The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-30

fully SuStalnS the statements given III the
letters we published onSaturday, and even
gives to that portion of the Iowa Soldiers
engaged higher commentators than did
our correspondents.
THE BATTLE AND THE PART TAKEN BY
CARR'S DIVISION.
HEADQUARTERS 14TH DIVISION,
May 6, 1868.
GENERAL ORDER No. 81 desire to
congratulate the officers and soldiers of this
division on the brilliant and successful
manner in which they performed their duty
in the different conflicts of the late battle
near Port Gibson.
At the end of a tiresome nights march,
the I'd brigade, under Col. Stone (being in
advance came upon the enemy at o'clock
in the morning, reported in a strong posi-
ton with artillery; it was Immediately
formed into line and Capt. Gritiith's 1st
Iowa battery, with the assistance of the
pieces of Kean's LIST Indiana battery, fought
him for an hour, and finally, at O'Clock
drove him from his position, when we lay
down to take our first rest since . O'Clock
of the preceding morning.
At half-past six we renewed the conflict.
The two batteries made terrible havoc with
the enemy. The 1st brigade, under Brig.
Gen. Benton, was deployed in the ravines
and underbrush on the right, and advanc-
ed gallantly to flank the enemy, and take
his guns. When they engaged him on the
right, the second brigade engaged him on
the left. The 18th division was advanced
to their support, and with a rush the enemy
was routed from his position.
The 18th Indiana, Col. II. y. Washburn,
had the distinguished honor Of capturing a
regimental flag, on which was inscribed
names of four battle-fields; and, with the
Goth Illinois, Col. G. w. X. Bailey, and
e+l, IpF3ia of
turing two of the enemys guns. This sue
cess was the result of the splendid fighting
of the whole division which provided the
opportunity.
ton, the I'd brigade was very severely en-
gagged on the left of our line for a long time
and behaved with distinguished gallantry.
1t subsequently took upa position across
the valley in the timber, very near the enc
my, where two regiments, the 2lst and 23d
Iowa, remained till after dark.
The LIST brigade went to the relief of Gen.
McGinnis' brigade, and the Sth Indiana
distinguished itself by driving the enemy
from a strong position, and taking it for
themselves.
Coming from Missouri, where you had
endured great hardships during the last
winter. you were honored by being placed
at the head of the grand army of the Mis-
sissippi, and you have proved yourselves
well worthy of that honor.
You have encountered and defeated the
same men against whom we have so long
commended in Missouri and Arkansas, and
you have added another wreath to those
YOU won at Blackwater, Blackwelrs Sta
ton, Fredericton, Pea Ridge, Round Hill,
Hartyille, Haines' Bluff, and Post Of Ar
kansas, and l am sure you will 80 on with
your glorious achievements, until the de-
mon Of rebellion shall be destroyed and our
land shall once more rejoice in the bless
ings of peace and prosperity.
While we mourn our fellow comrades,
we cannot forget that they have offered up
their lives for the noblest of purposes
that of preserving to their country q gov
eminent at once free and stable, which
shall give in conjunction with the largest
liberty to the citizen, the greatest security
for his life and prosperity.
To their friends and to our wounded COM
rades we tender our sympathies, and hope
that time and the thoughts of what they
suffer for will sooth their pain and sorrow.
The loss of the 1st brigade was: Killed,
rs; wounded, l43. That of the I'd brigade
was: Killed, Is; wounded, 10. Total in
the division, 263. This comprises only those
placed hors du combat. Scratches are not
reported. , sono .,o;. 49,. :. ;. :,
yidious to make distinctions, but the con.
duct of some individuals seems to merit
special mention, even at the risk of leav-
ing men whose names have not been re.
ported to me. These shall receive theil
due credit as soon as am informed of theil
merits.
Brig. Gen. w. P. Benton distinguished
himselfin daring, gallantry and good man
agement during the whole battle. Indiana
continues to be glorified in her sons.
Col. G. s. Harris, 18th Wisconsin, though
he had been obliged to give up the com
mand of his brigade on account of i'll
ness, was on the field and shared the dan
gers.
Col. w. M. Stone, ed Iowa, who succeed
ed to the command of the I'd brigade, took
his place with the extreme advance guard
at night, during the advance upon the enc.
my, exposed himself freely and exertet
himself so much that he became com
pletely exhausted in the afternoon, anc
was compelled to relinquish his command
to Col. Samuel Merrill, 2lst Iowa, for above
an hour. By his bravery and admirabl,
management of his brigade he reflects new
honor on his noble State.
| Cant q s. Marshal ~ -