Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
TOLAYMATTERBEFORE WAR DEPARTMENT

consider further evidence substantial
ling the official records, refused to ap-
prove inscriptions for the monuments
in Shiloh National Military park which
would fix the time the commands were
engaged as shown by the reports of
Colonel Hugh T. Reid and Colonel AL
exander Chambers, respectively, and
/ Whereas, The question at issue hav-
ing been submitted to the secretary of
war for consideration and reports con-
corning them having been prepared by
/ General F. G. Ainsworth, chief Of the
record and pension bureau, bearing
the approval Of the secretary Of war,
and
| Whereas, said reports, among other
things, find that said regiments were
not engaged with the enemy at Shiloh
between the hours of 10 and IL o'clock
a. m. April 6, 1862, as appears by Off
cial records.
| Makes Recommendations
Now, therefore, the commission, aft
er having further examined and inuuir.
ed into the facts as represented by
i
teenth regim ents and having carefully
read the reports of General F. G. Aims
worth, chief of the record and pension
bureau, have reached the conclusion
that the chief of the record and pen
sion bureau was not fully advised in
the premises, or did not give the mat
ter in controversy such an investiga-
ton as it's Importance demanded and
L to s,FN cd
changes and ignores the official reports
of the colonies commanding these reg
iments and if permitted to stand, is,
and will remain. a manifest injustice
to the memory of said regiments and
establish dangerous precedent.
We therefore earnestly and respect
fully ask, as the action of this commits
sion that the secretary of war reopen
the case and that the matter be more
fully and carefully presented and con.
sidered.
Inscriptions Incorrect.
Second, we further respectfully ask
that the inscriptions formulated by the
chief OF the record and pension bureau
for the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa
monuments be withdrawn for the fol-
lowing reasons:
l. They contain incorrect and in ap-
1 propriate statements for which this
commission does not wish to be held
Irresponsible.
(a) The statement on the Fifteenth
inscription, by order of General Grant
1T held its position to prevent the en-
envy from thanking the landing" is new
matter, not found in either of the in
scriptions being considered Though
based on Colonel Reid's report, it is
not in harmony with General Grants
account of the battle and not appro.
pirate here.
(b) The Fifteenth inscription refers
to the location of the monument as in
a field, whereas it is in the timber.
Co From the time of the arrival of
the Sixteenth regiment until the morn
ing of April 6 it remained, or had
headquarters on the boat. 1t never had
camp ashore until after the battle.
The statement that the Sixteenth dis
embarked April s is incorrect.
(d) The statement that the Six
teenth was in position at the right of
the Fifteenth on the bluffs "for about
an hour" is incorrect. Colonel Cham
bers' report reads as follows: "The
line had been formed but short time
when I was ordered to march it." etc.
2. By the ruling of the chief of the
record and pension bureau these regi-
ments are denied what has been ac-
corded to other Iowa regiments (as
shown by tablets already placed
namely, that of departing from war de-
partment records and fixing casualties
as certified by the adujutant general of
| Iowa.
8. 1t is very desirable that the
bronze tablets on these monuments
| shall be so inscribed that the lettering
| shall correspond with the lettering on
tablets of other Iowa monuments and
thus follow the action of this commits
sion that the monuments "shall be
identical in every particular The
length of these inscriptions forbids it..
4. 1t is desired and asked that the
time of engagement of these regiments
shall be stated as set forth in the re.
ports OF the regimental commanders,
| volume x, War of Rebellion Records -
Submits Inscriptions.
The Iowa commission herewith sub
mits the following inscriptions for the
monuments of the Fifteenth and Six.
teenth regiments, respectively, believ-
ing that the matter therein contained
is such as is authorized by the act of
congress and by the rules promulgated
governing the erection of monuments
in the Shiloh National Military park,
and respectfully asks that the same
be approved and this commission be
authorized to place the same on the
reglmental monuments, to-wit:
IOWA.
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY
Col. Hugh t. Reid (Wounded.)
The regiment arrived at Pittsburg
Landing at an early hour on Sunday
morning, April 6, 1852. Upon landing
the men for the first time loaded their
guns Between s and 8 o'clock a. M.
by order Of General Grant, it marched
to reinforce the First division, con.
Quoted by one of the staff officers and
the engineer OF the First division.
Whi1a Tnarahiup oorooe