Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, August 1, 1863

The quartermaster received some clothing for our regiment. I drew a pair of pants for $3.05 and a shirt for $1.46. A certain number of men from each company will be permitted to go home on a thirty-day furlough, and the boys of our company are looking forward to the time, wondering who will be the lucky ones.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 133

62nd Ohio Infantry

Organized at Zanesville, McConnellsville and Somerton, Ohio, September 17 to December 24, 1861. Left State for Cumberland, Md., January 17, 1862, thence moved to Paw Paw Tunnel February 3. Attached to 2nd Brigade, Landers' Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 2nd Brigade, Shields' Division, Banks' 5th Army Corps, and Dept. of the Shenandoah, to May, 1862. 2nd Brigade, Shields' Division, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to July, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1862. Ferry's Brigade, Division at Suffolk, Va., 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to February, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to April, 1863. United States forces, Folly Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, Folly Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Army Corps, Morris Island, S.C., July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Morris Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, to October, 1863. Howell's Brigade, Gordon's Division, Folly Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, to December, 1863. District Hilton Head, S.C., 10th Army Corps, to April, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps, Army of the James, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 24th Army Corps, to September, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Paw Paw Tunnel and Great Cacapon Creek till March 10, 1862. Advance on Winchester, Va., March 10-15. Reconnoissance to Strasburg March 18-21. Battle of Winchester March 22-23. Mt. Jackson March 25. Strasburg March 27. Woodstock April 1. Edenburg April 2. Expedition to Harrisonburg May 2-4. March to Fredericksburg, Va., May 12-22. Great Cross Roads May 11. March to Front Royal May 25-30. Port Republic June 5. Battle of Port Republic June 9 (cover retreat). Ordered to the Peninsula, Va., June 29. Harrison's Landing July 3-4. At Harrison's Landing till August 16. Movement to Fortress Monroe August 16-23, thence moved to Suffolk, Va., and duty there till December 31. Action on the Blackwater October 25. Expedition from Suffolk December 1-3. Action near Franklin on Blackwater December 2. Zuni December 12. Moved to Norfolk, Va., December 31, thence to Beaufort and New Berne, N. C., January 4, 1863. Moved to Port Royal, S.C., January 25. At St. Helena Island, S. C., till April. Occupation of Folly Island, S.C., April 3 to July 10. Skirmish at Folly Island April 7. Attack on Morris Island, S. C., July 10. Assaults on Fort Wagner, Morris Island, July 11 and 18. Siege operations against Fort Wagner, Morris Island, and against Fort Sumter and Charleston, July 10-September 7. Capture of Forts Wagner and Gregg, Morris Island, September 7. Operations against Charleston till October 31. Moved to Hilton Head, S.C., November 7, and duty there till April, 1864. Regiment reenlisted January 3, 1864. Moved to Yorktown, Va., April. Butler's operations on south side of the James River against Petersburg and Richmond May 4-28. Capture of Bermuda Hundred and City Point May 5. Swift Creek May 9-10. Operations against Fort Darling May 12-16. Battle of Drury's Bluff May 14-16. Bermuda Hundred front May 16-30. Ware Bottom Church May 20. Port Walthal and on the Bermuda Hundred front June 16-17. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Demonstration north of the James at Deep Bottom, August 13-20, 1864. Strawberry Plains August 14-18. New Market Heights, Chaffin's Farm, September 29-October 1. Darbytown Road October 7 and 13. Battle of Fair Oaks October 27-28. Duty in trenches north of the James before Richmond Hill March, 1865. Moved to Hatcher's Run March 27-28. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Rice's Station April 6. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Garrison and guard duty in District of South Anna, Dept. of Virginia, till September. Consolidated with 67th Ohio Infantry September 1, 1865. Mustered out December 7, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 11 Officers and 102 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 129 Enlisted men by disease. Total 244.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1525-6

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, December 20, 1862

Headquarters 54TH Regt. O. V. Inf.,

On Board Steamer “Sunny South,”

Saturday, Dec. 20, 1862.

I have this moment received your letter enclosing two from the children of the 13th Dec. I cannot pretend to make answer to them now, for orders have suddenly come and I am in all the hurly burly of excitement and embarkation of troops — no easy matter.

This expedition is fraught with great results one way or another. We cannot look into futurity. I note by the children's letters all the little household events that so much interest you. I am with you in spirit always. Remember, dear wife, I am always true to you and my dear children and my darling mother and my sweet sister — you are all with me now in spirit as I write, and often — so often — with me in the dark hours on the march and the bivouac and the excitement of battle. I often think of you as I grasp the sword or force the spur. Many a bound has Bell made when my heel, responsive to my heart, has goaded his panting side, — but enough of all this trouble. I can't write now. The sweet music of the band is pealing forth, the landing is crowded with forty thousand troops and all their paraphernalia — transportation, munitions of war. — All is haste, yet haste in order. Memphis has been kind to me. Do you believe, I have more friends in Memphis to-day, outside of the army, I mean, than I have in Cincinnati. It is so, and I have the most substantial proofs of their friendship. Houses, servants, equipages, everything of luxury has been forced upon me. I have been the favored guest. All this I 'll tell you of, or write you some other time. Some of these friends will be lifelong to me, and in times like these that is not saying much.

Write me to follow the regiment, though I fear it will be a good while before I hear from you or you from me, and now I can't say to horse, but to steamboat, brave gallants all, death's couriers, Fame and Honor, call us to the field again.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 249-50

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 20, 1863

Aldie, June 20, 1863.

We came here yesterday afternoon to sustain Pleasanton, who has had several brilliant skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry in this vicinity, and who thought they were bringing up infantry. To-day we hear Ewell has crossed the Potomac at Williamsport. This indicates an invasion of Maryland, of which I have hitherto been skeptical. If this should prove true, we will have to rush after them. I had almost rather they would come here and save us marches. I am in pretty good spirits — a little disgusted at the smallness of my corps, only ten thousand men, but I believe they will do as much as any equal numbers.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 386

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, July 31, 1863

The weather continues hot. Our men are at work raising the gunboat "Cincinnati," which was sunk during the siege of Vicksburg. She was a fine boat. A detail of men was sent to bring our tents today, but they failed to get them.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 132

General John Bell Hood to General Braxton Bragg, September 3, 1864 – 6:10 p.m.

LOVEJOY'S STATION, GA., September 3, 1864 – 6.10 p.m.

General BRAXTON BRAGG,

Richmond, Va.:

My telegram in cipher this morning is based upon the Supposition that the enemy will not content himself with Atlanta, but will continue offensive movements. All the lieutenant-generals agree with me.

J. B. HOOD.

SOURCES: John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 245; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 38, Part 5 (Serial No. 76), p. 1017

Lieutenant-General James Longstreet to General Robert E. Lee, February 25, 1865

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CORPS,

February 25, 1865.

General R. E. LEE,

Commanding:

GENERAL: I have just heard from General Ewell indirectly that he can raise force enough at Richmond to hold the lines on this side, so that my corps may be withdrawn temporarily to your right – that is, if you can put a part of the Second Corps in place of Pickett's division. This arrangement will give you force enough to meet any move that the enemy may make upon your right. If he makes no move, then you can, when the proper moment arrives, detach a force to the aid of General Beauregard; and if the enemy should then press you, you can abandon Petersburg and hold your line here and take up the line of the Appomattox. But I think that the enemy will be forced to move a force south the moment that he finds that you are re-enforcing against Sherman, else he will encounter the risk of losing Sherman as well as Richmond. There is some hazard in the plan, but nothing can be accomplished in war without risk. The other important question is provisions. We are doing tolerably well by hauling from the country and paying market prices in Confederate money. If you would give us gold, I have reason to believe that we could get an abundant supply for four months, and by that time we ought to be able to reopen our communication with the south. The gold is here, and we should take it. We have been impressing food and all the necessaries of life from women and children, and have been the means of driving thousands from their homes in destitute condition. Should we hesitate, then, about putting a few who have made immense fortunes at our expense to a little inconvenience by impressing their gold? It is necessary for us, and I do not think that we should let our capital fall into, the enemy's hands for fear of injuring the feelings or interests of a few individuals. We have expended too much of blood and treasure in holding it for the last four years to allow it to go now by default. I think that it may be saved. If it can we should not leave any possible contingency unimproved I think, however, that the enemy's positions are so well selected and fortified that we must either wait for an opportunity to draw him off from here or await his attack, for even a successful assault would probably cripple us so much that we could get no advantage commensurate with our loss.

I remain, with respect, and truly your obedient servant,

 J. LONGSTREET,

Lieutenant-General.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 46, Part 2 (Serial No. 96), p. 1259; James Longstreet, From Manassas to Appomattox, p. 646-7 which dates this letter as February 26, 1865.

61st Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, April 23, 1862. Ordered to West Virginia May 27, and joined Fremont's army at Strasburg, Va., June 23, 1862. Attached to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Corps, Army of Virginia, June to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 11th Army Corps, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1863. Army of the Cumberland to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to March, 1865.

SERVICE. – March to Sperryville and duty there till August 8, 1862. Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16-September 2. Freeman's Ford August 22. Sulphur Springs August 23-24. Battles of Groveton August 29, and Bull Run August 30. Duty in the Defences of Washington, D.C., till December. March to Fredericksburg, Va., December 10-15. "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. Duty at Stafford Court House till April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va., July 5-24. Duty along Orange & Alexandria Railroad July 26 to September 26. Movement to Bridgeport, Ala., September 26-October 3. Reopening Tennessee River October 26-29. Battle of Wauhatchie, Tenn., October 28-29. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23. Mission Lodge November 24-25. March to relief of Knoxville, Tenn., November 28-December 8. Moved to Bridgeport, Ala., and duty there till March, 1864. Veterans on furlough March and April. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Cassville May 19. New Hope Church May 25. Battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills, May 25-June 5. Lost Mountain June 8. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Gilgal, or Golgotha Church, June 15. Muddy Creek June 17. Noyes' Creek June 19. Kolb's Farm June 22. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River June 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge May 26-September 2. Occupation of Atlanta September 2-November 15. Expedition from Atlanta to Tuckum's Cross Roads October 26-29. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Montieth Swamp December 9. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to March, 1865. Taylor's Hole Creek, Averysboro, N. C., March 16. Battle of Bentonville March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Consolidated with 82nd Ohio Infantry March 31. 1865.

Regiment lost during service 7 Officers and 68 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 90 Enlisted men by disease. Total 165.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1525

Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, May 22, 1861

Cincinnati, May 22, 1861.

Dear Uncle: — Your last is highly satisfactory. It is by no means certain that we shall get in, but we shall keep trying and sooner or later I suspect we shall succeed.

Lucy rather prefers, I think, not to go out to Fremont this summer if I should go away, but will of course do what we think best. I will come out before going away, even if I can stay only a day. If I should not leave, I shall of course visit you this summer and stay some time.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

S. BlRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 18

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Captain Henry. R. Cowles, January 17, 1861

Executive Office,

Iowa, Jan. 17, 1861.

R. [sic] R. Cowles, Captain Washington Light Guards, Washington, Iowa:

SIR: — In these days when cabinet officers abet treason, and use their official positions to bankrupt and disarm the government they are sworn to support, when members of both branches of our national councils are openly engaged in endeavoring to overthrow the government of which they are the sworn servants, and retain places and prostitute their powers to thwart the efforts of those who loyally seek to maintain that government — when in one portion of our country many men delirious with passion, regard the firing upon our National flag, the forcible seizure of our National forts, and the plunder of our National arsenals and treasuries as manly, honorable and patriotic service — when in another portion of our country a few men blinded by partisan prejudice can be found who justify these acts, and say the perpetrators of them must not be punished — when, in short, men are found in high places so lost to patriotism as to emulate the treason of Benedict Arnold, and so lost to shame as to glory in their infamy, and can find followers and apologists — it is gratifying to know that the gallant yeomanry of Iowa are still determined “to march under the flag and to keep step to the music of the Union.”

I accept with pleasure the services of the “Washington Light Guards” so frankly tendered, and should events render it necessary, shall promptly call you to the field to defend that flag under which our fathers fought so bravely, and to maintain that government they founded so wisely and so well.

Very respectfully,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 112

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, December 14, 1862

CAMP ON WOLF RIVER, NEAR MEMPHIS, Dec. 14, 1862.

The papers, I suppose, have told you what we have been about. My regiment was the first to cross the Tallahatchie. We have marching orders for the 18th, four days to rest and get ready, and then for Vicksburg or Jackson, or what God pleases. We shall have an active winter campaign. My health has been good until within a day or two. I have recurrence of the infernal dysentery. I suppose the dampness in some way strikes upon my bowels, and I could get no brandy. Whiskey, and very bad whiskey at that, is all we can procure in the army, and it is my abomination.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 249

William A. Buckingham, Governor of Connecticut, to Abraham Lincoln, May 3, 1861

state Of Connecticut, Executive Department,

Hartford, May 3, 1861.

Dear Sir: The General Assembly of the state has placed $2,000,000 at my disposal for the purpose of organizing, equipping and arming the militia of the state, and for mustering them into the service of the United States. Allow me to say that this appropriation was made by the unanimous vote of both houses, and indicates the sentiment of the citizens of this state, and their determination in the strongest and most positive position which you will assume in defence of the authority of the government. I am, dear sir,

Yours with high consideration,

William A. Buckingham.

to Abraham Lincoln, President Of The United States.

SOURCE: Samuel Giles Buckingham, The Life of William A. Buckingham, the War Governor of Connecticut, p. 158

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 18, 1863

Green Springs, Va.,¹ June 18, 1863.

We reached here last evening, on our way to Leesburg. The enemy, as far as we can learn, are in the Valley of the Shenandoah, occupying the line they did when McClellan crossed the Potomac last fall. We cannot learn that any great force has crossed into Maryland or Pennsylvania. Should this prove true, we shall have to go to the valley after them.

_______________

¹ Gum Springs on map.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 386

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, July 30, 1863

It is quite hot and sultry. There is no news of importance. Colonel Hall has again taken command of our brigade. I bought a two-pound can of butter, paying $1.25, and five loaves of bread for fifty cents.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 132

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Brigadier-General Richard Taylor, June 22, 1863

NEAR VICKSBURG, June 22, 1863.

Brig. Gen. R. TAYLOR,

Commanding Confederate Forces, Delhi, La.:

GENERAL: Upon the evidence of a white man, a citizen of the South, I learn that a white captain and some negroes, captured at Milliken's Bend, La., in the late skirmish at that place, were hanged soon after at Richmond. He also informs me that a white sergeant, captured by Harrison's cavalry at Perkins' plantation, was hung.

My forces captured some 6 or 8 prisoners in the same skirmish, who have been treated as prisoners of war, notwithstanding they were caught fighting under the "black flag of no quarter."

I feel no inclination to retaliate for the offenses of irresponsible persons, but if it is the policy of any general intrusted with the command of any troops to show "no quarter," or to punish with death prisoners taken in battle, I will accept the issue. It may be you propose a different line of policy toward black troops and officers commanding them, to that practiced toward white troops. If so, I can assure you that these colored troops are regularly mustered into the service of the United States. The Government and all officers serving under the Government are bound to give the same protection to these troops that they do to any other troops.

Col. Kilby Smith, of the United States volunteer service, and Col. John Riggin, assistant aide-de-camp, U.S. Army, go as bearers of this, and will return any reply you may wish to make.

Hoping there may be some mistake in the evidence furnished me, or that the act of hanging had no official sanction, and that the parties guilty of it will be duly punished, I remain, your obedient servant,

 U.S. GRANT.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 425-6

Major-General Richard Taylor to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, June 27, 1863

HDQRS. DIST. OF W. LA., Alexandria, June 27, 1863.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT, Comdg. United States Forces near Vicksburg:

GENERAL: Your communication of the 22d instant, attributing to the troops of my command, upon evidence furnished you by a white man, certain acts disgraceful alike to humanity and to the reputation of soldiers, has just reached me. In reply, I beg to say that I remained at Richmond and in its vicinity for several days after the skirmish to which you allude, and had any officer or negro been hung the fact must have come to my knowledge, and the act would most assuredly have met with the punishment it deserved. The hanging of a white sergeant by Colonel [I. F.] Harrison's cavalry is, I am satisfied, likewise a fabrication. I shall, however, cause this matter to be thoroughly investigated, and should 1 discover evidence of such acts having been perpetrated the parties shall meet with summary punishment. My orders at all times have been to treat all prisoners with every consideration.

As regards negroes captured in arms, the officers of the Confederate States Army are required by an order emanating from the General Government, to turn all such to the civil authorities, to be dealt over with according to the laws of the State wherein they were captured.

I remain, your obedient servant,

 R. TAYLOR.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 443-4

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Richard Taylor, July 4, 1863

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,

Near Vicksburg, July 4, 1863.

Maj. Gen. R. TAYLOR,

Commanding Confederate Forces, Alexandria, La.:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 27th of June, disclaiming the act of hanging Union soldiers who were taken prisoners by your forces near Milliken's Bend on the 7th of June, is just received. I could not credit the story, though told so straight, and I am now truly glad to hear your denial. The prisoners taken by our forces have not been subjected to any harsh treatment in consequence of the statements detailed in my former letter.

In the matter of treatment of negro soldiers taken prisoners, I do not feel authorized to say what the Government may demand in regard to them, but having taken the responsibility of declaring them free, and having authorized the arming of them [sic] and another for the white soldiers.

This, however, is a subject I am not aware of any action having been taken upon.

I am, general, your obedient servant,

 U.S. GRANT.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 469

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant’s General Orders, No. 25, April 22, 1863

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 25.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE,

Milliken's Bend, La., April 22, 1863.

I. Corps, division, and post commanders will afford all facilities for the completion of the negro regiments now organizing in this department. Commissaries will issue supplies, and quartermasters will furnish stores, on the same requisitions and returns as are required from other troops. It is expected that all commanders will especially exert themselves in carrying out the policy of the Administration, not only in organizing colored regiments and rendering them efficient, but also in removing prejudice against them.

II. In accordance with General Orders, No. 85, Adjutant-General's Office, series 1862, army corps commanders will cause to be issued to all convalescent small-pox patients an entire suit of clothing, free of charge, on being reported for duty by their medical officer. It will be the duty of surgeons in charge of pest-houses to see that all clothing worn by the patients during their sickness is destroyed, and all other necessary precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease. In the absence of corps commanders, issues of clothing required by this order will be directed by the highest military commander nearest the pest-houses.

By order of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant:

 JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 220

60th Ohio Infantry Reorganized

Organized at Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, February to April, 1864. Left State for Alexandria, Va., April 21, 1864. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE. – Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River, Va., May 3-June 15, 1864. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7. Spottsylvania May 8-12. Ny River May 10. Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Ox Ford May 23-24. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Mine Explosion July 30, 1864. Six-Mile House, Weldon Railroad, August 18-21. Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 2. Reconnoissance on Vaughan and Squirrel Level Road October 8. Boydton Plank Road, Ratcher's Run, October 27-28. (Co. "K" organized November and December. 1864); 9th and 10th Independent Companies Sharpshooters as Companies "G" and "H," February 25, 1865.) Fort Stedman March 25, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Occupation of Petersburg April 3. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Surrender of Lee and his army at Appomattox Court House April 9. Moved to Alexandria, Va., April 21-28. Duty there and at Washington, D.C., till July. Grand Review at Washington May 23. Mustered out July 28, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 110 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 130 Enlisted men by disease. Total 243.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1525

Madison Wellman, Private, Co. D, 15th Iowa Infantry

Shiloh National Cemetery