USA > Iowa > History of the Fifteenth Regiment, Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, from October, 1861, to August, 1865, when disbanded at the end of the war > Part 5
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After being mustered out at Davenport I returned home to Fort Madison, Iowa. Was appointed Postmaster there by President Johnson, and promptly sat down on by the Senate, threw off the robes of office, and went to St. Joe, Mo., and engaged in the furni- ture business for a short time, then out on the Union Pacific R. R. as Clerk in Construction Department; was on the road until its completion ; then through the Territories on a wild goose chase for "Gold Galore," and in fall of '69 to the Osage Country in Kansas; tried cattle and busted; then to Chetopa, Kansas, and was appointed Superintendent of United States National Cemetery at Fort Brown, Texas; then Superintendent of National Cemetery at Fort Barran-
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
cas, Florida; then Superintendent of National Cemetery at Fort Scott, Kansas, from which I resigned May 5th, 1881, and located at Independence, Kansas, and was appointed Chief Clerk United States Land Office at this place, from which I resigned January 1st, 1886, and am now engaged in the real estate business.
God bless all the Old Boys! Our hair is getting thin between us and Heaven, and in a few years the last of us will have to answer at the final Roll Call, and we certainly should leave some record of our suffering and services for the rising generations to pattern by, so far as Loyalty is concerned at least.
WM. C. HERSHBERGER.
B COMPANY.
Wilson T. Smith commenced recruiting a Company on the 26th day of August, 1861, at Des Moines, Polk county, which was or- dered into quarters by Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of the State, on September 5th, 1861, and mustered into the service of the United States by Captain Chas. C. Smith, 13th United States In- fantry mustering officer, at Keokuk, on November 9, 1861, under proclamation of the President of the United States, bearing date July 23, 1861. The company was enrolled in the City of Des Moines, designated B Company. Wilson T. Smith was commis- sioned Captain, Adolphus G. Studer First Lieutenant, and Christian E. Lanstrum Second Lieutenant.
The most remarkable capture during the Regiment's service was that made by Private Reuben Meek, of B Company, during the battle of Atlanta, July 22d, 1864. He, with a few men pressed by him into service, captured and brought in seventy-one rebels, and turned them over to the Division Provost Marsnal.
W. LUMPKIN, Historian B Company .
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
On his tour around the world, General Grant stopped at Singa- pore, India, with Captain A. G. Studer, United States Consul. The General and wife were "awfully glad to find a real live American girl," (especially an Iowa one ), in that far away place, and they became so fond of the Captain's daughter, who is his house-keeper, and can entertain a French or a Russian Count, talk to them in their own language, get dinner, or see to her father's old clothes, which is a daughter worth having, and still she is quite young, that they took her with them on their trip to Siam, which came near being their last trip. Their steamer had to anchor in a storm at the entrance to Bankok. After a long and vexatious de- lay, the King's yacht came down to their rescue, but could not come very near, and so the whole party had to be transported from one vessel to the other. The sea was running high, and the small boat was swamped under the guard of the yacht, and it was with ex- treme difficulty that Gen. Grant, wife and Miss Studer were saved. T.
C COMPANY.
This Company was recruited by James A. Seevers at Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, under and by the authority of a recruiting com- mission from General N. B. Baker, Adjutant-General of Iowa, issued on October 3d, 1861.
He commenced at once canvassing the county for recruits. The first roll was called on the 13th of October, and on the 17th James A. Seevers was elected Captain, John D. Shannon First Lieuten- ant, and Ebenezer E. Herbert Second Lieutenant, and on that day went into quarters at Oskaloosa with forty men.
On the 28th the Company started for Davenport, but at Eddy- ville Captain Seevers received a telegram to proceed to Keokuk and join the 15th Iowa Infantry, under Colonel H. T. Reid, ex- pected to be mustered into the United States service at once, but
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
was delayed for several days on account of measles in quarters. This is well known by all members of the Regiment. Captain James A. Seevers resigned on November 27, 1862, on account of injuries.
Captain Sylvester Rynearson, son of Abram and Rachel Rynear- son, was born in Mason, Warren county, Ohio, December 5, 1835. In November, 1836, they settled on a farm near Ithaca, Darke county, Ohio. The country being new, and an almost unknown wilderness, he knows something of the hardships incident to a life in the green woods. The country being thinly settled, and the facilities for getting an education very poor, he only received a very common country school education; always stood at the head of his class in the few studies taught at that time. Having a strong desire to see the West, he in March, 1861, adjourned to work for Cousin John Voorhees, of Mahaska county, Iowa, and worked for him until November 1st, when, with three others of Laredo, Black Oak township, Mahaska county, Iowa, enlisted in Company C, 15th Iowa Infantry. The first word spoken to Recruiting Officer James A. Seevers was, " Captain, I, Sylvester Rynearson, came to enlist in your company." With other new recruits was at once put to drill, and in a very short time it was discovered that there was military service accomplished. In less than four weeks he was detailed to drill new recruits, which were daily coming to the com- pany; was in every skirmish and battle the company and Regiment was in from the battle of Shiloh to the close of the war. Always right where duty called, had comrades to fall on right and left, was never wounded or in hospital. Was also on every March the Reg- iment made, with the exception of the one in August IS, 63, from IF63 Vicksburg across the country, while he was home on sick leave. Captain Rynearson was well respected by one and all. As General Belknap says, when Captain Ryncarson was on the picket line all was well, and no fear but what all orders would be quickly and promptly obeyed.
S. RYREARSON. CAPTAIN CO. C 15TH IOWA VOLS.
٠
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
He was appointed Corporal January 1, '62; Sergeant, March 1, '62; First Sergeant, April 23, '62; promoted Second Lieutenant, October 4, '62; First Lieutenant, December 10, '62; and Captain June 24, '65. Before accepting any position in the Company he first received the unanimous consent of his Company, of which every one was ready and willing to grant at all times.
Captain Rynearson was as brave and true as any man could be when it looked like death would be the result, he would draw his sword and say, "Come on, my boys, follow me." No fear ever stopped him from doing his duty. In every respect he fulfilled the promise that he made at the beginning to the last letter. It is the wish of all his old comrades that he may prosper in life, always live in peace, and when the last Bugle and the last Tattoo has been heard, may lie be ready to meet his Great Commander, and all of his old comrades in peace and happiness, for we are all willing to pitch his Tent with ours.
Captain Sylvester Rynearson was married to Mary Jane Clark, daughter of John D. and Sarah E. Clark, of Arcanum, Darke county, Ohio, on September 13, 1866. They settled on a farm near Farmland, Randolph county, Indiana, in March, 1870. He pur- chased a farm near Gettysburg, Darke county, Ohio, where he now resides, 1886. They have had only one child, a son, Eddy, who was born June 23, 1867.
This history is written by a request of mine, as it was the wish of all the old comrades to have his whole history written as near as we could get it. I hope to see this all published in the History of our Regiment.
J. B. VANCLEAVE, Company C Historian.
D COMPANY.
Early in September, 1861, Captain Ed. Lewis, of Ottumwa, commenced to raise a company for a Regiment then making up at
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
St. Louis, Mo., known as Birge's Sharp-shooters. About the same time Captains J. M. Hedrick and G. A. Madison, of the same place, each undertook to raise a Company for the Infantry service. Recruits came in slowly, and it was finally agreed between the three to unite in one company all their recruits, numbering 70 men or more, and allow the men by an election to choose their officers. Madison and Hedrick were each willing to take their chances, but Lewis was unwilling to take anything below the Captaincy-(he, perhaps, having recruited more men than either of the others) . The election was held late in October, and G. A. Madison was elected Captain; J. M. Hedrick First Lieutenant, and C. M. Reyn- olds Second Lieutenant, and H. W. Brant Orderly Sergeant. A majority of Lewis' men were from Mahaska county, and a very fine body of men, too, but owing to the way they were treated in the election quite a number of them withdrew from the company.
Captain (afterwards General ) E. F. Winslow, and now Presi- dent of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway Company, was in Ottumwa looking up recruits for the 4th Iowa Cavalry, and in less than an hour after our election of officers Captain Winslow had a majority of the Lewis men sworn in for his company. Those men would have been satisfied to remain if one of their number had been elected Second Lieutenant, or even Orderly Sergeant. They were not dissatisfied with the election of Madison and Hedrick. Three of the Oskaloosa boys remained with us and brought one more recruit, while one of the Wapello county boys went with Winslow and three or four others backed out.
It was the expectation that the company would form a part of the Regiment then being recruited by Colonel Hugh T. Reid, at Keokuk, and having received orders the company started and arrived at the rendezvous in that city on the last day of October, and on November 1st were mustered into the United States service and designated D Company.
ARTHUR A. IRVIN. CO D 15TH IOWA VOLS.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
About that time the 3d Iowa Cavalry left Camp Rankin, and the first duty assigned the company was to take possession of and guard Camp Rankin until all the companies then at rendezvous could move up there. Lieutenant Hedrick appointed me Sergeant, and with fifteen men detailed us for that purpose; we marched boldly up and took possession. I divided the squad into reliefs,. appointed one Sergeant to have oversight, and a Corporal for each relief. This, I believe, was the first Camp Guard of the 15th Iowa. Getting everything into good working order, and directing the Sergeant what to do in case of an attack, and giving a countersign, I rolled myself up in my blankets and slept like a Major-General.
Here the first blood of Company I was shed. Early in the morn- ing a shot was fired in camp. One of the men had concluded that soldiering was pretty tough business, and thought by shooting the fore-finger from his right hand he could get out. The end of the finger was shot off, and Dr. Seaton, of Keokuk, dressed the wound, and the man soon recovered.
Captain Madison resigned on account of wounds January 18, '63, and since the war has represented Wapello county in both branches of the State Legislature, and served several terms as Mayor of the City of Ottumwa.
J. S. PORTER, Historian D Company.
Captain Madison is now one of the Board of Commissioners of the Iowa Soldiers' Home, for which the last General Assembly appropriated $100,000, and which has been located at Marshall- town. Since the war Colonel James S. Porter has most ably filled the office of County Judge of Wapello county, and also served very acceptably for two terms as Mayor of the City of Ottumwa.
T.
E COMPANY.
In October, 1861, John P. Craig, a popular and influential bus- iness man of Keosauqua, received a commission to recruit a com- pany under the first call for 300,000 men for three years. Twenty-
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
five men enrolled at once. There being in the town several hun- dred old Harper's ferry muskets, furnished the people by the state for protection on the border, one of the number, Hugh G. Brown, began at once to instruct the recruits in the drill, using Scott's tactics. Meantime, with a martial band, the detachment visited different parts of the county-( Van Buren)-for additional enlist- ments. They were cordially received and entertained by the citi- zens of the towns visited, and doubled their number.
Being mostly young men who had grown into manhood in the county, when the time came for their departure to Keokuk, their place of rendezvous, many were the tears and earnest benedictions of the friends they left behind. November 6th John P. Craig reported to Colonel H. T. Reid, at Keokuk, with the detachment.
C. W. Woodrow and Newton J. Rogers, having been members of the First Iowa Infantry-a three months' Regiment- gallant men, who received honorable mention for service at the battle of Wilson's Creek, determined to raise a company under the three years' call. They decided to join R. W. Hutchcraft, who had re- ceived a commission from General John C. Fremont to raise a company for the "Fremont Light Guards," which was intended to be the crack Regiment of the Western Army.
Upwards of fifty men had been enlisted in the vicinity of Des Moines and the northern part of Lee county, and were about to embark for St. Louis when Governor Kirkwood issued a procla- mation prohibiting inen who had enlisted within the state from leaving and joining other organizations. For this reason they also reported to Colonel H. T. Reid, at Keokuk, where the 15th Iowa organized.
At this time the quota of 300,000 men called for was about com- pleted, and the general public believing that no more troops would be needed, it was deemed best to consolidate the detachments. Among others, the following order was issued :
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 10.
Headquarters 15th Iowa Infantry, Camp Halleck, Dec . 6th, 1861. 5
The detachment of men in camp under command of R. W. Hutchcraft, and a detachment under John P. Craig, are hereby consolidated in one company; the men under Hutchcraft to have the Captaincy of the company, and the men under Craig to have the Lieutenancy. The non-commissioned officers to be equally divided between the detachments. By order of HUGH T. REID,
15th Iowa Infantry, Commanding . GEO. POMUTZ, Adjutant.
In accordance with said order the detachments became Company " E," of the 15th Iowa, and as such were mustered into the U. S. service on December 6th, 1861, by Captain Chas. C. Smith, U. S. A., at Keokuk, and were assigned to the left center of the Regi- ment, which position they retained during the war.
They were quartered for the winter in the third story of a brick building on Fifth street, near Main, in Keokuk, where, amid the songs, dances, jokes and games, the long winter evenings passed . The usual restlessness, however, to be sent to the front was mani- fested, and many a fear expressed that the war would close ere they were given a chance to exercise their patriotic valor. During the winter the company was drilled and instructed in the duties of the soldier by the first captain, R. W. Hutchcraft, who was a man of fine military bearing, and proved himself a ready and efficient offi- cer at the battle of Shiloh.
In the summer of 1862 he resigned on account of illness, and the vacancy was filled by the promotion of First Lieutenant John P. Craig. Captain Craig led his company valiantly at the battle of Corinth; and for his innate kindness of heart and high moral char- acter he proved a general favorite with all. He was compelled to
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
leave the service in December, 1862, on account of disease con- tracted by exposure. His resignation being reluctantly accepted, he returned to his pleasant home and loving friends. This vacancy was filled by the promotion of Newton J. Rogers, who became the third and last Captain, and was mustered out with the Company at the close of the war. He was a genial, whole-souled man, a jolly companion, as brave as the bravest, and generous to a fault.
Hugh G. Brown was elected Second Lieutenant at the organiza- tion of the company, and was promoted to First Lieutenant to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Craig to Captain. Lieu- tenant Brown was a thorough scholar, and distinguished himself for gallantry at Shiloh. He acted at times as Adjutant of the Reg- iment, and made an efficient officer; was detailed as Provost Mar- shall at Corinth, Miss. He was chosen by Gen. E. O. C. Ord as a member of his staff, and was promoted to Captain and A. D. C. U. S. Volunteers August 28th, 1863; brevet Major, December 29th, 1864; brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, March 31st, 1865 ; appointed Second Lieutenant United States Infantry, May 2d, 1866; promoted First Lieutenant 36th United States Infantry November 28th, 1866; promoted Captain Company "C," 12th United States In- fantry, March 20th, 1879.
The third, and last, First Lieutenant W . P. Muir was promoted to First Sergeant from the ranks March 1st, 1862; was again pro- moted to Second Lieutenant February 2d, 1863; and to First Lieu- tenant November 9th, 1863; brevet Captain March 13th, 1865, and brevet Major March 13th, (same day ) 1865.
Lieutenant Muir was an able officer and a man of sterling worth, high purpose and firm determination. These qualities rendered him every inch a soldier. He believed that all who entered the army were actuated by the same high principle as himself; that their duty was to obey orders.
Those who had the honor to serve under him can testify that they usually did so. Win. C. Stidger was elected Fourth Sergeant
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
at the organization of the company . Was promoted to Sergeant- Major; also to Second Lieutenant, and from that to Adjutant of the Regiment. He was a brave and efficient officer.
Second Lieutenant Don C. Hicks was elected Corporal at the organization of the company; promoted to Sergeant; then to Sec- ond Lieutenant. He was as true as steel, and always found at his post ready for duty .. He was loved by his comrades, trusted by his superiors, and obeyed by those under his command.
From the foregoing it will be seen that Company E had but seven commissioned officers; yet from those originally forming the company, there were commissioned nineteen officers of different grades.
During the service of the 15th Iowa, Company E furnished four Sergeant-Majors, to-wit: Alexander Brown, who was wounded at Shiloh, and again at Corinth so severely that he was unable longer to remain in the service; Amos D. Thatcher, who was pro- moted to Lieutenant in United States colored Infantry; Wm. C. Stidger, and Jas. W. Henry, who was mustered out as such at the close of the war.
Of the Regimental Color Sergeants, Company E furnished not a few. Newton J. Rogers, afterwards Captain, carried them gal- lantly at the battle of Shiloh; Eldredge G. Black, at the battle of Corinth, laid down his young life while holding the colors aloft, amid the most terific rain of musketry, and Wm. H. Sellers bore them bravely through the fighting from Kenesaw Mt., to the sea.
The Regimental Ambulance was driven for nearly three years by a member of Company 'E,' L. B. Muzzy, and a true friend to the boys did " Father Muzzy" prove. He was watchful and at- tentive; an opportunity of rendering aid to the weary or suffering soldier was never allowed to pass unheeded. Being an earnest and conscientious Christian, many were the prayers that went up from his great honest heart for the sick and wounded under his care.
5
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
At the organization of the company, MeDavis was appointed Drummer, and a faithful one he was. For nearly three years he promptly (too promptly ) awoke the boys with his reveille and retired them with his taps. At his own request, on the morning of the charge on Nick-a-Jack Creek, he changed his drum for a musket, and in his first engagement lost a leg .
Many acts of heroism were performed by members of Company 'E.' In the excitement of battle to stand up and fight, while com- rades are falling on every side, requires bravery ; but what shall we say of those who volunteered to go and care for brother soldiers who were stricken down with small-pox, or of those who entered the enemy's line to find and bring wounded comrades, as did a Ser- geant and three other members on July 21st, 1864, while Sergeant Roberts lay wounded. Augustus Smith, a private, who waited to help them over the works at the time, was killed.
Among the captures made by individuals Private Ben. Johnson, on the Meridian march, captured two prisoners. The Regiment had bivouaced for the night, when Johnson started off alone. Hav- ing gone somewhere near a mile, he espied two rebels lying behind a log watching other soldiers, unconscious of their own danger. He ordered them to surrender, which they ( reluctantly ) did, when he, a self-appointed guard, marched them off to headquarters. Private T. I. Muir, while doing picket duty, was surprised by a party of the enemy, who ordered him to surrender, but by dint of strategy and ready wit, he entirely out-generaled them. Making a bold dash forward he called to the boys to " come ahead," and ordered the rebs to throw down their arms. Believing his comrades to be near they obeyed. Thus the would-be captors became the captives.
When the time arrived for the boys to subsist off the surround- ing country, Company 'E' came to the front and was soon noted for careful, systematic foraging. The midnight "crow" of the in-
WM. H. SHEPARDSON MUSICIAN CO. F 15THIOWA VOLS.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
nocent rooster never failed to catch the attentive ear, and as for the squeal of a pig it was music which was soon followed by the wel- come odor of "fresh pork" arising from the old camp kettle. Numerous and various were the captures, and with characteristic liberality were they ever divided. It is needless to assert that in the distributions the field and staff were generally remembered.
When the last reveille sounded on the morning of August 3d, 1865, many and conflicting were the thoughts of each man. Eager expectations of home were somewhat clouded by the parting of comrades who had mingled in associations which only soldiers have. It was the parting of a band of brothers-both officers and men- and many were the regrets for those comrades left in unknown and unmarked graves.
The commands of Rogers would never inspire them to bravery again; the cheery voice of Wilson to fall in, Company 'E' need never more be obeyed; the songs of Cockayne cheer them in our home sickness, or the jokes of Grove and Buck, and drollery of Bowen and Holcomb, make long days and nights pass swiftly away. The bravery of Stewart, Carver, Wilson, Watson, and many others, are among the thoughts in the minds of each man as they laid aside their arms to take up the peaceful duties of life.
The general history of the Regiment is the history of Company 'E.' It never fell to their lot to have any special detail that would lighten the burden of work or danger. The list of casualties will show that they did not shrink from duty, for no company that was mustered out had more cause to be proud of their officers and of each other than had Company 'E,' of the 15th Iowa.
J. J. WILSON, BEN. JOHNSTON.
F. COMPANY.
A company was raised by Captain E. C. Blackmar, of Mills county, and First Lieutenant Jas. G. Day, of Tremont county, dur-
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
ing September and October, 1861, and went into camp at Glen- wood, October 10th. By order of the Governor, started to Keokuk, the place of rendezvous, November 9th; arrived there on the 16th, and was mustered into the United States service, by Captain C. C. Smith, November 18th, 1861, as Company F, 15th Regiment Iowa Volunteers, for three years.
JOB. THROCKMORTON, Company Historian,
G. COMPANY.
On the 20th day of October, A. D. 1861, Wm. T. Cunningham and Frederick Christofel, of Knoxville, Iowa, began, under orders of the Governor of Iowa, to recruit for Company G, 15th Iowa Infantry Volunteers. On the 24th of said month they had enrolled 77 men. On the 15th day of November, 1861, about thirty men were enrolled at Indianola, Iowa, by Dr. Hezekiah Fisk and Cyrus G. Boyd, arrived at Knoxville, and on the next day the company met in the court house in Knoxville and completed its organization by the election of officers.
Mr. Fred. Christofel, who was a very competent drill master, was, by a combination of circumstances, denied the position of Lieu- tenant which had been promised him. A large number of those who enlisted in Company G were afterwards transferred to Com- pany K, and in this company Mr. Christofel received the commis- sion he had so well earned and deserved.
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