Polk County IA Archives Obituaries.....Crocker , Marcellus M. August 26, 1865
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 "AMERICAN PATRIOTISM" OR, MEMOIRS OF 'COMMON MEN.'" by LEONARD BROWN, 1869
GENERAL MARCELLUS M. CROCKER
He was a Western man; born in Johnson County, Indiana, on the 6th day of
February, 1830. At the age of ten, he came with his father's family to Illinois,
and at fifteen to Jefferson County, Iowa. At sixteen, through the influence of
General A. C. Dodge, he was sent to West Point Academy. When he had been there
two years, his father died. On a leave of absence, he visited his mother. He
found her so dependent that he resigned his place at the Academy. He supported,
with his own labor, his mother and her family, and educated his three sisters
and two brothers. His whole life was a sacrifice for others.
Severe labor and hard study destroyed his health. When the war began, he said,
“Come what may, I will stand by the old flag till the end." He fulfilled his
promise. In the summer of 1865, he died, aged 35. Iowa had been twenty years his
home. In 1849, Crocker began the study of law in the office of Judge Olney, of
Fairfield. He commenced the practice of his profession in 1851, in Lancaster,
Keokuk County, where be remained till the spring of 1855, when he removed to Des
Moines. Here he resided till his death. 
As a lawyer, Crocker was successful. “Though young," says Captain Stuart, in his
" Iowa Colonels and Regiments, “he ranked, at the time of entering the service,
among the best lawyers of Des Moines, - the city which boasted one of the ablest
bars in the State." 
He went into the service as Captain of Company D, 2d Infantry, recruited by him
immediately after the firing on Sumter. 
He was rapidly promoted. He distinguished himself for bravery in the battle of
Pittsburg Landing, receiving the following complimentary notice from his brigade
commander:
"To Colonel M. M. Crocker, of the 13th Iowa, I wish to call special attention.
The coolness and bravery displayed by him on the field of battle during the
entire action  of the 6th; the skill with which he managed his men, and the
example of daring and disregard of danger by which he inspired them to do their
duty, and stand by their colors, show him to be possessed of the highest
qualities  of a commander, and entitle him to speedy promotion.” 
The report of General McClernand, who commanded the division, was even more
extravagant of praise of Crocker. 
At first he was captain of a company, then Major of the 2d Iowa Infantry, then
Lieutenant-Colonel of the same regiment; soon he was promoted to Colonel of the
13th Iowa Infantry. In the battle of Corinth he commanded the "Iowa Brigade." 
His name went to the Senate, as brigadier general, and though not at once, it
was in good time confirmed. In the latter part of April, 1863, he succeeded
General Quinby in the command of the 7th Division, 17th Army Corps. He led this
division in the battle of Jackson.
He was suffering with light intermittent fever when he left Des Moines, on this
his last journey. He went on to Philadelphia, and thence to Washington. General
Marcellus M. Crocker died there on the 26th day of August, 1865. His remains
were escorted home by the military, and buried with appropriate honors in the
cemetery at Des Moines. He left a wife and five children. 

Additional Comments:
This is taken from "AMERICAN PATRIOTISM" OR, MEMOIRS OF 'COMMON MEN.'" by
LEONARD BROWN, published by Redhead & Wellslager, 41 Court Ave.Des Moines,IA. 1869.
This book contains remembrances of fallen soldiers from Polk County during the
Civil War. This includes some genealogical material as well.

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