|
8th Iowa Cavalry
LIEUTENANT JAMES HORTON was born Muscatine, IA 1842. James died July 29, 1864 Lovejoy Station, GA, at 22 years of age. His body was interred Muscatine, IA, Greenwood Cemetery. James served in the military 1861 - 1864. He enlisted Sept. 3, 1861 at the age of 18 in Company C, 2nd PA Cavalry when there were no openings in the 2nd Iowa. Later he became 1st Lieutenant of Company K, 8th Iowa Cavalry. He was acting Regimental Adjutant during the Atlanta campaign until his death at the battle at Lovejoy Station, GA in 1864.
"When the big monument on the Iowa Statehouse grounds was designed, L. James L. Horton of Muscatine was chosen to represent the Iowa Cavalrymen who fought in the Civil War.
When the news of Bull Run, first battle of the Civil War, spread westward many young Iowans, hot for battle, began drilling. Among them was James Horton, a 19 year old youth from Muscatine, working in the S.B. Ayers mercantile firm in Ft. Dodge. - - - - - -.
On September 21, a company was organized on the courthouse lawn in Ft. Dodge. The company traveled by stage to Cedar Falls, by railroad to Dubuque, where the men were mustered into service Sept. 30, 1861. This company became a part of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Horton later gained a commission with the 8th Iowa Cavalry. . . . .
Though only 19, one of the few fragmentary references to young Horton records, he 'seemed older because of his noble bearing and manly character'.
At the end of July, 1864, he was in Georgia taking part in a series of hit and-run guerrilla type actions. A report on a raid which began July 27 stated that Horton's brigade moved along the Chattahoochee River, capturing mail, destroying telegraph wire, burning depots, seizing large quantities of salt and flour.
At daylight on July 29, the men moved in the direction of Lovejoy Station on the Macon & Atlanta Railroad, advanced to the station with the mission of destroying $300,000 worth of cotton, $100,000 worth of tobacco. 'They did this most effectively, besides destroying the track for more than one mile', the report stated.
'We had moved but one mile when (we were) attacked on the right flank by a rebel brigade, which after fighting three hours was handsomely repulsed.' But one 'gallant young officer fell at the head of his column'.
A handbook on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument picks up the story: 'On detail as a regimental adjutant during the Atlanta Campaign, (Horton) was killed at the battle of Lovejoy Station while leading a saber charge. . . . . A few hours before, it had been discovered that the commanding officer was not on the field. Brave young Horton, a mere boy, was chosen to this honor by his comrades. He accepted the mission, rallied his men and with great gallantry led on to danger and to death . . . .'
At war's end, Lt. Col. Charles Horton brought his brothers body back to Muscatine. But a cruel doubt arose: Was the body that of Lt. Horton? Why was a sargeant's coat in the coffin? A dental examination reassured the Horton family, but it was many years later that the last doubt was put to rest: Brockway recalls hearing his grandfather, Charles Horton, tell how, at the Old Soldier's Home in Marshalltown, he reminisced one day with a veteran who had been in James Horton's company, told him of the unexplained attire on his brother's body. 'I can clear that up' the veteran replied. 'The attack was so sudden, we all leaped up, grabbed what coats were nearest at hand. I, a sargeant, later realized I was wearing a lieutenant's coat. Your brother had grabbed mine.'
On Memorial Day 1968, hear his story, extend to him for another fragment of time the immortality he and all the brave who die too young deserve." (1968 article from the Des Moines Register).
"The Eighth saw little front line war until the spring of 1864, when it started for Atlanta with Sherman. Earlier on guard duty in Tennessee, it scouted, reconnoitered, and guarded railroads in a district swarming with guerillas. May 1, 1864, the Eighth joined the brigade led by Col. Door under McCook. For a hundred days the regiment was continuously at the front. Every day saw it's battle; every night had it's alarm. Heroic incidents were commonplace. July 27 came McCook's luckless raid on the Macon railroad. The objective was reached and destroyed. Returning, General McCook to his consternation discovered a large body of the enemy across his way. In the face of a merciless fire, Col. Door charged. All that night the Eighth struggled to reach it's lines. The next day another rebel force, 8,000 strong, stood in it's way. Assigning the Eighth as rear guard, McCook sought escape. The inevitable happened. The regiment was captured. Only a few escaped to tell of the desperate struggle." ("The Undying Procession:Iowa in the Civil War").
Contributed by descendant
8th Iowa Cavalry Home Page
|
Iowa In the Civil War
