Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, July 7, 1863

A high wind today ended in rain tonight. Colonel Chambers of the Sixteenth Iowa, who has been commanding our brigade, left for Vicksburg this morning to obtain release from this command in order to return to the regular army. The boys of the brigade are glad to see him leave. Colonel Hall takes charge again of our brigade. I went on brigade guard tonight. Our countersign is “Vicksburg.”

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 127

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, June 5, 1863

We remained in line of battle all night. Our brigade lay in bivouac all day. The Governor of the State of Iowa made a speech to the Iowa Brigade. Adjutant General Baker and Congressman Wilson of Iowa spoke also. The Sixteenth Iowa went out on picket. Skirmishing has been going on all day, and our men are digging rifle-pits.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 120

John Cummings, Private, Co. A, 16th Iowa Infantry

Shiloh National Cemetery

Among a large number of arrivals at . . .

. . . Keokuk Hospital, we find only two names from this neighborhood, viz: Corp. Samuel Campbell, Co. D, 11th Iowa Regiment, from Rock Island; and Wm. G. Schoen, Co. G, 16th, who is believed to belong to this city.

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

William East, Private, Co. A, 16th Iowa Infantry

Shiloh National Cemetery

Lt. Col. Sanders

We received a lengthy letter from our brother yesterday, written on Sunday and Monday of last week.  His health is no better, still he refuses to come home. – They were at that time expecting a battle hourly.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, April 6, 1863

Four loads of sanitary goods from Iowa were landed today for the Eleventh Iowa. Colonel Hall arrived this morning from home and the boys were glad to see him. One year ago today he commanded the Eleventh Iowa at the battle of Shiloh. The boys are all in fine spirits. The Sixteenth Iowa received their pay today. It is reported that our cutting of the levee at Lake Providence will prove of no avail, as the channel of the Tensas river is so narrow, and it is impossible to cut out the big overhanging trees, so as to make it wide enough for a fleet to pass through. The project will have to be given up as impracticable.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 108

Executive Committee Meeting

The Executive Committee of the Soldiers’ Relief Association met last evening at Putnam and Rogers’ office for the purpose of taking steps towards providing hospital accommodations for the sick and wounded, proposed to be sent her from the seat of war in Tennessee.

The dispatch from Ira M. Gifford, (mentioned elsewhere) was laid before the meeting, and the reply stated, which was to send the sick and wounded along.

Mr. Dow moved that Camp McClellan be appropriated for hospital purposes.

Mr. Collins though the committee had no right to do so.

Mr. Collins moved to amend, that a committee of five be selected to select a place for a hospital, provide for fitting it up, and report at a meeting on Tuesday, (this) evening.  Committee – Dow, Davies, Olshausen, Claussen, and Putnam.

The propriety of using Fejervary’s Block for hospital purposes was considered.  Mr. Collins and R. Langer objected, on account of improper ventilation and other inconveniences not easily overcome.

Mt. Ida College, the Main Street Church and other places were spoken of.

Mr. Claussen moved that the sum of ten dollars be appropriated for the relief of August Schulz, a soldier of the 16th regiment at home on furlough, who is in a very needy condition.  Motion. Prevailed.

On motion, G. L. Davenport and J. S. Conner, were appointed to fill the vacancies on the Surgical Committee, occasioned by the absence of Drs. Maxwell and Gamble.

Mr. Olshausen moved that Mr. Center, who is with Mr. Gifford in Tennessee, be allowed $1.00 per day as nurse.  Adopted.

Mr. Dow moved that a committee of five on providing hospital supplies be appointed – the same to be selected from outside of the Ex. Committee.  Carried.

Appointment of committee postponed until to-morrow (this) evening; and Messrs. Dow, Hills, and Lahrmann were appointed to select such committee on supplies.

Adjourned till this (Tuesday) evening at 8 o’clock.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

A Case for the Charitable

MR. EDITOR:  I desire to call the attention of the public to the case of Mrs. Adolphus Knocke, corner of Rock Island and Second streets.  Her husband and two sons have been in the army of the U. S. as volunteers since January, 1862, and have not yet been paid off by the U. S.  The family are actually suffering for food.  Some generous persons, who are able, should provide her the means of living until her husband and sons are paid off.

G. E. HUBBELL.

We had thought there was a committee appointed in our city, to see that the families here of those fighting the battles of our country did not suffer in their absence.  It seems that we were mistaken.  It should be done immediately; and is the meantime the family mentioned above should not be permitted to suffer.  We mentioned her case to a lady of our acquaintance on receipt of the above not, who said that she had visited them once but it seems they are now in actual and immediate want.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, March 14, 1863

I was on guard at Colonel Crocker's headquarters in the old Sparrow house and had a fine room to stay in over night. The Sixteenth Iowa got two months' pay today. Major Wilson of the Thirteenth Iowa left today for his home in Iowa on a thirty-day furlough, and I sent $35.00 home by him. The weather is quite warm.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 105

The Camp Hospital

Mr. J. J. Safely, hospital steward at Camp McClellan, is finally relieved of his duties in that capacity, Mr. Love, who died last week, being the last person under his charge.  Mr. Safely wishes us to express his acknowledgments to the ladies of this city for the kindly aid they have rendered him, while performing his duties as steward, in furnishing him not only with necessaries for the hospital, but also with innumerable delicacies.  For all these oft-repeated acts of kindness, Mr. Safely returns to the ladies of his city his most fervent thanks.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, February 28, 1863

Our regiment was mustered for pay at 9 o'clock this morning, and at 10 o'clock we had general inspection with all accouterments on, by the inspector general of the Seventeenth Army Corps, General William E. Strong.¹ I got an order today from the captain on the sutler for $1.50.

__________

¹ Iowa may well be proud of the Third Brigade of the Sixth Division, Col. M. M. Crocker commanding. It is composed of the following troops, viz.: The Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa Infantry. It turned out for inspection 1,935 rank and file. * * * Since I have been a soldier, it has so happened that I have seen many brigades of many different army corps, both in the Eastern and Western armies, but never have I seen a brigade that could compete with this Iowa brigade. I am not prejudiced in the slightest degree. I never saw any of the officers or soldiers of the command until the day when I saw them in line of battle prepared for inspection. * * * I cannot say that any one regiment of the brigade appeared better than another — they all appeared so well. The Eleventh was the strongest. It had 528 enlisted men and 20 officers present for duty, the Thirteenth 470 enlisted men and 22 officers, the Fifteenth 428 men and 29 officers, the Sixteenth 405 men and 33 officers. In the entire brigade there was not to exceed a dozen men unable to be present for inspection. — Roster of Iowa Soldiers, Infantry, Vol. II, p. 279.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 102

Death Of A Soldier

Mr. Henry Love, of Washington county, died yesterday morning at the residence of Mr. McEwen, on the Jersey Ridge road.  When camp McClellan was broken up, Mr. Love was removed to McEwen’s house, sick, and supposed to be deranged.  He sank gradually till he died.  He was quite young, and a new recruit for the 16th Iowa regiment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, January 9, 1863

It is reported in camp that we are soon to go to Memphis for duty. Several cases of smallpox have broken out in the camp of the Sixteenth Iowa Regiment. All who had not been vaccinated before had to take their medicine. The country along the Charleston & Memphis Railroad from Memphis to Iuka, a distance of about one hundred miles, and for some miles on either side of the line where our armies are in camp and on the march, has been laid waste and is almost desolate. The men are desperate enough for anything. Vacant houses on plantations or in towns and villages have been burned. Many of these were substantial buildings with stone chimneys, which generally remained standing after the burnings. These the boys hilariously spoke of as headstones and on passing them would call out: “Here stands another Tennessee headstone,” or a “Mississippi headstone,” as the case might be.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 92-3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, January 8, 1863

Although it is now quite warm, we are still waiting for our knapsacks containing our underwear which were stored at La Grange, but we were again disappointed in not getting them today as expected. Our boys have never been so bent on foraging as they have since going into camp here. Last night a squad of boys from Company K were out looking for whatever they could find, but apparently with little success, until returning to camp they passed by the camp of the Sixteenth Iowa, where they noticed two dressed hogs hanging up to cool during the night. What did they do but deliberately walk up and carry off one of the carcasses to their own camp! They immediately cut up the meat, put it into kettles over fires, cooked it, and divided it among the boys of their company, all before daylight. This morning when a squad of the boys of the Sixteenth Iowa walked along our regimental camp in quest of that missing hog, they did not see even a sign of meat, bone or campfire embers.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 92

16th Iowa Infantry Correspondence

CAMP NEAR PITTSBURG, Tenn.,

May 4, 1862.

EDITOR GAZETTE. – I have been intending to write to you for some time, but our frequent moving, sickness, &c., have prevented.  Even now there is no certainty that a letter commenced will be finished at one writing or in the same camp, even if it take[s] only an hour to write it.  Our marching orders are sudden, and the brief interval is a busy time of preparation.  At all times we have to be prepared for a battle, and generally with rations cooked ahead.  The battle will be daily or hourly expected until it happens, unless we should get news of Beauregard’s retreat, something we do not expect.

A little over a week ago we were in camp thirteen miles from our present location.  An order to move received after dinner, a dismally rainy afternoon, took us four miles away through mud and mire to supper.  We left a beautiful camp, but located in one even more lovely, we occupy the left, the 15th next, 13th next and the 11th on the right, Col. Crocker of the 13th commanding the brigade – (these are the regular positions of the regiments of the brigade in camp.)  Had a brigade inspection, by Inspector Gen. Judah, and our regiment was probably more complimented than any other.

On the 29th our brigade was ordered to march with all the ammunition we could carry, and two day’s rations.  We started in the afternoon, with the prospect of a fight ahead, Lieut. Col. Sanders in command of the 16th, Col. Chambers being absent for some days, with the intention of staying perhaps a month, on business connected with his old government duties.  We marched eight or nine miles and after dark we halted in the woods, where we slept on the ground without covering, in the old style.  In the morning we marched about a mile farther, halted, and soon about faced and marched back to our own camp.  Gen. Wallace’s cavalry attacked Purdy, and we were sent out to support him, and make a reconnoissance.  But he took the place without our aid, and destroyed a long railroad bridge and another property used by the rebels – a serious disaster to our butternut breeched friends.

April 30th, we had our regular inspection and muster for May.  The “pay” has not yet turned up, however.

May 1st, We again struck our tents, and made another move of four miles towards the advance, and in such a lovely place we felt an inward conviction it could not long be enjoyed by us.  Here we received notice that our Division (6th) had a new commander, Gen. McKean being transferred to the first division, and Gen. T. W. Sherman (Port Royal and “Sherman’s Battery” Sherman) commanding our division.  He is reported a splendid officer.

My 3d, yesterday we again moved our camp, taking a five mile step in the advance.  This time the 16th landed with its tents in the middle of a wheat field, far different from the rare forest beauties of our other camps.  The wheat is about a foot high and moderately thick.  The planter is doubtless with the rebel army.  At all events as there are tents scattered all over the immense field, the crop will be effectually blasted.  This country is sparsely settled, and but little cultivated.  It is a beautiful region, but soil generally poor – yet good enough to produce will under free culture.  Whether our camp is in Tennessee or Mississippi, I do not know.  It is certainly very near the line, and about seven miles from Corinth.

Yesterday afternoon there was heavy artillery firing several miles off, and for an hour or two we expected to be called to march and mingle in the strife.  The roar of guns finally died away, and the cause remains yet unexplained to us.  At night we were ordered to provide four days rations, and may any hour be ordered to march leaving our tents behind.

Yesterday, our regimental commander commenced “stripping” us for a fight or quicker marching.  Each company left behind two or three of its five Sibley tents, one of the two officers’ tents, and all the “property” that could be spared, the hospital and extra commissary stores, bed ticks, extra blankets and sick.  Although we have not so large a sick list as a week ago (about one hundred off duty now) yet the sick have been a great incumbrance, and their frequent removals over these very rough roads have been anything but beneficial.  Every regiment has a train of convalescents straggling in its rear when changing camps, with the bed confined to follow in ambulances and wagons.  Yesterday our sick were sent to the river hospital, excepting those likely to be ready for duty in a few days.  This will greatly relieve us, and be better for them.  Several of our officers are sick, and this morning Capt. Smith, of Co. A, will be sent to the hospital, where he out to have been days ago.  He is the “noblest Roman of all,” did his whole duty in the battle, and has been the most eager for another fight.  The prevailing sickness is diarrhea, and it seems uncommonly difficult to control.  Mere astringent medicines will not do it in most cases, but the cause has to be struck at.  The 15th has about two hundred on its sick list, and ever regiment has a pretty large list.  There are however, but few deaths.  Several have died in our regiment, and among them is the old drummer, Mr. Russell, of Boone county.  He was 78 years old, and was a drummer in the war of 1812.  He had not been well since we left Camp McClellan, and here he got the diarrhea which in a few days carried him off.

A letter in the Lyons Mirror has created great indignation among our men and officers, from Clinton Co. especially.  Speaking of the battle the writer (suspected to be an officer most ridiculously bepuffed in the letter) says the 15th did not leave the field until the 77th Ohio and the 16th Iowa had retired.  Now the fact is, the 16th did not leave till that identical 15th flag sent home to the State Historical Society with several holes in it, had gone from the field, and the most of the 15th with it.  This flag had been stuck up on a stump in the battle, and was a pretty mark to shoot at, and without endangering the color sergeant or guard.  I was in another part of the field, but these are told me as facts by a number of reliable officers and men who witnessed what they state.  Our color sergeant was killed while gallantly bearing his banner, and six of the eight color guard wounded.  The 15th did not occupy the position at all stated by this Lyons Mirror correspondent, who was either not in the battle or too badly scared to notice the position of things.  Both regiments did well, and neither should, in doing justice to itself, do injustice to the other.  Both have been outrageously slandered, without cause, and both are eager for another fight to properly annihilate these slanders by deeds instead of words.

Our old friend Wilkie, the war correspondent of the N. Y. Times, is in our camp nearly every day, and is actively at work getting items in this great field of military operations.

J. B.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 15, 1862, p. 2

Mortality of Iowa Soldiers

The following list comprises the names of Iowa Volunteers who have died in the vicinity of St. Louis at the dates named. – For further information, apply to John A. Smithers, 113 Chesnut street, St. Louis.

April	30	–	Lewis Stah,	Co. K,	16th	regt.
May	3	–	Wm. H. Johnson,	Co. K,	17th	“
May	4	–	Theo. Campbell,	Co. F,	11th	“
“	“	–	Chas. White,	Co. K,	17th	“
“	6	–	Robt. A. Bennett,	Co. D,	2d	“
“	“	–	Ben. J. Baker,	Co. K,	14th	“
“	7	–	G. W. Hess,	Co. F,	6th	“
“	“	–	Gottleib Weltlaff,	Co. K,	16th	“
“	“	–	Wm. T. Clark,	recruit for	4th	“
“	8	–	John Keppel,	Co. A,	2d	“
“	“	–	E. A. Ward,	Co. H,	12th	“
“	9	–	Jos. B. Caraway,	Co. B,	12th	“
“	“	–	Geo. B. Ferguson,	Co. D,	5th	“
“	10	–	Thos. Sharpe,	Co. I,	4th	“

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 15, 1862, p. 2

Wounded Soldiers

One hundred and twenty-seven wounded soldiers arrived at Quincy Illinois, one day last week, of whom two were from this city, viz: H. Hinkhouse, Co. I, 11th regiment, and J. Nolan, Co. A, 16th regiment.  The former was shot in the thigh and the latter in the ankle; both doing well.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 14, 1862, p. 1

Official Report of Col. Chambers

HEADQUARTERS 16TH IOWA VOL.

CAMP NEAR PITTSBURG LANDING, TENN.,

April 12, 1862.

To the Ass’t Adjt. Gen., Army Tennessee:

SIR. – I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 6th of April, while preparing to move my regiment to the camp of Gen. Prentiss’ division, I was ordered by an aid of Gen. Grant to form my regiment on the right of the 15th Iowa, and prevent stragglers from the battle-field from going to the river.  I had just got the regiment in line when I was ordered by the aid of Gen. Grant to proceed to the right of Gen. McClernand’s division, and with the 15th Iowa, marched there and formed my regiment along the fence on the right of the open field, which was crossed under a warm fire from the rebels.  I was ordered by one of Gen. McClernand’s aids to change my position to one in the open field, and nearly at right angles to the first one.  I ordered my men to lie down in this position and seeing that they were much exposed, I, with one company took up a position nearer the enemy in the edge of the timber, and afterwards brought up the remainder of them.  They were posted here some time when the enemy charged on our right, the 49th Ohio, I think, the 15th and 16th Iowa retiring in considerable disorder, owning to the fact of their having been mixed up during the fight.  About midway from the battle-field to the river a portion, perhaps 300, were rallied by the Lt. Col. and ordered to support a battery, which they did till the morning of the 7th.  They were again formed in the rear of this battery in a short time afterwards, and remained there until the morning of the 8th.

Although not much was accomplished by the regiment they being posted so that their shooting was not very effective, and in the same position that several regiments had been driven from during the day, I have reason to believe they are entitled to as much credit as any other regiment for their conduct during the time they were in action.  The regiment was under fire for about an hour, and during that time lost 2 commissioned officers and 17 non-commissioned officers and privates killed; 6 commissioned 97 non-commissioned officers and privates wounded and 20 non-commissioned officers and privates missing.

I am sir, Very respectfully,

Your ob’t ser’t.

ALEX. CHAMBERS.

Colonel 16th Iowa Volunteers.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 2

Camp McClellan Deserted

Some seven or eight sick or recovering soldiers were brought down from the camp yesterday to take passage on the Northerner for St. Louis.  They were left at the steamboat office at the landing to await the arrival of the boat.  As she did not come for some time, the poor fellows made their way, as well as they could, to the hotels for dinner.  One of them, when he arrived at the Le Claire House, was so sick that he had to go to bed.  They all obtained their dinners, as we take pleasure in saying that the practice of the hotel proprietors here is not to turn away any soldier because he is short of money.  During the rest of the day the soldiers made themselves as comfortable as possible.  These men belong to the 4th, 6th, 13th and 16th regiments, for which they have just been recruited, and are now ordered to report themselves for duty, although they look very unfit for duty as soldiers.  They left only one man at camp McClellan, who is believed to be insane.  His name is Love, from near Washington.  He has since been removed to a private residence.  Camp McClellan is therefore now entirely deserted for the first time since its establishment last August.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 1