In June of 1903, Clermont, Iowa hosted a Grand Reunion of the Civil War's Twelfth Iowa Volunteers Infantry Regiment.
Organized in November of 1861, the regiment served through 1865. One source lists 4 officers and 76 enlisted men killed in battle with another 8 officers and 260 enlisted men dying from disease, accidents, in prison, etc. The unit fought at Tupelo and Vicksburg, Mississippi as well as at Shiloh. (Click here for a brief history of Iowa's military participation in the Civil War.)
At Shiloh, the Iowa Brigade was composed of the 2nd, 7th, 12th, and 14th Regiments under the command of then Colonel Tuttle. At Vicksburg, an Iowa Brigade (the 8th, 12th, and 35th) fought under command of General Matties.
Somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 people attended the gala event. Among the attendees were Governor William Larrabee, Speaker of the US House of Representatives David Henderson (More Info) , US Senator JP Dolliver (More Info), sculptor George Bissell (More Info), and others. Several heroes from the 12th Iowa were also there: Philo Woods, Phineas Ketchum, George Comstock, and Harry Grannis.
Additionally, during the occasion, two statues in were dedicated: a monument to Abraham Lincoln (sculptor George Bissell) and a statue of Colonel Henderson. Both statues stand along Highway 18 in Clermont.
These events were remembered with a centennial celebration held June 20 - 22, 2003.
Celebration events were held at the Historic Montauk Mansion area, Union Sunday School, Lincoln & Henderson Statues, and other Clermont sites. Featured activities were: parade, organ concerts, band concerts, Military Ball, vocalists, speakers, Civil War Renactors, statue re-dedications, community church services, children's activities, food, civil war fashions, sutlers, and activities at Montauk.