8th Iowa Infantry 

This comes to us from Michael Cafferky.  He follows his ancestor, Edmund Vickery and Co. A, 8th Reg. I. V. I. through the Civil War. After the war, Edmund evenually settled in Tama Co., IA.  Michael has much more info on Edmund and his family.

To date no one has written a complete history of the 8^th Iowa Infantry. No photographs exist of the 8^th Iowa Infantry, Company “A”or Edmund E. Vickery in the archives of the United States Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks [Winey, M.J.: 1999]. 

THE REBELLION

While Edmund VICKERY is living in or near Camanche (Clinton County), Iowa [Iowa:1908] a small town situated on the Mississippi River twenty-five miles north of Davenport, IA, he voluntarily enlists in the Union Army for a period of three years [Iowa: 1861].  Clinton County appears to be the place of his residence in Iowa at the time of his enlistment and perhaps it was his first residence after moving from New York. The assumption being that most enlistees resided in the county in which they enlisted [Iowa: 1908] [Iowa: 1863]. It was just about three weeks after the ignominious Union defeat at Bull Run, August 12, 1861 that Edmund enlists as a First Corporal [Iowa:1861].  

The men that enlist in Clinton County along with a few others from out of state become the initial eighty-six rank and file members of “Company A” [Iowa: 1863] of the 8^thRegiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry (simply referred to as the “8^thIowa Infantry”).  The largest contingent of men in Company “A” come from Dewitt. A few come from Buena Vista [Iowa:1863].  The troops that comprise this Regiment come from the counties of Clinton, Scott, Washington, Benton,Linn, Marion, Keokuk, Iowa, Mahaska, Monroe, and Louisa. In Edmund’s Company “A” he soldiers with three Germans, one Frenchman, four English, one Irish and one Canadian [Iowa:1863]. 

EDMUND MUSTERED INTO SERVICE

From Camanche Edmund may have marched the twenty-two miles to the Regimental staging/ mustering area in Davenport, IA.  Or, he may have traveled by boat down the Mississippi River to where he is “mustered into United States service” with Company A on September 5, 1861 [PensionOffice: 1900] [Iowa: 1861] by Lieut. Alexander Chambers [Iowa: 1863]. When it is complete, the regiment numbers about nine hundred and twenty men strong [Ingersoll, L. D.: 1867]. 

September 25 the regiment leaves Davenport aboard the paddle wheel steamer JennyWhipple and travels toward St. Louis.  Nearwhere the Des Moines River pours its contents into the Mississippi River and at the connecting point of three states (Iowa, Illinois, Missouri), the boat stopped.  At Keokuk, IA the 8^thIowa Infantry receives its first fire arms which are poor in quality [Iowa:1908].  From Keokuk the JennyWhipple continues on to St. Louis where the 8^th Iowa disembarks. Here during the first two weeks in October they receive their expeditionary equipment for the field [Ingersoll,L. D.: 1867] [Dyer, F. H.: 1979]. Perhaps it is in St. Louis that Edmund receives his outfit complete with a mobile blacksmith’s shop common during the Civil War. 

The average age of enlistee in Company “A” is twenty-four. Except for Captain Stearns who was sixty years old, the men range in age from a forty-three year old Private to several eighteen year old Privates. Most of the leaders in the Company come from the town of Dewitt where Stearns is from.  While Stearns may have favored for leadership positions men that he knew from his own area, he does not appoint based on age.  Indeed, many of the sergeants are young men [Iowa:1863].  

Edmund is known as a blacksmith and he is employed in his regiment “as an artificer to fix and put the guns in order for use.” [Iowa: 1961]. 

THEMARCH IN MISSOURI

Equipped for battle, their first assignment (See Appendix for a List of Engagements & Assignments) is to travel by railroad flatcar [Iowa: 1908] from St. Louis 175 miles west to Syracuse, MO a trip they begin October 15. In Syracuse they are to join with General Fremont of the Department of Missouri.   

Edmund’s regiment first sees action in Fremont’s army in southwest Missouri where they march against Price's rebel army.  In late October the 8^th Iowa Infantry spends a short time in Quincy, MO just south of Benton County.  They were about half way (seventy-five miles) to Springfield and needed rest. Following on the heels of several other regiments such as the 5^thIowa Infantry, the 8^th Iowa Infantry joins in the pursuit of the Confederate General Price [McNeal, H:1861].   

C.P. Searle, a Sergeant Major in the 8^th Iowa Infantry says,“Although we marched twenty-five to thirty miles a day, in heavy marching order, we could not overtake the Rebels.  They had fled to Arkansas.” [Searle, C. P.:1893]  According to regimental records the 8^th Iowa Infantry and several other regiments march to Springfield, MO beginning October 21 and return to Sedalia on November 8, 1861 [Iowa: 1908]. 

Almost all of the volunteers in the 8^th Iowa including Company “A” have never been subjected to such a rigorous physical test before this. In writing about the intensity of this struggle, Ingersoll comments that the troops “suffered severely from the forced marches over the bad roads. Almost every camping ground became a graveyard of soldiers who died from exhaustion” [Ingersoll,L. D.: 1867]. 

From Springfield the 8^th Iowa Infantry travel due north to Sedalia in November where they plan to spend the winter. In December the regiment goes on a couple of minor expeditions “chasing small squads of guerillas, who were prowling around over the country harrassing [sic] the Union forces.”  They also are ordered to guard Confederate supporters and their property [Searle, C. P.: 1893] [Ingersoll,L. D.: 1867] presumably to prevent the guerillas from obtaining supplies and equipment.  A detachment of two companies travel as guards for an overland caravan of food and supplies for Union troops stationed elsewhere [Iowa:1908].  Edmund survives these marches and is present at the roll calls in November and December [Iowa:1861].  All through the fall and winter of 1861-1862 the 8^thIowa Infantry is not tested in a major battle. Many of the soldiers have never fired a rifle under battle conditions. 

While the 8^th Iowa Infantry winters in Sedalia occasionally chasing guerillas, Union generals bicker among themselves on war strategy and posture with Senators for choice leadership assignments.  After the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson in February,the initial plan is for The Army of the Tennessee to attack railroad connections and supply depots and disrupt the flow of supplies moving up from Alabama into Tennessee by rail.  Also, control of the Mississippi River is vital to the Union’s goal of dividing Confederate forces.  General Halleck who had received the presidential appointment of General in command of all operations in Tennessee sets about negotiating with General Buell, General William T. Sherman, General Grant, General Smith and others to formulate a battle plan that all can support.  Not everyone agrees on the best strategy.  Buell refuses to commit to supporting Grant’s troops if Grant moved up the Tennessee River. In hopes of being awarded the post of General of The Army of the Tennessee, General Ulysses S. Grant goes about amassing several divisions and equipment for a major expedition.  He collects almost sixty paddle-wheel boats that will be escorted by two ironcladgun ships the U.S.S. Tyler and the U.S.S. Lexington into the heart of Confederate territory [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. 

Changes were taking place in the command structure of the 8^th Iowa Infantry. Forty year old Second Lieut. Hezekia Browning resigns to go home. First Sergeant James M. Redfield dies in St. Louis December 12, 1861. The promotion of William Cady to First Sergeant creates a domino effectthrough Company “A.”  New Years Day 1862 in Sedalia, MO fourteen soldiers inCompany “A” receive promotions [Iowa:1863].  According to somemilitary records, Edmund is promoted to the rank of 4^th Sergeant [Iowa: 1861] [Iowa: 1872][Iowa: 1908]. However, according to the Iowa Adjutant General’s report in 1863 Edmundis listed as having obtained the rank of 3^rd Sergeant during thepromotion on January first [Iowa: 1863].  Thedifference in the various sources provides something for his descendents todiscuss years later. 

GeneralGrant is disheartened with General Halleck appointed General Smith to commandthe Army.  Grant leaves St. Louisand travels to Fort Henry.  Nevertheless,he supports the decision and remains actively involved in the preparations. Halleck gives Grant a consolation prize by asking him to command one unitin the offensive that is to take place in Tennessee. The first of March General Halleck writes to Grant and orders him to“avoid any general engagements with strong forces. It will be better to retreat than to risk a general battle. This should be strongly impressed on the officers sent with theexpeditions from the river.” [Eisenschiml,O.: 1947] 

February7, 1862 the 8^th Iowa Regiment’s Colonel Steel receives a promotionto Brigadier General and he leaves the Regiment.  Replacing him is Colonel James L. Geddes, a small, slender(weighing less than 140 pounds) Scot with a high pitched voice who had beentrained in British military academy in Calcutta and is “wise in planning,fearless in execution” [Stuart, A. A.:1865] [Searle, C. P.: 1893]. Under its new Colonel the 8^th Iowa Infantry rides on a trainback to St. Louis in early March in preparation for a major expedition [Searle,C. P.: 1893]. 

Onabout March 6-8 several divisions of troops including infantry, cavalry andartillery battalions, board paddle-wheel boats and on March 9 the forces nownumbering about 27,000 head up river (to the south) to Fort Henry, Tennesseewhere they will join another 7,000 troops waiting transportation. By the time Edmund arrives in St. Louis some of the expeditionary forcehad already embarked on the river trip and the 8^th Iowa Infantryboards paddlewheel boats about two days after the first contingent had departed [Searle,C. P.: 1893].  

Atfirst the huge armada is the scene of celebration as both troops and civilianscheer the departure: beautiful weather, bands playing and colors flying [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].  But it is notlong until the over-crowded conditions begin to take their toll on the men andhorses crammed into the steamers.  Alongthe way Confederate sniper/scouts fire on the transports. One sniper fires into the transport of the 8^th Iowa Infantrynear Savanna, TN, killing two men and wounding another [Iowa: 1908].  Men areill.  Some men drown when they falloverboard when their transport tosses on the choppy water [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. 

Asthe armada approaches its destination heavy rain pummels the boats adding to thediscomfort for the soldiers on the ships.  OnMarch 12 the earliest arriving troop transports crowd four and five deep at theSavanna, TN docks while General Halleck disembarks to set up army headquartersat the mansion of William Cherry a local Union supporter. A few miles farther up river (to the south) some of the troop carriersdock for the purpose of establishing an ammunition and supply depot for thetroops.  Except for the scouts, noone leaves the boats, however, since the heavy rains had swollen the riversmaking it impossible for the transports to get close enough to effectivelyunload.  A few scouting parties gointo the heavily wooded hilly terrain in search of camp sites, guides and theenemy.  Edmund and his 8^thIowa Infantry are still en route and remain hunkered down in their paddle-wheelgetting wet and sick [Daniel, L. J.:1997]. 

Duringthe trip up the Tennessee River, General C. F. Smith commander of the 2^ndDivision is injured on board when he slips on a plank lacerating his leg to thebone [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. Hobbled and in pain, Smith begins to consider giving up his post whicheventually he does. 

Whenthe river stabilizes early in the morning of March 15, some troops debark to setup the supply distribution point.  Bythe time Edmund’s regiment arrives the next day, camp sites are already setup.  One 8^th IowaInfantry company officer comments on the scene, “Already quite an army hadpreceded us and were camped here and there through the woods.” [Searle,C. P.: 1893].  The 8^thIowa establishes their camp about one half mile from the landing at the edge ofthe woods.  After the 8^thIowa Infantry regiment arrives more troops arrive in the few days following. 

Weknow from Union records that by March 22 the 2^nd Division includingSweeney’s 3^rd Brigade is assigned to stand in reserve betweenCrump’s Landing and Pittsburg Landing (a few miles up stream) in case theConfederate army attacked the ammunition depot [Daniel, L. J.: 1997].  Duringthe rain nothing much happens in Edmund’s unit except setting up camp. 

OnMarch 21 William H. L. Wallace receives the commission of Brigadier General andon March 22, receives his assignment: Command the 2^nd Division in theabsence of the injured General C. F. Smith [Stuart, A. A.: 1865].  W.H. L. Wallace is a forty-one year old lawyer who had received his militaryappointments because of political connections. Like several other top-ranking leaders in The Army of the Tennessee thatspring, he has no formal training as a professional soldier. But, he has some experience fighting in the Mexican War [Daniel,L. J.: 1997]. 

Thethird week of March Grant is restored in command of the forces at PittsburgLanding [Eisenschiml, O.: 1928]. The weather turns to the better as a hot high-pressure system cutsthrough the rain.  The groundrapidly dries out in the heat and the troops come out of their tee-pee shapedSibley tents.  General Halleckinstructs the Generals to wait for General Buell who had signaled that he ismoving his Army of the Ohio in position to reinforce Grant and Sherman and thathe is just a few days away [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. 

Mostof the regiments establish their base-camps near Pittsburg Landing but the moodof the Army is so relaxed that several standard procedures are not followed. Some regiments are spaced too far apart for safety in case of an attack. Others have their camps facing the wrong direction [Daniel, L. J.: 1997].  Nobreastworks or fortifications are ordered although there is plenty of materialclose at hand in the woods to make a strong defense [Searle, C. P.: 1893]. 

Tokeep busy and to do some training for their troops regimental commanders drillthe raw recruits.  As the days wearon with no major contact with the enemy, the men compete with each other in avariety of activities.  Regimentalbands play concerts.  Pickets areset up on the roads.  Scoutingparties go out to gather information for their commanders. On payday they play cards and gamble. Some write letters home sending them by boat down river to St. Louis. Others read newspapers that are ferried by boat from the nearest cities [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].  Many are simplybored with the monotonous routines of camp life [Searle,C. P.: 1893]. 

Stillmany others (about one-sixth of the entire Army) are so ill from diarrhea thatthey flood the small hospital tent that has been set up in Pittsburg Landing. Frustrated at the high volume of sick soldiers, Grant steps out side thebounds of policy and sends many of the ill down river back to St. Louis insteadof to Cincinnati as instructed by Halleck. In St. Louis the hospitals are already crowded [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].

WARNING SIGNS

Theearly intelligence reports that the leaders receive allay their concernsregarding an attack by the Grays so the Union Generals do not take preventiveprecautions to fortify.  From thesereports, the leadership believe that the Confederate army is fortifying Corinth,Mississippi.  After all, the Unionarmy had not come for a major offensive but rather for a series of raids onrailroad lines and supply depots and it is well known that the Confederatearmies are staying in heavily defended Corinth, MS.  Unprepared for a major offensive, General William T. Shermanand General Prentiss command the brigades that established camps andreconnaissance patrols working farthest away from Pittsburg Landing to the southand west toward the Tennessee-Mississippi state line.  

Inthe first few days of April as his patrols return with reports that Confederatescouting parties are engaging them and becoming more bold and impudent in theirapproaches to the Union pickets, Sherman refuses to believe what they describeto him [Searle, C. P.: 1893]. Often he sarcastically rebuffs their reports or he simply ignores them. The same is true in Grant’s headquarters. While these two generals are frustrated at having to wait for Buell’sarrival, their stubbornness becomes an important factor in the Union army’sreadiness to respond to the Confederate attack when it does come [Daniel, L. J.: 1997].  Evenso, Grant and Sherman order a stronger force sent to the front lines to protectthe outpost pickets.  Searle says,“We never dreamed that there could be any danger back where we were camped,three or more miles from the outposts, or that the enemy would attack us.” Most of the soldiers in camp believe that the Union Army is simplywaiting for the right conditions to attack or besiege Corinth [Searle,C. P.: 1893]. 

EdmundVickery’s 8^th Iowa Infantry unit is safely away from the firstpoint of contact with their enemy [Stuart,A. A.: 1865].  Probably two fullmiles to the southwest lay between the first skirmishes and the Union troopsencamped at Pittsburg Landing.  The8^th Iowa Infantry is situated another two and a half miles [Brinton, J. H.: 1990] to the north of Pittsburg Landing waitingorders to help protect the munitions depot at Crump’s Landing. 

SHILOH  (“PLACE OF PEACE”)

As a result of the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson,Confederate Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, the commander in the area, is forced tofall back, giving up Kentucky and much of West and Middle Tennessee. He chooses Corinth, Mississippi, a major transportation center, as thestaging area for an offensive against Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army ofthe Tennessee before the Army of the Ohio, under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, canjoin it [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. 

Johnstonoriginally planned to attack Grant on April 4, but delays from weather (the hotweather has passed giving way to another sharp, wet cold front), administrativebungling, poor communications and the slow-moving Confederate soldiers on thenarrow road postpone it until the 6th.  Attackingthe Union troops at about 6:00 a.m. the morning of April 6, the water-logged,hungry and tired Confederates surprise General Sherman (though his patrols arenot surprised), routing many back toward Pittsburg Landing. Some Federals make determined stands but gradually, field by field, theUnion regulars and cavalry give ground to the advancing Confederate soldiers. Because of the heavy wooded areas and thickets of brush and small trees,movement of both armies is slow [Daniel,L. J.: 1997]. 

Backat Pittsburg Landing although everyone can hear the cannon reports and themuskets [Searle, C. P.: 1893], thetop brass still refuse to believe the magnitude of the reports coming that theRebels are in a general attack.  Somesoldiers go about their breakfast routines many of them preparing to attendSunday services [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. Even so, some Regimental commanders order the “long (drum) roll”sounding the call to prepare for engagement. They order their troops to “fill cartridge boxes and forty rounds extrain haversacks; also one day’s rations, and be ready to march to the front at amoment’s notice.” [Searle, C. P.: 1893] 

Asthe Blue army is driven on its heels back toward Pittsburg Landing at theTennessee River within a half mile of the main Union camp, the Union commandersfinally understand the significance of the engagement. They give the call in Pittsburg Landing to form up and reinforceSherman’s and Prentiss’ men who are retreating to the river. In the camp of the 8^th Iowa Infantry regiment Colonel Geddeshas his men at attention waiting orders.  Theycan hear the cannons approaching [Daniel,L. J.: 1997] [Stuart, A. A.: 1865]. As Colonel Geddes gathers information about what is happening at thefront, he becomes convinced that the enemy is advancing. Therefore, he orders his regimental wagons loaded with supplies anddriven back toward Crump’s Landing to a safer place. This accomplished, Geddes orders the seven hundred [Nevin,D.: 1983] men of the 8^th Iowa Infantry to prepare to move to thefront [Stuart, A. A.: 1865]. (Many of the original nine hundred twenty are ill.) 

Slowlybut increasingly the Rebels gain ground until they are within sight of the mainbase camp at Pittsburg Landing.  Here,along the old Purdy-Hamburg stage road an old washed out roadway abouttwo-thirds of a mile in length that runs east to west connecting the north-southPittsburg-Corinth and Savannah-Hamburg Roads the 8^th Iowa Company Aunder the leadership of Capt. Charles Stearns makes its valiant stand. Along side the 14^th Iowa Infantry, 12^th IowaInfantry, 58^th Iowa Infantry, and the 2^nd Iowa Infantry,Edmund is plunged into what is the most harrowing experienced of his life. It is here on this old sunken road that portions of two Divisions, twelveUnion Infantry brigades and about four Union artillery batteries, withstand theheaviest assault of the entire battle facing something no one else in anAmerican war has ever faced [Daniel, L.J.: 1997].   

Thetroops are petrified.  Most hadnever been in a real battle before.  Somehave received their weapon within hours of the battle that is upon them. One man “was so frightened that he could not stand up and was as whiteas death.  Of course he was left toguard the camp.”[Searle, C. P.: 1893]  

ENGAGEMENT

Alongabout 10:00 a.m. (some say it was at least an hour earlier [Searle, C. P.: 1893]) William H. L. Wallace’s 2^ndDivision waits for its orders near the Hamburg-Savanna Road north of PittsburgLanding.  When they receive the callfor reinforcements to Sherman’s and Prentiss’ Division on the south-westside of the Union main camp, they move quickly south to the Pittsburg-CorinthRoad the main artery connecting the two towns. Here they turn right and move south-west to the Purdy-Hamburg stage road. As they proceed south on the narrow Pittsburg-Corinth Road they areamazed at the large numbers of retreating Union soldiers some bareheaded, somewithout guns, some wounded or powder burned. One horrified straggler cries out to the men of Sweeney’s Brigade,“For God’s sake don’t go out there; you will all be killed. Come back!  Come back!” [Daniel, L. J.: 1997] Another fleeing soldier holds up his bloody hands and shouts, “You’llcatch it!  We are all cut to pieces– the Rebels are coming!”  Panicked soldiers clogged the road infuriating the advancingnewcomers from Sweeney’s Brigade [Nevin,D.: 1983].  Another soldiercalls out in exaggeration,  “Well,boys, you have a hard job before you.  Ipity you.  My regiment is all cut topieces; I’m the only one left.”[Searle,C. P.: 1893].   

Thedead and dying are being taken back to Pittsburg Landing on stretchers or inambulances and wagons.  Thousandsare simply fleeing the on-coming Confederate soldiers.  The groans of the wounded and dying as they pass the 8^thIowa Infantry are “heartrending in the extreme.”  Sergeant Major Searle a staff member in Colonel Geddes’upper command admits “it was pride, and not courage, that kept me to duty”in the face of such terror [Searle, C.P.: 1893].  In the confusion oftwo Divisions passing each other on the narrow road and lacking clearinstructions for his battery, some of Powell’s artillery are left on the roadin the wake of the moving throng [Daniel,L. J.: 1997]. 

Atthe intersection, the 8^th Iowa Infantry receives instructions fromSweeney.  The 8^th IowaInfantry’s assignment is to support an artillery battery (commanded by GeneralPrentiss) with supplies, ammunition and more importantly, protection. As the battle rages near them, the 8^th Iowa is ordered to moveto the left toward the peach orchard and toward the front of the battle line. Stray cannon balls “howled through the air” over their heads [Searle, C. P.: 1893].  Asit takes its new position to the left flank of Colonel Tuttle’s Brigade andthe14^th Iowa Infantry, the 8^th Iowa becomes the connectinglink between Wallace’s 2^nd Division and the remnants of Prentiss’Division including his artillery battalion that has not stampeded to theTennessee River in shock. 

Sweeney’sBrigade position behind an old split rail fence that lines the north side of thesunken road.  Located on a smallrise just above the road the Brigade has a good view of the thicket ahead ofthem [Searle, C. P.: 1893] [Nevin, D.:1983].  This rise in elevationcomments Hickenlooper an officer of the 5^th Ohio Artillery Battalion,“providently supplied that which our commanders had so singularly neglected toprovide, a defensive line upon which to rally with a prominent knoll upon whichto place the battery and a protecting parapet only a few inches in height butenough partially to protect the infantry, with its front covered by an almostimpenetrable growth of underbrush [Eisenschiml, O.: 1947].  Hardlyhas the 8^th Iowa Infantry established their new position when theyare immediately assaulted by a battery battalion and the 1^st ArkansasInfantry attempting to turn the right flank of Prentiss’ Division [Stuart,A. A.: 1865]. 

Alongwith the 14^th Iowa Infantry the 8^th Iowa effectivelyrepels the assault [Searle, C. P.: 1893]and the enemy falls back for a short time giving Col. Geddes’ troops a time torest and replenish supplies.  Themen of the 5^th Ohio Artillery Battalion hope that the enemy has gonefor good and collectively they share in the joy of that early success [Eisenschiml,O.: 1947].  During the lull inthe fighting, General Prentiss orders the 5^th Ohio ArtilleryBattalion to move in front of the 8^th Iowa Infantry and ordersEdmund’s regiment to defend the battery at all hazards. Actually, this order comes from General U. S. Grant himself [Nevin, D.: 1983].  Whenthis maneuver is complete, the troops along this stretch of the old sunken roadexperience their most difficult challenge from the Confederates [Stuart,A. A.: 1865].  

THE HORNET’S NEST

Betweennoon and about 2:30 p.m. the Confederate infantry make about a dozen separateassaults on Sweeney’s 3^rd Brigade. But the men in gray (and some in brown uniforms or no uniforms at all)who face the regiments to Edmund’s right flank approach the Union army fromacross a fairly open Duncan Field right in front of the Union muskets. Because of this and the confusion that results, each attack is repulsedwith muskets and Enfield rifles.  Thereis no open field in front of the 8^th Iowa Infantry and 14^thIowa Infantry.  To their left stands an old peach orchard. Nevertheless, the Union soldiers in Edmund’s regiment see the men ingray approaching through the thicket of trees.  

ColonelGeddes encourages his troops to be patient waiting for the right time todischarge their weapons.  When theConfederates come within range, the 8^th Iowa Infantry along with theartillery battalion they are protecting respond with Enfield rifles and batterycanister fire from Munch, Powell and Hickenlooper’s 5^th OhioArtillery Battalion.  This defensivebarrage cuts the Confederates down as they run crouching toward the sunken road. So devastating is the Union cannon defense and the 8^th Iowarifle fire that men in gray uniforms pile in heaps in front of the Union line [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].  Hickenlooper’sbattalion efficiently pumps two rounds per minute through their twelve poundbrass James cannons (normally used for siege assaults). Hickenlooper later describes the 8^th Iowa’s rifle volley as“a sheet of flame and leaden hail that elicited curses, shrieks, groans andshouts all blended into an appalling cry.” [Nevin,D.: 1983]  Later the Confederatecommanders receive sharp criticism for the reckless waste of human life in frontof Sweeney’s 3^rd Brigade and the Ohio cannon batteries [Daniel,L. J.: 1997]. 

Theintensity of the battle on this sunken road is so great the survivingConfederate soldiers refer to it as the “Hornet’sNest” [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. Civil War soldiers often refer to bullets as “hornets.” Also, the area is riddled with such heavy musket fire and cannon firefrom all four sides that the sound of the bullets is likened to hornets stinging(killing) through the trees. 

Theeffectiveness of the battery in front of Edmund’s regiment cause theConfederate commanders to focus their attention on the Union’s big guns. The repeated Confederate infantry bayonet attacks under the direction ofGeneral Braxton Bragg fail to carry the Hornets Nest and the commanders in Graywant the devastating battery removed at all hazards. “To this end,” Colonel Geddes later reports, “they concentrated andhurled column after column on my position, charging most gallantly to the verymuzzles of the guns.  Here astruggle commenced for the retention and possession of the battery, of aterrific character, their concentrated and well-directed fire decimating myranks in a fearful manner” [Stuart, A.A.: 1865].   

Thusin mid-afternoon the Confederate commander Beauregard (who takes over ascommander of the Army of the Mississippi when General A. S. Johnston is mortallywounded about 2:00 p.m.) orders a flanking maneuver and an artillery barrage. Beauregard, a West Point graduate, is a skilled gunner. He commands that the Confederate batteries wheel to within close range ofthe Union batteries [Daniel, L. J.: 1997].  

Ifthe infantry cannot dislodge the men in blue, perhaps artillery can. In the space of an hour, Brigadier General Daniel Ruggles amasses a totalof sixty-two cannon against Sweeney’s Brigade along the sunken road. This concentration of firepower is larger than any previously assembledfor or against the United States Army in any American war.  One Iowa soldier described the awesome power of the massivebattery as “a mighty hurricane sweeping everything before it.” Soldiers hug the earth to escape the scything projectiles that screamover them at waist height.  Ironically,during moments of silence between shell bursts, several men hear the eeriesounds of birds chirping in the trees above them.  

Whenthis first round of cannonading stops after thirty minutes, it signals a newConfederate infantry bayonet charge [Nevin,D.: 1983].  Meanwhile, thethousands of retreating, terror-stricken Union soldiers (many of them newrecruits from the fall of 1861) under General Sherman’s command and some fromGeneral Prentiss’ Division are still gathering on the riverfront millingaround in fear or in shock of the advancing Confederate army [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. 

THE SOUTHERN NOOSE TIGHTENS

Asthe afternoon fighting continues and the Confederate flanking maneuver begins tohave its way with the Union Army, the men of Sweeney’s Brigade are becomingisolated from their comrades.  Graduallythe flanking maneuver and the pressure of the confederate batteries folds theUnion front line at both ends as the rear is enveloped [Searle, C. P.: 1893].  Hickenlooperin the 5^th Ohio battery observes that Confederate regiments cross theold peach orchard and move toward the only road over which escape seems possible[Eisenschiml, O.: 1947]. Sweeney receives the order to make his stand at all hazards asConfederates begin pressing the army in Blue in on itself.  

Thecruel process of grinding down the Union units takes another two hours. Prentiss orders a new line of defense formed this one at right angles tothe original line that follows the old sunken road. Again the 8^th Iowa do their part to assist the battery troopsestablish a line.  And, here theenemy once more focuses its attack on the 8^th Iowa Infantry that isprotecting the cannons from Ohio [Stuart,A. A.: 1865]. 

Asthe pressure from the Confederate muskets and cannon slowly collapsed the Unionline, the 8^th Iowa sees a gap in the line just to its left. To follow the direction that Prentiss has moved his men and to plug thisgap, Geddes orders the left side of the 8^th Iowa to throw back inline with Prentiss and next to the 58^th Illinois Infantry [Stuart,A. A.: 1865].  We do not knowwhether Company A is the unit closest to the 58^th Illinois Infantry,but it is entirely possible that this is their location being the first or“A” Company in the Regiment. 

Duringone of the final Confederate Infantry attacks, the southern army succeeds incapturing some of the 5^th Ohio’s cannons.  The Rebel soldiers start taking the armor away and go aboutfour or five rods (20 to 25 yards) when Colonel Geddes orders his men torecapture the prized weapons.  Asoldier from Iowa later tells how he and his “men rushed forward andrecaptured the guns and sent them to the rear.” Men mostly from Companies “H” and “C” sacrifice themselves andprevail in the desperate struggle for the battery [Searle,C. P.: 1893].  That interchangealone costs the 8^th Iowa Infantry one hundred casualties [Nevin, D.: 1983].  Everyman and horse belonging to the battery is killed. 

Asit becomes apparent that they will be destroyed if they do not run or surrender, General W. H. L. Wallace orders a retreat and several of the units try toescape.  Within minutes after givingthe order, General Wallace is struck in the side of the head with a musket ball. He topples over and falls off his horse onto his face. Seeing his General fall, Colonel Tuttle a Regimental commander orders themen to charge the Rebel line in hopes of breaking through to safety. 

Havingthe misfortune of being caught in the middle of the Union line where the line isfolded back-to-back on itself the 8^th Iowa Infantry is caught onthree sides by Confederate troops.  Confederateswho are fighting other Union forces to the rear of the line block their escaperoute [Searle, C. P.: 1893]. Under Tuttle’s direction, two of Wallace’s four Iowa Regiments manageto race down the ravine and break through the Southern line and escape to aplace where Tuttle forms them into a new battle line. As Tuttle prepares to return to where the other units are stranded theSouthern army closes in and prevents him from assisting in their escape [Nevin, D.: 1983].  Duringthe next assault Prentiss’ line gives way and bolts for the Tennessee Riverleaving the 58^th Illinois, 8^th Iowa and 14^thIowa to fend for themselves [Stuart, A.A.: 1865].  They are caught inthe Confederate ring. 

Alongwith the 14^th Iowa Infantry, Edmund’s regiment has the longestdistance to go to freedom.  However,because of the protection and mobility afforded it by Colonel Geddes’ 8^thIowa Infantry [Stuart, A. A.: 1865],Powell’s artillery battery escapes along with a few others. The remaining Infantry soldiers from the 12^th Iowa, 58^thIowa, 14^th Iowa, 2^nd Iowa, 8^th Iowa are toolate.  The Confederates tighten thenoose around the Prentiss and Wallace Divisions in what is known as “HellsHollow.”  Those who have notescaped throw down their weapons and are captured including many from the 12^thIowa, 58^th Illinois, 23^rd Missouri, 18^thMissouri, 14^th Iowa and 8^th Iowa Infantry, Edmund’sregiment [Daniel, L. J.: 1997].  Accordingto Colonel Geddes it is 6:00 p.m. and probably almost dark. Holding the white flag aloft General Prentiss is captured along withthousands of men.  Edmund escapes. 

LaterColonel Geddes, proud of the courageous stand that the 8^th IowaInfantry presented to the Confederate attack, in their honor says, “Myself andthe major portion of my command were captured at six o’clock p.m. and I claimthe honor for my regiment of being the last to leave the advanced line of ourarmy on the battlefield of Shiloh.”  [Nevin,D.: 1983]. 

Asthe Confederates overrun the Union regimental camps they raid food, equipment,arms, ammunition and money from the tents plundering and destroying what they donot want to take back to Corinth as booty. The Union Field Hospital is captured and southern surgeons make use ofnorthern medicine and tools to treat their wounded [Daniel, L. J.: 1997].  Manymedical officers of the Union Army are also captured along with wagons,stretchers and ambulances [Brinton, J.H.: 1990]. 

Fightingin and around Pittsburg Landing continues after dark, but the Federals hold. At this time, the Confederates do not realize how weak the Union army isfrom the assault in the Hornet’s Nest and Hells Hollow. Instead of pressing the attack, Beauregard decides to retire for thenight believing that with a night of rest, they can easily “mop up” in themorning  [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].  Beauregard ordersthe captured soldiers and his men to fall back into the cornfields and woods forthe night [Searle, C.: 1893]. 

About10:00 p.m. when the fighting stops another heavy rain begins to fall. Buell arrives and begins forcing his way through the thousands of huddledUnion troops who were still massed in a state of shock at the river’s edge. Angry that they are not fighting, Buell leads his fresh troops off theirtransports and sets up attack positions during the night. The Tyler and Lexingtonpound the beaches with cannon fire to keep the Confederates from moving up theriverfront road toward the Union ammunition depots [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].   

Beauregardmight have crushed the crumbling flanks of Wallace and Prentiss and immediatelydriven on to Pittsburg Landing where thousands of terror-stricken Union soldiersmill about in disarray and without discipline. He could have captured thousands of these men, disabled the heavy Unioncannons, captured the stores of munitions and then gone back to the Hornet’sNest.  If he had made this decision,the outcome of the battle would have been entirely different and would have gonedown in the history books as another stunning victory for the South. Instead, like Braxton Bragg the infantry general ahead of him, Beauregardbecomes obsessed by the idea of destroying the center of the Union line wherethe 8^th Iowa Infantry and the cannons from Ohio withstand his advancefor so long [Nevin, D.: 1983].  

CASUALTIES OF WAR

The8^th Iowa Infantry soldiers serve under General William H. L. Wallacealongside several Regiments from Illinois including the following: 52nd IllinoisInfantry, 7th Illinois Infantry, 50th Illinois Infantry, 57th Illinois Infantry,58th Illinois Infantry [Hardin County:1999].

AllDivisions suffer heavy casualties in the April 6^th battle butespecially the Army of the Tennessee.  Proportionately,Wallace’s 2^nd Division suffers the heaviest losses. Present and available for fighting for W. H. L. Wallace’s 2^ndDivision are 8,408 soldiers.  By theend of the Battle of Pittsburg Landing 2,749 of these men are killed, wounded ormissing – more than one fourth of the total casualties for The Army of theTennessee [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. 

Sweeney’sHornet’s Nest Brigade, of which the 8^th Iowa Infantry is animportant part, suffers the single-heaviest losses compared with any otherBrigade in the two Union Armies that day.  Theyhave 1247 casualties (127 killed, 501 wounded, 619 missing and presumedcaptured) probably about one half of the entire 3^rd Brigade whichnumbered less than 3,000 men the morning of April 6 [Livermore,T: 1957]. 

The8^th Iowa Infantry loses thirty-five soldiers at Shiloh. Another 121 are wounded and almost four hundred men captured at HellsHollow.  Some of the wounded arealso captured.  Some die incaptivity.  Almost two thirds ofthose captured from Sweeney’s Brigade come from the 8^th Iowaregiment. 

Accordingto Ingersoll, in Company “A” of the 8^th Iowa Infantry only twoprivates are killed and seven sergeants wounded at Shiloh [Ingersoll, L. D.: 1867].  Afew years earlier Nathaniel Baker the Iowa Adjutant General reports to GovernorKirkwood that three privates are killed in action.  One died a few days later of his wounds. Five others are wounded and two are considered “Missing in Action.” Forty-four become prisoners of war including most of the commissionedofficers and leaders.  Twenty-fourelude capture including only three top leaders: the sixty year old CompanyCaptain Charles Stearns, 3^rd Sergeant John McDougall and 4^thSergeant Edmund E. Vickery [Iowa: 1863][Toledo: 1900]. 

Theaverage casualty rate for all Divisions in The Army of the Tennessee is 527 menper Brigade for the two-day struggle.  Sweeney’sBrigade suffers more than twice as many casualties as the average. The next closest Brigade in casualty count is the 1^st Brigadealso of the 2^nd Division at 858. Over 28% of all casualties in The Army of the Tennessee are carried bythe 2^nd Division alone.  Clearly,this 2^nd Division was in a prominent though unenviable positionduring the attack and the Confederate Army of the Mississippi considereddestroying this Division in the Hornet’s Nest a key to its success. 

Thecasualty rate for the Union Divisions of Buell’s Army of the Ohio that hadcome to reinforce the fight is half that of the Army of the Tennessee at 259casualties per Brigade.  This mightbe expected since they had entered the fray after the heaviest of fighting hadtaken place [Livermore, T: 1957]. 

Totalcasualties during the Battle of Shiloh total 10,944 for The Army of theTennessee, 2,103 for The Army of the Ohio, and 10,699 for The (Confederate) Armyof the Mississippi.  Illness is theleading cause of death during the Civil War. The Battle of Shiloh is a good illustration of this grim fact. 

Oneof the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Pittsburg Landing(Shiloh) becomes the first major victory for the Union forces in the westernregion of the conflict.  BothBeauregard and Grant receive criticism because of the bloodshed at Shiloh. President Lincoln, who is frustrated with General McClellan’s refusalto fight the Rebels in Virginia, declares that General Grant is the man he needsbecause Grant is not afraid to fight [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].  

CARING FOR THE WOUNDED

TheUnion army sets up a field hospital in a 15’ by 30’ log cabin [Brinton,J. H.: 1990] near Pittsburg Landing.  Severaltents are erected to care for the injured and the ill. Even this is not enough medical resources needed to care for all the sickand wounded.  The number of patientsis so great that the men travel by boat to Cincinnati, St. Louis, andLouisville.  They are cared for intents, private homes, churches, schools and the hospital boat Cityof Memphis.  Three otherpaddlewheel boats are converted to hospital boats [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].  The Union fieldhospital at Pittsburg Landing is the first American medical facility everestablished on a battlefield [Nevin, D.:1983].  In nearby Hamburg [Brinton, J. H.: 1990] a hospital is set up for the sick as well asa large facility in Monterey a deserted village twelve miles from PittsburgLanding [Reimer, T.: 1999]. Because the Southern Army took all the medical supplies they found, theNorthern Army has very little material to use in caring for the wounded and thesick.  It takes two to three weeksto restock the medical supplies and equipment transported by paddle wheelsteamers [Brinton, J. H.: 1990]. 

Capturedenlisted men march to the Confederate Andersonville prison where they live instarvation and cruelty for several months. The survivors of this ordeal are exchanged for Confederate prisonerslater in the year [Ingersoll, L. D.:1865].  Andersonville prisonbecomes a curse worse than the Battle of Shiloh for thousands of Union soldiers. Thousands die at the prison from starvation. On November 10, 1865 Henry Wirz, head of the prison is hanged – thefirst Confederate official to be executed for activities during the war [Daniel,C.: 1997]. 

Edmund’scommanding officer of the Division Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace dies at theWilliam Cherry mansion in Savannah, TN some days after being mortally wounded atShiloh.  General Smith, injured onthe transport, also dies from the infection in his injured leg [Daniel,L. J.: 1997].  Wounded in theleg, Colonel Geddes recovers [Stuart, A.A.: 1865].  

THE CAPTURE OF CORINTH

Unawareof the arrival of Buell's army, Beauregard launches a counterattack in responseto a two-mile advance by William Nelson's division of Buell's army at 6:00 amApril 7, which was, at first, successful.  Uniontroops stiffen and begin forcing the Confederates back. Beauregard orders a counterattack, which stops the Union advance but doesnot break its battle line.  At thispoint, Beauregard realizes that he can not win and, having suffered too manycasualties, he retires from the field and heads South to Corinth [Americancivilwar:1999].  Though the Confederatearmies retreat, Wallace’s Division along with its 3^rd Brigade isdecimated and the Union Armies are so badly beaten and tired that they do notpursue immediately the retreating southern soldiers.   

OnApril 8th, Ulysses Grant sends Brig. Gen. William T. Sherman, with two Brigades,and Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood, with his Division, in pursuit of the ConfederateGeneral Beauregard.  They run intothe Rebel rearguard, commanded by Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest, at FallenTimbers.  Forrest's aggressivetactics, although eventually contained, influence the Union troops to return toPittsburg Landing [Daniel, L. J.: 1997]. Men of the 8^th Iowa Infantry that were not captured at HellsHollow become attached to the Union Brigade and participate in the advance onand siege of Corinth, MS April 29 – May 30 [Dyer,F. H.: 1979] [Ingersoll, L. D.: 1867]. Although Edmund is assigned to Company H of the Union Brigade, he is notpresent at the roll [Iowa: 1862]. 

Followingthe Union victory at Shiloh, the Union armies under Maj. Gen. Henry Halleckadvance on the vital rail center of Corinth. By May 25, 1862, after moving 5 miles in 3 weeks, Halleck is in positionto lay siege to the town.  Thepreliminary bombardment begins, and Union forces maneuver for position. On the evening of May 29-30, Confederate commander Gen. P.G.T. Beauregardevacuates Corinth, withdrawing to Tupelo [Americancivilwar:1999]. 

Stuartwrites, “it has been asserted by many, that, had all the troops at Shilohfought with the same determination as did the 58^th Illinois, the 8^thIowa and the four other Iowa regiments on its right, the first day’s battlewould not have been disastrous to our arms. Some have blamed General Prentiss for holding his position so long; but,had he abandoned it sooner, who can tell the calamities that might havefollowed; for, with all the delay he and the Iowa troops on his right occasionedthe enemy, the Federal forces barely escaped capture, and the day closed withlittle hope” [Stuart, A. A.: 1865].  

TheFrench painter Theophile Poilpot and his twelve assistants who are specialistsin painting battle panoramas set about soon after the war to paint a broad muralof the battle of Shiloh.  His largepainting goes on display first in Chicago and then to other cities. But somewhere during its tour it is lost. Fortunately this large painting is preserved on black and whitephotographic prints taken by Henry H. Bennett. Along with the other Regiments in Sweeney’s Brigade, the 8^thIowa Infantry is prominently featured in the mural [Nevin,D.: 1983]. 

Earlyin 1863 the 8th Iowa is reorganized and participates through the rest of thewar.  However, probably because ofhis disability Edmund is not with them.

EDMUND E. VICKERY’S SURVIVAL

Accordingto Vickery family oral history [Halbloom,M.: 1999], 4^th Sergeant Edmund E. Vickery was wounded at Shilohwhen a Confederate Cavalry soldier sliced Edmund’s leg with a saber. Another oral legend is that it is not Edmund Vickery but rather George W.Ward (of the Ward side of the family – Ora Edith Ward’s father) wounded in1865 [Vickery, E.: 1999]. We know from the official records that Edmund is not listed with thewounded of Company “A” [Ingersoll, L.D.: 1867].  If he was wounded insome other way unrelated to the battle, we do not know how serious the woundwas.   

Accordingto available records at this writing, on April 29, 1862 the day that the Army ofthe Tennessee laid siege to Corinth, Mississippi Edmund is twenty to twenty-fivemiles away a patient in the hospital at Pittsburg Landing [Interior:1899].  This is the first rollcall he has missed since enlisting [Iowa:1862].  

Wehave no details as to the treatment he receives in this field hospital. In any case after Shiloh, Edmund is ill and unable to rejoin The Army ofthe Tennessee in its pursuit of the southern forces. The muster roll records indicate that Edmund is “absent sick” duringthe months of May and June of 1862 [Iowa:1862]. 

Diarrheaand Typhoid are the two most common diseases among the troops during the war. If Edmund suffers from either of these two diseases he probably receivespowdered pomegranate (punica granatum) as the treatment of choice [NMCWM:1999]. 

How did Edmund survive the fierce fighting at Shiloh? Union Army records indicate that Edmund shows at all roll calls (and thus was not a deserter).  Being in the Infantry Regiment, he is thrown along with his comrades into the teeth of the Confederate batteries and sharpshooters on the muddy lane in the Hornet’s Nest.  There are several possibilities:

·       Is he simply carrying out the command of his Colonel to remove tosafety (i.e., keep them from enemy hands) the heavy cannons that Powell had soeffectively operated?

·       Does Edmund escape with Powell’s or Prentiss’ men and cannons when Prentiss’ line collapsed the final time?

·       Is it because Edmund is hiding in the blanket of darkness that covers Hells Hollow at the time of the capture? Edmund is only 5’6” tall.  The report of the Adjutant General of the State of Iowa says that there were a few“who succeeded in eluding the enemy in the confusion and darkness of that first night” [Iowa: 1908].

·       Is he plying his blacksmith skills well back of the front lines keeping the thousands of horses shod, the guns working, the iron works working,repairing broken or damaged parts and equipment?

·       Is Edmund ill before the Hornet’s Nest and therefore at the backlines receiving attention at a hospital tent?

·       Is Edmund carrying supplies for the other soldiers and when theConfederates closed in, does he escape at that time?

·       Is Edmund asked to fulfill some other duty that day and thusmisses the worst battle his Regiment will ever face during the war?

·       Is Edmund a malingerer choosing to save his heroism for some otheroccasion?

These are only a few of the many possible speculationsand questions that may never be fully answered. However, they do serve to raise some issues that can be considered. Also, they are expressions of wonder and curiosity over how anyonesurvived those two days.  Personally, I favor the idea that Edmund was working in hismobile blacksmith shop repairing guns and equipment.  His Company “A” Descriptive Book states that Edmund was“in action at Battle of Shiloh April 7^th, 1862.” [Iowa: 1862] Perhaps because of his skill in repairing guns he missed the heaviestfighting on April 6 but because of the heavy casualties on that day he was takenaway from his blacksmith shop on April 7.  Again,this is mere speculation since we do not have complete information. 

May10-12, 1862 Edmund was diagnosed with rheumatism and dyspepsia (indigestion) andgiven a 20-day furlough [Interior: 1899]. He never fought in the war again.  TheBattle of Shiloh was certainly the type of situation that could give someoneindigestion.  If not the fighting,then the food or the unsanitary conditions in the camps could easily cause this.

Byan order of Major General Halleck [Iowa:1862] Edmund was Honorably Discharged at St. Louis, MO, July 14, 1862 “onaccount of protracted illness and absence” [Interior:1899] [Iowa: 1908] eleven monthsafter joining the 8^th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. At various times during those early months of the unit’s existence ascore of other soldiers in Company “A” received early discharges fordisability [Iowa: 1863].

SOURCES: As can be seen from this list, Michael has done quite a bit of research.

Appendix

© 2000 by MichaelCafferty All rights reserved.  For questions or comments, pleaseemail him directly.