Soldier Letter From 4th Iowa Cavalry At Fort Scott

This letter from an unnnamed captain of the 4th Iowa Cavalry dated Fort Scott, October 26, 1864, was published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye on November 12, 1864.

Dawn attack at Trading Post on the Marais Des Cygnes River

Yesterday was a glorious day for the gallant Second Division. We encamped the night we left you three miles north of New Santa Fe. Moved next morning at 6 a.m. and marched 20 miles, coming up with Price’s army at a little Trading Post on the Marais Des Cygnes River where we halted at 11 p.m. The next morning at daybreak, Sanborn’s Brigade M. S. M. in front, supported by the 4th Iowa Cavalry drove the enemy from a strong position on the bluff north of the river, routed them from their camp on the south side of the river, capturing one piece of cannon and followed them out on the prairie closely.

Two miles from Mound City and fourteen from Trading Post, Marmaduke’s division made a stand. Phillips’ First Brigade M. S. M. came up on the right and formed first. Then our command came up on the left and formed a column of regiments, the 10th Minnesota in advance, the 4th Iowa next, and the 3rd Iowa in the rear of our 21st Brigade.

The 4th Iowa had hardly formed when the charge was sounded, and the 19th led off handsomely against the enemy’s right, closed up with them and commenced firing. The 4th Iowa wheeled into line and dashed forward right through the 19th, taking them along, and went clear through the enemy’s line, the 9th Iowa forming and supporting. Our first brigade formed in the rear of the 3rd Iowa, obliqued to the right, and charged the enemy’s battery, capturing two guns. This entirely demoralized and broke up the enemy’s right, when Phillips’ brigade moved up and charged the left gallantly and the whole thing was chaos itself.

Chaos on the prairie. Sanborn's attack on general Marmaduke's forces

Our loss was but slight; the 4th Missouri suffering the most in men, and taking the battery on the right of the enemy’s line. The battery on the left fell into our hands as a matter of course as soon as their line was broken.

General Marmaduke formed his line in a bad place. A creek, skirted by a few brushes behind him, and his line at the foot of a gentle slope that we charged down to meet him. We drove them across the creek and a mile on the other side, when we halted to rally the command, which of course was scattered from Dan to Beersheba. All this was on the open prairie. Sanborn’s Brigade then took the advance, our command supporting him. The enemy were found posted nine miles from the scene of the last fight, Shelby’s division being in our immediate front.

Sanborn and McNiel (2nd Brigade M. S. M.) went at them, but had a hard time before driving them away. Being ordered forward, we took to the center. I don’t know who was on the right or left. The 10th was deployed, the 2nd and the 4th Iowa supporting in column of squadrons.

Price’s whole army was now in sight on the Prairie. The charge being ordered; the men went at them bravely, but the troops right and left did not keep up, and Colonel Benton was obliged to deploy the 3rd and 4th Iowa. Our first brigade, Major Simonson, was holding in our rear by the general commanding to support a battery. Our men drove back the enemy’s first line splendidly, but they rallied on the second, and came near giving us a dose of our own medicine, for they repulsed our charge and sent us back a few rods, but pure grit saved us for a few minutes, when the advance of a fresh brigade, (McNeil‘s) caused the rebs to go back out of rifle range.

Capture of General Marmaduke by 4th Iowa Cavalry

In the fight, Major Pierce of the 4th Iowa was slightly wounded in the foot.

There is a rumor tonight that General Blunt, who took the advance has captured 1000 prisoners and four guns. We are halted here drawing rations and ammunition. I cannot give you particulars but Sergeant George Miller, Co. H, 4th Iowa captured the colors of the 4th rebel cavalry; General Marmaduke surrender to Private James Dunlavy, Co. D, 3rd Iowa, and General Cabell to Sergt. C. M. Young, commanding Co. L, 3rd Iowa.

Everybody did well. I cannot write you how gloriously our men behaved. We now feel repaid for our 54 days marching and 1000 miles hard traveling. The casualties of the 23rd, 24th, and 25th are light.