Civil War Roster 

(This comes from the 1879 History of Clinton County by L. P. Allen)

See Also War History From the same book 

The sword, from the first establishment of Governments has always been the arbitrator to settle great controversies of State, and undoubtedly will continue to be; for the civilization at the latter part of the nineteenth century does not warrant the predictment that Christian means will be used to adjust great points of dispute between nations. Even to bring about great reforms within a Government it is often seemingly necessary to engage in Civil War.

That slavery was the direct cause of the late rebellion no one will now deny. The introduction of slavery into this country followed its first settlement. it rapidly spread among the colonies, and when the Government of the United States was formed. the institution of slavery became a part of it. It was predicted then by some of the founders of this Government that it would eventually lead to a war. To the indolent it was an exceedingly fascinating institution; to those who liked power it was a charm. Then, as now, a large portion of the of the human family preferred to live by the sweat of the brows of others rather than their own. The great patriots of the Revolution, the framers of our Constitution and founders of the best Government the has ever know, while they at that time could not eradicate slavery, embodied their sentiments in the Declaration of Independence which ultimately wrought its doom. That all men were created equal, with certain inalienable rights among which were life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness---this sentiment continued to grow and spread among the people. it was an immortal principle and could not be suppressed. It was the great enemy to slavery and oppression, and it was that which finally wrought it destruction. It was hoped, however, by the founders of our Government, that the institution would gradually fade away, and that a civil war would be avoided. But instead of that its aggressive power was felt throughout the Government. Then came the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska Bill and the Fugitive Slave Law. As long as the South held the Government, they were satisfied that they could use it for the protection, and even the extension of slavery. But when the Republican party came into power, they, keener than many of our Northern politicians, knew that slavery was doomed unless they could succeed in establishing a separate Government, the corner-stone of which should rest on slavery. With the loss of slavery they felt that their political power would be gone forever, consequently they decided to cast everything upon that issue, and at once declared secession.

Before the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln many of the Slave States had seceded; the United States Mint, the forts and the arsenals had been seized, and that grand American flag had been torn down and insulted. Not long after the inauguration of the Republican President, Fort Sumter was forced upon and its surrender was demanded. This sent a thrill of just indignation through ever patriotic heart in the country,. and was a signal for a call to arms as much so as the call for 75,000 volunteers issued by President Lincoln.

There was not lack of response to this call among the Northern States, and no State more enthusiastically or patriotically responded than the State of Iowa. Hardly had the sound of the electric click which brought the message of President Lincoln, calling for 75,000 men, died away before Iowa and had her quota filled. men and money were offered without reserve. Volunteers came from all avocations in life, and offered up their lives on the altar of their country. Patriotism was dominant in every heart. Party lines were ignored, and political conflicts were forgotten, and all formed themselves together for the preservation of the Union. The people of the North deplored this internecine war, yet as it was inevitable, they cane forward nobly with the determination to end it as soon as possible.

Clinton County promptly responded to the call, and recruiting began here immediately after the proclamation, which was mad April 15, 1861. On the evening of the 18th a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Lyons, and the following evening one was held at Clinton. Seventeen men enlisted at Lyons and nineteen at Clinton, They formed the nucleus for the organization of the first company, and when raised it was called the Clinton Guards. There was now war equipage nor means for furnishing it by the Government/ The people not only furnished the men but the means to equip and support them during the preparations for war. The first company was uniformed in gray, and was presented on their departure with an elegant silk flag by the ladies of Lyons. The noble women of the country were ever ready with hands and hearts to aid in the glorious cause. This company was enlisted for three months, but on their arrival at Keokuk they were informed that no more three-months men would be taken. They were given the choice of enlisting for three years or returning home. They all enrolled for three years and were mustered into service,

Other companies were soon raised. The first to follow was a cavalry company, called the Hawkeye Rangers, with W. E. Leffingwell as Captain. This company was raised at Lyons. About the same time a cavalry company was raised at Clinton, called the Black Plume Rangers, with W. H. Ankeny as Captain. In October another company started for the seat of war, and was followed in November by still another. The next company to take the field was one recruited at Camanche and Lyons, with J. Henry Smith as Captain. And so patriotic Clinton County continued to respond to the country’s call until ten companies had been raised and had gone forth to the battle-fields. At this time--in the fall 1962--the returns made by the enrolling officers showed only 4,021 men liable to military duty, and out of this number 1, 459 volunteers had gone into the field. Still more men were called for, and it was determined to raise and entire regiment in Clinton County. To do this it required the service of very third able-bodied man. Recruiting began at once, and by the last day of September the number was raised, and the 26th Iowa Infantry, a full regiment, was mustered into service with Milo Smith as Colonel. The last company raised in the county was Co. A, 6th Iowa Cav., which was mustered into service the last day of January, 1863.

Up to the fall of 1864, it was estimated that 2,500 men had gone into the service from the county in one way or another. Yet the country required still greater sacrifices from the people. The draft was finally ordered after every effort had been made to avoid it. About 200 men were drawn from this county. The county officially was very prompt to appropriate funds to meet the necessities of the war, and the citizens privately were very generous in their donations.

The record of Clinton County in the war is a most noble one. With a population of 18,938, she sent about 2,700 men into the field to fight for the preservation of the Union, and most nobly did they do this work in many a hard-fought battle. They mad a gallant record for bravery, and hundreds of them were sacrificed on the altar of their country.

Over a score of years have now passed since the war terminated, but it is not forgotten, though the weeds of mourning may have disappeared. in too many homes there still stand the vacant chair; too many hearts mourn the loss of father, husband and brother, for the memories of that unhappy conflict to fade away. Our cemeteries are too full of the dead who lost their lives on the battle-field or died from the effects of wounds or imprisonment for the heart to forget its sorrow or the memory to become oblivious. No! the war is not forgotten, neither are the brave men who sleep in soldiers’ graves. Their noble deeds, their sacrifices, will be remembered in generations to come, and then as now, will com the thought. “How beautiful it is to die for one’s country.”