We have seen a private letter from Col. M. M. Crocker, of the 13th Iowa regiment, addressed to Hon. Judge Dillon, in which, after mentioning that Lieut. Col. Price, though stunned, was found to be more slightly wounded that at first apprehended, says that “during the battle Lieut. Col. Price distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery, and since his connection with the regiment he has always deported himself as a good and faithful officer.” We gladly give publication to this honorable mention of our fellow citizen. He is a fair type of the Iowa boys.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1
Monday, August 31, 2009
LIEUT. COL. M. M. PRICE
Have the Rebel States Committed Suicide?
Mr. Thomas, of Massachusetts, made a speech in the course of which he said: – The solution of the difficult problems of right and duty involved in the present state of affairs must be found in the careful study of the principles of the constitution and the just and logical application of them to this new condition of things. It is by no narrow and rigid construction of the words of the constitution that the powers and duties of Congress on these subjects are to be ascertained. Every provision must be fairly construed in view of the great objects the constitution was ordained to effect, and with the full recognition of the powers resulting from clear implication as well as express grant. In my humble judgment there has been and is now but one issue before the country, and this is whether the constitution of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land. That constitution was formed by the people of the United States. It acts not upon the States, nor though the States upon us as citizens of the several States, but directly upon us as citizens of the United States, claiming on the one hand our allegiance, and giving to us on the other its protection. – The doctrines as to the supremacy of the national government within its sphere, and of the reserved rights of the States, are elementary. – Between them there is no necessary conflict. Each is the complement of the other; both vital parts of that political system under whose admirable distribution and adjustment of powers the people of the United States have had for seventy years incomparably the best and most beneficent government the world has ever known; a government now imperiled, not by reason of any inherent defect or any want of wisdom or foresight in its founders; not because we have outgrown its provisions; not because it is behind the age, but because it has fallen upon an age not worthy of it, which has failed to appreciate the spirit of wisdom, prudence and moderation in which it was founded. Such being the relation of the government of the United States to its citizens and to the States, the first question that arises is, how far this relation is affected by the fact that several of the States have assumed, by ordinances of secession (so-called), to separate themselves from the Union. There is not a clause or word in the constitution which looks to separation. It has careful provisions for its amendment, none for its destruction; capacity for expansion, none for contraction; a door for new States to come in, none for old or new ones to go out. An ordinance of secession has no legal meaning or force, is wholly inoperative and void. The constitution and the laws and treaties made under it, the people have declared “shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.” The act of secession, therefore, cannot change in the least degree the legal relation of the State to the Union. No provision of the constitution of the United States, no law or treaty of the United States can be abrogated or impaired thereby. No citizen of the United States residing in the Seceded States is, by such ordinance of secession, deprived of the just protection of or exempted from any of his duties to the United States. In contemplation of law the reciprocal duties of protection and allegiance remain unaffected. After the act of secession, the province and duty of the government of the United States are the same, according to the full measures of its ability, as before to enforce in every part of the Union, and over every inch of its territory, the constitution and laws of the United States.
It is the necessary result of these principles that no State can abdicate or forfeit the rights of its citizens to the protection of the constitution of the United States or the privileges and blessings of the Union which that constitution secures and makes perpetual. The primary, paramount allegiance of every citizen of the United States is to the nation, and the State authorities can no more impair that allegiance than a county court or a village constable. It is also the plain and necessary conclusion, from the principles before stated, that a State cannot commit treason. Under the constitution of the United States persons only can commit treason. The persons who for the time being hold the offices under a State government may individually commit treason, by the acts of the State officers, transcending their authority and in conflict with the constitution of the United States, involve in their guilt no man who has not himself levied war against the United States or adhered to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. As a State cannot commit the crime of treason, it cannot concur a forfeiture of its powers and functions as the penalty of treason. The punishment provided for traitors is the result of judicial trial, conviction and judgment. How to indict a State, the constitution of the court, the mode of trial, the form of judgment, and process of execution yet exists in gremio legis. The majority of the voters of a State cannot deprive the minority of the right secured to them by the constitution of the United States. Some of these rights may be kept in abeyance. Their exercise may be overborne by a [superior] physical force. – They may sleep, but it is not the sleep of death. They are integral parts of the constitution, and can only perish when the constitution perishes. There is nothing in the doctrines of nullification or cession more disloyal to the constitution, more fatal to the Union, than this doctrine of State suicide. It is the gospel of anarchy, the philosophy of dissolution. Nor by carrying out this doctrine of the destruction of forfeiture of the State organization would anything be gained for the cause of freedom. Slavery exists by the local municipal law, and would not be abolished unless you go one step further and hold that with the loss of the State organization the institutions laws and civil relations of the States perish. Now, in case of conquest, even though the people of the conquered territory change their allegiance, their relations to each other and their rights of property remain undisturbed. The modern usage of nations, which has become law, would be violated if private property should be generally confiscated and private rights nulled. (U. S. vs. Porcheman, 7 Peters, 51; 3 Phillemore, p. 743) When States were reduced to Territories the national government could not abolish slavery therein, except under the right of eminent domain, and by giving just compensation. The rebel States are still members of the Union, foregoing for a time its privileges, but subject to its duties, bound to it by a cord which the sword of successful revolution can alone sever.
What then, it may be asked, is the legal character of the great insurrection? The answer is it is a rebellion of citizens of the United States against the government of the United States; an organized effort to subvert and overthrow its authority, and to establish another government in its stead. He only is the enemy of the United States who is committing treason by levying war against the United States or [giving aid and] comfort to those who do. The loyal faithful subject of the United States, wherever on the soil of his country he may have his home, is not the enemy of his country. No subtlety or logic, no ingenuity of legal construction, no misapplication of the laws of international war to this contest can change the nature of things, can convert loyalty into treason, or devotion into hostility. If there be to-day in Tennessee, or Georgia, or South Carolina, even a loyal subject of the United States “faithful among the faithless found,” the Government is not at war with him. While using the powers and appliances of war for the purpose of subduing the rebellion we are by no means acting without the pale of the Constitution. We are seeking domestic tranquility by the sword the Constitution has placed in our hands. In the path of war, as of peace, the Constitution is our guide and our light – the cloud by day, the pillar of fire by night. The recognition of the “belligerent rights” of the rebels by foreign Powers can, as between the sovereign and his subjects have no other or further effect. Such recognition (if known to the law of nations) proceeds upon the ground that the revolution is not accomplished, and that the connection is not dissolved. Had this been done, the recognition would have been their separate national existence. In my humble judgment the “seceded States” so called, and the people of those states are today integral parts of the Union, over whom, when the conflict of arms ceases, the Constitution of the United States, and the laws made under it, will resume their peaceful sway. Traitors may perish, some institutions may perish, the nation will remain and the States will remain essential parts of the body politic. “The body is one, and hath many members, and all the member of that body being many, are one body.” With this brief and imperfect development of the principles involved in the great controversy, I proceed to a more direct consideration of the subjects of confiscation and emancipation.
No purpose, however humane, beneficial or attractive can divert our steps from the plain, straight path of sworn duty. What is writ is writ. In seeking to change it by force of arms we become the rebels we are striving to subdue. The people do not desire a bitter and remorseless struggle over the dead body of the constitution. We may raise armies and navies and pour out like water the treasure and life blood of people, but we can neither think nor act wisely, live well or do well for the republic, unless we keep clearly and always in view the end of all our labors and sacrifices, the Union of our fathers and the constitution, which is its bond. No thoughtful man can believe there is a possibility of reconstructing the Union on any other basis, or that it is within the province of the Congress in any other by the peaceful way of amendment to made [sic] the effort. The propositions for confiscation include the entire property of the rebels, real and personal, for life and in fee. The mind instinctively shrinks from a proposition like this. It relucts [sic] to include in one “fell swoop” a whole people. It asks anxiously if no consideration is to be had for different degrees of guilt; if the same measure is to be meted to those who organized the rebellion and those who have been forced into it; if no consideration is to be given to the fact that allegiance and protection are reciprocal duties and that for the past ten months the national government has found itself incapable of giving protection to its loyal subjects in the “seceding States,” neither defending them nor giving them arms to defend themselves, and that, deprived of our protection and incapable of resistance, they have yielded only to superior force; if a wise government is to forget the nature of man and the influences of birth, of soil, of home, of society, and of State, by which his opinions are insensibly moulded, and that this pestilent heresy of the right of secession, fatal as it is now seen to be, not only to the existence of good government but of social order itself has been a cardinal article in the faith of a large portion of the people in the Southern States, and that they have been induced by the arts and sophistries, and falsehoods of unprincipled leaders to believe that their future safety and well being required the exercise of the right? Those leaders should atone for the crime by the just penalty of the law. “But you cannot,” says Burk, “indict a whole people; you cannot apply to them the ordinary rules of criminal jurisprudence.” To state the proposition to confiscate the property of eleven States is to confute it; is to shock our common sense and sense of justice; is to forget not only the ties of history and of kindred, but those of a common humanity; is to excite the indignation of the civilized world, and invoke the interposition of all Christian governments. The acts of general confiscation proposed would defeat the great end the government has in view; the restoration of order, union and obedience to law. Apart from the injustice and impolicy of these acts of sweeping confiscation, I have not been able to find in the constitution the requisite authority to pass them.
After some further remarks, at length, on confiscation, he proceeded to inquire how far, if at all, the powers of Congress are enlarged by the existence of this rebellion, and the use of the appliances of war to subdue it. The exceptions growing out of the military exigencies and measured and governed by them, cannot be foreseen and provided for by legislation, but must be left, where the law of nations leaves them, with the military commander. It is in the exercise of irresponsible power that the nicest sense of justice and the greatest caution and forbearance are demanded. In suppressing a rebellion so atrocious, marked by such fury and hate, against a government felt only in its blessings, forbearance sometimes seems to us weakness, and vengeance the noblest of virtues. But, in our calmer moments, we hear the Divine voice, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” I conclude what I have to say on this branch of the subject with the remark that in substance and effect, the bills before the House seek the permanent forfeiture and confiscation of property, real and personal, without the trial of the offender. I am unable to see how under the constitution, that result can be reached. I proceed to the question of the deepest interest involved in this discussion – the emancipation of slaves in the seceding States. This plainly is not a question of present military necessity, but one affecting the permanent structure of the government, and involving material changes in the constitution. This can be done in one of two ways – in the method the constitution points out, or by successful revolution on the part of the free States and the entire subjugation of the slave States. No man can foresee to-day what policy a severe and protracted struggle may render necessary. It is sufficient to say that into such a war of conquest and extermination the people of the United States have no present disposition to enter. They have too thorough a conviction of the capacity of the Government to subdue the rebellion by the means the constitution sanctions to be desirous of looking beyond its pale. But the question arises, how far the existence of the rebellion confers upon the Congress any new power over the relation of master and slave. Strictly speaking no new power is conferred upon any department of the Government by war or rebellion; but it may have powers to be used in those exigencies which are dormant in time of peace. Though the power may exist, there is with prudent and humane men, no desire to use it. Nothing but the direst extremity would excuse the use of a power fraught with so great perils to both races; and the glorious triumphs of our arms, envincing our capacity to subdue the rebellion without departure from the usages of civilized warfare. Nor would an act of the national government liberating the slaves within a State, having the consent of the State, and providing the compensation for the masters, militate with the rule. Conventio vincit legem. The consent of the State would relieve the difficulty. In my judgment, it would be impracticable for the legislature, even if it had the power, to anticipate by any general statute or the exigencies or prescribe the rules for the exercise of this power. The Legislature and the people will be content to leave the matter to the sound discretion and sound patriotism of the magistrate selected to execute the laws. – To avoid misconstruction, I desire to say that the power of Congress over slavery in this District is absolute, and that no limitation exists in the letter or spirit of the constitution or the acts of cession. All that is requisite for abolishing slavery here, is just compensation to the master. Whoever else may falter, I must stand by the constitution I have sworn to support. I am not wise enough to build a better. I am not rash enough to experiment upon a nation’s life. There is to [us], no hope of “one country” but in this system of many States and one nation, working in their respective spheres as if the Divine hand had moulded and set them in motion. To this system the integrity of the States is as essential as that of the central power. Their life is one life. A consolidated government for this vast country would be essentially a despotic government, democratic in name, but kept buoyant by corruption and efficient by the sword.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1
Sunday, August 30, 2009
TROUBLE ON THE RAILROAD
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Review: The Rebel and the Rose
By Wesley Millett & Gerald White
Did you know that John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, was a member of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America, and was later elected to the Confederate House of Representatives but died before he could take office? Did you know his widow, Julia Gardiner Tyler, former First Lady of the United States and New York socialite, was a Confederate sympathizer? Or also a number of John Tyler’s sons held prominent positions in the Confederate government and fought in the Confederate Army? I must confess my historical ignorance on these topics, and ask myself why didn’t I learn these things in my high school American History class or even in my American History survey classes in college? The answer is of course obvious, they weren’t taught, or for that matter even mentioned. Little nuggets of knowledge like these are often what make history so much fun. Which leads me to my next question: “Why isn’t this stuff taught in high school and college American History survey courses? Can you imagine how much more excited students of history would be if they knew a former President and his family took up arms against the United States?
So, how then, you may be asking yourself, did I come to learn about these gems of historical minutia? I’m glad you asked! I read “The Rebel and the Rose: James A. Semple and Julia Gardiner Tyler and the Lost Confederate Gold,” written by Wesley Millett and Gerald White. “Lost Confederate gold???” you ask. Ah, yes I see I’ve gotten your attention. And yet the story of what happened to the Confederate Treasury after the fall of Richmond is another subject not touched on in history classes, but also barely mentioned in many books written about the Civil War. But an Indiana Jones movie it is not. Tracking down a lost treasure isn’t as glamorous or dangerous as Hollywood would have you believe.
Wesley Millett and Gerald White, the authors of “The Rebel and the Rose,” spent twelve years researching their book in attics, archives, and libraries, and searching the internet to piece together the story of the end of the Confederacy, and the collapse of its government, all the while keeping meticulous track of what happened to the Confederate treasury. Their book reads much more like an adventure novel than a history text, and it is filled with tales of treasure and defeat, an illicit and forbidden love affair, and the desperation of the Confederate Government on the run, which as it travels south and west slowly begins to disintegrate until finally Jefferson Davis himself is captured by the Union Army.
“Okay you’ve got my interest,” you say, “But who is James A. Semple, what does he have to do with the lost Confederate gold and what is his relationship with Julia Gardiner Tyler?” I’m glad you asked. James A. Semple was a very efficient & competent Bureau Chief in the Confederate Navy. Semple’s estranged wife, Letitia, was the daughter of John Tyler and his first wife, Letitia Christian. James & Letitia Semple spent most of their married lives apart, and permanently separated during the Civil War, though they never divorced. Letitia hated her step-mother, Julia Gardiner Tyler, and while the two of them shared an antagonistic relationship, Julia never held it against James. James Semple and Julia Tyler grew very close and the evidence indicates they may have had a brief love affair.
As I read the book, I began taking notes on who was related to whom. Eventually I ended up creating a genealogical chart to keep track as the Tyler, Gardiner & Semple families are all inter-related to each other in a number of ways, and the more I delved into the genealogy the more fascinating and complex this story gets.
During the Confederate government’s flight from Richmond, Semple was eventually put in charge of the Confederate treasury. He successfully avoided capture by the Union Army, and for the next two years would travel between various points in the South to New York and Canada.
Millett & White have done an exemplary job tracking the movements of the Confederate government after it left Richmond and of the treasury and the various disbursements from it, accounting for nearly all of it. “So what happened to the Confederate Treasury and where exactly is it now?” you may ask. Is there a little bit of Indiana Jones lurking inside you? Take off that fedora, put down that whip, brush the sand off your clothes, then read the book and find out for yourself.
ISBN 978-1581825831, Cumberland House Publishing, © 2007, Hardcover, 336 pages, Photographs, Map, Endnotes, Appendix, Bibliography & Index. $24.95
Reading Aid: The Tyler, Gardiner & Semple Families
Friday, August 28, 2009
BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN M. CORSE
John M. Corse is the only military prodigy the State has furnished in the War of the Rebellion. For his family and intimate friends I am unable to speak, but I have knowledge positive that, with all others, his brilliant military career has created the greatest surprise. In civil life, though possessing large self-esteem, he was looked on as having only ordinary ability; and, therefore, his promotion in the army to nearly the highest rank in the volunteer service, was wholly unlooked for.
General Corse is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in about the year 1833. When young, he accompanied his parents West and settled with them in Burlington, Iowa; where he has since resided. He was at one time a cadet in the West Point Military Academy, New York; but had spent, I think, hardly two years at the institution, when he was politely informed that, should he tender his resignation, it would be accepted. At all events, he left West Point, and returned to Burlington, where he entered the book-store of his father. Not long after he became a partner in the business, and was thus engaged at the outbreak of the war.
He entered the service as major of the 6th Iowa Infantry, and, up to the time of its arrival at Pittsburg Landing, has a military history similar to that of his regiment. During the siege of Corinth, he was a staff-officer of General Sherman — I think, his inspector-general. From the time of their first meeting, he was held in high esteem by that general. He "was mustered a lieutenant-colonel the 21st of May, 1862; and, on the resignation of Colonel McDowell, was made colonel of his regiment, and returned to its command. From that time forward, he grew rapidly popular.
During his colonelcy and after, the history of the 6th Iowa is one of great interest. It is the same as that of Sherman's old Division. It was the only Iowa regiment in that division. On the assignment of General Sherman to the command of the 15th Army Corps, its division was commanded by General William L. Smith, who, during the siege of Vicksburg, joined the army of General Grant in rear of the city. "Smith's and Kimball's Divisions, and Parke's Corps were sent to Haine's Bluff. * * This place I [Grant] had fortified to the land-side, and every preparation was made to resist a heavy force." After the fall of Vicksburg, the 6th Iowa marched with Sherman to Jackson, where it made itself conspicuous — with the exception of the 3d Iowa, more conspicuous than any other Iowa regiment. On the morning of the 16th of July, Colonel Corse was put in command of the skirmishers of the 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, and ordered to report to Major-General Parke, commanding the 9th Corps. The 6th Iowa was included in the colonel's command; and, to show the part taken by the regiment in the advance of that morning, I quote from his official report:
"I assumed command of the line formed by the skirmishers of the 6th Iowa; and, at the designated signal, the men dashed forward with a shout, met the line of the enemy's skirmishers and pickets, drove them back, capturing eighteen or twenty, and killing as many more. Clearing the timber, they rushed out into the open field, across the railroad, over the fence, up a gentle slope, across the crest, down into the enemy's line, when two field-batteries of four guns each, pointing west, opened a terrific cannonade. The enemy were driven from two pieces at the point of the bayonet, our men literally running them through. In rear of the batteries, two regiments were lying supporting the gunners, and, at our approach, they opened along their whole line, causing most of the casualties in this gallant regiment. With such impetuosity did the line go through the field that the enemy, so completely stunned were they, would have precipitately fled, had they not been re-assured by a large gun-battery, nearly six hundred yards to our right, which enfiladed the railroad line of skirmishers. Startled at this unexpected obstacle, which was now in full play, throwing its whirlwind of grape and canister about us until the corn fell as if by an invisible reaper, I ordered the bugle to sound the 'lie down.' The entire line fell in the corn-rows, and I had the opportunity to look round. * * * * Feeling that I had obtained all the information I could, I ordered the 'rise up' and ' retreat,' which was done in the most admirable manner, under the fire of at least three regiments and seven guns— three of these enfilading my line. But few of those who had so gallantly charged the battery got back. I cannot speak in too extravagant terms of the officers and men of the 6th Iowa on this occasion. * They awakened my admiration at the coolness with which they retired, returning the incessant fire of the enemy as they slowly fell back."
The loss of the 6th Iowa in this encounter was one killed, eighteen wounded, and nine missing. The conduct of the regiment filled the general commanding the division with admiration:
“Head-Quarters, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps,
"In Front or Jackson, Mississippi, July 16th, 1863.
"Colonel Corse, commanding 6th Iowa Infantry:
"The valor of your noble regiment has been conspicuous, even amidst the universal good conduct that has marked the operations of all the troops of the 1st Division, during our advance upon Jackson, and since our arrival here. I can not too highly commend the gallantry you have displayed in two successful charges you have made. The true heart swells with emotions of pride in contemplating the heroism of those who, in their country's cause, charge forward under the iron-hail of half a dozen rebel batteries, and, exposed to a murderous fire of musketry from behind strong intrenchments, capture prisoners under their very guns. Such has been the glorious conduct of the 6th Iowa this morning; and those who shared your dangers, and emulated your valor, will join me in tendering to you and the brave men under your command my warmest thanks and most hearty congratulations.
" Most truly yours,
" William Lov'y Smith,
"Brigadier-General commanding 1st Div., 16th A. C."
In October, 1863, the 6th Iowa, with its division, (which in the meantime had been transferred to the l5th Corps) marched to the relief of Chattanooga. Under General Hugh Ewing it fought on Mission Ridge. Its position was just to the left of the two brigades of General John E. Smith; and, with those troops, it fought for the possession of that point which covered General Bragg's line of retreat. It was so far to the left that it escaped the flank movement of the enemy from the railroad tunnel, and lost few, if any prisoners. The regiment, however, suffered severely in killed and wounded. Eight fell dead upon the field, one of whom was the gallant Captain Robert Allison. Major Ennis, and Captains Calvin Minton, L. C. Allison and G. R. Nunn were wounded. The total number of killed and wounded was sixty-eight.
If foraging in the enemy's country is always a labor of danger, it is also sometimes attended with sport. Apropos, the 6th Iowa Infantry was one of the most expert and successful foraging regiments in the service. At all events, it was, in this respect, the banner regiment from Iowa; and I am aware how high is the compliment I am paying it. If that sergeant is still living, (I did not learn his name) he will recognize the following: Hugh Ewing's Division led John E. Smith's in the march from Chickasaw on the Tennessee to Bridgeport. That of which I speak occurred between Prospect Station and Fayetteville. We were marching along leisurely through a beautiful, highly-improved country, when, of a sudden, there was great confusion in the front. It would remind you of a crowd running to witness a show-day fight. A sergeant of the 6th Iowa, with a squad of one man, two mules and a revolver, had left his regiment on a foraging excursion, and returned with a whole train, ladened with the fruits of the land. He had fresh apples and dried apples, sweet potatoes and pumpkins, bed-clothes, and butter-milk in canteens: all were loaded on old rickety wagons, drawn by half-starved mules, and driven by American citizens of African descent. To share these spoils was the cause of the confusion. "He had got them for his boys," he said; but precious few of them did his boys ever get.
At Fayetteville, the 6th Iowa was infantry, and, only two days later, when they passed us in the woods near Winchester, nearly half the regiment was cavalry. "What in the d—1 do you go a-foot for?" they said to us; but they lost their horses before reaching Chattanooga, and, like us, fought at Mission Ridge on foot. The regiment was as reckless in battle as it was on the march.
General Corse was severely wounded at Mission Ridge, and disabled for several months. His intrepidity there, and his previous good conduct, secured his promotion to the rank of brigadier-general. When partially recovered, he was, I think, ordered on duty in Indiana. In a short time he was placed on General Sherman's staff, and in August, 1864, was assigned to the command of a division. That passage in his military history which will make his name distinguished hereafter, is that which records his defense of Allatoona, Georgia. At the time in question he was in command of the 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, one of the divisions comprised in General Dodge's command during the march on Atlanta. An account of the defense of Allatoona will be found elsewhere. I give below simply the correspondence of Generals French and Corse, and the congratulatory orders of Generals Howard and Sherman:
"Around Allatoona, October 5th, 8:16 A. M.
"Commanding Officer U. S. Force, Allatoona:
"Sir: — I have placed the forces under my command in such positions that you are surrounded, and, to avoid a useless effusion of blood, I call on you to surrender your forces at once, and unconditionally. Five minutes will be allowed you to decide. Should you accede to this, you will be treated in the most honorable manner, as prisoners of war.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
"S. G. French,
"Major-General commanding forces C. S."
[the Reply.]
"Head-quarters Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps,
Allatoona, Georgia, October 5th, 8:30 A. M
"Major-general S. G. French, C. S. A.:
"Your communication demanding surrender of my command, I acknowledge receipt of, and respectfully reply that we are prepared for the useless effusion of blood whenever it is agreeable to you.
"I am very respectfully your obedient servant,
"John M. Corse,
"Brigadier-General commanding 4th Division, 15th A. C."
How needless was the effusion of blood the following orders of Generals Howard and Sherman will show:
General Field Orders No. 18.
"Head-quarters Department And Army or The Tennessee,
Near Kenesaw Mountain, October 16th.
"Whilst uniting in the high commendation awarded by the General-in-chief, the Army of the Tennessee would tender through me its most hearty appreciation and thanks to Brigadier-General J. M. Corse for his promptitude, energy and eminent success in the defense of Allatoona Pass, against a force so largely superior to his own; and our warmest congratulations are extended to him, to Colonel Tourtellotte, and the rest of our comrades in arms who fought at Allatoona, for the glorious manner in which they vetoed 'the useless effusion of blood.'
"O. O. Howard,
"Major-General.
Official"
Special Field Orders, No. 86.
"HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In The Field, Kenesaw Mountain, October 6th.
"The General commanding avails himself of the opportunity in the handsome defense made of ' Allatoona,' to illustrate the most important principle in war, that fortified posts should be defended to the last, regardless of the relative numbers of the party attacking and attacked.
"Allatoona was garrisoned by three regiments commanded by Colonel Tourtelotte, and reinforced by a detachment from a division at Rome, under command of Brigadier-General J. M. Corse on the morning of the 5th, and a few hours after was attacked by French's Division of Stewart's Corps, two other divisions being near at hand, and in support. General French demanded a surrender, in a letter to 'avoid an useless effusion of blood,' and gave but five minutes for an answer. General Corse's answer was emphatic and strong, that he and his command were ready for the 'useless effusion of blood,' as soon as it was agreeable to General French.
"This answer was followed by an attack which was prolonged for five hours, resulting in the complete repulse of the enemy, who left his dead on the ground amounting to more than two hundred, and four hundred prisoners, well and wounded. The 'effusion of blood' was not 'useless,' as the position at Allatoona was and is very important to our present and future operations.
"The thanks of this army are due, and hereby accorded to General Corse, Colonel Tourtelotte, officers and men for their determined and gallant defense of Allatoona, and it is made an example to illustrate the importance of preparing in time, and meeting the danger when present, boldly, manfully and well.
"This Army, though unseen to the garrison, was co-operating by moving toward the road by which the enemy could alone escape, but unfortunately were delayed by the rain and mud, but this fact hastened the retreat of the enemy.
"Commanders and garrisons of posts along our railroads are hereby instructed that they must hold their posts to the last minute, sure that the time gained is valuable and necessary to their comrades at the front. " By order of
" Major-General W. T. Sherman,
" L. M. Dayton,
"A. D. C.
OFFICIAL."
At Allatoona General Corse was again wounded. A musket- shot struck him in the cheek, and, for a time, rendered him insensible. Colonel R. Rowett of the 7th Illinois, as ranking officer, succeeded him in command; and the fighting continued as before with great fury. At twelve o'clock M., Sherman had reached the summit of Kenesaw, and from that point signaled to the garrison: — "Hold on to Allatoona to the last; I will help you." Not long after the enemy retired, having failed to draw their one million and a half of rations.
For his brilliant defense of Allatoona, General Corse was made, by brevet, a major-general. Since that time, he has remained in command of his division. He joined Sherman in the march from Atlanta to Savannah, and from that city to Raleigh. They say Sherman calls him, "my pet.”
Subsequently to the engagement at Mission Ridge, the 6th. Iowa Infantry has been commanded a chief portion of the time by Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Miller. During the winter of 1863-4 the regiment was stationed with its division along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, between Bridgeport and Huntsville; but in the Spring was ordered to the front and served through the Atlanta campaign. It fought at Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, before Atlanta and at Jonesboro; and lost in killed and wounded, in the months of May and June, an aggregate of one hundred and six. Lieutenant Rodney F. Barker, of Company A, was wounded in the first day's engagement at Dallas. On the 28th of May, the day following, Lieutenant F. F. Baldwin was killed, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Newby Chase mortally wounded. The former was killed while saving two guns of the 1st Iowa Battery from capture, and the latter, shot in the throat and mortally wounded, while on the skirmish line. A correspondent of the regiment says: " Better men never drew swords." Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Miller was severely wounded in this same engagement at Dallas. Indeed, three of the four regimental commanders of the 2d Brigade, 4th Division, were struck, two of them being killed—Colonel Dickerman of the 103d Illinois and Major Gisey of the 46th Ohio. The total loss of the 6th Iowa at Dallas, was seven men killed, and fifteen wounded.
On the 15th of June the regiment joined its division in the brilliant charge near Big Shanty, and, two days later, took part in the unsuccessful charge at Kenesaw Mountain. In that of the 15th instant, Lieutenant J. F. Grimes, acting adjutant, was killed. At the opening of the campaign, the 6th Iowa arrived before Dalton, nearly four hundred strong; and by the middle of July had suffered a loss of fifty per cent. The last services of the 6th Iowa Infantry were performed in the marches from Atlanta to Savannah, and thence to Raleigh.
General Corse is a small man. He is not above five feet eight inches in bight, and weighs less than one hundred and twenty-five pounds. He is small in stature, and, to look at him, a stranger would not think his mind and body much out of proportion. He has more ability than he seems to have. He has sharp features, a dark complexion, large, dark eyes, and black hair, which he usually wears long. In his movements, he is dignified and somewhat consequential, carrying a high head, and wearing a stern countenance.) (I speak of him as I saw him in the service.) Before he entered the service, his neighbors in Burlington told on him the following story. I do not suppose it is true, but possibly it illustrates his character. When he became a partner with his father in the book business, the story goes, there had to be a new sign made. The father suggested that it read, " J. L. Corse & Son;" while the future general insisted that it should read, "John M. Corse and Father."
I omitted to mention in the proper place that, in I860, the general was a candidate for the office of Secretary of State.
Perhaps I ought to omit it now, for I venture to say, he is not proud of that passage in his history; he was the candidate on the old Hickory ticket, with a certain prospect of being defeated.
In battle I believe General Corse to be as cool a man as ever met an enemy. His defense of Allatoona shows that. He has always seemed to act on the principle suggested by General Jerry Sullivan: "Boys, when you have fought just as long as you think you possibly can, then fight ten minutes longer, and you will always whip." General Corse has richly earned his distinguished reputation, and the State will always be proud of him.
SOURCE: Stuart, A. A., Iowa Colonels and Regiments, pp. 153-162
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
During the heavy thunder shower yesterday, the lightning struck the house of Capt. Frazer, on Locust street, near Farnum, tearing up son of the shingles, and doing some other unimportant damage. The House of Mr. B. Kennedy, on Third street, below Warren, was also struck and a portion of the cornice torn away. No person was injured in either of the houses.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1
Another Great Battle
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2
Thursday, August 27, 2009
FROM THE 16TH REGIMENT
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1
Twelfth Iowa
Col. J. H. TUTTLE [sic], Com’g 1st Brig., 2d Division Dep’t of the West:
SIR: I have the honor to transmit to you the following report of the killed, wounded, and missing of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in the engagement at this point on the 6th and 7th insts, viz:
Wounded, Col. J. J. Wood, severely in leg and hand, not dangerously. Missing, Adjutant N E Duncan, Jr, QM JB Dorr, and Sergt Maj Geo H Morisey.
COMPANY A – Killed, 2d Lieut G W Moir; privates C H Johnson, R G King, W Fairbanks, Wounded, E S Swain, severely in shoulder; W H Stoltser, head, mortal. Missing, Capt. S. R. Edgington, Orderly Sergt T B Edgington, Sergts F C Fountain, G W Reed, G W Rulow, Corporals B F Ibuch, J H Edgington; privates J Bronhard, S B Brown, F C Comwell, E C Coombs, G H Cobb, N Collins, R P Clarkson, T Dorman, J D Hall, S Hall, M Kidwiler, R E Kellogg, Wm Lefler, Seth Macy, W G McPherson, J Morgan, G W Moore, R F Quivey, W H Richards, R S Sprague, J Whitson, A J Wickham, A M Wickham.
COMPANY C – Killed, Corp Thomas Henderson, private Charles Pendleton. Wounded, Corp P R Ketchum, wounded and missing; privates G W Grannis, do; F W [Mame], do; Henry George, ball in the knee; Chas Larson, mortally (since dead; A P Monger, severely in the thigh; D W Reed, do. Missing, Captain W W Warner, Ord Sergt G W Cook; Sergts Gilbert Hazlet, Emery Clark, James Stewart, Henry G Grannis; Corp’ls S F Brush, J F Hutchings, D D Warner, P R Woods; privates E J Aboott, James Ayers, E H Adams,S C Beck, J W Ballinger, John Bysang, G Burroughs, A C Bushned, Henry Beadle, E Comstock, Henry Clark, H O Curtis, James Carmichael, Simeon Gifford, Wm Hamlin, Wm Jordan, Isadore Jordan, A K Ketchum, Wm Kent, Wilson King, W Scott, John Quivey, Wm E Sirner, T N Smith, Chas Sigman, Samuel Stone, Albert Utter, R D Williams, Chas Wallace, V B Wait.
COMPANY D – Killed, 1st Lieut J D Ferguson; privates Daniel Luther, James P Ayers. Wounded, Sergt J. M. Clark, slightly in the hip; Corp Jos Stibbs, slightly in arm, missing; Corp H C Moorhead, slightly in head, missing; Corporal H Panborn, slightly in arm, missing; privates J G Clark, severely in thigh; R C Carvele, slightly in arm; Ed H Bailey, slightly [in him]; Frank Reuchin, severely in leg, missing. Missing Capt. J H. Stibbs, 2nd Lieut H H Hale, Orderly Sergt R Hilton, Corp H W Ross, Corp J L Boughton; Privates L M Ayers, Edward Butolph, Samuel Bumgardner, Thomas Barr, J W Burch, S Burch, P Brennan, D L Conley, D Conley, F Dubois, S H Flint, W A Flint, A J Frees, C Ferrerbend, H Grass, P Gisshart, A Hill, R L Johnson, Eli King, Wm Lie, Jno Luther, T J. Lewis, Wm B Luntz, J Lanagan, E B Martin, A J Miller, D W Minor, R McClain, J Nicholas, J O Startwell, D Livets, J Scott, L Snell, R K Soper, A A Stewart, H M Sarpenning, W H Trowbridge, W Whiteneck, J J Whitman, J Wegner, J Craft, F Curren, B P Zuver, A McIntyre.
COMPANY E – Killed, Privates Wm L Pawley and J W Fuller. Wounded, Anthony Biller, bruise in ankle; Charles Johnson, in back; Jacob Howery, in hip; Benj Eberhart, right eye; Thomas Porter, in leg; Sam’l J Leity, neck and leg; J P Thompson, leg broken. Missing, Capt Wm Haddock, first lieut John Elwell, second lieut Robt Williams, sergeants Jas Stewart, C P Collins, corporals C V Surfus, J F Smith. – Privates, M V B Sunderlin, D Craighton, Harvey Smith, Nelson Strong, Stephen Story, Hiram Hoisington, John Abraves, Allen E Talbot, Milton Rood, Oliver Sharp, John Koch, A B Perry, Joshua Bird, D C Morris, Isaac Watkins, Wm H Sherman, J Margurety, Seth P. Crohurst, W Richamond, Joseph Johnson, Thos Porter, Elias Moon, G L Leber, Wm O Bird, John L Cook, Geo Holden.
COMPANY F – Killed, corporal Abner D Campbell. Wounded, orderly sergeant H J F Small, both thighs, severe flesh wound; corporal Thomas C Nelson, right hand; privates A Crippen, right breast, dangerous; Geo King, right arm, severe, Perry G Kinney, arm and side; Jos Pate, leg broke, dangerous; Sam’l Plattenburg, foot, severe. Missing, 1st lieut J Wilson Gift, 2d lieut Wm A Morse, sergeants Reuben E Eldridge, R W Ferrill, P F Haskell, E S Winshell, corp’ls John Bremuer, Henry M Preston, Wm A W Nelson, Isaac Johnson, Abner Dunham; privates Wm H Barney, Henry Bender, Seamons Clapp, David Clark, F W Coolidge, Ed Douglass, Jos E Eldridge, John P Eaton, Jos S Girton, Geo E Hunter, Luther Kaltenback, Wm Kaltenback, Michael Kircham, David N Lillibridge, L D Lyon, J F Lee, Wm W Mann, A L Manning, Wm. K Mason, John A McCullough, Thos McGowan, E M Overocke, Thos Otis, Geo Pate, R C Palmer, J W Potter, Geo Parkes, Ira Roberts, Cornelius Steers, Justus Schneider, Thos H Sparks, Chas B Toney, Allen Ware, R L Weeden, Orry Wood, Joshua Wigger, G Woolbridge, Hardy Clayton, Christopher C A E F Stribling.
COMPANY G – Wounded, A S Fuller. Missing, Capt L D Teusley; 1st Lieut J F Nickerson; Sergeants A A Burdick, A E Anderson, R A Gibson, J H Warmeldorf; corporals A Anderson, T Steene, O P Rocksvald, W S Windsor, A W Errett, G O Hanson, J O Johnson, N B Burdick; Privates O H Gorhamer, S McClared, S Miller, C Christopherson, E V Anders, G M Smith, W Wait, H Johnson, H E Johnson, S A Lorenson, A Halverson, John Stiev, C B Kittleson, J Cutlip, O Hamon, L O Ramberg, C Conley, P McCalley, G A Henge, Haldore Hanson, John Olson, Anders Jenson, Henry Stien, F Skinner, O D Miller, Peter Larson, E Aleson, John Larson, Ole Gritto, O H Fundo, Ole Olson, J R Smith, L F Wold, J. M Clark, N Pederson, Ole Gilbertson, N J Davis, G Anderson, G Kittleson.
COMPANY H - Wounded, Corporal Joseph Evans, badly in the head; privates Alex. Presho, in left; E. A Ward, both legs; Corporal D. Moreland, in face and missing; privates J. M. Ward, leg and missing; R. F. Nutting, leg and missing. Missing, First Lieutenant L W Jackson, Orderly Sergeant Samuel G Knee, Sergeants John Van Anda, Squire C Fishael, Corporals B A Clark, Jas Evens, privates John Byrns, A J Price, V V Price, John Mason, J W Ward, James [Crosby], James Shorter, C W Smith, Thos Clendenin, R W Culver, C E Richardson, Lester Patrick, James Nichols, W J Slack, R W Light, A G Gostings, Geo McKinnis, John Newman, Geo W Harnes, W H Collins, Wm Chrismar, Julius Ward, Wm H Cook, R M Grimes, John Sadler, Edward Winch, J G Currie, J W Benedict, F H Kesseler, H L Richardson.
COMPANY I – Wounded, Privates Thos H Wilson, severely in the leg, Joseph H Cobb, slightly in back. Missing, Capt E M Duzee, First Lieut John J Marks, Ord Sergt Chas L Sumbardo, Sergents [sic] Wilber F McCarron, Benton Wade, E B Campbell, Corpls Patrick [McManus], James Stewart, privates Wm Bittner, Albert Belknapp, Robert P Brown, James Brown, John F Campbell, Warren Coats, Wm Cohler, Jesse Dean, Kerrus Petter, Wm H Markham, Michael McLaughlin, Michl Noyle, Weed Nims, David Paup, Jas Robb, David Ryan, Chas Sackett, Wm. Starback, Van Meter Snyder, James Thompson, Stephen McKee, Thomas Murphy, Samuel Gordon, Samuel Van Hook, Augustus W Hatfield, George Tesky, Alonzo Wells, Jas F Zediker, James Bugler.
COMPANY K – Wounded, Sergt B F Hayburst, slight; Corporal L W. Larrabee, shot in the base of the lungs; privates John Moulton, leg, broken and otherwise severely injured; F Kisor, shot through the left shoulder; S. Griffon, shot through the hand. Missing, 2d Lieut J Jay Brown; Sergts S P Collins, R Freeman, Corporals O T Fuller, W H H Blanchard, H C Merriam J Fulton, B E Nash, M E Lathrop, W R Mathis; privates H N Baldwin, A K Blanchard, P Church, C Dolly, D Downer, M Dillon, D Fagan, P Gallagher, C Hichethin, W T Johnston, W Kemp, W B Keith, G F Lunde, J Maine, P J Morehouse, C E Merriam, J J Myers, R R McLair, G W Olmstead, C E Phillips, W S Perry, A Robinson, T Shover, C W Smith, P Wilson, H Waldroff, A Grimes.
RECAPITULATION.*
Company A
Killed 4
Wounded 2
Missing 30
Company B**
Wounded 7
Missing 51
Company C
Killed 2
Wounded 7
Missing 40
Company D
Killed 3
Wounded 8
Missing 49
Company E
Killed 2
Wounded 7
Missing 33
Company F
Killed 1
Wounded 7
Missing 50
Company G
Wounded 1
Missing 53
Company H
Wounded 6
Missing 28
Company I
Wounded 2
Missing 39
Company K
Wounded 5
Missing 37
Total Killed 12
Total Wounded 52
Total Missing 420
Respectfully yours, J. P COULTER,
Lieut. Col Commanding 12th Reg’t Iowa Vols.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1
* Reformatted. In the original article the “Recapitulation” is in a table format which cannot be accurately reproduced on blogspot.
** Though listed in the “Recapitulation” Company B was not included in the casualty list.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
An interesting letter from Lt. Col. Sanders . . .
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1
WEEKLY GAZETTE
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
List of Killed and Wounded in the 11th Iowa, at the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6th and 7th, 1862
Lieut. Col. Hall, commanding the regiment wounded in ankle slightly.
Maj. Abercrombie, wounded in head slightly.
COMPANY A – CAPT. GRANT – MUSCATINE
Killed – Privates Geo W Collendar, Geo Gadoke, Wm Fieldman.
Wounded – Lieut Anderson, Sergt Ephraim Shellabarger in arm, Corps. Joseph Taylor in leg, R Livingston in hand, S Theron Corwin in foot; Privates Marian Stretch in hand, Wm Reed in leg, Jesse Oaks in arms and chest, Cyrus Fortwagler fatal, Charles Entsler in finger, L. W. Gates in finger, Henry Van Hessold in leg, Chas Jesler in back, Warren Mecker in foot, Charles Kingsland in leg, Barney Kettman in back.
COMPANY B, OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
Killed - Corporal William F. Hough, Hardin county.
Wounded – Slightly, Captain Charles Foster, wrist, Orderly Akers, thigh, Corporal B V Hersey, hand; Privates Daniel Dale, hand, Addison Garwood hand, C N Hammond, neck, John Rutan, hand, David Shafer, abdomen; severely, Martin Denbow, neck, Geo Haworth, thigh, Jno W. Ramsey, arm, Wm N Street arm, Jas Fitzgerald, arm, Thos C Smith, shoulder.
COMPANY C, OF LOUISA COUNTY.
Killed – Samuel Fritz.
Wounded – Corporal Gerodes Wincoop, wrist, slightly, Corp Jos W Moore, leg, slightly; privates – severely – A E Campbell, shoulder, dead, Wm Harp, Jaw, Henry Miller, neck, Wm Edmondson, arm, G W Livingston, shoulder, dead, James C. Duncan, arm; slightly, S H Caldwell, Shoulder, Jas W. Watts, head, John H. Patton foot, David Cummins, head, Joseph Manners, head, Thomas Reid, shoulder, Chalmers Reynolds, head.
COMPANY D – CAPT. SHROPE – MUSCATINE.
Killed – Privates Henry Seibert, Thomas Cory, Peter Craven, Wm Leverich, Wm White.
Wounded – Severely, Privates B Chatfield, W G Rogers, John Hughes, R R McRae, F M Edy, John Milsap, Samuel Rucker; Slightly, James Wyneer, Perry Duncan, B F Herr, C Herr, C Laport, [G] Prescott, A Thom, W A Sheffier, J J Hawlins.
COMPANY E, OF CEDAR COUNTY.
Killed – 1st Lieut J. F. Compton; Sergt E McLoney; privates T M Haines, C Frink, G Crooks, John Buckman.
Wounded – Slightly, Corp J M Daniels, hand; Privates B Bossart, side, H H Hatch, shoulder, E Mooney, shoulder, C Rankin, shoulder, C Rankin, shoulder [sic], M Wiggins, shoulder, H C McBlhot, side, M Museney, leg, G Simmons, knee; severely, F Dwiggins, hip, E Crisman, arm broken.
COMPANY F – WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Killed – Corps. G. I Barnes and Martin A McLain; Private H. H. Riley.
Wounded – Seriously, 1st Leiut J J Miles; Sergt N L McKinney, leg; Privates S S Lytle, shoulder; T. Campbell, shoulder; Jno Williams, head; Whicher, leg. Slightly, Sergt. E J Jackson, side; Corpl Jackson Coulter; arm; Privates [Maylor Thomas, Hand; John Kasting, finger]; W P Shelton, leg; Isaac Martin, Hand; John Ralston; hand, David Jones, hand; Alex Capen, foot.
COMPANY G – HENRY COUNTY.
Killed - Privates Wm Black, Theodore Pallet, Mortimar Hobart.
Wounded - 2d Lieut G W Barr, arm, seriously; Corp Geo McNeely, hand, slightly Privates Clinton Hull, neck, seriously; Oseo Conner, leg, severely; Lamson Crooks, bruised, slightly; Wm Linkins, bruised, slightly; C. Daily, hand, slightly; M J Miller, knee, slightly.
COMPANY H – CAPTAIN BEACH – MUSCATINE.
Killed – H O Ady, Wm Mikesell, Finley Newell.
Wounded - Lieut Magoon, James Allen, severely in leg, Wm Gordon, in thigh, H Rippey, in leg, B K Wintermut, arm and leg, Wm Kerr, in head, C Krans in foot, A Krans, in jaw, J Zollner, in foot, Madison Kneese, in shoulder, T Louis in side, Wm Richards, in head, D Brookhart, in head, C Kern, slight, in neck, Wm Ady, slight, in face.
COMPANY I – CAPT COMPTON – MUSCATINE.
Killed – Sergt Geo E Daniels; Privates, Madison Reyburn, John Kester.
Wounded – Lieut Wiles, slightly, in back of neck; Sergt J E Crowder, finger severely; corpl Wm Hall, leg; Privates, John Taulman, since died, J W Gard, in elbow, J O’Brien, in face, P C Eberwine, in shoulder, Thos McKeaugh, breast, G F Greenhow, head, A Wilson, leg, Wm Craig, leg, J Peal, leg, H Hinkhouse, leg, H Barnhold, foot, J B. Sullivan, arm P E Shaw, thigh and arm John Gatton, shoulder, Riley Pennel, leg, John Leach, arm, Chas Hoover shoulder, Wm Etherton, hand, M Kief, abdomen, L Mattern, leg, John Wesson, head, Peter E Davis, shoulder, Orlando McGrew, nose.
COMPANY K – CLINTON AND LINN COUNTIES.
Killed – Private S Bogart.
Wounded – Slightly – Capt. John C Marvin, leg. Severely – 2d Lieut O P Kinsman; Sergt Chas mason, arm and side; Cop John Dance, arm. Privates – slightly – L Davis, leg. Seriously – S Gearheart, wrist; J Wilkinson, side, arm and hip; John Elder, arm and side; B Fluharts leg; M Lattimer, foot; R smith, hand.
Missing – Private Wm W Mitchell.
RECAPTITULATION*
Company A:
Killed 3
Wounded 16
Company B:
Killed 1
Wounded 14
Company C:
Killed 1
Wounded 15
Company D:
Killed 5
Wounded 16
Company E:
Killed 6
Wounded 11
Company F:
Killed 3
Wounded 16
Company G:
Killed 4
Wounded 8
Company H:
Killed 3
Wounded 16
Company I:
Killed 3
Wounded 26
Company K:
Killed 1
Wounded 11
Missing 1
Total Killed 29
Total Wounded 149
Total Missing 1
Total 179
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1
* Reformatted. The Recapitulation is in a table format in the actual newspaper article which cannot be reproduced properly in Blogspot posts.
See Also: List of Killed and Wounded in the 11th Iowa, at the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6th and 7th, 1862, published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862 for a slightly different listing.
Eighth Regiment
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862
8th Illinois Cavalry
SERVICE.--Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-19, 1862. Reconnoissance to Gainesville Madch 20. Operations on the Orange and Alexandria R. R. March 28-29. Warrenton Junction March 28. Bealeton Station March 28. Rappahannock Station March 29. Reconnoissance to the Rappahannock April 2. Moved to the Peninsula, Virginia, April 23-May 1. Near Williamsburg May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Mechanicsville May 23-24. Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Ashland June 25 (Detachment). Mechanicsville, Atlee's Station and near Hanover Court House, June 26. Hundley's Corners June 26-27. Garnett's Farm and Gaines' Mill June 27. Despatch Station June 28 (Cos. "E," "K"). Savage Station June 29. White Oak Swamp and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. Reconnoissance from Harrison's Landing July 4. At Harrison's Landing till August 16. Malvern Hill July 5. Expedition to Malvern Hill July 20-22. Malvern Hill August 5. Movement to Fortress Monroe, thence to Alexandria August 16-23. Falls Church September 3-4. Poolesville, Md., September 7-8. Barnesville September 9. Monocacy Church and Nolansville September 9. Middletown September 10. Sugar Loaf Mountain September 11-12. Frederick September 12. Middletown September 13. Catoctin Mountain September 13. South Mountain September 14. Boonesborough September 15. Antietam September 16-17. Shephardstown Ford September 19. Reconnoissance from Sharpsburg to Shepardstown, W. Va., October 1. Martinsburg October 1. Pursuit of Stuart into Pennsylvania October 9-12. Mouth of Monocacy October 12. Sharpsburg and Hagerstown Pike October 16-17. Purcellsville and near Upperville October 29 (Detachment). Snickersville October 31. Philomont November 1-2. Upperville November 2-3. Union November 3. Barber's Cross Roads, Chester Gap and Markham November 5-6. Sperryville November 7. Little Washington November 8. Markham Station and Barber's Cross Roads November 10. Battle of Fred- ericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Turner's Mills January 30, 1863. Operations in Westmoreland and Richmond Counties February 10-16. Near Dumfries March 15 and 29. Zoar Church March 30. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 8. Stoneman's Raid April 29-May 8. Rapidan Station May 1. Warrenton May 6. Lancaster May 20-21. Clendennin's Raid below Fredericksburg May 20-28. Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Aldie June 17. Goose Creek June 18. Upperville June 21. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Williamsport July 6-7. Funkstown, Md., July 8. Boonesborough July 8. Chester Gap and Benevola or Beaver Creek, July 9. At and near Funkstown, Md., July 10-13. Falling Waters July 15. Chester Gap July 21-22. Lovettsville July 22. Kelly's Ford July 31-August 1. Near Culpeper August 1-3. Brandy Station August 4. Weaversville August 27. Brandy Station September 8. Raccoon Ford and Stevensburg September 10-11. Culpeper and Pony Mountain September 13. Reconnoissance across the Rapidan September 21-23. Liberty Mills September 21. Jack's Shop, Madison Court House, September 22. Mitchell's Ford October 7. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Culpeper October 9. Raccoon Ford October 10. Morton's Ford October 10. Stevensburg, near Kelly's Ford and Brandy Station, October 11. Fleetwood or Brandy Station October 12. Oak Hill October 15. Madison Court House October 16. Hazel River October 17. Bealeton October 27. Near Catlett's Station October 30. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Warrenton or Sulphur Springs, Jeffersonton and Hazel River November 8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Parker's Store November 29. Jennings' Farm, near Ely's Ford, December 1. Reconnoissance to Madison Court House January 31, 1864 (Detachment). Veterans on furlough January to March, 1864. Camp at Giesboro Point till May. Patrol duty at Washington, D.C., and scout duty at Fairfax, Va., till April, 1865, having numerous engagements with Mosby's guerrillas and the Black Horse Cavalry. A detachment with Army of the Potomac and participated in the Rapidan Campaign May-June, 1864. Craig's Meeting House, Va., May 5. Todd's Tavern May 5-6. Alsop's Farm May 8. Guinea Station May 18. Salem Church and Pole Cat Creek May 27. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Point of Rocks, Md., July 5. Noland's Ferry July 5. Middletown and Solomon's Gap July 7. Frederick July 7. Frederick July 8, (Detachment). Battle of Monocacy July 9. Rockville and Urbana July 9. Near Fort Stevens, D.C., July 11. Along northern defences of Washington, D.C., July 11-12. Rockville July 13. Cockeyville July 18. Philomont July 20. Snickersville July 21. Monocacy Junction July 30. Near Piedmont October 9. Near Rectortown October 10. White Plains October 11. Upperville October 28 (Detachment). Operations at Snicker's Gap October 28-29 (Detachment). Manassas Junction November 11. Fairfax Station November 26. Scout from Fairfax Court House to Hopewell Gap December 26-27. Scout from Fairfax Court House to Brentsville February 6-7, 1865, and to Aldie and Middleburg February 15-16 (Co. "B"). Operations about Warrenton, Bealeton Station, Sulphur Springs and Centreville March 3-8. Duty about Washington, D.C., till July. Ordered to St. Louis, Mo., thence to Chicago, Ill., and mustered out July 17, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 7 Officers and 68 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 174 Enlisted men by disease. Total 250.
SOURCE: Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1026-7
Monday, August 24, 2009
William M. Stone to the Adjutant General Of Iowa

Attorneys at Law and Collection Agents,
Knoxville, Marion County, Iowa
Knoxville, Iowa, Feb 25, 1879
Adjt. General of Iowa
Sir:
Will you be kind enough as to send me certified copy of my military history in [materiale] use in Washington city. What I especially desire is the dates of my commissions as captain, co. B 3D infantry, and as Major of said regiment and the date of my commission as Col. of the 22nd infantry, and the date of my mustering in as such and the date of my discharge or resignation at Vicksburg in August 1863 and any reference to my wound received on the 22nd day of May 1863 which may appear on your records. Be kind enough to comply herewith at your earliest convenience.
Very Truly Yours,
W. M. Stone
COLONEL JOHN ADAIR M'DOWELL
FIRST COLONEL, SIXTH INFANTRY.
John A. McDowell is a younger brother of Major-General Irwin [sic] McDowell, who led the Federal forces in the first great battle of the war. Colonel McDowell was born in the city of Columbus, Ohio, the 22d day of July, 1825, and was graduated at Kenyan College, Gambia, Ohio, in the year 1846. While at Kenyan College he devoted much time to the study of military tactics, under the instruction of Professor Ross, a former Professor of Mathematics and Tactics in the West Point Military Academy, New York, and the widely known translator of Bourdon and other mathematical works. Colonel McDowell's experience as an officer began as captain of the Kenyan Guards, an independent military company, which, in its day, attained much celebrity for its proficiency in discipline and drill.
Leaving college with the highest oratorical honors of his class, he entered, in 1847, the office of Judge Swan, and prepared himself for the practice of law. The vast mineral wealth of California was, in 1848 and 1849, attracting thousands of emigrants from the States to that country; and, for young men of enterprise and talent, the prospects seemed nattering. Having completed his legal studies in 1848, he left in the following Spring for California, in company with the 2d United States Dragoons. He arrived on the shores of the Pacific in the following Fall, and without incident, if we except the passage of the Rio Grande. In crossing that river, he came near losing his own life, in his generous efforts to save the life of a friend. Locating in Monterey, he began the practice of law, and soon became a public man; for, in 1851, he was elected mayor of that city. Those were, in California, the days of vigilance committees, and the duties of his office required great caution and judgment; but his management was firm and judicious, and he secured the confidence of the public.
In 1852 he returned to the States, and, the following year, settled in Keokuk, Iowa. During Colonel McDowell's residence in Iowa, and prior to his entering the service, he followed the profession of civil engineering. He was at one time the City Engineer of Keokuk, but, at the outbreak of the war, was Superintendent and Chief Engineer of the Keokuk, Mount Pleasant and Minnesota Railroad.
In the spring of 1861, Colonel McDowell visited Washington for the purpose of obtaining authority to raise a regiment of infantry. Authority was granted by the War Department, and he returned to Burlington, which was to be the rendezvous of his regiment. The 6th Iowa Infantry was enlisted principally from the counties of Linn, Lucas, Hardin, Appanoose, Monroe, Clark, Johnson, Lee, Des Moines and Henry. It was mustered into the United States service on the 17th of July, 1861: its camp was Camp Warren. On the 2d of the following August, Colonel McDowell was ordered to Keokuk, and, during his week's stay there, a portion of his regiment took part in the affair at Athens, between the Union forces under Colonel Moore, and the Confederates under Green. On the 19th instant the regiment left for St. Louis, where, reporting to General Fremont, it was retained for five weeks in camp, at La Fayette Park. The first campaign on which the 6th Iowa marched, was that from Jefferson City to Springfield.
Lyon had been killed at Wilson's Creek, and Sturgis, his successor, had fallen back to Rolla; when, instantly, the rebellious citizens of Missouri, from every quarter, made haste to join Price, their deliverer. Price, strongly reinforced, in council with that mean, cowardly traitor, Claib Jackson, resolved on a march northward. Small detachments of Federal troops withdrew from his line of march; and, on the 12th of September, he laid siege to Lexington. Fremont, in command of the Western Department, having made ineffectual efforts to relieve Mulligan, quit St. Louis, and concentrated an army at Jefferson City, with which to march on Price, and either rout or capture his forces. Some claim more for this fossil hero;—that, after Price's annihilation, he was to march south, and, flanking Columbus, Hickman, Memphis, and a long stretch of the Mississippi, was to enter, in triumph, Little Rock. With him were Sigel, Hunter, Asboth, McKinstry, Pope, Lane, and his royal guard under Zagonyi. Price left Lexington on the 30th of September, and, the 8th of October, Fremont marched from Jefferson City. Such, briefly, is the history of what preceded the first great campaign in Missouri.
Passing through Tipton, Warsaw on the Osage, and thence south, Fremont arrived in Springfield the 29th of October. Price was then at Neosho. And this is all that there is of Fremont's celebrated campaign in Missouri; for he was now relieved by the President, and his command turned over to General Hunter, who forthwith ordered a return in the direction of St. Louis. I cannot forbear adding that Fremont was a better man than Hunter; for, if he had style, he also had pluck and confidence. On this campaign the 6th Iowa Infantry was under Brigadier-General McKinstry, and in three day's time marched seventy-five miles.
During the winter of 1861-2, Colonel McDowell was stationed on the Pacific Railroad, which he guarded from Sedalia to Tipton; but, in the opening of the Spring Campaign, was relieved at his own request, and sent to the front. Early in March he sailed with his regiment up the Tennessee River, and landed at Pittsburg Landing, where he was immediately assigned to General Sherman's Division, and placed in command of a brigade. At the battle of Shiloh his command held the extreme right of General Grant's Army, and was stationed near the Purdy road. The 3d Iowa, it will be remembered, was stationed near the extreme left. The 11th and 13th Iowa, under McClernand, were to the left of Sherman; and the 2d, 7th, 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa, in Smith's Division, commanded by W. H. L. Wallace, and to the left of McClernand. The 15th and 16th Iowa fought on their own hook. The 8th Iowa, however, fought under Prentiss. These were all the Iowa troops in the battle of Shiloh.
The 6th Iowa was commanded at Shiloh by Captain John Williams; and, to show the part acted by the regiment, I quote briefly from his official report:
"On Sunday morning, when the attack was made on General Grant's centre, the regiment was immediately brought into line of battle, and was then moved about fifty yards to the front, along the edge of the woods. Company I was thrown out as skirmishers, and Companies E and G were moved to the left and front of our line, to support a battery just placed there. We were in this position for more than two hours, when we were ordered to fall back to the rear of our camp, on the Purdy road. The battle at this time was raging fiercely in the centre, and extending gradually to the right. The line was slowly yielding to a vastly superior force, and it now became evident that we must change our position or be entirely cut off from the rest of the army.
"The regiment then marched by the left flank about six hundred yards, crossed an open field about one hundred and fifty yards wide, took a position in the edge of the woods and formed a new line of battle, which was succeeded by another line, nearly perpendicular to the former, the right resting close to the Purdy road."
This left flank movement was to the left and rear; but this position was held but a very short time, when the regiment was marched to the rear about half a mile; for McClernand's Division, and the left of Sherman's, had been driven back rapidly. The next position taken by the regiment was in the edge of the woods, and formed a part of that line which, for several hours, held the enemy successfully at bay. At this hour, things looked more hopeful; and, had all the troops that had stampeded and straggled been now in their proper places, Grant would probably have suffered no further reverses at Shiloh. It was in this last position that the 6th Iowa suffered its severest loss. Captain Williams was wounded here, and the command of the regiment turned over to Captain Walden.
Of less than six hundred and fifty men that went into the engagement, sixty-four were killed, one hundred wounded, and forty-seven missing. The 6th Iowa, as a regiment, was not engaged in the second day's battle, and its losses were slight. Among the wounded in the first day's fight were Captain Williams, and Lieutenants Halliday and Grimes. The names of the killed I have failed to learn. " In regard to the bravery, coolness and intrepidity of both officers and men, too much can not be said. Where all did so well, to particularize would seem invidious." The regiment continued with Sherman during the siege of Corinth, and Colonel McDowell in command of his brigade. The 6th was one of the regiments of his command.
After the fall of Corinth, Colonel McDowell marched with his brigade to Memphis, where he remained the balance of the Summer, and during the following Fall. In November, he marched with his division on the campaign down through Oxford, and to the Yockona, after which he returned to La Grange, Tennessee, where he passed the Winter. While on the march from Corinth to Memphis, he was attacked with a disease, pronounced by his surgeon an affection of the sciatic nerve. It had been contracted through exposure and by almost constant duty in the saddle, and was extremely painful; but he continued on duty. Finally, receiving no relief, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted late in the winter of 1862-3.
While stationed at Memphis, he received from General Sherman a recommendation for brigadier-general, which was endorsed, I am informed, as follows: — "I think it but right and just that a gallant officer, who has discharged faithfully the duties of a brigadier for many months, should enjoy in full the rank and pay of the position." On leaving the service, his regiment presented him with a costly silver set, which, in its own language, was " a token of their esteem for him as a man, and their appreciation of his merit as an officer."
Colonel McDowell is a large man, and well proportioned, but a little too fleshy to look comfortable. He is above six feet in hight, and erect; has a mild blue eye, light complexion, and a good-natured countenance. Usually, he seems kind and approachable, but, when aroused, the flash of his eye makes him look, as he really is, a most formidable opponent. He has large self-esteem, a good education and fine social qualities. His conversational powers are remarkable. He is fond of merriment, to be convinced of which you have only to look on his shaking sides: he laughs, like Momus, all over,
Colonel McDowell has fine ability, but is naturally, I believe, inclined to be a little lazy. He is a close observer, and forms positive opinions. His experience in the army destroyed his faith in field artillery. "There are occasions," he once said, " when it is invaluable; but, as a general thing, it is vox proe-ter-er nihil. If you fight to whip, you must fight to kill; and whoever heard of a dead or wounded artillery-man? These things that you hold straight at a man, are the things that hurt."
As a soldier, Colonel McDowell excelled as a disciplinarian and tactician: he was a splendid drill-master, a fact attested by his regiment, which was one of the best drilled in the volunteer service.
SOURCE: Stuart, A. A., Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 147-152
Rain
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862
Sunday, August 23, 2009
It is very difficult to convince people of facts . . .
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Executive Committee of the Soldier’s Relief Association . . .
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862
Lieut. Warner, of the 7th Iowa . . .
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1
Friday, August 21, 2009
Promoted
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862
Hon. James Harlan . . .
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1
7th Illinois Cavalry
SERVICE.--Bird's Point, Mo., January 10, 1862. Expedition to Benton January 15-17. Expeditions to Bloomfield and Dallas January 15-17 (Detachments). Bloomfield February 6. Operations against New Madrid and Island No. 10 February 28-April 8. Four Companies join from Bird's Point, Mo., March. Actions at New Madrid, Mo., March 2-3-4. Expedition to Little River and action at Point Pleasant March 23. Capture of New Madrid March 14 and of Island No. 10 April 8. Expedition to Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 13-17. Moved to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., April 18-22. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Reconnoissance toward Corinth May 8. Reconnoissance on Alabama Road to Sharp's Mills May 10. Reconnoissances to Burnsville and Iuka May 22-23. Tuscumbia Creek May 30. Pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 12. Reconnoissance toward Baldwyn June 3. Blackland June 28 (Co. "K"). Guard Duty on Memphis and Charleston R. R. from Tuscumbia to Decatur, Ala., till December 1. Hatchie River July 5. Trinity, Ala., August 22 (Detachment). Reconnoissance toward Iuka September 16. Burnsville September 17. Battle of Corinth, Miss., October 3-4. Pursuit to Ripley October 5-12. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. Reconnoissance toward Colliersville November 5, 1862. Reconnoissance toward Lamar, Miss., November 5 (2 Cos.). Warsham's Creek November 6. Reconnoissance from Lagrange November 8-9. Lamar and Coldwater November 8. Holly Springs November 13. Near Summerville November 26. Waterword, or Lumpkin's Mills, November 29-30. About Oxford December 1-3. Prophet's and Springdale Bridges December 3. Water Valley Station December 4. Coffeeville December 5. Expedition against Mobile and Ohio R. R. December 14-19. Pontotoc December 18. Ripley December 23. Duty at Lagrange, Tenn., January to April, 1863. Scout toward Rocky Ford January 7 (3 Cos.). Scout toward Ripley, Miss., January 28-30. Reconnoissance near Saulsbury February 2-5. Expedition from Lagrange to Mt. Pleasant and Lamar, Miss., February 13-14. Expedition to Covington March 8-12. Scout to Saulsbury April 5-6 (Cos. "F," "H" and "M"). Scout from Lagrange into Mississippi April 10-11. Grierson's Raid from Lagrange to Baton Rouge/La, April 16-May 2. New Albany, Miss., April 18-19. Garlandsville April 24. Newton Station April 24. Brookhaven April 29. Tickfaw River and Walls' Post Office May 1. Robert's Ford, Comite River, May 2. Expedition from Lagrange to Panola, Miss., May 11-15 (Detachment). Reconnoissance from Baton Rouge, La., May 13. Scouts on Clinton Road, La., May 14. Advance on Port Hudson, La., May 18-24. Plain's Store May 21. Expedition from Lagrange, Tenn., to Senatobia, Miss., May 23 (Detachment). Siege of Port Hudson, La., May 24-July 9. Thompson's Creek, La., May 25. Clinton, La., June 3-4. Operations in Northwest Mississippi June 13-22. (Detachment). Near Holly Springs, Miss., June 16-17 (Detachment). Jackson's Cross Roads, La., June 20. Manchester, Tenn., June 24 (Detachment). Near Bradysville, Tenn., June 24 (Co. "C"). Regiment moved from Port Hudson, La., to Memphis, Tenn., July 19-28. Duty along Memphis and Charleston R. R. and at Germantown, Tenn., till September 30, 1864. Operations in North Mississippi and West Tennessee against Chalmers October 4-17. Salem October 8. Ingraham's Mills, near Byhalia, October 12. Wyatt's, Tallahatchie River, October 13. Scout to Chulahoma October 22-24. Quinn and Jackson's Mill, Coldwater River, November 1 and 3. Operations on Memphis and Charleston R. R. November 3-5. Colliersville, Tenn., November 3. Moscow November 5. Operations against Lee's attack on Memphis and Charleston R. R. November 28-December 10. Saulsbury December 3. Wolf Bridge, near Moscow, December 3-4. Lagrange December 13. Operating against Forest and Chalmers till February, 1864. Lamar December 19, 1863. Estenaula December 24. New Castle December 26. Somerville December 26. Lagrange, Tenn., January 2, 1864. Scout from Lagrange to Ripley, Miss., January 23. Smith's Expedition from Colliersville, Tenn., to West Point and Okolona, Miss., February 11-26. West Point February 20. Okolona February 21. Ivey's Hill, near Okolona, February 22. Tippah River February 24. Regiment veteranize at Germantown, Tenn., and Veterans on furlough April to June. Return to Memphis, Tenn. Non-Veterans on Sturgis' Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., into Mississippi June 1-14. Brice's or Tisamingo Creek, near Gintown, June 10. Ripley June 11. Cross Roads June 18. Okolona June 23. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21 (Detachment). Harrisonburg, near Tupelo, July 14-15. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30 (Detachment). Tallahatchie River August 7-9. Hurricane Creek and Oxford August 9. Hurricane Creek August 13-14 and 19. Forest's attack on Memphis August 21 (Veterans). March to Clifton, Tenn., thence to Pulaski October 26, and to Shoal Creek, Ala., November 8. Expedition from Memphis to Moscow November 9-13. Nashville Campaign November-December. Shoal Creek, Ala., November 11. On line of Shoal Creek November 16-20. Lawrenceburg November 22. Campbellsville and Lynnville November 24. Columbia Duck River November 24-27. Mt. Carmel November 29. West Harpeth River, Franklin, November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. West Harpeth River, Franklin, December 17. Spring Hill December 18. Rutherford Creek December 19. Columbia December 20. Richland Creek and Lynnville December 24. Anthony's Gap, near Pulaski, December 25. March to Gravelly Springs, Ala., and duty there till February, 1865. At Eastport, Miss., till May. At Okolona, Miss., till July 1, and at Decatur, Ala., till October. Mustered out October 20, 1865, and discharged at Camp Butler, Ills., November 17, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 59 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 267 Enlisted men by disease. Total 334.
SOURCE: Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1025-6
Thursday, August 20, 2009
List of Dead, 15th Regiment
Out of 32 officers, 16 were either killed or wounded. The dead are:
Company A, Lieut. Pennyman, P. H. Kennedy and Wm. Wood; Co. B, Wensell; Co. C, Bardrick; Co. D, Orderly Sergt. Fowler, Jos. Ryan, Geo. Trick; Co. E, Corporal Billy Clark, privates Payton, John McCord, J. W. Fonts; Co. F, Thayer, Troth, Russell, Co. G. Figgins; Co. H, Crill; Co. I, Lieut. Hamilton, privates James Doyle and Crookman; Co. C, Mickler, Holmes.
Wounded – Corporal Keck, Co. I, through the lungs, and will die; Jimmy Murphy, Harry Morgan, and a number of others are wounded.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1
An Inquiry Answered
During the month of March 40,000 bbls. Of Petroleum oil were shipped over the A. & G. W. Road.
The above information was laboriously and severely obtained. Some days since we requested of Supt. Calhoun monthly statements of the number of barrels of oil transported over his road. Accordingly we yesterday received the following note:
ATLANTIC & GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD OFFICE.
Bishop – Editor: 40,000 bbls. Transported over A. & G. W. R. R. in March. CALHOUN.
Whereat we returned the following inquiring, “allowing” that we were doing a good thing.
CALHOUN: Was there in any thing in the barrels? BISHOP.
Our thirst for knowledge was gratified at receiving the following laconic and highly satisfactory reply:
Yes – Bungs! CALHOUN.
Supt. Calhoun can have our hat, or if he does not take “anything” we will “Owe him one.”
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 2
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Company “H,” of the 6th Iowa Regiment
EDITOR GATE CITY:– Will you please publish for the information of relatives and friends, the following list of killed, wounded and missing from our company, in the severe engagement of Sunday and Monday last:
Killed – Corporal T. Huffard; Privates, Henry W. Smith and Geo. Knuck.
Wounded – Privates Wm Spain, in breast fatally, Albert M. Smith, John W. Hufford, in thigh severely, Sanford P. Burke, in arm severely; Sergeant John A. Martin, wounded and prisoner; Privates James Swan, slightly; Joseph Anderson, slightly, James S. Ortman, leg slightly, Jesse Carter, slightly, Peter Robinson, slightly, Daniel Fitz Henry, wounded and prisoner.
Missing – Sergeants A. B. Stevens, John McClary; Musician Wm. H. Price; Privates John Carrol, Harvey Kite, probably dead, William Church, James A. Cole, F. T. Scott, Charles Hass; Corporal Henry M. Barnes; Captain Washington Galland.
The smoke has hardly cleared away and several of the missing may be wounded. I will transmit a correct list as soon as possible.
That our comrades have fallen were the hail fell thickest in the defense of free institutions, and that it was the will of Him who “doeth all things well,” is the only consolation I can offer to their afflicted families in their sad bereavement.
Truly Yours,
W. H. Clune
Lt. Comd’g Co. H, 6th Iowa.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1
General Pope’s Column
CAIRO, April 11.
The following general order was read at the head of every command in Gen. Pope’s army at New Madrid, last evening, and created the wildest enthusiasm:
HEADQUARTERS DIST. OF MISSISSIPPI
NEW MADRID, April 10, 1862.
General Order No. 8.
The following dispatch from Maj. Gen. Halleck, commanding this department has been received, and with this order will be published at the head of every regiment and detachment of this command:
“ST. LOUIS, April 8, 1862.
“To Major General Pope:
“I congratulate you and your command on your splendid achievement. It exceeds in boldness and brilliancy all other operations of this war. It will be memorable in military history, admired by future generations. You deserve well of your country.
(signed)
H. W. HALLECK,
Major General Commanding.”
The General has but little to add in this dispatch. The conduct of the troops was splendid throughout; it was precisely what he expected. To such an army nothing is impossible, and the General commanding hopes yet to lead them to some field where superiority of numbers will tempt the enemy to give them an opportunity to win the glory which they are so capable of achieving.
The regiments and battalions of this command will inscribe on their flags “New Madrid and Island Ten.”
(Signed)
JOHN POPE,
Major General Commanding.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 2
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Iowa Sick and Wounded Soldiers
KEOKUK, Easter Sunday.
Dear Sir: I have not been able to write you hitherto in consequence of press of business; but I know, though in much haste, snatch a moment to give you a little information that may be of interest. I arrived at St. Louis in company with Dr. Hughes, on Tuesday morning, when we waited on Dr. Wright, the Medical Director at that post, who assigned me to assist Dr. McGogin at the Fourth Street Hospital. I however found time to visit the other principle hospitals in the city, and make out a list of the sick and wounded Iowa soldiers that I found there. There are one or two other places for the reception of the sick there, but I was told there were only a few old chronic cases in them, and my time did not allow me to see them. The lists I send you contain the names of nearly all the sick and all the wounded at St. Louis belong to Iowa regiments. The day before yesterday I was ordered to proceed on board the above steamer to assist in taking charge of the Wounded, &c., who were sent up to the hospital now established at this point, where we have just arrived. The “Estes House” is engaged as a hospital to which place they are now conveying the poor fellows as fast as possible. We had about 300 on board for this place, who will be under the charge of Dr. Hughes, assisted by Dr. Hamline, of Mt. Pleasant, and myself. I need not consume your time or my own in talking about the nature of the cases, for they are of course of all kinds; neither need I enter upon a detail of the casualties, &c., that have occurred among our State Troops, that I have gleaned by conversing with the men as I doubt not you have heard of them from other and more reliable sources. I will however mention one rather touching incident that happened a few days ago on board this boat. A young woman from St. Louis had accompanied her husband, a soldier, to the scene of action. Upon the sudden assault on our lines, he rushed out of his tent to join his regiment, leaving his young wife in the tent. The poor fellow fell, killed early in the action, and a bullet passed through the tent slightly wounding his wife in the breast. She did not, however, know of the fate of her husband when she came on board the boat, but expected to meet him at St. Louis. Two days ago she was indiscreetly told of his death, when the shock to her feelings occasioned the rather premature birth of her first child, who, with the mother, I am happy to say is doing well. Poor thing, God help them!
I ought to apologize for my scrawls, but as part of the list was copied off on board while under way, and this is written in great hasted and with a shocking pen you must excuse.
Yours truly, PHILIP HARVEY
C DUNHAM, ESQ.
List of sick and wounded Iowa soldiers on board the hospital boat “Empress,” bound for Keokuk, Iowa:
David J Palmer, (Corp) gun shot wound, co. C, 8th regt; W Logan, gun shot wound, co. B, 8th regt; J M Williams, amputated arm, co F, 8th regt; Jacob Walker, gun shot wound, co B, 8th regt; Amos Merritt, gunshot wound, co B, 8th regt; J L Christian, gunshot wound, co. B, 8th regt; Jacob Harr, gun shot wound, co. G, 8th regt; Chas Fox, gunshot wound, co. I, 8th Regt; Julius Gardner, gun shot wound, co D, 8th regt; J L Billings, gunshot wound, co. H, 8th regt; J F Boyer, gastrics, co. C, 8th regt; E B Plumb, (Lieut) pleurisy, co. C, 8th regt; Luther Calvin, gun shot wound, co. H. 8th regt, Maxon Ogan, gunshot wound and fractured leg, co. D, 8th regt; John Cochran, gun shot wound, co F, 8th regt; Jas Marshall, gun shot wound, leg amputated, co. C, 8th regt; Malvin Dean, gun shot wound, co. E, 8th regt; Elias Blizzard, gunshot wound, co H, 8th regt; Jas L Davis, gun shot wound, co. H, 8th regt; B F Wolfe, (Corp) gun shot wound, co. E, 8th regt; John A Rowan, gun shot wound, co. B, 8th regt; G M McCulloch, gun shot wound, co. B, 8th regt; Fellman Scott, sick, (died April 16th) co. H, 6th regt; Commodore Norris, gun shot wound, co. I, 8th regt; Z Blakely gun shot wound, co. D, 8th regt; Randolf Murray, gun shot wound, co. B, 8th regt; Mathew Mahoney, diseased leg, co. C, 8th regt; Michael Glenn, gun shot wound, co. C, 8th regt; Jas G Day, gun shot wound, co I, 15th regt, Daniel Welsh, gun shot wound, co. A, 15th regt; Geo H Kuhn, gun shot wound, co. I, 15th regt; Alfred Wilcox, gun shot wound, co. K, 15th regt; Wm H Laid, gun shot wound, co. I, 2d regt; H Burcell, gun shot wound, co. C, 15th regt; G De Hart, gun shot wound, co. A, 15th regt; S P Angry, gun shot wound, co. C, 15th regt; N M Larimer, ague, co. B, 6th regt; Jas Clark, gun shot wound, co. H, 15th regt; Henry Elmer, gun shot wound, co D, 15th regt; J L. Warner, gun shot wound, co. C, 15th regt; C L Kirk, gun shot wound, co C, 15th regt; H B Wyatt, gun shot wound and fever, co. K, 15th regt; Archibald McGee, gun shot wound, co. F, 15th regt; Chas E Dunn, gun shot wound, co G, 2d regt; J H Stanley, gun shot wound, co. C, 13th regt; John Johnson, gun shot wound, co. H, 15th regt; J W Ellis, gun shot wound, co. H, 15th regt; J T Tumblier, gun shot wound, co. C, 15th regt; D Hoff, gun shot wound, co. C, 15th regt; James White, gun shot wound, co. G, 15th regt; J M Youngblood, gun shot wound, co. C, 15th regt; J M Long, gun shot wound, co. K, 15th regt, W F Grove, gun shot wound, co. D, 15th regt; A Clark, gun shot wound and fever; Milton Pottroff, gun shot wound, co. I, 15th Regt; M N Humbiers, amputated arm, co. G, 15th regt; Levi Randal, gun shot wound, co. K, 15th regt; Victor Porter, Pen davis, R Clugman, and Morris Falsley of co E, 15th regt, gun shot wounds; Jas Johnson, pneumonia, co C, 6th regt; H G Vincent, gun shot wound, co. H, 15th regt; W H Vanlandenham, gun shot wound, co. C, 7th regt; Levi S. Hatton, gun shot wound, co. E, 6th regt; R M Littler, (Capt) amputated arm, co. B, 2d regt; J L Cole, gun shot wound, co B, 16th regt; Marion Raburn, gun shot wound 15th regt.
List of sick and wounded Iowa soldiers at the Fourth street Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., April 16, 1862:
Frank Keyser, gun shot wound in chest, co. K, 12th; Sam’l Plattenburg, gun shot wound in ankle, co. F, 12th; Robert C Cowell, gun shot wound in arm, Jno M Clark, gun shot wound in hip, and Edwin H Bailey, gunshot bruise, of co. D 12th; Lieut. M P Benton, fever, (convalescent,) co B, 8th; Ben T Smith, dysentery, (convalescent) co. A, 8th; Robert Denbow, fever, (convalescent,) co. D, 5th; Chas Walrath, dysentery, co. K, 5th; Wm R Peters, debility, co. E, 5th; Wm Phillips, gun shot wound, (slight) co. H, 8th; Ad Bowers, small pox, co. G, 12th; Jas Hall, pneumonia, co F, 14th; Seldon Kirkpatrick, debility, co. E, 2d; Oscar Ford, lumbago, co. A, 8th; Melvin Hempstead, debility, co. F, 12th; Robert A Bennett, chronic [diarrhea], co. D, 2d; Fred’k Maggons, billous fever, co F, 8th; David H Goodwin, debility, co. H, 8th; Wm H Cowman, pneumonia, co, E, 8th; Edw’d M Manning, gun shot wound, co. B, 2d; Joseph Reynolds, chronic bronchitis, co. C, 8th; V G Williams, gun shot wound, co. K, 6th; Elisha Gardner, do, co. F, 6th; Thomas Fullerton, do, co. E, 6th; Thos H Morris, do, co. B, 6th; Joseph Conway, do, co. A, 2d; Wm H H Renfro, do, co. F, 16th; John L Cook, do, (in jaw) co. K, 6th; Andrew Lirson, do, co. H. 8th; Frank N Crull, do, co. H, 8th; Andrew Byers, do, co. A, 6th; Clark Tripp, do, co. F, 6th; John A Clark, do, co. A, 6th; John T Tichenor, do, co. B, 8th; Lieut L E Bunder, do, co B, 16th; A S Fuller, do, co. G, 12th; Wm H Swan, do, co. G, 3d; Isaac G Clark, do, co. D, 12th; Horace E Cranal, do, co. D, 3d; Wm H Bowers, do, co. C, 12th; A Biller, injured ankle, co. E, 12th; S W Larrabee, gun shot wound, co. K, 12th; Thos Spain, do, co. H, 12th; O Derney, do, co. B, 12th; Thos Quivey, chronic diarrhea, co. C., 12th; James H brown, general debility, co. G, 12th; J W Christ, do, co. H, 12th.
List of sick and wounded Iowa soldiers in the Fifth street Hospital, St. Louis, April 16, 1862.
Casper Brady, Gun shot wound, co. D, 2d; W H Royston, do, co. C, 2d, V Hall, pneumonia, co. G, 12th; Joel Woods, typhoid fever, co. I, 12th; Jno Hartman, gun shot wound, co. I, 6th; D H Collins, diarrhea, co. A, 11th; Geo. Godfrey, gun shot wound, co. H, 3d; M H Stone, do, co. H, 7th; Thomas B McHenry, do, co. K, 8th; E Chrisenden, do, co. E, 11th; E J Campbell, do, co. C, 11th; W S Whitmore, do, co. E, 6th; K L Miller, do, co. I, 11th; Henry Joules, do, co. B, 12th; Alex Presho, do, co. H, 12th; Charles W Henderson, do, co. H, 3d; Ellison Hess, do, co. B, 6th; J W Scranton, do, co. H, 16th; E A Ward, do, co. H, 12th; John Boardman, do, co. D, 6th; J W Conville, do, co. D, 14th; Geo. Reed, do, co. C, 6th; John Kepper, do, co. A, 2d; Wm Butler, do, co. E, 16th; G F Stratton, do, G B Summers, do, and J K Moray, do, of co. D, 6th; WF Green, do, co. G, 6th; Kennith Kaster, do, co. H, 16th; John Marion, do, co. A, 13th; Jno S Heubich, do, co, I, 2nd; Jasper H Smith, do, co. A, 16th; Penny L Foot, do, co. G, 6th; Perry C Kinney, do, co. F, 12th; Thos Townsend, do and Wm Arnold, do, of co. K, 6th; Jno H Talbot, do, co. H, 3d; Charles Johnson, do, co. E, 12th; Thos Smith, do, co. E, 6th; Joseph Pattee, do, co. F, 6th; Jacob Harney, do, co. E, 12th; Jno Multon, do, co. K, 12th; Jos J Learaway, do, co. A, 12; S J Burns, do, co. A, 9th; J F Lyon, do, co. H, 8th; Patrick Larkin, do, co. H, 3d, P B Halverson, do, and G Kunvertin, do, co. D, 3d.
List of Sick and wounded Iowa soldiers at the Seventh street Hospital, St. Louis, April 17th, 1862:
Benj. Esley, rheumatism, co. H. 15th; Hardy Clayton, gun shot wound in thigh, co. F, 12th; Wm Cox, do, jaw fractured, co. F, 3d; Geo H Kelley, do, across the shoulders, co. D, 2d; M Kellogg, do, fractured arm, co. D, 3d; J H. Cobb, (musician) do, back, slight, co. I, 11th; William Kerr, (corp.) do, head, slight, co H, 11th; Orson Adams, do, arm fractured, co. B, 12th; A T Gardner, diarrhea, co. H, 12th W D Carpenter, measles, co. F, 16th; J Carpenter, gun shot wound, neck, slight, co. F, 16th; H D Carpenter, do, leg, slight, co. F, 16th; S P Plummer, do, arm, slightly, co. A, 6th; T Eaton, do, hand at Donelson, co., I, 12th; A Larson, diarrhea, co. B, 12th; Seth Paup, fever, co. I, 12th; Marion Rolf, (corp) fever, co. I, 12th; Garry Green, do, (convalescent) co. I, 12th; J L Dupray, (Sargt) dislocated ankle, (convalescent) co. I, 12th; Wm Maynard, gun shot wound, shoulder, slight, co. B, 12th; Wm. Spates, pneumonia, co. C, 15th; Wm McCord, consumptive, co. F, 15th; Daniel Clark, pneumonia, (convalescent) Engineer.
List of sick and wounded Iowa soldiers at the House of Refuge, St. Louis, April 17, [1862]:
A W Grainger, serg, rheumatism, co A, 7th; B Bryant, sick since Jan 16, co B, 7th; H Dobbins, sick since Jan 25, co A, 12th; William J. Blades, compound fracture of leg, co M, 3d cav; Maurice Askern, sick since Jan 16, co K, 3d cav; Francis L Elliott, general debility, co H, 2d; W J Gladwin, hernia; F C Flinn, rheumatism, co F, 2d; G W Greenough, pneumonia, co I, 2d; Joseph James, debility, co I, 3d; Fred Dose, gun shot wound in leg, at Wilson’s creek, co G, 1st S Durham, chronic diarrhea, co C, 6th; C C Wilson, pneumonia, co B, 12th; Martin Halleck, erysipelas, co E, 5th; H D Lynes, pneumonia, co A, 3d cav; James A Howard, arm amputated, co B, 2d; Robert B Partridge, pneumonia, co E, 2d; Edward J Taylor, gun shot wound in hand (Belmont) co B, 7th; Geo M McMurray, typhoid, co G 2d.
The above are all cases prior to April 1st, 1862.
The Following occurred subsequently:
Wm Murphy, pneumonia, co M, 3d cav; Wm Hines, pneumonia, co D, 8th, Albert Boyler, ague, Nich Zachans, gun shot wound in leg, co E 15th, Lyman Drake, ague, co H, 15th; Geo Parker, Catarrh, co K, 2d; Wm Dougherty, gun shot wound, co I, 8th; Wm Turner, do do; Wm Rogan, gun shot wound in leg, slight, co D, 2d; H G Tieman, do, co G, 16th; W Aurlong, do, co H, 5th; Jno. F Reynolds, pneumonia, co D, 6th; Geo McMurry, fever, co G; Cyrus Treater, do co C; Robt Lock, do co e, 2d; chas Stearns, dysentery, co A, 8th; Geo Wright, fever, co D 16th; Thos Lenchan, do co B, 15th; Sebra Howard, fever, co I, 2d regt; Francis Clair, chronic rheumatism, co C, 7th; Chris. A Russell, debility, co D, 4th cavalry; Wm R. Peters, do 5th infantry co E; Richard Martin, do co D, 12th; Robert A Bennett, do co D, 2d; Wm. A. Meeker, fracture, co A, 11th; Edward I Taylor, corp. gunshot wound, co B 7; Wm H. Alexander, hepatitis, co F, 13th reg’t. Elisha cook, debility co D 15th; Martin B Meter, pneumonia, co H 15th, Grastus Nordyke, fracture, co A 15th; David Ditch, chronic diarrhea, co D, 5th; H Hansyel, chronic rheumatism co C, 15th; Benjamin Zane, gun shot wound in [leg], co H, 3d, James M. Allen, gun shot wound in thigh; James M Ripley, do, co H 11th; John H Zollner, do, foot, co. H, 11th, Wm A. Gordon, do, sick, co. H, 11th; Thomas C Nelson, sick, co. F, 12th, Geo Kint, sick, co. F, 12th; B K Wintermute, gun shot wound, co H, 11th; Isaac E Cooper, do, co. K, 11th; James N Hamiel, do, in leg, co. H, 2d.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1