court and other houses. At this time, (three o'clock) had we a reserve of five hundred men, we could have broken their line, and compelled their retreat in disorder, but every man was required to hold our only avenue of retreat on the Lebanon road, where our communication was constantly threatened. The enemy commenced falling back-as I am informed by Lieutenant Brown, of the Third Iowa cavalry, taken prisoner while reconnoitring at Wood's Fork, during the first fight-at three o'clock, and the retreat became general at twilight. In the mean time, our artillery ammunition being nearly spent, Col. Merrill, ignorant of their movements, ordered the detachments to fall back on the Lebanon road, which they did in perfect order, with their whole transportation, losing not even a musket or cartridge-box. Our loss, as by statements appended herewith, is seven killed and sixty-four wounded, five prisoners and two missing. Theirs is large in men and officers. From subsequent details I am satisfied it will exceed three hundred killed and wounded, besides two lieutenants and twentyseven privates prisoners. Among the killed (whose bodies were recognized at Hartsville) are Brigadier-General Emmet McDonald, Colonels Thompson and Hinkle, Major Rubley, Captain Turpin, and two lieutenants, names unknown, Colonel Porter, mortally wounded since dead, Captain Crocker, well known in Western Missouri, and two other captains severely wounded. One piece of their artillery was dismounted and abandoned. They retreated toward Houston, but on Monday changed their direction and moved rapidly south toward the North Fork of White River, at the mouth of Indian Creek, where they paroled and released Lieutenant Brown and the other prisoners. General Marmaduke, several times on the march, expressed his wonder at the bravery of our troops, repeating: "Why, Lieutenant, your boys fought like devils." hottest of the fire. I respectfully commend him to your attention, and that of Governor Gamble, for one of the vacant field commissions in his regiment, which he has so nobly earned. } should be unjust, did I omit to mention Captain Lemon, of the same regiment, who, at the head of his men, held a most exposed post, and had several narrow escapes from sharp-shooters concealed in the brush. But the artillery saved the battle. Lieutenant Waldschmidt's gunnery was superb, and his coolness astonishing. The enemy's Parrott gun got his range and fired with great precision, compelling him to change the position of his piece constantly. A courier reached Houston, giving me the in formation of the engagement at three o'clock A.M. Monday. I at once moved with five hundred men to Hartsville, supposing the enemy still in force. Arriving within seven miles at four o'clock - evening - my reconnoitring parties brought me intelligence that they were retreating in the direction of Houston. Sending back a courier with orders to Lieutenant-Colonel Caldwell, in command, to hold the place until I could reënforce him, I countermarched in all haste, through mud and rain, reaching Houston that evening, and finding all quiet. Colonel Merrill's force rejoined me Thursday, and I am now once more concentrated. Hoping that our conduct will meet the appro- SOLDIERS: You have fought one of the fiercest I cannot sufficiently express my admiration of battles of the war. You have, with eight huntheir conduct. The Twenty-first Iowa and dred men actually engaged, met and repulsed six Ninety-ninth Illinois were never before under thousand of the enemy. Against their five pieces fire, yet not a single man or officer flinched. of artillery you had two. They had their choice Nothing could have been finer than their steadi- of position, and planted their guns on a point ness and discipline. The Third Iowa and Third which I had selected as being impregnable. With Missouri cavalry were equally cool and determin-three thousand five hundred in full view, you ed; but they have before seen dangerous service. Where all were so brave, I am embarrassed to distribute commendation. knew the odds against you. Completely surrounded, except on the line of retreat, you fought for six hours, and then only fell back because To Colonel Merrill, in command of the force, I your artillery ammunition was failing, and your am under high obligations for his prudent firm-single outlet menaced. Not an article of propness and good dispositions. Lieutenant-Colonel erty was captured, and your covering infantry Dunlap, Twenty-first Iowa, was conspicuous, held the field after the enemy had retired. much exposed and wounded. He is worthy of History, in the larger battles of this great rehigh praise. Lieutenant-Colonel Parke, com-bellion, may make no full mention of your names, manding Ninety-ninth Illinois, and Major Crandall of same corps, won honor and did their whole duty. Major Duffield, commanding the cavalry forces, is also to be mentioned in warm terms. But Captain Black, commanding the Third Missouri cavalry, made for himself a most enviable reputation; thirteen shot-holes in his coat sufficiently indicate where he was in the VOL. VI.-Doc. 23 but the truth that a determined column, more than half of whom were never before under fire, stood like veterans, without faltering or flinching, before volley after volley, and charge after charge, will be a glorious memory to those who love you, and an honest pride in your own hearts. But I must not fail to do justice to the five hundred, who, knowing that the enemy were still in force below, rushed with me to give them battle again, and when I learned of their flank movement toward Houston, countermarched, making some sixty-four miles through mud and rain in twenty-four hours, to defend your camp, and all this in perfect order and discipline, without a murmur or complaint. Nor may I pass without mention, the cool and determined courage of the weak force left to defend. When my courier came in to warn of the approach of the enemy, with an order to hold to the last extremity, officers and men, invalids and convalescents, stood ready without panic or alarm to defend to the last. Soldiers! your endurance and your valor are beyond praise; your accomplishment worthy of the highest commendation. Beyond the hope of reenforcement, you have held your position; fought the enemy, saved Lebanon and Rolla, with your post, from burning and sack. I give you my admiration of your heroism, and my thanks and gratitude that my name can be associated with this brigade as the proudest memory of my future life. FITZ-HENRY WARREN, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DUNLAP'S REPORT. HOUSTON, MO., January 17, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report to you the part taken by a detachment of the Twentyfirst Iowa infantry volunteers, under my command, in the battle of Wood's Fork and Hartsville, on the eleventh instant. Perhaps these two engagements should occupy two reports, but as they occurred so near together, I have thought proper, with your permission, to combine both battles in one report. In obedience to your order, I left Houston, with other forces under Col. Merrill, on Friday, the ninth instant, at about noon, to march to Springfield, with the object of reenforcing that place. The first night we encamped for a short time at Beaver Creek. At twelve o'clock at night we moved on, and when within a few miles of Hartsville, we were drawn up in line of battle, as information had been received that the rebel Col. Porter had occupied the place the evening before, and might be there yet. We remained in line of battle until daylight, when it was ascertained that Porter had evacuated the town the night previous. We then moved on to Hartsville, when we halted until the afternoon, getting a little sleep for the men, and a bite to eat. At three o'clock P.M., we again moved on toward Springfield, Colonel Porter being in advance of us, and reached Wood's Fork at dark, when we camped for the night, in line of battle. At three o'clock next morning, in accordance with orders from headquarters, I was ready to march. A few moments afterward, firing was heard from the pickets, and word came in that a heavy force was in front of us. I immediately got my command in line of battle, and ordered the companies to send their blankets and overcoats to the wagons. I then sent out companies A and B, under Captains Johnson and Cook respectively, as skirmishers. In this position we remained until nearly daylight, when I was ordered to move my command half a mile in advance. I went down on the double-quick, and formed on the left of the road. The fight here lasted until nine o'clock, when the enemy withdrew. Soon afterward, with the remainder of the force, I commenced a movement toward Hartsville, guarding the train as we advanced. When within two miles of the town, I was ordered to form my men, and bring them forward on the double-quick. I did so, and arrived on the edge of the town simultaneously with the Ninety-ninth Illinois and the artillery. I drew my detachment up in line of battle on the brow of the hill, on the left of the Springfield road, where the artillery was stationed, my left reaching nearly to the Lebanon road. It was now nearly eleven o'clock (Sunday morning) when we got into line. My position was a very favorable one, being on the edge of the hill descending into the town, and sheltered by underbrush and small trees. The enemy's artillery opened on us immediately. I caused all my men to lie down during the engagement, except a few skirmishers, and to do their firing in this position, except when firing volleys or repelling the charges of the enemy. In a few moments, they charged on us in large force, and we repelled them, with great loss on their part. Several times, with short intervals, they repeated the charge, with reënforcements of fresh troops, and every time they were driven back in disor der. Failing in these charges, they formed a line in the opposite side of the town, so near to us that we could distinctly hear the commands of their officers, and opened on us a brisk fire of musketry, their artillery at the same time pouring into us a heavy fire; we returning the fire with most terrible effect. In a short time, a large body of mounted men poured into the town, and made a charge with terrible yells, upon our artillery at my right. When they approached to within a few rods, simultaneously with the Ninety-ninth Illinois, we poured into their ranks a full volley, causing them to reel and fall back in confusion and disorder. We continued our fire with so much heat as to empty many saddles, and create such a panic in their ranks, that they could not be rallied until they got over the opposite hill, nearly half a mile distant. Their sharp-shooters filled the court-house, and other dwelling-houses in town, who became very annoying to my command. I sent a request to Colonel Merrill to have the artillery turned upon the town; but not being able to find him, I ordered Lieut. Waldschmidt, commanding the artillery, to shell the town, and drive the rebels from their hiding-places. He immediately commenced firing on them with briskness, and after a few rounds, he retired from his position, as I supposed to cool his gs, or repair some slight accidents, but he did not return, and as I afterward learned, he received orders to retreat by the Lebanon road. The firing now ceased on my right and left, and as I supposed some "strategic" movement was going on, I ordered my command to increase the vigor of their fire, in order to attract the attention of the enemy, while the remainder of our force changed their position. We kept up a brisk fire for about half an hour, when hearing nothing from the balance of our line, I sent out skirmishers to the right and left to ascertain their whereabouts, and found that they had retired from the field, probably toward Lebanon. I had received no orders, and being only two hundred and twenty (220) strong, in front of four thousand, I was somewhat embarrassed as to the best course to pursue. To retreat then, would be to disclose our weakness to the enemy, and expose us to destruction; to stay, seemed like embracing death. I determined, however, to hold my position until dark, or lose every man in the attempt, and in this I was sustained by the whole command. I then extended my line as much as possible, by scattering my men to the right and left, with instructions to maintain a vigorous fire, in order to prevent the enemy from ascertaining that our force had gone, at the same time pouring into them a hot fire from the main body. ville. Finding that the Colonel commanding had gone on to Lebanon the night before, I gave the troops a couple of hours' rest and some refreshments, and taking command of the force, put it in motion for Lebanon, which place we reached in the early part of the next day. In conclusion allow me to sum up as follows: Between Friday afternoon and Monday morning, the Twenty-first Iowa regiment marched one hundred miles, fought two battles, one of three and the other of eight hours' duration, during the latter of which there was scarcely one moment's lull in the galling fire of artillery and musketry. And for three hours and until the enemy fled from before us, two hundred and fifty of them held their position against the combined force of the rebels, four thousand strong. Owing to the sheltered position that we occupied, and the fact of the enemy firing over us, as the men were principally kept on their faces, the number of casualties was comparatively small. I make special mention here of no one as having distinguished himself more than another. Every man was brave, cool, and active, and every one was a hero. Too much praise cannot be accorded to the men for their conduct during the whole of this long and severe engagement. I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. W. DUNLAP, Lieut.-Colonel Commanding Detachment, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry Volunteers. To Brig.-Gen. FITZ-HENRY WARREN, Commanding Forces at Houston, Mo. A NATIONAL ACCOUNT. } After this the enemy made three charges on our front, in one instance coming up in four ranks, but each time was driven back in a valorous manner by the Twenty-first Iowa. They now withdrew to the other side of the town, and the second time they formed a line, not with as strong force as before, however. My attention was now called to the hill beyond their line, and to my surprise as well as infinite delight, I discovered the rebels rapidly falling back on the road leading north. First their train went over the hill, followed by long lines of cavalry. Their EDITOR DUBUQUE TIMES: On Friday, the ninth retreat continued until sundown, by which time instant, at ten o'clock A.M., a portion of General their whole force had gone, except a light rear- Fitz-Henry Warren's brigade, under command of guard. I kept a brisk firing on the town, and a Colonel Merrill, received marching orders, and a few moments before dark the rebels had vacated part of the Twenty-first Iowa, Ninety-ninth Illithe place, and left us in triumphant possession nois, Third Iowa, Third Missouri cavalry with of the hard-fought battle-field. Not deeming it two pieces of artillery in all about eight hunsafe or prudent to remain with so small a com- dred men-for a forced march to Springfield. All mand in the vicinity of so large a force of the was action throughout the camps, all wanted to enemy, even while they were retreating, I con- go, but some were ordered to remain, with a part Icluded to withdraw. When we had gathered up of the officers, to defend the camp in case of an what loose things we could, about an hour after attack; and military orders are explicit, and each dark, I left the town and the scene of our victory, company furnished twenty-five to thirty men. taking the road to Lebanon, presuming that to be We arrived at Beaver Creek, twenty-two miles the way our forces had gone. There was not a distant, at eight o'clock in the evening, and about mounted man left with us on the field, nor a live twelve o'clock at midnight left for Hartsville exhorse to be found in the vicinity. My horse hav-pecting to arrive there by daylight, but in conseing been shot in the early part of the engagement, however, it was impossible to send messengers to ascertain the whereabouts of our army. Believing, however, that our troops must have retreated in this direction, I moved on, hoping soon to join the main force. As the night was cold, and our blankets and overcoats had been left in the wagons, we could only make short rests until we reached the train. We continued to march on until three o'clock next morning, when we came up with our train and forces camped at Osap Fork, twenty-five miles distant from Harts quence of our scouts giving information that the town was occupied by the rebels, we were drawn up in line of battle six miles away, awaiting the return of a portion of cavalry sent forward to reconnoitre; they returning, gave information that they had left the night previous at daylight, arriving at nine o'clock A.M. Then for the first time we were refreshed with rations of coffee and meat; while there a man came into camp and supposing us to be secesh gave us valuable infor mation of spies among the State militia. Left there at two o'clock P.M., arriving at camp for the night at Wood's Fork, eight miles away on the road to Marshfield, whither the enemy, under Colonel Porter, had gone. They were reënforced by Marmaduke, who had been fighting at Springfield, and Gen. McDonald with four thousand mounted men was repulsed there. They encamped on the same creek only one half-mile away, and did not know of our approach until our bugle-call in the morning, which prepared them for an attack, or retreat. At five o'clock A.M., as twenty-five of the Third Missouri cavalry, under Captain Brodway, were advancing to get information as to certain signs of an enemy, they fell upon a body of the rebels, who fired a volley among them, killing Captain B., Corporal Boradilla and Thos. Urin. Then we heard another volley and a yell, but the cry was, "For God's sake stop; you are killing your own men,' which proved true, as the sixty prisoners taken reported the same facts. and teams had retreated toward Lebanon; the Ninety-ninth being out of ammunition, had gone. Expecting every minute an enfilading fire, scouts were sent out to watch the enemy, but we soon found that they were retreating, but kept up camp-fires to deceive us, After dark, as your correspondent was ordered to ascertain the position of our artillery, and hearing that a wounded man back with the ambulance could tell, I went with Lieutenants Dale and Bates, Sergeant Walker, Corporal McFadden and others, who carried on their shoulders some of the wounded, and having ascertained returned to find the regiment. They had gone, and as it was now after dark, and we could only return to assist Surgeon Lucius Benham, who was in charge of the wounded. The following is the list of killed and wounded: Lieut.-Col. C. W. Dunlap, commanding regiment, wounded in hand and slightly in breasthorse killed. Company H-Ira Carlton, Delaware County, killed. At daylight the artillery was sent forward to Company C-Wm. Jones, Dubuque County. draw them out, and commenced shelling the killed, shot through bowels; John M. Miller, Duwoods; a number were killed and wounded there. buque County, wounded in head, slightly; RichScouts were sent out immediately to ascertain ard Cook, Dubuque County, wounded with shell, the facts, and reported them retreating in a south-slightly; Charles Dunham, Dubuque County, reeast direction, and the Third Iowa cavalry made ported paroled; Lieut. Alexander, Dubuque Couna dash and cut off their rear-guard and some of ty, (commanding company K,) reported seriously their baggage. Soon after orders were given to wounded with grape. move to Hartsville. Immediately we rushed forward, as we were informed they intended to flank us at that place. They succeeded 'in reaching Company K-Harrison Hefner, Delaware Counthere one hour previous, and gained a good posi- ty, killed, shot through bowels; Freeman Fear, tion near the town on the bluffs and also encir- Delaware County, wounded in thigh, serious; cling the place on the east and south side toward Ward White, Delaware County, wounded in Houston and Springfield, cutting off our teams breast, and arm broken; Adam Luchinger, Duand reënforcements from the former place, prov- buque County, wounded in corner of right eye, ing the fact that if mounted we should succeed slightly; Jacob B. Miller, Delaware County, much better in this desert and mountainous coun- wounded in arm, slightly; Erastus Smith, Delatry, fighting these guerrillas, who are all mount-ware County, wounded in side, slightly; David ed on the best horses the country affords. They Hiner, Delaware County, wounded in thigh, serihad one rifled twelve-pound and four other can-ous; James Jackson, Delaware County, woundnon, of four to six pounds, and as soon as oured in wrist, slightly; George Simons, Delaware cannon and howitzer came into position we open- County, wounded in head, slightly; H. B. Stone, ed the ball at one o'clock, and the Twenty-first Delaware County, wounded, severely. on the left with the Ninety-ninth on the right came rushing forward on a double-quick of two miles into line of battle, not a minute too soon to meet the foe who were forming at the foot of the hill to occupy it; but were soon convinced we had arrived, and they as rapidly retreated. In the mean time thousands of our foes were on the opposite bluffs, and their sharp-shooters occupied every house. But here another disadvantage occurred to themselves, as, when Porter's force was last here, they tore down a palisade fort which would have proved an almost impregnable position to any infantry force. The pen will fail to give a tithe of the emotions of one who for the first time encounters a deadly foe. As the din of battle commenced we thought of home, wife, mother, and children dear; then nerved to duty and fearless in the cause of right, our little band stood firm; and Iowa may be proud of the Twenty-first. We remained on the field until dark, and for two hours and a half after the cavalry, artillery, Company I-Jacob Hoops, Dubuque County, wounded in thigh, slightly; John Q. Angell, Dubuque County, wounded in hand, slightly. Company E-Daniel Wolf, wounded in back, slightly. Company B-Carl Pehsschl, Clayton County, killed, shot through breast. Company D-Samuel W. Moore, Fayette County, wounded in arm, slightly. Killed, four; wounded, sixteen; paroled, oneseventeen. A number of the others were slightly wounded, but went with the regiment. To Lieut.-Col. Dunlap, too much praise cannot be given. He acted with caution and promptness, scarce thinking of himself. He was continually exposed, and had his horse shot from under him, also wounded in the hand and side, and had his holsters shot off and sword-belt cut away; but watching every movement of the enemy with a vigilant eye. He changed the position of the regiment to meet every emergency and his goodness of heart continually showed itself in the care of his men. When shot, grape, and ball were flying in almost every direction, he ordered them to lie flat and load, then advance, and every order was promptly obeyed, for every man has entire confidence in him. When he said, "Now, boys, up and at them-ready-aimfire!" it was a shock that threw terror into the rebel ranks. The Ninety-ninth Illinois fought bravelyevery man for himself. Their wounded were all from Pike County, where the regiment was raised. Philip Donahue, Company C, knee; Sergeant Lewis Kinman, company C, thigh; David Morris, company G, hand; Lieutenant Thomas Hubbard, company A; Sergeant Dennis Bagdley, company D, knee; Cornelius Johnson, company E, arm; Francis M. Ayers, company B; Sylvester Durrall, company E, shoulder; Wyatt M. Mitchell, company E, leg; Henry Perry, company I, shoulder; Henry Hoskins, company G, hip; Corporal H. Millard, shoulder; Nicholas Cunningham, company E, hand; Jewell Woodard, company D; Daniel Casey, company K; John Rutlidge, company C; T. J. Beard, company C; others were slightly wounded. Lieut. Bates and Corporal McFadden, of company I, were unremitting in their efforts to supply the wants of the wounded. We did not dare to build fires, and were obliged to cover the enemy with leaves. May we never have cause to witness such a sad scene again. But the many instances of cheerfulness under suffering, show moral heroism glorious to witness. the direction of Springfield, they told them they had just come from there, and they evidently changed their route, moving through the woods to Mountain Stone, a famous rebel retreat and stronghold, by way of Hartsville. They were six thousand strong when they left Arkansas a few days ago, but their loss by desertion and death has weakened their force to their present number. Brig.-Gen. Warren left this place on Monday, the twelfth, with reënforcements, but fearing an attack on Houston, returned the next day. Today, the fifteenth, the command under Col. Merrill also returned safely, with all the train, and the boys are anxious for another brush. Lieut.-Col. Dunlap was unable to return, owing to injuries received on Sunday, and, with Lieut. Alexander, is at Lebanon. RUSSELL. Doc. 100. DESTRUCTION OF THE HATTERAS. LIEUTENANT COMMANDING BLAKE'S REPORT. U. S. CONSULATE, KINGSTON, JA., January 31, 1863. DEAR SIR: It is my painful duty to inform the department of the destruction of the United States steamer Hatteras, recently under my command, by the rebel steamer Alabama, on the night of the eleventh instant, off the coast of Texas. The circumstances of the disaster are as follows: On the afternoon of the eleventh inst., at halfpast three o'clock, while at anchor in company with the fleet under Com. Bell, off Galveston, Texas, I was ordered by a signal from the United States flag-ship Brooklyn to chase a sail to the southward and eastward. I got under way im The enemy lost Brig.-Gen. Emmett McDonald, the one who swore he would not cut his hair or shave until the Southern Confederacy was recognized-(he is now released from that oath.) Col. Thompson was killed, and Col. Porter was mortally wounded, and since died. They acknow-mediately and steamed in the direction indicated. ledged from three to four hundred killed and wounded, and every house is a hospital. They retreated thirteen miles that night, and sent back the next morning a flag of truce to bury their dead. But our force was so small, our officers in command did not think it advisable to remain, and had also retreated toward Lebanon to await reënforcements. One of the wounded rebel officers said to our surgeon: "If we had known your force, you would not have got off so easily; but we thought by your volleys that you were largely reenforced." After some time the strange sail could be seen from the Hatteras, and was ascertained to be a steamer, which fact was communicated to the flag-ship by signal. I continued the chase and rapidly gained upon the suspicious vessel.. Knowing the slow rate of the Hatteras, I at once suspected that deception was being practised, and at once ordered the ship to be cleared for action, with every thing in readiness for a determined and vigorous defence. When within about four miles of the vessel I observed that she had ceased to steam, and was lying broadside on and awaiting us. It was nearly seven o'clock and quite dark, but notwithstanding the obscurity of the The loss of the Third Missouri is two killed and three wounded; the Third Iowa none; artil-night I felt assured from the general character lery, three wounded. The Twenty-first Iowa and Ninety-ninth Illinois infantry stood the brunt of the whole battle, and the Twenty-first remained two hours and a half after all the other forces had retreated. It is evident that our small force fought bravely, and that the enemy thought we were largely reenforced. As Lieut. John D. Brown, Sergeant Wm. A. Gray, A. C. Northrup, and Peter Harrett, of the Third Iowa cavalry, (paroled to-day,) who had been on a scout, were returning from of the vessel and her manoeuvres that I should soon encounter the Alabama. Being able to work only four guns on the side of the Hatteras, two short thirty-two-pounders, one thirty-pounder rifled Parrott gun, and one twenty-pounder rifled gun, I concluded to close with her, so that my guns might be effective if necessary. I came within easy speaking distance, about seventy-five yards, and upon ask ing what steamer is that, received the answer: Her Britannic Majesty's ship Vixen. I replied |