The Iowa Civil War Site
Iowa During the Civil War
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Presents Excerpts from the 1863 published book by F. Kiner
CHAPTER IV. THE BATTLE OF SHILOH AND OUR CAPTURE
About eight oclock the firing in our front and in the direction of Corinth became brisk and heavy, and we were ordered out to take part in the game which we afterwards found to be one of considerable importance. We took our position in line of battle about two miles from the river, or landing. Our brigade at this time consisted of the 2nd Iowa, 7th Iowa, 12th Iowa and 14th Iowa, and the 58th Illinois Infantry, commanded by Col. Little. Our division was commanded by Gen. W. H. L. Wallace. Our regiment lay just behind the summit of a small hill, which sloped off gradually both ways; to keep hid from the enemy we lay so close upon the ground, that not a gun or anything else could be seen at any distance. Our object was to let them come as close as possible within thirty paces, so that we could see the whites of their eyes, little knowing how close they were upon their most deadly foe. All was silent as death; our eyes were already upon the sights of our trusty muskets; the deadly aim was being taken, every heart beating for the word of fire. Our moment had come; the prey was sure, and we wished to grasp it. The eye of our brave Colonel was not closed, and at a moment when all was ready, calm and deliberately he gave the order to fire, at which such a simultaneous volley was discharged into the rebel ranks and scattered them in every way in shattered and broken fragments. It was not long, however, until they again attempted to force our lines. They came forward with determination and fresh vigor, and a heavy force. At this time a brass battery of three guns, came to our assistance. So infuriated were the rebels, and resolved upon victory, that had it not been for unflinching and undaunted firmness and bravery of these Iowa troops and cannoniers, we must have given way. The maddened demons came up so close as to lay hands upon the guns of the battery. But their punishment was coming too heavy; they fell like sheep led to the slaughter, and again had to give way and leave their dead upon the field. During all this time, our flanks were heavily engaged and slowly falling back. We could easily judge by the sound of the musketry that our forces were losing ground, and things did not stand as favorably with Grants army as they might. Regiment after regiment were falling back; thousands were crowding the river bank--many from having been wounded and disabled, but many from no other cause than unpardonable cowardice. Had every regiment and man stood up to the work as they should, we might still to some extent, have changed the conditions of affairs on our side, on Sabbath evening. But let others do as they might, our brave commander, Col. W. T. Shaw, was determined that no cowards reproach should rest upon him, or his regiment. After the fighting ceased in our front, we faced about and went to assist our forces upon the left, who were falling back very rapidly. We soon engaged the advancing rebels, and in a short time, with the assistance of several other regiments, succeeded in checking them. Here we had hot work; the enemy were pouring in by thousands, and the fight was terrific, the leaden balls flying thick and fast. But now our situation had become rather serious. We had held our ground against two or three times our number, from eight oclock in the morning, till this time, late in the afternoon. No orders came for us to fall back, though many other regiments had done so; neither were there any other fresh troops sent, either to relieve or assist us in our desperate struggle. Still, we stood our ground; soldier after soldier fell--some wounded, others killed; yet, undaunted, and determined to do our best till the last, with unwavering spirits, we sent volley after volley into the rebel ranks, which, notwithstanding their superior numbers, told its own story among them. But what were two or three thousand men against ten or more thousands? About five oclock in the evening we discovered that the regiments upon our right had gone back, and the enemy had taken advantage of this break in the line and succeeded in getting in our rear, and began at once to pour upon us a terrible fire of musketry and artillery. This was more than human power could stand, or even justice demand--to contend against ten times our number when surrounded, while every moment numbers were being sent into the arms of death. What could we do? What would people ask us to do? Fight when there was no hope of success, and every moment certain death to many? None who are rational would ask us, no reasonable person would expect us to do anything but what we did, and that was to surrender to those who were our superiors in numbers and position.
Transcribed and submitted by great great grandson |
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