Casualties at Iuka

[Saruman]

I've noticed that the casualty figures for Iuka are quite variable when it comes to the Confederate losses. Some sources say Price suffered 1,516 casualties, others only 700, and others as low as 525. Is there any recent research that supports a particular figure as the most accurate?

Union losses seem to be more stable, ranging from 782 to 825.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Regarding the Battle of Iuka.

Total Union casualty estimates viewed are fairly consistent at between 782 and 790, with the official consensus estimate being 790. (See 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 78, and the NPS link at https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battles-detail.htm?battleCode=ms001 ).

In contrast, total Confederate casualty estimates seem to vary widely between 594 and 1,516. Am inclined to accept, with reasonable confidence, the official Confederate casualty returns for the division, comprising 1st brigade (Gates), 2nd brigade (Hebert), 3rd brigade (Green) and the 4th brigade (Martin). Division casualties returned by Hebert (who replaced the fallen Little) totaled 493, excluding any missing/captured. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part I, at page 126).

In relation to brigade casualty returns showing additional counts of any missing/captured.

The 1st. brigade (Gates) did not participate in the battle and had no casualties. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 127).

The 2nd. Brigade (Hebert) casualties return showed the additional count of 40 missing (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 127).

The 3rd brigade (Green) did not appear to submit a return showing any missing/captured.

The 4th. Brigade (Martin) showed no missing/captured in its casualties return. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part I, at page 133).

The aggregate of these reported Confederate casualties is therefore, 533 (i.e. 493 + 40). This accords approximately with the current NPS estimate of 594 (refer to NPS link above). Both these estimates are substantially below some of the secondary sources seen quoting estimates of total Confederate losses in the battle.

 

[Saruman]

Regarding the Battle of Iuka.

Total Union casualty estimates viewed are fairly consistent at between 782 and 790, with the official consensus estimate being 790. (See 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 78, and the NPS link at https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battles-detail.htm?battleCode=ms001 ).

In contrast, total Confederate casualty estimates seem to vary widely between 594 and 1,516. Am inclined to accept, with reasonable confidence, the official Confederate casualty returns for the division, comprising 1st brigade (Gates), 2nd brigade (Hebert), 3rd brigade (Green) and the 4th brigade (Martin). Division casualties returned by Hebert (who replaced the fallen Little) totaled 493, excluding any missing/captured. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part I, at page 126).

In relation to brigade casualty returns showing additional counts of any missing/captured.

The 1st. brigade (Gates) did not participate in the battle and had no casualties. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 127).

The 2nd. Brigade (Hebert) casualties return showed the additional count of 40 missing (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 127).

The 3rd brigade (Green) did not appear to submit a return showing any missing/captured.

The 4th. Brigade (Martin) showed no missing/captured in its casualties return. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part I, at page 133).

The aggregate of these reported Confederate casualties is therefore, 533 (i.e. 493 + 40). This accords approximately with the current NPS estimate of 594 (refer to NPS link above). Both these estimates are substantially below some of the secondary sources seen quoting estimates of total Confederate losses in the battle.

Thanks, that's very helpful!

 

[Nathan Towne]

Regarding the Battle of Iuka.

Total Union casualty estimates viewed are fairly consistent at between 782 and 790, with the official consensus estimate being 790. (See 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 78, and the NPS link at https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battles-detail.htm?battleCode=ms001 ).

In contrast, total Confederate casualty estimates seem to vary widely between 594 and 1,516. Am inclined to accept, with reasonable confidence, the official Confederate casualty returns for the division, comprising 1st brigade (Gates), 2nd brigade (Hebert), 3rd brigade (Green) and the 4th brigade (Martin). Division casualties returned by Hebert (who replaced the fallen Little) totaled 493, excluding any missing/captured. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part I, at page 126).

In relation to brigade casualty returns showing additional counts of any missing/captured.

The 1st. brigade (Gates) did not participate in the battle and had no casualties. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 127).

The 2nd. Brigade (Hebert) casualties return showed the additional count of 40 missing (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part 1, at page 127).

The 3rd brigade (Green) did not appear to submit a return showing any missing/captured.

The 4th. Brigade (Martin) showed no missing/captured in its casualties return. (see 'OR': Vol. XVII, Part I, at page 133).

The aggregate of these reported Confederate casualties is therefore, 533 (i.e. 493 + 40). This accords approximately with the current NPS estimate of 594 (refer to NPS link above). Both these estimates are substantially below some of the secondary sources seen quoting estimates of total Confederate losses in the battle.

Thanks, that's very helpful!

Hi guys,

I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. @Nathan Stuart above, albeit with one tiny caveat regarding the official returns. The brigade level returns for Herbert's brigade (17 OR 1: 127) showed two additional wounded that the cumulative casualty return for the Division for killed and wounded (found at 17 OR 1: 126). This would be 305 men wounded in the brigade, as compared to 303.

 

[maverickdd69]

Hi guys,

I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. @Nathan Stuart above, albeit with one tiny caveat regarding the official returns. The brigade level returns for Herbert's brigade (17 OR 1: 127) showed two additional wounded that the cumulative casualty return for the Division for killed and wounded (found at 17 OR 1: 126). This would be 305 men wounded in the brigade, as compared to 303.

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Which book do you have pictured here by chance?

 

[Nathan Towne]

Which book do you have pictured here by chance?

Kitchens-Iuka-1987.