12th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 12th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

History

The 12th Iowa Volunteer Infantry was organized at Dubuque in October and November of 1861,and was mustered in at intervals during those two months. It left the state late in November, went into quarters at Benton barracks, St. Louis, for two months, and like its predecessors, suffered greatly from diseases that seemed to be a part of the experience necessary to prepare them for the field work. Some 75 died of measles, pneumonia and typhoid.

At Smithland, Kentucky, it joined General Ulysses Grant for the movement upon Fort Henry, was present at the capture of that place, then moved to Fort Donelson, where it took part in the fight and assault which resulted in victory. It won glory for itself at Shiloh by fighting in the advance until sundown and holding back the enemy while the demoralized army withdrew to a new point and waited the arrival of Buell. The 8th, 12th and 14th IA comprised four-fifths of that advance line and surrendered only when surrounded by ten times their numbers.

Those who escaped capture were assigned to the "Union Brigade" and served with it until disbanded, being sent to Davenport, Iowa, and remaining there during the winter. The paroled men were declared exchanged on January 1, 1863, and soon after went to Rolla, which was threatened by Marmaduke, but returned on the 15th to St. Louis, where they were stationed. Lieut. Col. Coulter resigned and was succeeded by Major Edgington, and the latter as major by Capt. John H. Stibbs of Co D.

The regiment was reorganized about April 1st and became a part of Sherman's command, participating in the movements of that division during the Vicksburg campaign, though it was in reserve at the assault of May 22. After the surrender it was engaged at Jackson and was in the skirmish at and capture of Brandon. It went into camp near Bear Creek on July 23 and remained there until Oct. 10. Lieut.-Col. Edgington resigned, Maj. Stibbs became lieutenant-colonel, and was succeeded as major by Capt. Van Duzee.

In October, the regiment was in a skirmish at Brownsville;proceeded thence to Vicksburg, Memphis, Lagrange and Chewalla,where it remained on railroad guard duty until near the close of January 1864. While there, it broke up the guerrilla bands that were pillaging the country, and built a strong fort. It was ordered to join the forces for the Meridian raid, but reached Vicksburg too late to take part and went into camp.

Having been mustered in as a veteran organization, the reenlisted men were sent home on a furlough in March. In their absence, the non-veterans, numbering about 70, accompanied the 35th IA on the Red River campaign and was in battle at Lake Chicot. On their return from home the men reached Memphis on May 2 and were joined by the detachment about the middle of June.

In May, six companies under Lieut. Col. Stibbs, went to the mouth of the White River, established a military post and left A and F companies under Captain Hunter. The command proceeded to Tupelo, where it was engaged in July. The regiment while acting as a train guard, was attacked by a Confederate brigade, but repelled it, and in the subsequent fighting it occupied the most dangerous post and received special commendations of the commanding general.

Returning to Memphis, the regiment moved to Lagrange, thence to Holly Springs, via Lumpkin's Mills, remaining on duty there for some time. The detachment at White River in the meantime had been busy, protecting the people of that section and building a stockade. The little force of less than fifty men was attacked before daybreak on the morning of June 5 by a force of 400, the men being compelled to fight in their shirts only, so sudden was the attack. A number of the enemy gained the stockade at one side, but Sergeant Isaac Cottle and Corporal George Hunter, armed with revolver]]s, boldly attacked them and drove them out in confusion. Hunter was shot dead and Cottle was so severely wounded that he died soon after, but the entire besieging force was finally driven off with a loss of over 50 in killed, wounded and prisoners, their commanding officer being among the slain.

Joining the regiment at Holly Springs, this detachment accompanied it to Oxford, then to Memphis, whence it proceeded to Devall's Bluff and Brownsville in search of Price. With ten days' rations it made the 350 miles march to Cape Girardeau via [[Jacksonport, Arkansas, and Jackson, Mo., in 19 days. From St. Louis it proceeded to Jefferson City, Smithton, Sedalia, Lexington and Independence, into Kansas, and to Harrisonville,Mo., after Price but was unable to catch him and returned to St. Louis.

The non-veterans and some of the officers were mustered out, Lieut.-Col. Stibbs remaining as commanding officer. Moving to Nashville the regiment aided in the defense of that city and in the battle in December captured 2 flags. It joined in the pursuit as far as Clinton, then proceeded to Eastport, Miss., where it assisted in building quarters and fortifications.

Lieut.-Col. Stibbs was called to Washington in Jan. 1865, to become a member of the military tribunal, the same, which later, tried the notorious Capt. Wirz, who was held responsible for the infamies of Andersonville prison, and Maj. Knee took command.

The regiment was ordered to Mobile in February, was engaged at Spanish Fort in the front line and occupied an exposed position for 13 days and nights. At the conclusion of the siege of Mobile it moved to Montgomery, thence to Selma and remained in guard and garrison duty until the early part of 1866 when it was mustered out. Lieut.- Col. Stibbs received a merited promotion to colonel. The original strength of the regiment was 926; gain by recruits, 55, total, 981.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 4

Service

The 12th Iowa Infantry was organized at Davenport, Iowa and mustered into Federal service between October 18 and November 2, 1861.

The regiment was mustered out on July 21, 1865.

Total strength and casualties

The regiment lost 5 officers and 114 enlistedmen who were killed in action or who died of their wounds and 4 officers and 205 enlistedmen who died of disease, for a total of 328 fatalities.