The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-06-22

TOT a manuscript copy of the Report by
Col. SHAW, Brigade Commander, at thu
bloody and unfortunate Battle of Pleasan,
Hll. Believing that our Iowa readers car
not be better entertained than by its peru
sal, We give it entire:
On BOARD STEAMER DrADEM,1
June 4th, 1864.
DEAR COL,
Sir Il take pleasure in sending you
the Official Report Of the battle Of Pleasant
Hill, La, April 9th, 1854, by Col. VIM. T.
Shaw, (or that part of it in which the Cd
Brigade were engaged.) do not send il
to you particularly for publication, but
merely to let you know the condition OF
some Of our commanding Generals during
that fight; and believe if we had not in
old Col. SHAW one of the best Brigade
Commanders that ever drew a sword, We
should be to-day eating corn bread and
bacon in Shreveport, and making Reports
to Kirby Smith, instead Of to Gen. A. j.
Smith OF the old 10th.
T. A. OLMsrEp.
HEADQUARTERS 2D BRre. 3D Div. 10TH A.Cl
GRAND EcoRE, La, April 18th, 1864.
CAPT. J. B. SAMPLE, A. A. G., Sd Division,
10th A. G., ..
SR:-I have the honor to report that a,
10 o'clock A. NJ, April 9th, 1864, was
ordered to report with my Brigade, consist.
ing of the 14th Iowa Tnft., 9th Iowa Inft.,
32d Iowa Inft. and Oath Mo. Inft., to Gen.
Banks; by him was ordered to proceed
to the front and report to Gen. Emery,
which did at about 10t o'clock A. M
Gen. Emery ordered me to relieve Gen.
McWilliams, who was posted on the left of
the Mansfield road and at right angles to it
in dense thicket, with an old field in front
dotted over with small pines. About 100
yards to his front, and on his right, were
four guns of the 25th N. Y. Battery
Gen. Dwight was posted on New illams
right, diagonally to the rear. On the right
of the 25th N. Y. Battery was a ridge
which completely commanded New illiams'
whole line and the town, and which cover.
ed the approach of the enemy. therefore
deemed i: proper to occupy this ridge with
the Gath Mo-, and relieve Gen. Nc w illiams
with the balance of my Brigade; this was
accordingly done, and McWilliams retired.
This left gap on my left, also threw my
right beyond Gen. Dwights support; but
with this disadvantage, l considered the
position better than the one occupied by
the troops had relieved. At this time
Gen. Smith came up, to whom l pointed
out the position Of my forces, which was
approved, except that he ordered me to
move my main line farther to the right,
which brought three companies of the l4th
Iowa in and on the right of the Mansfield
road, and consequently left greater gap
on my left. Gen. Emery was aware of the
changes made in the position Of my Brigade,
but | cannot learn that he gave any orders
for corresponding change Of Dwights
Brigade. Gen. Emery at this time left the
front and l saw no more of him until after
dark that night.
This disposition brought Dwight's
Brigade in the rear Of my second regiment
and nearly perpendicular to my line of
battle. At this time my skirmishers were
heavily engaged, and an attack appeared
imminent. deemed it prudent to consult
with Gen. Dwight, as Gen. Emery had left
that part Of the field, and could neither
find tim nor any of his Staff; accordingly
went along the line of Dwight's Brigade to
the place where he had his Brigade Flag,
but could neither find him nor any of his
Staff. At this time was informed by an
officer that he had seen drunken officer
near house in the rear trying to get a
tent pitched, whom he understood to be
Gen. Dwight. accordingly rode to the
place. and after much difficulty aroused
an officer who was pointed out as his A.
A. G. From him learned that Gen.
Dwight was away, but said he would send
me word as soon as he returned. After
waiting some time, again went to his
Headquarters but was unable to learn where
he could be found. .
The enemy's skirmishers had now 6
O'Clock P. NJ. } passed my right and pressed
my skirmishers so closely that it had be-
come necessary to support them with
another company. again went IN search
'of Gen. Dwight and this time found him,
after great deal Of difficulty; he appeared
to understand my position, and promised
to send the necessary support. This he
not only failed to do, but withdrew farther
to the rear. At about 4 o'clock P. NJ,
Gen. Stone Banks Chief Of Staf-O'm.
sted, rode to the front. l rode with him
along my line, showed him the change that
had been made from Emery's Original line,
and the necessity of corresponding change
in Dwights line. After examining this
part Of the field his remarks were: "Your
position is well chosen. 1t is admirable.
1t could not be better. l will see that your
hanks are properly supported, for this posi-
tion must be held at all hazards" and i'm.
mediately rode away, as supposed, to give
the necessary orders; but no support
came. ..# -. +. , --......'. ..
A few moments before O. o'clock the enc
my opened heavily on me with artillery,
which was replied to feebly for few mo.
when they limbered up and disgracefully
left the field leaving one caison and one
gun on the road which was drawn off by
Lieut.. Buell. Of my staff. At the same time
Gen. Dwight fell entirely out of my sigh,
to the rear. While my battery was leaving,
a dash was made by the enemy's Cavalry to
capture it, but they were so well received
hy the .14th Iowa, 9th Iowa, and 14th
Missouri that not a single man escaped !;
their leader, Col. Bagley, falling dead in the
ranks Of the 14th Iowa. This attack was
followed by their Infantry, which advanced
IN two lines extending beyond both my
right and left. They advanced steadily and
in good order across the open field in my
front till they got within easy range, when
my whole line opened upon them, stopping
their advance, but not preventing them
from replying vigorously to my fire, caus-
ing heavy loss. My men held their posi-
ton, keeping up steady and well directed
fire which soon compelled their first line to
fall back in disorder. In the meantime
fighting had commenced on my left and our
line there had fallen back so as to enable
the enemy to pass in the rear of my left.
They had also passed my right and were
firing on my flank, when their second line