Since regiments often overlap counties, surrounding counties are included
in this index.
Link corrections - 2 July 2008
Louisa, Henry, Washington
The updated page with MUCH MORE data is now on the Washington County IaGenWeb site at:
Louisa County Soldiers ---- TERRITORIAL MILITIA---ALPHABETICAL LIST OF LOUISA COUNTY SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION---SOLDIERS IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
Diaries of
Mifflin Jennings during the Civil War - The diaries of my
great-great grandfather were transcribed in the early 1980s from
three small pocket-sized leather-bounddiaries kept by Mifflin Jennings.
By the war’s end, Mifflin had been promoted to First Sergeant, Co. C, 11th
Iowa VeteranVolunteer Infantry. These diaries were originally made in pencil
and ink, and some have faded. The originals are in my possession
or soon will be at the Kansas State Historical Society museum and research
facility. Ron Smith
Henry County, Iowa in the Civil War
Excerpts are given to indicate the next segment of data included:
Civil War - 4th Cavalry - page 640-644
The Fourth Regiment of Iowa Cavalry was organized under the proclamation
of President Lincoln, dated July 23,
1861. The original roster of the regiment shows that the twelve companies
of which it was composed were ordered
into quarters by Governor Kirkwood, on dates ranging from August 25
to November 2, 1861. The place of
rendezvous designated in the order was Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where
the companies were mustered into the
service of the United States by Captain Alexander Chambers, of the
United States Army, on dates ranging from
November 23, 1861, to January 1, 1862.(1) Most of these companies had
perfected their organization and were
awaiting assignment when the Governor's order was issued, but some
of them had only an incipient organization at
the that time, hence the disparity in the dates upon which they were
mustered into the service. Upon the date of the
muster of the last company, the regiment numbered 1,086 men and officers.
The camp was named "Camp Harlan,"
in honor of the distinguished Senator from Iowa, whose home was in
Mount Pleasant. Barracks were erected for
the use of the men and officers and stable for the horses.
Civil War - 4th Cavalry- page 644 - 647
On the 11th of May, Lieutenant Colonel Swan was ordered to move rapidly
in the direction of Hayses Bluff and
reconnoiter that fortified position for the purpose of ascertaining
whether it was still occupied by the enemy. Early
in the afternoon, the advance guard of the regiment came within sight
of works, and continued to advance
cautiously, but not encountering opposition. Captain Peters with his
company was ordered to move forward for
closer observation and meeting with no enemy, he rode into the fort
and found but twenty of the enemy, who
surrendered without resistance.
Civil War - 4th Cavalry - page 648 - 654
General Sherman highly commended Colonel Winslow for his successful management of the expedition, in a personal letter, from which the following extracts are taken:
Page 648
"You did exactly as you were ordered and acted perfectly right.. I wish now I had ordered you to destroy all cars instead of attempting to save them, but my instructions were based on General Grant's wishes as conveyed to me in person...I now assure you of my great respect..I esteem you highly as A most promising cavalry officer, and only ask you , --- find yourself to obey orders, and when left to your discretion to do just what your judgment suggests. Only remember that boldness and dash are the characteristics of good cavalry...I will watch your progress always and wish you to consider me your friend and to call on me freely when you will..."
Civil War - 4th Cavalry - 654-655
In General Orders No. 6, dated at Fort Scott, Ks, October 26, 1864, General Pleasanton recounts the achievements of his cavalry division and says of Winslow's Brigade:
The gallant action of Phillips Brigade of Missouri Cavalry, and Winslow's Brigade, in capturing eight of the enemy's guns, on the Osage was so distinguished as to draw praise from the enemy...The night fighting of Colonel Winslow on the Big Blue deserves the highest commendation. The regiments of the Fourth Brigade are authorized to place upon their colors "Big Blue" and "Osage".
Civil War - 4th Cavalry - Partial Roster of Men
Another expedition in which 110 men of the Fourth Iowa--under command of Captain Beckwith-participated, left Memphis early in December and was conveyed by transports to a point on the river near which, it was reported, a large quantity of arms and medical stores, belonging to the rebel arm, were stored, awaiting transportation, and guarded by but a small force of rebels, who were visiting the arrival of a larger force with wagons to remove the arms and stores tothe interior. The camp of the guard was surrounded just at daybreak and after a brief resistance, they surrendered. On thousand rifles, ammunition for same, besides a large quantity of revolvers, quinine and other medical stores, were captured and, with the prisoners, taken to Memphis. Such captures were of great importance, as the rebels were merely in need of such supplies, which, on account of the destruction of so many of their factories and the maintenance of a strict blockade along the coasts, they found it very difficult to procure,. It is one of the marvels of history, that the soldiers of the rebel army, lacking as they did. In the latter days of the war, so many of the supplies necessary for their maintenance, should have been able and willing to prolong the hopeless struggle. They were brave American soldiers fighting for a cause they thought was just, and the brave men who finally conquered them, can well afford to pay tribute to their valor and endurance.
Sources:
1. Report of the Adjutant General of Iowa, 1863, Vol 2,
pages 509 to 544 inclusive
2. Roster of the Fourth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Cavalry--1861-1865.
An appendix to "The Story of a Cavalry
Regiment", by William Force Scott; New York; Press J.
J. Little & Co. 1902
3. Lieutenant Colonel Drummond went into the field with
the regiment, but after a few months, resigned, and
returned to his position in the Fifth United States Cavalry.
He was killed while gallantly leading his men into battle
in a charge at Five Forks, April 1, 1865.
4. Report of the Adjutant General, 1864, page 512
War- 19th Regiment - Company K, 19th Regiment
Washington County, Iowa in the Civil War
History of the 19th Iowa Regisment - complete story by J. Irvine Dungan 1865
1909 reunion of the 8th, 19th and 25th regiments.
1883 photo of the 19th Regiment Co. C.
Dungan'a Diaries -
To Keokuk, St. Louis, and points west. - Excerps only
In 1862 the Civil War began to involve the trans-Mississippi states in a serious way. As a result President Lincoln issued a call for 300,000 new volunteers on July 9, 1862. The 19th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment was the first unit formed in Iowa after the President's call. Each of the 10 Companies were to comprise the 19th Infantry and enrolled different counties, but for the most part, men from Washington County and town enrolled in Company C ensuring that some of the recruits were acquainted.
The Division was activated in Keokuk in August of 1862. One historian
was J. Irvine Dungan of Company C. Dungan
was 21 and gave his occupation as student. When released from service,
Dungan traveled to Wapello to consult with Dr.
Thomas Bell and his journal for dates and other particulars, and published
his History of the Nineteenth Regiment Iowa
Volunteer Infantry in Davenport in 1865.
Since my grandfathers Abraham and Joseph Snider were members of the
19th Infantry, Company C, I have a particular interest in Dungan's accounts.
Both were taken prisoner by the confederate soldiers but it is difficult
to separate their histories as they are referred to only as Snider in various
accounts.
19th Regiment, Co. C -
Roster of men enlisting from Washington County.