Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-09-29
gallant old commander, Gen. A. J..

|
with our head quarters, and Col.
Gilbert congratulated him on the
success of the campaign. He re-
piled, "whcn we started, my ordrrA
were TO tint Forrest, and 'chip
him. and b-b-b-by God we've dons
itr'
Your last expedition into the
state of Mississippi followed in the
latter part of August, reaching as
far as Oxford, but accomplishing
nothing beyond some skirmishing
with the enemy.
Nearly six months had now elaps-
ed since Gen. Sherman, part of
whose 10th corps you were, had
loaned you to Banks, and yet the
service of which l have spoken had
prevented rejoining his command.
Early in September, however, Gen.
Smith moved his command up the
Mississippi river, under orders to
join Sherman at Atlanta, but by Or
ders from Washington, you were
stopped at Cairo, and ordered into
Missouri to help Gen. Rosencrans
in driving rebel Gen. Price from
that State, who was fast approach
ing St. Lonis from the Southw est.
50 little Of interest, however, | ap-
prehcnd, do YOU now have in that
campaign, that pass it by with the
mere mention of your lively little
skirmish at Mineral Point, and the
long severe marching. Starting
once at midnight and making
forced march Of nearly 20 miles i'll
order to attack the enemy at Big
Blue, and arriving only in time to
discover that few hours before
he had broken through our cavalry
and escaped. Entirely across tho
State You followed him, and counter
marched the entire breadth Of it,
returning to st. Louis Nov. 18th,
having marched nearly seven hum
dred miles in forty-seven days.
Too late to join Sherman in his
grand march to the sea, for here the
first intelligence reached You that
he had started upon that grand
campaign. Genuine soldiers work
was, however, in store for you. Soon
as the command could be paid and
reclothed, it was moved with all
possible despatch to become the
right arm OF Gen. Thomas in beat
ing back the rebels under Gen,
Hood. who were boastfully, rapidly
and defantIy marching on Nash
vile Tenn.
The 14th Iowa's term of enlist,
ment having expired, it had been
mustered out, and Col. Gilberts
Brigade was now made up as fol-
lows: His own regiment 9th Iowa.
SD Iowa, 58th HIS, q battalion a
| companies) veterans, 10th Kansas
and Sd Indiana Battery, somewhat
less than one thousand five hundred
effective men in the aggregate.
You were at once marched to the
front and formed the lett of Smiths
troops. who held the extreme right
OF the infantry of Gen. Thomas
army. Skirmi>hing with the enemy
and artillery ducling. was kept aP
for nearly two weeks, during es~
trcmc cold weather, The ground
most of the time SO covered with
ice that it was impossible to move
IN army. Each force daring this
time had thrown ZIP strong works
in their respective fronts. The
weather moderated on the | fts, and
early on the 18th Gen. Thomas sal
lied from his works and took the
initiative. attacking the enemy IN
his own position, and thus brought
on tie glandcst battle in which you
particir atcd. and one Of the most
successful which crowned the Union
| cause. Soon as Steadman had
made his tcint upon the left, \. J.
Smiths corr s with Wilson's caval-
rv upon its right commenced the
| grand movement Of the day, by =
left grand wheel ofthe entire corps,
Of hich Won were comparative near
the pivot. First a rcdoubt of 4 guns
was assaulted, captured and TUNED
on The enemy, a stronger rcd"ubt
followed, and with it some three
hundred prisoners, next Montgom-
erv's Hill was assaulted and carried,
with guns and prisoners. Continu-
inc to advance, ilood'S left was
doubled back OH his right, and his
original line Of works fell entirely
in our possession. Here You rest
ed upon Your arms for the night.
Meanw lille. although the enemy had
suffered severely, and his line brok-
en-, vet next morning found him in
4 new and strong position, his linz
Strengthened and shortened, and
with strong entertainments, in front
Of Brentwood hills, and in posses
sion OF two lines Of pike leading
southward for retreat should that
become necessary.
Early next morning YOU again adj
vanced under CALLING artillery fire,
bearing somewhat to the right, then
Sling along little ravine, you oh
tanned 4 position only 4 few hun
dred wards in front and nearly par
alltl with the enemys line. Here.
; YOU lay under heavy artillery fire
until late in the afternoon, but the
: depression in the ground almost
shielded YOU from casualties. Will
sons cavalry on the extreme right
had swung well around to the
enemy's rear. hen early in the af-
terroon the ith corps supported by
Stcadman's 5 colorcd troops four lire.
deep, charged upon the cnenM's
works, aud although met by ter,
rife fire Of musketrv, grape and
cannis;er, still they advanced until
close to the cntrenr hments, but 0l-
,imatelv wavered and fell back to-
thrir position, leaving a heavy list
Of dead and wounded
hope to be forgiven for telling
A little incident, Just as the staff re-
ported it.
= We had received orders to form
F, strong, compact line. Smiths
!. corps was III single line, with per-
y haps few companies in reserve for
: 4 whole Brigade. The four compa-
:, nieS of the 10th Kansas were the re-