Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[380] five hundred and seventy-seven. A list of the killed, wounded, and missing is herewith submitted. We went into the action with two thousand four hundred and fourteen men, and came out of it with one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five. Most of the officers and men behaved with great gallantry and coolness. Of Dresser's battery and the Eleventh Iowa Volunteers I can say nothing, excepting that I found what was left of them in camp, upon my return on the evening of the seventh, they having been separated from the brigade during all the time it was under my command,

Respectfully, etc.,

On the morning of April sixth, 1862, the rebels having attacked our advanced lines at Shiloh, Tennessee, the Twelfth Iowa infantry Volunteers was rapidly formed and joined the other regiments, Second, Seventh, and Fourteenth of the Iowa brigade, being the First brigade, under Brigadier-Gen. Tuttle, of the Second division, under Gen. Wallace. The brigade was marched to near the field beyond General Hurlbut's Headquarters, and formed in line of battle, the Second and Seventh on our right, the Fourteenth on our left. The Eighth Iowa of Prentiss's division was on the left of the Fourteenth, forming an angle, to the rear with our line; an open field lay in front of our right. Dense timber covered our left; a small ravine was immediately behind us. In this position we awaited the approach of the enemy. Soon he made a bold attack on us, but met with a warm reception, and soon we repulsed him. Again and again, repeatedly did he attack us, trying vainly to drive us from our position. He failed to move us one inch from our position. On the contrary, we repulsed every attack of the enemy and drove him back in confusion.

Thus matters stood in our front until about four o'clock P. M., at which time it became evident, by the firing on our left, that the enemy were getting in our rear. An aid-de-camp rode up and directed me to face to the rear and fall back, stating, in answer to my inquiry, that I would receive orders as to the position I was to occupy. No such orders reached me, and I suppose could not. The Second and Seventh Iowa had already gone to the rear, and on reaching the high ground between our position and Gen. Hurlbut's headquarters, we discovered that we were already surrounded by the enemy, caused by no fault of our own, but by the troops at a distance from us, on our right and left, giving way before the enemy. Seeing ourselves surrounded, we nevertheless opened a brisk fire on that portion of the enemy who blocked our passage to the Landing, who, after briskly returning our fire for a short time, fell back; brisk fire from the enemy on our left (previous right) going on at the same time. Seeing the enemy in front falling back, we attempted, by a rapid movement, to cut our way through, but the enemy on our left advanced rapidly, coming in behind us, pouring into our ranks a most destructive fire. The enemy in front faced about and opened on us at short range, the enemy in rear still closing in on us rapidly.

I received two wounds, disabling me from further duty. The command then devolved on Capt. Edgington, acting as field-officer. The enemy had, however, already so closely surrounded us, that their balls which missed our men took effect in their ranks beyond us. To have held out longer would have been to suffer complete annihilation. The regiment was therefore compelled to surrender as prisoners of war.

Lieut.-Colonel Coulter was much reduced by chronic diarrhea, and Major Brodtbeck was suffering from rheumatism. Being myself the only field-officer on duty, at my request Capt. Edgington acted as a field-officer, the duties of which he performed in an able and efficient manner.

Quartermaster Dorr, though his position did not require him to go into action, Volunteered to do so, and throughout the day behaved in a brave and gallant manner, daringly if not recklessly exposing his person to the enemy. He made himself very useful in carrying messages and in spying out the positions and movements of the enemy, and firing on them as occasion offered. Energetic and efficient in his own department, he would fill a higher one with credit to himself and honor to the service.

Adjutant Duncan proved himself on this, as on all occasions, a faithful and efficient officer. Captains Earle, Warner, Stibbs, Haddock, Vanduzee and Tousley performed well their part, as did all the lieutenants in the action, in a prompt and willing manner. The non — commissioned officers and men stood bravely up to their work, and never did men behave better. In the death of Lieut. Furguson, of company D, the regiment lost one of its best-drilled officers and a gallant soldier; it also lost a good man and good officer in the death of Lieut. Moir, of company A.

sir: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Third Iowa infantry in the actions of the sixth and seventh inst.

The Third Iowa occupied the extreme right of the Fourth division, being the first regiment of Col. and Acting Brig.-Gen. N. G. Williams's brigade, and was posted during the greater portion of Sunday at the fence near the cotton-field. The enemy repeatedly threw large bodies of infantry against us, but never with success. He was re pulsed every time, and with great slaughter. The regiment was also subjected to a storm of grape, canister and shell, which lasted several hours. The Third Iowa maintained its ground until evening,