The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-07-09
Detailed account Of tsae cattle
Of EiiliikGMs Bend, june 9Th.
Nlillikcns Bend June Is.


than $50 yards from the river. The
cncampment is between the lcvce and
he river. Breast works have been
thrown up on the right and left, and
few rifle pits dug along the levcc; and
this constituted our defensive work.
The levee is about eight feet high at
this point and back Of it is a plantation
covered with hedges, fruit and orna
mental trees, in the immediate vicinity
OF our camp, and to the rear. For
some days previous, to the attack we
had known that farce Of rebels were
in the vicinity estimated from 800 to
10000 strong The colored troops were
sonl, partially organized regiments and
had all been armed within 4 week to
meet this emergency. With such raw
material you may be sure battle was
anything but desirable to the officers
Of the colored regiments.
Our torce consisted Of the 9th La.
Col. Seibs, the 18th Col. Chamberlain
and the lst Miss. only $50 men and 100
from the 23d Iowa.
Our entire force engaged was about
400, Of which 1850 were colored.
About 3 o'clock in the morning our
pickets were driven in, and Is minutes
later the enemy appeared and formed in
line of battle on our left front. They
formed for bayonet charge three lines
deep. with reserve. Six regiments
were brought into action commanded
as We learn by McCulloch, brother Of
Ben McCulloch killed at Pea Ridge.
With yclls that would make faint
hearts qnail, on double quick they
charged our little band. They met the
shock like heroes, reserving their fire,
until the foe was within 100 yards, then
terrible volley broke the first line OF
the enemy, and made the whole column
tremble for moment, but rallied by
their officers, with rcdonblcd yclls
onward they rushed. A hedge a, the
base of the leyce furnished screen,
behind which for moment, they halted
closed their lines and then rushed up
the levee. Our men stood up bravely
to the work, but were ovc1powcrcd by
~
was terrible. The whiz ofbullcts made
the air vocal with dread music. Who
ever has been in battle knows wei! the
ienti>h scream. In ten Minutes not
less than 800 Of our brave men were
either killed or wounded.
Our own fallen, covered the levec on
one side, aud the enemy on the other
For a few moments Our men held their
own ground, but the enemy were three
to orr one, and our left were compelled
to fall back. This they did, continuing
the fire, which prevented the enemy
followin. Us up. Our right he'd the
works at that point and opened a
rak,ng tire on the enemy. The left and
center fell back to the river 80 yards
and opened fire from the cover Of the
river bank. Thus posted the battle
continued from 1 to II a. M Soon
after our forces fell back, the gunboat
Chacktaw opened on the enemy with
shell. The range however was short
and for some time all the damage done
to the enemy was the aron,ing of their
fears. Soon however on our right a
thanking movement was disconnected by
a few well directed shells. The gun
boat doubtless did much to save the
day. About eleven o'clock our men on
the left were rallied to charge, aud
the whole line Of the enemy gave way.
The gunbOat now threw shell thick and
fast into their retrcatlng ranks, and
soon their retreat became roat and
they run for shelter to hedges and tim
Der in the rear At III o'clock the
battle was ended and the work of
gathering in the dead and wounded
| commenced.
was OH the field during the whole
time Of the engagement, and watched
with interest the conduct Of officers and
their commands. twas fight for which
We were all. unprepared, and hence
concert Of action could not be expected.
Each regiment 'nd | may add each
company and man fought on his hook.
Had our forces been drilled men, we
would have called them whipped in
detail, the work wasn't done, and the
enemy were repnlsed with heavy loss.
| will speak Of the officers Of the 18th
La, as | was with this regiment.
Every officer 80 far as can learn done
his duty on that trying day. The Col.
brought his command into action when