On September 30, 1862, the 26th Iowa Infantry mustered at Clinton, and one year later, on September 30, 1863, the 8th Iowa Cavalry gathered at Davenport. Both regiments would go on to serve with distinction in the American Civil War, eventually crossing paths at Kennesaw Mountain in Tennessee.
When men from Clinton County stepped forward in the fall of 1862, the Union was in urgent need of reinforcements. Engagements at Pea Ridge, Shiloh, Bull Run, and Antietam had already drained manpower, and calls went out to fill the ranks. Colonel Milo Smith led the 26th Iowa Infantry, which became part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, XV Corps. The regiment fought in the Mississippi Theater, then advanced into campaigns at Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Atlanta, before closing their enlistments during Sherman’s March to the Sea. In all, 76 men of the 26th were killed in battle, while 213 more lost their lives to disease.
The following autumn, Colonel Joseph B. Dorr and later Colonel Horatio G. Barner commanded the 8th Iowa Cavalry at Davenport. A total of 1,442 men enrolled. They rode east to fight at Resaca, Franklin, Nashville, and at Kennesaw Mountain, where they fought alongside the 26th Infantry. Their toll was 18 battlefield casualties and 176 deaths from disease.
Altogether, Iowa contributed more than 76,000 soldiers to the Union cause. Of those, 3,000 Iowans gave the ultimate sacrifice.
