1
Roster and Record of Iowa Troops In the Rebellion, Vol.
3
By Guy E. Logan
HISTORICAL SKETCH
TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
The ten companies composing the Twenty-third Regiment were ordered into quarters by
Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood, on the 4th day of August 1862. The rendezvous designated in the
order was "Camp Burnside," Des Moines, Iowa. There, on the 19th of September, 1862, the
companies were mustered into the service of the United States, by Lieutenant Charles J. Ball of
the Regular Army, and the organization of the regiment was completed In the subjoined roster
will be found the names of the original field and staff and company officers, together with all the
non-commissioned officers and privates, including the name of every soldier who, at any time,
belonged to the regiment, with the condensed record of his personal service, compiled from the
records in the office of the Adjutant General of Iowa and of the War Department at Washington,
D. C. These records are presumed to include all changes which occurred, by promotion or other
cause, and all casualties—in battle, from disease or whatever cause. Great care has been taken in
transcribing the records and, where it was evident that errors existed, every effort has been made
to correct them, when the necessary reliable information could be obtained. Notwithstanding
these efforts, some misspelled names, incomplete personal records and other errors and
omissions in making reports and returns to the Adjutant General may still be found, but it is
believed that these have been reduced to the minimum and that, in the main, the revised roster
will be found correct. The difficulties which Adjutant General Baker encountered in securing
copies of official reports from the commanding officers of regiment in the field are described in
the introductory article to this volume. The failure to comply with his request is conspicuous, as
applied to the Twenty-third Iowa. Fortunately, the operations of the regiment were so intimately
connected with that of other Iowa regiments, at least for the greater and more important period of
its term of service, and the reports of the brigade commanders, under whom it served, make such
frequent reference to its operations and its conduct in battle, that the compiler, while regretting
the scarcity of official reports of the officers of the regiment, believes he will be able t give a
fairly complete condensed history of the regiment in the following pages. Accurate dates as to
the movements and operations of the regiment are often found to be lacking, but in nearly all
cases the dates have been give as shown by the orders and reports of its brigade commanders. In
some instances, however, only approximate dates can be given.
1 Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1863, Vol. 1, pages 817 to 849 inclusive.
The aggregate strength of the regiment at the completion of its organization was 961 officers
and men. 1 This was about the average number of the infantry regiments of Iowa, at the time of
their muster into the service. Two of its original field officers, as shown by the record, had seen
service in the field,—Colonel William Dewey, 2 as Lieutenant Colonel of the Fifteenth Iowa
Infantry, and Lieutenant Colonel William H. Kinsman, as Captain of Company B, Fourth Iowa
Infantry. 3 The regiment was, therefore, in charge of officers who had won distinction and honor
in two of the great battles of the war: Colonel Dewey, who, while gallantly performing his duty
at the battle of Shiloh, in the thickest of the fight, had his horse shot under him and was
commended for his bravery and efficiency in the official
report of the regimental commander;
2
Lieutenant Colonel Kinsman, who had fought bravely as Captain of his company at Pea Ridge,
and had received special mention in the official report of Colonel Dodge, for the gallant and
efficient manner in which he had discharged his duty as a company commander. Major Glasgow
was yet to demonstrate his fitness and capacity for the discharge of the duties of his office, but
the official records show that he did so at the first opportunity, proving himself a most
courageous and efficient commander. The regiment was thus highly fortunate in the selection of
its first field officers, and also in those who were subsequently promoted to fill the vacancies
occasioned by the death of Colonels Dewey and Kinsman. 4
2 Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1863, Vol. 2, page 788.
3 Colonel Dewey died at Patterson, Mo., Nov. 30, 1862. report of Adjutant General of Iowa,
1867, Vol. 1, page 151.
4 See subjoined Roster, where subsequent changes are noted.
Soon after the regiment was mustered into the service, it proceeded to St. Louis, where it
remained on duty for a short time, when it moved to Rolla, Mo., and was on duty at Camp
Patterson and, later, at West Plains, Mo., until February, 1863. The first operations of the
regiment against the enemy are described in the official report of Colonel Dewey. 5 This report
reveals the fact that Colonel Dewey was selected for the command of a very important
expedition, and that he fully complied with his instructions, accomplishing all that was possible,
considering the difficulties he encountered and the failure of the cavalry force to act in
conjunction with him at the point where he had hoped to cut off the retreat of the rebel force,
against which he was operating. For the purpose of showing the energy and capacity for
endurance of the troops in this, their first, experience, (at least in so far as that portion of the
Twenty-third Iowa engaged in the expedition was concerned,) the report of Colonel Dewey is
here given:
5 Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, 1863, Vol. 2, page 824.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS,
CAMP PATTERSON, Mo., Nov. 2, 1862.
COLONEL BOYD: In accordance with your order of the 24th ult., I left Camp Patterson at 6
o'clock on the morning of Saturday, the 25th of October, with three companies of my regiment,
(Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers,) under command of Lieutenant Colonel Kinsman, five
companies Twenty-fifth Missouri Volunteers, under Captain O. P. Newberry, two companies of
first Missouri State Militia, a section of Strangs Battery, under Major Jeinsch, and eighteen men
of the Twelfth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Leeper. At Morrison's, 12 miles from
this place, I was joined by three companies of the Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteers, under
Captain Vaughn. My instructions were to march for Pitman's Ferry, on Currant River, which
place I was to reach by 3 o'clock P. M. on Sunday the 26th, form a junction with Lieutenant
Colonel Lazare, and attack any rebel force at that point, You informed me that Lieutenant
Colonel Lazare had orders to meet me there at that time and co-operate with me. The first day I
marched 26 miles, to slack River, which I reached at 4 o'clock P. M. I found the stream wide and
deep, and the crossing difficult, but I was determined to get the infantry and baggage train over
that night. I placed the transportation of the troops under charge of Captain O. r. Newberry, of
the Twenty-sixth Missouri, with orders to cross at all hazards. After an immense amount of
labor, the untiring energy of the captain was successful,
and at 11 o'clock at night he reported all
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safely over except the artillery and one company of the First Missouri, left to guard it. The next
morning at daylight Captain Newberry commenced crossing the artillery The ammunition was
shifted from the caissons and transported in wagons, and the whole train crossed in safety. I
commenced the march from Black River at 8 o'clock A. M., Sunday, 26th, and reached
Vandover's after a march of twenty miles. A mile this side of Vandover's my advanced guard of
cavalry, under Captain Leeper, drove in the enemy's pickets, all of whom unfortunately escaped,
and thus betrayed my advance.
I was now 17 miles from Pitman's Ferry, and it was important to make a rapid march and
gain possession of the boat. I accordingly detailed Lieutenant Buzard, of the Twenty-fifth
Missouri Volunteers, with 40 picked men, to move rapidly forward with the cavalry and gain
possession of the ferry. They started at 1 o'clock on the morning of the 27th, and at two I
followed with the reserve body. The men marched without breakfast. Ten miles this side of the
ferry, the advance guard surprised a scouting party of the enemy and captured a captain and
thirteen men. Leaving these prisoners under guard, they pushed rapidly forward and succeeded in
surprising the guard at the ferry, which were dispersed by a volley from Lieutenant Buzard's
men. Private Richard Lloyd, of Company F, Twenty-fifth Missouri, swam the river and brought
the boat over to this side. When about two miles from the river, at 8 o'clock in the morning, I
received information that the great object of my anxiety, the ferry boat, was safe in our
possession. When a mile from the river, a messenger brought me word that the enemy was
forming in line of battle on the other side. I immediately ordered the artillery forward at a gallop.
The infantry, regardless of their long and fatiguing march, followed at a double quick. I halted
the column about 100 yards from the river bank and formed line on each side of the road, the
right wing consisting of the Twenty-third Iowa under Lieutenant Colonel Kinsman, the center
consisting of the artillery and the two companies of the First Missouri State Militia, under Major
Jeinseh, and the left consisting of the five companies of the Twenty-fifth Missouri Volunteers,
under Captain Newberry. The two companies of the Twenty-fourth acted as a reserve and guard
to the prisoners, under Captain Vaughn. Riding forward to the front, Lieutenant Poser,
commanding the artillery, informed me that the enemy were planting a battery on the other side.
I ordered him to open upon them immediately, which he promptly did, and after a few rounds the
enemy scattered and dispersed. I then ordered Lieutenant Miller of the Twenty-fifth Missouri to
cross the river with his company and deploy them as skirmishers, and follow the enemy as far as
practicable; and, to guard his retreat, I ordered Captain Houston of Company A, Twenty-third
Iowa, to form his company on the river bank near the ferry, leaving the rest of the command in
line of battle. At 12 M, Lieutenant Miller returned and reported the enemy retreating.
I had been for several hours anxious to learn the whereabouts of Lieutenant Colonel Lazare
and his command. Everything depended upon his co-operating with me. I knew that with my
small force of infantry, exhausted by a long and fatiguing march, and without food since the
previous night, it was folly for me to attempt a pursuit, Lazare's route to join me led directly
across the road by which the enemy retreated, and I waited in deep suspense for some
intelligence from him or for some evidence of his presence. At noon I sent Leeper over the river
with his 18 cavalrymen to scour the country and try to gain intelligence of Lazare. After a
fruitless search, he returned without any tidings and I reluctantly ordered the men to camp. They
had performed a forced march of 65 miles and had been 20 hours without food, and without
murmuring. They were still ready to go forward, if there was any prospect of overtaking the
enemy; but without Lazare's cavalry, pursuit would be useless. I had hoped the sound of
cannonading would reach him and convey to him the tidings of my Presence, but it did not. The
next morning, the 28th, I sent Captain Houston with his company up the river, and Captain
Rosensteen with his company down, both on this side, to
explore the country and ascertain the
4
position and practicability of the Various fords. I also sent Captain Leeper, with such infantry as
I could mount, over the river, to explore the different roads leading to the Jerry, with instructions
to find Lazare if possible. About 11 o;clock, I received a dispatch from Colonel Lazare directed
to you, of which the following is a copy:
October 26th, 4 o'clock A. M.
COLONEL BOYD: Yours of 7 and 10 o'clock, 24th, reached me at ten last night. I cannot
reach Pitman's Ferry and find out what is at Thomasville before the 29th. Will be there then. We
scattered Boon's men in every direction yesterday, killing six or eight—18 prisoners, 25 guns, 12
horses. They have all come up but Crow's Company, which has gone east of Currant River.
B. F. LAZARE, Colonel Commanding.
I immediately recalled the scouting parties and crossed my command, with the exception of
the artillery and Captain Vaughn's men, over the river. Late in the evening I received another
dispatch from Lazare, by Lieutenant Going, informing me verbally that he was marching from
the direction of Thomasville, on the Pocahontas road, and would be ready to co-operate with me
at any time after midnight. This road leads directly across the road to Yellville, by which the
enemy retreated, and they had already passed the point of intersection at least 36 hours before.
Of course pursuit was now useless, and I directed Lieutenant Going to rejoin Colonel Lazare,
with orders to join me as soon as possible on the Pocahontas road. On the morning of the 29th I
crossed the artillery over the river, and, leaving Captain Vaughn to guard the ferry and the
prisoners, I marched towards Pocahontas, and formed a junction with Colonel Lazare at
Bolinger's Mill, 15 miles from the ferry. I immediately ordered a detachment of 50 cavalry,
under Major Lippard, to march to Pocahontas to search for horses and contraband goods. Major
Jeinseh accompanied the detachment. They dispersed a small scouting party, capturing eight or
ten horses. and found a number of rebels sick in a hospital, whom Major Jeinsch paroled, and a
list of whom accompanies this report. The next morning, October 30th, I commenced my march
back to Patterson, which point I reached at 6 o'clock P. M. November 2nd. Too much praise
cannot be awarded the officers and men under my command in this expedition. They performed
a march of 65 miles to Pitman's Ferry, the first day through a severe storm, in less than two days
and a half, crossing a wide and deep stream. The last 20 hours they were on the march or in line
of battle without food. On their return they performed a march of 80 miles in four days, crossing
two wide and deep streams. I have no hesitation in saying that, had the force under Colonel
Lazare been able to co-operate with me, by reaching the road to Yellville, by which the enemy
retreated, at the time I reached Pitman's Ferry on the morning of the 27th, we would have routed
the entire rebel force and captured their baggage train and artillery. This force I estimate from
reliable information at 100 cavalry, 500 infantry and four pieces of artillery, under command of
Colonels Burdage, Green and Mitchell. It retreated toward Yellville, at which point I understand
a large force of the enemy is being concentrated, and where they have a powder mill in
operation. My thanks are especially due to the following officers detailed on special duty:
Captain Newberry, Twenty-fifth Missouri, for efficiency in crossing the command over Black
River; to Lieutenant Waterbury, Twenty-third Iowa, Acting Adjutant; to Lieutenant Brown,
Twenty-third Iowa, Acting Quartermaster, and to Lieutenant Buzard, Twenty-fifth Missouri,
commanding advance guard of infantry.
Very respectfully, etc.,
5
Wm. DEWEY, COLONEL COMMANDING
The roster of the Twenty-third Iowa shows that Colonel Dewey was 51 years of age when he
joined the regiment. No doubt the hardships and exposure, to which he and the troops he
commanded were subjected upon the expedition described in his report, brought on the illness
which Boon after culminated in his death. The regiment suffered much from the ravages of
disease during this early period of its service. This was the Common experience of all the new
regiments, and particularly of those whose first Service was performed on the borders of
Missouri and Arkansas during those arduous campaigns in the late autumn of 1862 and winter of
1863. The troops were exposed to the inclemency of the weather on their marches in pursuit of
their elusive enemy. While the fatalities from disease were numerous, a much larger number
were incapacitated for further military Service, many of whom never fully recovered from the
effects of the diseases with Which they were stricken.
Upon the arrival of the regiment at West Plains, it was assigned to the Second Brigade,
Second Division, Army of Southeast Missouri, consisting of the Twenty-first, Twenty-second
and Twenty-third Regiments of Iowa Infantry, under the command of Colonel William M. Stone
of the Twenty-second Iowa.
On the 9th of February, 1863, the regiment, with the other troops, commenced the march
which ended at Iron Mountain on February 26th. The long march through the mountainous
regions of the State, over difficult and at times, almost impassable roads, exposed to severe cold
and heavy storms against which there was no adequate protection, much of the time with
insufficient rations, put to the severest test the courage and fortitude of the officers and men of
the regiment, and subjected it to greater ultimate loss than subsequently sustained in some of the
severe battles in which it took part. Only men imbued with the highest degree of patriotism could
have endure such suffering without murmuring or complaint, as did these brave and hard sons of
Iowa.
The army remained encamped at Iron Mountain until the 9th of March when orders were
received to join the army of General Grant, then operating against Vicksburg, Miss. The march
was then resumed and, on March 12th the troops arrived at St. Genevieve, Mo., on the
Mississippi River, and there encamped to await the arrival of the fleet of transports which was to
convey them down the river. On the 22d of March, the transports upon which the Twenty-third
Iowa and the other regiments of the Second Brigade had embarked proceeded to Milliken's Bend,
La., where they arrived and disembarked on March 27th. A large number of troops were being
concentrated at Milliken's Bend, preparatory to the opening of General Grant's campaign against
Vicksburg. By April 1st, the remainder of the troops of the Army of Southeast Missouri had
arrived and, in the reorganization which followed, that army lost its identity, the troops
composing it being assigned to the Thirteenth Army Corps, commanded by Major General John
C. McClernand. In this reorganization the Twenty-third Iowa became a part of the Second
Brigade of the Fourteenth Division of the Thirteenth Corps, commanded by Brigadier Genera
Eugene C. Carr. The other regiments composing the brigade were the Twenty-first and Twentysecond
Iowa and Eleventh Wisconsin, Colonel C. L. Harris of the latter regiment being the senior
officer in command. The brigade received orders to march on the 12th of April and proceeded to
Richmond, La., and thence to Perkins' Landing, where it went into camp to await the arrival of
the remainder of the corps.
6 After the death of Colonel Dewey, Nov. 30, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel Kinsman was
promoted to Colonel of the regiment and Major Glasgow was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
Colonel Kinsman being temporarily absent at the time the
battle of Port Gibson was fought,
6
Lieutenant Colonel Glassow was in command of the regiment. His official report must have been
lost, as the compiler is unable to find it, either in the files of the Adjutant General of Iowa or the
Official Records of the War Department.
On the evening of April 27th, and on the morning of the 28th the embarkation of the troops
of the Thirteenth Army Corps had been completed, and the fleet of transports proceeded down
the river, landing opposite the mouth of Black River, near Grand Gulf, where the enemy had
erected heavy fortifications. On the morning of April 28th, the fleet of gunboats commenced a
bombardment of the enemy's fortifications, which lasted for several hours but without success.
The troops had been held in readiness to supplement the attack of the gunboats; the position
being deemed too strong to be carried by assault, the gunboats were withdrawn, but during the
night ran past the rebel batteries. In the meantime the troops of the Thirteenth Corps had received
orders to march, and moved down the levee three miles below Grand Gulf where they
bivouacked until morning. On the morning of the 30th, the troops of the Thirteenth Corps again
embarked on transports and gunboats and proceeded down the river to Bruinsburg, sixteen miles
below Grand Gulf, near the mouth of Bayou Pierre, where they landed, and at 4 P. M. took up
the line of march towards Port Gibson, Miss. The Second Brigade of General Carr's division, to
which the Twenty-third Iowa belonged, led the advance of the army and marched in the
following order: Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Twenty-third Iowa, and Eleventh Wisconsin.
Colonel Harris was taken sick and, being unable to continue in command of the brigade, was
relieved by Colonel Stone of the Twenty-second Iowa. The march was continued without
interruption until one o'clock A. M. on May 1st, when the advance guard was fired upon by the
enemy's pickets, about three miles from Port Gibson. The enemy's batteries, which had been
posted so as to enfilade the road, then opened upon the advancing troops, but, owing to the
darkness, did little execution. It was evident that the enemy had taken position in strong force
and that a battle was impending. Skirmishing and exchange of shots between the Union and
Rebel batteries continued for two hours, during which the relative positions of the contending
forces were developed, when the firing ceased on both sides until daylight, at which time the
batteries of the enemy resumed their fire with great vigor and their infantry moved forward to the
attack. The following extracts from the official report of Colonel Stone of the Twenty-second
Iowa, who was in command of the brigade, will serve to show how well the Twenty-third Iowa
acquitted itself in the battle which ensued. 5 After giving the details of the engagement of the
previous night, Colonel Stone proceeds to describe with particularity of detail the operations and
conduct of his brigade in the battle of Port Gibson, May 1st, 1863. He describes the opening of
the engagement as follows:
. . . Soon after sunrise the battle was renewed by the enemy, who held their position during the
night. Their batteries opened upon us with great vigor, and their infantry moved forward to the
attack. My command was promptly in line, and Captain Grifflth's vigorously returned their fire
with his admirable battery. Other brigades and batteries were soon engaged on our right and
left.... Our position being in the center of our line, I was ordered by General Carr to hold my
infantry in readiness to charge the enemy's lines when the decisive moment should arrive. .
.About 10 o'clock it became evident that the enemy were massing their forces upon our
immediate front, as their musketry was increasing in volume and rapidly advancing toward us.
At this juncture I moved my brigade forward in double lines of battalions for the purpose of
charging upon the advancing columns of the enemy. We were compelled to cross a deep hollow,
thickly covered on both sides with underbrush and cane, but my men moved forward with the
spirit and steadiness of veteran troops. . . . When the
thicket was passed, and as we advanced into
7
the open field close to the enemy's lines, we opened fire upon them with such rapidity and
precision that unable to resist it, they soon broke and retreated in utter confusion. This ended the
battle of the morning. Our victory was complete. The dead and wounded of the enemy lay
thickly scattered over the ground, while their prisoners and small arms that fell into our hands
were counted by the hundreds. We remained but a few minutes on the victorious field. I moved
at once in pursuit of the retreating foe, and, when about one mile from the late field, my advance
regiment, the Eleventh Wisconsin, covered by two companies of skirmishers from the Twentythird
Iowa, was fired upon from the timber. I saw at once that the enemy had been strongly reenforced
and were determined to make another stand. Their position was well chosen, on a high
hill covered with timber, and commanding the entire ground over which we were compelled to
approach. My regiments were soon in line, with Captain Griffith's battery in position, which
opened with its usual spirit upon the enemy. Simultaneously with this the rebel batteries also
opened with accurate range, and for about half an hour we sustained alone the concentrated fire
of their infantry and artillery. Finally other brigades and batteries became engaged, and the battle
raged with terrific fury along our lines. My command, however, remained in front during the
entire engagement, and all the time under the enemy's fire. They retired only after the battle had
ceased and the enemy had again retreated from the field. During these five hours' hard fighting, I
am proud to say that the officers and men of this brigade acted with the utmost coolness, and
with a determined courage that would have done honor to veteran troops. They promptly obeyed
every command, and displayed a degree of exalted heroism which nothing but the influence of
exalted patriotism could have produced. To Colonel Merrill of the Twenty-first Iowa, Lieutenant
Colonel Glasgow of the Twenty-third Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Wood of the Eleventh
Wisconsin, and Major Atherton of the Twenty-second Iowa, I am under great obligations for the
coolness and promptitude with which they obeyed my orders in the various movements on the
field. Their associate officers, too, are entitled to great credit, as all of them, so far as I have been
able to learn, performed their duties nobly. To the dauntless and heroic men of the ranks and the
line officers all honor is due.... When the history of this war is fully written, they will be
numbered among the bravest defenders of the Republic Lieutenants Jackson, of the Eleventh
Wisconsin, and Waterbury, of the Twenty-third Iowa, acting Aides, rendered me essential
service, and they both displayed great coolness and bravery in conveying orders under the hottest
fire. . . .7
7 War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 1, Vol. 24, pages 628
The total losses of the two brigades Of General Carr's Division in the battle of Port Gibson
were 263 killed and wounded; the total losses of the Second Brigade were 101 killed and
wounded; the loss Of the Twenty-third Iowa was 9 killed and 26 wounded,—the heaviest loss
sustained by any regiment in the brigade. Among the wounded were Captain William R. Henry
and Lieutenant D. P. Ballard.
The regiment took part in the various movements of its brigade and division, which led up to
the battle of Champion's Hill on the 16th of May, 1863. In that hard fought battle, General Carr's
Fourteenth Division was held in reserve, until very near its close, when it was ordered forward in
pursuit of the retreating enemy and succeeded in capturing a considerable number of prisoners
and a large quantity of army stores, but the order was not given in time to enable General Carr to
cut off the retreat of the rebel army, which fell back to its strongly fortified position on Big Black
River, closely followed by the Fourteenth Division, which led the advance. The march was
conducted with great vigor and, at 10 A. M., on May 17th,
the pickets of the enemy were driven
8
in. The Second Brigade was now under the command of General M. K. Lawler, from whose
extended official report of the battle which ensued the following brief extracts are taken:
. . . I was instructed by the Brigadier General commanding the division to move forward slowly
and cautiously with my command, and develop and press back, if possible, the enemy's left.
Accordingly I ordered Colonel C. L. Harris, Eleventh Wisconsin, who held the left of our new
position, to move his regiment forward through the woods in his front, his skirmishers covering
his advance, and the Twenty-third Iowa, Colonel Kinsman, to follow him at a distance of 100
yards as a support. At the same time I advanced the Twentyfirst
Iowa, Colonel Samuel Merrill, into the cleared field skirting Big Black River, with
instructions to move forward on a line with the Eleventh Wisconsin. The Peoria Battery was left
in position on the rising ground in the edge of the field, and the Twenty-second Iowa in rear as a
reserve and support. Meanwhile there had commenced a spirited artillery engagement between
the battery of Benton's Brigade and the enemy's cannon in position behind their works. The
skirmishers of the First Brigade were actively engaged, and those of the Eleventh Wisconsin,
which regiment advanced steadily forward through the timber to the field in front of the enemy's
works, and distant from them about 400 yards. Here I ordered it to halt, and move down to the
right through the field skirting the river, and take position In the woods and brush lining this
stream. This movement Colonel Harris promptly executed, reaching the position designated
without serious loss, though exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy's sharpshooters. The
Twenty-third Iowa, Colonel Kinsman, having come up after the Eleventh Wisconsin, was
ordered to make a similar movement to the right, and to move up under cover of the river bank
and take position on the right of the Eleventh Wisconsin and as close as possible to the enemy's
works, and the Twenty-first Iowa, Colonel Merrill, to take position on the bank between these
two regiments. I also directed the Peoria Battery to take position in the open field in front of the
left of the enemy and to open an enfilading fire on their center batteries, with which the battery
of Benton's Brigade was engaged. At the same time the Twenty-second Iowa, Colonel Stone,
was ordered to move forward on the left of the field to within supporting distance. These orders
were quickly responded to, and the position thus occupied by the brigade continued to be held
without material variation, During the greater part of the forenoon heavy but ineffectual
musketry firing was kept up by the enemy upon my men, briskly responded to by our
sharpshooters. Late in the forenoon, finding it impossible to press farther forward along the river
bank toward the enemy, as I had intended, Colonel Kinsman, Twenty-third Iowa, proposed to
charge at once the enemy's works and drive them out at the point of the bayonet, and asked my
consent to the same. Foreseeing that a charge by a single regiment, unsustained by the whole
line, against fortifications as formidable as those in his front could hardly be successful, at the
same time I gave my consent to his daring proposition, I determined that there should be a
simultaneous movement on the part of my whole command. Accordingly, the Twenty-first Iowa,
Colonel Merrill, was ordered to charge with the Twenty-third, the Eleventh Wisconsin following
close upon them as a support, and the Twenty-second Iowa, Colonel Stone,—which had in the
meantime crossed the field and taken position on the river bank on the right of the Eleventh
Wisconsin,—were ordered to move out into the field and act as a reserve force.... Orders were
further given that the men should reserve their fire until upon the rebel works. Finally the
regiments that were to lead the charge were formed, with bayonets fixed, in the edge of the
woods on the river bank. All things being in readiness, the command "Forward" was given by
Colonel Kinsman, and at once his noble regiment sprang forward to the works. The Twenty-first
Iowa, led by Colonel Merrill, moved at the same instant, the Eleventh Wisconsin, Colonel
Harris, closely following. Through a terrible fire of
musketry from the enemy in front, and a
9
galling fire from his sharpshooters on the right, these brave men dashed bravely on. Kinsman
fell, dangerously wounded, before half the distance was accomplished. Struggling to his feet, he
staggered a few paces to the front, cheered forward his men, and fell again, this time to rise no
more, pierced through by a second ball. Colonel Merrill, the brave commander of the Twentyfirst
Iowa, fell, wounded early in the charge. . . . Immediately Lieutenant Colonel Glasgow
placed himself at the head of the Twenty-third Iowa, and Major Van Anda led on the Twentyfirst.
Undismayed by the loss of their Colonels, and by the perfect store of bullets poured into
them with destructive effect, the men of the Twenty-third and Twenty-first Iowa and Eleventh
Wisconsin pressed onward, nearer and nearer to the rebel works, over the open field and up to
the edge of the bayou. Halting here only long enough to pour into the enemy a deadly volley,
they dashed forward through the bayou, filled with water, fallen timber and brush, on to the rebel
works, with the shout of victors, driving the enemy from their breastworks and entering in
triumph the rebel stronghold.... Those of the rebels who were not captured hastened to make
good their retreat over the bridge. . . . It is, perhaps, worthy of remark that more men were
captured by my brigade than I had men in the charge.... Lieutenant Colonel S. L. Glasgow, of the
Twenty-third Iowa, and Major S. G. Van Anda, of the Twenty-first Iowa, who assumed
command of their respective regiments after the fall of their Colonels, deserve the highest
praise.... They had the honor of leading their regiments into the enemy's works.... Captain
Houston, Company A, Captain Brown, company I, and Lieutenant Rawlings, Company F, of the
Twenty-third Iowa, with their commands, broke the enemy's line in a swamp at the edge of the
timber, and poured an enfilading fire into the ditches that routed the rebels in confusion.
Lieutenant Rawlings captured the colors of the Sixty-first Tennessee, wresting them from the
rebel color bearer. Captain Houston captured the colors of the Twenty-first Arkansas. Corporal
John W. Boone, color bearer of the Twenty-third Iowa, fell, severely wounded; Corporal J. T.
Shipman then grasped the colors and bore them gallantly to the front and through the whole
charge.... special and honorable mention should be made of A. M. Lyon, Esq., Sutler of the
Twenty-third Iowa, a brave old man, who took a gun at the commencement of the battle, went
into the ranks, fought nobly, and fell mortally wounded. The death of colonel Kinsman of the
Twenty-third Iowa, whose brave and gallant conduct is the theme of universal praise, fills the
hearts of all who knew him with poignant sorrow. A splendid soldier, a perfect gentleman, and a
finished scholar, endowed in the highest degree with the noblest qualities of true manhood, his
loss cannot prove less to his State and country than a public calamity. The officers and soldiers
of his command had learned to love and respect him with an earnestness and devotion rarely
equaled. His loss is irreparable, but he fell as the true soldier wishes to fall, in the moment of
victory, when his country's flag waved in triumph over the stronghold of treason and rebellion,
and died as the true soldier wishes to die, with Christian resignation and fortitude.... Finally, I
cannot close this report without expressing my admiration for the brave men in the ranks, to
whose steadiness and determined courage is in a great measure due the glory of the brilliant and
decisive victory of Big Black Bridge. To them I return my warmest thanks. A grateful country
will see that their services are appropriately rewarded. 8
8 War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 2, Vol. 24, pages 135 to 139
inclusive.
The total loss of the Thirteenth Army Corps at the battle of the Big Black River Bridge was
279, while the loss in General M. K. Lawler's brigade alone was 221, and of this number the
Twenty-third Iowa lost 2 officers and 11 enlisted men killed, and 3 officers and 85 enlisted men
wounded. Total loss of the regiment 101. 9 The two
officers killed were Colonel Kinsman and
10
Captain R. L. McCray and the four wounded were: Captain John C. T. Hull, Lieutenant S. G.
Beckwith, J. D. Ewing and Washington Rawlings. Lieutenants Beckwith and Ewing
subsequently died from the effect of their wounds. The casualties of the Twenty-third in this
battle were exactly the same as those of the entire brigade at Port Gibson. Had the military career
of the Twenty-third Iowa ended with this battle, its record would have been established as one of
the best and bravest regiments in the army of the United States.
9 War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 2, Vol. 24, page 130. Returns o
Casualties in battle of Big Black River Bridge.
The remainder of the 17th and all the next day after the battle were spent in caring for the
wounded, burying the dead, and collecting the trophies of war,—the immense number of arms
and accouterments left on the battlefield and captured with the prisoners, 3,000 in number. To
the Twenty-third Iowa was assigned the duty of guarding the prisoners. General Lawler, at the
conclusion of his report, says: ``The Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers, which had borne so
distinguished a part and suffered so severely in the charge, was placed as a guard over the
captured prisoners, and, by order of Major General U. S. Grant, has since gone north with them,
thus losing to me for the time being the services of this command."
The regiment now marched to the Yazoo River, as guard to the rebel prisoners. As soon as
transportation could be procured, it proceeded with the prisoners to Memphis. Upon arriving at
that place, the prisoners were turned over to the Commandant of the Post and the regiment
returned to Young's Point, La., where it arrived a few days before the attack was made upon
Milliken's Bend, where the garrison, consisting of untrained Negro troops about 800 strong, was
threatened with attack by a full brigade of rebel troops under command of the rebel General
McCulloch. General Elias S. Dennis was in command of the Post, and from his official report of
the engagement the following extracts are made, to show the part taken by the Twenty-third
Iowa. 10 After describing the preliminary movements and skirmishes of the Negro troops with
the enemy, which occurred on June 6th, outside of his works, General Dennis proceeds to
describe the terrible contest which ensued in the morning and forenoon of June 7, 1863.
10 The compiler has made diligent search of the Official Records for the report of Colonel
Glasgow, but without success.
. . . I immediately started the Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry to their assistance, and
Admiral Porter ordered the gunboat Choctaw to that point. At 3 o'clock the following morning
the enemy made their appearance in strong force on the main Richmond road, driving the pickets
before them. The enemy advanced upon the left of our line, throwing out no skirmishers,
marching in close column by division, with a strong cavalry force on his right flank. Our forces,
consisting of the Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry and the African Brigade, (in all 1,061
men,) opened upon the enemy when within musket shot range, which made them waver and
recoil, a number running in confusion to the rear; the balance, pushing on with intrepidity, soon
reached the levee, when they were ordered to charge, with cries of "No quarter!" The African
regiments being inexperienced in the use of arms, some of them having been drilled but a few
days, and the guns being very inferior, the enemy succeeded in getting upon our works before
more than one or two volleys were fired at them. Here ensued a most terrible hand to hand
conflict of several minutes' duration, our men using their bayonets freely and clubbing their guns
with fierce obstinacy, contesting every inch of ground,
until the enemy succeeded in flanking
11
them, and poured a murderous enfilading fire along our lines, directing their fire chiefly to the
officers, who fell in numbers. Not till they were overpowered and forced by superior numbers
did our men fall back behind the bank of the river, at the same time pouring volley after volley
into the ranks of the advancing enemy. The gunboat now got into position and fired a broadside
into the enemy, who immediately disappeared behind the levee, but all the time keeping up a fire
upon our men.... In this position the fight continued until near noon, when the enemy suddenly
withdrew. Our men, seeing this movement, advanced upon the retreating column, firing volley
after volley at them while they remained within gunshot.... The officers and men deserve the
highest praise for their gallant conduct, and especially Colonel Glasgow, of the Twenty-third
Iowa, and his brave men.... The enemy consisted of one brigade, numbering about 2,500, in
command of General H. E. McCulloch and 200 cavalry. The enemy's loss is estimated at about
150 killed and 300 wounded.... Enclosed please find tabular statement of killed, wounded and
missing; in all 652. Nearly all the missing blacks will probably return, as they were badly
scattered . . .11
11 War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1, Part 2, Vol. 24, pages 447-8. Loss
statement in foot note to Report.
The Twenty-third Iowa had been so greatly reduced in numbers by its heavy losses in battle
and from disease that, at the time it went into the battle at Milliken's Bend, it had less than 200
officers and men able for duty. It was the only regiment of white troops engaged in that battle.
The statement of casualties referred to in the official report of General Dennis is as follows: 11
officers and 90 men killed, 17 officers and 268 men wounded; total killed and wounded 386;
captured or missing 2 officers and 264 men. Total loss 652 of the 1,061 engaged. The Twentythird
Iowa had none captured or missing, and its loss was as follows: 2 officers and 21 enlisted
men killed, and 41 enlisted men wounded; total 64. Among the killed were Captain John C.
Brown and Lieutenant William H. Downs, of the Twenty-third Iowa. The loss was probably
greater, in proportion to the number engaged, than that sustained by the regiment in any of the
battles in which it had previously been engaged. 12 It had fully maintained its glorious record at
Port Gibson and Black River Bridge, and placed itself high on the roll of fame. The battle of
Milliken's Bend is memorable in the annals of the War of the Rebellion, not only on account of
the desperate character of the conflict, but because of the avowed purpose of the rebel
commander to take no prisoners, in the event of the capture of the garrison. When the rebels
advanced to the attack with the cry of "No quarter!" it meant the death of every Union soldier—
white or black— who might be so unfortunate as to fall into their hands. The adoption of such a
savage and inhuman method of warfare was for the purpose of terrorizing the Negro soldiers and
discouraging them from entering or remaining in the service of the United States, and to serve as
a warning to the white officers in command of the Negro troops, as well as the white troops who
fought by their side. It need not be said that such inhuman methods were not successful, and,
being in contravention of the rules of civilized warfare, were soon abandoned.
12 The casualties Or the Twenty-third Iowa at Milliken's Bend are obtained from the muster
out rolls of the regiment, where all casualties are noted, and are, therefore, officially correct, but
the number of officers and men engaged is not officially stated. In Byers "Iowa in War Times,"
page 245, the number of the regiment engaged at Milliken's Bend is estimated at from 110 to
160, while in Ingersoll's "Iowa and the Rebellion," page 496, the statement is made that the
regiment had less than 200 men fit for duty at the time the battle was fought. both authors state
that the Official report of Colonel Glasgow could not be
found, and neither of them gives the
12
source of his information. The compiler places the number at about 128, based upon the most
reliable unofficial information he has been able to obtain.
The Twenty-third Iowa had now been in the service less than nine months, and its remaining
service extended over a period more than two years longer. A considerable portion of its
subsequent history, as will appear, is not marked with as arduous service as that which has been
described in the preceding pages, and may therefore be condensed into the briefer space which
the limitation to which the compiler is subjected renders necessary.
On the 18th of June, 1863, the Twenty-third Iowa rejoined its brigade, then engaged in the
siege of Vicksburg. The regiment had been fearfully reduced in numbers by its heavy losses in
battle and from disease, but the survivors who were able for duty went cheerfully into the
trenches and performed their full share of the arduous and hazardous work, which continued
until July 4, 1863, on which date the rebel stronghold was surrendered to General Grant and his
victorious army. On the morning of July 5th, the Twenty-third Iowa, with its brigade and
division, took up the line of march towards Jackson, with the army under command of General
Sherman moving against the rebel army under command of General Johnston. A few days later
the rebel arming had taken refuge behind the strong works at Jackson. Another siege of but short
duration ensued, in which the Twenty-third Iowa performed its full share of duty, and after the
evacuation of Jackson, (which took place on the night of July 16th,) the regiment was engaged,
with the other troops, in the extensive destruction of the railroad for a number of days, after
which it returned to Vicksburg, arriving there on the 24th of July and going into camp with its
brigade, which had now become a part of the First Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. 13
13 The compiler finds (War of the Rebellion Official Records, Series 1 Part 2, page 616) the
official report of Major L. B. Houston, covering the period embraced in the expedition against
Johnston's army and the return to Vicksburg, as follows:
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-THIRD IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
July 24, 1863.
Left Vicksburg on the morning of July 5, 1868, with 82 enlisted men, and 7 Field, Staff and
Commissioned officers. Encamped on Big Black River, 14 miles distant, where one man died
from disease, and 5 enlisted men and one commissioned officer returned to Vicksburg on
account of sickness.
July 6—Proceed to Edwards Station, having frequent skirmishes with the
July 7—Proceeded, with frequent skirmishing, to Clinton, 8 miles distant.
July 8—Took up line of march, driving the enemy before us, with frequent skirmishes, to
their entrenchment's at Jackson, before which place we camped in front of the enemy.
July 9—Skirmishing all day with the enemy, with the loss of one man wounded.
July 10—Skirmishing as before.
July 11-Advanced near the works of the enemy, and threw up breastworks. Heavy
skirmishing.
July 12—constant skirmishing from this date until the evening of the 16th, when the enemy
evacuated Jackson.
July 17—we entered Jackson and took possession of the works.
July 18—Started out to tear up the track and destroy bridges on the Jackson and New Orleans
Railroad, which we continued until the morning of the 20th, when we commenced our return to
Vicksburg, where we arrived and went into camp July 24th.
13
Respectfully submitted,
L. B. HOUSTON, Major,
Commanding Twenty-third Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
FIRST LIEUTENANT W, E. HOUSTON, Acting Adjutant.
On the 13th of August the regiment embarked on transports and moved down the river to
Carrollton, eight miles above New Orleans, and went into camp at that place. It was soon after
moved to New Orleans and there embarked with its brigade on transports and proceeded to
Algiers. Landing there September 4th, the troops were conveyed by rail to Bayou Beoff, where
they arrived September 5th. From that place they marched to Brashear City, on Berwick Bay,
remaining there until September 25th, when they were conveyed across the bay and went into
camp near what had been the town of Berwick, but which was then in ruins. From that point the
troops again marched, on the 2d of October, and, passing through Iberia, Franklin and St.
Martinsville arrived at Vermillionville on October 10th. On this march a considerable force of
the enemy was encountered near Iberia but, after some skirmishing, the rebel force rapidly
retreated and the Union troops continued the pursuit to Opelousas, at which point the pursuit was
abandoned and the troops returned to Berwick. The Twenty-third Iowa had participated in all the
movements of this expedition, but there is no record of its having met with any loss in the
skirmishes which occurred.
The First Division—now under command of General Washburn—was ordered to proceed to
Texas and, on November 16th, the Twenty-third Iowa with its brigade, crossed Berwick Bay and
arrived at Algiers the next day. On the 20th, the transports moved down the river and crossed the
bar into the Gulf of Mexico. After a stormy voyage the transports arrived at the mouth of the Rio
Grande, off Brazos de Santiago, Texas. Here five companies of the Eleventh Wisconsin
succeeded in landing in small boats, but, during this hazardous undertaking, a storm arose and
the ships were compelled to put to sea again. On the evening of the 27th they arrived off
Mustang Island, 70 miles from Matagorda Bay, and, the storm having abated, succeeded in
landing the troops in safety. On November 29th, the regiment proceeded with the expedition
against Fort Esperanza, which commanded the entrance to Matagorda Bay crossed St. Joseph's
and Matagorda Islands, and arrived in front of the fort on December 1st. The enemy had blown
up their magazines and abandoned the fort the night before, thus saving a contest for its
possession. The troops went into camp at Port Saluria, and on the next day crossed Pass Cavallo,
at the entrance of the bay, and went into camp on the peninsula at De Crou's Point, where they
remained until January 3, 1864, on which date the Twenty-third Iowa, with the other troops,
embarked on transports and proceeded to Indianola. That town was occupied by a force of rebels
but, upon the approach of the vessels conveying the Union troops, they abandoned the town and
retreated to the interior. The troops were quartered in houses in Indianola for about three weeks,
when the Second Brigade, to which the Twenty-third Iowa belonged, moved to the town of Old
Indianola and went into winter quarters at that place, under the command of General Fitz Henry
Warren, the former Colonel of the First Iowa Cavalry. The regiment was here comfortably
situated. The only notable events were occasional skirmishes with small bodies of the enemy, by
a detachment of 25 men who had been provided with horses for the purpose of scouting in the
surrounding country. This detachment was made up of details from the different regiments, and
sustained quite a number of casualties, but the records do not reveal the proportion of loss, if any,
sustained by the Twenty-third Iowa, during this period of its service. In the absence of official
reports of the movements of the regiment during the remaining period of its service, other than
those relating to the operations of the troops with which
it was known to be connected, and
14
which are revealed through the reports of its brigade commanders, the compiler is only able to
give a summary of its history during the period which intervened between the 21st of April,
1864, and the date of its muster out of the service, July 26, 1865.
During the greater part of the winter of 1864, Major Houston of the Twenty-third Iowa was
assigned to the command of the Twenty-second Iowa, on account of the absence of the field
officers of that regiment. On the 13th of March the regiment with the other troops left the winter
quarters at Old Indianola and returned to Matagorda Island, where they were assigned to the
defense of the coast at that point. On the 21st of April, the regiment, with other troops, under the
command of General Warren, participated in an expedition to Port Lavacca, 30 miles above
Indianola. Upon the approach of the steamers, the rebel troops stationed at Port Lavacca
abandoned the town and, before the troops could be disembarked, had made good their retreat
into the interior. The enemy was pursued until it became evident that they could not be
overtaken, when the pursuit was abandoned and the troops returned to Matagorda Island.
On the 27th of April, the Thirteenth Army Corps was ordered to report to General Banks,
then engaged in the ill-fated Red River Expedition. As rapidly as transportation could be
furnished, the troops got under way. The Twenty-third Iowa arrived at New Orleans on the 1st of
May, and, with one-half of the Twenty-second Iowa, together with General Warren and his Staff,
embarked on a river steamer and proceeded to Fort De Russy, arriving at that place on May 6th.
The enemy having obstructed navigation of the river below Alexandria, the boats could go no
farther. They then returned to the mouth of Red River, where the troops landed and went into
camp. On the 15th of May the troops again embarked and proceeded to Simsport on the
Atchafalaya, where General Banks, army had crossed on a bridge of transports. The regiment
arrived at Morganza, La., on May 22d, and went into camp. In the reorganization of the army
which soon followed, the Twenty-third Iowa was assigned to a brigade to which the Twentieth
Iowa was attached and of which Lieutenant Colonel Leake, of that regiment, was the
commander. After a period of rest at Morganza, the regiment with its brigade moved into the
State of Arkansas, and was stationed at Devall's Bluff and Brownsville, its service consisting
mainly of garrison duty and labor upon fortifications at those points. There is no record of its
having met any considerable force of the enemy during this period of its service.
Early in 1865, the regiment, with its brigade, moved to the
vicinity of New Orleans and there awaited preparations for the closing campaign of the war, in
which it was to perform its full share of arduous and effective service. On this campaign,
Lieutenant Colonel Charles J. Clark was much of the time in command of the regiment,—
Colonel Glasgow having succeeded to the command of the brigade,—but no copies of their
official reports were received by the Adjutant General of Iowa. It is well known, however, that
the regiment was prominently identified with the operations of its brigade and division in all the
movements that led up to the siege and capture of Spanish Fort, and that in the charge, which
resulted in the capture of the fort, it sustained the high reputation for gallantry and heroism it had
gained at Port Gibson, Black River Bridge and Milliken's Bend. The remainder of its service is
well condensed at the conclusion of its history, written soon after the close of the war, by L. D.
Ingersoll, in his work entitled "Iowa and the Rebellion," as follows:.
"The brilliant and memorable operations of the regiment in the campaign against Mobile
ended its operations in the face of the enemy. It is a remark. able coincidence that at Spanish
Fort it met and whipped the Twenty-third Alabama regiment,
which it had met and whipped on
15
the occasion of its first going under fire, at the battle of Port Gibson. But the regiment did not
here end its campaigning. Remaining near the scene of its latest renown a little more than two
months, it embarked again for Texas, arriving at Galveston on the 22nd of June. Thence it
moved by Houston to Columbus, and went into encampment. Colonel Glasgow and Lieutenant
Colonel Clark being necessarily absent in New Orleans, and Major Houston in command of the
post, Captain J. J. Van Houten was in command of the regiment. After about a month spent
rather agreeably in Texas, the regiment was honorably discharged the service on the 26th of July,
1866."
The official records show that the regiment was mustered out of the service of the United
States at Harrisburg, Texas, July 26, 1865, and that it was then conveyed to Davenport, Iowa,
and was there disbanded. The regiment numbered 417 officers and enlisted men at the date of its
muster out of service. The Twenty-third Iowa stands conspicuous among the long line of
splendid Iowa regiments, with its record of heroic achievements. Its survivors may well feel
proud of its history. Its Roster contains the names of men who not only distinguished themselves
as soldiers but who have since won fame and honor in the public service. Its survivors have
proved themselves good and worthy citizens of the State and Nation they fought so bravely to
defend and save. The State has done well in providing for the preservation of the history of the
regiment and of the personal record of its members.
14 Iowa and the Rebellion," By L. D. Ingersoll; Second Edition, 1866, pages 499, 600.
SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.
Total Enrollment ..............................................1,070
Killed .....................................................................64
Wounded .............................................................135