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28 JAMES BAIED WEAVER

tions of war, prisoners and supplies were cap-
tured, and loyal and peaceable citizens assured
protection. Leaving detachments to guard the
bridges, buildings and other railroad property
from destruction, he pressed forward", and
arrived at St. Joseph on June 15, 1861.

In fifty-six hours from the time orders were
received at Keokuk, military possession of the
railroad had been taken and the Confederate
forces that were mustering through that part
of the State were scattered and disorganized.
"The promptness with which the order was
obeyed alone saved this important line of rail-
road for the transportation of Union troops
and supplies, and prevented a more prolonged
resistance' by the Confederate forces in that
portion of the State of Missouri. Colonel
Curtis was promptly promoted to the rank of
Brigadier Q-eneral and later was given the rank
of Major Q-eneral."²⁴

The principal points from which the Second
Iowa Eegiment operated during the summer
and autumn of 1861 were Bird's Point, Ironton,
Pilot Knob, and Jackson in Missouri, and Fort
Jefferson in Kentucky. Its duties were of the
same character as those which it performed so
well in its first action. "The fact of principal
interest, however, connected with this part of
the regiment's history, was its unhealthfuln.ess.
When the command returned to St. Louis, in



	28 JAMES BAIED WEAVER tions of war, prisoners and supplies were cap- tured, and loyal and peaceable citizens assured protection. Leaving detachments to guard the bridges, buildings and other railroad property from destruction, he pressed forward", and arrived at St. Joseph on June 15, 1861. In fifty-six hours from the time orders were received at Keokuk, military possession of the railroad had been taken and the Confederate forces that were mustering through that part of the State were scattered and disorganized. "The promptness with which the order was obeyed alone saved this important line of rail- road for the transportation of Union troops and supplies, and prevented a more prolonged resistance' by the Confederate forces in that portion of the State of Missouri. Colonel Curtis was promptly promoted to the rank of Brigadier Q-eneral and later was given the rank of Major Q-eneral."²⁴ The principal points from which the Second Iowa Eegiment operated during the summer and autumn of 1861 were Bird's Point, Ironton, Pilot Knob, and Jackson in Missouri, and Fort Jefferson in Kentucky. Its duties were of the same character as those which it performed so well in its first action. "The fact of principal interest, however, connected with this part of the regiment's history, was its unhealthfuln.ess. When the command returned to St. Louis, in