dsy our cav
airy drove them before US past the Big Mud
dy. Before coming to the Muddy we had to
pass over corderoy road through swamp
Tor half mile. Upon this road were three
bridges, over these bridges the 1st Brigade
with two batteries passed in safety, but the
rear battery broke down both bridges, and
the Cd brigade were compelled to remain on
the West side OF the river. The LIST passed
mp and over bluff and camped fer the night
within mile OF the advance of the enemy
From this camp are two roads, one passing
straight to the Hatchee over a series Of ridges
and the other passing around to the right
upon ridge coming into the direct road at
the Davis Bridge, and beyond the bridge is
narrow bottom and then an irregular bluff
about kfty feet high. At a little before eleven
o'clock the I'd brigade being over the Muddy,
passed on by US and engaged the advance of
the enemy upon the ridg. about one half
mile ahead of US, Smelling them and driving
them from their position in double quick time.
On they passed pushing them over the next
ridge and up the next. Here they found the
LIST division Of the enemy stationed in force.
They Immediately engaged these and after
severe contest succeeded in driving the ene-
my before them down the hill, across the
bottom, and finally across the bridge. rot
giving them time to barn it or take I'D 8 sin
gle plank ,.indesd the second brigade followed
across the bridge themselves and tcek their
position upon the bank Of the river. In the
meantime detachment Of Ross brigade, the
18th Mich. and 66th Ohio, numbering in all,
perhaps, GOO strong, passed round upon the
ridge road TO prevent . flank ,aoyenent.-
They met force as vas expected, and drove
them back, but unfortunately for the rebels
they did not retreat in time TO reach the
bridge until the Cd brigade had taken it.
The consequence was some of thcrl to ok to
the river aud swan, some across and some 20
the bottom, while others gave themselves ND
as prisoners. ut this juncture the tho a3th
and 53d III. o. the LIST brigade came down
and passed the bridge and took up their po-
sitsn on Tie right and left. By this time the
I'd division Of the enemy were or the ground
and posted upon the bluff, supporting their
best batteries, one Of which contained three
20 pound howitzers and one q. The situa-
ton Of Affairs at this moment was critical in
the extreme, for If they could rake the pass
age Of the bridge and command that, the
forces that had already crossed would be at
their mercy. At this time the 3rd Iowa first
and the 32d Ill. second, were ordered to charge
across the bridge with fixed bayonets and up
the bluff and take the battery. Gen. uur-
but, as cool as upon review, placed himself
in from. Of the Sd aud led the way across ths
bridge. Wepassed the rakins Are that swept
in front Of the bridge, the shot crashing into
the buildings on either side Of the road 1T
was here that Lieut.. Dodi and private Derin-
ger Of Co II, were instantly killed. On We
passed across the bridge at double quick.
the boys keeping well closed up and cheer
ing. Across the bridge we came to another
open space where we seemed to receive the
full fire of their batteries loaded with CAMS
ter shot. As we passed the bridge the Gen
erals found that if we charged upon the ba.
teries from that point we should receive the
whole fire of our troops stationed along the
banks Of the river in q thick jungle, and amid
the crash of artillery and musketry it was
impossible to order them to cease firing and
to wait for it to be done would be humiliation
to us. So we were filed off upon the bank
Of the river and went to work with the mus
ket, for at this time we had not single piece
Of artillery that could be used against the en-
envy. A portion of a battery had been taken
across the river, but the fire was so hot that
the only thing that could be done was for the
artillerymen to keep as close as possible until
the infantry could silence the guns of the
enemy which were not much over one hun
dred yards off.
After remaining in the jungle for a short
time, Gen. Ord (senior comman der jeanne up
and ordered G a.. Hurlbut TO charge the bat.
teries. The General gave the order to the
men in loud clear voice, so clear and loud
that the rebels distinctly Heard him" Boys
you must take those batteries, they are sup
ported by 20, 900 men, and if you could drive
them you will do a good thing" The Bird
iowa, 53d and SD ILL., received these orders
and made the charge of the bluffs, but the
rebels were terror stricken and abandoned
their guns, and we soon had full possession
Of the bluffs, the enemy being in full flight.
The cavalry soon joined in pursuit and fol-
lowed them until night. We took possession
OF the bluff at about 8 o'clock ip the after
noon.