38th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment - Commanders

Commanders

• Colonel William Brush - Thirty-five-year-old Brush was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood on September 12, 1862 and served as the commanding officer of the Regiment until October 26, 1862, when his commission was revoked by the Governor for incompetence.
• Colonel D. Henry Hughes - Thirty-two-year-old Hughes was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to replace Brush on October 27, 1862. He was a native of New York, he lived in Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa for seven years before the war. Referred to as a man of commanding stature, fine presence, and the soul of honor. He had the respect of the community as a war Democrat and a lawyer of considerable repute. He died of disease August 7, 1863 at Port Hudson, La.
• Major Charles Chadwick - Forty-four when he was commissioned. He served as commander of the Regiment in Hughes stead, from about August 1, 1863 until he resigned from the Army on January 7, 1864.
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O. Hudnutt - Thirty-seven-year-old Hudnutt was a Civil Engineer from Sumner Township in Bremer County, and served as the last commander of the Regiment, from about January 7, 1864 until December 31, 1864 when he was mustered out upon consolidation of the regiment with the 34th Iowa Infantry.