|
Sam Merrill was Colonel. Salue Van
Anda was Major, later Lieutenant Colonel. They didn’t
get along. There’s nothing that specifically says
that but, as you know, I’ve been researching the regiment for
about 25 years. I have 400 books regarding the war, most
relating to this regiment. I’ve spent more than $20,000
with the National Archives purchasing military and pension
records for hundreds of soldiers and several thousand dollars
more buying things on eBay. From bits and pieces of
information appearing in once place or another, a story
emerged and I began to realize something was going on beneath
the surface between Merrill and Van Anda. Merrill
ultimately had to resign due to injuries and Van Anda
commanded the regiment for the last year of the war but,
notably, the Governor never promoted him to Colonel, possibly
because he finally realized there was a problem.
It’s a long story and when the county
histories were being written I suspect Van Anda saw it as a
chance to get the last word in. Who else would the
Delaware County editors go to for information about the
regiment than to a Delaware County resident, an attorney (I’m
sorry to say), a man who had commanded the regiment for a
year?
Minor issue – in the first paragraph, it
says Dunlap extended his lines “and drove the enemy into
and through the through [sic] the town.”
Dunlap was very well liked and the basic account is accurate,
but he didn’t drive the enemy anywhere. Other
federal troops had gone north towards Lebanon and Dunlap,
realizing he was alone with what was left of the volunteers
from his regiment, was doing his best to extend his lines so
they looked more numerous so he could hang on until the end of
the day; otherwise, he would have been overwhelmed by the
enemy. The Confederates occupied high ground on the
opposite side of town, periodically charged through the town
toward Dunlap, and then pulled back to safety.
This had happened throughout the day, even when the other
Union troops were present. Basically, he “extended his
lines and was able to hold his position until it was safe to
withdraw and follow the others north towards Lebanon.”
This may not merit a change but, as written, the account is
misleading.
Minor issue – in the sixth paragraph, it
says Van Anda “led” the regiment. He did, in the
sense that he was in command, but he wrote that Dunlap was
standing on the breastworks urging his men on during the
latter part of the assault when Dunlap was shot through the
head and that Van Anda was standing next to him (i.e., he
wasn’t leading the regiment, at least as far as participating
in the assault). Here again, I’d make no change since
others have said Van Anda was lying about standing next to
Dunlap.
Minor issue – In the next paragraph it
says “for his skill and bravery” Van Anda was “promptly”
promoted. Not true. He was promoted because the
position above him had just become vacant and he was next in
line. It had nothing to do with skill or bravery, it
wasn’t “prompt,” and it almost didn’t happen.
When recommendations for promotion were made, the wording was
routine, generally to the effect that “I recommend ____ be
promoted to ___ and I certify that he does not use
intoxicating liquor to the extent that it would impair his
ability.” Merrill sat on making the recommendation
to the Governor. And sat . And sat. Finally
the Governor sent a message to Merrill asking about the delay.
Eventually, two months after Dunlap’s death (i.e., not “promptly”),
Merrill wrote two letters to the Governor. In one he
admitted he had delayed. If he could meet with the
Governor he’d explain but that was impossible so, he said, “Gov.
I did hesitate very much about recommending the
promotion of Van Anda & I do so now more because I believe
you desire it than for any other cause. I refrain
from writing my opinion of him. If I could see you,
would explain many things.” In the second letter he
wrote the letter he thought the Governor wanted, “I have
the honor to recommend the promotion of Maj S. G. Van Anda to
the office of Lt Col 21st Regiment and Capt Wm D. Crooke of
Co. B for Maj of said Regiment. I certify on my honor
that Capt W. D. Crooke above recommended does not use
intoxicating liquor to such an extent as to interfere with the
discharge of his duties as an officer or as to set a bad
example to those under his command.” Note what he
said about Crooke that he very pointedly did not say about Van
Anda. The Governor made the promotions, but the problem
came to light a couple of months later when Van Anda was
arrested in New Orleans for being under the influence of
alcohol. Again, while all of this is significant, it’s
not worth stirring things up.
Major issue – What I would like to
correct is the account of the May 17, 1863, assault at the Big
Black River. Merrill was not “suddenly taken very sick”
(an implication that he was feigning illness so he wouldn’t
have to participate). In fact, he gave the order to
charge and led the regiment up and out of a ravine and
directly at the enemy. I won’t dispute the next point
but, if Van Anda “dashed to the front,” it shouldn’t have been
necessary since as an officer he should have already been
leading the men along with Merrill and other officers.
The success was not “due to” Van Anda. There were
four regiments involved, the 21st and 23rd
Iowa were in the lead. The whole thing took only three
minutes. Van Anda was just one among many involved an it
would take a supreme ego to say the success was “due to” him.
They were all running as fast as possible, no time to reload
muskets. It was everyone for himself and, as a body,
they routed the Confederates. The success wasn’t “due to” one
man as Van Anda might have us believe. It didn’t lose 83
men. It had 7 killed in action and 23 mortally wounded
and another 38 who had non-fatal wounds. It says Merrill
came up “after the charge.” Nonsense! The guy was
lying on the field with a severe, life-threatening wound,
through both thighs. He couldn’t stand, let alone walk
up “after the charge.” He wasn’t “lightly” wounded.
He had to be carried from the field and sent home to
recuperate, something that took more than ten months before he
could return to the regiment. Some (such as an
Iowa author in “Iowa Valor”) even reported him dead. He
wasn’t shot by a “stray” bullet and it wasn’t by a prisoner.
It was during the charge when they were running directly at an
entrenched enemy. This entire account seems written to
demean Merrill and aggrandize Van Anda. This
is the account that should be corrected. When we did it
with the other site, I sent about 14 references to verify what
I was saying and we wrote it in a way without blaming Van Anda
(as much as I would like to).
The “PS” to all of this is that, after
the war, Merrill was elected Governor and then went on to a
very successful real estate career in California. A
short time after the Delaware County History was
published, however, Van Anda’s wife had her husband committed
to an insane asylum where he would eventually die.
Carl Ingwalson, San Diego, CA
|
United We Stand