USA > Iowa > Lee County > The history of Lee county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
" Much difficulty and considerable delay occured in fitting these regiments for the field. For the First Infantry a complete outfit (not uniform) of clothing was extemporized-principally by the volunteered labor of loyal women in the different towns-from material of various colors and qualities, obtained within the limits of the State. The same was done in part for the Second Infantry. Meantime, an extra session of the General Assembly had been called by the Governor, to convene on the 15th of May. With but little delay, that body authorized a loan of $800,000, to meet the extraordinary expenses incurred, and to be incurred, by the Executive Department, in consequence of the new emer- gency. A wealthy merchant of the State (Ex-Governor Merrill, then a resident of McGregor) immediately took from the Governor a contract to supply a com- plete outfit of clothing for the three regiments organized, agreeing to receive. should the Governor so elect, his pay therefor in State bonds at par. This con-
230
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
tract he executed to the letter, and a portion of the clothing (which was manu- factured in Boston, to his order) was delivered at Keokuk, the place at which the troops had rendezvoused, in exactly one month from the day on which the contract had been entered into. The remainder arrived only a few days later. This clothing was delivered to the regiment, but was subsequently condemned by the Government, for the reason that its color was gray, and blue had been adopted as the color to be worn by the national troops.
Other States also clothed their troops, sent forward under the first call of President Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it was soon found that the con- federate forces were also clothed in gray, and that color was at once abandoned by the Union troops. If both armies were clothed alike, annoying if not fatal mistakes were liable to be made.
But 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 invasion on the south by the Secessionists of Missouri, and from danger of incursions from the west and 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.
To provide for the adequate defense of her borders from the ravages of both rebels in arms against the Government and of the more irresistible foes from the Western plains, the Governor of the State 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," says Col. Wood, "in times of special danger, or when calls were made by the Unionists of Northern 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.
" The first order for the Iowa volunteers to move to the field was received on the 13th of June. It was issued by Gen. Lyon, then commanding the United States forces in Missouri. The First and Second Infantry immediately embarked in steamboats, and moved to Hannibal. Some two weeks later, the Third Infantry was ordered to the same point. These three, together 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 a 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 fol- lowed by the more important movements led by Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this State, and other commanders, which resulted in defeating the armies defending the chief strategic lines held by the Confederates in Kentucky, Tenn- nessee, Missouri and Arkansas, and 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
231
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
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 Vicksburg, the State was represented by thirty 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. Multiplied were the terms in which expression was given to this sentiment, but these words of one of the journals of a neigh- boring State, ' The Iowa troops have been heroes among heroes,' embody the spirit of all.
" In the veteran re-enlistments that distinguished the closing months of 1863 above all other periods in the history of re-enlistments 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.
" In all the important movements of 1864-65, by which the Confederacy 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 sanitary field, and by their liberal gifts and personal efforts for the benefit 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 ren- dering assistance to the sick and needy soldiers of the State, while others were employed in visiting, from time to time, hospitals, camps and armies 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.
"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 purpose, 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 pro- vide increased accommodations for the large number of children who were seeking the benefits of its care. This was done by establishing a branch at Cedar Falls, in Black Hawk County, and by securing, during the same year, for the use of the parent Home, Camp Kinsman near the City of Davenport. This property was soon afterward donated to the institution, by act of Congress.
232
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
" In 1866, in pursuance of a law enacted for that purpose, the Soldiers' Orphans' Home (which then contained about four hundred and fifty 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 tracts were secured, and valuable improve- ments made at all the different points. Schools were also established, and em- ployments provided for such of the children as were of suitable age. In all ways 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 children who have been inmates of the Home from its foundation to the present time is considerably more than two thousand.
" At the beginning of the war, the population of Iowa included about one hundred and fifty thousand men presumably liable to render military service. 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 regi- ments and one battalion of infantry, composed of one hundred days' men. The original enlistments in these various organizations, including seventeen hundred and twenty-seven men raised by draft, numbered a little more than sixty-nine thousand. The re-enlistments, including upward of seven thousand veterans, numbered very nearly eight thousand. The enlistments in the regular army and navy, and organizations of other States, will, if added, raise the total to upward of eighty thousand. 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 five thousand.
"Iowa paid no bounty 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 Government insisted on temporarily setting aside, in part, the former rule of settlements, and enforcing a draft in all cases where subdistricts 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."
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, incurred heavy State debts for the purpose of fulfilling their obligations to the General Government, Iowa, while she was foremost 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 addition to her pecuniary liabilities incurred before the war com- menced. Upon final settlement after the restoration 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.
233
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
INFANTRY.
THE FIRST INFANTRY
was organized under the President's first proclamation for volunteers for three months, with John Francis Bates, of Dubuque, as Colonel ; William H. Mer- ritt, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieutenant Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of Mt. Pleas- ant, 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, and were mus- tered into United States service May 14, 1861, at Keokuk. The above com- panies were independent military organizations before the war, and tendered their services before breaking-out of hostilities. The First was engaged at the battle of Wilson's Creek, under Gen. Lyon, where it lost ten killed and fifty wounded. Was mustered out at St. Louis Aug. 25, 1861.
THE SECOND INFANTRY
was organized, with Samuel R. Curtis, of Keokuk, as Colonel ; Jas. M. Tuttle, of Keosauqua, as Lieutenant Colonel, and M. M. Crocker, of Des Moines, as Major, and was mustered into the United States service at Keokuk in May, 1861. Company A was from Keokuk; Company B, from Scott County ; Com- panv C, from Scott County ; Company D, from Des Moines ; Company E, from Fairfield, Jefferson Co .; 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 participated in the following engagements : Fort Donelson, Shiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth, Little Bear Creek, Ala .; Tunnel Creek, Ala .; Resaca, Ga .; Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nick-a-Jack Creek, in front of Atlanta, January 22, 1864 ; siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Eden Station, Little Ogeechee, Savannah, Columbia, S. C .; Lynch's Creek, and Bentonsville. Was on Sherman's march to the sea, and through the Carolinas home. The Second Regiment of Iowa Infantry Veteran Volunteers was formed by the consolidation of the battalions of the Second and Third Veteran Infantry, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865.
THE THIRD INFANTRY
was organized with N. G. Williams, of Dubuque County, as Colonel ; John Scott, of Story County, Lieutenant Colonel ; Win. N. Stone, of Marion County, Major, and was mustered into the United States service in May, 1861, at Keokuk. Company A was from Dubuque County ; Company B, from Marion County ; Company C, from Clayton County ; Company D, from Winneshiek County ; Company E, from Boone, Story, Marshall and Jasper Counties ; Com- pany F, from Fayette County ; Company G, from Warren County ; Company II. from Mahaska County ; Company I, from Floyd, Butler Black Hawk and Mitchell Counties, and Company K from Cedar Falls. It was engaged at Blue Mills, Mo. ; Shiloh, Tenn. ; Hatchie River, Matamoras, Vicksburg, Johnson, Miss., Meridian expedition, and Atlanta, Atlanta campaign and Sherman's march to Savannah, and through the Carolinas to Richmond and Washington. The veterans of the Third Iowa Infantry were consolidated with the Second, and mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1864.
234
HISTORY OF THE STATE 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, Glenwood, as Major. Company A, from Mills County, was mustered in at Jefferson Bar- racks, Missouri, August 15, 1861; Company B, Pottawattamie County, was mustered in at Council Bluffs, August 8, 1861 ; Company C, Guthrie County, mustered in at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., May 3, 1861; Company D, Decatur County, at St. Louis, August 16th ; Company E, Polk County, at Council Bluffs, August 8th ; Company F, Madison County, Jefferson Barracks, August 15th ; Company G, Ringgold County, at Jefferson Barracks, August 15th ; Company H, Adams County, Jefferson Barracks, August 15th ; Company I. Wayne County, at St. Louis, August 31st; Company K, Taylor and Page Counties, at St. Louis, August 31st. Was engaged at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, Taylor's Ridge; came home on veteran furlough February 26, 1864. Returned in April, and was in the campaign against Atlanta, and Sherman's march to the sea, and thence through the Carolinas to Washington and home. Was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 24, 1865.
THE FIFTH INFANTRY
was organized with Wm. H. Worthington, of Keokuk, as Colonel ; C. Z. Mat- thias, of Burlington, as Lieutenant Colonel; W. S. Robertson, of Columbus City, as Major, and was mustered into the United States service, 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 ; Com- pany G, from Benton County ; Company H, from Van Buren County ; Company I, from Jackson County ; Company K, from Allamakee County ; was engaged at New Madrid, siege of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth, Champion Hills, siege of Vicks- burg, Chickamauga ; went home on veteran furlough, April, 1864. The non- veterans went home July, 1864, leaving 180 veterans who were transferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The Fifth Cavalry was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, Aug. 11, 1865.
THE SIXTH INFANTRY.
was mustered into the service July 6, 1861, at Burlington, with John A. McDowell, of Keokuk, as Colonel ; Markoe Cummins, of Muscatine, Lieuten- ant Colonel ; John M. Corse, of Burlington, Major. Company A was fron 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 ; Company K, from Henry County. It was engaged at Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Jackson, Black River Bridge, Jones' Ford, etc., etc. The Sixth lost 7 officers killed in action, 18 wounded ; of enlisted men 102 were killed in action, 30 died of wounds, 124 of disease, 211 were discharged for disability and 301 were wounded in action, which was the largest list of casualties, of both officers and men, of any reg- iment from Iowa. Was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 21, 1865.
235
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
THE SEVENTH INFANTRY
was mustered into the United States service at Burlington, July 24, 1861, with J. G. Lauman, of Burlington, as Colonel; Augustus Wentz, of Daven- port, as Lieutenant Colonel, and E. W. Rice, of Oskaloosa, as Major. Com- pany A was from Muscatine County ; Company B, from Chickasaw and Floyd Counties ; Company C, from Mahaska County ; Companies D and E, from Lee County ; Company F, from Wapello County ; Company G, from Iowa County ; Company H, from Washington County ; Company I, from Wapello County ; Company K, from Keokuk. Was engaged at the battles of Belmont (in which it lost in killed, wounded and missing 237 men), Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nick-a-Jack Creek, siege of Atlanta, battle on 22d of July in front of Atlanta, Sherman's campaign to the ocean, through the Carolinas to Richmond, and thence to Louisville. Was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 12, 1865.
THE EIGHTH INFANTRY
was mustered into the United States service Sept. 12, 1861, at Davenport, Iowa, with Frederick Steele, of the regular army, as Colonel ; James L. Geddes, of Vinton, as Lieutenant Colonel, and J. C. Ferguson, of Knoxville, as Major. Company A was from Clinton County ; Company B, from Scott County ; Company C, from Washington County ; Company D, from Benton and Linn Counties ; Company E, from Marion County ; Company F, from Keokuk County ; Company G, from Iowa and Johnson Counties; Company H. from Mahaska County ; Company I, from Monroe County ; Company K, from Lou- isa County. Was engaged at the following battles : Shiloh (where most of the regiment were taken prisoners of war), Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson and Span- ish Fort. Was mustered out of the United States service at Selma, Alabama, April 20, 1866.
THE NINTH INFANTRY
was mustered into the United States service September 24, 1861, at Dubuque, with Wm. Vandever, of Dubuque, Colonel ; Frank G. Herron, of Dubuque, Lieutenant Colonel ; Wm. H. Coyle, of Decorah, Major. Company A was from Jackson County ; Company B, from Jones County ; Company C, from Bu- chanan County ; Company D, from Jones County ; Company E, from Clayton County ; Company F, from Fayette County ; Company G, from Black Hawk County ; Company H, from Winneshiek County ; Company I, from Howard County and Company K, from Linn County. Was in the following engage- ments : Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Ringgold, Dallas, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march to the sea, and through North and South Carolina to Richmond. Was mustered out at Louisville, July 18, 1865.
THE TENTH INFANTRY
was mustered into the United States service at Iowa City September 6, 1861, with Nicholas Perczel, of Davenport, as Colonel ; W. E. Small, of Iowa City, as Lieutenant Colonel ; and John C. Bennett, of Polk County, as Major. Com- pany A was from Polk County ; Company B, from Warren County ; Company C, from Tama County ; Company D, from Boone County ; Company E, from Washington County ; Company F, from Poweshiek County ; Company G, from
236
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
Warren County ; Company H, from Greene County ; Company I, from Jasper County ; Company K, from Polk and Madison Counties. Participated in the following engagements : Siege of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Ray- mond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Vicksburg and Mission Ridge. In Septem- ber, 1864, the non-veterans being mustered out, the veterans were transferred to the Fifth lowa Cavalry, where will be found their future operations.
THE ELEVENTH INFANTRY
was mustered into the United States service at Davenport, Iowa, in September and October, 1861, with A. M. Hare, of Muscatine, as Colonel : Jno. C. Aber- crombie, as Lieutenant Colonel ; Wm. Hall, of Davenport, as Major. Com- pany A was from Muscatine ; Company B, from Marshall and Hardin Counties ; Company C, from Louisa County ; Company D, from Muscatine County ; Com- pany E, from Cedar County : Company F. from Washington County ; Company G, from Henry County ; Company H. from Muscatine County ; Company I from Muscatine County : Company K, from Linn County. Was engaged in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta cam- paign, battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. Was mastered out at Louisville, Ky .. July 15, 1865.
THE TWELFTH INFANTRY
was mustered into the United States service November 25, 1861, at Dubuque, with J. J. Wood, of Maquoketa, as Colonel : John P. Coulter, of Cedar Rapids, Lieutenant Colonel : Samuel D. Brodtbeek, of Dubuque, as Major. Company A was from Hardin County : Company B, from Allamakee County ; Company C. from Fayette County ; Company D, from Linn County : Company E, from Black Hawk County ; Company F, from Delaware County ; Company G, from Winne- shick County : Company H, from Dubuque and Delaware Counties : Company I, from Dubuque and Jackson Counties : Company K. from Delaware County. It was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, where most of the regiment was captured, and those not captured were organized in what was called the Union Brigade, and were in the battle of Corinth; the prisoners were exchanged November 10, 1862, and the regiment re-organized, and then participating in the siege of Vicksburg, battle of Tupelo, Miss .: White River, Nashville and Spanish Fort. The regiment was mustered out at Memphis, January 20, 1866.
THE THIRTEENTH INFANTRY
was mustered in November 1, 1861, at Davenport, with M. M. Crocker, of Des Moines, as Colonel : M. M. Price, of Davenport, Lieutenant Colonel : John Shane, Vinton, Major. Company A was from Mt. Vernon : Company B, from Jasper County : Company C. from Inteas County : Company D. from Keokuk County : Company E, from Scott County : Company F. from Scott and Linn Counties : Company G, from Benton County : Company HI, from Marshall County : Company I, from Washington County : Company K, from Washington County. It participated in the following engagements : Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, Campaign against Atlanta. Was on Sherman's march to the sea, and through North and South Carolina. Was mustered out at Louisville July 21, 1865.
THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY
was mustered in the United States service October, 1861, at Davenport, with Wm. T. Shaw, of Anamosa, as Colonel : Edward W. Lucas, of Iowa City. as
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.