1st Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment (African Descent)

The 1st Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry (African Descent) was an African-American infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Service
The first six companies of the 1st Iowa Infantry (African Descent) was organized at Keokuk, Iowa and mustered into Federal forces on October 11, 1863. Four additional companies were added before the end of the year. The regiment served as part of the garrison of the Department of Arkansas for its entire existence.

The regiment was redesignated on the 60th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops on March 11, 1864.

Total strength and casualties
A total of 1153 men served in the 1st Iowa (African Descent) at one time or another during its existence. It suffered 1 officer and 11 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died of their wounds and 332 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 344 fatalities.

Commanders

 * Colonel John G. Hudson