CHAPTER XXVIII
THE FORTIETH IOWA INFANTRY
THIS was the last in point of numerical number of infantry regiments enlisted for three years, organized by Iowa. But it was not the last to leave the State. Three or four other regimental organizations were begun but never completed. Because of these attempts, by persons holding commissions to raise regiments, when the “Hundred Days” regiment was formed, it was numbered the Forty-fourth. The Fortieth was in war times called “The Copperhead Regiment” for the insufficient reason that a large number of its members were Democrats. An active Republican member of this regiment wrote thus indignantly on the subject:
In the summer of 1862 our party friends urged that the Democrats did not but should enlist and bear their portions of the burdens of the war. Under these circumstances the men of this regiment, Democrats as well as Republicans, left their homes, and responded to their country’s call. With perhaps a few exceptions from both sides they had endured every hardship, braved every danger, performed every duty and obeyed every order with a hearty and unselfish patriotism which might be beneficially emulated by those who denounce them as “Copperheads,” because they differ in the matter of politics. As between those who enter the army and fight Rebels wherever opportunity offers and vote the Democratic ticket and those who stay at home and disparage the men who fight, because they cannot control their votes at the polls, it is not difficult for me to make choice. I hold the former in the highest esteem and have nothing but contempt for the latter.
The regiment was made up of four companies from Marion County, two from Jasper and one each from the counties of Poweshiek, Mahaska, Keokuk and Benton. John A. Garret, of Jasper, was appointed colonel; Samuel
