The National tribune., 1883-12-13
The 18th Iowa at Fort DoneIson.

BY series of ui1intentional mistakes the
10Th Iowa infantry was left out of the roster Of
General Smiths division at Fort Denelson.
The writer was nisied in the first instance by
a typographical error in the published war
records, in which the 18th is substituted for
the 10Th Iowa Those of Our readers who have
a copy of the work will find the error referred
to on page 163 vol. Z. The 18th appears in
both the Sd and 4th brigades of Smiths di-
vision. When his attention was called to the
omission by Subscriber he referred to Inger
soils Iowa in the War; and made the mis-
take of giving the location of the 18th instead
of the 18th Iowa. To atone to the writers of
several interesting letters on this subject, and
to the members of that gallant regiment, we
give the following extract from the official re-
port of Colonel J. J. Woods, commanding the
regiment:
On Wednesday, the 18th instant the regiment
being part of Colonel J. Cooks Sd brigade, I'd
division, marched from Fort Henry to the neigh
borhood of Fort Donelso, formed line of battle to
the left of the Dover road and slept on their arms
ready for action.
Thursday morning, at $50 o o'clock, marched
down to and up the Dover road about half mile,
when filed to the left and formed line of battle
threw forward the thanking companies as ssirmish-
ers, and marched forward down a long slope that
lay in front the grape shot and shell of the enemy
flying thick around US all the time. Our skirmish-
ers advanced to the top of the hill that lay in front
of u.s. The battalion halted at two-thir6S of the
distance to the top of the HILL where it was pro-
tected from the enemys fire by the ridge in front.
| It was but n few minutes after skirmishers
reached the top of the ridge in front when Private
Edward G. Buekner. of company A, was shot dead.
n ball taking effect in the eye. No further damage
occurred to the regiment that day, though the
enemy kept up constant fire.
| The following night was very stormy, and as we
were ordered not to make fires, the suffered
| from the wet and cold.
Early on Friday morning sEirinishing began be-
tween men and the enemy, which was kept up
| all day. During the day two of were
struck with spent balls, but these did not disable
/ them
! At night-fall eight companies retired and built
/ fires, but passed unpleasant night. Companies
1 ID and L remained as a guard over the ground we
! had occupied during the day.
Saturday until noon q random fire was kept up
| with the enemy. During this and the preceding
days we were nobly supported by the GOODNESS,
bravery and efficiency OF portion of Briggs sharp
| shooters, who co-operated with Our right
flank was protected by the 50th Illinois, Colonel
Bane commanding. Our front and left TANKS Were
unsupr rted. except by our own skirmishers and
| at about p. m. Saturday 18th the 18th Iowa
50th Illinois, and sharpshooters were ordered to
make a feint attack to draw the enen1y's fire The
| men went cheerfully to the work assigned them
and kept up warm fire on the enemy, while Colo
mel Humans brigade on our left. advanced on the
enemy and got possession of part of the enemy s
! outworSs and hoisted the American flag thereon
! We were then ordered TO their support Ne moved
rapidly by the left flank and charged over the
down timber which the enemy had cut for his pro-
! lection. At this time CALLING fire of grape from
/ the enemy poured in among US wounding eight or
] ten of our men.
/ On reaching the breastworks some confusion was
caused by the retreat of portion of COL Iauman' 8
1 brigade, who having expended all their animuni-
ton, were compelled to falliaciS BY some exertion
| our men were rallied, and we opened warm fire
| on the enemy. who also poured warm fire of
grape upon from their battery right and
1 of nlusketry front. In. this cross-fire we
/ fought the enemy two hours advancing them
into rayine inside their breastworks. at length
we were withdrawn outside of the works During
this time we lost one man killed and twenty seven
/ Wouuded