24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment

HISTORICAL NOTES:
This regiment was organized at Camp Strong, near Muscatine, in the summer of 1862. under a call for an "Iowa Temperance Regiment," which brought a quick response from the temperance people of the state, more men being offered than could be accepted. It was mustered in Sept. 18 and left the state Oct. 20 for St. Louis. It passed the winter at Helena, Ark., engaging in short expeditions at intervals, and in Jan., 1863, moved in the White River expedition as far as Devall's Bluff. At St. Charles part of the troops were ordered to disembark, and no sooner had they unloaded the baggage than they were ordered on board again, the results of the movement being the capture of 2 abandoned siege guns, a squad of prisoners, and the destruction of an unfinished depot. Many of the men died from exposure during the trip and many more died subsequently from the effects. The expedition returned to Helena, to find the tents gone and the men dropped into the mud, too exhausted to care what the result might be. Rude quarters were constructed, in which a dreary existence was dragged out until Feb. 14, when the regiment was ordered to Yazoo pass to assist in removing the obstructions from the river. On April 11 the regiment proceeded to Milliken's bend, thence to Perkins' landing and Hard Times, where it landed in time to take part in the battle of Port Gibson. It was engaged in constant skirmishing from that time to the battle of Champion's hill, where it proved the equal of any regiment engaged. At one time it advanced unsupported, charged a battery of 5 guns that was creating havoc, fairly ran over the men at the guns, and drove the supporting infantry in wild confusion, but was compelled by overwhelming numbers to fall back. Forty-three were killed, 40 mortally wounded and nearly 30 maimed for life, the total loss in killed, wounded and captured being 195 out of 417 engaged. At Vicksburg it engaged in the active operations and after the surrender left to engage in the siege of Jackson. At the conclusion the regiment was transferred to the Department of the Gulf, and put in m.uch of the fall and early winter in marches in various directions, without apparent aim or result. The opening of 1864 found the regiment encamped in the mud at Algiers. It moved in early March to join the Red River expedition and reached a point near Pleasant Hill on April 7. Five companies took part in the battle of Sabine cross-roads, keeping their position until ordered to retire, and losing 34 in killed, wounded and captured. In the retreat from Grand Ecore the regiment was in several skirmishes, and after reaching Morganza joined in a reconnoissance, in which it lost a number in wounded and Capt. Paul slain. In June it visited Greenville, Kennerville and Thibodeaux, and returned to Algiers, from which place it sailed for Alexandria. Va. It joined Sheridan's army at Harper's Ferry, was in the battle of Winchester, where it fought with courage, but in the general repulse was borne back in confusion, but the lines were reformed and again faced the enemy. The splendid work of the 24th received warm praise from all, its staff and line officers fighting with the regiment and leading at all times. The loss was 71 killed and wounded and 3 captured. At Fisher's hill it moved from its position to the left in perfect order amid a storm of shot and shell, and at the signal to charge dashed forward with resistless energy, having but 5 men wounded. After the pursuit it went into camp at Harrisonburg, then returned to Cedar creek, where it took part in the battle of Oct. 19. when the army's position was turned by Early's forces and a complete rout avoided only by Sheridan's personal appearance on the scene after his wild ride from Winchester. The regiment bore a prominent part in this battle, losing nearly 100 in killed and wounded, Lieut. -Col. Wilds being mortally and Maj. Wright slightly wounded. After a period of escort duty it went into camp on the Opequan in the latter part of November, but soon moved to Winchester for post duty. On Jan. 6, 1865, the regiment moved to Baltimore, thence to Savannah, Ga., and two months later to Morehead City, N. C. After Johnston's surrender it went back to Savannah and thence to Augusta for garrison duty. It was mustered out at Savannah in July, 1865. OFFICERS:
Col., Eber C. Byam; Lieut. -Cols., John Q. Wilds, Edward Wright; Majs., Edward Wright, Leander Clark. ROSTERS:

Company A - enrolled in Jackson County and Clinton County

Company B - enrolled in Cedar County

Company C - enrolled in Cedar County

Company D - enrolled in Johnson County, Cedar County &c.

Company E - enrolled in Tama County and Iowa County

Company F - enrolled in Linn County

Company G - enrolled in Linn County

Company H - enrolled in Linn County

Company I - enrolled in Jackson County

Company K - enrolled in Jackson County

BIBLIOGRAPHY:


REFERENCES:

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