Lieutenant Charles W. W. Dow

Company F.

Lieutenant Charles W. W. Dow is a native of the State of Maine, and was born in the city of Augusta on the 17th day of May, 1838, being the third son of Wm. N. and Sarah Dow. His boyhood days were passed in Massachusetts, and he was educated in part at Boston, and at the Oliver Grammar School at Lawrence in that State. In 1854 we find him at Newport, Rhode Island, where he lived and learned the trade of an upholsterer. And again in 1856, at Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa, where he resided until 1859. In far off New Mexico we find him engaged in campaigning against the hostile Navajoes [sic] of New Mexico and Northern Arizona. Returning from his second campaign in February, 1861, after having all but lost his life by starvation — the party eating all their riding and pack animals, three of his comrades dying of starvation and three going crazy by the same cause, (his adventures in the southwest would fill a good sized volume) — June found him at Iowa City, Iowa, having ridden his mustang pony from Lower New Mexico to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, all alone; twice escaping the hostile Sioux, first by strategy. and once by the speed of his pony; having accomplished a journey of over one thousand miles.

Again, three days after his arrival home, we find him enlisted as a private in Company F, First Iowa Cavalry, for three years unless sooner discharged; being promoted to first sergeant of his company on September 1st, 1862. Commanded the first platoon at the now celebrated moonlight charge at midnight on Newton's rebel regiment, at Jackson. Missouri, April 28th, 1863. Promoted to be Second Lieutenant July 18th, 1863. Severely wounded in the head by rifle ball, at Holley Bottom, Little Missouri river, Arkansas, on the 4th day of April, 1864. Remained with his company and regiment after its re-muster as veterans, and promoted First Lieutenant February 7th. 1865.

While on leave of absence (sick leave) was married, on April 30th to Lucy E. North, of Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa, a graduate of the normal department of the State University of Iowa.

Returned to his regiment and served until the end of the war and discharge of the regiment, at Austin, Texas, the 28th day of February, 1866; after which he engaged in farming at Pleasant Valley, Johnson county, Iowa. In 1872 took a Government homestead in Nobles county, Minnesota, where he is now engaged in farming and stock raising. Served over ten years as justice of the peace and town clerk; also as deputy clerk of the district court and deputy sheriff; and in November, 1888, was elected judge of the probate court for his county. He is now the father of twelve children, three boys and nine girls.

The Lieutenant is a pensioner since 1874 for wounds received in action, and present post office address is at Rushmore, Nobles county, Minnesota.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 335-6