Grouping of Benjamin Heath 34th Iowa Infantry / SOLD

Grouping of Benjamin Heath 34th Iowa Infantry - Inventory Number: GRO 088 / SOLD

Section of the “Pemberton Oak - July 4th, 1863 - Vicksburg, Miss.” Here in the shade of a stunted oak General John C. Pemberton met General Ulysses S. Grant to negotiate the surrender of Vicksburg. When Pemberton refused unconditional surrender terms, Grant suggested they step aside and let subordinate officers attempt to make a satisfactory arrangement. The conference ended when Grant agreed to submit terms to Pemberton by 10:00 p.m. that night. These terms were ultimately accepted. On July 4, 1863, the day Lee retreated from Gettysburg, Vicksburg surrendered.

Brass folding lice and hair comb

Booby trapped homemade wooden box with sliding compartment.  When opening the slide, a curved arm with a very sharp pin pops out to stab the curious person in the hand.

A photo postcard of Heath in his G.A.R. Uniform wearing reunion badges.

Presentation bible dated 1857 with his inscription in the front fly pages and his obituary pasted in the back fly page.

Residence Warren County IA; 33 years old. Enlisted on 8/13/1862 as a 6th Corpl. And on 10/15/1862 he mustered into Company "C" of the 34th Iowa Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 6/1/1863 at St Louis, MO.

This regiment was mustered into the service at Burlington Oct. 15, 1862. It was ordered to report to Gen. Steele at Helena, Ark., and arrived there Dec. 5, being placed in Thayer's brigade of Steele's division. In this command it participated in the disastrous battle of Chickasaw bayou under Gen. Sherman. It also took part in the capture of Arkansas Post, acquitting itself with honor. The regiment took its place on June 15, 1863, at the extreme left of Grant's investing line in the Vicksburg campaign, and though during the siege some were killed or wounded, the men stood the exposure better than most of the regiments, holding their numbers and strength. The regiment in Gen. Vandever's division (2nd) and Gen. Herron's corps (13th) was designed to reinforce Gen. Banks, but diverted from that purpose, was with Herron in the capture of Yazoo City. The division was transferred to the Department of the Gulf, and in the combat of Stirling's farm the 34th lost 6 men captured and i mortally wounded. In October the division embarked for Texas, landing on St. Joseph's Island, then crossing to Matagorda Island, and after a preliminary engagement in which the 34th took a prominent part, captured Fort Esperanza. It remained in this vicinity until April 20, 1864, when it reembarked for New Orleans, and joined Banks' army at Alexandria. After about three weeks of skirmishing in this vicinity the retreat was resumed to the Mississippi river. Col. Clark commanded the brigade which formed the rear-guard most of the way, and the 34th, with the other regiments of the brigade, was frequently engaged with the enemy. The gallant regiment played a conspicuous part in the expedition against the forts at the mouth of le bay. The troops disembarked at Dauphin island, and marched to within 2 miles of Fort Gaines, immediately commencing the siege vigorously, in which the 34th lost 1 man killed. Operations were then begun against Fort Morgan, and at the formal surrender the 34th Iowa was assigned the place of honor. About the middle of September the regiment was ordered to report to New Orleans, whence it proceeded to Morganza, following which 2 men were severely wounded in a skirmish on the Atchafalaya. The varied experiences of the 34th had by this time reduced it to below one-half the maximum. It was formed into a battalion of five companies, and by Jan. 1, 1865, there was consolidated with it another battalion of five companies, formed of the 38th Iowa. In preparation for the le campaign, it was made a part of the 3rd brigade, 2nd division, 13th army corps, under Gen. Andrews. The regiment was engaged in the siege of Fort Blakely, and in the magnificent charge of Steele's army the 34th was among the first to plant its colors on the fort immediately in its front. Ordered to Texas, from Galveston it went to Houston, and on Aug. 15, 1865. was mustered out of the service. It lost in killed in battle and died from wounds, 13; deaths from disease. 244; wounded, 31; discharged.

Comes housed in 12 x 16 riker display case with black velvet and descriptive card.

Inventory Number: GRO 088 / SOLD