Showing posts with label William M. Duncan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label William M. Duncan. Show all posts

Saturday, January 8, 2022

Co. B. 13th Regiment.

Extract from letters written by Captain Duncan to his wife

We have read a letter from Cap. Duncan to F. W. Johnson of this place, dated Sept. 21st in which he regrets his inability to record a battle with [plosions?]  victories &c.

He says he has the best company in the Regiment any way you have a mind to regard it—he has more men, better men, and the men are better drilled than any in the reg.; and he intends, if he has the ability, to keep it in the pride of the Col. and his staff, and the envy of all others.  We hop his highest expectations will be realized. Those who know the Company have no fears as to what will be its record on any battlefield.—ED.

[The bottom of the newspaper is torn off and the rest of this letter is missing.]

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 26, 1862

Springfield Sept. 26th.

I am in excellent health; am heavier than I ever was before; weigh a hundred and sixty eight lbs. of nice clear meat: have outgrown all my clothes, you see that hard crackers agree with me fine.  I think Springfield is a healthy place, it being situated on the highest peak of the Ozark Mountains. The

[The bottom of the newspaper is torn off and the rest of this letter is missing.]

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 21, 1862

Sept. 21st.

Our Reg. is still working on the fortifications, and the work goes on well.  The Gen. is building five forts at this place, when finished they will be impregnable  The troops are coming in very fast—we have from 10,000 to 15,000 now, and when they all get here we shall have from 25,000 to 30,000.  They we expect to go to Arkansas and Texas where there are a few jobs to be done in the way of fighting.  Hindman is said to have a large force somewhere south of us, and if he does not attack us soon we will attend to him.  I am anxious for this war to close; not that I regret having enlisted to serve my country, but because I would like to be at home with my friends.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Friday, January 7, 2022

Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 15, 1862

Sept. 15th

We removed from our camp to Springfield yesterday.  This is a beautiful place for camping.  I really don’t know how many troops we have here, but suppose from eight to ten thousand.  Gen. Brown left here, with 8,000 troops, for Vernon, he was met by the rebels and driven back: he came into town last night about nine o’clock.  About the same time heavy firing was heard at the southwest; and the supposition was that after the Gen. left his troops, they turned on the enemy and had a fight.  The firing was kept up till 12 o’clock, but we have no word from them as yet.  By the way, this Gen. Brown is not well liked. His troops that are in the regular service despise him; they think he is “secesh.”

All the troops, and all the farmers, merchants and mechanics that are inside of the pickets have to work on the entrenchments this morning. The prospect is pretty fair for a fight.  The enemy are said to be approaching in two columns 30,000 strong—our force is much less.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 10, 1862

Sept. 10th

We are camped on Sac River, some four miles from Springfield  It is a beautiful camping place—rive on three sides, that affords us plenty of water, which is a great item in this low land of sorrow  Though we have not seen many rebels, we have been alarmed several times, and as often have formed a line of battle.  Yesterday, I was officer of the day, and after I set the picket last night, I thought there were too many bells ringing in different directions in the woods.  Soon after the pickets on the Springfield road came in, and reported forty or fifty men in that direction.

I took a few of the boys, went out, and they skedaddled; consequently we had no fight.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 7, 1862

Springfield, Sept. 7th.  I never had better health in my life, though we had a hard time[.] While marching from Sedalia to this place—a distance of One Hundred and twenty five miles, which we marched in six days over the most hilly and dusty roads I ever say.  This is doubtless to the poorest country in the west.  The drought has nearly ruined the crops, and it looks little like subsisting a large army here through the winter.

Our troops nearly famished for water on their march, and the roads were so dusty that none could scarcely tell the color of our cloths or even the color of the men.  After crossing the Osage River, we commenced climbing the Ozark Mountains, and had nothing but hills, hollows and rocks from their to Springfield.

Take it, all in all, it is one of the most God-forsaken countries I ever saw.  War has destroyed every thing in its way, houses [tenantless], fences burned, and orchards destroyed.  You can scarcely see a man in a day’s travel, unless it is some old man unable to do any thing.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Captain William M. Duncan


CAPTAIN WILLIAM M. DUNCAN, deceased, was a gallant and faithful soldier during the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in the defense of his country July 26, 1862, and was unanimously elected Captain of Company C. He was a brave officer, and was loved and honored by all who knew him. He served his country three years, and at the expiration of his term of service received an honorable discharge.

The subject of this sketch was a native of Kent County, Kentucky, born August 14, 1828, a son of James and Margaret Duncan. When six years of age he was taken by his parents to Monroe County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood, his youth being spent on a farm. His education was received in the common schools, and after leaving school he taught several terms in Indiana.

He was united in marriage to Mary J. Morgan, of Morgan County, Indiana, April 10, 1851, and in 1855 he removed with his wife and two children to Iowa, locating in Warren County, where he was engaged in teaching school for eighteen months. In 1857 he came to Clarke County, Iowa, where he followed the teacher’s profession and worked at the carpenter’s trade alternately. He was an earnest and consistent Christian, being a member of the Missionary Baptist church till his death, which occurred May 3, 1879. He left a wife and two children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and affectionate father. His widow still resides with her family in Knox Township.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 392-3

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Eighteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The Eighteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry was organized under authority of Special Orders from the War Department, dated May 21-23, 1862. The ten companies composing the regiment were ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood on dates ranging from June 10 to July 21, 1862. The designated rendezvous was Clinton, Iowa, and the camp was named "Kirkwood," in honor of the Governor. The companies were there mustered into the service of the United States by Captain H. B. Hendershott, United States Army, on August 5, 6 and 7, 1862. The aggregate strength of the regiment (Field, Staff and Line officers and enlisted men) when the muster was completed was 877 [see note 1]. Its first equipment with arms was Austrian Rifles (calibre 58) with appendages. It was provided with the other necessary equipment for active service, and on August 11, 1862, received orders to proceed to Sedalia, Mo., at which place it arrived August 28th, and was ordered to proceed to Springfield, Mo., where it arrived September 13th, and joined the Army of the Frontier under General Schofield. The regiment was assigned to the First Brigade of the Second Division, commanded respectively by Colonel Husted of the Seventh Missouri Cavalry and Brigadier General Totten.

On September 29th the army advanced in the direction of the enemy's camp at Newtonia, at which place the troops which led the advance became engaged with the enemy. The brigade and division to which the Eighteenth Iowa belonged were marched quickly in the direction of the troops engaged but, before their arrival, the rebel forces had retreated. During the forced march in the night preceding the engagement, the Eighteenth Iowa had come in contact with an advanced post of the enemy and in the skirmish which ensued lost one man killed and three wounded. The pursuit of the retreating rebel army was continued as far as Fayetteville, Ark., where the Eighteenth Iowa, being in advance, skirmished with the rear guard of the rebel army, but sustained no casualties. The enemy having been driven out of the State of Missouri, and the object of the expedition having been accomplished, General Schofield was ordered to return and make such disposition of his forces as would best protect the State against further invasion. The Eighteenth Iowa was ordered to Springfield, Mo., where a large quantity of supplies for the army had been accumulated. The regiment arrived at Springfield, November 14, 1862. While its loss in conflict with the enemy, up to this time, had been light, the men had suffered greatly from exposure and from the hardships to which they had been subjected on the long march in pursuit of the enemy, and the return to Springfield. They were passing through the common experience of all soldiers, in their first year of service. Many were stricken with disease, the prevailing malady being measles, which spread through the regiment and claimed many victims. The entire casualties now numbered ninety, and yet the regiment had been in active service less than three months.
At Springfield, the Eighteenth Iowa constituted an important part of the garrison which numbered about 1,500 troops of all arms, and several pieces of field artillery. The defenses consisted of earthworks and detached forts, but the number of troops in garrison, were insufficient to man the works at all points. Brigadier General Brown was in command of these troops, with Colonel Crabb of the Nineteenth Iowa in command of the Post. Lieutenant Colonel Cook was in command of the Eighteenth Iowa, five companies of the regiment being on out-post duty some distance from Springfield. The rebel General Marmaduke had, by a skillful and daring movement, eluded the vigilance of the Union Army, and by a series of rapid marches reached the vicinity of Springfield on the evening of January 7, 1863. On the forenoon of that day the scouts of General Brown had discovered the approaching force of the enemy, and the garrison therefore had warning of the impending attack and made every' possible preparation to meet it. The Union men of the town armed themselves, offered their services for the defense, and afterwards fought bravely with the troops. Even the sick in hospital, who were able to leave their beds, took their guns and went to the front On the morning of January 8th, the cavalry pickets of General Brown discovered the enemy's skirmish line and the preliminary fighting began some three miles from the entrenchments. In his history of the regiment, Colonel Hugh Campbe.ll gives the following brief account of the engagement which ensued:

January 8, 1863, the rebel forces, thirty-five hundred strong, under Marmaduke, attacked Springfield, then held by the Eighteenth Iowa, and a few hundred militia. The regiment was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Cook. After a severe engagement, lasting the whole of the day, the enemy retreated, leaving one hundred and eighty killed and wounded. The Eighteenth Iowa suffered severely in the action, losing fifty enlisted men killed and wounded, and two commissioned officers killed — Captain William R. Blue, Company C, and Captain Joseph Van Metre, Company H, who died of wounds received in the action — and two commissioned officers wounded, Captain Landis, Company D, and Lieutenant Conaway, Company C. The regiment behaved nobly, standing their ground against three times their number, and by their coolness and determination saving the town and its valuable stores on which the army of the Frontier, thence drawing its supplies, depended for its existence. ... The regiment received a well merited compliment from Brigadier General Brown, commanding, for their bravery and gallantry in this action [see note 2].


The official report of the part taken by the Eighteenth Iowa in the gallant defense of Springfield not being obtainable [see note 3], the compiler has availed himself of the account given by Major Byers, in his "Iowa in War Times," and that of L. D. Ingersoll, in his "Iowa and the Rebellion," to supplement the statement of Colonel Campbell. The following is a part of the concluding portion of Major Byers’ account:

By two o'clock, the rebels massed their forces several lines deep and made a determined effort on the Union right and center. It was then that Captain Landis, of the Eighteenth Iowa, with a piece of artillery, was pushed forward into an exposed and dangerous position at the right. Three companies of the Eighteenth Iowa, under Captains Van Metre, Blue and Stonaker, were sent along as supports. By a bold dash, with overwhelming numbers, the rebels succeeded in capturing the gun, but not till Captains Blue, Van Metre and Landis were wounded — the two former mortally. At their sides fell many of their brave comrades. At the same moment the rebels got possession of a strong stockaded building south of and near to the town, and from this vantage point poured a heavy fire into the Union line. In another hour Brown's forces were being heavily pressed, and the position seemed extremely critical. Then the "Quinine Brigade” [see note 4] led by Colonel Crabb, rushed to the front They were real soldiers, if they were sick ones. In an hour's fighting they drove the enemy back on their left center, but an immediate and very nearly successful assault by the rebels followed at the right. Some of the militia were giving way. General Brown hurried to their front to re-form them, but was shot from his horse in the endeavor. It was now four o'clock, and Colonel Crabb assumed the command. Again the battle was resumed at the center, and for another hour continued with varying results. Once more some of the militia faltered and for a time all seemed lost, when others, also militia, charged for the lost ground with a cheer. At the same time Lieutenant Colonel Cook, with the remaining companies of the Eighteenth Iowa who had hurried from outpost duty to the scene, came up, and they, too, charged the rebel center with a shout and drove it rearwards. Darkness soon ended the contest, and that night the defeated rebel army withdrew. . . . This handful of brave men and the sturdy, heroic militia of Missouri had saved Springfield with its enormous stores, and it had saved a disaster to the Union Army. . . .


Ingersoll, who wrote a lengthy account of the engagement, giving the details with great particularity, confirms the statements of Major Byers heretofore quoted. Near the close of his account he says:

Meantime five companies of the Eighteenth Iowa, which had just reached the scene of action from an outpost at some distance from Springfield, came up in fine style, under Lieutenant Colonel Cook, and went into the fight on the center with such effect as to drive the rebels back into the stockade, and encourage the men who had been fighting for hours most wonderfully. Darkness was now coming on and the firing gradually ceased. . . . The enemy retired under cover of the night from his position south of town, and had taken position more than a mile to the eastward. Hither Colonel Crabb sent a cavalry force to engage them and retard their advance, but they declined battle, and soon retired in haste. They had lost in the battle more than two hundred in killed and wounded. Our loss was about the same. There were but five companies — A, C, F, G and H — of the Eighteenth Iowa taking part in the contest until near its close, when the other five came up and turned the tide of battle in our favor, as has been related. The number of the regiment engaged was less than five hundred, of whom fifty-six were killed or wounded.


The regiment remained in Springfield during the remainder of the winter of 1863, performing the monotonous duties incident to the camp and garrison life of soldiers. While the holding of Springfield was very necessary and meant so much to the loyal citizens of Missouri, it could not be otherwise than unsatisfactory to the gallant officers and men of the Eighteenth Iowa to be retained upon such duty, while so many Iowa regiments were actively participating in the great campaigns then in progress in other parts of the South, and winning honor and distinction for themselves and their State. In April, 1863, Colonel Edwards, who had been on detached service at St. Louis, returned to Springfield and assumed command of the Post. The operations of the regiment now assumed a much more active character. The rebel General Shelby had invaded Missouri with a considerable force, and, besides holding the Post at Springfield, portions of the Eighteenth Iowa were called upon for active service in the field. The subsequent service of the regiment is described by Colonel Campbell, as follows:

During the spring and summer of 1863, different portions of the regiment, under command of Major Campbell, made three long marches of one hundred and ten miles each, two of them forced marches, besides doing very heavy fatigue and guard duty, in which they were taxed to their utmost strength, by reason of the smallness of the garrison and the constant proximity of the enemy. In the latter of these marches, they participated in the campaign against Shelby, who invaded Missouri and penetrated nearly to the Missouri river; The regiment was ordered to Cassville, Mo., under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell [see note 5], to cooperate in heading off Shelby's retreat. October 9th, Springfield being considered in danger, a part of the regiment was ordered back by forced marches, and marched the distance of fifty-five miles in twenty-seven hours, including halts.

October 16th, Companies D and F, under command of Captain Hay, marched from Cassville to Fayetteville, as escort to a supply train, and at Cross Timbers encountered the enemy under Colonel Brooks, who attacked the train with five hundred men. After a. short but severe contest, the enemy retired with a loss of ten men killed and wounded. October 17th, the remainder of the regiment, under command of Colonel Edwards, moved, along with all the forces of the district of southwestern Missouri, under General McNeil, in pursuit of Shelby, who was then retreating from Missouri, and reached Fort Smith, Arkansas — after an animated pursuit, during which they marched night and day, fording deep streams, and crossing the Boston Mountains — October 31, 1863.

January 2, 1864, a portion of the regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, marched to Roseville, Arkansas, to prevent an anticipated attack upon a supply train on the way from Little Rock, in charge of Captain Clover, Company K, Eighteenth Iowa, with a detachment of the regiment, and returned to Fort Smith, January 8, 1864, having marched seventy-five miles in the depth of winter, the snow being six inches deep, without tents or shelter of any kind. During the rest of the winter, the regiment was engaged in excessive labor, in fatigue, escort, and guard duty, men and officers going on duty for months every other day, and living upon half rations. March 22, 1864, the regiment, under command of Captain Duncan, Colonel Edwards commanding the First Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Campbell being detained at Little Rock by a severe hurt, which disabled him entirely from walking or riding, moved with the Third Division to join General Steele, who with the Seventh Army Corps was moving on Camden, Ark., to cooperate with General Banks. April 12th, the regiment participated in the battle of Prairie d' Anne. April 13th, the Third Division, being the rear guard of the army, was attacked by the enemy in force at Moscow. In this engagement the Eighteenth Iowa, with the Second Indiana Battery, held the enemy in check until the rest of the division came up and forced the enemy to retire. Captain J. K. Morey, Company F, then acting Assistant Adjutant General of the First Brigade, was highly complimented by Colonel Edwards, commanding the brigade, for bravery in this action.

April 18th, the regiment, under command of Captain Duncan, moved from Camden to reinforce Colonel Williams, Second Kansas (colored), who was escorting a large forage train. About fourteen miles from Camden, at Poison Springs, Colonel Williams was attacked by the enemy six thousand strong, under Generals Marcy and Fagan. He had with him the Eighteenth Iowa, the First Kansas Colored, one section of the Second Indiana Battery and about two hundred cavalry. His small force was completely surrounded and separated, and after a fierce and sanguinary conflict, in which the rest of the command was entirely routed and scattered with great loss, the Eighteenth Iowa was completely isolated and hemmed in on all sides. It retired slowly rod by rod, reforming and charging the enemy seven times, and finally cut its way through the enemy's lines and returned to Camden. The casualties in this engagement were eighty enlisted men killed, wounded and missing and one commissioned officer wounded [see note 6]. The regiment received great credit for the deliberate and determined courage with which it held together in the face of such desperate odds and forced its way out. The officers and men behaved gallantly. Captain Thomas Blanchard, when wounded, and under a heavy fire, seized the colors and held them, by ordering the men to form upon him.

April 30th, the regiment participated in the battle of Jenkin's Ferry, at Saline river, where the enemy attacked General Steele's army, then retreating from Camden, and endeavored to prevent his crossing, but was repulsed after a day's hard fighting, with heavy loss on both sides. The regiment returned to Fort Smith May 15, 1864, having marched seven hundred and thirty miles, through swamps and over mountains, subsisting part of the time on raw corn, wading whole days and nights in mud and water, and suffering hardships that have been surpassed in no campaign of the war.

The subsequent months of the summer and fall of 1864, and the winter of 1864-5, were occupied with a series of long and rapid marches, the intervals of which were employed in severe labor on the fortifications around Fort Smith, and extremely heavy guard duty. Different bodies of the enemy, under Shelby, Gano, Cooper, Fagan and Brooks, emboldened by their successes against General Steele, hovered closely around Fort Smith, cut off our communications, captured supply trains, and completely held the surrounding country. During the whole time the troops at Fort Smith were kept upon two-thirds, and, during the greatest part of the time, half rations, and the subsistence that was furnished consisted, for a long time, mostly of damaged bread and meat.

May 25, 1864, the regiment, under command of Major Morey, together with the Second Kansas (colored) and a section of the Second Kansas Battery, all under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, moved to Clarksville, Ark., to hold that place and keep open the navigation of the river, upon which the army at Fort Smith depended for supplies. The regiment lost on the march two men killed by guerrillas. While here, Sergeant Vance, Company C, Eighteenth Iowa, with twenty-eight men, in charge of a forage train, was attacked, ten miles from Clarksville, by forty rebels, but repulsed them and saved his train, killing two and wounding two of the enemy, and losing one man wounded.

August 6th, Clarksville was evacuated by order of Brigadier General Thayer, and the Eighteenth Iowa under command of Major Morey, together with a battalion of the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, and a large train of government stores and refugees, all under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, marched for Fort Smith. On their march they were followed closely by the enemy, who harassed them slightly, but without doing serious injury.

From August 11th to December the regiment was sent, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, upon four successive expeditions. In November, a large supply train of four hundred wagons, enroute for Fort Smith, was lying at Neosho crossing, Cherokee Nation, deterred from advancing by the threatened intervention of Gano's forces between them and Fort Smith. The supplies at Fort Smith were exhausted, and the possibility of holding it all depended upon the safe arrival of this train. November 22d the Eighteenth regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, marched to Fort Gibson to meet the train. On arriving there, he was ordered to proceed by forced marches towards Neosho crossing, one hundred miles distant, with the Eighteenth under command of Captain Blanchard, and the First Indiana Infantry, till he met the train. His command drew for rations a peck of corn in the ear per man, and a little coffee, and upon this supply, with no salt and a little fresh beef, killed on the way, the command marched day and night till it reached the train at Neosho crossing. The suffering from exhaustion on this march exceeded that experienced in any of the campaigns of the regiment. At Neosho crossing, the command met the train, escorted by the Second Kansas (colored), the Second and Third Indiana, portions of the Sixth and Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, and two sections of artillery, under command of Major Phillips, who was waiting for reinforcements. The whole, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, immediately marched for Fort Gibson, and thence to Fort Smith, which he reached December 11th, having marched three hundred and twenty miles in the winter, forded two rivers and numberless swollen streams, making night marches, the only subsistence for his whole, command, for a part of the time, being raw corn, and beef seasoned with gunpowder in lieu of salt [see note 7].


About the last of February, 1865, four companies of the regiment, under command of Major Morey, were detached for garrison duty at Van Buren, Ark., and remained there until July 6th, when the regiment was concentrated at Little Rock, Ark. There, on July 20, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of the service of the United States, and was soon afterwards conveyed to Davenport, Iowa, where it was formally disbanded, the officers and men receiving their discharges and final payment August 5 to 7, 1865, just three years from the date of their muster into the service at Clinton, Iowa.

Colonel Campbell states that only about 400 of the original members of the regiment were with it upon its return to Davenport, and that but eight of its original officers remained with it at that time; he also states that during its term of service it had received 235 recruits, of which 86 were from Iowa, 72 from Missouri and 77 from Arkansas and Texas. The larger number of its officers had received well deserved promotions from the ranks, as vacancies occurred from death, resignation, discharge for disability, or other causes. Quite a number of its officers had been discharged to accept promotion in other regiments. All these changes will be found noted in the subjoined roster, together with the record of each officer and enlisted man, in paragraph form, opposite his name. Every, effort has been made to secure accuracy in this revised roster, but no doubt errors and omissions have occurred, owing to the imperfect manner in which part of the records have been kept, and this imperfect condition is largely, if not wholly, due to the failure of officers to make full reports and returns to the Adjutant General of Iowa during the progress of the war. In some instances names will probably be found not properly spelled, but this could not be avoided, for the reason that the records were the only guide to follow. In the case of the Eighteenth Iowa, the compiler has found no official reports of battles on file, and has been compelled to rely upon such general information as he could obtain from the sources previously indicated — mainly the history of the regiment, from which liberal quotations have been made.

The Eighteenth Iowa Infantry has a record of service that reflects high honor upon its officers and enlisted men and upon the State which sent it into the field. While it was not engaged in any of the great battles of the war, its service was no less important to the cause of the Union than was that of the regiments from Iowa which served in the great campaigns in Mississippi; Georgia and Virginia. Its service was upon the southwestern frontier, against an active and ever vigilant enemy; the posts which it held and successfully defended were most important ones, its conflicts with the enemy and its losses showing plainly with what determined bravery and unflinching fortitude it performed its duty. Its record of long and toilsome marches, of suffering from cold and hunger and from all the vicissitudes of war, entitles it to a place in history second to none of the gallant regiments which went forth from the State of Iowa at the call of the Government to assist in conquering a gigantic rebellion.

To the memory of the brave men of this noble regiment who gave up their lives on the field of battle, or who died from wounds or disease; to those who lived to return to their homes and loved ones, but have since answered the last roll call; to those who still survive, the fading remnant of this once powerful military organization; to the dead and the living, to their wives, families and kindred, and to all who shall come after them and inherit the proud legacy transmitted by these heroic soldiers, who endured and suffered and died that their country might live, this brief history is consecrated.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1127
Killed 28
Wounded 79
Died of wounds 9
Died of disease 113
Discharged for disease, wounds or other causes 253
Buried in National Cemeteries 89
Captured 68
Transferred 15


[Note 1.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1863, Vol. I, pages 651-81, Original Roster of the Regiment.

[Note 2.] Adjutant General of Iowa's Report, 1866, page 277.

[Note 3.] The compiler has made diligent search of the archives for the official report of Lieutenant Colonel Cook, but has failed to discover it, or any official report of the subsequent engagements in which the Eighteenth Iowa participated. He has, therefore, been compelled to rely upon the history above referred to, and such other information (deemed reliable) as he has been able to obtain.

[Note 4.] Convalescents from Hospital.

[Note 5.] Promoted from Major July 17, 1863.

[Note 6.] Captain Thomas Blanchard. Adjutant General's Report, 1867, Vol. I, page 136.

[Note 7.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa for year 1866, pages 276 to 280.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 3, p. 117-23

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN EDWARDS


COLONEL, EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY.

John Edwards was born the 24th day of October, 1815, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and lived with his parents at the old homestead till he reached his eighteenth year. Leaving Kentucky at eighteen, he removed to Indiana, and settled in Lawrence county; where, purchasing a form, he continued his residence till the year 1849. In Indiana he was highly respected, and, during the last years of his residence there, was elected at different times to each branch of the State Legislature.

In 1849, he sold his farm and emigrated to California. Settling in the Nevada District, he was, in 1851, elected by the people to the Alcalde; for the State Government had not at that time been formed. After serving in that body for one year, he returned to Indiana, and was again elected to the State Senate. In 1853, he came to Iowa and located in Chariton, where, engaging in the practice of law, he has since resided.

In Iowa, General Edwards has been a prominent public man. In 1858, he was a member of the State Constitutional Convention ; and subsequently served three terms in the State Legislature. He was the representative from Chariton at the outbreak of the war, and Speaker of the House. He was from the first a staunch war-man; and coming from the extreme southern part of the State took a lively interest in preparing for the defense of our southern border, which was at that time being threatened by the Missouri rebels. On the 9th of June, 1861, he was commissioned aid de camp to Governor Kirkwood, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of cavalry; and was the first man in the State promoted to that office. For several months he had charge of a large portion of the border between Iowa and Missouri, during which time, he twice marched his troops into Missouri — once as far south as the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. Resigning his commission as aid de camp, June 20th, 1862, he was, on the 17th of July following, made colonel of the 18th Iowa Infantry. For his able and faithful services in Missouri and Arkansas, he was, in the winter of 1864-5, promoted to a general officer; and I believe none will say he did not richly earn his promotion.

The history of the 18th Iowa Infantry while under the command of Colonel Edwards is as replete with interest as that of almost any other Iowa regiment. It does not enjoy the reputation that many others have; and for the reason, I believe, that the people are ignorant of its record. From the time it engaged and defeated the braggart Marmaduke, at Springfield in January, 1863, to the time it fought Price and his subordinates on the Saline River, in the spring of 1864, its conduct has, in every instance, been such as to elicit much praise from both its division and department commanders. Indeed, I believe it would be unwilling to exchange either its number or its record with any regiment of the State; for, if others have served with more distinction, they have not with greater honesty and fidelity.

The. first march of the 18th Iowa was from Sedalia, Missouri, to Springfield; its first campaign, from Springfield into Northern Arkansas; and its first severe engagement, at Springfield, on the 8th of January, 1863.

In August, 1862, Colonel Edwards marched his command from Sedalia to Springfield, where he was organized in the Army of the South West, at that time commanded by General Schofield. In the expedition to Cane Hill, arid other points in Northern Arkansas, which soon followed, he took part, remaining with the main army till its return to Ozark, when, with his regiment, he was given charge of the sick and prisoners, and sent back to Springfield. Arriving in the latter part of November, 1862, he was, in the following December, detailed on a court-martial in St. Louis. Springfield remained the head-quarters of the 18th Iowa from that time until October of the following year.

The battle of Springfield, as already stated, was the regiment's first engagement, and in premising, I quote briefly from General Marmaduke's official report:


"Head-Quarters, 4th Division, 1st Corps, T. M. D.
Batesville, Ark., January 18th, 1863.

"Colonel: — In obedience to instructions from General Hindman, I marched from Lewisburg, Arkansas, December 31,1862, via Yellville, Arkansas, to strike the enemy in rear and flank, with sixteen hundred men under Shelby, and two hundred and seventy men under McDonald. Before marching, I telegraphed to Lieutenant-General Holmes, if it would not be best to move up the troops under Colonel White, to co-operate in the movement, to which he consented; and the order was given. Colonel Porter, with six hundred men, moved forward for this purpose." * * *

"Shelby captured and burned the fort at Ozark: the garrison fled. With Shelby and McDonald, I attacked Springfield, Missouri; and, after eight hours hard fighting, driving the Yankees before me into their strong-holds, I captured one piece of artillery, (six-pounder) a stockade fort, and a large part of the town, which the Yankees burned as they retired. At dark the fighting ceased, the greater part of the town, the fort and many of the dead and wounded Federals being in my possession. The Federal force there was four thousand two hundred. My loss was twenty killed and eighty wounded — Yankee loss much greater. I did not deem it best to renew the attack, and the next day marched toward Rolla."


By his own statement, Marmaduke attacked Springfield with at least eighteen hundred and seventy men. The place was commanded by General Brown of Missouri, and garrisoned with the 18th Iowa, (numbering five hundred muskets) a few companies of Missouri State Militia, and some one hundred and fifty convalescents of the Army of the South West. "The only defenses were some incompleted works." In one particular Marmaduke's report is correct — the fighting lasted about eight hours; but in other respects it is at issue of falsehoods — a grim joke. On its own face, he should have been court-martialed and dismissed the service.

The 18th Iowa held the works south of Springfield, and the Missouri troops those on the east. The fighting commenced early in the morning of the 8th between the skirmishers. Little advantage was gained by the enemy until late in the afternoon: then, massing his troops south-east of the city, he charged gallantly, and overbore the militia-men, capturing their works. This was the only critical hour of the day, and, through the promptness and intrepidity of the 18th Iowa, it soon passed. "In the most critical juncture of the attack, when the militia were retreating in confusion, and defeat appeared certain, a part of the 18th Iowa was ordered to the threatened point; and by a desperate charge, in which they lost four commissioned officers and fifty-two enlisted men, killed and wounded, broke the enemy's lines, and restored the wavering fortunes of the day. The enemy retreated in haste, under cover of the night, leaving their dead and wounded on the field." And thus it happened that Marmaduke "did not deem it best to renew the attack." He marched north-east from Springfield; was met and severely punished by Colonel Merrill of the 21st Iowa, at Hartsville; and then swung round south to Batesville, where he issued his report. And thus ended his movement against "the enemy's rear and flank."

Colonel Edwards was placed in command of the Post at Springfield, in April, 1863; and, from that time forward, has been in the immediate command of his regiment but little. All of its history, however, has been made under him; for, whether in command of a post, a brigade, or a district, it has always been with him. In August, 1863, the colonel was assigned by General McNeil to the command of the District of South West Missouri. In the same month, Shelby made his invasion of Missouri, with a force numbering more than two thousand men. Colonel Edwards promptly organized his forces and made pursuit; and it was said his "combinations were such as would have resulted in the interception of the enemy, had they not been disconcerted by causes beyond his power to control."

General Steele captured Little Rock the 10th of September, 1863; and the next October General McNeil, in whose command was the 18th Iowa, marched from Springfield in pursuit of the enemy, and captured and occupied Fort Smith, Arkansas. A chief portion of the time since, Colonel Edwards and the 18th Iowa have served at that post. In December, 1863, the colonel was placed in command of the Post of Fort Smith, which he held till January, 1864. At the last named date, he was given a brigade command, which he has held ever since. His first brigade consisted of the 18th Iowa, 2d Kansas Cavalry, 1st Arkansas Infantry, and the 2d Indiana Battery; and his second, of the 18th Iowa, the 1st and 2d Arkansas Infantry, and the 2d Indiana Battery. With this last command, he accompanied General Steele on the march to Camden.

For the part taken by Colonel Edwards and the 18th Iowa in the unfortunate Camden march, I am indebted to one who shared the hardships and perils of the campaign:

"On April 11th and 12th, Colonel Edwards and his brigade took part in the battle of Prairie de Anne, in which the whole forces of Price, Maxey, Shelby and Gano were opposed to General Steele. April 13th, 1864, the battle of Moscow took place thirty miles north of Camden. The 3d Division guarded the rear of the army, and had just gone into camp, when six thousand of the enemy, under the rebel generals Dockery, Fagan, Maxey and Gano, attacked them, driving in their pickets and pouring a heavy fire into their quarters. Colonel Edwards with his brigade, alone at first, but soon reinforced by the 2d and 3d, repulsed the enemy and drove them five miles. The engagement lasted from one to six o'clock P. M."

"On the 17th of April, Colonel Edwards, being then encamped at Camden, ordered the 18th Iowa, and one section of the 2d Indiana Battery, under command of Captain Duncan of the 18th Iowa, to reinforce Colonel Williams of the 1st Kansas, (colored) who was in charge of a forage train to Poisoned Springs, about eighteen miles distant from Camden. The 18th Iowa guarded the rear of the train, and. the 1st Kansas the front. The whole were surrounded by a force of the enemy six thousand strong, on the morning of the 18th instant. The 1st Kansas, after losing heavily, was completely surrounded and compelled to retreat in haste through the line of the 18th Iowa, which was now left to sustain the attack alone. The regiment was broken by fierce charges of the enemy seven times, and as often stubbornly re-formed, contesting every inch of ground, until being surrounded on three sides and falling rapidly under a withering fire, and being left alone on the field, it finally cut its way through, and returned in good order to its camp at Camden, having lost one officer and seventy-six men, killed, wounded and prisoners."

"In this engagement, Captains Blanchard, Clover, Stonaker and Conway showed especial bravery and gallantry. Captain Blanchard, who commanded the color-company, and who was already wounded, seized the colors at a critical time, when the regiment was hotly pressed, and told Captain Clover, who was mounted, to form the regiment on him, which that officer did in gallant style, the men responding with cheers. It was owing in a very great measure to the exertions of these officers that the regiment was extricated from its perilous position. Sergeant Dean, Company E; Sergeants Bowers and Oleson, Company A; Sergeant Mordis, Company C; Sergeant Bullock, Company B; and Sergeant Kirkpatrick, Company H; behaved with a courage and coolness which deserve special notice. Everywhere, all behaved with common bravery."

In the terrible battle of Saline River, fought on the 30th of April, and which is described elsewhere, Colonel Edwards, with his brigade, held the reserve; and had in charge the ordnance train. This being the last of the engagements fought on the campaign, the 18th Iowa, and the other troops of Steele's command, returned to their places of starting, unmolested. On arriving at Fort Smith, the records of the 18th Iowa showed the following: From the time of entering the field till the 23d of May, 1864, the regiment had marched over eighteen hundred miles, and had lost in action, and from disease contracted in the service, thirteen commissioned officers, and five hundred and sixty enlisted men — nearly two-thirds of its original strength; for, when mustered into the service, its aggregate of officers and enlisted men was only eight hundred and sixty-six.

Subsequently to its return from South Western Arkansas, the 18th Iowa has been retained on garrison-duty at Fort Smith. It has marched on some expeditions, but has, I think, been in no engagement, since the Camden Campaign.

For the valuable services which I have briefly enumerated above, Colonel Edwards was made a brigadier-general; but the most honorable part of his record remains yet to give.

From the organization of the first volunteer troops, our army has been infested with thieves and robbers: indeed, this has been a crowning evil of the war. For officers of a low grade, quarter-masters have led the crowd; and it long since passed into a proverb that an honest quarter-master could not long retain his commission. But the most stupendous robberies have been practiced by officers of high rank, and holding important commands; for they would not soil their hands with hundreds, but with hundreds of thousands. In their operations, too, they were not limited to a few clerks, but had whole commands. I venture the assertion that, in the last four years, the Government has been defrauded of not less than one hundred millions of dollars.

For many months during General Steele's administration in Arkansas, Fort Smith was a den of thieves; and Steele, though not implicated himself, was removed because these abuses were not corrected. General Thayer, Steele's subordinate, was doubtless guilty; and yet, backed by Kansas politicians, who had snuffed the breezes of our Capital, he escaped disgraceful dismissal.

Let it be said to the credit of General Edwards that, though he served at Fort Smith from the time the place was first occupied by our troops, none ever breathed the least breath of suspicion against him. Indeed, it is said (and if true let it be recorded to the eternal infamy of those concerned) that, because he had complained of these abuses, his life was threatened, and he dared not, unaccompanied, appear in the streets after dark. At home, he was called "Honest John Edwards," and the sobriquet has been doubly earned.

General Edwards, in appearance and in character, is a good type of a Northern gentleman. He is unassuming in his manners, and brave and chivalrous without being boastful and pretending. He has not a commanding person, and with strangers would not pass for what he is worth. With one exception, the portrait here published is a correct likeness: the expression of his countenance is much kinder than the portrait represents. He has blue eyes, a light complexion, and a sanguine temperament, and is slightly stoop-shouldered. When he walks, he usually drops his head forward, and keeps his face turned to the ground. He is not a brilliant man, but he is able and honest.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 343-50

Friday, February 6, 2009

A letter from Capt. Duncan . . .

. . . of the 18th Iowa, dated Aug. 1st, says the Reg. is at Clarksville Ark. – and the boys from this quarter all well.

In the Publication of the whereabouts of the Iowa regiments last week, a mistake occurred. The 39th is at Rome, Ga., instead of Little Rock, Ark.

FARM SOLD. – Mr. Robert Taylor, discharged from the 39th Iowa, for disability – has purchased 160 acres – 55 improved, 40 timber – of D. K. Linder, esq. Consideration [$900].

The Aid Society will meet at the residence of Esq. Hoss, Aug 24th, at one o’clock p.m.

Fresh burned Lime for sale on Squaw Creek about three miles north-west of Oceola and one half mile west of Sigler’s kiln, by S. F. Brown.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, August 20, 1864

Friday, September 19, 2008

Letter from the 18th Iowa

H’dq’rs. Co. C, 18th Iowa.
Ft. Smith, Ark.,
Nov. 30th, 1864

Mr. Caverly:–

After wishing you, and all the citizens of Clark Co. good luck, I will proceed to say a few words more.

I received the Sentinel this morning, dated July 16th; it was only a little over four months on the road – better late than never.

The Regiment Started on the 22d inst. to Ft. Gibson, Cherokee Nation, with six days rations, to escort a train back to this post. – Co. B. went with the regiment, but Capt. Duncan did not go; his health is not very good. The health of the boys as a general thing is good. Capt. Stonaker has resigned and will start for Oceola the first opportunity. Every one is sorry that the Capt. Is going to leave, but his health would not permit him to stay with us; he is a brave man, and an efficient officer.

We do not get any news here till it becomes stale. In my last letter from Iowa I learned that my brother Wm. F. Mardis, had been drafted. I tried to pity him, but could not find any thing in my heart to do it with. I think he is only called on to perform a duty that he owes to his country.

The boys of our reg’t are very tired of Arkansas, and their daily prayer is that they may be taken out of the State. “Any where Lord,” but Arkansas.

I suppose long ere this you have heard how are Regiment went at the presidential election. There was 404 votes cast and all for Lincoln. Not a rebel in our Regiment.

I want you to send me the Sentinel every week; please direct it to Co. C, instead of Co. B.

Very respectfully, your obt. Serv’t,

Thomas F. Mardis

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Friday, December 23, 1864

Sunday, August 3, 2008

From the 18th

A letter received by Mrs. Duncan from the Captain, dated Fort Smith, May 31st, says the health of those of Co. B, who are at the Fort was tolerably good. – Most of the Regiment had gone on a scout down the River, 16 of whom while straggling behind were charged on by the enemy, and killed or taken prisoners – 3 of whom are known to have been killed; whether any of them belonged to Co. B was not known. He says the Reg. has lost 150 men since it started on that Camden trip – and that the bushwhackers are thick within five miles of the Fort, to avoid whom,

[The paper at this point is torn and folded over, hiding the remaining text of the article.]

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, June 18, 1864

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

From The 18th

A late letter from Capt. Duncan, Co. B. of this reg., to Mrs. Duncan, says the regiment was at Boonville, near the Red River, marching on Arkadelphia, where they expected to have a fight, as Gen. Price was entrenching himself at that place evidently preparing for battle. Health of the boys was good. The recruits who started for the regiment some six weeks ago had not reached them at the time of the writing.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

William M. Duncan

Captain, Co. B, 18th Iowa Infantry

The son of James & Margaret Duncan, he was born Aug 14, 1828 in Kent County, Kentucky. When he was six he removed with his parents to Monroe County, Indiana where he grew to manhood. He spent his youth on a farm & received his education in the common schools there. After leaving school he taught for several terms in Indiana.

On April 10, 1851 he married Mary J. Morgan of Morgan County, Indiana. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1831 and was of Welsh & Irish descent. Two children were born to this marriage: Mary E. and James M. both of whom were born in Indiana, in 1852 and 1854 respectively. William Duncan & his family moved to Warren County, Iowa in 1855 where he taught school for eighteen months. In 1857 he moved once again, this time to Clarke County, Iowa where he was alternately a teacher and a carpenter.

There he joined the Missionary Baptist church and was an earnest & consistant Christian.

He enlisted in Company B of the 18th Iowa Infantry on July 26, 1862 and was unanimously elected its captain. He mustered in August 5, 1862 at Clinton Iowa, and mustered out at the expiration fo his term of service on July 20, 1865 at Little Rock, Arkansas having earned an honorable discharge.

He died May 3, 1879 and his widow, Mary, died in 1913. They are both buried in Greenbay Cemetery, Greenbay Twnsp., Clarke Co., Iowa. "He was a brave officer, and was loved and honored by all who knew him."

Sources: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 3 p. 146; Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System; Clarke County, Iowa Cemeteries, Vol. 2: The Rural Cemeteries, p. 85; History of Clarke County, Iowa, p. 154; 1856 Iowa State Census for Knox Township, Clarke County, Iowa; 1880 Federal Census for Knox Township, Clarke County, Iowa; Greenbay Cemetery, Greenbay Twsp., Clarke Co., IA

See Other Blog Entries:
Captain Duncan After The Copperheads
Letter from Captain Duncan to Mrs. Duncan
18th Iowa Infantry

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Letter from Captain Duncan to Mrs. Duncan

Springfield, Jan. 10 1863

My Dear Mary: - As you will doubtless hear of the Battle that has been fought in this place before this reaches you, you must be uneasy about me: I thought that I would write and let you know that I am still alive and well, although I, with my company, was under a heavy fire for a long time. I never received a scratch. On the 7th inst. We were informed that the rebels were advancing on Sgringfield [sic], 8,000 strong. Every thing was in excitement, and all eager for a fight. Strong guards were thrown out; all the others were under arms all right; but the rebels did not make their appearance before the town until about 12 o’clock [p.]m., when the cannonading commenced on both sides, and in a short time skirmishing commenced on both sides. At one o’clock the engagement became general, our forces gradually falling back; contesting every inch of ground. Our forces then under cover of some houses they had taken possession of, checked the rebels, and held them at bay. Then is when there was warm work. It was not uncommon for the Union men to have possession of one side of a house and the secesh the other. This was the condition of thing until just before dark, when we dislodged them and drove them back on the field again. We lay on our arms all night expecting to renew the engagement at early dawn in the morning. At daylight we found the enemy had during the night fallen back three miles, and was not anxious to renew the attack. Our forces went out to feel for them and skirmished all day. When night came the enemy was 6 or 7 miles away under full retreat, leaving their dead and wounded in our possession. From the best information that I can get their loss must be from 60 to 100 killed and 300 wounded. I went over the Battle field myself the day after the fight, and counted 20 dead rebels and there is two large pits where the Rebels buried their dead, but I could not tell how many. There is three hospitals full of their wounded – 80 in one and in the other two [illegible] learn how many. Our loss was 17 [illegible: presumably killed] and about one hundred wounded, among them was Gen. Brown who was wounded in the left shoulder, and had his arm taken off at the shoulder joint. The loss of our Regt. Was [illegible] killed and 47 wounded. Capt. Vanmetre of Co. H, and Capt. Blue of Co. C are both wounded severely, and I fear mortally. Vanmetre was shot in the thigh joint and is mangled dreadfully. Cap. Blue was shot through the left lung. Both in Critical condition; al[so] Capt. Leandis, of Co. D was wounded in the leg and side. He had command of one piece of artillery, which unfortunately he lost: he ran into an ambuscade and was completely surprised and the piece captured.

The Rebels lost a number of officers, one Col., one Maj., and I cannot tell how many Capts. And Lieuts. Our whole force was not over 1,200 and theirs is estimated at about 5,000. Our men fought well and have the praise of their officers.

The Rebels left here on the Rollin road, and I hear this morning that they have taken Lebanon. But report says their retreat is cut off and they are, or will be all taken today; I hope this is true. The Rebels say that they must winter in Missouri, if they have to disband to do so; for there is nothing for them or their horses to live on south of the Boston Mountains and the prisoners say (two of which are Lieuts.) that it was nothing but starvation forced them off this time. They have neither tents nor blankets, and have scarcely any clothes. The prisoners say that they were badly disappointed. They heard that Springfield was only guarded by 500 men and the most of them sick, in the hospital, and that none but State Militia were here, and they did not fear double their number of that kind of troops. But as soon as they found that there was one Reg. of Iowa troops here, they gave up all hopes of taking the town, and looked for the best way to make their escape. They dread the Iowa boys. They say that they had rather fight soldiers from any state than from Iowa, for they never will be whipped, and that Iowa officers never learn their men to retreat, and consequently they do not know there is such a military movement in our Tactics. Not withstanding we lost and had disabled a considerable amount of men, our regt. Is in better fighting order than it was before the fight. The men know they can fight, and as they have received the universal praise of both citizens and officers, they feel their dignity. All admit, if it had not been for the 18th. Springfield would have been taken, without a struggle, or any resistance whatever. As it was we had to burn a portion of the town to get it out of the way of our guns, and to keep it from sheltering the enemy; and a great many of the houses in that portion of the town is badly injured by the shot.

I must close by saying that I do not mind the whizzing and buzzing of the Rifle and musket balls, although I know they are more dangerous than any other. But I do despise the awful howling and sickening hissing of those abominable Shells when they go tearing by your ears making more noise than forty devils on horseback, bursting now and then, filling your face and eyes full of dirt, splinter, gravel and everything that is mean.

Capt. W. M. Duncan

- The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, 31 JAN 1863

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Saturday, January 12, 2008

Captain Duncan After The Copperheads

We are permitted to make the following extracts from a letter written by Capt. Duncan to his wife: -

It looks distressing to see so many large orchards turned out with no fences around them, in fact you will not see a farm within miles of this place (Springfield Mo.) that has any fence around it. All the rails have been burned up, and many houses have been burned down. Chimneys smoked black are standing as so many monuments of the miseries of this accursed rebellion.

There are any amount of refugee women and children coming into our lines every day driven from their homes by the chivalrous sons of this abominable rebellion, with scarce clothing enough to hide their nakedness, and without anything to eat save what they can beg. There are thousands of rations issued daily at this post, to these refugees who have been driven from their homes for the crime of loyalty to the Union.

O! my God! Can such a cause prosper? – When I look at the monstrous atrocities that the rebels are guilty of I do not for a moment doubt but what God will chasten them and bring their conduct to shame, and it will be a hiss and a by-word for generations to com.

But as much as I hate, loath and despise those armed traitors of the South I consider them honorable men when compared to those copperheads of the North, who, when the bright beams of liberty and prosperity are before their eyes, are so lost to all manly and humane principles as to clap their hands with fiendish joy at every act, however mean and degrading, of their Southern brethren.

Language would fail to express my utter contempt for such demagogues, and in this I am only reflecting the sentiments of every soldier in this regiment.

W. M. Duncan

- The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, 18 APR 1863

See other blog entries:
William M. Duncan

Friday, December 28, 2007

Home from the 18th Regiment.

Mr. Addison Parrish arrived home yesterday from Capt. Duncan's company in 18th Iowa at Springfield Missouri, he reports the health and spirits of the boys there good, not one of captain Duncan's co. being in the hospital. He was accompanied by Mr. Reed of Ringold Co.

- The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, 5 SEP 1863