Lauman's Brigade

On February 15, 1862, about 2 p.m., Colonel Jacob G. Lauman's Brigade of U.S.A. Brigadier General Charles F. Smith's Division received orders to assault the extreme right of the Confederate position. The 2d Iowa led the attack and was closely followed by the 52d Indiana, temporarily attached to the brigade, while the 25th Indiana and the 7th and 14th Iowa Regiments deployed as skirmishers on the right and left of the line and covered the flanks. Crossing the ravine, the left wing of the 2d Iowa advanced steadily up the opposite hill and reached these rifle pits without firing a shot. At the works, the regiment found the small Confederate garrison in retreat, opened fire on the retreating enemy, and waited for the right wing before continuing in hot pursuit. Confederate reinforcements then arrived and counterattacked to recover the lost position, but failed, retaining instead the ridge about 400 yards east of and overlooking the trenches, which remained in Federal hands.

Dover, Tennessee · United States