Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-04-09

ed and Major Stone had his horse
killed under him, and he was dis
abled and captured BY the enemy.
I was the ranking officer remaining
on duty. and the command Of the
regiment devolved ,pon me. Just
at that time our disvision and bril-
gade was compelled to fall back in
order to avoid being surrounded,
having been fanked by the enemy
both on the right and left. We sue
ceeded in extricating ourselves
from our perilous position, but
there were three Iowa regiments
fighting in another division further
to the right--Which were not so
fortunate. They were the Eighth,
Twelfth, and Fourteenth Iowa In
fantry They were completely sur
rounded and-after making a des-
perate attempt to force their way
through the ranks of the enemy
were compelled to submit and be
taken prisoners. We were nearly
surrounded at one time but finally
succeeded in reaching our line of
last resistance where all the avail
able artillery had been collected
including some heavy siege guns
and these guns supported by all the
troops who remained-hurled death
and destruction into the ranks Of
the enemy who continued to ad-
vance with splendid courage. Just
then-when all seemed lost--the
advance of General Buel's Army ar
rived upon the field, and this time
ly addition to our numbers saved
the day for the Union Army. The
fight continued, however, with un-
diminished fury until after dark. AS
night closed in the scene became
one of thrilling grandeur. Our guns
would belch forth a blazing stream
of fire, lighting up the forest around
us, while the answering roar and
flame of the enemy's guns made a
sound of pandemonium never to be
forgotten. During this tremendous
artillery duel we stood behind the
guns ready to resist a bayonet
charge of the enemy, should 1t be
attempted Shells were exploding
around us. Solid shot came tearing
through the trees, cutting off great
branches and hurting them to the
ground. Men were being killed and
wounded on every hand. While not
Indifferent to the danger that
threatened me, I felt that my life
was no dearer and sweeter to me
than was that of many another
young man who had fallen on that
bloody field. The one thing / kept
constantly in mind was to do my
whole duty, to acquit myself with
honor, and to merit your cordial
approval and that of all my loyal
friends. To have failed to have thus
performed my duty would have rem
dered my life not worth living. AT
length the combined fire Of our ar
tillery and gun-boats proved toe
heavy for the rebel batteries and
they were withdrawn. Thus ended
| the first day of the battle. Tired
with our hard days fighting we
eagerly embraced the opportunity
for rest, but about midnight II
commenced raining and we passed
a miserable night, During the nigh,
the remainder of General Buels
4 army crossed the river and went In
to position for action in the morn.
ing. With the dawn of day the
fighting was renewed by our army
assuming the aggressive. Our little
brigade was soon ordered forward
and we soon became engag ed, driv
ing the rebels back over the groune
from which they had driven us tht
|, day before. They resisted stub
a DoTuty, DuL we VioNS ~aShA W. 49,
our camps which they had occupied
during the night and continued Il
u drive them slowly over all thu
ground they had won from us. They
!. finally made desperate stand II
our immediate front. The TIVE
great armies were again engaged II
fierce conflict, the lines OF BATH
covering four miles in length. Thu
rebels fought with great bravery
seeming determined to again driv'
us back to the river. or perish II
: the attempt, but they everywher'
met with a firm and determines
front. The battle ragged with un
!; abated furry until four p. m, whel
|. the enemy began to waver and fai
back. They were finally driver
/ from the field, leaving their dea'
, and wounded and many prisoners Il
, our hands My regiment captures
I one fine battery of six guns, togeth
! or with q number OF prisoners. TIL