IOWA'S BORDERS THREATENED "The state, while engaged in efforts to discharge her duty in connection with the common emergency, was compelled to make separate and large provision for the security of her own borders.  On the south she was threatened with invasion by the secessionists of Missouri, while on the west and northwest there was danger of incursuions by bands of hostile Indians now freed from the usual restraint imposed by garrisons of regular troops at the frontier posts.  For border defense the governor was authorized to raise two regiments of infantry, a squadron-not less than five companies- of cavalry, and a battalion-not less than three companies- of artillery.  Only mounted troops were enlisted, however, for this service; but in times of special danger, or when calls were made by the Unionists of northern Missouri against their disloyal enemies, large numbers of militia on foot turned out (often) and remained in the field until the necessity for their service had passed. "The first order for the Iowa volunteers to move to the field was received June 13th.  It was issued by General Lyon, then commanding the United States forces in Missouri.  The First and Second infantry immediately embarked in steamboats and moved to Hannibal.  Some two weeks later the Third infantry was ordered to the same point.  These three, together with many others of the earlier organized Iowa regiments, rendered their first field service in Missouri.  The First infantry formed a part of the little army with which General Lyon moved on Springfield and fought the bloody battle of Wilson's Creek.  It received unqualified praise for its gallant bearing on the field.  In the following month (September) the Third Iowa with very slight support fought with honor the sanguinary engagement of Blue Mills landing; and in November the Seventh Iowa, as a part of a force commanded by General Grant, greatly distinguished itself in the battle of Belmont, where it poured out its blood like water-losing more than half of the men it took into action.  The initial operations in which the battles referred to took place were followed by the more important movements led by General Curtis of this state and other commanders, which resulted in defeating the armies defending the chief strategic lines held by the confederates in Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas, and compelling their withdrawal from much of the territory previously controlled by them in those states.  In these and many other movements down to the grand culminating campaign by which Vicksburg was captured and the confederacy permanently severed on the line of the Mississippi river, Iowa troops took a part in steadily increasing numbers.  In the investment and siege of Vicksburg the state was represented by thirty regiments and two batteries, in addition to which eight regiments and one battery were employed on the outposts of the besieging army.  The brilliancy of their exploits on the many fields where they served won for them the highest meed of praise both in military and civil circles.  Multiplied were the terms in which expression was given to this sentiment, but these words of one of the journals of a neighboring state-'The Iowa troops have been heroes among heroes'-embodies the spirit of all. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L