The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-11-26
Col. John Edwards.


r. Col. John Edwards.
/ The desire has been frequently expressed
by the friends of this gallant officer, and Of
his regiment, the 18th Iowa, that some
record Of their services be given to the
public.
While the State has been duly apprised
of the career of most of its other regiments
OF which it is justly proud, and which have
had the good fortune to be engaged in more
prominent, though not more active fields.
Little has been known of the real and
I arduous services of the 18Th regiment, be.
cause they have been performed in field
comparatively obscure, and removed from
public attraction.
that we make this remark, for we share IN
the just pride which every 1owan feels in
| the noble and brilliant career of all its re-
giments, and have no feeling but of un-
bounded satisfaction in contemplating their
growing reuown, but would rather increase
than diminish it; justice, however, should
be done to all, and for this purpose we sub
NIT to the public the following record OF
the 18th Iowa, and its commanding officer,
and let it speak for itself.
Col. John Edwards is a native Of Ken
tucky, and sprung Of one Of the most
State.
Alan early age, he formed an attachment
to free institutions, and a clear conviction OF
moved to Indiana, where his unbending
integrity and abilities as lawyer and
public speaker soon won for him such con
1idence from the people that he was chosen
to represent them in the State Senate.
In 1858 he removed to Iowa, and enga-
rapidly in the estimation of the public and
was soon chosen by the people of his dis
trict to represent them in convention to
evise the Constitution.
: subsequently he was elected to several
sessions of the Legislature, and Speaker
OF the House of Representatives, and in
this capacity as presiding officer Of the
opponents and friends by the fairness and
impartiality with which he discharged the
duties of that responsible position.
! He was an early and firm supporter OF
the Republican party, and was an arden,
and efficient supporter of Fremont, in 1856
of Lincoln Il Hamlin in the Presidential
election OF 1860.
i When the war broke out Col. Edwards
promptly took the side of his country and
Government. received a commission FROM
Gov. Kirkwood as Lieut.. Col. of cavalry
and Aid-de-Camp, dated Mag ~ 1861, TX
fisst commission issued by the State OF lowe
~ H ae'. was m:'; eu.ru.,ea&hh The 1esponsibl.
charge Of the Missouri border Of the State
which was then in danger Of invasion, anC
organized troops for its defence.
He also organized q regiment Of mounted
rifles, and other troops for the three years
service.
i By agreement between Gov. Kirkwood
and Gen. Pope, he marched his forces into
Missouri and drove out body of ZOO
rebels, under Col. Patton (rebel) which haC
concentrated on, aud menaced the Iowa
border. In the absence Of Federal troops
he was then placed in charge of the Rail.
roac from ST. Joseph to Chillicothe.
Il In July 1862, he was commissioned r.
Colonel Of the 18th regiment, Iowa volun'
teer infantry, three years troops, and was
I'm August 1862, he marched his regiment
from Sedalia to Springfield, Missouri, and
joined the Army Of the Southwest under
Gen. Schofield, who was then preparing an
expedition to clear Southwest Missouri
from rebels and penetrate Arkansas.
He took part in this expedition in com.
it to Springfield, November, 1862.
I In December, 1861, he was ordered to St
Louis. Mo-, to assist in an important Court
Martial.
January s, 1863. Springfield was sudden.
~ attacked by 5000 rebels under Marina.
duke. The only defences were some in
I
! bering 500 men and some raw militia. In
the most critical junctu1D of the attack,
when the militia were retreating in confu'
sion, and defeat appeared certain, part OIL
the 18th Iowa was ordered to the threaten.
ed point, and by desperate charge in
which they lost four commissioned officers
and SO enlisted men killed and wounded,
broke the enemys's lines and restored the
wavering fortunes of the day, and the en-
envy retreated in haste under cover of the
night, leaving their dead and wounded on
the field.
In April, 1863, Col. Edwards was appoin-
ted to the command of the post OF Spring
field. In August he was left by Gen. Nc
Neil in command Of the District of South
west Missouri. During his command,
Shelby made q formidable invasion of Mis-
souri, with 2. 500 men and pieces of artil-
lery. s1S
Col. Edwards took command of the forces
of the district, and started in pursuit OF
Shelby into Central Missouri, and made
in the interception of the enemy, if they
had not been disconnected by causes be-
yond his power to control. era
In October 1868, Col. Edwards took par!
with his regime mt in the pursuit Of Shelby
southwark, and in the expedition oil Gen'l
Mcneil to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In December, 1863, he was placed in COM
ssAAs> ~
officehe won ssnsDsa distinction by his
FIRM and fearless opposition to the intr:gues
of wealthy and influential spectators, to
defraud the Government by smuggling,
and evasion Of the payment Of Government
1,dues, and illicit speculation in cottonsa and
Aor awhikstood alone against powerful
com ination. over which however, he final
A ~ triumphed by the complete vindication
of Justice and the execution Of the law
In January, 1864, he was assigned to the
command Of the most important brigade in
the district. consisting ofthe 18th Iowa In
i fantry, ID Kansas Cavalry, I'd Indiana Bat
terry and lst Arkansas Infantry.
Afterwards the forces of the district be-
ing re-organized by Major General Steele,
commanding the Department Of Arkansas,
the forces of the District of the Frontier,
were constituted the Sd division Of the It'll
Army Corps, and assigned to the command
Of Brig. Gen'l ThayeT, BY whose order the
command Of the LIST Brigade, consisting OF
the 18th Iowa, lst and I'd Arkansas Infan-
try and ID Indiana Battery, was assigned
to Col. Edwards. fi
] In March, 1864, he commanded his bri-
I