Medal of Honor Recipient Leonidas Godley
Sgt. Leonidas Godley (1836-1904) was a member of the Iowa 22nd Infantry Regiment. It was known for leading the Federal charge at Vicksburg on May 22, 1863. Members of this regiment were the only ones to breach Confederate fortifications - they were not supported and had to withdraw. Sgt. Godley led Company E during this charge and was wounded three times - in the right breast and twice in the left leg. He was captured and had the leg amputated without anesthetic the following day by a Confederate surgeon. He returned to Ottumwa and held positions such as Clerk of Court for Wapello County and Postmaster of Ottumwa. He is buried in Ottumwa Cemetery. At the entrance, look NE and his gravestone is on the right of a row of stones - it is the white one in the row. The cemetery is in the north central part of the city - take Court Street north from the business district. The first two photos were taken 11/18/08. The third photo was taken at a SUVCW ceremony to honor Sgt. Godley on 4/19/13.