The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-03
BALD KNOB.
The Part Taken in the Fight by Crocker's Iowa
Brigade.

To THE EDITOR. Some time since there
was quite contention between comrades as to
who did the fighting on Bald Knob, July p,
1864. A comrade of the Goth Illinois main
tanned that it was his brigade. could not say
who tended shop from IL N. until about p.
m as Crocker's brigade had picnic oftheir own
further to the LETT. where they withstood re-
peated charges beth in front and rear, and
were compelled to change over first to one side
and then 10 the other oftheir works. The fight
ing was so close that at one time part OF the
35th Alabama were ON one side of the works
and just the earthworks between u.s. The boys
sustained their usual reputation and took
in the 35th's colors and a number of Johnnies.
Crocker's brigade never had the reputation of
being driven easily, and Hoods report shows
that it was terribly costly job on this oecas-
ion. 1t was well toward evening when we
reached the Knob, the last hundred yards being
UP an incline perfectly smooth. and completely
raked by the canister and rifie-balls of the
enemy. Some declined to take such slim chances,
and several officers and men of the 18th were
captured only few yards from the works.
When /. jumped over the works / found so
many Iowa men tCrocker's) that / supposed
we were running things. Lieut.-Col. Shedd,
goth Illinois, was there, but surrounded by
Iowa men, and on his left Capt. Anderson,
of Co. A, 18th Iowa, was holding an embrasure
where rebel guns had stood on the GOTH and
was host in himsef-encouragin the men,
loading guns, pointing out officers, and occa-
sionaly doing some rapid shooting himself.
just at this point rebel officer was very con-
spicuous; he was always in the lead, cheering
his men forward, and he urged them to go over
the works, but the deadly fire of our rifles and
their 1ast-thinning ranks unbalanced their
leaders el0quenee. Several of us presented
our regards to this officer, but no one saw him
fall; but next morning he lay there, with His
back TO the field his feet to the foe." During
the flag of truce his men buried him, and gave
his name as Capt. Z. A. Bohn, Co. B, Sd battal-
lion, C. S. A. About D. M cartridges were
running low, and l distributed box brought
up by signal lieutenant, whose name should
like to know, as he was q brave man My i'm
preston is that | knew most of the men to
whom ] gave cartridges. The protracted fight
ing made some men reckless of danger. Some
stopped just outside the works and fought until
shot down by the charging rebels; some mount
ed the works and were killed in the act of aim
ing at the enemy. Our color bearer, Serg't
Buck, seemed utterly regardless of danger. He
stood In exposed places and urged the men to
stand by the coi0rS. Once when we were ex-
posed to perfect storm of lead and canister.
he held the flag as high as he could and sang,
IN clear, steady voice, the Star SpaRgled
Banner" a few minutes later those colors,
which no rebel ever touched, fell from his dy-
ing hands, but only for a second, when other
strong, brave hands lifted them to the breeze.
This BATTLE SO far as the Iowa brigade was
concerned, was as great surprise as Shiloh, if
not a greater, onr first warning, almost, be-
ing volley from tno rear, while at Shiloh we
marched about a mile formed d line of battle
and received the enemy in froat in good STYLE
Yet such was the love of the Army of the Ten
nessee for its commander, Mcpherson, that to
this day have never heard a word of reproach
from one Of them.-W. L. WADE, Co. e., 18th
Iowa, Salem, Ore