Thomas H Lehew

Company G, 11th Iowa Infantry

Thomas H. Lehew 6 ( William F. Lehew 5, Thomas Lehew 4, John Lehew 3, Spencer Lehew 2, Peter Lehew 1)

Thomas H. Lehew was the son of William Fletcher Lehew and wife Mary (Roberts) Lehew. Birth records show that Thomas was born in the state of Ohio in 1843. In the census records of 1850, Thomas Lehew was listed as living in his parent’s house in Uniontown, Newton Twp, Muskingum County, Ohio. Sometime during the year of 1857 Thomas and his family moved from Ohio to Henry County, Iowa. On September 18, 1861, Thomas followed his father from Mt. Pleasant to Davenport, Iowa and enrolled in the 11^th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Pvt. Thomas Lehew’s military records show that on October 5, 1861, he was mustered into Company G. 11^th Iowa for three years. From October 5 through November 16, 1861, Thomas Lehew was equipped and drilled with Company G. at Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa. On November 16, 1861, the 11^th Iowa left Davenport on the steamer "Jennie Whipple" and was transported to St. Louis Missouri. While stationed in St. Louis, he and his company were quartered at the Benton Barracks from November 19, 1861 to December 9, 1861. On December 9, Thomas Lehew’s regiment left St. Louis and marched to Jefferson City, Missouri. Pvt. Lehew was present with his company during its campaign in Missouri during late 1861 and early 1862. In the spring of 1862, Company G. left Missouri and was transported to Pittsburg Landing. Shortly after the 11^th Iowa’s arrival, it was involved in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee. After the Battle of Shiloh, Pvt. Lehew along with his company participated in the advance and siege of Corinth, Mississippi. On May 30, 1862 the 11^th Iowa went into camp at Corinth Mississippi and proceeded to repair and strengthen the Confederate works.

On July 1, 1862, Pvt. Lehew’s military record shows him being assigned as a cook by Captain Samuel Mc Fairland. Pvt. Lehew was with his company on July 28, 1862 when the 11^th Iowa was ordered to Bolivar, Tennessee. From Bolivar, Tennessee the regiment was sent back to Corinth and arrived there just before the battle on the 3^rd and 4^th of October. The 11^th Iowa was encamped at that location from October 12 until November 2, 1862, when it left Corinth and marched to Grand Junction, Tenn. Pvt. Lehew did not accompany his regiment to Grand Junction, but was transported to the General Hospital in St. Louis Missouri, where he stayed until he rejoined his company on June 12, 1862. During his stay at the Jefferson Barracks, Pvt. Lehew worked as a nurse in the hospital from January 1, 1863 to February 18, 1863.

Upon returning to his unit in early June of 1862, Pvt. Lehew participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the 11^th Iowa made its encampment in that city. In the middle of August 1863, Pvt. Lehew’s company left Vicksburg and moved to Goodfich’s Landing. This movement was the start of the 11^th Iowa’s campaign into Louisiana. The 11^th Iowa returned to Vicksburg on September 3, 1863 and on December 31, 1863 Pvt. Lehew was mustered out of the 11^th Iowa. On January 1, 1864, Pvt. Lehew re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer. Pvt. Lehew and Lt. E. F. Cassell at Vicksburg, Mississippi signed these re-enlistment documents. Pvt. Lehew remained in Vicksburg until February of 1864 when his unit was involved in the Meridian Expedition. Early in March of 1864, Pvt. Lehew was granted a 30-day furlough. During this furlough, Thomas Lehew was married to Jane L. Courtney on April 14, 1864. The marriage ceremony was officiated by E.L. Brigg.

Military record show that Pvt. Lehew had returned to his company by the time it moved to Ackworth, Georgia on June 8, 1864. Pvt. Lehew participated in the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain and operations at Marietta, Georgia. After that, the 11^th Iowa moved on Atlanta, Georgia and Pvt. Lehew participated in the Battle and fall of Atlanta. During the period of August 15, 1864 to May of 1865, Pvt. Lehew was assigned as his companies cook.

Early in 1865, Pvt. Lehew’s company was sent from Atlanta, Georgia to Beaufort, S.C. From there the 11^th Iowa marched into North Carolina and then to Washington D.C. Pvt. Lehew was present with his company during this timeframe, but was on furlough in early June of 1865. The 11^th Iowa was transported from Washington D.C. to Louisville, KY and mustered out on July 15, 1865. Pvt. Lehew was still on furlough at the time his unit was mustered out.

Private Lehew returned to the Henry County, Iowa after the war and while living in Mt. Pleasant worked as a clerk in a grocery. During this timeframe, three daughters were born into the Lehew household. Etta May was born on August 14, 1867, Ina M. on February 13, 1870, and Clara Alma Lehew, on November 29, 1875. Sometime between the year 1880 and 1883, Thomas Lehew passed away. After her husband’s death, Jane moved from Mt. Pleasant to California. Her last known address was found on her request for an increase of her husbands military pension dated January 12, 1917. This request stated that she was living at 324 West 67^th Street in Los Angeles, California. Thomas Lehew’s wife, Jane (Courtney) Lehew died on September 26, 1939. Her place of burial is unknown.

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