Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/242

 forward on a line that was making a most obstinate resistance, where the enemy was held in check until near four o’clock in the afternoon by the splendid fighting of the Union troops. The Eighth was the connecting link between the Division of General Wallace and what remained of General Prentiss’ command. Here it was assaulted by a battalion of Confederates and for an hour a severe engagement ensued. Charge after charge was made on the Eighth and Fourteenth Iowa, which held their position, beating back and charging in turn the shattered columns of the foe. During the desperate efforts of the Confederates to break our lines at this place, General Prentiss placed a battery in front of Colonel Geddes’ position and the regiment was ordered to defend it at all hazards. It was now one o’clock and all along the lines the fighting was of the most desperate character. The Confederate army, in greatly superior numbers, was gradually forcing the Union army back toward the river. Grant had sent courier after courier to find and bring General Lew Wallace’s strong division of veteran soldiers into the battle, but he did not appear. The battery placed by General Prentiss was mowing down the enemy at a fearful rate, and column after column was hurled against it, charging up to the muzzles of the guns. But they were met by Colonel Geddes’ men but it saved the battery and held the position for two hours. At last Prentiss’ line gave way, the enemy followed, swung around to the rear of the Eighth Iowa which was now surrounded, and forced a surrender at half past five. All day long it had made a most heroic fight and, to the last, stood firm and undaunted, refusing to save itself by flight as did several regiments on that terrible day. General Prentiss, who was also captured, in his official report, says of Geddes and his regiment:

“He acted with distinguished courage, coolness and