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History of Iowa:
From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century
Volume 2: The Civil War

by Benjamin F. Gue

Chicago: Century History, 1903

Click here for the list of Illustrations

Table of Contents

Chapter I

John Brown at Harper's Ferry
The Last Roll Call of His Band
Five Were Iowa Men
A Heroic Conflict with Overwhelming Numbers
Not a Man Flinched in the Battle
A Bloody Ending
Fate of the Iowa Men
Stewart Taylor Falls in the Thickest of the Fight
Jeremiah Anderson of Revolutionary Ancestors, John Brown's Trusted Friend
Edwin Coppoc Fires the Last Shot
He Calmly Meets his Doom
Barclay Coppoc, the Boy of Twenty Escapes
Terrible Sufferings in the Mountains
Capture of John E. Cook
Barclay Coppoc Reaches Home.

Chapter II

The Eighth General Assembly
Governor Lowe's Retiring Message
Governor Kirkwood's Inaugural Address
Virginia Demands the Surrender of Barclay Coppoc
Governor Kirkwood Finds a Flaw in the Requisition
Barclay Coppoc Escapes
Meets Death in Missouri in 1862
The Notable Letter of Warning
How and Why it was Sent
the Letter and its Author
Acts of the Eighth General Assembly
A Veto Message.

Chapter III

Personal Recollections of the Great Tornado of 1860
Gathering Clouds and Oppressive Atmosphere
Meeting of the Conflicting Air Currents
The Trailing Column Descends to the Earth
The Destruction Begins
In the Tornado's Pathway
Where it Began to Gather
Destruction of Life and Property Appalling
The Village of Camanche in Ruins
A Summary of Loss of Life and Property
Estimated Velocity of the Wind
The Republican National Convention of 1860
Abraham Lincoln Nominated for President
Democratic National Conventions
The Party Disrupted and Two Tickets Placed in Nomination
Republican State Convention
Result of the Election.

Chapter IV

Effects of John Brown's Virginia Raid
First Movements Towards Secession
Peace Conventions
Governor Kirkwood's Suggestions
His Conference with President Lincoln
Seven Slave States Secede Before Lincoln's Inauguration
South Carolina Inaugurates the Rebellion
Lincoln's First Call for Volunteers
Iowa Unprepared for War
The First Iowa Regiment Promptly Raised Amid Intense Enthusiasm
How the Money was Raised to Equip the First Regiments
An Extra Session of the Eighth General Assembly convened
Partisan Consideration Ignored
Union Democrats Declare for a Vigorous Prosecution of War
Resolutions by General Baker and R. D. Kellogg
Governor Kirkwood's Message
Prompt Action of a Patriotic Legislature.

Chapter V

Measures for the Protection of the State from Missouri Invaders and Sioux Indians
Governor N. B. Baker Appointed Adjutant-General
Political Conventions of 1861
Governor Kirkwood Re-elected
Iowa Raises Sixteen Regiments the First Year
The Ninth General Assembly
The Victory at Fort Donelson
Four Iowa Regiments with the Victorious Army
The Indian Massacre in Minnesota
the Northwestern Settlers Arm for Defense
Military Disasters to the Eastern Union Armies
The President's Call for Three Hundred Thousand Volunteers
An Extra Session of the Legislature Called by Governor Kirkwood
Prompt Action of the General Assembly to Meet the Exigency.

Chapter VI

The President's Emancipation Proclamation
Governor Kirkwood Urges the Removal of General McClellan from Command of the Army
The Political Conventions of 1862
Iowa Gains Four Representatives in Congress
The Democrats Carry the Elections in Many Northern States
The Union Armies Defeated in the East and Victorious in the West
Iowa has Forty Regiments in the Field
Copperheads and Knights of the Golden Circle
They Denounce the Government and Discourage Volunteering
The So-Called Arbitrary Arrests
George W. Jones, Dennis Mahony and Henry Clay Dean Imprisoned
Released Without Trials
The "Tally War" in Keokuk County
Two Thousand Armed Men Gathered in Camp to Avenge the Death of Tally
The Governor Calls Out Eleven Military Companies
The Tally Army Dispersed
Outrages on the Missouri Border
The Murder of Captains Bashore and Woodruff
The Arrest, Trial and Conviction of Gleason.

Chapter VII

Iowa Invaded by Missouri Guerillas
Citizens Robbed and Murdered
Governor Kirkwood Declines a Third Term
The Dramatic Nomination of Colonel William M. Stone
The Democratic state Convention of 1863
The Republican Candidates Elected
Defeats of Union Armies
Gloom and Depression in the North
The Army of Virginia Under Lee Invades Maryland and Pennsylvania
Is finally Defeated at Vicksburg
Iowa Regiments Help to Win all Western Victories
The President Calls for 300,000 Soldiers
The Tenth General Assembly Convenes
Governor Kirkwood's Last Message
His Services as the War Governor
Inauguration of Governor Stone
Re-election of Grimes as United States Senator
Important Acts of the Legislature
Disposal of the Agricultural College Land Grant
State Board of Education Abolished
Death Blow to "Wild Cat" Currency.

Chapter VIII

The President Calls for 500,000 Men
Rosecrans and Banks Meet with Disastrous Defeats
Thomas and Grant Win Brilliant Victories
General Grant Promoted to Command the Armies of the United States
Great Rejoicing in the West
Thirty Thousand "Knights of the Golden Circle" in Iowa
Governor Stone Issues Stringent Orders to Circumvent Their Secret Conspiracies
The Political Situation in 1864
Organization of "Union Leagues"
The Political Conventions of 1864
Their Platforms and Candidates
Negotiations for Peace
The Political Campaign
Momentous Issues Involved
Peace Convention at Iowa City
victory for Lincoln's Administration
More Peace Negotiations
Fall of Richmond, Surrender of Lee's Army
Assassination of President Lincoln.

Chapter IX

First Iowa Infantry
Placed in the Army of General Lyon
First Long March
Battle of Wilson's Creek
General Lyon Attacks the Combined Armies of Price, McCulloch and Jackson
Desperate Engagement with Superior Numbers
First Iowa in the Thickest of the Fight
Lyon Leads a Bayonet Charge by the Iowa and Kansas Regiments
He Falls Mortally Wounded
One of the Most Desperate Battles of the War
The First Iowa Furnishes Many Distinguished Officers
Organization of the Second Iowa Infantry
Its Notable First Field Officers
Is Sent to Missouri and Suffers from Disease
Promotion of its Officers
The Battle of Fort Donelson
Colonel J. M. Tuttle Leads the Regiment in a Gallant Charge
Good Service at Shiloh
Commanding Officers Slain at the Battle of Corinth
In Sherman's Atlanta Campaign
Serves Until the Close of the War.

Chapter X

Organization of the Third Iowa Infantry
Regiment Divided
Battle of the Blue Mills
Scott Commanded
Severe Fighting and Heavy Loss
The Third at Shiloh
Fights Under Trumbull at the Hatchie
In Grant's Vicksburg Campaign
Service in the Atlanta Campaign
Distinguished Officers
Their Promotions.
The Fourth Iowa Infantry
G. M. Dodge its First Colonel
Services at the Battle of Pea Ridge
In the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou
Fighting of the Iowa Fourth
Services in the Vicksburg Campaign
In the Battles of Lookout Mountain and Ringgold
Reception of the Veterans by the Iowa Legislature
In Sherman's March to the Sea
Losses in Many Engagements.

Chapter XI

Fifth Iowa Infantry
First Service in Missouri
In General Pope's New Madrid Campaign
Death of Colonel Worthington
Changes in Field Officers
Fights in Battle of Iuka
Part in Battle of Corinth
Services at Champion's Hill
In Sherman's Campaign
Regiment Nearly Annihilated by Hard Fighting
Consolidated with Fifth Cavalry.
Sixth Iowa Infantry
Joins General Fremont's Army in Missouri
Transferred to Grant's Army
Fights at Shiloh
Heavy Loss in the Engagement
In the Siege and Battle of Jackson
General Lauman's Disastrous Charge
In the Chattanooga Campaign
In the Battle of Missionary Ridge
In Many Battles of Sherman's March to the Sea
Northward March to Washington
Participates in the Grand Review.

Chapter XII

Organization of the Seventh Iowa Infantry
Sent to Missouri
Gallant Conduct at the Battle of Belmont
Lieutenant-Colonel Wentz Killed
In the Battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh
Participates in the Two Day's Battle at Corinth
In the Battles of Sherman's March to the Sea
Members Vote for Lincoln's Re-election in Georgia
March to Washington by Way of Richmond.
Eighth Iowa Infantry
First Field Officers
Engaged in the Battle of Shiloh
Surrender After Most Heroic Fighting
The Regiment Reorganized in 1863
Participates in Grant's Vicksburg Campaign
The Battle and Surrender of Mobile
Brilliant Charge and Assault on the Spanish Fort
Iowa Regiments Engaged
Colonel Geddes Promoted.

Chapter XIII

Ninth Iowa Infantry Sent to Missouri
Participates in the Battles of Sugar Creek and Pea Ridge
General Curtis Wins a Great Victory
Bravery of the Iowa Regiments
Disease and Death in the Swamps
The Ninth in Vicksburg Campaign
In the Battle of Lookout Mountain
With Sherman's March to the Sea
Service in the Twenty-four Battles During the War.
The Tenth Iowa Infantry
Its First Service in Missouri
Attached to the Army of General Pope
At the Siege and Victory at Island Number Ten
In the Battles of Iuka and Corinth
In Grant's Vicksburg Campaign
Participates in the Battles About Chattanooga
With Sherman in Campaign in the Southern States.

Chapter XIV

The Eleventh Iowa Volunteers
First Service in Missouri
Sent to Grant's Army in Tennessee
In the Battle of Shiloh
Serves in the Vicksburg Campaign
With Sherman's Army in March to the Sea
Gallant Conduct at the Battle of Atlanta
Hoists the Union Colors Over the Capitol of South Carolina
In the Battle of Bentonsville.
Twelfth Iowa Volunteers
Sickness at Benton Barracks
With Grant at the Capture of Forts Henry and Donelson
Magnificent Fighting at Shiloh
Forced at Last to Surrender
Suffering in Rebel Prisons
In the Battle of Tupelo
Gallant Defense of the Stockade on White River
With Thomas at the Battle of Nashville.

Chapter XV

The Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers
M. M. Crocker its First Colonel
Engaged in the Battle of Shiloh
In the Two Days' Battle at Corinth
Participates in the Vicksburg Campaign
With Sherman's Army in March to the Sea
Gallant Conduct at the Battle of Atlanta
Hoists the Union Colors Over the Capitol of South Carolina
In the Battle of Bentonsville.
The Fourteenth Iowa Volunteers
In the Capture of Fort Donelson
Among Gallant Fighters at the "Hornet's Nest" in the Battle of Shiloh
Finally Forced to Surrender
Exchanged in November, 1862
Sent to General Bank's Army in Louisiana
Capture of Fort De Russey
The Disastrous Red River Expedition
Colonel Shaw Commands the "Iron Brigade"
Its Heroic Fighting at Pleasant Hill
Colonel Shaw Criticises Superiors
Their Revenge on the Colonel
General A. J. Smith's Tribute to Colonel Shaw's Patriotism, Courage and Ability.

Chapter XVI

Fifteenth Iowa Volunteers
Baptized in Fire at Shiloh
Incorporated in the "Iowa Brigade"
Belknap Leads the Regiment at Corinth
In the Vicksburg Campaign
Joins Sherman, Fights at Kenesaw Mountain
The Battle of Atlanta
Belknap Promoted to Brigadier-General
Participates in Many Battles.
The Sixteenth Iowa Volunteers
First Service at Shiloh
Placed in the "Iowa Brigade"
In the Battle of Iuka
Lieutenant-Colonel Sanders in Command
Fight at Corinth
Participates in the Vicksburg Campaign
In Sherman's Battles Around Atlanta
Surrounded and Captured
In Andersonville Stockade
Exchanged in September and Rejoins Sherman's Army.

Chapter XVII

Seventeenth Iowa Volunteers
Sent to Halleck's Army at Corinth
With Rosecrans at Iuka
The Battle of Corinth
Bravery of the Iowa Seventeenth
Brilliant Services in the Vicksburg Campaign
In Steele's Expedition Against Little Rock
At the Battles Around Chattanooga
Defense of Tilton
Colonel Wever Commands Brigade.
Eighteenth Iowa Volunteers
Sent to the Army of the Southwest
The Battle of Springfield
The Disastrous Expedition Under General Steele
Fighting to Save the Forage Train
Colonel Edwards Promoted.

Chapter XVIII

Nineteenth Iowa Volunteers
Becomes a Part of the Army of the Frontier
The Battle of Prairie Grove
Colonel McFarland Killed Leading His Regiment in a Charge
One of the Great Victories of the West
At the Siege of Vicksburg
A Portion of the Regiment Captured at Stirling Farm
Reunited at New Orleans
Engaged in the Mobile Campaign.
Twentieth Volunteers
Sent to Southwest Missouri
Hard Marching and Great Suffering
The Regiment Joins Grant's Army Before Vicksburg
Transferred to General Bank's Command
Sent to Southern Texas
In the Mobile Campaign
In the Column that Stormed and Captured Blakely.

Chapter XIX

Organization of the Twenty-first Iowa Volunteers-First Services in Missouri
The Battle of Hartsville
Sent toe General Grant's Army in Mississippi
At the Battle of Port Gibson
Makes a Gallant Charge at Black River Bridge
Lieutenant-Colonel Dunlap Killed
The Regiment Sent to Texas
Participates in Grierson's Raid an the Mobile Expedition.
Twenty-second Iowa Volunteers
Joins Grant's Army in the Vicksburg Campaign
In the Battles of Port Gibson and Black River Bridge
In the Assault of may 22d
Griffith and Others Scale the Walls
Sixteen Iowa Regiments in the Battle
Magnitude of the Victory at Vicksburg
The Twenty-second Sent to Virginia
In Sheridan's Battles in Shenandoah Valley
Traveled More Than 13,000 Miles.

Chapter XX

Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers
Death of Colonel Dewey
Joins Grant's Army Before Vicksburg
Battle of Black River Bridge
Colonel Kinsman Slain
Battle of Millikin's Bend
Service in Texas and Louisiana
Participates in the Mobile Campaign.
Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteers
Its Services in Arkansas
Great Suffering from hardship and Disease
Transferred to Grant's Army
Heroic Charge and Great Losses at Champion's Hill
Sent to Louisiana After the Fall of Vicksburg
Joins General Sheridan's Army in Virginia
Captain Rigby's Coolness in the Winchester Stampede
In the Battles of Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek
Colonel Wilds Mortally Wounded.

Chapter XXI

The Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteers
Sent to Arkansas and Mississippi
In Sherman's Army at Chickasaw Bayou
At the Capture of Arkansas Post
Participants in the Vicksburg Campaign
In the Battle of Lookout Mountain
Attached to the "Iowa Brigade"
With Sherman's Army in its Southern Campaign
The Twenty-fifth in Many Battles
At the Capture of Columbia.
The Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteers
A Clinton County Regiment
The Battle of Arkansas Post
Services in Mississippi and Tennessee
In the Chattanooga Campaign
Participates in the Battles of Ringgold, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta
With Sherman Through the Carolinas.

Chapter XXII

The Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteers
Sent to the Northwestern Frontier
Transferred to Mississippi
Hard service and Great Suffering in a Winter Campaign
In Steele's Expedition Against Little Rock
In General Banks's Red River Campaign
In the Battle of Nashville
Participates in the Siege and Capture of Blakely.
The Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteers
Sent to Arkansas and Mississippi
A Winter of Sickness, Suffering and Death
In the Vicksburg Campaign
Bravery at Champion's Hill
sent to the Department of the Gulf
In Banks's Red River Expedition
In the Battle of Mansfield
Transferred to Sheridan's Army in Virginia
In the Battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek.

Chapter XXIII

The Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers
Thomas H. Benton, Colonel
In General Gorman's Expedition
At the Battle of Helena and the Capture of Little Rock
The Battle of Terre Noir
Heroic Defense of the Rear Guard at Jenkin's Ferry.
The Thirtieth Iowa Volunteers
Sent to Sherman's Army at Chickasaw Bayou
Participates in the Vicksburg Campaign
Colonel Abbott Slain in the Assault of May 22d
Colonel Torrence Killed in the Battle
The Iowa Regiments in the Battles Around Chattanooga
The Thirtieth in Sheridan's Campaign.

Chapter XXIV

The Thirty-first Iowa Volunteers
Services in Arkansas and Mississippi
With Grant in Vicksburg and Battles Around Chattanooga
Joins Sherman's Army of Invasion
The Battle of Resaca
In the Battles of Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta
At Columbia and Bentonsville.
The Thirty-second Iowa Volunteers
The Regiment Divided
Battle at Cape Girardeau
Evacuation of New Madrid
The Regiment Reunited
Sent to the Department of the Gulf
The Battle of Pleasant Hill
A Graphic Description of the Conflict
Heroic Fighting of the Thirty-second
Shaw's Brigade Bears the Brunt of the Battle
Banks orders a Retreat.

Chapter XXV

The Thirty-third Iowa Volunteers
Samuel A. Rice its First Colonel
At Helena and Yazoo Pass
The Battle of Helena
In the Little Rock and Camden Expeditions
Colonel Rice Mortally Wounded at Jenkins's Ferry
At Mobile and New Orleans.
The Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteers
Sickness and Suffering at Helena an Chickasaw Bayou
Horrors of the Voyage up the Mississippi
Joins Grant's Army in the Vicksburg Campaign
Services in Louisiana and Texas
Capture of Forts Gains, Morgan and Powell
the Regiment Consolidated with the Thirty-eighth.

Chapter XXVI

The Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers
Sent to General Grant's Department
Serves in Mississippi and Tennessee
Transferred to the Department of the Gulf
The Capture of Post at Henderson
In the Battles of Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou
Battle of the Old Red River and Tupelo
The Battle of Nashville-Iowa Regiments Engaged
Death of Colonel Hill
The Thirty-fifth at Mobile.
The Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteers
Sickness and Suffering in the Swamps
In the Yazoo Expedition
In the Battle of Helena and Steele's Expedition
The Battle of Mark's Mill
Most of the Regiment Captured.

Chapter XXVII

The Thirty-seventh Iowa volunteers
Made up of Men Exempt by Age from Military Duty
Services on Picket, Guard and Garrison
Patriotic Services Commended.
The Thirty-eighth Iowa Volunteers
At the Siege of Vicksburg
The Regiment Prostrated by Sickness
In Texas and the Mobile Campaign
Consolidated with the Thirty-fourth.
The Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteers
Battle of Parker's Cross Roads
In Colonel Straight's Raid
Gallant Defense of Allatoona
Lieutenant-Colonel Redfield Slain
In Sherman's March to the Sea.

Chapter XXVIII

The Fortieth Iowa Volunteers
Sent to Kentucky and to Mississippi in the Little Rock Campaign
In the Camden Expedition
The Battle of Jenkins's
The Disastrous Retreat.
The Colored Troops from Iowa
In the Sixtieth U. S. Infantry.
Capture of Van Buren
In the Little Rock Campaign
In the Camden Expedition
Five Year's Services.
The Second Iowa Cavalry
Sent to General Pope's Department
A Gallant Charge
The Battle of Boonville
The Grierson Raid
Services in Mississippi and Tennessee
In the Battle of Nashville.

Chapter XXIX

The Third Iowa Cavalry
Services in Missouri
In the Battle of Pea Ridge
In Grant's Vicksburg Campaign
The Wilson Raid.
The Fourth Iowa Cavalry
Sent to Missouri and Arkansas
In the Vicksburg Campaign
Takes Part in Meridian Expedition
The Battle of Guntown
Serves Again in Arkansas and Missouri.
The Fifth Iowa cavalry
Garrisons Fort Henry
The Rousseau Raid
The Fifth Infantry Consolidated with the Fifth Cavalry
A Brilliant Charge on Superior Numbers
In the Wilson Raid.

Chapter XXX

The Sixth Iowa Cavalry
Sent to the Northwestern Frontier
A Campaign Against the Sioux
A Battle with the Indians.
The Seventh Iowa Cavalry
Services in the Indian Country
In the Battles of White Stone Hill, Little Blue, Rush Creek and Mud Springs.
Eighth Iowa Cavalry
Serves in Kentucky and Tennessee
In the McCook Expedition
The Battle of Newman
In the Wilson Raid
Death of Colonel Dorr.
Ninth Iowa Cavalry
Services in Arkansas
Scouting and Garrison Duties
The "Hundred Days Men"
The Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Volunteer Infantry.

Chapter XXXI

The Artillery Service
The First, Second, Third and Fourth Batteries
The Fort Dodge Cavalry Company
Attached to the Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment of Cavalry
Services in Virginia
Andersonville and Other Confederate Prisons
The Horrors Told by a Confederate Surgeon
A Roll of Iowa Martyrs
Women's Work in the War
Their Services in Camp, Hospital and Field
Mrs. J. T. Fales, Mrs. I. K. Miller, Mrs. Ann E. Harlan, "Aunt Becky" Young and Annie Wittenmyer
The Sanitary Commission
Coming Home from the War.

List of Illustrations

Samuel J. Kirkwood, War Governor
Edwin Coppoc, Barclay Coppoc
David J. Gue
Tornado of 1860
John A. Kasson
Hiram Price
Caleb Baldwin
General N. B. Baker
General Samuel R. Curtis
Stockade at Estherville
Captain W. H. Ingham
Colonel William M. Stone
Levi L. Hoag, a Typical Iowa Soldier
Battle of Wilson’s Creek
Forts Henry and Donelson
Generals S. A. Rice, E. W. Rice, J. M. Tuttle, Colonel N. W. Mills
General James B. Weaver
General Grenville M. Dodge
Battle of Chickasaw Bayou
General James Williamson
Battle of Iuka
Battle of Belmont
General William Vandever
Battle of Pea Ridge
Colonel H. H. Trimble
Battle of Shiloh
General M. M. Crocker
Battle of Atlanta
Colonel William T. Shaw
Battle of Corinth
Battle of Prairie Grove
General Francis J. Herron
Major William G. Thompson
Colonel Samuel Merrill
Colonel William H. Kinsman
Siege of Vicksburg
General Ed. Wright
Lt.-Col. Leander Clark
Colonel Milo Smith
Colonels J. A. McDowell, C. W. Kittredge, J. W. Rankin, T. H. Benton
Battles Around Chattanooga
Colonel John Scott
Battle of Pleasant Hill
Generals G. W. Clark, John Edwards, S. L. Glasgow, Col. J. A. Garrett
Edmund L. Joy
General Francis M. Drake
General John M. Corse
Lt.-Col. James Redfield
General Fitz Henry Warren
Colonel Henry C. Caldwell
Lt.-Col. William P. Hepburn
General Cyrus Bussey
General John W. Noble
Colonel David B. Henderson
Mrs. Ann E. Harlan
Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer

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