MILITARY: Civil War Rosters, Iowa ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES PROJECT NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ************************************************************************ The USGenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions become part of the permanent collection. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Annette Lucas ClintonRoots@aol.com October 2002 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ THIRTIETH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY The companies composing the Thirtieth Regiment of Iowa Infantry were ordered into quarters at Camp Lincoln, near Keokuk, Iowa, between the dates August 15 and September 2, 1862. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States on September 23, 1862, by Lieutenant Charles J. Ball, of the Regular Army. At the date of muster in it had an aggregate strength of 967, which was increased by early additional enlistments of 11 men, making the total number 978, at the time the regiment left the State. The compiler of this historical sketch can not attempt to go into particularity of detail in describing the operations of the Thirtieth Iowa, which embraced such a wide extent of territory and included so many important events during its period pf nearly three years of active service. It will be his endeavor, however, to condense within the limits of this sketch a brief description of its most important operations and, in so far as limitation of space will permit, render as full and fair an account of its service as has been devoted to any of the Iowa regiments whose histories are recorded in the pages of the series of volumes which constitute this work. In the subjoined roster the record of each member of the regiment is given, in so far as it could be obtained from the official archives. Diligent effort has been made to make the revised roster as nearly accurate as possible, and it is believed that errors and omissions have been reduced to the minimum, as stated in the introductory article to this volume. On October 25, 1862, the Thirtieth Iowa left its rendezvous at Keokuk and was conveyed by steamer to St. Louuis, where arms, ammunition and the other requisite equipments for active service were issued to the regiment. After a brief stay in St. Louis, the regiment again embarked on one of the transports, (used by the government for the exclusive transportation of troops and army supplies,) and was conveyed to Helena, Ark. Great discomfort was experienced by the troops upon these transports, which were usually crowded to their utmost capacity, and the men were always glad when such voyages were ended. Upon its arrival at Helena, the regiment was assigned to the brigade commanded by General John M. Thayer. A detachment of the regiment participated in an expedition up the White River, and upon its return, another detachment was sent.—with the troops commanded by General Hovey— upon an expedition to the mouth of the Cold Water, on the Tallahatchie River. There is no record of any conflict with the enemy by either if these detachments, but they endured great hardship from exposure to the inclemency of the weather, from which much sickness resulted. These initial operations were succeeded by one of great importance, when the first movement against Vicksburg was undertaken by a large Union force, under the command of General Sherman, which was conveyed by a fleet of transports down the Mississippi River, and which was to co- operate with the army under General Grant, then marching south along the line of the Mississippi Central Railroad. The destruction of General Grant's depot of supplies at Holly Springs, Miss., compelled him to abandon his expedition and retire to Memphis, leaving General Sherman to make the attempt to capture the rebel stronghold at Vicksburg, with such forces as were immediately available for that purpose. On December 21. 1862, the Thirtieth Iowa, with the other troops composing its brigade and division, embarked on transports at Helena and proceeded to join the army under General Sherman. Disembarking at a point on the Yazoo River about twelve miles above its mouth, these troops began the preliminary operations which culminated in the defeat of General Sherman at Chickasaw Bayou, and compelled the temporary abandonment of the movement against Vicksburg. The brigade commanded by General John M. Thayer was composed as follows: the Fourth, Ninth, Twenty-sixth, Thirtieth and Thirty-fourth Regiments of Iowa Infantry. The entire brigade tool part in the preliminary fighting, but—as will be seen from the official reports—the Fourth Iowa Infantry was (by a misapprehension of orders) separated from the other regiments of its brigade, advanced with the other troops which assaulted the impregnable position of the enemy, and suffered very heavy loss. Had the entire brigade joined in the assault, the result would have no doubt been the same. The mistake made by General Steele, in his order to Colonel Abbott of the Thirtieth Iowa, was, therefore, one of those fortunate errors which sometimes occurred in battle, resulting in the prevention of a useless sacrifice of life. The heroic Colonel Williamson, of the Fourth Iowa, promptly obeyed the order which led to such disastrous results to his regiment. The equally heroic Colonel Abbott, of the Thirtieth Iowa, as promptly obeyed the order which checked the advance of his regiment, and saved it from the useless slaughter to which the Fourth Iowa was subjected. Such is the fortune of war. There could be no criticism upon any one of the regimental commanders of the brigade, or upon its commander, General Thayer, who, riding in advance of the Fourth Iowa Infantry, personally participated in the assault. The entire official report of colonel Abbott, and the extracts from other official reports which follow, will explain the great discrepancy between the losses of the regiments engaged in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou: HEADQUARTERS THIRTIETH IOWA INFANTRY, THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Arkansas Post, Ark., Jan. 12, 1863. GENERAL: Agreeably to your order of the 9th inst., I have the honor to submit my report of the part my regiment took in the action of the 28th and 29th of December, 1862, at Haynes' Bluff, near Vicksburg, Miss. On the morning of the 28th ultimo, by your order, I moved my regiment forward toward the point of attack, and took position immediately in the rear of the Fourth Iowa Infantry, supporting the battery on our front, where we remained until about 4 o'clock P. M., when we were, by your order, remanded to the river, with orders to embark on transport "Stephen Decatur" and drop down to Johnson's Plantation. On the morning of the 19th ultimo, we were ordered to disembark, and, by you, placed in position in rear of the Fourth Iowa Infantry, with orders to keep close up and follow them. When we had advanced to within range of the enemy's guns, and they, having discovered our position, commenced shelling us, we were ordered by your Aide, Captain Richardson, to lie down and make ourselves as secure as possible under the levee, the Fourth Iowa Infantry, being in a like position in our front on the opposite side of the levee, in which position we remained until ordered by your Aide-de-Camp to fix bayonets and advance, following the Fourth Iowa Infantry, which had got ten or twelve rods in advance. I immediately put my regiment under a double-quick, and had advanced but a few rods, when I was met by Brigadier General Steele, who checked us and ordered me to leave my horse, cross the next bhayou in any way we could get across, and take my regiment to the right into the woods, and deploy as skirmishers. I put my regiment again under a double-quick and advanced to the extreme right of the Fourth Division. I then advanced my regiment in line of battle to within a few rods of the fallen timeber, in which was heavy firing of musketry. I then ordered them to lie down; ordered the right and left flanking companies forward as skirmishers into the fallen timber. They went in and soon reported that the Thirteenth United States Infantry already occupied the ground and were engaged with the enemy, who were posted in rifle pits. I then ordered those companies back to their position in the regiment. The first Wisconsin Battery, immediately on our right, was supported by a part of the Thirteenth United States Infantry, while skirmishers of the Thirteenth Infantry on our front were unsupported. I sent my orderly to General Steele for further orders, who returned with orders to remain where we were. While my orderly was absent to see General Steele, a Captain, representing himself as the Aide-de-Camp of General Smith, came to us and inquired what regiment we were, and told me the position of my regiment was all right, lying upon the ground in front of the enemy. We had three men severely and one slightly wounded. We remained under fire from about noon until 4 o'clock P.M., when we were order to return. I accordingly marched my regiment near the position occupied by General Steele, and reported to him and then to you, who came up soon after. I was ordered by you into camp to the rear. With sentiments of high regard, I remain, General, your most obedient servant. CHARLES H. ABBOTT, Colonel, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN M. THAYER, Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. The following brief extracts from the official report of General John M. Thayer, who commanded the brigade, will serve to show that he approved the conduct of Colonel Abbott, in obeying the order of his division commander, as that officer had the authority to countermand the orders he had previously given. General Thayer says: We were still advancing in front of the enemy's rifle pits and batteries and crossed over a high rail fence. On seeing the ground, I at once formed my plan to move up the hill, when, looking back for my other regiments, to my amazement none were to be seen, and non coming, for I could then see back to the point from which I had started. I could not account for it. I had supposed that five regiments were following me. I found myself within the enemy's works with but one regiment. I observed our forces, which had entered the works away to my left, retiring, which of course added to our extreme peril. The Fourth Iowa was then drawing the concentrated fire of all the enemy's batteries and rifle pits. I directed Colonel Williamson to hold the position, if possible, till I could get up reinforcements, but, if he could not, to retire. Colonel Williamson was compelled to bring off his regiment, which he did in good order. It was nothing but slaughter for it to remain. During the half hour it was there 7 men were killed and 104 wounded. On inquiring of Colonel Abbott, of the thirtieth Iowa, which was next in line to the Fourth Iowa, why he did not follow the Fourth, I found that, after I had started, he had been ordered by General Steele, in person, to turn off to the right to take another position. I had directed the commander of each regiment to follow the preceding one. The second regiment of my column being turned aside, it broke my line, cutting off four regiments, without my knowledge, leaving the Fourth Iowa going ahead alone. The conduct of Colonel Williamson, his officers and men, through this trying ordeal, is worthy of the highest praise. The following statement is made in the official report of General Steele, and shows conclusively that Colonel Abbott was acting strictly in accordance with his orders: General Morgan finally told me that he was going to storm the heights without waiting for the bridge to be completed. He requested me to support the storming party with what force I had. On being informed that Thayer's brigade was at hand, and that Hoveys's would soon be up, he gave some orders to Thayer in regard to the route which his brigade should take, and sent a guide to lead him. After Thayer had passed with the fourth Iowa Infantry—Colonel Williamson—General Morgan asked me how many troops I had. I told him Thayer's brigade; one of his regiments, however, the Twenty-sixth Iowa, was detached to cut a road, but that I did not know whether any of Hovey's had arrived or not. He then asked me to turn part of the troops a little farther to the right. I, therefore, directed Colonel Charles H. Abbott, of the thirtieth Iowa Infantry, a little to the right, supposing the object of this was to facilitate the crossing of the troops over the bayou, by preventing them from all huddling into the same place. At the time I did not know that there was any dry crossing and I presume General Morgan was not aware of the fact. The troops that I directed to the right it seems did not get across the bayou, but General Thayer went gallantly on with the Fourth Iowa, and, instead of being a support to the storming party, was soon in the advance, and entered the enemy's second line of rifle-pits nearly as soon as any. I gave no orders on the field that day except at the suggestion of General Morgan. It will thus be seen that the statement of both Generals confirms Colonel Abbott's report, and shows that the thirtieth Iowa was only prevented from joining the Fourth Iowa in that desperate charge by the personal order of General Steele, which its commander was in duty bound to obey. An analysis of the return of casualties in the Union forces commanded by Major General William T. Sherman, in the engagement at Chichasaw Bayou, December 28 and 29, 1862, reveals the remarkable fact that, of the thirty-eight organizations which were engaged, there were only eight which sustained a loss of over one hundred each in killed, wounded and missing. The aggregate loss of those eight regiments was 1,393, while the aggregate loss of the other thirty organizations was but 383, and, of those, there were nineteen which sustained a loss of less than ten each. In his official report, General Sherman fully describes the positions of the opposing forces, given his reasons for attempting to dislodge the enemy from his strong position and the causes which contributed to the disatrous repulse of his troops. He attributes his failure to the strength of the enemy's position, both natural and artificial, and not to his superior fighting although he does not attempt to discredit the bravery and fortitude shown by the rebel troops. In summing up the results, he says: "When the night of the 29th closed in we stood upon our original ground and had suffered a repulse. The effort was necessary to a successful accomplishment of my orders, and the combinations were the best possible under the circumstances. I assume all the responsibility and attach fault to no one." In its first experience in battle, the Thirtieth Iowa had acquitted itself with honor, and had shown its conformity to discipline in obeying orders which prevented it from doing what it officers and men would have preferred—participating with the Fourth Iowa and the other troops who joined in the assault upon the enemy's works. Having failed in his attempt to capture Vicksburg, General Sherman withdrew his troops and embarking them upon transports, moved down the Yazoo River, and at once began the movement against Arkansas Post. The Thirtieth Iowa, with the other regiments of its brigade, bore a prominent part in the operations which culminated in the capture of that stronghold of the enemy. Colonel Abbott being seriously ill, the command of the regiment devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel Torrence, whose official report is here given in full" HEADQUARTERS, THIRTIETH IOWA INFANTRY, Post Arkansas, Ark., January 13, 1862. COLONEL: Agreeably to order, I have the honor to report to you the part the regiment took, while acting under my command, in the late battle of January 11, 1862. After disengaging my troops of everything in the way of luggage which might be disposed of, by order of General Thayer, I gave direction to follow close up by the right flank the First Battalion, third Brigade, Fifteenth Army Corps; to form line of battle in its rear, and advance as it advanced, and halt as it halted, and in every move to act in conjunction with it. But, after striking the double-quick, I very soon allowed the first battalion to file by. This being done, I instantly formed line of battle and moved forward through the timer, over logs and brush, as best I could, until within 150 or 175 yards of the enemy's breastworks, forming his extreme left, when I came to an open space of ground. Here I halted, giving instructions to fire, lie down and load, and fire lying down, which they did for the space of about three hours, during which time they did but little more than silence and keep silent some small artillery in the hand of the enemy in the rifle pits. During said time no change of position was made save one, when by a flank movement I shifted farther to the right. This secured me a more strong hold of the enemy's left. Here we remained until the order was given all along the lines to cease firing, as the enemy had hoisted a white flag. After firing ceased on the right, the enemy rose up in great numbers from their rifle- pits, in full view. I was about moving my command forward, when to m y great astonishment and mortification, two of my best line officers were wounded by the enemy, viz.: Captain Uley Burk, Company I, in hand, and Lieutenant Alexander fo same company, in left arm, (neigher of which is considered dangerous,) and was thus engaged, when General Thayer in person directed my color-guard to advance and plant ur colors upon the enemy's works, which was promptly done. At the same time General Thayer gave orders for the regiment to come inside the breastworks and prevent straggling parties retreating by their left rear. Soon after, the entire regiment was detailed to conduct the prisoners up to and inside of the fortifications, where General Sherman had them taken up to his headquarters. This latter duty proved more arduous than it should have been but for the tardiness of the regiments detailed, by order of the General commanding, to be placed under Colonel Grier, of the Seventy-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteers, who had orders to take charge of the prisoners for the night. It was after midnight before the regiment was relieved. There is nothing further which I deem it my duty to mention, save that, both officers and men generally acted well for new troops. I might mention with great propriety a few striking instances of cool and commendable courage displayed by some of my men, they having fallen under my immediate notice during the action, but I forebear mentioning any save one, and that is the case of James M. Smith, private of Company C, a single young man, not yet arrived at his majority, who has been doing the duties of Adjutant for some time past, owing to the indisposition of the Adjutant. I have been familiary conversant with him for the last two months and find him to be a young man of irreproachable moral character and one altogether deserving of public confidence. His conduct on the battlefield in the late engagement was such as to secure implicit confidence in his courage and ability, and to justify the belief that he is entirely capable of filling a more important position than he now does. Hoping this will meet with your approval, I remain, Colonel, your obedient servant, W. M. G. TORRENCE, Lieutenant Colonel, Thirtieth Iowa Volunteers. COLONEL CHARLES H. ABBOTT. The casualties of the Thirtieth Iowa in this battle were: Killed, 5; wounded, 38; total, 43. The lost of killed and wounded appended to the report of Colonel Abbott, subsequently published in the report of the Adjutant General of Iowa, shows a total of 45 killed and wounded in the Thirtieth Iowa. There were five Iowa regiments belonging to the brigade, and also the First Iowa Battery, all of which took part in the engagement. The Thirtieth Iowa stands second in the lost in the number of casualties, the Twenty-sixth Iowa having sustained the greatest loss. The brigade lost 180 men and officers, killed and wounded. The loss in the Thirtieth Iowa was, therefore, considerably above the average of the brigade. The regiment had again fully sustained the honor of its State, in conflict on the field of battle. Its conduct was highly commended in the official report of the brigade and division commander. Lack of space will only permit the insertion of the following brief extract from the report of General Thayer, the brigade commander: "The Thirtieth Iowa, Lieutenant Colonel Torrence, (Colonel Abbott being sick,) also occupied an advanced position, and was warmly engaged, supported by the Thirty- fourth Iowa, Colonel Clark." General Thayer also states that his horse was killed early in the engagement, and that he had valuable assistance from General Vandever, of Iowa, who came upon the field and took temporary command of his old regiment, the Ninth Iowa Infantry. The Thirtieth Iowa now returned with Sherman's army to the vicinity of Vicksburg, and went into encampment near Young's Point. It was engaged with the other troops in the arduous work of attempting to change the course of the Mississippi River, by means of a canal, during most of the remainder of the winter, and its officers and men suffered greatly from exposure and the inevitable sickness which ensued. Early in April the regiment started with its brigade and division on the expedition to Greenville, Miss., which extended about fifty miles into the interior, and inflicted much damage upon the enemy, by the capture of large quantities of supplies, intended for the use of the rebel army. It returned from that expedition to Milliken's Bend, from which point it soon after started to join the main army under the command of General Grant, in the prosecution of the memorable campaign, which led up to the siege and surrender of Vicksburg and, later, to the defeat of the rebel army under General Johnston, and the beginning of the end of the great war of the rebellion. On May 2, 1863, the regiment with its brigade proceeded in the direction of Jackson, Miss, where it arrived on the 14th, and participated in the engagement which resulted in the capture of that place. It assisted in the destruction of the railroad near Jackson, and then marched in the direction of Vicksburg. It reached the outer line of the enemy's works at Walnut Hills, on May 18th, and was assigned to a position as part of the investing force, in the Third Brigade of the First Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps. General Thayer was in command of the brigade, General Steele of the division, and General Sherman of the corps. Colonel Abbott had sufficiently recovered to enable him to resume command of his regiment. The rebel army, under the command of General Pemberton, had fought bravely and stubbornly in the series of battles preceding its being driven within the defenses of Vicksburg. Its numbers had been underestimated. In the official report of Captains Frederick E. Prime and Cyrus B. Comstock, General Grant's Chief Engineers, the strength of the enemy's position was shown to be so formidable that an attempt to carry it by direct assault could not be successful. The reason given for making the attempt was, that our own troops, buoyant with success, were eager for an assault, and would not be satisfied if the shlow process of a siege were undertaken, before it had been shown to be impossible to storm and capture the works. General Grant's judgment seems to have been at first opposed to making a general assault, as shown by his official report. He clearly sets forth his reasons for finally giving the order. Among the officers who were most insistent upon making the attempt was Major General John A. McClernand, then in command of the Thirteenth Army Corps, who was very confident that he could capture the enemy's works in his front by a bold and determined assault of his own corps, and without assistance from other troops. That he was greatly mistaken is evidenced by the fact that, soon after the assault began, he called for reinforcements. On May 19th, 20th and 21st, the Thirtieth Iowa was engaged in skirmishing with the enemy, who kept up an almost constant fire from behind his rifle pits in front of the regiment and, on May 22dm when the order was received to move forward to the assault, the regiment promptly took its place in line with the charging column. It was in the very thickest of the fight, and its officers and men displayed the greatest gallantry. It was a brief but bloody conflict. The valor of the Union troops could not avail against the impregnable position and determined resistance of the enemy. In that brief quarter of an hour—which to the men engaged seemed a much longer period—the Thirtieth Iowa sustained a loss of sixtyfour, killed and wounded. It was a sad but glorious day in the history of the regiment. It had done all that was possible to achieve victory, had bravely held its place in line until ordered to retire, and came out of the fight with as high honor as if it had succeeded in its heroic attempt. The assault had failed at all points on the line, and it became evident that Vicksburg could only be taken after a series of siege operations extending over a considerable length of time. The regular siege was therefore undertaken and prosecuted with great vigor until July 4, 1863, on which date the rebel commander, after negotiating with General grant for the best terms obtainable, surrendered his army and the stronghold he had so long and valiantly defended. During the protracted siege, the Thirtieth Iowa had borne its full share of danger and the exposure and hardships incident to the conduct of such operations, and had received the cordial commendations of its brigade and division commanders for the faithful manner in which it complied with their orders. On the morning after the surrender—without having the opportunity to view the inside of the works and the city it had fought so hard to capture—the regiment again took up the line of march with the army under General Sherman, and participated in the operations which ended with the defeat of the rebel, General Johnston's army and the capture of Jackson. It then returned to Black River Bridge and went into camp, where it remained until near the close of September, 1863. It had richly earned this brief season of comparative rest and repose. Lieutenant colonel Torrence had succeeded the lamented Colonel Abbott as Colonel of the regiment. Captain Aurelius Roberts, of Company C, had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Robert D. Creamer, of Company G, was promoted to Major. The date of the commissions of all three of these officers was June 27, 1863. On September 27, 1863, the regiment moved with the army commanded by General Sherman, by way of Memphis and Corinth, to the relief of the army at Chattanooga, then in a state of siege by a greatly superior rebel force. The situation of the Union army at Chattanooga was growing desperate, from lack of supplies and the constantly increasing strength of the rebel army in that vicinity. It therefore became a matter of the utmost importance that Sherman's army should move with the greatest celerity, and, under the leadership of that able and energetic General, the endurance and fortitude of the officers and men was put to the severest test. Corinth, Miss., was reached on October 8th, Iuka on the 10th, and Cherokee Station, Ala., on the 21st. At the latter place the enemy was encountered and the Thirtieth Iowa sustained a loss of twenty-seven killed and wounded. Among the killed was the able and much beloved Colonel Torrence. While the regiment lay in camp at Iuka, the following letter—probably the last official communication that Colonel Torrence ever wrote—was sent to the adjutant General of Iowa. HEADQUARTERS THIRTIETH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS, IUKA, MISS., October 13, 1863. N. B. BAKER, Adjutant General of Iowa: Accompanying this you will receive two flags, worn out in the service. They were carried by the Thirtieth Iowa during their marches, a distance of 5,700 miles, between October 27, 1862 and October 10, 1863. They were carried to the following named battles, to-wit: Chickasaw, Bayou, December 28 and 29, 1862; Arkansas Post, January 10 and 11, 1863; Jackson, Miss., May 14, 1863; Siege of Vicksburg from May 18 to July 4, 1963; Clinton, Miss, July 11, 1863; Jackson, Miss., July 12, 13, 14 and 15, 1863; Brandon, Miss., July 18, 1863. It is the wish of the regiment that you forward them to the State Historical Society, there to be retained, subject to the order of the commanding officer of the regiment. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. M. G. TORRENCE, Colonel Commanding. Colonel Torrence had performed faithful service for his country in the war with Mexico, and had also served as Major in the First Iowa Cavalry with honor and distinction, tendering his resignation of that office when he received the appointment of Lietuenant Colonel of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry. He was killed while gallantly leading his regiment. Among the other casualties sustained by the regiment in the engagement at Cherokee Station was the death of Captain William H. Randall, who was mortally wounded and died the same day. Captain Matthew Clark was also severely wounded, and subsequently died from the effects of the wound. Captains H. C. Hall and Joseph Smith and Adjutant James H. Clendening were all severely wounded. The official report of General Osterhaus, the division commander, states that only the Second Brigade of his division became engaged. This was the brigade to which the Thirtieth Iowa was attached, and was commanded by Colonel Williamson of the Ninth Iowa Infantry. The enemy was defeated with heavy loss. On the morning of November 3, the regiment with its brigade and division again took up the line of march, which was continued for twenty days, with the exception of a brief halt at Bridgeport, Ala., and, on November 23, reached the base of Lookout Mountain. General Osterhaus' division was temporily assigned to General Hooker's command and, with it, fought in the famous battle above the clouds, on Lookout Mountain, November 24th; Missionary Ridge, on the 25th, and at Ringgold on the 26th. In these three engagements the thirtieth Iowa bore its full part, sustaining a loss of three killed and twenty-five wounded. From Ringgold, the regiment marched by way of Chattanooga and Bridgeport, to Woodville, Ala., where it arrived December 27, 1863, and where it remained for the greater part of the time until the 2d of May, 1864. This was the longest period of inactivity in its history, broken only when, for a short time, it was engaged in guarding an important ferry southwest of Huntsville, Ala. On the 2d of May, 1864, the regiment again took up the line of march and moved, by way of Stevenson, Bridgeport, Chattanooga, Gordon's Mills, Villanow and Snake Creek Gap, to Resaca, Ga. At the latter place it again encountered the enemy. It participated in the series of engagements which occurred in the vicinity of Resaca, on the 13th, 14th and 15th of May, in which its loss was five killed and twenty-eight wounded. Pushing on, with its brigade and division, the regiment reached Dallas, Ga., on May 25th, where it assisted in the construction of a strong defensive line of works, from behind which it successfully resisted a determined assault of the enemy, losing one man killed and one wounded. The advance was resumed on June 2d, and then began a series of skirmishes with the enemy which continued all the way to Kenesaw Mountain, where the enemy was found intrenched in a seemingly impregnable position. From June 10th to July 3d there was almost continuous fighting around Kenesaw Mountain, in which the Thirtieth Iowa had its full share. The infantry, on both sides, fought mainly from behind breastworks and rifle pits. The artillery was also very active, both the Union and rebel batteries keeping up their fire, and often changing positions to avoid getting too directly in range of the sharpshooters, who were constantly on the alert to pick off the gunners. Thus the combat raged around the countain, the rebels always fighting from their comparatively secure positions behind their strong intrenchments, and the Union troops from time to time leaving their works and making desperate attempts to carry the mountain by direct assault, but always being driven back with heavy loss. Finally, General Sherman succeeded in reaching a position, with a part of his army, to the right and rear of the rebel position on Kenesaw Mountain, thus threatening to cut off the enemy's line of retreat, and compelliong the abandonment of the strong position which had been on long and so gallantly defended. The rebel army then retired to his line of defense on the Chattahoochee River, with Sherman's Army following closely in pursuit. The next movement in which the Thirtieth Iowa and the other regiments of its brigade were active participants was by way of Marietta, Roswell and Decatur, and on toward Atlanta, during which the great battles of July 22d and 28th were fought. During the month of August, which ended with the repulse of the rebel attack upon the Union lines at Jonesboro, the regiment had been engaged with the other troops in building earthworks and skirmishing with the enemy. On the night of August 31st, the rebel army withdrew from Atlanta and began its retreat. The Thirtieth Iowa had lost during the Atlanta campaign—from May 2d to September 6th—sixteen killed and sixty-five wounded. During the greater part of September the regiment lay in camp at East Point. On the 4th of October it joined in the pursuit of the rebel army under General Hood. The pursuit was continued through Marietta, Resaca and Gaylesville to Gadsen. There is no record of the regiment having come into contact with the enemy on this march. The cavalry, having the advance, did most of the fighting. General Hood succeeded in escaping with his army, but, in the following month, met with an overwhelming defeat by the Union forces. Commanded by Major General George H. Thomas, at the battle of Nashville. The rebels were meeting with reverses wherever they were encountered, but they still contained to fight with desperate courage worthy of a better cause. The so-called government of the Confederate States of America was tottering to its fall. The Thirtieth Iowa arrived at Atlanta on November 4, 1863, just one month from the time it had joined the other troops in that long and toilsome march in the pursuit of Hood. General Sherman was now making his preparations for that wonderful campaign through the very heart of the enemy's country—the great march "from Atlanta to the sea." The Thirtieth Iowa performed its full share of service, with its brigade and division, upon that long and arduous march which began at Atlanta on November 15th and ended with the occupation of Savannah on December 21, 1864. The regiment performed the duty of provost guards in the city of Savannah until January 10, 1865, upon which date it embarked on an ocean steamer for Beaufort, S. C., where it landed and moved to Pocotaligo, on the line of the Charleston Railroad, and went into camp, On February 1, 1865, the Thirtieth Iowa, with its brigade, again took up the line of march. The campaign through the Carolinas had begun. The regiment participated in the capture of Columbia, S. C., on February 17th, and then continued the march over difficult roads and through almost impassable swamps, At Bentonville, N. C., the regiment had its last encounter with the enemy, in which it sustained a loss of one man killed and seven wounded. The march was continued and, on April 14, 1865, the rebel General Johnsotn asked for a cessation of hostilities, with a view of negotiating with General Sherman for the terms upon which he could surrender his army. The preliminaries having been arranged, the two Generals met at the point designated, between their respective armies, and arranged the terms of surrender,, which was formally made on April 27, 1865, and which virtually ended the great War of the Rebellion. Upon the surrender of the rebel army, the Thirtierth Iowa, and the troops with which it was associated, resumed the triumphal march, passing through Petersburg, Richmond and Fredericksburg, and reaching Alexandria, near the National Capital, on May 10th. On May 24th, the regiment took part in that splkendid military pageant, the Grand Review of Sherman's Army. By the President and General Grant. It then returned to its camp., whee it remained until June 5, 1865, on which date it was mustered out of the service of the United States. Transportation by rail was provided, and the regiment was soon on its way to Iowa. A sad accident occurred near Sumner Hill, Pa., in which Sergeant P. C. Bradshaw, of Company H, was killed, and nine other members of the regiment was injured. It seemed doubly sad that death and suffering should come to these men who had safely passed through the dangers and hardships of war and were looking forward to the glad greeting which awaited them at their homes. Upon arriving at Davenport, Iowa, the regiment was disbanded and the survivors returned to their homes, there to resume and discharge their duties as citizens with the same fidelity and honor which had distinguished their record as soldiers. From the time it entered the service to the day it was mustered out, the regiment had maintained an unblemished record, It participated in twenty-one battles and numerous skirmishes, in all of which its officers and men exhibited the utmost bravery and fortitude. After the death of colonels Abbott and Torrence, the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Roberts. But few Iowa regiments sustained a heavier percentage of loss in battle or endured greater hardships in the service. The survivors of the Thirtieth Iowa may well entertain a feeling of pride in having helped to make its glorious record. The General Assembly of the State has perfomed a sacred duty in making provision for the permanent preservation of that record, together with that of all the brave men of Iowa who went forth in the vigor of their young manhood to do battle for their country. SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES. Total Enrollment 1,132 Killed 47 Wounded 222 Died of wounds 29 Died of disease 235 Discharged for wounds, disease or other causes 172 Buried in National Cemeteries 125 Captured 19 Transferred 47