Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He was an established lawyer at the out break of the war and enlisted as a private in Company H, 2nd Iowa Infantry on May 22, 1861. He was soon promoted First Lieutenant of his company and promoted Major, assistant adjutant general, on General Lauman's staff in February, 1862. Wounded at Shiloh, he then served on General John McArthur's staff at Vicksburg and Memphis. In early 1863, he received orders to organize a colored regiment and was commissioned Colonel in command of the 8th Louisiana Regiment Colored Troops on May 5, 1863. The 8th was renamed the 47th U.S. Colored Infantry in 1864 and the regiment then joined General Canby's division, with Scofield commanding the 2nd brigade. The 47th participated in the capture Yazoo City, campaigns in Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. During the latter months of 1864, the 47th served in Florida and in Alabama, seized Fort Blakely and occupied Mobile. For meritorious service and leadership, he was brevetted Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers on March 13, 1865. He was mustered out with regiment on May 22, 1866 and returned to Washington, Iowa, resuming his law practice until his death.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He was an established lawyer at the out break of the war and enlisted as a private in Company H, 2nd Iowa Infantry on May 22, 1861. He was soon promoted First Lieutenant of his company and promoted Major, assistant adjutant general, on General Lauman's staff in February, 1862. Wounded at Shiloh, he then served on General John McArthur's staff at Vicksburg and Memphis. In early 1863, he received orders to organize a colored regiment and was commissioned Colonel in command of the 8th Louisiana Regiment Colored Troops on May 5, 1863. The 8th was renamed the 47th U.S. Colored Infantry in 1864 and the regiment then joined General Canby's division, with Scofield commanding the 2nd brigade. The 47th participated in the capture Yazoo City, campaigns in Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. During the latter months of 1864, the 47th served in Florida and in Alabama, seized Fort Blakely and occupied Mobile. For meritorious service and leadership, he was brevetted Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers on March 13, 1865. He was mustered out with regiment on May 22, 1866 and returned to Washington, Iowa, resuming his law practice until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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