American Civil War Soldiers
Name: John Larmer
Residence: Oskaloosa, Iowa
Enlistment Date: 1 Jun 1861
Side Served: Union
State Served: Iowa
Service Record: Enlisted as a Sergeant on 1 June 1861 at the age of 27.
Enlisted in Company H, 3rd Infantry Regiment Iowa on 8 Jun 1861.
Promoted to Full 1st Sergeant on 1 Nov 1863.
Discharged for wounds Company H, 3rd Infantry Regiment Iowa on 2 Feb 1864.

Per 1860 U.S. Federal census, John Larmer is living in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, born abt 1833, Canada, Single, Boarder [Hotel], No Occupation Stated.

Per 1870 U.S. Federal census, John Larmer is living in Oskaloosa Ward 1, Mahaska, Iowa, born abt 1833, Candada, Head, Married, County Recorder, spouse name Rachel
Household members:
Rachel Larmer, age 23, born OH
Jennie Larmer, age 3, born IA

Per 1880 U.S. Federal census, John Larmer is living in San Buenaventura, Ventura, California, born abt 1831, Canada Head, Widower, Farmer, both parents born SCOTLAND
Household members:
Jennie Larmer, age 13, born IA
Jerome Larmer, age 9, born IA
James Larmer, age 7, born IA

Per 1900 U.S. Federal census, John Larmar is living in Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Los Angeles, California, born May 1830 Canada Single Inmate, both parents born SCOTLAND, immigrated 1856, never Naturalized.

CA Death Records 1905-1929 I found: LARMER, JOHN age 77 died 22 October 1907.

This is confirmed in the Nordhoff Book, by Patricia L. Fry with Dennis Mullican:
"LARMER, JOHN - died October 22, 1907, at the age of 77. A native of Canada, Mr. Larmer participated in the Civil War as a Union soldier in Company H, 3rd Iowa Infantry and was injured at Jackson, Mississippi. He came to Ojai from Iowa in 1873 and lived here ever since - until a few years prior to his death, when he entered an old soldiers' home as a ward of the government. The Larmer's had 74 acres along San Antonio Creek on Creek Road, where they farmed pumpkins, wheat and alfalfa. His wife, Rachel Elizabeth, died in 1877. Although she was buried on the ranch at the time of her death, she must have been moved to the Nordhoff Cemetery, because his obituary stated that he would be buried next to his wife at the Nordhoff Cemetery. Mr. Larmer left one son, Jerome, of Ventura, and a daughter, Mrs. G. Peckenbrock, Unionville, Missouri. The Larmer plot is along the roadway in the northeast section of the cemetery."

American Civil War Regiments
REGIMENT: 3rd Infantry Regiment Iowa
Date of Organization: 8 Jun 1861
Muster Date: 12 Jul 1865
Regiment State: Iowa
Regiment Type: Infantry
Regiment Number: 3rd
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 8
Officers Died of Disease or Accident: 0
Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded: 119
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 112
Regimental Soldiers and History: List of Soldiers

Regimental History
3rd INFANTRY
IOWA
(3 YEARS)


Third Infantry.-Cols.,Nelson G. Williams, Aaron Brown;
Lieut. Cols., John Scott Matthew M. Trumbull, James Tullis, Jacob Aber nethy; Majs., William M. Stone, Aaron Brown, G. W. Crosly. This regiment was organized at Keokuk in May and June, 1861, and was mustered in June 8 and 1O. It left the state June 29, without its field officers, going to Hannibal, Mo., thence west without knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, cartridge-boxes or ammunition, only equipment being empty muskets. Two companies stopped at Chillicothe, one at Grand River bridge and the others at Utica, where Col. Williams joined the regiment and the commissions arrived for the Lieutenant Colonel and major. On July 8, three companies under Capt. Herron formed a
junction at Monroe with a detachment of Col. Smith's command and were engaged at Hager's woods, retreating to find the train in flames, the track destroyed and themselves surrounded. Reinforcements from Palmyra rescued the little command and soon after the whole regiment arrived. Headquarters were established at Chillicothe, where seven companies were stationed, the others engaging in railroad guard duty near. On Aug. 12 the regiment proceeded to Macon in command of Lieut.-Col. Scott, and from there to Kirksville, where it was joined in a few days by Gen. Hurlbut with the 16th Ill. On the 30th the column moved to Shelbina in pursuit of Green, and there
took the train for Brookfield, which was reached on Sept. 3.
In the meantime Col. Williams received orders for a movement south of the road, and with the 50 well men of the 3rd in camp, 60 who had been on duty at St. Joseph, and the convalescent invalids, he proceeded to Hannibal, secured the remnants of six companies of the 2nd Kan. (just returned from Wilson's creek) and a company of Missouri cavalry, the entire force numbering less than 700 men. Leaving the railroad at Shelbina, the command marched to Paris, from which Col. William ordered a retreat after one day's stay. Attacked at Shelbina on Sept. 4, he continued the retreat by rail. Gen. Pope arrived at
Brookfield at this time and took charge of affairs. Gen.
Hurlbut, whose campaign had consisted chiefly of proclamations, and Col. Williams were ordered to St. Louis in arrest. The regiment was engaged at Blue Mills landing, where Lieut.-Col.
Scott's command, consisting of 500 of the 3rd, about 70 home guards, and a squad of artillery with one 6-pounder gun, was ambushed, but retired in good order to Liberty at nightfall, with the gun which had been brought off by hand. It met at that point Col. Smith's command, which had been expected earlier in the day. The little force of about 600 had repulsed 4,000 of the enemy, but had lost 118 in killed and wounded, of whom 94 were of the 3rd Ia. Joining Sturgis' force at Wyandotte, it remained until Oct. 18, when it moved up the river to Iatan, thence across the state to Quincy, Ill., then to St. Louis, and remained there until after Christmas, when it was ordered out in detachments for railroad guard duty on the North Missouri railroad. Col. Williams was released from arrest, and about the last of February resumed command. On March 3, 1862, the regiment was assigned to Brig.-Gen.
Hurlbut's command, moved with it to Pittsburg landing and
participated in the battle of Shiloh. It was under terrific fire and after the other troops were cut off, when the enemy turned the flanks of the Iowa brigade on the first day, it cut its way through the enemy's lines, Maj. Stone in command being captured. It was engaged in the siege of Corinth and after the evacuation went into camp, engaged in the repair of the railway and made a march to Holly Springs. It remained at Memphis from
July to Sept. 6, when it moved to Bolivar. It was engaged at the Hatchie river, carrying the bridge by a desperate charge at the crisis of the battle and losing nearly 60 out of 300 engaged. Returning to Bolivar, it joined the march south in November, but returned and went into camp at Moscow where it remained from the middle of Jan., 1863, until in March when it moved to Memphis. Col. Williams and Lieut.-Col. Trumbull having resigned, Maj. Brown was commissioned colonel, Capt. James Tullis became lieutenant-colonel, and Lieut. G. W. Crosly was appointed major. While on the way to Vicksburg the boat was fired on near Greenville, Miss., but the regiment speedily dislodged the enemy. It took position in the trenches on May 25 and was actively engaged until the capitulation of Vicksburg. It took part in the assault at Jackson, where it behaved with great gallantry and sustained heavy loss. It went into camp near Natchez but returned to Vicksburg in December
and went into winter quarters near the Big Black. Here over 200 reenlisted as veterans, were furloughed home after the Meridian expedition, and the non-veterans under command of Lieut.-Col. Tullis joined the Red River expedition. On their return they were ordered home for muster-out. The veterans returned to Cairo, Ill, where they joined the 17th corps and moved with it to join Sherman's command for the Atlanta campaign. Soon after, the officers whose term of service had expired left for home, and the veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of three companies, Lieut. Jacob Abernethy of Co. F being recommended as lieutenant-colonel. At the battle of Atlanta the battalion was destroyed, Abernethy
was slain, Capt. Griffith mortally wounded, and a large
proportion of the command killed, wounded or captured, though the men fought with the desperation of despair for the colors, and when almost wiped out, the few remaining tore up the flag, divided the pieces and brought the shreds with them on their return. The survivors were assigned to the 2nd Ia. and served with it through the Carolina campaign.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 4


Shiloh after battle report:

Report of Capt. Matthew M. Trumbull, Third Iowa Infantry.

HDQRS. THIRD IOWA INFANTRY, April 17, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Third Iowa Infantry in the action of the 6th and 7th instant:

The Third Iowa occupied the extreme right of the Fourth Division, being the first regiment of Col. and Actg. Brig. Gen. N. G. Williams' brigade, and was posted during a greater portion of Sunday at the fence near the cotton field. The enemy repeatedly threw large bodies of infantry against us, but never with success. He was repulsed every time, and with great slaughter. The regiment was also subjected to a storm of grape, canister, and shell, which lasted several hours. The Third Iowa maintained its ground until evening and did not then give way until the troops on their right and left had been broken and we were entirely outflanked and almost surrounded. The regiment was then compelled in a great measure to cut its way out.

Of the firmness, coolness, and courage of the men under a heavy fire it will be unnecessary for me to speak, as they were almost constantly during the battle under the immediate eye of the general commanding the division.

The regiment went into battle on the second day under the command of First Lieut. G. W. Crosley, of Company E, and, as I am well assured, nobly maintained the honor of the flag.

Should I designate meritorious officers I should have to name nearly every officer in the regiment. I think, however, none will feel envious if I specially mention Lieut. Crosley.

I desire to call the attention of the general commanding the division to the gallantry and good conduct of Sergt. James Lakin, of Company F, who carried the colors on the first day, and of Corp. Anderson Edwards, of Company I, who carried the colors on the second day, of the battle.

Our loss is heavy. I herewith inclose a list of our killed, wounded, and missing.*

I have the honor to remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. M. TRUMBULL,
Capt., Third Iowa Infantry, Cmdg. Regt.

Brig. Gen. STEPHEN A. HURLBUT, U. S. A.,
Cmdg. Fourth Division, Army of the Tennessee.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

Battles Fought
Fought on 9 Jun 1861 at Hager's Woods, MO.
Fought on 11 Jul 1861 at Monroe, MO.
Fought on 17 Jul 1861 at Shelbyville, MO.
Fought on 20 Aug 1861 at Kirkville, MO.
Fought on 2 Sep 1861 at Shelbyville, MO.
Fought on 17 Sep 1861 at Blue Mills Landing, MO.
Fought on 6 Apr 1862 at Shiloh, TN.
Fought on 7 Apr 1862 at Shiloh, TN.
Fought on 9 Apr 1862.
Fought on 25 Jul 1862.
Fought on 19 Sep 1862 at Iuka, MS.
Fought on 21 Sep 1862 at Bolivar, TN.
Fought on 3 Oct 1862 at Hatchie River, TN.
Fought on 3 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
Fought on 5 Oct 1862 at Matamora, TN.
Fought on 5 Oct 1862 at Hatchie River, TN.
Fought on 20 Dec 1862 at Holly Springs, MS.
Fought on 18 Feb 1863 at Moscow, TN.
Fought on 20 Feb 1863.
Fought on 15 Mar 1863 at Memphis, TN.
Fought on 18 May 1863 at Island 82, On Steamer "Crescent City".
Fought on 3 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 4 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 12 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 16 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 20 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 21 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 23 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 26 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 12 Jul 1863 at Jackson, MS.
Fought on 27 Feb 1864 at Pearl River, MS.
Fought on 27 Feb 1864 at Canton, MS.
Fought on 10 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 11 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 21 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 11 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 13 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.

Info courtesy of Terry Chaffee.