Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, August 21, 1861
Civil War Letter from B.B. Hinman
Keokuk, Iowa, Aug. 9, 1861: Dear Uncle [David T. Clark]: I embrace the earliest leisure to give you a short account of the fight at Athens, Mo., on the 5th inst. Athens is directly opposite Croton, Iowa. The Des Moins River at that point is 250 to 300 yards wide from bank to bank. Croton is 25 miles from our city on the Keokuk and Des Moins Railroad.
On Sunday night, about 11 o'clock, I was aroused by the alarm that Col. More and his command of 400 men were being surrounded by 1500 rebels at Athens. I immediately repaired to the Armory of the Keokuk City Rifles and joined it as a volunteer. They are armed with the Yager Minie Rifle and are splendid arms for an enemy at a distance, but they have no bayonets. As soon as we were ready the train, being in waiting, 70 men got on board, and we arrived at Croton about 2 o'clock Monday morning.
The word there was that Green and his forces were within 7 miles but were thought not to be advancing. In the Depot at Croton, there was 20 tons of government stores, which we were directed to guard. The cars went on 5 miles to Farmington, and brought down Capt. Scott and 30 of his men, all that could be got together on so short a notice. When all together we numbered 100 men. By that time it was nearly daylight and the cars returned to Keokuk after reinforcements. We all this time had 2000 U.S. Soldiers in Keokuk, under Cols. Washington and McDowell, but they believing the first alarm a hoax, refused to send any of the troops and but few of the citizens would go, believing the same, and we had no idea of the warm work that was before us.
There being no chance for breakfast, but to go over and take it with Col. More's men at Athens. Most of our boys got into wagons about 4 o'clock and went over for that purpose, the river being fordable. Dr E.R Ford, another man and myself went about half a mile to look at some secess prisoners who had been brought over for safety, should an attack be made. (the fact is up to this time we did not believe the enemy would attack us)
When we returned from our visit, most of our boys had got back, we three got into a wagon and had just crossed the river to the Mo. side when a horseman came dashing down to the river, crying out "They are right on us," and on he went over the river. Our teamster turned his wagon around to go back, we jumped out on the beach. At that moment four of our company came up in another wagon, returning from breakfast. We proposed to them that they join us where we were and let the wagon go. If we had to run, we could wade the river. They insisted it was our duty to get back to the main body of our company as soon as we could. We at that time thought we were all that were left on the Mo. side, but that was a mistake, for by the time we got across, ten of our men had come down and stood under the bank waiting for a wagon to take them over (among them was D.W. Ford). We had been standing about four rods nearer and immediately on the bank.
Below the point where we were is a cornfield coming down to the bank, its distance from us not over 20 rods. When our wagon reached the shore, I jumped out and started for the Depot (little over one fourth of a mile). I had taken but a few steps when biz! went a cannon ball close to my head, so close that I felt the concussion of air. The first thing I did was to dodge. The next thing was to turn around and look where it came from, for that was the first enemy I had seen or heard. As I turned, I saw a sheet of fire all along the edge of the cornfield. Then came the cracking report of 300 guns, all aimed at our ten boys and about twenty Mo. Union men, who had come down just then to watch that point, but they were sheltered by the bank. Not a man fell. In an instant they sprang up and ran about halfway to the cornfield, fired and retreated back to their shelter. I saw this then started for the Depot. When I got there, there was about 20 of our men, no officer with them as I saw and not knowing what they ought to do, were standing around loose. I called to come on and ran down back of a small cornfield that lies between the depot and the river and then across the lower end of said cornfield to the river. This brought us exactly opposite the right wing of the enemy's force that was in the cornfield. The distance across at this point is said to be 250 yards. Our rifles are good for 400. We then went at them. Others hearing the firing kept dropping in, until 30 as good marksmen as ever sighted a rifle were pouring death among those 300 scoundrels.
Their intention was to gain the rear of the main body of Union men (300) who were already engaged with 800 Rebels in front who had two cannons (we had none). The left wing of the Rebels was at the same time trying to drive back a small body (one Company) of Union men, who were stationed very advantageously half a mile above. The two wings uniting, the union men would be completely surrounded and must have been killed or taken prisoners. It was admirably planned, but the Minies knocked their plans as well as a good many of their men in the head.
The Union men opposed to the left wing, held their ground nobly. The Rebels of the right wing still held to the cornfield and returned our fire. They had some good rifles as proven by their bullets whistling right merrily around our ears. It did not appear to me at the time that we were doing much execution, although at every fire we had a good mark and knew the capacity of our rifles. For over half an hour the fight was thus kept up, our squad of ten men, who at the commencement of the fight were on the Mo. side had in the meantime (amid a shower of bullets) returned across the river and there was not a single man to oppose their advance, except ours and they on the opposite side of the river. But they were not aware of that fact.
Finally, they retreated and looked more like a flock of black sheep than anything else as they ran pell-mell over the bluff. It occurred to me that they might seek a ford farther down the river and cross over and come upon us unawares, and there being none of our officers present, I took two men some distance down and stationed them where they could see the course of the river for a long distance, directing them to report any crossing of men that might occur from the opposite side. I then returned and with three others crossed the river and joined Capt. Spelman's Company of Mo. We pursued the Rebels for some little distance and then returned.
Col. More and his men who were stationed on the bluff, stood bravely at their posts, until he found the enemy would not come within reach of his guns, but stood off and poured at him their canister and balls from their cannon, which were fortunately too much elevated to hit the mark and all came over among us on the opposite side of the river. When he found out their game, he ordered his men to charge and away they went with a hurrah and on a run. The enemy did not wait to meet their bayonets but retreated in disorder. The fight commenced at 6 and ended at half past 7 o'clock. 43 Rebels are known to have been killed and 22 so badly wounded that there is no hope of their recovering. How many were slightly wounded we do not know, but a large number. The rebel officer who commanded the right wing accuses Mat. Green, the Rebel commander of sending him and his men into a slaughter pen. Their heaviest loss occurred to their right flank at this point. We lost three killed and 11 wounded; of the Farmington company two. They are doing well.
On Wednesday there was another alarm, I went up in the first train, although I got up out of bed to do so, but this proved a false alarm.
These are lively times with us as far as the war is concerned, otherwise very dull. I should have been off long ago in the army, but I have a family of five females, who are dependent on me and it is my duty to care for them. But perhaps I can do as much for my country here as anywhere else. The secessionist breaths vengeance against the Keokuk Rifles. Let them come and get it. We took 17 prisoners. The Rebel forces were all mounted but left their horses in the rear a short distance when they made the attack. What beats me is how those fellows got into the cornfield and we not see them. It is almost incredible that we all escaped alive, especially those ten who ran the gauntlet of the river. While they were crossing our fire was most deadly on the enemy, for they being over anxious to get a good shot at our boys crossing, exposed themselves fully.
Five hundred men arrived from Keokuk (the reinforcements we sent for) at 12 o'clock, but the fight was all over. Some badly frightened men (not ours) at the beginning of the battle ran down the R.R. and met the train coming up ten miles below and told them that we were defeated and all cut to pieces. They sent a hand car back with that word and then came on to Croton.
We were than all in Athens awaiting an attack which we thought they would make as Cavalry. As that long train of platform cars came thundering round a curve and came at once in full view packed with men and their guns and bayonets glittering in the sun, they made a beautiful and to us most cheering sight. We welcomed them with a hearty "three times three," which was as warmly returned. Our greeting of old friends as they crossed over to us was [not] mixed with anything but joy. They expected to find the place in the hands of the enemy, and we either killed or prisoners. The facts were so different from what they had been led to expect, at first, they could not believe it and at first sight of us across the river, thought we were the Rebel force, ready and anxious to fight them. The news that the hand car carried down to Keokuk created the most tremendous excitement. 500 more soldiers were at once put on another train and at least as many of our citizens volunteering, making a good thousand, were off in half an hour from the time the news arrived. They arrived in Croton at 2 o'clock.
The two regiments have now left, Col. McDowell for St. Louis, Col. Washington for Boonville. We have a regiment of cavalry here now, but they will go to St. Louis in a few days. Then we shall be alone, but we are able and willing to take care of ourselves. We have raised in our city and sent off six companies, who are now in active service. We have left 1,514 fighting men still in the city who to a man will stand where duty calls. We, in case of necessity, could concentrate 3,000 men in three hours. I expect we shall have more trouble. "But we trust in God and shall keep our Powder dry."
When the first 70 went up to Croton, our friend E. Reynolds knew nothing of it (he belongs to the K. Rifles). He came the first opportunity but was too late for the morning's work. He was thoughtful (as you know he always was) and brought his friends any quantity of good provender. The first food I took after supper Sunday was at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. But I never felt better than all day Monday. Next morning from a cold taken sleeping the night before for two hours in the open air, on an oak plank, together with the hurrahing that had to be done. I was so hoarse that I could not speak a loud word and have been quite unwell ever since. But think I shall be all right in a few days. but I must close.
Yours, B.B. Hinman
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B.B. Hinman (Botsford Bennett Hinman) was born 16 October 1822 in New York State (probably Delaware County) the son of Amos and Ruth Electa (Clark) Hinman. By 1850 he was settled in Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa. On 25 September 1849, he married Ellen Elizabeth Fithian. During the Civil War and beyond he was a resident of Keokuk. In the 1860 census for Keokuk the household of B.B. Hinman (38y) included his wife, three daughters (ages 1-6 yr) and his father (68y). No evidence has been found that he served in the military during the Civil War. B.B. Hinman died 9 March 1892 in Keokuk at the age of 70 years.
Check out findagrave.com, memorial #193532304 for a portrait of B.B. Hinman.
