Letter # 17
FIGHT DOWN IN IRONTON
Dear Doctor:
We are almost in sight now, of something still more interesting. We slept as usual
Sunday night, after our little exercise on Sunday evening.
Monday Sept. 26th, 1864 dawned upon us nice and clear, and scarcely breeze
enough to cause our large beautiful post flag on a high pole in Ft. Davidson, to stand out
in waves. As yet, we-(of the boys) had heard nothing definite as to Prices whereabouts.
Roll call, then breakfast, then general details were reported for “Guard Mounting.” At
the time, Co. H had not entirely settled as to who the duty Sergts., and corporals were to
be. Comrade Azariah Martin of Co. H, was finishing his five days as commander of the
picket post at the junction of the roads heading from Arcadia and Ironton to
Fredericktown, and hard-by his own home. He had sent in a request that he be retained
on that post as a private for the next five days, (to end in a few hours) so he could be near
his home.
The Rev. T. G. Atchison, a Methodist Preacher, belonging to Co. H., afterwards
Chaplin of the 47th, was detailed and assigned to the command of that picket post with
comrade Martin as one of his men- 7 rank and file, all of Co. H 47th. This post was two
miles east of Arcadia and Ironton, and was at what was known as Russellville, and near
the “Shut in” or mountain gorge through which Stouts creek flows. So far as we ever
knew, this picket post was the most advanced post in the direction of Fredericktown from
whence we hourly expected Price to advance to the attack of Pilot Knob. We are
particular to give details of this advance picket post, because, we will soon have serious
occasion to refer to it. By Monday morning we had begun to look for our expected,
reinforcements, but we looked in vain. We began to contemplate our strength, and of
what commands were then with us. We could give these from memory, from which we
are mainly drawing in writing these letters, but now, having official figures at hand, we
prefer to give these figures, as being clearer than we could give from memory alone. Of
all arms we had Co’s B, C, D, E and 18 men of Co. H 14th Regt. Iowa Volts. Inft.
Commanded by brave and experience Captains Wm. J. Campbell and Lucas. Co’s A. E.
F. G. H and I 47th, Regt. Mo. Vols. Inft., commanded by Col. Tho. C. Fletcher and
Lieut. Col. Amos W. Maupin. The Captains were all present Sept. 26th, 1864. Co. F 50th,
Regt. Mo. Vols. Inft., commanded by Robt. L. Lindsay. Co. G 1st, Regt., M. S. M. Vols.
Inft., and Art. Commanded by Lieut. John Fessler, who had charge of the four 32 pound
siege, or pivot guns, and the three 24 pound Howitzers, and the two mortars all mounted
in Fort Davidson, but the two mortars, sitting on the south side of the fort near Sally Port
entrance we learned, were of no use in the battle.
Lieut. Fessler was too busy working his seven guns to give attention to the
mortars, and no experienced officer present who could then be spared to work them. (In
giving the number of big guns mounted in Ft. Davidson, namely, four 32 pound pivot
guns, and three 24 pound Howitzers, and the six 3 inch guns rifled field pieces in
Montgomery’s Battery. If we differ from our officers now living and official reports on
file, we beg pardon. We have given our account just as we understood the matter and
now remember it. H. C. Wilkinson.
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Co’s A. D. H. I and K 3rd, Regt. M. S. M. Vols. commanded by Maj. --------
Wilson, who also was post commander up to the battle. Of the Captains present with
Maj. Wilson, that we still remember, were Capts. Rice, McElroy, Lonergan and Milks
and perhaps Johns, but not sure of that. Of the Lieuts. of the M. S. M. we still remember
Erich Pape.
Co. L. 2nd, Regt. M. S. M. Cav. Vols. Commanded by Capt. Amos P. Wright. Of
these, we now have no distinct recollection of them, only as M. S. M. Cav.
Battery H. 2nd, Regt. Mo. Light Art. Vols. 6 guns, rifled conical balls and conical
percussion shells and canister shot, commanded by Capt. W. C. Montgomery. Then we
add to these about 35 citizens of the three towns, Pilot Knob, Ironton and Arcadia, and
the surrounding country. Several of these patriotic citizens were of German extraction –
(“Lop-eared Dutch)” who added greatly to the fortunes of the day, on Tu. the 27th by
throwing off their coats and assisting the weary and worn out men of Co. G. 1st, Regt.
M.S.M. Inft. Vols. to handle the big guns in Ft. Davidson. Then a small company of
colored troops were organized under Capt. Lonergan, then Provost Marshall of the post
of Pilot Knob. Capt Lonergan belonged to the 3rd, M. S. M. Cav. Vols., as we then
understood.
A word now of this little handful of men and their brave commander, Brigadier
General Thomas Ewing. The Four and a piece, companies of the 14th, Iowa when in line,
looked but little longer than Co. H 47th, rank and file. Co’s A and G 47th, had been cut
down at Patterson. Co. G 1st Mo. was very small, so were the Cavalry companies, as is,
or then was the case with old companies like the 14th, Iowa and the M. S. M. of both
arms.” But there is one thing very sure indeed, - The 14th, Iowa were surely “Down to
the fighting age.” Not a single “Slouch” among them. Their “Trash” was all gone. So
generally with the M. S. M. They also had been “seasoned”. Then among the 47th, &
50th, Mo. present, now called “Raw Troops”, there were near four fifths of them who had
seen service more or less. As to numbers, we see that General Ewing placed us at 1063
men, which not doubt is certainly about right as to number as to the aggregate, judging
from what we saw and knew. Now, as to the courage of our Commander, and the ruling
element of his officers, needs no comment; “A good workman is known by his chips.”
But we wish to note this one point, that : the bare idea of a man daring to accept the offer
of battle with only 1063 men around him, against an army of not less than 20,000 men
led by veteran officers; General Ewing then full well knew, that his only possible support
was then 42 or 43 miles away, and no prospect whatever, of them coming one mile nearer
him. The forenoon passed very quietly among the men, the new picket details relieved
the different picket posts as their 5-days were out on the Monday morning Sept. 26, 1864.
Dinner came on about the usual noon hour, and as everything seemed so quiet, the writer
asked permission to go over to the creek west of the fort to wash and put on clean
clothing. Permission being granted we at once departed. Comrade John Holmes went
with us. While in the creek we noticed a large coal wagon going westward for a load of
charcoal, but just as we were forgetting them, we heard a commotion out his way. Soon
we saw him coming, every animal in a gallop with the empty wagon and he pouring the
lash to his team at every jump. While wondering what all of this really did mean,
Comrade Holmes said:, “Orderly they are fighting down in Ironton.” We said, “Surely
not!” He said, “Yes they are! Don’t you hear the guns?” They reminded us of popping
corn in a hot skillet, back in our boyhood days. Of course we were soon at Co.
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Headquarters but not a man there, then we ran for our place at the south rifle pit to find
Co. H. in position.
The firing down in Ironton by that time was a solid roar, we wondered what was
then happening to poor Co. E! We knew they were then quartered about 140 yards
northeast of the Court house. Then, what had become of T. G. Atchison and Azariah
Martin down near the “Shut in” at their picket post? Ah! Here is our Azariah alright! He
told us that at, near, or a little after 1 P.M. they were in the act of eating dinner at their
picket post, and that acting Sergt. Atchinson was in the act of calling in the vidette to eat
with them when he, (Martin) discovered a lot of horsemen down Stouts Creek. Sergt.
Atchinson said, “They are our men”, but comrade Martin said, “No Siree, they are
Rebels” I’ve seen too many of them not to know Rebels.” Then Jno. D. Gourley was at
once dispatched to report to post headquarters, (we heard nothing from him) Comrade
Martin grew very uneasy, and proposed to go himself as no reinforcements were yet in
sight and no word from Gourley and the Rebs, were fast growing in number. We heard
nothing until Comrade Martin came in. He said Company E were all off their guard until
we warned them of their danger, and only a corporal in camp. He then continued up
Main Street through Ironton, shouting to the citizens that “The Rebels are on us!” Then
just below the town of Pilot Knob he met a detachment of the 3rd, M. S. M. and reported
to the officer in command and the commander halted his men and he returned to post
headquarters to hear Martin report, and the officer received orders to hurry on down
there, which he did.
As we stood in line listening to the constant firing, we saw the brave Maj. Wilson
mount his horse and at the head of his men ride away to the battle field. Then, there goes
two guns of Capt. Montgomery’s battery with, and yes! there goes the old 14th, Iowa,
colors flying and we cheering them. They are on the “Double quick!” Ah! Listen! The
artillery is giving the “Cush” now! Now, the guns are receding; now they are bearing to
the left, and the distance is growing, as we could tell by the more distant boom of the
guns. Yes, the Rebs. are certainly giving way, and retreating down the “Shut in”.
Dispatches were constantly coming in, but they were for the ear of Gen. Ewing as
he sat there on his horse in front of the fort gate the very picture of a brave General in
battle. Our Murphy was by his side also. Then, as night would soon be on us, our
Captain asked that two of his men go to our quarters to get supper. The General told him
that if reports continued favorable, we could all soon return to our quarters. We felt sure
that reports grew no more favorable, because we were not ordered to our quarters.
However, our cook returned, fried meat and made three camp kettles full of good
“Linkun” coffee. So here in line we ate our supper and rolled in our blankets; slept in
line as we were on the east brink, and along the middle of the south rifle pit.
Now, while we rest until the morrow, we will listen to comrade Jas. J. Johnson as
he tells us of how things went down in Ironton that evening.
“On Sept. 26th, 1864, my company E-47th, Regt. Mo. Inft. Vols. was quartered in
Ironton about 140 yards N. E. of the Court House, and on the East or opposite side of
Main Street from the Court House.
“I think it was about 12:45 P.M. I saw about 83 men of the 3rd, M. S. M. Cav.
ride down Main Street toward Arcadia. I don’t know who was in command”. (they were
the men who Comrade Martin met as he went in to report.) “I thought they were going
on Scout duty to feel for Price. Soon I saw a commotion in our camp, and I hastened
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down there. Comrade Martin had just warned them. Then, Orderly Sergt. Ben. R. Lofton
ran up and called for Co. 3 to “Fall in!” Our drummer was absent, and Orderly Lofton
snatched up the drum and beat, “Long Roll” himself. We were already in line when our
commissioned officers came in. Then we heard the “feelers” begin firing just about the
south side of Arcadia. Then we saw the enemy coming on a charge from toward
Fredericktown, to cut off the 83 men of the 3rd, M. S. M. from falling back toward Pilot
Knob. Co. E then turned loose on the Rebs. And held them in check until the 3rd,
M. S. M. boys could get through, and in reach of reinforcements from Pilot Knob. When
the 3rd boys all got through, Capt. Dinger ordered us to the Court House on Double
quick, as some of the enemy had lodged behind some old stacks of lumber East of Main
Street, in front of the Court House, and were firing on us. As we came to the door of the
Court House, Lieut. Geo. Tetly ran in, and about 40 men of Co. E followed him, but
Capt. Dinger and some eight or ten men passed the door, and ran on toward the near-by
foot of Shepherd’s Mt. And thence North toward Pilot Knob. We ran up stairs, and I
broke out the front window sash and glass with the breech of my musket, and we at once
began firing from the window at the Rebs, behind the stacks of lumber, and then we saw
one of the 3rd, M. S. M. coming from towards Arcadia as fast as his horse could run, and
a Reb, with a red shirt on, after him. Then at our camp, the poor picket boy’s horse
stumbled and fell and threw his rider over his head. The poor boy jumped to his feet,
hands up to surrender, but “Red shirt” deliberately shot him dead right before our eyes!
(This was Wm Rector, private, Co. “I” 3rd. Cav. M. S. M. His death had been omitted
from all official reports, even those in Adjt. Gens. Office at Jefferson City. C.A.P.) We
at once sent a whole volley at “Red Shirt”, and off went his hat and carbine as the strap or
string was cut by a 58 Cal. He bent or fell forward on his horse which wheeled, now,
right in our camp, and ran down Main Street in front of us as we poured shot after shot
into him. His horse was going so fast that he was compelled to jump a garden fence East
of Main street, and “Red Shirt” tumbled off a dead man. Our first volley fixed him, but
as he fell forward on his horse, he was well balanced. So now, that was as near as we
ever knew, the very first blood shed in the battle of Pilot Knob. One poor federal soldier
lying dead in the street, and his murderer lying dead over there in the garden.
“As we turned away from “Red Shirt”, we saw the 14th Iowa coming on the
double quick, and Maj. Wilson at the head of the 3rd, M. S. M. and two guns of Capt.
Montgomery’s battery coming in a trot. We then ran out of the Court House and fell in
with them and began driving the Rebs. back on the Fredericktown road. We soon drove
them back through Russellville and into the “Shut in”, two miles East of the Court House,
Montgomery’s guns pouring into them, shot and shell as they retreated, and we pursuing
them, and in support of the guns.
“As night was now drawing over us, we fell back and deployed skirmishers along
on the North side of Stouts creek, facing the Fredericktown road, and lay in line of battle
with the 3rd, M. S. M. next to the south side of the Mt. of Pilot Knob. Then, the 14th,
Iowa extending West toward Ironton and Co. E. still further West and nearer to Ironton.
“Capt. Dinger had fallen in with the 14th Iowa and came back with his men to us,
and he and Lieut. Tetley had a “Jaw” over Tetley’s disobedience of his orders. Then
Lieut. told him that he (Dinger) had disobeyed his own orders by not going into the Court
House, as we who were with the Lieut. so understood. Well daylight will be sure to
develop something worth telling.
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We had almost forgotten to tell of the arrival of our long looked for
reinforcements. If we rightly remember, it was after we were already in line, and the
fight going on down in Ironton, when we saw the train coming in from St. Louis with our
reinforcement – One solitary man! And that was our old Colonel Tho. C. Fletcher!
“Many in one.”
Sometime during the night, there was a call made on the 47th, for a Lieut. and 35
men. Capt. Powers proposed to furnish the whole detail from Co. H. alone; so without
waking the writer to make detail, he began on the left and told off the men himself, and
sent Lieut. M. P. Tate in charge of them. They at once reported at Post Headquarters, and
received orders of Gen. Ewing to go as an escort with the post wagon train, but we have
forgotten the number of wagons there were in this train. The order to Lieut. Tate was
about this : “Proceed North with the wagon train to Gen. A.J. Smith at DeSoto. If
attacked, do not attempt to fight, but take to the woods on you left, as the wood are full of
Rebels on your right.”
Sometime in the forenoon on the 27th, this forlorn hope drew near Hopewell, a
station on the railroad about 22 miles north of Pilot Knob. The enemy was discovered,
and Lieut. Tate at once began to prepare to defend the wagon train. His men were
distributed among the wagons, riding in them. He ordered them forward, but as he
entered the ville of Hopewell, he found the enemy in force far superior to his, but,
notwithstanding, his order he fought them anyhow. Soon Absolem Bess fell wounded in
the abdomen and Lieut. Tate and his men were compelled to give way, but Corp. Tho.
Stephens returned to Bess and assisted him to a nearby house where he was well cared
for, and recovered so as to be afterwards able for duty, but in 1868 he died of his wounds.
Corp. Stephens was a good soldier.
Lieut. Tate and his men then took to the woods on their left, and broke into
squads of ones to some 8 or ten men. All escaped capture except Bess and John Shaver,
who never returned to us for near 2 months after the battle, as he never made his escape
until Price reached the Indian Territory on his retreat. Then Mo.was to cross by Shaver
on horseback. Sometime on Monday night we endured a slight shower of rain, but no
firing. During the night, the men in the fort dug and built extra earth works so elevated,
that two of Capt. Montgomery’s rifled field guns could peep over the parapets of Fort
Davidson – one in the S. E. corner, and one in the S. W. corner, which later one was
much exposed to Shepherd’s Mountain the next day.
So passed Monday night of Sept. 26th, 1864.
Yours truly,
H. C. Wilkinson,
Damon, Mo.