The Battle of Matamora—Colonel Trumbull's Official Report—General Hurlbut's parting review—His parting orders—How they were received—Congratulatory orders of General Grant—Telegram from the President.

The following is Colonel Trumbull's official report of the part taken by the 3d Iowa in the battle of Matamora. I give it as it was furnished me from regimental head quarters. With all due deference to the Colonel, who commanded us so bravely, and who had a better opportunity of knowing our situation during the battle than any one man among us, I think all will agree with me that in some statements he has made slight mistakes. It was not so much the enemy's fire, though that was severe, that threw us into confusion beyond the bridge, as it was the attempt to form us in line to the right of the road, on the narrow space already crowded by broken troops. We were first ordered to charge, and then, by General Lauman, I believe, to file to the right, the general not wishing to advance us into the fire of our own troops, who in the tumult could not hear the order to cease firing. The Colonel does not mention that, before any attempt to re-form the regiment was successful, the enemy had ceased firing and retired from the crest of the hill. This was due to the manner in which General Hurlbut had disposed on the left his yet available troops. The promptness with which the regiment again formed was due to the Colonel as much as to the men. When once all could hear and understand the voice of the commander, who through the trying storm they had seen behaving so bravely, nothing more was needed to bring them to their places in ranks:

Head Quarters, 3d Iowa Infantry Camp,}
near Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862. }

Capt. H. Schofield, A. A. G.—Sir: I have the honor to report the part taken by the 3d Iowa Infantry in the battle of the 5th of October. The 3d Iowa, 300 strong, was on the right of the 1st Brigade, (Gen. Lauman), and formed part of the reserve. When the reserve was ordered into action the 3d Iowa led, crossing the bridge at a cheer, and at a double quick, under so severe a fire that about —— men were shot down in a few minutes, including over half of the commissioned officers present. This necessarily threw the regiment into some confusion, especially as the road was narrow and encumbered with a good deal of underbrush, and the men pressing forward got entangled with the men of other regiments. I saw no way to extricate the regiment, but by planting the colors in the middle of the road, and ordering the men to rally to them. This was promptly done, nearly every man springing instantly to his place. The regiment then moved forward up the hill in company with other regiments which had adopted the same plan, the enemy retiring as we advanced. On reaching the summit, the 3d Iowa was stationed in the open plain to the left of the road, and toward the close of the engagement was moved to the right of the road near the bend of the river to support the gallant 28th Illinois, (Col. Johnson). The battle was now about over.

I have to regret the loss of 1st Lieut. W. P. Dodd, commanding Company H., who was struck by a shell and instantly killed, just before we crossed the bridge. He was a brave and faithful officer, and his loss will fall heavily upon the regiment. I have also to regret the permanent disability of Capt. E. J. Weiser, of Company D, and acting 2d Lieut. D. W. Foote, of Company I, two noble and gallant officers, both of whom have been wounded in battle before. Capt. C. Kostman, commanding Company C, and Lieut. W. B. Hamil, commanding Company K, were both severely wounded while gallantly pressing forward in the front of their respective companies. 2d Lieut. C. E. Anderson, commanding Company G, who had done his whole duty through the engagement, was severely wounded just at the close of the battle. 1st Lieut. J. G. Scoby was especially prominent in rallying the men to the colors. Lieut. Geary, Company H, deserves especial mention, for staying in command of his company after the death of the 1st Lieutenant, all through the battle, and until we reached Bolivar, though suffering from a painful, but not a severe wound. Lieutenants McMurtry and Burdick, of Company D, Lakin and Abernethy, of Company F, and Moe, of Company C, did their duty bravely and well. Company A. was not engaged. 2d Lieutenant G. H. Cushman, acting adjutant, and Sergeant Major, A. W. Montague, both displayed great coolness and courage, and rendered me valuable assistance on the field.

The conduct of the rank and file in crossing the bridge, under the terrific fire of the enemy's batteries, and in rallying to the flag as promptly as they did, deserves the highest praise. Several cases of individual bravery among the men, I shall bring to the notice of the General commanding the Brigade, as soon as I have fully investigated the circumstances. I take pleasure in noticing here the gallantry of Corporal Anderson Edwards, the color bearer. This is the third fight in which he has carried the colors of the regiment, and he deserves the notice of the General commanding. I am ashamed to say that a few—a very few cases of misconduct in the presence of the enemy have been reported to me, which on further investigation I shall submit to the General commanding the Brigade, with a request that they may be submitted to a general court martial.

I herewith enclose a list of the killed and wounded of the Iowa Third in the action of the 5th. The number of the killed is very small, considering the terrible character of the wounds received.

I have the honor to be, sir,
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
M. M. Trumbull,
Captain Commanding 3d Iowa Infantry.

No one can deny the justness and impartiality with which this report reviews the conduct of the officers and men. It is to be regretted, however, that more instances of gallant conduct on the part of the latter, of which there were many, could not have been brought to light in this document.

Nothing more can be said of the conduct of General Hurlbut, than that his praise was again upon the lips of every man of the 4th Division. It received at the hands of the Government the prompt recognition it deserved. He was appointed to be a Major General and assigned to the command of the District of Jackson. He took a parting review of the decimated regiments which had marched so long and fought so well under his command. It was not like Napoleon taking leave of his officers at Fontainebleu, nor Washington's farewell to the army at New York; but it was a parting, where, on both sides, there were far more regrets than would seem. As the thinned battalions marched past him, their battered flags saluting, with so many brave, familiar faces absent, the General gazed upon his men, and the men turned their eyes toward their general, with an affection which it does not seem possible could have grown up between soldier and commander in the short space of seven months. On turning over the command of the Division to General Lauman, General Hurlbut issued the following farewell address:

Head Quarters Fourth Division,}
District of West Tennessee, }
Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862. }

General Orders,
No. 112.

Officers and Soldiers of the Fourth Division:—Comrades in battle, partakers of the weary march and the long watches! By your discipline and courage the victory has been won, and the title of the "Fighting Fourth," earned at Shiloh, has been burnished with additional splendor on the Hatchie.

We were ordered on a forlorn hope to the aid of our beleaguered brothers in arms at Corinth. The march was arduous, the undertaking desperate. My orders were to reach Rosecrans at all hazards, and relieve him or perish.

By the blessing of the God of our fathers and our country, the forces which assailed that indomitable garrison were scattered and broken by their invincible courage before our turn came. But there was yet work for the "Old Fourth."

The heavy mass of the enemy were retreating by the State Line road, when, after crossing the Muddy, we met them. Each arm of this division gallantly co-operating with the other—cavalry, infantry and artillery, over a rough and dangerous country—over hill and through ravines, forest and thicket—a desperate enemy made no breach in the serried ranks of this command. Aided by your brave comrades of the 68th Ohio and 12th Michigan, from General Ross' command, field after field was swept, position after position seized and occupied, until the crowning struggle of the day came for the occupation of the high grounds east of the Hatchie. The bridge across that stream was carried at a charging step; the work of the artillery was done—that of the infantry commenced in deadly earnest. Major General Ord, a stranger to you, but to whom the division, by its well won reputation, was no stranger, and who had hitherto led the advance, was struck at the bridge and disabled; the command then devolved upon your old commander.

By misapprehension of the nature of the country across the Hatchie, a large portion of the division had been massed on impracticable ground to the right of the road, and exposed to a terrific fire of canister at short range. That you bore it without the possibility of active return speaks well for your discipline.

Knowing the ground, I immediately determined to throw out the main force to the left, crown the hill side, and flank the enemy; and it is among the proudest moments of my life, when I remember how promptly the several regiments disengaged themselves from their temporary confusion and extended to the left; and with what a will they bent themselves to conquer the hill. In twenty minutes all was over—the crest was gained and held, the artillery rapidly in place, and the field of Matamora was won. The broken fragments of the Confederate army recoiled before your solid advance; their main line of retreat was cut off, and their troops forced over the broken ground east of the Hatchie.

Our duty was accomplished. Our wounded, the bloody witnesses to the desperation of the fight, were to be cared for. Already the victorious column of Rosecrans was thundering in their rear. It was my duty to bring in the forces that remained to me.

You have returned to camp. No colors lost; not a man or a gun missing. It is a triumph; and you, and I for you, have a right to be proud.

With you in this achievement were associated the Sixty-eighth Ohio and the Twelfth Michigan regiments. They were worthy to be with you, and their conduct receives the praise of their commanding officer.

And now the necessities of the service remove me from the immediate command of the Fourth Division. A promotion won by your courage and discipline removes me to a larger command.

I wish you to understand from these, my parting orders, that I know full well that no regiment in my old division desired to be under my command when we met at Donelson. The reason why, I know well, but care not to tell now. Your respect I conquered at Shiloh; your regard I hope to have acquired since.

Give to the officer who may succeed me the same prompt obedience, the same steady devotion to duty, and you will make me, wherever I am, proud of the high reputation of the Fourth Division.

Remember, every man and officer, that I here again publicly acknowledge, that whatever I may have of military reputation has been won by you; and that I wear it only as coming from you; and that any misconduct or want of discipline on your part, will grieve your old commander. Remember that I place my honor as well as your own in your hands, and that if I find a difficult place that must be held, I shall call for the Fourth. I have no fears how you will answer.

Our dead—our glorious dead! The joy of victory is dimmed when we think of them. But they have died as they would wish—died in defense of the Union and the Laws—died bravely on the red field of battle, with their unconquered banner over them. Their comrades will avenge them.

And when at last our victorious flag shall float over the national domain, reconquered and united, and the weary soldier shall forget his toils in the endearments of home, around your firesides and among your children and neighbors, you shall recite as a part of your glorious history, how you swept the rebel hosts, with every advantage of position, across the Hatchie, and around the opposing hill, with a wall of fire and steel that repelled the chosen troops of Van Dorn and Price. Infantry, artillery and cavalry of the Fourth Division, and your well-deserving companions of the 68th Ohio and 12th Michigan, you have done your duty, each in his place, and each at the right time. You have satisfied your General; and the country in due time shall know what is due to each of you. I bid you, for a while, farewell.

Officers and men, continue to deserve your lofty reputation; and then, as heretofore you will continue to receive the approbation of your General and strengthen his hands in the performance of his duties.

S. A. Hurlbut, Major General.

This address was eagerly sought for, and read with the greatest pride and delight by all the soldiers of the Division. Every copy that could be supplied was taken and preserved as a choice memento, or sent home to friends. The boys read and re-read it so often that some even had it committed to memory. Neither in it nor in its author could any one see a blemish. Well, who could blame us for rejoicing in our splendid victory, and in our idol and ideal general? If our comrades of other corps could not see it as we did, surely they should have been willing to allow us to believe that there was no division like the "Fighting Fourth," and no general like "Old Steve." To them the order may have seemed too eloquent—too boastful, and we, in the excess of our delight over it, making a ridiculous display of vain conceit. But was not the theme an eloquent one?—and who had a better right to boast than our general, and who to be proud than we?

General Grant viewed these battles at a distance, though he controlled the general movements. His order of thanks was more temperate, and perhaps more appropriate. It read as follows:

Head Quarters, District of West Tennessee, }
Jackson, Tenn., October 7th, 1862. }

General Orders,
No. 88.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that the General commanding congratulates the armies of the West for another great victory won by them on the 3d, 4th, and 5th instant over the combined forces of Van Dorn and Lovell.

The enemy chose his own time and place of making the attack, and knowing the troops of the West as he does, never would have made the attack, except with a superior force, numerically. But for the undaunted bravery of officers and soldiers, who have yet to learn defeat, the efforts of the enemy would have been successful.

Whilst one division of the army under Major General Rosecrans was resisting and repelling the onslaught of the enemy at Corinth, another from Bolivar under Major General Hurlbut, was marching upon the enemy's rear, driving in his pickets and cavalry, and attracting the attention of a large force of infantry and artillery. On the following day, under Major General Ord, these forces advanced with unsurpassed gallantry, driving the enemy back across the Hatchie, over ground where it is almost incredible that a superior force should be driven by an inferior, capturing two batteries (eight guns), many hundred small arms, and several hundred prisoners. To these two divisions of the army all praise is due, and will be awarded by a grateful country.

Between them there should be, and I trust there is, the warmest bonds of brotherhood. Each was risking his life in the same cause, and on this occasion risking it to save and assist the other. No troops could do more than these separated armies. Each did all possible for it to do in the place assigned it.

As in all great battles, so in this, it becomes our fate to mourn the loss of many brave and faithful officers and soldiers, who have given up their lives a sacrifice for a great principle. The nation mourns for them.

By command of Major General Grant,
John A. Rawlins, A. A. G.

I must not omit the President's congratulatory letter, written in his characteristic way, which General Grant published in the following order:

Head Quarters, District of West Tennessee, }
Jackson, Tenn., October 17, 1862. }

General Orders,
No. 89.

The following dispatch from the President of the United States of America, has been officially received, and is published to the armies in this District.

Washington, D. C., Oct. 8, 1862.

Major General Grant; I congratulate you and all concerned in your recent battles and victories. How does it all sum up? I especially regret the death of General Hackleman, and am very anxious to know the condition of General Oglesby, who is a personal and intimate friend. A. Lincoln.

By command of Major General Grant,
John A. Rawlins, A. A. G.