John Almer Lewin, Jr. b. 1820 in Indiana, a son of John Almer and Salome (Clutter) Lewin. John married Lucretia Blake on 10 Feb 1847. They were the parents of six children. John was called to active service with the 3rd Iowa Infantry, Company G, on 31 May 1861. While foraging for food outside camp near Vicksburg, MS, John was taken prisoner by the Confederates and sent to Andersonville Prison in Georgia on 10 December 1863. He died there on or about 16 August 1864
Silas W. Lewin, b. 25 August 1826, a son of John Almer, Sr. and Salome (Clutter) Lewin. He died in battle 28 January 1862 in Missouri.
Oliver Perry Lewin b. 13 July 1836, a son of John Almer, Sr and Salome (Clutter) Lewin. He enlisted in the 10th Iowa Infantry, Company G. Oliver was killed in battle at Roan's Tan Yard, Rudolph County, MO on 8 January 1862. Oliver is buried in the National Cemetery in Mound City, IL Section C Grave 2900.
The following is taken from the " Official Records of the War of Rebellion", published by the US Government of correspondence between the officers during the actual battles. These letters deal with the battle at Roan's Tan Yard in Silver Creek, MO, and make for some very interesting reading. Thanks to Mike Ruddy for sharing this information with me.
JANUARY 8, 1862.--Action at Roan's Tan-Yard, Silver Creek, Mo.
1] Report of General Palmer OTTERVILLE, January 10, 1862. On the 8th, at 4 o'clock p.m., Majors Terrence and Hubbard, with 450 men, attacked Poindexter, with from 1,000 to 1,300 men, on Silver Creek. The enemy were totally routed, with heavy loss. Seven left dead on the field; many carried off. From 50 to 75 wounded. Our loss reported at 4 killed. The rebel camp was destroyed, and a large number of horses and arms taken. A heavy fog alone saved them from complete destruction. The number of prisoners is reported at 30. JOHN M. PALMER, Brigadier-General.
2] Report of Col. Thomas J. Turner, Fifteenth Illinois Infantry HEADQUARTERS LA MINE CANTONMENT, Otterville, Mo., January 14, 1862. CAPTAIN: Major Hubbard, of the First Missouri Cavalry, returned to this place last night. He left his command on the north side of the river, opposite Booneville. Ice in the river prevented his crossing. He reports that on the 8th instant, at Silver Creek, in Howard County, he attacked the rebels, 900 strong, under command of Colonel Poindexter. After a brisk engagement, which lasted forty minutes, he completely routed the enemy. The enemy's loss was 40 killed and 60 wounded. His loss 6 killed and 19 wounded. He captured 160 horses, 60 wagons, 105 tents, 80 kegs powder, about 200 rifles and shot-guns, and a large quantity of clothing, blankets, and bed-quilts. He has in his possession 160 captured horses and 28 prisoners. The wagons, powder, and other property captured he was compelled to destroy for want of help to remove them. I directed him to bring the prisoners and horses here, unless he received orders to take them to some other point. Major Hubbard is greatly in need of ammunition, as is also all the cavalry at this post. I have been informed that requisitions have been forwarded to Saint Louis for a supply, but they have not been attended to. I would respectfully suggest that an ordnance officer be appointed for the post. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. J. TURNER, Colonel, Commanding Cantonment. Capt. J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General.
3] Report of Major Torrence, 1st Iowa Cavalry CAMP NEAR FAYETTE, MO., January 10, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that in compliance with your order I marched my command to Booneville, and was there joined by three companies of Merrill's Horse, under Major Hunt, and at the earliest day possible crossed the Missouri River, and reached camp near Fayette on the evening of the 5th instant, when I was there joined by four companies of the First Missouri, under command of Major Hubbard, and one company of the Fourth Ohio, Captain Foster. We proceeded at once to gather information of the enemy's movements by sending scouts through different portions of this and adjoining counties. On the 7th instant reconnaissances in force were made to Glasgow, Roanoke, and surrounding country, and information received that one Colonel Poindexter was recruiting in this and other counties, and that he had his principal camp somewhere on the headwaters of Silver Creek, with a force of regularly enlisted men from 600 to 800 strong, together with an equal number of aiders and abettors of rebellion. Early upon the morning of the 8th instant we moved out of camp with 500 mounted men in search of their camp, and marched to Roanoke, 15 miles distant, and then in the direction of Silver Creek. When within 4 miles of where the camp was reported to be the column was halted, and the following disposition made of our forces: To Major Hunt was assigned the command of that portion of his forces armed with carbines, and with Major Hubbard's command and Captain Foster's company to form the advance of the column, to attack the camp, draw their fire, and reply with carbines, when the First Iowa and a portion of Merrill's Horse were to charge upon the camp, mounted, if possible, and if not practicable charge with revolver and saber on foot. To Lieutenant Dustin, of Company F, First Iowa, was assigned the advance guard, supported by Lieutenant Burrows, First Missouri. All being in readiness the column moved forward rapidly, the advance guard driving the enemy's pickets and rushing to the entrance of the camp. The column followed soon after, dismounted, and drew the enemy's fire. They were in a strong position, being protected by ravines, thick underbrush, and timber. Their volley was promptly answered by our forces pouring in a galling fire. Three companies of the First Iowa and a part of a company of Merrill's Horse were then ordered forward to charge the camp, which was promptly done. The enemy were now thrown into confusion and soon began to retreat, leaving horses, guns, together with camp and garrison equipage. It was a complete rout, as the appearance of the camp fully attested. Two companies from the rear were ordered to cut off their retreat, but the darkness and heavy fog, together with the thick underbrush, rendered it impossible. To avoid surprise and to be able to move all our forces forward an order was given to destroy the camp and look up dead and wounded. This was soon accomplished, and the darkness forbidding further pursuit, the whole command was then moved to camp, 23 miles distant. The prompt action of the troops throughout is worthy of the highest praise. Lieutenant Dustin is worthy of honorable mention for his gallant conduct in leading the advance guard; also Major Hunt, of Merrill's Horse; Captains Clinton and Mondell, of the First Missouri, for their gallant and cool bearing during the entire action. The loss of the enemy cannot be actually ascertained, but from the most reliable information their loss in killed and wounded cannot be less than 80 to 100. Yours, most obediently, W. M. G. TORRENCE, Major, First Battalion, First Iowa Cavalry. Brigadier-General Pope., Otterille, Mo.
4] Report of Col. Lewis Merrill, Second Missouri Cavalry
HEADQUARTERS MERRILL'S HORSE:
Columbia, Mo., January 10, 1862.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that on the night of Sunday, the 5th,
nearly at daylight, I received a dispatch from Colonel Birge (at Sturgeon),
stating that a party of some 300 or 400 rebels had camped that night at
Renick, and were to move next morning to Roanoke, some 12 or 15 miles from
there, with the object of crossing the river at Arrow Rock or Brunswick,
and stating that he would attempt to overtake them by daylight of the 6th,
and requesting me to co-operate. Not approving the plan proposed for me by
Colonel Birge, I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Shaffer, with all the men I could
spare, to go by way of Fayette and thence north towards Roanoke and cut off
the retreat of the enemy, should Colonel Birge's command not succeed in
overtaking him at Renick. Colonel Birge, I understand, went to Renick, and
not finding the enemy, returned to Sturgeon the same day.
Lieutenant-Colo-nel Shaffer reached Fayette late the night of the 6th, and
there found a large cavalry force, consisting of detachments from the First
Missouri Cavalry, under command of Major Hubbard, First Iowa Cavalry, under
Major Torrence, and Merrill's Horse, under Major Hunt. He then learned
during the night that the enemy, variously estimated at from 1,300 to
2,500, were encamped on Smith s farm, about o miles from Roanoke. At the
same time he received information that the remains of the command of
Colonel Dorsey, which had been engaged in the Mount Zion fight, was then
marching to attack me at Columbia. I had only part of one company left when
Colonel Shaffer left me, and he knew that part of that would be sent to
Jefferson City to escort the provision train. Early next morning he sent
the command of Major Hubbard, which he had found at Fayette, re-enforced by
one company of his own command, to find the enemy's camp, and returned at
once to Columbia with the rest of his command.
Major Hubbard found the enemy's camp about 14 miles northwest of Fayette
about 3 o'clock p.m., and immediately attacked them, routing them
completely and taking possession of their camp, which he entirely
destroyed. I have no official reports of the engagement from the part of my
regiment engaged, and I presume before this Major Hubbard's reports have
been received. The loss of my regiment was 2 killed and 3 wounded. The
enemy's loss is not positively reported, but 5 are known to have been
killed and 14 taken prisoners. This is only what is certainly known.
Thanks to Roger Curry for this wonderful award! Be sure to vist his site.
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