Lewis Creitz enlisted on April 18, 1861, in Company A, 1st Iowa Infantry, and was mustered in at Keokuk, Iowa, on May 14 as a private. The 1st Iowa enlisted for ninety days under President Lincoln’s first call for volunteers; the Iowans fought at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861, then returned to Iowa and were mustered out on August 21, 1861.

On August 2, 1862, Creitz was appointed a first lieutenant and mustered into Company G, 35th Iowa Infantry. The 35th was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg, the Red River campaign and the Battle of Nashville.

Creitz and the 35th Iowa were mustered out of service on August 10, 1865.

Carte-de-Visite by H.A. Balch, Memphis, Tenn.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11189