MILITARY: Civil War Rosters, Clinton County Iowa

CIVIL WAR BOOK #2

MILITARY: Civil War Rosters, Clinton County Iowa

We would like to thank the Clinton County Historical Society for the use of their
library and material.

Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion Together with 
Historical Sketches of Volunteer Organizations 1861-1866: 
Vol. 2
9th- 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

	THIRTEENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

	The Thirteenth Iowa Infantry was ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood, under the 
proclamation of President Lincoln bearing date  July 23, 1861, the organization of this 
regiment having completed the quota of the State up to that date.  Then ten companes of which 
the regiment was composed were ordered into quarters on dates ranging from Sept. 17 to Oct 11, 
1861.  The rendezvous designated in the order was Camp McClellan, near Davenport, Iowa, and 
there the companies were mustered into the service of the United States  on dates ranging from 
Oct. 15 to Nov. 2, 1861, by Capt Alexander Chambers, United States Army.  The total enrollment 
at muster in was 890, but this number was soon increased by additional enlistment to 898.  The 
regiment was exceedingly fortunate in the choice of its first commander.  Col. M. M. Crocker 
was gifted with rare military genius.  He had the advantage of military training at West Point, 
and, while some of the officers and most of the men of his regiment did not fully appreciate 
the necessity for his rigid enforcement of discipline from the day he assumed command, it did 
not take them long to discover that he was just the kind of man they needed to instruct them, 
and to fit them for the performance of the stern duties of soldiers who were about to enter 
upon active service in one of the greatest wars in the history of mankind.

	The regiment remained only a short time in Camp McClellan.  It was transported down the 
Mississippi river to St. Louis, and went into quarters at Benton Barracks, where troops were 
being concentrated and fitted as rapidly as possible for an active campaign against the enemy.  
Here it was armed and equipped, and, on December 11th, was ordered to proceed by rail to 
Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, where it remained until early in March, 1862, when it 
was ordered to return to St. Louis.  While the regiment was at Jefferson City it was mainly 
engaged in preparation for the great campaign which was being planned, and which was to begin 
in the early spring.  There was no considerable body of the enemy in the vicinity of uts camp, 
and the official records do not show that it met with any loss except from disease, but the 
death rate from this cause was large o account of the men being unused to the hardships 
incident to camp life in winter.  In addition to the deaths from disease, many became 
incapacitated for further service and were discharged.  This was the common experience of all 
troops during their first year of service

	From St. Louis, the regiment was conveyed by steamer to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., where 
it arrived March 23, 1862.  Here it went into camp and was assigned to the First Brigade of the 
First Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand.  The brigade consisted of the Eighth 
and Eighteenth Illinois, the eleventh and Thirteenth Iowa, and Battery D, Second Illinois Light 
Artillery, and was under the command of Col. A. M. Hare of the Eleventh Iowa, who, was the 
senior officer present for duty.  The concentration of the Union army under Maj. Gen. U. S. 
Grant, at Pittsburg Landing, the presence of the rebel army under Maj. Gen. A. S. Johnston, at 
Corinth, Miss., and the fact that a distance of only twenty miles intervened between the two 
armies. indicated that a great battle was impending.

	The compiler of this sketch, while fully realizing the importance of the service rendered 
by the Thirteenth Iowa in subsequent battles, feels that, in describing the part it took in the 
first  great battle, he is justified in going into greater particularity of detail than the 
limitation of space under which he is working will permit when he comes to deal with its later 
achievements.

	On the morning of the 6th of April, 1862, the rebel army, which had been advancing during 
the previous afternoon and night, with the purpose of making an attack before further 
reinforcements could reach the Union army, was hurled against the advanced lines of General 
Grant's forces, and one of the greatest battle of modern times was in progress.  In his 
official report, Colonel Crocker describes the part taken by his regiment, as follows:

		HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH REGIMENT I0WA INFANTRY.
		      CAMP NEAR PITTSBURG LANDING, TENN., APRIL 8, 1862.

	Sir,--I have the honor to report the part taken by the Thirteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry in the engagement with the enemy on the 6th and 7th inst.

	Early in the morning of the 6th, the alarm was given, and heavy firing in the distance 
indicated that our camp was attacked.  The regiment was formed in front of its color line, its 
full force consisting of 717 men, rank and file.  It was at once ordered to form on the left of 
the Second Brigade, and proceeded to that position at a double quick, and was then formed in 
line of battle in a skirt of woods bordering on an open field to the left of a battery.  Here 
it remained for some time inactive, while the enemy's guns were playing on out battery.  In the 
meantime, a large force of the enemy's infantry were filing around the open field in front of 
our line, protected by the woods, and in the direction of our battery, opening a heavy fire of 
musketry on the infantry stationed on our right, and charging upon the battery.  The infantry 
and battery to the right having given way, and the enemy advancing at double quick, we gave 
them one round of musketry and also gave way.  At this time, we--as, indeed, all our troops in 
the immediate vicinity of the battery--were thrown into great confusion, and retired in 
disorder.

	Having retired to the distance of 100 or 200 yards, we succeeded in rallying and forming 
a good line, the Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers on our left, and having fronted to 
the enemy, held our position there under a continual fire of cannon and musketry until after 12 
o'clock, when we were ordered to retire and take up a new position.  This we did in good order 
and without confusion.  Here, having formed a new line, we maintained it under incessant fire 
until 4:30 o'clock P.M., the men conducting themselves with great gallantry and coolness, and 
doing great execution on the enemy, repulsing charge after charge, and driving them back with 
great loss.

	At 4:30 P.M., we were again ordered to fall back.  In obeying this order, we became mixed 
up with a great number of regiments falling back in confusion, so that our line was broken up 
and the regiment separated, rendering it very difficult to collect it, but finally, having 
succeeded in forming, and being separated from the brigade, we attached ourselves to the 
division commanded by Colonel Tuttle of the Second Iowa Volunteers, and formed with his 
division in front of the encampment of the Fourteenth, Second and Seventh Iowa Volunteers, 
where it sustained a heavy fire from the enemy's battery until dark, and there remained during 
the night on our arms.  During the day, we were  under fire of the enemy for ten hours, and 
sustained a lose of 22 killed and 130 wounded.

	On the morning of the 7th, we were ordered to continue with Colonel Tuttle's division and 
to follow up and support our forces that were attacking and driving back the enemy.  We 
followed them up closely, moving to support the batteries until the enemy was routed, after 
which we were ordered to return to the encampment that we had left on Sunday morning, where we 
arrived at 8 o'clock P.M.

	Our total loss in the action of the 6th and 7th is, killed 24, wounded 139, missing 9, 
total 172.  The men for the most part behaved with great gallantry, and the officers exhibited 
the greatest bravery and coolness;  and I call especial attention to the gallant conduct of my 
field officers, Lieutenant Colonel Price and Major Shane, who were both wounded in the action 
of the 6th, and acknowledge my great obligations to my Adjutnat Lieutenant Wilson, who during 
the entire action exhibited the highest qualities of a soldier.

					Respectfully, Etc.,
							M. M. CROCKER,
						Colonel Thirteenth Iowa Infantry,
		C. Cadle, Jr., A. A. A. G., First Brigade, First Division.

	Col. A. M. Hare, in his official report as commanding officer of the brigade, makes 
special mention of the gallant commander of the Thirteenth Iowa as follows:  "To Col. M. M. 
Crocker of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers I wish to call especial attention.  The coolness and 
bravery displayed by him on the field of battle during the entire action of the 6th, the skill 
with which is maneuvered his men, and the example of daring and disregard to danger by which he 
inspired them to do their duty and stand by their colors, show him to be possessed of the 
highest qualities of a commander, and entitle him to speedy promotion."

	The compiler of this sketch has a vivid personal recollection of the scenes of confusion 
described by Colonel Crocker, at the time the Union lines fell back to the point of last 
resistance.  He was in command of his regiment (the Third Iowa Infantry) and joined the 
Thirteenth Iowa at the last position in support of the batteries which checked the enemy's 
advanced and decided the result of the first day's battle.  Every officer and man of those 
regiments, who was able for duty, was there in line, determined to resist the assault of the 
enemy to the last extremity.  If that line had given way, it would have been difficult, if not 
impossible, to have retrieved the disaster.  By its splendid service in this great battle the 
Thirteenth Iowa laid the foundation for its future great achievements.  By this bloody baptism 
it was consecrated, and, as will appear in its subsequent history,  the regiment repeated its 
glorious record at Shiloh in all the battles in which it was afterwards engaged.

	After the battle of Shiloh, the Thirteenth Iowa was assigned to the Third Brigade of the 
Sixth Division.  The Brigade was composed of the Eleventh Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth 
regiments of Iowa Infantry, and was under command of Colonel Crocker.  This organization 
remained intact until the close of the war.  Except when upon detached duty, the operations of 
each of the regiments were identified very largely with those of the brigade, and, therefore, 
the history of each of these four Iowa regiments in almost inseparable interwoven with that of 
the brigade.  The regiment, with its brigade and division, took part in the advance upon and 
siege of Corinth, and performed its full part in those important operations which ended in the 
evacuation of that rebel stronghold on the 30th of May, 1862.  It then constituted a part of 
the garrison left its charge of the works at Corinth, until about the middle of July; and then 
participated in various expeditions, and was for a time stationed at Bolivar, Tenn., but the 
official records do not show that it came into contact with any considerable body of the enemy 
during the remainder of the summer.

	On the 12th of September, the regiment and brigade were again at Corinth and, a few days 
later, marched to join the forces under Major General Rosecrans near Iuka.  In the battle of 
Iuka, which was fought on Sept. 19, 1862, the Sixteenth Iowa was detached from the brigade and 
took an active part in that fierce engagement, while the other regiments--Eleventh, Thirteenth 
and Fifteenth--were held in reserve, and did not participate in the battle   Soon after the 
battle the brigade was ordered to return to Corinth.  The rebel forces were being rapidly 
concentrated for an attack, and it was evident that another battle was soon to occur at or near 
that place.  It was also evident that the enemy would make a desperate struggle to regain 
possession of Corinth, and all the available Union forces were ordered to concentrate for its 
defense.  The Thirteenth Iowa, with its brigade, was engaged in the battle which was fought 
there on the 3d and 4th of October, 1862.

	While the Thirteenth Iowa performed its whole duty in these two days of battle, the 
positions to which it was assigned did not bring the entire regiment into close contact with 
the enemy, hence its loss was comparatively light.  Lieutenant Colonel Shane in his official 
report says that companies A and G were the only part of his regiment actuall engaged.  Company 
A, under the command of Captain Kennedy and Company G, commanded by Captain Walker, were on the 
skirmish line on the first day of the battle, and sustained a loss of one man killed and 
fourteen wounded.  He further says that the officers and men of those companies behaved in a 
highly creditable manner, and that the rest of the regiment was held constantly in readiness to 
engage the enemy, had they received orders to advance.  Colonel Crocker, who commanded the 
brigade, describes the positions occupied by the different regiments, gives full credit to all 
for having complied with his orders, and explains the discrepancy in losses as resulting from 
the fact that the Fifteenth Iowa sustained the brunt of the attack on account of its advanced 
position.  The entire loss of the brigade in killed and wounded was 149, and the loss by 
regiments was, in the eleventh, 21;  Thirteenth 15'  Sixteenth, 27, and Fifteenth, 86.  In a 
later report, dated at camp near Corinth, Miss., Oct. 15, 1862, he describes the part taken by 
his brigade in the pursuit of the defeated enemy.  That the conduct of every regiment--both in 
the battle and the subsequent pursuit--met with his cordial approval, is indicated in the 
following extract from his report.


	The brigade, during the protracted movements of the battle and pursuit, encountering 
every hardship and privation incident to such campaigning, behaved with great fortitude, 
meeting every danger and hardship cheerfully;  and I acknowledge my obligation to all the field 
officers for their cheerful, hearty and intelligent co-operation.

	The regiment with its brigade joined in the pursuit of the retreating rebel army but did 
not succeed in overtaking it.  After an arduous march, the pursuit was abandoned at Ripley, 
Miss., and the troops returned to Corinth, reaching their camp on the evening of October 11th.  
After a rest of about three weeks they again took up the line of march with the forces under 
General Grant, and moved south along the lone of the Mississippi Central Railroad, the 
objective point of the expedition being Vicksburg.  The object of the expedition was defeated, 
however, by the capture and destruction of the depot of supplies at Holly Springs by the rebel 
General Van Dorn, who, by a skillful movement of his cavalry, succeeded in getting in the rear 
of the Union army and compelling the surrender of the troops, which had been left to guard the 
supplies.  Thus formed to retreat to avoid starvation, the regiment, together with the entire 
Union army, marched toward Memphis, suffering greatly for want of sufficient rations.  They 
finally reached Memphis and an abundant supply of food on the 13th day of January, 1863.  Here 
the regiment and brigade embarked on steamers and started down the river January 20th, reached 
Duckport, La., on the 25th, moved thence to Milliken's Bend, where they landed and went into 
camp.  Here they remained but a short time, and then moved to Lake Providence and engaged in 
the work of cutting the canal which was to connect the lake with the Mississippi river.  That 
work was not completed until March 16th, when the great campaign for the reduction of the rebel 
stronghold at Vicksburg may be said to have begun.

	During the entire campaign, which ended with the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, 
the thirteenth Iowa with it brigade performed most arduous and important service.  Iw was moved 
from point to point, was part of the time engaged with the army of observation, in the rear of 
the lines of Union troops engaged in the siege, watching the rebel force under General Johnston 
who was constantly threatening an attack for the purpose of raising the siege, and part of the 
time with the investing forces in the intrenchments, assisting in the prosecution of the siege, 
but everywhere doing its full duty and sustaining its well won reputation for bravery and 
efficiency.  During this campaign Colonel Hall of the Eleventh Iowa was in command of the 
brigade.  Colonel Crocker having been promoted to Brigadier General and placed in command of a 
division in another part of the army.  Colonel Shane was in command of the Thirteenth Iowa 
throughout the campaign.

	During the remainder of the summer the regiment engaged in various expeditions, the 
longest and most arduous of which was that under General Stevenson, against Monroe, La.  While 
the troops suffered the greatest hardships upon this expedition, marching through a swampy and 
malarious region, the results accomplished were not commensurate with the suffering endured.  
Upon returning from this expedition, Sept. 3, 1863, the regiment went into camp at Vicksburg, 
where it performed garrison duty for the next five months.  the official records show that from 
Nov. 30, 1863, to March 11, 1864 there were 404 men of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry who re-
enlisted and were re-mustered into the service of the United States, for a period of three 
years or during the war, from the date of the expiration of their original term of service, 
thus giving to the regiment the title of a veteran organization.

	On Feb. 4, 1864, the regiment started on the famous Meridian expedition, which penetrated 
into the heart of the State of Mississippi and resulted in the destruction of many miles of 
railroad track, locomotives and rolling stock, besides great quantities of supplies which had 
been accumulated at Meridian for the use of the rebel army.  During the expedition there was 
much fighting between the Union and rebel cavalry, but the infantry did not become engaged to 
any considerable extent, and, aside from the hardships incident to a winter campaign without 
tents, and living for the most part upon such food as could be procured from the country 
through which their marched, the suffering and loss of the infantry was small, as compared with 
that of the cavalry, which led the advance.  The regiment returned to Vicksburg March 4th, and, 
on the 7th, those who had re-enlisted received the welcome order to embark for their homes in 
Iowa, the having been given a furlough for thirty days, to begin upon reaching the State.  The 
non-veterans-those who had not re-enlisted-were left at Vicksburg and subsequently rejoined the 
veterans upon their return from furlough.

	Upon the expiration of their thirty days in Iowa, the veteran portion of the regiment 
re=assembled at Davenport, the designated rendezvous, accompanied by a large number of 
recruits, and proceeded to Cairo, Ill., thence to Clifton, Tenn., where they landed and took up 
the line of march across the State of Tennessee and part of Alabama and on to the mountains of 
Georgia, to re-inforce Sherman.  At Decatur, ala., May 27, 1864, the regiment, with the rest of 
the Crocker Brigade, was attached to the Fourth Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps.  
General Crocker, who had commanded the division, was compelled on account of poor health to 
relinquish his command, and was succeeded by Gen. W. Q. Graham.  The regiment now moved forward 
with this command to Rome, Ga., arriving there June 5th, and thence by way of Kingston and 
Allatoona to Ackworth, where on June 8th the Seventeenth Army Corps took its place in line with 
the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Gen. James B. McPherson, and became a part of the great 
army commanded by Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, consisting of the armies of the Tennessee, the Ohio 
and the Cumberland.  On of the greatest campaigns in the history of warfare had now begun and 
through it all the Thirteenth Iowa was destined to bear a conspicuous and honorable part.

	From June 11th to July 20th, the regiment and brigade were in front of Kenesaw Mountain, 
participated in the operations there and at Nick-a-jack Creek, and on across the Chattahoochee 
river to Sandtown, and then, passing to the extreme left of the line on the 20th of July, after 
a heavy skirmish with the enemy, took position about three miles from Atlanta.  In all these 
movements the regiment had lost a number of men, killed and wounded, on the skirmish line, but 
had not been engaged in close combat with the enemy.  Now, however, it was again to participate 
in a series of battles that would leave it decimated in numbers, and place it in the foremost 
rank with the military organizations of the Union army engaged in that tremendous struggle for 
the possession of the fortified city of Atlanta.  In the first of these battles, the gallant 
Major Walker was in command of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Wilson being at that time on 
detached duty, and Colonel Shane having succeeded Colonel Hall as brigade commander, that 
officer having assumed temporary command of the division when General Gresham fell, severely 
wounded.  The conduct of the regiment in this battle is well described in the brief report 
which follows:

		HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH IOWA VETERAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, IN THE FIELD BEFORE 
ATLANTA, GA., July 21, 1864.

Lieut. O. D. Kinsman, A. A. A. General 3rd Brigade 4th Division 17th Army Corps.

	Sir,----I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the 
Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the engagement of July 21, 1864:

	At 8 o'clock A. M., the regiment was in position in front of the brigade, with the 
Fifteenth Iowa Infantry on its left, and supported by the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry;  its front 
was protected by temporary works thrown up on the night of the 20th.

	About 8 o'clock A. M. I received orders from Cpl. John Shane, commanding brigade, to 
advance at once on the double quick to the front, to assist Brigadier General Force, commanding 
a brigade in the Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, who was fighting for the possession of 
the high hill in his front and to the left of this regiment.  The men seized their arms and 
sprang promptly over the works, advancing in good order to the crest of a hill less than one 
hundred yards from the enemy's works, in the face of a heavy fire.  Here I was ordered to halt, 
and held the position, exposed to a very destructive fore of musketry, grape and canister, 
until, the enemy having withdrawn to his works, and General Force having gained possession of 
the hill, I was ordered to retire to the position I originally occupied, which was done 
steadily and without confusion.

	Although the men had no previous notice of the advance, there was no disorder, although 
it was made over an open field with  no protection,  I regret to say that, though the 
engagement lasted but thirty minutes, the loss in officers and men was severe, seventeen 
enlisted men killed, and four officers and seventy-seven enlisted men wounded.

	I cannot close without awarding to the regiment the credit due it for the impetuosity and 
gallantry of the advance, the stubborness with which it held the position it gained, and the 
steadiness and good order in which   it retired when ordered.

	I forward herewith a list of the casualties.


							WILLIAM A. WALKER,
					Major Commanding Thirteenth Iowa Vol. Infantry.

	On the next day, July 22, 1864,--a red letter day in history of the Atlanta campaign and 
of the war,--the regiment again went into action, this time under the command of Colonel Shane.  
The desperate character of the fighting in that battle is best described by the official report 
of Colonel Shane, which is here given in full:

					 HEADQUARTER THIRTEENTH IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
			IN THE FIELD NEAR ATLANTA, GA., July 22, 1864.

To Lieut. O. D. Kinsman, A. A. A. G., Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps.

	Sir,--I have the honor to herewith submit my report of the part taken by this regiment in the battle of this day.

	At 12 o'clock M. this regiment was in position on the extreme left of the Army of the 
Tennessee, and in support of the eleventh and Sixteenth Regiments of Iowa Infantry.

	Early in the morning of the 22d, company F had been detailed by orders from Colonel Hall, 
commanding brigade, as picket, and as soon as skirmishing commenced  on the picket line, five 
more companies were detached by orders from brigade headquarters, two of which were deployed on 
the right of the Eleventh Iowa Infantry, two on the left of the Sixteenth Iowa, and one on the 
left of the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, respectively supporting the flanks of those regiments, 
leaving but four companies under my command when the battle commenced.

	Immediately after the commencement of the battle, and after it had become apparent that 
the enemy were approaching in heavy force  in front and on each flank, I received orders to 
move my command to the rear and form in line on the west side of the works occupied by the 
first brigade, fronting east, from which direction the enemy were then approaching.  This 
movement was made and position occupied in good order, but had just been completed when I was 
ordered to form in the facing to the south with my left resting on the rifle-pits, to repel the 
enemy approaching from the south;  this movement was also made, but scarcely had been completed 
when the enemy attacked us in front and in heavy force on either flank.

	Observing that they were getting into the rear and flank of the fifteenth Iowa, which was 
on my right, and that that regiment was falling back, leaving my whole line exposed to a front, 
rear, and enfilading fire, I ordered the command to retire by the left flank across the works, 
and to form on the north side, fronting west, to repel the anticipated assault of the enemy 
from that quarter.  This movement was effected in comparatively good order, but owing to the 
numerous detachments, independent commands, and stragglers, which at that time thronged the 
road, my regiment was for a short time in some confusion;  but order was soon restored, and we 
formed as directed, but  not too soon, as the enemy were then within rifle range and 
approaching our position from two directions in heavy force, when a well directed fire from the 
Eleventh, Thirteenth and Fifteenth regiments routed them in confusion and for the time being 
drove them from that part of the field.  No sooner, however, had this been accomplished than 
the enemy were discovered approaching us from the rear in force, when the command was ordered 
to take position on the west side of the rifle-pits, face by the rear rank, and repel the enemy 
attacking from the east.  This position was soon occupied, and the enemy came on with shout and 
cheer, and a force and desperate hand to hand fight ensued.  In a few moments the enemy were 
driven from the ground, and fled in disorder.

	Their withdrawal from the front was but the signal for a renewed attack from the rear, 
when the command again crossed the rifle-pits, about faced, and contributed materially in 
repulsing the enemy for the third time.  Thus the contest continued, until the enemy brought to 
bear on us, at short range, a battery, raking our whole line with grape and canister with 
terrible effect, when we received orders to take up the position occupied by us on the 21st, 
where we still are.

	The two companies--A and G--detached in the beginning of the contest, and posted on the 
right of the Eleventh Iowa, and the two companies--D and K--detached at the same time and 
posted on the left of the Sixteenth Iowa, have failed to report;  and I regret to say that, 
from all the information I have been enabled to obtain in regard to them, I am reluctantly led 
to the conclusion that about three-fourths of the men composing those companies were, while 
supporting and bravely fighting side by side with the Eleventh and Sixteenth regiments Iowa 
Infantry, killed or captured, including all the commissioned officers on duty with them at the 
tome.  Our loss in officers and men killed, wounded and missing was very heavy in proportion to 
the numbers engaged.  In the engagement of the 21st, the regiment lost   in killed, wounded and 
missing 94 enlisted men out of 300 that went into the fight, among whom I regret to say was 
Major Walker killed, than whom a truer soldier, a cooler officer, a more steadfast friend, and 
more honest man did not live;  his premature and early death has cast a gloom and a shadow over 
the regiment, and a vacancy has been created that but few men can fill so acceptable, so 
faithfully and successfully as he.  Ever faithful, ever ready, he was always at his post, and 
was always the same--a soldier and a gentleman.

	I cannot close this report without acknowledging my indebtedness to Adjutant Rood, 
Sergeant Major Myers, and the line officers of the regiment, who ably seconded and assisted in 
all the movements of the command, and who bore themselves throughout the trying scene as brave 
men and gallant officers.

	And to the non-commissioned officers and enlisted men of the regiment too much credit 
cannot be awarded.  Although repeatedly almost surrounded by overwhelming numbers, and 
subjected at times to a withering fire of grape, canister and musketry, not one man showed 
signs of wavering or despair, but on the contrary every man clenched his arms with a 
determination to repulse the enemy at all hazards.

				Very respectfully,

								JOHN SHANE,

			Colonel Commanding Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry.



	Again, on July 28th, the Thirteenth, and the little remnant of the Third Iowa Infantry, 
under the command of Colonel Shane, met the enemy in deadly combat and again nobly maintained 
the honor of the flag.  In his official report of this engagement Colonel Shane makes special 
mention of the conduct of Captains J. C. Kennedy and John Archer, and commends them for having 
exhibited the very highest qualities of soldiers and officers, and extols his entire command 
for bravery and fortitude under the fire of the enemy.

	Although greatly reduced in numbers, the regiment was constantly on duty during the 
closing scenes of the campaign, participated in the operations of Jonesboro, Lovejoy and East 
Point, and, later, in the pursuit of Hood as far as Gaylesville in northeastern Alabama, 
returning to Marietta, Ga., early in November.  The regiment's losses during the campaign 
aggregated 331, about sixty per cent of the number with which it had entered upo the campaign 
at Ackworth, Ga., on the 8th of June, 1864.  Such s the record of its heroic service during 
that memorable period of the great struggle for the preservation of the Union.

	The original term of service of those who had not re-enlisted being about to expire, they 
were sent to Chattanooga, Tenn., and were there mustered out of the service on Nov	. 2, 1864.  
Colonel Shane, Adjutant Rood and Quartermaster Kennedy of the Field and Staff and several of 
the line officers were also mustered out..  These officers and men had served their country 
faithfully for three years, and the beginning of the end of the war was near at hand.  While 
they parted from their comrades of the veteran regiment with regret, it was with a feeling of 
just pride that they reviewed the glorious record they had helped to make, and they returned 
with honor to their homes in Iowa.  Lieut. col. J. C. Wilson wa promoted to Colonel of the 
regiment, and other promotions were made to fill vacancies, as shown in the subjoined roster.

	From Marietta the regiment moved to Atlanta, and on the 15th of November started on that 
great march through Georgia to Savannah and the sea.  Arrived at Savannah, the regiment took 
part in the siege operations before that city and, upon it evacuation, it was among the troops 
that entered the city on the 22d of December, 1864.  On Jan. 6, 1865, the regiment embarked on 
steamer and proceeded to Beaufort, S. C., where it arrived the next day.  From Beaufort the 
regiment marched to Pocotaligo, where it remained until January 29th, when it started on the 
long and toilsome march through the Carolinas.  On the 17th day of February, 1865, a detachment 
of 75 men of the Thirteenth Iowa, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy, entered the city 
of Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, and planted the colors of the regiment on the dome 
of the Capitol.  Continuing the march from Columbia, the regiment reached Bentonville, N. C.  
It took part in the battle of Bentonville, but was not closely engaged, though it had three men 
wounded on the skirmish line,  This was its last battle.

	At Goldsboro, N. C., the regiment found a large number of recruits from Iowa waiting to 
join it.  The log march was continued by way of Raleigh, Petersburg and Richmond, and ended at 
Alexandria, Va., near Washington, May 19, 1865.  A few days later the regiment took its place 
in line and marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in that magnificent review, the greatest military 
pageant of modern times.  After the review the regiment remained in camp near Washington until 
June 7th, when it was conveyed by rail to Parkersburg, Va., and thence by steamer to 
Louisville, Ky., where it remained until July 21, 1865, and on that day was mustered out of the 
service of the United States.  A few days later it was conveyed to Davenport, Iowa, by rail, 
and there, on the 29th day of July, 1865, the regiment was disbanded and the survivors returned 
to their homes.

	In the subjoined roster will be found a brief personal record of service of every officer 
and enlisted man of the regiment, in so far as such record was obtained from the official 
records in the office of the Adjutant General of the State of Iowa and in the War Department at 
Washington.  The difficulties encountered in making up these revised rosters are explained in 
the introductory article of this volume.  It is particularly to be regretted that the record of 
battles in which each soldier was engaged could not have been recorded opposite his name in the 
roster, but, as only the names of those who were killed, wounded, captured or missing, or those 
who received special mention in the official reports, appear in the records, and as only a 
minority of those who survived at the close of the war were living at the date this 
complication was undertaken, it was found impossible to make these records of personal service 
as comprehensive as they might have been made had the work been undertaken soon after the close 
of the war.  The compiler, in order to keep within the prescribed limitation of a brief 
historical sketch, ahas given only the outlines of the history of this splendid military 
organization, but he has endeavored to preserve the most conspicuous features of its service.

	The State of Iowa sent many regiments into the field during the great War of the 
Rebellion and, without an exception, they rendered heroic service and reflected great honor 
upon the Commonwealth.  Among them all the record of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers 
stands conspicuous.  None rendered more effective or important service.  Those of future 
generations who can trace their lineage to one of these heroic soldiers may justly claim and 
ancestry that has no superior among those who have acheived military fame and honor in any age 
or country.  Their loyalty and devotion and the supreme sacrifices they made will not be 
forgotten while true patriotism and brave deeds are honored among men.

			SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment				        1788
Killed							74
Wounded					          313
Died of wounds					38
Died of disease					 186
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes	 306
Captured						   88
Transferred						   34
Buried in National Cemeteries			 185


		THIRTEENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER
				          INFANTRY
				
				Term of service three years.

	Mustered into the service of the United States at Davenport, Iowa, Oct. 7, 1861, by 
Captain Alexander Chambers, United States Army.
	
	Mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 21, 1865.	


Roster of Field, Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Staff Officers at muster in of 
	organization, together with subsequent appointments from civil life.

COMPANY "A"

Arrasmith, Abner P.  Age 19.	  Residence Clinton County, nativity Iowa.  Enlisted Feb. 25, 
1864.  Mustered March 4, 1864.  Mustered out May 3, 1865, Davenport, Iowa.

COMPANY "I"

Burke, Thomas.  Age 22.  Residence Clinton County, nativity Canada.  Enlisted Nov. 17, 1864.  
Mustered Nov. 17, 1864.  Mustered out July 21, 1865, Monterey, Tenn.

COMPANY "K"

Merrick, William.  Age 20.  Residence Clinton County, nativity Canada.  Enlisted Nov. 17, 1864.  
Mustered Nov. 17, 1864.  Mustered out July 21, 1865, Louisville, Ky.

COMPANY "E"

Pillsbury, David B.  Age 21.  Residence Clinton County, nativity Massachusetts.  Enlisted Oct. 
1, 1861.  Mustered Oct. 28, 1861.  Discharged for disability Aug. 22, 1862, Keokuk, Iowa.

COMPANY "H"

Reardon, Martin.  Age 18.  Residence New York, nativity Vermont.  Enlisted Oct. 7, 1861.  
Mustered Nov. 2, 1861.  Absent without leave April 8, 1862.  No further record.

COMPANY "H"

Shaffer, George S.  Age 27.  Residence Clinton, nativity Pennsylvania.  Appointed Second 
Lieutenant Nov. 2, 1861.  Mustered Nov. 2, 1861.  Resigned for disability Dec. 18. 1861, 
Jefferson City, Mo.

COMPANY "B"

Young, Wesley.  (Veteran.)  Age 21.  Residence Buena Vista, nativity New York.  Enlisted Oct. 
8, 1861.  Mustered Oct. 21, 1861.  Wounded in side April 7, 1862, Shiloh, Tenn.  Re-enlisted 
and re-mustered Jan. 1, 1864.  Mustered out July 22, 1865, Louisville, Ky.

 

HOME