Andrew T. Blodgett

Captain, Company B, 39th Iowa Infantry

Born in Wisconsin, he was just 22 years & resided in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa when he was appointed First Lieutenant in Company B of the 39th Iowa Infantry on August 6, 1862. He was mustered into the service of the United States at Camp Herron, near Davenport, Iowa on November 24, 1862 by Captain H. B. Hendershott of the Regular Army.

On July 4th, 1863, while in camp near Corinth, Mississippi, a few of the boys of the 39th Iowa Infantry “concluded to have a little dance, and some went to sweeping the earth, while others went after the girls. Of the latter were Lieut’s. Marshal and Blodgett, who were on the road for a couple of fair damsels, when out stepped about a dozen guerrillas, and called to them to halt. - Their horses wheeled, the rebels fired, and Lt. Marshal fell dead, pierced by four bullets.” Lieutenant Blodgett escaped and brought the news to camp but before the men of the 39th could arrive at the scene of the incident the Rebels had already taken the Leiutenant Marshall’s boots, money and revolver.

Lieutenant Blodgett was promoted to Captian on August 7, 1864 and shorly thereafter was killed in action at Allatoona, Georgia October 5, 1864. Blodgett was one of the best line officers which the State of Iowa Sent into the field. His untimely death caused a profound sensantion at Des Moines where his remains were taken and buried inWoodlawn Cemtery more than a year after his heroic death.

Sources: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System; Letter from T. A. Trent, published in The Union Sentinel, 25 July 1863; Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion,Vol. 5, p. 939, 956; Lurton Dunham Ingersoll, Iowa and the Rebellion, p. 724

See Other Blog Entry:
Letter from T. A. Trent – July 25, 1863
Collin Marshall

Collin Marshall

2nd Lieutenant, Company H, 39th Iowa Infantry

The Son of Miles & Martha (Jones) Marshall (both natives of Guilford County, NC), he was born October 17, 1826, Wayne County, Indiana.

He was 35 years old and resided in Redfield, Dallas County, Iowa when he enlisted as First Sergeant in Company H of the 39th Iowa Infantry on August 7, 1862. He was mustered in to Federal Service on August 22, 1862 and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on March 6, 1863.

On the evening of July 4, 1863 “a few of the boys [of the 39th Iowa Infantry] concluded to have a little dance, and some went to sweeping the earth, while others went after the girls. Of the latter were Lieut’s. Marshal and Blodgett, who were on the road for a couple of fair damsels, when out stepped about a dozen [Confederate] guerrillas, and called to them to halt.” The lieutenants’ “horses wheeled, the rebels fired, and Lt. Marshal fell dead, pierced by four bullets.” Lt.Blodgett escaped and brought the news to camp. Before the men of the 39th could arrive at the scene of the incident the Rebels had already taken the leiutenant’s boots, money and revolver.

He is buried in Wiscotta Cemetery in Union Township, Dallas Co, Ia

Sources: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System; Letter from T. A. Trent, published in The Union Sentinel, 25 July 1863; Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, Volume 5, p. 1009; Gedcom file of Shirley West on http://www.rootsweb.com/;

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Letter from T. A. Trent – July 25, 1863

Andrew T. Blodgett

Letter from T. A. Trent

Mr. Caverly:

The stillness that pervaded Corinth previous to the 4th was a source of annoyance to those who love excitement, but that day the several regiments prepared to have a picnic. The 39th was up to time of course, and the boom of the cannon at 12 o’clock, and the music of the serveral bands playing in the evening made it all the more handsome to me, as I was unable to leave the hospital.

Towards the close of the day word came of the death of Lieut. Marshal of the 39th; the facts in connection with which are these, as near as I could learn them:

The regiment had a dinner about 2 miles east of town, where Co. H, of the 39th, were guarding mules. Everything went on smoothly until evening when a few of the boys concluded to have a little dance, and some went to sweeping the earth, while others went after the girls.

Of the latter were Lieut’s. Marshal and Blodgett, who were on the road for a couple of fair damsels, when out stepped about a dozen guerrillas, and called to them to halt. - Their horses wheeled, the rebels fired, and Lt. Marshal fell dead, pierced by four bullets.

Blodgett escaped and brought the news to camp. Marshal was a fine young officer, beloved by all, and lately promoted. A sad day’s work for him.

The rebels took his boots, money and revolver, and left before our boys arrived.

Monday, news came of the fall of Vicksburg, which was greeted by 13 guns. Joy was in every man’s face; the sun begins to break through the clouds. Home, wife and children are the scenes that come up before the eyes.

Tuesday -7th- just at daylight we heard firing from the hospital, over where Co. H is camped, and soon news came that the rebels were satisfied with having their Lt. killed and surrendered themselves as prisoners – mules, negros and all. No one hurt on our side.

T. A. Trent

- Published in The Union Sentinel, 25 July 1863

See Other Blog Entries:
Thomas Alexander Trent
Letter from T. A. Trent – 13 June 1863

Collin Marshall