 Iowa In the Civil War |
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9th Iowa Infantry Articles Reprinted from the Independence Civilian 1861 - 1862 Adjutant Scott We were very glad to greet the worthy Adjutant of the gallant Iowa Ninth, who returned here on Saturday last, having left the battle ground at Pea Ridge two or three days after the fight. We are much pleased to see that the Adjutant's wound is not likely to prove serious, and will not detain him from duty but a few weeks. It is a painful bruise on the leg, a little above the ankle, made by a round shot. It has sloughed some, but is granulating and healing well. The Adjutant reports the painful news of two more deaths in Company C, from wounds received in the battle of Pea Ridge. one is that of Isaac Arvine, of Spring Grove, before reported mortally wounded. The other is that of A.J. Windsor, of this place, who was popularly known here by the name of "Shorty." W.J. Whissennand, of Spring Grove, is badly wounded in the leg and shoulder, and is considered in a critical condition. John Leatherman, of Quasqueton, has a severe wound in the leg, and is feared that he may lose the limb. Otherwise the wounded are reported very comfortable. The most notable incident of the action we have heard related by the Adjutant, respecting our boys, was that of our young friend, Sergeant E.C. Little, whose coolness and sang froid has before come under notice. When going into action, young Little, who is only about 17 years old, had his gun taken out of his hand by a shell that exploded near him, whirling it away so far that he could not find it. He coolly possessed himself of another gun, however, but it was not long before that was entirely ruined by a shot striking it. He then possessed himself of a third piece, with which he went through the whole battle, and though he received several balls in his clothes, he escaped uninjured. Mr.. Scott speaks in high terms of his coolness, though giving all the highest meed of praise. The Adjutant met reinforcements going to Gen. Curtis, and also learned that a heavy force from Gen. Hunter's late division, under Cool. Dietzler, had reported to Gen Curtis, so that it is probable that our army is now double the strength that it was before the battle. Among the other troops on the way, the Adjutant met the Fourth Iowa cavalry, in which is Lieut. Parsons, and a number of soldiers from our own county. Price is in no condition to assume offensive operations, he thinks, because the large proportion of his men were enlisted for from five to twelve days, only---or for that battle. The Adjutant saw many prisoners who declared that they were so enlisted. They were told that the Rebels had whipped the Federals at Fort Donelson, taking some 13,000 prisoners, and all their canon. &c., and the appeal was made to them on the inspiration of that news, to go out and drive Curtis' army from the State, which they supposed to be an easy matter. Disappointed in the job once, it is not believed that they will attempt it again, especially when our army has been greatly reinforced. Dr. Wright, 2d Lieutenant, will take command of Company C. until the return of Capt. Bull. The Captain and Adjutant Scott will probably return in about two weeks, before which time a forward movement in thought probable. This is transcribed as it appears in the newspaper article in 1862. Through the kindness of Mrs. Scott, we made the following extracts from a letter from her husband, Adjutant of the 9th regiment. It is dated: Head Quarters 9th Reg. Iowa Infantry, Camp on the Battle field, Sugar Creek, Ark., March 10th, 1862. This is Monday morning. On Wednesday last, at 4 o'clock P.M., our scouts brought in word that Price was advancing on Cross Hollow with 30,000 men. In two hours after, all the troops at this place were under orders to march as soon as ready, to Sugar Creek, 12 miles distant. By 12 o'clock we were on the way. We arrived at Sugar Creek, at six o'clock the next morning. There was already a large number of our troops here. Gen. Siegel's forces were attacked this morning at Bentonville, 12 miles from here. H and his forces were twice surrounded by the enemy and cut their way out both times, and joined us at this place. He lost nearly 50 killed in this retreat.-- On Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock the battle had fairly opened at three different points. Gen. Davis's division defended on the left flank, Gen. Siegel in the centre and Col. Carr's division on the right.---The battle lasted all day. The 9th went into action at 11 o'clock and continued until dark. We made five or six charges on the enemy with success. About dark the 9th fell back across an open field.--I was wounded in the second charge, by a cannon ball striking me on the right leg, 4 inches above my ankle. It is nothing more than a severe bruise. The 9th has lost 250 killed and wounded. The whole army of this division has lost over 1500 men. The enemy it is supposed, have lost 2500 in killed and wounded, besides a large number taken prisoners.---The battle last two days. The enemy and our men charged up to within 50 yards of each other. They, as well as our troops fought bravely. Thad nearly three times our number of men.---A rebel captain, who is a prisoner here, said that when our regiment charged on them, they thought there could be no less than three regiments. They did not believe that one could load and fire so fast. A.J. Windsor, and J. Leatherman, will have to have legs amputated. J. Arvine is wounded through lung. Lieut Rice and J. Furicht were killed. (article appeared Tuesday March 25th, 1862) transcribed as written (article appeared Tuesday March 25th, 1862) Battle of Pea Ridge, Ark. St. Louis, March 16--Hon. John S. Phelps' regiment was in the thickest of the battle at Pea Ridge. it had 275 men engaged, and lost 10 killed and 72 wounded. Gen. Sigel captured ten of the cannon taken from the enemy, among them one which he lost at Springfield. they were taken by a Missouri regiment, at the point of the bayonet. The artillery was commanded by Gen. Frost, of the Camp Jackson notoriety. He is reported killed, but the report is doubted. Gentlemen who left the battle ground on Monday following the battle, state that it was a terribly contested struggle, and at one time it was feared all was lost, so overwhelming was the force of the enemy. They fought well, firing chainshot from their batteries, and when these were exhausted, using stones as a last alternative, some of which were fatal in effect. The rebel force is stated at 35,000 men, with whom were 2,200 Indians, under command of Col. Albert Pike, the Arkansas poet. They committed all kinds of atrocities. As near as could be ascertained, the number of killed on the Federal side was 600; wounded, 800 to 1000. On the side of the rebels, the surgeons who appeared to dress the wounds of those who had fallen, acknowledged the killing of 1,100 and that the wounded would amount to between 2,500 and 3,000. The whole number of prisoners taken was one thousand six hundred. Last night the little town of Franklin and the camp where thrown into great commotion by the arrival of news that the rebels were advancing on us. At half past eight occasional shots form the pickets were distinctly heard, and in a few minutes the regular guard commenced firing. Orders were soon given for Co. C to fall into ranks, and load quickly as possible. Hot work was looked for. We "grabbed" our guns and executed the order on the "doublequick." There might have been some trembling knees and quaking limbs in the ranks, but as we came here to fight, and not to run, to our credit be it said, we all stood our ground--not only stood our ground, but after the first "flurry" of excitement had passed away grew anxious for a "pop" at sesesh. But alas! we were doomed to be disappointed. We were fooled, humbugged. The whole thing was big "scare." The guard had mistaken an old sow and pigs for rebels (a very natural mistake, by the way) had fired, and thus the whole camp was roused. When the true state of the case was discovered, we were sent back to our quarters to "fight again our battle o'ere"--to dream of our first bloodless victory. R.E. Freeman P.S. -- Victory is not without its fruits-- blood is not without its price (in this case about two and a half cents per pound.) The guard "bagged" the sow. R.E.F. (Article appeared October 29, 1861) Contributed by: |
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