History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history, Part 12

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918

USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 12

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The number of men who, under special enlistments, and as militia, took part at different times in the operations on the exposed borders of the State, was probably as many as 5,000.

As an inevitable result of war, many became prisoners, and suffered the cruel- ties of Libby, Andersonville and other "pens" in the South, which have become famous the world over, solely because of the incredible barbarities practiced in them. Considerable portions of the 8th, 12th and 14th Regiments were captured, after hard fighting, at Shiloh; the 16th was nearly all surrendered at Atlanta; the 17th at Tilton; the 19th at Sterling farm; the 36th at Mark's Mill. Many escaped heroically from rebel imprisonment, and the narratives of their sufferings would make many interesting volumes.

Every loyal State of the Union bad many women who devoted much time and great labor toward relieving the wants of our sick and wounded soldiery, but for Iowa can be claimed the honor of inaugu- rating the great charitable movement which was so successfully supported by the noble women of the North. Mrs. Harlan, wife of Hon. James Harlan, United States Senator, was the first woman of our country among those moving in high circles of society who personally visited the army and ministered to the wants of the suffering soldiery. In many of her visits to the army, Mrs. Harlan was accompanied by Mrs. Joseph T. Fales, wife of the first State Auditor of Iowa. No words can describe the good done, the lives saved, and the deaths made easy by the host of noble women of Iowa, whose names it would take a volume to print.

HISTORY OF IOWA.

Every county, every town, every neighbor- hood in the State had these true heroines, whose praise can never be fully known, till the final rendering of all accounts of deeds done in the body. The contributions of the State to "sanitary fairs" during the war were enormous, amounting to many hundred thousand dollars. Highly suc- cessful fairs were held at Dubuque, Mus- catine, Burlington and Marshalltown, while all the towns contributed most gen- erously to fairs of a less general nature. All this must be added to the work of the many "Fiorence Nightingales" of Iowa, whose heroic sacrifices have won for them the undying gratitude of the nation.

It is said, to the honor and credit of Iowa, that while many of the loyal States, older and larger in population and wealth, incurred heavy State debts for the purpose of fulfilling their obligations to the Gene- ral Government, Iowa, while she was fore- most in duty, while she promptly discharged all her obligations to her sister States and the Union, found herself at the close of the war without any material additions to her pecuniary liabilities incurred before the war commenced. Upon final settle- ment after restoration of peace, her claims upon the Federal Government were found to be fully equal to the amount of her bond issued and sold during the war to provide the means for raising and equip- ping her troops sent into the field, and to meet the inevitable demands upon her treasury in consequence of the war.

It was in view of these facts that Iowa had done more than her duty during the war, and that without incurring any con- siderable indebtedness, and that her troops had fought most gallantly on nearly every

battle-field of the war, that the Newark Advertiser and other prominent Eastern journals called Iowa the "Model State of the Republic."

In the following pages a brief aocount is given of each regiment, which was cred- ited to Iowa during the war.

THE FIRST REGIMENT was organized under the President's first proclamation for volunteers for three months, with John Francis Bates, of Dubuque, as Colonel; William H. Merritt, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of Mt. Pleasant, as Major.

The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States May 14th, 1861, at Keokuk. The different compa- nies were independent military organiza- tions before the war; and tendered their service before the breaking out of hostili- ties. The regiment was in quarters in Keokuk for two weeks, During this time they became proficient in the use of arms, and they learned something of practical camp life. June 13th, the regiment re- ceived orders to join General Lyon in Missouri. They immediately embarked on board a steamer, and by midnight were at Hannibal, Mo., where they slept on the floor of a large warehouse. They pro- ceeded without delay to the interior of the State, where Gen. Lyon had just defeated Gov. Jackson with his so-called . State troops. Joining Lyon, they were soon given a taste of active service. For two months they were almost constantly on the march, and occasionally skirmished with the enemy. August 10th, a sharp battle was fought with the enemy at Wilson's Creek, when the gallant and

HISTORY OF IOWA.

noble Gen. Lyon was killed, and the regi- ment lost 10 killed and 50 wounded. After the battle the regiment proceeded to St. Louis, and their three months having expired, were mustered out August 25th, 1861. The number of officers and men in this regiment were 959. Of these 13 were killed, 13 died, 141 were wounded, and three were missing.

THE SECOND INFANTRY was organized soon after the commencement of the war, with Samuel R. Curtis, of Keokuk, as Colonel; James M. Tuttle, of Keosauqua, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and M. M. Crocker, of DesMoines, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States, at Keokuk, in May, 1861. It participated in the following engagements: Fort Donel- son, Shiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth, Little Bear Creek, Ala., Resaca, Ga., Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, in front of Atlanta, Jan- uary 22, 1864, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Eden Station, Little Ogeechee, Savannah, Columbia, Lynch's Creek and Bentonville; went with Sherman on his march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, home. This regiment was one of Iowa's most distinguished commands in the war. It was the first three years' regiment, and it left for the theatre of war even before the First Regiment, by a few hours.

Its companies were enrolled during that first splendid enthusiasm which followed the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and they contained many men of talent and reputation. The regiment especially dis- tinguished itself in the capture of Fort Donelson, in entering which it was awarded the post of honor. It was then

that the unenthusiastic Gen. Halleck pro- nounced the Iowa Second the " bravest of the brave." The Second Veteran Infantry was formed by the consolidation of the battalions of the Second and Third Vet- eran Infantry, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 19, 1865. The total number of officers and men who inlisted in this regiment was 1,247. Of this num- ber during the war 65 were killed, 134 died, 330 were discharged, 268 were wounded, 14 were missing and 24 were captured.

THE THIRD INFANTRY was organized at about the same time as the Second, with Nelson G. Williams, of Dubuque county, as Colonel; John Scott, of Story county, Lieutenant-Colonel; William N. Stone, of Marian county, as Major, and was mustered into the United States service in June, 1861, at Keokuk. The regiment was en- gaged at Blue Mills, Mo., Shiloh, Hatchie river, Matamoras, Vicksburg, Johnson, Miss., in the Meridian expedition at At- lanta, in Sherman's march to the sea, and through the Carolinas to Richmond and Washington. The regiment was veteran- ized and organized as a battalion in 1864, but before the officers received their com- missions the battalion bravely fought itself out of existence at the battle of Atlanta.

The remnant was consolidated with the veterans of the Second, and the regiment was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1864. The total number of officers and men in the regiment was 1,074. Of this number, during the war, 57 were killed, 133 died, 231 were discharged, 269 were wounded, 10 were missing, 93 were captured and 19 were transferred.

HISTORY OF IOWA.

THE FOURTH INFANTRY was organized with G. M. Dodge, of Council Bluffs, as Colonel; John Galligan, of Davenport, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm. R. English, of Glenwood, as Major. The regiment was engaged at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Look- out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ring- gold, Resaca and Taylor's Ridge. It came home on veteran furlough February 26, 1864; returned in April; was in the cam- paign against Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, and thence through the Carolinas to Washington, and home; was mustered ont at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865. The total number of officers and men in this regiment was 1,184, of whom 01 were killed, 205 died, 299 were discharged, 338 were wounded, 5 were missing, 44 were captured and 37 were transferred.

THE FIFTH INFANTRY was organized with Wm. H. Worthington, of Keokuk, as Colonel; C. Z. Mathias, of Burlington, as Lieutenant-Colonel; W. S. Robertson; of Columbus City, as Major, and was mus- tered into the service of the United States, at Burlington, July 15, 1861. The regi- ment was engaged at New Madrid, siege of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg and Chickamauga. Went home on veteran furlough in April, 1864, the non-veterans went home in July, 1864, leaving 180 veterans, who were trans- ferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The Fifth Cavalry was mustered out at Nash- ville, Tenn., August 11, 1865. The regi- ment had done brave service, and amply deserves the high encomium passed upon it by the generals of the army. The total number of officers and men in the regi- ment was 1,037, of whom 65 were killed,

126 died, 244 were discharged, 288 were wounded, 103 were captured, and 50 were transferred.

THE SIXTH INFANTRY was organized with John A. McDowell, of Keokuk, as Colonel; Markoe Cummins, of Muscatine, as Lieutenant-Colonel; John M. Corse, of Burlington, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States July 6, 1861, at Burlington. It was engaged at Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Jackson, Black River Bridge, Jones' Ford, in Sher- man's march, then returned through the Carolinas. The regiment served with dis- tinction at the siege of Jackson, winning high praise from General Smith, command- ing. It marched through most of the Southern States, thousands of miles, and bore its share of fatigue with unflinching devotion to duty. The total number of officers and men in the regiment was 1,013, of whom 109 were killed, 157 died, 265 were discharged, 355 were wounded, 3 were missing, and 8 were transferred.

THE SEVENTH INFANTRY was organized with J. G. Lauman, of Burlington, as Col- onel; Augustus Wentz, of Davenport, as Lieut .- Colonel; E. M. Rice, of Oskaloosa, as Major; and was mustered into the United States service at Burlington, July 24, 1861. The regiment was engaged in the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Cor- inth, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, siege of Atlanta, July 22d in front of Atlanta, Sherman's campaign to the ocean, through the Carolinas to Richmond, and thence to Louisville. Was mustered

HISTORY OF IOWA.

out at Louisville, Ky .; July 12, 1865. The battle in which the Seventh did the most service was that of Belmont, in which it lost 227 in killed, wounded and missing. The regiment, by four years of faithful service, earned as honorable a name as can be found anywhere in the annals of our volunteer soldiery. The Seventh contained altogether 1,138 officers and men, and of these, during the war, 98 were killed, 178 died, 291 discharged, 354 were wounded, and 29 were transferred.

THE EIGHTH INFANTRY was organized with Frederick Steel, of the regular army, as Colonel; James L. Gedds, of Vinton, as Lieutenant-Colonel; J. C. Ferguson, of Knoxville, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States Sep- tember 12, 1861, at Davenport, Iowa. The regiment was engaged in the following battles: Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jack- son and Spanish Fort. Was mustered out at Selma, Ala., April 20, 1866. The Eighth fought nobly at Shiloh for ten hours, but was finally forced to surrender. Most of the command then suffered in rebel prisons for eight months, when they were paroled or released. A portion of the regiment was not surrendered, and it went into the famous "Union Brigade." The regiment was re-organized in 1863, and performed faithful service until mustered out in 1866. It was on duty in Alabama nearly a year after the collapse of the Re- bellion, and by the "Campaign of Mobile" earned as warm a reception as Iowa gave to any of her returning heroes. Of 1,027 officers and men, 53 were killed, 187 died, 514 were discharged, 288 were wounded,

8 were missing, 394 were captured, and 38 were transferred.

THE NINTH INFANTRY was organized with Wm. Vandever, of Dubuque, as Colo- nel; Frank G. Herron, of Dubuque, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm. H. Coyle, of Decorah, as Major. The regiment was in the following engagements: Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Ringgold, Dallas and Lookout Mountain. It also participated in the Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march to the sea, and the return home through North and South Carolina to Richmond. Was mustered out at Louisville, July 18, 1865. The Ninth Iowa was recruited and organ- ized by its first colonel, Wm. Vandever, who was, in 1862, made a Brigadier-Gene- ral. The regiment performed most bril- liant service during the whole war, and took a prominent part in the battle of Pea Ridge. It had marched more than 4,000 miles, been transported by rail and steamer more than 6,000, and traversed every State by the Confederacy except Florida and Texas. The regiment brought home four flags, of which two were de- posited with the Adjutant-General, one given to the State Historical Society, and one was kept by the regimental associa- tion, formed by them on being mustered out. Of 1,090 men and officers, 84 were killed, 275 died, 274 were discharged, 385 were wounded, 1 was missing, 32 were . captured, and 30 were transferred.

THE TENTH INFANTRY was organized with Nicholas Perczel, of Davenport, as Colonel; W. E. Small, of Iowa City, as Lieutenant-Colonel; John C. Bennett, of

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

Polk county, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States at Iowa City, September 6, 1861. The regi- ment participated in the following engage- ments: Siege of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Cham- pion Hills, Vicksburg and Mission Ridge. Was mustered out August 15, 1865.

The bloodiest battle in which the Tenth took a prominent part was that of Cham- pion Hills, in which it lost half its number in killed, wounded and missing. Many regiments, on coming home, gave to the State banners with the names on them of the principal battles in which they had been engaged. The Tenth gave up its colors with the simple inscription, "Tenth Iowa Veteran Volunteers;" and when a visitor to the State Department looks at this banner, torn and bloody with four years of hard service, he will think that "Tenth Iowa Veteran Volunteers" is as proud an inscription as flag ever unfurled to the breeze of heaven. Of 1,027 officers and men, 63 were killed, 170 died, 256 were discharged, 277 were wounded, 17 were captured, and 49 were transferred.

THE ELEVENTH INFANTRY was organ- ized with A. M. Hare, of Muscatine, as Colonel; John C. Abercrombie as Lieu- tenant-Colonel; Wm. Hall, of Davenport, as Major; and was mustered into the ser- vice of the United States, at Davenport, in September and October, 1861. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of Cor- inth, Vicksburg, Atlanta campaign, and battle of Atlanta. Was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 15, 1865. No regi- ment did better service in the war, and no

regiment met with heartier welcome on its return home. Of 1,022 men, 58 were killed, 178 died, 158 were discharged, 234 were wounded, 4 were missing, 63 were captured, and 42 were transferred.

THE TWELFTH INFANTRY was recruited soon after the disaster at Bull Run, under a proclamation by President Lincoln call- ing for more volunteers. It was organized with J. J. Wood, of Maquoketa, as Colonel; John P. Coulter, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieu- tenant-Colonel; Samuel D. Brodtbeck, of Dubuque, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States in October and November, 1861, the last company November 25. The regiment was engaged at Shiloh, Fort Donelson, siege of Vicks- burg, Tupelo, Mississippi, White River, Nashville and Spanish Fort. Was mus- tered out at Memphis, January 20, 1866. In the battle of Shiloh the Twelfth fought gallantly all day in company with the Eighth and Fourteenth, and at sunset sur- rendered. They endured a loathsome captivity in rebel prisons for eight months, when they were exchanged, and the regi- ment was re-organized. A few who were not captured at Shiloh performed active service in the " Union Brigade," during these eight months. The newly equipped regiment immediately joined the army be- fore Vicksburg, and served actively the rest of the war. When the regiment vet- eranized, January 4, 1864, a larger propor- tion of men re-enlisted than in any other regiment from Iowa. The following spring the regiment was home for a few weeks on veteran furlough. After Lee's surrender the regiment was continued in the service in Alabama, on guard and gar-

HISTORY OF IOWA. 101

rison duty for several months. Of 981 officers and men, 33 were killed, 285 died, 258 were discharged, 222 were wounded, 404 were captured, and 23 were trans- ferred.

THE THIRTEENTH INFANTRY was or- ganized with M. M. Crocker, of DesMoines, as Colonel; M. M. Price, of Davenport, as Lieutenant-Colonel; John Shane, of Vin- ton, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States, November 1, 1861. The regiment was in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, campaign against Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, home. Was mustered out at Lonisville, July 21, 1865. 'This regiment was especially fortu- nate in having such a commander as Col. Crocker. The men at first objected to drilling five or six hours every day, and other severe discipline; but afterward, in the battle of Shiloh and elsewhere, they had ample reason to be grateful for their drill under Col. Crocker. The Thirteenth did noble service in many important affairs of the war, and had the honor of being the first Union troops to enter Columbia, S. C., where the secession movement first began. Of a total of 989 officers'and men, 68 were killed, 224 died, 270 were discharged, 313 were wounded, 6 were missing, 88 were captured, and 34 were transferred.

THE FOURTEENTH INFANTEY was or- ganized in the fall of 1861, under the call of October 3. Before the regiment was organized, the first three companies raised, A, B and C, were ordered on garrison duty at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, and re-

mained ever afterward detached from the regiment. So that, although in form they were a part of the Fourteenth Iowa for some time, they were never under its com- manding officer. Afterward, these com- panies for a time were called the First Battalion of the 41st Infantry; but this regiment never being organized, they finally were attached to a cavalry regi- ment. The Fourteenth, therefore, had at first but seven companies. In June, 1863, the number of companies was raised to 10, and thus constituted for the first time a full regiment. The regiment was first organized with Wm. T. Shaw, of Anamosa, as Colonel; Edward W. Lucas, of Iowa City, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hiram Leon- ard, of DesMoines county, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States at Davenport, in October, 1861. The regiment was in the battle of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Pleasant Hill, Meridian, Fort De Russey, Tupelo, Town Creek, Tallahatchie, Pilot Knob, Old Town, Yellow Bayou, and others. Was mustered out, except veterans and recruits, at Davenport, November 16, 1864. The regiment was nearly all captured at the battle of Shiloh, but was after a few months exchanged and reorganized. The Fourteenth did some of the hardest fight- ing that was done in the war. Of 840 officers and men, 31 were killed, 148 died, 191 were discharged, 186 were wounded, 1 was missing, 269 were captured, and 23 were transferred.

THE FIFTEENTH INFANTRY was organ- ized in the winter of 1861-2, with Hugh T. Reid, of Keokuk, as Colonel; William Dewey, of Freemont county, as Lieutenant-

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Colonel; W. W. Belnap, of Keokuk, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States at Keokuk, March 19, 1862.

The regiment participated in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, campaign against At- lanta, battle in front of Atlanta, in Sher- man's march to the sea, and through the Carolinas to Richmond, Washington and Louisville, where it was mustered out August 1, 1864. The regiment was most actively engaged at the siege of Atlanta, where it was under fire from the rebels for 81 days. The gallant Fifteenth will long be honored by the grateful people of Iowa for its faithful service of three years and a half in the heart of the rebellion. Of 1,196 men, 58 were killed, 277 died, 306 were discharged, 416 were wounded, 7 were missing, 83 were captured, and 27 were transferred.

THE SIXTEENTH INFANTEY was organ- ized under the first call of. 1861, and was at that time supposed to be the last Iowa would be called upon to furnish. But the war was only begun, and Iowa was des- tined to furnish more troops after the Sixteenth than before. As organized, the Sixteenth had Alexander Chambers for Colonel; A. H. Sanders, of Davenport, for Lieutenant-Colonel; and William Purcell, of Muscatine, for Major. It was mus- tered into the service of the United States at Davenport, December 10, 1861.

The Sixteenth was in the battles of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, and the various battles around Atlanta; in Sherman's campaigns, and those in the

Carolinas. Its first battle was the bloodiest of the war-Shiloh; and that they behaved so well under their first fire, showed that they were good men. After the battle of Shiloh, the "Iowa Brigade" was formed, of which the Sixteenth ever after formed a part. This "Iowa Brigade" was most highly praised by the Inspector-General of the Seventeenth Army Corps, who de- clared in his official report that he had never seen a finer looking body of men, in any respect. In the battle before Atlanta, the greater part of the regiment was cap- tured, and remained in captivity two months. The Sixteenth was mustered out July 19, 1865, at Louisville. Of its 819 officers and men, 62 were killed, 255 died, 211 were discharged, 311 were wounded, 14 were missing, 257 were captured, and 29 were transferred.

THE SEVENTEENTII INFANTRY was raised during the spring of 1862, and organized with John W. Rankin, of Keokuk, as Colonel; D. B. Hillis, of Keokuk, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and Samuel M. Wise, of Mt. Pleasant, as Major. It was mus- tered into the service of the United States at Keokuk, April 16, 1862.

The Seventeenth was in the siege of Corinth, the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Jack- son, Champion Hills, Fort Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, and Tilton, Ga., where most of the regiment were made prisoners of war, October 13, 1864. The regiment won special commendation at the battle of Corinth. Of its 956 mem- bers, 45 were killed, 121 died, 222 were discharged, 245 were wounded, 8 were missing, 278 were captured, and 28 were transferred.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

THE EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY, as well as the Seventeenth, was not recruited in re- sponse to any call of the President, but was a free gift from the people of Iowa. It was raised in the early summer of 1862, and was mustered into the service of the United States at Clinton, August 5, 6 and 7, 1862, with John Edwards, of Chariton, as Colonel; T. Z. Cook, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hugh J. Campbell, of Muscatine, as Major. It was engaged in the battles of Springfield, Moscow, Poison Spring, Ark., and others. Much of its time was spent in garrison duty, west of the Mississippi, and therefore it did not share in the brilliant honors of the great battles east of that river. Had oppor- tunity offered, no doubt they would have assaulted Vicksburg, or fought above the clouds on Lookout Mountain, as bravely as any troops in the Union. It was mus- tered out July 20, 1865, at Little Rock, Arkansas. Of 875 officers and men, 28 were killed, 122 died, 233 were discharged, 79 were wounded, 63 were captured, and 15 were transferred.

THE NINETEENTH INFANTRY was the first regiment organized under President Lincoln's call of July 2, 1862, made when the cause of the Union looked, most gloomy. It was mustered into the United States service August 17, 1862, at Keokuk, with Benjamin Crabb, of Washington, as Colonel; Samuel McFarland, of Mt. Pleas- ant, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and Daniel Kent, of Ohio, as Major.

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Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918