The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1863-06-11

,bout fifteen rods from the enemies line,
where We temporarily halted; above Us
on the crest of the hill were the rebel
batteries and their long line Of infantry
here the scene became terrific, the car
mage on both sides was awful-brave
men here gave up their lives for their
country-men whose names will forever
be associated with imperishable honor
The order for charge was given, and in
the midst of . murderous fire the Gath
charged up the hill, captured a battery
of six guns, drove the rebels-those who
we're not already sleeping the sleep that
knows no waking-from their position
drove them like sheep. Without halt
ing We pursued them full sixty rods from
their captured guns. The Gath had now
done enough, BY its eoolness and iutre-
pidity in the carnage-by its resolute
and successful charge it covered itself
With glory, and nobly gained the honor
of being hereafter named with the be-
roic and war worn Iowa 9Th and 18th.
In our brilliant dash, by some accident
or other, the Gath we're not supported,
and what seems unaccountable the 18th
Indiana broke and fell back, other regi-
ments Of our brigade did the same. The
rebels seeing our unsupported condition
commenced to out flank US on our right
in heavy force as soon IS this process
commenced those whom we had chased
so far turned upon us We were subjected
to heavy and deadly cross 6re-we
were in imminent danger of being sur.
rounded and taken prisoners not mo.
ment too soon did we retire from the
hard fought field.
For 4 moment there wss anxiety and
some confusion, for in the brave hearts
Of the Iowa boys the blood was beating
high for honor and victory, and many a
soldier, face backward as he retired, pre-.
fering the rebel balls to strike, if strike
they must, in his forehead and not in his
back, and next to being shot was the
fear of becoming prisoner. The tide
seemed turned against US, but it quickly
ebbed. Logau's division was coming at
"double quick" in grand style on our
right unprotected, and the fankers
quickly became the outfanked. The
rebels thought our falling back Yankee
trick, which eDabled Gen. Logan to play
particular havoc with the enemy's eager
but disastrous advance.
Had we halted at the captured batter
les, as we were commanded. but in the
iron tempest, no one could hear the COM
mand, or had the l1th Indiana stood
their ground but FIVE minutes longer, or
had support from any quarter came to US,
never would ten thousand rebels-their
estimated strength against us--have
caused about $50 Iowa boys to fall back
to better position. We left the level
ground beyond the battery strewn with
rebel dead and wounded.
Immediately on falling back, those who
were able, rallied and joined other lines
Of battle and other commands, and fought
on with continueing and brilliant success
until the sunsettlng-the enemy were
completely whipped. They fed in dis
may with enormous loss. 1t Was great
day for US and for the nation Our los.
ses cannot well be ascertaincd now. The
Gath regiment was among those which
suffered the most We went into battle
with $50 men-we came out OF the battle
with but 219 men.
The saddest part Of my letter is now te
mention the casualties of company &C.
brave men, noble men have fallen. Gu,
hearts are made sorrowful, but not with
out hope. Capt Silas d. johnson fcl
at the battery, bravely fighting in hi
place. Seargt. James s. Carpenter ant
Seargt Anthony Mattauck, privatcs 10
seph P. Gallino, VIM. C. Huey, and Al
bert r. Huey-noble brothers-all fe
on the field f htipg, CALAMITY and hero
ically. High on the immortal scroll {
honor will their names be engraved, an
in the hearts of their comrades will the
memory remain forever.
Lieut.. J. C. Cue was wounded at tn
battery in his breast. TIE wound
comparatively slight, but his escape ";
almost miraculous. The rebel ball pen
trated diary book which was in his ST,
pocket, and thus saved the Lieutenant
: life.
Corp. Robt. s. Nicely was severe
wounded in hand aud leg-one of h
} fingers had to be amputated. Our bra
{ Corporal held out his hand for the ope
, alton and endured it without the Ain,
. Of nerve.
-. Corp. Thomas B. Fawcett was woun
ed in head, slightly. Charles w. Tvs,
E was wounded in groin. Geo. Blackbu
F.. was wounded in arm and side; his ,r
had to be amputated-he endured Il
+ painful operation like q brave soldie
0 james Hskeman was wounded 10 Il
leg. Albert s. Walker was also woun,
g ed in leg; the ball passing through Il
e leg between the two bones, below Il
+. knee. Hugh Murray was badly wound
$ in the face and neck. Frederick M
j. gesser was severely wounded in leg q,
D shoulder. While Nungesser was wi,
a by tree wounded tacly in the leg,
: rebel deliberately shot him through h
. shoulder, shattcring it badly. Hen
+ Peters was severely wounded, the b,