Lookout Mountain - Iowa Monument 35.014366 by -85.340700

The Iowa 4th, 9th, 25th, 26th, 30th and 31st Infantry Regiments and the Iowa 1st Battery fought in the Battle of Lookout Mountain - the "Battle above the Clouds" on November 24, 1863. This was a Federal victory that occurred a day before another decisive victory at Missionary Ridge. At Lookout Mountain, most of the military action took place at the Craven House, about one half way up the mountain. The impressive 50 foot Iowa Monument was dedicated November 19, 1906. It is located at the Craven House - look down the mountain from the House to see the monument. On my previous visit in October of 2007, the stone "cannonballs" on one side were missing - I was pleased to see that they were replaced and the monument cleaned up on my visit in October of 2010. Point Park and a small visitors center are located at the top of the mountain. Follow signs to the Craven House to see the monument. The Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain areas are part of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park. Photos taken 10/1/10.

Missionary Ridge - Iowa Monument

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This monument marks the spot of the farthest position of the Iowa 6th on its charge up Tunnel Hill on November 25, 1863. The 50-foot monument was dedicated on November 19, 1906. Regiments recognized were the Iowa 5th, 6th, 10th and 17th. This is on the north edge of Missionary Ridge. It is hard to find - there is a sign to the Sherman Reservation off Crest Road - follow a foot path to the top of the hill - go past the cannons to the Iowa Monument. Photos taken 10/1/08.

Shiloh Battlefield - Iowa Monument 35.150733 by -88.324416

Iowa had 11 regiments in the Battle of Shiloh on April 6-7, 1862. There were 6664 Iowa soldiers engaged in the battle. The total number of Iowa caualties was 2409 including killed, wounded and missing. This, no doubt, was the greatest loss of Iowans in any battle in any war. Iowa regiments included the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. Iowa regiments formed the heart of the line at the Hornets Nest.

The Iowa Monument was dedicated on November 23, 1906 led by Governor Albert B. Cummins and many other dignitaries. The inscription on the front of the monument is "This monument is erected by the state of Iowa in commemoration of the loyalty, patriotism and bravery of her sons who, on this battlefield of Shiloh on the 6th and 7th days of April, A.D., 1862, fought to perpetuate the sacred union of the States." The monument was designed by F. E. Trieble. It is composed of granite from Barre, Vermont. It is 75 feet high and cost $25,000. Photos taken 9/30/08 and 10/10/10. The old photo shows Gov. Cummins, his staff and their wives. The monument is located near the Visitors Center.

Shiloh Battlefield - National Cemetery 35.150566 by -88.321433

While there is no specific Iowa monument, there are many Iowa boys buried in this beautiful cemetery. Many were first buried in mass graves on the battlefield - then moved to the cemetery at a later date. Unfortunately, there are many that are unidentified. Photos taken 9/30/08.

Shiloh Battlefield - 2nd Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.138100 by -88.340200

This regiment was on the right of the Union line in the Hornets Nest. It suffered 72 casualties out of 490 men engaged in the battle. The Iowa 2nd had fought at Ft. Donelson and was known for having a number of well known generals who were originally in the regiment including Samuel Curtis, Marcellus Crocker, James Tuttle, and James Weaver. In this battle, Tuttle was the commander of the Iowa Brigade at the Hornets Nest. This monument can be located at Tour Stop #3. Photos taken 10/10/10.

The monument was dedicated November 22, 1906. It and the the other regimental monuments are of Barre, Vermont granite and cost $8051.

Shiloh Battlefield - 3rd Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.131566 by -88.334883

This regiment was on the left of the Union line at Shiloh on April 6,1862. Of 560 men in the battle, there were 23 killed, 134 wounded and 30 missing. The monument was dedicated on November 22, 1906. On the Hamburg-Savannah Road, go to the Peach Orchard and note the log cabin to the west - the monument is tucked in the woods about 100 yards southwest of the log cabin. Photos taken 9/30/08.

Shiloh Battlefield - 6th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.142350 by -88.350533

The Iowa 6th was in several positions on the right of the Union line. Each of the Iowa monuments has a plaque on the reverse side describing the actions of the regiment and its losses. Many are difficult to read and have not been included on other monuments - however, this one is clear and is shown below. There is also a marker near-by indicating a mass grave for members of the Iowa 6th - there is also a mass burial for Confederate Soldiers close to the Iowa monument. The monument was dedicated November 22, 1906. It is in the woods off a foot path - after passing Tour Stop #12 - look for the Ohio 91st monument on the left - take the foot path on the right into the woods to this monument. Photos taken 9/30/08 and 10/10/10.

Shiloh Battlefield - 7th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.136850 by -88.338716

The Iowa 7th was in a position in the center of the Hornets' Nest on April 6, 1862. It had a total of 34 casualties out of 383 engaged in the battle. It had previously been in battles at Belmont and Ft. Donelson. At Tour Stop #3, walk SE on the Sunken Road past the monument for the Iowa 2nd. This monument was dedicated on November 22, 1906. Photos taken 9/30/08.

Shiloh Battlefield - 8th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.134666 by -88.337566

The Iowa 8th was in Sweeny's Brigade on the left of Tuttle's Iowa Brigade. It was defending a battery and suffered heavy casualties. Most of the Regiment was captured when it was surrounded late in the afternoon on April 6, 1862. Of about 600 engaged in the battle, it had 58 killed or mortally wounded, 95 others wounded and 340 captured. The monument was dedicated on November 22, 1906. It is located SE of the Iowa 14th monument near the intersection of the Eastern Corinth Road and the Sunken Road. Go past the Minnesota Monument. Photos taken 9/30/08.

Shiloh Battlefield - 11th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.137966 by -88.349733

The Iowa 11th was on the right of the Union front on April 6, 1862, and engaged in heavy action during the day. The Confederate Commander, General Albert Sidney Johnston, was killed in the battle and there has been speculation that the fatal bullet was from the Iowa 11th. Of 763 present, there were 33 killed, 160 wounded and 1 missing. The monument was dedicated on November 22, 1906. It is located in an open field where it suffered its most severe loss. Look to the left after Tour Stop #13 to find the monument. Photos taken 9/30/08.

Shiloh Battlefield - 12th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.136366 by -88.338216

The Iowa 12th, part of Tuttle's Brigade, was in the middle of the Hornets' Nest on April 6, 1862. They held off repeated Confederate attacks throughout the day. The regimental commander, Col. Joseph Woods, reported "Again and again did he attack us, trying vainly to drive us from our position. He failed to move us one inch from our position. On the contrary, we repulsed every attack of the enemy and drove him back in confusion." Later in the afternoon the Confederates flanked and surrounded their position and the Regiment was forced to surrender. Of 479 in the Regiment, 33 were killed or mortally wounded, 59 were wounded and 387 were captured. Of those captured, 33 were wounded and 16 subsequently died as a result of these wounds. A total of 71 died in prison.

One of the members of the regiment was David W. Reed of Allamakee County. He was wounded in the battle. He returned to Iowa and served as a County Recorder and Postmaster at Waukon. He was very active in veterans organizations and in 1895 became the Historian for many years at the Shiloh National Park. He was primarily responsible for marking the positions of regiments and the location of monuments and markers on the battlefield.

The monument was dedicated November 22, 1906. It is located at their position in the Hornets Nest. To reach the monument from Tour Stop #3, walk past the Iowa 2nd and 7th monuments on the Sunken Road - or stop where the Eastern Corinth Road crosses the Sunken Road. Photos taken 9/30/08 and 10/10/10.

Shiloh Battlefield - 13th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.137450 by -88.345833

The Iowa 13th, commanded by Col. Marcellus Crocker, held a variety of positions in the center of the Union line on April 6, 1862. Of 760 men, there were 40 killed and mortally wounded, 126 wounded and 5 missing. The monument was dedicated November 22, 1906. It is set back on the left after passing Tour Stop #4. Photos taken 9/30/08.

Shiloh Battlefield - 14th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.135383 by -88.337783

The Iowa 14th was in the middle of the Hornets' Nest - after fighting off repeated Confederate attacks, it was surrounded and forced to surrender later in the afternoon on April 6, 1862. Of 442 present for duty, 8 were killed, 39 wounded, and 226 captured. Of the wounded, 5 died of their wounds and 15 died in prison. Those in prison were exchanged in the following year and the regiment was reorganized at that time. The monument is near the junction of the Eastern Corinth Road and the Sunken Road - also near the Minnesota Monument. It was dedicated November 22, 1906. Photos taken 9/30/08.

Shiloh Battlefield - 15th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.144916 by -88.345383

The Iowa 15th, commanded by Col. Hugh T. Reid, arrived by riverboat at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee early on the morning of April 6, 1862. Initially they were one of the few regiments in reserve in what became known as the Battle of Shiloh. General Grant decided to put the Iowa 15th and Iowa 16th into a gap in Jones Field.

The monument was dedicated on November 22, 1906. In the speech at the dedication by Major H. C. McArthur, he recounts the march to the front line, "The recollection of that march to this point of attack, is as vivid to my mind as if made but yesterday. We hear again the command of the officers, the roar of distant artillery and musketry; we see dashing orderlies, the rapid advance, the forming line, the charging column, the wounded, the dying, the dead."

The regiment suffered heavy casualties - of 760 engaged, there were 56 killed and mortally wounded and 146 others wounded. This monument marks their position on Jones Field. It is difficult to find. At Tour Stop 12 - look left and you will see the Iowa 16th monument in an open field - then go left or east to find this monument in the woods. Photos taken 4/23/06.

Shiloh Battlefield - 16th Iowa Infantry Regiment Monument 35.145666 by -88.346766

The inexperienced Iowa 16th arrived at the Shiloh battlefield early in the morning of the battle on April 6, 1862.

At the monument dedication speech on November 22, 1906, Lt. John Hayes said, "Upon a Sabbath morning in the long ago, a body of newly made soldiers disembarked at Pittsburg Landing, marched by companies to the brow of the hill, for the first time received ammunition, were told how to load the new Springfield muskets which had been given them at St. Louis but a few days before...the regiment was opened upon by the enemy's artillery and musketry from the timber which it was marching...no support at right of them, no support at left of them, other than the Iowa 15th, while a Confederate battery and infantry in the timber at their front dealt destruction to the command."

The regiment suffered 131 casualties, killed and wounded. The monument is located at their battle position in Jones Field - look to the left at Tour stop #12. Photos taken 4/23/06 and 10/10/10.