HISTORY OF THE 33d IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEER REGIMENT 1863-6
by A. F. Sperry
Edited by Gregory J. W. Urwin and Cathy Kunzinger Urwin

MEET JOHN S. MORGAN, COMPANY G


        John S. Morgan was one of the few native Iowans in the 33d Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The twenty-one-year-old teacher enlisted as the fourth sergeant of Company G at Pella, Iowa, on August 9, 1862. He had hazel eyes, auburn hair, a dark complexion, and stood five feet eight-and-a-half inches in his stocking feet. Morgan fought at Helena, Arkansas, on July 4, 1863, and Jenkins' Ferry on April 30, 1864. He received a promotion to first sergeant on July 21, 1864. Morgan was officially commissioned a second lieutenant on February 20, 1865, and was mustered in with that rank the following day.


First Sergeant John S. Morgan in a photograph taken probably in Little Rock, Arkansas, sometime after July 21, 1864.  (Photo courtesy of Mark A. Warren)

        Morgan's service record reveals that he was "Absent sick in regimental hospital" in May 1863. By the time the Confederates attacked Helena on July 4, 1863, he was well enough to be to join the 33d Iowa's spontaneously raised "Invalid Company." Morgan and the regiment's other sick men refused to sit out the attack in camp, as was their privilege, and turned out to fight. Getting separated from his fellow invalids, Morgan took part in the defense of Battery D. Morgan's courage was recognized in another important way when he appointed regimental color sergeant for April and May 1864. That coveted position only went to the bravest of the brave, and Morgan carried one of the 33d Iowa's colors during the bloody fight at Jenkins' Ferry. Emerging from that battle unscathed, Morgan then served as the 33d Iowa's acting sergeant major in June 1864.

        Morgan kept a diary of his service with the 33d Iowa that was published in two parts in the January and April 1923 issues of the Annals of Iowa. For the most part, Morgan's diaries were cryptic and not very descriptive. At some point in his life, expanded his diary into massive journal. It consists of 537 pages bound in a large tan book (227) and a small black book (310 pages) and spans the entire period of his service, Saturday, August 9, 1862, to Thursday, August 10, 1865. This valuable source is housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines.

        What follows is Morgan's description of the 33d Iowa's first major battle, the defense of Helena Arkansas, on July 4, 1863, which pitted 7,646 Rebel troops against 4,000 Federals.
 
 

THE BATTLE OF HELENA

by

Sergeant John S. Morgan, Company G, 33d Iowa Volunteer Infantry

Saturday, July 4th 1863


Revlie at 2 A.M get up awful sick. Effect of the pills. Regt ordered to Ft Curtis. Went to bed again. At 4 heard firing on the pickets line. in 10 minutes the big gun at Fort Curtis opened the signal as previously arranged that a battle had begun. The artillery then opened. Every man in camp able to stand sprang to his feet and made haste to get ready for the fray. The firing soon became incessant. Captain [John P.] Yerger being Off[icer] of the day was in camp and formed all the men into a co. and started for the scene of action. Could not keep pace with these - [Isaac N.] Ritner, [John] Squires and I followed as fast as we were able. As we left our camp could see the hills above town litterally covered with rebs saw them drive in the pickets. The 29th Iowa were in the rifle pits at that part of the field to check them. 

The Hindman House (center) stands to left of Battery D, the stronghold atop Hindman Hill that
Sergeant Morgan and elements of the 33rd Iowa helped defend on July 4, 1863.  Thomas C.
Hindman, the owner of the Hindman House, was one of Arkansas' most famous Confederate
generals.  Union authorities converted his home into a military hospital.
(Photo courtesy of Arkansas History Commission)

The 36th were just starting out to support them and the 5th Kansas [Cavalry] to do service wherever most needed. As we went down the line on our way to our own regt a citizen, a well known rebel sympathizer, was on his porch with a spy glass taking a view of the field. Squires said "do you see your friends coming?" "I can see some body, but don't know whether they are friends or not." Hurrying on as fast as we could met Genl. Prentice with 2 Aids who said "getting to the work are you boys?" Squires answered "will be with them soon." "That's right you will find enough to do then." Neither party halted during the conversation. Reached Ft Curtiss found regt had been moved to south of town. Came upon the right wing kept as a reserve at the Convent. They told us Cos "B" and "G" were ordered to support Battery "D" on the hill above the Hindman house. Ritner was give out and remained with the right wing. Squires and I started for the Co. [Company G] The Rebs were over shooting and spiral balls were now falling all about us. . . . We took the road along the foot of the hill to find battery "D." At the Hindman house met Sergt [Henry] Bousquet with Lieut [Charles H.] Sharman wounded while on picket on left temple and face very bloody. The ball that wounded Charly took the scalp off Bousquet's hat. Lieut. told us his wound was not dangerous but that Tunis Blockland was killed while retreating from the picket line which they had held for 15 minutes after being attacked. before attempting to climb the hill which was most unmercifully steep rested at the foot by a ravine which we thought would take us right to the battery. reaching the top found we had taken the wrong shoot, and was 100 yds from the ft. [fort] to get to which we had to go on top of a ridge the balls flying thick and fast cutting up the dirt all around us. Made as fast a run as we in our weak conditions we were able and reached the breastworks all sound. found in them 2 cos of the 43d Indiana. Our cos occupying the rifle pits just in front. Was too tired now to attempt to go to the cos across the rough hills, where would have been much exposed. And as a force was making around toward our position expected to have work soon without moving. Just now 8 A.M. attention was attracted by the hollooing of the rebels near battery "C" to our right. Could plainly see them in the hollow forming to charge on that battery. Battery "D" began to throw shells amongst them with great precission and killing effect. The gunboat Tyler lay in the river and continued shelling the rebels during the whole engagement doing great service. 


Brigadier General Frederick Salomon, a former lieutenant in the Prussian Army and a failed revolutionary, commanded the XIII Army Corps, which constituted the Union garrison at Helena.  During the Confederate attack on July 4, 1863, Salomon exercised tactical control over the city's defenders and deserves major credit for the Federal victory.  (Photo courtesy of the Arkansas History Commission)

 The Rebs charged twice and were driven back. on the 3d attempt our men stood to the work until the rebs began to pour over the breastworks and get between them and town to cut off their retreat. They then retreated from the battery firing as they went. Our heaviest loss was here and my heart quails as I behold flapping in the breeze the accursed "Stars and bars." The rebs formed their column again to charge down on Ft Curtis. On they went. I could see their every movement, but the storm of shell from the Tyler and battery "D" and grape and canister from Ft Curtis soon dampen their courage and it was their turn to retreat. 2 Cos of the 33d "G" and "D" I believe having been properly posted were ordered at this moment to charge up and cut off their retreat, which they did in such good spirit and fine style that only about 125 strong they took 300 prisoners retaking battery "C". While the enemy held the battery they undertook to move one of the guns to the other side of the breastworks to open on our men. The prisoners say 25 men had hold of it when a 15 in. shell from the Tyler struck immediately under it bursting and killing or wounding 24 of the 25.
At this juncture my attention was called to my own position, a strong force had suddenly appeared on our left with bayonets fixed for a charge. We were ordered to fix bayonets, then fire as fast as we could but not to fire without taking good aim. I was impressed at the deliberate coolness with which our men picked off the rebs who were now hiding behind large stumps and in some rifle pits we had not been able to occupy for the lack of numbers. They were soon nearly all hidden and we noticed they had taken off their bayonets. we did the same, and thus commenced sharp shooting from both sides. Every head that showed itself was saluted with the whistling of a doz[en] bullets. I had taken position behind a sandbag breastwork within about 2 ft of the embrasure for the cannon. I fired 6 rounds and was so tired and weak could not load and lift my gun. rested a minute and fired 5 more rounds. was here about 15 min. during which time 4 men fell at the embrasure. 

The USS Tyler, whose six 8-inch guns and one 32-pound Parrott rifle had a deadly and intimidating effect on Helena's Confederate attackers.  (Photo courtesy of Naval Historical Center)
The rebs now hid entirely so I fell back from the breastwork to try to find some water and rest as I was about give out. was unable to stand so I lay down to rest. Cos "B" and "G" arrives at the battery. lying down saw Jake Miller bring a box of carts. [cartridges] up the hill. Not more than a minute afterward heard the cry ""G" co. carry off your wounded Man." Asked "who is wounded?" Answer "Jake Miller" At the mention of Jake's name I forgot I was either tired or sick and was by his side immediately. We laid him on stretcher and taking myself one of the lower corners carried him to the foot of the hill where we found some water. Wet his face and gave him a cup to drink. I asked if he thought himself badly hurt. he look up and said "Twill soon be over. Tis bound to kill me.["] We hurried on to the Hindman house where the wounded were being carried. Lieut [George R.] Ledyard told me as we left the Co. to "stay with Jake."