Biography
Dempsey was born in 1832 in Warren County, Indiana, probably near Attica. In 1852 his father died. Around 1855 he moved with his extended family to Mount Ayr, Ringold county, Iowa. This provided opportunity for his brothers and brothers-in-law to acquire homesteads. By 1859, his older brothers and sisters had married and left the home, and his mother was getting older. So she turned the household over to him, on condition that he care for her until his death. Not long after that, he met and married Elizabeth "Bette" Smith, whose family had moved to Lotts Creek, Ringold, Iowa, from Hamilton county, Indiana, prior to 1856. Around 1861 they had a daughter, Mahala Melvina Brown.
Dempsey’s family no longer followed the pacifist Quaker faith, and in 1862 he registered for service in the Union army. On Nov 18 he was enlisted in Company G, Iowa 29th Infantry Regiment. In May, 1863, an ill-considered military expedition in Arkansas exposed the men to excessive conditions and fostered illness throughout the regiment. Dempsey was among the 249 who died from the chronic dysentery that resulted. He was buried in the National Cemetery that then existed at Helena, Arkansas. Later the remains of those interred there were reburied in Memphis National Cemetery, many with unmarked graves, as is the case with Dempsey. After his death, his mother turned the farm over to his younger sister Mary, who cared for their mother until her mother’s death in 1874, and managed the farm until she married in 1884, at age 43.
Dempsey’s military service evidently had family support, in spite of their Quaker roots. His older brother Willis gave the name "Dempsey" to the next son that was born to him after Dempsey’s enlistment, and after Dempsey’s death his younger brother Isaac joined the same regiment. Dempsey’s younger brother William Jasper Brown gave the name "Dempsey" to one of his sons, evidently in his memory.
Dempsey’s widow married John L. Smith, who was from her hometown in Indiana and was perhaps a cousin. They continued to live close to the Brown families in Mount Ayr, but sometime after Mahala died in 1875 and before 1879, the Smith family moved to Decatur county, Kansas. Between 1895 and 1900 they moved to De Beque in Mesa county, Colorado.
From Regimental History, Twenty-ninth Infantry Iowa
This regiment was organized at Council Bluffs in the fall of 1862 and was mustered in Dec. 1st. Moving in detachments between Dec. 5 and 8 the regiment marched to St. Joseph, Mo.; thence to St. Louis, and engaged in the duty of guarding some of the prisons. It was speedily ordered to Helena, Ark., and at Columbus, Ky., it was assigned to the right wing, commanded by Gen. Tuttle. It remained there until Jan. 8, 1863, when it started for Helena again, but joined the White River expedition, of which, some suggestion has been made in the history of the 28th and other regiments. It returned with 400 sick, of whom it lost nearly 300 by death and disabled invalids.
From "Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion: Vol. 3, 17th-31st regiments Infantry," by Guy E. Logan, p. 1364
Brown, Dempsey. Age 30. Residence Mt. Ayr, nativity Indiana. Enlisted Aug. 9, 1862. Mustered Nov. 18, 1862. Died of disease May 21, 1863, Helena, Ark. Buried in National Cemetery, Helena, Ark.
From Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion: Vol. 3, 17th-31st regiments Infantry, by Guy E. Logan, p. 1343
Between the 5th and 9th of December the regiment marched to St. Joseph, Mo., and, upon its arrival there, Colonel Benton reported by telegraph to Major General S. R. Curtis, Commander of the Department of the Missouri, at St. Louis, for orders. A few days later orders were received for the regiment to proceed to St. Louis by rail; on December 20th it arrived in that city and, for the next few days, was engaged in the duty of guarding prisoners. On December 25th the regiment was ordered to embark on transport and proceed to Columbus, Ky., which place was at that time threatened with attack. Upon arriving at Columbus it was assigned to the command of Brigadier General Tuttle, (formerly Colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry,) and, taking position with the other troops composing the garrison, awaited the attack. Learning that reinforcements had arrived, the commander of the rebel forces wisely concluded that it was best to defer attacking the place. On January 8, 1863, the regiment was relieved from duty at Columbus and ordered to again embark and proceed to Helena, Ark. Upon its arrival at Helena the regiment did not disembark, but was ordered to proceed at once—in conjunction with other troops, under the command of General Gorman—on an expedition up the White River. In the historical sketch of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry the compiler has described the frightful exposure to which the troops engaged upon this expedition were subjected, and the meager results accomplished. The Twenty-ninth Iowa endured the same hardships and suffered the same disastrous consequences of sickness and death, which was the inevitable result of such an experience. Upon its return to Helena, the regiment had over four hundred men on the sick list. An examination of the list of casualties shows that of this number many died and many were discharged on account of having become disabled for further service.
As the direct consequence of the sickness resulting from exposure on the White River expedition, Adjutant Lyman places the loss of the regiment at not less than two hundred men. It was the most gloomy and disheartening period in the history of the Twenty-ninth Iowa. Its officers and men had anticipated, and were prepared to endure, suffering and privation, and, where commensurate results were achieved. were not disposed to complain. They had however, seen the lives of many of their comrades sacrificed upon an ill-directed expedition, which resulted in but little advantage to the cause for which they had enlisted, and it was but natural that a feeling of despondency should prevail under such conditions. The regiment had been on board the crowded transport for eighteen days, when it landed at Helena and disembarked, on the 26th of January, 1863.
SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.
Total Enrollment.............................................................1,485
Killed ...................................................................................23
Wounded............................................................................107
Died of wounds....................................................................18
Died of disease...................................................................249
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes...........157
Buried in National Cemeteries...........................................140
Captured ...............................................................................65
Transferred ...........................................................................38
Dempsey was born in 1832 in Warren County, Indiana, probably near Attica. In 1852 his father died. Around 1855 he moved with his extended family to Mount Ayr, Ringold county, Iowa. This provided opportunity for his brothers and brothers-in-law to acquire homesteads. By 1859, his older brothers and sisters had married and left the home, and his mother was getting older. So she turned the household over to him, on condition that he care for her until his death. Not long after that, he met and married Elizabeth "Bette" Smith, whose family had moved to Lotts Creek, Ringold, Iowa, from Hamilton county, Indiana, prior to 1856. Around 1861 they had a daughter, Mahala Melvina Brown.
Dempsey’s family no longer followed the pacifist Quaker faith, and in 1862 he registered for service in the Union army. On Nov 18 he was enlisted in Company G, Iowa 29th Infantry Regiment. In May, 1863, an ill-considered military expedition in Arkansas exposed the men to excessive conditions and fostered illness throughout the regiment. Dempsey was among the 249 who died from the chronic dysentery that resulted. He was buried in the National Cemetery that then existed at Helena, Arkansas. Later the remains of those interred there were reburied in Memphis National Cemetery, many with unmarked graves, as is the case with Dempsey. After his death, his mother turned the farm over to his younger sister Mary, who cared for their mother until her mother’s death in 1874, and managed the farm until she married in 1884, at age 43.
Dempsey’s military service evidently had family support, in spite of their Quaker roots. His older brother Willis gave the name "Dempsey" to the next son that was born to him after Dempsey’s enlistment, and after Dempsey’s death his younger brother Isaac joined the same regiment. Dempsey’s younger brother William Jasper Brown gave the name "Dempsey" to one of his sons, evidently in his memory.
Dempsey’s widow married John L. Smith, who was from her hometown in Indiana and was perhaps a cousin. They continued to live close to the Brown families in Mount Ayr, but sometime after Mahala died in 1875 and before 1879, the Smith family moved to Decatur county, Kansas. Between 1895 and 1900 they moved to De Beque in Mesa county, Colorado.
From Regimental History, Twenty-ninth Infantry Iowa
This regiment was organized at Council Bluffs in the fall of 1862 and was mustered in Dec. 1st. Moving in detachments between Dec. 5 and 8 the regiment marched to St. Joseph, Mo.; thence to St. Louis, and engaged in the duty of guarding some of the prisons. It was speedily ordered to Helena, Ark., and at Columbus, Ky., it was assigned to the right wing, commanded by Gen. Tuttle. It remained there until Jan. 8, 1863, when it started for Helena again, but joined the White River expedition, of which, some suggestion has been made in the history of the 28th and other regiments. It returned with 400 sick, of whom it lost nearly 300 by death and disabled invalids.
From "Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion: Vol. 3, 17th-31st regiments Infantry," by Guy E. Logan, p. 1364
Brown, Dempsey. Age 30. Residence Mt. Ayr, nativity Indiana. Enlisted Aug. 9, 1862. Mustered Nov. 18, 1862. Died of disease May 21, 1863, Helena, Ark. Buried in National Cemetery, Helena, Ark.
From Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion: Vol. 3, 17th-31st regiments Infantry, by Guy E. Logan, p. 1343
Between the 5th and 9th of December the regiment marched to St. Joseph, Mo., and, upon its arrival there, Colonel Benton reported by telegraph to Major General S. R. Curtis, Commander of the Department of the Missouri, at St. Louis, for orders. A few days later orders were received for the regiment to proceed to St. Louis by rail; on December 20th it arrived in that city and, for the next few days, was engaged in the duty of guarding prisoners. On December 25th the regiment was ordered to embark on transport and proceed to Columbus, Ky., which place was at that time threatened with attack. Upon arriving at Columbus it was assigned to the command of Brigadier General Tuttle, (formerly Colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry,) and, taking position with the other troops composing the garrison, awaited the attack. Learning that reinforcements had arrived, the commander of the rebel forces wisely concluded that it was best to defer attacking the place. On January 8, 1863, the regiment was relieved from duty at Columbus and ordered to again embark and proceed to Helena, Ark. Upon its arrival at Helena the regiment did not disembark, but was ordered to proceed at once—in conjunction with other troops, under the command of General Gorman—on an expedition up the White River. In the historical sketch of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry the compiler has described the frightful exposure to which the troops engaged upon this expedition were subjected, and the meager results accomplished. The Twenty-ninth Iowa endured the same hardships and suffered the same disastrous consequences of sickness and death, which was the inevitable result of such an experience. Upon its return to Helena, the regiment had over four hundred men on the sick list. An examination of the list of casualties shows that of this number many died and many were discharged on account of having become disabled for further service.
As the direct consequence of the sickness resulting from exposure on the White River expedition, Adjutant Lyman places the loss of the regiment at not less than two hundred men. It was the most gloomy and disheartening period in the history of the Twenty-ninth Iowa. Its officers and men had anticipated, and were prepared to endure, suffering and privation, and, where commensurate results were achieved. were not disposed to complain. They had however, seen the lives of many of their comrades sacrificed upon an ill-directed expedition, which resulted in but little advantage to the cause for which they had enlisted, and it was but natural that a feeling of despondency should prevail under such conditions. The regiment had been on board the crowded transport for eighteen days, when it landed at Helena and disembarked, on the 26th of January, 1863.
SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.
Total Enrollment.............................................................1,485
Killed ...................................................................................23
Wounded............................................................................107
Died of wounds....................................................................18
Died of disease...................................................................249
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes...........157
Buried in National Cemeteries...........................................140
Captured ...............................................................................65
Transferred ...........................................................................38
Biography
Dempsey was born in 1832 in Warren County, Indiana, probably near Attica. In 1852 his father died. Around 1855 he moved with his extended family to Mount Ayr, Ringold county, Iowa. This provided opportunity for his brothers and brothers-in-law to acquire homesteads. By 1859, his older brothers and sisters had married and left the home, and his mother was getting older. So she turned the household over to him, on condition that he care for her until his death. Not long after that, he met and married Elizabeth "Bette" Smith, whose family had moved to Lotts Creek, Ringold, Iowa, from Hamilton county, Indiana, prior to 1856. Around 1861 they had a daughter, Mahala Melvina Brown.
Dempsey’s family no longer followed the pacifist Quaker faith, and in 1862 he registered for service in the Union army. On Nov 18 he was enlisted in Company G, Iowa 29th Infantry Regiment. In May, 1863, an ill-considered military expedition in Arkansas exposed the men to excessive conditions and fostered illness throughout the regiment. Dempsey was among the 249 who died from the chronic dysentery that resulted. He was buried in the National Cemetery that then existed at Helena, Arkansas. Later the remains of those interred there were reburied in Memphis National Cemetery, many with unmarked graves, as is the case with Dempsey. After his death, his mother turned the farm over to his younger sister Mary, who cared for their mother until her mother’s death in 1874, and managed the farm until she married in 1884, at age 43.
Dempsey’s military service evidently had family support, in spite of their Quaker roots. His older brother Willis gave the name "Dempsey" to the next son that was born to him after Dempsey’s enlistment, and after Dempsey’s death his younger brother Isaac joined the same regiment. Dempsey’s younger brother William Jasper Brown gave the name "Dempsey" to one of his sons, evidently in his memory.
Dempsey’s widow married John L. Smith, who was from her hometown in Indiana and was perhaps a cousin. They continued to live close to the Brown families in Mount Ayr, but sometime after Mahala died in 1875 and before 1879, the Smith family moved to Decatur county, Kansas. Between 1895 and 1900 they moved to De Beque in Mesa county, Colorado.
From Regimental History, Twenty-ninth Infantry Iowa
This regiment was organized at Council Bluffs in the fall of 1862 and was mustered in Dec. 1st. Moving in detachments between Dec. 5 and 8 the regiment marched to St. Joseph, Mo.; thence to St. Louis, and engaged in the duty of guarding some of the prisons. It was speedily ordered to Helena, Ark., and at Columbus, Ky., it was assigned to the right wing, commanded by Gen. Tuttle. It remained there until Jan. 8, 1863, when it started for Helena again, but joined the White River expedition, of which, some suggestion has been made in the history of the 28th and other regiments. It returned with 400 sick, of whom it lost nearly 300 by death and disabled invalids.
From "Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion: Vol. 3, 17th-31st regiments Infantry," by Guy E. Logan, p. 1364
Brown, Dempsey. Age 30. Residence Mt. Ayr, nativity Indiana. Enlisted Aug. 9, 1862. Mustered Nov. 18, 1862. Died of disease May 21, 1863, Helena, Ark. Buried in National Cemetery, Helena, Ark.
From Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion: Vol. 3, 17th-31st regiments Infantry, by Guy E. Logan, p. 1343
Between the 5th and 9th of December the regiment marched to St. Joseph, Mo., and, upon its arrival there, Colonel Benton reported by telegraph to Major General S. R. Curtis, Commander of the Department of the Missouri, at St. Louis, for orders. A few days later orders were received for the regiment to proceed to St. Louis by rail; on December 20th it arrived in that city and, for the next few days, was engaged in the duty of guarding prisoners. On December 25th the regiment was ordered to embark on transport and proceed to Columbus, Ky., which place was at that time threatened with attack. Upon arriving at Columbus it was assigned to the command of Brigadier General Tuttle, (formerly Colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry,) and, taking position with the other troops composing the garrison, awaited the attack. Learning that reinforcements had arrived, the commander of the rebel forces wisely concluded that it was best to defer attacking the place. On January 8, 1863, the regiment was relieved from duty at Columbus and ordered to again embark and proceed to Helena, Ark. Upon its arrival at Helena the regiment did not disembark, but was ordered to proceed at once—in conjunction with other troops, under the command of General Gorman—on an expedition up the White River. In the historical sketch of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry the compiler has described the frightful exposure to which the troops engaged upon this expedition were subjected, and the meager results accomplished. The Twenty-ninth Iowa endured the same hardships and suffered the same disastrous consequences of sickness and death, which was the inevitable result of such an experience. Upon its return to Helena, the regiment had over four hundred men on the sick list. An examination of the list of casualties shows that of this number many died and many were discharged on account of having become disabled for further service.
As the direct consequence of the sickness resulting from exposure on the White River expedition, Adjutant Lyman places the loss of the regiment at not less than two hundred men. It was the most gloomy and disheartening period in the history of the Twenty-ninth Iowa. Its officers and men had anticipated, and were prepared to endure, suffering and privation, and, where commensurate results were achieved. were not disposed to complain. They had however, seen the lives of many of their comrades sacrificed upon an ill-directed expedition, which resulted in but little advantage to the cause for which they had enlisted, and it was but natural that a feeling of despondency should prevail under such conditions. The regiment had been on board the crowded transport for eighteen days, when it landed at Helena and disembarked, on the 26th of January, 1863.
SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.
Total Enrollment.............................................................1,485
Killed ...................................................................................23
Wounded............................................................................107
Died of wounds....................................................................18
Died of disease...................................................................249
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes...........157
Buried in National Cemeteries...........................................140
Captured ...............................................................................65
Transferred ...........................................................................38
Dempsey was born in 1832 in Warren County, Indiana, probably near Attica. In 1852 his father died. Around 1855 he moved with his extended family to Mount Ayr, Ringold county, Iowa. This provided opportunity for his brothers and brothers-in-law to acquire homesteads. By 1859, his older brothers and sisters had married and left the home, and his mother was getting older. So she turned the household over to him, on condition that he care for her until his death. Not long after that, he met and married Elizabeth "Bette" Smith, whose family had moved to Lotts Creek, Ringold, Iowa, from Hamilton county, Indiana, prior to 1856. Around 1861 they had a daughter, Mahala Melvina Brown.
Dempsey’s family no longer followed the pacifist Quaker faith, and in 1862 he registered for service in the Union army. On Nov 18 he was enlisted in Company G, Iowa 29th Infantry Regiment. In May, 1863, an ill-considered military expedition in Arkansas exposed the men to excessive conditions and fostered illness throughout the regiment. Dempsey was among the 249 who died from the chronic dysentery that resulted. He was buried in the National Cemetery that then existed at Helena, Arkansas. Later the remains of those interred there were reburied in Memphis National Cemetery, many with unmarked graves, as is the case with Dempsey. After his death, his mother turned the farm over to his younger sister Mary, who cared for their mother until her mother’s death in 1874, and managed the farm until she married in 1884, at age 43.
Dempsey’s military service evidently had family support, in spite of their Quaker roots. His older brother Willis gave the name "Dempsey" to the next son that was born to him after Dempsey’s enlistment, and after Dempsey’s death his younger brother Isaac joined the same regiment. Dempsey’s younger brother William Jasper Brown gave the name "Dempsey" to one of his sons, evidently in his memory.
Dempsey’s widow married John L. Smith, who was from her hometown in Indiana and was perhaps a cousin. They continued to live close to the Brown families in Mount Ayr, but sometime after Mahala died in 1875 and before 1879, the Smith family moved to Decatur county, Kansas. Between 1895 and 1900 they moved to De Beque in Mesa county, Colorado.
From Regimental History, Twenty-ninth Infantry Iowa
This regiment was organized at Council Bluffs in the fall of 1862 and was mustered in Dec. 1st. Moving in detachments between Dec. 5 and 8 the regiment marched to St. Joseph, Mo.; thence to St. Louis, and engaged in the duty of guarding some of the prisons. It was speedily ordered to Helena, Ark., and at Columbus, Ky., it was assigned to the right wing, commanded by Gen. Tuttle. It remained there until Jan. 8, 1863, when it started for Helena again, but joined the White River expedition, of which, some suggestion has been made in the history of the 28th and other regiments. It returned with 400 sick, of whom it lost nearly 300 by death and disabled invalids.
From "Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion: Vol. 3, 17th-31st regiments Infantry," by Guy E. Logan, p. 1364
Brown, Dempsey. Age 30. Residence Mt. Ayr, nativity Indiana. Enlisted Aug. 9, 1862. Mustered Nov. 18, 1862. Died of disease May 21, 1863, Helena, Ark. Buried in National Cemetery, Helena, Ark.
From Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion: Vol. 3, 17th-31st regiments Infantry, by Guy E. Logan, p. 1343
Between the 5th and 9th of December the regiment marched to St. Joseph, Mo., and, upon its arrival there, Colonel Benton reported by telegraph to Major General S. R. Curtis, Commander of the Department of the Missouri, at St. Louis, for orders. A few days later orders were received for the regiment to proceed to St. Louis by rail; on December 20th it arrived in that city and, for the next few days, was engaged in the duty of guarding prisoners. On December 25th the regiment was ordered to embark on transport and proceed to Columbus, Ky., which place was at that time threatened with attack. Upon arriving at Columbus it was assigned to the command of Brigadier General Tuttle, (formerly Colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry,) and, taking position with the other troops composing the garrison, awaited the attack. Learning that reinforcements had arrived, the commander of the rebel forces wisely concluded that it was best to defer attacking the place. On January 8, 1863, the regiment was relieved from duty at Columbus and ordered to again embark and proceed to Helena, Ark. Upon its arrival at Helena the regiment did not disembark, but was ordered to proceed at once—in conjunction with other troops, under the command of General Gorman—on an expedition up the White River. In the historical sketch of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry the compiler has described the frightful exposure to which the troops engaged upon this expedition were subjected, and the meager results accomplished. The Twenty-ninth Iowa endured the same hardships and suffered the same disastrous consequences of sickness and death, which was the inevitable result of such an experience. Upon its return to Helena, the regiment had over four hundred men on the sick list. An examination of the list of casualties shows that of this number many died and many were discharged on account of having become disabled for further service.
As the direct consequence of the sickness resulting from exposure on the White River expedition, Adjutant Lyman places the loss of the regiment at not less than two hundred men. It was the most gloomy and disheartening period in the history of the Twenty-ninth Iowa. Its officers and men had anticipated, and were prepared to endure, suffering and privation, and, where commensurate results were achieved. were not disposed to complain. They had however, seen the lives of many of their comrades sacrificed upon an ill-directed expedition, which resulted in but little advantage to the cause for which they had enlisted, and it was but natural that a feeling of despondency should prevail under such conditions. The regiment had been on board the crowded transport for eighteen days, when it landed at Helena and disembarked, on the 26th of January, 1863.
SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.
Total Enrollment.............................................................1,485
Killed ...................................................................................23
Wounded............................................................................107
Died of wounds....................................................................18
Died of disease...................................................................249
Discharged for wounds, disease and other causes...........157
Buried in National Cemeteries...........................................140
Captured ...............................................................................65
Transferred ...........................................................................38
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