WAR RECORDS. The Adjutant General's Department, being the natural custodian of all official records, reports and files pertaining to the services of Iowa Volunteers in the Civil War and Spanish-American War, as well as those of the State Militia during the years of the Civil War, is constantly in receipt of requests from ex-soldiers, their widows or sons and daughters for certificates of military service or data in connection with such service, to enable them to prosecute claims for pension, homestead and additional homestead, or to procure admission to Soldiers' Homes or Grand Army Posts. The State has wisely provided a Record Clerk in this Department, which position is now held by Thos. L. Stephens, a veteran of the Civil War, who has performed his duties to the entire satisfaction of this department, and who has charge of all these old, sacred records and archives, and to whom is turned over these inquiries and requests of the veterans and their friends, together with all requests coming from societies, associations, officials and individuals for data of an historic character in connection with the services of Iowa Volunteers and militia men. It is the policy of this office to give careful attention to every such inquiry, to make painstaking search through records and files for the information requested, and to furnish such information to those requesting it as completely and promptly as possible. Forty years have past since the close of the Civil War, in which Iowa baptized with the blood of her noble sons and sealed forever the State's loyalty to the Union. There is not a man or woman in the great State of Iowa, but feels a just pride in her soldier boys of the Civil War and with open arms would do them honor. That the record of these brave men has not been compiled for present reference and future history, is a mistake, which the State should hasten to rectify. I therefore recommend that a commission be created by Act of Legislature to compile and publish a complete roster of the Iowa Volunteers in the Civil War, and all other Wars in which Iowa took part, said roster to include the individual service record of each officer and soldier, giving name, rank, residence, when enlisted, service rendered, re-enlistment, promotions, final discharge. and present postoffice address when obtainable. A roster of this kind is needed to meet the constant inquiries made at the Adjutant General's Office pertaining to soldiers' records but aside from this, the State owes it to herself, that the services of her soldiers, so loyally rendered, be preserved for future generations. Iowa is one of the few States who have not compiled rosters similar to the one above suggested. ARMS AND EQUIPMENTS. Under my administration additional arms and equipments have been issued the Guard as follows: Two hundred and forty-five (245) U. S. Magazine Rifles with bayonets and equipments, increasing the armed force from 40 to 45 to a company, making total armed 2205. The First Signal Company has been issued the U. S. Magazine Carbine, with additional equipments for its special line of service. Two thousand five hundred and seventy-eight shelter tent halves with poles, pins and blanket straps have been issued in place of the old antiquated blanket bags. UNIFORMS. Recent issues of uniforms are as follows: Olive drab shirts, 2,500. Dress caps (blue), 2,630. Blue blouses to fill out old issue, 300. Canvas leggins, 2,630. Campaign hats, 1,500. We have the promise of the Quartermaster General of the Army that the Iowa National Guard shall be issued the new regulation blue dress coats in time for use at our annual encampments for 1906. The system of keeping records and other methods used in the conduct of the Adjutant General's Office, I have changed somewhat to more modern methods. We are now inaugurating the card index system, which is believed will be a decided improvement over the old system. This change will necessitate much extra work, and can only be accomplished with present office force by working overtime. I am indebted to Major J. A. Olmsted, U. S. Army (retired), on duty with the Iowa National Guard for assistance rendered, able counsel and advise. I have been ably assisted by Major Guy E. Logan, Assistant Adjutant General in the administration of this office, together with the efficient office force under me. In conclusion, Governor, I am under very great obligations to you personally, for wise counsel and valuable advice. Your earnest desire for the welfare of the Guard has been an inspiration to me. Your obedient servant, W. H. THRIFT, List of Adjutant Generals of Iowa. Roster of Officers of Iowa National Guard. Summary of Disbursements of National Guard Fund. Statement of Permanent Camp Ground Fund. Report of Inspector General, Iowa National Guard. List of Regimental Flags in Custody of Adjutant General. List of Officers Commissioned and Re-Commissioned. List of Officers lost from service by expiration of commission and resignation. Table showing gain of enlisted men. Table showing loss of enlisted mep. Return of Ordnance and Quartermaster stores. ADJUTANT GENERALS OF IOWA. Daniel S. Lee, Lee county, appointed April 3, 1851. George W. McCleary, Louisa county, appointed May 16, 1855. Elijah Sells, Muscatine county, appointed January 15, 1857. Jesse Bowen, Johnson county, appointed January 18, 1858. Nathaniel B. Baker, Clinton county, appointed July 25, 1861, and served until September 13, 1876, date of death. John H. Looby, Clarke county, appointed Oct. 1, 1876. Noble Warwick, Lee county, appointed June 27, 1878. William L. Alexander, Lucas county, appointed September 1, 1878, resigned October 9, 1889, to accept commission in United States army. Byron A. Beeson, Marshall county, appointed October 9, 1889, resigned May 1, 1890. George Greene, Linn county, appointed May 1, 1890. John R. Prime, Polk county, appointed February 1, 1894. Henry H. Wright, Appanoose county, appointed February 1, 1896. |