Graybeards

[major bill]

Iowa's 37th Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, Iowa's Graybeats, we're not exactly a normal three year Union regiment. As the name implies this regiment had the oldest average age of any Union regiment.

George Washington Kincaid partitioned Governor Kirkwood to raise an entire regiment of men too old to serve in the Army. Recruits were to be at least 45 years old.

Many areas had Home Guard units made up of older men, but the 37th Iowa had to be one of the only three year Union regiments in Federal service made up of older men.

It was recognized that men over 45 years old were past the age of men who could serve on active campaigns, but weree men that old to old for garrison or security duty? The record of the 37th Iowa showed that men this age could do this kind of service.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

"VIRTUAL CEMETERY CREATED BY K L BONNETT

37th Iowa Infantry
The 37th Iowa Infantry has a unique place in history. It was the only regiment of its kind ever recruited in the United States. It mustered near Muscatine, Iowa. It was made up of men over the enlistment age which at that time was 45. Some were as old as 80 years. Its nickname was "The Greybeard Regiment". Its purpose was to guard prisons and arsenals in order to free young men for active combat duty. Even though it was not supposed to be under combat conditions, the regiment did see active service. On Aug 31 1864 the notorious Confederate troops of Forrest launched a surprise attack on the city of Memphis. The 8th Iowa who had provost duty at Memphis required the help of the Greybeards in repulsing this strong attack. In addition the Greybeards were exposed"

37th Iowa Infantry: a Virtual Cemetery - Find a Grave

The 37th Iowa Infantry has a unique place in history. It was the only regiment of its kind ever recruited in the United States. It mustered near Muscatine, Iowa. It was made up of men over the...

www.findagrave.com

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Field and Staff of the 37th Iowa Volunteer Infantry

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

The Graybeards

Originally aired on August 14, 1998 - In part 207 of our Civil War series, Virginia Tech history professor James Robertson tells us that the 37th Iowa…

www.wvtf.org

 

[Library Lady]

As mentioned, one of the duties of the 37th Iowa was to guard prisons. A prison they guarded was Rock Island. You might like to take a look through the book Rebels at Rock Island: The Story of a Civil War Prison by Benton McAdams to see just how well - or not - that worked out. As I recall, they were quite a handful for the commandant, but I suppose there might be some entertainment value in their escapades.

REBELS AT ROCK ISLAND | Kirkus Reviews

A Civil War scholar sets the record straight on a POW camp in Illinois.

www.kirkusreviews.com

 

[Rhea Cole]

As mentioned, one of the duties of the 37th Iowa was to guard prisons. A prison they guarded was Rock Island. You might like to take a look through the book Rebels at Rock Island: The Story of a Civil War Prison by Benton McAdams to see just how well - or not - that worked out. As I recall, they were quite a handful for the commandant, but I suppose there might be some entertainment value in their escapades.

REBELS AT ROCK ISLAND | Kirkus Reviews

A Civil War scholar sets the record straight on a POW camp in Illinois.

www.kirkusreviews.com

Indeed, the report of the outraged commander is a jewel. The graybeards behaved exactly like the geezers they were. Years ago, members of the 37th re-enacting regiment visited Stones River. They had a good time basically just being themselves.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Indeed, the report of the outraged commander is a jewel. The graybeards behaved exactly like the geezers they were. Years ago, members of the 37th re-enacting regiment visited Stones River. They had a good time basically just being themselves.

The book "Iowa Valor" is a good source of original documents from members of the 37th Iowa. They are interesting because these were mature men, not callow youths leaving home for the first time. They had sons in the ranks & daughters waiting for husbands.

"Iowa Valor' is entirely made up of original sources. For that reason alone it is worth a look. The Hawkeyes fought a war that could hardly have been more different from the Gettysburg-centric war envisioned by our Eastern Theater friends.

Much of their war was confined to the Mississippi Valley. In the West, fighting banditti in Kansas or a vicious interdiction that destroyed the winter stores of Lakota at what is now White Stone State Park ND are vividly written.

I would suppose that "Iowa Valor" is a book that will be hard to find, but well worth it.

 

[Library Lady]

@Rhea Cole , is the Iowa Valor you are talking about by Steve Meyer? If so, it can be found here. There are a number of choices. Prices vary as do conditions.

AddALL used book and out of print book finder

One-click to search and compare book price among thousands of booksellers by using AddALL.com

www.addall.com

 

[Rhea Cole]

@Rhea Cole , is the Iowa Valor you are talking about by Steve Meyer? If so, it can be found here. There are a number of choices. Prices vary as do conditions.

AddALL used book and out of print book finder

One-click to search and compare book price among thousands of booksellers by using AddALL.com

www.addall.com

Yes, indeed, I should have included the author. Especially seeing as how my copy is literally at my elbow!