The National tribune., 1902-06-26
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades Along the Whole
Line.
BATTLE OF IUKA.

Comrade w. H. Gilliard, Co. F, 18th
Mo-, Lawton. Okla, replying to recent
communication in The National Tribune
from j. Van Eman, 39th Ohio, Kansas
City, Mo-, says: "Comrade Van Eman is
mistaken when he says that the Ohio Bri-
gade-63d. 39th, AID and 21th-partici-
pated in the reconnaissance made under
command of Joseph 4. Mower, and men
toned in the second volume of Greeley's
American Conflict Col. Mower, in COM
mand of the 18th Mo-, one or two compa-
MES of cavalry, one company of 66th Ill.
(Birge's SharpshOoters) and two guns of
the I'd Iowa Battery, left huntsville, eight
miles from Iuka, on Sept. II, taking the
Iuka Road. We struck the enemy's out
post about three miles out, and drove the
Johnnies with brisk fire by our cavalry
advance until within about one and half
miles of Iuka, when we came to an open
ing which extended about half mile on
each side of the road and about One-half
mile to our front. We moved out in the
open with our entire force. Cos. + and G.,
under command of Capt. W. W. Cleland,
moved rapidly across the field. When we
got nearly across the ensmy's skirmishers
opened fire on us, but we went forward
with rush until we reached the top of a
hill, where we could see 1uka ard the
camp Of Gen. Prices army. Col. Mower
looked over the situation. Having learned
that Price was really at Iuka in force,
we fell back OH our reserves and went
back to Burnesville that night. While We
were on the skirmish line near Iuka a
rebel soldier came out from the rebel line
and surrendered to my company F). He
stated that he had been watching for an
opportunity to escape. and that he had
been guard at Gen. Prices headquarters
that day, and they were having council
of officers, and they discussed plans in
his hearing, and that their plan was to re-
main at Iuka and give battle. if our
forces attacked. and if successful We're to
push on and capture COrinth. If not sue
cessful. that they were to fall back, make
a circuit, getting in our rear, and beat us
back to Corinth and capture the place,
with its small garrison and immense sup
plies, before we could get there. Capt.
Cleland sent the prisoner to Gen. Rose
Grams, who placed him under guard after
hearing his story and kept him until after
the battle of Corinth, Oct. and 4, when
we heard Gen. ROsecrans gave him 500
and pass to Chicago. Whether there
was any truth in his story or not, Gen.
Price attempted to and came very near
carrying out this plan. Now, Comrade
Van Eman, this is the reconnaissance
which you claim the Ohio Brigade took
part in. Now. l wish to call your atten-
ton to another serious mistake about the
battle of Iuka. You state when the 18th
Ohio Battery ceased firing and was cap
tured that the musketry was greatly di-
minished and that the remnant of the 18th
Ohio Battery came back, and as night was
coming on the battle was over. The facts
are that the musketry fire did not diminish
after the capture of the 11th Ohio Bat
terry, but was one continuous roll of mus
Lot nft dark whom ha
withdrew. In j. II. Headley's history,
vol 2. page %, he says: .Maddened to fury
by their loss. the rebels rallied. and with
yells prccipitated themselves upon SulE-
vans diminished band and recovered the
battery. Around its guns the battle ragged
with awful fury. Every flank movement
of the enemy being promptly stopped, he
was compelled to fight it out in front. and
from 5 o'clock till dark the 9th Iowa. 18th
and Goth Mo. held that single road with Il
stubbornness that scoffed at numbers:
rooted to their places, a line of fire run
ming necessarily along their front. they
stood uncOnquerable as fate. All this time
Rosecrans listened with intense anxiety to
hear the sound of Grants guns on the 9th
er road, but it came not, and darkness ut
length closed the bloody contest Head
ley says our total loss in this battle was
$50 or nearly quarter of the whole force
engaged"
A PATRIOTIC FAIsLs,
Samuel Woodwork, Newman, H., when
sending 81 for another ycar's subscription
to The National Tribune, writes: ''s ilGce
been subscriber for your paper ever
since it was first published. | would he
completely lost without it, | served three
years and three months in Co. Il. sd H.
Ny father served about two years i'll the
same company and regiment | had three
brothers in the 123d Ill. and q brother-jn-
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