known as "iowa's martyr regiment". the 38th iowa infantry was recruited for the most part in five counties, fayette, winneshiek, bremer, chickasaw, and howard. rendezvous and initial training was conducted at camp franklin, dubuque, iowa and mustered in for three years of federal service on november 4, 1862. the regiment re-occupied new madrid, missouri, on january 2, 1863. they remained at this location as the garrison at fort thompson patrolling the woods and swamps of new madrid and pemiscot counties. although threatened many times with attack they were never assaulted. on june 6, 1863, the regiment left for vicksburg as part of major general francis herron's division.