The more we share the more we have to share
Civil War History: Iowa and as it pertains to Clinton County, Iowa
We would like to thank the Clinton Co. Historical Society for
sharing this information with us.
Also, thanks go to Fran Barsema who typed much of this info for us to put online.
Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion Together with
Historical Sketches of Volunteer Organizations 1861-1866: Vol. 1 1st -8th Regiments-
Infantry. Published by authority of the General Assembly, under the direction of
Brig. Gen. Wm. H. Thrift, Adjutant General. Des Moines; Emory H. English, State
Printer, E. D. Chassell, State Binder; 1908
HISTORICAL SKETCH
SEVENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTY
Under the proclamation Of President Lincoln, bearing date May 3, 1861, the
companies composing this regiment were ordered to rendezvous at Burlington, Iowa,
and were mustered into the service of the United States by Lieut. Alexander Chambers,
United States Army, on dates ranging from July 23, to August 2, 1861. Its first field
officers were Col. Jacob G. Lauman, Lieut. Col. Augustus Wentz, and Maj. Elliott W.
Rice. Like its predecessors the Seventh had but a short stay in its camp at rendezvous,
for, on the 6th day of August, only four days after its last company had been mustered,
the regiment was ordered to St. Louis, and embarked on the steamer Jennie Whipple, with
its camp equipage and baggage. It arrived in St. Louis on the morning of August 8th and
marched to the government arsenal, where it was armed, the two flanking companies with
Springfield rifles, and the other eight companies with improved Springfield muskets.
The regiment was in Jefferson Barracks for a short ime, then went to Pilot Knob, thence
to Ironton, where it remained in camp about two weeks, during which time it had the
first opportunity to learn the manual of arms, and was instructed in some of the simpler
movements of the company, battalion and regimental drill. About the 1st of September it
started on its first campaign with a division composed of six regiments, under the command
of Brig. Gen. B. M. Prentiss.
Jackson and Cape Girardean, Mo., were occupied, and from the latter place the regiment
proceeded by steamboat to Cairo, Ill., and immediately after its arrival there was sent
to occupy the position afterwards, known as Fort Holt, Ky. It remained there but two
weeks, and then moved to a point about eight miles from Columbus, where the rebels had
constructed a strong fort. From this point-named Camp Crittenden-the main body of the
regiment moved to Fort Jefferson on the Mississippi river, but left a strong picket guard
at Camp Crittenden, where one man was wounded in a skirmish with the enemy. Leaving Fort
Jefferson, the regiment proceeded to Norfolk and Bird's Point and, at the latter point,
remained for some weeks doing picket and guard duty. November 6th, the regiment proceeded
on board transports to a point on the Missouri shore about three miles above Belmont, where
eight of its ten companies disembarked, leaving two companies to guard the transports, and
joining the Twenty-second Illinois regiment, advanced, on the left of the Union line,
against the enemy. The official report of Colonel Lauman, showing how bravely his
regiment fought in this, their first, battle, is given below in full:
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH REGIMENT VOLUNTEERS,
CAIRO, ILL. November 10, 1861.
GENERAL: I herewith hand you the report of the movements of my regiment, with the
official list of killed and wounded, at the battle of Belmont, as follows: On the
5th inst. I received your order to hold my regiment in readiness to march at 3 o'clock
p. m. on the following day, with twenty-four hours' rations in haversacks. It was dark
before we embarked on the steamer Montgomery, and we soon after got under way. We
proceeded but a short distance down the river when we tied up for the night. Early
on the morning of the 7th, preceded by the gunboats Tyler and Conestoga, we proceeded
on our way, and soon after landed on the west side of the Mississippi, about three miles
above Belmont, which is opposite Columbus, Ky.
We immediately formed in line, in the cornfield on the bank of the river., about
half past eight o'clock, and were soon after ordered by you to form on the left of
McClernand's brigade, which had already crossed the field. At this time I was joined
by Colonel Dougherty with the Twenty-second Illinois regiment. We remained in this
position until Taylor's battery had disembarked and taken their position, when we
received orders to march, which we did on the following order: The First Brigade.
Consisting of three regiments of infantry and Taylor's battery; then followed the
Second Brigade, consisting of eight companies of my regiment and seven companies of
the Twenty-second Illinois. Colonel Dougherty was in command of the Brigade, two
companies of my regiment and three of Colonel Dougherty's having previously been detached
to guard the boats. The cavalry were sent in advance, scouting. In this order we
marched a mile or more, when we formed in line of battle in front of a cornfield,
the battery taking position in the field. We remained in this position but a short
time, when we advanced in line of battle across a dry slough and immediately in front
of heavy timber. Here I received orders to throw forward two companies as skirmishers,
which I complied with by sending Company A, commanded by Lieutenant DeHeus and Company F.
Captain Kittredge, from my right wing.. These companies were not long in engaging the
rebels, whom they found in force in front and to the left of our position, and the
heavy and continued firing convinced me that we now had work to do. I therefore
dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Wentz to ascertain the force of the enemy and their
exact position, but, before he had time to return, I received through your Aide,
Captain Rawlins, an order to advance to their support, which I did, bringing my men
under fire at double quick time.
From this time, about 11 o'clock, we fought the rebels slowly but steadily,
driving them before us at every volley. Our advance at this point was slow in consequence
of the obstructions in our way, caused by fallen timber and underbrush, but we crept
under and over it, at times lying down to let the fire of the artillery and musketry
pass over us, and then up and onward again, until we arrived at the field to the left
of the rebel camp. Here we were joined by our skirmishers, who had succeeded, after
a severe struggle, in driving back the enemy.
Forming our line immediately, we poured volley after volley on the retiring foe
across the field in front, and on the battery which was stationed at the head of the
encampment on our right. Our fire was so hot the guns were soon abandoned, the enemy,
about 800, flying across the field in the greatest consternation. By a flank movement
to the right, I brought my men into the open space in front of the battery, which was
immediately taken possession of, I believe by Lieutenant DeHeus' Company A, whose flag
was soon seen flying from one of the captured pieces. We were now immediately in rear
of the encampment, and were joined by a portion of Colonel Dougherty's Twenty-second
Illinois Regiment.
The rebels kept p a sharp and gallng fire upon us, but a few well directed volleys
induced them to abandon their camp suddenly. It was here, while the firing was heaviest,
that First Sergeant Walker, of Company I, seized the regimental colors and bore them aloft
and in front of the regimental lin, directing the attention of the boys to a fine, large
flag, floating over the encampment, decorated on one side with twelve stars, and on the
other with the "Harp of Erin" on a green silk ground; they, with loud huzzas, went forward
and secured the flag. It was in making this charge that my horse was shot. I followed
the regiment on foot until we reached the lower end of the encampment, when I was supplied
with another horse, which had just been captured by one of the men, when, immediately
ordering another charge, we drove all the remaining rebels over the bank of the river
(at this point some twelve feet high), and dashed up the river road until we arrived at
the log house which constitutes the "City of Belmont." At this place there was considerable
random firing, the rebels firing from the cover of trees and the bank of the river, and it
was here, while giving Captain Parrott, of Company E, orders to bring off two field pieces
which had been abandoned by the rebels, or to throw them into the river, so as to render
them useless against us, that I received a ball through my left thigh, which for a time
disabled me. I was assisted by Captain Parrott to the rear of the tents, where I remained
but a short time, as, one of the guns of Captain Taylor's battery coming along, they
placed me on it and took me to the rear of the encampment. In the meantime, our men
had received orders to burn and destroy the camp and property which had fallen into our
hands, and in a very short time the destruction was complete. The rebels had, however,
not been idle. Having several large steamers at Columbus, they were loaded down with
fresh troops, which were thrown between us and our place of debarkation, so as, in a
measure, to cut off our retreat. Those of them also who had been driven from their
guns in the early part of the fight, seeing us falling back towards our boats, took
fresh courage and commenced closing in on us, and as all the Illinois troops had left,
or were leaving, except Colonel Dougherty's regiment, we were in danger of being
surrounded and cut off. I was apprised of this state of affairs by Colonel Dougherty,
to whose bravery O desire to bear testimony, and who lost a limb in his efforts to
bring off safely the rear of his brigade, as well as to that of his noble regiment,
which fought side by side with us on that memorable day. I immediately gave orders
to my regiment to retire, myself leading the way, but, by this time, we were subjected
to an enfilading fire, which caused us heavy losses; the men behaved in the most
gallant manner, deliberately made their way to the boat. It was after the retreat had
commenced that Lieutenant Colonel Wentz was killed. He died on the field of battle,
like a true soldier; he was a truly brave man and did his duty well and nobly. Lieutenant
Dodge, of Company B, was killed, and Lieutenant Gardner, who commanded Company I, and
Lieutenant Ream of Company C, mortally wounded. Among my officers, more or less
severely wounded, you will find the names of Major Ries, Captains Harper, Parrott,
Kittredge and Gardner, and First Lieutenant De Heus (who commanded Company A) of
whose bravery I desire to speak in the most emphatic manner. I desire also to direct
your attention to Captain Crabb, who was taken prisoner, and who behaved in the bravest
manner. But I might go on this way and name nearly every man in the regiment, for they
all behaved like heroes, but there are one or two more I feel it my duty to name as
deserving special mention: Lieutenant Bowler, Adjutant of the regiment, and Lieutenant
Estle, whose conduct was worthy of all praise, and Private Lawrence A. Gregg, whose
thigh was broken, and who was left on the field; he was taken prisoner, and his leg
amputated, but he died the same day, telling his captors with his dying breath that,
if he ever recovered, so as tp be able to move, he would shoulder his musket again in
his country's cause.
My entire loss in killed, wounded, prisoners and missing, out of an aggregate of
somewhat over 400 engaged, is as follows: Killed 51, died of wounds 3, missing 10,
prisoners 39, wounded 124. Total 227.
With high esteem, your most obedient servant.
J. G. LAUMAN,
Colonel Seventh Regiment, Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
BRIG. GEN. U. S. GRANT,
Commanding U. S. Forces, Cairo, Ill.
In his official report of the battle, General Grant says" "The Seventh Iowa
behaved with great gallantry, and suffered more severely than any other of the troops."
The day after the battle, the General issued the following brief but characteristic
address:
HEADQUARTER DISTRICT SOUTHEAS MISSOURI, CAIRO, Nov. 8,1861.
The General commanding this military district returns his thanks to the troops
under his command at the battle of Belmont on yesterday. It has been his fortune to
have been in all the battles fought in Mexico by Generals Scott and Taylor, save Buena
Vista, and he never saw one more hotly contested, or where troops behaved with more
gallantry. Such courage will insure victory wherever our flag may be borne and
protected by such a class of men. To the brave men who fell, the sympathy of the
country is due, and will be manifested in a manner unmistakable.
U. S. GRANT,
Brigadier General Commanding.
General Grant reported the total loss in his command at four hundred and eighty-five.
It will thus be seen that the Seventh Iowa sustained a loss of nearly one-half that of the
two brigades engaged in the battle of Belmont. It seems almost incredible that these
untrained troops, fighting their first battle, and led by regimental and company officers
without military training or experience, should have acquitted themselves when under fire
for the first time as well as in any of the subsequent battles in which they were engaged,
and in all of which they nobly maintained the honor of the State which sent them into the
field. Another notable feature of the battle of Belmont was the fact that it was the
first opportunity to demonstrate his fitness and capacity to command. While the Seventh
Iowa Infantry had a long and most honorable record of service, and greatly distinguished
itself upon other battlefields, the limitation of space given to the compiler of this
sketch will not permit him to hereafter go so fully into the details, or tp make as full
quotation from official reports, as have thus far been given.
Like the commander under which it fought its first-and, measured by the loss in
killed and wounded, its greatest-battle, it went steadily and stubbornly forward to
accomplish the work set before it. Early November, 1861 it enjoyed a brief season of
rest, and partly made up for its losses by recruiting. During this time, it also
diligently improved the time in drilling, and learning more fully the duties of soldiers
in time of war. On the 13th of January, 1862, the regiment was embarked on the great
steamer "Continental," and again started for the South, but the weather was so intensely
cold and the river so full of floating ice that they made but little progress, and after
proceeding about twenty miles the boat became fastened in the ice in the middle of the
river. The weather remaining cold, the ice became solid enough in a couple of day for
the regiment to pass over it to the shore, and it returned to St. Louis by rail, and
the next day crossed the Mississippi and proceeded to Cairo, Ill. A few days later,
it was ordered up the Tennessee to assist in the capture of Fort Henry, but Commodore
Foote with his fleet of gunboats had captured the fort just before the arrival of the
regiment. Upon it arrival the regiment entered Fort Henry and remained there until
the 12th of February, when it took up the line of march for Fort Donelson.
The following extract from the report of Lieut. Col. James C. Parrott will show
how the regiment again performed the duty assigned to it, in the reduction and capture
of the important stronghold of the enemy.
Arriving in the vicinity of the fort at about 5 P.M., the Seventh Iowa was ordered
to the front to support Battery H, First Missouri Light Artillery, and spent the night
without shelter or blankets. On the morning of the 13th, deployed Company C, Captain
McMullin, as skirmishers, and shortly afterwards received orders from General Smith to
join the brigade, as it was going into action. I put the regiment into line, and double-
quicked until it reached the brigade, which had taken position in front of the rebel works.
Remained all day in line of battle. * * * The weather became very boisterous. A heavy
shower of rain fell about midnight, when it changed to snow, and by morning the face of
the earth was covered with snow and ice, and the temperature was very cold, the men
without shelter, and many without blankets. On the 14th, deployed several companies
as skirmishers. The night was quite inclement, several inches of snow having fallen.
On the morning of the 15th deployed skirmishers, and at about 2 o'clock P. M.
was ordered to charge the rebel works. The Second Iowa was given the post of honor,
in leading the charge, supported by the balance of the brigade. The Seventh Iowa moved
up to the works in fine style, entered the sally-port, and gained, with the Second Iowa,
a position inside the rebel works. We were then ordered by the brave, gallant and
lamented General Smith to fall back and take shelter on the outside of the rebel works.
On the holy Sabbath morning, February 16th, as the day dawned, in the dim distance
could be seen the white flag, which in plain language told us all that the strife for
the mastery of Fort Donelson had ended, and in a short time the whole column of our wing
was marching into the fort, amid lout huzzas, the beating of drums, and the shrill music
of fifes, and the time honored star and stripes waving over us. So fell Fort Donelson,
and the Seventh Iowa claims her meed of praise.
The loss of the regiment in this engagement was two killed and thirty-seven
wounded. Its relatively small loss, as compared with the Second Iowa, is accounted
for by the fact that the Second led in the assault, while the Seventh was with the
supporting column, and therefore was not as greatly exposed to the heaviest fire of
the enemy's musketry and artillery, but the regiment performed its full duty in the
position in which it was placed. After the fall of Donelson, the regiment remained
in the fort some three weeks, quartered in the rude cabins which the rebels had erected,
it then marched to Metal Landing on the Tennessee, and after about a week there, went
on board the steamer White Cloud, and proceeded to Pittsburg Landing, where it went
into camp. On the morning of April 6, 1862, the regiment went into action under
command of Lieut. Col. J. C. Parrott, and in the two days' progress of that great
battle again nobly maintained the honor of its State.
On the second day, the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Parrott was so prostrated by
illness and exposure that he was compelled to relinquish the command to Maj. E. W.
Rice, of whom he says, in his official report, "I knew it was placed in good hands,
and from him I was proud to learn that it did its duty unflinchingly."
The compiler of this sketch was a witness to the gallant conduct of Major Rice,
at a critical period in the battle late on Sunday afternoon, when a new line of battle
was being formed, to resist the last desperate onslaught of the enemy.
On the first day of the battle of Shiloh, Iowa troops were conspicuous in this
last line of resistance, where the fighting continued until after dark, and which
resulted in checking the advance of the enemy, and retrieving the disasters of that
day. At the close of this battle, the Seventh Iowa had been in the service but about
eight months, had participated in three important battles with an aggregate loss of
300 of the 884 officers and men with which it had left the State; and yet it had not
completed one-third of its long and arduous term of service. After the battle of
Shiloh, the regiment remained in camp until the Union army again assumed the offensive
and the advance upon Corinth began, which resulted in the siege of that stronghold,
and its evacuation by the enemy on the 30th of May, 1862.
In all the operations of the brigade and division to which it was attached
during this advance and siege, the Seventh Iowa had its full share, on the skirmish
and picket line during the advance, in trenches during the siege, and in the pursuit
of the enemy after the evacuation. The pursuit ended at Boonville, Miss., the enemy
having made good his retreat, and the Seventh, with its brigade and division, returned
to Corinth, going into camp about two miles southeast of that place, where it remained
for the balance of the summer, doing picket and camp guard duty, and perfecting itself
in company and battalion drill and manual of arms. In his official report Lieutenant
Colonel Parrot says, "On the 15th of September, we were ordered to Iuka; arrived there
on the 17th, and, as stated in General Grant's order No. 1, our division deserves as
much credit and praise as the troops who were actually engaged."
From Iuka, the regiment returned to Camp Montgomery, where it remained until th
3d of October, when it was again called into action, to meet the forces of Van Dorn
and Price who were advancing to the attack of the Union forces in and around Corinth.
Maj. Elliott W. Rice, having been promoted to the rank of Colonel, was now in command
of the regiment. His official report of the conduct of the Seventh Iowa in the hard
fought battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862, is published at length in the War of
the Rebellion records of the Union and Confederate Armies, in Series 1, Vol. 17, Part
1. Limitation of space prevents the reproduction of this admirable report in the
entirety, but in justice to this splendid regiment it is given in part, as follow:
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH REGIMENT, IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS
RIENZI, MISS., Oct. 19, 1862
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the
Seventh Regiment Iowa Infantry, in the battle of Corinth, October 3d and 4th. On the
morning of the 3d, I received the order of Brigadier General Hackleman to march my
command from Camp Montgomery, via Corinth in the direction of Chewalla. I left camp
with 327 men and 26 officers, my largest company (K) being on detached service, guarding
the railroad five miles east of Corinth. Line of battle was formed one mile west of
Corinth, with my regiment on the left of the brigade * * * The enemy's battery was
placed directly in front of my command, and a most terrific commanding ensued. My men
held this position firmly and unflinchingly for one hour and a quarter, exposed to a
murderous fire of shell and canister. Our battery, having exhausted it ammunition,
retired and the rebel infantry advanced in strong force. My men were kept concealed
until the enemy advanced to within short range, when I opened fire upon them from my
whole line, and, for a time, held them in check. They soon rallied, and I was ordered
to take a position further in the rear. The enemy moved on, our whole brigade made a
sudden charge, and the enemy was again checked, thrown into some confusion, and repulsed.
This gave an opportunity to take a more favorable position, and another line was formed
between the white house an Battery Robinett, at a point where two howitzers were posted.
This position was held until most of the wounded had passed to the rear, and any
ammunition was entirely exhausted, when, by order of Genera; Davies, my command was
placed to support a battery on the left of Battery Robinett. Gaining this position
I immediately supplied my men with forth rounds of ammunition. Night coming on, the
battle of the 3d was ended, and I had lost many noble men. At 10 P. M., I received
Colonel Sweeny's order to proceed with my command to a position east of Corinth, and
at 1 o'clock the following morning my regiment was moved to a line north of Corinth,
when a line of battle was formed fronting west, my position in the brigade being still
on the left.
At 3:30 o'clock the enemy's artillery commenced shelling the town, and about 10
o'clock I was ordered to proceed with my command to the front and deploy it as
skirmishers. This deployment was made and two center companies held as a reserve.
After advancing a short distance, I ascertained that the enemy were crossing the
railroad in force to a position on the right. I immediately dispatched Lieutenant
Colonel Parrott to General Davies with this information who at once ordered me to
return to my former position. I had but gained it for a short time, when the enemy
appeared and charged on the battery defended by the brigade on the right of the First.
The brigade on my left was attacked at the same time. I opened a vigorous oblique fire
on the enemy charging the battery, and continued it until General Rosecrans ordered me
to cease firing. Soon the brigade on my left fell back. The enemy gaining position
on my left flank, I was ordered to retire a short distance. I halted my command
about fifty yards in the rear. An advance was soon ordered, and I immediately gained
the position just abandoned, and the enemy was driven into the woods. They made
another attempt, directly in front of my regiment, to charge the battery. My men held
their position firmly, checking the enemy, who took refuge from the storm of bullets,
which was rained upon them, in the abates.
The Seventeenth Iowa coming upon my left flank, I advanced rapidly on the
rebel position, when they broke and ran in great confusion. My command had fired
the whole of the sixty rounds of cartridges with which it had been supplied in the
morning, but was immediately supplied, without leaving the field, by my excellent
quartermaster, Lieutenant Forsha, who, regardless of personal safety, was ever ready
to supply my command with ammunition, even in the hear of battle. I remained in this
position during the balance of the day, and at night bivouacked on the battlefield.
* * * I must make special mention of Lieutenant Colonel Parrott, who cheered and
encouraged the men, and performed his duty with great bravery. It is with pleasure
I make favorable mention of almost all my officers who were engaged in the two days'
battle. Major McMullin did efficient service until he was wounded and disabled on the
evening of the 3d. Captain Conn, although wounded, remained with his command through
both days' battle. Captains Hedges and Mahon, left to camp sick, left their beds and
came on the battlefield on Saturday, and did excellent service. Their companies were
well commanded on Friday by Lieutenants Dillon and Sergeant. Lieutenant Gale displayed
great gallantry, and was very severely wounded in the battle of the 4th after which the
company was bravely led by Lieutenant Morrison. Captains Irvin and Reiniger also
performed their duties nobly. I must also mention Lieutenants Hope, Lughridge, Irvin,
McCormick, Bennett and Bess. Captain Smith, who was killed in the last hour of the
battle of the 4th, was one of the most promising young officers of the service. He
was brave, cool and deliberate in battle, and very efficient in all his duties.
Color Sergeant Alec Field was wounded in the battle of the 3d. Afterward the colors
were borne by Wm. Akers of Company G, who wash also wounded. They were then carried
by George Craig, of Company B, all the color guard, with the exception of one, being
either killed or wounded. Sergeant Major Cameron, severely wounded, must not escape
favorable mention for his bravery. While it is a pleasure to record the noble and
heroic conduct of so many of my officers and men, we mourn the loss of our gallant dead,
and sympathize deeply with the unfortunate wounded. More than one-third of those taken
into action are wounded, or lie dead beneath the battlefield.
With high regard, I am, your obedient servant.
ELLIOTT W. RICE,.
Colonel Commanding Seventh Iowa Infantry.
COL. T. W. SWEENEY,
Commanding First Brigade, Second Division.
The regiment's loss in the battle of Corinth was 122, making a total loss in battle,
up to and including the 4th of October, 1862, of 422 officers and men. When the long list
of names of those who had died from disease, and of those who had been discharged on account
of disability caused by sickness, is added to the actual casualties in battle, the tremendous
aggregate loss of this regiment, with but little more than fourteen months' record of
service, almost equaled the number first mustered into the service at Burlington, while
its original term of service was not yet half completed. Of course many recruits had been
received, and many of the sick and wounded had, from time to time, sufficiently recovered
to be able to return to the regiment, and thus its decimated ranks were replenished, but
never again did it number half the maximum of a full regiment of officers and men able for
duty at any one time. On the morning of the 5th of October, 1862, the regiment went in
pursuit of the retreating enemy, but on the evening of that day was ordered to return to
Corinth. It was stationed at Rienzi, Miss., and at other points contiguous to Corinth
until about the last of November, when it returned to the latter place and went into camp,
where it remained until in March, 1863, when it was ordered to occupy Bethel, Tenn., where
it remained until about the 1st of June, then returned to Corinth, thence marched to Moscow,
Tenn., encamped there one month, then marched to LaGrange, Tenn., from which point it
participated in an expedition to Holly Springs, Miss.; returned to LaGrange where it
remained until the last of October, when it was ordered to Iuka, where it remained but
a short time, and again took up the line of march, crossed the Tennessee river at East
Port, and, on the 11th of November, 1863, went into winter quarters at Pulaski, Tenn.
Here the men erected rude huts, in which they mad themselves comparatively comfortable.
The railroad having been completely destroyed by the enemy, the nearest depot of supplies
was thirty-six miles from this camp at Pulaski, and, during the inclement weather of
December, the regiment suffered severely while guarding a supply train of one hundred
and fifty wagons to and from its camp. Towards the last of December, 1863, three-fourths
of the men, then present for duty, re-enlisted, and were given a furlough of thirty days,
to begin upon their arrival in Keokuk, Iowa. They were furnished with transportation to
Keokuk, Iowa, and from that place to their respective homes.
On the 20th of February, the men commenced to arrive at Keokuk, where they had been
ordered to rendezvous, and on the 25th all had arrived, and with them came two hundred
recruits, who were there mustered into the service, to strengthen the depleted ranks of
the regiment. On the 27th of February, 1864, the veterans and recruits left Keokuk by
steamboat and arriving at Cairo, were transferred to smaller transports which conveyed
them to Nashville, from which point they proceeded to Prospect, Tenn., where the regiment
performed garrison duty until the 29th of April, when it started on the ever memorable
Atlanta campaign, in which it bore a most conspicuous part, as shown by the official
reports of Col. E. W. Rice, Lieut. Col. J. C. Parrott, Maj. James W, McMullin, and Capt.
(afterwards Major) Samuel Mahon. Colonel Rice was the senior officer in command of the
brigade.
On the 14 of May, the regiment met and defeated the enemy in a hard fought battle
at Lay's Ferry on the Oostanaula river. Major McMullin was the commanding officer in
this battle, Lieutenant Colonel Parrott being at that time sick and unable for duty.
From this time on to the close of the campaign, on the 1at of September, the Seventh
Iowa was constantly at the front, Lieutenant Colonel Parrott, who had partially recovered
and was again in command say in his official report: "At Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, New
Hope Church, Big shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nick-a-Jack Creek, and in close proximity to
Atlanta, the Seventh Iowa bore an honorable part. On July 22d, when the lamented
McPherson fell, the gallant old Seventh was an active participant in the bloddy fray,
and added new laurels to her former bright record."
On the 2d of August, Captain Mahon reports, "I took command of the regiment, in
consequence of the sickness of Lieutenant Colonel Parrott and resignation of Major
McMullin." The Captain then gives in detail the movements of the regiment from July
22 to September 2d, when the regiment entered Jonesboro, which had been evacuated by
the enemy the previous night.
At the close of his report Captain Mahon gives a list of the battles in which
the regiment was engaged during the campaign, and losses sustained, as follows:
"Battle of Lay's Ferry, May 24th and 15th, killed 11, wounded 51. Battle of Dallas,
May 25th and 31st, wounded 6. Battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 26th and July 2d and
3d, killed 2, wounded 8. Battles of Atlanta, July 24th, to August 24th killed 2,
wounded 17, missing 1. Battle of Jonesboro, August 31, 1864, wounded 4. Captured
June 19th near Dalton 2. Total 100. Total distance marched, 425 miles."
The report concludes as follows: "I am proud to say that the conduct of both
officers and enlisted men of the regiment, in the arduous campaign just closed, has
been all that could be desired. Every fatigue, however severe, has been cheerfully
borne, and they have been always ready for the post of danger. Whether on weary
marches, many of them performed at night, over difficult roads, or working in the
trenches before Atlanta, under the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters and artillery,
or standing shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield, they have done their whole duty."
The regiment next took an active part in the operations which resulted in the
evacuation of Atlanta. It then proceeded to Rome, Ga., thence to Allatoona by rail,
but, owing to an accident to the train, did not arrive in time to take part in the
battle on October 5th, reaching there just after the enemy had been repulsed. It
then returned to Rome, and on the 11th of November took up the march through the
heart of Georgia, and entered the city of Savannah, December 21, 1864. On the 28th
day of January, 1865, the regiment left Savannah to enter upon its last great campaign,
through the Carolinas, which practically ended in the last day of March, 1865. In his
official report, dated at Goldsboro, N. C., March 27, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Parrott
describes the movements and operation of his regiment with great particularity, showing
the almost incredible hardships encountered in wading through swamps, often waist deep,
marching over wretched and nearly impassable roads, often drenched by heavy rains, and
added to these hardships, skirmishing almost daily with the enemy, now rendered desperate
by the certainty of the complete triumph of the armies of the Union. Upon reaching
Goldsboro, the regiment had covered a distance of 380 miles from their starting point
on the southern sea coast, but, after a season of rest, again started north, cheered
by the thought that the last triumphant, and the remainder of the march to Washington
would be made with comparative ease. At last the goal was reached. On that memorable
24th day of May, 1865, the Seventh Iowa Infantry proudly wheeled into its place in line
with the grand army which marched down that broad avenue of the Nation's Capital, and
passed in review for the last time. Its days of marching and fighting were over. A
little later on, it was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where on the 12 day of July,
1865, it was mustered out of service, was then sent to Davenport, Iowa, where final
payment was made, the regiment disbanded, and the men furnished with transportation
to their homes. The sad thought comes to the compiler of this brief and imperfect
sketch that only a remnant of the members of this once mighty military organization
remains upon earth and that a still smaller number will be among the living when this
sketch shall appear in print.
For these survivors of the old Seventh Iowa Infantry, and for the posterity
of all who belonged to it, as well as to all the liberty loving sons and daughters
of the State, this record of patriotic service has been prepared, in accordance with
the provisions of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa.
SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.
Total enrollment 1552
Killed 98
Wounded 354
Died of disease 142
Died of wounds 38
Discharged for disease, wounds and other causes 328
Buried in National cemeteries 109
Captured 79
Transferred 29
SEVENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Term of service three years.
Mustered into service of the United States at Burlington, Iowa, Aug. 2, 1861,
by Lieutenant Alexander Chambers.
Mustered out of United States service July 14, 1865, Louisville, Ky.
Roster of Field, Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Staff Officers at muster in of
organization, together with subsequent appointments from civil life.
COMPANY "I"
Didway, Frederick. Age 18. Residence Clinton County, nativity Ohio. Enlisted Sept.
2, 1874. Mustered Sept. 2, 1864. Mustered out June 3, 1865, Washington, D. C.