Fairfield in Jefferson County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Company of Jefferson County Civil War Volunteers Drill Ground

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 20, 2025

1. First Company of Jefferson County Civil War Volunteers Drill Ground Marker

Inscription.
This was the drill ground of the first company of volunteers from Jefferson County, to respond to President Lincoln’s call for troops in 1861.

Company E
Second Iowa Infantry.

Erected by Tent No. 23, Daughters of Union Veterans.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 41° 0.612′ N, 91° 57.815′ W. Marker is in Fairfield, Iowa, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of East Grimes Avenue and North Main Street, on the right when traveling west on East Grimes Avenue. The marker is near the southwest corner of Howard Park, facing East Grimes Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairfield IA 52556, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: McElhinny House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fairfield Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (about 500 feet away); Starting Point of the Fairfield Covered Wagon Caravan (approx. ¼ mile away); Dragoon Trail Historical Site (approx. 5.9 miles away); Stockport Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 12.6 miles away); Brighton Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 13.7 miles away); a different marker also named Dragoon Trail Historical Site (approx. 15.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.

Also see . . . 2nd Iowa Infantry Regiment (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The 2nd Iowa Infantry was organized at Keokuk, Iowa, and mustered into Federal service on May 28, 1861. The 2nd Iowa Infantry Regiment fought throughout the course of the war. The soldiers of the 2nd Iowa Infantry Regiment enlisted for three-year terms, with many soldiers fighting until the end of the war.
Highlights of the service of this regiment include distinguished actions at the Battle of Fort Donelson and at the Battle of Shiloh, where about 80 members of the regiment were casualties, either dead or wounded. The regiment fought in the subsequent Battle of Corinth and later in the Atlanta campaign, including at the Battle of Atlanta, continuing on to South Carolina and to Goldsboro, North Carolina, in the Carolinas campaign. With the surrender of the Confederate States Army under Joseph E. Johnston, the 2nd Iowa traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Grand Review of the Armies of the Union on May 23–24, 1865. The regiment was mustered out on July 12, 1865, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, on July 20, 1865.

(Submitted on March 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 20, 2025

2. First Company of Jefferson County Civil War Volunteers Drill Ground Marker

Looking northeast through Howard Park. The marker is mounted on the boulder on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.