The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-11-26
BURLINGTON WEEKLY HAWK-EYE;

.EKLY HAWK-EYEt
The 1st Colored, after losing heavily, was
completely surrounded and compelled to
retreat in haste through the line Of the 18th
Iowa, which was now left tosustain the at
tack alone. The regiment was broken by
nerce charges of the enemy seven times,
and as often stubbornly reformed their
line, corltesting every inch OF ground, un-
falling rapidly under . whitening FIRE, left
alone on the field, it finally cut its way
through. and rejoined in good order, its
camp at Camden, having lost one officer
and seventy.six men, killed, wounded and
prisoners in the action.
In this engagement Captains Blanchard,
Glover. Stonaker, and Conway showed
especial bravery and gallantry.
Capt. Blanchard, who commanded the
color company. and was already wounded,
at critical time, when the regiment was
holly pressed, seized the colors himself,
and told Capt. Clover, who was mounted,
to form the regiment on him, which that
officer did in gallant style, the men re-
spending with cheers. It was owing in q
very great measure to the exertions Of these
officers, that the regiment was extricated
from it's perilous position.
Sergeant Dean, Go. E, Sergeants Bowers
and Oleson, Co. A, Sergeant Mardis, Co.
G, Sergeant Bullock, Co. B, and Sergeant
Kirkpatrick, Co. III, behaved with cour-
age and GOODNESS which deserves special
notice. Everywhere all behaved with un-
common bravery.
On April 3oth, 1854, the Battle Of Saline
River was fought. The whole force Of the
enemy numbering Is. 600 men, commanded
by Price, attacked Gen. Steele at the cross
ing OF the Saline River, on his retreat to
Little Rock, rendered necessary by Gen.
Banks disastrous defeat on Red River
One OF the most sanguinary and hotly con-
tested battles in the South. west ensued.
The Sd Division took prominent part
in the engagement. Col. Edwards with
his Brigade, held the reserve and guarded
the Ordnance train. The enemy were re-
pulsed with great loss, and Gen. Steele eff
fected the hazardous crossing with success.
Through all this campaign, marked with
extraordinary exposure and hardships,
the men of Col. Edwards regiment be-
haved with heroic fortitude and courage
corn alone, marching through swamps
and mOrasses, in rainy season and
snatching moments of sleep in pools of
water and mud, at short halts occasioned
by the sinking of the train in the treach-
erous soil, or the cutting Of new roads
through the thick forests.
During its period of service the regimen
has marched over 1900 miles, and lost in
action and from disease contracted in the
service, over 500 men and Is commissioned
officers.
1t has received the commentator from
Department and District Headquarters OF
being one Of the best disciplined and drill
ed regiments in the West, and under the
orders from the War Department provid.
ing for the issue Of frst.class arms to those
regiments which had taken the best care
OF their old ones, it was permitted to ex-
| change its arms for the best the Depart
mept could furnish. l0
Col. Edwards has perhaps seen as much
varied and hard service, and been entrust-
ed by his commanders with as responsible
and honorable positions as any officer OF
equal rank from Iowa. He has not sought
for promotions or figured with politicians.
but has devoted himself to the faithful dis
charge OF the duties to which he has been
assigned, stunning no danger, moved by
no fear, and counting no favor.
Whether his services be rewarded as
they deserve to be, with = Brigadier's star
or not, he has abundant reason to lie proud
of the courage and discipline of the regi-
ment he has taken to the field, and Of the
high character which they have established
for themselves wherever they have been,
and to look back with satisfaction on the
part he and they have taken in this war
and the earnest and emphatic recommen-
datiOn by all his commanding officers,
seconded by that Of his.brother officers who
have served with him, for his promotion
shows the estimation in which the army
in which he serves holds him.