Born on March 12, 1842, in Preble County, Ohio, Silas Atwood moved to Washington County, Iowa, with his parents when he was eighteen months old. He appears as a laborer in Clay, Washington County, Iowa, in the 1860 census.

Atwood enlisted in Company K, 13th Iowa Infantry on September 28, 1861, and was mustered into service on November 2, 1861. He reenlisted on January 1, 1864, and was promoted to corporal the same day. Promoted to sergeant in October 1864, and to first sergeant in July 1865, Atwood was mustered out with the regiment on July 21, 1865.

The 13th Iowa fought at Shiloh, Corinth, in the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s “March to the Sea,” the Carolinas Campaign, and at Bentonville.

Atwood’s brother James enlisted in the same company on the same day. On July 21, 1864, the 13th Iowa was outside Atlanta with General William T. Sherman’s army. At 8 a.m., Major William Walker of the 13th received orders to move at the double quick to the front to support Brigadier General Manning Force’s attack on Bald Hill, east of Atlanta. After heavy fighting, the Federals captured the hill, but the 13th lost 17 enlisted men killed and 4 officers and 77 enlisted men wounded. James Atwood was one of those killed that morning.

Silas Atwood moved to Seward County, Nebraska in 1867 and became a farmer. He was elected to the state legislature in 1902 and 1904, and died on April 8, 1906. A comrade said of him, “He was a quiet, inoffensive soldier and citizen—one of God’s noblemen.” Atwood is buried in Blue Mound Cemetery, Milford, Nebraska.

Cabinet card by E. Berspacher, Beaver Crossing, Nebraska.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30068