Posted 15 November 2011 08:00 AM PST
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The Seventeenth Iowa Volunteers
The companies making up this regiment were
raised chiefly in the counties of Lee, Van Buren, Des Moines, Wapello, Decatur,
Polk, Jefferson, Washington, Appanoose, Marion, Dallas and Warren. It was
mustered into the service on the 16th of April, 1862, with 935 men. Its first
field officers were John W. Rankin, colonel: David B. Hillis,
lieutenant-colonel and Samuel M. Wise, major. It was sent to join General
Halleck's army at Corinth, in May, and joined in the pursuit of the confederate
army. At the battle of Iuka the regiment was engaged and thrown into confusion,
for which it was censured by General Rosecrans, as many believe, unjustly.
Colonel Rankin resigned on the 3d of September.
On the 3d and 4th of October was fought the
battle of Corinth, in which the Seventeenth took an active part, and fought
with great bravery. Smarting under the unjust censure cast upon them at Iuka,
the men went into this battle with a determination to wipe out the stigma,
which they did most effectually. At a crisis of the battle, when the rebels had
forced their way into Corinth, the Seventeenth made a splendid charge upon the
advancing column and after a sharp conflict drove it back in confusion.
After the victory was won, General Sullivan,
commanding the brigade in which the Seventeenth Iowa served, wrote to Governor
Kirkwood as follows: "I have the honor to present to you the colors of the
Fortieth Mississippi regiment, captured by the Seventeenth Iowa on the
battlefield of Corinth, in a gallant charge on the advancing columns of the
enemy, which the Seventeenth alone met, broke and pursued. I have never led
braver men into action than the soldiers of the Seventeenth proved themselves
in the desperate and bloody battle of Corinth." The colors were captured
by Corporal John King, of Company G, from Marion county.
General Rosecrans, in a general order, said:
"The Seventeenth Iowa infantry by its gallantry on the battlefield of
Corinth, charging the enemy and capturing the flag of the Fortieth Mississippi,
has amply atoned for its misfortune at Iuka, and stands among the honored
regiments of this army. Long may they wear with unceasing brightness the honors
they have won."
The loss of the regiment on the field of
Corinth was twenty-five. Ingersoll says: "The Seventeenth inflicted as
much damage upon the enemy as any regiment at Corinth, and received less damage
in return." Lieutenant-Colonel Hillis was now promoted to colonel of the
regiment, and Capt. Clark R. Wever to lieutenant-colonel. For several months
the Seventeenth was employed in Tennessee and Mississippi, joining General
McPherson's army in February, 1863. It shared in the hard marches, severe
battles and glorious victories of Grant's Vicksburg campaign. At Jackson and
Champion Hill it fought bravely and lost heavily. Colonel Hillis had resigned
in. May and Lieutenant-Colonel Wever was now colonel, Major Archer,
lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. John F. Walden, of Company F, was major of the
regiment.
The Seventeenth participated in the
Chatanooga campaign and fought bravely at Lookout Mountain, where it lost
fifty-seven men. In April, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans to the
number of 479. In July, the regiment occupied Tilton. Two companies were
captured near Dalton after exhausting their ammunition in a brave defense. On
the 13th of October the garrison at Tilton was assailed by
overwhelming numbers. Lieutenant-Colonel Archer made a heroic defense until his
blockhouse was rendered untenable by artillery, when he was forced to
surrender. Colonel Wever was in command of a brigade at Resaca when he was
attacked by Hood’s army. He had but about seven hundred men and four pieces of
light artillery. He defended the post with great energy all day, and at night
was reinforced by 500 cavalry. Colonel Wever spent the night strengthening his
position, and early in the morning the attack was renewed; but further
reinforcements came, and General Hood finally retreated as General Sherman’s
army came in sight. Colonel Wever received warm commendations from Sherman and
Howard for his brave and successful defense. When the Seventeenth was captured
at Tilton, Captain Horner and some forty men of the regiment only remained in
the service, and were disbanded in August, 1865.
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SOURCE, Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive
Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 102
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