The more we share the more we have to share
THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY The ten companies which were to constitute the Thirty-first Regiment were ordered into quarters by the Governor of Iowa, on dates ranging from September 1 to 18, 1862. Camp Herron, near Davenport, Iowa, was the designated place of rendezvous. The companies were mustered into the service of the United States by Captain H. B. Hendershott and Lieutenant H. C. Freeman, of the Regular Army, on dates ranging from September 15, 1o October 13, 1862, and the complete organization of the regiment was perfected on the latter date. The aggregate strength of the regiment at must in was 970, and early additional enlistments of seven men brought the number up to 977, at the time the regiment left its rendezvous to begin its experience of active service in the field. The original roster shows that colonel William Smyth was commissioned August 10, 1862, and that the organization of the regiment of which he was to take command was authorized by the Governor of Iowa, under the proclamation of the President of the United States, bearing date July 2, 1862. The compiler of this historical sketch has had recourse to the official reports of the Adjutant General of Iowa, and the official records of the War of the Rebellion, prepared under the direction of the Secretary of War, and his history of the operations of the regiment is compiled from the information thus obtained. On account of limitation of space, this sketch will include only the leading events in its history, without going into particularity of detail, but it will be the endeavor of the compiler to include all the most important operations in which the regiment participated during its term of service. On account of the intimate association of the Thirty-first Iowa with other Iowa regiments, whose histories appear in the pages of this work, repetition to a considerable extent is unavoidable. The history of those regiments which served in the same brigade with the Thirty-first Iowa, commanded during the greater part of their terms of service by Colonel Williamson of the Fourth, and Colonel Stone of the Twenty-fifth Iowa, are inseparable interwoven. They were together in many long and weary marches and hard fought battles, and their officers and men came to know each other so well they were almost as closely connected as were the different companies of their respective regiments. In this account of the operations of the thirty-first Iowa, covering the period from the date of its entry into the service to the 21st day of December, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel J. W. Jenkins has embodied every important operation of the regiment during that period of its service. While no official reports or extracts from same are included in his account, it is so admirable condensed that the compiler of this sketch feels impelled to quote the greater portion of it, believing it to be a just and accurate statement of the service of the regiment, between the dates mentioned. The regiment, commanded by Colonel William Smyth, took trnasport and moved down the river, on the 1st of November, 1862, and on the 20th arrived at Helena, Ark., and went into camp. On the 27th of the same month, started on an expedition to the Cold Water River in Mississippi, usually called the Hovey expedition. Arrived again at Helena on the 7th of December, 1862. Started down the Mississippi on the 25th of December. The forces under General Sherman engaged the enemy at Chickasaw Bayou, on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of December. The regiment was partially engaged on these days. On the 2d of January, 1863, it was transported down the Yazoo, and up the white River in Arkansas, thence through a bayou into the Arkansas, and arrived near Arkansas Post on the 9th. On the night of the 10th, marched through swamps and mire to the rear of the enemy's works, and on the 11th was hotly engaged in the capture of the place. On the 15th took transport again, and passed from the Arkansas into the Mississippi River, arriving at Young's Point January 22d, where we went into camp, near the Butler ditch, usually termed "canal," and remained until the 2d of April. We then, with Steele's whole division, and Steele in command, proceeded up the Mississippi River to Greenville, Miss., where we arrived on the 4th, went into the country, and had a skirmish with the enemy on the 7th, near Deer Creek. We remained here, capturing mules, cattle, horses, hogs, negroes, etc., until the 26th. On the 27th crossed over to Milliken's Bend, and, on the 1st day of May, with Grant's whole army, we moved towards Grand Gulf, Miss., arriving at that place May 7th, and with the army moved towards Jackson, Miss. The regiment was under fire at Raymond on the 12th, was engaged in the taking of Jackson on the 14th, and was more or less under fire at Black River on the 16th, followed up the enemy under fire every day, and, on the 18th, reached the rear of Vicksburg. On the 22d it engaged in a terrible but unsuccessful charge on the enemy's works; and from this time was steadily under the enemy's fire till the fall of Vicksburg, on the 4th day of July. The regiment started, under General Sherman for Jackson, Miss., on the 5th of July, being under fire till the second evacuation of that place, when it moved to Canton, Miss., where it was engaged in a severe skirmish, with the enemy. Returned to Black River on the 27th of July, and went into camp, where it remained until the 22d of September, when, with the Fifteenth Army Corps, commanded by General W. T. Sherman, it moved to Vicksburg and, embarking on transports, arrived at Memphis on the 27th of September. On the 29th of September, the regiment moved by railroad to Corinth, Miss., where it remained until October 11th, then m arched to Iuka, Miss., and to Cherokee on the 20th. On the morning of the 21st, at the latter place, the regiment had a severe engagement with rebel cavalry. On the 26th and 27th, had a running fight with the enemy, driving him beyond Tuscumbia, and again returning to Cherokee Station. On the 28th crossed the Tennessee River at Eastport, and with Sherman's entire corps moved east, from thence, on the 4th of November, reaching Lookout Valley in Tennessee on the 23d. On November 24th, was engaged in taking Lookout Mountain, where the First Division, Fifteenth Corps, commanded by Brigadier General P. J. Osterhaus, bore a conspicuous part, the Thirty-first Iowa being hotly engaged during the whole of the action. On the 25th had equally hard fighting on Mission Ridge, driving the enemy from their stronghold. Here, also, on th 27th, Osterhaus' division, with Hooker's Corps, followed up the enemy, and again encountered them at Ringgold and Taylor's Hills, where the regiment was hotly engaged during the fight and suffered much. It remained at Ringgold till the 1st day of December, when it moved back in Chattanooga and then to Bridgeport, where, with the division, it arrived on the 5th. Left Bridgeport about the 22d, moved west, and arrived at Woodville, Ala., on the 27th, where the division went into winter quarters, and remained until the 1st day of May, 1864. On the morning of May 1, 1864, the Thirty-first Iowa, Second Brigade Commanded by Colonel Williamson, Fourth Iowa), of First Division (General Osterhaus), of the Fifteenth Army Corps, moved from Woodville east, reached Snake Creek Gap, Ga., on the 9th, where we encountered the enemy in force. Skirmished more or less every day and, on the 13th, near Resaca, had a severe fight with the enemy, in which Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins was severely wounded. Skirmished very severely all day on the 14th and 15th, when, on the night of the 15th, the enemy evacuated, and retreated towards Atlanta. The regiment lay in camp at Kingston, Ga., from the night of the 19th until the morning of the 23d, waiting for supplies; then moved on, and encountered the enemy at Dallas, on the night of the 26th, engaging in a severe skirmish. On the morning of the 27th, the enemy attacked us at daylight. The fighting was severe, but of short duration, the enemy being driven back. Had considerable skirmishing during the 27th, and on the 28th a charge was mad on our works in which our regiment was engaged, repulsing the enemy. It was also engaged in more or less fighting and skirmishing during the 29th, 30th and 31st. On the 1st day of June, the regiment moved to New Hope Church, and occupied rifle pits, under the fire of the enemy, until the morning of the 6th, when it removed to Ackworth, remaining there until the 10th, when it moved to Big Shanty, ten miles distant, where we encountered the enemy in force. Was engaged in guarding a wagon train till the 15th, when it moved into rifle pits near Kenesaw Mountain, charged the enemy, and drove them from their front line. From the 15th to the 28th was constantly under fire in rifle pits, in different positions, on the 28th making a charge on the enemy's works, being repulsed with great loss. It was constantly under fire until the eve of July 3d,, when the enemy evacuated Kenesaw Mountain. On July 4th, the regiment moved up and encountered the enemy again at the Chattahoochee River, built works, and remained there under fire until the 11th. Moved through Marietta to Roswell, Ga., on the above named river. Here the Thirty-first was left to guard trains from the 14th until the 27th of July, when it went to Vining Station on the railroad, with the train, and remained there as guard until the morning of August 2d, when it joined our brigade near Atlanta. The regiment went into rifle pits on the 5th, remaining under severe fire until the night of August 26th, when it moved at dark towards Jonesboro, on the Macon Railroad; destroyed the Montgomery Railroad during the 29th, and reached the vicinity of Jonesboro on the 30th, building works during the night. On the 31st the rebels mad a desperate charge several time on our works and the whole line, and were repulsed each time. The regiment was under fire until the morning of the 2d day of September, when the Lovejoy, seven miles distant, the regiment was again under fire until the 7th, when it retired to East Point, arriving on the 8th. Went into camp and remained until the 4th of October, when, with a large portion of Sherman's army, it moved north in pursuit of Hood, skirmishing with him at Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, and Little River. Then returned to Vining Station, near Atlanta, having marched 300 miles in the chase after Hood. Arrived at Vining Station on the 6th of November. Remained in camp until the 13th. Moved to Atlanta on the 15th, then moved southeast, with Sherman's entire army, into the heart of Georgia. The regiment was engaged in skirmishing as it passed Macon, Ga., on the 21st, 22d and 23d. Marching about fifteen miles per day, in a southeast direction, it reached the rear of Savannah, Ga., on the 10th of December, making a distance of 304 miles. On the night of the 20th of December, the enemy evacuated Savannah, and the regiment with the whole army, entered the city on the morning of the 21st of December, 1864. The foregoing account brings the condensed history of the regiment down to the close of the Georgia campaign. Before entering upon a description of its subsequent operations, it is a simple matter of justice to state that, during that portion of the Atlanta campaign, between the dates May 23d and June 5th, the events briefly described by Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins are also described in the official report of Colonel William Smyth, with such complete reference to details, however, that its quotation would have required a greater amount of space than has thus far been devoted to this sketch. The compiler—in view of the limitation of space to which he is subjected—can, therefore, only make reference to this report and, in the continuation of this historical sketch, will make quotation only from such reports as refer in a general way to the most important operations in which the regiment participated. Near the close of his report, (from which the foregoing quotation was made,) Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins states that Colonel Smyth commanded the regiment from the time of its organization until the 18th of August, 1863, at which time—Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins being absent, on account of wounds received at Vicksburg, on May 22, 1863—the command devolved upon Major Stimming until August 22, 1863, upon which date Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, rejoined the regiment, which he commanded from that date to February 1, 1864, when he took command of the brigade. Major Stimming then resumed command of the regiment until March 19, 1864. Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins then returned to the command, which he retained until March 20th, upon which date he went home on leave of absence, and Major Stimming again commanded to April 20, 1864. Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins returning, resumed command until May 1, 1864. Lieutenant Smyth rejoined the regiment and remained in command of it until September 25, 1864, when he was assigned to the command of the brigade, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins again in command of the regiment. The record shows that was mustered out with the regiment on June 27, 1865. There is no record of further changes of regimental commanders. Colonel J. A. Williamson, of the Fourth Iowa Infantry, was in command of the brigade, composed of the Fourth, Ninth, Twenty-fifth and thirty-first Regiments of Iowa Infantry, during the Atlanta campaign and on the march through Georgia to Savannah. His official report of the operations if his brigade during the Atlanta campaign goes very fully into details, and gives credit to the regiments of his brigade, for the courage and fortitude shown by their officers and men in the numerous battles and skirmishes in which they were engaged. His orders had been implicitly obeyed, and he gives expression to his high appreciation of the service they had rendered, in closing his official report, as follows: So closes the record of this memorable campaign. I could not make it more brief and do justice to the regiments of the brigade. The vast amount of labor done by this command, in addition to the marching and fighting, and the cheerfulness and zeal with which it has been performed, is sufficient to encourage the best hopes for the success of our army. The troops have neither hesitated nor murmured at any privation or labor. To the officers and men I owe a debt of gratitude for their prompt and willing obedience to orders. The casualties of the brigade during the campaign have been 281. A list of their names, regiments and companies accompanies this report. When the brigade arrived at Savannah Colonel Williamson was assigned to the command of the division, and Colonel Stone, of the Twenty-fifth Iowa , succeeded to the command of the brigade, which he retained until the close of the war. His official report of the conduct and operations of the brigade during that long and arduous march through the Carolinas, its encounters with the enemy, and the great hardships and privations which it endured from exposure to the almost constantly inclement weather, constitutes a fitting description of the closing events in the history of the thirty-first Iowa. As heretofore stated, the movements of the regiment were so closely identified with these of the other regiments of the brigade—particularly so in this last campaign-that the report of the brigade commander comprehends all the most important events pertaining to the latter part of its history. The report is, therefore, here quoted in full: HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Near Goldsboro, N. C., March 26, 1865. CAPTAIN: In accordance with orders, I respectfully report a summary of the part taken by this command in the campaign just ended. The campaign commenced on the 10th of January and ended, with my command, on the 26th day of March, making the duration two months and sixteen days. On the 19th of January last, I had orders to march from our camp, near Savannah, Ga., to fort Thunderbolt. On the 12th day of January, I took shipping at Fort Thunderbolt for Beaufort, S. C., with all the regiments of my command, save one (the Twenty-fifth Iowa), which was left behind to assist in fetching up the transportation of the division. This regiment reported to me at Camp, near Beaufort, S. C., on the 14th day of January, 1865. On the 27th day of January we broke up camp and resumed the march. During the campaign this brigade has had four engagements with the enemy; first at Little Congaree Creek, near Columbia, S. C., on the 15th day of February last. The Second Brigade of this division had the advance on that day, and commenced skirmishing with the enemy within two miles of the camp we had left that morning. They drove the enemy without further assistance until near Little Congaree Creek, when, from the nature of the ground, the enemy was enabled to make a stubborn resistance. Here my brigade was ordered up, and went into position on the left of the Second Brigade, Colonel Catterson commanding. Was ordered to form in two lines of battle, two regiments front, and the other regiment (the Fourth Iowa) to cover the front as skirmishers, and to move forward to effect a crossing of Little Congaree Creek, if possible. Immediately in front of the fourth Iowa was a swamp about waist deep and about three hundred yards wide. The regiment did not falter at this obstacle, but gallantly plunged in, led by its commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nichols. We were now about five hundred yards above the position held by the rebels on Little Congaree Creek, and a branch of that same stream intervening between us and the creek itself. It was discovered that our present position flanked an outpost of the enemy on the same side of the stream we were on, and three companies of the Fourth Iowa and four companies of the Ninth Iowa were ordered to attack this outpost. Major Anderson, of the Fourth Iowa, commanded the skirmishers, making the attack, and Captain Bowman, Ninth Iowa, commanded the reserve. The attack was made with great vigor, and was entirely successful. The enemy could not withstand the impetuosity of the skirmishers and broke, after a few minutes fighting, to the opposite side of the creek. I now ordered my command forward to the branch of the Little Congaree, separating us from the main creek, and, with the fourth Iowa, went about three-fourths of a mile up the creek to a point beyond the enemy's right flank, and in their rear. I ordered the Fourth Iowa to cross here on a log as quietly as possible, intending, as soon as that regiment had crossed, to support it with two other regiments, and attack the enemy in the rear. Had I succeeded in this arrangement, I have no doubt I should have captured the enemy's artillery and many prisoners, but the men first over discovered themselves to the enemy, and he immediately commenced preparations to leave. The skirmishers drove him off before the column could get over, and this opened the crossing of the Little Congaree Creek. Lieutenant Colonel Nichols and Major Anderson, of the Fourth Iowa, and Captain Bowman, of the Ninth Iowa, deserve notice for the gallant manner in which they did their duty. The whole division now crossed and formed a line of battle on a plateau about a mile from the creek. I again went into position on the left. Some rebel cavalry skirmishers threatening my front, I moved on them with four companies of the Twenty-fifth Iowa, and we soon drove them back to their main line. The list of casualties has been already furnished you. My next engagement with the enemy was at the city of Columbia, captured by my command on the 17th day of February; an official account of which, with the casualties and the number of prisoners, was made to you, under date of the 19th day of February. The separate report, referred to by Colonel Stone, describes one of the most important events of the campaign, in which the Thirty-first Iowa bore a very important and conspicuous part. The greater portion of that report is, therefore, herewith embodied with the main report, from which the compiler is making quotation, thus including the principal details of all the operations of the regiment and brigade, during the campaign through the Carolinas, in their regular sequence: Early in the evening of February 16th, I had orders from Brevet Major General Woods, commanding the division, to be in readiness to cross Broad River during the night, in pontoon boats, at a point to be designated by Colonel Freedale, of the engineers, and, so soon as crossed, to move on the city. The point determined upon was about one mile above the wreck of the bridge, and two miles above the city. It was expected to have effected a crossing by midnight, but the current of the river was so very strong, the engineer did not succeed in getting a line across until three o'clock of the morning of the 17th. At ten minutes before four o'clock, I sent over two boat loads of sharpshooters, under Captain Bowman of my staff, with instructions to have them placed as skirmishers. He had particular instructions to keep his men quiet, and not to reply to any firing from the enemy, unless satisfied they meant an attack before the column could cross. I went over with the advance of the first regiment-the thirty-first Iowa-and made a personal reconnaissance of the ground. It was discovered we had landed on a small island, crescent shaped, about two hundred yards in length, and say twenty-five yards in width at the widest place. By the time the four regiments had erected a line of works completely covering the island, day was just dawning, and the enemy, but one hundred yards distant, discovering our proximity, became very active, and opened a very annoying fire from their sharpshooters. From a movement of troops towards his right, I was satisfied the enemy was making preparations to reinforce his line, and that, to insure success with slight loss, I ought to at once attack, without waiting for the remainder of the brigade-part of the Fourth Iowa. I accordingly made the following disposition of the different regiments, for the attack: The Thirty-first Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, was moved across the Island towards the mouth, nearly parallel to the river, until I found his left opposite the enemy's right; Major Abernethy, commanding the Ninth Iowa, was placed on Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins' left. These dispositions being made to my satisfaction. I returned to the Island and ordered Lieutenant Colonel Roberts, Thirtieth Iowa, to assault immediately in front of it; the Twenty-fifth Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Palmer, to follow as a reserve, and sent word to Lieutenant Colonel Nichols, commanding the Fourth Iowa, to join Colonel Palmer as fast as his men crossed. Everything being now in readiness, the signal was given, and the assault made by all the regiments at the same time. The result proved no mistake either in planning or the execution. Before the enemy was hardly aware of it, we were right into the skirmish pits, and scattering them in every direction. The Thirtieth Iowa here captured twenty-three prisoners. I accompanied this regiment in the charge, and can by personal observation testify to the gallant manner in which they made it. In front of the Island are a number of small bayous running parallel to the river, about twenty feet wide and waist deep; a few stopped to find loss on which to cross, but plunged in, holding guns and cartridge boxes above the water. The enemy, seeing his skirmish line destroyed, and the eagerness with which our success was being followed up, became confused and soon broke, leaving our way open to the city.. From the prisoners I learned the crossing had been disputed by Colonel Palmer'' brigade of infantry and a regiment of Wheeler's cavalry. When within a mile of the city, a carriage was discovered approaching, flying a flag of truce. It proved to contain Mr. Goodwin,, Mayor of Columbia, and the city aldermen, who came to offer terms of capitulation. After some words had passed, they unconditionally surrendered to me the city of Coluumbia. I joined the party in the carriage, accompanied by Major Anderson of the Fourth Iowa, and Captain Pratt of General Logan's staff, leaving the brigade under temporary charge of Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, and preceded the column about half a mile. Proceeding to the State House with Captain Pratt, I planted the first United States flag on that building. During the night the city was fired in a number of places, by some of our released prisoners, and negroes. A high wind was prevailing at the time, and, although everything was done that could be to prevent it, at least one- third of the city was destroyed. I cannot at this writing give you an official invoice of the capture of this place, but it will consist in part as follows: Five thousand stand of small arms; forty pieces of artillery; two hundred prisoners (including those in hospital); forty federal officers released; and artillery and small arm ammunition in immense quantities. To Iowa alone is credit to be given for capturing the Capital of the State that has been disloyal since the day of John C. Calhoun, and the contemplated Capital of the Confederacy, as none but Iowa troops were engaged. Colonel Stone makes special mention of the prompt and efficient manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, of the Thirty-first Iowa, and the other regimental commanders performed their duty, while leading their respective commands against the enemy, in that brief but brilliant engagement, which resulted in the complete defeat of the rebel force and the subsequent capture of the city. The following extracts from the official report of Major General Sherman are here quoted, in confirmation of the facts stated in the report of Colonel Stone, and also for the purpose of showing that the orders of the rebel General Hampton, to set fire to the cotton stored in the city, were the main cause of the conflagration which ensued: General Howard effected a crossing of the Saluda, near the factory, on the 16th, skirmishing with cavalry, and the same night made a flying bridge across Broad River, about three miles above Columbia, by which he crossed over Stone's Brigade, of Woods' division, Fifteenth Corps. Under cover of this brigade, a pontoon bridge was laid on the morning of the 17th. I was in person at this bridge, and at 11:00 A. M. learned that the Mayor of Columbia had come out in a carriage, and made a formal surrender of the city to Colonel Stone, Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, First Division, Fifteenth Corps. About the same time a small party of the Seventeenth Corps had crossed the Congaree in a skiff, and entered Columbia from a point immediately west. In anticipation of the occupation of the troops. These were to destroy absolutely all arsenals and public property, not needed for our own use, as well as all railroads, depots, and machinery useful in war to an enemy, but to spare all dwellings, colleges, schools, asylums, and harmless private property. I was the first to cross the pontoon bridge, and, in company with General Howard, rode into the city. The day was clear, but a perfect tempest of wind was raging. The brigade of Colonel Stone was already in the city, and was properly posted. Citizens and soldiers were on the streets and general good order prevailed. General Wade Hampton, who commanded the Confederate rear guard of cavalry, had in anticipation of our capture of Columbia, ordered that all cotton, public and private, should be moved into the streets and fired, to prevent our making use of it. Bales were piled everywhere, the rope and bagging cut, and tufts of cotton were blown about in the wind, lodged in the trees and against houses, so as to resemble a snow storm. Some of these piles of cotton were burning, especially one in the very heart of the city, near the court-house, but the fire was partially subdued by the labor of our soldiers. During the day the Fifteenth Corps passed through Columbia and out on the Camden road. The Seventeenth did not enter the town at all; and, as I have before stated, the left wing and cavalry did not come within two mile of the town. Before, one single public building had been fired by order, the smouldering fires, set by Hampton's order, were rekindled by the wind, and communicated to the buildings around. About dark they began to spread, and got beyond the control of the brigade on duty within the city. The whole of Woods' Division was brought in, but it was found impossible to check the flames, which by midnight had become unmanageable, and raged until about 4 A. M>, when, the wind subsiding, they were got under control. I was up nearly all night, and saw Generals Howard, Logan, Woods, and others, laboring to save houses and protect families thus suddenly deprived of shelter, and of bedding and wearing apparel. I disclaim on the part of my army any agency in this fire, but on the contrary claim that we saved what of Columbia remains unconsumed. And without hesitiation I charge General Wade Hampton with having burned his own city of Columbia. Our officers and men on duty worked well to extinguish the flames; but others not on duty, including the officers who had been long imprisoned there, rescued by us, may have assisted in spreading the fire after it had once begun, and may have indulged in unconcealed joy to see the ruin of the Capital of South Carolina. The compiler now resumes the quotation from Colonel Stone's report at the point where the extract from his report of the capture of Columbia was inserted: I did not meet the enemy again in any force, until the 20th instant, on our march that day from our camp near Cox's bridge on the Neuse River, toward Bentonville. The Second Brigade, Colonel Catterson, had the advance that day, and skirmished freely with the enemy, driving him easily until we had arrived within about three miles of Bentonville. I was then ordered up, and went into position on Colonel Catterson's left. We now advanced our line of battle of two brigades about half a mile, and put up works, About three o'clock P. M. I was directed by Brevet Major General Woods, commanding the division, and also by Major General Logan, commanding the corps, to take three regiments and, if possible, clear the road in our front, and open communication with the Fourteenth Corps, now fighting apparently about a mile from us on our left front. I placed the Twenty-fifth Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Palmer commanding, (which regimetn I had ordered out about an hour before, as skirmishers,) to take the advance, and directed the Thirtieth Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins commanding, to follow as a reserve. The Twenty-fifth Iowa was deployed as skirmishers, with their colors in the road I was going to clear, and my first movement, with the regiment was to change direction to the right. This movement was mad steadily until about three-fourths of the regiment had crossed the road, when our proximity to the rebels on my left and in the road caused very severe skirmishings. Two regiments of the Second Division now came up on my left rear (I think the Sixth Missouri and thirtieth Ohio), one of them, the Sixth Missouri, deployed as skirmishers. I made arrangements with the officer commanding the last mentioned regiment to join the two regiments with mine, and, at a given signal, the Twenty-fifth Iowa and Sixth Missouri should make a charge. The charge proved entirely successful, although at a severe loss in the Twenty-fifth Iowa. We drove the enemy's skirmishers, composed of Hoke's Division from the Virginia Army, back to their works across the swamp, clearing the road, and opening communication with the Fourteenth Corps. behaved handsomely and fought desperately. Lieutenant Colonel Palmer, Lieutenant Colonel Palmer, commanding the regiment, and Captain Allen, acting Major (who lost his right leg in the engagement), deserve notice for exposing themselves freely, and for the gallant manner in which they cheered their men forward. At night I retired to a new line, and my place was occupied by other troops. I have already sent you a list of casualties and the number of prisoners captured. On the 21st instant I had orders to erect a new line of works on the skirmish line, and, at 10 o'clock P. M., I moved three regiments to the front line, the fourth Iowa on the right, connecting on the left of the First Brigade. Brevet Brigadier General Woods commanding, the thirtieth Iowa in the center, and the Ninth Iowa on the left. The Twenty-fifth Iowa and the thirty-first Iowa were in the rear, held in reserve. We put up a temporary line of works under fire of the enemy, and at two o'clock I received orders to charge the enemy's skirmish line, one hundred and fifty yards in my front, in good skirmish pits. We captured the pits with but slight loss, but the enemy evinced so much determination to regain them that the fighting became very sharp. The enemy's main line of battle, behind good works, was by actual works by volley. At three different times they followed up the fire by volley by an assault on my skirmishers. Their men swarmed over the works and charged gallantly, but I had reinforced the line until I had nearly a line of battle, and our incessant firing prevented him from charging as a perfect organization, and every charge was repulsed. The order came to me so positively to hold the ground I had already gained, from Generals Howard and Logan, that I should have done so or ruined the brigade. At night I relieved the skirmish line with the thirty-first Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins commanding. Colonel Jenkins managed the new line admirably. It rained a good deal during the night, but his men worked faithfully, and he put up quite a strong line works so near the enemy that the conversation had to be carried on in whispers. Captain Teale, of the Fourth Iowa, deserves especial notice for his gallantry in holding the most exposed and dangerous part of the line. I regret to announce that this gallant young officer was severely wounded in the leg. Lieutenant Colonel Nichols and Major Anderson of the Fourth Iowa, deserve mention or voluntarily going on the skirmish line, when there was some wavering manifested. I mention these officers from personal observation, as twice during the day I deemed it my duty to go on the skirmish line myself. The other officers on the skirmish line, Captain Inman, Ninth Iowa, Lieutenant Shields, Fourth Iowa, Lieutenant Sharp, Ninth Iowa, Lieutenant Reffley, Thirtieth Iowa, are all reported to me to have behaved well and set a good example to their men. The loss in the skirmish line was quite severe. I sent you an official list of casualties the same night, and the prisoners captured. On the morning of the 22d, half an hour before day, I rode out to the advance post, and ordered a patrol forward to feel of the enemy; but it was discovered that he had left during the night. I at once sent worked to the General commanding division, and, with a detachment of the Thirty- first Iowa, followed him. Everything indicated a precipitate retreat; a few stragglers were picked; some of their dead and wounded were found near the roadside uncared for; and quite a number of small arms, haversacks, etc., were found scattered in their deserted camp. Just at sunrise, I ran onto their rear guard, composed of cavalry, and, my detachment being too small to fight it, I covered the road with a few men to make an effect, and ordered some ten or fifteen men as skirmishers to annoy the enemy, until a regiment-the Thirty-first Iowa, which I had just ordered up, should arrive. Very soon after this our entire division moved to Bentonville, where we remained during the day, and at sundown we returned to the camp we had left in the morning. The graves of seventeen rebel officers in my front indicate that the enemy suffered severly in killed and wounded. On our march to Goldsboro, opn the 23d inst., I had the good fortune to have the post of honor-rear guard for the Army of the Tennessee. The rear of my command fell upon the Twenty-fifth Iowa. On the 24th inst. I was ordered to remain at the pontoon bridge over the Neuse River, near Goldsboro, to cover the crossing of our corps train, and, on the 26th inst., I rejoined the division in camp near Goldsboro. During the campaign just closed, this brigade has been in four engagements, with the following loss: Killed, 7; wounded, 64; missing, 12. We have captured and turned over to the Provost Marshal 145 prisoners of war. In taking Columbia, S. C., we captured 43 pieces of artillery, about five thousand stand of arms, immense quantities of ammunition and ordinance stores, and released 40 Union officers confined there. We have marched 485 miles, built 15,037 yards of corduroy roads, and destroyed three miles of railroad. The brigade is in excellent health and spirits, but very ragged. My thanks are due to all my staff officers, Captain John N. Bell, Twenty-fifth Iowa, Acting Assistant Quartermaster General; Lieutenant Sam W. Snow, Twenty-fifth Iowa, Acting Assistant Adjutant General; Captain A, Bowman, Ninth Iowa; Lieutenant Baron H. Crane, Twenty-fifth Iowa; Lieutenant D. Rorick, Thirty-first Iowa-now in the hand of the enemy—and J. W. Gillman, Thirty-first Iowa, Acting Assistant Quartermaster, for the zeal and earnestness with which they have discharged their whole duty in the campaign just ended. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE A. STONE, Colonel Commanding Third Brigade, First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. As will be seen from the foregoing report, the Thirty-first Iowa performed its full share of duty in the closing campaign of the war, and— as in all its previous record-acquitted itself with honor and distinction. From Goldsboro, the Thirty-first Iowa marched with its brigade and division, by way of Richmond, Va., to Washington, where it participated in the Grand Review of Sherman's army, by the President and General Grant, on the 24th day of May, 1865. The Thirty-first Iowa- after remaining a short time in camp near Washington—was conveyed by rail to Louisville, Ky., and was there mustered out of the service of the United States, on June 27, 1865. It then proceeded to Davenport, Iowa, where it was formally disbanded, and the survivors returned to their homes. In the great War of the Rebellion, no State rendered more conspicuous or devoted service to the cause of the Union than Iowa. Among all the splendid regiments which the State sent into the field, there were none which served more faithfully and none that have a more honorable record of service than here Thirty-first Regiment of Infantry. The casualties of the regiment are shown in the following summary, and the names of those who were killed and wounded, or who died from wounds or disease, and of those who were captured, discharged, or transferred to other commands, will be found in the sugjoined roster. The names of those who served well and faithfully, and who were so fortunate as to escape death, wounds, disease or imprisonment, are also recorded there. The State has honord itself in thus preserving for posterity the record of its soldiers. SUMMARY OF CAUALTIES. Total Enrollment 1,177 Killed 13 Wounded 86 Died of wounds 16 Died of disease 263 Discharged for wounds, disease or other causes 209 Buried in Nation Cemeteries 95 Captured 13 Transferred 72 COMPANY "F" Benjamin, Fidelio. Age 18. Residence Clinton County, nativity New York. Enlisted Aug. 18, 1862. Mustered Sept. 20, 1862. Died of disease March 7, 1863, Young's Point, La. Gillet, Lucius L. Age 25. Residence Clinton County, nativity New York. Enlisted Aug. 13, 1862. Mustered Sept. 20, 1862. Died of disease April 12, 1863, St. Louis, Mo. Buried in National Cemetery, Hefferson Barracks (St. Louis), Mo. Section 1, grave 44. McCobb, Charles H. Age 34. Residence DeWitt, nativity Maine. Enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, as Second Sergeant. Mustered Sept. 20, 1862. Died of disease April 19, 1863, Memphis, Tenn.