13th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment

HISTORICAL NOTES:
This regiment was organized in the summer and fall of 1861 and was mustered in between Oct. 18 and Nov. 2, by companies. About Nov. 17 the regiment left for Benton barracks, where it remained until Dec. 20, then went to Jefferson City, Mo., where it spent the winter. On March 8 it left for Pittsburg landing, where it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, Gen. McClernand commanding. At the battle of Shiloh it was under fire for 10 hours the first day, losing 24 killed, 139 wounded and 9 missing. After the battle it was placed in the 1st ("Iowa") brigade, Col. Crocker commanding, of the 6th division. Lieut. -Col. Price resigning Maj. Shane was promoted to that position, Capt. Van Hosen succeeding as major. It was in the siege of Corinth and became part of the garrison when the place was evacuated. At the end of July it marched to Bolivar in search of the enemy, but failed to come up with him and returned to Corinth, where it took part in the battle in October. The principal losses there were sustained by Cos. A and G, which were deployed as skirmishers in the first day's engagement. It returned to Memphis, Tenn., on the surrender of Holly Springs, the base of supplies for the contemplated move on Vicksburg. About this time Maj. Van Hosen resigned and was succeeded by Adjt. Wilson. The regiment assisted in digging Lake Providence canal. On the reorganization of the army Col. Crocker was made brigadier-general, being succeeded by Lieut.-Col. Shane as colonel, Maj. Wilson was promoted to the latter position and Capt. Walker was appointed major. The regiment repaired the roads for the use of the army about Vicksburg, proceeded to Grand Gulf, thence to Haynes' bluff, but soon returned and took place on the left of the line of investment. In the latter part of May it was part of a force to make a reconnoissance toward Mechanicsburg, its brigade earning the sobriquet of "Crocker's Greyhounds." On June 24 it moved out to take part in the work of holding Johnston's forces from attacking the army's rear, and was engaged in a skirmish on the day of the surrender of Vicksburg. It escorted a supply train to Clinton, but returned on July 28 and assisted in clearing Yazoo river of the torpedoes and wrecked gun-boats. It participated in the expedition to Monroe, La., after which it went into quarters at Vicksburg until Feb. 4, 1864, when it joined the movement towards Meridian. The veterans were given a furlough in March and reached Cairo on April 16, with many recruits. It proceeded via Clifton and Pulaski, Tenn., to Huntsville, Ala., and on May 20, joined Sherman's army at Acworth, Ga. It was engaged at Kennesaw mountain, was in a skirmish at Nickajack creek, and at Atlanta its brigade made a charge to within 50 paces of the fort, being compelled to lie down and fire. It retired in good order having lost 113 in killed and wounded in less than 30 minutes. On July 22 most of Co. A, part of G, and all of D and K, were captured while reinforcing the 11th and 16th Ia. The regiment's loss in this battle was 149, Maj. Walker commanding, being killed. In the battle of the 28th the regiment fought with great bravery and joined with the remnant of the 3d Ia., in reinforcing a part of the line which was being hard pressed. The 13th was engaged at Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station and joined in the pursuit of Hood in October, going as far as Gaylesville, Ala. Its losses from the first day at Kennesaw until the close of the Atlanta campaign were 331 in killed, wounded and captured. At Marietta, on the return to Atlanta, Col. Shane and several line officers were mustered out, their time expiring. It was in the march to and siege of Savannah; took up the line of march through the Carolinas; was engaged at Pocotaligo; at Columbia a portion of the regiment crossed the river opposite the city ahead of the army, and without orders hoisted the stars and stripes on the capitol while the remainder of the command engaged in laying pontoon bridges some 3 miles below the town. Previous to this the regiment on the skirmish line had crossed a burning bridge at the North Edisto river and driven the enemy out of Orangeburg. The regiment closed its fighting career at Bentonville. At Goldsboro it was joined by a large number of recruits and here Capt. Pope was made major in place of Maj. Marshall resigned. The regiment proceeded to Washington after Johnston's surrender, took part in the grand review, went into camp at Rock creek and later moved to Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out in July, 1865. OFFICERS:
Cols., Marcellus M. Crocker, John Shane, James C. Wilson; Lieut. -Cols., Milton M. Price, John Shane, James C. Wilson, Justin C. Kennedy; Majs., John Shane, George M. Van Hosen, James C. Wilson, William A. Walker, Thomas P. Marshall, A. J. Pope. ROSTERS:

Company A - enrolled in Linn County

Company B - enrolled in Jasper County

Company C - enrolled in Lucas County

Company D - enrolled in Keokuk County

Company E - enrolled in Scott County, Story County, Polk County and Jasper County

Company F - enrolled in Linn County

Company G - enrolled in Benton County

Company H - enrolled in Marshall County; also many men from Monroe County

Company I - enrolled in Washington County, Powesheik County and Iowa County

Company K - enrolled in Washington County

BIBLIOGRAPHY:


REFERENCES:

REF: Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
"The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 4