The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-07-27
First Iowa Infantry
Reunion in keokuk on
Anniversary Of Great Battle

/ dered their services to the governo
In anticipation of the impending wa,
the official correspondence shown
that the first of these companies offe,
ed its services early in the month o
January, 1861, the others following
rapidly during that month 1t will thu
De seen that all was in readiness fol
the prompt response which was made
to the governors proclamation.
! The ten companies, which were t.
become the first regiment from Iowa
were ordered into quarters by the gov
ernor April "a. 1861. and reached the
designated rendezvous at Keokuk on
different dates from May / to Nav q
1861. Here they were mustered into
the service of the United States Nav
! IA, 1861.
The fact thus shown-from the or.
nciai records-prove that the regiment
was IN rendezvous twelve DAYS before
the date indicated in the second tele.
gram from the secretary Of war. and
mat 1t was mustered into the service
SIX days prior to that date. The state
OF Iowa Is thus entitled to the credit
OF having filed its quota in advance OF
the date stipulated in the procloma-
ton OF the president under date NJ
April 10. 1861. May 23d the regiments
received arms and accouterments and
on May 2Sth-the tents and camp
equipage having arrived-went into
It's first camp. Previous to that date
II had been quartered in buildings.
Inc short time that interviewed be-
Tore the regiment was engaged in
active service was utilized to the nj.
most The field. stan and line officers
with few notable xceptions-were
taking their first lessons in the art of
war, and in the study of the rules and
regulations OF the government OF the
United States army, OF which the regt-
ment was now part. and found little
ume TOT rest or recreation Company
and battalion drills were in progress
many hours each day, and far into the
night the officers were engaged in the
study OF the movements, the manual
OF arms and the rules Of discipline so
necessary to be learned and taught to
the men under their command. How
well these lessons were learned In so |
short time was demonstrated in the
brief but severe campaign in which |
the regiment was soon called to par
ticlpate under the leadership of that |
thoroughly trained and gallant officer.
Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon OF
the regular army.
the regiment left Keokuk on the
18th day Of June, 1861, and was trans. T
ported by boat down the Mississippi
to Hannibal, Mo-, thence by rail to
Macon City and Renic, and thence
marched across country to Boonv,lle.
distance of fifty-eight miles, in less
[nan two and one-half days, an ex-
march for these men fresh
rom their Iowa homes, and not Injured
% the hardships of a soldiers life.
The regiment Joined General Lyon,s
little army at Bconyille. Mo, on the
list day of June. Here 1t remained
intii July 18th, and on that dav took
lp the line of march with the other
loops composing General Lyons com
nand- From this date to the close
II its term of service the history of,
ne regiment is identified with that
II the little army commanded by
General Lyon, on the march the
'kirmish line. in camp and bivouac
md in battle.
The day the gallant Lyon gave up
us life on the battlefield of Springfield
August 10. 1861, practically ended the
Ictive military history of the First
oEa infantry. A few days later the
egiment proceeded to st Louis where
t was mustered out of the service on
he 2lst day OF August, 1861. The sub
oined summary of casualties shows
oss of over II per cent of it's total
lumber at muster in. and is convinc-
ng evidence OF its arduous service in
ne field, which lasted less than two
months. The loss of the regiment at
Creek was 10 killed. I4II
Wounded and missing, and constitu-
ed by far the greatest part OF its to-
al loss during the campaign.
In order that a correct understand
ng OF the discrepancy between the
oss at Wilson's Creek and the sub
oined summary OF casualties during
ne campaign may be had. 1t should
'e here stated that while this regi-
nent was in the skirmish line on the
lght OF General Lyons command at
Jug Spring, August 2, 1861, and again !.
u McCnlloch's store, August 3, 1861, :
no rendered important service on =
10Th occasions, its position was such /.
nat before it could be brought into J
elton the enemy was in full retreat. :
md in those affairs no casualties are :
eported. During the campaign. there !
according to the official records !.
the regiment lost twelve men in ad- :
iition to the loss at Wilson's Greek.
making total oh