Nathaniel B. Baker to Rush Clark, February 19, 1862

STATE OF Iowa, ADJUTANT GENERAL’s Office

February 19th, 1862.

HON. Rush CLARK,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SIR: I have just received the following despatch from Chicago:

CHICAGO, Feb. 19th, 1862.

To ADJUTANT GENERAL BAKER:

The Second Iowa acquitted themselves with great bravery at Fort Donelson — led the best and most successful charge —have suffered terribly. Besides the Second, there were the Seventh, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa Infantry in the fight. The friends of Cols. Tuttle, Lauman, Perczel, Hare, Wood and Shaw, will rejoice that the glory of the fight and the victory belongs, and is attached to their names, and to the brave officers and soldiers under them. Another glorious page has been recorded in the history of Iowa by her gallant troops in the field.

With great respect, I have the honor to rejoice in the glory of Iowa, and the triumph of Union men.

N. B. BAKER.

Adjutant General of Iowa.

SOURCES: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 207; Iowa House of Representatives, Journal of the House of the Ninth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, p. 342

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, October 18, 1862

It is reported that General Bragg is marching on this place.¹ Colonel Hare has not been with us for some time and will not be with us again. We have just learned that he resigned his commission on August 31st, on account of the wound which he received at the battle of Shiloh. He was respected by all the men of the regiment, and we are sorry to lose him.

_________

¹ This was one of those mere rumors, for we know by history that General Bragg was not around there at the time. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 77

Supplemental Report of Col. A. M. Hare

MUSCATINE, IOWA, May 3, 1862.

To Major Brayman, A. A. General 1st Division:

SIR:  Having been wounded in the hand on the first day of the battle of Pittsburg Landing, I was unable to write out my report myself, and entrusted that duty to other hands.  I gave full directions concerning the same, but by inadvertence, I suppose, the names of Lieut. Col. M. M. Price and Major John Shane, of the 13th Iowa, are not mentioned.  I take this occasion to call particular attention to these two gentlemen.  They both acted with the greatest coolness and intrepidity, and were both disabled on the first day of the battle. – Lieut. Col. Price by the falling of a limb of a tree, and Major Shane by a minie ball in the arm near the shoulder.

Respectfully,

A. M. HARE,

Col. Commanding Brigade.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

From The 11th Iowa Regiment

2 MILES WEST OF BATTLE GROUND,

PITTSBURG, TENN., April 28.

EDITOR GAZETTE:– On Friday last the Iowa 11th and 13th struck tents and marched out about 3 miles to a new camping ground, to the front and in line of battle with the army here.  Shortly afterwards the Iowa 15th and 16th arrived, and moved to our left.  These four regiments constitute the third brigade of the 6th division of the army of the West.  The division is under Gen. McKean, and this brigade is commanded by Col. Crocker of the 13th Iowa, and is the first and only brigade made up wholly of Iowa troops.

The Colonel commanding the brigade has the entire confidence of all who know him.  Col. Crocker is a good officer; at the head of his troops and in the thickest of the fray on Sunday, he gallantly lead the regiment, until Col. Hare’s injuries compelled him to leave the field, and the command of the brigade devolved on Col. Crocker, and no one who witnessed the heroic endurance with which his command still held the foe at bay, until night closed the scene can fail to appreciate the skill and honor his heroism and that of his men.

Our New Iowa brigade will do no discredit to our gallant State.  The best feeling prevails between the different regiments, and we all feel happy to be brigaded with a regiment that has so nobly vindicated the courage of our State, as the 13th, and under so noble a commander as Col. Crocker.  I might give thrilling incidents of the conduct of both officers and men of the 13th in the late engagement, as narrated to me, but prefer to leave this to others, who say and partook of the action with them.

We all concluded on Monday that among the most beautiful and moving things in history of poetry, were “Buell’s lines on Beauregard.”

On Saturday our regiment had scarcely settled down in our new quarters, and dried off the rain of the day before, from clothing and accoutrements, when we were visited, on half hour notice, by. Gen. Inspection, (who is at no time a very welcome visitor to the soldiers) by Gen. Halleck, Inspector General.

Gen. Pope’s army has arrived, bringing up the Iowa 2d Cavalry and the 4th and 10th regiments of Infantry.  Your readers may think it a vastly pleasant time here to visit friends and enjoy this warm spring weather – birds singing overhead, and the pleasant breezes blowing through your evening tent, as you sit around the supper table, narrating thrilling incidents and “hair-breadth escapes.”  In reality it is almost as difficult to visit one’s friend outside the division to which we belong, as though States intervened.  Gen. Halleck has issued orders, forbidding company officers or men leaving their own division (except on duty) under any pretext, without leave from headquarters.

Mr. Editor, as one who had some little part in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, I am vexed to see those who took no part in Sunday’s fight, saying we were whipped that day.  I desire to deny the assertion.  Borne back by numbers, but with unconquered will, 20,000 brave men of the morning army fought through this day and lay on their arms at night to renew the fight next morning, and with Lew. Wallace’s division we would have won the battle on Monday.  No army is beaten while it can raise such a force and with such feelings as animated out brave men.

The sun shines once more warm and drying.  Skirmishers are out ahead and little encounters of pickets and skirmishers are of daily occurrence.  Look out for large events ere long.  Our army has all confidence in Gen. Halleck.  The health of our men is improving and we were ready to act at any time.

We have already buried over 3,000 of the rebel dead, from the late battle, and we are still finding them were their wounded were abandoned in their flight of Monday night.  Our present camp is near where Gens. Johnston and Beauregard lay the night before the battle.

Yours truly,

Co. B, 11TH IOWA.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 2

The Headquarters Monuments at Shiloh National Military Park

Major General Ulysses S. Grant, Commanding the Army of the Tennessee

• Headquarters at Savannah, Tennessee
• Headquarters on the Night of April 1862

•  Major General John A. McClernand, 1st Division

• Colonel Abraham Hare, 1st Brigade
• Colonel Julius Raith, 3rd Brigade
• Colonel Leonard F. Ross, 3rd Brigade

• Brigadier General William H. L. Wallace, 2nd Division
• Colonel James M. Tuttle, 1st Brigade
• Brigadier General John McArthur, 2nd Brigade
• Colonel Thomas W. Sweeny, 3rd Brigade

• Brigadier General Stephen A. Hurlbut, 4th Division
• Colonel James C. Veatch, 2nd Brigade

• Brigadier General William T. Sherman, 5th Division
• Colonel John A. McDowell, 1st Brigade
• Colonel David Stuart, 2nd Brigade

• Brigadier General Benjamin M. Prentiss, 6th Division
• Colonel Everett Peabody, 1st Brigade

First Division, Army of the Tennessee: Historic Plaque, near Woolf Field, Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

FIRST DIVISION, ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.

MAJ. JOHN A. MccLERNAND

1ST BRIGADE,	COL. ABRAHAOM M. HARE, 11TH IOWA (W’D).
	COL. MARCELLUS M. CROCKER, 13TH IOWA.
2ND BRIGADE,	COL. CARROLL MARSH, 20TH ILLINOIS
3RD BRIGADE,	COL. JULIUS RAITH, 43RD ILL. (MORTALLY W’D)
	LT. COL. ENOS P. WOOD, 17TH ILLINOIS.
BATTERY ‘D’ 1ST ILL. LT. ARTY., CAPT. EDWARD McALLISTER, (W’D).
BATTERY ‘D’ 2D ILL. LT. ARTY., CAPT. JAMES P. TIMONY.
BATTERY ‘E’ 2D ILL. LT. ARTY., LIEUT. GEORGE L. NISPEL.
14TH BATTERY, OHIO LT. ARTY., CAPT. JEROME B. BURROWS, (W’D).
6 COMPANIES OF ILLINOIS CAVALRY.

This Division encamped here March 21, 1862; the 1st Brigade on the right, in Jones Field, the 2d in the center, its left on the Corinth Road; the 3d along the Hamburg Road south of Review Field.

During the battle on Sunday, April 6, 1862, the Division occupied seven positions on the field as follows: the first, by the 3d Brigade, east of Shiloh Church; the second, by the Division, along the Corinth Road; 9 A.M. to 11 A.M.; the third position, at right angles across the center of its 2d Brigade Camp, at 11:15 A.M.; the fourth position in Jones Field.  From its fourth position the Division advanced and at 12 M. recovered its 2d Brigade Camp and Division Headquarters.  It then fell back, fighting to Jones field again, and held this, its fifth position until 2:30 P.M. when it retired to its sixth position in Cavalry Field.  At 4:30 P.M. it occupied its 7th line, along the Hamburg and Savannah Road.

On Monday it was engaged in the camps of its First and Second Brigades.  The Division had present for duty, of all arms, officers and men, 6941.  It losses were 285 killed; 1372 wounded; 85 missing; total 1742.

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, July 18, 1862

The weather is very hot. Colonel Hare took the regiment out on the drill ground for battalion drill, but we remained out only a half hour, since four or five men were overcome with the heat and had to be taken back to their tents.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 58

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, June 24, 1862

Our camp was inspected today by the brigade commander. Colonel Hare arrived in camp today. The boys were very glad to see him come back to the regiment.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 55

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, May 16, 1862

Nothing of importance has taken place today, but I think we will have a fight soon. We have plenty of rations, but the drinking water is very poor. The health of the men is better, however, since we have become more active, and the men are getting back their old-time vigor. Some of the boys who have been sick are now returning to the regiment. Major Abercrombie is in command of the regiment while Colonel Hare and Lieutenant-Colonel Hall are at home recovering from wounds received at Shiloh.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 49

Col. A. M. Hare

COL. A. M. HARE, one of the pioneers of this county, and a resident of the city of Muscatine, was born near Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1811, and is a son of Jacob Hare, who was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and served as a soldier under William Henry Harrison in the War of 1812.  He married Miss Mary Teeters, who was of Scotch parentage, but a resident of Highland County, Ohio, and in an early day they emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, the year the land came into market.  Mr. Hare subsequently removed to Franklin County, Ohio, locating on land near where the city of Columbus now stands. He also owned land situated within the present city limits. He was among the first who developed a farm in that county, where he resided many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hare were the parents of six sons and five daughters, of whom the following named survive: Jeremiah, who is a resident of Marysville, Cal.; A. M., of this sketch; Benjamin F., a resident of Columbus, Ohio; Nancy, who married a Mr. Bruce, and now resides in California; Susan, wife of William Parkins. The parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were honorable, upright people, highly respected by all. They both died in Franklin County, Ohio.

Col. Hare is one of the self-made men of this county. He did not have the educational advantages afforded by our present system of common schools, but on seeing the need of an education, when starting out in life, he purchased books, and by close application secured a fund of knowledge and information which many who have received good advantages may well envy. When fifteen years of age he went to Dayton, Ohio, and served an apprenticeship of three years to the trade of hatter, receiving only $40 per year and his board. In 1830 he left that city for London, Madison Co., Ohio, where he worked at his trade until the following spring, when he went to Virginia, but remained there only a short time, returning to London in July, 1831. He embarked in business for himself at that place, there following his chosen avocation for ten years, when he removed to Jefferson, a small village in the same county, where he again opened a shop, making hats for the people.

On the 20th of October, 1836, Mr. Hare was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Olmstead, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio. One child graced their union, Danforth, who now resides in Wayne County, Iowa. On the 26th of December, 1837, the wife and mother was called to her final rest, and the following year Mr. Hare came to Iowa to find a location, not wishing to stay in Ohio after his family was all broken up. Muscatine County was then a wild and unsettled wilderness, and he made no selection, but in 1841 he returned to this State and located permanently in Muscatine, where he embarked in the manufacture of hats. In 1844 Mr. Hare was again united in marriage, with Miss Emeline P. Austin, and to them were born two children who are yet living: Austin J., a resident of this county; and Ida, wife of Frank Warfield, who is living in Muscatine. The death of Mrs. Hare occurred Aug. 22, 1882. She was a consistent Christian lady, and belonged to the Congregational Church. While engaged in business in Muscatine Mr. Hare purchased his farm in Sweetland Township, which is known as the Sunnyside Stock Farm.

In the dark days of the Rebellion Gov. Kirkwood offered Mr. Hare a commission as Colonel of the 11th Iowa Infantry, which he accepted, and did much toward organizing the regiment, which was later mustered in at Davenport. They there remained for a short time, after which they were ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and were finally sent to Jefferson City, Mo., where the regiment was divided, some of its members being sent to California, Mo., and the remainder to Fulton, Callaway Co., Mo., remaining there during the winter looking after the guerrillas. In the spring the men were ordered to St. Louis, and from there were sent to Pittsburg Landing, taking a prominent part in that battle. The Colonel was assigned to a brigade under Gen. McClernand, having command of the 11th Iowa, the 13th Iowa, and the 8th and 18th Illinois Regiments. The Colonel displayed much tact and courage, and was complimented by Gen. McClernand for some of his movements. He was wounded in the hand and wrist, losing one finger, after which his health failed and he was compelled to resign.

SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Album of Muscatine County, Iowa, Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1889, p. 167-8

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, March 30, 1862

This is our first Sunday in camp in the “Sunny South.” We had company inspection with all accouterments on, by the colonel of our regiment, Colonel Hare.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 39

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, March 25, 1862

We had company drill twice today. We have a fine drill ground. Our water here is good, there being several springs a short distance to the east and to the west of our camp. The camp of the Thirteenth Iowa is on our left, while to our right are the Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois. These three regiments with ours, the Eleventh Iowa, form the First Brigade of the First Division of the Army of the Tennessee, under the command of Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand. Col. Abraham M. Hare of our regiment is in command of the brigade. Dresser's battery of six guns is encamped just in front of the Eleventh Iowa.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 38

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 6. Col. Marcellus M. Crocker, 13th Iowa Infantry, Commanding the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Tennessee

No. 6.

Report of Col. Marcellus M. Crocker, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, commanding First Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION,

Camp near Pittsburg Landing, April 8, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the First Brigade of the First Division in the action of the 6th and 7th instant, after 4.30 o’clock p.m. of the 6th, at which time Col. A. M. Hare was wounded and carried off the field and the command of the brigade devolved upon me. At this time the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers, Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers retired together, in obedience to command of Colonel Hare, and were rallied by me, and formed after we had retired to position in front of the camp ground of the Fourteenth Iowa Volunteers, and for the rest of the day and until the enemy was repulsed they maintained that position under constant and galling fire from the enemy’s artillery. The fire of his guns ceased at dark, and during the night we remained under arms in that position.

On the morning of the 7th we were ordered to advance with the division, at that time commanded by Colonel Tuttle, of the Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and form a reserve to the advance of our forces that were driving back the enemy and to support our batteries, which we did during the day, most of the time exposed to the cannon and musketry of the enemy. Just before the rout of the enemy the Eighteenth and Eighth Illinois Regiments were ordered to charge upon and take a battery of two guns that had been greatly annoying and damaging our forces. They advanced at a charge bayonets, took the guns, killing nearly all the horses and men, and brought the guns off the field. The enemy having retreated, and there being no further need of the regiments under my command in the field, Colonel Tuttle directed me to return with my regiments, the Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois and Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers, together with the guns captured, to our encampment, which we had left Sunday morning. This I did, arriving at the camp at 8 o’clock p.m. of Monday. During this day our loss was small, the principal loss of the brigade having occurred in the action on the 6th instant.

The entire loss of the brigade in this action during the two days engaged is: Killed, 92; wounded, 467; missing, 18. A list of the killed, wounded, and missing is herewith submitted.*  We went into action with 2,414 men, and came out of it on the evening of the second day with 1,795. Most of the officers and men behaved with great gallantry and coolness.

Of Dresser’s battery and the Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry I can say nothing, excepting that I found what was left of them in camp upon my return on the evening of the 7th, they having been separated from the brigade during all the time that it was under my command.

Respectfully, &c.,

M. M. CROCKER,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Major BRAYMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

__________

* Nominal list omitted; but see revised statement on p. 100, and division return on p. 123.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 125-6

Col. Abraham M. Hare Headquarters Monument: Jones Field, Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

* * *

HEADQUARTERS, 1ST BRIGADE,

1ST DIVISION,

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.

COL. A. M. HARE, 11TH IOWA,

COMMANDING.

* * * * *

ESTABLISHED BY GEN. OGLESBY,

MARCH 21, 1862.

See Also:

• Official Report of Col. Abraham M. Hare
• Supplemental Report of Col. A. M. Hare
• Official Report of Marcellus M. Crocker
• Iowa Colonels and Regiments: Abraham M. Hare
• Iowa Colonels and Regiments: Marcellus M. Crocker

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 5 – Col. Abraham M. Hare, 11th Iowa Infantry, Commanding 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Tennessee

No. 5.

Report of Col. Abraham M. Hare, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, commanding First Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION,

Pittsburg, Tenn., April 8, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the First Brigade of the First Division in the engagement with the enemy on the 6th instant.

Early in the morning of the 6th, upon the alarm being given, the brigade, composed of the Eighth and Eighteenth Regiments Illinois Infantry, the Eleventh and Thirteenth Regiments Iowa Infantry, and Dresser's battery, were formed in the open field in front of their respective encampments.  I received orders about 8 o’clock a.m. to move three regiments to the left of the Second Brigade. The Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois and Thirteenth Iowa were accordingly ordered to form in line of battle in that position, and moving in double-quick formed in good order in a skirt of woods bordering on a field, the Eighteenth Illinois on the left and the Thirteenth Iowa on the right. At the same time I was ordered to form a regiment on the right of the Second Brigade, which position, by my orders, the Eleventh Iowa, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hall, immediately took, and, with a battery, formed a reserve for the time being.  After seeing the order executed I joined the three regiments at their position on the left, as above stated. Upon arriving at that point I found this portion of my brigade there formed under the fire of the enemy's cannon and musketry. On the right was a battery of our guns, supported by infantry still on its right. Against this battery the principal fire of the enemy was directed, and large bodies of infantry were moving around the field in its direction. A charge being made by these bodies of the enemy's infantry, directed upon the battery and our infantry on the right, they broke and retired in great disorder. Seeing the enemy approaching in great numbers, and our troops on the right having given way, my regiments also broke and retired in confusion.

Having retired to the distance of about 100 yards I succeeded, with the assistance of the field officers of my regiments, in rallying them and forming them in line in the same order as before. Here we maintained our position in good order, under a constant fire of the enemy, until 12 o’clock m., when, discovering that the enemy were approaching in great numbers, and that our troops on the right and left had retired, I ordered my regiments to retire and take up a new position about 200 yards to rear, which they did in good order and without confusion. We remained in this position, repelling charge after charge of the enemy, until 4.30 o'clock p.m., all the officers and men behaving with the greatest gallantry. At that hour, my regiments having exhausted their ammunition and great numbers of them having been killed and wounded and the forces on my fight and left having retired, I again ordered them to fall back, which was done in good order as before. At this time I received a severe wound in the hand and arm, which compelled me to retire from the field.

Dresser's battery and my own regiment, the Eleventh Iowa, I did not see after they took their position in the morning, but I am satisfied that they behaved with great gallantry, and their reports, herewith submitted, fully attest the bravery with which they acted.

To Lieut. Col. William Hall, who commanded the Eleventh Iowa, great praise is due for the bravery and skill shown by him on the field of action. Major Abercrombie, of the Eleventh Iowa, who was wounded severely during the early part of the engagement, displayed that coolness and bravery which characterize a good soldier.

To Col. M. M. Crocker, of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers, I wish to call especial attention. The coolness and bravery displayed by him on the field of battle during the entire action of the 6th, the skill with which he maneuvered his men, and the example of daring and disregard to danger by which he inspired them to do their duty and stand by their colors, show him to be possessed of the highest qualities of a commander, and entitle him to speedy promotion. His adjutant, Lieutenant Wilson, who accompanied him on the field during the day and shared all its dangers, I wish to mention as the bravest of the brave.

Capt. William H. Harvey, of Company K, Eighth Illinois, was instantly killed while commanding his regiment, and died the death of a brave man. Capt. Robert H. Sturgess, of Company H, took command of the regiment and led them gallantly through the day. Maj. Samuel Eaton was badly wounded while commanding his regiment – the Eighteenth Illinois. Capt. D. H. Brush, next in command, was soon after also severely wounded. Captain Dillon, of Company C, arrived on the field at this moment and took command, but was almost instantly killed. From that time the regiment was led on by Captain Anderson, who did his duty nobly.

My thanks are due to my volunteer aide, Lieutenant Caldwell, of General Oglesby's staff, who assisted me during the day; and I express my very great obligations to my adjutant, C. Cadle, Jr., who accompanied me on the field and rendered me most efficient service, and during the whole action, by his promptness, energy, and activity, exhibited all the best qualities of a soldier.

Respectfully, &c.,

A.M. HARE,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Maj. M. BRAYMAN, Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 123-5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, November 28, 1861

The weather is very warm and pleasant. The regiment is becoming quite proficient in battalion drill, Colonel Hare seeming to understand the movements quite well. When the Colonel gives the orders to the different company officers, he usually simply says to Compton, “You know how to move your company.”

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 20

Dedication Exercises at the Eleventh Iowa Regimental Monument: Shiloh National Military Park

November 22, 1906

_____

10:00 A. M.

Music: Fifty-fifth Iowa Regimental Band

“The Vacant Chair”

Address:

Captain G. O. Morgridge, Eleventh Iowa Regiment

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today we stand in the presence of the dead. It is a day full of solemn memories to those who participated in the events that transpired here in 1862. It was at this place that the regiment which this monument commemorates gave up many lives and endured much suffering in its country's service. After Iowa resolved to commemorate her heroes by rearing monuments to mark the places where they fought, I was appointed by Governor Shaw commissioner for the Eleventh regiment. His action was recommended by Colonel A. M. Hare, Colonel Ben Beach, and many officers and men of the regiment. Today it is my pleasure to present to you a mass of granite located where the regiment fought and many fell. It will say to the world after we who remain have joined our comrades, and until this stone shall crumble in the dust, “These stood for Liberty.”

*The inscription on the front of this monument gives in brief the regiment's place on this field. The rear inscription I did not prepare and have never approved, nor has it ever been approved by the Iowa commission. It is not in accord with our Colonel William Hall’s official report of the part taken by our regiment in the engagement.

Colonel Cornelius Cadle, chairman of the Shiloh national military park commission, said:

“Mr. Chairman:

“The regiment whose monument has just been dedicated was commanded by Colonel A. M. Hare. In this battle he commanded the First brigade of McClernand's division, was severely wounded and carried from the field. His daughter has just placed upon the monument a wreath of immortelles, in memory of her father and his comrades. I present to you Mrs. Ida Hare Warfield.”

Mrs. Warfield expressed her appreciation of being present on the ground where her father fought.

Benediction:

Rev. Dr. A. L. Frisbie of Des Moines, Iowa

“Accept, O God, this stone, before our people and before thee — lest we forget. We would cherish in our hearts thoughts for those who gave themselves for us, for our common country — who contributed all that they were that government by the people might stand perpetually. We thank thee for the sacrifices made here, and we pray thee that from them we may learn the lesson of true devotion; that so we may become a people that shall stand among the people of the earth able to govern ourselves.

“And may the peace that passeth understanding, the peace that rests upon the dead, the Divine peace of truth and right, be upon all the people, in the Redeemer’s name.  Amen."

*NOTE — In order to avoid anything which might mar the spirit of the occasion, this paragraph was omitted in reading.

SOURCE:  Alonzo Abernathy, Editor, Dedication of Monuments Erected By The State Of Iowa, 215-6

See Also:

•           11th Iowa Infantry Monument: Shiloh National Military Park

•           The Iowa Monuments At Shiloh National Military Park

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, November 6, 1861

Drill twice a day: company drill in the forenoon and regimental drill in the afternoon. Colonel Hare for the first time commanded the regiment on the drill ground.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 16

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, October 16, 1861

Colonel A. M. Hare, who arrived today, is in command of our regiment, the Eleventh Iowa. His home is at Muscatine. More visitors in camp today, and they are usually invited to take dinner or supper with us, as the case may be.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 14

From The 11th Iowa Regiment

FRIEND SANDERS:  In your issue of yesterday morning your types made two mistakes, rather mortifying to a correspondent.  Two say that two men were “mortally wounded,” while one of them still survives, with a fair prospect of recovery, is hardly correct.  I intended to say “mutually wounded.”  Instead, also of saying that certain ones “hug slavery as the dearest part of their souls,” it should read “dearest pet,” 8c.  Illegible manuscript was probably the cause of these mistakes.

The 11^th regiment has been again subdivided.  On Saturday evening last, an order was received by Col. Hare to send two companies, together with two companies of the 3^rd Iowa Cavalry, all under command of Major Caldwell, to take post at Mexico, on the North Missouri railroad.  The two companies of our regiment (D and F,) marched, of course, on Sunday as usual.  The cavalry followed next day, and all reached Mexico on Monday evening.

We had been informed by acting assistant Adjutant General Wm. T. Clark that the Iowa 6^th, 8^th, 11^th, and 13^th, together with a battalion of the 3^rd Iowa Cavalry and an Ohio battery, were about to be brigaded under Gen. McKean, and moved to Tennessee.  This was good news to the boys, and when the order above-named was made known all seemed disappointed.  It may be, however, that the forming of this new brigade is only temporarily delayed.  It is understood to be the plan of Gen. Halleck to move the Federal troops from Missouri just as fast as the State militia shall be organized.  The Union people of Missouri fear as to the results of this plan, inasmuch as so long as Price is alive and at large the secessionists will still consider their cause as hopeful, and these rebels have little respect for or fear of State troops.  One regiment from Iowa is more formidable in their estimation than four times their number of Missourians.

Secessionism is by no means dead in Missouri, but everywhere, in every neighborhood, rebels and desperadoes are ready at any moment, either singly or in bands, to pounce upon the property of Union men, and would not hesitate to take the life of any who should stand in their way.  Nothing short of the death or capture of Price, or the complete subjugation of the rebels in nearly or quite all the other States, will finish up the work in Missouri.

The health of the 11^th has greatly improved within the last month, though, I am sorry to say, there has been quite an increase in the number of cases of small pox.  This disease however, much as it is dreaded, has proved to be far less fatal with us, than measles or pneumonia.  We have lost 33 in all, and only 2 of small pox out of more than 50 cases.

I am at home – Durant – for a few days, on leave of absence, expecting to return, if improving health permits, about the 20^th of the present month, when I shall be happy to carry messages or tokens from friends to any of the boys or officers.

But “O my!” what a winter you are having up here in March.  On Monday last.  I road 15 miles in an open buggy, and found myself covered with mud.  Yesterday – Wednesday – I reached your city, and found the Railroad blocked with snow. – We had in Missouri, the week before Christmas, about four inches of snow, which lasted nearly a week, since which time the ground has scarcely been covered.  I saw but very little snow on Tuesday, on the line of the Chicago and St. Louis Railroad – much of the way none.  In several instances the farmers were dragging down the corn stalks preparatory to plowing. – But here in Iowa king winter reigns supreme.  Still I would rather live in Iowa than in Missouri.  To say nothing of society and other things, the weather is far more even, and the climate more healthy. – And so far as the state of society is concerned – morals, religion and everything which goes to make up good society – Missouri bears no comparison with Iowa. – Should our more southern sister ever get rid of slavery, as undoubtedly she will, the way will be opened for an improvement in many respects.  But a generation must probably pass away, and a large number of a different class of people must enter the State before she can overtake Iowa in many things most desirable.  In the matter of fruit raising, Missouri is ahead of us, and will remain so.  But all things considered, a residence in Iowa is and will be at least for one or two generations, for more desirable to right minded people than in Missouri.

Yours truly,

CHAPLAIN,

11^th Iowa Regiment.

DURANT, March 6, 1862

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 10, 1862, p. 2