Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-05-17
The SIMPLE LIFE
OF A C0MM0NER
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CONTINUED from page -.
had passed through five or six of
those biscuits and piece of salt
pork and then had glanced off, after
striking another bareback and pas
sed through my haversack Thus it
happened that those much maligRed
army biscuits had protected me
against the assaults CT foes without,
in addition to ministering to my
necessities from within; and / was
again thankful to that kind Provi-
dence which had continued to. watch
over me for the marvellous preser-
walton of my life. After the battle
and pursuit of the enemy Colonel
t. w. Sweeney of the Fifty-second
Illinois, who assumed command of
the brigade upon the death of Gen.
eral Hackleman. made his report of
the part taken by the troops under
his command, from which / take
the following extract: 'The regi-
ments composing the brigade were
posted as follows: The Fifty-sec-
ond Illinois on the right, the Sec
ond Iowa on the left of the Fifty
second, and the Seventh Iowa on the
left of the Second. The Union Bril-
gade came up at this point from
Danville and was posted on the left
of the battery, which was in posi-
ton on the left of the Seventh
Iowa" After referring to the ar
tillery duel already mentioned he
goes on to say: "The enemy burst
from the woods in front in magnifi-
cent style in columns by divisions,
and moved swiftly across the open
field until within point-blank range,
when they deployed into and opened
tremendous fire, moving steadily
to the front all the time. Our men,
who had been ordered to lie down,
now rose and poured in their fire
with such deadly effect that the foe,
after a short but sanguinary strug-
gle, reeled, broke and fled in dis
may. Again they advanced, but We're
forced back at the point of the bay
onet with great slaughter, our men
driving them across the open field
and into the woods. 1t was in this
charge that brave Colonel Baker fell
mcrtally wounded. His last words,
Il die content; have seen my regi-
ment VIGOROUSLY charging the en-
envy" were worthy of him. The
enemy now receiving heavy rein
the fighting between
them and the Fifty-second Illinois
and Second and Seventh Iowa be-
came desperately fierce, the right of
the Union brigade having given way
at the very beginning of the engage
ment. Just at this juncture part OF
Mowers brigade moved to our sup
port, but before they could be de-
ployed into line they became panic
stricken and broke in confusion. 1t
was while endeavoring to rally these
men that Generals Hackleman and
Oglesby were wounded. The former
received his death wound while thus
rallying troops to sustain his own
gallant brigade. His last words
were, Il am dying, but die for my
If we are victorious, send
my remains home; if not, bury me
on the field" No nobler sentiment
was ever uttered by soldier or pa
triot. After he fell the command of
the brigade devolved on me, and
the fight continued with undated
fury until our ammunition was al
most expended; but by this time the
enemy had almost disappeared from
our front, although it was evident
he was massing his troops on our
left, for the purpose of turning our
udHh. ADOut lulS tAihO q A~StAA~AN
of Colonel Mowers brigade relieved
the Fifty-second Illinois, which was
out of ammunition, and an order be-
ing received from General Davies
few minutes after to fall back, we
retired in good order and took posi-
tions on the right of Fort Robinette.
1t was now p. m. and fresh sup
ply of ammunition was here dis
to the troops About 10
p. m. / received an order TO move
my brigade to the rear of General
Ord's old headquarters and form
line of battle facing to the north.
From this place / was ordered about
2:30 o'clock on the morning OF the
4th to take position on the Purdy