This is the Civil War Diary of young Aquilla Standifird who served in four battles in the Civil War. This day-by-day record gives an incredible account of the Iowa 23rd Regiment Infantry, Company "D". The Regiment lost six Officers and 69 enlisted men who were mortally wounded and one Officer and 208 enlisted men who died by disease. All serious Civil War researchers must read this diary! The Diary is divided into six sections for easier loading and has been embellished with photographs when possible.
Aquilla was born October 22, 1838 two miles from Napoleon, (Jackson Twp.) Ripley County, Indiana. He was the son of William and Rebecca Broshar Standifird. He married Anna (Angaline) Gray October 4, 1860 in Warren Township, Wayne County, Iowa, "the pretiest wife.....there is in 11 states, well maybe". Aqullia died January 3, 1932 at Fort Leavenworth, KS and was buried in Indianola, IA. After the war, his home was on a farm east of Clio, until 1892 when he sold out and moved to Des Moines, residing on Logan Avenue. While there, the Standifirds united with the Simpson Methodist Church and Mr. Standifird became a member of the Kinsman Post No. Seven, Department of Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic. After a few years they returned to Indianola where in 1914, Anna died. After her death, Aquilla made his home with his children and in the Soldiers Home at Fort Leavenworth, KS. His picture is framed and hanging on the wall in the Library in the Wayne County Museum in Iowa.
This Civil War Journal tells the story of an honorable, dutiful young man and recreates his civil war service. As we take this journey with him, we learn of not only of the hardships, indignities and horrors of this war first hand, but we come to know this man of faith and self-discipline, and to realize his strength of character and bravery. We marvel at his talent for recording almost each day of the Iowa 23rd Regiment, Company "D" and the journey into war as he experienced it until he was taken ill and could serve no more.
Aquilla states at the close of his dairy, "In this sketch I have tried to get the exact facts as it occurred. Possibly at some time it will be read by some one long after the writer has answered to the last roll call."
We suspect than Aquilla fared very well after the war and remained true to his convictions throughout his life.
Aquilla Standifird is a survivor of this war who conducted himself in a honorable way when tested and I am proud to present this diary as a tribute to him – a true American. My sincere gratitude goes to Julie Cheche who generously submitted this Journal. She has a copy of the original document and had it typed to retain some of the errors and slang so that his style of speaking would not be lost. Much of the original spelling is preserved.
Yes, Aquilla, your diary is being read by many others, long after your last roll call!
Carol Lee Yarbrough
To read
Aquilla's Civil War letters to his sister, click here.
To view
Aquilla's family lineage, click here.
Click here for
Aquilla's Obituary/Biography
To learn more about
the Iowa 23rd Regiment, click here.
To
learn more about the colored troups at Milliken's Bend, click here.
To
see more Civil War Photographs at this great site 
For
more Civil War Diaries, click here - Raymond Moore's site!
The diary has been divided into sections for easier loading!
Aquilla Standifird's Diary, Click here!
