President Abraham Lincoln Appoints the Heroic William H. Kinsman, Who As Colonel of the 23rd Iowa Died at the Head of His Regiment in the Union Victory at Big Black River Bridge

Kinsman’s last words were: “Bury me on the battle-field, and tell my friends I did not falter.”

At the outbreak of the Civil War, William H. Kinsman enlisted and was chosen 2d lieutenant in the company in which future General Grenville M. Dodge was captain. This company was assigned to the 4th Iowa Infantry. Kinsman was promoted to a captain and with that rank fought at the battle of Pea Ridge on March 6, 1862. Becoming detached from his regiment in that engagement, and, with two companies (his own and one from the 24th Missouri Infantry) deployed as skirmishers, he heroically covered the left wing of the Union Army. General Dodge requested to have Kinsman on his staff, and President Lincoln obliged.

Document signed as President, Washington, July 17, 1862, with engravings of an eagle, flags, accoutrements of war, and a blue seal, appointing “W.H. Kinsman” as “Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteers with the rank of Captain”.

Kinsman had his eye on a regimental command and did not assume a place on Dodge’s staff. And he did not have long to wait to receive that command. On August 2, 1862, he was named lieutenant-colonel of the 23d Iowa Infantry. In the Spring of 1863, with Kinsman now a full colonel, the regiment took part in the Vicksburg campaign. Port Gibson was the regiment’s first battle, and in that engagement its loss was 31 killed and wounded. Then, on May 17, 1863, it took a lead role in the Battle of Big Black River Bridge. Placing himself in the front and center of his regiment, Colonel Kinsman said: “Captains, lead your companies, and I will lead you.” The shout was now raised, and the men started their attack on the double-quick; the Confederates were there waiting. Colonel Kinsman had not advanced far till he was struck by a minnie ball in the abdomen, which felled him. Immediately rising, he said: “They have not killed me yet,” and still moved on; but he had advanced only a few yards further, when he was shot again – this time through the lungs. He fell, mortally wounded; but he said to his regiment as it passed him: “Go on, go on, I can not go with you further.” Kinsman’s last words were: “Bury me on the battle-field, and tell my friends I did not falter.” The Confederates lost almost 2,000 men, a loss they could ill-afford. Fewer than half of them who had fought at Champion Hill made it into the defenses at Vicksburg. This battle sealed Vicksburg’s fate: the Confederate force was bottled up at there. So the day had been won, but at a great cost.