Company E, 3rd Iowa Infantry
Company D, 10th Iowa
Infantry
Company B, 15th Iowa
Infantry
Company D, 16th Iowa
Infantry
Company D, 32nd Iowa
Infantry
Company H, 44th Iowa
Infantry
Only one regiment was required to fill the
quota for Iowa. It was issued in Iowa City on April 17. S. B. McCall
was the first in the county to engage in recruiting a company. The
company was ordered at Keokuk on May 21, 1861 and mustered into service
on June 8, 1861 (Company E 3rd Iowa Infantry).
W. P. Berry, assisted by W. J. Wheeler, S. G. Moffatt and William D.
Templin, recruited the second regiment. It was ordered into service
August 12, 1861 and mustered in at Iowa City the following September
(Company D 10th Iowa Infantry).
The third regiment was recruited by C. W. Wilson and I. J. Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell was in poor health and was thought to not enter the
service, but elected him draft commissioner of the district. Mr. Wilson
became captain of the company and was ordered into service October 19,
1861 and was mustered in at Davenport in January 1862 (Company D 16th
Iowa Infantry).
The favorite company was recruited by Dr. DeTarr, R. J. Shannon, and W.
L. Defore during the summer of 1862. When the company was ordered into
service on August 11, 1862 a large concourse for people from all parts
of the county assembled at Boonesboro. The company was mustered in
October 1862 (Company D 32nd Iowa Infantry). The resources for men to
serve were exhausted and a draft was ordered in all townships of the
county. All quotas were met in all townships except in Cass and Pilot
Mound Townships.
Company E, 3rd Iowa Infantry
The 3rd Iowa Infantry was made up of men from nearly
every part of the
state, emphatically a Hawkeye Regiment. It rendezvoused at Keokuk and
was mustered into service on June 10, 1861. When it embarked on board
the train for the field on Civil War RegimentsJuly 1, it was magnificently equipped with
old Springfield rifles of 1848. It had not a cartridge, ration of food,
round of ammunition, or even a field officer about the rank of captain.
This was a prelude to what proved the saddest history of all regiments
which Iowa sent to war.
It moved to Northern Missouri, and its first night in the field was
near Utica. Supperless and tired, they threw themselves on the damp
ground, without establishing a picket post, trusting alone in
providence. Its first engagement was at Hagar's Woods where, under the
command of Col. Smith of the 16th Illinois Infantry, they met the
enemy. The force consisted of about 450 men, supported by a six powder
swivel gun manned by Sergeant Fishbeem. When they moved out from
Monroe, on the line of the railroad, they came upon enemy scouts who at
once opened fire on them. Mr. Fishbeem hurried his artillery to the
front and quickly sent the enemy flying in all directions, when Col.
Smith, under cover of night, retired.
The next movement was from Macon City to Kirksville to rout the enemy
who, under Green, were in camp on the Salt River. The movement was
successfully accomplished under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Scott.
At Blue Mills Landing on September 17, 1861 the regiment fought its
first hard fight. Although they were unsuccessful, the fight was
unequaled in the history of the war in Missouri, for bravery and
promptness to action. It remained in Northern Missouri until October
18, 1861 when it went to Quincy, Illinois. A few weeks later it moved
to St. Louis then out along the northern Missouri railroad where it
remained until March 1862 when it sailed for Savannah on the Tennessee
River.
On March 17 it disembarked at Pittsburg Landing with the 4th division
under General Hurlbert. It was assigned to the 1st Brigade commanded by
Col. Williams. In April the regiment took part in the memorable Battle
of Shiloh, making for itself an imperishable record. The divisions of
Hurlbert and Smith were in camp in front of the landing. Prentiss
McClernad and Sherman, with their divisions, held the front, from right
to left. While the 3rd were eating breakfast on the morning of the
April 16 they were startled by firing at the front, which was soon
followed by the call to arms. They left their breakfast unfinished and
quickly marched to the front under command of its major and colonel. It
moved at quick step to the front at the right of its brigade but the
left of the entire army. To its right were the 1st and 2nd brigades and
Wallace's division in which were the 27th, 12th, and 14th Iowa
regiments. This position the 3rd held until 4 p.m. and the troops on
their right and left had been utterly routed. The 18th, 12th and 14th
Iowa were captured. It was at this position the enemy hurled its forces
for five hours in an unsuccessful attempt to bread it, but which was
finally accomplished by flank movements. It has always been a marvel
how the 3rd got through the circling the line of the enemy. Of the 450
officers and men of the regiment, engaged in this battle, more than two
hundred were killed and wounded. The correct historian attributes to
stubborn valor of Iowa troops, the saving of Grant's army from capture
at Shiloh.
During the siege of Corinth the 3rd was present but took no active
part. After the fall of Corinth the regiment went with Sherman to
Memphis and led the van into the city on July 21. On September 6 the
regiment moved back towards Memphis and on October 5 took part in the
Battle of the Hatchie with two killed and 60 wounded. Little of
importance transpired with the regiment for several months. On May 18,
1864 it left Memphis for Vicksburg and its days of rest were ended.
At Vicksburg, it shared in the capture of that stronghold and then set
out with Sherman against Johnson who had planted himself at Jackson
where an unsuccessful attempt was made to dislodge him on July 12. The
regiment returned to Vicksburg, then sailed to Natchez and joined
Sherman in his march to Meridian.
Soon after its term expired, it reenlisted as "Vets" and came north on
a furlough in the spring of 1864. It returned to the front and joined
Sherman in his march to the sea, and at Atlanta on July 22 was put in
the front and lost heavily. It's color sergeant was killed and the
colors captured. Some of the regiment who had been taken prisoners at
Atlanta saw their colors borne through the streets by a squad of
cavalry. They rushed upon them recaptured the colors and tore it to
shreds. The regiment became decimated to 318 men and on July 8
consolidated with the 2nd and the 12th and was mustered out at
Louisville, Kentucky. |
Company D, 10th Iowa Infantry
This regiment was organized at Camp Fremont, Iowa City
in August 1861.
Mustered into service September 6, 1861, embarked September 24th from
St Louis arriving the 27th were it was armed, clothed and equipped.
October 1st it moved to Cape Girardeau to aid in protecting that point
from the menaced attack of Pillow and Hardee. November 12th it moved to
Bird’s Point where it did scouting, general and picket duty until March
4, 1862 when it moved to New Madrid. While at Bird’s Point the loss
from exposure and measles was 96. It took active part in the capture of
New Madrid on March 13th and 14th which with a brilliant movement on
Tiptonville April resulted in capturing the force of Island # 10 of
about six thousand prisoners. April 10th it moved with the army of the
Mississippi to Pittsburg Landing, disembarking at Hamburg April 21st
where it served Pope’s command during the siege of Corinth on the left
of the army. After the surrender of Corinth it pursued the enemy to
Booneville when it returned and remained in camp at Corinth and Jacinto
until September 18th when it was ordered to engage General Price then
supposed to be near Iuka which was a disastrous blunder for the
regiment and brigade. The pursuit of the enemy on the 20th, the bloody
battle of Corinth October 3rd and 4th and the pursuit of the rebels to
and beyond the Hatchie from the next charter in their history.
November 22nd it moved to Moscow, Tennessee where it joined Grant’s
march down the Mobile and Ohio railroad December 22nd it marched with
its division from Lumpkin’s Mill, Mississippi to Memphis as guard of
the division train which completed the regiment. It went to White
Station where it passed the winter guarding the railroad. March 4th it
joined the Yazoo Pass expedition which was abandoned after an
unsuccessful effort of several weeks to get in the rear of Vicksburg by
a flank movement. It was a tedious and perilous expedition. It joined
in the Vicksburg campaign commencing at Milliken’s Bend and terminating
in the fall of Vicksburg. It was in reserve at the battle of Port
Gibson, at the battle of Raymond May 15th, it was in the 2nd line, on
the 14th fought at Jackson driving the enemy. On the 16th at Champion’s
Hill the enemy was met in force, the 10th being on the left of the
brigade exposed to heavy flank movement and murderous fire of the
enemy. Out of 1,300 engaged of the brigade 500 were killed, the 10th
lost, 34 killed and 124 wounded, which attests the obstinacy with which
the brigade held its grounds and turned the tide of the battle. On the
19th of May the regiment took its position in the line, in front of
Vicksburg where it remained until June 22 when it was moved to Black
river where it remained till the fall of Vicksburg, when it was sent to
Jackson, Mississippi in pursuit of Johnson’s return to Vicksburg July
19th. September 29th the division was ordered to Memphis to join
Sherman’s march to Chattanooga leaving Memphis October 10th and
arriving at Chattanooga November 19th after a march of 32 days. On the
25th the 10th was part of a heroic mission for who stormed Mission
Ridge and earned a noble record. This and the battle at Champion’s Hill
are regarded as the hardest battles fought by this regiment. December
4th the regiment moved to Larkinsville, Alabama, thence to Huntsville
arriving January 9, 1864. February 1st the regiment reenlisted as
veterans and remained at Huntsville making stories with Roddy’s cavalry
until June 15th when it started north on a veteran furlough. In July it
returned to the front arriving at Kingston, Georgia August 1st, while
here it was transferred to the 2nd brigade. September 28th the now
veterans were mustered out, the regiment was filled up and joined
Sherman’s march to Savannah. January 19th the expedition on Columbia
thence to Goldsboro entering the latter city August 22nd after severe
fighting having marched 500 miles from Savannah in an inclement season
of the year.
Many of the soldiers were nearly naked and without shoes, but all were
contented and joyous, satisfied in the consciousness of duty done. The
regiment traveled 8,187 miles, served in 10 states of the Confederacy
and fought in 2 pitched battles, besides numerous skirmishes. Up to the
battle of Mission Ridge not a man had been taken prisoner on a battle
field. The regiment was mustered out as veterans at Little Rock,
Arkansas August 15, 1865, having served months beyond their term of
enlistment and for which they received high commendation form the
department. |
Company B, 15th Iowa Infantry
This in one of the noblest regiments of the state and
to have been a
member of it is honor for any soldier. It's history is long and
eventful, beyond the limits. It was organized February 1862, mustered
in March 14 and joined Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing in April where
it went through it's "Bloody Baptism" losing in 2 days over one fourth
of its number. Briefly to sum up its history:
I-Pittsburg Landing-Battle of Shiloh
II- Siege of Corinth-summer and fall of 1862, Bolivar, Iuka, Battle of
Corinth October 3rd and 4th, pursuit of rebels to Ripley, return to
Corinth October 13th.
III- Winter Campaign 1862, Grand Junction, Holly Springs, Oxford,
Abbeville, Yockema Station, return to Lafayette, Memphis, front at
Vicksburg, Milliken's Bend, Providence Canal digging to connect with
Mississippi with bayous Macon and Tenas.
IV- Vicksburg Campaign, Milliken's Bend, Holmes Plantation, Grand Gulf,
Harne's Bluff, Warrenton, Mechanicsville Expedition, rear of Vicksburg,
Black River Expedition, Messenger's Ferry, Jackson, return to Vicksburg.
V- Fall and winter 1863, Expedition to Monroe, Louisiana in August, to
Jackson in October, Redbone in December, Meridian in February, 1864
Veteran furlough in March/April, thence to Huntsville, Alabama.
VI- Summer Campaign of 1864, reconnaissance to Powder Springs, pursuit
of Hood to Reseca, Gaylesville, Marietta, march to the Sea, Savannah,
November/December 1864.
VIII- Winter Campaign through Carolina's, Beaufort, Battles of Garden
Corner and Poctaligo January 14th, Salkahatchie, February 3rd,
Orangeburg February 12th, Columbus February 13th, Fayetteville March
11th, Bentonsville march 20th, on to Goldsboro. This was one of the
most arduous campaigns in the history of the regiment. It marches by
night through swamps for hours waist deep amongst dense forests and
snags, will never be forgotten for its promptness and heroism it
received special commendation of commanding officers.
IX- Closing Campaign- Northward to finish the job, Raleigh, review by
General Grant April 23rd, Jones Station, surrender of Johnson, march to
Petersburg, Richmond, Washington, Louisville, mustered out July 24,
1865, home again at Davenport July 29.
Out of 1,763 men who were members of the regiment during its
organization, 1,051 were absent, killed, died, or crippled for life,
proof of valor, patriotism and love for their country. It suffered more
casualties then any other regiment sent from the state. It carried its
battle flag 7,898 miles and it now hangs in the State Arsenal, torn in
shreds by leaden hail, a cherished relic of heroic deeps. |
Company D, 16th Iowa Infantry
The 16th Iowa Infantry
rendezvoused at Camp
McClelland, Davenport where
it left for the field on March 20, 1862. Its first battle was at Shiloh
on April 6 and was stationed at the right of the 15th Iowa Infantry. At
this battle all those on horses, and the field and staff officers were
killed, a show the enemy struck for prizes.
Immediately after the Battle of Shiloh, the Iowa brigade was organized,
which continued to the close of the war. The 16th Iowa Infantry was the
junior regiment, but it was a lucky one. It has one chapter in history,
distinct from that of the brigade. On September 13 it was detached and
sent to reinforce Col. Murphy of the 8th Wisconsin who was protection
stores left at Iuka. On the September 16 it joined Rosecranzo and was
in the fierce engagements at Iuka. This was the second battle of the
regiment and it won the highest praise from General Rosecranz and they
went back to their brigade the heroes of the day. It lost its
commanding officer at Iuka.
Its next battle was at Corinth on October 4 where it again lost its
commanding officer and suffered greater disaster than any other
regiment of the brigade. Succeeding history of the regiment is made up
of the pursuit of the rebel army to the Hatchie and return to Corinth,
the trip down the Mississippi to Young's Point and the operations
around Vicksburg, the march to Mechanicsville, up the Yazoo, the
expedition to Jackson and the escape of Johnson, the raid to Monroe,
Louisiana to Meridian, Mississippi, the long and tedious march from
Clifton on the Tennessee to northwestern Georgia in the spring of 1864,
and the memorable Atlanta campaign, all of which with the 16th helped
to make.
It is probable that in all of Sherman's grand army of 98,997 men, none
were more conspicuous for bravery and efficiency than the 16th on the
memorable July 22. Sherman had to swing his army across the
Chattahoochee and around Atlanta by a grand right wheel. The Iowa
brigade formed the left of 4th division, which was the left wing of the
army. The 16th was at the extreme left of the line with the 15th and
11th at the left end of the front. They received orders to hold the
position, as that would depend on the safety of the entire division.
Scarcely had they received the order when the enemy came upon them like
a whirlwind, with bayonets fixed and pieces at charge. The Iowa boys
waited until they had got within a few rods, when they poured into them
with musketry, until their guns became so hot they could not handle
them and the cartridges would flash as they were dropped in place. The
enemy fell to the earth. The 11th and 15th were overpowered and
retreated, leaving the enemy between them and the 16th, and there was
nothing left but to surrender, thus the entire 16th Iowa regiment was
captured.
The privates were kept prisoners until September 1864 when they were
exchanged. There officers were held until the following spring. At
Atlanta the regiment was under fire from June 14 to July 22. On
November 15 it started for Savannah, arriving December 10, where it
took part in the siege of that city. On January 6, 1865 it moved to
Beaufort, South Carolina, arriving at Raleigh on April 16 where it
joined the triumphal march to Washington, and the grand review on May
24, 1865 where they went to Louisville, Kentucky and were mustered out
July 19. |
Company D, 32nd Iowa Infantry
The 32nd Iowa Infantry rendezvoused at Camp Franklin,
Dubuque. It was
organized in August 1862 and originally consisted of 925 men. It was
mustered in in October. Until March 1864 it was stationed in
detachments at Cape Girardeau, New Madrid, Fort Pillow, Columbus and
other points along the Mississippi. In February 1864 a portion of the
regiment joined General Sherman in his Meridian expedition and also
that of General Banks in his failure up Red River.
It was on this expedition, at Fort DeRussey on March 14, 1864, the
regiment first met the enemy in battle. Again at Pleasant Hill April 9
it distinguished itself by fighting two hours alone surrounded on all
sides by the enemy and captured. The union forces finally rallied and
beat back the enemy to their original line when they surprised the 32nd
still occupying the position it had been ordered to hold. Completely
engrossed was it with work in hand it was ignorant to the real
situation until relieved from their position, the boys were surprised
to know that they had for two hours been considered as captured and
removed from the field. In this engagement more that 2/3 of the
regiment was put out of the battle, the loss of the 14th, 27th, and
32nd on that day was more than 1/2 that of the whole of Banks' army and
it true to these regiments saved the entire army from demoralization
and capture, for they were the only troops who held their position.
Imagine the surprise of these regiments on the morning of April 10,
when Banks began his retreat, these regiments were ordered into line to
bring up the rear, the main body having been gone several hours, thus
paying the Heroic Hawkeye boys, who had saved the army, lost more men
than the whole army - the only troops who held their position - they
were very peculiar compliment of covering the retreat. The Iowa boys
having started in at Pleasant Hill at the front and the army having
been driven around them so they came to the rear, they beat back the
enemy which followed and harassed them until they reached Simsport.
On July 14 the 32nd had a brush with the enemy at Tupelo, and repulsed
them again at Old Town Creek. On July 15 it was attacked by the enemy
who were repulsed. On July 22 it arrived at LaGrange, Memphis and on
July 24 they went to Holly Springs, Waterford, Abbeville, Oxford then
back to Holly Springs, then to Memphis arriving August 30.
September and October it was constantly tramping over Missouri and
October 25 it started from St. Louis to Nashville. By that time it had
traveled 5,594 miles of which 2,332 were on foot. The number of men
present for duty was 359. The regiment took part in the battles around
New Orleans and was engaged in the siege and capture of Mobile. The
regiment was mustered out at Clinton on August 24, 1865.
It should be noticed also that from November 30, 1862 the regiment was
divided, one detachment going to New Madrid under Colonel Scott, the
other to Cape Girardeau under Major Eberhart, the latter comprising
Companies A, D, F. From then to March 4 the history of these
detachments was as distant, as the two regiments under Major Eberhart
were sent to Arkansas and then August 12, 1863 on the White River
Expedition. A side shute was made up. Little Red, where two prize
streamers were captured and a pontoon bridge destroyed, serving
Marmaduke's army 1/2 being on either side. One of the prizes (the
Kalkaska) was in charge of Company D. At West Point the enemy attempted
to recapture the steamer, but were driven back. The next move was to
Duval's Bluff and Bayou Metarie where the boys entered the enemies
works with a rush, drove them out across the bayou and burned their
bridge. The next move to Brownsville, then to Little Rock on December
19. On January 29, 1864 the detachment was ordered to Memphis arriving
February 5 then to Vicksburg, arriving February 9. It was here on March
4 that they reunited with the other detachment, an event which was the
occasion of a complimentary congratulatory order form Colonel Scott. |
Company H, 44th Iowa Infantry
This regiment was
organized under proclamation of the
president on
April 21, 1864, calling for one hundred thousand men to serve for 100
days, in fortifications wherever their services might be required. This
was for the purpose of relieving the Veteran Troops from such duty,
that they might be sent forward for more effective services. Under
proclamation of the governor, four days later the valiant people of the
state responded promptly to fill the quota of the ten thousand demanded
of them, although far ahead of all requisitions made by the government.
Boone County, although having furnished men in excess of its quota,
responded promptly and was represented in the 44th. Although they were
not engaged in any battles they did provide effective service in
closing up the war. The 44th was mustered in June 1864 and mustered out
at Davenport on September 15, 1864.
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