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Roster and Record of Iowa Troops In the Rebellion, Vol. 2

By Guy E. Logan

HISTORICAL SKETCH

ELEVENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

The official records of the office of the Adjutant General of Iowa show that the ten

companies composing the Eleventh Regiment were ordered into quarters by the Governor on

dates ranging from August 20 to September 23, 1861. The designated rendezvous was Camp

McClellan, near Davenport, Iowa, and there, on dates ranging from September 14 to October 19,

1861, the ten companies, with the field and staff and company officers, were mustered into the

service of the United States for the term of three years, by Capt. Alexander Chambers of the

United States Army. The total number—rank and file—at muster in was 922. The regiment was

one of the number required to complete the quota of the State of Iowa, under the proclamation of

the President, dated July 23, 1861.

The names of its first field and staff and company officers will be found in the subjoined

roster, and the subsequent changes, resulting from death, disease, discharge, or whatever cause,

will be found noted in the roster which follows, arranged in alphabetical order, with the record of

personal service opposite the name of each officer and enlisted man, in so far as such could be

obtained from the official records.

The reader is referred to the introductory article to this volume for explanation of the

difficulties encountered in the compilation of these rosters. There is no doubt that in some of

these personal records errors have occurred, but in all such cases the official records have been

followed, and those in charge of the work have used every effort to obtain the necessary

information to make corrections. Such errors and incomplete records as may be found must

therefore be attributed to the fact that the desired information could not be obtained.

The regimental records show that the regiment was well armed, clothed and equipped before

leaving the State, and that it had made some progress in drill and in learning the duties of the

soldier while at Camp McClellan. November 16th the regiment embarked at Davenport on the

good steamer "Jennie Whipple," and proceeded to St. Louis, arriving there on the 19th, and

going into quarters at the camp of instruction in Benton Barracks. Here it remained until

December 8th, receiving instruction in drill and camp duties, in which it became fairly proficient

before taking the field for active service against the enemy. It left St. Louis December 9, 1861,

and from that date was engaged in a winter campaign, and suffered much from hardship and

exposure. It went first to Jefferson City, then up the Missouri river to Boonville, from which

point it sent out scouting parties, but only found small bodies of the enemy, which, being

mounted and familiar with the country, scattered upon the approach of the Union troops. The

regiment soon returned to Jefferson City.

On December 23d a detachment of five companies was sent by rail to California, Mo. under

command of Lieutenant Colonel Hall. The other five companies, under command of Colonel

Hare, went to Fulton, Mo. While the records do not show any official report of the operations of

these two detachments during the remainder of the winter, and while no event of special

importance seems to have transpired, the service performed was important, because of the fact

that the presence of these Union troops, and others stationed at different points in Missouri,

insured protection to the lives and property of Union citizens. A large number of rebel soldiers

had been raised in that state, and had joined the rebel army then in camp on its southwestern

border, while small bands infested almost every county, and many depredations were committed

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notwithstanding the presence of Union troops. Early in March the two detachments of the

Eleventh Iowa were ordered to St. Louis and, on March 10, 1862, the regiment was again united,

and two days later was being transported by steamboat down the Mississippi to Cairo, and thence

up the Ohio and Tennessee rivers to Savannah, Tenn., where it remained until March 23d, and

then moved to Pittsburg Landing, and became a part of the great army then being concentrated at

that point and destined to soon be engaged in one of the greatest battles of the war. The Eleventh

Iowa was assigned to the First Brigade of the First Division of the Army of the Tennessee. Maj.

Gen. John A. McClernand commanded the division, and Col. A. M. Hare of the Eleventh Iowa

was in command of the First Brigade. Colonel Crocker's regiment, the Thirteenth Iowa, was also

attached to this brigade. Early on the morning of April 6 1862, the firing on the picket lines in

front, and to the right and left of the camps of the First Brigade, indicated the advance of the

enemy in force, and the long roll called the troops promptly into line. Dispositions to meet the

attack were instantly made. As will be seen by the following extracts from official reports, the

Eleventh Iowa was detached from its brigade at the very beginning of the battle and during both

days received its orders direct from general officers, and that at no time was the regiment directly

connected with any other organization during the battle, except Dresser's Battery.

It will be noted that Colonel Hare says, at the beginning of his report as Brigade Commander,

that he placed the Eleventh Iowa and the battery on the right of the Second Brigade to form a

reserve line, and at the close of his report he says that he did not see his own regiment or the

battery after they took the position to which he had assigned them in the morning. Major General

McClernand in his official report speaks of the Eleventh Iowa as "being formed as a reserve to

support the center and left." That this effort to establish a reserve was properly made, there can

be no doubt, but the official report of Lieut. Col. Wm. Hall plainly shows that the effort was

futile. As a matter of fact there were no reserve lines in General Grant's army at Shiloh, for the

reason that on the first day the superior force of the enemy made it necessary to keep every

available man on the firing line, while on the second day, with his re-enforcements, he needed no

reserves.

Col. A. M. Hare says, that early on the morning of the 6th, at the first alarm, he formed his

brigade in front of their respective encampments, in readiness to move promptly upon the receipt

of orders from his division commander. The following extracts from his report show that his own

regiment was removed from his command, and constitute the only mention made by him of the

part taken by the Eleventh Iowa in the battle.

I received orders about 8 A. M. to move three regiments to the left of the Second Brigade. * *

* At the same time I was ordered to form a regiment on the right of the Second Brigade, which

position, by my orders, the Eleventh Iowa, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Hall,

immediately took, and, with a battery, formed a reserve for the time being. After seeing the order

executed, I joined the three regiments at their position on the left, as above stated, and round this

portion of my brigade there formed under the fire of the enemy's cannon an musketry.

Colonel Hare then describes in detail the fighting which ensued, and in the concluding part of

his report says:

Dresser's Battery, and my own regiment, the Eleventh Iowa, I did not see after they took their

position in the morning, but I am satisfied that they behaved with great gallantry, and their

reports, herewith submitted, fully attest the bravery with which they acted.

Colonel Hare was severely wounded at 4:30 p. m. on the 6th, and Col. M. M. Crocker, of the

Thirteenth Iowa, was left in command of the brigade until the close of the battle on the 7th. At

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the close of his official report of the conduct of the brigade from the time he assumed command,

he says, "Of Dresser's battery and the Eleventh Iowa, I can say nothing, excepting that I found

what was left of them in camp upon my return on the evening of the 7th, they having been

separated from the brigade during all the time that it was under my command."

Lieut. Col. Wm. Hall, who commanded the Eleventh Iowa, wrote the official report of its

conduct in both days of the battle. The following extracts from his report will show how bravely

and successfully the regiment fought, and how severely it suffered. Being separated from its

brigade, its movements were directed at first by General McClernand, next by General Grant-on

the first day—and, on the second day, first by General Grant and, near the close of the battle, by

General Hurlbut. Lieutenant Colonel Hall's report to Colonel Hare says in part:*

* War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series I, Vol. 10, Page 130.

At between 7 and 8 a. m., on the 6th I received orders from you to form my regiment—

consisting of an aggregate of 750 officers and men—and march them in close column about two

hundred yards to the front, and there await orders, which I did. In about half an hour, I received

orders from you to march about one-fourth of a mile to the left, and there form as a reserve. On

arriving at the place indicated, I immediately deployed in line of battle. In a very few moments, I

received orders from Major General McClernand to advance to the front, which I did at double

quick time for a distance of over a quarter of a mile, my right supporting Dressers battery, and

my left extending along a road to another battery. I had scarcely got into position before the

enemy appeared in force, and I opened fire immediately, throwing them into confusion. They

soon reformed and opened a very destructive fire of musketry and artillery, which I sustained for

nearly two hours, during which time my loss in killed and wounded was very severe. Major

Abercrombie, who commanded the right wing, and who rendered me the most gallant and

efficient aid, here received a severe wound In the head, which necessitated his retiring from the

field; he remained, however, during the time above mentioned. My horse was here shot under

me, and I received while on foot a slight wound in my left ankle. A large force of the enemy

appearing on my right, and apparently endeavoring to turn it, I received orders to retire, which I

did, forming about one hundred yards from the left of the regimental parade ground.

Lieutenant Colonel Hall describes in detail the different positions occupied by his regiment

during the remainder of the battle. In the terrible and protracted contest with the enemy in their

first position, the men fought until their ammunition was exhausted. General McClernand then

ordered another regiment to occupy its place, while the Eleventh Iowa was ordered to the rear

long enough to procure a fresh supply of ammunition, when it again proceeded to the front, this

time under the personal order and direction of General Grant, and was soon again engaged in

fierce conflict with the enemy, at close range. At this point Lieutenant Colonel Hall detailed

twelve men from Company G of his regiment to take charge of two abandoned 12-pound

howitzers, which they used with good effect against the enemy, although they were without

training in the handling of artillery. In every position to which it was assigned, the regiment

rendered effective service. When darkness ended the fighting of the first day, the regiment lay

upon its arms, in line of battle, exposed to the heavy rain which began to fall soon after the firing

had ceased, without food but, with undaunted courage, ready to renew the conflict at the coming

of daylight. On the morning of the 7th, the regiment was ordered to the front and went into action

in support of a battery. It was now the enemy's turn to be driven from one position to another.

Late in the afternoon, the enemy was in full retreat, and the battle ended in a complete victory for

the Union army.

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The regiment returned to its camp, sadly diminished in number, but, while the survivors

mourned for their brave comrades lying dead upon that historic battlefield, they rejoiced in the

victory won and in the consciousness that the regiment had performed its whole duty. At the

close of his report, Lieutenant Colonel Hall commends his officers and men for their bravery and

good conduct in the battle, and makes special mention of Capt. John C. Marven, who had not

been able for duty for ninety days, and who rose from a sick bed to go into the battle. The gallant

First Lieut. John F. Compton of Company E was killed while bravely discharging his duty. The

loss of the regiment was as follows: 33 killed, 160 wounded, 1 missing, total 194. Among the

gallant wounded were Col. A. M. Hare, Lieut. Col. Wm. Hall, Maj. John C. Abercrombie and

Capt. Charles Foster. The long list of killed and wounded cannot be given here, but in the

subjoined roster their names, and the names of all the killed and wounded in the subsequent

battles in which this gallant regiment engaged, will be found.

Soon after the battle of Shiloh, the regiment was assigned to a brigade composed as follows:

the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments of Iowa Infantry, under the

command of Col. M. M. Crocker of the Thirteenth Iowa. From the date of the organization of

this brigade—April 27, 1862— down to the close of the great War of the Rebellion, these four

regiments served together, and, while it was commanded by different officers, it retained the

name of "Crocker's Iowa Brigade." It won for itself a reputation that reflected great honor upon

its State.

The Eleventh Iowa participated in the advance upon and the siege of Corinth, and, after the

evacuation of that rebel stronghold, May 30, 1862, went into camp there. It formed a part of the

garrison and assisted in repairing and strengthening the works which had been constructed by the

rebels. Corinth was a very important strategic point. Its loss had been a severe blow to the

enemy, and the rebel army was being constantly strengthened with a view to its re-capture.

On July 28th, the Eleventh Iowa was ordered to Bolivar, Tenn., where it assisted in

constructing defensive works and guarding the railroad. Colonel Hare resigned on account of

disability, contracted from wounds and sickness, on the 31st of August, 1862, and Lieutenant

Colonel Hall was promoted to Colonel, Major Abercrombie to Lieutenant Colonel and Captain

Foster to Major. From Bolivar, the regiment was ordered to Corinth, and thence to Iuka, but, a

few days before the battle at the latter place, it was again ordered to Corinth, arriving there just

before the battle of the 3d and 4th of October. In these two days of battle, the Eleventh Iowa was

for the greater part of the time held in reserve. It was under fire but a short time, but performed

its duty to the fullest extent, and received the commendations of Colonel Crocker for full

compliance with his orders.

The aggregate losses of the four regiments in the battle were as follows:

Eleventh Iowa 21, Thirteenth Iowa 16, Fifteenth Iowa 86, Sixteenth Iowa 27. Total 149. The

Fifteenth Iowa, on account of its advanced position, took the brunt of the attack, its loss greatly

exceeding the aggregate loss of the other three regiments. In this, as well as each subsequent

account of the operations of the Eleventh Iowa, its history is so interwoven with that of the other

Iowa regiments composing the brigade that the compiler of this brief sketch finds it necessary to

include—to some extent—the four regiments in his narrative. Crocker's brigade participated

actively in the pursuit of the retreating rebel army, and returned to it, camp near Corinth on the

evening of October 12, 1862. The regiment remained in camp at Corinth until November 2d,

when—with its brigade—it marched to Grand Junction, Tenn., where it remained until

November 28th, when it started on the expedition under General Grant, through central

Mississippi, which failed to accomplish the results expected on account of the capture by the

enemy of the garrison at Holly Springs, Miss., together with the immense store of supplies which

General Grant had accumulated there for the subsistence of his army. The regiment endured the

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hardships incident to the advance and retreat of the army, and arrived at Memphis, Tenn., on the

13th of January, 1863. On January 21st, the regiment—with its brigade—embarked on transports

and was conveyed to Young's Point, La. Here it remained until February 8, 1863, and then

moved to Lake Providence, La., where it remained until April 21, 1863. Here the brigade was

inspected by Gen. Wm. E. Strong, Inspector General Seventeenth Army Corps, who made a

carefully detailed report of its condition. It may be confidently asserted that no organization in

the Union army was ever more highly commended by an inspecting officer, as the following

brief extracts from the report will clearly indicate:

Iowa may well be proud of the Third Brigade of the Sixth Division, Col. M. M. Crocker

commanding. It is composed of the following troops, viz.: The Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth

and Sixteenth Iowa Infantry. It turned out for inspection 1,935 rank and file. * * * Since I have

been a soldier, it has so happened, that I have seen many brigades, of many different army corps,

both In the eastern and western armies, but never have I seen a brigade that could compete with

this Iowa brigade. I am not prejudiced in the slightest degree. I never saw any of the officers or

soldiers of the command until the day when I saw them in line of battle, prepared for inspection.

* * * I cannot say that any one regiment of the brigade appeared better than another—they all

appeared so well. The Eleventh was the strongest. It had 528 enlisted men, and 20 officers

present for duty, the Thirteenth 470 enlisted men and 22 officers, the Fifteenth 428 men and 29

officers, the Sixteenth 405 men and 33 officers. In the entire brigade there was not to exceed a

dozen men unable to be present for inspection.

The Eleventh Iowa was now about to enter upon the greatest campaign which had thus far

been undertaken. It left Lake Providence on the 23d of April 1863, and, from that time until the

surrender of Vicksburg, was actively identified with all the operations of its brigade and division.

While the Union army was closing around Vicksburg and preparing for the long siege, the Iowa

Brigade was stationed at Grand Gulf, as a temporary garrison, guarding the immense supplies

that were being received and forwarded to the main army. May 19th the brigade left Grand Gulf

and proceeded up the river, landing on the Louisiana shore two miles below Vicksburg, and

marching to Young's Point. From there it went to Haines Bluff on the Yazoo, but soon returned

to the landing below Vicksburg, was conveyed from there to Warrenton on transports, and,

disembarking, began the march towards the left of the line of investment in rear of Vicksburg.

This march was nearly parallel with the right of the rebel line of defenses, and on this part of the

line the investment had not been completed. The enemy's pickets were soon encountered and

driven in, and the Iowa Brigade took position under the fire of the rebel batteries, while its line of

skirmishers engaged in a brisk exchange of shots with the outlying pickets of the enemy.

The brigade occupied different positions along the firing line until May 27th, when it was

ordered to join the expedition under Gen. F. P. Blair against the rebel forces under Gen. J. E.

Johnston. On May 30th the brigade returned from the expedition, having successfully

accomplished the duty to which It was assigned, and again took part in the siege operations,

sending heavy details into the trenches, and doing effective service. During nine days of this

time, the Eleventh Iowa was stationed four miles in rear of the brigade doing important picket

duty. On June 27th, the brigade was moved sixteen miles to the rear of Vicksburg, where it

occupied an important position, ready to repel an expected attack from the enemy, who, it was

thought, might attack from the rear, while General Pemberton would bring his army outside the

works at Vicksburg and attack the Union army in front, in the hope of raising the siege. This

position was occupied until the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863.

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Col. Wm. Hall of the Eleventh Iowa, then commanding the Iowa Brigade at the close of his

official report, describing the operations of the brigade during the campaign, says:

I cannot close this report without bearing testimony to the alacrity, cheerfulness, and gallant

bearing, which has been shown by the officers and men of the brigade, through all the various

and trying scenes of the late campaign. In long marches, under the heat of a burning southern

sun, in skirmishes with the enemy at all points of the line of investment, and with Johnston's

troops in the rear, in the rifle pits in front of Vicksburg, either with rifle in hand as sharpshooters,

or with spade throwing up additional works, but one feeling appeared to animate them, and that

was the desire to do their whole duty.

After the surrender of Vicksburg, and the evacuation of Jackson, the Eleventh Iowa, together

with the other troops of its brigade and the army which had been engaged in the great campaign,

enjoyed a period of well earned rest.

About the middle of August, the Iowa Brigade, with the Third Division of the Seventeenth

Corps and a considerable force of cavalry and artillery, constituting an expeditionary force of

about 5000 men, embarked on steamers, moved to Goodrich's Landing, where they landed and

began a long and toilsome march into Louisiana, penetrating to Monroe on the Washita River,

and returning to Vicksburg on the 3d of September. The results accomplished by this expedition

were meager, while the suffering endured by the soldiers engaged in it was very great. Many

died from the effects of the hardships to which they were subjected and many never fully

recovered from the diseases contracted while passing through that malarious region during the

hottest days of the summer.

Upon its return from the expedition, the brigade went into camp, where it remained until

early in February, 1864, when it participated in the famous Meridian expedition with the army

commanded by General Sherman. Although this expedition was conducted in midwinter, and the

men were without tents, and subsisted almost wholly upon the country through which they

passed, they suffered less than they did on the Louisiana expedition, while the results

accomplished were of very great importance. Before starting upon the Meridian expedition, a

majority of the men of the Eleventh Iowa had re-enlisted for another term of three years, and had

earned the title of veterans. Early in March, the veteran organization was granted a furlough of

30 days, to begin after reaching the State of Iowa. They embarked at Vicksburg on the steamer

"Continental'' which conveyed them to Davenport, Iowa, from which place they departed for

their respective homes.

On the 22d of April, 1864, the veterans of the regiment again assembled at Davenport. Many

recruits had joined them, and, with its ranks thus greatly strengthened, the regiment at once

proceeded upon its long journey to the front. At Cairo, Ill., transports were waiting to convey it

to Clifton, Tenn., at which place it landed, and started on the long march across Tennessee and

Alabama and on to the mountains of Georgia, where it joined the army under General Sherman,

then engaged in one of the most remarkable campaigns in the military history of the world. The

Iowa Brigade was now re-united—the other three regiments having returned from veteran

furlough—and joined the army at Ackworth, Ga., on June 8, 1864.

In this campaign, the Eleventh Iowa first came under fire at Kenesaw Mountain. After the

enemy had been driven from that stronghold, on the night of July 2d, the regiment, with the Iowa

Brigade, participated in the operations at Marietta, and on across the Chattahoochee river and

Nick-a-jack, and still on, until the enemy was encountered in strong force in front of Atlanta. The

official records fully sustain the following statement of that gifted writer, L. D. Ingersoll:

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It would involve needless repetition were I to narrate the complete history of the Eleventh

regiment through the remainder of this campaign, of which it is hardly too much to say, that as

characterizing the whole of it, every hour saw a skirmish, and every day a battle. Engaged in the

bloodiest encounters that distinguished the campaign, the veteran Eleventh everywhere acquitted

itself with honor, and sealed its devotion to the cause for which it fought with the lives and blood