Showing posts with label Weekly Hawk-Eye Article. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weekly Hawk-Eye Article. Show all posts

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Fatal Accident in Jefferson county --- Three Persons Drowned.

We are pined to hear of an accident in Jefferson county, Sunday evening last, by which three person lost their lives.  Mr. Ed. W. Culbertson, son of Col. Culbertson of Fairfield, Miss Maggie Nesbitt and Miss Hannier, in a carriage, while attempting to cross Cedar Creek, Sunday Evening, at 5 o’clock, were all drowned.  Young Mr. Culbertson could easily have saved his own life, but he undertook to rescue the young ladies and was drowned with them.  A large number of the citizens of Fairfield and Jefferson county were out yesterday and succeeded in finding the bodies. – Hawk-eye, 20th.

Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Proclamation

To the People of Iowa!
__________

The Rebellion, against which you have been so long and so gallantly contending, is not yet quelled, but requires yet another sacrifice to complete its work.  The enemy is now putting forth every effort desperation can suggest to accomplish his purpose.  He is levying en masse all men within his reach capable of bearing arms, and is now holding our armies in check, has driven one division out of Virginia, and threatens to invade Maryland, and capture Washington itself.

Our government calls for more troops, and must have them.  Having done so much to crush this foul conspiracy against our government, and having been lately so signally blessed in our labors, we must meet these new efforts of the enemy with corresponding force.  The valor and patriotism of Iowa have never been appealed to in vain.  They now have one more test and will not fail.  We have sent more than twenty thousand men to the field, and every one a willing volunteer in his country’s cause.  Our soldiers have proved themselves the “Bravest of the Brave.”  We have thousands more as heroic hearts who are wanted with their brothers in the field.

It is probable that more than one regiment will be required, and that they will be sent to Washington.  I call on the young men of Iowa to answer the demand with that alacrity with which similar demands have been responded to heretofore.

Let those who cannot enlist, encourage and assist those who can, and those who can defend their country’s cause, come forward to the rescue of the best government ever given to man, from the attacks of those who would destroy all our institutions of liberty in one common ruin.

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2.  See also Benjamin F. Shambaugh, editor, The Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of Iowa, Volume 2, p. 495-6.

The following list of Iowa soldiers have died in the hospitals in St. Louis and vicinity:

Geo. W. Thompkins, co. C, 10th.
G. W. Wooley, co. I, 17th.
Lieut. Joseph Farber, co. D, 3d.
S. Griffin, co. K, 12th.
H. Clayton, co. F, 12th.
Calvin Lloyd, co. B, 15th.
Enock Kent, co. I, 15th.
James G. Davis, co. G, 6th.
S. Utterback, F, 15th.
James Smith, co. C, 10th.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

While Mr. Cox of Ohio . . .

. . . was blackguarding Hayti and its Government and people in the House of Representatives and calling them a miserable set of worthless animals, unfit to be recognized by white men, the New York papers were printing the fact that the Hayti Congress opened on the 21st of April, the [illegible] of the Pope, and representatives of England, France and Spain being present.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Monday, June 10, 2013

The Merrimac

The rebels seem now to be turning their wrath upon Commodore Tatnall for destroying the Merrimac.  The pilots, to whose deception he charged the necessity of destroying the ship, ask for a suspension of public opinion – and apparently with success.  And in the meantime the different rebel papers put in a proper light the consequences of the act of destruction.  One of them, the Petersburg Express asks, - “What hope can a people have when such an engine of warfare is wantonly destroyed?”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Minute Men Moving

The 11th (700 Germans,) the 22d, (600 men,) and the 71st, (800 strong,) together with a large squad of the 7th – all New York city regiments – left for Washington Wednesday evening.  The 8th and the gallant 69th left Thursday afternoon.  The 12th, 87th and 56th Brooklyn regiments left during Friday and Saturday.  Ten regiments in four days is doing well enough, “considering.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Army Correspondence

ARMY BEFORE CORINTH, MISS.
May 28th 1862

MR. EDITOR:  The ball that will in all probability, decide the terrible conflict now raging in our country, has been opened to-day.  For a week past the two armies have been looking each other in the face – the fortifications of both being about two miles apart, and the pickets continually skirmishing.

I visited the headquarters of this division – the left wing – this morning on an item of business, and was informed by the A. Adj. Gen., Capt. Hammond, that he had more important business on his hands, and could not attend to mine to-day.  “We are to advance to-day,” said he.  Sure enough, the whole division was soon in motion.  The roaring of cannon and the rattle of musketry was soon heard along the whole line.  The first place attacked was a log house in front of our extreme right which had been used by the rebels as quarters for their picket guard.  Their officer of the day was taken prisoner by our men.

Gen. Pope’s division has advanced one and a half miles to-day on our left.  Heavy cannonading has been going on, at intervals, on the left wing all day.  We could distinctly hear the booming of the heavy siege guns in that quarter about five miles distant.  At times the roaring was incessant and terribly sublime.  At first and for a considerable time, no response was elicited from the enemy, and at no time was it brisk. – One bomb from the enemy struck, without exploding very near our breastworks.  Every regiment has been on duty to-day.  The Iowa 6th was especially detailed to defend our earthworks in the morning, but was ordered forward in the afternoon.  To the great joy of the regiment Major Corse commands them.  I saw him this morning reviewing the regiment preparatory to marching to the front.  The officers and men are well satisfied with the present arrangement – they know him and can trust him.

The casualties of the day, as far as I have heard have been light on our side.  A few have been killed, several wounded, some badly.  Early in the day one man had his arm blown off and his eye out by the premature discharge of a gun.  Another had his back broken by the bursting of a shell, and I have not been able to learn either their names or the regiments to which any of them belongs.

Another line of intrenchments [sic] have been commenced and will be completed by morning – a half mile, or thereabouts, in front of our present one.  This will bring the whole army within one and one and a half miles of the enemy’s works.  Our gunners say that they can throw solid shot five miles.  It will then be an easy mater to storm the enemy’s works with shot and shell at the distance of one mile, and to destroy Corinth itself, which will be only two miles distant from our advance works.

Night has set in and silence again reigns supreme.  Scarcely a sound is heard and one can scarcely persuade himself to believe that a terrible and deadly conflict has been going on all day.  The croaking of frogs and the chirping of insects, with now and then a horseman galloping along near by, are the only sounds that break the profound stillness.  The tattoo has beaten and all the soldiers who remain in camp have retired to their quarters.  But all who have gone forward have to lay upon their arms at night without tents, and their two day’s rations in their haversacks.

Hot work is expected in the morning, as I have heard that our heavy siege guns are to be moved forward to-night.  Then in comparison, to-day’s work will be that of to-morrow, as a drop to a shower.

I have written hastily after the day’s work is over, so as to send this by morning mail.  I shall write again tomorrow.

Yours truly,

H. M. ROBERTS

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Another Account of the Murder of Harbach, Cameron and Higgins

We are permitted to copy the following private letter:

OSCEOLA, MO., May 29th.

By order of Col Warren we had ceased all scouting, fancying that we had effectually rid the surrounding country of the enemy, but we have been suddenly brought to a terrible realization of our mistake.  The Day before yesterday, while reading a soldier came galloping up to my tent, inquiring for Major Leffingwell, who was out in the country, and reported that our foraging party had been attacked and two men killed.  I immediately ordered every man in our camp off duty, into the saddle, at the same time sending information to the other companies.  In a few minutes ninety men were in the saddle, and we immediately started for the scene of combat.  A short way out we met the remains of the train that had escaped, but they were so excited we could gain no reliable information.  We galloped hard till we came to the spot, and we found at a glance the extent of our loss.  One man killed, Sergeant Harbach, of Burlington.  Two mortally wounded, privates Cameron and Higgins.  Two slightly wounded, Sergeant Clarke and Al. Stoddard.  Four missing.  Three horses killed and six mules taken.  The killed and wounded were all from our company. – They were shamefully stripped.  After seeing them started for town in ambulances, with a sufficient escort, we started, just at dark, in pursuit of the murderers, and rode all night. – We were unable to catch them.  At one time we passed within a few hundred yards of them, but the night was very dark and the foliage so dense that we missed them.  We returned to camp in the morning, after a fatiguing ride of forty miles, unsuccessful.  Other scouts were sent out immediately, one of which has just returned, having captured all the mules and arms that were taken, scattering the miscreants in all directions.  The two mortally wounded have since died.  If you see Stoddard’s friends tell them he is but slightly wounded and is doing finely.  A private in Co. F was killed to-day, accidentally shot by Henry Hart. – Another had his arm broken.  The Paymaster has just paid us off.  But, like Peter Piper with his wife, would don’t know where to keep our money, as we have nothing to spend it for and no way to send it home.  More anon.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

When Will People Learn Wisdom?

The effects upon the human system everywhere apparent, that the common, crude kinds of Saleratus are bad, ought to teach wisdom to people to avoid such poisonous compounds.  They cost as much as DeLand’s Chemical Saleratus, and then do not produce those beautiful light and nutritious biscuits enjoined only by those who use the better article.  The time may never come that everybody will learn to take the good in preference to the bad, but the speed of knowledge in this particular is indeed wonderful.  People in thousands of cities and towns call for DeLand’s Chemical Saleratus only, and will have no other.

For sale by all wholesale grocers in Chicago.
d&wlt

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

A Good Chance For Speculators

The Sheriff of Mills County advertises over a thousand lots for sale in the town of Mt. Olive, late Loudon, in that County, including the Seminary Square.  Here is a good opening for speculators, as we apprehend this desirable property, which would have brought two hundred thousand dollars a few years ago will now go for a song.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

In 1861 a Chicago swindler by the name of Sloan . . .

. . . contracted with nearly all the Iowa papers for the advertisement of a quack horse medicine.  He never paid one of them a cent and never meant to from the first.  But about half of these papers, thus swindled, keep Sloan’s advertisements still running in their columns, thus discrediting their own papers, cheating those who do pay and holding out inducements to the public to swindle them.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

A Run For A Scamp

The City Marshal made an attempt yesterday to arrest a notorious character named Bob Knowlton, who hid himself in a house on Division street.  Being advised however of the Marshal’s intended raid, Knowlton took to his heels and went in the direction taken by his compeer, Pete Mower, a few weeks since.  The Marshal could not overtake him, and he made good his escape.  It will be much better for him to remain at a distance, if he does not desire a glimpse of daylight through the bars of the Gridiron on the North Hill.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Friday, June 7, 2013

A municipal regulation of the city of New Orleans . . .

. . . punishes with imprisonment in the calaboose any women of the town found in the streets after nightfall, or who may converse from the windows of their houses with persons outside.  And this is the punishment accorded to women who may insult our soldiers under the proclamation, so the squeamish ones who have been so exercised over the order, can bottle up their sympathy for use on future occasions.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

“Several Positions in the New York Custom House . . .

. . . formerly filled by white men are now occupied by negroes.”

Whereupon Prentiss’ remarks that several places in the South ought to be filled by black men only, are frequently filled by white men.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Thursday, June 6, 2013

John A. Gilmer, of North Carolina, recently said . . .

. . . in the Convention for revising the Constitution in that State, that Slavery had caused the war – had caused all the blood-shed and devastation, and ought to pay the expense.  Acting upon this suggestion the Convention levied a tax from $5 to $25 each upon slaves.  How very different Mr. Gilmer’s teaching from that of the Vallandinghamers.  They say the Abolitionists caused the war and ought to be hung.  Mr. Gilmer also expressed the further opinion that there will be no peace in the country until a system of emancipation is adopted and this jarring element of slavery put into liquidation.  The Vallandighammers recognized the same idea by promulgating the theory that there can be no peace in the country until the friends of slavery are restored to power.  The reason for this conflict of opinion is explained by Mr. Gilmer when he says that he was always opposed to secession from the first – is now and all along has been a staunch friend of the union.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

The Difference

Judge Birch has been arrested for preaching treason on the stump in Missouri.  He is a candidate for Governor. – Geo. W. Jones, Dennis Mahony and their co-laborers in this State are allowed to utter and print disloyal sentiments with impunity so they do not commit the overt act.  The reason why Jones and Mahony are not, like Birch, arrested and dealt with, is not because they are less guilty, but because they are less liable to do harm.  The people of Iowa are too patriotic – have furnished too many brave troops and made too many sacrifices for the preservation of the life of the nation to be seduced from their allegiance by any act of politicians however crafty, much less by the Jones faction.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Republican State Convention

Notice is hereby given that a delegate Republican State Convention will be held at Des Moines, on Wednesday the 23d day of July A. D. 1862, for the purpose of putting in nomination a Secretary and Auditor of State, Attorney General and Register of the the State Land Office, and for the transaction of such other business as may be decreed expedient when met.

The ration of representation will be as follows, viz: One Delagate from each organized county; or One Delegate for every one hundred votes cast for Abraham Lincoln for President of the United States in 1860, and one additional Delegate for any fractional vote exceeding fifty.

Loyal citizens, regardless of former political associations, who are in favor of giving the National Administration their honest support, in a thorough and vigorous prosecution of the war for the suppression of the rebellion are invited to co-operate throughout the State.

JOHN N. DEWEY, Chairman, 5th District
SAML. F. MILLER, 1st District
W. S. DUNCAN, 2d District
JNO. D. LOCKWOOD, 3d District
W. R. SMITH, 4th District
J. H. SANDERS, 6th District
J. BUTLER, 7th District
J. SHANE, 8th District
G. W. MILLER, 9th District
L. FULLER, 10th District
R. H. TAYLOR, 11th District

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

From New Orleans

Gen. Butler, of all our military Governors has the most thorough appreciation of the Secessionists, and is always master of the situation.  And the General not only appreciates the secesh but very soon learns them to appreciate him, as witness the following items among many of the same sort, which we get from New Orleans. He throws out Confederate notes and shinplasters, forbids the fast day appointed by “one Jefferson Davis” – suppresses newspapers – protects the people and feeds the poor – learns Secesh women proper behavior and descent deportment – snubs the City Fathers and takes down the high sailing rebel by several pegs if not more.  The New Orleans snobs and would be gentry are likely to improve in their manners if not in their morals under the administration of “Picayune Butler.”


COTTON PROTECTED AND COMING IN

Trade is beginning to revive in New Orleans.  The true Delta announces the arrival, on the 15th inst., of a load of cotton by the steamer Diana from Plaquemine.  Cattle had come in from the Red river, and an arrival from Carolina Bluff is reported, with corn, oats, flour and bacon.  In order to encourage the shipments of cotton, General Butler issued the following order promising protection to the cargoes:

The Commanding General of the Department having been informed that rebellious lying and desperate men have represented and are now representing to the honest planters and the good people of the State of Louisiana that the United States Government, by its forces have come here to confiscate and destroy their crops of cotton and sugar, it is hereby ordered  to be made known by publication in all the newspapers of this city that all cargoes of cotton and sugar shall receive the safe conduct of the forces of the United States and the boats bringing them from beyond the lines of the United States force may be allowed to return in safety after a reasonable delay, if their owners shall so desire.  Provided, they bring no passengers except the owners and managers of said boat and of the property so conveyed, and no other merchandise except provisions of which such boats are requested to bring a full supply for the benefit of the suffering poor of the city.

By command of Major General Butler,

GEO. C. STRONG,
A. A. G. Chief of Staff


GENERAL BUTLER AND THE NEWSPAPERS

On the 16th Gen. Butler suppressed the New Orleans Bee, and took possession of the Delta office, by virtue of the following “special order.”

I.  The New Orleans Bee newspaper having published an elaborate though covert argument in favor of the cotton burning mob is hereby suppressed.  No publication of any description will issue from that office until further orders.

II.  The New Orleans Delta newspaper having, in an article of to-day’s issue, discussed the cotton question in a manner which violates the terms of the proclamation of the 1st of May instant from these headquarters the office that of that paper will be taken possession of and its business conducted under direction of the United States authorities.

By command of Maj. Gen. Butler,

GEO. C. STRONG, A. A. General.


THE USE OF CONFEDERATE NOTES FORBIDDEN

On the same day the following order, forbidding the use of Confederate notes was issued by General Butler:

I.  It is hereby ordered that neither the city of New Orleans, nor the banks thereof shall exchange their notes, bills or obligations for Confederate notes, bills or bonds, nor issue any bill not or obligation payable in Confederate notes.

II.  On the twenty seventh day of May, instant, all circulation of, or trade in Confederate notes and bills will cease within this Department, and sales or transfers of property made on or after that day in consideration of such notes or bills, directly or indirectly will be void, and the property confiscated to the United States – one fourth thereof to go to the informer.

By command of Maj. Gen. Butler,

GEO. C. STRONG, A. A. G.,
Chief of Staff


THE OBSERVANCE OF JEFF. DAVIS’ FAST DAY FORBIDDEN

General Butler also issued the following order, prohibiting the observance of Jeff. Davis’ fast day:

HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE GULF
New Orleans, May 13, 1862

It having come to the knowledge of the commanding General that Friday next is proposed to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer, in obedience to some supposed proclamation of one Jefferson Davis in the several churches of this city, it is ordered that no such observance be had.

Churches and religious houses are to be kept open as in times of profound peace, but no religious exercises are to be had upon the supposed authority above mentioned.

By command of Maj. Gen. Butler,

GEO. C. STRONG, A. A. General


THE WOMEN OF THE TOWN ORDER

The Herald correspondent says in relation to Gen. butler’s order that all women insulting the soldiers should be treated as “women of the town plying their avocations:”

“The order gives great satisfaction to the command to whom the conduct of the disloyal ladies of the city has become absolutely intolerable.  The Mayor and the violent secessionists received it in high dudgeon and the Mayor addressed the following letter on the subject to General Butler.  The order contains no reflections whatever on the virtue of New Orleans ladies but leaves their future reputation to their behavior after the date of the order.  A more effectual method of abating such an evil could not be devised, and I believe it will be entirely successful.  But here is the Mayor’s letter. –

STATE OF LOUISIANA, MAORALTY OF NEW ORLEANS,
May 16, 1862

Major Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, Commanding United States Forces

SIR – Your general order No. 28 of date 15th inst., which reads as follows – (here follows order 28, respecting ladies) – is of a character so extraordinary and astonishing that I cannot, holding the office of Chief Magistrate of this city, chargeable with its peace and dignity suffer it to be promulgated in our presence without protesting against the threat it contains, which has already aroused the passions of our people, and must exasperate them to a degree beyond control.  Your officers and soldiers are permitted, by the terms of this order to place any construction they may please upon the conduct of our wives and daughters, and upon such construction, to offer them atrocious insults.  The peace of the city and the safety of your officers and soldiers from harm or insult have, I affirm, been successfully secured to an extent enabling them to move through our streets almost unnoticed, according to the understanding and agreement entered into between yourself and the city authorities.  I did not however anticipate a war upon women and children, who, so far as I am aware, have only manifested their displeasure at the occupation of their city by those whom they believe to be their enemies and I will never undertake to be responsible for the peace of New Orleans while such an edict, which infuriates our citizens, remains in force.  To give a license to the officers and soldiers of your command to commit outrages such as are indicated in your order upon defenseless women is, in my judgment a reproach to the civilization not to say to the Christianity, of the age, in whose name I make this protest.

I am sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN T. MONROE, Mayor.


To this disrespectful letter Gen. Butler vouchsafed the following unequivocal answer:


HEAD QUARTERS DEP’T OF THE GULF,
NEW ORLEANS, May 16, 1862

John T. Monroe late Mayor of the City of New Orleans, is relieved from all responsibility for the peace of the city, and is suspended from the exercise of any official functions, and committed to Fort Jackson until further order.

B. F. BUTLER,
Major General Commanding.


THE ARREST OF MAYOR MONROE OF NEW ORLEANS

Correspondence of the N. Y. Herald

NEW ORLEANS, May 17.

Since my last letter a number of prominent citizens have been arrested and sent to Fort Jackson.  The most notable are John T. Monroe, Mayor of New Orleans, D. G. Duncan, the Mayor’s Private Secretary, John McClellan, Chief of Police, Judge Kennedy, Lucien Adams, Recorder in the Fourth District, and Benj. S. Harrison, formerly a member of the City Council.  Mr. Mazarat, Lieutenant of Police, was ordered under arrest, but the order was afterwards rescinded.

These arrests are peculiarly grateful to the respectable portion of this community, as all of them but Judge Kennedy have long been in notoriously bad odor.  The Mayor and his clique have been doing their utmost by covert measures to harass and impede General Butler in promoting a friendly feeling towards the United States Government, and they have placed an injurious construction on almost every step that the General has taken.  Last Saturday morning after the Mayor had the day previous apologized for his insolent, insulting letter to General Order No. 28, regarding the conduct of the women he again called at headquarters for the purpose of withdrawing his apology or obtaining a modification of the order.  Gen. Butler told him unequivocally that he had nothing to modify; that he was not sorry for what he had written, that he would not withdraw it if he could, and could not if he would, but, at the request of the Mayor, the General gave him permission to publish the offensive letter and the apology, and to add that the order applied only to those women who had insulted by word, look, or gesture the officers of soldiers of the United States army.  He also told him that he could append to the correspondence the startling fact that “water is wet” and “blackbirds are black” – a delicate piece of satire that I fear was entirely lost upon the obtuse intelligence of the magistrate.  After an explanation from the General that would have been thoroughly clear to the comprehension of a child, the Mayor left, apparently satisfied, but Saturday night he again sent the General a letter, the counterpart of the first.  Yesterday morning he was again at headquarters with several of his friends, including Judge Kennedy, John McClellan, Chief of Police, and D. G. Duncan.  The mayor demanded the right to withdraw his apology, and Gen. Butler granted it, but informed Mr. Mayor that he had played with the United States authority long enough, and now he had to go to Fort Jackson.  The other parties named above, admitting their approval of the Mayor’s conduct, were also sent to Fort Jackson.

In addition to the Mayor’s conduct in regard to Order No. 28, he has been guilty in conjunction with other members of the city government, of giving material aid and comfort to the enemy since our occupation, and the Monroe Guard – of which I have an account in my letter of the 10th – expected (and probably with reason) that he would pay handsomely for the “honor” paid him in selecting his name for the corps.  The General announced to the above gentlemen that he should hold them as hostage for the good behavior of the city.

Ben Harrison and Lucien Adams are chiefs of the “Thugs,” had have been the most relentless persecutors of Union men.  Their arrest will enable descent people to sleep more securely at night.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Letter From Orpheus C, Kerr

Pegasus Recovered – the Dog Bologna – Repudiation of Captain Villiam Brown’s Proclamation – the Sambory Guard – Advance on Richmond

(From the N. Y. Sunday Mercury.)

Rejoice with me, my boy, that I have got back my gothic steed, Pegasus, from the Government chap who borrowed him for a desk.  The splendid architectural animal has just enough slant from his backbone to his hips to make a capital desk, and then his tail is so handy to wipe pens on.  In a moment of thirst he swallowed a bottle of ink, and some fears were entertained for his life, but a gross of steel pens and a ream of blotting paper immediately administered caused him to come out all write.

In a gothic sense, my boy the charger continues to produce architectural illusions.  He was standing on a hillside the other day with his rear elevation toward the spectators, his head up and ears touching at the top, when a chap who had been made pious by frequent conversation with the contrabands, noticed him afar off, and says he to the soldier, “What church is that I behold in the distance, my fellow worm of the dust?”  The military veteran looked and says he, “It does look like a church, but it’s only an animated hay rack belonging to the cavalry.”

“I see,” says the pious chap, moving on, “the beast looks like a church because he’s been accustomed to steeple chases.”

I have also much satisfaction in the society of my dog, Bologna, who has already become so attached to me that I believe he would defend me against any amount of meat.  Like the Old Guard of France, he’s always around the bony parts thrown, and like a bon vivant is much given to whining after his dinner.

The last time I was at Paris my boy, this interesting animal made a good breakfast off the calves of the General of the Mackerel Brigadier’s leg’s, causing that great strategical commander to issue enough oaths for the whole Southern Confederacy.  “Thunder!” says the General, at the conclusion of his cursory remarks, “I shall have the hydrophobia and bite somebody.  It’s my opinion,” says the General, hastily licking a few grains of sugar from the spoon he was holding at the time, “It’s my opinion, that I shall go rabid as soon as I see water.”

“Then you’re perfectly safe, my conquering hero,” says I, “for when you see water, the Atlantic ocean will be principally composed of brandy pale.”

Speaking of Paris, it pains me, my boy, to say that Captain Villiam Brown’s proclamation for the conciliation of Southern Union men has been repudiated by the General of the Mackerel Brigade.  “Thunder!” says the General, taking a cork from his pocket in mistake for a watch key, “it’s against the Constitution to open a bar so far away from where Congress sits.”  And he at once issued the following:


PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS There appears in the public prints what presumptuously pretends to be a proclamation of Captain Villiam Brown, Eskevire, in the words following, to wit.


PROCLAMATION – The Union men of the South are hereby informed, that the United States of America has reasserted hisself, and will shortly open a bar-room in Paris.  Also, cigars and other necessaries of life.

By Order of

CAPT. VILLIAM BROWN, ESKEVIRE


And whereas, the same is producing much excitement among those members from the border States who would prefer that said bar-room should be nearer Washington in case of sickness, Therefore, I, General of the Mackerel Brigade, do proclaim and declare that the Mackerel Brigade cannot stand this sort of thing, and that neither Captain Villiam Brown, nor any other commander, has been authorized to declare free lunch, either by implication or otherwise, in any State, much less in a state of intoxication, of which there are several.

To persons in this State, now, I earnestly appeal.  I do not argue, I beseech you to mix your own liquors.  You can not, if you would, be blind to the signs of the times, when such opportunity is offered to see double.  I beg of a calm and immense consideration of them (signs), ranging, it may be, above personal liquor establishments.  The change you may receive after purchasing your materials will come gently as the dues from heaven – not rending nor wrecking anything.  Will you not embrace me?  May the extensive future not have to lament that you have neglected to do so.

Yours, respectfully, the

GENERAL OF THE MACKEREL BRIGADE
(Green seal.)


When Villiam read this conservative proclamation, my boy, he looked thoughtfully into a recently occupied tumbler for a few moments, and then says he:

“There’s some intelleck in that.  The General covers the whole ground.  Ah!” says Villiam, preparing, in a dreamy manner, to wash out the tumbler with something from a decanter, “the General so completely covers the whole ground sometimes that the police departmink is required to clear it.”

I believe him, my boy!

The intelligent and reliable contrabands, my boy, who have come into Paris from time to time, with the valuable news concerning all recent movements not taking place in the Confederacy were formed lately, by Villiam, into a military company, called the Sambory Guard, Captain Bob Shorty being deputed to drill them in the colored manual of arms.  They were dressed in flaming read breeches and black coats, my boy, and each chaotic chap looked like a section of stove pipe walking about on two radishes.

I attended the first drill my boy, and found the oppressed Africans standing in line about as regular as so many trees in a maple swamp.

Captain Bob Shorty whipped out his sleepless sword, straightened it on a log, stepped to the front, and was just about to give the first order, when, suddenly he started, threw up his nose, and stood paralyzed.

“What’s the matter, my blue and gilt,” says I.

He stood like one in a dream and says he:

“‘Pears to me I smell something.”

“Yes,” says I, “‘tis the scent of the roses that hang around it still.”

“True,” says Captain Bob Shorty, recovering, “it does smell like a cent, and I haven’t seen a cent of my pay for such a long time, that the novelty of the odor knocked me.  Attention, company!”

Only five of the troops were enough startled by the sudden order, my boy, to drop their guns, and only four stooped down to tie their shoes.  One very reliable contraband left the ranks, and says he:

“Mars’r, hadn’t Brudder Rhett bett gub out de hymn before de service commence?”

“Order in the ranks!” says Capt. Bob Shorty, with some asperity, “Attention, company! – Order arms.”

The troops did this very well, my boy, the muskets coming down at intervals of three minutes, bringing each man’s cap with them and pointing so regularly toward all points of the compass, that no foe could possibly approach from any direction without running on a bayonet.

“Excellent!” says Captain Bob Shorty, with enthusiasm.  “Only, Mr. Rhett, you needn’t hold your gun quite so much like a hoe.  Carry Arms!”

Here Mr. Dana stepped out from the ranks, and says he: “Carry who, mars’r?”

“Go to the rear,” says Capt. Bob Shorty, indignantly.  “Present Arms!”

If Present Arms means to sick your bayonet into the next mans side, my boy, the troops did it very well.

Splendid!” says Capt. Bob Shorty.  “Shoulder Arms – Eyes right – double quick, march!  On to Richmond!”

The troops obeyed the order, my boy, and haven’t been seen since.  Perhaps they’re going yet, my boy.

Company Three, Regiment 5 Mackerel Brigade, started for an advance on Richmond yesterday, and by a forced march got within three miles of it.  Another march brought them within five miles of the place, and the last dispatch stated that they had but ten miles to go before reaching the rebel capital.

Military travel, my boy, is like the railroad at the West, where they had to make chalk marks on the track to see which way the train was going.

Yours on time,
ORPHEUS C. KERR

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Monday, June 3, 2013

Remarkable Requests – Will of Capt. Levy, of the Navy

From the N. Y. Post

The will of Captain Uriah P. Levy, U. S. N., came up for probate in the Surrogate’s Court to-day.  Mrs. Levy receives only her right of dower and all the household furniture, plate, &c. so long as she shall remain unmarried, excepting what is otherwise bequeathed, to revert upon her death or marriage.  Captain Levy’s nephew, Ashel S. Levy, receives the Washington farm, in Albemarle, Virginia, with all the negro slaves, &c., and $5,00 [sic] in cash, also his gold box with the freedom of the city of New York.

He leaves to his brother, Jos. M. Levy, $1,000 in cash and mortgage on his house in Baltimore, to his brother Isaac Levy, $1,000 and all debts due him on notes, to Mitchell M. Levy, son of his brother, Joseph P. Levy, $1,000 in cash, to Eliza Hendricks, of Cincinnati, Ohio, the income of $1,000 to his nephew Morton Phillips, of New Orleans, his gold hunting watch and $500, to Colonel T. Moses of South Carolina a sliver urn, formerly belonging to Dr. Philips on which is engraved, “From Captain Uriah P. Levy, United States Navy, to his kinsman, Colonel Franklin Moses, Senator of the State of South Carolina, as a testimony of my affection.”

There are also legacies of $100 each to Captain John B. Montgomery, Captain Lawrence Kearney and Captain Francis Gregory, United States Navy, and Benj. F. Butler, to purchase mourning rings.  To Lieutenants Peter Turner and John Moffat, U. S. Navy, and Dr. John J. Cohen and Jacob J. Cohen, Jr., Col. M. Cohen, United States Navy, Lieutenant Lanier, Captain Wm. Meroine and Commodore Thomas Ap C Jones, each $25, to purchase mourning rings.

The will directs the executors to erect a monument at Cypress Hills, to consist of a full length statue of Captain Levy, in iron or bronze, in the full uniform of a Captain of the United States Navy and holding his hand a scroll on which shall be inscribed, “Under this monument,” or “In the memory of Uriah P. Levy – Captain in the United States Navy, Father of the Law for Abolition of the Barbarous Practice of Corporal Punishment in the Navy of the United States.”  The monument is to cost $6,000, and the body is to be buried under it.

To the Historical Society are bequeathed three paintings – the Wreck of the Medusa frigate, by Gericault, the Descent of the infant Jesus and Virgin Confessing the Bishop of Rouen, and a Rural Scene by Carl Bonner.  He then bequeaths his farm and estate at Monticello, Va., formerly belonging to President Thomas Jefferson, with all the residue of his estate, “to the People of the United States,” or such persons as Congress shall appoint to receive it, and especially all my real estate in the city of New York in trust for the sole and only purpose of establishing and maintaining at the farm in Monticello, Va., an agricultural school for the purpose of educating, as practical. farmers children of the Warrant Office of the United States Navy whose fathers are dead, the children to be supported by this fund from the ages of twelve to sixteen.”  For fuel and fencing said farm school, [the] will bequeaths two hundred acres of woodland of his Washington farm, Va.

The will especially requires that no professorships be established in said school and no professors being employed, the school being intended for charity and not for pomp.  In case Congress refuses to carry out the intention of this bequests the property is bequeathed to the people of Virginia for the same purpose, and incase the legislature of Virginia declines to received the trust the property is to go to the Portuguese Hebrew Congregation in this city and the Old Portuguese Hebrew Congregation in Cherry street, Philadelphia, and the Portuguese Hebrew Congregation of Richmond Va., for the establishment of said school at Monticello, for the children of all denominations, Hebrew and Christian.

Should this fund be more than sufficient for the support of children of warrant officers of the navy, the children of sergeant-majors of the United States army are to be included in the benefit – the balance to be for the benefit of children of seamen.  He further bequeaths $1,000 to the Portuguese Hebrew Hospital of this city.

The executors are Benjamin F. Butler, D. V. S. Coddington, Ashel S. Levy, Jos. H. Patten, Joshua Cohen, Jacob J. Cohen, George Carr, and John B. Blake, who are also created trustees of the estate.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1