While Major Jones and his five hundred men were returning from chasing Price out of Missouri, the remainder of the regiment under Colonel Noble were taking part in an expeditions against the Mobile railroad under Grierson through Mississippi. In this there was little hard fighting, but the amount of property and stores destroyed by the Third Iowa proved as useful to the Union cause as a great battle would have done. The first of the year 1865, the two divisions of the regiment were united at Louisville. They were at once remounted and newly equipped to take part in the last campaign of the war: the great raid under General Wilson. This was one of the most important and daring campaigns narrated in history. It commenced at East Port, on the Tennessee River, March 21, 1865, and ended at Macon, Georgia, with the close of the war. The distance marched by this column, 14,000 strong, was not less than 600 miles. They took not less than seven fortified towns; captured more than 100 cannon: burned 300 bales of cotton worth $50,000; destroyed railroads, bridges, factories, and army stores beyond computation; captured thousands of prisoners : and left Alabama in desolation and waste. At Selma the Third Iowa was at the front, led by General Wilson. In an hour Selma, and its vast stores, ammunition and prisoners were in the Union hands. The city of Montgomery next fell without a blow, and the Iowa Cavalry rode through the streets of the Confederacy's first capital with banners flying and bugle sounding. In a few days the strongly fortified city of Columbus was attacked; the Third and Fourth Iowa and the Tenth Missouri making the principal assault. This was April 16. The resistance against the Union lines was very severe. Six companies of the Third Iowa were dismounted and fought as infantry, assaulting the entrenchments and a battery. Guided in the darkness only by the flash and roar of the enemy's guns, they advanced over rough and unknown ground with a cheer, and took the outer works. Another charge made by a part of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry to a bridge near by resulted only in a fiercer fire being opened up on the Iowa boys, but they held their ground; and another advance over lodgment was gained inside the defense. It was now short work. Troops of the brigade were charging in; the battery flag and runners were captured by the Third Iowa; and shortly the position was in the Union hands-Columbus was taken. The superior pronounced the gallant charge of the Third Iowa as heroic and worthy of all praise. For this service, Colonel Noble, with his brave regiment, was selected as provo guard for the city, and went on guard the same night. The charge, which won great honor for the Third Iowa, was the more noticeable, as it was the last cavalry fight of the year. On April 21 the regiment reached Macon and here learned that the cruel war had come to an end. It was shortly mustered out, and reached home August 9, 1865. Its last campaign was the most glorious. Colonel Noble always gave just praise to his subordinate officers; also, to Private Tibbets, who captured a battery flag at Columbus. Nor would I forget to pay honor to the loyal women of Iowa; such as Mrs. Anna Witten Meyer, Mrs. Grimes, Mrs. Salter, Mrs. Joseph Harlan, and many others who gave liberally of their time and means to organize Red Cross societies for the aid and relief of her army in the field. So long as an Iowa soldier breath their noble work will never be forgotten. principals Office - Acorn Room