Showing posts with label 1st MO Battery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1st MO Battery. Show all posts

Monday, March 24, 2014

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, May 25, 1863

Fighting commenced this morning all along the line, but it proved to be mostly picket fighting. There was also some heavy cannonading and the mortar boats and the gunboats were in action. Our command, the Sixth Division, lay in bivouac all day. In the evening the rebels came out and captured some of our pickets, and we then formed a line of battle.  The First Missouri Battery threw some shells into the rebels' camp after night. General Lauman's division arrived this morning, but did not get into action.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 118

Friday, October 7, 2011

Scott County Men At Pea Ridge

Four Davenporter’s in Capt. Ahledfeldt’s company 12th Missouri Infantry, were wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, as follows:

Lieut. Robert Henne, left leg amputated.
Sergeant Cains Rohwer, formerly of Co. G, Iowa 1st, wounded in leg.
Sergeant Petter Suebking, in thigh.
Sergeant Eugene Ausborn, in arm.

Among those recruited by Dr. Raub for the First Missouri Flying Artillery, Hans Brandt and Edward Moeller were wounded, the former seriously.  Lorinz Fischer, Chas. Thoeming, Dominic Hufner and Claus Pahl, are missing.

In addition to the above, private S. D. Hedges of Capt. Curtis’s Rock Island company, was very badly wounded in the thigh, and was in critical condition, owing to inflammation of the wounded part when Capt. Curtis left the army.  The Captain speaks of him as one of his best and most reliable men.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 1

Dr. Raub

Most of our readers will remember this person, who was quite a prominent politician here a couple of years ago, and who enlisted about fifty German residents of this city in an artillery company in Missouri last summer.  After he left here, he was elected First Lieutenant of the company.  We learn, from private sources, that the Doctor’s military career came to a sudden termination while his battalion was at Rolla some weeks ago.  It appears that he and Captain Frelinghansen [sic], the commander of the company, were accused of taking the soldiers’ rations, and making use of them for their own benefit.  The result was that the company mobbed both him and the captain, thus forcibly expressing their opinion of such conduct.  They were compelled to resign their positions, and others were chosen to take their place.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 1. 

Transcriber’s Note:  The above named officers are 1st Lieutenant Christian Raub and Captain Reinh Pfennighausen of the 1st Flying Battery, Missouri Light Artillery.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Twenty-first Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The official reports of the Adjutant General of Iowa show that Company A, of the Twenty-first Regiment of Infantry, was ordered into quarters at Clinton, Iowa, on the 23d day of May, 1862, and that it was there mustered into the service of the United States on the 4th day of June, 1862, while the other nine companies of the regiment were ordered into quarters at Dubuque, Iowa, on dates ranging from July 28 to August 23, 1862, and were there mustered into service, on dates ranging from the 18th to the 25th of August, 1862. The wide discrepancy in the dates of the muster in of the first company and those which followed is explained in a foot-note to the Original Roster of Company A, stating that the company was originally raised for the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, but was subsequently transferred to the Twenty-first [see note 1]. The mustering officers were Captains George S. Pierce and H. B. Hendershott of the Regular Army, and the term of service was for three years from the date of muster. The official reports also show that, when the muster in of the ten companies was completed, their aggregate strength was 964 enlisted men and company officers, and, with twelve Field and Staff officers and four additional enlistments, the total number was 980 [see note 2]. The subjoined roster shows the name and record of service of every enlisted man and commissioned officer who was at any time a member of the regiment. The roster has been carefully compiled from the official records in the office of the Adjutant General of the State and, where these records do not show the completed service of any officer or soldier, a list of such names has been sent to the War Department, in Washington, in the hope that information might be obtained which would enable those engaged in making up these revised rosters to make them complete. In some instances the records were found to be incomplete, as shown from the lists returned from the War Department and must, therefore, remain so, but in most cases the necessary information has been obtained to complete them. It is believed, however, that the subjoined roster is as nearly correct as it is possible to make it from the official records. No doubt there are some errors and omissions, but every effort has been made to reduce them to the minimum. This sketch of the history of the regiment has also been compiled from the official reports and returns, as made to the Adjutant General of the State. The compiler was an Iowa soldier, in one of its infantry regiments, and in the preparation of this work has endeavored to cover as many of the leading events in the history of this, and all other Iowa regiments, as the limitation of space to which he is restricted will permit. It would have been an easier task to have written a longer history and to have gone more fully into detail, but the necessity for condensation has had to be kept constantly in mind; and, in this regard, each regiment has been given only the amount of space which the extent of its leading operations and length of service seemed to demand.

The Field and Staff and company officers of the regiment, as well as the men they commanded, were, with but few exceptions, entirely without experience as soldiers, but all utilized the time which was spent at Camp Franklin (near Dubuque) to the best advantage, in learning their respective duties and imparting such instruction as they could to the men under their command. The regiment was supplied with Enfield rifles, (one of the best guns in use at that time,) and was otherwise very well equipped for active service before leaving the State. In these respects it was more fortunate than some of the regiments which had preceded it. Both men and officers were apt in acquiring the rudiments of a military education. They were given ample opportunity to learn, in the practical school of experience in the field, more rapidly than if they had been detained longer in their first camp, for the reason that they were soon brought into contact with other troops, and the spirit of emulation, which naturally prevailed, caused both officers and men to embrace every opportunity to improve their knowledge of their duties as soldiers. The company and regimental drills and the enforcement of discipline were alike somewhat distasteful and unpleasant to many soldiers, in the first few months of their experience, who subsequently came to appreciate the value and necessity of both.

On the 16th of September, 1862, the regiment embarked on transports and proceeded down the river to St. Louis, but, being detained at Davenport and Montrose, did not reach its destination until the 20th. The short march from the landing at St. Louis to Benton Barracks was a severe trial to the endurance of the men. The weather was intensely hot and the march was made too rapidly. The men were heavily laden with knapsacks, blankets, arms and accouterments, and upon that four-mile march endured greater suffering than upon a long day's march thereafter, when they had learned to live without the things contained in those knapsacks, which then seemed to be necessities, and to disencumber themselves of pretty much everything except the rifle and its ammunition, and a single army blanket. They were having the common experience of soldiers at the commencement of their service, an experience which, alas, proved fatal to many.

On the evening of September 21st, the regiment marched to St. Louis and, going on board a train of cars, (such as were used to transport freight and stock,) proceeded to Rolla, Mo., where it arrived the next day and went into camp. Here the scourge of disease which attacked so many of the men of the new regiments, and which in so many instances either proved fatal or unfitted men for further service in the field, prevailed to such an extent that over 200 men of the regiment were on the sick list. On the 18th of October the regiment moved to Salem, Mo., twenty-five miles from Rolla, where it was assigned to a brigade of which the other regiments were the Ninety-ninth Illinois and Thirty-third Missouri Infantry, with detachments of the Third Missouri and Third Iowa Cavalry, and a section of the First Missouri Artillery, all under the command of Brigadier .General Fitz Henry Warren, formerly Colonel of the First Iowa Cavalry. Colonel Merrill was assigned to the command of the post. Here the regiment remained until the 3d of November, when those of its members who were able for duty again took up the line of march. About 200, including Colonel Merrill, were sick, and were left in hospital at Salem. After marching thirty-two miles the regiment went into camp at Houston, where it remained but a few days, when it marched about forty miles to Hartville, where it arrived on the 15th of November.

On the night of November 24th, the wagon train of the brigade, while moving from Houston towards Hartville, guarded by a small number of troops, was attacked by a considerable force of the enemy, who killed and wounded a number of the guards and captured the remainder, and then destroyed the wagons and such of the stores as they could not carry away. This affair occurred only sixteen miles from Hartville, and the Twenty-first Iowa promptly moved to the place where it occurred, but the enemy, being mounted, had disappeared. The regiment then returned to its camp, having made a night march of thirty-two miles in nine hours. Early in December the regiment returned to Houston, where it remained in camp until the 8th of January, 1863. During this time it became more efficient in drill, more appreciative of the necessity for discipline, and in every way better fitted for the work which lay before it — an active and aggressive winter campaign, in which the fortitude, bravery and endurance of men and officers were to be put to the severest possible test.

On the 9th of January, 1863, General Warren received orders to send reinforcements to the garrison at Springfield, eighty miles from Houston. About 700 men, consisting of detachments from the Twenty-first Iowa and Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry, (about two hundred and fifty from each regiment,) and two hundred cavalry, with one section of artillery, all under command of Colonel Merrill of the Twenty-first Iowa, were detailed for the expedition. Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap was in command of the detachment of the Twenty-first, and, as the battles which ensued were the first in which any portion of the regiment had participated, the compiler feels impelled to quote his entire official report. While these were the first of the many hard fought battles in which it was engaged, and in several of which it suffered greater loss, nevertheless, when the greatly superior number of the enemy against whom it fought and the fact that its men and officers had never been under fire are taken into consideration, it may truthfully be said that the soldiers of the Twenty-first Iowa demonstrated in these battles that they were the equals of any of the splendid regiments of Iowa that had preceded them to the field. Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap's report is therefore given in full as follows [see note 3]:


Houston, Mo., Jan. 17, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report to you the part taken by a detachment of the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry Volunteers, under my command, in the battles of Wood's Fork and Hartsville, on the 11th inst. Perhaps these two engagements should occupy two reports, but, as they occurred so near together, I have thought proper, with your permission, to combine both battles in one report. In obedience to your order, I left Houston, with other forces under Colonel Merrill, on Friday the 9th inst., at about noon, to march to Springfield, with the object of reinforcing that place. The first night we encamped for a short time at Beaver Creek. At 12 o'clock at night we moved on, and when within a few miles of Hartsville, we were drawn up in line of battle, as information had been received that the rebel Colonel Porter had occupied the place the evening before, and might be there yet. We remained in line of battle until daylight, when it was ascertained that Porter had evacuated the town the night previous. We then moved on to Hartsville, when we halted until the afternoon, getting a little sleep for the men, and a bite to eat.

At 3 o'clock P. M., we moved on towards Springfield, Colonel Porter being in advance of us, and reached Wood's Fork at dark, when we camped for the night in line of battle. At 3 o'clock next morning, in accordance with orders from headquarters, I was ready to march. A few moments afterwards firing was heard from the pickets, and word came in that a heavy force was in front of us. I immediately got my command in line of battle, and ordered the companies to send their blankets and overcoats to the wagons. I then sent out Companies A and B, under Captains Johnson and Cook, respectively, as skirmishers. In this position we remained until nearly daylight, when I was ordered to move my command half a mile in advance. I went down on the double quick, and formed on the left of the road. The fight here lasted until 9 o'clock, when the enemy withdrew.

Soon afterwards, with the remainder of the force, I commenced a movement towards Hartsville, guarding the train as we advanced. When within two miles of the town, I was ordered to form my men and bring them forward on the double quick. I did so, and arrived on the edge of the town simultaneously with the Ninety-ninth Illinois and the artillery, on the brow of the hill on the left of the Springfield road where the artillery was stationed, my left reaching nearly to the Lebanon road. It was now nearly 11 o'clock (Sunday morning) when we got into line. My position was a very favorable one, being on the edge of the hill descending into the town, and sheltered by underbrush and small trees. The enemy's artillery opened on us immediately. I caused all my men to lie down during the engagement, except a few skirmishers, and to do their firing in this position, except when firing volleys or repelling the charges of the enemy. In a few moments they charged on us in large force, and we repelled them with great loss on their part. Several times, with short intervals, they repeated the charge with reinforcements of fresh troops, and every time they were driven back in disorder. Failing in these charges, they formed a line on the opposite side of the town, so near to us that we could distinctly hear the commands of their officers, and opened on us a brisk fire of musketry, their artillery at the same time pouring into us a heavy fire; we returning the fire with the most terrible effect. In a short time, a large body of mounted men poured into the town and made a charge, with terrible yells, upon our artillery at my right. When they approached within a few rods, simultaneously with the Ninety-ninth Illinois we poured into their ranks a full volley, causing them to reel and fall back in confusion and disorder. We continued our fire with so much heat as to empty many saddles, and create such a panic in their ranks that they could not be rallied until they got over the opposite hill, nearly half a mile distant. Their sharpshooters filled the Court House, and the dwelling houses in the town, who became very annoying to my command. I sent a request to Colonel Merrill, to have the artillery turned upon the town, but, not being able to find him, I ordered Lieutenant Waldschmidt, commanding the artillery, to shell the town and drive the rebels from their hiding places. He immediately commenced firing on them with briskness, and after a few rounds he retired from his position, as I supposed to cool his guns or repair some slight accidents, but he did not return, and, as I afterwards learned, he received orders to retreat by the Lebanon road. The firing now ceased on my right and left and, as I supposed some strategic movement was going on, I ordered my command to increase the vigor of their fire, in order to attract the attention of the enemy, while the remainder of our force changed their position. We kept up a brisk fire for about half an hour, when, hearing nothing from the balance of our line, I sent out skirmishers to the right and left to ascertain their whereabouts, and found they had retired from the field, probably toward Lebanon.

I had received no orders and, being only 220 strong, in front of 4,000, I was somewhat embarrassed as to the best course to pursue. To retreat then would be to disclose our weakness to the enemy and expose us to destruction; to stay seemed like embracing death. I determined, however, to hold my position until dark, or lose every man in the attempt, and in this I was sustained by the whole command. I then extended my line as much as possible, by scattering my men to the right and left, with instructions to maintain a vigorous fire, in order to prevent the enemy from ascertaining that our force had gone, at the same time pouring into them a hot fire from the main body. After this the enemy made three charges on our front, in one instance coming up in four ranks, but each time was driven back in a valorous manner by the Twenty-first Iowa. They now withdrew to the other side of the town, and the second time they formed a line, not with as strong a force as before, however. My attention was now called to the hill beyond their line, and, to my surprise as well as infinite delight, I discovered the rebels rapidly falling back on the road leading north. First their train went over the hill, followed by long lines of cavalry. Their retreat continued until sundown, by which time their whole force had gone, except a light rear guard. I kept a brisk firing on the town, and a few moments before dark the rebels had vacated the place and left us in triumphant possession of the hard fought battlefield.

Not deeming it safe or prudent to remain with so small a command in the vicinity of so large a force of the enemy, even while they were retreating, I concluded to withdraw. When we gathered up what loose things we could, about an hour after dark, I left the town and the scene of our victory, taking the road to Lebanon, presuming that to be the way our forces had gone. There was not a mounted man left with us on the field, nor a live horse to be found in the vicinity. My horse having been shot in the early part of the engagement, it was impossible to send a messenger to ascertain the whereabouts of the army. Believing, however, that our troops must have retreated in this direction, I moved on, hoping to soon join the main force. As the night was cold, and our blankets and overcoats had been left in the wagons, we could only make short rests until we reached the train. We continued to march on until 3 o'clock the next morning, when we came up with our train and force, camped at Osap Fork, 25 miles distant from Hartsville. Finding that the Colonel commanding had gone on to Lebanon the night before, I gave the troops a couple of hours' rest and some refreshments and, taking command of the force, put it in motion for Lebanon, which place we reached in the early part of the next day. In conclusion allow me to sum up as follows:

Between Friday afternoon and Monday morning, the Twenty-first Iowa Regiment marched 100 miles, fought two battles, one of three and the other of eight hours duration, during the latter of which there was scarcely one moment's lull in the galling fire of artillery and musketry. And for three hours, and until the enemy fled from before us, 250 of them held their position against the combined force of the rebels, 4,000 strong. Owing to the sheltered position that we occupied, and the fact of the enemy firing over us, as the men were principally kept on their faces, the number of casualties was comparatively small. I make special mention here of no one as having distinguished himself more than another. Every man was brave, cool and active, and every one was a hero. Too much praise cannot be accorded to the men for their conduct during the whole of this long and severe engagement. Annexed to this report, find a full and complete list of the killed, wounded and missing of my command.

I am, General,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. W. DUNLAP,
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Detachment Twenty-first Iowa
Infantry Volunteers.

TO BRIGADIER GENERAL FITZ HENRY WARREN,
Commanding Forces at Houston, Mo.


According to General Marmaduke's official report, the rebel force in these battles numbered 3,000 men, while the entire force under Colonel Merrill's command was less than 1,000. Considering the fact that this was the first experience of the Twenty-first Iowa under fire, and the great disparity in numbers, it may safely be said that nowhere during the war was greater heroism displayed or more gallant fighting done than by the men and officers of the Twenty-first Iowa at the battle of Hartville. In his official report Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap does not mention that he himself was wounded, but such was the fact, he having been wounded in the hand and breast. In his complimentary order, General Warren says [see note 4]: "To Colonel Merrill, in command of the force, I am under high obligations for his prudent firmness and good dispositions of his troops. Nothing could have been finer than their steadiness and discipline. Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap, Twenty-first Iowa, was conspicuous, much exposed, and wounded. He is worthy of high praise."

That portion of the regiment which was left at Houston, together with all the other troops at that place who were able for duty, under command of General Warren marched promptly to the support of Colonel Merrill's command, upon learning that he had met the enemy and after a hard fought battle was retreating towards Houston; but, upon finding that the enemy by a flank movement was likely to fall upon and capture the camp and military stores, countermarched and returned to Houston, having marched through mud and rain sixty-four miles in twenty-four hours. All these movements were alike creditable to the officers who directed and the men who executed them. The loss to the Union troops engaged was 7 killed, 64 wounded, 5 prisoners and two missing, while that of the Twenty-first Iowa was 3 killed, 15 wounded and 2 captured, about one-fourth that of the entire command, which would no doubt have been much heavier but for their strong and sheltered position. The rebel loss was very heavy, more than 300 killed and wounded, including a large number of officers, among whom were three colonels of regiments [see note 5].

Upon its return to Houston the regiment rested in camp until the 27th of January, 1863. In the meantime, General Warren having been assigned to another command, Colonel Merrill succeeded him in command of the brigade, which now marched in the direction of West Plains, where it arrived on the 30th of January. A force of about 10,000 troops had been concentrated at that place, under the command of Brigadier General Davidson. The Twenty-first Iowa was now assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division of the army, with Colonel Stone of the Twenty-second Iowa in command. On the 8th of February the army took up the line of march for Iron Mountain. The weather was cold, the troops insufficiently clad; the shoes of many of the men were worn out, and they suffered as greatly as did the troops of Washington at Valley Forge, in the days of the Revolution. The roads were in a horrible condition, and on many days the distance covered was not more than five or six miles. Rations were scarce, and the pangs of hunger were added to the other hardships endured upon this long march, which ended at Iron Mountain on the 25th of February, where the troops went into camp and rested until the 9th of March, upon which date the march was resumed, the troops arriving at St. Genevieve, on the Mississippi River, on the 11th of March. Upon its arrival at that place, those of the enlisted men who had broken down under their sufferings and were unfit for active service were sent home on furlough, and, for the same reason, several of the officers received leave of absence. It may well be said of those who had endured such great suffering and privation, and who, after a brief season of rest, were ready to enter upon another arduous campaign, that they had become thoroughly seasoned soldiers, endowed with that high degree of physical strength, endurance and courage that enabled them to so quickly recover from the almost incredible sufferings to which they had been subjected, — sufferings from which some of their less robust comrades were a long time disabled, while many of them were permanently unfitted for further service. Some of them died while on the way to their homes, and others after they had reached their homes; some recovered and rejoined the regiment, while others, who survived, never fully regained their former health and strength.

On the 26th of March, 1863, a detachment of the regiment, commanded by Major Van Anda, embarked on transports at St. Genevieve, and proceeded down the river to Milliken's Bend, La. A few days later two other detachments, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap and Captain Crooke, on different transports, followed, and, on the 6th of April, all the men and officers of the regiment who were able for duty were again in camp together. The Twenty-first Iowa was now assigned to a brigade consisting of the Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Twenty-third Iowa and the Eleventh Wisconsin regiments of infantry, with Colonel Harris of the Eleventh Wisconsin commanding. This was the Second Brigade of the Fourteenth Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. Brigadier General Carr commanded the Division and Major General McClernand, the Corps.

The great Vicksburg campaign was now fully under way, and in the subsequent operations which culminated in the surrender of that rebel stronghold, the Twenty-first Iowa rendered most conspicuous and gallant service. The full details of its movements and service in the campaign can not be given in this brief sketch, but the compiler will endeavor to condense from the official reports the description of the part taken by the regiment in the most important of its operations and engagements.

On the 29th of April the regiment moved from its encampment to Hard Times Landing and, on the 30th, embarked on transports and moved down the river to Bruinsburg, Miss., where it landed and moved out on the road to Port Gibson. The road had been obstructed by the enemy and the troops made slow progress. At 7 P. M. skirmishers were thrown out and at 1 A. M. the enemy's pickets were encountered and driven in and, soon after, their skirmishers were driven back upon their main line. There was some artillery firing from both sides and exchanges of shots by sharpshooters, after which the soldiers rested in line of battle until daylight, soon after which the battle began. The part taken by the Twenty-first Iowa is thus described by Colonel Merrill [see note 6]:


COLONEL: I have the honor to report that, in the late battle of Port Gibson, of April 30th and May 1st, we lost in wounded sixteen men, including five non-commissioned officers. The officers and men, with two or three exceptions, behaved with singular courage and bravery. It is known to, you that we had the honor of being the leading column of this great army, and of drawing the first fire at Port Gibson. At the Widow Daniel's plantation, some nine miles from Port Gibson, we were ordered by General Carr to take the advance. I ordered Company A, commanded by Captain A. R. Jones, and Company B, commanded by Captain William D. Crooke, as advance skirmishers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap, supported by Companies D and F, commanded by Major Van Anda; next was a 12 pounder field piece, from that excellent battery, the First Iowa; all supported by the balance of my command. I am happy to report that in the skirmishing of these companies singular fortitude and bravery were exhibited during that long and tedious night's march, and especially are Company B and Captain Crooke deserving of mention, as having received the first fire of the pickets and returning it with great coolness. Our advance was fired upon by the rebel picket about one mile from the town of Port Gibson. Our column was rapidly advanced, and soon received the raking fire of the enemy's batteries, which were seven in number. As soon as the battery of the First Iowa could be brought to bear, Company E, commanded by Captain Swivel, was ordered to its support. They have received the commendation of all for their faithfulness. Sergeant B. Krist, of this company, captured a rebel orderly while carrying dispatches.

General Carr next ordered, a company to stand as picket guard; Company G, commanded by Captain Benton, performed this duty till morning. Next came an order for two skirmishing companies to deploy in front of the enemy, and in fact between the enemy and our own artillery firing. I called for volunteers from my four remaining companies. Captain J. M. Harrison, of Company C, being the only commissioned officer of his company, although advanced in years and in feeble health, at once volunteered to take the advance; and, with his company and Company K, commanded by Captain Voorhees, performed this dangerous duty faithfully. During the severe and continued firing of May 1st, so generally and heartily were my orders obeyed by officers and men, that I am at a loss to give particulars. Captains Boardman and Watson have my warmest thanks. They are cool and brave officers. I can say the same of all the other officers whose names have been mentioned. Many Incidents of courage and bravery could be spoken of, but it would render this report entirely too long. It is but just to say that the Twenty-first remained for two hours in the rear of the Eighty-first Ohio, to support that regiment in making a charge on the enemy's batteries; but for some reason, it was, I regret to say, abandoned. My regiment remained on the field after all had retired, and it was nearly eight o'clock before we camped for the night, thus showing that we were first in battle, and last to leave the field. I am under many obligations to my field officers and staff for their faithfulness and aid. Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap received a wound in the foot. My own horse was shot in several places, and a portion of my saddle shot off.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

SAMUEL MERRILL,
Colonel Twenty-first Regiment Iowa Infantry.

To Colonel Stone, Twenty-second Iowa, Commanding Brigade.


In his official report of the conduct of his brigade, at the battle of Port Gibson, Col. W. M. Stone makes special mention of Colonel Merrill and the officers and men of his regiment, for the brave and efficient manner in which they obeyed his orders. The loss of the brigade was 15 killed and 79 wounded. General E. A. Carr, the division commander, in his report speaks in the highest terms of the conduct of Colonel Stone and the officers and men of his brigade. He gives the total loss of the division in the battle of Port Gibson as 263, killed and wounded [see note 7].

Early on the morning of May 2d, the regiment, in company with the other troops of its brigade and division, took up the line of march in pursuit of the enemy. At Bayou Pierre a halt was made until the bridge which had been destroyed by the enemy could be rebuilt. On the 4th the march was resumed and the enemy followed from point to point to within seven miles of Jackson, when the counter march towards Vicksburg began. More or less skirmish fighting had occurred, in which the regiment did not become engaged, as it was not in the advance.

On the 16th of May the battle of Champion's Hill was fought. In this battle the division to which the Twenty-first Iowa belonged was held in reserve until near the close of the engagement, when it engaged in a movement to flank the rebels on the right; but, before the position to which it had been directed was gained, the enemy had retreated, and beyond the capturing of a considerable number of prisoners by the skirmishers of the Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Twenty-third Iowa regiments, the division could not claim to have had active participation in that hard fought battle. It had, however, stood ready and eagerly waiting the order to advance, while listening to the roar of battle, and when it did at last receive the order, and promptly obeyed it, the enemy had been vanquished and was in full retreat. Every true soldier will bear witness to the truth of the statement that it is more trying to be held in reserve while a great battle is in progress, every moment expecting to be called into action, than to be in the thick of the engagement. In the one case he knows that his comrades are bravely fighting, while he is standing idle; in the other, he has the stimulus of active participation, knowing that, whether he falls or is spared, he will share in the honor of having bravely followed the flag. In both cases he has fully discharged his duty, but he can not help a feeling of regret that the command to which he belonged did not have its share in the glory of active participation in the battle, instead of having been held in reserve. But there was plenty of fighting in the Vicksburg campaign to satisfy the lust of battle in the heart of the bravest and most valiant soldier.

On the 17th of May, the Twenty-first Iowa led the advance in pursuit of the retreating enemy. The retreat ended at Black River, where the enemy had taken a strong position and were prepared to make a desperate resistance to the passage of that river. The part taken by the Twenty-first Iowa in the battle which ensued is described in the official report of that gallant officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap, who, a few days later, gave up his life while bravely leading his men in that terrible charge upon the enemy's works at Vicksburg. His report is here given in full [see note 8]:


IN CAMP NEAR BLACK RIVER, MISS., May 18, 1863.

CAPTAIN WILSON, A. A. General:

I have the honor to report the position of the Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the memorable battle of Black River Bridge, May 17, 1863. The Twenty-first was formed in line of battle on the right, and immediately in front of the enemy's fortifications, with the gallant Twenty-third Iowa Regiment on our right. Important maneuvering and skirmishing took place from this position until late in the afternoon, when orders were received to charge, and carry the enemy's intrenchments at the point of the bayonet. The order was obeyed. The right moved out of the woods in good order, and charged on the run, across the open plain in front of the enemy's works, a distance of about eight hundred yards, driving the enemy in utter confusion from their breastworks and rifle pits, and entering in triumph the strong-hold of the rebels. The enemy was strongly posted on our right, as well as in front. The bullets came in showers from the flanks, and, combined with those coming from the horde of rebels in rifle pits in front, made an awful hailstorm, through which it seemed a miracle that a single man passed uninjured. Colonel Merrill, commanding the regiment in the first part of the charge with devotion and bravery, fell severely wounded, while gallantly leading his regiment against the enemy. The Twenty-first captured a great many prisoners. This brilliant charge proved very destructive to the regiment, and our loss was very heavy. An official list is herewith transmitted. Officers and men, with but one or two exceptions, behaved coolly and bravely, and their conduct reflects great credit upon themselves and their State, and creates a feeling of pride and gratitude oh the part of their friends. I cannot, of course, make mention of all those who distinguished themselves on that battlefield, as that would be to copy the roll of all present. Major S. G. Van Anda received the highest credit for the coolness and bravery with which he conducted the charge, the left being in front, through the storm of leaden hail. Much of the success of the charge is owing to his gallant conduct and daring example. Captain Harrison was one of the first officers on the enemy's works. Captains Swivel, Voorhees, Watson, Boardman and Crooke behaved with great coolness. Lieutenants Roberts, Childs and Dolson received the praise of all who saw their bravery. Lieutenant Howard of Company B, acting Adjutant, received a mortal wound while gallantly performing his part in this gallant charge. We lost many of our bravest men; but it was a great undertaking, and the object accomplished was the most important of the war. To Captain Wilson and Lieutenant Jackson, of the Staff, too much praise cannot be given. Their conduct was brave and noble, and they are held in the highest respect by every officer and soldier of the command, for the faithful manner in which they performed their dirties.

I am, Captain, Your most obedient servant,
C. W. DUNLAP, Lieutenant Colonel Twenty-first Iowa.


The loss of the Twenty-first Iowa at Black River was 6 killed and 63 wounded. The troops remained on the field until May 19th, engaged in the burial of the dead and collecting the arms and other material of war captured from the enemy, and taking a very, brief rest after these duties were performed. The regiment then marched to the position to which it was assigned as part of the investing force in the siege of Vicksburg. It had only become fairly adjusted to its position in the trenches when the order came for that desperate and disastrous charge, on the 22d of May, 1863, in which the valor and heroism displayed was not surpassed upon any battlefield of the war. The gallant Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap was suffering from the wound he had received at Port Gibson and might, with the utmost propriety, have refrained from participating with his regiment in that terrible and — as the event proved to him and so many of his brave comrades — fatal assault. His impetuous nature would not allow him to remain in camp while the brave men and officers of his regiment were responding to the order to assail the impregnable stronghold of the enemy, and he followed, where his physical infirmity would not permit him to lead, and, after struggling up the height to the position which the regiment had gained but could not hope to hold, he yielded up his life beneath the flag he loved and honored. Major Van Anda, who had been actively in command of the regiment from the time it formed in line for the attack, displayed the highest qualities of a leader. His official report describes the conduct of his regiment, and is here given in full [see note 9]:


BATTLEFIELD NEAR VICKSBURG, MISS., May 25, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the action taken by the Twenty-first Regiment Iowa Volunteers, in the battle on the 22d of May, 1863, in the rear of Vicksburg. The Twenty-first Regiment received orders to be ready to charge on the enemy's works, at 10 o'clock A. M. At the hour, precisely, I formed the regiment in the rear of the gallant Twenty-second Iowa, within twenty rods of the enemy's rifle pits. In this position, we were partially covered from the enemy's fire by the hill immediately in front of their works. I then gave orders to fix bayonets, and charge by the left flank over the hill and into the enemy's rifle pits. During this charge the fire of the enemy from both flanks, as well as the front, was terrific. Many of our officers and men fell on every side; but, with a determination that knew no fear, the enemy's works were gained, and they were routed from their stronghold. This position we held till after dark, pouring continually a destructive fire into their ranks. Being unable to hold our position longer, we withdrew under cover of darkness, carrying with us many of our killed and wounded. The loss of our regiment in this terrible struggle was severe. Many of our officers were either killed or wounded. An official report is herewith furnished you. Lieutenant Colonel C. W. Dunlap was shot through the head and instantly killed. He was wounded at the battle of Port Gibson, and was unable to keep up with the regiment, but came up after the charge. In the death of this brave soldier and gallant officer, the regiment has sustained an irreparable loss. Our total loss is 12 killed, 80 wounded, and 13 missing, supposed to be killed or taken prisoners. Of the officers and men of my command, in this terrible charge, I can only say that every man did his duty. Captain J. M. Harrison, of Company C, was seriously wounded while at the head of his company, cheering on his men. Lieutenant W. A. Roberts, Acting Adjutant, was dangerously wounded while driving the enemy from their works. Lieutenant S. Bates, Company I, was left on the field, and has since been taken prisoner. Captain D. Greaves was seriously wounded while leading his company over the brow of the hill, in the face of the enemy's fire. Lieutenant G. H. Childs, Jr., was wounded in the breast, at the head of the regiment, his company being on the right. Many other officers were wounded. How any man ever returned alive from that terrible fire, I cannot imagine. Company A, Captain Jones, and Company B, Captain Crooke, were sent out as sharpshooters, and did effective service.

Hoping the conduct of the Twenty-first Regiment Iowa Volunteers, in this battle, will meet the approbation of the General commanding the brigade, I remain, Captain,

Your most obedient servant,

S. G. VAN ANDA,
Major Commanding Twenty-first Regiment.

To Captain Wilson, A. A. General, Second Brigade, Fourteenth Division.


The loss of the regiment, as stated in the report, was about forty per cent of the number engaged. From the 22d of May to the 4th of July, the officers and men of the Twenty-first Iowa who had survived the assault and were able for duty shared in the hardships and dangers incident to the prosecution of the siege, with the exception of a brief interval of about 48 hours, during which they were engaged in a forced march to repel an expected attack of the enemy from the rear, which was not made. Upon that march they suffered intensely from heat and thirst, but upon their return their hearts were cheered by the glad sight of the white flags waving over the ramparts of Vicksburg, in token of the surrender of that rebel stronghold.

On the morning of July 5th, the regiment marched with the troops which composed the army under the command of General Sherman, in pursuit of the rebel army commanded by General Johnston. Its heavy losses in battle and from disease had so sadly decimated its ranks that the Twenty-first Iowa now numbered less than 200 men able for active duty. The casualties among officers had ben heavy. Colonel Merrill and Major Van Anda had both been wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap killed, and the regiment was, for the time being, without field officers. The command, therefore, devolved upon the senior Captain, William D. Crooke, who was soon afterwards promoted to Major, to succeed Major Van Anda, who was at the same time promoted to Lieutenant Colonel [see note 10]. There was but one other Captain — Jacob Swivel of Company E — who was able to accompany the regiment at the time it left Vicksburg, all the others having been disabled by wounds or sickness. On the 10th of July the regiment reached Jackson and was assigned to its place in the line of investment of that city. It took part in the operations of the short siege which ensued, during which it had one man killed, six wounded and four taken prisoners. On July 17th, Jackson was evacuated by the enemy, and the next day the regiment started on the return march to Vicksburg, where it arrived — after an exhausting and toilsome march — on July 24th. There it remained until August 13th. In the meantime there was much sickness which, in many cases, proved fatal [see note 11].

The subsequent operations of the regiment extended over such a wide extent of territory that, to describe its movements in detail, would occupy more space than is covered by the preceding pages. The most conspicuous and important events during the remaining period of its service can, therefore, only be described. On August 13th, 1863, the regiment left Vicksburg, and, embarking on transports, was conveyed to New Orleans, where it arrived on the 16th and went into camp at Carrollton. The change of location proved very beneficial to the health of the men and officers. Early in September the regiment was conveyed by rail to Brashear City, about eighty miles from New Orleans. There it remained in camp until the close of the month, and then proceeded to Berwick City across the bay; halting there for a few days, it proceeded to Bayou Teche, and thence to Bayou Vermillion. At the latter place it remained until early in November, performing guard and picket duty. The health of the regiment continued to improve. On November 7th it moved eastward, halting at New Iberia, Berwick City and Brashear, and arriving at Algiers, opposite New Orleans, on the 21st. The next day it embarked on the steamer "Corinthian" and, after a voyage of four days, disembarked on St. Joseph Island, Texas. During these movements the regiment was under the command of Major Crooke. During its service of nearly seven months in Texas the regiment was stationed at different places. In the winter of 1864 it was part of the time at Matagorda Island, Saluria Point, De Crow's Point, Port Cavallo, Old Town, Fort Esperanza and Indianola. While at the latter place, on February 13th, a detachment of the regiment, while on a scout, was attacked by a force of rebel cavalry and, in the engagement which ensued, 13 men of the detachment were captured by the enemy and taken to the rebel prison at Tyler, Texas, where they were confined until the following June, when they were exchanged and returned to the regiment. On the 12th of February, while the regiment was encamped at Old Town, (Old Indianola,) Colonel Merrill returned and resumed command, although he had only partially recovered from his wounds and, in justice to himself, might have consistently refrained from gojng upon duty in his enfeebled condition of health.

From the 13th of March to the time of its departure for New Orleans in June, the regiment was encamped at Fort Esperanza on the desolate Matagorda . Island, where it was engaged in strengthening the fortifications and doing garrison duty. On the 10th of June the right wing of the regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Van Anda, embarked for New Orleans, where it arrived on the 14th and went into camp. The left wing, under command of Major Crooke, withdrew from Fort Esperanza on the 14th of June, (after destroying the fort, in obedience to orders,) and, embarking, proceeded to New Orleans, where the regiment was reunited on June 18th. It then marched to Carrollton and thence to different points, performing provost guard duty and protecting the railway until the 9th of July, when it returned, by rail to Algiers and went into camp. At that place the old Enfield rifles, with which the regiment had been supplied upon entering the service, were exchanged for new Springfield rifles, which were then considered the best infantry arms in use. Several of the regiments — with which the Twenty-first Iowa had long been associated — had been ordered to join General Grant's army in Virginia, and had already gone there, and the regiment was in daily expectation of receiving an order to follow them. In this, however, it was doomed to disappointment.

On the 26th of July the regiment, under orders, embarked and proceeded to Morganza Bend, where it landed the next day and was assigned to the Second Brigade of the Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps. There it remained, encamped in an unhealthy location, for more than a month, during which time many were taken sick and, from the effects of which sickness, a number of the men died. On the 3d of September, the regiment again embarked and moved up the river to Natchez, thence to Vicksburg, and, on September 8th, disembarked at the mouth of White River, Ark. A few days later it again embarked and moved up the White River to St. Charles, where it landed on September 11th and occupied the fortifications which had been abandoned by the rebels. There it performed garrison duty until October 21st, when it proceeded to Devall’s Bluff, remaining but a few days and moving thence to the mouth of White River, where it remained until the 13th of November, when it again embarked and moved up the river to Devall’s Bluff. There it built log cabins for winter quarters, but did not occupy them but a few weeks. On the 22d of November it was ordered to Memphis, and, again embarking on transports, was conveyed to that city, where it arrived on the 28th of November and went into camp. On the 21st of December the regiment marched from Memphis, as part of an expedition into the interior of Tennessee, accompanying a force of cavalry under command of General Grierson, who continued the march to Nashville with his cavalry command, after leaving the infantry at Moscow. No enemy was encountered on the expedition, and the regiment returned to Memphis, arriving there on the last day of the year 1864.

On the 1st day of January, 1865, the regiment embarked on steamer, at Memphis, and proceeded down the river to New Orleans and went into camp at Kenner, a few miles above the city, where it remained until February 5th, on which date it embarked on an ocean steamer and proceeded to Dauphin Island, at the entrance of Mobile Bay. On the 17th of March the regiment moved from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan, by steamer, and, landing there, joined the army, under command of General Canby, on the march towards Mobile. After a toilsome march, a junction was formed at Fish River with the Sixteenth Army Corps, commanded by General A. J. Smith [see note 12]. The combined forces then moved forward. The objective points were Fort Blakely, Spanish Fort and the city of Mobile. In the subsequent operations against these defenses of the enemy, the Twenty-first Iowa bore an honorable part, as shown by the official report of Lieutenant Colonel Van Anda, which is here given in full [see note 13]:


HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS NEAR
BLAKELY, ALA., April 11, 1865.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the position of my regiment during the siege and capture of Spanish Fort and Blakely, Ala. On the 26th of March, under orders from Brigadier General Slack, my regiment was ordered to the advance of our division, and four companies thrown forward as skirmishers, the remaining companies in reserve. We moved rapidly forward for about three miles to the creeks, over very broken and difficult ground, when, observing indications of the presence of the enemy, our line was halted to allow the column to close up. About 10 o'clock, I withdrew the four companies of skirmishers, and sent out two others in their place, formed my regiment in line of battle, and again moved forward. My skirmish line almost immediately fell in with the enemy's advance, and was engaged until dark. Two of my men were slightly wounded. About 8 P. M. I was again ordered forward, and advanced in line of battle, preceded by two companies as skirmishers, under command of Major Boardman. About 9 o'clock we drew the fire of the enemy in our front, which was vigorously returned by my skirmishers. In this advance I lost one man killed. Under orders from Major General Granger, I remained in position on the field, and was relieved at midnight by the Forty-seventh Indiana.

On the 27th we moved to our position on the left of the First Brigade in the siege operations against Spanish Fort, having closed upon the enemy, and our skirmishers under command of Captain Voorhees having driven him into his fortifications. On the night of the 28th the enemy made an assault on our lines; Captain J. L. Noble was near the line with a working party, when, with great bravery and presence of mind, he rallied his men and supported the skirmish line, driving back the enemy in great disorder. We remained in position, taking an active part in the siege operations until the 30th, when we were withdrawn, with our division, to escort a supply train for Major General Steele. I proceeded to Holyoak Mills and remained in camp there until the 2d of April, when we were ordered forward to Blakely. I moved at 7 o'clock P. M., marched five miles, and bivouacked near the Biminet [see note 14], and at daylight on the morning of the 3d took up position in the rear of Blakely, immediately on the right of General Gerard's forces. During the operations against Blakely, my regiment entered the rifle pits on the night of the 7th, at dark, but met with no casualties, although our skirmishers and working parties were very much exposed during the night, when the enemy advanced upon our lines, and my whole regiment was under a severe fire from his artillery, which for two hours threw shells incessantly along our rifle pits. My regiment was relieved at dark, and almost immediately ordered to the support of Major General .Smith's forces, in the contemplated assault on Spanish Fort I proceeded to the Biminet, and was then ordered back to my position behind Blakely, which I regained at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 9th inst. My regiment, having been on duty nearly forty-eight hours, took no part in the successful assault on Blakely on that day. I am under many obligations to the officers and men of my regiment, for their soldierly conduct during the campaign. Surgeon D. W. Chase, Acting Major E. Boardman, Adjutant George Crooke, Sergeant Major J. Dubois, and commanding officers of companies, have behaved with much coolness and judgment in every engagement. To the commanding general of the brigade and his staff officers, Captain Massie and Lieutenants Curtis and Kinney, I am under many obligations for their uniform kindness and courtesy.

I have the honor to remain, Captain,

Your obedient servant,

S. G. VAN ANDA,
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Regiment.

Captain M. D. Massie, A. A. A. G.


General Canby issued an order announcing the general results of the campaign, summarized as follows: "The capture of the enemy's works at Spanish Fort and Blakely; the surrender of Mobile; the capture of more than 5,000 prisoners, 12 flags, nearly 300 pieces of artillery, several thousand stand of small arms, and large stores of ammunition and other material of war."

From the commencement of this last campaign to its close, the Twenty-first Iowa was one of the factors that led up to the important results accomplished. Shortly after the fall of Blakely it marched into the city of Mobile, where it remained but a short time, when it marched to Spring Hill, a few miles west of the city, where it found a beautiful and healthful camping ground, where it remained until May 26th, upon which date it again broke camp and, embarking on transports, proceeded to Lakeport, La. From there it ascended the Mississippi River (to the mouth of Red River and debarked at Grand Ecore on June 5th. On the 21st of June the regiment again embarked on transports and was conveyed to Baton Rouge, La., arriving there on the 23d. Orders were there received from the War Department, transferring the recruits, whose terms of service had not expired, to the Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry. The remainder of the regiment was mustered out of the service of the United States, July 15, 1865, at Baton Rouge, La. The regiment was then conveyed by transport to Clinton, Iowa, where it arrived and was finally disbanded, July 28, 1865.

The Twenty-first Regiment of Iowa Infantry stands in the front rank of the long line of splendid regiments which the State sent into the field to do battle for the preservation of the Union. The valor and devotion of its officers and men were unsurpassed. Since the close of the war its survivors have shown equal devotion to duty as good citizens. Its gallant Colonel was twice chosen as Governor of the State of Iowa [see note 15]. In the generations to come, those who can trace their lineage to the men who belonged to the Twenty-first Iowa may well claim kinship with as heroic a race of men as the world has ever known — the men who helped to save the Government whose principles must, sooner or later, be adopted by the people of all countries who are capable of self-government and appreciation of the blessings which it confers, — that form of government that inspires its citizens with a patriotism like that which animated the soldiers of the Union Army from 1861 to 1865.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.
Total Enrollment 1181
Killed 41
Wounded 165
Died of wounds 32
Died of disease 160
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes 180
Buried in National Cemeteries 89
Captured 41
Transferred 56


[Note 1.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1863, Vol. 1, page 754. Same volume, Original Roster of the Regiment, pages 750 to 781 inclusive.

[Note 2.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1863, Vol. 1, page vii.

[Note 3.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1864, pages 467 to 470 inclusive.

[Note 4.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1864, pages ,537, 8, 9. Official Report of General Warren.

[Note 5.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1864, pages 537, 8, 9. Official Report of General Warren.

[Note 6.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1865, Vol. 2, page 1121.

[Note 7.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1864, pages 541 to 547 inclusive.

[Note 8.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1865, Vol. 2, page 1122.

[Note 9.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1865, Vol. 2, page 1123.

[Note 10.] See subjoined Roster, where all changes and promotions of Commissioned Officers are noted.

[Note 11.] Private History of the Twenty-first Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, by Adjutant George Crooke, page 115.

[Note 12.] The Twenty-first Iowa had been assigned to the First Brigade of the First Division of the reorganized Thirteenth Army Corps, commanded by General Gordon Granger. General Veatch commanded the Division, and General Slack was in command of the First Brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Van Anda was in command of the Twenty-first Iowa.

[Note 13.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1866, pages 287, 8.

[Note 14.] Adjutant Crooke's History gives the name "Bayou Minette." "Biminet" is most likely a typographical error in the Official Report.

[Note 15.] Colonel Samuel Merrill was Governor of Iowa from 1868 to 1872.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 3, p. 441-54

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Twentieth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The ten companies which were assigned to the Twentieth Regiment were ordered into quarters by the Governor on dates ranging from July, 15 to August 15, 1862. The designated rendezvous was Camp Kirkwood, near Clinton, Iowa, and there the companies were mustered into the service of the United States on the 22d, 25th and 27th days of August, 1862, by Captain H. B. Hendershott, of the United States Army. The aggregate strength of the regiment at muster in was 904, rank and file [see note 1]. Like most of the regiments which had preceded it, the Twentieth had but a brief opportunity for instruction before leaving the State. It was armed with Enfield rifles, (at that time considered one of the most effective weapons,) was furnished with the usual equipment for active service, and, on the 5th of September, was conveyed down the river by steamboat to St. Louis, and upon its arrival there went into quarters at Benton Barracks, where it remained but a short time, and proceeded thence to Rolla, Mo., arriving there September 14th, and, two days later, started upon the march for Springfield, Mo., where it arrived September 24th, having covered a distance of 122 miles. In this, their first experience in marching, the men . suffered much hardship, because of the fact that they had not yet become inured to the exposure and fatigue of an active campaign. It was their first lesson in the hard school of the soldier in time of war. Fortunately for the regiment, Colonel Dye had been a Captain in the Regular Army and was a thoroughly trained soldier, and a few others among the officers and men had seen service as volunteers in other Iowa organizations. Having a leader with a military education and with the help of those who had had some actual experience in warfare, the officers and men made rapid progress in learning their duties as soldiers.

Upon its arrival at Springfield, the regiment was assigned to a brigade consisting of the Twentieth Iowa, First Iowa Cavalry, Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and one section of the First Missouri Light Artillery. This was the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Army of the Southwest, commanded by General J. M. Schofield. The division was commanded by General Totten, and the brigade by Colonel Dye, of the Twentieth Iowa, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Leake in command of the regiment. The Twentieth Iowa was now about to enter upon a campaign which was to put to the severest test the bravery, fortitude and discipline of its officers and men. The hardships to which they had thus far been subjected were slight in comparison with those they encountered while marching and counter-marching in pursuit of their elusive enemy. From the 30th of September to the 7th of December, on which latter date the battle of Prairie Grove was fought, the regiment passed through an experience, the details of which are described with great particularity in the history of the regiment written by Colonel Dye, and in the prefix to the official report of Lieutenant Colonel Leake, describing the conduct of his regiment in the battle of Prairie Grove [see note 2]. The following extracts taken from Lieutenant Colonel Leake's report will serve to show some of the great hardships endured by the regiment during this period of its service:

. . . On the 15th day of October, at Cassville, Mo., the army was reorganized and called the "Army of the Frontier," the First Division under command of General Blunt, the Second Division under command of General Totten, and the Third Division under the command of General Herron. . . . The First Iowa Cavalry was taken from Colonel Dye's Brigade and transferred to the Third Division, and in its place a battalion of the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, under command of Major Montgomery, was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division. General Schofield still commanded the whole. Thus organized as an army, on the 28th of October, we had penetrated as far south as Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, having driven the enemy before us. Beyond and south of that place, on the 30th of the same month, General Schofield retired from Fayetteville, and placed the army in position on the line of the road leading from Huntsville to Bentonsville, the First Division on Prairie Creek, six or seven miles west of Bentonsville, the Second division at Osage Springs, and the Third at Cross Hollows, to await the future movements of the enemy. The army remained in this position until the 2d of November, when, in pursuance of orders from Major General Curtis commanding the Department, the Second and Third Divisions commenced their return march to Missouri. The First Division under General Blunt retained its position west of Bentonsville. ... A few days afterwards intelligence was received that the post at Clark Mills, on the road from Springfield to Forsyth, garrisoned by five companies, three of State Militia, and two of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, had been surrendered, and that the enemy were marching in large force on Springfield, to protect which the Second Division was moved on the 10th to Ozark, making the march of thirty-five miles in twelve hours. . . . The Second Division moved on the 17th, the night of the 17th, and the 18th, through a drenching storm westerly thirty-six miles to Camp Lyon. . . . Up to this time the regiment had marched since leaving Rolla the distance of 520 miles. We rested at Camp Lyon from all our fatigues and exposure until the morning of December 4th. During the stay at Camp Lyon, the men were provided with everything needed for comfort except shoes and stockings. Only one hundred pairs of shoes, one hundred and eighty pairs of infantry boots, and one hundred and eight pairs of socks could be obtained. These were distributed through the regiment to those who were most in need of them. No shoes had been provided since the first pair obtained before leaving Iowa, and they were almost entirely worn out by the continuous marching over hundreds of weary miles of stony road, and through numerous creeks and rivers.


On the evening of December 3d, a courier arrived at Camp Lyon with a message from General Blunt, asking for reinforcements, his division being threatened with attack by a greatly superior force of the enemy. General Blunt was a skillful officer and, as his troops consisted mostly of cavalry and mounted infantry, he had been able to elude the enemy and avoid a general engagement, but the rebel forces had cut off his retreat and he was in a very critical position. The Second Division promptly responded to his call for assistance and made a most wonderful record of forced marches, which are thus described by Lieutenant Colonel Leake, in continuation of his report from which the previous extracts were made:

On the morning of the 4th of December, reveille was beaten at one o'clock, and at four o'clock the regiment commenced its march. Between four and five o'clock P. M. it encamped on Flat Creek, having marched 25 miles. The next day we moved at 5 o'clock A. M., passed through Cassville and Keitsville, and encamped one and a half miles beyond the latter place, having marched twenty-one and a half miles. On the morning of the 6th, we left camp at 5 o'clock, passed through Pea Ridge and Sugar Creek, and reached Cross Hollows, Ark., at about 5 o'clock P. M., twenty-six and a half miles. Here we halted for rest and supper. At eleven o'clock P. M. we moved on, marching all night, passed through Fayetteville after daylight, and halted one mile beyond, on the road to Cane Hill, for rest and breakfast. After the lapse of about an hour and a half, having learned of the capture of a portion of the train of the First Arkansas Cavalry, a few miles beyond, I was ordered to detail a company under the command of a reliable officer, to protect our train (in addition to the regular division, and brigade guards, already large,) to which duty I assigned company B, under command of Captain Coulter; so that company B was deprived of the privilege of being in the engagement. We then marched on rapidly, until we arrived at the battlefield between eleven and twelve o'clock on the morning of the 7th, a distance of nine miles. The regiment thus marched the distance of one hundred miles in eighty consecutive hours, the last fifty-three and one-half of which we accomplished in thirty-one hours. Very many of the command marched with shoes so much worn that their feet were upon the ground, and were badly bruised and cut up by the stony road. Many of the boots furnished at Camp Lyon fitted the feet of the men so illy that they became inflamed and blistered by the continuous marching, and a few carried their boots in their hands and marched to the field in their bare feet, whilst many fell out by the way, unable to march farther. Under these circumstances, we went into the engagement with only two hundred and seventy enlisted men, and twenty-three commissioned officers.


From the foregoing description of the energetic manner in which the Twentieth Iowa, with its brigade and division, pressed forward by day and night marches to the relief of General Blunt's command, it will be seen that they were the first troops to engage the enemy. Continuing his report, Lieutenant Colonel Leake describes minutely the positions of the opposing forces at the commencement of the battle. The enemy was posted upon a heavily wooded hill, the approach to which was across a prairie about 1000 yards wide. General Blunt states in his official report that he had been skirmishing with the advance of the enemy, holding them in check until his reinforcements should arrive, but the enemy got between him and the troops coming to his assistance, and the battle had been raging for several hours before his division came up and attacked the enemy in the rear. He, therefore, furnished the reinforcement, instead of receiving it. The compiler again quotes from the report of Lieutenant Colonel Leake, as follows:

. . . These dispositions having been made at one o'clock P. M. the engagement was opened by the firing of a gun from the battery under the command of Lieutenant Marr. At about two o'clock the order was given to advance the battery, and I received orders to advance the regiment forward in support. We advanced in this order across the open field, to within about two hundred yards of the foot of the hill, and in front of the house of H. Roger, when the battery was ordered back, and the regiment left in that position. I presently received orders from Colonel Dye, in pursuance of which the regiment moved to the right into the adjoining field and in front of the orchard on the left of the house of Wm. Rogers, to check a movement of the enemy to outflank us on the right. At this time the Twentieth was on the extreme right of the Second and Third Divisions. This movement was executed under a galling fire which we returned, advancing to within a few paces of the edge of the orchard. At this time a force appeared on our right advancing up the valley. Fearing that we were being outflanked by the enemy, I was ordered to fall back across the field and take position behind a fence in our rear, which was executed in good order under fire. I then threw out companies A and F, under command of Captains Bates and Hubbard, from the right wing as skirmishers. Shortly after, a cavalry force appeared upon our right and rear, whereupon the skirmishers were recalled and a change of front made toward the approaching force, to the rear behind a fence running at right angles to the one from which we moved. Colonel Dye having sent forward and ascertained that the cavalry were from General Blunt's command, the Twentieth at once changed front and resumed its former position behind the fence fronting towards the orchard. We had scarcely taken this position when an aide from General Blunt reported to me that the forces which had come up the valley, and were taking position in the field on our right, was the command of General Blunt. I at once directed him to Colonel Dye, who was about 200 yards to the rear and left of me, who immediately sent word to General Herron of the arrival of reinforcements under General Blunt. This took place at about three and a half o'clock, as nearly as I can fix the time. Before this time the Nineteenth Iowa and Twentieth Wisconsin had charged up the hill on the extreme left, and had been driven back; after which the Twenty-sixth Indiana and Thirty-seventh Illinois had been ordered up in nearly the same place, and with a like result, so that when General Blunt arrived no infantry was engaged on our left. General Blunt at once sent forward a part of the First Indiana regiment as skirmishers. Colonel Dye reported to General Blunt and ordered me to make a charge with the Twentieth up the hill and on the left of, and operating with the forces of General Blunt. I moved the regiment rapidly forward in line of battle across the field, obliquing to the left; crossed the orchard fence, drove the enemy through the orchard, and advanced beyond the upper orchard fence and through the woods a short distance. . . . Fearing that the troops on our left wing had ascended the hill and advanced to our front, I saw directly in front of us a mass of troops moving down upon us. At almost the same instant they fired a volley under which the left wing recoiled nearly to the orchard fence, where they promptly rallied at my command and renewed the firing with great rapidity and, I think, effect. I received orders to retire behind the fence at the foot of the hill, and hold if, which movement was promptly executed by the regiment in good order, climbing the fence under a galling fire, lying down behind it, and continuing the firing between the fence rails. The moment we crossed the fence the orchard was shelled by the batteries of General Blunt's forces on the right in the field, and by that under command of Captain Murphy in position at the point from which we entered the action, from the combined effects of which, and our own firing, the enemy were driven back. . . . As soon as the enemy was driven from the orchard I was ordered to retire in good order from the fence and form in the middle of the field. As we commenced to retire, Major Thompson having been wounded and the left wing, not receiving the order to halt, promptly retired nearly to the fence from which we had advanced, I rode down, and at the command they returned and formed at the place designated. . . . This ended our active participation in the contest. About the time we had retaken our old position, the rest of General Blunt's Division had become heavily engaged with the enemy on our extreme right and remained so engaged until darkness closed the contest. . . The next morning before daylight, I formed the line of battle, and awaited the renewal of the action.


Soon after daylight it was discovered that the enemy had fled during the night, thus acknowledging defeat. The Union troops were so worn and exhausted from forced marches and the hard fighting of the previous day that they were in no condition to pursue the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Leake in closing his report speaks in the highest terms of praise of the conduct of the Twentieth Iowa during the battle. He makes special mention of Major Thompson, who was wounded late in the action and, though suffering great pain, did not leave the field until the regiment retired. He also mentions the gallant conduct of Acting Adjutant, Lieutenant J. C. McClelland and Sergeant Major George A. Gray. Of the gallant Brigade Commander he says, "It will not, I trust, be improper for me to remark of my superior officer, Colonel William McE. Dye, commanding the Second Brigade, that by the entire self possession, the calm bravery, and the military ability he displayed on the field, he won the entire confidence of the regiment. Its affection he had gained before."

The loss of the regiment in the battle of Prairie Grove was 1 officer and 7 enlisted men killed; 5 officers and 34 enlisted men wounded. The Brigade Commander—Colonel Dye—warmly commended Lieutenant Colonel Leake for the excellent manner in which he handled his regiment during the battle, and also made special mention of Adjutant Lake of the Twentieth Iowa, who acted as Assistant Adjutant General upon his staff, and carried his orders to different points on the field under the fire of the enemy. While the subsequent record of the regiment is altogether an honorable one and deserves full description, the limitations prescribed for this historical sketch will not permit of the occupancy of much greater space in describing its future movements than has been devoted to its operations up to and including the battle just described. The compiler believes, however, that the events embraced in this period of the history of the regiment constitute a record not excelled for bravery and fortitude, and that it would have entitled the officers and men of the Twentieth Iowa to the lasting gratitude of the State and Nation had the record ended with Prairie Grove. The day after the battle the dead were buried with military honors. The wounded had received such care and attention as could be given in field hospitals, and they were subsequently removed to Fayetteville, where better facilities for their care were provided. The regiment remained in camp at Prairie Grove, enjoying a much needed rest, until the morning of December 27, 1862, when it again took up the line of march for Van Buren on the Arkansas river. The march was over the Boston Mountains, the cavalry leading the advance and skirmishing with the enemy, but, upon the approach of the Union troops, the enemy retreated across the Arkansas, and the town of Van Buren, a large quantity of supplies and several steamboats were captured. The boats and such portion of the supplies as could not be removed were destroyed, and the troops returned to their camp at Prairie Grove.

On Jan. 2, 1863, the regiment again took up the line of march, with its brigade and division. General Schofield had again assumed command of the Army of the Frontier. In the campaign which ensued, and which extended through the winter and into the spring, there was much hard marching, and the troops were exposed to alternate storms of snow and rain, marching over muddy and sometimes almost impassable roads, but everywhere the movements of the army as a whole, and in detachments, were directed against the rebel forces with the one purpose in view — that of driving the invaders from the State and placing the loyal citizens of Missouri in position to defend themselves from further invasion, and enabling the troops composing the Army of the Frontier to be withdrawn for the purpose of co-operating in the great expedition against Vicksburg. General Schofield's plans were successfully carried out, the rebel troops in his front being mostly withdrawn during the winter for the purpose of reinforcing their army in Mississippi, then preparing to resist the advance of the Union army under General Grant.

Towards the latter part of March, the regiment with its brigade and division was being gradually withdrawn from the Missouri frontier and moved towards the point where these troops had entered upon their first campaign. At length, on the 23d of April, 1863, the division marched into Rolla. The Twentieth Iowa had now been in active service about seven months. It had been engaged in many skirmishes and one hard fought battle. Its losses in killed and wounded, and from disease, had been heavy. April 24th the regiment was transported by rail to St. Louis. The following extracts from Colonel Dye's history of the regiment (heretofore alluded to in this sketch) describe its principal movements for a considerable portion of its subsequent service, beginning with its arrival in St. Louis:

Here we remained guarding the arsenal, and doing other important duties until May 15th. During a part of this time, First Lieutenant C. L. Drake, with company A, and a part of company F, embarked for Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he arrived in time to participate in the successful defense of that place against the assaults of the enemy. Companies D and G, Captains Torrey and Altmann, were also detached to quell mutinies at Benton Barracks. On the 1st of May the regiment arrived by rail at Pilot Knob, and remained there until June 3d. On the 5th, by hot marching arrived at St. Genevieve, and embarked with what remained of the regiment. ... A part of the Infantry and Artillery of the Second and Third Divisions, having now been organized into a division (detached from the Army of the Frontier) of two brigades, the Twentieth Iowa being a part of the First Brigade, proceeded on the 6th to reinforce the investing army at Vicksburg. We arrived at Chickasaw Bluff, on the Yazoo river, on the 11th. Returned and landed at Young's Point, crossed the peninsula to a point below Vicksburg, and took position on the 14th, on the extreme left of the investing forces, the First Brigade on the left, and the Twentieth Iowa, the second regiment from the right, where they remained until July 4th — the day of the surrender — participating in all the exposures and fatigues of that successful siege, being on duty in detachments almost continuously, either in the trenches or rifle pits; the troops not thus on duty standing to arms every day and night. Men were on duty as long as five successive days and nights, without other sleep than was stolen or involuntarily obtained under the guns of the enemy, while another relief was on duty. The regiment was very fortunate in losing during the siege by wounds only six enlisted men, three of whom died from their wounds.

At 9 a. m. on the 4th, part of the division, the Twentieth Iowa leading, marched into the works of Vicksburg, planting the first Union flag which floated over the extreme fort on the right of the enemy's works. As bad as the water used by our men was, the sickness was not so severe before the surrender, as when, by a relaxation of the system from the stimulant of excitement, intermittent and congestive fevers at once prostrated about one-third of the regiment. We remained in the works, collecting the surrendered material, until the 11th, when the division embarked with orders to reinforce the investing force of Port Hudson. When aboard, and about leaving, intelligence arrived of its surrender. The destination of the division was then changed to Yazoo City, where it arrived on the 13th, and by co-operation with the gunboats, (the De Kalb of which was destroyed by torpedoes,) captured the place, with a half dozen pieces of artillery, and a number of prisoners, after an ineffectual resistance of half an hour. On the 16th, we left to open communication with General Sherman, at Canton, Miss. This accomplished, we arrived on the 19th, on our return, at Yazoo City, and re-embarked. . . . By the 22d, we were again in camp within the works of Vicksburg, the regiment having lost by sickness about 280 men. Leaving the serious cases of sickness at Vicksburg, we embarked on the 24th of July, and arrived at Port Hudson on the 26th. During the siege of Vicksburg, the division had been attached to the Thirteenth Army Corps; it now became, and yet is, the Second Division of this corps. The troops remained on the boats until the 31st, when they were put into camp just in rear of Port Hudson. . . . We remained here until the 16th of August. During our stay, although about two-thirds of the men continued on the report for duty, probably three-fourths of the regiment were under medical treatment. On the 17th, arrived at Carrollton, La., losing, during our stay here, many of the men, from the protracted diseases of the summer. The regiment embarked here, without tents or knapsacks, and bivouacked, Sept. 7th, near Morganza, below the mouth of Red river. On the 8th, we marched to the Atchafalaya, driving the enemy to the opposite bank, a part of the division having a skirmish. We were absent but two days on this duty, yet the men suffered greatly from the heat (many being sun struck) and the want of good water. We remained at or near Morganza, almost constantly bivouacked, until October 10th. The knapsacks of the regiment did not arrive until about September 28th. Lieutenant Colonel Leake and two men (the former slightly wounded) were unfortunately captured, at Sterling Farm, Sept. 29th, While on duty, detached from the regiment [see note 3]. While at Morganza the men suffered alternately with heat and cold rains, being without shelter or change of clothing. On the 11th of October, encamped at Carrollton, La., where the regiment remained until October 23d, health much improved. . . . October 24th the division steamed out with sealed orders, and was overhauled by a severe gale, which was weathered by most of the vessels of the fleet November 1st, arrived in sight of Brazos de Santiago, (coast of Texas) and landed on the 4th, after making, with the Twentieth Wisconsin, an unsuccessful effort to land through the surf, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, in which seven out of ten surf boats, loaded with men, were either swamped or upset, losing, miraculously, however, only four men by drowning. A portion of the division, including company G, (provost guard of the division) proceeded to Brownsville, and a detachment of the regiment, under Lieutenant Carver, remained at the mouth of the river, whilst the regiment (with these exceptions) on the 6th crossed the Lagoon del Madre, to Point Isabel, where it remained, suffering from great scarcity of water, and want of cooking utensils and baggage, until the 13th. November 15th, the regiment re-embarked and landed, with a portion of the division, on the south end of Mustang Island, in the evening; At 9 a. m. on the 17th, it arrived at the north end of the island, (about 25 miles distant,) after a very fatiguing march, the men drawing by hand two pieces of artillery, carrying their knapsacks and sixty rounds of ammunition, this after about two weeks' confinement aboard ship. About one hundred of the enemy, with three pieces of heavy artillery, were at this end of the island, guarding the Aransas inlet. The enemy surrendered as soon as our forces appeared.


The regiment remained on Mustang Island about seven months. Out of wrecked lumber, procured on and near the island, they erected barracks. The monotony of garrison duty was varied somewhat by expeditions of detachments from the regiment to the main land. Some prisoners and a couple of schooners were captured, but no organized body of the enemy was encountered on these expeditions. It was the most restful period in the history of the regiment. On June 24, 1864, the regiment embarked at Mustang Island and was conveyed to Brazos Santiago, and from there it marched to Brownsville, Texas, where it remained, doing garrison duty until July 29th, when it started on its return to Brazos Santiago, and from there returned by sea to New Orleans, arriving there and going into its old camp at Carrollton, August 6th. Here it remained but a short time when it was conveyed by steamer to Fort Gaines, Ala., which, however, had surrendered before the arrival of the regiment. It disembarked at Mobile Point, and participated in the siege of Fort Morgan, which surrendered August 23, 1864. During all these movements Colonel Dye was detached from the regiment and in command of a brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Leake was still a prisoner of war, Major Thompson had resigned, and the regiment had alternately been under the command of Captains M. L. Thompson and Edward Coulter.

On September 7th the regiment proceeded by steamer to New Orleans and thence up the river to Morganza, La. During the voyage an accident occurred to the machinery of the vessel, and five men of the Twentieth Iowa were badly scalded by escaping steam; three of them jumped overboard and were drowned. At Morganza Lieutenant Colonel Leake rejoined the regiment, having regained his liberty by an exchange of prisoners. He received a glad welcome from the officers and men, who had become greatly attached to him and had complete confidence in his courage and ability. With full appreciation of this feeling towards him, he again assumed the command of the regiment

On the 12th of October orders were received to embark the command and move up the Mississippi to the mouth of White River, thence to Devall's Bluff, and disembark. There, and at Brownsville, the regiment was encamped until January, 1865. During this period of its service the Twentieth Iowa was part of the time engaged in scouting in the surrounding country, but was most of the time performing garrison duty and erecting fortifications. Many of its men were on the sick list, the prevailing disease being scurvy. A quantity of sanitary stores were sent to the regiment from Iowa, and were used with excellent effect, and when the regiment left Arkansas, on the 8th of January, the health of the men had greatly improved. Its next place of encampment was near Kennerville, La., where it remained until February 16th, on which date it embarked for Pensacola Bay, Florida, and, after a voyage without incident, went into camp at Florida Point, remaining there until the commencement of the Mobile campaign, in which it was an active participant. On the march to Mobile, which was very toilsome, the regiment attracted the attention of the Division Commander to such a marked extent as to cause him to make special mention of its conduct in a general order thanking all the troops under his command. The order is here quoted as follows:


General Orders No. 8.

Headquarters Second Division Thirteenth Army Corps.
In the Field Mar. 28, 1865.

I. The General commanding appreciates the ready and generous efforts of the troops in promoting this difficult march. These labors assure future success, and every patriot will feel grateful to the soldiers who have endured them. The General particularly thanks Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Leake, commanding the Twentieth Iowa Volunteers, for the valuable and rapid service of his regiment this morning, showing, by the amount done, how much can be accomplished by officers giving their personal interest and attention to their duty.

By order of Brigadier General C. C. Andrews,

GEORGE MONROE,
Assistant Adjutant General.


The regiment participated in the siege of Fort Blakely, performing all the duties assigned to it, but fortunately sustained only the single casualty of one man wounded. On April 14th, the regiment was conveyed across the bay to the city of Mobile, where it was engaged in the performance of provost guard duty until July 8, 1865, on which date it was mustered out of the service of the United States. The regiment was then conveyed to Clinton, Iowa, where it was disbanded July 27, 1865.

The record of the Twentieth Iowa is an honorable one. While the regiment was engaged in but one hard fought battle in the open field, it was no fault of its gallant officers and men that it did not participate in more of the great battles of the war. They went where they were ordered to go, and performed every duty required of them. They endured as much suffering upon the march, in bivouac, in camp and siege, as any regiment which the State of Iowa sent into the field. They are therefore entitled to the gratitude of every patriotic citizen of the State and Nation for the service they have rendered to both. Their names and the record of their service, contained in these pages, will be handed down to their posterity; and those who can trace their lineage to the brave and faithful men of the Twentieth Iowa may justly claim as proud a heritage as was ever bestowed upon the descendants of those who fought and suffered and died in a righteous cause.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1026
Killed and drowned 20
Wounded 52
Died of wounds 7
Died of disease 130
Discharged for disease, wounds or other causes 183
Buried in National Cemeteries 66
Captured . 13
Transferred 39


[Note 1.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, Vol. 1, 1863, pages 718 to 750, Original Roster of the Regiment.

[Note 2.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, Vol. 2, 1863, pages 826 to 830. Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, Vol. 2, 1865, pages 1113 to 1120.

[Note 3.] Lieutenant Colonel Leake was in command of the Nineteenth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Indiana at the time he was wounded and captured.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 3, p. 341-8

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Nineteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The State of Iowa had sent into the field eighteen full regiments of infantry at the time President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for 300,000 more volunteers, early in July, 1862. In prompt response to that call, and as the first contribution from Iowa under it, the Nineteenth Regiment was organized. The ten companies selected to compose the regiment were ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood between the dates Aug. 1 and Aug. 19, 1862, and were assembled at the designated rendezvous, Keokuk, Iowa, and there mustered into the service of the United States by Lieutenant Charles J. Ball, United States Army, on the 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st and 23d days of August, 1862. The aggregate strength of the regiment at muster in was 983 [see note 1].

The name "Lincoln" was chosen for its first camp, in honor of the President. In that camp, in the short interval that elapsed before the regiment took the field, the officers and men eagerly applied themselves to the study of their duties as soldiers, and learned something of the rudiments of the art of war, in which they were afterwards to become proficient, learning their hard lessons by actual experience in the severe training they received in active campaigns against the enemy.

The regiment was fully equipped for service in the field before leaving the State. On the evening of Sept. 3, 1862, Colonel Crabb received orders to embark his regiment and proceed to St. Louis, Mo., and, upon his arrival there, to report to the commanding officer at Benton Barracks. When the regiment reached the latter place it was at once assigned to quarters and was placed in the Brigade commanded by Brigadier General F. J. Herron, of Iowa. Oh the morning of September 11th, the regiment left Benton Barracks and proceeded by rail to Rolla, Mo. Upon its arrival at Rolla the regiment marched five miles from that place on the road leading to Springfield, and established its first camp in the State of Missouri. An active and aggressive campaign against the enemy was then about to begin, in which the men of the Nineteenth Iowa were to have their fortitude, courage and endurance put to the severest test. September 16th, the regiment took up the line of march toward Springfield, where it arrived after a toilsome march of 125 miles. There it remained until October 11th, engaged in constructing fortifications and guarding rebel prisoners. It then marched to Cassville, Mo., where the Army of the Frontier was organized and the Nineteenth Iowa was assigned to the division commanded by Brigadier General Herron of Iowa. The details of the operations of the regiment, in this and subsequent campaigns, can not be fully given in this sketch, on account of limitation of space to which the compiler is subjected, but he hopes to include all the main features of its service [see note 2].

October 17th, the regiment again marched southward and, from that date until December 7th, performed a wonderful series of marches and countermarches, in pursuit of a vigilant and elusive enemy. Major Bruce thus tersely describes those remarkable marches, which led up to and culminated in the battle of Prairie Grove:

October 17th, broke camp at Cassville, Mo.; marched southward four miles and camped for the night. October 18th marched southeward [sic] 31 miles and camped on Sugar Creek, Benton County, Arkansas; lay on our arms all night. General Blunt's division was camped near by. At 5 o'clock p. m. of the 20th broke up camp; made a night march over the Pea Ridge battle ground, and on to White River; crossed the river; water three feet deep, clear and cold. Oh the 22d marched 15 miles; halted and prepared supper. We were then within a distance of six miles from Huntsville, Ark.; fell in again at 6 p. m„ and made a night march of 14. miles to White River at a point below where we had first crossed, arriving at 2 a. m. on the morning of the 23d of October; bivouacked until 7 a. m. when, without waiting for breakfast, crossed White River, marched forward, much of the time on double quick, reaching the telegraph road at Bloomington at 12 m.; formed at once in line of battle, expecting an attack; remained in that position three hours and were then ordered forward on the main road to Cross Hollow, Ark., where we arrived at 5 p. m., and went into camp, having made a forced march of 100 miles in three days and three nights over a very rough and mountainous country, and having compelled the enemy to retreat across the Boston Mountains. Left Cross Hollow November 4, 1862, marched 15 miles and camped on Pea Ridge battle ground; November 5th, marched 20 miles and camped three miles south of Cassville. November 6th marched 32 miles and camped on Cane Creek. November 10th left camp on Cane Creek and marched 17 miles to Wilson's Creek. From there marched 12 miles and camped at Ozark, Mo. On the 14th Nov., marched 14 miles and camped on Sawyer's Creek. November 17th, again marched towards Ozark; reaching that place at 9 p. m. we marched four miles farther and bivouacked for the night. November 18th, marched 15 miles and camped on James River. It rained continually on this march and the roads were in a very bad condition. November 22d left camp on James River, marched 5 miles to Twin Springs and went into camp there. This camp was afterwards called Camp Curtis, and is 12 miles south of Springfield, Mo. On the 3d of December, at 2 p. m., broke up camp and started to reinforce the First Division under General Blunt, who was holding the enemy in check at Cane Hill, Ark.; marched 18 miles to Cane Creek and bivouacked for the night. On the 4th of December, marched 28 miles to Cassville and bivouacked for the night. December 5th, marched 24 miles to Pea Ridge, Ark. December 6th, marched 34 miles to Fayetteville, and rested a few hours. Left Fayetteville at 5 a. m. December 7th, marched 12 miles to Illinois Creek. Here we met the enemy, under General Hindman, and fought the battle of Prairie Grove [see note 3].


At the commencement of the battle, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel McFarland was in command of the regiment, and was killed early in the engagement. The command then devolved upon Major D. Kent, who continued in command until the close of the battle, and from whose official report the following extracts are made:

. . . The Nineteenth Regiment was ordered into line of battle at 12 o'clock m., Lieutenant Colonel Samuel McFarland commanding. By order of Colonel Orme, three companies were detached and deployed as skirmishers. The companies were A, B, and C, and owing to circumstances, Lieutenant Root, the acting Adjutant of the regiment, was ordered to take command. The skirmishers advanced under a heavy fire to a cornfield on the right of Company E, First Missouri Light Artillery, and were ordered to hold it at all hazards, which was done, until ordered to fall back and form in line of battle. The regiment was then ordered to the left of the white house on the hill to support the Twentieth Wisconsin, which was hotly engaged. The Nineteenth, led by Lieutenant Colonel McFarland, advanced steadily up the hill and across the orchard back of the house, when the Twentieth Wisconsin gave way. The Nineteenth still advanced to the fence adjoining the woods, when the enemy, who lay concealed, arose to their feet, three regiments deep, and poured a destructive fire upon us from three sides, which caused the regiment to waver and fall back to the battery on the left of the road leading up the hill. Here Lieutenant Colonel McFarland fell, shot through the body. I then took command and rallied what was left of the regiment, which had met with severe loss in the charge. I then left the men I had rallied in charge of Captain Roderick, Company K, and went to rally some scattered troops. While I was absent Colonel Orme rode up and ordered Captain Roderick to fall in and rally with the Ninety-fourth Illinois, and this force, led by Colonel Orme in person, drove back the enemy with great slaughter and held their position until ordered to fall back and reform. In the retreat of the Twentieth Wisconsin the color bearer was shot and let fall the colors, when the enemy made a desperate effort to get them, but a portion of the Nineteenth Iowa rallied and, getting possession of them, carried them off the field with their own.

Officers and men behaved nobly and fought desperately as if the fate of the battle depended on them alone. I will mention especially Captain Roderick of Company K, whom I left in charge of some scattered troops; also Captain Richmond of Company H, and Captain Taylor of Company G, also Lieutenant Brooks of Company D, who brought the colors off the field, and in doing so, was badly wounded. Others are equally meritorious, but they are too numerous to mention at present. . . .


Of the conduct of the three companies while on the skirmish line, Lieutenant Root made a supplementary report, which Major Kent embodied with his own, and which reads in part as follows:

. . . I advanced them to the right of Company E, of the First Missouri Battery, when the right wing, under Captain John Bruce, was attacked by a superior force of the enemy, but a few well directed shots drove them back. I would here notice the bravery of Captain Bruce and the men under him. After advancing up near the woods, the enemy came out of cover, showing a heavy body of infantry and two battalions of cavalry, who met with a warm reception from the right, under Captain Bruce, which made them scatter. At this time I received an order from Colonel Orme to fall back to the cornfield, so as to let the battery shell the woods, which was done in good order and held until I was ordered to rejoin the regiment [see note 4].


Major Kent reports the loss of the regiment in this battle as follows: Killed, commissioned officers 3, enlisted men 42; wounded, commissioned officers 5, enlisted men 140; missing 2. Total loss, 192. The battle of Prairie Grove was one of the most hotly contested of the war. The official report of General Herron states that he took into the engagement 3,500 men and that his total loss was 953. He speaks in the highest terms of the bravery of the Nineteenth Iowa and its gallant commander, Lieutenant Colonel McFarland, who was killed while leading his regiment in a desperate charge [see note 5]. The remarkable record of its exhausting marches in pursuit of the enemy, the fact that this was the first experience of the regiment in battle, and that it fought against greatly superior numbers, would alone have given it an honored place in history, had its service terminated with the battle of Prairie Grove.

The regiment bivouacked for the night on the battlefield and moved forward at daylight, expecting to renew the attack, but it was discovered that the enemy had retreated during the night, thus admitting defeat. The regiment then went into camp on the battlefield and engaged in the duty of burying the dead with the honors of war, and giving the wounded such care and attention as could be rendered in the field hospitals. The officers and men of the Nineteenth Iowa had thus had ample opportunity to become acquainted with the hardships and horrors of war, in but little more than three months from the date of their muster into the service. Death had sadly diminished their numbers at the very beginning of the long term for which they had enlisted, but had not affected their courage or determination to go forward in the faithful discharge of their duty as soldiers.

Soon after the battle, the Army of the Frontier engaged in another arduous expedition, in which the Nineteenth Iowa participated, and which resulted in the capture of Van Buren, Arkansas, together with a number of prisoners, five steamboats and a large amount of commissary stores. Returning from this expedition, the regiment, again went into camp at Prairie Grove, where it remained until January 2, 1863, when it again took up the line of march, moving from point to point and watching the movements of the enemy. February 15, 1863, the regiment, with two companies of the First Iowa Cavalry, was stationed at Forsyth on the Arkansas river, which place they occupied during the remainder of the winter. The regiment left Forsyth April 22d, and after a series of marches reached Salem, Mo., where it was temporarily attached to the First Division under the command of General Ewing. June 3d, the regiment marched to Rolla, from which place it was conveyed by rail to St. Louis, where General Herron's division was being concentrated, and embarked on steamers for Vicksburg, Miss. The regiment was then conveyed down the river, arriving at Young's Point June 10, 1863, and from that place moved to the rear of Vicksburg, where the siege was in progress, and was assigned to a place in the line of investment on the right of General Herron's division, which occupied the extreme left of the line of General Grant's army. During the remainder of the siege the Nineteenth Iowa performed its full share of duty. In his official report Lieutenant Colonel Kent describes in detail the arduous character of the work performed — advancing under cover of the night, digging rifle pits, planting batteries and siege guns to bear upon the enemy's works, skirmishing with the enemy and driving him from his advanced lines to his heavy fortifications and, upon the 4th of July, 1863, when the glad news of the surrender was received, the marching of his regiment inside the formidable works, which, fortunately, were not carried by assault, involving as it would have done, a costly sacrifice of life. The report highly commends the conduct of the officers and men during the siege and makes special mention of the constant and untiring energy of Major Bruce in the performance of his duties.

On the 12th of July, 1863, the regiment with its division participated in an expedition which resulted in the capture of Yazoo City on July 14th, the enemy evacuating the place on the approach of the Union troops, a number of prisoners being taken, together with the armament of the works, commissary stores and a large amount of cotton. The regiment engaged in several other expeditions within a radius of a hundred miles of Vicksburg, involving much hard marching, and the confiscating of horses, mules and cattle for the use of the army. On July 23, 1863, the regiment embarked on steamer at Vicksburg and was conveyed to Port Hudson, La., arriving there on the 26th, and remaining until August 12th. A number of men died from disease while at this camp, and there was a great deal of sickness. The next movement of the regiment was by steamer to Carrollton, La., where the entire Thirteenth Army Corps was encamped.

On the morning of the 5th of September, the regiment with its division started up the river upon an expedition to the mouth of Red River, where the enemy was seriously obstructing navigation, and had.captured a number of Federal transports. The regiment arrived at Morganza, twenty miles below the mouth of Red River, September 7th, disembarked and went into camp. The enemy was in force 12 miles from Morganza. Detachments from General Herron's division were sent out in the direction of the enemy, and frequent skirmishes had occurred, when, on the 12th of September, the Nineteenth Iowa, Twenty-Sixth Indiana and two pieces of artillery, were ordered to the front. This detachment moved out six miles, driving the enemy's pickets before it. It occupied this advanced position, skirmishing daily with the enemy, until September 29th, when the battle of Sterling Farm was fought, in which the regiment suffered heavy loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. Lieutenants Kent of company H, and Roberts of company K, were killed on the field. Captain Taylor, of company G, was mortally wounded. Major John Bruce wrote the official report of this engagement, which was so disastrous to that portion of the regiment which was engaged. As will be seen from the report which follows, there were but 260 of the Nineteenth Iowa engaged in the battle, that being the number present for duty at the time the regiment was sent to the front.


Headquarters Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry,
Brownsville, Texas, Oct. 1.5, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit to you a report of the part taken by my regiment in the engagement at Sterling Farm, fought on the 29th of September, 1863, in Point Coupee Parish, Louisiana. On the 5th day of September, the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, commanded by Major General Herron, of which command the Nineteenth Iowa formed a part, embarked on board transports, and proceeded up the river to disperse a force under General Taylor, which was then on the west side below the mouth of Red River, seriously threatening the navigation of the Mississippi.

On the 8th of September the division was halted near Morganza, La., landed and proceeded to the interior, met the enemy's pickets about two miles from the river, drove them in, and drove the rebels back ten miles across the Atchafalaya. I was left with my regiment and two pieces of artillery to protect the transports at the river. The division returned to the transports on the 11th. On the 12th, the Nineteenth Iowa, Twenty-sixth Indiana, and two pieces of artillery, the whole under command of Lieutenant Colonel Leake of the Twentieth Iowa, were ordered out to feel the enemy. We met the enemy's pickets one mile from the river, drove them in, and soon found the enemy in considerable force. We skirmished with them and drove them back across the Atchafalaya. We then fell back to Sterling Farm seven miles in the interior from where the transports lay; from this point our advance and pickets skirmished almost daily, with the advance of the enemy. On the 29th, the enemy, having received reinforcements, turned our right and attacked us in the rear, cutting off our retreat. He at the same time attacked us on the front. My regiment was first called into action, met the enemy boldly and at short range, delivered a deadly volley, which compelled him to fall back. They, however, rallied again in overwhelming force, and after a firm and desperate struggle in which we were well supported by the Twenty-sixth Indiana, we were completely overpowered and compelled to surrender, many of our men, however, refusing to give up until their guns were taken from their hands by the rebels. The rebels were commanded by General Green in person and consisted of three brigades, in all a force of 5,000 men; our entire force there was about 500 men. My regiment had only about 260 in the action; many having been left sick in convalescent camps at Carrollton, La., they were not on the expedition. The fight was short, but deadly, considering the numbers engaged, the cane and high weeds concealing the lines until they approached within pistol shot. Many of our men escaped and came straggling into camp for two days afterwards. In the action we had killed two officers and eight enlisted men, wounded one officer (since died) and sixteen enlisted men, and eleven officers and 203 enlisted men taken prisoners. The loss in the Twenty-sixth Indiana was not so much as ours. The enemy's loss was fifty killed in the field and many more wounded. Great credit is due to the officers and men of my regiment, who fought bravely and desperately against fearful odds. The rebel officers acknowledged it was to them a dearly bought victory and were much chagrined at finding so small a capture after so vigorous a resistance. I was not in the engagement, having been ordered to New Orleans a few days prior. The regiment was at the time commanded by senior Captain Wm. Adams, Company B, who was taken prisoner.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN BRUCE,
Major Comd'g Nineteenth Iowa Vol., Infantry.

To N. B. Baker, Adjutant General of Iowa [see note 6].


The remainder of the regiment returned with the division to Carrollton, October 11th. Those who had escaped capture, together with those who had recovered from sickness and were again able for duty, now exceeded the number of those who were held by the enemy as prisoners of war.

On October 23d the regiment started upon an expedition, the objective point of which was Brownsville, Texas. The part taken by the Nineteenth Iowa in that important expedition is described in the official report of its commanding officer as follows:


Headquarters Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry,
Brownsville, Texas, Dec. 1, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit to you an account of the part taken by my regiment in the expedition against Texas, which was under the command of Major General Banks, and started from New Orleans on the 24th of October, 1863. On the 23d my regiment embarked on the steamer General Banks. The entire fleet consisted of sixteen vessels and three gunboats, all loaded with troops, provisions and munitions of war. On the 27th, the fleet sailed through the southwest pass, and came to anchor outside the bar. Went to sea on the 29th. On the 30th, we encountered a severe storm from the north. Our ship being overloaded, as well as old and frail, labored and strained alarmingly. The sea, striking very heavily under the guards and fantail, threatened to tear off the latter, rendering it necessary, in order to save life, to lighten the ship. This was at once done by heaving overboard eleven mules, one. battery wagon, forage, etc., after which she rode easier, but her leakage constantly increased, requiring the unremitting working of the pumps. On the 31st of October our fuel was nearly exhausted, and we were taken in tow by the Empire City. On the 1st day of November, we came in sight of land, and at 6 p. m. came to anchor off the bar at the Island of Brazos Santiago. On the 2d of November, we were the first of the fleet to cross the bar, and about noon effected a landing. The Nineteenth Regiment was the first command landed and its colors the first that floated on the breeze of that desolate island. I was at once ordered out, moved six miles to the front, and held the advance for three days, until a large part of the force was landed and came up. On the 6th of November our orders were to move forward, and after two days march up the Rio Grande, crossing the battlefields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, we entered Brownsville, Texas, on the 7th, without opposition. The enemy had a small force, which evacuated the place on our approach. Previously, however, they fired the barracks of Fort Brown, and many private buildings, which were smouldering ruins when we took possession of the town. We captured a large amount of cotton, and stopped a large trade going on between Mexico and the so-called Confederate States. Colonel Wm. McE. Dye, of the Twentieth Iowa, commanding our brigade (Second Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps), was made commander of the post, and his brigade went into barracks in the town, where we still remain.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN BRUCE,
Major Commanding Nineteenth Iowa Infantry.

To N. B. Baker, Adjutant General of Iowa [see note 7].


On the 1st of January, 1864, the regiment was still quartered in barracks at Brownsville, Texas. At that date, according to the report of Major Bruce, it had the aggregate number of 691 still borne upon its rolls, present for duty and absent, but among the absent were 213 of its officers and men who still languished in rebel prisons; and adding to these the sick and disabled in hospitals, and those upon detached duty, there were less than 400 men then present with the regiment and able for duty. On the 10th of March, 1864, Major John Bruce was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. The regiment remained in Brownsville during the winter. On the 30th of March it left the barracks and encamped on the plain east of the town and near Fort Brown. In addition to the ordinary details for guard and picket duty, heavy details were now made for the purpose of restoring the ruined and dismantled fort. About the time the repairs were completed, guns mounted, and the fort put in good condition for defense, orders were received to prepare for its abandonment. Of the withdrawal of the troops from the Mexican frontier, Major Bruce wrote as follows:

About the 5th of July, we began to prepare for the evacuation of the place. This occupied considerable time. War material which had been collected had to be removed, and many refugees from the State, fleeing from rebel conscription and intolerance, had taken up their residence here. Even Mexican citizens, seeking asylum from the troubles of their own Government, sought the protection of the Stars and Stripes. These persons had to have time for the removal of their families and effects, and had to be provided with transportation to New Orleans and other places. The friends of the Mexican Government saw, with deep regret, the preparations for the evacuation of the line of the Rio Grande by the United States forces. During the occupation the most friendly relations were cultivated and maintained between our army and the Mexican army at Matamoras, then under command of General Cortinas, who adhered to the Mexican Government as represented by President Juarez. The occupation of this line by the United States forces inspired confidence among the friends of Mexican independence and operated as a strong moral power in staying the advance of the French in Northern Mexico. A sentiment of true sympathy, amounting in many cases to regret, pervaded our entire army that our international relations would not permit us at that time to give substantial aid to our sister republic in her struggle against French domination. During the progress of evacuation we were frequently threatened by the enemy. He attacked our pickets and made other demonstrations, but did not venture a general engagement for the possession of the place. On the 28th of July the evacuation of the town and fort took place. The whole command, under General Herron, marched out and camped the first night at San Martino. Afterwards the division halted at White's Ranch, and I was detained with my regiment at that place several days, covering the embarkation of the troops. On the 3d of August, I moved to the Island of Brazos Santiago, and the next day embarked on the steamer Corinthian with orders for New Orleans. Thus the line of the Rio Grande Was abandoned, except that a garrison was left to hold the Island of Santiago. Arrived at New Orleans on the 7th day of August, and was ordered into camp at Carrollton. Here we were much gratified at meeting the officers and men of the regiment who had been captured at the battle of Sterling Farm, on the 29th of September previous, and who had, on the 22d of July, been exchanged and were awaiting our arrival to join, the regiment. Ten officers, and one hundred and seventy enlisted men returned to us at this time. An account of their treatment by the enemy while prisoners, furnished me by S. F. Roderick, senior Captain of the regiment, who was one of their number, Is herewith submitted. . . . [See note 8.]


The report of Captain Roderick describes in detail the hardships endured by himself and the other members of his regiment, while confined in rebel prisons for a period of nearly ten months. They were moved from one place to another, and covered a distance of over 800 miles on foot, during the time they were in the hands of the enemy. The place where they were confined the longest was at Camp Tyler, Texas. This was a stockade, the walls of which were sixteen feet high; there was no shelter or protection of any kind from the weather, except some rude structures of logs and poles, built by the prisoners, and the food furnished was barely sufficient to sustain life. When they were first placed within the stockade they were entirely without shelter, and, for forty-eight hours, without food. They then received ten days' rations of corn meal, but had nothing to put it in, and for over thirty days had no vessels in which to cook the meal furnished them, except what they could borrow from their guards. The weather was cold, only a few of the men had blankets, and all were poorly clad, many of them being without shoes. Of course sickness was the inevitable result of such exposure and lack of food, and medical treatment was entirely inadequate. Near the close of his account Captain Roderick says: "At this time the scenes of human misery and suffering are beyond my power of description, and will only be known when some abler hand than mine shall write the history of the stockade at Tyler, Texas." The capacity for endurance of such hardships among these men of the Nineteenth Iowa was most remarkable, for the account states that, out of the 206 men of the regiment in confinement, there were but two deaths, while one deserted, thirty made their escape and one hundred seventy-three were exchanged [see note 9].

On the 14th of August, the regiment embarked at New Orleans, with orders to proceed to Pensacola, Florida, where it arrived on the 16th, and went into camp. From that place it took part in several expeditions, in one of which it lost one man killed in a skirmish with the enemy. December 6th the regiment again embarked and was conveyed to Fort Gaines, where it remained until the 14th, when it again embarked and, on the 15th, landed at East Pascagoula, Miss., and there joined the troops under command of General Granger, with Whom the regiment co-operated against the enemy. There were frequent skirmishes, but no general engagement, and the regiment sustained no loss. On Dec. 26, 1864, the regiment occupied a fortified position five miles from East Pascagoula, where it remained until the close of the year.

Early in January, 1865, the regiment returned to Pascagoula, where it remained until the close of the month and was then conveyed to Dauphin Island, Ala. Here preparations were begun for the next campaign, the results of which were to prove so important to the cause of the Union. Upon the arrival of the Sixteenth Army Corps from Tennessee, active operations against the enemy began. The regiment was assigned to a brigade composed of the Twentieth Wisconsin, Ninety-fourth Illinois, Twenty-third and Nineteenth Iowa regiments of Infantry and Battery "C" First Missouri Light Artillery. This was the First Brigade of the Second Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. On the 27th of February the 'troops and camp equipments were conveyed by transports to Navy Cove near Fort Morgan. On the 17th of March the troops moved forward, the Thirteenth Corps taking the advance. The roads and the weather were bad. The men were frequently called upon to assist in getting the artillery over the almost impassable roads. It was hard and toilsome work, but the endurance of the soldiers was equal to the task. On the 22d of March, the advance had reached Fish river when the enemy's cavalry was encountered, but was able to offer only feeble resistance and the column moved on, arriving in front of Spanish Fort on the 26th. On the next day the rest of the army arrived, and by night the fort was completely invested, the First Brigade holding the extreme left of the line. Oh the 27th a general advance was ordered. The Nineteenth Iowa led the advance of its brigade. The enemy made a stubborn resistance, but finally fell back to the fort and its immediate defenses. Then commenced a series of regular siege operations, in which the Nineteenth Iowa performed its full share of duty under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Bruce, whose official report of the part taken by his regiment is here given, as follows [see note 10]:


Headquarters Nineteenth Regiment, Iowa Infantry Volunteers,
Spanish Fort, Ala., April 14, 1865.

LIEUT. A. J. ROCKWELL, A. A. A. General, First Brigade,
Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the attack upon and reduction of Spanish Fort and its defenses. On the 27th of March, about noon, I was ordered forward; crossed the creek, deployed in line of battle, advanced Companies A and D in skirmish line through the thick brush, holding my line well out on my left to the bay. After ascending the hill, and in view of the fort, the enemy opened on my line with artillery, wounding a number of my men. Here we hastily threw up a line of works, and in the meantime Faust's Battery came up, opened on the enemy vigorously, and in a short time he ceased to return the fire. I again advanced, under orders, to get a position as near as possible to the enemy's works. The enemy, observing the movement, opened upon me with musketry, from his rifle pits, and from the front. He also opened with his artillery. In the advance I had a number of men killed and wounded. Under cover of the fallen timber, I protected my line as well as I could, while the artillery in my rear was playing with good effect on the rebel works. Darkness came on and I was ordered to throw up a line of defenses where I then was, which I did. After this the operations assumed the nature of a siege. We advanced our lines under cover of the night, by parallels, drove the enemy out of his pits, and occupied them. On the night of the 8th of April, the enemy abandoned his works, and we took possession of them. Annexed to this report, find list of the killed and wounded of my regiment. My casualties were but few after the advance of the first day.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN BRUCE,
Lieut. Col. Nineteenth Iowa Inft., Commanding Regt.


With the fall of Spanish Fort ended the battle history of the Nineteenth Iowa. On the 9th of April, Fort Blakely was captured by the troops under General Steele, and on the night of the 10th, Mobile and all its defenses were evacuated by the enemy. During the following month the regiment was employed, with other troops, in dismantling the forts around Mobile. It then moved to Dauphin Island, and remained there until June 14th, when it was ordered to return to Mobile and, soon after its arrival there, the officers and men were rejoiced by receiving the glad news that they would soon be permitted to return to their homes. On the 10th day of July, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of the service of the United States at Mobile, Alabama; on the 17th it embarked on. steamer for New Orleans, and was conveyed from there to Cairo, Ill., by steamboat, thence by rail to Davenport, Iowa, where it was disbanded Aug. 1, 1865, and the officers and men bade each other good-bye and returned to their homes. The day before the regiment disbanded, its commander issued the following address [see note 11]:


Headquarters Nineteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers,
Davenport, Iowa, July 31, 1865.

FELLOW SOLDIERS; OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE NINETEENTH REGIMENT, IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

On the eve of separation, it is perhaps no more than proper that I should address to you a few parting words. We have been together for three long, eventful years – years of surpassing interest in the history of our country, and of the world. Inspired by a common patriotic impulse, we joined hands on the altar of our country, and common sufferings, sacrifices and dangers have united us in the affectionate memory of the heart. You have borne yourselves well in the great struggle. No commanding officer has ever spoken of you otherwise than in commendation of your gallant services.

You have endured with patience and fortitude the hardships and dangers to which you have been exposed; you have cheerfully performed every duty required of you, whether on the field of battle or in the pauses of the conflict. You return from the victorious fields of the republic, conscious of having done your part in bearing aloft the banner of your country's nationality, and planting it on every hill and valley throughout the land. You will receive the congratulations of your friends, and a grateful country will not forget your services. Go, then, my comrades, put off the panoply of war, and enter the pursuits of peaceful industry; prove yourselves good citizens, as you have good soldiers. Forget not the principles for which you have victoriously contended, and for preserved life, health, and good government, forget not the debt of gratitude due to Almighty God. With the most profound sentiments of respect for the memories of our honored dead, and the liveliest feelings of kindly regard for all who have survived, I bid you, comrades all, farewell. I part from your command without the consciousness of one unkind feeling toward anyone of you. God bless you and grant you long life and health. May home soon gladden your eyes and cheer your hearts, and may demostic [sic] happiness meet you smiling at your gates.

JOHN BRUCE,
Lieut. Col. Nineteenth Iowa Volunteers.


Well and faithfully have the survivors of this splendid regiment observed the parting injunction of their gallant commander. In their various avocations in life they have remained true to the principles for which they fought. Many of them have answered the last roll call since the close of the great struggle for the preservation of their government, and comparatively few remain to peruse this brief sketch of the service performed by the regiment to which they belonged; but the children of the living and the dead, and their posterity to the latest generation, will refer with just pride to the record of personal service of their ancestors, as shown in the brief paragraphs in connection with their names in the roster which follows this history. The commonwealth of Iowa has, performed a high duty in thus preserving, not only the history of this splendid regiment, but the names of the men who marched and fought under its colors, and brought them back to their state to be placed among the clusters of honored flags which adorn the rotunda of its Capitol. With the lapse of time the Republic for which these brave men fought and suffered will grow stronger and more enduring, and with its growth and strength will increase the love and reverence for the memory of those who, in the time of their country's greatest need, rallied to her defense and saved her from destruction at the hands of a portion of her own rebellious children.


SUMMARY OP CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment. 1132
Killed 58
Wounded 198
Died of wounds 40
Died of disease 93
Discharged for disease, wounds or other causes 209
Buried in National Cemeteries 85
Captured 216
Transferred 43


[Note 1.] Adjutant General's Report, State of Iowa, Vol. 1, 1863, Original Roster of the Regiment, pages 682 to 717.

[Note 2.] The compiler of this sketch has gleaned much of his material from the carefully prepared histories of the operations of the regiment, found in the reports of the Adjutant General of Iowa, for the years 1864, 1866 and 1867, pages 461 to 466, 284 to 286 and 589 to, 592, written by John Bruce, Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, and Brevet Colonel and Brigadier General. The student of the military history of Iowa is referred to these histories for a more extended account of the operations of this regiment.

[Note 3.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa 1864, pages 463-4.

[Note 4.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa 1866, pages 281-2.

[Note 5.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, Vol. 2, 1863, Report, page 832.

[Note 6.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa for year 1864, pages 461-2.

[Note 7.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa for year 1864, page 462 and map No. 43, War of the Rebellion Records.

[Note 8.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa for year 1866, pages 282, 284 and 285.

[Note 9.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1866, pages 283-4.

[Note 10.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa for year 1866, page 286.

[Note 11.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa for year 1867, Vol. 2, page 591.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 3, p. 225-34