Fifth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The ten companies assigned to this regiment were ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood on dates ranging from June 24 to July 3, 1861. The designated rendezvous was Burlington, Iowa. There, the companies were mustered into the service of the United States on July 15, 16 and 17, 1861, by Lieut. Alexander Chambers, United States Army.

The names of its first Field and Staff Officers, together with their personal record of service, will be found at the head of the subjoined roster, Which includes all the names and records of those who at any time belonged to the regiment. This roster is arranged in alphabetical form by companies, as shown in the index. It is made up from the records of the Adjutant General's office of the State of Iowa, and of the War Department in Washington, D. C. Whatever errors or omissions may be discovered are chargeable to the failure of officers to make required reports and returns, and possibly, in some instances, to carelessness on the part of those who made the original entries. It is not claimed for those who have had charge of making up this revised roster that they were infallible and made no mistakes, but the compiler of this sketch believes that great care has been exercised in transcribing the records, and that mistakes and errors which may exist have been reduced to the minimum.

The regiment was ordered into active service very soon after it was mustered. Colonel Worthington states, in his first official report, that he had received orders from General Pope to proceed to Keokuk and be in readiness to repel a threatened invasion of Iowa by a force of rebels then approaching the State line. The order was received at Burlington August 2d, and the Fifth and Sixth Regiments at once proceeded to Keokuk, where they received arms and ammunition, and marched into the State of Missouri to meet the enemy. Upon the approach of the Union troops, the rebel force promptly retreated, and being mounted, the Iowa troops did not succeed in overtaking them. The regiment was ordered to return to Keokuk, and on August 11, 1861, it embarked and was conveyed to St. Louis by steamboat.

For a short time it was in quarters at Jefferson Barracks, and from that place proceeded to Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, where it was stationed from August 18 to September 1, 1861. From that date, during the remainder of the year 1861, and until April 28, 1862, the operations of the regiment covered a wide extent of territory in the states of Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee, but its principal service was in Missouri, in which State it marched and counter-marched for long distances, and performed most important and arduous service, as shown by the official reports of its commanding officers. While no considerable bodies of the enemy were encountered, the difficult and annoying character of this service can best be understood when the deplorable conditions, then existing in the State of Missouri, are described. The citizens were divided in sentiment and action, as to upholding the cause of the Union, or its enemies. Bands of rebels were constantly forming, and had to be dispersed or driven out of the State. It was the paramount duty of the officers in command of the Union forces to protect the Union citizens against the depredations of their rebel neighbors. The functions of the civil authorities were almost entirely suspended, and the administration of martial law devolved upon the officers in command of the Union soldiers. This very important duty was performed so faithfully that the sentiment of loyalty to the Union in Missouri constantly grew stronger, and prevented the rebel element from gaining the ascendancy. To this result the Fifth Iowa Infantry contributed its full share. Its surviving members will bear testimony to the fact, that while its subsequent service involved great hardship, heavy loss in battle, and the exercise of all the fortitude and bravery of which they were capable, yet they preferred that kind of service to that of keeping down rebellion in the State of Missouri. From the 28th of April to the 30th of May, 1862, the regiment was on the march, and in camp at different points between Hamburg Landing, Tenn. and Corinth, Miss.

On the 22d of May, while the regiment was encamped at Farmington, Colonel Worthington was killed by a picket of the Union Army. The Colonel was acting as Division Officer of the Day, and in making inspection of the lines, during the night, he was mistaken for an enemy, which resulted in his death, which was officially announced as follows:


HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
NEAR FARMINGTON, May 22, 1862.

GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 53.

The General commanding announces with deep regret the death of Colonel W. H. Worthington, Fifth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. He was killed by an unfortunate accident at three o'clock this morning, while in the discharge of his duty as General Officer of the Day. In the death of Colonel Worthington, this army has sustained a serious loss, and his place in the regiment will be difficult to fill. Prompt, gallant, and patriotic, a brilliant career in the military profession was before him. The hand of God has stricken him down in the midst of his usefulness, and while discharging his duty as a soldier in the face of the enemy. Sad as is his fate, he has lived long enough to be mourned by his country, and to have his memory cherished by the army with which he served. The officers of his division will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.

By order of Major General Pope.

SPEED BUTLER, A. A. G.


On May 30, 1862, General Beauregard evacuated Corinth and the Fifth Iowa participated in the pursuit of the rebel army until the pursuit was abandoned. The regiment then went into camp about two miles from Booneville, Miss., where it remained from the 4th to the 11th of June, when it returned toward Corinth and went into camp near that place, and remained there until June 27th, when it was ordered to Holly Springs, Miss., but after proceeding to a point near Ripley was ordered to Rienzi, Miss., where it remained in camp until July 10th, on which date it returned to its old camp near Corinth. There it remained until August 5th and on that date changed its camp to Jacinto where it remained until September 18th, when it broke camp and marched to Iuka, where, on the 19th of September, 1862, it participated in a hard fought battle. Its loss in killed and wounded was nearly fifty per cent of its number engaged, and the record of its conduct there will compare favorably with that of any regiment upon any battlefield of the war. The compiler of this sketch feels that it is due to the regiment to quote the entire official report of its commander in this first battle in which it was engaged:


HEADQUARTERS FIFTH IOWA INFANTRY,
CAMP ON IUKA ROAD, Sept. 21, 1862.

Lieut. Martin, A. A. A. G., First Brigade, Third Division, Army of the Mississippi.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken in the engagement near Iuka, by the Fifth Iowa Infantry, on the 19th inst.

We left camp six miles from Jacinto, early on the morning of the 19th inst., leading the column of the Third Division, and soon came on to the enemy's pickets, posted on the road. Three companies of my regiment were ordered forward as skirmishers, and then succeeded in driving the enemy from their position, and continued to drive them from one point to another, which they contested for more than six miles, killing three and wounding a number, when these companies were relieved by the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry. Our loss was one Sergeant severely wounded. The skirmishers soon came on to the main force of the enemy, in a strong position, and received a volley from one or more regiments. My regiment was ordered into line on the right of the Eleventh Ohio Battery. I was soon informed that a large force was moving on my right, which compelled me to change front, and I had just got into position on the crest of a hill, when the enemy in strong force (two brigades, I learn, under Generals Green and Martin) made their appearance in front, and poured a terrific musketry fire on my line, which was promptly returned. The firing continued for about half an hour, when I found the enemy was pressing my left, near the battery, it having been silenced, and I ordered a charge, which was executed in the most gallant manner, every officer and man moving forward, cheering, in almost perfect line. The enemy gave way before us, and we poured a most deadly fire into them causing them to retreat over the hill. But they soon returned with renewed vigor, on my front and left, shouting, and were received with a steady fire from the gallant boys of my regiment, holding their position under the most terrific fire possible. I again gave the command forward, and the enemy were again driven over the hill, but not until they had come so near as to boldly reach out for the colors of my regiment, they showing the stars and stripes, and saying "Don't fire at us, we are your friends."

At this juncture, the left wing was suffering terribly from a cross fire, coming from the left of the battery, nearly every officer being killed or wounded, and four companies of the Twenty-sixth Missouri came up to its support, and nobly assisted in holding the ground, until I found the ammunition was exhausted, when I ordered my regiment to retire by the right flank to a field about one hundred yards distant, which was done in good order, where it was reformed in line of battle under a galling fire, at which time the Eleventh Missouri Infantry advanced in line of battle, and my regiment retired by the right of companies to the rear, passing the Tenth Missouri Infantry, which was advancing. I then took a position near the road, under the direction of an Aid-de-Camp, where I distributed ammunition to my men, and remained until morning, the firing having ceased for the night. The casualties in my regiment were seven commissioned officers killed, and eight wounded and thirty-four enlisted men killed, and one hundred and sixty-eight wounded, out of four hundred and eighty-two who went into battle. In commanding my regiment before the enemy, I was nobly assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Sampson, on the right, Adjutant Patterson, acting Major, on the left, and Lieutenant W. S. Marshall, acting Adjutant, all of whom behaved most gallantly, repeating my commands and steadying and cheering on my brave boys through the engagement. The long list of killed and wounded of both officers and men, is ample proof how nobly and well they stood at their posts. High praise is due to all. A grateful country will reward them for their deeds and daring.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. L. MATTHIES,
Colonel Commanding Fifth Iowa Infantry.


That the battle of Iuka was one of the most fiercely contested of the entire war is conceded. When it is considered that this regiment had never before met the enemy in strong force, that its officers and men found themselves confronted with a greatly superior force of the enemy, led by brave and skillful officers, that the fighting was at close range, and that all the conditions were such as to put to the severest test the bravery, skill and fortitude of veterans, who had been engaged in many previous battles, the fact was at once established, that here was an Iowa regiment that could be depended upon to do its whole duty in battle. Its subsequent history was a complete verification of this statement. It not only never suffered defeat itself, but, to quote from a truthful statement of one of its officers, "It had the good fortune never to be in a campaign, or battle, in which the Union Army was defeated. In every department in which it served, success crowned the Union arms. First it was with Fremont, when he drove Price out of Missouri; with Pope when he opened the Mississippi to Fort Pillow, with Halleck when he captured Corinth, with Grant when he captured Vicksburg, and afterwards when he defeated Bragg at Mission Ridge, and with Sherman when he drove the rebels from Chattanooga to Atlanta."

After the battle of Iuka, the regiment returned to its old camp near Jacinto and remained there until October 1st, when it marched to Corinth, Miss.

In the battle of Corinth, October 3d and 4th, the regiment was constantly on duty, and ready for action, but the following extracts from Colonel Matthies' report will show that while every order was promptly obeyed, and the regiment performed its full duty, the different positions to which it was assigned were fortunately such as did not subject it to loss. Colonel Matthies says:

In obedience to orders, we left camp about 3 o'clock the morning of the 3d with three days' rations in haversacks, and marched with the brigade to a point about half a mile north of Corinth, and were immediately ordered into line of battle. I had just placed my regiment in position, when, by order of General Hamilton, we moved to the Pittsburg road and took a position within the intrenchments, to prevent a surprise in that direction. Two companies were detached to support a section of a Missouri battery on the Farmington road, and two companies to support a section of the same battery east of the Pittsburg road. After strengthening- our position with abatis, we remained until 2 o'clock on the morning of the 4th, when, by order of General Buford, I moved my regiment toward town to rejoin the brigade, and took a position in line of battle, fronting north on the left of the Eleventh Ohio Battery. Here we remained until about 10 o'clock, when the brigade was ordered forward, to prevent a flank movement which was being attempted by the enemy.

My regiment advanced by the right of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, and then advanced in line of battle, opening fire upon the enemy who at once retreated. Subsequently we took two other positions, when, by order of General Hamilton, we returned to our former position in line of battle north of town. Here we remained until the following morning, when, by order of General Hamilton, we moved with the brigade in pursuit of the retreating enemy on the Chewalla road, and encamped that night about eight miles from Corinth.


It will thus be seen that, by the fortune of war, this gallant regiment, having passed through one hard fought battle in which nearly one-half of its officers and men were killed or wounded, and where it acquitted itself with the greatest honor, was a few days later held in readiness to participate in another great battle, where other regiments suffered frightful losses, while it held important positions but did not become actively engaged. On both occasions it conducted itself with equal honor. The veteran soldier who has passed through many battles will recall, as among his most trying experiences, those in which the command to which he belonged was held in reserve, while other commands were engaged in the thickest of the conflict. To stand calmly waiting for the order to go into action is just as severe a test of courage as to obey the order when it comes. It was therefore no reflection upon the bravery of the gallant Colonel Matthies, or his regiment, when he said at the close of his official report, "It gives me pleasure to report that not a single casualty occurred in my regiment during the battle of Corinth, nor during the pursuit of the enemy."

The following congratulatory letter from the grand old War Governor Kirkwood was read on parade, the day it was received, and the ringing cheers which followed showed how deeply it was appreciated:


EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA CITY, IOWA, Nov. 19, 1862.

COLONEL: Convey to your gallant regiment the thanks of this department, and of the whole State, for their heroic courage and intrepid bravery at Iuka on the 19th of September last, and at Corinth. Such signal valor and determined resistance to the foe, merits, as it has received, the praise of the whole State, and attests the loyalty and devotion to the Union of the citizens of Iowa. Accept for yourself personally my best wishes for your prosperity.

Your obedient servant,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD,
Governor of Iowa.

Col. C. L. Matthies, Fifth Iowa Infantry, Corinth, Miss.


The following letter from the division commander was also read to the regiment, the officers and men again giving emphatic expression to their appreciation:


NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 1862.

Col. C. L. Matthies, Fifth Iowa Infantry.

MY DEAR COLONEL: In sending to me the report of the brilliant conduct of the Fifth Iowa at Iuka, September 19, 1862, you have given me a very great pleasure. When I read the newspaper accounts of the battles in the vicinity of Corinth, though still sick, my heart thrilled with pride and satisfaction at the splendid conduct of the regiments composing my old division, especially that of the Fifth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Missouri. To show you how the Fifth Iowa has become a household word with us: My youngest boy, a prattler of four years of age, when asked to what company and regiment he belongs, says, "Company 'A', Fifth Iowa, Papa's pet regiment."

I am under orders from Washington, and though I may not again have the honor to have your regiment among those under my command, I shall always point to its conduct as an evidence of the character of the troops from Iowa, and how kindly they have responded to, and conferred honor upon, those who have diligently endeavored to look after their welfare, discipline and instruction which I think I may claim a share in having done. Feeling that their honor is my honor, I shall watch their future career with the same interest as when they were a part of my command. With my compliments and kind remembrances to all, believe me, very truly your friend,

SCHUYLER HAMILTON,
Major General Volunteers, U. S. A.


Failing to overtake the retreating rebel army, the regiment returned to Corinth on the 10th of October, and remained there until the 2d of November. Under the limitations prescribed in the act providing for brief historical sketches of the Iowa regiments, the compiler of this sketch regrets that he can not devote the space necessary to show in detail the service performed by the Fifth Iowa Infantry, during the remainder of its term. From the date of the departure of the regiment from Corinth, November 2, 1862, to the 18th day of September, 1864, when the remnant of the enlisted men and six of its officers were transferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, with which regiment they served to the close of the war, a condensed history is here given, as shown by the report of Col. J. Banbury, made in response to the request of Gen. N. B. Baker, Adjutant General of Iowa.**

From Corinth, the regiment marched to Grand Junction, Tenn., where it joined General Grant's central Mississippi expedition, during which it stopped at the following named places: Davis Mills, Tenn., from the 7th to 17th of November; Moscow, Tenn., from the 18th to 28th of November; Lumpkin's Mills, Miss., November 29th to December 2d; Oxford, Miss., December 4th to 12th; on Yocona Creek, December 12th to 21st. From the Yocona returned to Lumpkin's Mills, arriving on the 24th and remaining until the 26th of December, when it was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., where it arrived on the 29th, and remained until the 31st of December. From January 2 to 31, 1863, it was stationed at Germantown, Tenn. From Germantown it returned to Memphis, and was in camp near that city from the 1st of February to the 2d of March. Leaving Memphis it proceeded down the Mississippi river, to a point near Grand Lake, Ark., where it remained from the 4th to the 7th of March. From there it returned up the river to a point opposite to the mouth of the Yazoo Pass, and was there stationed from the 8th to the 22d of March. From there it accompanied the Yazoo Pass expedition, through the Pass, down the Cold Water and Tallahatchie rivers, to near the latter's confluence with the Sun Flower river, where it remained from the 2d to the 5th of April, when it was ordered to return up the river, and on the 8th of April arrived at its old camp, opposite the mouth of the Pass, remaining until the 13th. It then proceeded down the Mississippi river, and on the 15th arrived at Milliken's Bend, where it was stationed until the 25th. On the 25th of April it started on General Grant's campaign around Vicksburg, during which it was at the following named places: Perkin's Landing, La., April 29th; Hard Times, April 30th; crossed the Mississippi river to Bruinsburg, Miss., May 1st; at Port Gibson, Miss., on the 2d; at Raymond on the 12th, Clinton on the 13th, Jackson on the 14th, Champion Hill on the 16th, and Big Black river on the 18th; in the rear of Vicksburg from May 19th to June 22d, at Messinger's Ford from the 23d day of June to the 6th of July; at the railroad bridge across the Big Black river from July 6th to 13th; at Champion Hill, July 17th to 22d, and again at Black river bridge July 22d to July 24th, and returned to Vicksburg on the 24th, where it remained until September 12th. Left Vicksburg September 12th, moving up the river arrived at Helena, Ark., on the 15th, and remained in camp near that place until the 29th, when it again proceeded up the river, and on the 30th landed at Memphis, where it remained in camp until October 3d. From Memphis it was transported by railroad to Glendale, Miss., where it was stationed from the 5th to the 9th of October. From the 9th to the 19th, it was stationed at different points on the Memphis and Charleston railroad, between Burnsville and Iuka, Miss.; from the 19th to the 21st at Iuka, from the 23rd to 29th at Dixon's Station, Ala., fifteen miles from Iuka. Leaving the latter place on October 29th, it marched from thence to Chattanooga, Tenn., arriving at a point on the opposite side of the river from that place, on November 20th. It remained near the same place until the 24th, when it crossed the Tennessee river, participated in the battle of Mission Ridge on the 24th and 25th, pursued the enemy on the 26th and 27th, and returned to its old camp on the west bank of the Tennessee river on the 28th, where it remained until December 3d, 1863, when it was ordered to Bridgeport, Tenn. It was stationed at Bridgeport from the 5th to the 22d of December, when it was ordered to Larkinsville, Ala., where it was stationed from the 26th of December to the 7th of January, 1864. Leaving Larkinsville, January 7th, it was next stationed at Huntsville, Ala., from January 9 to April 1, 1864, at which time it started for Iowa on veteran furlough. It arrived at Davenport, Iowa, on the 7th and was furloughed on the 8th day of April. Rendezvoused at the same place on the 7th day of May, and started for the front on the 9th. It arrived at Decatur, Ala., on the 14th and remained there until the 17th. From the 18th to the 31st, it was stationed at different points on the railroad between Decatur and Huntsville, Ala. On the 1st of June it returned to Decatur and remained until the 15th, when it was ordered to Huntsville, where it was stationed from the 16th to the 22d of June. On the 23d, it left Huntsville for Kingston, Ga., arriving at the latter place on the 28th of June. It remained in and near that place until September 18th, when the remaining enlisted men of the regiment, having been transferred, by order of the War Department, to the Fifth Cavalry, left to join that regiment stationed at Long Pond, Ga.

The non-veteran portion of the regiment — those who did not re-enlist at the expiration of their original term of three years — had been mustered out of the service on the 30th day of July, 1864, at Kingston, Ga. Those who reenlisted as veterans were transferred as companies G and I to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry regiment, with which they served to the close of the war, and were mustered out of the service at Nashville, Tenn., on the 11th day of August, 1865, and disbanded at Clinton, Iowa. From the time the regiment took the field, in the summer of 1861, to the close of its three years' term of service, and with its re-enlisted veterans to the close of the war, it was at the front in all the great campaigns in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. It participated in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Jackson, Champion Hill, Port Gibson, Raymond, Black River Bridge, Missionary Ridge, and in the sieges of New Madrid, Corinth and Vicksburg and in the Yazoo Pass, and many other expeditions. In addition to the above splendid record of service, there were numerous minor affairs in which the regiment — or detachments from it — was engaged, and from which it suffered loss in killed and wounded. The subjoined summary of casualties shows a greater percentage of mortality from killed in battle than the average from same cause among the Iowa regiments during the War of the Rebellion, while the percentage of mortality from disease is less than the average, and the number discharged for disability resulting from both wounds and disease is about the general average from such causes.

Upon the whole its record stands in the very front rank of Iowa's splendid regiments. The survivors of the regiment and their posterity may peruse with just pride the history of its service. Every patriotic son and daughter of the State will cherish the memory of the men Who fought and died in its ranks, and do honor to those who fought with them, and still live to enjoy the glorious results achieved. When the last survivor of this gallant regiment shall have passed from earth, may the record here set down be an inspiration to the young men of Iowa, should they ever be called upon to emulate the brave deeds of the Volunteer soldiers of this Commonwealth in the great War of the Rebellion, from 1861 to 1865.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1067
Killed 65
Wounded 299
Died of disease 91
Died of wounds 29
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes 243
Buried in National Cemeteries 83
Captured 103
Transferred 50

* See Adjutant General's report, Volume 2, 1863, page 807.
** Adjutant General's Report, Vol. 2, 1865; pages 1046-8.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 1, p. 675-81

Gen. Fremont and the Democratic Press

If certain Republican papers are prohibited from circulating in General McClellan’s army, it is true that a great many Democratic papers ought to be prohibited from entering General Fremont’s army. The most severe strictures on General McClellan indulged in by any journals, are only criticisms on his course as commander of the army of the Potomac; but all, of every shade of opinion, heartily wish him success, and that he may crush out the rebellion in Virginia. How different has been the course of the Opposition newspapers toward Gen. Fremont! Hardly was he appointed to the command of the Mountain Department before they opened their billingsgate on him, and published and rehashed all manner of falsehoods against him. One of their boldest and most reckless misrepresentations was that some of the officers of that department had resigned immediately on hearing of Gen. Fremont’s appointment, believing him to be incompetent! This story is very handsomely refuted by the officers themselves. Gen. Rosecrans, one of the officers named, has written an indignant letter denying the charge thus insinuated against his patriotism; while Col. Poschner of the 47th Ohio, says, in a letter to the Cincinnati Commercial, that the intimation in the Inquirer of that city, that he intends to resign, is utterly unfounded and adds, “In consequence of ill health, I have been granted a short furlough from active duty, but trust in a short time to rejoin my command and serve under Gen. Fremont, whom I admire and look upon as entirely competent.”

Now, if there is anything better calculated that such lying reports, as those we have just shown to be false, to create disturbance and mutiny in an army, we are ignorant of its existence. Such falsehoods are started with no good object in view; utterly groundless in their inception, dastardly in their character, and villainous in their purpose; they are calculated and intended to do mischief, and that only.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 2

Partyism

Our neighbor of the Democrat having been schooled in the old Democratic party, where it was treasonable for the rank and file to utter sentiments contrary to the doctrine of its leaders, and being accustomed of late to hang his principles loosely on the N. Y. Herald and Chicago Times, is much exercised that a Republican sheet in Iowa should possess the independence to differ from the big or little Tribune of New York or Chicago. The Democrats of old were wedded to party; the masses were fervent believers in the blasphemous expression, “Vox populi, vox dei;” wherever their demagogical chiefs led they followed, satisfied that it was for the good of the party in which they could see no wrong. Principles? What cared they, or knew they of principles? The word “Democratic” involved everything and in their blind adherence to the name they forgot the substance; and at the last when all the old principles for which the party had contended against the Whigs had been shelved, and nothing but pro-slaveryism remained, many of them still thought they were contending for the same principles that Thomas Jefferson in his day maintained!

The Republican party is an organization of principles. It is of recent origin and composed of men from the Democratic, Whig and Anti-Slavery parties. It is a “one-idea” party, if you please, that idea being to further the interests of the country. When the necessity for the agitation of those political questions that so long divided the country had passed away and certain Northern demagogues of the Democratic ilk, began to bow the knee to Baal, to court the slaveocracy of the South, to advocate the extension of slave territory and to proclaim that slavery was national; good men became alarmed and resolved to form themselves into a political organization, the fundamental principle of which should be, opposition to the enlargement of the area of slavery, the proclamation of the great constitutional truth, that freedom was national and slavery sectional. Thus originated the Republican party; based upon the principle it follows the back of no leader, unless he be right. Any departure by the press from a straight line of principle becomes the subject of stricture by his brethren; hence, our neighbor is exercised when he sees any show of independence in a press that does not actually occupy the front rank in the Republican party. The right to think and speak for themselves, controlled by the principles and not by leaders, is something so new to our Democratic neighbor, that we are by no means surprised that he should regard any little exhibition of the kind, as almost equivalent to a split in the party, and rejoice as though he saw his idol once more enthroned in the affections of the people.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 2

Iowa Items

The Legislature at its recent session provided for publishing all laws of a general nature in the German papers of the State at a rate not exceeding thirty-five cents per thousand.

Allamakee and Clayton are continually choosing county seats. On the 7th inst., the former county decided to retain the county seat at Lansing, by about fifty majority, Waukon, the former capital of the county, was the other candidate.

The Republican members of the Legislature from the Third Congressional District, before the adjournment, elected an executive committee for that district, consisting of one from each county.

The Independence Guardian says that Mr. Ingalls of that city, who has already invented various machines to lighten the labor of farmers, is now engaged on one that combines, in a simple, compact form, a grain drill, a broadcast sower, (sowing grain and grass seed at the same time, when needed) a harrow, and a cultivator – we believe that is all!” The Guardian feels confident of its success.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 2

Miss Nancy Ann Wallace, of Ottumwa . . .

. . . was accidently shot, a few days since, by her brother, who was carelessly playing with a pistol. The ball lodged in her forehead, penetrating several inches, but strange to say, without immediate fatal results. When will people ever learn that firearms are dangerous playthings?

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 2

List of Iowa Officers Taken Prisoners

ST. LOUIS, April 22.

Col. Tuttle of the Iowa 2d left for home on the steamer Northerner. He is suffering from rheumatism.

The following is a list of officers taken prisoners at the battle of Pittsburg: _ Ould, Co. A, 3d Iowa; Lieut. Knight, 3d Iowa; Lieut. Waggoner, Co. K, 3d Iowa, and Capt. Bell, Col. H, 8th Iowa.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1863, p. 1

Fight near Jacksonboro

WASHINGTON, April 21.

The Norfolk Day Book of Saturday contains the following:


KNOXVILLE, April 18.

Capt. Ashley, commanding 300 artillery, encountered 750 Lincolnites stampeding for Kentucky yesterday, near Jacksonboro. – They had a hand to had fight for two hours, and he succeeded in killing about 75 and taking 500 prisoners. Our loss none killed and about 25 wounded.

No less than 5,500 Lincolnites left East Tennessee for Kentucky since the Governor’s proclamation calling on the military.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1863, p. 1

The City of Appalachicola Captured by Federal Gunboats

NEW YORK, April 21.

The city of Appalachicola has been successfully occupied by our troops, thus giving us another important point in Florida. The capture was effected by the gunboats Mecedida [sic] and Sagamore, with little opposition, on the 3d inst. A few shell dispersed the rebels, and the non-resident portion of the population were found in an almost staving condition. The blockade had effectually cut off the supplies on the seaboard, and their resources form the inland were not sufficient to maintain the ordinary comforts of life. Under these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that the people should proclaim loyalty to the Union.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1863, p. 1

From Cairo

Special to Evening Journal.

The water has come to a stand, and fears for the present safety of the levee are allayed. Great consternation has prevailed until this morning. It has rained big guns for a week. To-day it is balmy and fair as May.

Gen. Strong detailed thirty box cars and an engine for the use of the poor, and all the vessels in port for relief and protection of the levee and property of soldiers and citizens, on Sunday.

An unusual amount of drunkenness and fighting has disgraced the city for a few days past. Yesterday provost marshal Merrill hauled up 16 of those detected in open violation of orders, and has dealt with them as deserters. He will do his duty as an officer.

A bold attempt at kidnapping a negro who claimed to be a free man, was made here yesterday. Four men captured him at the brewery, hauled him waist deep through water to a warfboat, where a woman was in waiting to claim him. The men said they had authority from the Provost Marshal for the arrest, which was false. When this was made known to the Marshal he went in search, but learned the negro had been released. No such work will be done by Capt. M. except under strict conformity with his official duties.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1863, p. 1

St. Johns, N. F., April 22, [1862]

The ice has entirely disappeared from the vicinity of Cape Race and its confidently anticipated that European news will be obtained there almost immediately.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1863, p. 1

Review: Lincoln and the Sioux Uprising of 1862

Lincoln and the Sioux Uprising of 1862
By Hank H. Cox

For four young Sioux men returning home from an unsuccessful hunting trip August 17, 1862 was a day just like any other in Southwestern Minnesota. But what started as an ordinary Sunday ended in tragedy when juvenile taunts lead to the slaying of a number of white settlers that afternoon and ignited a rebellion of the Sioux and ended in the largest mass execution in American history.

If you’ve never heard of the Sioux Uprising of 1862 you are not alone. Had it not happened during the cataclysmic events of the American Civil War, it would surely be as well known as the Battle of Little Bighorn. But American attention was diverted elsewhere to the South and East. For many white and black Americans, the Indians on the western frontier were not a going concern.

Since the close of the Civil War tens of thousands of books have been written about the war and its participants, and few of them mention the bloody events which occurred in Southwestern Minnesota during the late summer and early fall of 1862. If they do at all, it is only a passing mention. It was David Donald’s mentioning of this episode of American history in his biography of Abraham Lincoln that caught the attention of author Henry H. Cox. His book, “Lincoln and the Sioux Uprising of 1862,” attempts to fill this historical void.

Mr. Cox has written an entertaining and easily read narrative of the Sioux uprising, alternating between events in Minnesota and juxtaposing them against those of Washington and the battlefields to the south and east. The author early on points out the injustices done to the Native Americans, the broken treaties, the late payments, and corrupt agents, and though that does not justify the Indians’ actions it does help illuminate their feelings of mistrust and betrayal towards the white settlers and the United States government.

Though Mr. Cox’s narrative is engaging to read his book is not without its share of problems. Primarily among them is the complete lack of either footnotes or endnotes. Without proper noting it is impossible for readers to track back and verify sources of a particular piece of information. Glancing at his skimpy bibliography, it appears that Mr. Cox has gathered most of his information from secondary sources. One extraordinary title listed in his bibliography is Gore Vidal’s “Lincoln,” a novel, which surely leads to a credibility issue.

Secondly the book’s bias is heavily tilted toward the white settlers, he seems to have lifted descriptions of the Native Americans directly from the accounts of the white survivors, though judging from his bibliography, it’s more likely that he pulled those references from only secondary sources. At least once he uses the politically incorrect “squaw” to describe a Native American woman. He also tends to lean to the sensational, mentioning several times an episode that he claims to be the largest and most prolonged gang rape in American history with no supporting evidence or documentation of the event. There is no Native American viewpoint to counter balance that of the white settlers.

Mr. Cox does a great job painting a larger picture of the events transpiring in the United States, explaining the difficulties and political realities President Lincoln faced during the summer and fall of 1862, but by presenting information about those events, as well as the political mechanizations in Washington, D.C., he spends too much time away from the events in Minnesota, resulting in the obfuscation of his subject matter.

John Pope was sent to put down the Indian insurrection in Minnesota, and judging from Mr. Cox’s work, doesn’t seem to have done much to bring the conflict to an end. Rather, he gives credit to ending the conflict to the local troops garrisoned in the forts in the area. When the rebellion was ended, 303 Native Americans found themselves in the custody of Federal Troops and condemned to be executed for their crimes. It was only through the direct intervention of President Lincoln who, at great political peril, prevented General Pope from executing them all. In the end he sentenced 38 Native Americans to be executed for their part in the uprising.

With “Lincoln and the Sioux Uprising of 1862,” Hank Cox does an admirable job of bringing to public attention this little known historical event. It is a great starting place for someone interested in this topic, but by no means, should this book be the only book one should read.

ISBN 1-58182-457-2, Cumberland House Publishing, © 2005, Paperback, 242 pages, Appendix, Bibliography & Index. $14.95

Fourth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The Fourth Iowa Infantry was organized under the proclamation of the President, dated May 3, 1861. The companies composing the regiment were mustered into the service of the United States at Camp Kirkwood, near Council Bluffs, Iowa, and at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, Mo., on different dates, ranging from August 8, 1861, to August 31, 1861. The discrepancy in the dates and places of muster in of the companies is accounted for by the official records in the office of the Adjutant General of Iowa, which show that Colonel Dodge was ordered to employ the companies which first reached the designated rendezvous at Council Bluffs, in an expedition to the southern border of Iowa, to repel a threatened rebel invasion of the State. In his official report, the Colonel states that the rebel force, that was being organized, disbanded and scattered upon the approach of the Iowa troops, and the object of the expedition was accomplished without a conflict. In the meantime the other companies, as they arrived at rendezvous, were ordered to proceed to St. Louis, in pursuance of orders from General Fremont, the exigencies of the service requiring the rapid concentration of troops at that place. By the 15th of August, all the companies, except I and K, had reached Benton Barracks. Colonel Dodge further reports that the eight companies which had reached the barracks left there on the 24th of August, for Rolla, Mo., where they joined the troops being concentrated there, and became a part of the Army of the Southwest under General Curtis. The remaining companies — I and K — were not mustered into the service until August 31st and did not leave Benton Barracks until September 13th, when they were sent forward to Rolla, where the full ten companies composing the Fourth Iowa Infantry were for the first time in camp together.

It will thus be seen that — as a full regiment — it had lacked even the brief opportunity for drill and instruction which the three regiments which were first organized in Iowa had been given while in their camps at Keokuk, and that it had to acquire such instruction after taking the field, and in the presence of the enemy. Detachments, consisting of one or more companies of the regiment, were sent out upon reconnoitering expeditions, from time to time, while encamped at Rolla, but no important movement against the enemy was undertaken until January 22, 1862, when the regiment started upon a winter campaign which was to put to the severest test its fortitude, courage and endurance of hardships.

General Curtis was in command of the Union troops, and by vigorous marching endeavored to overtake the rebel army under General Price. It was confidently expected that a battle would occur at Springfield, Mo., but the enemy continued to retreat towards the Ozark mountains, with the Union army following closely in his rear. At Sugar Creek, the advance of General Curtis came up with the rear guard of the enemy, and a brisk engagement ensued, in which the Fourth Iowa — with the brigade to which it belonged — supported the cavalry and artillery which led the advance, and drove the enemy from the field. After repeated maneuvers to gain advantage of position, the two armies at last confronted each other, and it became evident that a great battle was impending. The rebel army, having reached its chosen ground — a strong position at Cross Hollows, near the town of Fayetteville, Ark. — and being reinforced by fresh troops, and bands of savages from the Indian Territory, halted, and awaited the attack of the Union Army. But, instead of making a direct attack, General Curtis, by a skillful movement, succeeded in completely flanking the enemy's position, and making it untenable, and the rebel army was again compelled to retreat.

Subsequently General Curtis' troops were stationed, by divisions, at considerable distances apart, in order to obtain supplies from the surrounding country, and the enemy, taking advantage of this situation, was preparing to attack these separated forces and prevent them from being concentrated. They succeeded in passing the extreme right flank of the Union army during the night of March 6th, but General Curtis was apprised of the movement in time to change front and partially concentrate his forces, and, on the morning of March 7, 1862, the two armies again confronted each other, on the high ground of Pea Ridge, and, after some preliminary maneuvering on both sides, the battle began, and continued during that day and part of the next, ending in a complete victory for the Union army. The following extract from the official report of the part taken by the Fourth Iowa Infantry in the battle of Pea Ridge shows how well the regiment acquitted itself, and how nobly it maintained the honor of the State of Iowa on that field:

On the morning of the 7th of March, it was known that the enemy was advancing and attacking our army in the rear, when the regiment, in pursuance of orders from Colonel Dodge, marched about two miles from camp, and took position near the Elkhorn Tavern, on the right of the brigade, and to the right of the Springfield road going north, near the southern outlet of the Ozark Pass. Two companies were deployed as skirmishers to the front, and soon became desperately engaged with the enemy, who poured shot, shell and minie balls into their ranks incessantly, for two hours, but owing to the dense timber, our loss at this point was not very great. The left wing of the division, and also the left of Colonel Dodge's brigade, was now desperately engaged. Colonel Dodge ordered his lines to be closed, and awaited the attack, in the meantime keeping his skirmishers, and one section of the First Iowa Battery at work until about 2 o'clock, when the enemy ceased firing and drew back. Colonel Dodge changed front to the right, which left the regiment on the extreme right of the brigade, as well as of the whole army. The line being formed and our skirmishers drawn in and in their places in line of battle, the regiment in common with others awaited the concentrated attack of the enemy, whom we saw preparing for it. We did not wait long. The attack was made with apparently ten times our number, accompanied with the most terrific cannonading with grape, canister, solid shot and shell. For full three hours the regiment stood under this terrible fire, which dealt death to its ranks. The regiment being flanked on the right by a greatly superior force of the enemy, and their artillery being in a position to completely enfilade its lines, and the left wing of the division having fallen back to the open fields, leaving the left exposed, which was also flanked, it was compelled to fall back obliquely to the right, which it did in good order, fighting its way out, hard pressed by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, to the open fields, where it was met by General Curtis who ordered it to fix bayonets, and charge back upon the enemy, which it did gallantly, eliciting from the General in his official report this highest meed of praise. "This regiment won immortal honors." It being now dark, and the enemy having ceased firing, the regiment, after having lost in killed and wounded almost one-half of those actually engaged, marched back to camp, partook of a scanty repast, and. immediately commenced preparations for the deadly conflict impending for the succeeding day, filling their cartridge boxes, and cleaning their guns, which had become very foul. This being done, the regiment was marched back, and bivouacked on the field until daylight, soon after which the fight was resumed by artillery. The regiment took its place again to the extreme right, marching forward in line of battle, pursuing the enemy, who commenced retreating early. It pursued the enemy until it had orders to halt. Soon after this orders were given to march back to the battle ground of the previous day and go into camp. The mention of individual acts of bravery could not be made without being invidious.


The report from which the above extract is made was written by Col. J. A. Williamson who succeeded Lieutenant Colonel Galligan, who commanded the regiment, and was wounded in the battle. Colonel Dodge, in his official report as commander of the First Brigade, says:

The list of killed and wounded in the brigade shows that it fought against fearful odds, and disputed the field with great stubbornness. Every field officer in the brigade was disabled, and had to leave the field, and only two Lieutenants were left in the battery.*

Lieutenant Colonel Galligan rendered efficient service in holding the Fourth Iowa firm, no part of which gave an inch, until the whole was compelled to fall back. I wish to mention especially the bravery and valor of Capt. H. H. Griffith (acting Major) and of Lieut. J. A. Williamson, Brigade Adjutant; also of private, J. W. Bell, Adjutant's clerk, Fourth Iowa, who fell mortally wounded while nobly doing his duty. The conduct of the above named officers came under my personal observation. All did well and fought nobly, in winning a great battle. Capt. W. H. Kinsman with Company B, Fourth Iowa, and two companies of the Twenty-Fourth Missouri, were detached from the brigade and deployed as skirmishers on the extreme left of the division, holding the high ridge on our left flank, which he did efficiently, and with great good judgment, against a greatly superior force of the enemy.


After the battle of Pea Ridge, the regiment remained in camp for several weeks. Col. G. M. Dodge was promoted to Brigadier General shortly after the battle, and Adjutant J. A. Williamson succeeded him as Colonel of the regiment, and Captain Burton succeeded Lieutenant Colonel Galligan, who had resigned. The regiment marched with the army to Helena, and participated in all the hardship and suffering of the succeeding campaign. It remained at Helena during the greater part of the summer and autumn of 1862. It subsequently joined General Sherman's army in the movement down the Mississippi River, against Vicksburg, in which it bore a most conspicuous part. On December 28 and 29, 1862, it participated in the desperate fighting at Chickasaw Bayou, suffering severe loss, and duplicating its record of gallantry at Pea Ridge. On the 10th and 11th of January, 1863, it again engaged in battle at Arkansas Post, after which it returned to Young's Point, landing there January 22, 1863, remaining there and below there at Gregg's Plantation until April 2, 1863, when it went 150 miles up the Mississippi River to Greenville, and from there engaged in the Deer Creek Valley Expedition. Returning to Milliken's Bend, it started on the active campaign against Vicksburg by way of Richmond, La., and Grand Gulf, Miss., to Jackson, Miss., and thence moved to Vicksburg, and became part of the investing force on May 18, 1863.

It engaged actively in the siege operations until the surrender July 4th, when it marched to Jackson and participated in the siege operations there, until the evacuation by the enemy July 16, 1863. After the fall of Jackson, the regiment went into camp on Black River, fourteen miles in rear of Vicksburg, where it remained from July 29, 1863, until September 22, 1863, when it embarked on steamer and proceeded to Memphis, Tenn., from which place it began the march ending at Chattanooga, Tenn., where it arrived November 23, 1863. The regiment participated in the battle of Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863, in the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25th, and in the battle of Ringgold on the 27th. On the 3d day of December, 1863, it went into camp at Bridgeport, Ala., and later moved from there to Woodville, where it remained in camp until the 26th of February, 1864, when it was ordered to proceed to Des Moines, Iowa, and report through the Governor of the State to the superintendent of recruiting service, for furlough and reorganization, and at the expiration of the thirty days' furlough — to begin after the regiment reached Des Moines — the regimental commander was ordered to report to Brigadier General Osterhaus, commanding First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, in the field. In compliance with this order, the veteran soldiers of the Fourth Iowa returned to their State, and enjoyed to the fullest extent the brief respite from the toils and dangers of war, at their own homes, and with their families, and the loyal friends of the cause for which they had suffered and endured so much, and for which they would continue to suffer and endure, until the enemies of the Union should be completely conquered, and a lasting peace secured. At the expiration of its furlough, the regiment returned to the field, and rejoined its brigade and division at Nashville, Tenn., from which place It moved forward and participated actively in the great campaign which led up to the siege and culminated in the fall of Atlanta.

From Atlanta began the remarkable campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas, and the march with Sherman to the sea, in which the Fourth Iowa Infantry had its full share. The regiment participated in the battles of Columbia, S. C, and Bentonville, N. C, and continued on the march to Richmond and thence to Washington, where it marched, with many other Iowa regiments, in the grand review of the battle scarred and war worn soldiers of the armies of the West.

After remaining for some time in camp near Washington, the regiment proceeded to Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out of the service July 24, 1865, having served nearly four years. The compiler of this brief historical sketch of the service of this splendid Iowa regiment has made diligent search among the official records, and has found a mass of reports, and correspondence connected directly with the history of its service, which — but for the limitations under which he is working — would enable him to increase this sketch to the proportions of a good sized volume. In response to the request of the Adjutant General of Iowa, near the close of the war, Col. J. A. Williamson wrote a condensed report of the operations of the regiment, which extended over a very wide field, in many southern states, but could not give a list of "posts" occupied. He says, "I can hardly realize the meaning of the term as connected with this regiment. We have stopped from time to time to rest, after an active campaign, but never had charge of any post, or fixed camp, from the time the regiment was really equipped for the field at Rolla, Mo., in the fall of 1861." Only those who have had the same experience can realize the feeling, which old soldiers had in common, that it was useless to make definite calculation upon remaining even a single day in one locality. While troops did remain in the same camp, sometimes for weeks, or months, they never knew how quickly a change would be made, and therefore, in time of war, the soldier's life is very much the same as that of the Nomads, ready to break camp and to move upon the shortest notice. Such was, in a most pronounced degree, the experience of the Fourth Iowa Infantry during its long period of service from 1861 to 1865.

The subjoined roster, summary of casualties, list of those buried in National Cemeteries, and of those who were captured by the enemy and confined in rebel prisons, have been carefully compiled from the official records.

The paragraph after each name in the roster gives briefly the history of the service he rendered, and the descendants of the soldiers of this gallant regiment may here learn how well and faithfully they served their country in her hour of greatest need, and know that a great and grateful commonwealth has herein discharged a high duty to the memory of her brave sons.

Inseparably connected with the history of this regiment is that of the man who first commanded it, and under whom it won its first glorious victory. Subsequently he won high honor as a General and enjoyed the personal friendship and confidence of President Lincoln and General Grant. Since the close of the war, he has achieved fame and distinction in civil life. Through all his career he has cherished the memory of the men of his old regiment, and has — from time to time — given evidence of his abiding friendship for them. This is therefore an appropriate place to record the official military history of Iowa's most distinguished soldier. The record is compiled from the files of the War Department in Washington and of the Adjutant General's office of the State of Iowa, and is therefore officially correct.


MILITARY RECORD OF MAJOR GENERAL GRENVILLE M. DODGE.

Captain Council Bluffs Guards July 15, 1856.

Appointed Colonel Fourth Iowa Infantry June 17, 1861, and ordered into camp at Council Bluffs.

Commissioned Colonel Fourth Iowa Infantry July 6, 1861.

During July marched with part of his regiment to Missouri State line against Poindexter, who, with 1,200 Confederates, was threatening Southwestern Iowa. Poindexter retreated when Dodge approached.

Reported at St. Louis with Fourth Iowa Infantry August 13, 1861.

Proceeded to Rolla, Mo., August 24, 1861.

Assigned to command of post at Rolla, October 9, 1861.

Commanded expeditions to Houston and Salem, November 1, 1861. Enemy defeated in both engagements.

Wounded in left leg, December 15, 1861.

Assigned to command of First Brigade, Fourth Division, Army of Southwest, January 21, 1862. Advanced to Springfield. That place occupied February 13, 1862.

In engagements at Sugar Creek, February 17, 1862, and Cane Creek, February 20, 1862.

Defeated Gates' command at Blackburn's Mills, February 27, 1862.

Battle of Pea Ridge, March 6, 7 and 8, 1862. Wounded in right side.

Commissioned Brigadier General of Volunteers, March 31, 1862.

Reported to Major General Halleck at Corinth, June 6, 1862, and ordered by him to report to Brig. Gen. W. F. Quimby, commanding District of Columbus, to rebuild Mobile & Ohio Railroad.

June 28, 1862, assigned to command of Central Division, Army of Tennessee, with headquarters at Trenton, Tenn.

Finished rebuilding Mobile & Ohio Railroad in August and built stockades and earthworks at all its important bridges and stations.

During the time in command at Trenton the captures of Dyersburg, Huntington and O'Brien were made, and Villipigue was defeated on the Hatchie River.

September 29, 1862, by order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, was assigned to the command of the District of Columbus, Ky.

Captured Colonel Faulkner and his command at Island No. 10. Also captured the State troops and conscripts, some 1,400 in number, twenty-three miles west of New Madrid.

October 30, 1862, assigned by order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant to command Second Division Army of Tennessee, at Corinth, Miss.

November 15, 1862, assigned to command of the District of Corinth, by order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant.

Extensive fortifications and important works in and around Corinth finished while holding that command.

December 1, 1862, a combined movement was made from Holly Springs and Corinth in which his troops captured Tupelo and Okolona, Miss., defeating the enemy and capturing the stores at those places.

December, 1862, by order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, moved to Lexington and Spring Creek, Tenn., driving Forrest across the Tennessee River.

February, 1863, attacked Van Dorn's column at Tuscumbia, Ala. Place was captured with its stores, artillery, etc.

April, 1863, in command of Second Division, part of Fifth Division and portion of Cavalry Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. Made expedition in Northern Alabama, defeating the forces of the enemy in the Tuscumbia Valley. During the movement the fights at Bear Creek, Cherokee, Burton Station, Leighton and Town Creek occurred. Immense quantities of stores for Bragg's army were captured and destroyed.

April, 1863, Chalmers and Ruggles were attacked and defeated at Tupelo.

June, 1863, crossed the Tennessee River at Savannah. Moved into Van Dorn's rear. Captured the town of Florence, defeating its garrison.

June 19, 1863, attacked Furgeson's command on Big Muddy, and stopped raid on Memphis & Charleston Railroad. Fighting was severe and loss considerable.

July 8, 1863, assigned to command of left wing Sixteenth Army Corps with headquarters at Corinth.

July 14, 1863, defeated a portion of Roddy's command at Jackson, Tenn., and captured a large number of prisoners.

August 15, 1863, made raid on Granada, Miss., capturing a large number of locomotives, cars, railroad stocks, stores, etc., and defeated the enemy at Water Valley and Granada.

While in command at Corinth organized and mustered into the service First West Tennessee Cavalry, First Alabama Cavalry, First Alabama Colored Infantry, and several companies of colored troops for siege artillery.

October 30, 1863, command was attached to command of Major General Sherman then moving into Middle Tennessee.

During months of November and December, 1863, rebuilt Nashville & Decatur Railroad, also pontoon bridges across Tennessee River at Decatur, Ala., and the Duck and Elk rivers, and constructed good and substantial earthworks and stockades at all the important bridges and points. During this time the command had several engagements with the enemy, and captured and fortified Decatur, Ala.

January, 1864, organized and mustered into service Second and Third Regiments Alabama Colored Infantry.

May 5, 1864, in command Sixteenth Army Corps in the field at Atlanta campaign. Took part in the battles and engagements at Ships Gap May 6th, Snake Creek Gap May 9th, Resaca May 11th, Estounula River May 12th, Kenesaw Mountain, Roswell, Decatur July 21st, Atlanta July 22d, Ezra Church July 28th.

Commissioned Major General June 7, 1864.

Wounded in head August 19, 1864.

October 14, 1864, ordered to City Point, Va., to visit General Grant.

November 3, 1864, assigned to command of District of Vicksburg and to command of left wing Sixteenth Army Corps.

December 2,1864, assigned to the command of Department and Army of Missouri.

December 9, 1864, commissioned Major General Missouri State Militia.

January 30, 1865, Department of Kansas added to Department of Missouri.

Gen. Jeff C. Thompson surrendered Confederate forces in Arkansas.

During January, February and March, 1865, made Indian campaigns on the plains, opening up the stage lines and rebuilding telegraph lines which had been destroyed by the Indians.

1865-66, made Indian campaigns extending from Arkansas River on south to Yellowstone on north. In these campaigns several severe battles were fought by forces under Generals Sanborn, Ford, Conner, and Colonels Cole, Walker and others. Treaties of peace were made with the Comanches, Apaches, Southern Cheyennes, and other Southern Tribes, and a council was held with the Northern Cheyennes, Arapahoes and Sioux at Fort Laramie, and basis for treaty agreed upon. For services in this campaign received the thanks of the Legislature of Iowa.

Resigned March 1, 1866.

Accepted May 30, 1866.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1557
Killed 61
Wounded 338
Died of wounds 54
Died of disease 239
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes 333
Captured 49
Buried in National Cemeteries 136
Transferred 37


*Colonel Dodge was himself wounded in the right side.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 1, p. 527-33

Arrival of the Steamer City of New York

NEW YORK, April 22.

The steamer City of New York, with four days later European news, has arrived.

LIVERPOOL, 9th. – Breadstuffs dull but steady.

The Sumter was still at Gibraltar and the Tuscarora at Algiers.

On the 3d the sloop of war Karsage [sic], after a two day’s visit to Gibraltar, left for the west.

In parliament D’Israeli made an attack on Gladstone’s financial policy in the Budget. The latter spoke strongly in defiance. A general debate ensued, in the course of which Bentwick attributed the distress of the country to its incompetent and inhuman policy in refusing to recognize the Confederate States.

The question of shielded ships and floating batteries continues to occupy the attention of the government.

The shipwrights have all been transferred from the wooden to iron vessels in course of construction.

A proposition was before the common council of London to confer the freedom of the city in a gold box to Mr. Peabody, for his [tounificence].

The crops of England and France are reported as most favorable. French manufacturing accounts also show more animation.

Latest rumors assert that Gen. Guion will not be recalled from Rome.

The Paris Bourse was flat 69{90c.

The Italian ministry had ordered an increase in iron-plated ships.

The question of brigandage and the removal of the ex-King of Maples from Rome was debated in the Italian chamber.

Roltazzi said the Italian government persisted in pointing out that the presence of Francis II at Rome is the source of disorders, and he believed Napoleon also shares the conviction and perceives the necessity from providing against its continuance, but difficulties can’t all be vanquished at a single blow.

The Spanish government had again reiterated its firm determination to abstain from any demonstration prejudicial to the independence of Mexico.

The Danish Regziaad voted an extraordinary credit of one million rix dollars for iron-plated vessels.


SANDY HOOK, April 22.

The New iron steamer Oviet, built for war purposes, left Liverpool for Palermo. It is believed she goes to Bermuda for armament, and takes the Atlantic as a southern privateer.

The schooner Sophia ran the Charleston blockade and arrived at Liverpool with 900 bales of cotton.

Politics unimportant.

Manchester market firmer, tending upward. Breadstuffs steady and unchanged. Provisions upward.


QUEENSTOWN, April 10.

Government has contracted for an iron cupola ship under Capt. Coles’ invention, to be ready for sea June 1st, 1863.

Experiments with a gun of large sized showed the best and hitherto considered invulnerable forms of iron sides, were so to speak, almost as easily penetrable by a shot as if targets had been timber.

Sir Wm. Armstrong says that a gun of 12 tons weight fired with a charge of 50 pounds of powder will break through the sides of the Warrior or the strongest ship afloat. A target like the Warrior’s side was shattered into crumbs at a trial. The Times says a weapon of offense or defense it seems none is left us now so effective as large armor clad and very swift rams.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 1

Third Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The companies composing the Second and Third regiments of Iowa Infantry Volunteers were organized and ready to respond to the first call of President Lincoln for troops, but as only one regiment from Iowa could be accepted under that call these companies were compelled to wait during the brief time that intervened before the second call was issued. The Second and Third were then ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood, and his order was so promptly obeyed that there was but little difference in the dates upon which these three regiments assembled at the designated rendezvous, Keokuk, Iowa. There, on the 8th and 10th days of June, 1861, the ten companies composing the Third regiment were mustered into the service of the United States by Lieutenant Alexander Chambers of the regular army, for the term of three years. On June 27, 1861 — only seventeen days after its last company was mustered — the regiment embarked on the steamers, Gate City and Hamilton Belle, and was conveyed to Hannibal, Mo., there to await further orders. The First and Second regiments had reached Hannibal only a few days before, and were then engaged in taking possession of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, and in preventing the concentration of the bands of rebel troops then being raised in that part of Missouri. The Third Regiment was at once assigned to the same duty. From Hannibal it was transported by rail to Utica, Mo., on the line of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, where it went into camp. Up to this time the Governor had not appointed the field officers of the regiment, and it had been commanded by its senior Captain, Richard G. Herron of Company A, a very capable and efficient officer, and highly esteemed by the officers and men of the regiment. Shortly after arriving at Utica, the field officers were appointed.

Nelson G. Williams, who had received militsary training at West Point, was commissioned Colonel, Capt. John Scott of Company E, a veteran soldier of the Mexican War, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain William M. Stone of Company B was promoted to Major. The Lieutenant Colonel and Major had been mustered in as Captains at Keokuk, but the Colonel was a stranger to the regiment. Upon assuming command, he proceeded to enforce strict discipline, which, at that time, a majority of the officers and men could not appreciate the necessity for, as they could, and did, later on. The result was a strong feeling of dislike for Colonel Williams. Retaining that feeling of self-respect and manly independence which had characterized them as citizens, and having all their lives been amenable only to the mild restraints of the civil laws, it was not strange that the sudden transition from the comparatively mild discipline to which they had thus far been accustomed, to the most rigid enforcement of the rules and regulations governing the professional soldiers of the regular army, should seem harsh and even cruel. While it soon became evident that the efficiency of the regiment had improved, the stern and autocratic manner of the Colonel created a feeling of prejudice against him which his enforcement of discipline would not alone have created, had his bearing towards his officers and men been less arrogant.

The citizens of Missouri were divided into bitterly contending factions, many adhering to the cause of the Union, and many assuming an attitude of open rebellion. These hostile factions were constantly being organized into armed bodies. It was a most deplorable condition, and the duty of protecting the loyal people of the State devolved upon the Union troops. In the State, thus rent and torn by contending factions, the Third Iowa spent its first summer, autumn and winter. Its operations extended over a wide territory. During the summer, the regiment maintained headquarters, first at Utica, and later at Chillicothe, Brookfield and Macon City, but companies were stationed at different points to guard the railroad and keep it in operation for the transportation of troops and supplies. In the performance of this duty many skirmishes and minor engagements took place. Several expeditions were planned and executed by portions of the regiment, but during its entire campaign in Missouri there were no operations in which the entire regiment was engaged at one time. The regiment suffered much from sickness, and, up to the time when it first encountered the enemy in battle, its greatest loss had been by deaths from disease, and the discharge of men who proved to be physically incapacitated to stand the hardships and exposure incident to a soldier's life. The most important of the expeditions undertaken during the summer were those against considerable bodies of the enemy, commanded by the rebel Generals Thomas Harris and Martin Green, and encamped near the towns of Paris and Kirksville. The first movement was against Kirksville with 500 of the Third Iowa under command of Lieutenant Colonel Scott, and the second against Paris with the balance of the regiment under Colonel Williams. Only partial success was accomplished by these expeditions. The enemy, being mounted and familiar with the country, retired as the Union troops advanced, and could not be drawn into a general engagement.

Some skirmish fighting took place, in which several were killed and wounded on both sides. Prior to these two expeditions portions of the regiment had come into contact with the enemy at Hager's Woods and Monroe, and later at Shelbina and Florida, Mo., in all of which only slight losses were sustained. The compiler of this sketch, then a crude young soldier in one of the companies of the Third Iowa Infantry, was imbued with the same ardent desire which animated his comrades, to meet the enemy in a general engagement. This desire was soon to be gratified. About the middle of September Lieut. Col. John Scott in command of 500 of the Third Iowa left camp and proceeded west to Cameron, Mo. Upon his arrival there, he was ordered to act in conjunction with Colonel Smith, who, with his regiment — the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry — was to meet Colonel Scott at or near Liberty, Mo., and intercept a force of the enemy reported to be marching towards Blue Mills Landing, on the Missouri river, with the purpose of crossing the river at that point and joining the rebel army under General Price. In his official report Lieutenant Colonel Scott details at length the movements of his command from the time he received his orders to the end of the battle of Blue Mills. Colonel Smith was moving from St. Joseph towards Blue Mills, and, at the time Scott left Cameron, had reached a point on his line of march which placed the two commands at about equal distances from Liberty, where they were ordered to intercept the enemy. Smith had sent a courier with a message to Scott, urging him to move as rapidly as possible, and to keep in communication with him. The following extract from Scott's report will explain his movements prior to the battle:

I left Cameron at 3 P. M. on the 15th inst., and through a heavy rain and bad roads made but seven miles during that afternoon. By a very active march on the 16th, I reached Centerville, ten miles north of Liberty, by sunset, when the firing of cannon was distinctly heard in the direction of Platte City, which was surmised to be from Colonel Smith's Sixteenth Illinois command. I had sent a messenger to Colonel Smith from Hainsville, and another from Centerville, apprising him of my movements, but got no response. On the 17th at 2 A. M. I started from Centerville for Liberty, and at daylight the advanced guards fell in with the enemy's pickets. * * *


Lieutenant Colonel Scott continued to advance, the pickets of the enemy retiring before him. They were closely followed and driven to the town of Liberty, which was reached at 7 a. m. The troops were halted on the hill north of and overlooking the town. Scouts were now sent forward to examine the position of the enemy. The only information obtained was that the enemy had passed through the town on the afternoon of the 16th, to the number of about 4,000, taking the road to Blue Mills Landing, and were reported as having four pieces of artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Scott at once sent a courier to Colonel Smith advising him of the situation, and urging him to hasten his command. In the meantime firing was heard in the direction of the landing. This was presumed to be a conflict between the Union troops under General Sturgis and the enemy, disputing the passage over the river; but the firing was being done by the enemy, solely for the purpose of misleading the advancing Union troops, and leading them into making the attack before re-inforcements reached them. This ruse on the part of the enemy had the desired result. Lieutenant Colonel Scott felt that it was his duty to at once advance, but before starting he dispatched another courier to Colonel Smith, advising that officer of his intention to attack the enemy, and urging him to hasten his troops forward in order that he might arrive in time to participate in the impending battle. The following extract from Lieutenant Colonel Scott's report describes the fighting which ensued:

At 12 M. I moved the command, consisting of 500 of the Third Iowa, a squad of German artillerists, and about seventy Home Guards, in the direction of Blue Mills Landing. On the route, learned that a body of our scouts had fallen in with the enemy's pickets, and lost four killed and one wounded. About two miles from Liberty, the advance guard drove in the enemy's pickets. Skirmishers closely examined the dense growth through which our route lay, and at 3 P. M. discovered the enemy in force, concealed on both sides of the road, and occupying the dry bed of a slough, his left resting on the river, and the right extending beyond our observation. He opened a heavy fire which drove back our skirmishers, and made simultaneous attacks upon our front and right. These were well sustained, and he retired with heavy loss to his position. In the attack upon our front the artillery suffered so severely that the only piece — a brass 6-pounder — was left without sufficient force to man it, and I was only able to have it discharged twice during the action. Some of the gunners abandoned the piece, carrying off the matches and primer, and could not be rallied. The enemy kept up a heavy fire from his position. Our artillery useless, and many of the officers and men already disabled, it was deemed advisable to fall back, which was done slowly, returning the enemy's fire, and completely checking pursuit. The 6-pounder was brought off by hand, through the gallantry of Captain Trumbull, Lieutenants Crosley and Knight, and various officers and men of the Third Iowa, after it had been entirely abandoned by the artillerists. The ammunition wagon, becoming fastened between a tree and a log at the road side in such a manner that it could not be released without serious loss, was abandoned. The engagement lasted one hour, and was sustained by my command with an intrepidity that merits my warmest approbation. I have to regret the loss of a number of brave officers and men, who fell gallantly fighting at their posts. I refer to the enclosed list of killed and wounded as a part of this report. The heaviest loss was sustained by Company I, Third Iowa Volunteers, which lost four killed and twenty wounded, being one-fourth of our total loss. Major Stone, Captains Warren, Willett and O'Neil, and Lieutenants Hobbs, Anderson, Tullis and Knight were severely wounded. Lieutenant Knight was wounded three times, but refused to retire from the field, and remained with his men until the close of the engagement. Among the great number who deserve my thanks for their gallantry, I might mention Sergeant James F. Lakin of Company F, who bore the colors, and carried them into the thickest of the fight, with all the coolness of a veteran.


The Third Iowa lost in this battle 96 killed and wounded, out of less than 600 engaged, while the loss of the enemy was reported at 160 out of 4,400 engaged. The enemy fought on the defensive, and had all the advantage in position. Colonel Smith with the Sixteenth Illinois met Lieutenant Colonel Scott's command about three miles from Blue Mills Landing, but his troops were in such an exhausted condition that it was deemed best not to renew the attack. The enemy only followed in pursuit a short distance, and during the night retreated across the river. The compiler of this sketch has a vivid personal recollection of this first battle of the Third Iowa. That it ended in defeat does not detract from the bravery of the officers and men of the regiment. Considering the great disparity in numbers, it was greatly to the credit of its commander, and the best possible evidence of the coolness and courage of his men, that it was able to extricate itself from its perilous position, and to retire from the field in good order. To have longer continued the fight, in the face of such a greatly superior force, would have resulted in such greater loss that the surrender of the small command might have become a necessity. The surviving officers and men came out of this fight with unimpaired confidence in their gallant commander and in their own ability to successfully contend with the enemy under anything like equal conditions. They had here fought against at least seven times their own number, and had inflicted such heavy damage to the enemy as to discourage them from continuing the pursuit and taking the chances of another engagement, when the Third Iowa would have met the re-inforcements coming to its assistance. The next day the dead were buried with military honors, the wounded who were able to bear the journey were conveyed under escort to Cameron, while the most severely wounded were left at Liberty to be later conveyed by steamboat to the government hospital at Fort Leavenworth.

A few days after the battle this detachment of the Third Iowa joined the command of General Sturgis at Kansas City, where Union troops were being rapidly concentrated to resist a threatened attack upon that place by the rebel forces under General Price. Union troops continued to arrive until it became evident to the rebel General that he would soon be acting on the defensive, and, after securing all the recruits that could be induced to join him, he withdrew his army to Springfield, there to await re-inforcements from the South. The Third Iowa was again reunited, and, on account of the large number of men upon the sick list, it was deemed best to give it a change of location and an opportunity to rest and recruit. It was therefore ordered to Quincy, Ill., where it went into camp in a beautiful location just north of the city, and enjoyed a season of much needed rest. The citizens of Quincy extended a cordial welcome to the regiment, the best of discipline was maintained, the health of the men rapidly improved, and at the end of three weeks they were again in such good condition for active service as to fully justify the wisdom of the order granting this short respite from active duty in the field. November 9, 1861, the regiment was transported to St. Louis, and went into quarters at Benton Barracks, a huge camp of instruction, where troops of all arms were being concentrated and prepared for the great campaign which was soon to begin. The barracks were soon overcrowded by the constant influx of troops, and much sickness resulted. The order to again take the field was joyfully received by the regiment, although the duty to which it was assigned involved a winter campaign in northern Missouri. The regiment was selected for this service on account of its past experience in dealing with Missouri rebels. It was important that the line of the North Missouri Railroad should be protected against the frequent raids of rebel bands, who tore up portions of the track, cut down telegraph poles and otherwise seriously interfered with the operation of the road. The companies of the regiment were distributed at stations along the line of the road, and were constantly engaged in protecting the working parties whose regular labor of keeping the track in condition for the passage of trains was greatly augmented by the repairs necessitated by the depredations of the enemy. The rebels infested the country in well-mounted bands, and the road could not have been operated at all, except for the presence of Union troops.

Fort Donelson fell. Iowa troops had won renown in the reduction of that rebel stronghold, while the Third Iowa was still engaged in guarding the North Missouri Railroad. It was not the hardships to which they were exposed in this wintry weather of which the men and officers of the regiment complained, but the lack of opportunity to win honor for themselves and their State on southern battlefields. During this campaign Lieutenant Colonel Scott was serving as a member of a military commission in St. Louis, and Maj. W. M. Stone was in command of the regiment until Colonel Williams — who had been under arrest for several months — returned and took command. He had been tried by Court Martial, upon the charge, preferred against him by certain officers of his regiment, of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. The court had acquitted him of this charge. While the feeling of prejudice was still strong against the Colonel, his officers and men had come to appreciate the necessity for strict discipline, and were disposed to treat their commanding officer with greater respect. The Colonel had, in the meantime, come to a better understanding of his men, and held them in higher regard on account of the important service they had rendered while he was separated from them. Had such consideration been shown earlier, it would have saved the Colonel much humiliation, and the officers and men of his regiment much annoyance and ill feeling.

On the 3d of March, 1862, the welcome order was received for the regiment to proceed to St. Louis. The scattered companies were concentrated at the regimental headquarters in Mexico, Mo., transportation was provided, and the regiment was in St. Louis the next day, where it immediately embarked on the "steamer Iatan, and was soon on its way to the South. From Cairo, Ill., it proceeded up the Ohio and Tennessee, and soon overtook the large fleet of transports conveying General Grant's army. The boats were greatly crowded, and the impure water of the river had a bad effect upon the health of the men. The result was a large increase of the sick list, and when the regiment went ashore, at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., on March 17, 1862, it had less than 600 men able for duty.

The regiment was assigned to the First Brigade of the Fourth Division Army of the Tennessee. The other regiments composing the brigade were the Twenty-eighth, Thirty-second and Forty-first Illinois Infantry. Brig. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut was in command of the division, Col. N. G. Williams of the Third Iowa commanded the brigade, while Maj. W. M. Stone was in command of the regiment, in the absence of Lieut. Col. John Scott, who had the misfortune — with many other officers and men of the regiment — to be confined by severe sickness on board the hospital boat "City of Memphis," which lay at Pittsburg Landing. It was very hard for these brave men, many of whom had not sufficiently recovered, at the time the battle was fought, to rejoin the regiment, to listen to the thunder of battle reverberating along the river, and to endure, in addition to the pain that racked their bodies, the mental agony which came with the knowledge that their comrades were bravely fighting, while they could not be permitted to join them.

On the morning of April 6, 1862, the great battle of Shiloh began. The Third Iowa, with the other troops of its brigade and division, was promptly in line of battle, and moved rapidly to the front, where the advanced line of the Union army was already engaged in fierce conflict with the enemy. The division was soon engaged. After a short struggle on its first line of battle, it retired some distance, to prevent being outflanked, and took up its second position, where it fought stubbornly for over five hours and suffered heavy loss. This position at last becoming untenable, it again retired, fighting from one position to another, and keeping well together. Early in the engagement Colonel Williams had his horse shot under him, while gallantly performing his duty as brigade commander. He was entirely disabled for further duty, and was borne from the field, Col. I. C. Pugh of the Forty-first Illinois succeeding him as commander of the brigade. Late in the afternoon Major Stone had his horse shot under him, and he was stunned by the fall, just when the enemy were charging and the regiment was compelled to fall back. The gallant Major was thus cut off from his command and captured. Capt. M. M. Trumbull then took command of the regiment which had become separated from its brigade. Upon reaching its own camp ground, the regiment again faced the enemy, but found itself in the desperate situation of being nearly surrounded. It again retired, fighting its way through its own camp, in which many of its men were killed and wounded, among the wounded being the gallant Captain Trumbull. The casualties among the officers had been so great that only seven Lieutenants now remained upon duty, and First Lieut. George W. Crosley of Company E was the ranking officer in command of the regiment, which continued to fight its way to the rear and, at about 5:30 in the evening, formed on the right of Colonel Crocker's Thirteenth Iowa at the line of last resistance. After dark the regiment rejoined its brigade, and, on the morning of April 7th, again went into action and fought to the close of the battle that day. The next day the dead were collected from the field where they had fallen, and were buried near the regimental camp, with the honors of war. This sad duty performed, details from the regiment assisted in the burial of the enemy's dead, who were found in great numbers, and nowhere did they lie thicker than at the points where the First Brigade of the Fourth Division had fought. Capt. M. M. Trumbull, though still suffering from his wound, resumed command of the regiment shortly after the battle, and wrote the official report, including a list of the killed, wounded and missing. The summarized list shows the loss of the regiment as follows:

"Killed, 23. Wounded, 134. Missing (captured by the enemy), 30. Total, 187 out of 560 engaged. Of the captured, nearly all were wounded. Sixteen of the wounded, who were not captured, died of their wounds in hospital, increasing the death list of the battle to 39. The total loss was one-third of the number engaged."

Captain Trumbull describes the conduct of the regiment during the battle, in detail, and at the close of his report says:

The regiment went into battle on the second day under the command of First Lieutenant G. W. Crosley of Company E, and, as I am well assured, nobly maintained the honor of the flag. Should I designate meritorious officers, I should have to name nearly every officer in the regiment. I think, however, none will feel envious if I specially mention Lieutenant Crosley. I desire to call the attention of the general commanding the divison to the gallantry and good conduct of Sergeant James F. Lakin of Company F, who carried the colors on the first day, and of Corporal Anderson Edwards of Company I, who carried the colors on the second day of the battle.


In his order, thanking the survivors of his division for their good conduct during the battle, Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut says in part:

Let this division remember that for five hours on Sunday it held, under the most terrific fire, the key point of the left of the army, and only fell back when flanked by overwhelming masses of the enemy, pressing through points abandoned by our supports. Let them remember, that when they fell back, it was in good order, and that the last line of resistance, in rear of the heavy guns, was formed by this division. Let them remember, that on the morning of Monday, without food and without sleep, they were ordered forward to reinforce the right, and that wherever either brigade of this division appeared on the field, they were in time to support broken flanks, and hold the line. Keep these facts before your memories, to hand down to your children when we conquer a peace, and let it be the chief pride of every man of this command, as it is of your General, that he was at Shiloh with the fighting Fourth Division.


The compiler of this sketch has given more space in this brief account of the part taken by the regiment in the battle of Shiloh than he will be able to devote to the subsequent battles in which it was engaged, with equal honor, but, in his judgment, this great historical battle gave to the regiment an experience upon which was based its subsequent splendid battle record.

If the history of its service had ended at Shiloh, the regiment would still have a record of service reflecting great honor and credit upon the military history of the State of Iowa. The regiment welcomed the order which removed its encampment from a gloomy environment, for its old camp ground on the battlefield was in the midst of the graves of both friend and foe, which were constant reminders of the horrors of the tremendous conflict. The enemy had withdrawn to his stronghold at Corinth, only a day's march from the scene of his defeat at Shiloh.

The Third Iowa, with its brigade and division, performed its full share of the arduous service involved in the advance upon and siege of Corinth, resulting in the evacuation of that place on May 30, 1862, and the pursuit of the enemy which followed, and in the campaign the following summer, in which the Fourth and Fifth Divisions of the Army of the Tennessee were constantly associated, ending on the 21st of July, 1862, when these two divisions entered the city of Memphis, Tenn., after a long and toilsome march, which put to the severest test the endurance of the troops. Lieutenant Colonel Scott had resigned June 20, 1862, to accept promotion as Colonel of the Thirty-second Iowa. Colonel Williams had returned and assumed command of the regiment after the evacuation of Corinth, but he had only partially recovered from his injuries at Shiloh, and was really unfitted for the active duties of the campaign. Major Stone had been exchanged, and had resigned to accept promotion as Colonel of the Twenty-second Iowa, and Quartermaster Geo. W. Clark had resigned July 17, 1862, to accept promotion as Colonel of the Thirty-fourth Iowa.

The regiment remained in Memphis until September 6, 1862. The Fourth and Fifth Divisions were now about to separate. Gen. W. T. Sherman expressed his regret in a letter to General Hurlbut, from which the following brief extract is taken:

Permit me through you to convey to the officers and men of your division my deep regret that the necessities of the service should at this time separate our commands. Our divisions were the first to disembark at Pittsburg Landing, and through storm and sunshine we have been side by side. The habit of acting together has made us one command, and I feel in parting from you as though my own division was divided. Your division is composed of good and sturdy men who by their behavior in camp, on guard, on the march and in battle reflect honor and credit on themselves, and their country. Be pleased to assure them that I will hail the change in events that will bring us together again.


Every man and officer of the Fourth Division fully appreciated this compliment. They all loved and honored General Sherman, and were glad to receive his expression of friendship and confidence in them, and in their trusted leader, General Hurlbut.

On the 6th of September the Fourth Division entered upon another long and arduous campaign. It marched to Bolivar, Tenn., where it remained until October 3, 1862. On the morning of that day the enemy was closing in about Corinth, and at 3 a. m. General Hurlbut received orders to march for that place. The order was promptly obeyed and the march was conducted with the greatest energy. On the afternoon of the next day the advanced guard intercepted the enemy, on their retreat from Corinth, and the fighting began just before dark, and the opposing forces lay upon their arms during the night. In the morning, the battle was renewed, and continued until the enemy — who made a most gallant and desperate defense — were completely vanquished, and in full retreat. The Third Iowa Infantry bore a most conspicuous part in this conflict, known in history as the battle of the Hatchie. It was under the command of the brave and intrepid Captain Trumbull, and at a most critical stage of the battle crossed the bridge over the Hatchie River, under a heavy fire, and after crossing again formed line of battle under the fire of the enemy, charged up the steep hill, and drove the enemy from their strong position on its crest. The brave Capt. W. P. Dodd was killed. Capt. E. I. Weiser and Lieut. D. W. Foote, both of whom had been wounded in battle before, were here again severely wounded and permanently disabled. Captain Kostman, Lieutenants Hamil and Anderson were severely wounded. Lieutenant Gary remained in command of his company, after the death of Captain Dodd, though suffering from a painful wound, until the close of the battle. Adjutant Cushman, Lieutenants Scobey, McMurtrie, Burdic, Lakin and Abernethy were all warmly commended by Captain Trumbull for their bravery and efficiency, and Corporal Edwards, who again bravely bore the colors, and seemed gifted with a charmed life, received special mention.

Company A being on detached duty, guarding the supply train, did not participate in this battle. The total casualties in the regiment were 62 killed and wounded. Brigadier General Hurlbut was, soon after the battle, promoted to Major General, and assigned to the command of the Sixteenth Army Corps. The following brief extract from his farewell address will show how he appreciated the officers and men of his old "fighting Fourth Division":

And now a promotion won by your courage and discipline, removes me to a larger command. Remember, every man and officer, that whatever I may have of military reputation, has been won by your valor, and that I wear it as coming from you.


Brig. Gen. J. G. Lauman succeeded General Hurlbut as commander of the division, and Col. I. C. Pugh again assumed command of the First Brigade. The division now returned to Bolivar where it remained until November 1, 1862. Colonel Williams had been with the regiment most of the summer, but his health was very poor, and he was in actual command only a part of the time.

Capt. Aaron Brown of Company F, was promoted to Major October 15, 1862, and Capt. M. M. Trumbull was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel at the same time, but resigned November 20th to accept promotion as Colonel of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry. Colonel Williams resigned on account of disability November 27, 1862, and Major Brown became the regimental commander. The regiment now participated in the famous Mississippi Central Expedition, during which it suffered greatly, particularly on the return march, when it was for several days almost entirely without food.

During the winter of 1863, the regiment was stationed at Moscow, Tenn., and in the spring returned to Memphis. In the meantime Major Brown had been promoted to Colonel, Capt. James Tullis to Lieutenant Colonel, and First Lieut. George W. Crosley to Major. These promotions had all been earned on the battlefield, and the men had full confidence in these officers. The company officers had also stood the test of battle, and their men were ready to follow wherever they might lead, which they fully demonstrated in the great campaign that soon began. On the afternoon of May 18, 1863, the steamer "Crescent City" which conveyed the regiment down the river was fired into by the enemy on shore, and, in the few minutes it was under fire, the regiment had 14 men severely wounded, one of whom died soon afterward. The boat landed at Young's Point May 19, 1863, and, from that time until the close of the Vicksburg campaign, the regiment was constantly engaged in the most active and arduous service it had ever experienced. During the siege of Vicksburg, its division constituted that portion of the investing force on the left of General Grant's army, for forty days. The official reports of Colonel Brown and Major Crosley are among those published by the Adjutant General of Iowa. They describe in detail the operations of the regiment during the siege. Immediately following the surrender of Vicksburg, General Lauman's division was ordered to Jackson, Miss., and took the most important part of any of the troops engaged in the siege which followed. The Third Infantry here suffered a most disastrous loss. It is the saddest chapter in the history of the regiment, and may well be compared with the charge of the "Light Brigade," which Tennyson has immortalized in verse. The division commander, Gen. Jacob G. Lauman, gave the order, as he received it, from Maj. Gen. E. O. C. Ord, who was in command of the Corps. No official investigation was ever made, but the surviving officers and men of the brigade had implicit faith in the honor of General Lauman, and believed he gave the order as it was given to him.

The veteran commander of the First Brigade, Col. I. C. Pugh, promptly gave the order as it was given to him by General Lauman, and the officers and men of the old brigade obeyed the order without a moment's hesitation, as it was their duty to do. "Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do or die." The official report of this bloody engagement was written by Maj. G. W. Crosley, who commanded the regiment after Colonel Brown fell severely wounded. A copy of this report can be found on page 427 of the Adjutant General's report for the State of Iowa.*

The regiment went into action with 223 enlisted men, 15 line and 3 field and staff officers, making an aggregate of 241 rank and file. Out of this number it lost 114, nearly fifty per cent of the number engaged. The regiment was so greatly reduced in numbers that, on the evening of that fatal day, only a little more than a full company of effective men answered to roll call.

Among the killed were the Ruckman brothers, Captain and Second Lieutenant of Company B, and First Lieutenant Hall and First Sergeant Woodruff of the same company, Lieutenant McMurtrie of Company D, Sergeants Gilmore, Dent, Follett, and many others. Among the wounded were Col. Aaron Brown, severely; Major Crosley, slightly; Captain Gary, and Lieutenants Abernethy, Anderson and Irwin, severely. Lieutenant Colonel Tullis was at this time in hospital, suffering from both wounds and sickness. The other regiments participating in this terrible charge were the Twenty-eighth, Forty-first and Fifty-third Illinois Infantry, and the total strength of the brigade was 880, while the total loss was 465.†

The regiment now returned to Vicksburg, and with its division was ordered to Natchez, Miss., where it remained until early in December, and then returned to Vicksburg. Three-fourths of the able-bodied men now re-enlisted, and the regiment became the Third Iowa Veteran Infantry.

Its next important service was upon the famous Meridian expedition during which it was under the command of Major Crosley. The regiment left camp on the 3d of February, and returned on the 4th of March, having In that time marched 328 miles. It left camp with ten days rations, and after that supply was exhausted lived upon such food as could be obtained in the country through which it passed. It had no tents while on this march, and suffered greatly from exposure to frequent storms.

During this expedition, the regiment lost one man killed, one mortally wounded and ten captured, while foraging. Several of the men who were captured subsequently died in Andersonville prison. Soon after the return from this expedition, the non-veteran portion of the regiment (those who had not re-enlisted) were sent upon the Red River Campaign under command of Lieutenant Colonel Tullis, and endured great hardship while participating in the operations of the forces under General Banks in that ill-fated expedition. The regiment was never reunited. The detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Tullis was subsequently sent to Davenport, Iowa, and there mustered out of the service, on the 18th day of June, 1864, three years and ten days from the date of muster in at Keokuk. These officers and men had served faithfully and well, beyond the term for which they had enlisted. Many of them were married men, and it was no disparagement to them that they did not re-enlist. Their record was altogether as honorable as that of their comrades who chose to remain until the end of the war. Their long term of service justly entitled them to the name of veteran, which had been officially bestowed upon those who had re-enlisted. The re-enlisted men, under command of Major Crosley, had previously been sent to Davenport, at which point they had each received a thirty-day furlough. At the expiration of their furloughs they promptly assembled at Davenport, bringing with them a number of recruits, and again proceeded to the front, rejoining their old division at Cairo, Ill., and from there moving by boat to Clifton, Tenn.

From Clifton, the regiment marched with its brigade and division across the states of Tennessee and Georgia, and joined Sherman's army, then moving against Atlanta. At Kingston, Ga., the regiment was reorganized into an Infantry battalion of three companies, designated as companies A, B, and C of the Third Iowa Veteran Infantry, and here (the original term of the regiment having expired) the commissioned officers held a meeting, and, in view of the fact that the reduced number of companies necessitated a proportionate reduction in the number of officers, they all decided to be mustered out and give opportunity for the promotion of the officers of the new organization from the ranks. The subjoined roster will show the names of the men who thus received well-deserved promotion, and the names of those officers who thus honorably retired at the expiration of their original term of service. The battalion was entitled to but one field officer, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and that well-deserved promotion came to Second Lieut. Jacob Abernethy, one of the bravest and best officers of the old regiment. From Kingston, Ga., on to the end of the Atlanta campaign, the Third Iowa Veterans performed splendid service. On the 21st day of July Lieutenant Colonel Abernethy was killed while gallantly leading his little battalion.

On July the 22d, the remnant of these veterans again met the enemy in fierce conflict, and again met with heavy loss. On July 28th, the official reports show that it was again in action with the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry commanded by Col. John Shane. The few survivors were subsequently consolidated with the Second Iowa Infantry, and the gallant Third ceased to exist as a distinct military organization. With the Second Iowa they marched with Sherman to the sea, thence to Washington where they participated in the grand review, and were then ordered to Louisville, Ky. There, on the 12th of July, 1865 — over four years from the date of their muster in at Keokuk — they were mustered out, and the record of their heroic service was ended.

Few of these gallant men remain to peruse this record, but the children of those who made it, and their posterity, so long as heroism and patriotic deeds are cherished and revered among men, will read the story of their bravery, fortitude and great achievements, and thank God that they can trace their lineage to the men who, from 1861 to 1865, confronted the storm of the rebellion, and saved the United States of America from disruption and destruction.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1109
Killed 76
Wounded 370
Died of wounds 30
Died of disease 109
Discharged for disease, wounds and other causes 270
Buried in National Cemeteries 81
Captured 116
Transferred 24


*Page 604 of Vol. XXIV, Series 1, Official Records of War of the Rebellion.
†Official. See page 575, Vol. XXIV, Series 1, War of the Rebellion.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 1, p. 283-93