Part 3

The detachment of the 21st Missouri lost about fifty men, killed, wounded and prisoners, including one officer of the 24th Missouri, assigned. That we did our whole duty, I need only call attention to the fact that after the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., Maj. Robt. Fyan, commanding the 24th and detachment of the 21st Missouri, personally thanked the members of the 21st for gallantry during the action. The loss of the 24th and 21st combined during the campaign was three officers killed, namely: Capt. Robinson, Lieuts. Shadel and Stone, and one Color Sergeant killed and one wounded, Wm. O’Connor of the 21st, making a total loss of about one hundred men killed, wounded and missing.

Parting Between the 21st and 24th.

We reached Vicksburg about the 21st of June and there took leave of the 24th Missouri, and returned to our own regiment, which had returned from its veteran furlough north. While we were with the 24th Missouri we became very much attached to the officers and men. The officers were courteous and the men true comrades.

In writing the foregoing account of the part taken by our brigade and regiment I have had nothing to aid me except my memory of the events narrated, in all of which I was an active participant. And in conclusion I now ask the charitable consideration of comrades and the general reader for any imperfections it may contain.

T. W. HOLMAN, Co. D, 21st Missouri Infantry.

Resumption of the History of the 21st.

At Vicksburg the detachment of the 21st taking part in the Red River campaign joined their comrades who had returned at the expiration of their thirty days’ furlough. On June 4th the regiment left Vicksburg on a steamer, en route up the river for Memphis. The Confederates, however, had erected batteries on the west bank of the river, preventing the transports from proceeding. A landing was made at a point called Columbia, on June 5th, and on the following day the regiment was marched around Lake Providence and had an engagement with the enemy at Lake Chicot. The Confederates were completely routed and the blockade of the river removed. On the 7th the command re-embarked on the transports and arrived at Memphis on the 10th without any further incident.

On June the 12th the regiment was ordered to the relief of Gen. Sturgis, who had been defeated a few days previous at Gun Town. The retreating Federals were met at Colliersville, and under the escort of the 21st made the trip into Memphis without being molested by the enemy.

On June 25th the regiment, along with the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, to which it belonged, moved out of the city and encamped at Moscow, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and on the 26th held Division review. On June 27th the regiment was moved to La Grange, Tenn., where it was encamped until July 8th. At this time it was marched to Pontotoc, Miss., going by way of Ripley, and traversing a distance of over one hundred miles, and on the route the regiment was continuously fighting and skirmishing with the cavalry of the enemy under Gen. Forrest. On July 13th another move was made, to Tupelo, Miss., a distance of twenty miles, where an engagement with the enemy, known to history as the battle of Tupelo, took place. The 21st took a conspicuous part in this engagement, as will be seen by reading the report of Col. Edwin Moore, here published:

COL. MOORE’S REPORT.

HEADQUARTERS 21ST MO. INF. VOLS. } MEMPHIS, TENN., JULY 18TH, 1864. }

LIEUT. SAM’L D. SAWYER, A. A. GEN’L., 1ST BRIGADE.

LIEUTENANT:--I have the honor to report the part taken by the 21st Mo. Infantry Volunteers at the battle of Tupelo on the 14th day of July, 1864. About 6 o’clock a. m. we were formed in line of battle with the brigade, the 119th Illinois Infantry Volunteers being on our left and the 58th Illinois Infantry on our right. About 7:30 a. m. the enemy opened on us with artillery, which continued until 9 o’clock a. m., when they advanced their infantry in line of battle, driving in our skirmishers precipitately. They came within twenty paces of our line when I gave the order to fire and immediately after to advance. The fire was well directed and took the enemy by surprise, who fled in great disorder, with the regiment in pursuit, and for fifteen or twenty minutes a continuous and deadly fire was poured in upon them; its effect was visible on the field. There being no enemy in sight after advancing four hundred and fifty yards, we returned to our former position and were not again attacked during the day, although frequently subjected to a heavy artillery fire. The officers and men of the command behaved with the utmost gallantry, obeying every order with that promptness which secures success. Our loss was one man killed and fifteen wounded.

EDWIN MOORE, Lieut.-Col. 21st Mo. Inf. Vols., Com.

On the day following the Tupelo fight the command was ordered back to Memphis. On the same day, while encamped for dinner, we were attacked by the Confederates who were, however, repulsed after a lively skirmish, and the men resumed their meal. This time they were allowed to eat in peace and to finally reach Memphis without any further brushes with the enemy. On August 5th the regiment was sent on another excursion in pursuit of the Confederate General Forrest, who was reported to be rendezvousing in the vicinity of Memphis. On the Talahatchie river they first encountered the enemy, when a lively skirmish took place. This was on August 9th. The next brush with the Confederates occurred on the 12th, and again at Hurricane Creek on the 13th. Oxford, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles from Memphis, was reached August 22d. Here, after meeting and repulsing the enemy, startling news was received from Memphis, by courier, to the effect that Forrest had captured and was in possession of the city. There was an immediate call to arms and in double quick time the command was hurried on the journey back to recapture the city. They arrived, however, to find that the Confederate leader had been in the city but had taken his departure.

On September 5th, 1864, the regiment embarked on the steamer W. R. Wallace for Cairo, Ill. They were confined on board transports at Cairo when orders were received to proceed to St. Louis to assist in repelling the invasion of Missouri by the Confederates under Gen. Price. On arriving at St. Louis the regiment was moved down the Iron Mountain R. R., to De Sota, to intercept Gen. Price, who was reported at or near Pilot Knob. Gen. Price failed to show up at that point but was reported moving in the direction of Jefferson City. On learning this fact the command was hastily put on cars and returned to Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis. Then commenced the long, weary march after Price, through Central Missouri, going by way of Franklin, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Lexington and Independence. The command came up with the rear guard of the enemy at Little Blue, about three miles west of Independence, on October 23d. Here, after skirmishing, they were routed. Gen. Price being harassed by Federal troops, both front and rear, commenced retreating out of the State, the infantry following him south to Harrisonville, where the chase was abandoned by the infantry, the cavalry following him on into Arkansas. The infantry returned towards St. Louis, marching by way of Pleasant Hill, Lexington and Glasgow, where they crossed over to the north side of the Missouri river; resuming the march from the river, by way of Fayette, Columbia, Warrenton, High Hill and St. Charles, where the command crossed back to the south side of the Missouri river, marching to and arriving in St. Louis on the 23d of November. On this pursuit after Gen. Price the division, with which was the 21st Missouri, made a forced march of fifty-six miles, which was the longest continued march known in military history.

On the trip back to St. Louis the command was being continually annoyed by Quantrell’s and Anderson’s guerrillas, and lost several men killed by these outlaws.

Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding the 16th Army Corps, having received orders to report to Gen. George H. Thomas at Nashville, Tenn., the 21st Missouri embarked on board the steamer Mars en route for Nashville, where they arrived on the 30th of November. Leaving the steamer, the 21st was moved out two miles southwest of the city and threw up breastworks to assist in repelling the attack of the Confederate General Hood, which was hourly expected. Hood appeared on December the 1st and began a regular siege of Nashville, which continued until the 15th of December, when Gen. Thomas moved out of his intrenchments, hurling the 16th Corps, which held the position on his right, against Hood’s left. The enemy was driven back, doubling his left flank back on his center, capturing a number of prisoners and several pieces of artillery. The night of the 15th closed in with Hood’s crushed and bleeding army driven back to a strongly fortified position in the Brentwood Hills, some three miles from the position he held in the morning. The battle was resumed early on the morning of the 16th, with varying results until 3 p. m., when Gen. Thomas, seeing the decisive moment had come, ordered a general assault, and Hood’s broken and reeling columns were sent whirling down the pikes in the direction of Columbia, Tenn. Thus ended the vain boast of President Davis, at Macon, made to the Tennessee troops after the capture of Atlanta by Sherman: “Tennesseeans, be of good cheer; you will soon see the green fields of Kentucky.” The remnant of the proud army that had dealt Gen. Sherman so many crushing blows was hurrying to make its escape across the Tennessee river--to escape complete annihilation.

On the morning of the 17th of December, 1864, the 16th Corps, under Gen. A. J. Smith, was ordered in pursuit of Gen. Hood’s fleeing army. The pursuing army followed to Clifton, by way of Pulaski, and arrived at Clifton on the 2d of January. Here they embarked on board transports en route for Eastport, Miss., where they arrived on the 7th of January, 1865, and went into camp, remaining in camp and performing usual routine duty until February 9th, when they embarked on transports for New Orleans, where they landed on February 21st. They remained in New Orleans in camp until March 22d, when they took steamer and were carried, by way of Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf, to Dauphin Island, at the foot of Mobile Bay, where they camped, arriving on the 24th. A few days afterwards another move was made to Spanish Fort, near Mobile, _via_ Fish river and a land march. The Fort was invested and captured on April 8th. On the 3d of April the division, in which was the 21st regiment, began operations against Fort Blakely, taking part in the many skirmishes in the approach and siege of that important Confederate stronghold, and in its final capture on April 9th. In the charge on the fortifications on the 9th, the 21st had two color bearers killed and was the first regiment to plant its flag on the ramparts. In the charge the loss of the regiment was heavy, about equal to that of the whole brigade.

We had at Blakely the rumor of Lee’s surrender, during the afternoon of the charge and capture of the fort. The bugle sounded the charge at 6 o’clock p. m. and in seven and one-half minutes the fort surrendered. This was the last battle of the war. The Federal loss was two thousand killed and wounded. We captured thirty-two cannon and four thousand prisoners. Thus the 21st Missouri was engaged in the last battle of the war as well as in one of the first.

On April 13th the 21st Regiment marched with the 16th Corps to Montgomery, Alabama, arriving on the 27th and going into camp two miles northeast of the city. Here they remained in camp until June 1st, when they were taken, with the brigade, to Providence Landing, on the Alabama River, reaching there June 4th, and embarked on a steamer the same day for Mobile. On the arrival of the regiment at Mobile they went into camp in the suburbs. Here they remained, doing outpost and other guard duty until March, when they were ordered to Fort Morgan for duty, and on April 19th, 1866, were mustered out.

This was the last day of the organization known as the 21st Missouri Infantry Volunteers. After their long and arduous labors in defence of their country came the soldiers’ reward--an honorable discharge from the service and then the going home to family and loved ones. But there was many a long drawn sigh, for who among the survivors of this heroic band failed to recall some gallant comrade, who, full of pride and patriotic ambition, left the Missouri home never to return. On this battle field and that one their bodies lay buried; a soldier’s grave, unmarked and unidentified; a family of expectant loved ones, in fond old Missouri, waiting and watching in vain. But this was war, the cruel war now over.

Camp was broken on the 19th of April, 1866, and with their discharges the men took their departure for their Missouri homes.

SOME STATISTICAL FACTS.

In service from July 15th, 1861, to April 19th, 1866. For the whole period of service, total enrollment:

Field Officers 21 Line Officers 78 Privates and Non-Commissioned Officers, 1580 ---- Grand total 1679 Losses during the war from all causes 834 ---- Survivors on April 19th, 1866 845

The above figures are not claimed to be absolutely correct. There is a great lacking of data in the written records of the regiment and reports of officers, but they are compiled by those familiar with the history of the regiment, from its organization to its discharge, and after great pains and labor they give them, believing that they are at least very nearly true.

DATES OF CHANGES IN NUMBERS OF DIVISIONS.

December 30th, 1864, the designation of the 3d Division, 16th Army Corps, was changed to 2d Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith commanding; Brigadier Gen. Kenner Garrard commanding the 2d Division.

February 22d, 1865, the designation of the Army of the Tennessee was changed to the 16th Army Corps, and the 2d Division, Brig. Gen. Garrard commanding, formerly the old 3d, 16th Army Corps, was thereafter known as the 2d of the reorganized 16th Corps.

During the war the 21st Missouri was attached to the following Divisions:

1st Brigade, 6th Division, Army of West Tennessee. 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 16th Army Corps. 1st Brigade, 2d Division, Detachment Army of the Tenn. 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 16th Army Corps.

COMPLETE ROSTER.

Col. D. Moore, Jan. 17, 1862; mustered out, expiration of term, Feb. 11, ’65.

Col. James D. Lyon, Aug. 17, 1865; resigned as Lieut. Col. Aug. 7, 1865.

Col. Joseph G. Best, Sept. 30, 1865.

Lieut. Col. H. M. Woodyard, Jan. 17, 1862; resigned Jan. 27, 1864.

Lieut. Col. Edwin Moore, March 30, 1864; mustered out, expiration of term, Feb. 11, 1865.

Lieut. Col. James D. Lyon, April 20, 1865; promoted Colonel.

Lieut. Col. Joseph G. Best, Aug. 17, 1865; promoted Colonel.

Lieut. Col. Henry McGonigle, Sept. 30, 1865.

Maj. Barnabas B. King, Jan. 17, 1862; killed at Shiloh, Tenn., April 6, ’62.

Maj. Edwin Moore, May 27, 1862; promoted Lieut. Col. March 30, 1864.

Maj. George W. Fulton, Aug. 5, 1864; resigned Dec. 11, 1864.

Maj. Charles W. Tracy, Jan. 25, 1865; revoked.

Maj. James D. Lyon, Sept. 29, 1864; transferred from 24th Mo. Infantry; promoted Lieutenant Colonel.

Maj. Joseph G. Best, May 30, 1865; promoted Lieut. Col. Aug. 17, 1865.

Maj. Henry McGonigle, Aug. 17, 1865; promoted Lieut. Col. Sept. 30, ’65.

Maj. E. K. Blackburn, Sept. 30, 1865.

Adjt. Chas. C. Tobin, March 27, 1862; died in prison May 6, 1862.

Adjt. Jas. B. Comstock, July 9, 1863; promoted Capt. A. A. G. U. S. Vols.

Adjt. Stephen Hall, Aug. 2, 1865.

Quarter Master D. W. Pressell, March 25, 1862.

Surgeon R. H. Wyman, Dec. 21, 1861; mustered out S. O. 241, April 23, ’62.

Surgeon R. H. Wyman, May 21, 1862; restored to service; resigned June 11, 1862.

Surgeon David Skillings, June 18, 1862; vacated S. O. 108, A. A. G. Mo.

Surgeon J. H. Seaton, July 26, 1862; resigned June 2, 1863.

Surgeon Abel C. Roberts, July 9, 1863.

Ass’t Surg. J. H. Seaton, March 25, 1862; promoted Surgeon July 22, 1862.

Ass’t Surg. W. Knickerbocker, April 25, 1863.

Ass’t Surg. F. G. Stanley, June 12, 1863.

Chaplain John H. Cox, May 20, 1862; resigned April 23, 1864.

Co. A.

Capt Charles Yust, March 27, 1862.

1st Lieut. Henry Menn, March 27, 1862; resigned July 12, 1862.

1st Lieut. August Gloeser, July 22, 1862; resigned April 21, 1864.

1st Lieut. Thomas E. Amburn, Nov. 26, 1864.

2d Lieut. Edwin Turner, March 27, 1862; resigned May 1, 1862.

2d Lieut. Edward F. Nelson, May 27, 1862; resigned Oct. 27, 1864.

2d Lieut. G. F. Malthaner, Sept. 30, 1865.

Co. B.

Capt. Joseph Story, March 27, 1862; resigned July 12, 1862.

Capt. Josiah W. Davis, Jan. 5, 1862.

1st Lieut. L. D. Woodruff, March 27, 1862; resigned July 13, 1862.

1st Lieut. Richard Reese, Aug. 2, 1862.

2d Lieut. Edward Fox, March 27, 1862; died May 19, 1862.

2d Lieut. Jeremy Hall, Oct. 4, 1862; mustered out at expiration of term of service, Dec. 5, 1864.

2d Lieut. Owen S. Hagle, Sept. 30, 1865.

Co. C.

Capt. Simon Pearce, March 27, 1862; mustered out March, 1865.

Capt. Benjamin S. Palmer, Sept 30, 1865.

1st Lieut. William Lester, March 27, 1862; resigned March 29, 1862.

1st Lieut. W. H. Simpson, May 20, 1862; resigned Aug. 31, 1862.

1st Lieut. T. H. Richardson, Jan. 5, 1862; died in hospital at Memphis, Tenn., June 11, 1863.

1st Lieut. Frank M. Goff, Sept. 12, 1864; died of wounds April 10, 1865.

1st Lieut. Stephen Hall, July 6, 1865; promoted Adjutant Aug. 20, 1865.

1st Lieut. Benjamin S. Palmer, Aug. 2, 1865; promoted Captain.

1st Lieut. C. D. Dowell, Sept. 30, 1865.

2d Lieut. T. H. Richardson, March 27, 1862; promoted 1st Lieut. Dec. 29, ’62.

2d Lieut. James McFall, Jan. 5, 1863; resigned March 21, 1864.

2d Lieut. Frank M. Goff, Aug. 22, 1864; promoted 1st Lieut.

2d Lieut. Ezra Hambleton, Sept. 30, 1865.

Co. D.

Capt. N. W. Murrow, March 27, 1862; resigned July 12, 1862.

Capt. Henry McGonigle, Oct. 4, 1862; promoted Major Aug. 17, 1865.

Capt. Joshua Hagle, Sept. 30, 1865.

1st Lieut. Henry McGonigle, March 27, 1862; promoted Capt. July 13, ’62.

1st Lieut. Joshua Hagle, Feb. 11, 1863; promoted Captain.

1st Lieut. Charles L. Norton, Sept 30, 1865.

2d Lieut. Lewis J. Ainslie, March 27, 1862; resigned Oct. 22, 1862.

2d Lieut. Charles C. Murray, Feb. 27, 1863; resigned Aug. 29, 1865.

2d Lieut. Benjamin F. Jenkins, Oct. 18, 1865.

Co. E.

Capt. Geo W. Fulton, March 27, 1862; resigned Jan. 16, 1863.

Capt. E. B. Shafer, Sept. 12, 1864.

1st Lieut. T. M. McQuoid, March 27, 1862; resigned Dec. 17, 1862.

1st Lieut. James B. Comstock, Feb. 24, 1863; commissioned Adjutant.

1st Lieut. E. B. Shafer, April 23, 1864; promoted Captain.

1st Lieut. Nehemiah D. Starr, Sept. 12, 1864; resigned Aug. 2, 1865.

1st Lieut. Martin N. Sinnott, Sept. 30, 1865.

2d Lieut. W. J. Pulis, March 27, 1862; resigned April 22, 1862.

2d Lieut. James B. Comstock, Aug. 14, 1862; promoted 1st Lt. Jan. 1, ’63.

2d Lieut. E. B. Shafer, Feb. 24, 1863; promoted 1st Lieut. April 23, 1863.

2d Lieut. N. D. Starr, May 24, 1864: promoted 1st Lieut.

2d Lieut. Martin N. Sinnott, Sept. 12, 1864; promoted 1st Lieut.

2d Lieut. William H. Smith, Sept. 30, 1865.

Co. F.

Capt. Joseph T. Farris, March 27, 1862; resigned Jan. 16, 1863.

Capt. Alex. F. Tracy, Feb. 23, 1863; resigned Aug. 29, 1865.

Capt. Isaac C. Schram, Sept. 30, 1865.

1st Lieut. Alex. F. Tracy, March 27, 1862; promoted Captain Jan. 17, ’63.

1st Lieut. F. A. Whittemore, Feb. 23, 1863; mustered out expiration term of service, Feb. 11, 1865.

1st Lieut. Richard D. Andrews, Sept. 30, 1865.

2d Lieut. F. A. Whittemore, March 27, 1862; promoted 1st Lt. Jan. 17, ’63.

2d Lieut. Peter H. Orr, Feb. 23, 1863; killed on picket duty Oct. 27, 1863.

2d Lieut. Isaac C. Schram, April 22, 1864; promoted Captain.

2d Lieut. David Danforth, Sept. 30, 1865.

Co. G.

Capt. T. H. Roseberry, March 27. 1862; resigned Aug. 31, 1862.

Capt. E. K. Blackburn, Jan. 5, 1863; promoted Major Sept. 30, 1865.

Capt. Daniel R. Allen, Sept. 30, 1865.

1st Lieut. E. K. Blackburn, March 27, 1862; promoted Capt. Dec. 29, ’62.

1st Lieut. Daniel R. Allen, Jan. 5, 1863; promoted Capt. Sept. 30, 1865.

1st Lieut. Robert H. Harris, Sept. 30, 1865.

2d Lieut. Daniel R. Allen, March 27, 1862; promoted 1st Lieut. Dec. 30, ’62.

2d Lieut. Robert H. Harris, Jan 5, 1863; promoted 1st Lieut. Sept. 30, ’65.

2d Lieut. Thomas H. Roseberry, Sept. 30, 1865.

Co. H.

Capt John H. Cox, March 27, 1862; commissioned Capt. April 22, 1862.

Capt. Charles W. Tracy, May 27, 1862.

Capt. James Smith, July 6, 1865.

1st Lieut. Peter Washburn, March 27, 1862; resigned Aug. 31, 1862.

1st Lieut. Logan Tomkins, Nov. 19, 1862; resigned Dec. 20, 1864.

1st Lieut. James Smith, Feb. 24, 1865; promoted Captain.

1st Lieut. G. K. Jones, July 6, 1865.

2d Lieut. W. P. Rickey, March 27, 1862; resigned April 22, 1862.

2d Lieut. James Smith, May 27, 1862; promoted 1st Lieut.

2d Lieut. G. K. Jones, Feb. 24, 1865; promoted 1st Lieut.

2d Lieut. Geo. Coffman, Sept. 30, 1865.

Co. I.

Capt. W. H. Harle, March 27, 1862; resigned July 11, 1862.

Capt. Joseph G. Best, July 22, 1862; promoted Major May 30, 1865.

Capt. Jeremiah Hamilton, July 6, 1865.

1st Lieut. Joseph Oliver, March 27, 1862; resigned June 12, 1862.

1st Lieut. Joseph G. Best, June 18, 1862; promoted Captain.

1st Lieut. Geo. W. Stein, Jan. 5, 1863; mustered out expiration of term of service, Dec. 5, 1864.

1st Lieut. Jeremiah Hamilton, Dec. 17, 1864; promoted Captain.

1st Lieut. Henry Deems, July 6, 1865.

2d Lieut. Hudson Rice, March 27, 1862; resigned July 22, 1862.

2d Lieut. Geo. W. Stein, Aug. 2, 1862; promoted 1st Lieut.

2d Lieut. Cyrenus Russel, Jan. 5, 1863; mustered out at expiration of term of service Feb. 3, 1865.

2d Lieut. William H. Smith, Sept. 30, 1865.

Co. K.

Capt. Frederic Leeser, March 27, 1862; resigned Jan. 7, 1863.

Capt. Louis Puster, March 28, 1863.

1st Lieut. A. D. Starkweather, March 27, 1862; resigned Oct. 27, 1864.

1st Lieut. W. A. Weaver, Dec. 16, 1864.

2d Lieut. Geo. M. Davis, March 27, 1862; discharged disability Dec. 11, ’63.

2d Lieut. Carlton T. Shamp, Sept, 30, 1865.

All officers not noted by death or otherwise discharged, or resigned from the service, served until the close of the war and were mustered out with the regiment on the 19th of April, 1866.

All officers whose commissions are dated March 27, 1862, ranked from July 15th, 1861; all others from date of commission.

THE REUNION

Of the 21st Missouri at Edina, Missouri.

It is near thirty years since we came here to recruit after the battles of Shiloh and Corinth.

POETRY INSPIRED BY THE OCCASION.

As we grasp old comrades by the hand, The tears unbidden flow, And memory swiftly calls us back To some thirty years ago.

When with but one blanket to our back, As we lay upon the snow, And slowly munched our last hard tack Near thirty years ago,

And talked of scenes of mortal strife Through which we’ve had to go, Thinking of home and the dear wife, While time moved on so slow.