William H . Worthington William Hord Worthington ( November 2 , 1828 – May 22 , 1862 ) was an American lawyer , farmer and military officer . During the American Civil War , he was the first commanding officer of the 5th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment . Both his grandfathers were well - known Kentucky frontiersman Edward Worthington and Gabriel Slaughter and his ancestry can be traced to President James Monroe . Biography . Worthington was born in Harrodsburg , Kentucky to Reverend John Tolly Worthington described as " " a devoted Christian and a zealous patriot " " . His mother died shortly after he was born and was adopted and raised by his granduncle Major William Hord , a distinguished Kentucky gentleman . Educated in Louisville , he became interested in a military career after meeting a visiting Polish officer . Upon graduation from Bacon College , he became married to Anna Eliza in 1847 . He settled down as a farmer however , being unsuccessful at it , he instead pursued a career in law . He was eventually admitted to the bar and opened a small practice in Harrodsburg . In 1857 , he moved his practice to Iowa where he continued as a practicing lawyer until the start of the American Civil War four years later . At the time , he had been serving as a captain with a military company in Keokuk referred to as the " City Rifles " . His military skill was brought to the attention of Governor Samuel J . Kirkwood who offered him a colonelcy in the state militia . Worthington had intended to enlist in the regular U . S . Army in Washington City , however he was rejected due to all vacancies being filled and accepted the Governor ' s offer . After returning to Iowa in early July , he officially took command of the 5th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment on July 15 , 1861 . The 5th Iowa Volunteers had a proud and distinguished history under Worthington during the first months of the war . Worthington served in Missouri with his regiment before leaving Jefferson Barracks on August 14 . Arriving at Jefferson City , they stayed until September 1 and marched to Columbia , Boonville , Glasgow , Springfield and Syracuse . Turning back towards Boonville , they eventually arrived at Cairo , Illinois on February 20 , 1862 . Worthington and his unit had not yet encountered enemy forces , however they were considered to be one of the best drilled and disciplined regiments in volunteer service . As a result , Worthington was initially not popular with his men and were often restless and discontented under his strict discipline . According to a semi - official order from General John Pope in October 1861 , he wrote to Worthington that " " your regiment is the most soldierly - appearing one I have seen in Missouri . " " and credited him and his men for their service . He also rescued a private from drowning in the Mississippi River , an action which the respect and esteem of his regiment . After three days at Cairo , he and his men crossed the Mississippi and marched to Benton , Missouri and from there accompanied General Pope to New Madrid . He was conspicuous during the 10 - day siege , eventually assuming command of a brigade to capture the Upper Fort . During the battle , he led Companies A and B of the 5th Iowa Regiment and three companies of the 39th Indiana Regiment which fought gallantly . Following the surrender of " Island No . 10 " on April 7 , Worthington was again absent while his regiment were conducting operations in the area . He sailed to Hamburg Landing on the Tennessee River joining Pope ' s forces prior to the siege of Corinth . It was in the early morning hours of May 22 that , while in performing his duties as general officer of the day , that he was shot and killed by a sentry . It was around 2 a . m . in near pitch black darkness that the sentry , leaving his post , walked to the rear as Worthington approached . He had apparently forgotten he was still within Union lines and mistook Worthington for an enemy soldier and fired without calling out to the approaching figure . Worthington was hit near the left eye and thought to have been killed instantly . His death was mourned by his regiment , as well as his old unit the " City Rifles " and the district court of his home county . Judge Francis Springer commented that all " " mourned the loss , and cherished the memory of the noble - hearted , brave and heroic Worthington " " . He also had a promising career in the military being recommended for promotion and , had he survived the battle at Corinth , he would have been promoted to the rank of brigadier general . General Pope also made an official statement commenting " " In Colonel Worthington , this army has sustained a serious loss . Prompt , gallant and patriotic , a brilliant military career was before him " " .