Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/136

 128 Southern Historical Society Papers.

succeeded in capturing myself and 2,200 rank and file, many of them being wounded."

Colonel J. J. Woods, Twelfth Iowa Report, April, 1862, pages 151-152, says:

"Thus matters stood in our front until about 4 P. M., at which time it became evident by the firing on our left that the enemy were getting in our rear. Seeing ourselves surrounded, we,

nevertheless opened a brisk fire on that portion of the enemy who blocked our passage to the landing, who, after briskly returning our fire, fell back. We attempted by a rapid movement to cut our way through, but the enemy on our left advanced rapidly, pouring into our ranks a most destructive fire. To have held out longer would have been to suffer complete annihilation. The regiment was, there- fore, compelled to surrender as prisoners of war."

Colonel J. L. Geddes, of the Eighth Iowa, in his report dated November 13, page 166, says:

" I formed my regiment in line of battle with my center resting on the road leading from Corinth to Pittsburg landing, and at right an- gles with my line. * * * About 3 P. M., all direct communi- cations with the river ceased. * * * General Prentiss' division having been thrown back from the original line, I changed front by my left flank, conforming to his movements and at right angles with my former base, which was immediately occupied and retained for some time by the Fourteenth Iowa, Colonel Shaw. In this position I ordered my regiment to charge a battalion of the enemy (I think Fourth Mississippi), which was done in good order, completely rout- ing the enemy. We were now attacked on three sides. It now became absolutely necessary to prevent annihilation to leave a posi- tion which my regiment had held for nearly ten consecutive hours of severe fighting, with a loss of nearly 200 in killed and wounded. I ordered my regiment to retire. I perceived that further resistance was useless. Myself and the major portion of my command were captured. ' '

It is possible that this was a portion of the line of battle which was pressing back General Chalmers when I relieved him about 3 o'clock.

In a report dated April 9, 1862, page 281, Colonel Francis Quinn, Twelfth Michigan, says:

" Between 4 and 5 o'clock on the afternoon two regiments sur-