Colonel John H. Stibbs

Colonel John H. Stibbs, Brevet Brig. Gen, U. S. V. was born in Ohio March 1, 1840; was one of the first men in Iowa to sign a muster roll for the War of the Rebellion. His name was second on the roll of Company K 1st Iowa Infantry in which company he served as 1st Sergeant at Wilson's creek and all the marches of the 1st Iowa. Within a week after his discharge from the three months' service, he was at work recruiting a company for three years service and succeeded in enlisting a full company of which he was elected Captain. The company was accepted and mustered into the United States service as D, 12th Iowa Infantry. Captain Stibbs was in command of his company at Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and with them was captured and shared the fate of the prisoners of war. Upon the reorganization of the regiment he was commissioned Major, and upon the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Edgington was promoted Lieutenant Colonel September 25, 1863. From that time he was continuously in command of the regiment until February, 1865. The history of the regiment during that time is his history. He received special mention and was breveted Colonel for services at Nashville; was mustered Colonel of the regiment September 18, 1865; breveted Brig. General April 20,1866, and mustered out April 30, 1866. From February 1865, he served as a member of Court martial that tried Captain Wirtz and some other military prisoners. After leaving the service he was employed as agent of the Quartermaster's Department and afterwards as Special Division Inspector of Pension office at Chicago where he is now employed.

SOURCE: David W. Reed, Campaigns and battles of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 246