Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Marker, Grave |
Source |
Marion Heritage Center & Museum |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Statewide Settlement (1869-1896) |
Chronological Tag |
The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900) |
Catalog Number |
2018.047.003 |
Credit line |
Marion Heritage Center & Museum - Marion, Iowa |
Description |
This tombstone marks the grave of Colonel David Carskaddon from Marion, Iowa. During the Civil War,Carskaddon joined Company K of the 9th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Soon after he volunteered, Carskaddon was involved in the Battle of Wilson Creek, Missouri, the Siege of Vicksburg, and the Battle of Jackson. As his company marched from battle to battle, a former slave named William Harrison approached Carskaddon and offered to be his aide. The men became friends and often played cards and chess together. In late 1864, the 9th Iowa Volunteer Infantry joined William Sherman's "March to the Sea" campaign. Following the attack on Atlanta, Georgia, Carskaddon did not return to camp. Harrison went to the battlefield that evening to search for his friend. Late in the evening he found him wounded and was able to get him back to camp. Harrison then escorted Carskaddon to Indiana were Carskaddon's in-laws lived and stayed until he recovered. Carskaddon was mustered out of the Army in January 1865 and returned to Marion, Iowa. Harrison followed him to Marion and made his home there as well. Carskaddon returned to his livery stable in uptown Marion and also opened a furniture store. He was elected State Senator in 1866 and Linn County Sheriff in 1877. Later he retired to Lake City, Iowa. William Harrison did odd jobs around town, such as farm work, livery work, and cutting and chopping fireplace wood. He died in 1885. Colonel Carskaddon happened to be in Marion that day, so he was told of Harrison's death. He ordered and had erected a white marble tombstone shaped like a chess rook as the two had enjoyed playing chess together. This tombstone sill stands today in Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion, Iowa. Carskaddon passed away in 1894. He is also buried in Oak Shade Cemetery, just down the hill from where William Harrison is buried. Content can be used with the following standards: SS-US 9-12.23 Iowans Influence US History in a lesson on Iowa's involvement in the Civil War. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
During the Civil War, the state of Iowa served in the Union Army with 76,242 Iowan soldiers serving which attributed to 49% of the Iowan male population at the time. While many enlisted, the state had the issue of not having enough ammunition and weapons for each soldier. Governor Samuel Kirkwood advised Greville Dodge to ask Washington officials for help, and was able to recieve weapons (including cannons) while Camp McClellan was established near Davenport, IA as a training site. No major battles took place in the state, however with sharing a border with Missouri (a slave state) meant that raids often found their way into Iowa, in which soldiers fought to defend the border cities from Confederate control. Iowans soldiers also fought in the states of Arkansas, Tennesee, Mississippi and in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia under Union General William Sherman. In addition to fighting, Iowa also assisted the Union by supplying food through farming. Due to the lack of field work since many farmers left to enlist, the work was taken up by the sons and wives of the family. This period of less workers also led to the farming revolution where new technology and farming strategies begin to emerge to make planting and harvesting more efficient in both time and cost. Machines that harvested wheat, hay and grains saved time of what would previously have been done by hand. In total, Iowa had 13,001 casualties (majority to disease rather than injury), 8,500 wounded, 5,000 captured and 152 reported as missing in action at the close of the war. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.027- The Sacred Cause of Union: Iowa in the Civil War 2018.045.041- Profiles of Valor: Iowa's Medal of Honor Recipients of the Civil War 2018.045.045- History of Linn County, Iowa 2018.045.046 Enlistments from Iowa during the Civil War 2018.045.052- Iowa: Its History and Its Foremost Citizens 2018.045.063- Iowa in Times of War 2018.045.072- The Story of Iowa: A Children's History 2018.045.073- Border Defense in Iowa During the Civil War 2018.045.075- One Hundred Topics in Iowa History 2018.045.083- A History of the People of Iowa 2018.045.087- Iowa Through the Years 2018.045.138- History of Iowa from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century 2018.045.143- Iowa Inside Out |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - Local |
County Tag |
Linn |
People |
Carskaddon, David Harrison, William |
Relation |
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Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Civil War War & Conflict The Military in Iowa Military life Public service Commemorations Memorial rites & ceremonies Memorial works |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Marion Heritage Center & Museum and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
