Captured at Shiloh, the 12th Iowa Over 2,200 Union Soldiers were captured during the Battle of Shiloh and marched away to Confederate prison camps until they could be exchanged. One of the largest losses was suffered by the 12th Iowa Infantry which had 419 men captured in battle, while attempting to escape from the Hornet’s Nest in the Union center. Corporal Frank E. Hancock of Company B, 12th Iowa left an account in his diary of their experiences in captivity. (Taken from Past & Present of Allamakee County, 1913, written by his brother Ellery M. Hancock who would have been 11 when his older brother Frank was captured at Shiloh) Corporal Hancock was from Waukon, in Allamakee County, Iowa, the northeast most county in the state. Frank Hancock had moved to Iowa with his family in 1856 from Winchendon, Massachusetts with his father Moses, a butcher and his mother Sally who raised Frank and eight other children. Frank joined Company B of the 12th Iowa on October 10, 1861 as Third Corporal. The 12th Iowa would see their first action at Fort Donelson but would be in the thick of the fight on April 6th at Shiloh. “At 8 o’clock on Sunday morning while preparing for inspection we heard the long roll beat by our drums. We knew the meaning of it and fell in quickly. Our brigade was formed and we marched to the place of firing (which we could hear distinctly at our camp) and took our position, which we held against all attacks made upon us. The Mississippi Tigers made a furious assault at one time, but we sent them back in a hurry, killing a great many and completely routing them. They threw their arms in every direction as they ran. In the afternoon there was sharp fighting on our left. Our troops kept them back in a good while, but finally being overpowered had to fall back, and we were ordered to their support, or rather take their place. We formed in line of battle and poured the fire into them hot and heavy, causing them to fall back. We should have whipped them beautifully if there had been troops to have taken the position we left; but regiments coming up in our rear and on our right we were compelled to surrender. We hated it as bad as anybody could, but it had to be done. We threw our arms on the ground and were marched back about five miles from the battle field, passing hundreds of wounded men. About 9 o’clock we camped in an old corn field. It soon commenced to rain and we were completely wet through. The next morning we drew rations, one cracker and a half, and started for Corinth.” The moment of capture is one of the most dangerous for a soldier since some may continue fighting while others have surrendered. The enemy may continue shooting if isolated resistance is encountered. Col. Joseph J. Woods, commanding the 12th left an account of the situation: “We discovered that we were already surrounded by the enemy, caused by no fault of our own, but by the troops at a distance from us, on our right and left, giving way before the enemy. Seeing ourselves surrounded, we nevertheless opened a brisk fire on that portion of the enemy who blocked our passage to the landing, who, after briskly returning our fire for a short time, fell back. A brisk fire from the enemy on our left (previous right) was going on at the same time. Seeing the enemy in front falling back, we attempted by a rapid movement to cut our way through, but the enemy on our left advanced rapidly, coming in behind us, pouring into our ranks a most destructive fire. The enemy in front faced about and opened on us at short range, the enemy in our rear still closing in on us rapidly. I received two wounds, disabling me from further duty. The command then devolved on Captain Edgington, acting as field officer. The enemy had, however, already so closely surrounded us that their balls which missed our men took effect in their ranks beyond us.” A soldier from Company D of the 12th Iowa described the situation as the surrender took place: “All the while the men kept a constant fire on the enemy and a veritable Babel ensued. The camp was one vast slaughter pen, and it is apparent that is only a question of a little time when all must fall. . . Two rebel officers approached and demanded an immediate surrender . . . about 15 minutes before 6 o’clock P.M. on April 6th, 1862 Captain Edgington surrendered his sword. . . Some of the men refused to lay down their arms and continued firing . . . others smashed their guns around the trees and cut up their accouterments, but nothing else could be done. Reluctantly all laid down their arms.” The experience of prisoners of war began for a large part of the 12th Iowa Regiment. At this place the 12th Iowa Infantry was surrounded, and 429 of its officers and men taken prisoners, at 5.30 p.m. April 6, 1862. Col. Joseph J. Woods
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:00:00 +0000
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