The Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers

The companies making up this regiment were raised in the counties of Linn, Jasper, Lucas, Keokuk, Scott, Polk, Benton, Marshall and Washington, with numerous enlistments from Jefferson and Iowa. M. M. Crocker was colonel; M. M. Price, lieutenant-colonel; and John Shane, major, and it was mustered into service in November, 1861, with 989 men. Its first service was at Jefferson City, where it spent the winter in drilling. In March it was ordered to join Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing, and fought bravely at the battle of Shiloh a few days after its arrival. In this terrible battle the regiment was first under fire and sternly resisted the rebel advance for ten hours on the first day. Its loss in killed and wounded was heavy, reaching 172. Lieutenant-Colonel Price resigned a week after the battle and Major Shane was promoted to his place and Captain Van Hosen became major.

The regiment next fought at Corinth, where its losses were light. Colonel Crocker had been placed in command of the Iowa brigade and early in 1863 Van Hosen resigned and James Wilson succeeded him as major. Upon the promotion of Crocker to brigadier-general, Shane became colonel, Wilson, lieutenant-colonel and W. A. Walker major of the regiment.

During the Vicksburg campaign the Thirteenth was on active duty under Sherman, but sustained slight losses. In March, 1864, it was with Sherman in his Meridian campaign and soon after became a veteran regiment and the men had a furlough to visit their homes.

Upon their return to duty the regiment was sent to Sherman, who was preparing for his march to the sea. They were in the battle of Atlanta, on July 21st, and did gallant service, losing 113 men. On the next day the regiment was engaged in the thickest of the fight and lost more men than the day before. Among the killed was Major Walker, and Capt. Thos. P. Marshall was promoted to the vacancy.

In January, 1865, the regiment was at Pocotaligo, where James Wilson was promoted to colonel; J. C. Kennedy, lieutenant-colonel. On the march through South Carolina, Colonel Kennedy's regiment was the first to enter Columbia and hoist the stars and stripes on the capitol of the state which led in the rebellion. The regiment was in the battle of Bentonville, and after the surrender of General Johnston marched through Richmond to Alexandria, where, in sight of Washington, it went into camp. On the 28th and 29th of July, 1865, it was disbanded in Davenport.

Its first colonel, the gallant Crocker, had become a major-general, and was compelled from failing health to go to New Mexico in 1864, but in August, 1865, he died of consumption.

SOURCE, Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 99