River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-12-03

Iowa, next year, and the president |
of the organization is going to make
an effort to locate ell the members
now living through the Pension De-
partment.
Il send you a paper, printed at
Edgewocd, Clayton county, which
published the account of the dedi-
cation of a soldiers monument
there. ! was there that day and
met scores of people whom l had
not seen for years. Four members
of Co. d had a reunion that day.
Haskins, John Woodbridge, j. H.
Furman and myself and several
members of other companies of the
Regim snt were there. Also Capt.
Merry, whom you met at Vicksburg,
was in charge of the ceremonies.
"John, will try and answer some
of the requests, in your letter:
Il was not with the Regiment in
the Port Gibson fight as / was sick
with fever and left them at Yoiving
Point, but l joined them later at
Raymond. But l have history of
the Regiment (she 21st Iowa. writ.
ten by Geo. Cook, its Adjutant. l
will try and give you a few notes
which will establish the part they
took in that fight (the battle of
Vicksburg }
"They started on a march for
Port Gibson at noon, the Goth of
April. The brigade was composed
of the 18th Wisconsin, and the 21st,
22nd and 23rd Iowa, the former
leading the march until O'Clock
that evening when they halted for
refreshments. At $50 they resumed
the march. with the 21st Iowa in
the lead. The country was broken
and billy. About seven o'clock,
darkness coming on, halt was
called and a detail was made under
Capt. Crook. Then they advanced
and continued until fired upon by
the enemy, about one o'clock in the
The enemy fired volley
and then fell back. A skirmish line
was thrown out and soon encoun-
tered the enemy. Our forces ad-
vanced about 500 yards farther, to
Shaffer's plantation, where the line
of battle was formed. The enemy's
artillery opened up on our lines,
but was quickly silenced by Klaus
battery which was advanced and
supported by the 21st Iowa. About
three o'clock there was lull during
which the tired soldiers snatched a
brief moment of repose. The battle
opened again early that morning
and lasted nearly all day. This
brilliant engagement started the
campaign which opened the Missis
sippi to the sea and had such a
powerful effect upon the rebellion
General Carr, in his report of the
said the 21st Iowa was
the first on the field and one of the
last to leave it.
ION May the End the Regiment
took up its march and went to the
South Fork of BACON Pierre to guard
The railway and suspension bridge
will pass on from here to the bat
lie of Black River Bridge on May
IL. The regiment lead the advance
IN pursuit of the enemy, who were
strongly intrenched on both sides
Of the Black River. The 21st and
23rd Iowa, supported by the 18th
charged the enemy's
rifle pits under murderous cross
fire and drove them out, across the
river, capturing 1851 prisoners, Is
artillery guns and great number
Of small arms.
THE 2lst had 63 wounded and 6 i
killed. This charge was called by
Grant brilliant and daring move
ment, and Gen. McClernard says in
his report that it was eminently
brilliant and reflects the highest
credit on the officers and men who
achieved the victory. Col. Van
Anda, in his official report of the
regiment in this charge, praises the
boys who led it.
Dana Stanton LAYERS brigade
of Medernards' corps charged the