William HARMON ²

  General Notes:

PHOTO: submitted by Don & Wilma Harmon

BIRTH: Wilma Longshore Harmon lists his birth location as Crawford Co, IN.

CLARK CO, MO MARRIAGE RECORD: "This is to certify that on the 5th day of July 1861, I solemnized the right of matrimony between William Harmon and Sarah "Wickum", under my hand this the 14th day of February, 1852. Filed Feb 17, 1852 W. Curd Rec'r."

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS:
Name: William Harmon
Residence: Keokuk, Iowa
Enlistment Date: 01 March 1862
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Union
State Served: Iowa
Unit Numbers: 230 230
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 01 March 1862 at the age of 27
Enlisted in Company E, 7th Infantry Regiment Iowa on 01 March 1862.
Mustered out Company E, 7th Infantry Regiment Iowa on 06 March 1865
(His brother-in-law, Jacob A. Wickham, also served in Comp. E, 7th IA)

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR REGIMENTS
REGIMENT: 7th Infantry Regiment Iowa
Date of Organization: 24 Jul 1861
Muster Date: 12 Jul 1865
Regiment State: Iowa
Regiment Type: Infantry
Regiment Number: 7th
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 7
Officers Died of Disease or Accident: 4
Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded: 134
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 160
Regimental Soldiers and History: List of Soldiers

Regimental History
Seventh Infantry IOWA (3 years)

Seventh Infantry. Cols., Jacob G. Lauman, Elliott W. Rice Lieut.-Cols., Augustus Wentz, James C. Parrott; Majs., Elliott W. Rice, James W. MeMullin, Samuel Mahon.

This regiment was organized in June and July 1861. Most of the companies were mustered in July 23, the remainder on Aug. 2. On Aug. 6 the regiment moved to St. Louis and went into Jefferson barracks. Being armed in a few days it proceeded to Pilot Knob, thence to Ironton to take part in the movement against the forces in Missouri. From this point it moved via Jackson to Cape Girardeau, where it embarked for Cairo, IL. After remaining at Fort Holt a short time it moved to Mayfield Creek, near Columbus Ky., where it was joined by Lieut.-Col. Wentz. It next proceeded to Fort Jefferson, near Norfolk, Mo., thence to Bird's Point and to Norfolk.

It accompanied the troops to Belmont, where it took part in an engagement with the enemy occupying that place, the conduct of the 7th being admirable and winning the praise of Gen. Grant in the work of cutting a way through the enemy's lines after the command was shut off from the river, and losing in the affair 227 in killed, wounded and missing, Col. Lauman being severely wounded, Lieut.-Col. Wentz killed, and Maj. Rice receiving a bullet in the leg.

The regiment passed two months at Benton barracks, Capt. Parrott of Co. E being promoted to lieutenant-colonel. From St. Louis the regiment started for the south on Jan. 13. Twenty miles down the steamer was frozen up in the middle ofthe river, and after waiting two days for ice to break the regiment went ashore and moved back to St. Louis.

Moving by rail to Cairo, it proceeded to Smithland, Ky., thence to Fort Henry, joined the movement on Fort Donelson, took part in the siege and assault of that place and remained until March, when it proceeded to Pittsburg landing and was in the battle of Shiloh. It fought gallantly in the "Iowa Brigade" commanded by Col. J. M. Tuttle, which repulsed four charges and held its position for 6 hours, but was compelled to fall back under a murderous fire. On the second day it charged and captured a battery. Col. Lauman was promoted to the command of a brigade and Maj. Rice was made colonel, being succeeded by Capt. James W. McMullin of Co. C as major.

On April 27 the regiment joined in the movement on Corinth and on its evacuation took part in the pursuit as far as Booneville. It then went into camp at Corinth until the last of September; having been in reserve at the battle of: Iuka. At Corinth it was actively engaged in October, losing nearly one third of its numbers engaged. After a short period at Rienzi and Kossuth, it went into camp at Bone Yard, where it remained for a month, when it returned to Corinth for the winter.

The summer of 1863 was passed in the work of scouting, foraging and train guard service at Bethel, Tenn., and Corinth, and most of the summer and fall at Moscow and Lagrange. The regiment went into winter quarters at Pulaski in November.

Three-fourths of the men reenlisted in December and were given furlough on Jan. 20, Leaving Keokuk on Feb. 27, with 200 recruits, the regiment returned to Pulaski, but almost immediately moved to Prospect, Ala., and joined the army in the Atlanta campaign April 27. It was heavily engaged at the Oostanaula river where it was sent forward with an Indiana regiment to discover the enemy's left flank. The two regiments found the enemy in position and charged his flank so fiercely that he was driven from the field in confusion, the 7th losing 7 killed and 50 wounded while the enemy lost 36 killed and about 250 wounded.

The 7th took part in nearly every engagement in the march upon Atlanta, after which it went into camp at Rome until the forward movement for Savannah was begun. From Savannah the regiment made the wearisome march through the Carolinas, reaching Goldsboro March 24, 1865. From Raleigh it marched thence to Richmond and Washington, participated in the grand review, then went to Louisville, where it was mustered out soon afterward. Its original strength was 902; gain by recruits, 236, total 1,138. Col. Rice was made a brigadier-general, and James C. Parrott, who had been made lieutenant-colonel, commanded the regiment during the latter part of the war.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 4

Shiloh after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. James C. Parrott, Seventh Iowa Infantry.

HDQRS. SEVENTH REGT. IOWA INFANTRY, Army
in the Field, Pittsburg, Tenn., April 10, 1862.
SIR: In compliance with your order, dated April 8, 1862, I have the honor herewith to make a report of the part taken by the Seventh regiment Iowa Infantry in the of Pittsburg, Tenn., on April 6, 7, and 8.

On the morning of the 6th, at 8 o'clock, I received your order to hold the regiment in readiness for a forward movement, the rebels having attacked our outposts. The regiment was formed immediately, and at about 9 a. m. it was ordered to move forward, and it took position on the left of the Second Iowa Infantry. It then moved forward by the flank until within a short distance of the advancing rebels, where it was thrown into line of battle, being in heavy timber, when it advanced to the edge of a field, from which position we got a view of a portion of the rebel forces. I ordered my men to lie down and hold themselves inreadiness to resist any attack, which they did, and remained in that position until ordered to fall back at about 5 p. m., holding the rebels in check and retaining every inch of ground it had gained in the morning, being all the time under a galling fire of canister, grape, and shell, which did considerable execution in our ranks, killing several of
my men and wounding others.

The regiment, when ordered, fell back in good order and passed through a most galling flank fire from the enemy. When it gained cover of the timber it rallied in good style and helped to hold the enemy in check for some time, when it was again ordered to fall back upon the main river road, and there it bivouacked for the night, exposed to a heavy rain of several hours' duration.

On Monday morning, the 7th, I was so completely stiffened by fatigue and exposure that it was impossible for me to advance with the regiment, but I knew it was placed in good hands when I turned the command over to Maj. Rice, who led them on that day to the enemy's stronghold, and from him I was proud to learn it did its duty unflinchingly not only against the rebels, but in keeping many of our troops from falling back and leaving the field in disorder.

At night the regiment returned to camp, and for the first time in two days had warm food and a good night's rest. On Tuesday morning, the 8th, I again moved the regiment forward about 2 miles and remained in line all day, not getting in sight or hearing of the enemy. At night it returned to camp in good order.

In conclusion, I am proud to say that the officers and men the Seventh Iowa Volunteers, with a few exceptions, did their duty nobly, and sustained the proud position won for it on former occasions, of which our State may feel proud. The delinquents, although few, will be strictly dealt with according to the Articles of War.

Our casualties are as follows: One Lieut. and 10 privates killed; 17 privates wounded and 6 privates and 6 privates missing; making an aggregate of 34 killed, wounded, and missing.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. PARROTT,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Seventh Iowa Infantry.
Col. J. M. TUTTLE,
Cmdg. First Brigade, Second Division.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

Battles Fought by 7th IA Infantry:
Fought on 7 Nov 1861 at Belmont, MO.
Fought on 10 Nov 1861.
Fought on 15 Feb 1862 at Fort Donelson, TN.
Fought on 6 Apr 1862 at Shiloh, TN.
Fought on 26 Sep 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 3 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 4 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 5 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 11 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 26 Oct 1862.
Fought on 30 Jul 1863 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Oostanula River, GA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Lay's Ferry, GA.
Fought on 17 May 1864 at Dallas, GA.
Fought on 22 May 1864 at Oostanula River, GA.
Fought on 27 May 1864 at Dallas, GA.
Fought on 28 May 1864 at Dallas, GA.
Fought on 19 Jun 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 19 Jun 1864 at Between Dalton And Big Shanty, GA.
Fought on 30 Jun 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 1 Jul 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Marietta, GA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 4 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 10 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 11 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 12 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 15 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 30 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 5 Sep 1864.
Fought on 5 Oct 1864 at Altoona, GA.
Fought on 5 Oct 1864 at Allatoona, GA.
Fought on 25 Nov 1864.
Fought on 1 Dec 1864.
Fought on 21 Feb 1865.
Fought on 8 Mar 1865 at Kingston, NC.
Fought on 21 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.

LEE CO, IA HISTORICAL REVIEW, p. 348-349:
WILLIAM HARMON - William Harmon was b. in Harrison Co, IN, May 15, 1830. In 1841 his father John Harmon brought his family West to Keokuk, IA where he took up land on the half-breed track. Indians still occupied the vicinity and the settlement consisted of one frame house and 3 log houses.
When William Harmon came to Keokuk, Lee Co. was a wilderness. For the first year he lived in a primitive "shanty", having the bare earth for a floor. The family cleared away the forest from a tract of land and for a while did some farming. In 1845 they removed to what is called Prouty's Mound on the banks of the Des Moines River , where for 4 yrs they conducted a ferry. The territorial government required no license for ferrymen, but on the formation of a state government, the ferry job was given to a politician.
July 30, 1851, Mr. Harmon was united in marriage to Miss Sarah R. Wickham, daughter of Slattriel Wickham, She was born near Zanesville, OH, March 7, 1832. They are the parents of the following sons and daughters: Mary Ellen, b. April 22, 1852, d. Jan. 22, 1854; Stacey Drusella, b. Jan. 31, 1854, d. mar. 16, 1854; Nancy Ann, b. Sep. 6, 1855, died April 9, 1886; John William, b. Sep. 23, 1857, and Charles b. Mar. 9, 1861. Both sons live in Keokuk, occupying homes in the immediate vicinity of the father's residence at 1820 Oak St.
With his father and brother-in-law Mr. Harmon early purchased a 90 acre tract of land on the Des Moines river in order to secure the timber, and later it was cleared and cultivated. He sold his share in 1855.
On Mar 1, 1862, leaving a wife and 3 small children, Mr. Harmon enlisted in Comp. E., 7th IA Volunteer Infantry under Captain (afterwards Colonel) Parrott, and went into camp at Camp Lincoln, Pittsburg Landing. Thence proceeding to Corinth, he arrived there 3 days after the battle, and at this place he first saw active service. His health failed, and for 3 wks he was in Monterey Field Hospital, and later in Quincy Hospital. On recovery from his illness he was placed upon detached service, in which he continued for about 18 mo, first coming to Keokuk to join a body of 100 men detailed to guard the city. For a time he was acting sergeant, and frequent took out squads of soldiers at night to guard the fords of the Des Moines river, as Keokuk was menaced by Rebel guerrillas and Southern sympathizers. This services ended, he rejoined the active forces in the field, and followed General Sherman in his famous march to the sea. He was honorably discharged Mar 6, 1865 at Goodwin's Mill, SC, but continued with the army for a period of 25 days thereafter. Although gifted with a fine physical constitution, Mr. Harmon still suffers from the hardships of his army experience.
Mr. Harmon owns a pleasant home in town and 70-80 acres of island land in the Des Moines river - land formerly owned by his father. He has retired from active pursuits. Although self-educated, never having received any schooling, he give much time to reading and is thoroughly informed on current topics and events. In his religious connection he is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, as is also Mrs. Harmon, and has been an active worker in the church since ante-bellum days. He is a member of Belknap Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he has always been a Republican. William Harmon has many friends in Keokuk, and no man is more respected for his earnest Christian character and his unwavering fidelity to the right as he sees it.
Mr. Harmon died suddenly while in his fields gathering corn, on Friday afternoon, Nov. 11, 1904. At the time of his death, he was one of Keokuk's oldest resident in point of continuous residence.
(Note: portions of article were obmitted )

The HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
Chicago: WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY. 1879 BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY
KEOKUK CITY. (P.O. KEOKUK)
Harmon, Leroy, teamster.
Harmon, William, teamster.

FIND A GRAVE:
Name: William Harmon
Birth Date: 15 May 1830
Birth Place: Indiana, United States of America
Death Date: 11 Nov 1904
Death Place: Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa, United States of America
Cemetery: Oakland Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place: Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa, United States of America
Has Bio?: Y
Father: John Harmon
Spouse: Sarah R Harmon
Children:
John William Harmon
Anna Hamilton

William married Sarah Rebecca WICKHAM, daughter of Salathiel A. WICKHAM and Drusilla (---), on 4 Jul 1851 in Kahoka, Clark Co, MO.¹ (Sarah Rebecca WICKHAM was born on 7 Mar 1832 in Zanesville, Muskingum Co., OH,^{4 5} died on 24 Jul 1914 in Keokuk, Lee Co, IA ^{4 5} and was buried in Oakland Cem, Keokuk, Lee Co, IA ⁴.)