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

By Guy E. Logan

HISTORICAL SKETCH

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

The organization of the Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry began when the first company was

ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood, September 17, 1861. The designated rendezvous

was Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa, and there seven companies of the regiment were

mustered into the service of the United States on dates ranging from December 10, 1861, to

March 12, 1862, by Captains Alexander Chambers and S. A. Wainwright, of the United States

Army. Of the remaining three companies, the records show that Company F was mustered in at

Keokuk, Iowa, in February; Companies I and K, at Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, March 24,

1862, by Captain Chambers. It will thus be seen that it was more than six months from the date

on which the first company was ordered into quarters before the organization of the regiment

was completed.

The files of reports and returns in the office of the Adjutant General of Iowa contain several

papers relating to an incipient militia organization called the "German Regiment," from which it

appears that John P. Koch had been commissioned as Colonel, and authorized to raise a regiment

bearing that designation. It also appears that but two companies, with an aggregate strength of

151 men, were recruited for that regiment when its organization was abandoned and the two

companies were merged into the Sixteenth Regiment. On Page 22 of the report of the Adjutant

General of Iowa—1861-2— appears the roster of the Field and Staff of the German Regiment

then forming, but including only the names of John P. Koch, Colonel, and Charles Altman,

Adjutant. The next and last reference to this organization is found on Page 13, Vol. I, of the

Adjutant General's report for 1863, in which he says: "Since my last report the Sixteenth Iowa

Infantry and the German (Iowa) Regiment have been consolidated, and the regiment is known as

the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry." There were a large number of volunteer organizations from the

different states which were given distinctive names, some prior to and others after being

mustered into the service of the United States. On Page 30 of a volume compiled under the

direction of the Adjutant General at Washington, published in 1885, entitled, "Synonyms of

Organizations in the Volunteer Service of the United States," the following statement appears

under the caption "Iowa": "German Regiment Sixteenth Infantry (part)." The name is thus

officially and historically identified with the regiment, although the designation could have no

significance as applied to its completed organization.

It should be kept in mind that Iowa was then a young State, that the greater part of its

territory was but sparsely populated, and that it had already sent into the field fourteen regiments

of Infantry, five regiments of Cavalry and three batteries of Artillery. It was not, therefore, an

indication of lack of patriotism that the call for two more regiments of Infantry—coming at the

same time—was not as promptly responded to as the first and second calls had been. It will be

seen, by comparing the subjoined roster with those of the earlier regiments, that the average age

of the officers and men was much greater. This plainly indicates a larger proportion of married

men, whose duty to their families had restrained them from enlisting until the necessity for their

making the sacrifice became imperative. Moreover, when these men volunteered their services,

many battles had been fought, the great magnitude of the rebellion was realized and the dangers

and hardships of a long and terrible war confronted them. They had given due consideration to

the question of duty to their country; were not carried away by enthusiasm, but their action was

deliberate, and their subsequent conduct demonstrated that they were equal to all emergencies.

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The regiment left Davenport March 20, 1862, was conveyed by steamer to St. Louis and

marched thence to Benton Barracks, where it went into quarters, was furnished with arms,

ammunition and field equipage, and, without having the opportunity for drill and instruction

except to the most limited extent, was hurried to the front. It had the good fortune, however, of

having a commander who was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point

and a thoroughly trained soldier. He was a Captain in the Eighteenth Regiment of Infantry in the

Regular Army at the time he was appointed Colonel of the Sixteenth Iowa by Governor

Kirkwood, and had been acting as Mustering Officer for Iowa troops since the commencement of

the war. The regiment was thus better fitted for immediate active service in the field than it

would have been under a commander without military training or experience. On the 1st of April

Colonel Chambers was ordered to embark his regiment and proceed to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.,

and, upon arriving there, to report to General Grant.

On the morning of April 6, 1862, the regiment arrived at Pittsburg Landing. The great battle

of Shiloh had begun, and the roar of the conflict at the front was heard as the regiment was

leaving the boat. Here the men loaded their guns for the first time. Wounded men and some

panic-stricken stragglers began to arrive from the firing line, with tales of disaster to the Union

troops, indicating that the rebel forces were superior in numbers and were victorious on every

part of the field. This was a hard experience for these men who had, but a few days before, left

their homes in Iowa, and was a severe test to their courage and discipline, even before they were

ordered forward to meet the enemy. The order soon came, and the regiment marched promptly to

the front under the leadership of their gallant Colonel, to the aid of the troops who were being

hard pressed by the enemy. The official report of Colonel Chambers shows the heroic conduct of

his regiment in that great conflict, and the compiler of this historical sketch regrets that the

limitation of space which he is compelled to observe will not permit the reproduction of the

report in full. The following extracts, however, give the main features of the report, omitting

details:

*** From 9:30 to 10:30 A. M., the time occupied in reaching the battlefield, we met more men

returning, of all arms, than belonged to the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments, but I must say, for

the credit of the State of Iowa, not one of her quota did I meet. On crossing an open field, beyond

which was the position of the rebels, two of my command were wounded. My regiment was

formed on the right of this field in rear of a fence. * **I ordered the men to lie down, when the

greater part of the enemy's fire passed harmlessly over us. I had, however, several wounded here.

From this position the regiment was ordered forward to the edge of timber, within close range of

the enemy, as many of my men were wounded at the same time by both ball and buckshot. ***

For nearly or quite an hour the regiment held its ground against a much larger force of the

enemy, supported by artillery, when it was compelled to give way before the destructive fire, or

be captured. Word came down the line that a retreat had been ordered. *** At this our whole line

gave way and became mixed up with other regiments. My regiment was raised by Lieut. Col. A.

H. Sanders to the number of about 300 and was posted in rear of a battery during the remainder

of that day and night, during which time those who had become mixed with other regiments

returned and reformed with those under the Lieutenant Colonel, I having been wounded in the

hip joint, which was very painful and rendered me quite lame. The next day the regiment held

the same position in rear of the battery during the fight. ***

With a few exceptions the officers and men behaved with judgment and gallantry. The field

officers were particularly cool under a destructive fire and rendered great assistance. The horses

of all the field and staff officers were killed or wounded, evidently showing an intention on the

part of the enemy to pick off the most prominent officers. Captains Ruehl and Zettler, both

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gallant men, were killed or mortally wounded, and First Lieut. F. M. Doyle, a brave and efficient

officer, was also killed. The loss during Sunday's fight was two officers and sixteen noncommissioned

officers and privates killed, and nine officers and ninety-four non-commissioned

officers and privates wounded, and fifteen non-commissioned officers and privates,

missing.+***

+ War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Vol. 10, Pages 286 and 287. Same Volume,

Page 104, tabulated casualties, shows total loss 131. Bronze tablet on regimental monument to

Sixteenth Regiment Iowa Infantry at Shiloh shows losses as follows: Killed, officers, 2, men, 15;

wounded, officers 11, men 91 (8 mortally); captured or missing, men 13.

The experience gained by the regiment in this great battle was invaluable. In the numerous

battles in which it was subsequently engaged it had the advantage of the training and drill which

it had not received before the battle of Shiloh, but it was never afterwards placed in a position in

which the bravery and fortitude of the officers and men received a more thorough test. It was the

common experience of all soldiers that their first battle, no matter how favorable the conditions

under which it was fought, was the severest test to their courage. At Shiloh the conditions under

which the Sixteenth Iowa went into action were most unfavorable. The impression its men

received, the moment they left the boat and formed in line of battle, was that the enemy was

successful on every part of the battlefield; and this impression was sustained as they marched to

the front and met large numbers of wounded being taken to the rear, also many demoralized and

panic-stricken soldiers who had not been wounded but had deserted their regiments in the face of

the enemy and sought safety in flight. The fact that the men of this new and untried regiment did

not become infected with the feeling of panic, but marched steadily forward and went into that

hell of battle with the coolness of veterans, fought until the only alternative was retreat or

surrender, and afterwards rallied to their colors and rendered important service until the close of

the battle, entitles them to a place in the front rank as heroic soldiers. In its subsequent history

the record made at Shiloh was fully maintained but, in the judgment of the compiler, never

surpassed.

After the battle, the regiment was ordered to move toward Corinth, the strongly fortified

position to which the rebel army had retreated. General Grant's army cautiously advanced,

constructing earth-works at regular intervals along its front, thus guarding against another

possible attack by the enemy and preparing for the siege of the rebel stronghold. On the 27th of

April the organization of a brigade, consisting of the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and

Sixteenth Regiments of Iowa Infantry, was effected, and Col. M. M. Crocker, of the Thirteenth

Iowa, became its commander. This organization was maintained until the close of the war and

was known throughout the army as "Crocker's Iowa Brigade"; although, after Colonel Crocker

was promoted to Brigadier General, it had many different commanders, most if not all of whom

were, or had been, officers of some one of its regiments.* The history of the Sixteenth Iowa is,

therefore, closely interwoven with that of the brigade to which frequent reference will be made in

giving the outlines of the further service of the regiment.

* At the close of the war the survivors of these four Iowa regiments formed an organization by

which they have preserved the name "Crocker's Iowa Brigade". They meet biennially in reunion.

Gen. W. W. Belknap was its first commander, and, at his death, was succeeded by Col. H. H.

Rood, its present commander. (1908.)

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During the siege of Corinth the regiment, with its brigade, performed arduous and important

service and contributed its full share to bring about the evacuation of that stronghold, just as

General Grant had determined to order an assault upon the fortifications. The evacuation took

place during the night of May 30, 1862. The regiment now went into camp near Corinth, where it

remained until July 28th, at which time it marched, with its brigade, to Bolivar, Tenn., where it

was engaged in watching the movements of the enemy, erecting fortifications and guarding

against threatened attack by the enemy. A considerable rebel force remained in the vicinity of

Bolivar for several weeks but, as was later shown, not with the intention of attacking the Union

troops stationed there, but to draw away from Corinth enough Union troops to make it possible

for the rebels to recapture that important post. When the real purpose of the enemy was

discovered, the regiment with its brigade was ordered to return to Corinth. Upon its arrival there

it was ordered to march toward Iuka and watch the movements of the enemy.

On the 19th of September, 1862, the brigade was in close proximity to the enemy. The

Sixteenth Regiment was ordered forward late in the evening of that day, while the other

regiments of Crocker's brigade were held in reserve. The part taken by the regiment in the battle

which ensued is shown in the official report of Lieut. Col. A. H. Sanders, who, after Colonel

Chambers had been severely wounded, assumed command of the regiment.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY, Sept. 21, 1862.

SIR,—I have the honor to report the part taken by the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, in your

brigade,+ in the battle on the evening of the 19th instant, one and one-half miles south of Iuka,

Mississippi.

+ As will be observed at the close of this report, the Sixteenth Iowa fought under another brigade

commander at the battle of Iuka, being entirely detached, for the time being, from its own

brigade.

The regiment, under command of Col. A. Chambers, was placed in position about 6:30 P. M.

in rear of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, the left of the regiment extending across the road from

which it had filed into position. Immediately after the regiment was formed in line a charge of

grape and shell from a battery of the enemy cut down six or seven men, including an officer,

when the men were ordered to lie down. In this position but few or none were injured by the

repeated discharges of canister and ball from the rebel battery. In probably half an hour from

forming in line, the enemy made a charge of infantry on the battery. Our fire was reserved till the

last moment in the center of the regiment, for fear of killing those manning the battery or the

horses of the same, and in the two right companies, till a regiment which was lapping them was

withdrawn; but when the enemy's lines were plainly or partially in sight (which, owing to the

trees and thick underbrush, was not till they were very close) Colonel Chambers ordered the men

to rise and fire, which order was instantly obeyed, for a time stopping the enemy's advance, but

they again charged. The attack was evidently by a very heavy force and with the object of

capturing the battery. Our men stood their ground manfully, and I am not aware that a single

officer or man failed in any part of his duty. They were finally beaten back by the overwhelming

force of the enemy, the center, in the rear of the left section of the battery, retiring first but

warmly contending with the enemy till they were almost in our ranks. The left, holding a

comparatively safe position, did not retire till they were fired into by one of our own regiments in

the rear. The entire right companies, although under a remarkably heavy fire, held their position

longest and experienced the heaviest loss. Company A, Captain Smith, was the last to leave the

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field, and for a time held its ground alone, the regiment on its right having at an early hour been

compelled to retire, and the remaining companies of its own regiment retiring at a later hour.

Where all the officers did so well it seems scarcely fair to particularize the conduct or bearing

of one from the other, yet I deem it my official duty to notice the fact that Captain Smith

exhibited in this action bravery and gallant conduct for which he cannot receive too much praise.

He brought out of the battle scarcely half the men he took into it, and the same may be said of

company F, Captain Fraser. The remaining portion of the regiment was immediately after

reformed by myself and took a position near the battlefield, it then being nearly dark, and soon

after, while changing to another position, was directed to rest on the right of an Ohio regiment,

formed along the Iuka road, where it remained during the night. I regret to report the severe

wounding of Colonel Chambers by gunshot wounds in the shoulder and neck, toward the close of

the action. He was taken prisoner at the time of receiving the wounds, but was left by the enemy

in the hospital at Iuka.

I have the honor to enclose herewith a list of the killed, wounded and missing of the

Sixteenth Iowa Infantry at the late action near Iuka, as complete as it can be made at this time,

summing up, killed 14, wounded 48, missing 14.+ The regiment went into the battle with about

350 men, exclusive of details made to take care of the wounded.

+ War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 17, Page 100.

++ War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 17, Page 78. Tabulated losses,

Sixteenth Iowa: Killed 14, wounded 48, missing 13.

Very respectfully your obedient servant, ADD H. SANDERS, Lieut. Col. Comd'g Sixteenth

Iowa Infantry.

COLONEL SANBORN, Comd'g First Brigade, Third Div., Army of the Mississippi.:

The regiment had again contributed its full share to the defeat of a superior force of the

enemy in this hard fought battle. Its loss was even greater than at Shiloh, in proportion to the

number engaged. Soon after the battle of Iuka the regiment returned, with its brigade, to Corinth

and, on the 3d and 4th of October, participated in the battles which were fought there. Major

William Purcell, who commanded the regiment after Lieutenant Colonel Sanders had been

compelled to retire on account of his severe wounds, wrote an admirable official report of the

conduct of his regiment during both days of the battle. After describing the positions occupied by

the regiment prior to that in which it was attacked by the enemy, he says:

In this position we remained until the Second Brigade fell back, and, the batteries with the

Eleventh and Thirteenth Iowa being ordered to the rear to form a line oblique to the one then

held by us, we remained in position to cover this movement, and were under the immediate

command of Colonel Crocker when the enemy drove in our skirmishers and charged furiously up

the hill upon which the Fifteenth and Sixteenth were posted. This charge was repulsed, and after

holding the enemy in check and severely punishing him, were ordered to fall back upon the new

line. The movements of the batteries and of the rest of the brigade having been effected, the

Sixteenth was ordered, in company with the Fifteenth, to retire, which they did slowly and in

good order, rejoining the rest of the brigade, remaining there until ordered to retire with the

batteries to the inner fortifications. During the fight this day Lieutenant Colonel Sanders was

severely wounded in the thigh and had his horse shot in several places, but retained command

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until the regiment was ordered to the inner line of fortifications, when he retired to have his

wounds dressed, and the command devolved upon me.

On the morning of the 4th the Sixteenth retained its position in support of the Fifth Ohio

Battery, throwing forward, under cover of temporary breastworks, Company A, under command

of Captain Smith, to engage the enemy's sharpshooters. While in support of the battery three of

our men were wounded by the sharpshooters of the enemy. Permit me to say while at this point,

that the officers and men are entitled to great credit, and their superior officers and their State

may well be proud of them. They did their whole duty in the engagement on Friday. *** I

noticed with pleasure the courage and bravery displayed by the Color Sergeant, Samuel Duffin,

Company F. He stood waving the colors and encouraging the men both by actions and words. He

was the last to leave the field, and bore the colors away with him while the missiles of death flew

thick and fast around him. The Color Corporals, McElhany, of company E, H. B. Eighmey, of

company H, and J. Kuhn, of company C, also deserve mention for their gallant conduct. ***

For the third time the regiment had met the enemy in a hard fought engagement and acquitted

itself with honor. Its losses in battle and on the skirmish line now aggregated 250. It had also lost

a large number by death from disease and by discharge for disability, and yet it had been only six

months in active service in the field. Its subsequent splendid record cannot be adequately

described without exceeding the space allotted to this sketch. The compiler will endeavor,

however, to cover as fully as possible the principal battles and movements in which the regiment

participated, including only the most important details.

The regiment now remained in camp for nearly a month. On November 2d the brigade was

ordered to march to Grand Junction, and, arriving there November 5th, joined the army which

was to engage in the movement against Vicksburg. November 28th the march to the South

began, the Third Brigade of the Sixth Division of Hamilton's Corps (Crocker's Iowa Brigade)

being assigned to the advance. The Sixteenth Iowa, with its brigade, bore its full share of the

great hardships of that winter campaign, which proved a failure on account of the brilliant exploit

of the enemy's cavalry in getting in the rear of General Grant's army and capturing the immense

depot of supplies which bad been accumulated at Holly Springs, Miss. This compelled the

abandonment of the expedition and the retreat of the army. During this retreat the troops suffered

greatly from the cold and from lack of sufficient food. The regiment, with its brigade and

division, reached Memphis early in January, 1863, and on January 18th again started for

Vicksburg, this time on transports down the Mississippi river. Landing at Milliken's Bend, the

troops went into camp. From this point, detachments from the Sixteenth and other regiments of

the Iowa Brigade were sent out for the purpose of watching the movements of the enemy, and

were engaged in some skirmishing in which slight losses were incurred.

On the 20th of January, 1863, the regiment, with its brigade and. division, was assigned to

the Seventeenth Army Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson, Brigadier General

McArthur being re