The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-04-25
BLACK RIVER.
That Force of Johnnies Was Too Large for
One Brigade.

That Force of Johnnies Was Too Large for
One Brigade.
EDUToR NATIONAL TEIBUNE: I was
somewhat amused while reading In your
issue of Jan. "a an account of the battle of
Black River bridge, by J. H. Russell, in
which he claims that the 21st and 23d Iowa
made that charge alone.
In your issue of March 20, Capt. James
Lang, of Nampa, Idaho, protests against
having his regiment, the 11th Wis, counted
out Of that battle. But the Captain is mis-
taken in supposing that the Second Brigade
made that charge alone. Gen. Carr's entire
division was in that fight.
Gen. Lawler, who commanded the Second
Brigade of Carr's Division, in his report
page 1873, Series 1, Vol. XIV, Part p of
operations in Mississippi, speaking of the
battle of Black River bridge, says:
"The movement was successful; the rebels
broke and fled before the 22d Iowa, and fell
an easy prey to the 18th Wis"
1 have now not only the 18th Wis to as
sist J. H. Russell and the 21st and Odd Iowa
whip" sc, 900 rebels" but have the 22d Iowa
also counted in. Still, the job was too large
for one brigade.
Gen. Carr, who commanded the division,
in his report (pages 617-624, Series I, Vol.
"a, Part y says:
"Gen. NJ. K. Lawler formed his brigade in
column of attack, the 33d and Goth ILL.,, of
the First Brigade, charging as soon as they
was the Second Brigade start"
On page ga Gen. Carr says:
"The battle of Black River bridge was
fought by my division, assisted by the Chi
cage Mercantile Battery and two cannon of
the LIST Wis. battery"
We had confronting US Vaughn's and
Green's rebel brigades and 36 cannon on our
side of the river, and two batteries (12 guns)
and Baldwin's Brigade on the other side.
No 10000 rebels there; probably $4,000.
Protected as they were by strong works,
they should have stood us off; but they had
been pounded for two weeks from Port Glib
son to Raymond and Champions Hill, and
seeing Grants whole army coming up, they
grew weary and threw up the sponge
The 18th Wis. lost 30 men, SD Ill. Is,
and Goth Ill. nine in that charge, according
to the official report, which is before me.
The loss in the 21st Iowa was SO, in 22d
Iowa two, in 23d Iowa 101, 9Th Ind. two,
and 18th Ind. none.
1t was brave charge, but the Second
Brigade would have had a still harder task
making their flank attack had not the First
Brigade charged the works in front at the
same time.
Companies III and X, SD ILL.,, went into
that battle as skirmishers at daylight aud
pumped lead into the rebels for three hours
before the charge was made, then joined in
the charge and helped capture several can
non and turn them ON the Johnnies.
However humble part took in the bat
tie, like Capt Lang l do not want to be
counted out of one Of the prettiest fights of
the war; In addition l will say that both
Gems. Carr and Lawler, in their reports,
speak in the highest terms of the Dist and
ODD Iowa, and they were as good as the best
in the field.
Capt Lang, how are you, old boy"? I
served under you when you commanded the
Pioneers of the Thirteenth Corps. Do you
remember me?-JoHN Nj. FOLLETT, Co. III,
SD ILL.,, Atkinson, Ill.