The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-08-10
MEMPHIs, Tenn, july 26. 1864,

Editors Times II enclose herewith q
copy of Lieut. Col. John II. Stibbs' official
report of the part taken by the 18th Iowa
Wv. Infantry, in actions of 18th, 14th and
18th Of July, 1864, near Tupelo, Missis-
sippi. Also a list Of casualties for the
three days.
For the information of the friends of our
regiment, would respectfully request that
or such parts of the balance as you may
think proper.
Very respectfully,
D. w. REED,
Ist. 1t. and Act. Adj, 18th Iowa v. v.
Infantry.
REPORT OF LIEUT.. COL. sTIBBs.
On the 18th inst. at about o'clock p,
m., while marching as guard for the sup.
ply train and support for Muhler's 9th In.
diana battery, We were heavily attacked on
our right flank by Maley's Mississippi brig
ade, at point on the road where the tim
Der and underbrush were so dense, as to
make it almost impossible to maneuver the
men. Having learned by my fankers the
point at which the enemy were striking,
moved my command so as to meet their
front fairly, and then as nearly as possible
concealed my men in the brush, and await
ed the attack. We allowed the enemy to
advance without firing shot, until within
twenty PAGES, when we suddenly poured
sweeping volley full in their ranks. This
threw them into confusion, and after a
sharp fight Of twenty minutes we drove
them from our front with heavy loss. Their
colors were left on the ground, but we
failed to secure them as we were compelled
to march to support the battery. They
were subsequently, picked up by the l4th
Wisconsin Infantry. Our loss during this
action was one man killed, one officer and
eleven men wounded, and one man miss
ing
On the morning of the 14th inst, at
Tupelo in accordance with instructions
from your Headquarters, posted my COM
mand on the right Of the Pontotoc road,
forming the extreme left Of the 1st Divis-
ion and was supported by the 7th Mime
sofa Infantry. In front of and running
parallel with our line, was heavy rail
fence, which we threw down in such a
manner as to form a good protection against
small arms. My regiment was the first to
receive the enemies attack, and held our
position under heavy fire for about two
hours, when our ammunition being ex-
hausted, we were ordered to the rear, and
our place taken by the 7th Minnesota
Cos. f and II having been furnished am
munition were allowed to remain at the
front, and were thus kept constantly en-
gagged during the entire action. ra
After rest of about forty Eve minutes
and receiving fresh supply Of ammuni-
ton, We again moved forward and took
position in front, where we remained until
ordered to charge, when we moved forward
on the double quick, driving the enemy
from our front, and capturing number of
prisoners. Our loss during the engagement
was one officer ard six men killed, and
thirty nine men wounded. We consumed
during the day over one hundred rounds of
ammunition per man. The men of my
command behaved nobly, and as an evi
dence of the cool, celebrate and accurate
manner in which our fire was delivered /
would refer you to tie great number Of the
enemies dead that were strewn in front of
the line occupied by my regiment.
AiSut "A. "A. DuiuiChs "A ~. ". M., VINO
was killed, had been ordered to the rear
with his train, but after seeing his wagons
properly parked he came to the front, and
VOLUNTEERED to assist in bringing forward
ammunition. While thus engaged, he was
struck 10y shell and instantly killed.
On the morning of the 10th inst, m7
regiment was asst sned position to the
left Of the Pontotoc road, and formed the
left center Of the Brigade line. We had a
substantial breast work Of cotton bales in
our front, which served as an admirable
protection against the enemies sharpshoot-
ers. We took full part in the fight and
charge of the day, losing one man killed
and three wounded. Our loss during the
three days fighting, was one officer and
eight men killed, one officer and fifty.four
men wounded and one man missing. My
command numbered on the first days fight
two hundred and ninety five musAets, on
the second day two hundred and fifty, and
on the third day about two hundred
cannot consistently make particular
mention Of any members Of the regiment,