The 2d Iowa at St. Louis

The following is the reply of Gen. Halleck to Gov. Kirkwood’s letter in respect to certain members of the gallant Iowa Second Regiment injuring McDowell’s Museum.  It makes the offence a little more grievous than it appeared at first blush, but still not of a character to call for the punishment of an entire regiment:–

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 22d, 1862.

His Excellency S. J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa, Des Moines:

GOVERNOR: – Your letter of the 17^th inst., in relation to Brig. Gen. Hamilton’s order censuring the Second Iowa Regiment of Infantry, is just received.  It frequently becomes necessary to punish a regiment for the acts of its individual members, where the regiment itself does not expose and give up the guilty parties.  Such a measure bears hard upon the innocent, but is necessary to preserve order and discipline.  The destruction of the splendid anatomical and mineralogical museum at McDowell’s College, was certainly effected by members of the Second Iowa.  They had been specially charged with its preservation, and sentinels of that regiment were continually on guard at the entrances, (which had been securely closed,) and the officers had been directed to take particular care of it as public property.  The regiment itself was, therefore, chargeable with the act of its members until it exposed the guilty parties.  It was not an ordinary act of pillage, but, coupled with the barbarous destruction of models, was the robbery of most valuable specimens of gold and silver ores.  Gen. Hamilton’s order, (not the particular words used, but its general character,) was issued by my instructions.  I assume the responsibility of it.  It is my intention to punish crime, as well as to reward merit.  I censured the Second Iowa at McDowell College, and I took the earliest opportunity to acknowledge its bravery at Fort Donelson.  As soon as I can discover the guilty parties for punishment, I will revoke the order of censure.  It behooves the authorities of the State, as well as the officers of this noble regiment, to purge it of the men who committed the outrage referred to.

I am certain, Governor, that on a full knowledge of all the circumstances, you will approve the course I have pursued.

Very respectfully, your ob’t serv’t,

(Signed)

H. W. HALLECK,

Major General Commanding.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 2