Episode 31: CPL Henry M. Dysart and the 3rd Iowa Cavalry at the Battle of Pea Ridge

At the Battle of Pea Ridge, on the morning of 7 March 1862, an advance Cavalry and Artillery force which included CPL Dysart and the 3rd Iowa Cavalry witnessed some of the first shots of the battle as three artillery pieces fired into the Confederate Right Wing as it marched along the Ford Road toward Elkhorn Tavern. A “running cavalry fight” ensued, but the Union force was routed, and CPL Dysart made for Union lines forming south of him.

Sources used for this episode:

Dysart, Henry M. Civil War Diary: Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 1862. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/islandora/object/ui%3Atestcwd_22746_2_1.

Scott, Robert N. The Wart of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 8. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1883. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079893719&view=1up&seq=3.

Transcript

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Hello everyone. My name is bill Coughlin and welcome to first person civil war podcast. Which retails the stories of the soldiers and officers. On the ground in the battles of the civil war. Episode 31 is entitled. Corporal Henry M dyes art. And the third Iowa cavalry. At the battle of pea Ridge and relies on his book. Civil war diary, battle of pea Ridge, Arkansas, March, 1862. Henry Martin dies. Art was born in 1842 in Maury county, Tennessee. Henry's extended family, just like the nation. Was divided against itself. Henry's father was a Presbyterian minister and an abolitionist. While his uncles were slave owners. Because of this few Henry dyes art's uncles invited his family to leave Tennessee. Which they did by boat sometime in the 1850s. According to us. Federal census records by 1860 Henry dyes art and his family now lived in Davis county, Iowa. Where he eventually enlisted in company D of the third Iowa cavalry on 26, September, 1861. By January, 1862, Henry dies. Art was a corporal. And stationed with his regiment at Benton barracks St. Louis. On new year's day, he began keeping a diary. And although not yet tested in battle. Corporal dyes art knew he would see fighting in the months to come. Time flies and it is indeed true that it waits for no man. Today we may be at home in peace tomorrow at war. Today, happy tomorrow. Sad. Today, rich. Tomorrow poor. As time revolves new areas, open up marked sometimes with dark events. The past is open to view, but the future is always uncertain. Sometimes bright, sometimes dark. In 1861, the slave state of Missouri became the scene of several battles as both a union and Confederate forces vied for control of one of the critical border states. By 1862. The union army was on the offensive. Determined to push the Confederate Missouri state guard out of their own state. And to continue advancing and to Northwestern, Arkansas. This effort began in early February and corporal dyes art and the third Iowa cavalry. Commanded by Colonel Cyrus Busey marched in the headquarters element of the four division army of the Southwest. Commanded by Brigadier general, Samuel R. Curtis. Though successful and maneuvering the Confederates out of Missouri. The pursuit soon ended. By the time, the army of the Southwest cross the border into Northwestern, Arkansas Brigadier general Curtis recognized that his extended supply lines would prove a hindrance to any further advance. And decided to array his army in a defensive posture. As the army of the Southwest gave up the initiative. Uh, Confederate army under the command of major general Earl van Dorn coalesced in Northwestern, Arkansas. Which eventually totaled approximately 16,500 men. And enjoyed a numerical superiority of approximately 6,000 men over the union army. By 28, February Fayetteville, the largest town in the region. Became the center of activity for both armies. Corporal dyes art and the third Iowa cavalry was active during this time, trying to gather information about the Confederates movements. After marching all day over Arkansas mountains and rocks. It is pleasant to spend an Arkansas night and in Arkansas thicket as last night was spent with an Arkansas rock for a pillow and an Arkansas sky for a covering. We surrounded and entered Fayetteville again this morning at sunrise, but found no enemy, although it had been occupied by the rebels again yesterday. Major general van Dorens ultimate objective was to secure the state of Missouri for the Confederacy, but before even entering the state, he had to defeat the army of the Southwest. On four March, the Confederates began their advance upon the union army. Which fortified along pea Ridge and face south along the little sugar Creek to meet them. On the night of six, March, 1862. Corporal dyes art summed up the level of preparation by the army of the Southwest. All the trains and every impediment are arranged along the road for three miles north of the Bluffs or Hills where preparations are being made for a warm reception of the enemy. Everything is being ready to move. On each side of the road, the brush, which is very dense is almost completely blocked up with wagons and tents. We have orders to be ready to March at a moment's warning. And tonight have built a huge long keep fires nearby, which we will sleep in the leaves with sabers and revolvers on. Everyone expects a fight tomorrow. As corporal dyes art remarked about the union. Army's preparedness to fight the Confederates along little sugar Creek. It was all for not. Major general van Dorn and his army of the west. We're in the process of marching by the flank along the snow covered Bentonville detour. Just as the union army used terrain to fortify their position, the Confederates used it to mask their movement. Major general van Dorn believed that speed was essential to get his army into the union rear before they had time to react. And thereby ensure a swift victory. To accomplish this, that Confederacy departed without ammunition, supply trains. This meant the ammunition, the men carried on them was all they had. The detour would place the Confederates several miles in the rear of the army of the Southwest. And in this, they were successful. On the morning of seven March, 1862, the union army discovered that the Confederates had successfully marched into their rear. And Brigadier general Curtis scrambled to turn his army around, to meet the threat. He ordered Colonel Peter J Auster house commander of the first division to turn around and form the left flank of the army. To prevent the enemy from still more strengthening their position in our rear and to engage a part of his forces general Curtis ordered me to make a demonstration on their right flank towards Lee town. And if necessary on the Bentonville and CastleVille road. The force is detailed for this purpose. We're mainly cavalry battalions of the third Iowa cavalry first and fifth, Missouri cavalry. And three pieces of the flying battery, all under the immediate command of Colonel Bussey. Corporal dyes art heard movement to the west throughout the night. And surmise that the Confederates were on the move. The next morning, he and his comrades rush north to meet the Confederates in battle. At eight this morning, it was evident that the whole rebel force had successfully got behind us. At about nine, our battalion was ordered out to take part and followed the road, which leads Northwest from the hospital until we reached the open field, which extends in the shape of the letter. Y. And he continues. On first entering the opening. We formed in line of battle, our way to our right. We got the first glimpse of the enemy through an opening neck where our Canon were planted. What corporal dies art saw from their position in the foster farm was the entire right wing of the Confederate army. Tiredly marching along the Ford road toward Elkhorn Tavern. Push throughout the night, the Confederates were exhausted and several hours behind the scheduled linkup with the other Confederate wing at the Tavern, which was still east of their position. As corporal dyes art witnessed the first Missouri flying artillery opened fire on seven March, 1862 upon the Confederates along the road. They were some of the first shots of the battle of pea Ridge. These when fired, seem to throw them into confusion. The ground was low and in fair view of us where we were in line, I could distinguish officers rushing to and fro and wild excitement, seemingly preparing for an advance on us. The first Confederates to organize and advance upon corporal dyes. Dart the third, I have a cavalry and the rest of the small union force was Brigadier general. James M Macintosh's cavalry brigade. Which consisted of the third, sixth, ninth, and 11th, Texas cavalry regiments. As well as two separate cavalry battalions. Colonel BW stone, commander of the sixth, Texas cavalry formed and charged upon corporal dyes art and the union cavalry. And Foster's farm. The five mountain regimens under the command of the late general McIntosh were formed in column in timbers west of the field occupied by the enemy. And we're thus marched into the field. When about 300 yards away from the enemies lines. This is an estimated distance from union forces around Elkhorn Tavern. A large force of cavalry was discovered Southeast of ours, then marching position. Bearing the colors of the stars and stripes. At this moment, from that 0.3 heavy guns opened upon our columns, a most destructive and galling fire. Which mainly affected our second battalions. The regiment of Colonel Greer. That is the third Texas. Was on our extreme. Right. And next was the regiment under my command. At this moment, the order was given to charge and in an instant, our gallon columns were pouring a destructive fire in the face of the enemy. And at once they abandoned their guns. After the artillery opened fire Colonel Bussey formed the third Iowa cavalry into a marching column and met the Texans in what he described as a running cavalry fight. From corporal dyes arts point of view, the fighting was intense. We had remained in line of battle. Only a few moments when we were led in column a fours along the road, north. And while in motion and just opposite the nook where our battery was planted five times our numbers charged upon us through the nook and past the battery, which was now taken. Being in column of fours. And so suddenly overwhelmed, we were thrown into confusion. It almost every man fought until overpowered in hand-to-hand conflict. With the entire Confederate wing in the immediate area, they could bring more forces into the fight. Brigadier general Albert pike maneuver two of his regiments, the first and second Cherokee mounted rifles. From the Ford road through some woods and managed to flank the union cavalry. Corporal dyes art credits the appearance of this brigade as the turning point and the fighting around the foster farm. I have read in history of, and seen depicted the horrors of battle where foe measured arms with foe and mortal combat. But here my own eyes witnessed them. And every direction I could see my comrades falling. Horses frenzied and riderless ran to and fro. Men and horses, random collision crushing each other to the ground. Dismounted troopers ran and never direction. The scene baffles description. Had I weeks of leisure, I might perhaps give some idea of the scene, but cannot by the campfire in haste. The union position was overrun and routed. The Iowans and Missourians who were not captured, broke in any direction they could. Some are treated west through the open farm field while others corporal dyes aren't included. Broke toward the Woodline to their south. I was among these and seeing no other way of escape. I dismounted and threw down the fence. While doing this, the bullets whizzed by my head like BS. Uh, number lodging in the rails I was handling. I had not got through fairly with my horse when as many as 20 of our boys were ready to pass through the gap. And every time I tried to Mount getting my foot in the stirrup, someone ran against me. So gathering the rains. I led my horse halfway across the field before mounting him. This is in reference to over since field south of the woods where the union infantry we're in the process of forming a defensive line and he continues. When on him. I found he was shot in the thigh and very lame. Being dismounted. I escaped to camp on foot. For the remainder of the day, the union army held two unconnected defensive lines. Wanted over since field. And the other at Elkhorn Tavern. The fighting around the Tavern was particularly heavy as the union fourth division held its ground for most of the day, until it finally broke under heavy pressure. At over since field. Thanks. So the untimely death of Brigadier general Benjamin McCullough, the right wings, commander. And Brigadier general James and Mick. his replacement. The Confederates formed for an assault, but only a part of that force advanced against the union first division. As this fighting unfolded part of the third Iowa cavalry reformed under the leadership of Colonel Bussey and fought it over sins field. Corporal dyes art with his horse lamed in the morning. Fight. I remained in the regimental camp for the rest of the day. So Elkhorn Tavern was now in Confederate hands. The union army stabilized their line in a series of fields Southeast of the Tavern. And it was at this location that both armies concentrated their forces to fight the next day. On eight March, 1862, corporal dyes art was detailed with caring for the regimental wounded of the army field hospital. Though, not in the fight. He was close enough to still hear the battle and provided an interesting insights on how the men around the hospital reacted to news from the frontline. All we're in suspense and anxious for results. For today must decide the battle. Regimens moved along the road by where I was waiting on the wounded. It's both men and officers, whereas lively and jovial as if going to a corn husking. During the whole four noon, hundreds of stragglers were in camp. Some in lost their guns, some were sick, some lame, some sent to wait on the sick. Idle men stood about in squads, away from their companies on a thousand different excuses. Men continuously hurried back and forth between the battlefield and the camp. Each one was halted at almost every step by crowds of anxious fellows who asked a thousand questions. How has the battle going? Who is retreating? Do the enemy fall back. Anxiety grew to such a fever pitch that corporal dyes art witnessed the army supply trains departing for the south. But in reality, such an escape was not needed. With his army, fully arrayed, Brigadier general Curtis mast, his artillery. And what was up to that point? The largest artillery, barrage of the war. And it became apparent that the Confederate artillery had run out of ammunition. And can not match the union artillery in firepower. Brigadier general Curtis ordered the entire army to charge, which routed the Confederate army and the battle of pea Ridge ended in a decisive union victory. Henry M dyes art's diary concluded with an entry on 21, January, 1863. But as service in the third, Iowa continued in the war. He was captured on one May, 1863 in Arkansas, but returned to the regiment and mustered out of service on 15 September, 1864. He returned to Iowa where he worked at a newspaper and as a librarian, In 1965, Henry M dyes arts diary. Diary was donated to the pea Ridge national military park where it remains today. While the university of Iowa. Maintains a digitized version. Thank you for listening to the 31st episode. The link to corporal dyes art's book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn this week. You will find an illustration of the battle of pea Ridge from Harper's weekly. And a picture of Henry M dyes. Art's promotion orders to corporal. I'd like to thank Jordan from Iowa for the suggestion of corporal dies, art story, and the picture of his promotion orders. If you have a suggestion of a soldier or officer for an episode. Please send me a message. I intend to use, listen to recommendations as the topics of future episodes. In two weeks time, first Lieutenant C Seton. Fleming of company G second, Florida infantry provides next episodes. First person account at the battle of Williamsburg. My name is bill Coughlin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war podcast.