Robert M. WICKHAM ²

  General Notes:

Betty Wickham House supplied much of the information on Robert M. Wickham and his descendants.

PHOTO: submitted by Betty Wickham House

1860 IA CENSUS, Hardin Co, Clay Twp: R. "Wicham", male, 21, b. OH, cannot read or write. He was living with the Timothy "Wicham" family and John "Wicham".

U.S. CIVIL WAR DRAFT REGISTRATION RECORDS, 1863-1865 - Pioneer Twp, Cedar Co. (July 1963):
"Biirmal" Wickham, 31, farmer, sinlge, b. OH, 13th IA Inf. Co. A
James Wickham, 29, farmer, single, b. OH
Robert Wickham, 23, farmer, single, b. OH
William Wickham, 35, farmer, single, b. OH, 24th IA Inf. Co C

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS:
Name: Robert Wickham ,
Residence: Mount Vernon, Iowa
Enlistment Date: 18 Sep 1861
Side Served: Union
State Served: Iowa
Death Date: 25 Mar 1903
Death Place: Clackamas County, Oregon
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 18 September 1861 at the age of 23.
Enlisted in Company A, 13th Infantry Regiment Iowa on 18 Oct 1861.
Mustered Out Company A, 13th Infantry Regiment Iowa on 28 Jan 1865 at Davenport, IA.

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR REGIMENTS:
REGIMENT: 13th Infantry Regiment Iowa
Date of Organization: 18 Oct 1861
Muster Date: 21 Jul 1865
Regiment State: Iowa
Regiment Type: Infantry
Regiment Number: 13th
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 5
Officers Died of Disease or Accident: 4
Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded: 114
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 205
Regimental Soldiers and History: List of Soldiers

Regimental History
Thirteenth Infantry IOWA (3 years)

Thirteenth Infantry. Cols., Marcellus M. Crocker, John Shane, James C. Wilson, Lieut.-Cols., Milton M. Price, John Shane, James C. Wilson, Justin C. Kennedy; Majs., John Shane, George M. Van Hosen, James C. Wilson, William A. Walker, Thomas P. Marshall, A. J. Pope.

This regiment was organized in the summer and fall of 1861 and was mustered in between Oct. 18 and Nov. 2, by companies. About Nov. 1, the regiment left for Benton barracks where it remained until Dec. 20, then went to Jefferson City, Mo. where it spent the winter. On March 8 it left for Pittsburg landing, where it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, Gen. McClernand commanding. At the battle of Shiloh it was under fire for 10 hours the first day, losing 24 killed, 139 wounded and 9 missing. After the battle it was placed in the 1st ("Iowa") brigade, Col. Crocker commanding, of the 6th division.

Lieut.-Col. Price resigning Maj. Shane was promoted to that position, Capt. Van Hosen succeeding as major. It was in the siege of Corinth and became part of the garrison when the place was evacuated. At the end of July it marched to Bolivar in search of the enemy, but failed to come up with him and returned to Corinth, where it took part in the battle in October. The principal losses there were sustained by Cos. A and G. which were deployed as skirmishers in the first day's engagement.

It returned to Memphis, Tenn., on the surrender of Holly Springs, the base of supplies for the contemplated move on Vicksburg. About this time Maj. Van Hosen resigned and was succeeded by Adjt. Wilson. The regiment assisted in digging Lake Providence canal. On the reorganization of the army Col. Crocker was made brigadier-general, being succeeded by Lieut.-Col. Shane as colonel, Maj. Wilson was promoted to the latter position and Capt. Walker was appointed major.

The regiment repaired the roads for the use of the army about Vicksburg, proceeded to Grand Gulf, thence to Haynes' Bluff, but soon returned and took place on the left of the line of investment. In the latter part of May it was part of a force to make a reconnaissance toward Mechanicsburg, its brigade earning the sobriquet of "Crocker's Greyhounds."

On June 24 it moved out to take part in the work of holding Johnston's forces from attacking the army's rear and was engaged in a skirmish on the day of the surrender of Vicksburg. It escorted a supply train to Clinton, but returned on July 28 and assisted in clearing Yazoo river of the torpedoes and wrecked gun-boats.

It participated in the expedition to Monroe, La., after which it went into quarters at Vicksburg until Feb. 4, 1864, when it joined the movement towards Meridian. The veterans were given a furlough in March and reached Cairo on April 16, with many recruits. It proceeded via Clifton and Pulaski, Tenn., to Huntsville, Ala., and on May 20, joined Sherman's army at Acworth, Ga. It was engaged at Kennesaw mountain, was in a skirmish at Nickajack creek, and at Atlanta its brigade made a charge to within 50 paces of the fort, being compelled to lie down and fire. It retired in good order having lost 113 in killed and wounded in less than 30 minutes.

On July 22 most of Co. A, part of G. and all of D and K, were captured while reinforcing the 11th and 16th Ia. The regiment's loss in this battle was 149, Maj. Walker commanding, being killed. In the battle of the 28th the regiment fought with great bravery and joined with the remnant of the 3rd Ia., in reinforcing a part of the line which was being hard pressed. The 13th was engaged at Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station and joined in the pursuit of Hood in October, going as far as Gaylesville, Ala. Its losses from the first day at Kennesaw until the close of the Atlanta campaign were 331 in killed wounded and captured.

At Marietta, on the return to Atlanta, Coil Shane and several line officers were mustered out, their time expiring. It was in the march to and siege of Savannah, took up the line of march through the Carolinas, was engaged at Pocotaligo; at Columbia a portion of the regiment crossed the river opposite the city ahead of the army, and without orders hoisted the stars and stripes on the capitol while the remainder of the command engaged in laying pontoon bridges some 3 miles below the town. Previous to this the regiment on the skirmish line had crossed a burning bridge at the North Edisto River and driven the enemy out of Orangeburg. The regiment closed its fighting career at Bentonville. At Goldsboro it was joined by a large number of recruits and here Capt. Pope was made major in place of Maj. Marshall resigned.

The regiment proceeded to Washington after Johnston's surrender, took part in the grand review, went into camp at Rock Creek and later moved to Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out in July 1865

Source: The Union Army, vol. 4

Shiloh after battle report:
Report of Col. Marcellus M. Crocker, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry.

HDQRS. THIRTEENTH REGT. IOWA INFANTRY VOLS.,
Camp near Pittsburg, Tenn., April 8, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Thirteenth Regt. Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the engagement with the enemy on the 6th and 7th instant.

Early in the morning of the 6th the alarm was given, and heavy firing in the distance indicated that our camp was attacked. The regiment was formed in front of its color line, its full force consisting of 717 men, rank and file. It was at once ordered to form on the left of the Second Brigade, and proceeded to that position at a doublequick, and was then formed in line of battle in a skirt of woods bordering on an open field to the left of battery. Here it remained for some, time inactive, while the enemy's guns were playing on our battery.

In the mean time a large force of the enemy's infantry were filing around the open field in front or our line, protected by the woods and in the direction of our battery, opening a heavy fire of musketry on the infantry stationed on our right and charging upon the battery. The infantry and battery to the right having given way, and the enemy advancing at double-quick, we gave them one round of musketry and also gave way.

At this time we - as, indeed, all our troops in the immediate vicinity of the battery - were thrown into great confusion, and retired in disorder. Having retired to the distance of 100 or 200 yards we succeeded in rallying and forming a good line, the Eight and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers on our left, and having fronted to the enemy, held our position there under a continual fire of cannon and musketry until after 12 o'clock, when we were ordered to retire and take up a new position. This we did in good order and without confusion.

Here, having formed a new line, we maintained it under incessant fire until 4.30 o'clock p. m., the men conducting themselves with great gallantry and coolness, and doing great execution on the enemy, repulsing charge after charge, and driving them back with great loss.

At 4.30 o'clock p. m. we were again ordered to fall back. In obeying this order we became mixed up with a great number of regiments falling back in confusion, so that our line was broken and the regiment separated, rendering it very difficult to collect it; but finally, having succeeded in forming, and being separated from the brigade, we attached ourselves to the division commanded by Col. Tuttle, of the Second Iowa Volunteers, and formed with his division in front of the encampment of the Fourteenth, Second, and Seventh Iowa Volunteers, where it sustained a heavy fire from the enemy's battery until dark, and there remained during the night on our arms. During the day we were under fire of the enemy for ten hours, and sustained a loss of 23 killed and 130 wounded.

On the morning of the 7th we were ordered to continue with Col. Tuttle's division and to follow up and support our forces that were attacking and driving back the enemy. We followed them up closely, moving to support the batteries until the enemy was rounded, after which we were ordered to return to the encampment that we had left on Sunday morning, here we arrived at o'clock p. m. Our total loss in the action of the 6th and 7th is: Killed, 24;wounded, 139; missing, 9; total, 172.*

The men for the most part behaved with great gallantry, and the officers exhibited the greatest bravery and coolness; and I call especial attention to the gallant conduct of my field officers, Lieut.-Col. Price and Maj. Shane, who were both wounded in the action of the 6th, and acknowledge my great obligations to my adjutant, Lieut. Wilson, who during the entire action exhibited the highest qualities of a soldier.

Respectfully, &c.,
M. M. CROCKER, Col. Thirteenth Iowa Infantry.
C. CADLE, Jr., A. A. A. G., First Brigade, First Division.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

Battles Fought by 13th Iowa:
Fought on 6 Apr 1862 at Shiloh, TN.
Fought on 3 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 4 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 6 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 16 May 1863 at Raymond, MS.
Fought on 16 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 9 Feb 1864.
Fought on 10 Feb 1864 at Hillsboro, MS.
Fought on 28 Feb 1864 at Canton, MS.
Fought on 29 Feb 1864 at Canton, MS.
Fought on 21 Mar 1864.
Fought on 26 Jun 1864.
Fought on 27 Jun 1864.
Fought on 2 Jul 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 3 Jul 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 5 Jul 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 6 Jul 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 8 Jul 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 8 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 9 Jul 1864.
Fought on 11 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 20 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 21 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 28 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 2 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 9 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 11 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 14 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 19 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 20 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 25 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 1 Sep 1864 at Jonesboro, GA.
Fought on 5 Sep 1864 at Jonesboro, GA.
Fought on 15 Dec 1864 at Savannah, GA.
Fought on 1 Feb 1865.
Fought on 19 Feb 1865 at Columbia, SC.
Fought on 1 Mar 1865 at Falling Creek, NC.

CIVIL WAR: Pvt. Comp. A., 13th IA Reg. "Crocker's IA Brigade, 1861-1865; captured during the siege of Atlanta and confined in the prison at Andersonville, GA.

ANDERSONVILLE PRISONERS OF WAR:
Surname: Robert M. Wickham
RANK: PRIVATE
COMPANY: A
REGIMENT: 13
State: IA
Arm of Service: INFANTRY
Reference: p 703 [428]
Location of Capture: ATLANTA, GA
Date of Capture: 22 Jul 1864
Page: 0
More Information: NO

ANDERSONVILLE PRISONERS OF WAR
Surname: R M Wickham
RANK: PVT
COMPANY: A
REGIMENT: 13
State: IA
Remarks: EXCHANGED APRIL 1, 1865 47453
Page: 0
Code: 61935
Grave: 0

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE - The State Archives of Iowa - This is to Certify, that records in the State Archives show that Robert M. Wickham, late a Private in Company A. of the 13th Regiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers was enlisted Wednesday, September 18th, on the 261st day of 1861, in Linn County at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, was mustered into the military service of the United States on the 18th day of October 1861, in Scott County at Camp McClellan near Davenport, Iowa. He was born January 30, 1839 in Ohio and resided in Mechanicsville, Cedar County, Iowa at enlistment. He completed one tour of duty and then reenlisted at Vicksburg, Ms. on January 1, 1864. On July 22, 1864 he was captured during the Siege of Atlanta and confined in the Andersonville, Ga. prison. He was released on the 27th day of May, 1865, at Andersonville, Ga. and later mustered out of service in Davenport, Iowa on June 28, 1865.
The records further show that said soldier when enlisted was 22 years of age, had blue eyes, dark hair, light complexion, was five feet eleven inches in height and had an unknown occupation. April 13, 1885.

INFO FROM GERALD WICKHAM: Robert's military papers show he was sick at Caro, IL since 28 Apr 1864; May & June 1864 he was on camp parole at Benton Barracks, MO; July & Aug 1864 he was MIA in Atlanta, GA; from 22 Jul 1864 to 28 Apr 1865 he was POW at Jacksonville, FL.

HARDIN CO, IA MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: This certifies that the rite of Holy Matrimony was celebrated between Robert M. Wickham of Eldora, Iowa and Sarah C. Moore of Tipton, Iowa on the 31 day of Dec. 1865 at Eldora, Iowa by Tuge(?) Parker of Same Place in the Presence of Jacob & Eliza "Kerns". Witness: Saeyan(?) Perdew and Thomas Perdew.
(Note: Betty Wickham House reports that Eliza Kernes was a sister of Sarah C. Moore.)

1870 IA CENSUS, Hardin Co, Eldora: Robt. Wickham, 28, common laborer, $100 personal property, b. OH; Sarah, 28, b. PA; William, 3, b. IA; Alonzo W., 1, b. IA.

CIVIL WAR PENSION INDEX - GENERAL INDEX TO PENSION FILES, 1861-1934: Robert M. Wickham, A 13 Iowa Inf., applied for an invalid pension on Dec 27, 1876 (state filed from was not listed)

1880 OR CENSUS, Clackamas Co, Highland: Robert Wickham, 39, farmer, b. OH, parents b. OH; wife Sarah C., 38, b. PA, father b. NY, mother b. PA; son George W., 13; son Alonzo, 11; dau. Clara A., 9. All children were b. IA, father b. OH, mother b. PA.

1900 OR CENSUS, Clackamas Co, Oregon City: Robert Wickham, Jun 1839, 61, married 35 yrs, b. OH, father b. OH, mother b. Scotland, rag? picker machine; wife Sarah, Apr 1843, 58, married 35 yrs, 2 children, 2 living, b. PA, father b. NY, mother b. OH; son Alonzo, Nov 1868, 31, married 7 yrs, b. IA, father b. OH, mother b. PA, woolen spinner; dau-in-law Mary, Apr 1870, 30 married 7 yrs, 1 child, 1 living, b. OR, father b. AR, mother b. AR; son Cecil Aug 1891, 1 b. OR, father b. IA, mother b. OR. (They were listed on census next to the William M. Wickham family.)

OREGON CITY COURIER July 9, 1901: SEVEN BROTHER FOUGHT - All But One of Them Came Out of the Civil War Alive - Robert Wickham, who has lived here for 20 years past, residing at Sixth and Monroe streets, was one of seven brothers who enlisted in Iowa regiments at the outbreak of the rebellion and served through the war with distinction. He experience the horrors of a confederate prison and carried a gun on many a battlefield. The brothers were James W. Wickham; Robert and "Bimiel" and Isaac, who enlisted in Co. A., 13th Iowa; Timothy, Co. F., 32nd Iowa; William, Co. C., 24th Iowa and "Asol", Co. A., 12th Iowa. Isaac was the only one of the seven to lose his life.
Robert Wickham's regiment was the 13th Iowa and with the 11th, 15th and 16th Iowa regiments formed Crocker's brigade, a reunion of which was held last September at Keokuk, Iowa. Its career of honor from 1861 to 1865 is shown in the following list of marches, battles, sieges and campaigns participated in by the brigade:
Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862; Bolivar, July 27, 1862; Iuka, Sept. 21, 1862; Corinth, Oct. 3 and 4, 1862; march to Monroe, Miss., Nov. 29, 1962; Vicksburg campaign, April to July 4, 1963; march to Mechanicsville, Ga., May 29, 1863; march to Monroe, La., Aug. 29, 1863; march to Jackson, Miss., July 5 to 18, 1863; Meridian Expedition, February, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864; "March to the Sea," Nov. 15 to Dec. 21, 1864; Savannah, Dec. 21, 1864; march through the Carolinas, January to April, 1865; Columbia, Feb. 16 and 17, 1965; Bentonville, March 20 and 21, 1865; Raleigh, April 13, 1895; Grand Review, Washington, May 24, 1965.

OBITUARY: Clackamas Co. Record, Thur. Mar 26, 1903: Death of Robert Wickham - Robert Wickham died Tuesday night at his home on Sixth and Monroe streets in this city, aged 64 yrs, 4 month, 25 days. The immediate cause of his death was hemorrhage and he had been a sufferer from stomach trouble for several years. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1839. In 1857 he went to Iowa and at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in Co. A., 13 Iowa Vols. He served all through the war and was in 52 battles. He was captured by the Confederates at Atlanta and was imprisoned for 280 days in Andersonville prison. He was liberated in 1865 and in the same year married Miss Sarah C. Moore. They came to Oregon in 1880 and resided here ever since. During the greater part of the time he has been employed in the woolen mills. He is survived by a wife and two sons, Geroge W. and Alonzo, both men of families and both employed in the woolen mills. The funeral was held this afternoon from the Baptist Church, officiating. Interment was in Mountain View cemetery. The funeral was held under the auspices of Union Veteran's Union, of which the deceased was a member.

OBITUARY: Oregon City Enterprise Courier, Mar 27, 1903: Death of Robert M. Wickham - Tuesday night at 12:30 there passed away at is home in this city, Robert M. Wickham, one of the best known and most highly respected citizen in Clackamas County. Robert Wickham was born in Northern Iowa in the year 1839 and devoted his early boyhood principally to agriculture on his father's farm when the war broke out, he joined the 13th Iowa Infantry and served through the entire war. He bore the reputation for great bravery and everybody who knew him at that time will testify to his fortitude on all occasions. For nearly two years he was immured in Andersonville prison and while there nearly starved to death, coming out a mere shadow of skin and bones. Gaining his freedom finally when many of the prisoners secured their release. This brave old veteran continued in the service of his country till the boys were dismissed at the end of the campaign in 65. After the war, Mr. Wickham returned to the home of his youth and continued there to work on his father's farm till he was about thirty years old when he married Miss Sarah Moore and soon afterwards turned his steps westward to Oregon and came to Oregon City where he has resided for nearly 30 years. Mr. Wickham while in Oregon City has worked in the woolen mill and various other employments and has been active in his work up to the last yen years when his present malady cancer of the stomach, unfitted him for work. For two years he has been a sufferer and up to the last moment his pain was very intense. He leaves to mourn his death, his wife, Mrs. Sarah M. Wickham and two sons Alonzo Wickham and G. M. Wickham both of whom are well known in these parts. The funeral was held Thursday afternoon at the Presbyterian church and Rev. Beaven officiated.

FUNERAL NOTICE - DIED - At his home in Oregon City, Wednesday, March Twenty-fifth, Nineteen Hundred and Three ROBERT M. WICKHAM Age Sixty-four yrs., One mo. and Twenty-five days. Funeral from the Presbyterian Church Thursday March Twenty-six, at Two P. M.
Rev. Mr. Beaven, officiating
Friends Invited

CIVIL WAR PENSION INDEX: GENERAL INDEX TO PENSION FILES, 1861-1934: Robert M. Wickham's pension was dropped on Mar 24, 1903 due to his death.

1940's LETTER FROM MRS. CECIL WICKHAM, Rt. 1, Box 175, Oregon City, OR, 1940's: "These are as copied from the Bible but Robert's middle name wasn't mentioned." "The word Penn was written by Robert and Sarah's name, so I assume they were from Pennsylvania." "Elmer Ellsworth Wickham lives in Portland.

"BIRTHS:
Robert M. Wickham Jan 30 1839 Penn
Sarah Moore Wickham Apr 19, 1842 Penn
Alonzo W. Wickham Nov 22, 1868 Eldora, IA
William George Wickham 1866 Eldora, IA
Mary Marrs Wickham Apr 14, 1870 Oregon City, OR
Abbie Marrs Wickham Feb 28, 1872 Oregon City, OR
daughter of Abbie and William George:
Pearl Wickham Gibson Mar 9, 1898 Oregon City, OR
son of Mary and Alonzo:
Cecil Edward Wickham Aug 16, 1898 Oregon City, OR
Irene Gibson Wickham Aug 30, 1898 Pine Island, MO
husband of Pearl W. Gibson:
George Gibson Jul 24, 1905 Richardson, WA
1st wife of Cecil E. Wickham:
Gladys Graham Wickham 1896
son of Cecil and Gladys:
Raymond Alvis Wickham Apr 3, 1919 Oregon City, OR
children of Cecil E Wickham & Irene Gibson:
Earl Jesse Wickham Aug 14, 1826 Oregon City, OR
Betty Irene Wickham Nov 9, 1928 Oregon City, OR
Hazel Jean Wickham Mar 1, 1930 Oregon City, OR

MARRIAGES:
Robert M. Wickham m. Sarah C. Moore Dec 31, 1865
George William Wickham (son of Sarah & Robert) m. Abbie Jane Marrs Apr 13, 1892
Alonzo Wesley Wickham (son of Sarah & Robert) m. Mary Henrietta Marrs Oct 19, 1892
Cecil Edward Wickham (son of Alonzo & Mary) m. Gladys Graham Mar 9, 1918
Cecil Edward Wickham m. Irene Florence Gibson
Sep 24, 1923
Pearl Ada Wickham (daughter of Abbie & George W.) m. George Ellery Gibson Oct 29, 1928

DEATHS:
Robert M. Wickham Mar 24, 1903
George William Wickham Jan 6, 1923
Alonzo Wesley Wickham Oct 18, 1935
Sarah E. Moore Wickham June 8, 1914

Robert M. came to Oregon Apr. 30, 1873."

INFO FROM BETTY WICKHAM HOUSE: She states that inside the front cover of the Bible above, there is a notation that Sarah Wickham purchased the Family Bible in Eldora, IA in September 1873. Betty has not found any proof that the Robert M. Wickham family was in Oregon prior to 1880.

MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY: gravestone is a Civil War stone engraved with " R. M. WICKHAM - CO. A. - 13 IA INF."

Robert married Sarah C. MOORE on 31 Dec 1865 in Eldora, Hardin Co, IA.¹ (Sarah C. MOORE was born on 14 Apr 1842 in PA,¹ died on 8 Jun 1914 in Oregon City, Clackamas Co, OR ⁴ and was buried on 9 Jun 1914 in Mountain View Cem., Oregon City, Clackamas Co, OR ⁴.)