In the fall of 1862, in response to a call for more troops, made by President Lincoln, the county felt its patriotism again aroused, and a full company was raised to go to the front. This was incorporated in the 38th Iowa Infantry, and was known as Company C, and as we before traced the movements of the Chickasaw boys by their regiment, we will once again follow their fortunes.
The regiment was organized at Dubuque, and mustered into the United States service November 4, 1862. The aggregate number at that date being 910 men.
In obedience to orders received, the regiment moved from the camp of organization December 15, 1862, and arrived at Benton Barracks, St Louis, December 17th, by way of the Illinois Central Railroad. On the 28th they were ordered by Major General Curtis , commanding the Department of the Missouri, to report at Helena, Arkansas. Embarking on board the steamer "Platte Valley", the regiment proceeded down the river as far as Columbus, Kentucky, where it was stopped on the 30th and ordered by Brigadier General Davies, commanding the Department of Columbus, on expedition out of the Ohio and Mobile Railroad, to Union City, under the command of Colonel Moore, of the Twenty-Fourth Missouri. On their arrival there the next day the forces were drawn up in line of battle to receive the enemy, after patiently waiting for it all day, they failed to make its appearance.
January 1, 1863, orders were received from Brigadier General Davies , for expedition to return to Columbus, where further orders were awaiting the regiment from General Curtis, to re-embark on the steamer and proceed to New Madrid, Missouri; all orders to the contrary countermanded. On the arrival of the Thirty-Eighth at New Madrid, on the 2d, it took possession of Fort Thompson, which had been evacuated, magazines blown up, guns spiked and dismounted, and carriages burned, as also were the barracks. The boys, however, went to work, built new barracks, unspiked and remounted the guns, and remained at New Madrid doing guard duty until June 7th, when, by order of General Curtis , the regiment embarked on the steamer "Daniel G. Taylor", and proceeded down the Mississippi and up the Yazoo to Sherman’s Landing, where they arrived on the 11th, and were ordered to report at Young’s Point, where they arrived the same day. From thence marching across the point, and crossing the river at Warrenton on the 15th found themselves in front of the enemies’ works at Vicksburg, and on the extreme left of Grant’s army. Here the regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and were constantly engaged in filling details, supporting the First Missouri Battery, constructing earthworks, digging rifle-pits, and advancing our lines until the glorious 4th of July, when the city capitulated.
Many of the regiment were overcome by the heat and the arduous duty, and the miasma which was constantly arising from the swamp on whose border the regiment was encamped, was the cause of fevers and disorders which arose, and reduced it to half its original number. Disease thinned the ranks each day while the casualties resulting from the siege were slight.
July 5th, in company with the other troops, it marched into the works, and on the 12th, while embarking for Port Hudson, the news was brought of the capture of that place, and the regiment ordered up the Yazoo River.
It was with General Herron , at the capture of Yazoo City, and in the raid into the country of the Big Black River, from which they returned laden with horses, cotton, mules, and negroes.
Returned to Vicksburg on the 21st, and on the 25th again embarked for Port Hudson, Louisiana where it arrived on the 27th. At this place the regiment was so reduced by sickness, that the morning report for August 13th shows only eight officers and twenty men fit for duty. Many valuable officers were lost, among whom was Colonel D. H. Hughes , who died on the steamer "Lebanon", August 7th.
August 15th, embarked on the steamer "Sally Robinson" for Carrollton, Louisiana and arrived the following day. While at this place many who had been sent up the river sick, or had been left in the hospital at Vicksburg, rejoined the regiment, which was now again ready for the field, and joined the expedition under General Banks , against Texas.
The fleet sailed from New Orleans, 23 October 1863, and after experiencing a heavy gulf storm, arrived at Brazos Santiago, Texas, November 2nd. The regiment with the balance of the command was landed on the 3rd, and on the 6th moved forward toward Brownsville, encamping the same night on the old battle ground of Palo Alto. On the 9th the regiment advanced on Brownsville, which it found in possession of our forces, to whom it had been surrendered without opposition.
Here the regiment went into camp and continued to do guard duty until the evacuation of the place, which took place July 28, 1864, when it returned to New Orleans.
Arriving at that port on the 5th of August, the Thirty-Eighth was ordered again to embark on the steamer "Josephine", and sailed for Mobile Bay, arriving at Fort Gaines (which had been taken on the 7th), on the 9th, and were landed on Mobile Point, in the rear of Fort Morgan, the same day. While here the regiment was engaged in picket and fatigue duty, until the surrender of Fort Morgan, on the morning of the 23rd of August. After remaining on Mobile Point until September 8th, the regiment was ordered back to New Orleans, where it remained for some time. The regiment was engaged in the last battle of the war, which was the taking of Fort Blakely the day before Lee’s surrender. The regiment was mustered out of the service at Houston, Texas, but did not disband until its arrival in Davenport. While at Morganzie Bend, above New Orleans, the regiment was consolidated with the Thirty-Fourth, but still retained its old number, by this consolidation some officers were necessarily dispensed with.
Chickasaw County raised a company for this favorite and gallant regiment, which was known as Company H, and also furnished some more men for Company B. The regiment was organized with Asbury B. Porter, as Colonel; Thomas Drummond , as Lt Colonel; S. D. Swan; J. E. Jewett , and G. A. Stone , as Majors, and was mustered into the service of the United States at Mount Pleasant, November 21, 1861.
Of the service performed by the calvary it is difficult to give a connected history, so much of it being done by detached companies, but this regiment has covered itself with unfading laurels throughout its numberless campaigns, distinguishing itself and losing men at Guntown, Mississippi; Helena, Arkansas; Bear Creek, Mississippi ; near Memphis, Tennessee; Town Creek, Mississippi; Columbus, Georgia; Mechanicsburg, Mississippi; Little Blue River, Arkansas; Brownsville, Mississippi; Ripley, Black River Bridge, and Tupelo, Mississippi; Little Red River, Arkansas; Granada, Mississippi; Yazoo River, Mississippi ; White River, Arkansas; Osage, Kansas; Lick Creek, Arkansas; Okalona, Mississippi; and St. Francis River, Arkansas and suffering the privations and losses attendant on a mounted regiment, it was mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia August 10th, 1865.
Source:
History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties IOWA
By W.E. Alexander
Western Publishing Company, Decorah, Iowa
Date: 1883
Chapter XIII, pages 307 - 310
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