Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06
Col. HIPS Report.

The following is the official report of Col
S. G. Hill, of the 35th Iowa infantry, in com
mand Of the Cd briga'e, lst division, 16ti
corps, at the late battle of Pleasant Hill
Louisiana. It will be seen that the 35th low.
was hotly engaged, and performed its duty
robly, adding new luster to Iowa's glorious
fame. The memory of the brave men who
gave up their lives on this bloody field vii
ever be ensh,ined in our hearts,,
HEADorAkrsassD Sd DRIo., 1sr DIV, l6ru Army CssPs,
! -..g.. GRAND Eo Re. LA. April Is 1864. !
r, Capt. J. 3. Sample, A. .. g.: .r',--.. r
SlR:-- have the honor to make the fol
lowing report of the part taken by the Sd
brigade Of the lst division, 10th army corps
in the action at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, on
the 9th instant: ..a1,.U
At three o'clock P. NJ, this brigade, con.
sisting Of the SD Missouri and 35th Iowa
regiments Of volunteers, Cess three companies
from each regiment, detailed on ticket duty
in the rear, was ordered forward to take DO.
sition in line of battle, the enemy in force
then menacing our front line, and were order
ed to take position On the left center, between
the Sd Indiana battery, and the 1st Vermont
battery, as reserves, and in the rear of the
seth Indiana regiment then formed in line
of battle on Pleasant Hill, in front of the
woods, and remaining in this position until
~ o'clock P. M. I then received orders to
form one regiment on the right of the Sd In.
diana battery, to support that battery. The
33d Missouri regiment was at once placed in
this position, while the brigade was under q
severe fire from the enemy, who had succeed
in breaking our first line Of battle in front,
and were rapidly advancing. The firing be-
coming still more severe the men were order
ed to lie down to prevent unnecessary loss of
life, The enemy Continued to press our re.
treating brigades so closely as to prevent their
reforming their lines. It this juncture the
brigade was ordered to rse up and advance
upon the enemy, who had by this time bro
ken our second line of battle. Here Lieut..
Col. Vim. II. Heath, commanding the 33d
Missouri regiment, was severely wounded in
the head, while gaIlantly leading his com.
mand, and was forced 10 leave the field, leav-
ing Major Geo. w. Van Beck in command.
The brigade continued to advance, and firing
incessant and destructive volleys into the
ranks of the enemy, who could no longer
Withstand the strong fire poured into them
from our troops, sud began to waver, and
were Immediately charged determinedly, and
were compelled to fall back in great disorder,
closely pursued by our eager troops. The
35th Iowa regiment encountered large force
in revine that was thickly covered with
bushes, and suffered severely. but they at
once gallantly charged the enemy. driving
them out, and killing and woundi9s many,
and capturing about sixty prisoners The
33d Missouri regiment were exposed to the
fire of four gun battery placed in the edge
Of the woods, the shots mostly, however,
passing over them. They charged on the
battery, receiving volley from those support
ing it, who broke and fed in confusion after
discharging their pieces, leaving the battery
IN our possession. .. -t
The regiments now entered the woods, fol.
lowing the retreating enemy, who under COW
er closely contested our advance. st
The regiments in pursuing the scattered
forces of the e2emy became separated. but
were soon brought together again, and con.
tinued to follow the fleeing ard scattered
forces of the defeated rebels, through the
thick woods until the darkness of the night
prevented further operations
At o'clock P. NJ. the brigade was moved
back on the open part of the battle field, and
bivouacked for the night ,...,,...
Too much praise cannot be awarded to the
33d Missouri and the 35th Iowa regiments,
their officers and me-, for their coolness un-
der severe fire, their prompt obedience of
orders and good soldierly conduct during
this severe contest Their bravery deserved
victory. 4.,-...... ''.... ....-...
The following is list Of casualties in this
viz: IT, ...... .... .....
33d Missouri Infantry.