Historical Sketch of the
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

The organization of the Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry began when the first company was ordered into quarters by Governor Kirkwood, September 17, 1861. the designated rendezvous was Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa, and there seven companies of the regiment were mustered into the service of the United States on dates ranging from December 10, 1861 March 12, 1862, by Captains Alexander Chambers and S.A. Wainwright, of the United States Army. Of the remaining three companies, the records show that Company F Was Mustered in at Keokuk, Iowa, in February; Companies I and K, at Benton Barracks, near St.. Louis, March 24, 1862, by Captain Chambers. It will thus be seen that it was more than six month from the date on which the first company was ordered into quarters before the organization of the regiment was completed.

The Files of reports and returns in the office of the Adjutant General of Iowa contain several papers relating to an incipient militia organization called the "German Regiment," from which it appears that John P. Koch had been commissioned as Colonel, and authorized to raise a regiment bearing that designation. It also appears that but two companies, with an aggregate strength of 151 men, were recruited for that regiment when its organization was abandoned and the two companies were merged into the Sixteenth Regiment. On Page 22 of the report of the Adjutant General of Iowa --1861-2-- appears the roster of the Field and Staff of the German Regiment then forming, but including only the names of John P. Koch, Colonel and Charles Altman, Adjutant. The next and last reference to this organization is found on Page 13, Col. I, of the Adjutant General’s report for 1863, in which he says: "Since my last report the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry and the German (Iowa) Regiment have been consolidated, and the regiment is known as the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry." There were a large number of volunteer organization from the different states which were given distinctive names, some prior to and others after being mustered into the service of the United States. On Page 30 of a volume compiled under the direction of the Adjutant General at Washington, published in 1885, entitled, "Synonyms of Organizations in the Volunteer Service of the United States, : the following statement appears under the caption "Iowa": "German Regiment Sixteenth Infantry (part)." The name is thus officially and historically identified with the regiment, although the designation could have no significance as applied to its completed organization.

It should be kept in mind that Iowa was then a young State, that the greater part of its territory was but sparsely populated, and that it had already sent into the field fourteen regiments of Infantry, five regiments of Cavalry and three batteries of Artillery. It was not, therefore, an indication of lack of patriotism that the call for two more regiments of Infantry--coming at the same time--was not as promptly responded to as the first and second calls had been. It will be seen, by comparing the subjoined roster with those of the earlier regiments, that the average age of the officers and men was much greater. This plainly indicates a larger proportion of married men, whose duty to their families had restrained them from enlisting until the necessity for their making this sacrifice became imperative. Moreover, when these men volunteered their services, many battles had been fought, the great magnitude of the rebellion was realized and the dangers and hardships of a long and terrible war confronted them. They had given due consideration to the question of duty to their country; were not carried away by enthusiasm, but their action was deliberate, and their subsequent conduct demonstrated that they were equal to all emergencies.

The regiment left Davenport March 20, 1862, was conveyed by steamer to St. Louis and marched thence to Benton Barracks., where it went into quarters, was furnished with arms, ammunition and field equipage, and , without having the opportunity for drill and instruction except to the most limited extent, was hurried to the front. It had the good fortune, however, of having a commander who was a graduate of the United states Military Academy at West Point and a thoroughly trained soldier. He was a Captain in the Eighteenth Regiment of Infantry in the Regular Army at the time he was appointed Colonel of the Sixteenth Iowa by Governor Kirkwood, and had been acting as Mustering Officer for Iowa troops since the commencement of the war. The regiment was thus better fitted for immediate active service in the field than it would have been under a commander without military training or experience. On the 1st of April Colonel Chambers was ordered to embark his regiment and proceed to Pittsburgh landing, Tenn,, and, upon arriving there , to report to General Grant.

On the morning of April 6, 1862, the regiment arrived at Pittsburg landing. The great battle of Shiloh had begun, and the roar of the conflict at the front was heard as the regiment was leaving the boat. here the men loaded their guns for the first time. Wounded men and some panic-stricken stragglers began to arrive from the firing line, with tales of disaster to the Union troops, indicating that the rebel forces were superior in numbers and were victorious on every part of the field. this was a hard experience for these men who had, but a few days defer, left their homes in Iowa, and was a severe test to their courage and discipline, even before they were ordered forward to meet the enemy. the order soon came, and the regiment marched promptly to the front under the leadership of their gallant Colonel, to the aid of the troops who were being hard pressed by the enemy. The official report of Colonel Chambers shows the heroic conduct of his regiment in the great conflict, and the compiler of this historical sketch regrets that the limitation of space which he is compelled to observe will not permit the reproduction of the report in full. The following extracts, however, give the main features of the report, omitting details:

* * * From 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. the time occupied in reaching the battlefield, we met more men returning, of all arms, than belonged to the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments, but I must say, for the credit of the State of Iowa, not one of her quota did I meet. On crossing an open field, beyond which was the position of the rebels, two of my command were wounded. My regiment was formed on the right of this field in rear of a fence. * * * I ordered the men to lie down, when the greater part of the enemy’s fire passed harmlessly over us. I had, however, several wounded here. From this position the regiment was ordered forward to the edge of timber, within close range of the enemy, as many of my men were wounded at the same time by both ball and buckshot. * * * For nearly or quite an hour the regiment held its ground against a much larger force of the enemy, supported by artillery, when it was compelled to give way before the destructive fire or be captured. Word came down the line that a retreat had been ordered. * * * At this our whole line gave way and became mixed up with other regiments. My regiment was rallied by Lieut. Col A. H. Sanders to the number of about 300 and was posted in rear of a battery during the remainder of the day and night, during which was very painful and rendered me quite lame. The next day the regiment held the same position in rear of the battery during the fight.***

With a few exceptions the officers and men behaved with judgment and gallantry. The field officers were particularly cool under a destructive fire and rendered great assistance. The horses of all the field and staff officers were killed or wounded, evidently showing an intention on the part of the enemy to pick off the most prominent officers. Captains Ruehl and Zettler, both gallant men, were killed or mortally wounded, and First Lieut. F. M. Doyle, a brave and efficient officer, was also killed. The loss during Sunday’s fight was two officers and sixteen non-commissioned officers and privates killed, and nine officers and ninety-four con-commissioned officers and privates wounded, and fifteen non-commissioned officers and privates missing. ***(1)

The experience gained by the regiment in this great battle was invaluable. In the numerous battles in which it was subsequently engaged it had the advantage of the training and drill which it had not received before the battle of Shiloh, but it was never afterwards placed in a position in which the bravery and fortitude of the officers and men received a more thorough test. it was the common experience of all soldiers that their first battle, no matter how favorable the conditions under which it was fought, was the severest test to their courage. At Shiloh the conditions under which the Sixteenth Iowa went into action were most unfavorable. The impression its men received, the moment they left the boat and formed in line of battle, was that the enemy was successful on every part of the battlefield; and this impression was sustained as they marched to the front and met large numbers of wounded being taken to the rear, also many demoralized and panic-stricken soldiers who had not been wounded but had. deserted their regiments in the face of the enemy and sought safety in flight. The fact that the men of this new and untried regiment did not become infected with the feeling o panic, but marched steadily forward and went into that hell of battle with the coolness of veterans, fought until the only alternative was retreat or surrender, and afterwards rallied to their colors and rendered important service until the close of the battle, entitles them to a place in the front rank as heroic soldiers. in its subsequent history the record made at Shiloh was fully maintained but, in the judgment of the compiler, never surpassed.

After the battle the regiment was ordered to move toward Corinth, the strongly fortified position to which the rebel army had retreated. General Grant’s army cautiously advanced, constructing earth-works at regular intervals along its front, thus guarding against another possible attack by the enemy and preparing for the siege of the rebel stronghold. On the 27th of April the organization of the brigade, consisting of the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments of Iowa Infantry, was effected, and Col. M.M. Crocker, of the Thirteenth Iowa, became its commander. This organization was maintained until the close of the war and was known throughout the army as "Crocker’s Iowa Brigade"; although, after Colonel Crocker was promoted to Brigadier General, it had many different commanders, most if not all of whom were or had been, officers of some one of its regiments. (2) The story of the Sixteenth Iowa is, therefore, closely interwoven with that of the brigade to which frequent reference will be made in giving the outlines of the further service of the regiment.

During the siege of Corinth the regiment, with its brigade, performed arduous and important service and contributed its full share to bring about the evacuation of that stronghold, just as General Grant had determined to order an assault upon the fortifications. The evacuation took place during the night of May 30, 1862. The regiment now went into camp near Cornith, where it remained until July 28th, at which time it marched, with its brigade, to Bolivar, Tenn, where it was engaged in watching the movements of the enemy, erecting fortifications and guarding against threatened attack by the enemy. A considerable rebel force remained in the vicinity of Bolivar for several weeks but as was later shown, not with the intention of attacking the Union troops stationed there, but to draw away from Corinth enough Union troops to make it possible for the rebels to recapture that important post. When the real purpose of the enemy was discovered, the regiment with its brigade was ordered to return to Corinth. Upon its arrival there it was ordered to march toward Iuka and watch the movements of the enemy.

On the 19th of September, 1862, the brigade was in close proximity to the enemy. The Sixteenth Regiment was ordered forward late in the evening of that day, while the other regiments of Crocker’s brigade were held in reserve. The part taken by the regiment in that battle which ensued is shown in the official report of Lieut. Col. A.H. Sanders, who, after Colonel Chambers had been severely wounded, assumed command of the regiment.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY,

Sept 21, 1862

SIR, - I have the honor to report the part taken by the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, in your brigade in the battle on the evening of the 19th instant, one and one-half miles south of Iuka, Mississippi. (3)

The regiment, under command of Col. A. Chambers, was placed in position about 5:30 P.M. in rear of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, the left of the regiment extending across the road from which it had filed into position. Immediately after the regiment was formed in line a charge of grape and shell from a battery of the enemy cut down several of seven men, including an officer, when the men were ordered to lie down. In this position but few or none were injured by the repeated discharges of canister and ball from the rebel battery. In probably half an hour from forming in line, the enemy made a charge of infantry on the battery. Our fire was reserved till the last moment in the center of the regiment, for fear of killing those manning the battery or the horses of the same, and in the two right companies, till a regiment which was lapping them was withdrawn; but when the enemy’s lines were plainly or partially in sight (which, owing to the trees and thick underbrush, was not till they were very close) Colonel Chambers ordered the men to rise and fire, which order was instantly obeyed, for a time stopping the enemy’s advance, but they again charged, The attack was evidently by a very heavy force and with the object of capturing the battery. Our men stood their ground manfully, and I am not aware that a single officer of man failed in any part of this duty. They were finally beaten back by the overwhelming force of the enemy, the center, in the rear of the left section of the battery, retiring first but warmly contending with the enemy till they were almost in our ranks. The left, holding a comparatively safe position, did not retire till they were fired into by one of our own regiments in the rear. The entire right companies, although under a remarkably heavy fire, held their position longest and experienced the heaviest loss. Company A. Captain Smith, was the last to leave the field, and for a time held its ground alone, the regiment on its right having at an early hour been compelled to retire, and the remaining companies of its own regiment retiring at a later hour.

Where all the officers did so well it seems scarcely fair to particularize the conduct of bearing of one from the other, yet I deem it my official duty to notice the fact that Captain Smith exhibited in this action bravery and gallant conduct for which he took into it, and the same may be said of company F, Captain Fraser. The remanding portion of the regiment was immediately after reformed by myself and took a position near the battlefield, it then being nearly dark, and soon after, while changing to another position, was directed to rest on the right of an Ohio regiment, formed along the Iuka road, where it remained during the night. I regret to report the severe wounding o Colonel Chambers by gunshot wounds in the shoulder and neck, toward the close of the action. He was taken prisoner at the time of receiving the wounds, but was left by the enemy in the hospital at Iuka.

I have the honor to in close herewith a list of the killed, wounded and missing of the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry at the late action near Iuka, as complete as it can be made at this time, summing up, killed 14, wounded 48, missing 14. The regiment went into the battle with about 350 men, exclusive of details made to take care of the wounded. (4)

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

ADD H. SANDERS,

Lieu. Col. Cond’g Sixteenth Iowa Infantry.

COLONEL SANBORN,

Comd’g First Brigade, Third Div., Army of the Mississippi (5)

The regiment had again contributed its full share to the defeat of a superior force of the enemy in this hard fought battle. Its loss was even greater than at Shiloh, in proportion to the number engaged. Soon after the battle of Iuka the regiment returned, with its brigade, to Corinth and, on the 3d and 4th of October, participated in the battles which were fought there. Major William Purcell, who commanded the regiment after Lieutenant Colonel Sanders had been compelled to retire on account of his severe wounds, wrote an admirable official report of the conduct of his regiment during both days of the battle. After describing the positions occupied by the regiment prior to that in which it was attacked by the enemy, he says:

In this position we remained until the Second Brigade fell back, and, the batteries with the Eleventh and Thirteenth Iowa being ordered to the rear to from a line oblique to the one then held by us, we remained in position to cover this movement, and were under the immediate command of Colonel Crocker when the enemy drive in our skirmishers and charged furiously up the hill upon which the Fifteenth and Sixteenth were posted. This charge was repulsed, and after holding the enemy in check and severely punishing him were ordered to fall back upon the new line. The movements of the batteries and of the rest of the brigade having been effected, the Sixteenth was ordered, in company with the Fifteenth, to retire, which they did slowly and in good order, rejoining the rest of the brigade, remaining there until ordered to retire with the batteries to the inner fortifications. *** During the fight this day Lieutenant Colonel Sanders was severely wounded in the thigh and had his horse shot in several places, but retained command until the regiment was ordered to the inner line o fortifications, when he retired to have his wounds dressed, and the command devolved upon me.

On the morning of the 4th the Sixteenth retained its position in support of the Fifth Ohio Battery, throwing forward, under cover of temporary breastworks, Company A, under command of Captain Smith, to engage the enemy’s sharpshooters. While in support of the battery three of our men were wounded by the sharpshooters of the enemy. Permit me to say while at this point, that the officers and men are entitled to great credit, and their superior officers and their State may well be proud of them. They did their whole duty in the engagement n Friday. *** I noticed with please the courage and bravery displayed by the Color Sergeant, Samuel Duffin, Company F. The stood waving the colors and encouraging the men by actions and words. He was the last to leave the field , and bore the colors away with him while the missiles of death flew thick and fast around him. The Color Corporals, McElhany, of Company E, H.B. Eighmey, of Company H, and J. Kuln, of company C, also deserve mention for their gallant conduct. ***

For the third time the regiment had met the enemy in a hard fought engagement and acquitted itself with honor. Its losses in battle and on the shirmish line now aggregated 250. It had also lost a large number by death from disease and by discharge for disability, and yet it had been only six months in active service in the field. Its subsequent splendid record cannot be adequately described without exceeding the space allotted to this sketch. The compiler will endeavor, however, to cover as fully as possible the principal battles and movements in which the regiment participated, including only the most important details.

The regiment now remained in camp for nearly a month. On November 2d the brigade was ordered to march to Grand Junction, and, arriving there November 5th, joined the army which was to engage in the movement against Vicksburg. November 28th the march to the South began, the Third Brigade of the Sixth Division of Hamilton’s Corps (Crocker’s Iowa Brigade) being assigned to the advance. The Sixteenth Iowa, with its brigade, bore its full share of the great hardships of that winter campaign, which proved a failure on account of the brilliant exploit of the enemy’s cavalry in getting in the rear of General Grant’s army and capturing the immense depot of supplies which had been accumulated at Holly Springs, Miss. This compelled the abandonment of the expedition and the retreat of the army. During this retreat the troops suffered greatly from the cold and from lack of sufficient food. The regiment, with its brigade and division, reached Memphis early in January, 1863, and on January 18th again started for Vicksburg, this time on transports down the Mississippi river. Landing at Miliken’s Bend, the troops went into camp. From this point, detachments form the Sixteenth and other regiments of the Iowa Brigade were sent our for the Purpose of watching the movements of the enemy, and were engaged in some skirmishing in which slight losses were incurred.

On the 20th of January, 1863, the regiment, with its brigade and division, was assigned to the Seventeenth Army Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson, Brigadier General McArthur being retained in command of the division, and Colonel Crocker, of the brigade. On February 8th the brigade and division were conveyed to Lake Providence, and there began the arduous undertaking of connecting the Lake with the Mississippi river by cutting a canal. This work was steadily prosecuted, and completed on the 16th of March, 1863. While at Lake Providence the regiment and brigade were inspected by Inspector General Wm. E. Strong of the Seventeenth Corps, who paid a very high compliment to Colonel Crocker for the splendid condition and perfect drill of his brigade.

April 21, 1863, the brigade left Lake Providence and , from that time until the surrender of Vicksburg, was actively engaged in the arduous operations which culminated in that most important event. About the time these operations began, Col. M. M. Crocker was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the command of the Seventh Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps. It was with deep regret that the officers and men of the brigade witnessed the departure of this accomplished officer. They fully appreciated the fact that it was on account of his rigid enforcement of discipline, and his ability as an instructor, that the brigade had reached such a high site of efficiency and had gained such an excellent reputation throughout the army. Colonel Hall, of the Eleventh Iowa, succeeded to the command of the brigade during the remainder of the Vicksburg campaign. Colonel Chambers, of the Sixteenth Iowa, was still absent on account of the wounds he received at Iuka, and Lieutenant Colonel Sanders, although not fully recovered from the wound he received at Corinth, was-during the greater part of the campaign-in command of the regiment and wrote the official report, in which he descries in detail the movements of his regiment and the different positions occupied by it, from May 16 to July 4, 18623.

The service of all four of the regiments of the Iowa Brigade during this period was practically of the same character. The compiler may, therefore, summarize in the same words he used with reference to the Thirteenth Iowa, as equally applicable to the Sixteenth and to every regiment of the brigade:

"During the entire campaign, which ended with the surrender of Vicksburg, the Sixteenth Iowa with its brigade performed most arduous and important service. It was moved from point to point, was part of the time with the army of observation, in the rear of the lines of troops engaged in the siege, watching the rebel force under General Johnston, who was constantly threatening an attack for the purpose of raising the siege, and part of the time with the investing forces in the entrenchments, assisting in the prosecution of the siege, but everywhere doing its full duty and sustaining its well won reputation for bravery and efficiency."

At the time of surrender, the regiment was skirmishing with the enemy on Black Rover, in the rear of Vicksburg. The following quotation is made from the brief outline of the movements and operations of the regiment, furnished to the Adjutant General of Iowa by Maj. J. F. Conyngham:(6)

Part Two of the the 16th Infantry Historical Sketch

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