The Thirty-Second Iowa Infantry

This regiment was made up of companies recruited in Hardin, Hamilton, Cerro Gordo, Black Hawk, Boone, Butler, Floyd, Franklin, Webster, Story and Marshall counties. It went into camp at Dubuque, where in October, 1862, it was mustered into the service, numbering 920 men. Its first field officers were: Colonel, John Scott; lieutenant-colonel, E. H. Mix; major, Q. A. Eberhart. In November it was sent to St. Louis, where it was soon after divided, six companies under Colonel Scott being sent to New Madrid, and four companies under Major Eberhart stopped at Cape Girardeau. In April, 1863, the post at Cape Girardeau, under General McNiel, was attacked by General Marmaduke, and after a vigorous defense of four hours the confederate army retired. Major Eberhart's command did good service in the battle. In August it accompanied a detachment up the White river, where it had a fight with the rebels and lost six men.

The detachment was employed in various duties until January, 1864, when it was sent to Gen. A. J. Smith's army, at Vicksburg. In the meantime, Colonel Scott with the other companies of the regiment was stationed at New Madrid doing garrison duty.

In December General Davis, in command at Columbus, Ky., ordered Colonel Scott to destroy the gun carriages and ammunition and spike the guns and evacuate New Madrid and proceed to Fort Pillow. Colonel Scott obeyed the order, destroyed all the public property and took his command by steamer to Fort Pillow. Soon after he was placed under arrest for so doing, but upon trial he was honorably acquitted. In June, 1863, the command was sent to Columbus, where the companies of the regiment were separated and employed in various duties. In January, 1864, six companies were sent to Vicksburg and assigned to a brigade commanded by Colonel Shaw, where soon after the entire regiment was reunited.

In the disastrous Red river campaign, the Thirty-second Iowa bore a conspicuous and honorable part. In the assault on Fort De Russey, this regiment made a brilliant charge and sustained some loss. On the 9th of April, was fought the battle of Pleasant Hill, where a portion of Banks' army made a firm stand against the confederate army, which had defeated the advance corps the day before at Mansfield or Sabine Cross Roads. General Banks had retreated fifteen miles after his bloody defeat, and being now reinforced by General Smith's command, he determined to make a stand at Pleasant Hill. Colonel Shaw's brigade held the center of the position and made a heroic fight with his four regiments, one of which was the Thirty-second. A terrific battle ensued, lasting until dark. This regiment made a most determined fight, and was at one time entirely surrounded by the enemy, but bravely cut its way through and faced the enemy again. It suffered fearful losses, among which were its gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Mix, who was slain. The total loss was 210 killed, wounded and missing. In the retreat down the Red river, the army was closely followed and continually harassed by the victorious enemy. At Bayou de Glaize the Iowa regiments under Colonel Shaw saved the army from further disasters by a heroic stand. At the battle of Nashville the Thirty second did good service and lost twenty-five men. It was also in the campaign against Mobile, after which it remained some months in Alabama. Colonel Scott resigned soon after the Red river campaign, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Eberhart, with Capt. Jonathan Hutchison major. Returning to Iowa, the Thirty-second was mustered out covered with honors nobly won.

SOURCE, Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 112 & 114