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23rd Iowa Infantry
George Barkers Story
Written at the age of 94 years
THE CIVIL WAR
I, George Barker, enlisted in Company F., at Clarinda, Iowa, August 9,
1862, Volunteer, 23rd regiment, which was organized at Des Moines 1/4
mile northeast of the capitol building.
We stayed and drilled until September 19, 1862 at which time we were
sworn in service for 3 years, unless sooner discharged. In less than a
hour we were on the road to Eydville and Keokuk, Iowa. In a few days we
left Keokuk to go to St. Louis, MO, where we stayed a few weeks before
being transferred to Iron Mts., MO. We were at Iron Mts. a few weeks and
then went to Patterson, MO. On January 9, 1863 we left Patterson for
various points in the Ozarks. We kept moving southward from point to
point until we reached West Plains, MO, where about 10 inches of snow
fell after we arrived. We lived in canvas tents, slept on leaves with 3
blankets over us and were cold for 10 days and nights.
After staying at West Plains about 3 weeks, we were ordered back, going
a westward route. Coming to a valley we camped and stayed several weeks
to be handy if needed in battle. Then moving back to Iron Mts. we
stayed there a month and then were ordered to go to St. Genevieve, north
on the Mississippi River. We were there a week and were ordered to New
Madrid, MO. We were in sight of Island #10 - Mississippi River, where
the rebels had been driven out the year before. After a few weeks we
were transferred to Millikens Bend, LA, 20 miles up the river from
Vicksburg. Here we stayed until April when we were ordered south, near
Grandville. We saw the bombardment of Grand Gulf. Trees could be seen
at a distance of 3 miles which the guns had cut off. A darky slave told
me that he and his master were side by side and his master was blown to
pieces, while he escaped injury.
April 30th we crossed the river at Bruinsburg, Mississippi, and began
to march eastward toward Port Gibson, in an all day and all night
march. We met the enemy 3 miles northeast of Port Gibson near a country
church. Next morning, May 1, 1863, the battle of Port Gibson
commenced. The battle raged until 4 p.m. when the firing ceased and the
Confederate Commander came out with the white flag of truce. They
wanted help from us to remove their wounded and dead. We lost 140 or
more. Killed and wounded -- 500 on both sides. May 2, we marched over
the battlefield where the dead lay thick. We were on the way to Port
Gibson for four days arriving there May 14th. The 15th we were ordered
to march back over the same ground.
The Champions Hill battle began the 16th. My company was held in
reserve, but we were in the center, ready for action. The right and
left wing fought hard. After the battle, we were ordered forward.
Coming out in the open, there was a beautiful 10
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BARKER CW
acre yard with a mansion on it. The ground was covered with wounded and
dead -- from the terrible battle. We marched on from there and came to
Edward Station on Big Black river. Next day we prepared to take
fortifications at Big Black bridge. We charged on May 17, 1863. We
took 3,000 prisoners -- with the loss of 163 from our regiment. Our
Commander Col. Wm. R. Kinsman, 23 regiment, was killed.
We started May 19 and marched the prisoners to Yazoo River, landing and
loading them on the ships and taking them to Memphis. When we unloaded
we returned to Youngs Point May 22, and stayed until June 6. We were
then ordered to go 20 miles up the river to Millikens Bend. We
remained on the boat overnight and at daybreak we heard the pickets
firing. Men were ordered off the boat to form lines quickly and meet
the army at the rifle pit. There the battle was fought just at sun up
June 7, 1863. We won the battle; seventy of the Confederates were
killed: 23 of my regiment and 18 colored men, were killed. A total of
111 killed on both sides. We stayed there a few days and then were
ordered to rear where we joined our brigade in the rifle pits at
Vicksburg. We stayed until July 4th when they surrendered at 10 a.m. I
was in the line of battle with my equipment on waiting with the 100,000
men on our side for the charge. All were waiting to see whether Gen.
Pemberton would accept the offer that Gen. Grant made him at 10 a.m.,
July 4th. All were ready to charge but at 10 a.m. the white flags went
up in every direction. The Confederates marched in front of the
fortifications, stacking their arms and equipment laying them on the
grass. This was the solemnist time I ever witnessed.
Now we were to rout the great armies that had congregated east of
Jackson. It took several days to drive these armies away. After that
we went back to Vicksburg on the southwest corner and stayed about a
month, then went south on the Mississippi River and landed at
Corrollton, on the east side of the Mississippi River. In September,
20,000 went under review to see the condition of Gen. Grants army. I
was furloughed for 30 days so went home and had 30 more days added
because I was unable to return. While furloughed -- my company was sent
to Tische, LA, in November 1863, to rout the enemy -- as they were
gathering to make trouble. Our armies dispersed.
They returned to Corrollton and from there were ordered to take ship
and go down the Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico to Brownsville,
Texas. Doing scouting work along the coast until they came to Matagorda
Island.
I got back with my company on April 3, 1864, and left April 27th,
landing at New Orleans where we stayed a few days before going up the
Mississippi River into the mouth of the Red River to Fort Duressa, LA.
Here we stayed a night or two and were fired on, so were told to go down
the river to help get soldiers across to help Gen. Banks. With ships
put side by side we crossed over. We had a battle the day we were
crossing and captured 300 soldiers. The battle was at Atchafalaya River
and lasted a half a day.
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BARKER CW
From there we marched down to (Morganza) Bend by the Mississippi
River. In July we went up the river to the mouth of the White River to
St. Charles, Arkansas, and stayed two nights and then back to (Morganza)
Bend where we remained a month. We then went up the White River to De
Valls Bluff and stayed until Jan. 5, 1865, when we made winter quarters
at Lone Oak. We left to go to Kemersville, LA, and stayed until Feb.
1865. We received orders to take shipping for Fort (Morganza) , and
were there until Mar. 10, 1865. Besieged day and night until their
surrender on April 8, 1865. We marched to Fort Blakely but they had
surrendered. We were on the banks of Tom Bigby river when we heard that
Lee had surrendered. We took sail for Mobile and I was sick one month
there in the hospital -- went in June 18, and out July 18, 1865.
From here I went to New Orleans then to Cairo, IL. At Cairo, took
inspection and received papers to go home. Took train from Cairo to
Davenport, IA. Received discharge, pay and stacked arms. I then came
the 30 miles to DesMoines by team where we hired a man to take us to
Corning.
Reference: Bismark Archives, Bismark, North Dakota
Killdeer Herald, Killdeer, North Dakota
(retyped: 5/22/1970 Betty Barker,
at home of Mrs. Lon Barker,
Dunn Center, ND)
(retyped 2nd time: 4/9/1995
by Erik Tesluk, great-great-great grandson of George Barker)
Eleanor J. (Hedger) Frettem went with her grandparents to visit her
great-grandfather, George Barker, when Eleanor was in 1st grade. She
thinks it was in the spring, which would have made it 1936. If this is
the case, George Barker was 95 years old when she visited him. She
remembers him sitting down with a long flowing, soft white beard. He
was living in the home of one of his daughters who was taking care of
him.
It has been said that when George Barker returned home after serving in
the Civil War, he couldnt harness the horses because he was physically
worn out and also due to poor nutrition while in the service. He served
as a Corporal in the 23rd Iowa Infantry and was one of a quorum of
witnesses at a Court Martial during the Civil War (we are trying to find
out what court martial).
GEORGE BARKER - born January 18, 1841, Perry County, OH; died December
29, 1937, Golden Valley, ND.
GEORGE BARKERS OBITUARY
George Barker was born in Perry County, Ohio, January 18, 1841. He was
the eldest child and son of Richard and Elizabeth Barker. He had 4
brothers and 3 sisters, all preceding him in death.
George Barker was born and reared on a farm, receiving his education in
the common schools of his country. He had the distinction of spelling
down, as it was commonly called in those days, every school in Adams
Co., Iowa.
He left his native state of Ohio, April 17, 1860, with his parents, as
they immigrated to their new home in Adams Co., Iowa. They came by
team, their wagons being loaded with common farm and household helps.
They crossed the Mississippi River on May 12, and on the 21st , of the
same month, arrived at Quincy, Iowa, the County Seat of Adams County.
As they passed by the village school yard in Quincy, Iowa, his future
bride-to-be was one of the cherry pupils playing at school,
recess-time. She oftimes in life remarked her noticing the mover-wagons
going by the school grounds and one of the teamsters was her husband,
the subject of this sketch.
During the Civil War he enlisted from Adams County, August 9, 1862, in
the Twenty-Third Iowa Infantry, serving his country faithfully for a
period of 3 years 1 day. He was a member of Capt. Georges Co. and was
in many important engagements, some of which were decisive battles. He
served his company at the rank of Corporal and was one of a quorum of
witnesses at a certain Court Martial during the war. He was always kind
to his opponents during the war. In a few instances giving the opposing
suffer a drink from his canteen.
During his engagement as a U.S. soldier he never forgot to pray to his
God each night for his protection and the eventual preservation of the
Union. He was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Texas, July 27, 1865,
returning to Iowa and was paid off at Davenport. He was a member of
LLewellyn Post G.A.R. Corning, Iowa.
George Barker and Mary Millisa Bean were united in marriage June 23,
1866, at Quincy, Iowa. His wife also was born in Carroll Co., Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Barker had the distinction of celebrating their Golden
Wedding at their recent farm home near Golden Valley, North Dakota on
June 24, 1916. His wife proceeded him in death passing away February
19, 1931. Had she lived until June 24, 1931, this couple would have
lived together 65 years.
George Barker, with his energetic wife went to work, after marriage,
and after he had served his country in the war, on wild land two miles
north of Brooks, Iowa to make a comfortable home. They lived there 9
years. Then moving 5 miles northwest of Brooks, improved another farm,
which was their home until moving to their present
-1-
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BARKER OBIT.
home in March, 1909. Mr. & Mrs. Barker were happy parents of nine
children. Four of whom have preceded him in death. Namely: 1) Mary
Elizabeth Hedger, 2) John
Albert, 3) George Fredrich, and 4) James Richard. Those living
are: 5) Mrs. Ella Van Deventer, 6) Frank Augustus, 7) Charles
Alonzo, 8) Benjamin Mullford, and 9) Joseph William.
Mr. and Mrs. Barker at all times commanded the respect due to parents
by their children, walking and working side by side with the parents,
trying to attain something of worth while in this life.
George Barker was converted to the Christian religion at a very early
age. At one time before leaving Ohio, he led, (what was called by the
M.E. Church), the Church of his father, a boys prayer meeting. This
was inspiring to the surrounding neighborhood and many gathered to hear
the young boys go forth with the gospel meeting. After moving to Iowa,
he joined the United Brethern Church, also receiving a blessing of the
Holy Spirit in 1888. After due examinations by the board of clergymen
he was granted a license as a local minister. He went in quite a few
local communities in Adams County, Iowa, as an Evangelist, doing much
good as he held up the higher standard of Christianity.
After moving to North Dakota in 1909, he and his good wife and faithful
neighbors established a preaching point and Sunday school 10 miles north
of Golden Valley, North Dakota.
From this movement sprang several missionary organizations, one of
which he became a member, this particular organization is called The
Church of God. The date of his joining being June 19, 1919. While he
didnt at his advanced age take a license with his new church, yet his
stern Christian character, his good advice to its Evangelist, Deacons,
and Pastors have gained for him by its adherents the name of a modern
Seer. Grandpa Barker, as he is commonly and lovingly know, had reached
the advanced age of 96 years, 11 months, and 11 days. By his old age is
shown the true mercies of God, as he was given up to die at the young
age of 26 years. He leaves to mourn his departure, 5 children, 40
grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, a large number of nieces and
nephews, many other relatives, and a warm host of friends and neighbors.
Grandpa Barker spade from his death bed that all was clear from earth
to glory. His witness was there, he was fully prepared to go.
DESCENDENT LINE FROM JOHN BARKER & MARY CHAMBERLAIN
John BARKER m. Mary CHAMBERLAIN
Richard BARKER b. 10-15-1818 New Lexington, Perry Co., OH
d. Allendale, Worth Co., MO
m. 2-27-1840 Perry Co., OH, Elizabeth STRAIT b. 9-9-1820 New Cumberland,
Cumberland Co., PA. They lived in Adams Co., IA 1858.
George BARKER b. 1-18-1841 Perry Co., OH
d. 12-29-1937 Golden Valley, ND
m. 6-24-1866 Quincy, Adams Co., IA Mary Malissa BEAN b. 1-15-1851
Carroll Co., OH. d. 2-19-1931 Golden Valley, ND
George and Mary Malissa moved from Iowa March 1909 to Golden Valley, ND in a covered wagon.
Mary Elizabeth BARKER b. 12-2-1868 Adams Co., IA
d. 12-1-1926 Rabbit Creek, SD, buried Golden Valley, ND
m. Ralph Alonzo HEDGER b. 7-14-1872 Hampshire, IL
d. 12-19-1955 Dunlap, TN. Ralph was a farmer, Mary Elizabeth
was a school teacher.
Harold Enoch HEDGER b. 10-20-1907 Adams Co., IA
d. 10-10-1994 Santa Fe, NM
m. 11-27-1929 Hettinger, ND - Rebecca NANTT
b. 2-7-1910 Antelope, ND d. 6-3-1987 Santa Fe, NM
Eleanor June HEDGER b. 9-11-1930 Bison, SD
m. 6-4-1950 Lemmon, SD
Gordon FRETTEM b. 7-6-1928 Faribault, MN
Barbara Jean FRETTEM b. 10-13-1952
Belle Fourche, SD. m. 7-17-1980 Greeley, CO
Nicholas George TESLUK b. 10-27-1948 Chicago, Cook Co., IL
Erik Nicholas TESLUK b. 3-26-1982 Greeley, Weld Co., CO
Kristen Genette TESLUK b. 5-12-1985 Greeley, Weld Co., CO
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