ing near the battery. The Twenty-sixth Missouri, under the resolute Boomer, immediately took position on the right of the Fifth Iowa.

flank, by a heavy force of the enemy moving up the open field and ravine on my left, was most signally repulsed by Col. Perczel, with the Tenth Iowa and a section of Immell's battery. So bravely was this attempt repulsed, that the enemy made no more attempts in that direction.

battery again fell into our hands, and, with three of its guns spiked, and the carriages cut and splintered with balls, is again ready to meet the The next regiment in the column, the Forty-foe. While these events were transpiring along eighth Indiana, under its brave Colonel, Eddy, the road, the brave Gen. Stanley had come to the took position on the left of the road, a little in front, and joining his personal exertions to mine, advance of the battery, and with its left thrown the regiments that had fallen into disorder were forward, so as to cover the open field on their left rallied, and held in position to the close of the with their fire. This was the position when the battle. One of Stanley's regiments, the Eleventh battle opened on our side. I directed each of Missouri, coming up, fresh and eager for action, these regiments into positions myself, and they was pushed into the right, where, uniting its efwere taken by the troops, under a heavy fire, forts with the Fifth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Miswith the steadiness of veterans determined to souri, it made a most gallant fight, and aided conquer. The battle thus opened with but three much, first in holding our ground against the enregiments in position. The rebels were command-emy, and afterward in driving him back in coned by Major-General Sterling Price in person, who fusion to the cover of the ravine, from which the had arrayed against us no less than eighteen reg-attack was begun. An attempt to turn my left iments. I saw the importance of holding the position we had assumed, and gave each regimental commander orders to hold every inch of ground, at every hazard. As the remaining regiments of the First brigade came up the hill, I threw them into position to protect the flanks of our little line of battle. The Fourth Minnesota, under Captain Le Gro, and the Sixteenth Iowa, under Colonel Chambers, the former on the left and the latter on the right of the line, in rear, and "en echelon." The battle at this time had become terrific. The enemy, in dense masses, bore down in front. The ground admitted of no more forces being brought into action in front, and our position must be held, or the enemy once forcing it, his overwhelming masses would have passed over the hill and fallen on our unformed column in the rear. Brig.Gen. Sullivan having reached the rear of the battle-ground with the head of his brigade, placed one of his regiments-the Tenth Iowa, under the gallant Perczel-with a section of the Twelfth Wisconsin battery, on the road across the ravine and open field on our extreme left; and, finding no more of his forces could be brought into immediate action, placed them in position in reserve, and came gallantly to the front, asking to be of service. I immediately placed him in charge of the right of the line in front, with instructions to hold the ground, and see that the right flank was not turned by the heavy force of the enemy moving in that direction. Col. Sanborn, in command of the First brigade, most gallantly held the left in position, until, under a desolating carnage of musketry and canister, the brave Eddy was cut down, and his regiment, borne down by five times their numbers, fell back in some disorder on the Eightieth Ohio, under Lieut.-Col. Bartelson. The falling back of the Forty-eighth exposed the battery. As the masses of the enemy advanced, the battery opened with canister at short-range, mowing down the rebels by scores, until, with every officer killed or wounded, and nearly every man and horse killed or disabled, it fell an easy prey. But this success was short-lived. The hero Sullivan rallied a portion of the right wing, and with a bravery better characterized as audacity, drove the rebels back to cover. Again they rallied, and again the battery fell into their hands; but with the wavering fortunes of this desperate fight, the VOL. V.-Doc. 31

After this repulse the Fourth Minnesota was withdrawn from the left, and ordered to report to Gen. Sullivan on the right, where it did good service to the close of the action. This completed the movements in the front, and the battle was fought and won in this position. The Thirtyninth Ohio, of Stanley's division, coming up during the heat of the contest, could not be placed in position to take an active part, owing to the want of ground, and was placed in reserve near the log church. From five P.M., until darkness prevented distinguishing friend from foe, the battle was fought along the road and to the right of it, by the Fifth Iowa, the Twenty-sixth and Ele venth Missouri, with a bravery which scarcely admits of a parallel. The enemy, confident in the heavy forces they had deployed, pushed on with frantic desperation, but they were met by a greater heroism, and though often rallied and driven to the charge, they were as often met and hurled back to their cover. Against this little front the fiercest of the battle was waged. Col. Boomer was cut down by a terrible wound, but his regiment held their ground undismayed. The Fifth Iowa, under its brave and accomplished Matthias, held their ground against four times their number, making three desperate charges with the bayonet, driving back the foe in disorder each time-until, with every cartridge exhausted, it fell back slowly and sullenly, making every step a battle ground and every charge a victory. Night alone closed the contest, and left us in possession of the field so bravely won. For a detailed report of the operations of each regiment, I respectfully refer you to the reports of subordinate commanders herewith submitted.

I am indebted to able and cheerful assistance rendered by Brig.-General Stanley, whose division, with the exception of one regiment,, the Eleventh Missouri, being in the rear, could not take an active part. General Stanley had come to the front and tendered his services.

To the commanders of brigades, Brig.-General

J. C. Sullivan, whose personal exertions and bravery contributed very largely to our success, and to Col. J. B. Sanborn, who in this, his first battle, exhibited a coolness and bravery under fire worthy a veteran, I am greatly indebted.

These commanders, Stanley, Sullivan, and Sanborn, I cordially commend to the favorable notice of the Government.

The reports of brigade and regimental commanders do justice to those who were conspicuous in this daring contest. I cordially unite in all they have said, and were it in my power would do personal honor in this report to every hero.

To my personal staff I am under the deepest obligations. Captain R. M. Sawyer, A.A.G.; Capt. D. P. Allen, A.C.S.; Lieuts. E. F. Pierce and W. F. Wheeler, Aids-de-Camp, bore my orders through the thickest of the battle; intelligent, capable, and brave, their gallant conduct is worthy of, and will receive, the honor rightly

justly due to those heroes who won this audacious victory.

The fearful list of killed and wounded in the few regiments actively engaged, shows with what heroism and desperation this fight was won.

I say boldly, that a force of not more than two thousand eight hundred men met and conquered a rebel force of eleven thousand, on a field chosen by Price, and a position naturally very strong and with its every advantage inuring to the enemy. A list of casualties is herewith submitted.

It is known that two hundred and sixty-three rebel bodies were buried on and near the field, all their severely wounded, numbering over four hundred, fell into our hands; the number of able-bodied prisoners who fell into our hands is large. I report, with the highest satisfaction, but twenty-six missing from my command. Over eight hundred stand of arms were gathered on the battle-field, mostly of improved patterns, showing that the rebels are not wanting in this

their due.
My Division Surgeon, J. E. Lynch, was un-essential means of making war.
ceasing in his efforts in his own department, and
to his energy and skill the greatest credit is due
for the prompt and efficient care of the wounded.
Captain Allen, in conveying orders along the
line, came upon one of the enemy's regiments,
but by his coolness and courage escaped from a
murderous fire, though with a terrible wound.

Lieutenant Wheeler received a slight but honorable wound while bearing orders in the face of the enemy. Captain Borcherdt, commanding my personal escort, did excellent and gallant service in rallying men to their standards. He was seriously hurt by the fall of his horse.

Much of the time I was without a single officer of my staff, and was forced to send messages by orderlies. Two of them, Corporals White and Hill, did excellent service, and I beg to commend them to the notice of the General Commanding. To the commanders of batteries, Lieutenant Sears and Lieut. Immell, the highest praise is due for unyielding bravery and the skill with which their pieces were handled. Lieut. Sears was severely wounded, and left his guns only when his officers, men, and horses were nearly all killed and disabled, and when the battery was fairly in the enemy's hands.

The dead of my division number one hundred and thirty-five; the wounded number five hundred and twenty-seven; the missing number twenty-six; total, six hundred and eighty-eight. Respectfully submitted, C. S. HAMILTON,

Brigadier-General Commanding Third Division. Hamilton: Wounded, four officers; killed, one NOTE.-Staff and escort of Brigadier-General private. The General's horse was shot under

him.

ORDER OF GENERAL ROSECRANS.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, CORINTH, MISS., September 27, 1862. GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 130.

The General Commanding has foreborne to notice in orders the facts and results of the battle of Iuka, until he should have before him the reports of all the commanders who participated in the action.

BROTHERS IN ARMS: You may well be proud of the battle of Iuka. On the eighteenth you concentrated at Jacinto; on the nineteenth you marched twenty miles, driving in the rebel outposts for the last eight; reached the front of Price's army, advantageously posted in unknown woods, and opened the action by four P.M.

In closing this report, I shall be permitted to embody this summary: On the nineteenth inst., my division marched nineteen miles, fought a desperate battle, with seven regiments against a rebel force under General Price of not less than eighteen regiments, won a glorious victory, lying at night on their arms, on the field their valor had won, and the following morning chased the fleeing enemy for fifteen miles, until worn out with labor and fighting, and famished for want of food, the pursuit was discontinued only when the pow-ground, from which the enemy retired during the ers of nature were exhausted.

The records of war may well be challenged to produce a victory under circumstances and odds so desperate. No words of mine can add lustre to the brilliancy of this victory, and no award of praise given to those who were miles away from the battle-field, will detract from the glory

On a narrow front, intersected by ravines and covered with dense undergrowth, with a single battery, Hamilton's division went into action against the combined rebel hosts. On that unequal ground, which permitted the enemy to outnumber them three to one, they fought a glorious battle, mowing down the rebel hordes until night closing in, they rested on their arms on the battle

night, leaving us masters of the field.

The General Commanding bears cheerful testimony to the fiery alacrity with which the troops of Stanley's division moved up, cheering, to sup port, when called for, the Third division, and took their places to give them an opportunity to replenish their ammunition; and to the magnifi

cent fighting of the Eleventh Missouri, under the acknowledgments. For courage, efficiency, and gallant Mower.

for incessant and successful combats, he does not believe they have any superiors. In our advance on Iuka, and during the action, they ably performed their duty. Col. Hatch fought and whipped the rebels at Peyton's Mills on the nineteenth, pursued the retreating rebel column on the twentieth, harassed their rear, and captured a large number of arms. During the action five privates of the Third Michigan cavalry, beyond our extreme right, opened fire, captured a rebel stand of colors, a captain and lieutenant, sent in the colors that night, alone held their prisoners during the night and brought them in next morning.

To all the regiments who participated in the fight, he presents congratulations on their bravery and good conduct. He deems it an especial duty to signalize the Forty-eighth Indiana, which, posted on the left, held its ground until the brave Eddy fell, and a whole brigade of Texans came in through a ravine on the little band, and even then only yielded a hundred yards until relieved. The Sixteenth Iowa, amid the roar of battle, the rush of wounded artillery-horses, the charge of a rebel brigade and a storm of grape, canister, and musketry, stood like a rock, holding the centre, while the glorious Fifth Iowa, under the The unexpected accident which alone preventbrave and distinguished Matthias, sustained by ed us from cutting off the retreat and capturing Boomer with part of his noble little Twenty-sixth Price and his army, only shows how much sucMissouri, bore the thrice-repeated charges and cess depends on Him in whose hands are the accross-fires of the rebel left and centre with acidents as well as the laws of life. valor and determination seldom equalled, never excelled by the most veteran soldiery.

The Tenth Iowa, under Col. Perczel, deserves honorable mention for covering our left flank from the assault of the Texan Legion. Sands's Elevventh Ohio battery, under Lieutenant Sears, was served with unequalled bravery, under circumstances of danger and exposure such as rarely, perhaps never, have fallen to the lot of a single battery during the war.

The Thirty-ninth Ohio and Forty-seventh Illinois, who went into position at the close of the fight, and held it during the night, deserve honorable mention for the spirit they displayed in the performance of their duty.

The General Commanding regrets that he must mention the conduct of the Seventeenth Iowa, whose disgraceful stampeding forms a melancholy exception to the general good courage of the troops. He doubts not that there are a good many officers and men in that regiment whose cheeks burn with shame and indignation at the part the regiment acted, and he looks to them and to all its members on the first opportunity, by conspicuous gallantry, to wipe out the stain on their fair fame.

Brave companions in arms! Be always prepared for action, firm, united, and disciplined. The day of peace from the hands of God, will soon dawn, when we shall return to our happy homes, thanking Him who gives both courage and victory. By command of Major-General W. S. ROSECRANS.

H. G. KENNETT,

Lieut.-Col. and Chief of Staff.

I am a Cincinnatian, although I was appointed and commissioned as Captain in the United States volunteer service from Missouri, over a year ago, when the State was on the verge of secession. Allow me to relate a little of my experience on the late battle-field at Iuka.

It had been known as early as the tenth day of September, that Sterling Price was marching with a greatly superior force upon our little army encamped near Jacinto. We received orders to strike tents, load the wagons with all company and private property, with the exception of a light marching outfit, and the trains were ordered to Corinth. Since that date our army has been living entirely in the open air, ready to march at a moment's notice.

To the brave and gallant Hamilton, who formed and maintained his division under the galling fire from the rebel front, having his horse shot under him in the action-to the veteran and heroic Sul- On the seventeenth day of September a general livan, young in years but old in fight; Col. San-order came to all the regiments along the line to born, commanding the leading brigade in his move on the following morning at four o'clock maiden battle; Brig.-Gen. D. S. Stanley, inde- A.M., toward Iuka, where Price had concentrated fatigable soldier, ably aiding the advance division; his forces. At the appointed time the regiments to their staff-officers as well as to the regiments of the Third division, army of the Mississippi, which have been mentioned in this order, the were marching through a drenching rain and an General Commanding tenders individually his exceedingly muddy road, toward the point desigheartfelt thanks and congratulations. Their gal-nated.

lantry and good conduct commands his respect, Our command halted at noon, on the road and has added a page to the claims they have about fourteen miles north-east of Iuka, threw on the gratitude of a great people now strug-out pickets, and remained on the ground all gling to maintain national freedom and integrity night, in order to give Gen. Ord time to approach against an unhallowed war in favor of caste and despotism.

To Col. Miezner, Chief of the cavalry division, and to the officers and men of his command, the General Commanding here publicly tenders his

the town on the road leading north, at the same time our little army under command of General Rosecrans, made the advance on the road running south.

On the nineteenth instant our army was early

66

upon the march. Skirmishers were thrown out left wing of the Twenty-sixth Missouri regiment from the Fifth Iowa regiment, which came upon were ordered up to occupy the position in front, the pickets of the enemy about seven miles south between the battery and the right wing of the of Iuka. As the pickets were driven in we ad- Fifth Iowa regiment. We received orders to vanced. At a white house on the right of the commence firing" when a sheet of flame leaped road, a large force of pickets collected, and for from our front, and our compliments were telesome time kept up a sharp fire, severely wound- graphed to the rebel lines. An incessant roar of ing several of our cavalry scouts. They were, artillery and musketry was kept up on both sides, however, soon forced to leave their position and and bushels of shell, canister, and Minié-balls a sumptuous dinner prepared by the proprietor came thick and fast among us. My men were of the house. To punish him for giving shelter, ordered by me to “lie down, load," rise and fire. aid, and comfort to the enemy, his house was or- In this way I saved the lives of my men. After dered to be sacked and burned to the ground. a few rounds were fired, a command was given At this point, the right wing of the Twenty- by a rebel officer, in a loud tone, to fire low, sixth Missouri regiment was thrown out as skir- when a leaden hail swept through our ranks, mishers, to relieve those of the Fifth Iowa regi- wounding several of my men, and throwing my ment. It was not until about four o'clock P.M. company into confusion. Some of the men in that our skirmishers came upon the main body the centre of the company turned their faces to of the enemy drawn up in line of battle to a the rear, and began to break ranks. My attenfrightful depth. This fact was reported to Gen. tion was called to this fact by the order of Col. Rosecrans. The Eleventh Ohio battery, under Boomer to the men to stand fast. I immediately command of Lieutenant Sears, of Cincinnati, was moved from the right to the centre of the comhalted upon the road. The Fifth Iowa had filed pany, struck up the guns of the men with my past it, and was taking a position on the right of sword, commanded them to stand fast and face the road in line of battle. The Twenty-sixth was the enemy, and turned two men around into just filing past in two ranks, when a rebel bat- their places with my own hands. During this tery, concealed by the trees and thick brush, time the company had fallen back a few paces. opened upon us with canister from the left of the I then commanded "forward," and made a secroad. Our battery was immediately put in posi- ond charge to the right of the battery, and almost tion on the right of the road near a small unoc- into the rebel lines. The firing was now concupied house, the Fifth Iowa supporting the ducted as before, but at this time the commander right, and the Forty-eighth Indiana the left. The of the battery was shot from his horse, on my left wing of the Twenty-sixth Missouri regiment, left, and one of his subalterns came to me and of which my company composed the extreme left, requested me to fall back a few paces, so that he was posted immediately in the rear of the right could "limber up" and get away. But at this wing of the battery, and the extreme left of the juncture the scene became perfectly terrific. Fifth Iowa. Some of the caissons were in the Our Colonel, just in the rear, was shot through rear of my company. The Eleventh Missouri the lungs and carried from the field. A terrible was posted in our rear, and the Sixteenth Iowa fire was poured into the battery from the left and in the rear of the Forty-eighth Indiana, as a re- front, and the horses harnessed to the fore carserve. A slight ravine headed up toward the riage of the guns, brought up from the ravine to battery, from an open field, some distance on the haul them off, were wounded unto death, and right. Our four companies lay upon the oppo-rearing, bleeding, and charging, came like an site side of this ravine, from the battery.

While these dispositions were being made, the rebels kept up a severe fire of canister from their battery, which raked the sassafras bushes above our heads, and wounded several of the batteryhorses in our immediate front. The battle had already become intensely exciting. The Eleventh Ohio battery opened upon the rebels, who in turn came on to the charge with deafening cheers. Simultaneously they opened fire of musketry upon the battery, the left wing of the Fifth Iowa, and the Forty-eighth Indiana. Their line of battle must have been several regiments deep, as volley followed volley in rapid succession. It was now clearly perceived that the rebels had massed upon the battery with the determination of taking it at whatever cost of blood.

In a few moments the Forty-eighth Indiana gave way in confusion, and their position on the left of the battery was at once occupied by the rebels in mass. At the same time, the left of the Fifth Iowa was cut down, almost to a man, and fell back a few paces. The four companies of the

avalanche down on my right, wounding one of my men, breaking the ranks of company H immediately on my right, and lunging forward, one horse over another, in the pains and madness of death, and massing themselves on a caisson in one awful pile of wounded and dying horses, dead men, and broken gun-carriages.

I rallied my men a third time and advanced to the front. The battery had now ceased firing the gunners had been killed or ordered to save themselves in flight. The rebels were in possession of the left wing of the battery, and were pouring in a deadly cross-fire through it upon our flank, and down the ravine in our rear, sweeping every thing before it, and the roar of musketry from the front continued without ceasing. At this time I was on the right in line, my first lieutenant on the left, each instructing and encouraging the men. Then came a momentary lull in the storm, like that of a tornado, then an awful fire from the rebels burst upon us almost within bayonet reach, and swept my company from the field. I looked but for a moment upon

my men, dead, wounded and dying, strewn along the line, and turned and hastened away down the ravine, amid a shower of balls, the last man of our regiment from the field.

I overtook a few of my men in the rear, rallied them, and marched them to an open field, in which our skirmishers had formed in line of battle, and was ordered to form on the left. It was now after dark, but the firing still pursued us. Now the Eleventh Missouri volunteers received the charge of the rebels, and the bullets intended for them came thick amidst our ranks. We were ordered to lie down under cover.

commanded by Col. Murphy, of the Eighth Wisconsin) entered the town, they having evacuated Tuscumbia the previous day. The next day, (eleventh,) we (the Ohio brigade) also received orders to move. Accordingly, that evening, tents were struck, wagons packed, and at three o'clock on the morning on the twelfth, we silently wended our way from Iuka, leaving the destinies of the town in the hands of Colonel Murphy's brigade. After a fatiguing march of eighteen miles under a scorching sun, we reached Clear Creek, about eight P.M., where we bivouacked for the night on the road-side, five miles from Corinth. The next At this time I was ordered by Lieut.-Colonel morning the brigade moved a short distance furHolman to go out, with the remnant of my com- ther north, and selecting a pleasant site, we made pany, consisting of my first lieutenant and about preparations for an encampment. The same evenone dozen men, on a reconnoissance on the rising ing information was received by Gen. Rosecrans, ground to our right, and ascertain and report to that the rebel cavalry had dashed into Iuka after him whether the rebels were flanking us. This our departure, and after a slight skirmish, put order was executed in pitch darkness, and with Colonel Murphy and his brigade to flight, thereby great danger of getting shot down as well by our capturing a considerable amount of commissary own men as by the rebels. On my return I had to and medical stores, among which were six hunreport that the Twenty-sixth Illinois was posted dred and eighty barrels of flour, which Col. Muron the rising ground to our right, the Ohio bri-phy, through culpable neglect, failed to destroy gade on our rear, ready to sustain us, and the Tenth Missouri regiment on our left and front. The bugle now sounded "cease firing," and the Eleventh Missouri, which had sustained a heavy loss, fell back and took position on our left. In these positions we laid on our arms all night, expecting to renew the battle at daylight on the following morning, but when the dawn came the report also came that the rebels had gone.

We marched upon the field to bury our dead, and remove the wounded to the hospital. But, oh! what a scene! I do not think a single horse of the Eleventh Ohio battery escaped. Many of the men lay dead by the side of their guns and horses. I found two of my men lying down on their faces, just at the right of the battery. They were shot by a number of balls through the breast; one man shot through the centre of the forehead by a canister, his brains all out on the ground where he fell; one through the head by a Minié ball, entering just above the eyebrow. One torn in mangled parts by a shell; another— yet why relate these things. I can only believe it providential that we were any of us allowed to leave the field alive.

The loss of the Fifth Iowa and of the four left companies of the Twenty-sixth Missouri regiment was fifty per cent of the number taken into the field, and the loss of our brigade thirtythree per cent of the number marched upon the DE WITT C. BROWN, Captain Company C, Twenty-Sixth Reg. Missouri Volunteers.

field.

CINCINNATI "COMMERCIAL" ACCOUNT.

JACINTO, MISS., Sept. 22, 1862. EDS. COM. When last I wrote you it was from the quiet town of Iuka, where, without any fear of forced marches, scarcity of rations, etc., before our eyes, we were zealously performing garrison duty to the best of our ability; but scarcely had my letter been deposited in the mail-bag, ere the Second brigade of Gen. Stanley's division (then

before evacuating. As soon as Gen. Rosecrans ascertained the truth of the report, he placed Col. Murphy_under arrest, and ordered the brigade back to Iuka, under command of Col. Mower, of the Eleventh Missouri. They failed, however, of getting further than Burnsville, when they were ordered to proceed to near Jacinto, and await orders. In the mean while our brigade (0.) remained in bivouac near Corinth, while preparations were evidently afoot for placing our army on an active campaign footing. Transportation and baggage was reduced, our supply of tents cut down, etc., so as to facilitate our progress through the country, when a move should become necessary.

This period proved not to be far distant, for about the same time, General Rosecrans became aware that Price had occupied Iuka in force, and was endeavoring to cross the Tennessee River, for the purpose of getting in the rear of Buell, in his movement against Bragg. In conjunction with Gen. Grant, he therefore prepared to "bag" the "Diarrhoetic General." It was decided upon that a column of eighteen thousand men under Generals Grant and Ord, should move via Burnsville, and attack Price, while General Rosecrans would move with part of his corps via Jacinto, and attack the enemy on the flank, while the balance of his column would move on the Fulton road, and cut off his (Price's) retreat in case he should attempt it. With this understanding, on the morning of the eighteenth inst., our army was on the move. Generals Stanley's and Hamilton's divisions, under Gen. Rosecrans, amid a drenching rain left "Clear Creek," and after a fatiguing march bivouacked that night at this place.

At early dawn on the morning of the nineteenth we were again on the march, and at about ten o'clock the advance of Gen. Hamilton's division encountered the pickets of the enemy at "Barnett's Corners," with whom a sharp skirmish took place, resulting in their being driven six miles