Roster
of 
Iowa Soldiers
in the 
War of the Rebellion

Together with
Historical Sketches of Volunteer Organizations
1861 - 1866

(Taken from)
Vol. III
24th Regiment - Infantry


Published by authority of the general Assembly, under the direction of
Brig. Gen. Guy E. Logan, Adjutant General






Des Moines
Emory H English, State Printer
E.D. Chassell, State Binder
1910HISTORICAL SKETCH
TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

                                 The ten companies assigned to the Twenty-fourth Infantry were ordered
into quarters by Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood on dates ranging from the 16th to the 28th day of August,
1862. The rendezvous designated in the order was "Camp Strong," Muscatine, Iowa, where the companies were
mustered into the service of the United States on the 18th day of September, 1862, by Captain H.B. 
Hendershott of the Regular Army. The aggregate number of the regiment at the completion of its orga
nization was 979. The revised roster, which follows this historical sketch, shows the names of the field
and staff and company officers at the completion of the organization of the regiment; it also shows the
changes which subsequently occurred, the addit ional enlistments and the name of every officer and
enlisted man who at any time belonged to the regiment, together with the condensed record of their
personal service, compiled from the official records. Great care has been taken in making the transcript s
and, where it was possible to obtain evidence to complete records that were found to be incomplete, it has
been done. No doubt there are errors and omissions in the original records that have been perpetuated in
the revised rosters, but it is hoped that the number has been reduced to the minimum and that, in the
main, the records will be found correct. Many of the official reports-so necessary to enable a complete
history of the operations of the regiment to be compiled-are lacking, but in making up thi s condensed
history the compiler has availed himself of such sources of information, not found in the official
records, as could be considered reliable, and has been careful to avoid making any statement not strictly
in accord with the facts.  The regiment remained at Camp Strong until the 19th of October, 1862, on which
date it marched to the levee at Muscatine and, embarking on transports, proceeded to St. Louis, where
orders were received to proceed at once to Helena, Ark. There it arrived a nd disembarked on the 28th of
October, going into camp just south of the city and joining the brigade commanded by Colonel McGinnis of
the Eleventh Indiana. Many of the men had been attacked by sickness while upon the boat, and the unhealthy
locality in w hich the regiment was now encamped added largely to the number upon the sick list. The
privations and hardships endured by the Twenty-fourth Iowa, while at Helena and when engaged in the
several expeditions in which it participated during the winter of 18 62-3, were the most severe in its
history. On the 17th of November the regiment formed part of the force under General Hovey which proceeded
to the mouth of White River; upon its return it engaged in another expedition to Coldwater, Miss., to co
-operate with the movement of General Grant against Vicksburg and, on the 11th of January, 1863, it again
formed part of a force engaged in another expedition up the White River, this time under General Gorman.
While no considerable body of the enemy was encounter ed upon any of these expeditions, and no practical
results were accomplished by them, the troops suffered almost unendurable hardships from exposure to
storms of rain and snow, and the fatalities which resulted were as great as those sustained in many of the
hard-fought battles in which the regiment subsequently participated. The survivors of the regiment always
remembered that winter campaign as the most discouraging of the many through which they passed in their
long period of service. Upon its return f rom the last expedition the regiment found its camp ground
flooded, compelling removal to higher ground, and the change in location resulted in a decrease of the
sick list, but many had died and a still larger number had been incapacitated for further ser vice and
were discharged. A considerable number of those who were thus discharged for disability never fully
recovered.  On the 15th of February, 1863, the Twenty-fourth Iowa left Helena with its brigade, which
formed part of the force under General Wasburn engaged in clearing out the obstructions in Yazoo Pass and
opening the same to navigation. This duty, while arduous, g ave the men active employment and relieved
them from the depressing effects of witnessing the daily depletion of their ranks from disease, while
lying idle in camp. Upon the return of the regiment to Helena, in the early spring, the troops with which
it w as associated were transferred to the Thirteenth Army Corps and ordered to join General Grant's army,
in its operations against Vicksburg, and were conveyed on transports to Milliken's Bend, where they
disembarked and marched, over difficult and sometimes almost impassable roads, to Perkens' Landing. Here,
on the 28th of April, they again embarked on transports and barges and moved down the river to a point
about four miles above Grand Gulf, where, without disembarking, they witnessed the tremendous artil lery
combat between the gunboats and the rebel batteries at Grand Gulf, which lasted for several hours. The
troops had, in the meantime, been awaiting orders to land and co-operate with the gunboats in their attack
upon the enemy's works, but, after prolo nged bombardment, without apparent effect, the gunboats withdrew,
and the attack by land was also abandoned. The troops disembarked and marched down the levee to a point
three miles below Grand Gulf, where they bivouacked until morning. During the night t he gunboats and a
number of transports succeeded in passing the rebel batteries. The Twenty-fourth Iowa, with the other
troops of the Thirteenth Corps, now embarked on transports and gunboats and were conveyed down the river
to Bruinsburg, sixteen miles b elow Grand Gulf, where they landed and took up the line of march toward
Port Gibson.  The Twenty-fourth Iowa had been assigned to the Second Brigade of the Twelfth Division,
Thirteenth Army Corps. The brigade was composed of the Forty-seventh Indiana, Fifty-sixth Ohio, and the
Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth Iowa, and was under the command of Colonel James R. Slack of the
Forty-seventh Indiana, from whose official report-in the absence of the report of the commander of the
regiment-the following extracts are made, showing the part taken by the Twenty-fourth Iowa in the battle
of Port Gibso n, May 1. 1863. After describing the formation and position of his brigade prior to the
commencement of the engagement, Colonel Slack says:  During the formation of our lines, the battle opened
a short distance to our left and front, and continued with great stubbornest for an hour. When General
Hovey directed me to put my column in motion and support General Benton, whose forces were being ha rd
pressed by overwhelming numbers. The whole column was immediately formed, and moved most gallantly to the
point indicated, with the Forty-seventh Indiana and Fifty-sixth Ohio on the left and the Twenty-eighth
Iowa on the right. These positions were res pectively taken under a severe fire of the enemy's infantry,
and shell and canister from the whole battery at a distance of about two hundred yards, yet the several
commands took their position in line without flinching, and advanced to within eighty yard s of the
enemy's battery, immediately after which General Hovey ordered Colonel Cameron of the Thirty-fourth
Indiana, to charge and take the battery, and ordered me to support the charge with the Fifty- sixth Ohio,
which was immediately to the left of the

 Thirty-fourth Indiana.  While the fierce fighting which resulted in the capture of the battery and 220
prisoners from the rebel troops supporting it was in progress, the Twenty-fourth Iowa was held in reserve,
but was ready to advance the moment the order was received. It was th e regiments first battle, and its
officers and men chafed under being placed in reserve and not having their share of the fighting in this
early period of the battle. Later in the day, however, the Twenty- fourth and Twenty-eighth Iowa were sent
to the su pport of General Logan's division, on the extreme left. They promptly moved to the new position
assigned them, as further shown by the report of Colonel Slack, in referring to the order, as follows;  In
the afternoon the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth Iowa were ordered to the rear and extreme left of the
line, to support Major General Logan's division, which was hotly engaged, and there continued fighting
like veterans, as the men of that gallant sta te always have done, until the enemy was driven from the
field and utterly routed at every point, and the curtain of night closed the scene.  At the close of his
report Colonel Slack says:  To the cool and gallant conduct of all the field and line officers, and the
persevering determination of each and every one in my command, I cannot express too much gratitude and
admiration. To them belongs the glory of the triumph, every officer and ever y man having done his whole
duty. . . . The whole number of casualties are: Killed 16; wounded, 62; missing, 11; total, 89.  It will
thus be seen that in its first experience in battle the Twenty-fourth Iowa had acquitted itself with
honor, and had shown that, whenever the opportunity came, it could meet the enemy with that same steady
courage and determined bravery that it had exhibited while enduring the hardships and suffering of the
campaign in Arkansas, during which it did not come into contact with the enemy in battle, but faced the
grim messenger of death, in the form of disease, with the same if not greater fortitude th an was
requisite to face the death- dealing guns of its rebel foes.  The official report of General A. P. Hovey
describes with great particularity all the movements of the troops of his division between the dates of
May 2d and 16th, upon which latter date the battle of Champion's Hill was fought. During these movements
mor e or less skirmishing with the enemy occurred, in which the Twenty-fourth Iowa had its share; and in
the battle which ensued, the regiment took the most conspicuous part and suffered the greatest loss of any
of the gallant regiments of its brigade. Failin g to find the official report of the regimental commander,
the compiler again has recourse to the reports of the brigade and division commanders, Colonel Slack and
General Hovey. The following extracts are from the report of Colonel Slack:  On the night of the 15th, we
encamped on the Jackson and Vicksburg railroad, near Bolton Station. In the morning we left camp about six
o'clock, and moved east about 7 miles, when we approached very nearly to the enemy, drawn up in line of
battle. In purs uance of orders of Brigadier General Hovey, I formed the Second Brigade in two lines to
the left of the road, in the field of one Champion, with the artillery in advance. Soon thereafter I
placed my lines of battle in advance of the artillery, and ordered two companies of the Forty-seventh
Indiana, two companies of the Fifty- sixth Ohio, and two companies of the Twenty-fourth Iowa, as
skirmishers, who covered the whole front of the line and advanced toward the enemy. Skirmishing soon
began, and continued for about one hour, when I advanced the whole line, with the Forty-seventh Indiana on
the right, and the Twenty-eighth Iowa on the left. The thick growth of underbrush and vines, ravines and
hills, made it very difficult to advance, but it was accomplishe d with little disorder, until we reached
the crest of the hill, where we found the enemy in very heavy force, about 200 yards in front of us, and
under cover of a wood beyond a field. Then the battle began with great fury, our troops advancing for the
pur pose of driving the enemy from the cover of the woods, which was done at double-quick and in a most
gallant manner, the men loading and firing as they advanced, and unfalteringly receiving a most deadly
fire from the enemy; yet they pressed forward, as me n only can do who are prompted by intelligent motives
of patriotic devotion to a common country, until the rebel force was driven from the covering and forced
to fall back a distance of 200 yards, with terrible loss, the ground being literally covered wit h dead
and wounded rebels. In this daring and determined charge all the regiments lost most severely. The
Twenty-fourth Iowa most gallantly charged upon a rebel battery of five guns, and took it at the point of
the bayonet, killing many of the cannoneers and driving the remainder from their guns and some fifty yards
to the rear, when a new rebel line, which had not been in action, appeared in treble our force, and opened
a most murderous fire upon our lines, which the unflinching and determined braves of the Twenty-fourth
Iowa resisted for fifteen minutes, but, because of the overwhelming force brought to bear upon them,
reluctantly retired from the battery, but kept the rebel re-enforcements at bay by their incessant fire
and stubborn resistance. This ba ttery was subsequently retaken, and is now in our possession. During this
terrific charge, Major Edward Wright, of the Twenty-fourth Iowa, was severely wounded, immediately after
which he captured a stalwart rebel prisoner and made him carry him off the f ield. . . Our ranks being
badly depleted, I directed the whole command to retire gradually from the field and take position near the
crest of the hill where the rebel lines were first formed, which was done in good order, at which time a
re-enforcement of one brigade came to our support, after few well directed volleys, with the aid of the
batteries, which General Hovey had massed on the extreme right, the enemy was routed and fled in great
confusion and disorder from the field. Thus ended this unequal, t errible and most sanguinary conflict. . 
. For two long hours my brigade held in check fully three times their number, and I hesitate not in saying
that, had they not so gallantly and determinedly resisted, the fortunes of the day might have been greatly
d amaged, if not our glorious triumph turned into a defeat. During the progress of the battle, my command
took a large number of prisoners, which were handed over to the Provost- marshal without any account being
taken of them. . . Major L. H. Goodwin of th e Forty-seventh Indiana and Major Edward Wright of the
Twenty-fourth Iowa were seriously wounded while gallantly leading their men, but I am more than grateful
to know that they are both rapidly recovering and will soon be able to resume their respective positions. 
To those brave officers and men who fell in that sanguinary conflict and who resolved to do or die in
defense of and for the perpetuation of the best Government ever known to civilization, we cannot do more
than assure their friends at home tha t they fell with their faces to the foe, in defense of the
constitution of a common country. . . The whole number of casualties (detailed lists of which I herewith
inclose) is as follows: Forty -seventh Indiana, killed 32, wounded 91, missing 17, total 14 0. Fifty-sixth
Ohio, killed 20, wounded 90, missing 28, total 138. Twenty-fourth Iowa, killed 35, wounded 120, missing
34, total 189. Twenty- eighth Iowa, killed 21, wounded 62, missing 14, total 97. Missouri Battery, wounded
2.  It will thus be seen that the entire loss of the brigade was 556, out of the four regiments and one
battery of which it was composed, of which number the loss of the Twenty-fourth Iowa constituted
one-third. Near the close of his very full and complete re port of the part taken by the two brigades of
his division in the battle of Champion's Hill, General Hovey says:  I cannot think of this bloody hill
without sadness and pride. Sadness for the great loss of my true and gallant men; pride for the heroic
bravery they displayed. No prouder division ever met as vastly superior foe and fought with more
unflinching firmness and stubborn valor. It was, after the conflict, literally the hill of death; men,
horses, cannon, and the debris of an army, lay scattered in wild confusion, Hundreds of the gallant
Twelfth Divisions were cold in death or writhing in pain, and, with larg e numbers of Quinby's gallant
boys, lay dead, dying or wounded, intermixed with our fallen foe. Thus ended the battle of Champion's
Hill, and our heroes slept upon the field with the dead and dying around them. I never saw fighting like
this. The loss of my division on this field alone was nearly one-third of my forces engaged. Of the
Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth Iowa, in what words of praise shall I speak? Not
more than six months in the service, their records will compare with the oldest and best tried regiments
in the field. All honor is due to their gallant officers and men; and Colonels Gill, Byam and Connell have
my thanks for the skill with which they handled their respective commands, and for the fortitude,
endurance and bravery displayed by their gallant men. . . . Among the dead of the Second Brigade are the
honored names of Captains Silas D, Johnson, William Carbee and First Lieutenant Chauncey Lawrence of the
Twenty-fourth Iowa.  The total loss in both brigades of General Hovey's division in the battle of
Champion's Hill was 1,202, of the 4,180 engaged. General Hovey places the loss of the Twenty-fourth
Indiana at 40 per cent of its number engaged, and gives that as the maximum lo ss of any one regiment.
Reference to the tabulated statement shows this to be an error. The Twenty- fourth Iowa had 417 enlisted
men and officers engaged in the battle, and its loss was 189, over 45 per cent of the number engaged, and
this was the heavies t percentage of loss of any regiment of the brigade or division. There were but nine
companies of the Twenty-fourth Iowa engaged at Champion's Hill; Company B, being at that time on detached
duty at General McClernand's headquarters, was not engaged. The regiment had now been in the service less
than eight months, yet it had taken its place by the side of regiments from other states which had
participated in numerous battles and had won the designation of Veteran, had fought with equal
distinction, had wo n the highest commendation of its brigade and division Commanders and, at the very
beginning of its experience under the fire of the enemy, had established a record for bravery and
efficiency second to none of the gallant regiments from Iowa which had pre ceded it to the field.  The
Twenty-fourth Iowa marched with its brigade from the battlefield of Champion's Hill to Black River Bridge,
but did not arrive there in time to participate in the battle in which the Twenty-first and Twenty-third
Iowa regiments won such distinguished h onor. Remaining at Black River for a few days, the regiment
continued its march to Vicksburg, where it arrived on the 24th of May and at once took its position on the
line of investment in the center of General Hovey's division, where for the succeeding f orty days it
endured the hardships, dangers and privations incident to the siege of the rebel stronghold which
surrendered to General Grant on the 4th of July, 1863. On the morning of July 5th, the regiment marched
with its brigade and division, a part of the army under General Sherman, in the expedition against
Jackson, Miss., and participated in the operations which ensued, culminating in the evacuation of Jackson
by the enemy on July 16, 1863, and the end of the great Vicksburg campaign. The total loss of the two
brigades of General Hovey's division, from the commencement of the siege of Vicksburg to the evacuation of
Jackson, was 155 killed and wounded, while that of the Twenty-fourth Iowa, during the same period, was 1
killed and 12 wounded. As there were twelve organizations in the division, the loss of the Twenty-fourth
Iowa was about the same average as that of the other regiments of the division. During the entire campaign
the aggregate losses of the Twenty-fourth Iowa in battle were 208.  Upon its return to Vicksburg the
regiment was allowed a brief period of rest in camp. Colonel Byam had resigned on the 30th of June, and
Lieutenant Colonel Wilds had succeeded to the command of the regiment. About the middle of August, 1863,
the regiment was transferred to a new field of operations. Embarking on transports, it was conveyed to New
Orleans, and from there proceeded to Algiers. From the date of its arrival at Algiers, the compiler finds
a carefully written record of its subsequent operations , during the year 1864, prepared by Major (later
Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General) Ed Wright for the Adjutant General of Iowa. Only
brief quotations can be made from this record and the copies of official reports which accompany it , on
account of limitation of space, but the compiler will endeavor to include all the most important events
which transpired during this period of the service of the regiment. Reference to the record will show that
the events which transpired during each month of the year are carefully noted and the details given with
great particularity, a large part of which are necessarily omitted in this sketch.  During the greater
part of the month of January, 1863, the regiment was in camp at Algiers, La., being at that time a part of
the Second Brigade of the Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. The location of the camp was such that
the men suffered much har dship from the wet weather which prevailed. On January 21st, the division was
moved to Madisonville, La., on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain, and there the regiment found the most
beautiful and attractive camping ground it had occupied since leaving the State of Iowa. There the
regiment remained until February 26th, when it returned to its former camp at Algiers, and there, on the
3d of March, with its brigade and division, marched in review before General McClernand and was especially
complimented b y the General for its fine appearance and perfection in drill.  On March 5th, the regiment
was conveyed by rail to Berwick Bay, La. From there all camp equipage that could possibly be dispensed
with and all extra baggage was sent back to New Orleans, and the troops prepared for rapid marching as
reinforcements to the army under General Banks, then engaged in his unfortunate Red River Expedition. The
troops consisted of the Third Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps, which included the brigade to which
the Twenty-fourth Iowa belonged. The division marched rapidly to W ashington, La., where it overtook the
Nineteenth Army Corps, under General Franklin. The march was continued, with occasional halts for rest,
when, on the 31st of March, the troops arrived at Natchitoches, La., having marched 290 miles. The march
was resu med on the 6th of April and, on the evening of the 7th, the troops arrived at Pleasant Hill, La.,
and found the cavalry engaged in a skirmish with the enemy at the front. The brigade was ordered to move
forward and support the cavalry, but, after marching about one mile, found that the enemy had retired. At
daylight the next morning the march was renewed, with the Fourth Division in advance. Five companies of
the Twenty-fourth Iowa were detailed as escort for the train in the rear. About 8 o'clock A. M. t he
advance encountered the enemy, who, after a short skirmish, retreated. The Third Division halted to await
the arrival of the Nineteenth Corps, as the enemy was reported in strong force. At 2 P.M., the next day,
the march was resumed. The troops marched very rapidly for five miles, when the enemy, was discovered in
force, the column was halted, and the First Brigade formed line of battle on the right of the road, with
the Second Brigade in line on the left. The engagement which ensued was generally know n as the battle of
Sabine Cross Roads, but has sometimes been called the battle of Mansfield. Major Wright, who was in
Command of the Twenty-fourth Iowa, and who wrote the official report of the part taken by that portion of
his regiment which was engaged in the battle, after describing the movements of his regiment and brigade
prior to the opening of the engagement, says:  The Twenty-fourth, about 130 strong, Companies A, D, I, C
and H having been detailed as train guard and left in the rear, under command of Capt. Martin, was ordered
to form in the rear as a reserve to the Second Brigade. The lines being formed, the advanc e was ordered. 
The lines moved forward near a fourth of a mile, when, coming to the edge of the field beyond the timber. 
a halt was ordered, and the line immediately engaged the enemy. The Twenty-fourth, about three hundred
paces in the rear, was ordered to lie down. While in this position, my command received a severe raking
artillery fire from the enemy's guns posted in front of the right of the brigade. Having remained in this
position about half an hour, during which time the front line was firing rap idly, I was ordered to move
my command to the front. which I did by a left oblique movement, and came in on the left of the brigade,
and took position in a ravine, at the edge of the timber. From the position there occupied, I could see
with my field glas s at least 8,000 of the enemy forming in the distance, but not within range of our
muskets. The enemy's skirmishers had advanced to the edge of the hill in our front, and were protected by
a battery immediately on their left, which had taken position behi nd some large buildings, from which
place it was impossible for our weak line to dislodge it. The Fourth Division I could not learn anything
of, and the only force to oppose these heavy, columns of the enemy was the Third Division, about 1,200
strong, and some straggling cavalry. This position was held for near an hour, when, the enemy advancing in
heavy force-at least ten to one- and most of the command being out of ammunition, we were overwhelmed by
numbers and compelled to retire from the field. This, however, was no easy task, as the enemy's cavalry
was already far in our rear, both on the right and left, and we were assailed at all points. I ordered my
command to confine their movements to the thick brush, as much as possible, and, by keeping in the woods
between the road and an open field on our left, which was occupied by the enemy's cavalry, I succeeded in
bringing the most of the command off the field, and forming in the rear of the Nineteenth Army Corps,
about three miles from the battlefield, a fter which I procured ammunition for my men and joined with the
One Hundred and Sixty-First New York Volunteers, and remained until after dark. The fight being over, I
reported with my command to General Cameron, and marched back to Pleasant Hill, arrivin g there at sunrise
on the morning of the 9th. Casualties during the day were 34, a list of which is hereto appended. The
officers and men of my command all behaved well and stood at their posts until ordered to fall back,
delivering their fire with a prec ision not to be surpassed. I cannot close this report without making
some comments about the manner in which this battle was managed. It was understood when the army arrived
at St. Patrick's Bayou that we had found the enemy in force, and why we should ha ve been sent forward in
detachments, only to be demolished by superior numbers, is a mystery to me. First the cavalry moved up and
were repulsed, next the Fourth Division was moved forward, and shared the same fate. Then the Third
Division moved forward o n double quick for five miles, along a road blocked by trains, only to come in
contact with in overwhelming force, before which it was compelled to retire. Who is responsible? I leave
the question for the historian to answer, believing it will be answered
 correctly.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
                                                       ED WRIGHT,
           Major Twenty-fourth Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
N. B. BAKER, Adjutant General State of Iowa.

The correct answer to Major Wright's question is readily given. His was only one of a number of brave Iowa
regiments which lost heavily in that ill-fated expedition, through the utter incapacity of the Commanding
General, Nathaniel P. Banks. The verdict o f all military historians is unanimous with reference to the
Red River Expedition and its commander. Both were stupendous failures. Major Wright displayed great skill
and ability in being able to extricate his command from its perilous situation, with a l oss of little
less than one-third of the number engaged. While the loss was heavy, it is marvelous that, under the
circumstances, it was not much greater. Had the other five companies of the regiment been engaged, the
loss would have been proportionately greater. It was therefore fortunate that they were on detached duty.
Upon the return of the regiment to Pleasant Hill, Major Wright was placed in command of the brigade and
Captain Martin assumed command of the regiment. The Third and Fourth Divisions of the Thirteenth Corps,
under command of General Cameron, (General Rans om having been severely wounded,) were ordered to take
charge of the train and proceed to Grand Ecore, on Red River. Here the command arrived, on the evening of
the 11th, and began the construction of fortifications; Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, of the Twen ty-eighth
Iowa, succeeding Major Wright as brigade commander. The two divisions left Grand Ecore on the morning of
the 22d and reached Cane River at 2 A. M., on the 23d, where the enemy was found strongly posted on the
opposite side of the river, for the purpose of contesting the crossing of the Union troops. General
Cameron did not attempt to force his way across the river under the fire of the enemy, but, moving his
troops up the river, effected a crossing by wading, and thus outflanked the enemy and dr ove him from his
position. A bridge was then put down, over which the army of General Bank had passed by 10 A. M. the next
day, when the line of march was again taken up and the army arrived at Alexandria on the 25th. The retreat
had been conducted by for ced marches and the troops, marching day and night, were completely exhausted
upon reaching Alexandria. Company A, of the Twenty-fourth Iowa, had been detailed to guard the steamer
"Hetty Gilmore" from Grand Ecore down the river. During the trip a detachm ent of the enemy attempted to
capture the boat but was driven off. Two men of the company, Sergeant Charles Wager and Private Rudolph
McKinley, were severely wounded. The company returned to the regiment at Alexandria. Lieutenant Colonel
Wilds, who had be en absent since December 6th on recruiting service in Iowa, rejoined the regiment at
Alexandria and resumed command. Between the 25th April and the 13th of May the regiment had several sharp
skirmishes with the enemy, in which a number of its men were wou nded. General Banks commenced his retreat
from Alexandria on May 13th , and on the 22d his army reached Morganza Bend. The Twenty-fourth Iowa had a
skirmish with the enemy while engaged in a reconnoitering expedition from Morganza, In which Captain B. G. 
Paul, of Company K, was killed, and four enlisted men were wounded. The losses of the regiment while
connected with the troops commanded by General Banks had reached the aggregate number of 48, and the
results accomplished, during that period of its servi ce, were not only not commensurate with the loss,
but the officers and men of the regiment were fully justified in the opinion that the sacrifice had been
in vain, and they were rejoiced to know that a change for the better was in prospect.  The regiment left
Morganza on June 13th, proceeded to Carrollton, La., and went into camp near Greenville Station, on the
New Orleans and Carrollton Railroad. Leaving there on the 21st, it was subsequently stationed at
Kennerville and Thibodeaux, La., unt il July 6th , upon which date it proceeded by rail to Algiers, where
it received in exchange for the old Enfield rifles with which it had been supplied since taking the
field-new Springfield rifles and accouterments. On the morning of July 22d the regimen t embarked on the
transport "Star of the South" and, soon after, put to sea, with orders to report to the commanding officer
at Fortress Monroe, where, after enduring the usual discomforts of a sea voyage, it arrived on the 29th,
and at once proceeded to Washington, D.C., arriving there at midnight and, the next morning, proceeding by
rail to Monacacy, Md., reached that place on August 1st, where it joined a detachment of the Nineteenth
Army Corps under command of General Emory. Colonel Wilds was placed i n command of the brigade to which
his regiment was attached.  The Twenty-fourth Iowa was now about to enter upon an entirely new field of
warfare, in which but few of the regiments from its own State had been called to serve, On the 4th of
August it was conveyed by rail to Harper's Ferry, where it arrived at midnigh t and moved out on the
Winchester Pike and went into bivouac. On July 6th the regiment commenced a series of movements in
connection with the army; first marching to Halltown, to intercept the army of 30,000 rebels, under the
command of General Early, whi ch was moving towards Maryland and Pennsylvania; but the rebel general was
not yet ready for a general engagement, and, handling his force with consummate skill, managed to avoid a
conflict. The Union force arrived at Cedar Creek, near Strasburg, Va., on August 12th , where it encamped
and remained until the 15th, when it fell back to Charleston, where General Grover had just arrived with
reinforcements from Washington, and a re-organization of the army took place. The Twenty-fourth Iowa was
assigned to t he Fourth Brigade, Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, with Colonel Shunk, of the Eighth
Indiana Veteran Infantry, commanding the brigade, General Grover commanding the division, and General
Emory commanding the detachment of the Nineteenth Corps. The Army of the Shenandoah consisted of two
divisions of the Nineteenth Corps, the Sixth Corps commanded by Major General Wright, the Army of Western
Virginia commanded by General Crook and about 10,000 cavalry commanded by General Torbet, making in all an
a rmy of about 40,000, under command of Major General Sheridan.  On the 3d of September, General Sheridan
began the series of movements which led up to the battle of Winchester, September 19. 1864. The part taken
by the Twenty-fourth Iowa in that battle is described in the official report of Lieutenant Colonel Wright,
as follows: 
        HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FOURTH IOWA. INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
                            CAMP RUSSELL, VA., NOV. 19, 1864.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Twenty-fourth Regiment
of Iowa infantry Volunteers in the battle of Opequon, or Winchester, Va., Sept. 19. 1864.  The regiment
was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. Q. Wilds, but circumstances beyond his control prevented him from
making an official report, prior to the battle of Cedar Creek, at which place he was severely wounded, and
has since died; for this reaso n I take the responsibility of making it myself. On the 18th of September,
orders were issued from army headquarters, requiring all transportation to be sent to the rear, also all
extra baggage, retaining only such articles as could not be dispensed with; these to be carried by the
men, and officers' horses. Thus, stripped of everything that would encumber its movements, the Army of the
Shenandoah retired to rest in camp near Berryville, Va., on the evening of the 18th with orders to be in
line of battle ready to move at 2 o'clock next morning. The Twenty-fourth Iowa belonged to the Fourth
Brigade, Second Division, Detachment Nineteenth Army Corps. The brigade consisting of the Eighth and
Eighteenth Indiana Veteran Volunteers and the Twenty-fourth and Twe nty-eighth Iowa was commanded by
Colonel D. Shunk of the Eighth Indiana, the division by Brigadier General C. Grover, the corps by Brevet
Major General Emory. At 3 o'clock the advance sounded, and the Nineteenth Corps moved out on the
Winchester Pike, hal ting about three miles west of Berryville, for the Sixth Corps, commanded by Major
General Wright, to pass, as it was to have the advance. The Army of Western Virginia, under command of
General Croc, moved by another road to the right. Shortly after sunri se, the Sixth Corps having passed,
the Nineteenth Corps was put in motion. The Second Division, having the advance, arrived at Opequon Creek
about 9 o'clock A. M., when heavy skirmishing and some cannonading was heard in the front, near
Winchester. Here w e received orders to push forward rapidly, as the cavalry and Sixth Corps were already
engaged. When we had reached a point about three miles from Winchester, we turned to the right and moved
in the direction of the Winchester and Martinsburg Pike about o ne mile, and formed line of battle on the
right of the Sixth Corps. The Second Division was formed in two lines. The First and Third Brigades formed
the first line, and the Second and Fourth Brigades the second. The Twenty-fourth Iowa was on the left cent
er. the Twenty-eighth Iowa on the left, Eighth Indiana on the right, Eighteenth Indiana on the right
center, the Fourth Brigade being on the extreme right. Soon after, the First Division, Nineteenth Corps,
commanded by General Dwight came up and formed in the rear as a reserve. In this position we remained
until about 12 M., when the advance sounded and the whole line moved forward steadily. The front of the
whole division was covered by a strip of woodland, near a third of a mile wide. Beyond this woodla nd was
an open field about one-fourth of a mile wide, beyond which was woodland again. When the second line
emerged into the open field, the first line was just entering the wood on the opposite side, having driven
the enemy's skirmishers across the open field, and were driving the enemy. The enemy, discovering that our
right flank was unprotected, threw a heavy column of infantry, with one battery of artillery, around on
our right, nearly at right angles with our lines, and kept them concealed in a deep hollow. In consequence
of a flank fire from this column, the first line gave back and passed through the second, when about half
way across the field. This created some confusion, but the line was soon in good shape again, and moving
forward steadily.  When within one hundred yards of the woods, the column that had been thrown around on
our right opened out with musketry and canister shot, showering the iron hail along and almost parallel
with our ranks and mowing down our men by the score. As soon as t he flank movement was discovered, the
whole line was ordered to fall back to the woods, which was done in as good order as could be expected
under the circumstances. The line was reformed and advanced about one fourth of the way across the field
and halte d, holding the enemy at bay until some troops could be thrown around to our right, as the
enemy's lines extended nearly half a mile to the right of ours. Up to this time the Twenty-fourth had had
two officers mortally wounded, and two more severely: six e nlisted men killed, and about thirty wounded.
This line was held under a most destructive artillery fire from both the front and right flank for about
two hours, when General Crook came up with the Army of Western Virginia and formed on the right, relievi
ng the most of the Fourth Brigade. Captains Rigby, Smith and Martin, with Lieutenant Lucas, had been
posted with their commands in a point of timber nearest the enemy, with orders to hold it at all hazards,
and were not relieved. I had supplied them with ammunition, and when the fresh troops in making the final
charge came up even with them, they moved forward with the line, which drove the enemy from every position
taken until it became a perfect rout. In this last charge the Twenty-fourth lost a number of brave
soldiers wounded, and one killed. After the Fourth Brigade was relieved (except as above mentioned) boxes
were filled with ammunition, and it was moved to the extreme right in order to prevent any more flank
movements of the enemy, but General Av erill, coming in with his cavalry, rendered the movement entirely
unnecessary. After the enemy was entirely routed and driven pell-mell from the field, the regiment was got
together, and marched about two miles, and went into camp near Winchester, on the Front Royal Pike.
Casualties during the day: Officers mortally wounded 2, severely, 4. Enlisted men killed, 9; wounded, 56;
captured, 3. Total 74; a list of which is hereto appended. I cannot close this report without referring to
Captain J. R. Gould, of Company D, and Lieutenant S. S. Dillman, of Company E, both having been mortally
wounded while leading their men on in the hottest of the battle. Both were brave almost to rashness. In
them the Twenty-fourth Iowa lost two valuable officers and society two
 valuable men.
     1 have the honor to be, most respectfully,
  Your Obedient Servant,
                                     ED WRIGHT,
                                                                      Lieutenant Colonel Twenty-fourth Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
                                                             COL. N. B. BAKER, Adjutant General of Iowa

It will be seen from the foregoing report that the Twenty-fourth Iowa had, in its first battle in the
east, gloriously maintained its previous proud record, and had upheld the honor of its State while
fighting beside the trained veterans of the Army of th e Potomac.  On the night of the 19th of September
the regiment went into camp near Winchester. The next morning it marched towards Cedar Creek, and in the
evening found the enemy strongly entrenched at Fisher's Hill. The Twenty-fourth Iowa actively participated
in th e movements which followed and which culminated in the battle of Fisher's Hill, in which, and in the
pursuit which followed, the regiment participated, but fortunately-owing to the positions to which its
brigade was assigned-it had but one officer and fou r men wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Wright, in his
official report, describes minutely the part taken by his regiment in the battle of Fisher's Hill, and
highly commends the officers and men for their prompt obedience to orders and the gallant manner in whi ch
they conducted themselves during the battle and the subsequent pursuit of the enemy. The rebel General
Early and his army had again been defeated and compelled to retreat up the Shenandoah valley.  In all the
operations of its brigade and division, from the 23d of September until the 19th of October, upon which
latter date the Twenty-fourth Iowa fought its last battle, the regiment performed its full share of duty
and always acquitted itself with ho nor. Although it remained in the service for nearly six months after
the battle of Cedar Creek, the remainder of its history, while characterized by the same faithful devotion
to duty, was not marked by further severe conflict with the enemy. The compiler deems it most fitting,
therefore, that the conduct of the regiment in the memorable battle of Cedar Creek, as portrayed in the
official report of its gallant commander, should occupy' the greater portion of the space left at his 
report is here given in full:

  HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FOURTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
                                                                      CAMP RUSSELL, VA., Nov. 19, 1864.
                                                                    COLONEL: I have the honor to submit
the following report of the part taken by the Twenty-fourth Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers in the
battle of Cedar Creek, Va., on the 19th of October. 1864. The regiment belonged to the Fourth Brigade,
Second Division. Nineteenth Army Corps, Brevet Major General Emory commanding corps, Brigadier General
Grover commanding division, and Colonel Shunk, Eighth Indiana Veteran Volunteers, commanding brigad e. The
brigade occupied the left of the second line, which was about two hundred paces in rear of the line of
works occupied by the first line. The left of the brigade rested about two hundred yards to the right of
the pike leading from Winchester to Stan ton. The works in our front were occupied by the Third Brigade,
Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps with Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery, near the pike on the
left. The regiment occupied the right center of the brigade, with the Twenty-eighth I owa on the left. The
Eighth Corps, under command of Major General Crook, was posted on the left of the pike, and about three
hundred paces to the front. The Sixth Corps was on the right of the Nineteenth, with its right thrown back
toward Middletown, abou t one mile. Our teams parked about one mile In the rear. The enemy was in camp at
Fisher's Hill, some four miles to the front. In this position we rested on the evening of the 18th, not
even suspecting our danger, or the Yankee trick that Early was going to play on us the next morning.  Soon
after retiring to bed, Colonel Wilds, then in command of the regiment, received orders to have the men
under arms at precisely 5 o'clock next morning, as the first line was to make a reconnaissance to the
front, and the Fourth Brigade was to move up to the works as soon as vacated. In obedience to this order,
at 6 o'clock the regiment was in line of battle, and really to move to the works. Having reason to believe
that the reconnaissance would not last more than one or two hours, as the order was no t to bring on an
engagement, everything except, arms and accouterments were left in tents. At ten minutes past 5 o'clock,
firing commenced on the picket line of the EighthCorps. Supposing it to be only a reconnaissance by the
enemy, it created but little alarm. In a few minutes heavy firing commenced on the left and front of the
Eighth Corps. It was not yet daylight, and a dense fog, which had settled to the ground, rendered it
almost impossible to distinguish objects at any distance. Soon after the firin g commenced on the left,
the brigade was ordered to move by the left flank, until the left of the Twenty-fourth Iowa rested on the
pike. Colonel Wild's ordered me to ride to the left of the regiment, and to lead it to the place
indicated, but, before reac hing the pike, I was ordered to halt and take position, as we were already
receiving the enemy's fire. The regiment was halted, and the right thrown forward so as to form a line
across the crest of the hill, at an angle of forty-five degrees with the pike . The right of the brigade,
Eighteenth Indiana Veteran Volunteers, supporting the battery on the left of the first line. The fog was
so dense that it was impossible to tell what was in front of us, and, as the Eighth Corps was failing back
at the time, ou r fire was reserved until the enemy had pressed his columns close up to and charged the
battery on the right, one piece of which was captured. We held the position, however, until Colonel Shunk,
discovering that the enemy had thrown a column across the pi ke on our left, ordered the brigade to fall
back about five hundred yards, and take position parallel to and facing the pike. This was done in good
order, and the position taken and held, until it became necessary, in the opinion of General Grover, to
fal l back, in order to prevent being cut off entirely. (Up to this time the regiment had lost six men
killed and about forty wounded.) The order was given to fall back as rapidly as possible in the direction
of the camp of the Sixth Corps. The enemy came in heavy force on our left and captured four officers and
about forty men. The brigade fell back about one mile and formed between the First Brigade, General Birge,
and the Sixth Corps, which was on the left.  Previous to this time, Colonel Wilds had been wounded and
carried from the field. I had also received a bruise on my hip from a piece of shell and a wound from a
musket ball in the left arm near the elbow, which sickened me so that I could not ride for ne ar an hour,
and the regiment was commanded by Captain L. Clark, during my absence. Soon after I returned to the
regiment, which was then in the position above mentioned, the enemy made a flank movement to the left of
the Sixth Corps, rendering it necessar y for it to fall back, and we were ordered to retire by the right
of regiments to the rear. We moved in this manner nearly three mile, halted, took position, procured
ammunition and prepared to renew the battle. After we had rested about half an hour, Maj or General
Sheridan came on the field, having been absent since the morning of the 18th . He ordered the Eighth Corps
to take position on the left of the pike between Middletown and Newtown, the Sixth Corps the center, and
the Nineteenth Corps the right.  Sent two divisions of cavalry to the right, and one to the left. The
Fourth Brigade was formed on the extreme left of the Nineteenth Corps, connecting with the right of the
Sixth Corps. In this position the troops were ordered to rest, and throw up some t emporary works.  About
12 O'clock I was ordered to move the Twenty-fourth Iowa to the extreme right of the Nineteenth Corps, and
protect the flank, I immediately moved to the place indicated, took position and threw out a skirmish
line. In this position I remained until 3 o'clock P. M., when I received orders to call in my skirmishers
and take my place in the line, as it was going to advance. My skirmishers had just reported when the
advance was sounded. In order to get my position in the line, I had to double quick about one mile, and,
during the greater part of this distance, we had to pass through the fire of the enemy's guns, which
overshot our advancing columns, the shells exploding in the rear. About 3 « o'clock, I got my place in the
line, which, steadily advanced, driving the enemy from every position taken until we reached the camp we
left in the morning. Here we halted and made some coffee, (those of us who were fortunate enough to have
any,) the first we had tasted since the evening of the 18th . We found one w ounded officer there, who had
hidden among the rocks during the day, and quite a number of our wounded men. Everything was taken from
our camp, leaving the men and most of the officers without haversacks, blankets or shelter tents. At 8
o'clock P. M., the regiment moved forward, with the brigade, to a point near Strasburg, to protect the
parties that were sent out to collect the property abandoned by the enemy in his hasty retreat. There we
bivouacked for the night, without fires, the men suffering severe ly for want of blankets and proper
clothing to protect them from the excessive cold. On the following morning (20th) the remainder of the
Second Division came up, and we went into camp about one mile from Strasburg.  It would appear invidious
to mention individual cases of gallantry, during the day, when all, both men and officers, did their whole
duty. I cannot close, however, without referring to the bravery of our lamented Colonel Wilds, who was
wounded soon after daylight and died November 18th . In him we lost a noble, brave and efficient officer.
Captain Knott and Lieutenant Kurtz were wounded and captured, but both were retaken in the evening.
Captain Smith, and Lieutenant Davis, were captured in the morning ab out daylight. The loss of the
regiment was: Killed; enlisted men 7; Wounded; officers 6, enlisted men 39. Captured; officers 2, enlisted
men 39. Total casualties 93; a list of which is hereto annexed.  I have the honor to be, most
respectfully,
  Your obedient servant,
                                     ED WRIGHT,
                                                                    Lieutenant Colonel Twenty-fourth Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers.
H. B. BAKER, Adjutant General State of Iowa.

During the remainder of the mouth of October the regiment participated in the various movements of its
brigade and division in the Shenandoah Valley, but did not again come into contact with any considerable
force of the enemy. In the early part of Novemb er the regiment was engaged in the duty of escorting
supply trains for the army. On the 8th of November, 1864, the officers and men of the regiment recorded
their choice for President of the United States, with the following result: Whole number of votes cast,
303, of which Abraham Lincoln received 285 and George B. McClellan 18. On November 10th the regiment
arrived at Camp Russell, where the army of the Shenandoah was encamped, and during the remainder of the
month was engaged in the erection of fortifi cations and building cabins for winter quarters. In December
the winter quarters were completed, and the regiment was engaged in the performance of picket and escort
duty until the close of the month. On December 30th the regiment was assigned to the post at Winchester,
Va. On the 6th of January, 1865, the Twenty-fourth Iowa left Winchester and proceeded by rail to
Baltimore, thence by steamship to Savannah, Ga., where it went into camp and remained for two months. It
then moved to Morehead City, N. C., a nd, from that point, to Goldsboro and Raleigh, escorting
transportation trains. After the surrender of the rebel General Johnston's army, it returned to Savannah,
moved thence to Augusta, Ga. with the Twenty-second and Twenty-eighth Iowa, crossed the rive r at Augusta
and went into camp near the town of Hamburg, S. C., where it remained until the 6th of June, when, with
the other Iowa regiments, it was ordered to return to Savannah. Its last long march was completed on June
20th . The regiment then went in to camp at Savannah, where it remained until the 17th day of July, 1865,
on which date it was mustered out of the service of the United States. A few days later it was provided
with transportation to Davenport, Iowa, and, upon its arrival there, was disba nded, and the survivors
returned to their homes, there to resume and discharge the duties of citizens, with the same fidelity they
had shown as soldiers, while engaged in the defense of their country against armed treason and rebellion.
No Iowa regiment h as a more distinguished record than the Twenty-fourth, and there were only a few others
whose operations covered such a wide extent of territory. Everywhere, in camp or garrison, upon the march,
in battle, and under all the vicissitudes of its long and ar duous service, it maintained in the highest
degree the honor of the flag and its State. The archives of the State of Iowa end of the War Department at
Washington contain no more glorious record of valor and patriot service than that of the Twenty-fourth R
egiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers. 
          SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES
                       Total Enrollment.1,204
Killed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Wounded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Died of wounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Died of disease. . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Discharged for disease, wounds or other causes235
Buried in National Cemeteries. . . . . . .117
Captured . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Transferred. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER
INFANTRY

                                 Term of service three years

Mustered into service of the United States at Muscantine, Iowa September 18, 1862, by Captain H.B.
Hendeshott, U.S.A.  Mustered out of service at Savannah, Ga., July 17, 1865 Roster of Field, Commissioned
and Non-commissioned Staff Officers at muster in of organization, together with subsequent appointments
form civil life.  Field and Staff. 

Byam, Eber C Rank: Colonel
Wilds, John Q. Rank: Brevet Colonel
Wright, Ed Rank: Brevet Brigadier General
Byam, Charles L. Rank: Adjutant
Baldwin, Jr., Luke Rank: Quartermaster
Ely, John F. Rank: Surgeon
Lyons, Henry M. Rank: Surgeon
Lanning, J. Meek Rank: Assistant Surgeon
Witherwax, John M. Rank: Surgeon
Cook, Sylvanus S. Rank: Assistant Surgeon
Vinson, Felix W. Rank: Chaplain
Skinner, Elias Rank: Chaplain
Carroll, George R. Rank: Chaplain

Non-Commissioned Staff.

Camp, Daniel W. Rank: Adjutant
Eshleman, Albert B. Rank: Quartermaster
Maxon, Johathan H. Rank: Commissary Sergeant
Starr, Samuel J. Rank: Hospital Steward
Vansant, James E. Rank: Drum Major
Eatherton, William L. Rank: Fifer Major

Line Officers.
Names of company officers at muster in of their companies.

Company "A"
Henerson, Stephen H. Rank: Captain
Lawrance, Chauncey Rank: 1st Lieutenant
McKinley, Seymour J. Rank: 2d Lieutenant

Company "B"
Rathbun, Stephen W. Rank: Captain
Fobes, Benjamin F. Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Rigby, William T. Rank: 2d Lieutenant

Company "C"
Johnson, Silas D. Rank: Captain
Gue, Jeremiah C. Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Pound, Edwin H. Rank: 2d Lieutenant

Company "D"
Casebeer, Jacob B. Rank: Captain
Gould, Joseph R. Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Branch, John H. Rank: 2d Lieutenant

Company "E"
Clark, Leander Rank: Captain
Strong, James W. Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Dillman, Sylvester S. Rank: 2d Lieutenant


Company "F"
Dimmitt, Wilbur C. Rank: Captain
Hayzlett, JohnG. Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Bradshaw, Centenary B. Rank: 2d Lieut.

Company "G"
Vinson, Felix W. Rank: Captain
Smith, William W.  Rank: 1st Lieutenant
McNary, Richard Rank: 2d Lieutenant

Company "H"
Carbee, William Rank: Captain
Knott, Abraham R. Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Dutton, Isaac B. Rank: 2d Lieutenant

Company "I"
Martin, James W. Rank: Captain
Tubbs, Ara E. Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Lane, William Rank: 2d Lieutenant

Company "K"
Williams, Jams D. Rank: Captain
Green, Thomas Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Loomis, Aaron M. Rank: 2d Lieutenant