Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/304

 advance of the enemy in strong force. In a short time the skirmish line was driven in and heavy bodies of the enemy followed closely after them. The Sixteenth in the trenches awaited with muskets ready the close approach of the advancing enemy with fixed bayonets, when Colonel Sanders gave the order to fire. Volley after volley smote the enemy at close range, and their lines were soon shattered, those not injured falling to the ground to escape the murderous fire which decimated their ranks. Another strong line of the enemy came to their aid and was repulsed with great slaughter. Heavy bodies of Confederates were also hurled against the Eleventh and Fifteenth regiments at the same time and they were finally forced from their positions by overwhelming numbers. No orders came to retire and the Sixteenth was soon surrounded and compelled to surrender. Further resistance would only have resulted in the slaughter of the entire regiment. During the campaign, up to this time, the entire loss of the regiment in killed and wounded had been one hundred twenty-six. Nearly two hundred members of the regiment, many of whom were absent, sick, or wounded escaped capture. The officers captured were first sent to Macon and later to Charleston and Columbia. The men were doomed to undergo the tortures of Andersonville stockade, where every form of suffering was endured. For nearly two months men were crowded in this most loathsome prison pen known in modern times, where many died and others were disabled for life. On the 22d of September the survivors were released by exchange and returned to the regiment. The officers were detained longer, but a few of them managed to escape, among whom was Captain J. H. Smith. The regiment was with Sherman until Johnston’s surrender, when it proceeded to Washington and joined in the grand review. In July it was sent to Louisville, where Lieutenant-Colonel Smith resigned. The regiment was soon after sent to Davenport and there disbanded. The field officers at