The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-08-18
From the West Union Record.
What n Soldier says Of Col. Stone.

=
one of the most respectable and patriotic
citizens Of Fayette County, who has
been with Col. Stone through many hard
fought battles. He writes what he knows
and his letter is withering rebuke to
that despicable whiskey junta which
one disgraced the Third Iowa Regiment
and even now follows up the gallant Col
Stone with all the vindictive spirit which
the vilest partisans are wont to exhibit
against worthy men who are above their
malice
MEMPHIS, TENN, July 22d.
ED. OF RECORD Allow me a place
in your paper to correct few mistakes
concerning Col. Stone, the Union candi.
date for Governor Of Iowa, which | see
in communication to the Chicago Jour-
nal copied into your issue of July 9th.
He has done enough since the war broke
out. considering the means at his dispos-
al. to enttle him to be known through
out his own State, if not the entire West.
What l shall say of him now, is simply
what soldier has seen and knows of his
former commander.
COL Stone enlisted in the service and
was made Captain OF Co. B, Sd Iowa In j.
fantry, and was soon after appointed
Major by the Governor AT the battle
of Blue Mills Landing he behaved with
marked gallantry. In the commence
ment Of the action he was wounded, in
the head, but as soon as his wound was
dressed, returned 10 the field, and rode
to and fro with his head bsndaged in
IN a white cloth, encouraging his men.
In the battle Of Sl,ilo. Major Stone was
in command of the Regiment, Lieut.. Col
Soft being sick, and Col. Williams be-
mo in command of the Brigade. He
posted his n.egiment advantageously be-
hind a cotton fed, where, under ter
.ifc and continuous Ere, he supported
several batteries which were successive
y disabled. A rebel regiment Known as
he Cre' cent Guards, attempted to cary
nis position at the point Of the bayonet,
out he compelled his men 10 reserve their
ire till they were within fifteen rods of
nim, when two or three quick vollies al
most annihilated the rebels.
do not believe regiment ever made
. more splendid charge, or was ever more
handsomely repulsed. 1t must be borne
in mind that his reg giment belonged then,
IS it ever has since, TO Hurbut's cele-
brated Fourth Division. When in the
afternoon Of the first day the enemy con.
centrated the most Of his strength on the
left of the army for final effort, this
Division, posted on the extreme left. was
the main point Of attack. Enfladed with
artillery, assailed on front and flank with
infantry, in overwhelming numbers. after
the most desperate fighting, in which
many Of the regiments lost half their
they were successfully driven
from their position towards the river.
But the Sd Iowa still held the field in
the midst of these disasters. General
Hurlbut rode up to Major Stone and told
him that he looked to his regiment to
retrieve the fortunes of the field. Soon
after the General explained to him the
situation and ordered him to retreat. He
fell back short distance, when be
repulsed another rebel regi
ment which attempted to disodge him.
His superior officers having retired with
the main body Of the Division, at the
solicitation of Gen. Prentiss, he attached
his regiment to a small force. with which
that gallant officer was attempting TO
hold in check the entire rebel army
While thus engaged, and far in advance
Of the broken divisions of our army
Pren,ss was flanked on the right and
left, and masses Of the enemy crowded
into his rear. The Sd Iowa. forming his
extreme left. was separated from him by
column of the enemy, and retreating.
saved itself from capture by running a
gauntlet across its own camp in which it
sustained great loss. Major Stone was
among the last to retreat. ran upon areg
iment of the enemy which had got full
in his rear, and was forced to surrender.
Thus he was captured, while engaged
with Prentiss in the glorious attempt to
hold the enemy in check till the army
could recover from its rout. or I'll night
might end the conflict But il is need
less to speak Of Col. Stones bravery
No man who has read Of the charge OF
his regiment. the eed Iowa, against rebel
forts at Vicksburg, can fail to admire the
man who led it, Even so he will lead
- ~ Iv..A. a. 49,,