attack on the enemy’s right, which occupied a strong position, finally dislodging him after an hour’s stubborn fight. The battle was now in progress all along the lines, and continued with great fury throughout the day. Toward night the Union army had won every position attacked, and had captured five hundred and eighty prisoners and several pieces of artillery. No report was made of the number killed and wounded. During the night the enemy retreated, burning the bridges, and abandoning Port Gibson and Grand Gulf. The Iowa regiments, aside from the Twenty-first, which participated in this battle, were the Twenty-second and Twenty-third, both in the brigade under command of Colonel W. M. Stone. The Twenty-fourth and Twenty-Eighth were in General Hovey’s Division and supported artillery during the battle, losing a few men. The Twenty-second was under command of Major J. B. Atherton and the Twenty-third under Lieutenant-Colonel Glasgow, both doing excellent service. Lieutenant-Colonel Dunlap and sixteen men of the Twenty-first were wounded. The total Union loss was one hundred and thirty killed and seven hundred and eighteen wounded.
Soon after this battle, the army advanced toward Jackson and then on toward Vicksburg, in pursuit of the Confederates. At the severe Battle of Champion’s Hill, fought on the 16th, the Twenty-first was posted with the reserve, and was not actively engaged. The next day General Grant pushed on rapidly in pursuit of Pemberton’s retreating army and fought another battle at Black River Bridge. General Pemberton had here taken a strong position protected in front by a broad, deep bayou, behind which was a line of rifle pits. The Twenty-first and Twenty-third Iowa regiments were in a gallant charge made on the enemy’s works, which were carried with heavy loss. Among the slain was Colonel Kinsman of the Twenty-third, while Colonel Merrill, of the Twenty-first, was severely wounded. His regiment lost in that charge, thirteen
