Showing posts with label 5th IA INF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5th IA INF. Show all posts

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Sunday, September 21, 1862

It is reported to-day that Price has been beaten, and is now making a flank movement towards Corinth. Soon we are ordered to Corinth, and there we lay in line of battle all day; but no Price comes, and we return to camp in the evening. Dispatches from Rosecrans inform us this evening that he has routed Price. Praises for Rosecrans and the noble Fifth Iowa come from every one. The Illinois soldiers can ever find it in their hearts to speak words of praise about their brothers from Iowa, especially when like the Fifth who maintained such a desperate bayonet charge to save their colors from falling into the hands of the rebels. Right here we would say that the Seventh Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry will not soon forget the Seventh and Second Iowa, starting in the service together, fighting side by side in the assault on Fort Donelson, together carrying their flag in the thickest of the battle, camping side by side on the weary march. They seemed to each other as brothers, for brothers they were, fighting in one common cause to keep the old flag on its staff, and to-day there are men in the Seventh that would fling their coats for a fight, should they hear any one speak disparagingly of the Seventh and Second Iowa infantry. They are camped now some where around Corinth, but we do not know exactly where; however, we remember them, and we imagine when the war is over, and when peace comes back to her people, should a soldier from the Seventh Illinois Infantry meet one from the Seventh or Second Iowa Infantry, who fought with him at Donelson, it will be a congenial meeting, and if he does not treat him as a gentleman it may be marked down as a fact that he does not understand the business.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 86-7

Friday, July 8, 2016

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Thursday, April 9, 1863

In camp on side hill above Helena. 5th and 28th Iowa ordered down the river.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 487

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Friday, April 3, 1863

Relieved from Picket at 12. M. More forces down in which are the 5th and 17th Iowa regts.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 487

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Samuel H. M. Byers

SAMUEL H. M. BYERS was born in Pulaski, Pennsylvania, in 1838. Coming to Iowa in 1851 with his father he was educated in the schools of Oskaloosa, where his father located. He enlisted in the Fifth Iowa Infantry and served in the army until March, 1865, was promoted to adjutant in April, 1863. He was in many battles and in a charge at Missionary Ridge was taken prisoner and for fifteen months suffered the horrors of Libby and other Confederate prisons. He finally escaped and returned to the army, where for a time he was on General Sherman’s staff. At the close of the war he was brevetted major. While in prison at Columbia, South Carolina, he wrote the well-known song, “The March to the Sea,” which brought him into national notice. It gave the name to Sherman’s famous march and thousands of copies were sold immediately after the war. Major Byers was sent by General Sherman to General Grant and President Lincoln as bearer of dispatches announcing his great victories. He served fifteen years as American consul at Zürich in Switzerland and was under President Arthur, Consul General for Italy. Under President Harrison he served as Consul to St. Gall and later as Consul General for Switzerland. Major Byers has been a contributor to the leading magazines of the country. He is the author of “Iowa in War Times,” “Switzerland and the Swiss,” “Twenty Years in Europe” and several volumes of poetry.

Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa From The Earliest Times To The Beginning Of The Twentieth Century, Vol. 4, p. 36

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Des Moines, Ia., May 16, 1862.

EDITOR GAZETTE – Dear Sir:  I see by your paper that Dr. C. H. Rawson has resigned his commission in the army.  This is an error.  I had a letter from him yesterday, near Corinth.  He has resigned his post as Surgeon of the Iowa 5th, having received the appointment of Brigade Surgeon, and is acting as such to Gen. Hamilton’s Brigade.  He will not resign while the war lasts.

Respct. yours,
A. J. RAWSON

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 1

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Mortality of Iowa Soldiers

The following list comprises the names of Iowa Volunteers who have died in the vicinity of St. Louis at the dates named. – For further information, apply to John A. Smithers, 113 Chesnut street, St. Louis.

April
30
Lewis Stah,
Co. K,
16th
regt.
May
3
Wm. H. Johnson,
Co. K,
17th
May
4
Theo. Campbell,
Co. F,
11th
Chas. White,
Co. K,
17th
6
Robt. A. Bennett,
Co. D,
2d
Ben. J. Baker,
Co. K,
14th
7
G. W. Hess,
Co. F,
6th
Gottleib Weltlaff,
Co. K,
16th
Wm. T. Clark,
recruit for
4th
8
John Keppel,
Co. A,
2d
E. A. Ward,
Co. H,
12th
9
Jos. B. Caraway,
Co. B,
12th
Geo. B. Ferguson,
Co. D,
5th
10
Thos. Sharpe,
Co. I,
4th

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 15, 1862, p. 2

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Pittsburg Landing, May 7 [1862].

MR. E. RUSSELL, Cor. Secretary Scott Co. Relief Association –

ESTEEMED SIR:  I have arrived from Hamburg general hospital.  I consented to be assigned, for the present, to the 8th ward of that institution, after having assisted Dr. Varian, post surgeon, to establish it.  I have 160 of the sick of the 2d cavalry, 5th, 10th, 3d and 17th infantry of Iowa volunteers under my care.  They are doing quite as well as we could hope for under the circumstances – have lost none, have nurses plenty, but need good cooks.  This is the mistake.  Good cooks are what is most needed in our hospitals.  Fruits, potatoes, onions, barley, whisky and lots of peppers are needed too.  Mrs. Harlan and Mrs. Burnell are here somewhere.  I believe Dr. G. is still in the 3d Iowa.  The army is advancing to-day three miles – they must fight or run, I think, this week; are skirmishing now.  The cannon are booming – it’s exciting music, but brings no terror.  The army is in excellent spirits, although much sickness is in it.  See that the good people of Davenport do not turn out promiscuously as a crowd to help here in case of a battle, but send a few working men.  I shall do all I can to keep posted as to the wants of our troops, and relieve them as far as that can be done with my means.

Yours,
A. S. MAXWELL.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 14, 1862, p. 1

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, September 20, 1862

We remained in line of battle all night and early this morning advanced in a line about two miles, when we received orders to march on into Iuka. The rebels retreated during the night, and General Rosecrans' forces are after them. We learned this morning that a battle had been fought yesterday here by Rosecrans' forces alone. When we were waiting for the sound of Rosecrans' cannon, we could not hear them on account of an unfavorable wind. The rebels attacked him and made the fight come off a day before the time set for our capture of them. The Sixteenth Iowa of Crocker's Brigade had been detached from us and sent forward, being the only regiment of our brigade engaged in the fight. Their loss was fourteen killed. The Fifth Iowa in Rosecrans' army was trapped in an ambush which was made with a battery masked in green leaves, and lost forty-one killed. The rebels were driven out and left their dead and wounded on the field. Quite a number of our wounded are now being brought into town from the battlefield. Iuka is a nice place with some good buildings. It is well supplied with good water from splendid springs. There is poor farming land around here, it being quite rolling in this part of Tennessee. The timber, mostly pine, is rather scrubby.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 70

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Recruits

Seventy-eight recruits left yesterday on the Sucker State for the South. – 47 of them belong to the 4th regiment, and are under Lieuts. I. Whicher and Wm. Tracey; 17 to the 5th under Lieuts. J. P. Foley and B. Jarvis; and 14 to the 6th, under Lieut. E. E. Edwards, son of Hon. John Edwards, and formerly of the Chariton Patriot.  Capt. A. C. Price, of the 13th, returned to his regiment at the same time.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

The Post Hospital

Yesterday we paid a visit to the Hospital at this place.  We found there some seventy patients belonging to the 5th Iowa and 37th Illinois, and also some of the 1st Iowa Cavalry and Merrill’s Horse, wounded at the battle of Silver Creek, who, we are glad to say, are all rapidly recovering.  The whole arrangements of the hospital are excellent. – The rooms are kept warm and are as clean and neat as any hospitals in the Eastern cities.  The patients all seemed well satisfied with the treatment received.  They have excellent attendance by the numerous nurses, and in every case have as good care as they would have at home.  Dr. Carpenter, the Assistant surgeon of the 5th Iowa, has recently been appointed Post Surgeon, who besides an able and efficient Surgeon gives his unwearied and undivided attention to mitigate sufferings of the sick and wounded soldiers. – The friends of the soldiers in the 5th Iowa may rest assured that when the men are sick, they have as good attendance as can be afforded.  It is true that on a march the accommodations are not great, but every attention is paid to their wants and comforts that can be procured.  Dr. Carpenter is assisted by Dr. Haas of Booneville, and Mr. Smith, one of the best Stewards in the service. – {5th Iowa Register, Booneville, Mo.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

Monday, April 22, 2013

The Iowa Fifth Regiment Volunteers

We presume that a few items, in regard to the organization and movements of this regiment since it has been in the field, will not prove altogether uninteresting to our readers as there has been considerable interest taken in its welfare by high military distinction and civilians. The Fifth first rendezvoused at Burlington, Iowa and the most of the companies were mustered into the United States on the fourteenth of July last.  The field officers commanding the regiment were W. H. Worthington, Colonel, of Keokuk, C. L. Mathies, Lieutenant Colonel, of Burlington (formerly a Captain in the three month’s service under General Lyon), W. S. Robertson, Major, Columbus City, and J. P. Foley, Adjutant, from Bellevue, all of Iowa.  The regiment left Burlington on the 3d of August for Keokuk, where they were quartered for a couple of weeks and took part in the memorable engagement at Athens.  On the eleventh of August left for St. Louis on board the Die Vernon, and after a quick and pleasant trip, arrived there on the 13th.  From there went to Jefferson City were after spending some time were provided with tents and uniforms, our guns having been delivered to us on our voyage up the river.  Much dissatisfaction was exhibited by some of the companies on receiving the common muskets, for they had expected to get rifles.  No blame was attached to our Colonel, however for he had done all that mortal men could do and received the assurance, as some say, that his men would not have to use them but thirty days.  The time must be up now.  While at Jefferson City, the most of the time was spent in drilling and perfecting the troops in the manual of arms.  Nothing occurred worthy of note here, unless we except a trip made to Columbia, for the purpose of showing the people of that place our new knapsacks.  From thence, we were ordered to the Osage – a small place, 8 miles below Jefferson – to guard the R. R. bridge, on the St. Louis and Pacific Railroad, which the rebels, instigated by Claib, had kindly endeavored to burn last spring.  From there back to Jefferson City where we remained for a while sweltering beneath the rays of powerful sun to which our canvass tents offered but poor protection, and finally started for Boonville aboard the War Eagle, which we reached on the 14th of September, ult.  After being quartered at this place and Glasgow for a number of weeks, we were ordered on the memorable march to Springfield, departing on the 14th of October.  Of the trip and numerous incidents which befell us on our march to the latter place I have not time to speak.  Just two months had elapsed ere we made our appearance on the Fair Ground of Boonville again, and we were not sorry for all of the places we have seen in Missouri, Boonville takes the lead in beauty, intelligence, and uniform kindness on the part of the citizens.  The other regiments, Illinois 37th and Missouri 9th, composing the brigade with us under Gen. Kelton, are now quartered at Lamine bridge and if reports speak truly are not very well contented.  We had been in expectation of being ordered into winter quarters either at Tipton or St. Louis, – and our sick were sent to the latter place, – but our sudden departure for Boonville coupled with the fact that the other three companies of our regiment left at Syracuse, are to join us in a few days, would seem to indicate that we are to spend the winter here.  The Fifth regiment numbers among its officers and privates some of the most intelligent, enterprising and patriotic citizens of Iowa – men, who have forsook their farms, offices and counting houses, to shoulder a musket – who enlisted from no mercenary motives – but for the maintenance of the Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws.  But although we have traveled to almost every point of note in the State where it was rumored the secesh would make a stand we have been unsuccessful in getting into an engagement.  None of our boys have been wiped out by the enemy’s bullets while few, comparatively, have fallen victims to disease.  So far the regiment has been tolerably well clothed though in one instance clothing which was destined for us, was forwarded to another regiment, giving us theirs, which consisted of the despicable roundabout.  We are somewhat in need of a new stand of colors, and it is probably that the patriotic ladies of Iowa will send us one ere long.  The band is not quite so full as desirable but, we understand that steps are being taken up to fill it up.  Taking all things into consideration, we have no reasonable ground for complaint, our regiment being fully as well equipped, officered, and disciplined as any in the service. – {Boonville Register.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

Secession Wagon -- Union Side

(From the Fifth Iowa Register)

BY J. H. WILSON

Secession is the wagon!  ‘Tis painted nice and new,
The horses they are fractious, and a draw a fractious crew,
But then the whip’s a good one – the lines are safely tied –
So jump into the wagon and we’ll all take a ride.

CHORUS –
Then drive along the wagon

The Secession wagon –

We’ll put them in their wagon,

And give them all a ride.

Come all ye Northern freemen and fall into the ranks,
The “Secesh” need a lesson, and we will stop their pranks
We’ll bring them to subjection – we’ll subjugate their pride –
We’ll put them in their wagon and give them all a ride.

So drive along the wagon, &c.

The wagon it was stolen, and so the horses too,
And all their spending money was taken right from you
But Floyd’s the man to do it tho’ others long had tried
So we’ll put them in the wagon and give them all a ride.

So drive along the wagon, &c.

Jeff Davis, we will catch him, and Stephens we will bag,
And all the Southern leaders who of their bravery brag,
We’ll box them up so neatly, and from all care exempt,
They never shall have troubles, for they shall be well hemped.

So Drive along the wagon, &c.

Claib Jackson is included, and Price we’ll kindly treat
For we know he always travels with the loosest kind of seat,
And the poor deluded rebels, whose trusts have been belied
We’ll show them every kindness on their Secession ride.

So drive along the wagon, &c.

The niggers we don’t want them, for them we do not fight
For tho’ we make them freemen, we can not make them white
We’ll only take their masters, who do not with us side,
And put them in the wagon to take a Secesh ride.

So drive along the wagon, &c.

Abe Lincoln is our driver, McClellan holds the reins,
And he will drive the wagon with the greatest care and pains
His hold it is a good one, and it will never slip
So jump into the wagon, he’ll take you through the trip.

So drive along the wagon, &c.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

We have received a neat little paper . . .

. . . printed at Boonville, called the “Fifth Iowa Register,” from which we have made several extracts.  We are happy to hear from the Regiment, and from our old friend Lieut. Colonel Matthies who is in good health and spirits.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Lieut. Elias G. Jackson

LIEUT. ELIAS G. JACKSON, a general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 32 Elm Grove Township, was born May 25, 1828, in Randolph County, Ind., and is a son of Joseph and Phoebe (Cox) Jackson, the former a native of Stokes County, N. C., born Aug. 23, 1804, and the latter of Montgomery County, Ohio, born April 19,1807. They were united in marriage in 1827, in Randolph County, Ind., where Joseph Jackson followed the occupation of farming. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Jackson, served during the Revolutionary War, while James Jackson, an uncle, fought in the War of 1812, and was under the command of Gen. Hull when he surrendered to the British at Detroit. In every war of our country the Jackson family has been represented, in all of which, as soldiers, they proved efficient and faithful.

In 1856 Joseph Jackson, accompanied by his family, came to Louisa County, Iowa, where he resided until his death, which occurred March 25, 1858. His wife is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-two, and makes her home with our subject. They were the parents of nine children, the four eldest being born in Randolph County, Ind., two in Wayne, one in Delaware, and the two youngest in Tippecanoe County. Elias, our subject, is the eldest; John H. is a farmer in Franklin County, Kan.; Reuben G, who served in the 11th Iowa Infantry, is now a railroad builder and contractor of Kansas; Jesse S., who was a member of the 11th Iowa Infantry, is now living in Kansas City; Elizabeth A. is the wife of Henry Martain, a farmer of Keokuk County, Iowa; Sarah Jane wedded Evan Crawford, of Coffee County, Kan.; Henrietta is the wife of Henry W. Snider, a soldier of the 5th Iowa Infantry, now engaged in farming in Jasper County, Ind.; Joseph J., who was also a member of the 11th Infantry, resides in Nevada; Abner J., a blacksmith by trade, is now living in Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Our subject received his education in a subscription school in his native county, which was taught in a log house, and there resided until 1852, since which time he has made his home in Louisa County. He was compelled to leave his native State on account of ill-health, but his family resided there until 1856, when, having determined to make this his future home, he returned and brought them to Louisa County. He was united in marriage, Nov. 13, 1853, with Miss Margaret Beauchamp, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 20, 1827, and is a daughter of John and Nancy (Wilson) Beauchamp, who were of French descent. By their union six children have been born: Magdalene, who became the wife of William Hewitt, is now deceased; Margaret F. is the wife of William I. Huston, a farmer of Elm Grove Township; Albert is at home; Oletha wedded John Sickafoose, who is engaged in farming; Martha is the wife of George Spangler, of Henry County, Iowa, and Fred, who is at home.

In 1854 Mr. Jackson purchased 120 acres of land on section 32, Elm Grove Township, and upon that farm all his children were born and grew to maturity. Beginning life in Louisa County in very limited circumstances, he, by hard labor, with good management and economy, gained a comfortable competency, gave each of his children good educations, and as they left the parental roof aided them in establishing in business for themselves. When the Rebellion broke out Mr. J. responded to his country's call for volunteers, enlisting in the 11th Iowa Infantry for three years' service, as a member of Company F. Upon the organization of the company he was elected Sergeant, filling the office creditably and well. In 1863 he was unanimously elected Second Lieutenant, holding that office at the time of his discharge. He participated in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, including those of Shiloh, Corinth and Iuka, and was with Grant when he started to meet Gen. Sherman at Vicksburg. On the way the regiment was under fire for several days, and finally had to retreat, but at length reached Vicksburg, where it participated in the siege. Mr. Jackson then engaged in the siege of Jackson, Miss., and was with the gallant regiment from 1861 until August, 1863, when, on account of failing eyesight, he was obliged to resign and return to his home. Brave and faithful, he fought earnestly to preserve the Union, suffering the trials and hardships of war uncomplainingly, and was honorably discharged after two years’ service.

Returning to his home, Lieut. Jackson there remained until 1864, when he made a trip to the West, reaching home again in 1865, after which he once more turned his attention to farming. He makes a specialty of raising fine horses, and to him is due much credit for the fine grade of stock to be found in this part of the State. For the past few years he has retired from active life, and is now living upon the fruits of his former labors. In his political sentiments he is a Republican, and is deeply interested in the success and welfare of that party, being an earnest advocate of its principles. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the G. A. R., belonging to the post at Winfield, while religiously, he is a member of the Christian Church, He is numbered among Louisa County's most honored citizens, who have aided in her growth and prosperity, and his sketch deserves a prominent place in her history.

SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Album of Louisa County, Iowa, Acme Publishing Co., Chicago Illinois, 1889, p. 485-6

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Weekly Report of the Morality . . .


. . . among Iowa Soldiers in the Hospitals and Camps in the Vicinity of St. Louis, Mo.

Feb. 19, Andrew Vananfrink, Co. G, 3d Inf.
Feb. 23, James M. Potter, Co. E, 1st Cav.
Feb. 24, Alonzo Conaway, Co. I, 2nd Cav.
Feb. 25, Wm. Piersall, Co. H, 2nd Cav.
Feb. 27, Richard B. Truby, Co. K, 5th Inf.
Feb. 27, Samuel Shinnemann, Co. D, 12th Inf.
Feb. 27, Alphonzo Clark, Co. F, 12th Inf.
Feb. 28, Washington Bickford, Co. F, 3d Cav.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 2

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Death of Col. Wm. H. Worthington

The following dispatch was received yesterday.


FARMINGTON, Miss., May 23, ‘62

To Col. Wm. Thomson

Col. Wm H Worthington, 5th Iowa Infantry is dead.  He was shot through the head when visiting the pickets as general officer of the day, this 2 o’clock A. M., by a sentinel.  His body will leave here to-day for Keokuk.

R. F. PATTERSON, A. A. G.


This announcement of the sudden and melancholy death of Col. Worthington came like a thunder bolt upon our community, and filled all hearts with sadness.  No one can tell the grief and agony of his wife and children so suddenly and fearfully bereaved, though all hearts give them their deepest and sincerest sympathy.

Col. Worthington was the Colonel of the Fifth Iowa Regiment, and for some time past has been acting as Brigadier General in Gen. Pope’s Division.  His Regiment was organized in Burlington in July last, and from thence passing thro’ Keokuk and St. Louis, was ordered to Boonville, Mo., in which neighborhood it remained for several months.  From Thence it went with Gen’l Pope’s Division down the Mississippi, to New Madrid, and after the taking of Island No. 10, was ordered up the Tennessee river.

Col. Worthington proved himself a faithful and efficient officer performing his duties in a manner that secured the esteem and good will of his men and the respect of his superiors in office.  He was a man of ardent temperament and generous and noble feelings.  Cut off in the very prime of manhood his loss will be severely felt and sadly mourned. – {Gate City, 24th.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1

Friday, December 23, 2011

Colonel John Adair McDowell

COLONEL JOHN ADAIR McDOWELL, civil engineer, was born at Columbus, Ohio, on July 22, 1825. He entered Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio, where he was graduated in August, 1846. He then studied law for two years with Judge Joseph R. Swan, at Columbus, Ohio, but, in 1848, he gave up the law and began his engineering career, being engaged on the Little Miami Railroad. In 1849, Mr. McDowell went across the plains to California, where he remained for about three years, during which time he was admitted to the Bar and practiced law; he was also, for a time, the mayor of Monterey. In December, 1852, he returned to Ohio, and, until the close of 1854, was occupied in surveying and in general engineering work in Kentucky and Ohio. In February, 1855, he removed to Keokuk, Iowa, where he built the railroad around the rapids, and surveyed the harbor. He lived there until I861, during part of which time he was city engineer of Keokuk. When the Civil War broke out, Mr. McDowell hastened to Washington and obtained the acceptance by the Secretary of War of five independent regiments from Iowa, which were immediately raised and mustered into the United States service. These were the 4th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel Granville Dodge; the 5th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel William H. Worthington; the 6th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel McDowell; the 7th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel Lauman, and the 1st Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, commanded by General Fitz Henry Warren. On August 9, 1861, Colonel McDowell went to Missouri, with his regiment, reporting to Major-General John Charles Fremont, then in St. Louis, and was by him assigned to command Lafayette Square, in that city. In September, 1861, he was brigaded under General Fred. Steele, and participated in the demonstration on Springfield. Thence, he marched to Lamine Crossing, where he remained until March, 1862. Thence, he was ordered up the Tennessee River and assigned to command the 1st Brigade of General Sherman's Fifth Division of the Army of the Tennessee. He participated, with his command, in the battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862, where he was injured. He moved with the army on Memphis, and down into Northern Mississippi, and thence to Grand Junction, Tenn. Continued exposure had now so affected his health that, in March, 1863, he resigned from the army and returned to Keokuk, Iowa. Shortly afterward he was appointed special agent of the United States Treasury Department, and exercised the functions of that office in Vicksburg, Miss., and Helena, Ark., until the close of the War in 1865. Colonel McDowell then returned to Keokuk, where he again engaged in the practice of engineering until 1868, when he was elected mayor of the city. This office he held for two years, when he was elected clerk of the District Court for Lee County. In 1873, he removed to Chicago, and entered upon the practice of his profession, remaining here until 1877, when he accepted a clerkship in the Department of Agriculture in Washington, a position he held only a year, when he was appointed to take charge of the construction of the new Custom House building in Chicago. This occupied Colonel McDowell until December, 1880, when he resumed the practice of engineering in this city. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Geraldine Cowles, of Worthington, Ohio. Mrs. McDowell died in Boston, in 1873, leaving four children, — Gerald R., Malcolm H., Selden Lord and Lucy F.

SOURCE: Alfred Theodore Andreas, History of Chicago, p. 432

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Deaths At St. Louis Hospital

Only three deaths of Iowa soldiers occurred at the St. Louis hospital last week, viz:

Philip Zimelman, 16th regiment.
Peter Kobrick, Co. G, 5th regiment.
Henry B. Starwell, Co., I, 16th regiment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 2

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Twenty-Second Iowa Infantry.

Seven companies of this regiment were raised in Johnson county, one in Jasper, one in Monroe and one in Wapello. It was mustered into service at Iowa City on the 9th of September, 1862. Its first field officers were Wm. M. Stone, colonel; John A. Garrett, lieutenant-colonel; Harvey Graham, major. The regiment was first sent to Rolla, Mo., where it did garrison duty for about four months. In March, 1863, it was sent to Grant's army to take part in the Vicksburg campaign, and was in the First brigade of the Fourteenth division of the Thirteenth army corps, under General McClernand.

At the battle of Port Gibson, Colonel Stone commanded the brigade, and Major Atherton led the Twenty-second regiment, which lost twenty men. At the battles of Champion Hill and Black River Bridge the loss of the Twenty-second was light. Having driven Pemberton's army behind the fortifications of Vicksburg, General Grant determined to assault the works on the 22d of May. Early in the morning the artillery from the fleet and all of the guns in position in the rear opened on the enemy's works and kept up a heavy fire until l0 o'clock. Then the bugles sounded the charge and the assaulting columns moved forward with fixed bayonets. They were met by a terrible fire of musketry all along the lines. Still the troops pressed on and fell before the deadly fire by hundreds. It was impossible to face the terrible volleys which smote the advancing columns. They sought such shelter as they could find and returned the fire, but could not dislodge the enemy.

The Twenty-second led the charge made by the brigade under General Lawler, and a few men, led by Sergeant Griffith scaled the enemy's defenses, entered the fort and captured some prisoners. But most of them were killed or captured; Sergeant Griffith and David Trine alone escaped. Lieutenant-Colonel Graham and several men were captured in the ditch, and the assault was ended.

The loss of the regiment was 164. There were sixteen Iowa regiments engaged in this battle, the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, Seventeenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-eighth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-fifth, and the First and Second Iowa batteries.

Before the end of the siege, which followed the assault, Iowa had thirty regiments in Grant's army, which won this greatest victory of the war.

In this campaign the confederacy lost, in killed and wounded, 10,000 men, and in prisoners, 37,000, fifteen general officers, arms and munitions for an army of 60,000, and an immense amount of property, with the strongest fortified city in the limits of the confederacy, opening the navigation of the greatest river of the continent.

No soldiers in this great campaign surpassed those of Iowa. The First Iowa brigade led the advance at Port Gibson; the Seventeenth surpassed all others at Jackson; the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth won immortal honors at Champion Hill; the Twenty-first and Twenty-third covered themselves with glory at Black River Bridge, while the Twenty-second alone, at the assault on Vicksburg, entered the confederate defenses. Colonel Stone resigned soon after the surrender of Vicksburg, having been nominated for governor by the Iowa republicans. The Twenty-second regiment was sent to Texas in November, where it was employed several months, Lieutenant-Colonel Graham having been promoted to colonel, Major White promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Gearkee, major. In July, 1864, it was transferred to Virginia, and in August became a part of General Sheridan's army and took part in the battle of Winchester. It made a most gallant fight in that great battle and did its full share in winning a glorious victory. Its losses were heavy and among them were several of its bravest officers: 109 were killed, wounded and captured. At the battles of Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek the Twenty-second was engaged and met with losses. These were its last battles, and on the 3d of August, 1865, it was disbanded at Davenport, after having traveled more than 13,000 miles and served in nearly all of the southern states.

SOURCE, Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 106-7