2nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment
HISTORICAL NOTES:
This regiment was organized at Keokuk in April and May, 1861, the first regiment of three-years men organized in the state and the first to take the field from Iowa. It was mustered in May 27-28 and left the state at daylight June 13 for St. Joseph, Mo., where it remained on railroad guard duty and aided in maintaining order until the latter part of July. Moving to Bird's Point, it remained there until the latter part of October on similar service.
The remainder of this historical sketch evidently applies to the Iowa 2nd Veteran Infantry Regiment (3 Years Unit). Separate rosters are available for each unit and the service records seem to have been combined by Logan in his compilation. You will need to check dates to see which men were part of the original unit and which joined at the reorganization.
There is much confusion in the records between these regiments:
IA 2nd Infantry Regiment - Mustered May 27-28, 1861
IA 2nd Veteran Infantry Regiment - Mustered at Pulaski, TN, date unknown
IA 2nd and 3rd Consolidated Infantry - Created about January, 1864
Separate rosters are available for each unit, primarily compiled by Guy Logan, but there is constant reference in the records to see another of the units without regard as to when each unit was organized.
The climate was such that on its removal to St. Louis the number of men fit for duty was only about 400. Col. Curtis having been promoted to brigadier-general,, Lieut.-Col. Tuttle was commissioned colonel, Maj. Crocker was made lieutenant-colonel, but soon afterward was commissioned colonel of the 13th regiment and was succeeded by Lieut.-Col. Baker, promoted from the captaincy of Co. G. The regiment remained in St. Louis during the winter, engaged in the duty of guarding prisoners and recuperating. An unfortunate incident here led to an unjust order, the regiment being marched in public disgrace from its quarters to the levee for embarkation to Fort Donelson without music and with its colors furled; the reason being that some one had crept into the "museum" of McDowell college, at that time used as a prison, and carried away some stuffed rabbits, etc. The culprit not being discovered the regiment was held to be guilty of the crime (?) under the peculiar canons then prevailing in military circles and suffered accordingly. At Fort Donelson it splendidly redeemed itself as a part of Lauman's brigade, which stormed the enemy's works on the left, the regiment leading the column, planting its flag within the outer works, pouring a murderous fire into the opposing lines, and compelling the enemy to seek his inner lines. Even Halleck, who had approved the unmerited disgrace, telegraphed commendations. After the surrender the 2nd was awarded the post of honor and was first to enter Fort Donelson. But it had paid dearly with 41 killed and 157 wounded out of 630 in action. It participated at the battle of Shiloh, its brigade repulsing several assaults and the regiment losing about 80 in killed and wounded. It took part in the siege of Corinth and in the pursuit of Beauregard's forces; later marched to Iuka, but did not take part in the battle. Col. Tuttle was promoted brigadier-general, Lieut. -Col. Baker was commissioned colonel and was succeeded by Capt. N. W. Mills. James B. Weaver was appointed major. In the battle of Corinth in October it made a brave charge, Col. Baker falling mortally wounded on the first day and Lieut. -Col. Mills on the second day. The regiment's loss was 108 in killed, wounded and missing out of 346 engaged. The regiment moved to La Grange, Tenn., and to Pulaski in October, going into winter quarters. On Dec. 9 it marched to Tuscumbia, Ala., in pursuit of raiders, but returned on the 23d after one of the hardest marches in its history. Maj. Weaver had been commissioned colonel upon the death of his superior officers at Corinth. Capt. Henry R. Cowles succeeding as lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. N. B. Howard was promoted to major. About the first of 1864 the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization. Leaving Pulaski on April 29, 1864, it joined the army in the movement toward Atlanta, skirmished at Snake Creek gap, fought at Resaca, and other points, and took part in the siege and battle of Atlanta. At Jonesboro, with the 7th Ia. it cleared the way through a fortified position for the cavalry. The non-veterans having been mustered out on May 22 the regiment had but six companies during this campaign, Lieut. -Col. Howard commanding. Its numbers were augmented at Atlanta by the addition of the three remaining companies of the 3d Ia. and Lieut. -Col. Howard was promoted colonel. It moved with the army toward Savannah, was in a lively engagement at the Ogeechee river, in which the enemy were soon put to flight, and moved into Savannah two weeks later. In the march through the Carolinas it was engaged at Columbia and again at Lynch's creek, which closed its fighting history. After moving to Goldsboro, thence to Raleigh, Petersburg and Richmond, it proceeded to Washington City, where it took part in the grand review. It was mustered out at Louisville. The regiment's original strength was 998; gain by recruits 223; unassigned recruits 26; total 1,247.
OFFICERS:
Cols., Samuel R. Curtis, James M. Tuttle, James Baker, Noah W. Mills, James B. Weaver, Noel B. Howard; Lieut.- Cols., James M. Tuttle, Marcellus M. Crocker, James Baker, Noah W. Mills, Henry R. Cowles, Noel B. Howard; Majs. Marcellus M. Crocker, Norton P. Chipman, James B. Weaver, Noel B. Howard, Mathew H. Hamill.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Attached to Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1861. 3rd Brigade, District of Cairo, October, 1861. District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. Missouri, to February, 1862. 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Cairo, February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Corinth, to September, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, District Corinth, to October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, District Corinth, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Corinth, 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, District of Corinth, 17th Army Corps, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, District of Corlnth, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps, to September, 1863. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, to July, 1865.
SERVICE:
Guarding railroad with headquarters at St. Joseph, Mo., till July 26, 1861. At Bird Point, Mo., till August 14. At Ironton, Pilot Knob, till August 27. At Jackson, Mo., till September 8. At Fort Jefferson, Ky., till September 23, and at Bird's Point till October 2. Expedition to Charleston October 2-12. At St. Louis, Mo., till February 10, 1862. Moved to Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 10-14. Investment and capture of Fort Donelson February 14-16. Duty at Fort Donelson till March 5. Moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 5-17. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Duty at Corinth till September. March to Iuka September 18-22. Battle of Corinth October 3-4. Pursuit to Ruckerville October 5-12. Duty at Corinth till April, 1863. Skirmish at Little Brier Creek November 28, 1862. Expedition to intercept Forest December 9-14. Little Briar Creek December 12. Dodge's Expedition to intercept Forest December 18, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Expedition to Hamburg January 26, 1863, and to Jacinto February 25-27. Dodge's Expedition into Northern Alabama April 15-May 2. Bear Creek April 16-17. Tuscumbia April 23-24. Town Creek April 27-28. Duty at Corinth till August, and at LaGrange till November 1. March to Pulaski, Tenn., November 1-11. Duty there and along Nashville & Decatur Railroad, and at Decatur till May, 1864. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Movements on Resaca May 5-13. Snake Creek Gap May 10-12. Battle Resaca May 14-15. Ley's Ferry, Oostenaula River, May 15. Rome Cross Roads May 16. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kennesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Nickajack Creek July 4. Chattahoochie River July 6-17. Decatur July 19. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Skirmish on picket line August 4. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Action Flint River Station August 30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Moved to Rome September 26, and duty there till November 10. Reconnoissance and skirmishes on Cave Springs Road October 12-13. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Little Ogeechee River December 4. Jenks' Station December 7. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Sister's Ferry, Savannah River, January 31-February 5. South Edisto River February 9. North Edisto River February 12-13. Congaree Creek February 15. Columbia February 16-17. Lynch's Creek February 26. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-13. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D. C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 20. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June. Mustered out July 12 and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, July 20, 1865.
The Regiment lost during service 12 Officers and 108 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 159 Enlisted men by disease. Total 283.
ROSTERS:
Company A - enrolled in Lee County
Company B - enrolled in Scott County
Company C - enrolled in Scott County
Company D - enrolled in Polk County
Company E - enrolled in Jefferson County
Company F - enrolled in Van Buren County
Company G - enrolled in Davis County
Company H - enrolled in Washington County
Company I - enrolled in Clinton County
Company K - enrolled in Wapello County
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
REFERENCES:
REF: Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
Federal Publishing Company. The Union Army.
The remainder of this historical sketch evidently applies to the Iowa 2nd Veteran Infantry Regiment (3 Years Unit). Separate rosters are available for each unit and the service records seem to have been combined by Logan in his compilation. You will need to check dates to see which men were part of the original unit and which joined at the reorganization.
There is much confusion in the records between these regiments:
IA 2nd Veteran Infantry Regiment - Mustered at Pulaski, TN, date unknown
IA 2nd and 3rd Consolidated Infantry - Created about January, 1864
Separate rosters are available for each unit, primarily compiled by Guy Logan, but there is constant reference in the records to see another of the units without regard as to when each unit was organized.
The climate was such that on its removal to St. Louis the number of men fit for duty was only about 400. Col. Curtis having been promoted to brigadier-general,, Lieut.-Col. Tuttle was commissioned colonel, Maj. Crocker was made lieutenant-colonel, but soon afterward was commissioned colonel of the 13th regiment and was succeeded by Lieut.-Col. Baker, promoted from the captaincy of Co. G. The regiment remained in St. Louis during the winter, engaged in the duty of guarding prisoners and recuperating. An unfortunate incident here led to an unjust order, the regiment being marched in public disgrace from its quarters to the levee for embarkation to Fort Donelson without music and with its colors furled; the reason being that some one had crept into the "museum" of McDowell college, at that time used as a prison, and carried away some stuffed rabbits, etc. The culprit not being discovered the regiment was held to be guilty of the crime (?) under the peculiar canons then prevailing in military circles and suffered accordingly. At Fort Donelson it splendidly redeemed itself as a part of Lauman's brigade, which stormed the enemy's works on the left, the regiment leading the column, planting its flag within the outer works, pouring a murderous fire into the opposing lines, and compelling the enemy to seek his inner lines. Even Halleck, who had approved the unmerited disgrace, telegraphed commendations. After the surrender the 2nd was awarded the post of honor and was first to enter Fort Donelson. But it had paid dearly with 41 killed and 157 wounded out of 630 in action. It participated at the battle of Shiloh, its brigade repulsing several assaults and the regiment losing about 80 in killed and wounded. It took part in the siege of Corinth and in the pursuit of Beauregard's forces; later marched to Iuka, but did not take part in the battle. Col. Tuttle was promoted brigadier-general, Lieut. -Col. Baker was commissioned colonel and was succeeded by Capt. N. W. Mills. James B. Weaver was appointed major. In the battle of Corinth in October it made a brave charge, Col. Baker falling mortally wounded on the first day and Lieut. -Col. Mills on the second day. The regiment's loss was 108 in killed, wounded and missing out of 346 engaged. The regiment moved to La Grange, Tenn., and to Pulaski in October, going into winter quarters. On Dec. 9 it marched to Tuscumbia, Ala., in pursuit of raiders, but returned on the 23d after one of the hardest marches in its history. Maj. Weaver had been commissioned colonel upon the death of his superior officers at Corinth. Capt. Henry R. Cowles succeeding as lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. N. B. Howard was promoted to major. About the first of 1864 the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization. Leaving Pulaski on April 29, 1864, it joined the army in the movement toward Atlanta, skirmished at Snake Creek gap, fought at Resaca, and other points, and took part in the siege and battle of Atlanta. At Jonesboro, with the 7th Ia. it cleared the way through a fortified position for the cavalry. The non-veterans having been mustered out on May 22 the regiment had but six companies during this campaign, Lieut. -Col. Howard commanding. Its numbers were augmented at Atlanta by the addition of the three remaining companies of the 3d Ia. and Lieut. -Col. Howard was promoted colonel. It moved with the army toward Savannah, was in a lively engagement at the Ogeechee river, in which the enemy were soon put to flight, and moved into Savannah two weeks later. In the march through the Carolinas it was engaged at Columbia and again at Lynch's creek, which closed its fighting history. After moving to Goldsboro, thence to Raleigh, Petersburg and Richmond, it proceeded to Washington City, where it took part in the grand review. It was mustered out at Louisville. The regiment's original strength was 998; gain by recruits 223; unassigned recruits 26; total 1,247.
The Regiment lost during service 12 Officers and 108 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 159 Enlisted men by disease. Total 283.
Company B - enrolled in Scott County
Company C - enrolled in Scott County
Company D - enrolled in Polk County
Company E - enrolled in Jefferson County
Company F - enrolled in Van Buren County
Company G - enrolled in Davis County
Company H - enrolled in Washington County
Company I - enrolled in Clinton County
Company K - enrolled in Wapello County
Federal Publishing Company. The Union Army.