Des Moines Correspondence

DES MOINES, April 1, 1862.

This is “All Fools Day” as some of fully realize the members of the House were well “fooled” this morning.  Mr. Russell of Dallas, our jovial clergyman, rose to a question of privilege, and wished to offer a protest, which the members disliked to have entered upon the journal.  It was sent up and read by the Clerk, and after citing the dangers in which constitutional liberty was placed by the action of the House, it closes by making “April Fools” of the whole House!

A bill making an appropriation of $10,000 to the Insane Hospital has passed both Houses.  This amount is needed to complete the building.  The question was pretty fully discussed in the Senate but the House passed it without debate.

The Senate Medical College bill, providing for a loan of a portion of the School Fund to the College was defeated by that body yesterday.  The college has already borrowed of this fund and has failed to pay the interest on the same.  This is doubtless the main reason on which the action of the Senate is based.

A bill has just passed the two houses, authorizing cities and towns to license auctioneers and transient merchants.

The Senate has passed the House bill authorizing the Auditing board to administer the oath to Witnesses, and to audit claims without regard to the time of presentation.  This will relieve many just claimants.

The Senate has busied itself much of the time to-day on the School bill, which it finally passed.  It is a bill to annul and consolidate an act passed by the Board of Education at its last session.

The Railroad matter has not come up again.  They have not as yet perfected anything relative to that subject, so as to send it to the House.

Senator Teeter’s Liquor bill was passed by the House yesterday.  It contains stringent provisions relative to those who hold permits to sell intoxicating drinks, and provides that they shall forfeit their permits if they violate the same.

A Representative apportionment bill has passed the House, but it is so long that I must refer your readers to the Act, which will soon be published.

The claim of Capt. Morton and the troops under his command, for services on our northwestern border was passed upon yesterday.  There had been considerable opposition to this and other similar claims early in the session, but the vote in the House yesterday was largely in favor of the bill.

A bill providing for the appointment by the Governor of agents to settle with the General Government in relation to the swamp lands, has passed the House.  It provides that if any county desires an agent of its own to settle for the swamp lands within its borders, and is willing to pay the expenses of such agent, it may nominate a man, and the Governor shall appoint the same an agent to act with the authority of a State agent.

A bill to confer civil and criminal jurisdiction on County Courts, for which there have been many petitions and many earnest advocates, was defeated by the House yesterday.  This morning it was reconsidered and again defeated.  This decides the question.

A joint resolution of Mr. Lane protesting against the disbanding of the 17^th regiment has been passed.  Whether it will have the effect of changing the decision of the War department is questionable.  If they wish to close this war as soon as possible it will be well to accept every Iowa regiment that offers.

I have refrained from sketching our Speaker from the fact that so many others have been making pen and ink portraits of him.  At the present I can do the fullest justice to him by sending you the following brief resolution which is as truthful in its assertions as it is complimentary.  It was offered by Mr. Bracewell, a Democrat and unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That in view of the fairness, impartiality and marked ability with which the Hon. Rush Clark has discharged the duties of speaker of this House for the Present session, proof of which may be found in the fact that no appeal has been taken to the House by any member thereof from any decision of his, therefore, in testimony of our due appreciation of his faithful services as Speaker, we tender to him the chair he has so ably filled with honor to himself and honor to the General Assembly of the state of Iowa.

Mr. Clark has proved himself a prompt and efficient officer on all occasions, and has always been ready to decide without hesitation any question that might arise.  No better man could have been in the chair.  No man could have dispatched business with more rapidity.

J. R. C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 7, 1862, p. 2

No More Troops Wanted

Such is the purport of an order from the General Government, and all the recruiting stations here about are closed, and the men who have left the army to engage in that business have to return to their regiments.  An immense expense is thus saved to our government, while it is a premonition that the war will soon be brought to a close; at least that is the opinion of the powers that be.  The government has even refused to accept the 17^th regiment, now full; but the Governor has telegraphed that it must be accepted, and the Legislature has adopted a resolution requesting the War Department to accept it, and so we presume it will be done.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 7, 1862, p. 1

The Twenty-Second Iowa Infantry.

Seven companies of this regiment were raised in Johnson county, one in Jasper, one in Monroe and one in Wapello. It was mustered into service at Iowa City on the 9th of September, 1862. Its first field officers were Wm. M. Stone, colonel; John A. Garrett, lieutenant-colonel; Harvey Graham, major. The regiment was first sent to Rolla, Mo., where it did garrison duty for about four months. In March, 1863, it was sent to Grant's army to take part in the Vicksburg campaign, and was in the First brigade of the Fourteenth division of the Thirteenth army corps, under General McClernand.

At the battle of Port Gibson, Colonel Stone commanded the brigade, and Major Atherton led the Twenty-second regiment, which lost twenty men. At the battles of Champion Hill and Black River Bridge the loss of the Twenty-second was light. Having driven Pemberton's army behind the fortifications of Vicksburg, General Grant determined to assault the works on the 22d of May. Early in the morning the artillery from the fleet and all of the guns in position in the rear opened on the enemy's works and kept up a heavy fire until l0 o'clock. Then the bugles sounded the charge and the assaulting columns moved forward with fixed bayonets. They were met by a terrible fire of musketry all along the lines. Still the troops pressed on and fell before the deadly fire by hundreds. It was impossible to face the terrible volleys which smote the advancing columns. They sought such shelter as they could find and returned the fire, but could not dislodge the enemy.

The Twenty-second led the charge made by the brigade under General Lawler, and a few men, led by Sergeant Griffith scaled the enemy's defenses, entered the fort and captured some prisoners. But most of them were killed or captured; Sergeant Griffith and David Trine alone escaped. Lieutenant-Colonel Graham and several men were captured in the ditch, and the assault was ended.

The loss of the regiment was 164. There were sixteen Iowa regiments engaged in this battle, the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, Seventeenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-eighth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-fifth, and the First and Second Iowa batteries.

Before the end of the siege, which followed the assault, Iowa had thirty regiments in Grant's army, which won this greatest victory of the war.

In this campaign the confederacy lost, in killed and wounded, 10,000 men, and in prisoners, 37,000, fifteen general officers, arms and munitions for an army of 60,000, and an immense amount of property, with the strongest fortified city in the limits of the confederacy, opening the navigation of the greatest river of the continent.

No soldiers in this great campaign surpassed those of Iowa. The First Iowa brigade led the advance at Port Gibson; the Seventeenth surpassed all others at Jackson; the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth won immortal honors at Champion Hill; the Twenty-first and Twenty-third covered themselves with glory at Black River Bridge, while the Twenty-second alone, at the assault on Vicksburg, entered the confederate defenses. Colonel Stone resigned soon after the surrender of Vicksburg, having been nominated for governor by the Iowa republicans. The Twenty-second regiment was sent to Texas in November, where it was employed several months, Lieutenant-Colonel Graham having been promoted to colonel, Major White promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Gearkee, major. In July, 1864, it was transferred to Virginia, and in August became a part of General Sheridan's army and took part in the battle of Winchester. It made a most gallant fight in that great battle and did its full share in winning a glorious victory. Its losses were heavy and among them were several of its bravest officers: 109 were killed, wounded and captured. At the battles of Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek the Twenty-second was engaged and met with losses. These were its last battles, and on the 3d of August, 1865, it was disbanded at Davenport, after having traveled more than 13,000 miles and served in nearly all of the southern states.

SOURCE, Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 106-7

The Seventeenth Iowa Volunteers

The companies making up this regiment were raised chiefly in the counties of Lee, Van Buren, Des Moines, Wapello, Decatur, Polk, Jefferson, Washington, Appanoose, Marion, Dallas and Warren. It was mustered into the service on the 16th of April, 1862, with 935 men. Its first field officers were John W. Rankin, colonel: David B. Hillis, lieutenant-colonel and Samuel M. Wise, major. It was sent to join General Halleck's army at Corinth, in May, and joined in the pursuit of the confederate army. At the battle of Iuka the regiment was engaged and thrown into confusion, for which it was censured by General Rosecrans, as many believe, unjustly. Colonel Rankin resigned on the 3d of September.

On the 3d and 4th of October was fought the battle of Corinth, in which the Seventeenth took an active part, and fought with great bravery. Smarting under the unjust censure cast upon them at Iuka, the men went into this battle with a determination to wipe out the stigma, which they did most effectually. At a crisis of the battle, when the rebels had forced their way into Corinth, the Seventeenth made a splendid charge upon the advancing column and after a sharp conflict drove it back in confusion.

After the victory was won, General Sullivan, commanding the brigade in which the Seventeenth Iowa served, wrote to Governor Kirkwood as follows: "I have the honor to present to you the colors of the Fortieth Mississippi regiment, captured by the Seventeenth Iowa on the battlefield of Corinth, in a gallant charge on the advancing columns of the enemy, which the Seventeenth alone met, broke and pursued. I have never led braver men into action than the soldiers of the Seventeenth proved themselves in the desperate and bloody battle of Corinth." The colors were captured by Corporal John King, of Company G, from Marion county.

General Rosecrans, in a general order, said: "The Seventeenth Iowa infantry by its gallantry on the battlefield of Corinth, charging the enemy and capturing the flag of the Fortieth Mississippi, has amply atoned for its misfortune at Iuka, and stands among the honored regiments of this army. Long may they wear with unceasing brightness the honors they have won."

The loss of the regiment on the field of Corinth was twenty-five. Ingersoll says: "The Seventeenth inflicted as much damage upon the enemy as any regiment at Corinth, and received less damage in return." Lieutenant-Colonel Hillis was now promoted to colonel of the regiment, and Capt. Clark R. Wever to lieutenant-colonel. For several months the Seventeenth was employed in Tennessee and Mississippi, joining General McPherson's army in February, 1863. It shared in the hard marches, severe battles and glorious victories of Grant's Vicksburg campaign. At Jackson and Champion Hill it fought bravely and lost heavily. Colonel Hillis had resigned in. May and Lieutenant-Colonel Wever was now colonel, Major Archer, lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. John F. Walden, of Company F, was major of the regiment.

The Seventeenth participated in the Chatanooga campaign and fought bravely at Lookout Mountain, where it lost fifty-seven men. In April, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans to the number of 479. In July, the regiment occupied Tilton. Two companies were captured near Dalton after exhausting their ammunition in a brave defense. On the 13th of October the garrison at Tilton was assailed by overwhelming numbers. Lieutenant-Colonel Archer made a heroic defense until his blockhouse was rendered untenable by artillery, when he was forced to surrender. Colonel Wever was in command of a brigade at Resaca when he was attacked by Hood's army. He had but about seven hundred men and four pieces of light artillery. He defended the post with great energy all day, and at night was reinforced by 500 cavalry. Colonel Wever spent the night strengthening his position, and early in the morning the attack was renewed; but further reinforcements came, and General Hood finally retreated as General Sherman's army came in sight. Colonel Wever received warm commendations from Sherman and Howard for his brave and successful defense. When the Seventeenth was captured at Tilton, Captain Horner and some forty men of the regiment only remained in the service, and were disbanded in August, 1865.

SOURCE, Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 102

Iowa Items

The U. S. District Court is now in session at Keokuk.  Several important cases are pending, involving the validity of the county bonds issued to railroads.

A three story brick building in Keokuk fell last Saturday.  It was a very rotten affair, and the walls neither fell in nor out, but ‘squashed’ right down.  No one was hurt but two or three, as usual, had narrow escapes.

The commanding officers of the 17^th regiment, at Keokuk, have issued an order forbidding the soldiers of the regiment from using intoxicating liquors, or frequenting places where they are kept.  The citizens are also appealed to not to dispose of liquor to any of the soldiers, and should this appeal be disregarded, the full rigor of civil and military law will be visited on the offenders.  That’s the right way to talk it.

An insane woman attempted to commit Suicide at Muscatine, on Tuesday, by trying to jump into the river.  She was prevented, however, from doing so, and was secured till the arrival of a boat, which took her down the river..  She was from Iowa City.

The amount appropriated for mileage of members of the General Assembly for the present year, is $6,779.

The Cedar Falls Gazette, of the 28^th ult., says that town received its eastern mail one day last week by an ox team.  The Gazette declares it a great improvement over the iron horse accommodations they have had for some time past.

The Ottumwa Courier mentions a report that a resident of Wapello county has been active in transmitting powder from Iowa to Missouri rebels.  The Courier states that the secession scamp is still living in Wapello.

The race bridge at Cedar Falls was swept away by the freshet last Sunday night. – the cars have to stop a mile this side of the village, owing to the tressel work being washed away. – Dubuque Herald.

DROWNED. – We learn that two young men, brothers were drowned last Friday night, two miles above Manchester.  They were in a wagon, and in driving over a bridge across a swollen stream went too near the edge and met a watery grave. – Dubuque Herald.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 4, 1862, p. 2

Lorenzo H. Sales, 2nd Lieutenant, Co. A, 17th Iowa Infantry: Civil War Pension Index Card

SOURCE:  Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Footnote.com

On The Resignation of Lorenzo H. Sales

HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

Adjutant - General's Office

Washington, September 30, 1867

Special Orders No. 456.

(Extract.)

*     *     *     *     *     *

16. By direction of the Secretary of War, so much of Special Orders No. 315, Paragraph 1, September 3, 1862, from Head-quarters Department of the Mississippi, as accepted the resignation of Second Lieutenant Lorenzo H. Sales, Seventeenth Iowa Volunteers, is hereby revoked, he having been previously discharged by Special Orders No. 182, September 2, 1862, from Head - quarters District of West Tennessee.

*     *     *     *     *     *

By command of General Grant :

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant - General.

Official :

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant General.

SOURCE: Nathaniel B. Baker, Report of Nathaniel B. Baker, Adjutant General of Iowa to Hon. William M. Stone, Governor of Iowa: January 1,1867 to January 14, 1868 p. 18

Lorenzo H. Sales, M. D.

LEON.

LORENZO HARRISON SALES, a resident of Iowa since it became a state, is a descendant of a Mohawk Dutch family, and was born in Ontario county. New York, on the 28th of March, 1819. His parents were Hiram Sales, surveyor and farmer, and Nancy Ann Thorington, his mother being a native of Rutland, Vermont. His maternal great-grandfather was a Phillips, whose ancestry is traced back directly to the Mayflower. He was in the revolutionary army; was taken prisoner, brought as far west as Detroit, Michigan, by the Indians, and kept there several years. At length he made his escape, and after much hardship reached Vermont.

When Lorenzo was three years old the family removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. Young as the boy was, he still recollects the trip down the Alleghany and Ohio rivers on a raft. The scenes on the way were a wonderful novelty to his young eyes, and time fails to obliterate them. After spending one year in Cincinnati his father removed to Troy, Miami county, where he died in 1823, leaving his widow with seven children. There Lorenzo received a common-school education in a log school-house.

In 1834 the family removed to Defiance, where Lorenzo prepared himself for the medical profession, and where he practiced until 1846; removing to Iowa City, Iowa, a few months before it doffed its territorial robes. After practicing in Iowa City a little less than two years he removed to Washington county, continuing his profession in Washington and Richmond villages until 1856, when he removed his family to Leon, Decatur county. While at Richmond he received from President Pierce the appointment of receiver of the United States land office, at Chariton, Lucas county, and was in that position three years, when the office was moved to Des Moines.

Since residing in Leon Dr. Sales has been in a variety of occupations, — practicing medicine a little ; keeping a hotel at sundry times, in all about twelve years; selling drugs; editing a newspaper; dealing in real estate, and acting as county officer, being judge of Decatur county two years. The judge is well known all over the county.

In 1862 he went into the 17th Iowa Infantry as lieutenant, company A, and acting adjutant; served six months and was discharged on account of disability.

In his political principles, the judge has been a life-long democrat.

In August, 1845, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Ann Wartenbe, of Defiance, Ohio, and they have three children. Nancy Ann, the eldest child, is the wife of Lyman W. Forgrave, contractor and builder, of Leon ; Lewis Cass is a printer in Leon, and Frank Knox is a brick mason and resides in Crete, Nebraska. Both sons are unmarried.

SOURCE, The United States Biographical Dictionary And Portrait Gallery Of Eminent And Self Made Men. Iowa Volume, American Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago & New York, 1878, p. 581-2

Death of Lorenzo H. Sales

We are again called upon to record the death of an early settler of Decatur County.  Judge Sales died last Wednesday morning at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. L. W. Forgrave, in Leon, with bright's disease of the kidneys.  The deceased was born in Ontario County, New York in 1819 and was 68 years of age.  He lived with his parents in Cincinnati Ohio, a short time, when they removed to Defiance county where they resided until 1846, when the family came to Iowa.  In 1856 Judge Sales located in Leon where he practiced medicine for some time.  He was appointed receiver in the United States land office at Chariton where he remained three years.  In 1860 he built the Sales House of which he was manager for many a year.  He served as county judge for two years with marked ability and in 1862 enlisted in the 17th Iowa Infantry and soon received the appointment of Lieutenant of Company A.  Failing in Health soon compelled his resignation.  He drew a pension for disability incurred in the service.  The deceased leaves a widow and three children all of whom were present at the time of his death.  A man of integrity and ability has fallen and has many old friends among the pioneers of this county will drop a tear to his memory when they hear the sad news of his death.

– Published in The Decatur County Journal, Leon, Iowa, March 16, 1887, bottom of page 1

William T. Noel

Private, Co. G, 17^th Iowa Infantry

Keokuk National Cemetery

Keokuk, Iowa

James B. Pressley

Private, Co. G, 17^th Iowa Infantry

Keokuk National Cemetery

Keokuk, Iowa

Mathias Pierce

Private, Co. F, 17^th Iowa Infantry

Keokuk National Cemetery

Keokuk, Iowa

Henry B. Levaley

Private, Co. A, 17^th Iowa Infantry

Keokuk National Cemetery

Keokuk, Iowa

William V. Ford

Private, Co. K, 17^th Iowa Infantry

Keokuk National Cemetery

Keokuk, Iowa

Thomas McMahon

Private, Co. C, 17^th Iowa Infantry

Keokuk National Cemetery

Keokuk, Iowa

George Anderson

ANDERSON, GEORGE, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Avery; born in 1814 in Jefferson Co., Ind.; in 1839, came to Iowa; in March, 1840, returned to Indiana; in 1841, came to Washington Co., Iowa; in 1843, come to Monroe Co., Iowa. He was one of the first white settlers in this county; owns 230 acres of land. Married Mary Dennison February, 1848; she was born Nov. 16, 1817. in Washington Co., Penn.; had five children, three living — John S., Martha C. and Nancy A.; two died in infancy. Mrs. A. had two children by a former marriage — Lucy J. and Dennison; lost James S. in infancy. Mr. A. enlisted in 1861 in Co. I, 15th Iowa V. I.; in the Spring of 1862 was transferred to Co. K. 17th Iowa V. I.; served about nine months; was discharged on account of disability. Member of Associate Presbyterian Church.

SOURCE: The History Of Monroe County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1878, p. 480

William L. Close

Son of Mr. Close, of Valley Township, Polk County. "Was," says Captain Studer, "enlisted for Captain Hoxie's company, 17th Iowa, March 1,1862. When sent to Keokuk, for muster into United States service, he desired to be transferred to Company B, 15th Iowa Infantry. An exchange was effected in the person of private William Pursley, who was duly transferred to Captain Hoxie's company, 17th Iowa, while William L. Close was duly received in his desired Company B. He entered upon his duties with good will; was anxious to learn all his duties; was of good, steady habits, very orderly and well behaved — hence well respected by all. Like private Henry P. Taylor, he was taken suddenly ill during the night of March 17-18, in the company's barracks at Camp Halleck, Keokuk, and died of congestive fever a few hours afterwards, to the greatest surprise of all, for he was seemingly strong, of good constitution, and well built. His death was deeply regretted by all, because he was well liked for the short time he was connected with this command."

Age, twenty-one; a native of Illinois; private; mustered into the United States service, March 14.

SOURCE: Leonard Brown, American Patriotism: Or, Memoirs Of Common Men, p. 217

Deaths of Iowa Soldiers

In the Military Hospitals and camps in St. Louis and vicinity, for the week ending May 17:

May 10 – C Brummell, co. B, 12^th.

May 10 – John Mack, co. C, 3d.

May 11 – T. M. Pasely, co. H, 17^th.

May 12 – Isaac Hanewell, co. C, 7^th.

May 12 – J. H. Wills, co. E, 6^th.

May 14 – J. F. Reynolds, co. D, 6^th.

May 15 – H. Young, co. F, 17^th.

May 15 – N. H. Haldeman, co. C, 2d.

May 16 – Aborn Griffin, co. F, 12^th.

May 16 – J. S. Brush, 2d Cavalry.

May 16 – W. C. Cunningham, co. D, 6^th.

May 17 – H. D. Reasener, co. C, 4^th.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 2

The 17th Regiment

The last company of the 17^th was mustered in yesterday, and the regiment is now full.  It is ordered by Gen. Halleck to Pittsburgh, and will leave on Friday morning.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862

The following are the deaths of Iowa soldiers . . .

. . . in Hospitals and camps in the vicinity of St. Louis, for the week ending May 10^th:

Lewis Stah, co. K, 16^th,

W. H. Johnson, co. K, 17^th;

Theo Campbell, co. F, 11^th;

Charles White, co. K, 17^th,

Robert A. Pennett, co. D, 2d;

Benjamin J. Baker, co. K, 14^th;

G. W. Hess, co. F, 6^th;

Gotleib Wiltlaff, co. K, 16^th;

W. T. Clark, ----, 4^th,

John Keppel, co. A, 2d;

E. A. Ward, co. H, 12^th;

Josh. B. Carraway, co. B, 12^th;

Geo. B. Ferguson, co. D, 5^th;

Thos. Sharpe, co. I, 4^th.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2