FIRST COLONEL, ELEVENTH INFANTRY.
Abraham M. Hare, the original colonel of the 11th Iowa Infantry, is a native of Ohio, where he was born about the year 1812. He was one of the earliest settlers of Muscatine, Iowa, having established himself in that place before the year 1839. For several years after settling in Muscatine, he carried on the hatter's business; and later, opened a hat and cap store. He was successful in business, and, in the course of a few years, acquired a respectable fortune. I am told he stands among the wealthy and most exemplary men of Muscatine. He had some knowledge of military matters before entering the service, having been a major of militia in Ohio.
He was mustered colonel of the 11th Iowa on the 1st day of November, 1861, and served with his regiment until the battle of Shiloh, when he resigned his commission, on account of a wound received in that engagement.
But little of the history of the 11th Iowa Infantry was made under Colonel Hare. The regiment was recruited mainly from the counties of Muscatine, Iowa, Hardin, Marshall, Louisa, Cedar, Keokuk, Washington, Henry, Clinton and Linn: Muscatine is the most largely represented. It was mustered into the United States service, by companies, in the months of September and October, 1861, and the following Winter, served in Missouri. Shiloh was its first battle, and the only one it was engaged in during the colonelcy of Colonel Hare: indeed, it was not under him in that engagement; for he was in command of the brigade to which it was attached. Lieutenant-Colonel, afterward Colonel Hall commanded the regiment, and made the report of the engagement. The 11th and 13th Iowa were attached to the same brigade at Shiloh, and the part the regiment sustained in the engagement, may be seen in the sketch of Brigadier-General M. M. Crocker.
Among the killed at Shiloh, the 11th Iowa lost Lieutenant John F. Compton, Sergeants Henry Seibert, Ezra McLoney and George E. Daniels; and Corporals William F. Hough, George J. Barns, and Martin A. McLain. Captain Charles Foster was wounded, as also was Sergeant E. D. Akers, who was not long after promoted to the captaincy of his company. The regiment lost heavily in killed and wounded, but the exact number I have been unable to learn. The rebel General A. Sidney Johnson fell in front of the 11th Iowa, and was doubtless killed by this regiment.
Colonel Hare was quite severely wounded near the close of the first day's battle, and left the field. He was wounded where his brigade made its last stand; and in speaking of him General McClernand says: — "Colonel A. M. Hare, commanding the 1st Brigade, who had borne himself through the day with great constancy and courage, was here wounded, and the command of the brigade devolved on his able and gallant successor, Colonel Crocker."
Colonel Hare is a large, athletic man, of billious-sanguine temperament, and dark complexion. His hair once black, is now streaked with gray; his eye though mild, is penetrating. He is determined in purpose, and kind-hearted, a fact universally attested by the "boys" of his regiment. He is cool, deliberate and fearless in battle, and unostentatious in manners. It is doubtless owing to this peculiar trait of character that I am unable to get further details of his history. He seems satisfied with having done his duty.
SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 235-6
Abraham M. Hare, the original colonel of the 11th Iowa Infantry, is a native of Ohio, where he was born about the year 1812. He was one of the earliest settlers of Muscatine, Iowa, having established himself in that place before the year 1839. For several years after settling in Muscatine, he carried on the hatter's business; and later, opened a hat and cap store. He was successful in business, and, in the course of a few years, acquired a respectable fortune. I am told he stands among the wealthy and most exemplary men of Muscatine. He had some knowledge of military matters before entering the service, having been a major of militia in Ohio.
He was mustered colonel of the 11th Iowa on the 1st day of November, 1861, and served with his regiment until the battle of Shiloh, when he resigned his commission, on account of a wound received in that engagement.
But little of the history of the 11th Iowa Infantry was made under Colonel Hare. The regiment was recruited mainly from the counties of Muscatine, Iowa, Hardin, Marshall, Louisa, Cedar, Keokuk, Washington, Henry, Clinton and Linn: Muscatine is the most largely represented. It was mustered into the United States service, by companies, in the months of September and October, 1861, and the following Winter, served in Missouri. Shiloh was its first battle, and the only one it was engaged in during the colonelcy of Colonel Hare: indeed, it was not under him in that engagement; for he was in command of the brigade to which it was attached. Lieutenant-Colonel, afterward Colonel Hall commanded the regiment, and made the report of the engagement. The 11th and 13th Iowa were attached to the same brigade at Shiloh, and the part the regiment sustained in the engagement, may be seen in the sketch of Brigadier-General M. M. Crocker.
Among the killed at Shiloh, the 11th Iowa lost Lieutenant John F. Compton, Sergeants Henry Seibert, Ezra McLoney and George E. Daniels; and Corporals William F. Hough, George J. Barns, and Martin A. McLain. Captain Charles Foster was wounded, as also was Sergeant E. D. Akers, who was not long after promoted to the captaincy of his company. The regiment lost heavily in killed and wounded, but the exact number I have been unable to learn. The rebel General A. Sidney Johnson fell in front of the 11th Iowa, and was doubtless killed by this regiment.
Colonel Hare was quite severely wounded near the close of the first day's battle, and left the field. He was wounded where his brigade made its last stand; and in speaking of him General McClernand says: — "Colonel A. M. Hare, commanding the 1st Brigade, who had borne himself through the day with great constancy and courage, was here wounded, and the command of the brigade devolved on his able and gallant successor, Colonel Crocker."
Colonel Hare is a large, athletic man, of billious-sanguine temperament, and dark complexion. His hair once black, is now streaked with gray; his eye though mild, is penetrating. He is determined in purpose, and kind-hearted, a fact universally attested by the "boys" of his regiment. He is cool, deliberate and fearless in battle, and unostentatious in manners. It is doubtless owing to this peculiar trait of character that I am unable to get further details of his history. He seems satisfied with having done his duty.
SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 235-6
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