19th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment

HISTORICAL NOTES:
This regiment was organized at Keokuk and was mustered in between Aug. 17 and 28, 1862. In the early part of September it proceeded to Benton barracks, St. Louis,, which it left a week later for Rolla with a brigade commanded by Gen. Herron. From there it moved to Springfield and three weeks later to Cassville. The command formed a junction with Gen. Blunt's forces at Sugar creek on Oct. 18, and two days later proceeded to Bloomington, thence to Cross Hollow, where it remained ten days, when it retraced its steps without having met the enemy, and went into camp at Twin springs. It fought at the battle of Prairie Grove, where Lieut. -Col. McFarland was killed and the regiment lost 198 in killed, wounded and missing out of 500 engaged. Cos. A, B and C were detached as skirmishers in the early part of the day and were engaged in as sharp fighting as any part of the command. Maj. Kent was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. John Bruce was commissioned major. The regiment accompanied the army to Van Buren, that city being captured, together with a large quantity of supplies, after which it returned to camp at Prairie Grove, but moved thence to Fayetteville and Huntsville. Soon after the command moved to Carrollton, thence to a point on the White river opposite Forsyth, Mo., finally crossing and going into camp at that place. The regiment was left with a squadron of the 1st Ia. cavalry as garrison and the remainder of the force moved on. Some of Marmaduke's forces threatened Forsyth and many buildings were torn down and used in construction of fortifications. In April the regiment marched to Ozark, thence to Hartville, and reached Salem on May 2, where it was temporarily assigned to the 1st division, Gen. Thomas Ewing, Jr., commanding. On June 11 it embarked for Young's point and on the 14th entered upon the siege of Vicksburg, remaining until its surrender. It took part in the Yazoo expedition soon after, then moved to Port Hudson, and finally to Carrollton. In September it went into camp at Morganza where it was almost constantly engaged in skirmishing. At the Stirling farm, 7 miles from Morganza, the regiment with other detachments was attacked by largely superior numbers and nearly surrounded, but the defense was so determined that the enemy was compelled to fall back. He rallied and returned to the fight and finally overpowered the little band, the 19th losing 241 in killed, wounded, and missing or captured. The prisoners were taken to Texas and kept there for nearly a year. At this time nearly two-thirds of the regiment were absent on sick leave, consequently the organization of the regiment remained intact. It proceeded with the division to New Orleans in October; embarked with the expedition to Texas, and was part of the force to land on the island of Brazos Santiago. It remained at Brownsville on garrison duty until the latter part of July, 1864, when it sailed for New Orleans and was met there by 180 of those who had been captured at Stirling's farm the year previous. The regiment proceeded to Pensacola, Fla., and went into camp at Barrancas, where it was joined by three companies that had been left at Brazos Santiago. On Dec. 6 it sailed for Fort Gaines, Ala., proceeded thence in the direction of East Pascagoula, Miss., from where it made a foray toward Mobile, destroying much property. Its last work was before Mobile where it distinguished itself in the assault on Spanish Fort. It remained at Mobile until July, when it was mustered out and returned to Iowa. Its original strength was 932; gain, by recruits, 3; total, 985. OFFICERS:
Col., Benjamin Crabb; Lieut. -Cols., Samuel McFarland, Daniel Kent, John Bruce; Majs., Daniel Kent, John Bruce, Harry Jordan.
ROSTERS:

Company A - enrolled in Lee County

Company B - enrolled in Jefferson County

Company C - enrolled in Washington County

Company D - enrolled in Jefferson County

Company E - enrolled in Lee County

Company F - enrolled in Louisa County

Company G - enrolled in Louisa County

Company H - enrolled in Van Buren County

Company I - enrolled in Van Buren County

Company K - enrolled in County

BIBLIOGRAPHY:


REFERENCES:

REF: Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
"The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 4