Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[494] origade, during the protracted movements of the battle and pursuit, encountering every hardship and privation incident to such campaigning, behaved with great fortitude — meeting every danger and hardship cheerfully; and I acknowledge my obligation to all the field-officers for their cheerful, hearty, and intelligent cooperation.

Col. H. T. Reid, of the Fifteenth Iowa, though

prostrated by illness and unable to be in the field during the first day's engagement, on the second day left his sick-bed, joined his command, and, though unable to ride his horse, remained with his regiment, travelling in an ambulance until the pursuit was abandoned. I must not fail to mention the renewed obligations under which I rest to my Adjutant, James Wilson, who, during the whole time of the battle and pursuit, was tireless in the discharge of every duty — always at his post, always brave, always reliable.

Lieut. Lanstrum, of the Fifteenth Iowa, who acted as aid, deported himself as a good and faithful soldier.

The loss of the brigade occurred principally in the engagement on the third inst., the Fifteenth suffering most.

The killed, wounded, and missing are as follows, namely, fourteen killed, one hundred and ten wounded, and twenty-two missing. Total, one hundred and forty-five; a list of which, together with the reports of the regimental commanders, is herewith submitted.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: In compliance with your order, I have the honor of submitting the following report of the part taken by the Second Iowa infantry regiment in the engagement which took place at Corinth, Mississippi, on the third and fourth instant:

The Second Iowa infantry regiment went into the battle on the morning of the third instant, commanded by Colonel James Baker, with three field, two staff, and twenty-one line-officers, and three hundred and twenty men — making an aggregate of three hundred and forty-six. In the first day's battle near White House, which was most stubbornly contested, the loss in said regiment was very heavy, particularly in officers. In this action three Lieutenants were killed, to wit: First Lieut. John G. Huntington, of company B; First Lieut. Thomas Snowden, of company I; First Lieut. Alfred Bing, of company C. Enlisted men, Corp. Wesley H. Henderson; privates John W. Dunn, Marion French, and James C. Mansell, making a total of seven killed. Wounded: Col. James Baker, mortally; Second Lieut. V. P. Twombley, severely; enlisted men, thirty-one. Missing, two. Making an aggregate of forty-two killed, wounded, and missing in the first day's engagement. In the engagement of the fourth, Second Lieut. George W. Neal, of company H, Corporals Henry A. Seiberlich, A. Stevenson, and Jacob M. Moles; privates John M. Renz, John Clough, W. W. K. Harper, W. M. Summers, Charles E. Walker, John W. Downes, and Franklin Prouty were killed. Wounded: Lieut. Col. Mills, mortally; Capt. N. B. Howard, of company I, slightly; First Lieut. C. C. Parker, of company F, severely; Second Lieut. George W. Blake, of company F, dangerously; Second Lieut. Frank M. Suiter, of company B, severely; enlisted men, forty-four; missing enlisted men, one; taken at Camp Montgomery on the fifth instant, one; total killed, wounded, and missing in both days' engagements: Killed of commanding officers, four; enlisted men, thirteen; wounded of commanding officers, seven, (two mortally;) enlisted men, seventy-five; missing, nine--making an aggregate loss of one hundred and eight.

In this protracted and desperate engagement, in many respects the most desperate of the war, the officers and men displayed the most laudable gallantry and heroism.

Col. Baker fell mortally wounded on the first day at the very time his regiment was charging on the retreating rebels with the greatest enthusiasm and fury. He remarked as he was being borne from the field: “Thank God, when I fell my regiment was victoriously charging.” Lieut.-Col. Mills was wounded in the second day's engagement, while fighting with the most conspicuous courage and coolness. He was loth to leave the field. Better or truer officers never fought. Exposed to every danger, they were ever conspicuous for their cool, daring courage, and the ardor of their souls, blended with pure love for their country, beamed from their countenances and hung about them

Like the bright Iris o'er the boiling surge.

Colonel Baker expired on the morning of the seventh at eleven o'clock, and Lieut.-Col. Mills on the twelfth instant, at----o'clock. May their memory ever be cherished by their countrymen. Lieuts. Huntington, Snowden, Bing, and Neal fell at their posts fighting like heroes. They died as becomes the patriot for their country — fully as much can be said of the enlisted men who fell. “All honor to their memory.”

Among those who distinguished themselves was Adjt. Geo. L. Godfrey, who could always be seen and heard charging along the line upon his horse, shouting to the men to be cool and steady. He is one of the most valuable young officers with whom I have ever met. Captains Cowles, McCullough, Mastick, Howards, Ensign, and Davis were marked instances of bravery and efficiency upon the field, and reflected great credit upon themselves and their commands. Capt. Holmes, on account of a wound received in the battle of Fort Donelson, was unable to take command of his company during the engagement.

Conspicuous for bravery were Lieuts. Parker, Duffield, Marsh, Wilson, Tisdale, Suiter, Hawill,