USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 15
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"'All right, colonel, here goes !'
J. B. WILLIAMS Founder of Webster County Abstract Company
HON. AUGUSTUS CÆSAR DODGE United States Senator from Iowa, in whose honor Fort Dodge was named
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
IL NOX AND T. * N FOUNDATIONS.
113
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
"An election board was quickly appointed 'by the commissioner' from the soldiers, (as the law stipulated) and a cigar box fitted up for a ballot box. The men were brought in as quickly as possible, and in less time than one can imagine our votes were all in and canvassed. I was informed that we were within less than eight miles of Richmond, and that the spires of the city could be plainly seen from a point quite near by. I have always supposed that the election was held nearer the front, and in closer proximity to actual peril, than that organized by any other army vote commissioner. * We were not disposed to linger an instant, and Lieutenant Sherman and I mounted our horses and started for the rear. A young sec- ond lieutenant, by the name of Oscar Matthews, from Dickinson county, Iowa, returned with us. He was a pleasant, handsome boy. He had been in many battles, and the little black horse which he rode had not yet fully recovered from an ugly wound in the side, and had other scars besides. He was very attentive to us, and showed us many interesting objects along our route. At the battle of Five Forks, on April 1, 1865, this gallant young officer was killed, while leading his men in a charge. *
ROSTER COMPANY A, ELEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Franklin A. Stratton, captain; George S. Ringland, first lieutenant ; George W. Bassett, second lieutenant.
Barbor, William A., age eighteen; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 18, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted corporal, July 7, 1864; first lieutenant, October 6, 1864; taken prisoner, October 7, 1864, Darbytown Road; died while a prisoner.
Barclay, John J., age twenty-eight ; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 15, 1861, as first sergeant ; promoted second lieutenant, August 20, 1862; first lieutenant, January 25, 1863 ; wounded and taken prisoner, June 29, 1864, Reams' Station, Virginia ; mustered out, September 28, 1864.
Barnes, James R., age twenty-one; residence, Border Plains ; enlisted, August 18, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861; killed, June 9, 1864, in front of Petersburg.
Bassett, George W., age thirty-four; residence, Fort Dodge; appointed sec- ond lieutenant, August 7, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted first lieutenant, August 20, 1862; wounded, December, 1862, Franklin, Virginia ; resigned, January 25, 1863.
Beach, James A., age twenty-one; residence, Border Plains ; enlisted, August 24, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861; died, January 30, 1863, of wounds received at Deserted House, Virginia.
Beyers, John F., age twenty-nine; residence, Webster county; nativity, New York; enlisted, January 2, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; no further record found.
Binkley, George W., age eighteen ; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 18, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Binkley, Lafayette, age nineteen, residence, Border Plains; enlisted, Sep- tember 15, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Blake, Fletcher A., age twenty-six; residence, Spirit Lake; enlisted, August 23, 1861, as second sergeant ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted first ser- geant, August 20, 1862; second lieutenant, January 25, 1863; resigned, Septem- ber 21, 1863.
Bowers, Peter; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 26, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; killed, October 9, 1861, on railroad, near Lewiston, Penn- sylvania.
Brown, John F., age twenty-one; residence, Waterloo; enlisted, September 28, 1861 ; mustered, September 28, 1861 ; mustered out, September 28, 1864.
Burright, William H., age twenty; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 15, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861; taken prisoner, January 29, 1864; was in Andersonville; no further record found.
Carpenter, Daniel; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 20, 1861; mustered, November 2, 1861 ; died of disease, December 24, 1861, Washington, D. C.
Carpenter, William, age thirty-one; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 17, 1861, as first corporal ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, Sep- tember 20, 1864.
Carrier, Lucius L., age eighteen ; residence, Dubuque; enlisted, September 28, 1861; mustered, September 28, 1861 ; promoted company commissary ser- geant, October 19, 1864; first sergeant, February 14, 1865; second lieutenant, May, 1865; first lieutenant, August 13, 1865; mustered out, August 13, 1865. Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Carter, Allen B., age twenty-one; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 21, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Chandler, Starling, age twenty; residence, Waterloo; enlisted, September 28, 1861 ; mustered, September 28, 1861 ; mustered out, September 28, 1864.
Chase, Leander, age thirty; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 20, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 21, 1864.
Clark, Henry, age nineteen; residence, Dubuque; enlisted September 23, 1861 ; mustered, September 23, 1861 ; mustered out, September 23, 1864.
Cooper, Henry, age twenty-four; residence, Jamestown; enlisted, Septem- ber 9, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 21, 1864.
Cragg, Harry P., age twenty-three; residence, Humboldt county ; nativity, Pennsylvania; enlisted, December 29, 1863; mustered, January 16, 1864; trans- ferred to Company L, Fourth Cavalry.
Crosby, Charles T., age twenty-seven ; residence, Webster county; nativity, New York; enlisted, January 2, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; trans- ferred to Company I, Thirty-second Infantry. Company A, Eighth Infantry.
Crosby, George H., age twenty; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, September 3, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861; promoted sergeant, January, 1864; mustered out, September 21, 1864.
Cruikshank, George L., age twenty-seven; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted September 15, 1861, as fourth sergeant; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; pro- moted company quartermaster sergeant, 1862; first sergeant, September 21, 1863; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Daniels, George, age twenty-three; residence, Spirit Lake; enlisted, Sep- tember 7, 1861 ; mustered, September 20, 1861 ; no further record found.
Davis, Abner T., age twenty-nine; residence, Humboldt county; nativity, Michigan; enlisted, January 1, 1864; mustered, January 16, 1864; transferred to Company L, Fourth Cavalry.
Emery, Seth P., age twenty-five; residence, Spirit Lake; enlisted, September 7, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted to hospital steward.
Erwin, Allen, age forty; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 20, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Evans, Hiram, age twenty-two; residence, Jamestown; enlisted, August 20, 1861 ; mustered, September 20, 1861 ; deserted, July 3, 1863.
Fairman, John W., age twenty-three; residence, Humboldt county; nativity, Canada; enlisted, January 4, 1864; mustered, January 16, 1864; transferred to Company L, Fourth Cavalry.
Fitch, William S., age twenty-one; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 23, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Fitzgerald, John, age nineteen; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, September 10, 1861, as eighth corporal; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted company quartermaster sergeant, 1864; mustered out, September 20, 1864. Company K, First Infantry. (John H. Fitzgerald.)
Forbes, James W., age twenty-two; residence, Cedar Falls; enlisted, Sep- tember 16, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Forbes, Thomas J., age twenty-six; residence, Dakotah City; enlisted, Sep- tember 2, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Frantz, Jacob H., age twenty-three; residence, Dubuque ; enlisted, September 26, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 26, 1864.
Frost, William, age twenty-four; residence, Waterloo; enlisted, September 28, 1861 ; mustered, September 28, 1861 ; mustered out, September 28, 1864.
Fuller, Jared, age forty ; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 22, 1861, as seventh corporal; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; discharged for disability, September, 1863.
Galer, John, age twenty-one; residence, Jamestown; enlisted, September 9, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861; promoted bugler, 1863; mustered out, September 21, 1864.
Gardner, William V., age twenty; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 20, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted corporal, 1864; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Hinton, James N., age twenty-seven ; residence, Humboldt county; nativity, Ohio; enlisted, January 1, 1864; mustered, January 16, 1864; transferred to Company L, Fourth Cavalry. (James M. Hinton.)
Hodge, Albert D., age twenty-five; residence, Estherville; enlisted, August 22, 1861, 'as sixth corporal; mustered, September 21, 1861; wounded, January 30, 1863, Deserted House; mustered out on account of wound.
Holloway, Joseph H., age twenty-three; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 15, 1861, as company quartermaster sergeant; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; furloughed, November, 1863; died at home.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Hood, James, age twenty-two; residence, Jamestown ; enlisted, August 20, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Horton, James, age twenty; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, September 3, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861; promoted corporal in 1863; discharged September, 1863, to take lieutenant's commission in Eighth Iowa Cavalry; was adjutant of the regiment; killed, Stoneman's raid, south of Atlanta, Georgia; he was chosen to represent the cavalry service on the soldier's monument, Des Moines, Iowa.
Hunter, James, age forty-two; residence, Waterloo; enlisted, October II, 1861, as farrier ; mustered, October, 1861 ; mustered out, October 11, 1864.
Jenkins, Andrew R., age twenty-five; residence, Webster county; nativity, Pennsylvania; enlisted, January 2, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; trans- ferred to Company I, Thirty-second Infantry. Company B, Eighth Infantry. (Andrew K. Jenkins. )
Jenkins, Henry, age twenty-six; residence, Estherville; enlisted, August 22, 1861, as second corporal; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted company commissary sergeant, 1864 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Jenkins, James S., age twenty-one; residence, Webster county; nativity, Pennsylvania; enlisted, January 2, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; trans- ferred to Company I, Thirty-second Infantry. Company B, Eighth Infantry.
Jenkins, John S., age twenty-seven; residence, Webster county; nativity, Pennsylvania; enlisted, January 2, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; trans- ferred to Company I, Thirty-second Infantry. Company B, Eighth Infantry.
Johns, William W., age twenty-six; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 17, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; died, August 31, 1862, hospital, Suffolk, Virginia.
Johnson, Samuel O. H., age nineteen; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 17, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861; committed suicide, while insane, June 14, 1862, near Fortress Monroe, Virginia.
Jones, George W., age thirty-two; residence, Webster county ; nativity, New York; enlisted, January 2, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; transferred to Company I, Thirty-second Infantry. Company B, Eighth Infantry.
Kendall, Edward, age nineteen; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 28, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; wounded, June, 1863, South Anna Bridge, Virginia ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Kennedy, Edward, age twenty-two; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 23, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Kimball, Jacob, age nineteen ; residence, Cedar Falls; enlisted, September 16, 1861; mustered. September 21, 1861 ; died of disease, May, 1862, Camp Ham- ilton, Virginia.
Largent, Joseph F., age twenty-two; residence, Dubuque ; enlisted, September 27, 1861 ; mustered, September 27, 1861 ; no further record found.
Lindsay, James, age twenty-nine; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted. August 31. 1861 ; mustered. September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, August 13, 1865. Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
McKee, Joseph A., age twenty-three; residence, Border Plains; enlisted Aug- ust 17, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
MISS AMANDA BERRY A pioneer nurse
MRS. HENRY BURKHOLDER (MARTHA R.)
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS ' OR, L'INOX AND TI D N FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Mack, Charles D., age twenty-nine ; residence, Cedar Falls ; enlisted, September 16, 1861, as bugler ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Malcolm, Augustus H., age twenty-nine; residence, Jamestown; enlisted, August 20, 1861, as fourth corporal; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted sergeant, 1864; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Matthews, Oscar S., age twenty ; residence, Spirit Lake; enlisted, August 22, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted sergeant, September -, 1864; second lieutenant, October 4, 1864 ; killed, April 1, 1865, Five Forks, Virginia.
Meagher, Thomas, age twenty-two; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 21. 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Mills, Andrew, age twenty-nine; residence, Jamestown; enlisted, August 20, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; wounded and taken prisoner, June 29, 1864, Reams' Station, Virginia. Was in Andersonville. Died, March -, 1865, Wil- mington, North Carolina.
Minton, Henry P., age twenty-three ; residence, Border Plains ; enlisted, August 17, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted saddler, 1864; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Minton, John N., age twenty-one; residence, Border Plains ; enlisted, August 17, 1861, as fifth corporal; mustered, September 21, 1861; taken prisoner, August -, 1864; died in prison.
Moon, James H., age thirty-three ; residence, Humboldt county ; nativity, Penn- sylvania ; enlisted, January 16, 1864; mustered, January 16, 1864. (Annals of Iowa says: "James Moon came to the company from Iowa in 1862.")
Moore, Jacob M., age eighteen ; residence, Border Plains ; enlisted, August 17, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Morgan, Edward D., age twenty-nine; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, Sep- tember 2, 1861, as fifth sergeant; mustered, September 21, 1861; promoted second lieutenant, September 21, 1863 ; resigned, July 17, 1864.
Morrell, Richard M., mustered, September 21, 1861 ; reduced to ranks from non-commissioned staff, June 1, 1862 ; deserted, June 24, 1862. Was not an Iowa man.
Olcutt, George, age twenty-three; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, September 9, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Ostrander, William, Sr., residence, Annapolis, Md .; enlisted, November 23, 1861; no further record found.
Peterson, John (veteran), age eighteen; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 31, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861; mustered out, September 20, I864.
Platt, Henry A., age twenty-one ; residence, Fort Dodge ; enlisted, August 24, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Price, George R., age twenty; residence, Dubuque; enlisted, September 24, 1861 ; mustered, September 24, 1861 ; mustered out, September 24. 1864.
Ring, Euphronius P., age twenty; residence, Spirit Lake; enlisted, Septem- ber 6, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted sergeant, August 7, 1863 ; second lieutenant, July 7, 1864 ; captain, October 4, 1864; resigned, June 8, 1865.
Ringland, George S., age twenty-seven; residence, Fort Dodge; appointed
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
first lieutenant, August 15, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted cap- tain, August 20, 1862; mustered out, September 27, 1864.
Rogers, George W .; residence, Ball's Cross Roads, Virginia ; enlisted, Novem- ber II, 1861; no further record found.
Rogers, Samuel R., age twenty-four; residence, Spirit Lake; enlisted, Sep- tember 7, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; killed, August 24, 1864, near Weldon railroad.
Rood, Isaac P., age thirty-six; residence, Webster county; nativity, New York; enlisted, January 4, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; transferred to Company I, Thirty-second Infantry. Company B, Eighth Infantry.
Ruter, Valentine, age thirty-seven; residence, Humboldt county; nativity, Bavaria; enlisted, January 4, 1864; mustered, January 16, 1864; transferred to Company L, Fourth Cavalry. (Valentine Reuther or Ryder.)
Shaftner, Francis, age twenty-two; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 21, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Sherman, Charles A., age thirty-one ; residence, Fort Dodge ; enlisted, August 21, 1861, as third sergeant ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted first lieu- tenant and regimental quartermaster, April 4, 1862 ; mustered out, April 3, 1865.
Sherman, William, age eighteen; residence, Jamestown; enlisted, August 20, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Simmons, Jason B., age twenty-five ; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 21, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted corporal, 1864; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Slosson, Oscar, age twenty-eight ; residence, Jamestown; enlisted, September 9, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, August 13, 1865, Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Smith, George, age twenty-six; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 21, 1861, as third corporal; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; wounded, June 25, 1863, South Anna Bridge, Virginia ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Smith, George G., age twenty-five; residence, Estherville; enlisted, August 23, 1861, as farrier ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; taken prisoner, August, 1864; was in Andersonville.
Smith, William H., age twenty-six; residence, Webster county; nativity, New York; enlisted, January 2, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; transferred to Second Cavalry. (Unassigned.)
Spring, Ichabod E., age twenty-one; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 17, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Stratton, Franklin A., age twenty-nine; residence, Fort Dodge; appointed captain, August 15, 1861 ; mustered; September 21, 1861 ; promoted major, Sep- tember 1, 1862; lieutenant colonel, September 19, 1864; colonel, May, 1865; was brevetted brigadier general on muster out of service; twice wounded.
Tanner, Charles, age twenty-five; residence, Spirit Lake; enlisted, August 22, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Taylor, Daniel H., age twenty-eight; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, Sep- tember 2, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861; wounded, January 30, 1863, Deserted House, Virginia ; lost an arm.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Townsend, Albert H., age nineteen ; residence, Border Plains ; enlisted, August 17, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Townsend, Henry, age twenty; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 17, 1861 ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Townsend, James L., age twenty-two; residence, Border Plains; enlisted, August 17, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, I864.
Trusty, Joseph S. M., age twenty-four; residence, Webster county ; nativity, Illinois ; enlisted, January 2, 1864; mustered, January 12, 1864; transferred to Company I, Thirty-second Infantry. Company R, Eighth Infantry.
Underwood, Alonzo, age twenty ; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 15, 1861, as saddler; mustered, September 21, 1861; mustered out for disability, August 21, 1862.
Vangaasbeck, Jesse L. ; enlisted, November 23, 1861 ; no further record found.
Vincent, Webb, age nineteen; residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, Septeniber 3, 1861, as second bugler ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; promoted company quartermaster sergeant, 1863; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Vought, Lewis, age twenty-five; residence, Humboldt county ; nativity, Wis- consin; enlisted, January 1, 1864; mustered, January 16, 1864; transferred to Company L, Fourth Cavalry.
Wall, William W .; residence, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; enlisted, September 30, 1861 ; no further record found.
Welch, William, age twenty-two; résidence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, September 12, 1861, as wagoner ; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; mustered out, September 20, 1864.
Wentworth, Harrison H., age eighteen; residence, Webster county ; nativity, Pennsylvania : enlisted, September 29, 1863; mustered, January 16, 1864; no further record found.
Williams, Thomas J., age twenty-one; residence, Dubuque ; enlisted, Sep- tember 27, 1861 ; mustered, September 27, 1861 ; mustered out for disability.
Wilson, Richard W. (veteran), residence, Fort Dodge; enlisted, August 27, 1861; mustered, September 21, 1861 ; deserted; date and place not given.
NORTHERN BORDER BRIGADE
Prior to the commencement of the great War of the Rebellion, troops belong- ing to the regular army of the United States had been located at the various military posts on the northern and western frontiers, for the purpose of restraining the Indians from committing depredations upon the pioneer settlers, whose homes were located upon those frontiers. The sudden emergency, with which the general government found itself confronted, rendered the withdrawal of the Federal troops from those military posts a matter of necessity. The regular army establishment, which then existed, constituted only a nucleus for the great army of volunteers which was being hastily organized, and every trained officer and soldier was needed at the front in the South to resist the hosts of armed traitors who had taken the field, and were threatening to dissolve the Union.
120
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
The savage Indian tribes were quick to take advantage of the situation, and a series of depredations and massacres of whole families of the settlers ensued. For a time it seemed that there was no safety for any of those hardy pioneers, and that they must all be either driven from their homes or share the fate of those who had already met death at the hands of the Indians. A few of the settlers who lived nearest each other had the hardihood to remain in their homes and, by banding themselves together, and converting the largest cabin in their neighborhood into a temporary blockhouse, where they could meet for common defense when the danger signal was given, indulged the hope that they might be able to keep the Indians at bay until the troops, which they had been told were on the way, could come to their rescue. Nearly all of those who thus remained were killed or taken captives by the Indians. By far the greater number, however, adopted the wiser course of abandoning their homes, and seeking safety in the interior of the state until such time as the presence of troops would make it reasonably safe for them to return. Most of the men, after placing their families in safety, enlisted and remained in the service of the state until peace was restored.
It will thus be seen that the war, inaugurated by the Southern states. imposed an unusually heavy burden upon those Northern states which, in addition to furnishing their full quota of troops for the regiments which were being sent to the South, were compelled to protect their own frontiers from the incursions of hostile Indians. The governors of Iowa and Minnesota earnestly co-operated in their efforts to give adequate protection to the helpless settlers on the borders of their respective states. In response to their calls, militia companies were promptly raised and, as rapidly as they could be armed and equipped, were dispatched to the frontier. There were no railroads, and the navigation of the Missouri river, which was depended upon for forwarding supplies to Sioux City and points north of that place, was rendered exceedingly dangerous by the bands of lurking savages along its banks. Relief was therefore necessarily slow in reaching the imperiled settlers.
The official records show that, prior to the organization of the Northern Border Brigade, the only regularly organized companies of Iowa troops which had been engaged in active service on the northern frontier, were Capt. Andrew J. Millard's Sioux City Cavalry Company, and Companies A, B and C, of the Fourteenth Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The Sioux City Cavalry Company, having been raised nearest the scene of the Indian troubles, was the first to take the field. It was composed of men inured to the hardships of frontier life, and generally acquainted with the Indian methods of warfare. The officers and men of this company rendered long, arduous and heroic service on the northern border and in the Indian Territory, first as an independent com- pany, and subsequently as a part of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, to which regi- ment it was transferred.
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