Ah, 'The Greybeards' - the 37th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry...
By special authority of the War Department, the 37th Iowa Volunteer Infantry was made up of men beyond military age.
Their average age was 57.
More than 100 were in their 60's, while a number were in their 70's, and at least one man on the roster was past 80.
Iowa alone had such a Regiment - men beyond military age, who had sons and grandsons in the Army and asked the Government to take them into the ranks.
The Regiment was mustered at Camp Strong, Muscatine, Iowa, on October 10, 1862.
It was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, on May 24, 1865, having operated in the Western Theater.
The Tally: 1,041 served, 3 KIA, 4 WIA, 2 died of wounds, 145 died of disease, 364 discharged for disease, wounds, etc.
They gave the Union Army 1300 sons and grandsons.
Vaya,
Scouts Out!