History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 12

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1088

USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 12

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Not satisfied with merely doing her duty under the law, Iowa, of her patriotie gen- erosity, did more than was required. The 17th, 18th and 37th regiments of infantry, the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th regiments of cav- alry were all enrolled, not to meet any call from the General Government, but to enable citizens of the State to enlist un- der the banners of the Union, in excess of all demands which could lawfully be made.

The State also contributed a large num- ber 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 reg- iment of African troops. But besides the troops thus regularly enrolled within the State, and those who formed part of regi- ments in neighboring States, there were not a few of Iowa's citizens in the regular army, in the different staff departments of the volunteer army, and in commands to far distant States.

Those, also, should be noticed who were called upon to protect the State and adjoin- ing States from raids, to preserve the inter- nal peace of the State, etc., in 1861, when Northern Missouri was overrun by preda- tory bands, and the loyal citizens were being driven from their homes by bnn- dreds, and suffering in life, person and estate, the border Iowa yeomanry, un skilled in anything pertaining 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 people 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, ninety- three men, and Captain Tripp's company, about fifty 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

IHISTORY OF IOWA.

for the protection of the State against gnerilla bands on the sonth along the entire border, the other to keep in check the dis- affected Indians intent on mischief in the northwest. There were five companies of the Northern Border Brigade, two hun- dred and fifty men, and ten companies of the Southern Border Brigade, seven hun- dred and ninety-four men, judiciously stationed at exposed 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 stay- ing murder, rapine and arson, which were threatening to stalk through the State.

Subsequently eight hundred militia in eleven companies were called out to sup- press the celebrated Talley treason in Keokuk county, and five hundred on ac- count of the disturbances in Poweshiek and Davies counties.

At the beginning of the war, the popu- lation of Iowa included about 150,000 men presumably liable to render military ser vice. The State raised for general service thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine regiments of cavalry, and four companies of artillery, composed of three years' men; one regiment of infantry, composed of three months' men, and four regiments and one batallion of infantry, composed of 100 days' men. The original enlistments in these various organizations, including 1,727 men raised by draft, numbered a little more than 69,000. The reenlist- ments, including upward of 7,000 vete- rans, 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 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 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 inaugu- rating the great charitable movement which was so successfully supported by the noble women of the North. Mrs. Harlan, wife of Hon. James Ilarlan, 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 lowa. 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 uature. All this must be added to the work of the many "Florence 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, o'der 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 elaims 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 aud equip- ping her troops sent into the field, aud 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 ineurring 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 account 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 Des Moines, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States, at Keokuk, in May, 1861. It participated in the following engagements: Fort Douel- 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 12, 1865. The total number of officers and men who iulisted in this regiment was 1,247. Of this num- ber during the war 65 were kil ed, 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, aud 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- ont 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 out 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. Il. 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 Ilills, 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. MeDowell, 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, Niekajack 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 Lieutenaut-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 teu 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, 314 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. II. 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 IIistorical 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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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, Inka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Cham- pion Hills, Vicksburg and Mission. Ridge Was mustered out Angust 15, 1865

The blo diest 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 V cks- 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 ac ive 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-

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IIISTORY OF IOWA.

risou 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 Daveuport, 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 Louisville, 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 INFANTRY 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 fi st 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 regimeut 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 Sber- 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.

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History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 12

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1088

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1088