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10th Iowa
Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Tenth Iowa Infantry, — Cols., Nicholas Perczel, Paris P. Henderson;
Lieut.-Cols., William E. Small, Nathaniel McCalla, William H. Silsby; Majs., John C.
Bennett, Nathaniel McCalla, Robert Lusby. This regiment was organized at Camp Fremont,
near Iowa City, in the summer and fall of 1861. Eight companies were mustered in on Sept.
6 and 7, one was mustered in on the 28th, and one on Oct. 13. The regiment received its
equipment at St. Louis and moved to Cape Girardeau, where it went into camp. In the early
part of November it was ordered to Bloomfield to drive out Jeff Thompson's force, but
found it gone on its arrival. Taking possession of a large amount of property left by
Thompson, it returned to Cape Girardeau, and in December went into winter quarters at
Bird's Point. On Jan. 8, 1862, it marched by night toward Charleston for the purpose of
capturing a body of the enemy said to be there. While passing through a dense forest it
was surprised by an attack from ambush, but recovered from its confusion and dispersed the
enemy. It took part in the siege of New Madrid, then engaged in the operations about
Island No. 10, accompanied the command to Corinth and took an important part in the
engagements about that place. It was engaged at the battle of Iuka, and in the battle of
Corinth in October it fought with Sullivan's brigade, winning golden opinions for its
telling work. It moved to Oxford in November, intending to take part in the movement upon
Vicksburg, but the surrender of Holly Springs with its stores compelled a change of plans,
and it marched to Memphis where it spent the winter. A number of changes were made during
the time between its service in Missouri and its arrival in Memphis; Maj. Bennett resigned
near the close of 1861 and was succeeded by Capt. McCalla; Col. Perczel resigned in Nov.,
1862, and Capt. Henderson was commissioned to succeed him; in 1863 Maj. McCalla succeeded
Lieut.-Col. Small, resigned, and Capt. Robert Lusby was made major. The regiment
accompanied the Yazoo Pass expedition in the spring of 1863 and after that moved to
Milliken's bend. It was in the battle of Raymond and at Jackson its division bore the
brunt of the fight. It was in Col. Boomer's brigade, which pushed in at a critical moment
when Hovey's division was falling back, and by desperate fighting saved him from rout,
thus gaining time for Crocker to advance other troops, turn the tide and save the day. The
loss was terrible, the 10th leaving its dead in profusion and the brigade being cut to
pieces. It took part in the assault on Vicksburg May 22, making two charges and losing
heavily. Col. Boomer, commanding the brigade, was killed and Col. Matthies succeeded him.
After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment took part in the siege of Jackson and then went
into camp. It was ordered to Chattanooga in the latter part of September, was engaged at
Missionary ridge with its brigade, being in some of the fiercest fighting in that battle
and losing heavily. It went into winter quarters at Huntsville, Ala., and in Feb., 1864,
reenlisted as a veteran organization. In the latter part of April the regiment relieved
Dodge's division at Decatur, and in June it visited Iowa on veteran furlough. Upon its
return in July it was stationed near Kingston, Ga., on railroad guard duty. It took part
in two expeditions against Wheeler, the second through Tennessee and northern Alabama, the
entire movement taking the command on a march of nearly 1,000 miles. In October it aided
in holding Resaca against Hood's forces until Sherman's pursuing column came up. It joined
the march to Savannah and took part in the campaign of the Carolinas. It crossed the
Salkehatchie river in company with the 56th Ill., wading waist deep in the face of a body
of the enemy posted behind earthworks, and drove them from their position. It was engaged
at Columbia and again at Cox's bridge near Bentonville. It participated in the grand
review at Washington, thence to Louisville and to Little Rock, Ark., where it was mustered
out Aug. 15, 1865. Its original strength was 913; gain by recruits, 114; total 1,027. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 4
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