4th Iowa Cavalry

Battle of Columbus Georgia

The last battle of the Civil War

Battle of Columbus GA. April 16, 1865.

A bloody battle said to have been unnecessary, if only people had known the war had ended at Appomatox Courthouse two weeks before. So this battle became known as the "Last Battle" of the Civil War.

Anyway, in the Roster of Iowa Volunteers (War of the Rebellion VOL IV
1st -9th Regts Cavalry [1910] ) lists:

Fourth Iowa Cavalry, Company "F"
Scott, William. (Veteran.) Age 22. Residence Oskaloosa, nativity Ohio.
Enlisted Oct. 17, 1861. Mustered Nov. 23, 1861. Re-enlisted and
re-mustered Dec. 12, 1863. Promoted Farrier Jan. 1, 1864. Mustered out Aug. 8, 1865,
Atlanta, Ga.

also shows his older brother, also in Company "F"...
Scott, Lewis N. Age 27. Residence Mahaska County, nativity Ohio. Enlisted Feb. 13, 1864. Mustered Feb. 25, 1864. Discharged for disability Dec. 22, 1864, Keokuk, Iowa.

In the book "The Story of A Cavalry Regiment", "The Career of The Fourth
Iowa Veteran Volunteers", "From Kansas to Georgia 1861 - 1865", by Wm
Forse Scott, Late Adjutant (Press of the Camp Pope Bookshop P.O. Box 2232 Iowa City, IA 52244)

On page 499, in describing a bitter battle for a bridge, he mentions the actions of Private William Scott of Company F. (short excerpt)......"For the possession of the battery at the east end
of the bridge there was a sharp contest. The officers and men in charge of it fought with determination. They had not been able to fire through the bridge as intended, because their own friends were in the way, but they tried manfully to save their guns. In the struggle here several of the Fouth were wounded and Sergeant Jones of L was killed -- the last man of the regiment
killed in action, as Lieutenant Heacock of F in the same battalion was the  first. Lieutenants Miller of Company L and Dillion of Company C were conspicuous in making this assault, and Private William Scott of Company F unhorsed the rebel commander.

The brave gunners were all killed, wounded, or compelled to yield, the bridge was saved, the victory for Columbus was complete. It was the last battle of the war, and the crowning blow was struck by the Fouth Iowa."

Contributed by:

Back to the 4th's Home Page

(Send this page to a Friend)     ( Roster Photo's )

If you have any additional information that you would like to add to this page or other pages and share with

visitors of on this web site, please contact