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

William Milo Stone

GOVERNOR OF IOWA.

William M. Stone was born in Jefferson county, New York, on the 14th day of October, 1827. At the age of six years, he accompanied his parents to Coshocton county, Ohio. In that State he grew up and gained a meager education. He began life at the age of thirteen, as a hired hand upon a farm. Two years later, he was hired as a team-driver on the Ohio canal, and at the age of eighteen was apprenticed to a chair-maker, which business he followed till he reached his twenty-fourth year. That same year he was admitted to the Coshocton bar. Since 1854, he has been lawyer, editor, judge, captain, major, colonel, and governor. Commencing lower down than thousands of his competitors, he has left them all gaping and staring after him, and wondering how he did it, and—there I shall leave them. All declare he is the luckiest man they ever knew.

The extent of Governor Stone's early education, was two terms, or Winters, at a common country school. His knowledge of law was gained through the assistance and encouragement of James Matthews, Esq., of Coshocton county, Ohio— later, his father-in-law. While following his trade, he had access to this gentleman's law library, and prosecuted the study of his chosen profession with such zeal and energy as to be able, in 1851, to exchange the chair-shop for the court-room. He began practice as a partner of his former preceptor, and continued with him till 1854, when he removed to Iowa, and established himself at Knoxville, Marion county. During his first year in Knoxville, he practiced his profession; but in 1855, purchased and began the publication of the Knoxville "Journal." As editor of that paper, if I am rightly informed, he was the first man in Iowa to suggest the call of a convention to organize the Republican Party, then only in embryo. He was not only the first to suggest the call of a Republican Convention in the State, but was a delegate to that convention, when called; and was nominated one of the Presidential Electors. Indeed, the beginning of Governor Stone's career as a public man, in Iowa, bears date at Iowa City, the 22d of February, 1856.

During the Presidential canvass of 1856, he visited the principal part of Southern Iowa, in company with our first Republican representative—Major-General Samuel R. Curtis. In that exciting canvass, he gained considerable note as a public speaker, which, with his genial, off-hand address, put him fairly before the people. In February, 1857, one year later, a judicial convention was called at Des Moines, to put in nomination a candidate for district judge of Stone's district. Stone was present in the convention, and through the influence of his friends, secured the nomination. From that time he became a rising man in the State. He was elected to the judgeship with a flattering majority; and, having served that term with credit, was, in 1858, re-nominated and re-elected with increased majorities. He was the incumbent of this office, and holding a session of his court in Washington county, at the time the news reached him of the firing on Fort Sumter. He immediately adjourned his court, declaring at the time, that the country demanded of him and the people other and more important services.

Returning to Knoxville, Judge Stone raised a company, of which he was elected captain; was assigned to the 3d Iowa Infantry in May, and, on the 25th day of June following, was promoted to the majority of his regiment. He accompanied his regiment into Northern Missouri as captain, and in command of his company, (B)—for he did not receive his commission as major till after his arrival at Chillicothe. While connected with the 3rd Iowa Infantry, Major Stone fought at the battles of Blue Mills, (where he was wounded) and Shiloh. In the last named engagement he commanded his regiment, and was made prisoner. Something of his sojourn in Dixie, as a prisoner of war, may be seen in the sketch of Brevet Brigadier- General J. M. Hedrick, then a captain of the l5th Iowa. In nearly all cases, Stone was the spokesman of the party; and his cheerfulness and wit contributed not a little in keeping his fellow prisoners in spirits. What, I believe, afforded the most amusement were the arguments between himself and the belligerous Colonel Shaw, of the 14th. Stone could advocate any thing, and Shaw would always take the opposite. They would often drag their discussions into the small hours of morning, while the other prisoners, congregated about them, would watch and listen attentively, except when giving occasional attention to a straggling gray-back. I imagine that I can see them now congregated together. I can see them, attired in their cleanest linen, and seated in old rickety chairs, and on benches and boxes, exhausting the whole calendar of attitudes.

But Major Stone was even lucky as a prisoner of war. In June, 1862, after some three months' captivity, he was selected as one of three Federal officers, who, being paroled by the rebel War Department, were dispatched to Washington to aid in arranging a cartel of exchange between the belligerent parties. The first mission was unsuccessful, and one of the parties, at least, (Stone) returned to Richmond and surrendered himself to the rebel authorities. Jefferson Davis, pleased with his conduct and with what he had done, sent him back to Washington to renew his efforts. His mission this time was successful, or at least was so represented; but, however that may be, it is certain that a general exchange came off in the following Fall.

His experience as a prisoner of war, gave Major Stone much notoriety, and put within his reach any position that ordinary desires might covet. Accordingly, after securing his liberty and returning to his home in Knoxville, he was tendered the colonelcy of the 22d Iowa Infantry, which he accepted. He was made colonel of that regiment in August, 1862, and served with it till August 14th, of the following year, when he resigned his commission with the almost certain promise of succeeding to the highest honors within the gift of his State.

Though Stone made a good record as colonel of the 22d Iowa, there is nothing strikingly brilliant about it. He first served with his regiment in Missouri, and was for several weeks commander of the post at Rolla. His regiment served as the provost-guard. In the early part of 1863, he was ordered South to take part in the experiments against Vicksburg; and immediately moved down the Mississippi, to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana. Attached to Carr's Division of McClernand's Corps, (the 13th) Colonel Stone joined in the brilliant march of Grant's army across the country to opposite Bruinsburg on the Mississippi, and thence to the rear of Vicksburg. A full account of this march, and of its incidents, will be found elsewhere. On this march the 22d Iowa first met the enemy.

In the battle of Port Gibson, the first of the campaign, Colonel Stone commanded the brigade to which his regiment was attached; or rather, he commanded it during the forenoon of the engagement. Early in the forenoon, he had become so completely exhausted as to be compelled to turn his command over to Colonel Merrill of the 21st Iowa. During the time he acted on the field, he conducted himself with much credit. In this engagement, too, the 22d Iowa reflected on itself much honor. Colonel Stone's Brigade led the advance from Bruinsburg, and was, of course, the first to encounter the enemy among the rugged hills south of Port Gibson. This was not far from the hour of mid-night. So soon as the enemy were encountered in force at Thompson's Hill, Major Atherton, the unfortunate, who was in command of the 22d Iowa, hurried the regiment to the front, and deployed it in line to the left of Captain Griffith's Battery. There the regiment rested on their arms that night. Until about ten o'clock of the following morning, the regiment acted as an artillery support, and was then led forward to charge the rebel line, which it did with gallantry, quickly routing the enemy, and promptly occupying the ground just before held by them. In the severe fighting of the afternoon, the 22d Iowa was in the front, and joined in three distinct charges against the enemy's line, each of which was successful. The following is from the official report of the regiment's conduct in the action:

" Throughout this series of engagements, the officers and men of the regiment behaved with great coolness and gallantry. I found them always ready and eager to obey the order to move on the enemy. So well did the entire command acquit themselves, I can not, without seeming invidiousness, enter into particulars. It is sufficient to say, they acted nobly, and well sustained the honors already earned by Iowa soldiers. Great care was taken to shelter the men from the enemy's fire, which the unevenness of the ground enabled us to do, with comparative success. And yet, the loss of the regiment, being greater with but one exception than that of any other in the brigade, shows plainly where they were during the long and hotly contested engagement. Too much praise cannot be awarded to our surgeons, White and Peabody."

The loss of the 22d at Port Gibson was two men killed, and fourteen wounded. Lieutenants D. J. Davis, W. M. DeCamp, J. T. Whittington, D. N. Henderson, and John Francisco were among the latter. Lieutenant Davis was adjutant of the regiment.

In the official report of the Division Commander (Carr) is paid the following compliment to Colonel Stone:

" Colonel William M. Stone, 22d Iowa, who succeeded to the command of the 2d Brigade, took his place with the extreme advance guard at night, during the advance upon the enemy, exposed himself freely, and exerted himself so much that he became completely exhausted in the afternoon, and was compelled to relinquish his command to Colonel Samuel Merrill, 21st Iowa, for above an hour. By his bravery and the admirable management of his brigade, he reflects new honor on his noble State."

In speaking of his division general, Colonel Stone, in his official report, is equally complimentary.

Soon after the action at Port Gibson, General Lawler was assigned to the command of the 2d Brigade, when Colonel Stone again assumed command of his regiment. There is little of special interest in the Colonel's military record, or in that of his regiment, from the date of the Port Gibson battle to the 22d of May following. The 2d Brigade of the 14th Division did the magnificent fighting at Black River Bridge; but both the 22d Iowa and 11th Wisconsin regiments were in reserve, and suffered little. The 21st and 23d Iowa regiments are entitled to the credit of that brilliant affair, and none will be found to dispute it with them.

That which most distinguished Colonel Stone in the service, was the part he sustained with his regiment in the memorable charge at Vicksburg, on the 22d of May. In that charge he was for the second time wounded.

The nature of the country in the immediate vicinity of Vicksburg, and the character of the enemy's works were such as to insure almost certain defeat to the assaulting army, provided the rebel garrison were not reduced to a state of total demoralization. It was precisely this that General Grant counted on, as appears in his official report; and, when we reflect that he had been a witness to the enemy's shameful defeat and flight at Big Black River Bridge, were his inferences unreasonable?

In the march from Big Black River to the rear of Vicksburg, Sherman followed the Bridgeport road, McPherson the Jackson road, and McClernand the same road as McPherson, till he reached Mount Albans; then, turning to the left, he gained the Baldwin Ferry road. This threw Sherman on the right of the investing line, McPherson in the centre, and McClernand on the left. The 22d Iowa, being attached to the command of McClernand, was therefore on the south side of Vicksburg. The general character of the ground over which the charge was made, and the kind of obstructions to be overcome, I have given elsewhere. I give below an extract from Major Atherton's official report, showing the particular part the 22d took in the murderous assault.

"At four o'clock A. M., the regiment took position opposite the enemy's works, preparatory to the charge, where we were sheltered by the crest of a hill, and companies A and B deployed as skirmishers. We lay upon our arms until ten o'clock A. M., the appointed hour for the charge, when we formed in line of battle on the summit of the hill, and immediately pressed forward. From our first appearance upon the hill, we were exposed to a terrible fire from the enemy, concealed within their forts and rifle-pits. The men maintained their line and advanced like veterans to the ravine in front of the enemy's works, and made a charge upon the fort situated to our right. While here we were exposed to a murderous fire from the front, and an enfilading fire from the right and left, the enemy's works being so constructed as to effect this result. The column pressed forward, stormed the fort, took possession of the same and its inmates, and held it till dark. We maintained our position during the day, receiving and returning the enemy's fire—they concealed in their forts and other defences, and we, in a great measure, without any shelter. A continuance of the contest was deemed unadvisable, and we retired under cover of the night."

In this action, the 22d Iowa lost heavily. Colonel Stone was wounded, and Lieutenant-Colonel Graham taken prisoner. Captain James Robertson and Lieutenant M. A. Robb were among the killed. They were both good men, and their loss was deeply mourned in the regiment. One of the severely wounded was Sergeant Leonidas M. Godley. When near the enemy's works, he was shot above the knee, and his leg badly fractured. He lay under the enemy's guns till after midnight, when he was rescued by the enemy and taken into Vicksburg. He still lives to tell the story of his prison-life in the beleaguered city. The chief hero of Grant's army, that day, was a member of the 22d Iowa—Sergeant Joseph E. Griffiths. " No troops," says General Grant in his official report, " succeeded in entering any of the enemy's works, with the exception of Sergeant Griffiths, of the 22d Regiment Iowa Volunteers, and some eleven privates of the same regiment. Of these, none returned except the Sergeant, and possibly one man."

The charge of the 22d of May, at Vicksburg, was Colonel Stone's last engagement. Having received early in the fight a gun-shot wound through his left fore-arm, he retired from the field, and a few days later left for his home on leave of absence. Fortune was again favoring him.

Soon after arriving at his home in Knoxville, the Republican Gubernatorial Convention assembled at Des Moines. He attended it, and in a contest between himself, Honorable Elijah Sells, and General Fitz Henry Warren, received the nomination; then, returning to Vicksburg, he resigned his commission, and at once entered upon the vigorous canvass, which resulted in his election. Such rapid and uninterrupted success has never before fallen to the lot of any man in Iowa.

His administration of the Executive Department of the State, has been characterized by that shrewdness and energy which has marked his whole political course. Thus far, it has been a popular one; and, in this respect, contrasts favorably with that of his predecessor. Though not so able a man as Ex-Governor Kirkwood, his prospects for the future are now much the brightest. His conduct as governor has been criticised, to my knowledge, only in one particular. His visits to the army were pronounced by some buncombe expeditions, but the soldiers did not, I am informed, so regard them.

Governor Stone is about six feet in hight, and slender and erect. He has a Grecian face, a large, straight nose, large, full, gray eyes, and spare features. His appearance is intelligent and prepossessing. The chief elements of his success are, I believe, an easy, entertaining address, untiring industry, and unlimited self-confidence. These, sustained by a vigorous constitution, and driven by an iron-will, have enabled him to accomplish whatever he undertook. He rarely loses his temper, and seldom discovers an immodest desire for distinction.

As a public speaker, Governor Stone is fluent and forcible, but not polished—just what one would expect, when he remembers that all his early oratorical efforts were made at the bar. He has the happy faculty of forgetting himself in his theme. Many were witnesses of this fact at Des Moines, when himself and General Warren addressed the delegates the evening before the convention. Colonel Stone's wound was still troubling him, making it necessary for him to carry his hand in a sling; but, after entering upon his speech, he forgot that he had but one well arm, and, drawing it from the sling, began twirling it in violent gesticulations.

Governor Stone's past successes have not only disappointed his enemies, but surprised his friends. He is the most remarkable public man in Iowa, and his future, as promising as that of any man in the State.

SOURCE: Stuart, A. A., Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 7-15

21st Iowa Infantry

Organized at Dubuque August, 1862. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., September 16. Attached to District of Rolla, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. Warren's Brigade, District of Southeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Southeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to March, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 14th Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of Tennessee, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of Tennessee, to August, 1863, and Dept. of the Gulf to March, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1864. District of LaFourche, Dept. of the Gulf, to August, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1866.

SERVICE.--Moved from St. Louis to Rolla, Mo., September 22, 1862, and duty there till October 18. Moved to Salem October 18-20, and duty there till November. Moved to Houston and Hartsville. Action at Beaver Creek, Texas County, Mo., November 24 (Detachment). Moved to Houston December, and duty there till January 27, 1863. March to relief of Springfield, Mo., January 9-17. Action at Hartsville, Wood's Fork, January 11. Moved to West Plains January 27-February 2, thence to Iron Mountain February 9-25, and to St. Genevieve March 9-11. Moved to Milliken's Bend, La., March 15-22, and duty there till April 25. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Port Gibson May 1. Bayou Pierrie May 2-3. Battle of Champion's Hill May 16. Big Black River May 17. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Ordered to Dept. of the Gulf August 13. Duty at Carrollton, Brashear City and Berwick till October 3. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 17. Expedition to New Iberia October 3-6 and to Vermillion Bayou October 8-30. Moved to Brazos, Santiago, Texas, November 22-26. At Matagorda Island and Indianola till March, 1864, and at Matagorda Island till June. Moved to New Orleans, La., and provost duty at Algiers, Carrollton and Thibodeaux till July 26. Moved to Morganza July 26, and duty there till September 3. Moved to mouth of White River, Ark., September 3. Duty there and at St. Charles and Duvall's Bluff till December. At Memphis, Tenn., till January, 1865. Ordered to New Orleans, La., January 1, thence to Kennersville Station, and duty there till February 5. Moved to Dauphin Island. Ala., February 5. Campaign against Mobile and its defences March 17 to April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault on and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12 to May 26. Moved to Shreveport, La., May 26--June 8, and duty there and in District of LaFourche till July. Mustered out July 25, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 77 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 168 Enlisted men by disease. Total 250.


SOURCE: Dyer , Frederick H., A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1173-4