Iowa Colonels and Regiments: Appendix

SAMUEL M. POLLOCK, second colonel, 6th Cavalry, is a native of Ohio: age, thirty-five.

HERMAN H. HEATH, second colonel, 7th Cavalry, is a native of New York: age, forty-two.

HUGH J. CAMPBELL, second colonel, 18th Infantry, is a native of Pennsylvania: age, thirty-three.

JOHN Q. WILDS, second colonel, 24th Infantry, (mortally wounded at Cedar Creek, Virginia) is a native of Pennsylvania: age, forty.

GUSTAVUS A. EBERHART, second colonel, 32d Infantry, is a native of Pennsylvania: age twenty-nine.


IOWA COLONELS OF THE ONE-HUNDRED-DAYS’ SERVICE.

STEPHEN H. HENDERSON, 44th Iowa Infantry, is a native of Tennessee: age, thirty-six.

ALVAH H. BEREMAN, 45th Iowa Infantry, is a native of Kentucky: age, thirty-six.

DAVID B. HENDERSON, 46th Iowa Infantry, Is a native of Scotland: age, twenty-six.

JAMES P. SANFORD, 47th Iowa Infantry, is a native of New York: age, thirty-two.


SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 652

BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN EDWARDS

COLONEL, EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Iowa Wounded Soldiers at Cincinnati

J W Bly, co. F 13th; N McAllister, co. F 13th; Enis Walker, co. I 13th; Geo. McKinstry, co. E 13th; F G Chesely, co. I, 13th; J S Gauby, co F, 13th; Geo Bimminger, co. I, 13th; T J Graham, co. E, 13th; James E DeLong, co. I, 13th; Thos. Dent, 1st corporal co. E, 3d; Jas A Ritner, co. H, 3d; W H Marine, co. G, 13th; T. G Davy, co. G, 13th; J M Bottorff, co. D, 13th; WM Canett, co. G, 13th; G G Whitter, co. I, 2d; S Dean, co. G, 13th; G W Black, co.G, 13th; A T Edwards, co. C 13th; M Westenhauer, co. D 6th; John P Martin, co. C, 13th; Baly Cheney, co. C, 13th; W W Minteer, co D, 13th; Chas [Gasten], co. 18th; G F Stillwell, co. E 13th; Charles Marshall, co. D, 13th; J W Stakesberry, co. D, 18th; N C Keyes, co. G, 13th; I W Boyd, co. A, 13th; F A Warner, co. A, 13th.

David Parish, co C 8th Iowa; John Luellan, co I, 2d Iowa; John Hull, co C, 13th Iowa; N. Thrasher, co F, 6th, Iowa; Thomas Kells, co E, 6th; Peter Robertson co H, 6th; Daniel Loomis co F 18th; M D Deal co E 3d; Ed Barber co H 3d; A Mitchell 3d; W B Hart 3d.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862

A letter from Capt. Duncan . . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

By a private letter from . . .

. . . the 16th Iowa we learn that A. A. McDowell, 1st Sergeant of Co. E, was killed, and W. S. Stafford, of the same company was severely wounded in the arm, in the battle of Pittsburg Landing.

*~*~*~*~*

A telegraph office has been opened at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. Charges on messages of ten words or under $2.20, and 22 cents each additional word.

*~*~*~*~*

Several letters received yesterday say that neither Capt. Brydolf nor Lieut. Halliday are dangerously wounded.

*~*~*~*~*

The Ponbina passed up yesterday having on board a few wounded returning from the Pittsburgh battle, among them Col. Hare of the 11th, wounded in the hand, Lieut. Shurtz of Iowa City, of company H, Iowa 18th, shot through the leg below the knee, one of the bones being fractured. While here Dr. Henry dressed his wound. The name of the others, only slightly wounded, we did not learn.

*~*~*~*~*

TOO BAD.– Some villain has stolen the scissors Editorial of the Linn County Register, and the Editor is left disconsolate to get along the best way he can.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Letter from 18th Iowa Inft.

Ft. Smith, Ark.,
March 18, 1864

Mr. Editor :–

In reading your paper of Feb. the 20th I see an article addressed to the citizens of Clark County, written by Mr. Lyons, the recruiting officer for said county, purporting to be a reply to a resolution passed by the recruits of said county at Ft. Des Moines, Jan. 8th, 1864.

The writer of this does allege that A. H. Burrows told him that he, (Mr. A. Lyons) on making application to him (Burrows) for a recommendation as a suitable person for recruiting officer, told him (Burrows) that He was going in the United States army, which he says is false. He says in regard to the second charge, that he told some of the citizens that he intended to go in the service and that he is still in the same conmfortable [sic] fix. The writer does not doubt that there are hundreds at home, and likely to remain there in equally as comfortable a fix as Mr. Lyons. That they would assert three times a day, if the opportunity would present itself, that they would sacrifice their property and lives for the maintenance of the Union. But alas, when an opportunity presents itself, by the authority of the government for them to make good their assertions! Their patriotism fails them, and they say to others, “You go, I have houses and land and unless I can profitably dispose of them I cannot go.” So says Mr. Lyons. It seems notwithstanding the great disappointment he incurred last fall in not getting a hand, he deliberately and voluntarily, of his own free will and accord, made application for a commission and through true motives of patriotism made the great sacrifice, and left the domestic circle to act as recruiting agent for the government. You may ask the question, why Mr. Lyons has made this great sacrifice? I do not know that I can answer the question. Let it suffice for the present for me to say that he gets fifteen dollars for every competent recruit he delivers at the office of the District Marshal. It is a fact that cannot be contradicted that there is thousands of men in the North who could leave their families well to live, that will never join the army as a private, but who would readily leave their families if they had an assurance that they would get an office in the army. Mr. Lyons talks different from what he did when he first took the field under Uncle Sam. He then said that our brother soldiers in the field had borne the heat and burden of the day, and now called upon us at home to contribute our mite, so that they could return home to enjoy the fruit of their labor.

At the time he was at Lacelle, beating up for volunteers, he did not ask you whether you could leave your family in a position to live within themselves; or what disposition you could make of your farms, and stock, but said to you that had no farms, that you could make more in the army than you could at home, and to you that had farms and stock, that you were men that should go, from the fact that you had the means to support your families while you were in the army, and at the same time added that “he was going to leave his concerns, and was going in the service.” But instead of making good his assertion, we find him at home publishing false accusations against the volunteers.

As to the recruits being prevented from re-enlisting at Indianola, by Mr. Lyons, it is a false assertion, and only could emanate from something in the shape of Anderson Lyons. While he has arrayed us before the people of Clark Co. for trying to desert them, and to represent another county, he has forgotten to tell them that he left a part of us on the streets at Indianola, and we had to procure our own lodgings, and pay for the same out of our own pockets, and then he refused to refund the money until we complained of the to the district Marshal. –

After slandering and misrepresenting his recruits to cap the climax, he then challenges any one of them to single combat in order to prove his patriotism. Allow me through your columns to accept his proposition. I will say here, as I am the challenged party, according to the dueling code, I have the choice of weapons, place and manner of fighting. As to arms I propose [a] squirt gun, not more than one-half inch [missing text] nor more than twelve inches long, of the [missing text] approved pattern, to be chosen by our [missing text] onds. Place of fighting. South of [Oceola] on White Breast, at some point where [missing text] the is not less than ten paces wide, the contending parties to take their respective positions on either side of the creek, then and there forever to decide which has been the most valiant soldier in defense of political liberty. Time of fighting to be thirty days after the independence of the Confederate States of America is acknowledged.

Please give room for the above in your paper, and oblige your friend and obedient servant.

Wm. Ford

We, the undersigned, do hereby Certify that Mr. A. Lyons did say at the time he was recruiting for the Government, in Clark County, December last, that the time for volunteering would expire on the fifth day of the next month, and furthermore that he was going in the United States Service when he delivered his recruits at Ft. Des Moines, and we furthermore do certify that the charges preferred against us recruits for the 18th Reg. for wanting to re-enlisting at Indianola, for a home bounty is positively false.

Soloman Thomas
Nathan Thomas
Stephen Stiverson
William H. Burham

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, April 9, 1864

From the 18th Iowa

Aug, 16th ‘64

Mr. Caverly:–

After a long delay I improve the present time to write you.

In the First place I will give you a limited description of the country; though I may fail to give it its just due, for soldiers have a peculiar dislike for Dixie. I will however say this much – that there are some places here that look very fine and handsome; good facilities for making farms, building houses, barns &c., but most of the land around Fort Smith is very rough and hilly. The mountain scenery is beautiful to look upon, but much of the country is good for nothing else. Ft. Smith has been a flourishing town, and considerable business was transacted there before this war commenced, but like all other southern cities it is justly doomed, and this because ignorance of the people. They have suffered themselves to be misled by politicians who would sell their interest in Heaven for a “nigger.”

If h—l yearns for wicked men, surely the d---l will get has hands full when Jeff Davis, Tombs, Vallandigham, Mahoney [sic] and their co-laborers get their reward. Oh, what a fearful doom awaits them! Had I ever been a Universalist I would now be compelled to believe that there ought to be a place set apart for such men. I wonder if the copperheads of the north think we soldiers take no thought of them? If they do they are much mistaken, for we have our men picked, and the day of settlement will surely come.

The boys of the 18th are in good health generally. Our regiment will give Abraham a handsome majority. We all think that Fremont has acted the part of a dog. I have not yet heard a man say he will vote for him.

I believe that about four from every company are going home on furlough this fall. We are all in a bad humor about the rebels taking our mail, and killing some of the escort. They ran on the mail party on the 12th inst., and killed ten of the escort, and captured the rest. The rebs were from 700 to 1000 strong. The escort numbered only 43. They got over a thousand pounds of mail matter that belonged to Ft. Smith.

No more at present. I remain your friend.

W. W. Reese,
Co. I, 18th Iowa Infantry

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, September 3, 1864

Thomas F. Mardis

Co. C, 18th Iowa Infantry

He was born November 19, 1837 in Ohio, son of Thomas & Elizabeth (Kain) Mardis. In 1857 he migrated to Iowa where he resided in Washington County, two years later removed to Clarke County before finally settling in Madison County, Iowa in 1873 where he owned 172 acres of land. In 1870 the value of his combined real and personal estates was $2,100, and by 1900 he owned his house free and clear with no mortgage. He held offices of town trustee and school director. He was a brick manufacturer, mason and contractor and had been engaged in the brick business from his boyhood, and therefore thoroughly conversant with all its details.

A veteran of the Civil War, at age 24 he enlisted as a private in Co. C, 18th Iowa Infantry on July 14, 1862 and was mustered into national service on August 6, 1862. On December 14, 1862 he was promoted to 1st Sergeant and on January 8, 1863 was slightly wounded at Springfield, Missouri. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on July 1, 1865 and then he was mustered out on July 20, 1865.

On October 17, 1860 he married Huldah Ann Clark. She was born July 21, 1841 in Fulton County, Illinois. They had four children, all of whom were born in Iowa: John C., about 1862; Hattie R., about 1869; Freddie, about 1875 & Anna S. Mardis, born December, 1884.

Thomas F. Mardis died April 7, 1908 and his wife Huldah died December 19,1918 in Madison County. They are buried in Winterset Cemetery in Winterset, Madison Co., Iowa.

SOURCES: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System; Iowa Gravestone Photo Project; http://www.ancestry.com/; Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 3, p. 183; The History of Madison County, Iowa (1879); 1870 Federal Census, Green Bay Township, Clarke Co., IA; 1880 Federal Census, District 14, Winterset, Madison Co., IA; 1900 Federal Census, District 21, Center Township, Madison Co., IA

Letter from the 18th Iowa

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

Mr. Caverly:–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Very respectfully, your obt. Serv’t,

Thomas F. Mardis

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

From the 18th

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

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

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

From The 18th

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

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

William M. Duncan

Captain, Co. B, 18th Iowa Infantry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No recent news from the 18th –

The latest letter from that regiment, of which we have any knowledge, was written about the 20th of Nov. They were then at Fort Smith.

All the boys from this county were reported well.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 5, 1863

The Defense of Springfield, Missouri: Jan. 7-8, 1863

- From Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers during the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 3, p. 118-9

At Springfield, the Eighteenth Iowa constituted an important part of the garrison which numbered about 1,500 troops of all arms, and several pieces of field artillery. The defenses consisted of earthworks and detached forts, but the number of troops in garrison wereinsufficient to man the works at all points. Brigadier General Brown was in command of these troops, with Colonel Crabb of the Nineteenth Iowa in command of the Post. Lieutenant Colonel Cook was in command of the Eighteenth Iowa, five companies of the regiment being on out-post duty some distance from Springfield. The rebel General Marmaduke had, by a skillful and daring movement, eluded the vigilance of the Union Army, and by a series of rapid marches reached the vicinity of Springfield on the evening of January 7, 1863. On the forenoon of that day the scouts of General Brown had discovered the approaching force of the enemy, and the garrison therefore had warning of the impending attack and made every possible preparation to meet it. The Union men of the town armed themselves, offered their services for the defense, and afterwards fought bravely with the troops. Even the sick in hospital, who were able to leave their beds, took their guns and went to the front. On the morning of January 8th, the cavalry pickets of General Brown discovered the enemy's skirmish line and the preliminary fighting began some three miles from the entrenchments. In his history of the regiment, Colonel Hugh Campbell gives the following brief account of the engagement which ensued:

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

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

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

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

Meantime five companies of the Eighteenth Iowa, which had just reached the scene of action from an outpost at some distance from Springfield, came up in fine style, under Lieutenant Colonel Cook, and went into the fight on the center with such effect as to drive the rebels back into the stockade, and encourage the men who had been fighting for hours most wonderfully. Darkness was now coming on and the firing gradually ceased.... The enemy retired under cover of the night from his position south of town, and had taken position more than a mile to the eastward. Hither Colonel Crabb sent a cavalry force to engage them and retard their advance, but they declined battle, and soon retired in haste. They had lost in the battle more than two hundred in killed and wounded. Our loss was about the same. There were but five companies—A, C, F, G and H—of the Eighteenth Iowa taking part in the contest until near its close, when the other five came up and turned the tide of battle in our favor, as has been related. The number of the regiment engaged was less than five hundred, of whom fifty-six were killed or wounded.
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2Adjutant General of Iowa's Report, 1866, page 277.

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

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18th Iowa Infantry

Letter from Captian Duncan to Mrs. Duncan

Letter from Captain Duncan to Mrs. Duncan

Springfield, Jan. 10 1863

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

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

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

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

Capt. W. M. Duncan

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

See Other Blog Entries:

William M. Duncan

Captain Duncan After The Copperheads

The Defense of Springfield, Missouri: Jan. 7-8, 1863

18th Iowa Infantry

Captain Duncan After The Copperheads

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

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

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

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

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

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

W. M. Duncan

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

See other blog entries:
William M. Duncan

Letter from Captain Duncan to Mrs. Duncan

18th Iowa Infantry

18th Iowa Infantry

Organized at Clinton and mustered in August 6, 1862. Moved to Sedalia, Mo., August 11. Attached to District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Frontier, Dept. of Organized at Clinton and mustered in August 6, 1862. Moved to Sedalia, Mo., Missouri, to June, 1863. District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1863. District of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1863. 2nd Brigade, District of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to January, 1864. 2nd Brigade, District of the Frontier, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to March, 1864. 1st Brigade, District of the Frontier, 7th Corps, to January, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 7th Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--Moved to Springfield, Mo., arriving September 13, 1862. Operations in Southwest Missouri September to November, 1862. Duty at Springfield, Mo., November 14, 1862, to September 22, 1863. Defence of Springfield January 7-8, 1863. Affair at Quincy September 4, 1863 (Detachment). Expedition from Springfield into Arkansas and Indian Territory September 7-19. Near Enterprise September 15. Operations against Shelby September 22-October 31. Arriving at Fort Smith October 31. Action at Cross Timbers October 15-16 (Cos. "D" and "F"). Garrison duty at Fort Smith, Ark., till March, 1864. Steele's Campaign against Camden March 22-May 15. Prairie D'Ann April 9-12. Moscow April 13. Poison Springs April 18. Jenkins Ferry, Saline River, April 30. Garrison duty at Fort Smith till July, 1865. (4 Cos. at Van Buren February 26 to July 6, 1865.) Ordered to Little Rock and mustered out July 20, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 33 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 131 Enlisted men by disease. Total 167.

SOURCE: Dyer , Frederick H., A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1172

Addison A. Parrish

Private, Company B, 18th Iowa Infantry

Son of Micajah & Hannah M. Parrish. He was born in 1841 in Indiana. He enlisted at the age of 21 in Company B of the I8th Iowa Infantry on July 22, 1862 and at that time resided in Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa. He was mustered in at Clinton, Iowa on August 5, 1862 and mustered out on July 20, 1865 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Assison Parrish’s sister, Mary E. Parrish, married Thomas A. Trent who was a sergeant in Company D of the 39th Iowa Infantry.

Sources: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System; Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 3, p. 192; "Home From the 18th Regiment," Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, 5 SEP 1863; 1856 Iowa State Census for Osceola Township, Clarke County, Iowa

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18th Iowa Infantry
Home From the 18th Regiment

Home from the 18th Regiment.

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

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