Person:Oliver Patton (3)

From: Roster and Record of Iowa Troops In the Rebellion, Vol. 1, By Guy E. Logan, HISTORICAL SKETCHSEVENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH REGIMENT, IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
RIENZI, Miss., Oct. 10, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Seventh Regiment Iowa Infantry, in the battle of Corinth, October 3d and 4th. On the morning of the 3d, I received the order of Brigadier General Hackleman to march my command from Camp Montgomery, via Corinth in the direction of Chewalla. I left camp with 327 men and 26 officers, my largest company (K) being on detached service, guarding the railroad five miles east of Corinth. Line of battle was formed one mile west of Corinth, with my regiment on the left of the brigade. * * * The enemy's battery was placed directly in front of my command, and a most terrific cannonading ensued. My men held this position firmly and unflinchingly for one hour and a quarter, exposed to a murderous fire of shell and canister. Our battery, having exhausted its ammunition, retired and the rebel infantry advanced in strong force. My men were kept concealed until the enemy advanced to within short range, when I opened fire upon them from my whole line, and, for a time, held them in check. They soon rallied, and I was ordered to take a position further in the rear. The enemy moved on, our whole brigade made a sudden charge, and the enemy was again checked, thrown into some confusion, and repulsed. This gave an opportunity to take a more favorable position, and another line was formed between the white house and Battery Robinett, at a point where two howitzers were posted. This position was held until most of the wounded had passed to the rear, and my ammunition was entirely exhausted, when, by order of General Davies, my command was placed to support a battery on the left of Battery Robinett. Gaining this position, I immediately supplied my men with forty rounds of ammunition. Night coming on, the battle of the 3d was ended, and I had lost many noble men. At 10 P. M., I received Colonel Sweeny's order to proceed with my command to a position east of Corinth, and at 1 o'clock the following morning my regiment was moved to a line north of Corinth, when a line of battle was formed fronting west, my position in the brigade being still on the left.

At 3:30 o'clock, the enemy's artillery commenced shelling the town, and about 10 o'clock I was ordered to proceed with my command to the front and deploy it as skirmishers. This deployment was made and two center companies held as a reserve. After advancing a short distance, I ascertained that the enemy were crossing the railroad in force to a position on the right. I immediately dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Parrott to General Davies with this information. who at once ordered me to return to my former position. I had but gained it for a short time, when the enemy appeared and charged on the battery defended by the brigade on the right of the First. The brigade on my left was attacked at the same time. I opened a vigorous oblique fire on the enemy charging the battery, and continued it until General Rosecrans ordered me to cease firing. Soon the brigade on my left fell back. The enemy gaining position on my left flank, I was ordered to retire a short distance. I halted my command about fifty yards in the rear. An advance was soon ordered, and I immediately gained the position just abandoned, and the enemy was driven into the woods. They made another attempt, directly in front of my regiment, to charge the battery. My men held their position firmly, checking the enemy, who took refuge from the storm of bullets, which was rained upon them, in the abatis.

The Seventeenth Iowa coming upon my left flank, I advanced rapidly on the rebel position, when they broke and ran in great confusion. My command had fired the whole of the sixty rounds of cartridges with which it had been supplied in the morning, but was immediately supplied, without leaving the field, by my excellent quartermaster, Lieutenant Forsha, who, regardless of personal safety, was ever ready to supply my command with ammunition, even in the heat of battle. I remained in this position during the balance of the day, and at night bivouacked on the battlefield. * * I must make special mention of Lieutenant Colonel Parrott, who cheered and encouraged the men, and performed his duty with great bravery. It is with pleasure I make favorable mention of almost all my officers who were engaged in the two days' battle. Major McMullin did efficient service until he was wounded and disabled on the evening of the 3d. Captain Conn, although wounded, remained with his command through both days' battle. Captains Hedges and Mahon, left in camp sick, left their beds and came on the battlefield on Saturday, and did excellent service. Their companies were well commanded on Friday by Lieutenants Dillon and Sergeant. Lieutenant Gale displayed great gallantry, and was very severely wounded in the battle of the 4th, after which the company was bravely led by Lieutenant Morrison. Captains Irvin and Reiniger also performed their duties nobly. I must also mention Lieutenants Hope, Loughridge, Irvin, McCormick, Bennett and Bess. Captain Smith, who was killed in the last hour of the battle of the 4th, was one of the most promising young officers of the service. He was brave, cool and deliberate in battle, and very efficient in all his duties. Color Sergeant Alec Field was wounded in the battle of the 3d. Afterward the colors were borne by Wm. Akers of Company G, who was also wounded. They were then carried by George Craig, of Company B, all the color guard, with the exception of one, being either killed or wounded. Sergeant Major Cameron, severely wounded, must not escape favorable mention for his bravery. While it is a pleasure to record the noble and heroic conduct of so many of my officers and men, we mourn the loss of our gallant dead, and sympathize deeply with the unfortunate wounded. More than one third of those taken into action are wounded, or lie dead beneath the battlefield.
With high regard, I am, your obedient servant,
ELLIOTT W. RICE, Colonel Commanding
Seventh Iowa Infantry.
COL. T. W. SWEENY, Commanding First Brigade, Second Division.
The regiment's loss in the battle of Corinth was 122, making a total loss in battle, up to and including the 4th of October, 1862, of 422 officers and men. When the long list of names of those who had .died from disease, and of those who had been discharged on account of disability caused by sickness, is added to the actual casualties in battle, the tremendous aggregate loss of this regiment, with but little more than fourteen months' record of service, almost equaled the number first mustered into the service at Burlington, while its original term of service was not yet half completed.