OPERATIONS OF THE REBEL GENERAL HARRIS--THREE COMPANIES
OF OUR REGIMENT DETAILED TO JOIN AN EXPEDITION AGAINST
HIM--WE ARE ALLOWED TEN MINUTES FOR PREPARATION--WE
JOIN A PORTION OF THE SIXTEENTH ILLINOIS AT
PALMYRA--AND WITH THEM RETURN TO MONROE--THE MOVEMENT
IS DELAYED BY A STORM--CONSULTATION OF OFFICERS--THE
COLUMN MOVES--SKIRMISH OF HAGER'S WOODS--WE DELAY AND
FINALLY CAMP FOR THE NIGHT--AND IN THE MORNING BEGIN TO
RETREAT--OUR TRAIN BURNED AND THE ENEMY IN OUR REAR--A
THREATENED SKIRMISH--HE CUTS OFF OUR COMMUNICATION
AND SURROUNDS US IN LARGE FORCE--COOL CONDUCT OF
COLONEL SMITH--WE BEGIN TO FORTIFY--A NIGHT OF
EXPECTATION--DETAILS OF OUR SITUATION--THE ENEMY OPENS
WITH ARTILLERY AND BEGINS TO DRAW IN HIS LINES--WE
LIE IN OUR TRENCHES AND RESERVE OUR FIRE--AID IN THE
RIGHT TIME--THE ENEMY QUITS THE FIELD IN PANIC--AN
ACCIDENT--COL. WILLIAMS ARRIVES WITH A PORTION OF THE
THIRD IOWA.
We were now to learn that we had not been called into the field to
wear fine uniforms and make imposing parades. We were to learn that
soldiering has some higher realities than guard duty, drill and pilot
bread. We were to learn that our prediction of the total defeat
of the rebel cause in Missouri had been the wildest mistake, and,
that in times of war it is folly to make any predictions whatever.
In short, we were to learn what it was to see the enemy, to be
surrounded by him, and to be shot at by him.
It appears that Thomas Harris, a citizen of Hannibal, one who had
been a member of Congress from Missouri a West Point graduate, and
a man of tact and shrewdness, as those who knew him averred, was
recruiting and concentrating, in Monroe county, south of the Hannibal
and St. Joseph Railroad, a large force of mounted infantry, with
what designs was then unknown to the Union authorities. It is known,
however, that he gave infinite trouble to the Federal forces in
northeastern Missouri; that he baffled all efforts to capture him,
crossed the Missouri with a large force, joined Price at Lexington,
and under him commanded a division. On the Sunday alluded to in
the last chapter, Colonel Smith and Colonel Williams agreed upon a
plan for a movement against his accumulating forces. To this end,
the Third Iowa was to furnish three companies. That evening Colonel
Williams assembled his captains, and they cast lots for the privilege
of joining in the coveted movement. Herron, Newcomb and Warren were
the lucky men, and their companies A, F and H were thus designated to
take part in it. Thus our first expedition was concocted on Sunday,
perhaps by accident; but who knows that the venerable colonel of the
Sixteenth did not think it well to devote the Sabbath to so good a
work?
Notwithstanding the companies which were to take part in it, were
thus designated, orders for preparation were not issued to them that
evening; no, nor at reveille in the morning. It was not till after
breakfast that we received this order, and then we were allowed but
ten minutes for preparation; and what was still more astonishing, we
were not told whether to take any rations, or what baggage to take,
and what to leave behind. We must do in ten minutes no one could
tell what, or else leave every thing undone. We, however, undertook
the job of packing up our private effects, and getting them in shape
to leave behind. But the matter on which the colonel had rested all
night so easily, had now become suddenly and dreadfully urgent.
While we were hurrying together our things with the utmost haste, he
appeared among us in a great rage because we were not in ranks. We
were compelled to leave our property, some of it packed, and some of
it scattered about in our tents. It was three weeks before we saw
any of it again, and some of us lost all we had. It may be imagined
that this circumstance was calculated to exalt our opinion of Col.
Williams, and to enhance our affection for him.
We got aboard a train of freight cars, and after a short delay, moved
to the east. The time consumed in our ride was passed in singing
patriotic songs, and speculating as to our destination. All that we
knew of what was before us was, that the enemy was concentrating a
large force somewhere, that he was supposed to have artillery, and
that we were to attack him.
About 4 P. M. we arrived at Palmyra, where we were joined by two
companies of the Sixteenth and one of the Hannibal Home Guards.
The men of the Sixteenth had the advantage over us of being fully
equipped and supplied with twenty rounds of ammunition. So also the
Home Guards, who had with them their cannon, an iron six pounder. The
chief of this piece was a soldier of the Sixteenth, who had been a
non-commissioned officer in the British artillery service in India.
The manner in which he handled it in the face of the enemy, showed
that he was as familiar with a cannon as an old hunter with his
rifle. But it was unfortunate that the only ammunition with which it
was supplied was solid shot.
With this force we went aboard another train, and as soon as the
cannon and some commissary stores could be got aboard, it proceeded
back to Monroe, a station eighteen miles distant. Here we got off and
formed battalion for a night march. Just at this time a heavy rain
storm came up and raged with violence during the fore part of the
night. It would be folly to attempt to advance fourteen miles over
unknown roads in the blackness of such a night, especially as the men
of our regiment had to carry their total supply of cartridges, twelve
rounds, in their side coat pockets, where the rain would render them
unfit for use. So Col. Smith, who was in command, seemed to have
concluded; but he gave us no orders during the whole night, whether
to go to sleep or to keep awake and await orders to take up the
march. We however availed ourselves of shelter as best we could in
the case, in a few vacant buildings; and notwithstanding we had not a
picket watching, slept soundly.
The morning dawned clear and beautiful. The prairie birds sung
sweetly and the air was full of fragrance. But the cheer which
pervaded nature illy accorded with our feelings. Wet, hungry and
unrefreshed, we arose and set ourselves to work to prepare something
to eat. The town afforded one hotel which accommodated with warm
meals the officers and many of the men. With the aid of this, and
the scant rations we had drawn, we managed to appease our hunger, and
as far as we, the men, were concerned, were ready to move.
But Colonel Smith was in a dilemma. It had been his intention to
make a night march and surprise the enemy. In this the storm had
disappointed him. And now that the enemy must be aware of his
presence, he did not know whether it were best to advance and attack
him or not. Nor is it strange that he hesitated. His force consisted
of not more than 450 men, and their supply of ammunition was not more
than sufficient to last them through a heavy skirmish. The lowest
reports of the citizens placed the enemy's force at 900, and all
represented that the whole country was rushing to join him. It was
said that he had three pieces of cannon. He was encamped in a dense
forest from which it would be hard to dislodge him, and where he
would have the advantage of knowing the ground in case of attack. In
addition to this, most of his force was mounted, while we were wholly
destitute of cavalry. This would enable him unopposed to keep a
network of scouts around us, who, from eminences in the open country,
would reconnoiter, ascertain our numbers and watch our movements
unmolested. Moreover, knowing our position at all times, he would be
able to draw us into ambuscades, or in the timber to move rapidly and
suddenly upon our flanks and rear.
Colonel Smith called a council of officers, and introduced the
subject to them in that unrestrained, simple manner for which he was
so peculiar: "Well, Captain, So-and-so, what had we better do?" This
was the way in which he asked each officer for his opinion. The
council was not unanimous; but it was decided to march against the
enemy.
Meanwhile several horses had been impressed and mounted with expert
and daring men. This force succeeded in running down and bringing
in several of the enemy's scouts, who appeared, at different times,
watching our movements. Of course, it was impossible to obtain any
reliable information from them.
At ten o'clock, we took up the march, leaving the train of cars
behind without a guard. In the order of column the two companies of
the Sixteenth had the advance, followed by the Third Iowa battalion,
under command of Captain Herron, to whom Williams had given the
command, allowing Lieut. Col. Scott to go along as a spectator! The
enlisted men did not, at the time, understand this shameful trick,
but wondered to see Capt. Herron giving orders to the battalion in
the presence of Lt. Col. Scott. The cannon, followed by the Home
Guards, was in our rear. Of course so small a column did not present
a very imposing appearance; but as we thus moved toward the enemy
with measured and united tread, we felt a glow of spirits which can
not be described. Having proceeded about four miles, we halted and
partook of refreshments to the amount of a single hard cracker to the
man, without grease, water or salt.
Our road led through alternate woods and prairies, and over one
or two small, muddy streams. The day was intensely hot, and being
without canteens we suffered greatly from thirst. The country through
which we passed was almost entirely deserted by the inhabitants. We
did not see half a dozen male citizens during the whole day's march.
While marching through the open country, horsemen appeared, from
time to time, on our flanks, but kept beyond the range of our guns,
and reconnoitered us apparently with great coolness. In one instance
the column halted and Fishbeem unlimbered his gun and sent one or
two shots after these curious gentlemen, which made them disappear
in a hurry. This was, in reality, a very foolish performance; but it
demonstrated to our admiring eyes the ability of Fishbeem to handle a
cannon just as we thought it ought to be done. From that time until
the battle of Blue Mills, we put an immense amount of confidence in
artillery, and would scarcely consider ourselves safe away from it.
In marching through the woods, Col. Smith invariably kept a line
of skirmishers deployed on either flank. This was almost a useless
precaution; for the line, never in advance of the column, afforded
no protection against a concealed enemy in front. For all the good
this did us, the enemy might have concealed himself ahead of us,
and allowed us to march unsuspectingly to within twenty rods of his
cannon before firing. Colonel Smith was very kind and fatherly to us;
but it is plain he was not a military man. He should have kept at
least a platoon moving ahead of us as an advanced guard.
About two P. M. we came in sight of a party posted in the edge of
a wood. Adjutant Sessions, somewhat excited, cried, "We have met
the enemy and they are ours, boys!" Some of the privates, equally
excited, perhaps, failed to see the point. The rebels had a fair
field for a footrace; hence the adjutant's mistake. The cannon
galloped forward, the old driver keeping up an unearthly screeching
for joy. We were put on the double quick. Many of the boys threw away
their blankets, and even then, before the end of the race, got quite
out of breath. But we kept our places in ranks pretty well. Verily we
were going to have a fight. No, not quite so soon. The rebels kicked
the bottom out of it by skedaddling as fast as they could. It was
probably a small picket force.
About 4 P. M., while we were marching through a long lane which led
into a dense growth of young timber, and while the renowned "Dutch
Company" of the Sixteenth, a company of German rifles, was deployed
as skirmishers on either flank, the head of the column was fired
into by a party of the enemy concealed immediately in advance of us.
They fired about fifty shots, and perhaps a less number were fired
in reply; for the rebels immediately fled, leaving several horses
tied to the trees and one man mortally wounded. The Colonel at this
moment happened to be riding in the rear of the column, and in his
absence every captain seemed to make such dispositions as he saw fit.
Some companies climbed the fence to the left, some to the right, and
some continued to advance along the road. Soon Colonel Smith rode up,
appearing greatly surprised at all that had taken place, and pointing
over to the left where no one dreamed of there being either foe or
friend, said to Captain Newcomb, "Captain, any firing over in that
direction?" But the Colonel was by no means excited. Indeed we never
saw him excited. If ever he appreciated the magnitude of danger, he
never manifested it. So far he was a soldier.
Suddenly Fishbeem galloped up with his cannon, and fired two or three
shots with it into an old barn, greatly to our encouragement and
doubtless to the huge merriment of our flying foe. Thus ended our
first rencounter with the enemy, known in official papers as "Hager's
Woods."
In this little affair Captain McAllister, of the Sixteenth, who was
riding in advance on horseback, was wounded in five places. "Kansas
Jack," a soldier of the Sixteenth, who had already distinguished
himself as a scout, was wounded in the arm, and a teamster was
slightly wounded. The injury done to the enemy, beyond the wounding
mortally of one man, is not known. It must have been inconsiderable.
Well, what did we do next? We stood still in ranks for two hours,
waiting for--nobody knows what. Night at length came. Between us
and the enemy there was said to be five miles of unbroken wood. If
he could draw us into ambuscade by daylight, it would be folly to
advance now. So Colonel Smith wisely concluded to turn back and go
into camp. We countermarched a mile and halted for the night in a
field of newly harvested rye.
As soon as we had stacked arms, there was a general rush to the
wagons for blankets. Some found their own, some appropriated the
first they came to, and some were compelled to pass the night without
any at all. A picket guard composed wholly of privates was posted by
Adjutant Sessions around the camp, two men in a place, so as to form
a line a quarter of a mile from it either way. This guard was simply
a chain of videttes without a commanding officer, and not relieved
during the night. The only instruction given to the men was to fire
and retreat to camp if an enemy should appear. To their credit be it
said, there was not a gun fired on the picket line that night.
Day again dawned beautifully. Colonel Smith, after consulting his
officers, considered it prudent to return to Monroe. Accordingly, at
eight o'clock, the column began to move in retreat. About ten o'clock
we came upon a small party of the enemy, at whom Fishbeem fired a few
shots, which caused them to disappear hastily. All day the "Dutch
Company" kept the flanks, and moved abreast of the column over fences
and through thick woods in a manner that excited our admiration. Our
stock of horses received some additions by levies on rebel citizens,
and an additional number of scouts were mounted.
About eleven o'clock we came in sight of Monroe, and what was our
surprise to see the railroad depot and the train of cars we had left
behind in flames! On reaching a more commanding view, we saw a long
line of rebel cavalry drawn up to receive us. We immediately formed
line, the cannon on the left. Fishbeem bade them good morning with a
six pound ball which struck full in their midst. They did not wait
for another salute, but broke over the hill and disappeared in the
greatest precipitation. Then additional shots were fired, but they
probably took no effect, as the enemy were already behind the hill.
Colonel Smith then gave the command to move forward. Captain Herron
asked, "Shall we advance in line, Colonel?" To which the old Colonel
replied characteristically, "Why, no; the devils are gone."
We now advanced toward the town, where we arrived about noon and took
a position as much concealed as possible, the better to watch the
movements of the enemy. The scouts reported that they found one horse
with his leg shot off where Fishbeem's shot had first fallen among
the cavalry. They now began to appear in large numbers on our left
and right. A passenger train coming from the west got within half a
league of us, when a body of horsemen galloped rapidly toward it.
Perceiving this, and the track torn up in front of it, it halted and
escaped by beating a hasty retreat. We now took a position in a three
story brick seminary north of the town, which it was Colonel Smith's
intention to make his point of defense. For instead of attacking the
enemy, as we had come to do, it was evident that he was now preparing
to attack us. All the afternoon columns of cavalry continued to
debouch from the woods on the southwest whence we had retreated,
now forming long lines in front, now separating and appearing again
on all sides of us. It required more military experience than we
possessed to divine what all this meant. Meanwhile columns of smoke
rising in the distance to the east and west, told us that they
were destroying the railroad, with the design of preventing succor
from reaching us. Two Union men, who had escaped from their lines,
confirmed the report that they had cannon. It needed no statement of
theirs to convince us that this force was immensely superior to our
own; for before night we were completely surrounded.
Well, what preparations did Colonel Smith make in the meantime
to meet them? None at all. He walked around and smoked his pipe
apparently with the greatest unconcern at all that was going on.
His appearance was entirely calculated to inspire confidence in our
situation; but that of the enemy produced decidedly the opposite
sensation. Colonel Smith made no preparations; but the officers of
the Third Iowa took it upon themselves to erect works for defense.
Captain Newcomb and Lieutenant Brown took the lead in the matter;
the rest followed, and soon all the men were vigorously at work.
It was commenced by tearing down some interior fences and tightly
boarding the one which enclosed the seminary square, so as to conceal
us completely from the view of the enemy. Then, seizing all the
intrenching tools the town afforded, we worked until dark, throwing
up embankments of dirt on both sides of this wooden wall, the enemy
all the while coolly surveying our operations. That night, we slept
on our arms behind our works.
Thursday, July 11. When the day dawned, parties of the enemy were in
sight. During the forenoon they continued to appear until we were
again completely surrounded. By noon we had thrown up a tolerable
breastwork, perhaps as strong as ordinary rifle-pits. Continuing to
work leisurely upon them, we waited the movements of the enemy.
Such was our first picture of war. However it may appear
now, it did not make us feel at all buoyant then. We were
surrounded--beleaguered. Our ammunition would not average fifteen
rounds to the man, while our cannon had but forty rounds. The
ammunition of Captain Herron's men, from being carried in their
pockets was knocked to pieces, and much of it rendered unfit for use.
Our supply of subsistence was nearly exhausted. We had corralled in
our works a number of cattle, which would be a great help to us; but
the rebels had shrewdly driven off all the rest. Our only supply of
water was drawn from the cistern of the seminary which two or three
days at most would exhaust. Had the rebels attacked us vigorously,
we could have made a desperate resistance, but it must have been a
short one. It was doubtless well for us that they did not know our
situation, as it would have emboldened them to an attack. As it was,
their movements exhibited unmistakable signs of fear.
About two o'clock in the afternoon, an officer stationed on the
housetop with a glass informed Colonel Smith that the enemy was
planting a cannon in the edge of the woods about three-fourths of a
mile to the north. Another minute verified the statement. A flash
was seen, a shock was heard, and a solid shot came whistling through
the air. The first three or four shots were from a six pounder and
fell short of us. But they commenced using a nine pounder, and
their shots tore through the air unpleasantly close to our heads.
At first they fired high and their shots struck in the middle of
the town, or on the railroad track. But their aim soon became more
accurate. One shot struck our gun carriage and came near dismounting
the piece. Another struck the parapet behind which Company A of
the Third Iowa lay concealed, and threw two or three bushels of
dirt over them, to the infinite merriment of all who saw it at a
pleasant distance. Most of the time during this cannonade, we rested
behind our intrenchments. A man in the building watched the enemy's
artillery from a window, and when he would see the flash of their
gun he would cry, "down!" a command which we obeyed by dropping into
the ditches, and hugging the earth most willingly. In Company H of
our regiment, a gun went off by accident, killing one man as he lay
in the trench. Colonel Smith walked about the enclosure, surveying
things very coolly and giving orders. The enemy's cavalry closed
in, principally from the east, but their movements were slow and
hesitating, and nothing could induce them to come within range of our
muskets. We entertained a great contempt for such cavalry, and felt
assured that we need not apprehend any harm from them as long as they
kept mounted. Our cannon only replied twice to theirs, Colonel Smith
deeming it prudent to save his ammunition for a greater emergency.
At length a train of cars was seen approaching slowly from the east.
It gave us joy, mingled with apprehensions; for we had heard that the
enemy had captured Palmyra, and did not know but that he might have
captured the rolling stock at that point, and was in this way sending
reinforcements against us. We could not but observe that it came
very slowly, and we were at a loss to conjecture the cause of this.
Finally, it approached sufficiently near for us to discern a flag
upon it. Colonel Smith ordered Captain Smith who stood in the window
with a glass, to direct it upon that flag. He did so; and when he
announced, "Colonel, it is the Stars and Stripes," there went up from
every throat a shout of unfeigned joy.
Fishbeem now dragged his gun into the middle of the enclosure, and
opened upon the rebels with fine effect, stampeding them in all
directions. They got their artillery away as quick as possible, and
then began to retreat, first to the south and then to the east,
Fishbeem, all the while, visiting them with his hard favors. Their
retreat soon assumed the character of a rout. We never saw the like
in all our soldiering. There was nothing to run from that could
possibly overtake them, and yet those men of chivalry ran--well,
old trappers said their flight looked more like a herd of buffalo
stampeding, than any thing to which they could liken it.
Our reinforcements consisted of four companies of the Sixteenth with
one piece of cannon. They had been all day coming from Palmyra, a
distance of eighteen miles, having been compelled to repair the track
where the enemy had torn it up. The engine was backing its train, and
as it approached, the boys on board became so jubilant, that they
neglected to keep a strict watch ahead of them. There was a place
where the rebels had torn up a rail; the train ran on to it, and the
first two cars tumbled down the bank. The train was running slow, and
fortunately no one was seriously hurt.
The coming friend, the flying foe, gave to us as we beheld them a
feeling of indescribable joy. Aid had reached us in the moment when
most needed. We might have been able to hold out without assistance;
but there would have been a limit to our endurance. He had fired in
all twenty-two shots, nine of which had struck within our works,
three of them passing through the building; but no one was hurt. It
is easy to calculate the chances of an assault. The rebels could
not have carried our works by storm, until our ammunition had been
exhausted. This he might have done by false attacks by night. They
could not have done it in the daytime without great loss. As it was,
had they possessed ordinary courage our situation would have been
critical. On the other hand, Colonel Smith could have thrown his men
into a square, and marched over the prairie to Palmyra, which by
the wagon road was only fourteen miles distant, without being much
disturbed. What are men on horseback with shotguns against infantry
with bayonets? So we talked encouragingly behind our works while
the enemy was approaching. And now, when we saw him flying from
nothing in such magnificent rout, we were more than convinced of the
correctness of our conclusions.
That night, as we had done the night before, we lay on our arms in
the trenches. About three o'clock in the morning, the mounted pickets
fired their pieces, and reported an enemy approaching in force.
Our little garrison was thoroughly alarmed, and we made immediate
disposition to receive him. The force proved to be most of the
remaining portion of our regiment, approaching from the west under
Col. Williams. The arrival of these comrades coming to our assistance
gave us an additional joy, although they were too late to relieve us
from our supposed peril. They had heard, through rebel sources, many
reports of fighting near Monroe resulting disastrously to us, and
had been all the while they were coming most impatient to reach us,
and afford us relief. They complained loudly of Col. Williams for
tardiness and hesitancy, in bringing them forward. Much blame has
ever since been attached to that officer for not reinforcing sooner.
It was said that he made a useless delay of several hours at Hudson.
Some even went so far as to attribute this delay to cowardice. Others
assert that the delay was made to procure ammunition. The Colonel
himself has been heard to boast of the energy and promptness he
displayed in this operation. It is not my purpose, nor is it pleasant
for me, to discuss personal matters. I can only say, that on this, as
on most other questions, the general verdict of the officers and men
was against him.