USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 17
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While engaged in these efforts to discharge her whole duty in common with all the other Union-loving States in the great emergency, Iowa was compelled to make immediate and ample provision for the protection of her own borders, from threatened invasions on the South by the secessionists of Missouri, and from danger of incursions from the Westand Northwest by bands of hostile Indians, who were freed from the usual restraint imposed upon them by the presence of regular troops stationed at the frontier posts. These troops were withdrawn to meet the greater and more pressing danger threatening the life of the nation at its very heart.
The governor of the State, in order to provide for the adequate defense of Iowa's borders from the ravages of both rebels in arms against the Government, and of the more irresistible foes from the Western plains, was authorized to raise and equip two regiments of infantry, a squadron of cavalry ( not less than five companies ), and a battalion of artillery ( not less than three companies). Only cavalry were enlisted for home defense, however, but in times of special danger, or when calls were made by the Unionists of North- ern Missouri for assistance against their disloyal enemies, large numbers of militia on foot often turned out, and remained in the field until the necessity for their services had passed.
June 13 Gen. Lyon, then commanding the United States forces in Missouri, issued the first order for the Iowa volunteers to move :
to the field. The First and Second Infantry immediately embarked
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in steamboats and proceeded to Hannibal. Two weeks later the Third Infantry was ordered to the same point. These three, to- gether with many other of the earlier organized Iowa regiments, rendered their first field service in Missouri. The First Infantry formed a part of the little army with which Gen Lyon moved on Springfield, and fought the bloody battle of Wilson's Creek. It received unqualified praise for its gallant bearing on the field. In the following month (September), the Third Iowa, with but very slight support, fought with honor the sanguinary engagement of Blue Mills Landing; and in November the Seventh Iowa, as a part of the force commanded by Gen. Grant, greatly distinguished itself in the battle of Belmont, where it poured out its blood like water- losing more than half of . the men it took into action.
The initial operations in which the battles referred to took place were followed by the more important movements led by Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this State, and other commanders, which re- sulted in defeating the armies defending the chief strategic lines held by the confederates in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas, compelling their withdrawal from much of the territory previously controlled by them in those States. In these and other movements, down to the grand culminating campaign by which Vicksburg was captured and the Confederacy permanently severed on the line of the Mississippi River, Iowa troops took part in steadily increasing numbers. In the investment and siege of Vicks- burg, the State was represented by 30 regiments and two batteries, in addition to which eight regiments and one battery were employed on the outposts of the besieging army. The brilliancy of their exploits on the many fields where they served, won for them the highest meed of praise, both in military and civil circles. Multi- plied were the terms in which expression was given to this senti- ment, but these words of the journals of a neighboring State: "The Iowa troops have been heroes among heroes," embody the spirit of all.
In the veteran re-enlistment that distinguished the closing month of 1863, above all other periods in the history of re-enlistment for the national armies, the Iowa three years' men (who were relatively more numerous than those of any other State), were prompt to set the example of volunteering for another term of equal length, thereby adding many thousands to the great army of those who gave this renewed and practical assurance that the cause of the Union should not be left without defenders.
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In all the important movements of 1864-'5, by which the con- jederacy was penetrated in every quarter, and its military power finally overthrown, the Iowa troops took part. Their drum-beat was heard on the banks of every great river of the South, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, and everywhere they rendered the same faithful and devoted service, maintaining on all occasions their wonted reputation for valor in the field, and endurance on the march.
Two Iowa three-year cavalry regiments were employed during their whole term of service in the operations that were in progress from 1863 to 1866 against the hostile Indians of the Western plains.
A portion of these men were among the last of the volunteer troops to be mustered out of service. The State also supplied a considerable number of men to the navy, who took part in most of the naval operations prosecuted against the Confederate power on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and the rivers of the West.
The people of Iowa were early and constant workers in the san- itary field, and by their liberal gifts and personal efforts for the ben- efit of the soldiery, placed their State in the front rank of those who became distinguished for their exhibitions of patriotic benevolence during the period covered by the war. Agents appointed by the governor were stationed at points convenient for rendering assist- ance to the sick and needy soldiers of the State, while others were employed in visiting, from time to time, hospitals, camps and ar- mies in the field, and doing whatever the circumstances rendered possible for the health and comfort of such of the Iowa soldiery as might be found there.
Charitable enterprises also found a ready support in Iowa. Some of the benevolent people of the State early conceived the idea of establishing a home for such of the children of deceased soldiers as might be left in destitute circumstances. This idea first took form in 1863, and in the following year a home was opened at Farmington, Van Buren County, in a building leased for that pur- pose, and which soon became filled to its utmost capacity. The institution received liberal donations from the general public, and also from the soldiers in the field. In 1865 it became necessary to provide increased accommodations for the large number of children who were seeking the benefits of its care. This was done by estab- lishing a branch at Cedar Falls, in Black Hawk County, and by se- curing, during the same year, for the use of the parent home, Camp Kinsman, near the city of Davenport. This property, by act of
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Congress, was soon afterward donated to the institution. In 1866, in pursuance of a law enacted for that purpose, the Soldier's Or- phan's Home (which then contained about 450 inmates), became a State institution, and thereafter the sums necessary for its support were appropriated from the State treasury. A second branch was established at Glenwood, Mills County. Convenient tracks were secured, and valuable improvements made at all the different points. Schools were also established, and employments provided for such of the children as were of suitable age. In every way the provision made for these wards of the State has been such as to chal lenge the approval of every benevolent mind. The number of chil dren who have been inmates of the home from its foundation to the present time is considerably more than 2,000.
No bounty was paid by the State on account of the men she placed in the field. In some instances, toward the close of the war bounty to a comparatively small amount was paid by cities and towns. On only one occasion, that of the call of July 18, 1864, was a draft made in Iowa. This did not occur on account of her proper liability, as established by previous rulings of the War Department, to supply men under that call, but grew out of the great necessity that there existed for raising men. The Govern - ment insisted on temporarily setting aside, in part, the former rule of settlements, and enforcing a draft in all cases where sub-districts in any of the States should be found deficient in their supply of men. In no instance was Iowa, as a whole, found to be indebted to the general Government for men, on a settlement of her quota accounts.
Not satisfied with merely doing her duty under the law, Iowa of . her patriotic generosity did more than was required. The 17th, 18th and 37th Regiments of infantry, the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Regiments of cavalry were all enrolled, not to meet any call from the general Government, but to enable citizens of the State to enlist under the banners of the Union, in excess of all demands which could lawfully be made. The State also contributed a large number of men and many officers to regiments in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and out of a population of less than 2,000 arms-bearing colored citizens, raised nearly a whole regiment of African troops. But besides the troops thus regularly enrolled within the State, and those who formed part of regiments in neighboring States, there were not a few of
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Iowa's citizens in the regular army, in the different staff depart- ments of the volunteer army, and in commands belonging to far distant States.
Those also should be noticed who were called upon to protect the State and adjoining States from raids, to preserve the internal peace of the State, etc. In 1861, when Northern Missouri was overrun by predatory bands, and the loyal citizens were being driven from their homes by hundreds, and suffering in life, person and estate, the border Iowa yeomanry, unskilled in anything per- taining to war, responded to the Macedonian cry of their neighbors and speeded across the line to help them, to the number of 1,500. They were armed with old fowling pieces and antiquated militia gear-but they proved effective nevertheless, their hearts being in the right place. In the same year three expeditions were sent out to beat back the Jackson bushwhackers who were advancing on Iowa, driving out the Union men on their way. These expeditions numbered about 1,300 men, and performed valuable service in Missouri.
On the northern border, during the same year, the Sioux City cavalry, 93 men, and Capt. Tripp's company, about 50 men, were employed to protect the borders against the Indians.
In 1862, under authority of the General Assembly, the Northern and Southern Border Brigades, were organized, the one for the protection of the State against guerilla bands on the south along the entire border, the other to keep in check the disaffected Indians intent on mischief in the Northwest. There were five companies of the Northern Border Brigade, 250 men, and 10 companies of the Southern Border Brigade, 794 men, judiciously stationed at ex- posed points. For two years the State at her own expense sup- ported these organizations. There can be no doubt that this was a wise expenditure, considering the service done-that of staying murder, rapine and arson, which were threatening to stalk through the State.
Subsequently 800 militia in 11 companies were called out to suppress the celebrated Talley treason in Keokuk County, and 500 on account of the disturbances in Poweshiek and Davies Counties.
At the beginning of the war, the population of Iowa included about 150,000 men presumably liable to render military service. The State raised for general service 39 regiments of infantry, nine regiments of cavalry, and four companies of artillery, composed of three years' men; one regiment of infantry, composed of three
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months' men; and four regiments and one battalion of infantry, com- posed of 100 days' men. The original enlistments in these various organizations, including 1,727 men raised by draft, numbered a lit- tle more than 69,000. The re-enlistments, including upward of 7,- 000 veterans, numbered very nearly 8,000. The enlistments in the regular army and navy, and organizations of other States, will, if added, raise the total to upward of 80,000. The number of men who, under special enlistments, and as militia, took part at differ- ent 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 suf- fered the cruelties of Libby, Andersonville, and other "pens " in the South, which have become famous the world over, solely be- cause 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 At- lanta; 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 had 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 inaugurating the great charitable movement which was so success- fully 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 soci- ety 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. Every county, every town, every neighborhood in the State had these true heroines, whose praise can never be fully known, till the final ren- dering of all accounts of deeds done in the body. The contribu- tions of the State to "sanitary fairs," during the war were enor- mous, amounting to many hundred thousand dollars. Highly suc- cessful fairs were held at Dubuque, Muscatine, Burlington, and Marshalltown, while all the towns contributed most generously to
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fairs of a less general nature. All this must be added to the work of the many " Florence Nightingales " of Iowa, whose heroic sacri- fices have won for them the undying gratitude of the nation.
It is to be said to the honor and credit of Iowa, that while many of the loyal States, older and larger in population and wealth, in- curred heavy State debts for the purpose of fulfilling their obliga- tions to the general Government, Iowa, while she was foremost in duty, while she promptly discharged all her obligations to her sis- ter States and the Union, found herself at the close of the war with- out any material addition to her pecuniary liabilities incurred before the war commenced. Upon final settlement after the restora- tion of peace, her claims upon the Federal Government were found to be fully equal to the amount of her bonds issued and sold during the war to provide the means for raising and equipping 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 the facts that Iowa had more than done her duty during the war, and that without incurring any considerable 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."
We give in the following pages a brief account of each regiment which was credited 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; Wm. H. Merritt, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of Mt. Pleasant, as Major. Companies A and C were from Muscatine County; Company B, from Johnson County; Companies D and E, from Des Moines County; Company F, from Henry County; Company G, from Davenport; Companies H and I, from Dubuque; and Company K, from Linn County. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States May 14, 1861, at Keokuk. The different com- panies were independent military organizations before the war, and tendered their service before the breaking out of hostilities. 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 13, the regiment received orders to join Gen. Lyon in Missouri. They immediately embarked on board a steamer, and by midnight were at Hannibal, Mo., where
11
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they slept on the floor of a large warehouse. They proceeded with- out 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. Aug. 10, a sharp battle was fought with the enemy at Wilson's Creek, when the gallant and noble Gen. Lyon was killed, and the regiment lost 10 killed and 50 wounded. After the battle, the regiment proceeded to St. Louis, and their three months having expired, were mustered out Aug. 25, 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 commence- ment of the war, with Samuel R. Curtis, of Keokuk, as Colonel; James M. Tuttle of Keosauqua, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and M. M. Crocker, of Des Moines, as Major; and was mnstered into the service of the United States at Keokuk, in May, 1861. Company A was from Keokuk; Companies Band C, from Scott County ; Company D, from Des Moines; Company E, from Fairfield, Jefferson County ; Company F, from Van Buren County; Company G, from Davis County; Company H, from Washington County; Company I, from Clinton County, and Company K, from Wapello County. It par- ticipated in the following engagements: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth, Little Bear Creek, Ala., Resaca, Ga., Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, in front of Atlanta, Jan. 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 theater of war even before the First Regiment, by a few hours.
Its companies were enrolled during that first splendid enthu- siasm which followed the bombardınent of Fort Sumter, and they contained many men of talent and reputation. The regiment espe- cially distinguished itself in the capture of Fort Donelson, in enter- ing which it was awarded the post of honor. It was then that the unenthusiastic Gen. Halleck pronounced 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 12,
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1865. The total number of officers and men who enlisted in this regiment was 1,247. Of this number, during the war, 64 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, Lieut. Colonel; Wm. N Stone, of Marion County, as Major, and was mustered into the United States service in June, 1861, at Keokuk. Company A was from Dubuque County; Company B, from Marion County; Com- pany C, from Clayton County; Company D, from Winneshiek County; Company E, from Boone, Story, Marshall and Jasper Coun- ties; Company F, from Fayette County; Company G, from Warren County; Company H, from Mahaska County; Company I, from Floyd, Butler, Blackhawk and Mitchell Counties; and Company K, from Cedar Falls. The regiment was engaged at Blue Mills, Mo., Shiloh, Hatchie River, Matamoras, Vicksburg, Johnson, Miss., in the Meridian expedition, at Atlanta, in Sherman's march to the sea and through the Carolinas to Richmond and Washing- ton. The regiment was veteranized and organized as a battalion in 1864, but before the officers received their commissions, 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 regi- ment 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.
The FOURTH INFANTRY was organized with G. M. Dodge, of Council Bluffs, as Colonel; John Galligan, of Davenport, as Lieut .- Colonel; Wm. R. English, of Glenwood, as Major. Company A, from Mills County, was mustered in at Jefferson barracks, Mis- souri, Aug. 15, 1861; Company B, Pottawattamie County, at Coun- cil Bluffs, Aug. 8; Company C, Guthrie County, at Jefferson barracks, May 3; Company D, Decatur County, at St. Louis, Aug. 16; Company E, Polk County, at Council Bluffs, Aug. 8; Company F, Madison County, at Jefferson barracks, Aug. 15; Company G, Ringgold County, at Jefferson barracks, Aug. 15; Company H, Adams County, at Jefferson barracks, Aug. 15; Company I, Wayne County, at St. Louis, Aug. 31; Company K, Taylor and Page Counties, at St. Louis, Aug. 31. The regiment was engaged at
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Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, and Taylor's Ridge. It came home on veteran furlough, Feb. 26, 1864. Returned in April; was in the campaign against Atlanta, Sher- man's march to the sea, and thence through the Carolinas to Wash- ington, and home. Was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865. The total number of officers and men in this regiment was 1,184, of whom 61 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 Lieut .- Colo- nel; W. S. Robertson, of Columbus City, as Major, and was mus- tered into the service of the United States, at Burlington, July 15, 1861. Company A was from Cedar County; Company B, from Jasper County ; Company C, from Louisa County ; Company D, from Marshall County; Company E, from Buchanan County; Company F, from Keokuk County; Company G, from Benton County; Com- pany H, from Van Buren County ; Company I, from Jackson County ; and Company K, from Allamakee County. The regiment was en- gaged at New Madrid, siege of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg and Chickamauga. Went home on vet- eran furlough in April, 1864. The non-veterans went home in July, 1864, leaving 180 veterans who were transferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The Fifth Cavalry was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 11,1865. The regiment 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 regiment 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 Lieut .- Colonel; John M. Corse, of Burlington, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States, July 6, 1861, at Burlington. Company A was from Linn County; Company B, from Lucas and Clarke Counties; Company C, from Hardin County; Company D, from Appanoose County; Company E, from Monroe County; Company F, from Clarke County; Company G, from Johnson County; Company H, from Lee County; Company I, from Des Moines County; and Company K, from Henry County. It was engaged at Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Ken
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esaw Mountain, Jackson, Black River Bridge, Jones' Ford, in Sher- man's march, then returned through the Carolinas. The regiment served with distinction at the siege of Jackson, winning high praise from General Smith, commanding. 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.
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