Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/318

 be mustered in defense of the vast depot of army stores here collected did not exceed 1,500 men, including militia, volunteer citizens, convalescents and soldiers. The forts designed for defense of the city were all unfinished. But General Brown was determined to make a desperate defense. Sharpshooters met the enemy three miles out and opened a galling fire from every sheltered spot, retreating slowly as the army advanced. Marmaduke had formed his line of battle with artillery in the center, strongly supported by infantry, while heavy bodies of cavalry were spread out on each wing. As they advanced from the south over the open prairie in battle array, firing from a battery of rifled guns in the center, it was an imposing sight. The moment it came within range of our guns the artillery opened fire which, for a short time, checked the advance. Colonel King, with the Third Missouri Cavalry, and Colonel Hall, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, all militia, bravely charged the enemy’s right and center, but were unable to check the advance. The artillery from Fort Number Four now opened on the foe and for a time held the center in check and forced it back. After the battle had been raging along the entire line for more than an hour and but little progress had been made by the enemy, Marmaduke massed his forces in compact lines and advanced upon our right and center. To meet this formidable movement Captain Landis of the Eighteenth Iowa, with his piece of artillery, was ordered to the front supported by three companies of the regiment under Captains Blue, Van Meter and Stonacre. The enemy at once charged upon the gun and a desperate struggle ensued. Surrounded by overwhelming numbers our men made a heroic fight to save the gun. Captains Blue and Van Meter fell mortally wounded among their slaughtered comrades, while Captain Landis lost his gun after receiving a severe wound. The Confederates captured a stockaded building in the south part of the city, which they used as a fort from which a deadly fire was poured