July 17, 1999

Dear Cathie:

In looking for information on George W. Bennett's service in the Civil War I came across the following information on the 16th Iowa Infantry. Its a good write up and I wanted to pass it on for your information and the future use of Christopher and Cody.

My mother's grandfather was John Berry who emigrated from Cloone Byrne, Galway, Ireland about 1851 and homesteaded on Lotts Creek (now Livermore), Humboult Co., Iowa. When in Ireland he married Ann Mulrooney on June 30, 1846. They had at least one son, Jack, who was born in Ireland in 1850 and emigrated with them. Daniel was born in 1853 in Iowa and my maternal grandfather, Andrew J. was born in 1855.

When the Civil War broke out Grandfather Berry wanted "to help Mr. Lincoln free the slaves" in spite of the fact he had left Ireland to avoid the bloodshed associated with the Irish struggle against the British in which he had some involvement, although we do not know what. At the age of 35 years, with three small sons (11 , 7 and 6) at home, he volunteered on Oct 9, 1861 and joined Company D, 16th Iowa Infantry. He must have been one of the first to join the regiment which was organized on Sept 17, 1861.

The regiment left Davenport on March 20, 1862 and was armed and equipped at St. Louis. On April 1, 1862 it was ordered, without training, to Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh) to join General Grant's Army. Rebel Gen. Johnson attacked Grant's forces which were split on both sides of the Tennessee River and surprised him early on April 6th. The 16th Iowa arrived during the morning of April 6th, after the battle began.

Sometime during this battle Grandfather was hit by a musket ball in the left breast between the 2d and 3d ribs (or 3d and 4th). The ball lodged near the left scapula and damaged the upper lung. In later years Grandfather would let his grandchildren place their fists in the depression in his chest left by the wound.

The regiment (roughly 450 men?) lost 18 killed, 103 wounded and 15 missing in action. The Union forces, strengthened by the arrival of reinforcements and supported by artillery on steamboats pushed back the Rebels who quit the field. General Grant recalled later that the field of battle was covered with so many dead one couldn't walk across it without stepping on the dead. Union losses were 13,000 killed, wounded and missing. Rebel losses were 11,000. This was more killed than in all America's wars to date.

Just how long Grandfather was hospitalized is not clear but the 16th was not heavily engaged until Sep 19th, one and one half miles south of Iuka, MS. Grandfather was in action that evening when the Rebels attacked the 16th in an effort to capture its artillery. At this time the regiment was about 350 men and lost 14 killed, 14 missing and 48 wounded. Grandfather was wounded in both legs by spent balls and when lying on the field of battle an artillery horse fell on his back, injuring his back and kidney.

On Nov 15, 1862 Grandfather was taken aboard the Hospital Ship D.A. January and transported to the House of Refuge Hospital at St. Louis, MO. He was discharged Jan 27, 1863 on the basis of one half disability. Although he was greatly troubled by his wounds, Grandfather lived to be 66 years old.

The 16th Iowa Infantry went on to fight in the battle for Vicksburg, then joined General Sherman at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, fought in the battle for Atlanta, the march to Savannah and from there marched to Goldsboro, NC, when the war ended.

I hope knowing more about the history of Grandfather's regiment and his involvement gives new meaning to the Archive documents Rick located in our genealogical research.

Your loving Dad