Another Hibernian called out to his men, “Illivate your guns a little lower, boys, and ye’ll do more execution.”

Such jokes were common even amid the horrors of battle.  However unseemly, they served to keep up the spirits of the men, to which end other spirits contained in canteens were also freely added.  A most reprehensible practice this, for men should go into battle free from unnatural excitement, if they wish to serve the cause in which they are engaged; and moreover, the instances of cruelty which sometimes are perpetrated on the wounded and dying, are caused by the drunkenness of such ruffians as are found in every army.

Our brigade, after receiving ammunition, executed a flank movement on McClernand’s left, next the river, while General Pillow was holding their attention in front; this came very near surrounding and capturing the Federal force.  For five hours the battle raged with varying success, the Rebel forces on the whole gaining upon the Federals.  Our regiment charged and took a part of the 7th Iowa.

A charge is a grand as well as terrible sight, and this one, to my inexperienced eyes, was magnificent.  I had often witnessed, with wild delight, the meeting of thunder-clouds in our western storms, the fierce encounter, the blinding lightning, the rolling thunder, the swaying to and fro of the wind-driven and surging masses of angry vapor, the stronger current at length gaining the victory, and sweeping all before it.  With an intenser interest and a wilder excitement, did I watch these eight hundred men, as they gathered themselves up for the charge.  At the word, every man leaped forward on the full run, yelling as if all the spirits of Tartarus were loosed.  In a moment comes the shock, the yells sink into muttered curses, and soon groans are heard, and the bayonet thrusts are quick and bloody.  Brute strength and skill often meet, and skill and agility usually win.

The Iowa men were overpowered, and threw down their arms, some four hundred of them, and were sent to the rear, and afterward to Memphis.  It was reported that this Iowa regiment had murdered the sick men early in the day, and it was said that some of them were bayoneted after they surrendered.  I saw nothing of this, but it may have been so.  If so, the author of that accusation was responsible for the barbarity.

I do not doubt such cruelties do sometimes occur in the heat of battle, as there are in all armies some brutal men; but I must do the Rebel officers the justice to state, that they always condemned them, and warned us against acts not sanctioned by the laws of civilized warfare.