IOWA TROOPS RE-ENLISTED "In the veteran re-enlistments that distinguished the closing months of 1863 above all other periods of re-enlistments for the nationa armies, the Iowa three years' men who were relatively more numerous than those of any other state, were prompt to set the example of volunteering for another of equal length, thereby adding many thousands to the great army of those who gave this renewed and practical assurance that the cause of the Union should not be left without defenders.  In all the important movements of 1864 and 1865 by which the confederacy was penetrated in every quarter and its military power finally overthrown, the Iowa troops took part.  Their drumbeat was heard on the banks of every great river of the south, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, and everywhere they rendered the same faithful and devoted service, maintaining on all occasions their wonted reputation for valor in the field and endurance on the march. "Two Iowa three-year cavalry regiments were employed during their whole term of service in the operations that were in progress from 1863 to 1866 against the hostile Indians of the western plains.  A portion of these men were among the last of the volunteer troops mustered out of service.  The state also supplied a considerable number of men to the navy who took part in most of the naval operations prosecuted against the confederate power on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the rivers of the west. "The people of Iowa were early and constant workers in the sanitary field, and by their liberal gifts and personal efforts for the benefit of the soldiery placed their state in the front rank of those who became distinguished for their exhibitions of patriotic benevolence during the period covered by the war.  Agents appointed by the governor were stationed at points convenient for rendering assistance to the sick and needy soldiers of the state, while others were employed in visiting from time to time hospitals, camps and armies in the field, and doing whatever the circumstances rendered possible for the health and comfort of such of the Iowa soldiery as might be found there. "At the beginning of the war the population of Iowa included about 150,000 men, presumably liable to military service.  The state raised for general service thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine regiments of cavalry, and four companies of artillery, composed of three years' men, one regiment of infantry composed of three months' men, and four regiments and one battalion of infantry composed of 100 days' men.  The original enlistments in these various organizations including 1,727 men raised by draft, numbered a little more than 69,000.  The re-enlistments, including upward of 7,000 veterans, numbered very nearly 8,000.  The enlistments in the reuglar army and navy, and organizations of other states will, if added, raise the total to upward of 80,000.  The number of men who under special enlistments and as militia took part at different times in the operations on the exposed borders of the state was probably as many as 5,000. 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