The National tribune., 1891-07-23
HAYNES BLUFF.
shermIn'. First Attempt to Capture yieksbu

Sherman's First Attempt 10 capture fleksburE.
EpTroR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: have been
reading your paper for some time past, and am
greatly interested in the sketches Of various
comrades regarding different battles in which
they were engaged. ! have waited long and
patiently. hoping 10 hear something from some
member Of the 18th Iowa, but so far in vain and
so have concluded 10 say something myself
about that gallant regiment, more particularly
the part il bore in Sherman's attack on Haynes
Bluff in the rear OF Vicksburg
The main assault was made on Dec. 81, 1862.
although there had been some fighting and
skirmishing for two days before. The 18th Iowa
was brigaded with four other Iowa regiments
(ith, 25th, Goth, Both and 3lst). and was known
rs the Iowa Brigade, under command Of Gen.
Thayer, now Governor of Nebraska. The
weather was wet and cold and as disagreeable
as il well could be-
The brigade was lying behind the Yazoo
Levee when the order came for us 10 advance.
We were on the right Of the line Of attack.
The troops 10 our left were already engaged.
We moved out with the 4th Iowa in the ad-
vance, Gen. Thayer and Col Williamson Of our
regiment leading the charge. In our front was
a bayou some - feet wide aud quite deep. which
had been bridged with logs and which we had
10 cross in the face OF a severe fire of cannon
aud muskctry.
Haynes Bluff begins TO rise from this bayou
where we crossed to quito an elevation, and tho
rebels had IL fortified from the foot to the top
After crossing the bayou we turned to the right
and after getting into line we again advanced
aud drove the rebels from the first and second
line Of Tilc-pits. when we discovered that we
were wholly unsupported; the other regiments
having, through some misunderstanding OF
orders, turned to the left before they reached
the bayou. Who made the mistake or who is
responsible for it have never heard. As soon
as Gen. Thayer saw that we had no support he
ordered us TO fall back across the bayou. There
was less than 80 men OF the regiment who an
swered 10 their names when We arrived at Our
former position, but they kept coming in one
AT time until away along in the night. Some
who had penetrated the enemys lines the
| farthest could not get out until after dark.
The regiment lost l39 men killed wounded
and missing in that charge, which lasted only
about half an hour. do not know the strength
/ of the regiment when il entered the fight, but
/ the loss was reported as | have given il.
The old 4th Iowa was in good many warm
| places but that was the hottest Of any. After
/ the line was broken the rebels had US from the
] front, both TANKS, and the rear. The wonder
is that they did not kill or capture all of us. In
recrOssing the bayou il looked as if no mar
could live under such fire OF cannon and
musketry. The balls struck the water on bOtI
sides Of tho bridge like hail. One poor fellow
had his head entirely severed from his body By
a cannon-ball.
trust this article, however poorly written
/ will meet the notice Of some member Of the OLD
/ 4th Iowa and be the means of inducing then
/ 10 give some of their recollections Of thost
! perliOus times from 1861 10 l-65.-W. III. BOoTH
/ Co. /, 4th Iowa, Carrollton, Mo.