TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY
The History of Delaware County, Iowa
by Western Historical Co.
Company F, Twenty-Seventh Regiment, was formed at Greeley in 1862, from men enlisted in Coffin's Grove, Manchester and Greeley. The people of Greeley gave the men a bountiful dinner and presented the company with a flag on the day they met and chose their officers. The regiment went into camp for drill at Dubuque, but was sent to Minnesota in October of that year to act as escort to the officers paying the friendly Indians in that State. The command was then ordered to Cairo, and thence to Memphis. The regiment was moved, under Sherman, in the demonstration against the rebels at the Tallahatchie. December 21st, six companies of the regiment moved into Holly Springs, just vacated by Van Dorn. In January, 1863, the regiment took part in the engagement at Lexington, Tenn., where Forrest was badly trounced. In August, the regiment was sent to Arkansas, and assisted in the capture of Little Rock. It remained at that place till November, when it returned to Memphis.
The following extract from a letter published in the Delaware County Union of April 1, 1864, from Lieut. W. N. Boynton, of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, dated Vicksburg, March 10, will give some idea of the services performed by that regiment:
"We have just returned from one of the biggest marches ever made by infantry during this war, having marched entirely across the State of Mississippi and back again, a distance of 475 miles; and this, too, without finding any force of the enemy worth mentioning. We left Vicksburg on the 3d of February and returned on the 5th of March, having had some of the prettiest weather ever known at this time of the year. It only rained a part of two days during the entire time. We destroyed fifty-five miles of railroad, burned nine towns, viz: Jackson (the remnant), Morton, Brandon, Hillsboro, Decatur, Meridian, Enterprise (by the 7th Army Corps), Marlon, Marlon Station and a little town called Union. All of these were most effectually cleaned out. We also burned eighteen railroad bridges, twenty-two water tanks and seven railroad depots, cotton and cotton gins too numerous to mention. Dwelling houses also caught a foretaste of the future. In fact, complete devastation and desolation followed us everywhere. Never have I had better reasons for thanking my 'lucky star' that war was not in the 'land of my home,' than on this occasion. Well may the people of the North thank God, or ' Grant's big guns, with fighting boys to man them,' that war is not at their doors."
March 10, 1864, the regiment started from Vicksburg on the Red River expedition, and four days after assisted in the capture of Fort DeRussey.
Col. Woods says the regiment moved too rapidly for a long charge, but all the time under good control. The boys mounted the parapet and fired on the rebels, who immediately raised the white flag and surrendered. The regiment reached Grand Ecore, La., April 4, and on the 9th was in the engagement at Pleasant Hill. Cavalry charged upon the position occupied by the Twenty-seventh, resulting in the annihilation of the attacking force. Later in the day, the regiment was under a heavy fire for two hours, and came near being captured, owing to the other forces near by having withdrawn. When the order came to retreat, the regiment was being pressed hard on the flanks, but after a sharp struggle, marched off in line, and In good order.
Capt. Holbrook, of Company F, received special mention for his bravery in this action. After being severely wounded, he continued at the head of his company until a second wound compelled him to seek a Surgeon's care.
The next day, Gen. Banks ordered a retreat, and up to May 19, the Twenty-seventh heard the roar of artillery almost dally. May 18, the regiment took part in the battle of Yellow Bayou, in which it lost three men killed and fourteen wounded. The regiment marched to Memphis, and on the 6th of June assisted in driving the enemy off the field at Ditch Bayou, Ark. July 14 and 15, the command took an honorable part in the battles of Tupelo and Old Town Creek. The regiment was in the heavy fighting near Nashville, December 15, and on the following day the command made a brilliant charge on the works at Mountain Heights, driving the rebels out of their intrenchments and into the woods.
April 9, 1865, the Twenty-seventh was in the charging forces that captured Fort Blakely, Ala. Thence the regiment marched to Montgomery, and was present at its surrender. July 15, the regiment was ordered to Memphis, and thence to Clinton, where it was mustered out. During its term of service, this regiment marched over three thousand miles, and traveled by rail and steamboat over ten thousand miles. As can be seen above, its record is a proud one, and it is a matter of congratulation that the men of Company F, who escaped the perils of the battles they were engaged In, are in our midst, useful and honored citizens.
[note. - This regiment was mustered out of service at Clinton Aug. 8, 1865. Officers not otherwise accounted for were mustered out as with regiment.
There was a list of the men that served from Delaware County with this history. Since the roster already includes that information I did not include it here. ejj