The National tribune., 1884-11-13
RESACA.
n. Part the Goth low. Took in that Fight.

To THE EDITOR: The 25th Iowa was first
mustered a Clinton, Iowa, on the Both of Sep
TENDER, 1862, aud had its first experience in
blood and thunder at Chickssaw Bayou and
Arkansas Post. From this time till the close
OF the war the regiment was in active service
and In many tight places, but always came out
with honor. Failing to see any mention of
the regiment in your columns, l will men,
ton one or two instances of gallantry, with the
hope of drawing something from the more
powerful pen of some member of the regiment.
On May IS, 1864, the Goth Iowa, commanded
by Col. Milo Smith, was on the extreme right
of the First Division, Fifteenth Corps, under
the command of Gen. p. ]. Osterhaus. As we
moved up and took position on the nights west
of Resaca, we were greeted by salute from all
the rebel batteries along the line. There
seemed for time to be literally no room be-
tween the missiles of solid shot, shell, grape
and canister that ratified among the trees and
rocks. Our Chief of Artillery (Tandgraver),
perceiving this to be two-handed game, hast
ened to the front Soon our PARROTS were in
position and talking back very saucily. The
boom of artillery continued through the after
noon, and the skirmish-line was advanced.
The sharp crack of the Springfield could be
heard in all lulls of the roar. / shall never
forget the presence of Gen. Osterhaus along the
advanced line and his words of cheer, such ~
STEADY, boys steady. Keep cool. Good aim,
boys. Hit the rascals every time," etc.
The morning of the 14th opened warm and
bright. Our regiment was waiting in line, can
teens filled, each man given q hundred or moro
rounds Of cartridges. About o'clock p. m. an
Orderly from Gen. Wood came up and spoke in
low tone to Col Smith. Forward" shouted
Col. Smith, in . deep. clear voice. The regi-
ment to Q man started forward ut double
quick, which soon increased to . hard run,
down q steep hill, over . sluggish stream Of
deep water and across an old field to the & -een
timber, almost under the enemy's guns. This
movement was executed with such promptness
that many rebel skirmishers found themselves
fanked, and were obliged to surrender. The
old regiment had learned the "tricks of the
trade" and kept close to the ground. The
ground itself was low. These circumstances
perhaps saved the regiment from annihilation !;
the greater part of the bullets of the enemy
passing harmlessly over our heads. At this
dreadful moment Confederate officer, prOba-
bly, Of high rank, mounted on q white horse, as
if inspecting the line, and unconscious of the
close proximity of Q hostile regiment rode
along the enemy's line within easy reach of
our rides. For moment group of trees shell
tered him. He slowly emerged, and rider and
horse instantly rolled over on the ground. I
have often asked who this officer was, but never
could ascertain.
Shortly after this circumstance your CORES
pondent laid aside his cquipage and, faint from
the loss of blood, with the aid Of drummer
boy, reached the rear and the ambulance. At
the division hospital found some acquaintances
who had preceded me, and our ambulance con-
| tinued to arrive with loads of wounded until
nightfall. Finally, heard . familiar voice
THAT of our regimental Surgeon) ask the driver,
ais this your last load?" "This is eli you
will get tonight, Doctor, unless there is moro
fighting" replied the driver. "Weu, / hope
to God this will do Gen. Osterhsus for one
day." rejoined DR.. Hudson.
The next day was told that the goth sup
piled their cartridge-boxes from those of the
dead and wounded, and held their ground till
the close Of the day, when, by the aid of the
friendly darkness, they were relieved by some
Missouri troops. 1 would like TO hear from
some one else who was present at the stormy
time in front of Resaca-M. G. ALDRIoH, 26th
Iowa, Cape Horn, Wash. Ter.