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"FORTY ROUNDS"
The Civil War History of the
29th
Missouri
Volunteer Infantry Regiment, USA
By Jared E. Billings
The Officers of the 29th
The Primary source for the following information was
the Missouri Adjutant General's Reports from 1862 through 1865. The data was painstakingly analyzed and transcribed
into narrative form. However, the possibility of errors is ever present.
Field and Staff
The first colonel to command the 29th Missouri Infantry
Regiment was Colonel John S. CAVENDER. He was from St. Louis and served in this capacity from October 21, 1862
until his resignation effective February 19, 1863.
Before Colonel CAVENDER, the the regiment was
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James PECKHAM
beginning September 10. Lt. Col. PECKHAM was also from
St. Louis and served as Executive Officer under Col.
CAVENDER until his resignation.
On February 20, 1863 James PECKHAM was promoted to
the rank of Colonel and succeeded Col. CAVENDER as
Acting Commander of the regiment until March 9 when his
assignment became official. Colonel PECKHAM served in
this position until his resignation on March 9, 1864.
Also on February 20, 1863 Captain Thomas H. McVICKERS,
from St. Louis and commanding Company E, was promoted
to Lt. Colonel and became the Acting Executive Officer. He
became permanent in this position on March 9, 1863 until
his resignation on July 31, 1863.
On August 1, 1863 Major Joseph S. GAGE was promoted to
Lt. Colonel and assumed the duties of Acting Executive
Officer until his official appointment on August 12. He
continued in this capacity until he was promoted to Colonel and succeeded Colonel PECKHAM as Acting Regimental
Commander on March 10, 1864. He became the permanent Commander on July 11 and from then on Colonel GAGE
remained the Commander of the 29th until the regiment mustered out on June 12, 1865.
The original Captain of Company A, Phillip H. MURPHY of
St. Louis, was promoted to Major on August 1, 1863 and
assumed the duties of Acting Executive Officer upon the
promotion of Colonel GAGE. Major MURPHY was promoted
to Lt. Colonel and became the permanent Executive Officer
on October 1, 1864. He was discharged on December 17,
1864, at the rank of Major, by Special Order (S.O.) 452 of the
War Department (W.D.).
Captain Christian BURKHARDT was the original Captain of Company F, serving in that position until his promotion to
Major on November 14, 1864. He served as the last Acting Executive Officer until the regiment mustered out on June
12, 1865. Major BURKHARDT was from St. Louis.
The first Regimental Adjutant was Lieutenant Eng
(Englehart?) VOERSTER of St. Louis, serving from July 25,
1862 until his resignation on August 8, 1863.
Lieutenant David ALLEN, Jr. of St. Louis succeeded Lt.
VOERSTER as Adjutant, the position becoming official on
December 17, 1863. He was promoted to Captain of
Company H on April 20, 1865. He mustered out with the
regiment on June 12, 1865.
The next, and last, Adjutant was Lieutenant William
GOODWIN of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He served until the
regiment mustered out on June 12, 1865.
The regiment's first Quartermaster was Lieutenant E. M.
JOAL of St. Louis. By General Order (G.O.) 14 of the W. D.
dated April 21, 1863, he was promoted to Captain of the
Volunteers as Quartermaster.
Lieutenant Moses OSBORN of St. Louis was the next
Quartermaster. He was promoted to Captain of Company B
on April 20, 1865 and was mustered out on June 7.
On April 20, 1865, 2nd Lieutenant Richard H. RAVENSCROFT of Commerce, Missouri was promoted to
1st Lieutenant and became the regiment's last
Quartermaster. He mustered out as a 2nd Lieutenant with
the regiment on June 12, 1865.
The 29th Missouri had but one Regimental Surgeon
throughout its existence, and that was Dr. John C. MORGAN of Philadelphia.
The regiment started with two Assistant Surgeons, Dr. John H. STURMBERG of St. Charles and Dr. Daniel ABBEY. Dr.
STURMBERG was promoted to Surgeon and transferred to the 3rd Missouri Infantry on May 13, 1864. Dr. ABBEY died
aboard the steamer Von Phul on January 28, 1863.
Dr. Cornelius B. CARR replaced Dr. STURMBERG on May
16, 1864. He served until the regiment mustered out on June 12, 1865.
Company A
As mentioned before, Phillip H. MURPHEY was the first
Captain to command Company A. When he was promoted
to Major on August 1, 1863, 1st Lieutenant Edmund O'BRIEN of Cape Girardeau succeeded
him in commanding the company, receiving his promotion to Captain on August 19.
Captain O'BRIEN served until he was mustered out by S. O.
254 of the W. D. on May 26, 1865. He previously served in
Company B as both a 2nd and 1st Lieutenant.
1st Lieutenant Warren E. PECK of Ironton, Missouri, who had resigned while serving in Company C on September 23,
1864, returned to duty, was promoted to Captain and took command of Company A during its last days on May 27,
1865.
1st Lieutenant R. S. WIDDICOMBE of Washington, Missouri
was the original 1st Lieutenant for the company and served until his resignation on July 18, 1863.
On October 18, 1863 2nd Lieutenant William HENLEY of
Company K, and from St. Louis, was promoted to 1st
Lieutenant of Company A. He served until he was promoted to Captain of Company E on September 26, 1864 where he
served until the regiment mustered out on June 12, 1865.
1st Lieutenant August BIERWORTH of Cape Girardeau was
the last 1st Lieutenant of Company A, but he transferred to
Company H on January 9, 1865 where he served until
mustered out on June 12, 1865
The original 2nd Lieutenant was John P. HIBLER of
Corondelet, Missouri. He transferred to Company I
September 25, 1862 where he was promoted to 1st
Lieutenant on October 7. He eventually rose to Captain of
Company I.
2nd Lieutenant Mason G. WHITNEY of Gardiner, Maine had
replaced Lt. HIBLER on September 8, 1862. He was
promoted to Captain of Company G on April 15, 1863 where
he served until he was mustered out by S. O. 254 of the W.
D. on May 26, 1865.
2nd Lieutenant Joseph RUSSELL of St. Louis replaced
WHITNEY on April 15, 1863. He served until muster out on
June 12, 1865.
Company B
The first Captain for Company B was Edmund GARRAGHTY
of St. Louis. He was dismissed on January 14, 1863.
He was replaced the next day, January 15, by Captain Henry JUSTI. Captain JUSTI died on December 1, 1863 resulting
from wounds received at the Battle of Ringgold Gap, Georgia on November 27, 1863. He was the original 1st
Lieutenant for Company B, serving in that capacity until his promotion to Captain.
Who commanded the company immediately following the
death of Captain JUSTI remains a mystery to this author.
The next in command was 1st Lieutenant Joseph S. RICE
who had held that position since August 1, 1863. However,
he died of "lung fever" on December 16, just a little more
than two weeks after Captain JUSTI died.
According to this author's research, the next ranking officer after 1st Lt. RICE was 2nd Lieutenant B. Ernard ULRICH of
Cape Girardeau. Another captain is not listed for the 29th until October 6, 1864, when Captain Alexander HART of St.
Louis took command of the company. However, Captain HART is also recorded as being the Captain of Company K
during the same period.
Captain Moses OSBORN, formally Regimental Quarter-
master, was given command of the company on April 20,
1865 while Captain HART remained in command of
Company K.
When Captain JUSTI took command of the company on
January 15, 1863 he was succeeded as 1st Lieutenant by 1st Lt. Edmund O'BRIEN, mention previously as being
promoted to Captain of Company A on August 1, 1863,
when he, in turn, was succeeded by 1st Lt. RICE. No one is
listed as having succeeded Lt. RICE after his death
December 16, 1963.
Getting back to Captain O'BRIEN, he was the original 2nd
Lieutenant of the company before being promoted to 1st
Lieutenant on January 15, 1863, when he was succeeded by Lt. ULRICH who continued to serve until mustered out with
the regiment on June 12, 1865.
Another 2nd Lieutenant is listed as being in that position for Company B as of August 25, 1864. That was Peter McGINNIS
of Cape Girardeau, who resigned March 31, 1865.
Company C
The original commander of Company C was Captain George
D. DYER, who was probably from Iowa. He resigned on January 13, 1863.
He was succeeded by 2nd Lieutenant Nicholas D. DYER of
West Liberty, Iowa. Perhaps Nicholas was related to George D. DYER, maybe a son or brother. He served as Captain of
the company until his resignation on September 15, 1864.
The next, and last, commander of the company was Captain Thomas L. MORGAN of St. Louis, who took command on
October 8, 1864. He served until mustered out with the regiment on June 12, 1865.
The original 1st Lieutenant of Company C was Lt. Martin P.
BUNDY of Chicago, Illinois. He served until his resignation
on September 23, 1864.
Another 1st Lieutenant for the company was Lt. Warren E.
PECK of Ironton, Missouri, assuming the position on
January 14, 1863. He also resigned on September 23, 1864.
Another 1st Lieutenant recorded is Lt. Walter C. GANTT,
however, it is also noted that he declined the offer for the
position.
Company D
The original commander of Company D was Captain
Edward WRAY. Captain WRAY was killed in action at the
Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs in Mississippi on December 29,
1862.
On December 30, Captain WRAY was replaced by Captain
William H. ROGERS. He served until his discharge on April
22, 1865 by S. O. 97, Department of Tennessee. No other
Captain is recorded for this company.
The original 1st Lieutenant of the company was William B.
MURPHY, but his service lasted less than one month. He
resigned October 3, 1862.
On October 6, 1862, Lt. Henry A. ROSENBAUM became the
next 1st Lieutenant. He died in the hospital in Vicksburg,
Mississippi on January 8, 1863. It may be that he was
wounded and captured at Chickasaw Bluffs and died a
prisoner of war.
Another 1st Lieutenant for Company D is not listed until
October 1, 1863. Lt. Henry COLLINS died June 2, 1864 as the result of battle wounds received during the Campaign for
Atlanta.
Lieutenant Henry A. SHUBERT of Linn Creek, Missouri
became the last 1st Lieutenant of Company D on September 23, 1864. He served until mustered out with the regiment on
June 12, 1865.
As mentioned before, Phillip H. MURPHY was the original
2nd Lieutenant for Company D, but was quickly promoted
to Captain of Company A before being promoted to Major
and eventually Lt. Colonel.
Lt. William H. ROGERS was the 2nd Lieutenant after
MURPHY until he was promoted to Captain to replace
Captain WARY.
Company E
The before mentioned Thomas H. McVICKERS was the first
Captain of Company E before being promoted to Lt. Colonel on February 20, 1863.
The next Company Commander was Captain Martin
MENNE. He was the original 2nd Lieutenant of the company, receiving his promotion on February 21, 1863. Captain
MENNE died on December 28, 1863 of wounds received in combat the day before at the Battle of Ringgold Gap,
Georgia.
Another Captain was not named for the company until
September 26, 1864, when Captain William HENLY of St.
Louis took command. He served until mustered out with the regiment on June 12, 1865.
The original 1st Lieutenant for Company E was J. A.
HUGHES of Ironton, Missouri. He resigned on February 14,
1863.
Lt. HUGHES was succeeded by Lieutenant Daniel
TETWEILER, who was next in command upon the death of
Captain MENNE. If he took command of the company at that
time, it may have been too much for him, since he deserted
on January 7, 1864.
Company F
Christian BURKHARDT was the original Captain of
Company F. As before reported, he was promoted to Major
on November 14, 1864.
The company's original 1st Lieutenant, Herman BADER of
Cape Girardeau, became the Acting Company Commander
upon Major BURKHARDT'S promotion and was promoted to Captain on May 29, 1865. He was mustered out as a 1st
Lieutenant with the regiment on June 12, 1865.
The original 2nd Lieutenant for Company F was L. F.
KESTERMARD of Cape Girardeau. He resigned April 18,
1863.
The next, and last, 2nd Lieutenant was Edward ARGAST of
Nauvoo, Illinois, assuming the position on April 9, 1863. He
served until mustered out with the regiment on June 12,
1865.
Company G
The original commander of Company G was Captain James
McGARVEY of Cape Girardeau. Captain McGARVEY
resigned on April 14, 1863.
Captain Mason G. WHITNEY of Gardiner, Maine became the
next Company Commander on April 15. As before reported,
he was originally a second Lieutenant in Company A.
Lt. Thomas RHOADES of Commerce, Missouri was the
original 1st Lieutenant of Company G. He resigned April 8,
1863.
On April 9, 1863 Lieutenant Francis M. TAYLOR was
promoted from 2nd Lieutenant of the company and served
until mustered out with the regiment on June 12, 1865.
The original 2nd Lieutenant of Company G was Lt. William
H. BOON of Cape Girardeau. He did not serve long,
resigning on November 15, 1862.
Company H
The first commander of Company H was Captain Nathaniel
A. COLE of Cameron, Missouri. Captain COLE resigned on
March 21, 1863.
On March 22, 1863 Captain COLE was succeeded by Captain Thomas DOAK of Commerce, Missouri. Captain DOAK was
the original 1st Lieutenant of the company. He served until he resigned on June 21, 1864.
1st Lieutenant Willie H. GRAY took command of Company
H and was promoted to Captain on January 9, 1865. He
served until he was discharged by S. O. 71, Army of the
Tennessee, on March 25, 1865.
On April 20, 1865, the Regimental Adjutant, Lt. David
ALLEN, Jr. was promoted to Captain of Company H and
served until he was mustered out with the regiment on June 12, 1865.
When Captain DOAK was promoted, the company's 2nd
Lieutenant, Charles W. WILSON was promoted to 1st
Lieutenant on the same day, March 22, 1863. Lt. Wilson died in the hospital at the Big Black River Bridge on September
13, 1863.
As reported in the section on Company A, 1st Lieutenant
August BIERWORTH transferred to Company H on January
9, 1865. He served until mustered out with the regiment on
June 12, 1865.
Also on March 22, 1863, the day that Captain DOAK and Lt.
WILSON were promoted, Julius SELLE of Commerce,
Missouri became the 2nd Lieutenant. Lieutenant SELLE died on December 13, 1863 as the result of wounds received in
the Battle of Ringgold Gap, Georgia on November 27, 1863.
Company I
The fist Company Commander of Company I was Captain
John L. CONSALUS of Versailles, Missouri. Captain
CONSALUS resigned on March 10, 1863.
On March 11, the company's original 1st Lieutenant, John P. HIBLER of Corondelet, Missouri, was promoted to Captain
and took command of the company. He was discharged at the rank of 1st Lieutenant by S. O. 460, W. D. on October 14,
1863. No other Captain is noted for Company I.
Also on March 11, John W. SANDERS of St. Louis was
promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant. He served
until he resigned on April 7, 1864.
Lt. Gustav SLICKER became the company's 1st Lieutenant
on August 25, 1864 and served until mustered out with the
regiment on June 12, 1865.
The previously mentioned Lt. Joseph S. RICE, who was
promoted and transferred to Company B on August 1, 1863,
had served as 2nd Lieutenant of Company I since March 11, 1863.
Company K
The original commander of Company K was Captain
Charles H. WARRENS. He resigned June 13, 1863. Another
Captain is not listed until October 6, 1864, when Captain
Alexander HART took command. Captain HART was
transferred with the company to the Consolidated Battalion of the 31st and 32nd Missouri Infantry on June 5, 1865.
Phillip MELINAND of St. Louis was the original 1st
Lieutenant of Company K. He resigned on February 28, 1863.
Lt. Edmund BURKE was the original 2nd Lieutenant of the
company. He died at the mouth of the White River in
Arkansas on March 18, 1863. He was replaced by Lt. William EICHS on the day he died. Lieutenant EICHS, in turn, was
promoted to 1st Lieutenant to replace Lt. MELINAND on March 1, 1863.
It was related previously that Lt. William HENLEY was
promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Company A on October 18,
1863. Until that time he had served as 2nd Lieutenant in
Company K since June 13, 1863.
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