Private William O. Gulick to Mary Parkes, about October 1, 1861

Dear Mary,¹⁷

I thought I must write you a few lines in answer to your letter I was very happy to think you was so good as to write me and hope you may not forget to do so again. That paper of Candy I sent with John for you to pay for your letter. If I had have had time I would have sent something I would have been glad to made you a visit from Davenport as you requested me. But I had no time tell Woodworth and Parkes they must write to me be a good girl and remember your

Cousin Billie

I went to supper when the other sheet was full, but before we were half through Dress Parade was called and we had to leave every thing to get cold but however I ate enough such as it was

I was very glad to hear that Hattie and Mother were going to Wis. Hope they may enjoy it

I just wish that you could be here one day and see the soldiers and their fare there is a guard all around our camp and one can not get out unless he has a pass or run the beat Isaac and my self are going out in the country tomorrow if we can just for a pleasure trip

There was a secessionist or spy arrested here Friday. Maj. Lefingwell¹⁸ took him to St. Louis, have not heard from him since but he may have to suffr, This morning two men were arrested and brought in camp said to be from Missouri and spies they are in the guard house I do not know what they will do with them

It was so dark I just moved toward a camp fire I find it rather disagreable writing and will have to close I was very glad to hear from you want you to write as often as you can and I will do the same. If I had time I could write a great deal more you must send all my letters if I have any to me by the directions below

Direct W. O. Gulick

Camp Warren,        

Burlington    

Iowa

Care of Capt. Ankeny

Company M

1st Regiment Iowa Cavalry

You must excuse this poorly written letter if you can read it but writing on a rough board makes it look worse than it would,

Isaac was just here and says he has not time to write, but tell you he is all right, the camp is very healthy and my self and Fred are very well give my love to all and write soon

Yours in hast

W. O. Gulick

I forgot to tell you that Peter Barr has a soldiers Library of Fifty books with him

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¹⁷ This letter is undated, but from the mention of his mother's impending trip to Wisconsin we may infer that it was written about October 1, 1861. Mary was William's cousin by marriage; she had married his cousin Woodworth Parkes of Clinton. Hence Gulick writes or refers to them frequently as "Mary & Woodie".

¹⁸ Wm. E. Leffingwell, according to Lothrop's A History of the First Regiment Iowa Cavalry, which is substantiated by the rosters of the Iowa Union forces, was not actually commissioned with a higher rank than Captain of Company B. However, he was for all practical purposes acting Major of the First Battalion, which was detached from the regiment, placed in his charge, and sent to West Central Missouri in the early part of October.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 206-8.

Private William O. Gulick to Parkes Gulick, October 1, 1861

Camp Warren, Oct. 1st/61        

Co. M. 1st Iowa Cavalry

Dear Brother:¹⁹

I am happy to have an opportunity to answer your letter. I received one from you, Mary & Mother, in one envelope, but intend to answer them sepperate, so to have you all write to me again one at a time I wrote a short letter to the girls day before yesterday I was standing on guard then, I had a fine old time of it, as it continued to rain all night, and I had four hours to stand in the middle of the night. A fellow attempted to run my station but I heard him and demanded him to halt he did so, I then demanded the counter sign, he could not give it He said his horse had crossed the line and he wanted to get him I told him to go to Head quarters and get the counter sign, or to travel, he left and was heard of no more

I came off Guard at ten o'clock I got a pass to go down town I run about town all day I see Isaac leave with his company there was four companies left, all took the boat, the horses were put on flat boats, you would have seen a great sight had you been here when they started Isaac did not have time to send his box by express so I sent it for him I sent your over coat home and my linen coat and shirt I give you, I have a long tailed Blue You would laugh to see me with it on, but it is very comfortable It makes a great difference in the appearance of a company of soldiers when they have their uniform on. There was four more companies left for St. Louis this morning I wished my self along with them but we will have to stay here yet three or four days to get the remainder of our horses and saddles It looks rather war like to see so many men all mounted, and then to have them to give three cheers and fire off a canon it makes a person feel like fighting I tell you Parkes I would advise you not to go to war. I think you are not strong enough and most to easy excited, for camp life is almost a continual drudge     To day I have to cook I expect to morrow to stand on guard and evry day brings work By the way how is your onion crop, how does the sugar cane turn out. I would like to have some of the Molasses We only draw Molasses once a week and then only a little. What are you doing this fall, tell me what you with all the rest are about I should like to hear from Charlie²⁰ & Richard²¹ also tell Peters folks to write I suppose you will have charge of affairs when father and mother goes to Wis. do it up well. Tell father I have seen the company Blacksmiths shoe horses all day out in the rain it looked rather hard but it was just before they started for St. Louis and there is no stop of any thing in war As soon as I get to St. Louis I will write to mother & father You had better wait untill I write to them before you answer this, then it will come direct to St. Louis Tell Woody to write me a letter and I will answer it as soon as I can he said he would write to me. You must write all about my friends and about affairs at home as it is most time to get supper I will have to close

Your dear brother

W. O. Gulick

P. S. Give my love to Henries²² folks tell him to write me I will answer a long letter.

_______________

¹⁹ "Dear Brother" was Parkes Gulick, who remained at home. William's letters contain frequent admonitions to his brother not to enlist, as he did not believe him strong enough to stand army service.

²⁰ "Charlie" was Charles Jones of Low Moor, who married William's sister Cynthia. After the conscription act was passed he was summoned to service; but he succeeded in hiring a substitute, which was not only a very common practice, but specifically legalized by the draft law.

²¹ Richard Wagner, before mentioned, a brother-in-law of William Gulick's.

²² Henry Gulick, an older brother at home.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 208-10.

Private William O. Gulick to His Parents, October 18, 1861

Camp Benton,²³ Mo. Oct. 18th/61

Co. M. 1st Ia. Cavalry        

Dear Father & Mother

I have just set down to write you a letter. I have a great deal to write and but little time to write in. I have been very busy for the two days I have been here. It was very rainy the day we came in and cleaning up and geting settled is quite a chore. I wrote a very short letter the day we left Burlington stateing that we was about to leave We had a very pleasant trip down to this place We were from Monday noon untill Wednesday morning but we lay up; one night above the Keokuk rappids I was very glad as it gave me a chance to pass Canton and many other towns in the day time, we did not pass any town but what the Glorious old Stripes and Stars were seen floating from some part although some were said to be quite rank secessionists The finest looking City I see was Quincy, we stoped there about two hours. The Iowa third Infantry was encamped there, I believe to recrute awhile. and to my surprise I came across Charlie James from Camanche Township.²⁴ He said he expected to go home on a furlough soon, if he dose you will see him and an hours chat would be interesting as he was in the Battle of Blue mills²⁵ & severel skirmishes. I set up all night on the boat to see the Bluffs and cave above Alton I could not distinguish the cave but the rocks I could see planely, I also see the mouths of the Ills. and Mo. rivers We arrived in St. Louis about 7 oclock in the morning It shows to good advantage to the river, It was a long time before we could land as the levee for two miles was crowded with steam boats I tell you, St. Louis is a large city and things look warlike. There is a great many Gun boats building and the streets are lined with soldiers canons are seen drawn through the streets with other arms and shiped to the different camps. The St. Louis streets are very narrow. Our camp is just out of the City and five miles from the river I thought we would never find the M. Barracks,²⁶ although we were tired the march from the boat was more interesting than I thought it could be, as we were cheered from evry side and the seens of a city to a country greenhorn were all new, When we arrived at Benton Barracks I found the best Quarters I ever seen I will send a View of the Barracks in a newspaper I believe there is about 7,000 thousand soldiers encamped here and in the Fare Grounds adjoining. On this sheet there is a view of the fare grounds on review day There is soldiers from Iowa, Ill, Wis, and many other states they are comeing and leaving evry day. By the way I said Isaac and his company were all here when we arrived, Well they had marching orders yesterday they saddled and packed their things but did not get off untill today three oclock they have a part of their arms and expect to go by Jefferson Barracks and get the rest of their arms. Jef. Barks, is about five miles below St. Louis. I do not know how many soldiers are encamped their I do not know where Isaac is going but he will undoubtedly see a fight before he gets back I was sorry to see him leave, but still I was very anxious to go with him, but I know I shall have a chance before long to smell Rebble Powder, When I look around me and see so much that Government has done and has to do, I do not wonder at its slow movements as we used to call them Evrything here is on the strict order I was on guard today and it is night now, soon will be tattoo when all lights have to be extinguished I have only received your two letters that you sent to Burlington since I left home Except one from H. H. Judson and Aaron I should like to get some letters from any body (only so I get some) I came across some of Mr. Lafayette Tallmans Relations the day before we left Burlington some of their boys came to camp and when they found who we were and where from, nothing would do but that we should go out in the country about 2 miles where they lived and see them We did so and had a good dinner and an excellent visit, They wanted I should write so Tallman would know it, They said tell Tallman that Old Aunt Elen of Henry county was dead. This Tallmans name is Thomas _____     The Iowa eighth Rej. left here two or three days before we came in I was sorry for I should like to have seen some of the Eden boys. Isaac said that John Dam was left here in the Hospital. Was not able to go with the Rej. I have not had time to go and see him yet but think I shall go tomorrow If I can get a pass. I expect when I leave here that I will not be allowed to carry any thing except what I can carry in my saddle so I will have to send my carpet sack home or give it away as soon as I get my arms I intend having my likeness taken again and send home I only wish I could get all of yours I believe you might send them all in one case that is taken on single plates Again I wish you all might be here to see the encampment and see the soldiers drill &c one day if no more The talk is that we will get our pay soon. I do not know but hope we will for many of the Boys are out of money I have plenty as yet however I do not know how long we may stay here yet but I guess the best way is to send your letters here as they are all forwarded on after evry company You must all write to me evry one of my folkes and direct to, Benton Barracks, St. Louis Mo. Company M 1st Ia. Cavalry

P. S. Give my love to all my friends and receive this from your affectionate son.

W. O. Gulick

_______________

²³ Benton Barracks, also called Camp Benton, was just outside St. Louis. It was the chief point of assembly for the Union armies in Missouri late in 1861 and early in 1862.

²⁴ Camanche Township in which the town of Camanche, Iowa, is located, lies along the Mississippi River a few miles southwest of Clinton.

²⁵ This refers to the action at Blue Mills Landing (about five miles from Liberty, Clay County, Missouri), on September 17, 1861. About 4400 Confederates attacked 900 Union men and the latter were forced to retire. Union losses were about 130 killed and wounded, the Confederate about 160. The Third Iowa Infantry, as Gulick reports, was engaged. —Official Records: War of the Rebellion, Series I, Vol. III, pp. 193-195. This series was published by the Government Printing Office at Washington, 1880-1898.

²⁶ That part of Benton Barracks occupied by Company M of Gulick's regiment.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 210-3.

Private William O. Gulick to Mary Parkes, October 19, 1861

Benton Barracks        

Co. M 1st Ia. Cav. Oct. 19

When I read over my letter this morning I found I had not written something I wanted to, because I did not have time, and finish my letter before tattoo

This small sheet was here so handy, and one that Isaac gave me, I thought I would direct it to you and write to all. I intend to write to Uncle Jacobs in a day or two and if I go any where near them I shall get a pass to go and see them There is quite a difference in the climate here from that of Low Moor. There has not been the least frost here yet, and the trees grass and all nature looks green and fresh By the way how does evry thing get along at home let me know all the little particulars Has Father & Mother got back from Wis. and how did they enjoy their visit. Is Kich Vleharts threshing yet, how does John and all of Peters folks together with Henries folks get along I do not know but I promised to write them a letter but I have not got time.

Tell Rich I have got a good tough horse, and well he might be for he has since I had him had the saddle on his back four days & nights with out changing Evrything has to get used to hardships When on Picket Guard a person is not allowed to unsaddle his horse

I have not got a name for my horse yet if you can think of a good one I want you to name him. I did not think about the picture of the Fare grounds on the first sheet when I was writing so poor, I am writing now in hast for the Bugle is sounding for drill excuse all errors, and write soon.

Your dear friend & Cousin

W. O. Gulick

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 213-4.

Private William O. Gulick to His Sisters, October 27, 1861

Camp Benton, St. Louis, Mo.        

Co. M. 1st Ia Cav. Oct. 27/61

Dear Sisters

I received your long looked for letter last night and I set my self about answering it as soon as I had read it, but had hardly commenced when the word came (to arms) or rather to go and get our new Sabers. I had to go. I have a very good one indeed. There was so much nois and clamor that I could not think of writing more last night. This Sunday morning we had to pack up evrything that is caried on horse back and appear on grand review or inspection after forming in line of Battle we marched around Brig. Gen. Curtis'²⁷ quarters, He (with his Body Guard close by) was to inspect our Battalion as we marched by. I had a fine opportunity of seeing him he is a fine looking old man, and quite gray hair, all the soldiers had to salute him with the Saber. It was dinner time when I came in quarters, and as soon as I could take care of my horse and put away my things it was two oclock, and now as I want to write this letter (not knowing when I may have another opportunity) I will have to give up going to meeting, which is at four oclock We have orders to leave here between this and Wednesday. I know not where, but unless the order is countermanded we will go. I expect we will have to be put through drilling while we stay here, we drill mostly on a trot and a gallop, and when chargeing, on a dead run. I am geting used to riding, I beleive I shall make a good horseman a number of the boys have been thrown from their horses and some been run away with I believe that not any of them have been hurt. I am proud of my horse he is such a steady good one, When I get my accouterments all on and drilling I tell you I feel animated and like fighting. I beleive I shall do good exicution when I get a chance at those Missouri Ruffians. I think my chance is good for one stroke at least soon too, Day before yesterday our Lt. Crissy²⁸ came back from Lyons with recruits among them were Blacksmith-Clark J. Kilmer, Thoms. Else,²⁹ Although they are nearly strangers to me, they seem like old friends. It came my turn to stand on stable guard that night from twelve untill six in the morning. I had so many long stories to exchange with the Camanche boys that I did not go to bed to get any sleep that night. Aaron Reccord & Lucian Beely³⁰ also came down at the same time in pesuit of their Regt. I suppose you knew that they had been in the Hospital at Camp McClellan, and home on a furlough They are here yet and as Aaron is quite lame (from the affects of over walking when too week) I think he will stay here untill he is better, while Beely will start tomorrow morning, to over take his Co. that I think is near Warsaw.³¹ I got a pass to go to the Hospital but they would not admit me I enquired for John Dam and was told that he was not There, I suppose that he went with his Co, The last I heard of Isaac and Co R. they were at Jeferson City. Tell Aunt Rebecca³² Isaacs letters will be forwarded from Head Quarters and I will not see them You said you was glad to hear of any delay of our Co. for my personal safety I do not want you to feel so, I came to fight, and the sooner we get at it the sooner it it [sic] will be ended I can not give you any information concerning the war I do not get the news regular and there is so many rumors in camp that a person can not beleive any of them, and a soldier never knows where he is going or what he is going to do I beleive our Regt is as good as any them is, or at least Col. says so, & Brig. Gen. Cortis [Curtis] says it has cost as much as any two Regt. organized.

We have another suit of evry day clothes in the Col.['s] charge so we shall not get out this winter Besides we have a dress suit for a fancy rig but the Col. will not give it us yet I do not want it to mus now since I wrote you last we have received fatigue caps and partly enough overalls, expect the rest soon they are a good institution If I have time before I go from this place I will send you my likeness with my arms I shall expect to receive yours soon (I mean all the folks) Emma wondered if I was standing on guard the night she wrote I beleive I was or the night before I am not positive which You told me about Parkes how hard he had to work I am sorry he has to work so hard I believe it is easier to soldier, but since we have been at Benton Barracks my whole time has been occupied though it is not hard work, We have so much cleaning to do by the way I will tell you something I have to do We have to keep our Buttons Bright (we use chalk and a brush) all our clothes brushed clean, our Boots Blacked There is a great deal of Brass about our saddles, spurs Bridles and all have to be kept Bright and clean We have Brass shoulder Plates or Appauletts our Arms &c all have to be kept Bright. We also have to keep our Quarters clean and take care of horse. We Drill five hours evry day and have Dress Parade at five oclock it takes about half or three fourth hours I have to cook every ten days and stand on guard once in from three to six days, we all have to get up at six oclock or Reveille, (The sound of the Bugle) and cannot go to bed untill after Roll call or Tattoo (sound of the Bugle) which is at nine oclock P. M. If we do not answer at Roll Call we get a black mark, and about three markes makes extra guard duty (I never got a black mark yet) I was sorry to learn that Father and mother did not go to Wis. I think they would have enjoyed the visit by the way there is some boys here from McGregor, Iowa. Some are acquainted in Grant Co, Wis. they say they are acquainted with some Kaslers but not our friends relatives as I can learn. There is some here from Adair Co. Mo. They Have been at Shibleys Point³³ but not acquainted there I have not written to Uncle Jacobs yet. I will the first spare time I have, for I know they would be glad to hear from me, But I want to write a good & a long letter when I write. I hope I may have an opportunity to visit them, though I think the prospects of geting a furlough is rather dubious, several have applied but to no effect I almost forgot to tell you of my visit to the Arsinal Yesterday I got a pass to go down town I went on horse back and rode nearly all day through the city The Arsinal is about three miles below the city and on the river Bank It is surounded by a high stone wall and includes about ten acres There is many large stone and Brick buildings where all kinds of arms are manufactured I see 1.25 large cannon about half were six and eight inch bore and Riffled Cannon the rest were light and ten inch and one did weigh 12,051 lbs I see a number of morters and Bom shells a number of Brass cannon In one building they were makeing cartridges and five hundred boys would make two hundred Thousand a day it would seam enough to shoot all the rebbles in existence It was interesting to see the process of cartriges makeing and others makeing impliments of war, I have no time for explanations.

I also went to the City Reservoir, I see many interesting senes, but I beleive they are not worth your attention and my time. I forgot to say that I see the Clinton Herald and a list of the Premiums awarded at the Fair. I was glad to find you had taken the premium on carpet Doc Ankeny Capt['s] Brother³⁴ is down here he says he see father in Clinton a day or two before he started with Lt. Crissy for St. Louis, and told him he was going, from him I learned that folks were all well How is fathers arm I thought he must be lame, or had more work than he could do for Clark said he done some work for Schuyler just before he came down. Clark has enlisted as teamster he says he has had Blacksmithing enough at home. Our B. Smiths have to work very hard shoeing our horses. I have heard the hammer ringing on the Arsenal to day (Sunday) I have not seen Mrs. Lee I might stay here six months and not see her. There is many Hospitals, I was sorry to hear of Riches falling, but that goes to show that that [sic] people are exposed to danger at home, and in time of peace. Is there much carpenter work, and is times changeing for the better or for worse have all the folks Riches Peters Henries Uncle Abes³⁵ and all the rest write to me for I like to get letters and I dont get any I understand that I cannot take my carppet sack with me any more so I will send it home I was just thinking that I would like to get my pay so that I could send you all a present with the money I have I could not send a present worth while I see I will have to close or get another sheet I might write more but I will leave it for some other time tell Woody and Parkes I want them to write and let me know all that is going on at home Tell Mary to write me in answer to my letter. You must give my love to all the folks let me know how the Lodge is doing I have some other things to write but will wait untill next time You must excuse all errors I see the necesity of having a dictionary Direct as before I will write as soon as I get to any place from here Write soon from your Affectionate Bro.

_______________

²⁷ Samuel R. Curtis was at this time a brigadier general; shortly afterwards he was promoted to major general, and in March, 1862, was in chief command of the Union army at the decisive victory of Pea Ridge, which gave an opening wedge for later Union invasions of Arkansas. On September 24, 1862, he was assigned to command of the Department of Missouri and Kansas. He kept the Confederates in this field on a defensive and guerrilla basis of warfare throughout his period of command; but his policy of maintaining as many troops as possible in Missouri to dragoon southern sympathizers into submission instead of furnishing contingents to other fields when asked for them set him at odds with the authorities at Washington. On March 10, 1863, President Lincoln ordered Gen. E. V. Sumner to relieve him. Sumner died on the way to St. Louis, so the President on May 13th ordered General Schofield to relieve Curtis. Curtis afterwards commanded the Department of Kansas and Indian Territory. - Battles and Leaders of the Civil War (New York. The Century Co., 1888), Vol. III, pp. 446, 454, Vol. IV, pp. 376, 377.

²⁸ James Crissy, 1st lieutenant in Company M.

²⁹ "Blacksmith-Clark" was James Clark; "J. Kilmer", Jeremiah Kilmer; "Thoms. Else", Thomas C. Elce. All three were evidently from Lyons and all enlisted after muster. They re-enlisted in 1864 and apparently served out the war.—Lothrop's A History of the First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, pp. 396, 403.

³⁰ Reccord and Beely were evidently friends and neighbors at home. Nothing further is known about them.

³¹ Warsaw is the county seat of Benton County, Missouri; it lies about 60 miles southwest of Jefferson City.

³² William's Aunt Rebecca Gulick, wife of Abraham Gulick, a brother of William's father.

³³ Shibley's Point is a small inland town about 15 miles northwest of Kirksville, in Adair County, Missouri.

³⁴ Dr. Ankeny was a brother of Captain William H. Ankeny who was in command of Company M at this time.

³⁵ "Uncle Abe" was Abraham Gulick, William's father's brother.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 213-20.

Private William O. Gulick to his sisters, September 29, 1861

Camp Warren, Ia. Sept. 29th/61

Ia Cavalry            

Dear Sisters¹

I received your kind letter yesterday morning but as I did not have time to answer it then I waited untill now. My time is limited, for I am standing guard and just came off, will have to go on again at one oclock, we stand two hours on, and about four off, for twenty-four hours. It commenced last night to rain and has continued to rain ever since and prospects for a wet time all through my time of Guard, But I am well provided for as we have our uniform the clothing for the whole Regiment came Sept. 20th. We have one heavy pair Pantaloons and the promise of another soon, a very heavy Overcoat with cape a Fighting Jacket trimmed with orange a blue sack coat for a fatigue dress a pair of Boots, pair of shoes, and a hat something like Isaac's We have three Blankets one for our horse. The Whole Regiment is Ordered to go to St. Louis and to go by Squadrons one each day commencing tomorrow (Monday) Our Squadron will be the last so we will remain here yet six days unless further orders We expect to get the remainder of our horses by Wednesday, We have now about 30 horses and saddles. I forgot to tell you all of our clothing we got Shirts two pair drawers, two pair Socks a canteen, and all the little necessaries we wanted. I cannot carry all my clothing so I will send my things that I need least, in a box with some others to Clinton I shall have them in a bundle directed to Low Moor, I shall write to the rest of the family in a few days I got a pass yesterday to go down town but as the Colonel² wanted all should appear on grond parad [sic] I could not go to have my likeness taken but as soon as I can get my pass I will have it taken and send it in my next letter. You will probably hear from Isaac soon for he will write as soon as he gets to St. Louis and he starts Tuesday

I was glad to hear that you were all geting along so well I am as well as can be and like soldiering better evry day I tell you it is fine cooking and eating out doors such days as this I have just pertaken of an apple dumpling I bought it for my dinner and thank fortune I have change but many have not, Peter Barr³ has lost his pocket Book with over Fifty dollars he says if Wagner⁴ has not payed that little sum he ows him to his brother he would like to have him send it to him, he says direct or send it in one of my letters The sum is $3.60 I believe. It is now time for me to go on guard and I have always been prompt excuse me from writing more this time and I will write soon and more give my love to all my friends tell them I like to get letters, direct care of Capt.⁵ to Camp Warren as you have heretofore and my letters will be forwarded on to me if I am gone

Your Brother

W. O. Gulick

_______________

¹ William Gulick had four sisters, all older than himself: Lorette Schuyler, Sarah Jane Wagner, Emma V. Harris, and Cynthia Jones.

² Colonel Fitz Henry Warren, of the First Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, rose to the rank of brevet major general before the close of the war. A native of Massachusetts, he had moved to Burlington, Iowa, in 1844. In 1849 President Taylor appointed him Assistant Postmaster General. He made an excellent record in this position, but resigned it in indignation when Millard Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave Law. In the campaign of 1860 he employed his eloquent oratorical powers in behalf of Abraham Lincoln. When war broke out he left the associate editorship of the New York Tribune, where he had made a reputation as one of the ablest journalists in the United States, to serve his country in the field. In later years he was frequently active in Iowa politics.

³ Peter Barr, of Company M, came (like Gulick) from the Low Moor neighborhood and seems to have been a close friend of Gulick's, as he is mentioned a number of times in these letters. At the time of his discharge for disability at Clinton, Missouri, on June 24, 1862, he held the rank of corporal.

⁴ Richard Wagner, of Low Moor, married Sarah Jane Gulick.

⁵ By the "Capt." is meant William H. Ankeny, Captain of Company M.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 204-6.

Private William O. Gulick, September 15, 1861

Camp Warren, Sept. 15th, 1861

It is now a little more than a week since I was with you, Although it is but a short time It seems to me about a month. I have seen so many strange and new things in moveing about and liveing as I have that although I am not homesick the time when I look back upon it seems long. You may think strange my writing with a ledpencil but it is so much handier as I am siting on the ground with a board on my lap. I had a letter written to send home, when John³ came down to Davenport and as I did not know when we would leave there and I thought John could carry all the news I did not send it, I suppose John told you all about our camp at Davenport, well it is much better than it is here for here we have nothing but tents. They are smaller than the one we had [illegible], and Thirteen have to mess and sleep in two of them. The first thing may be you would like to know is about my traveling after I left home &s (I did not have time to tell John much) About one oclock I left Lyons⁴ and after a pleasant trip of five hours arrived at Davenport or Camp McClellan⁵ which as John will tell you is very pleasantly situated. There was preaching at Camp Mc.C. evry Sunday I attended and heard a good discourse by Bishop Lee⁶ first Sunday after I left home, I bought me a Bible and some medicine at D. The morning after John stayed with us we were ordered to get ready to move from camp in one hour. We were told it was to go to Burlington In less than half that time every one was ready to march for the boat, We were taken in front of the Burtis House⁷ at Davenport and sworn in servise of U. S. I beleive John was there in time to see us, After takeing the Boat we had a pleasant trip one hundred miles down the great river We had dinner and supper at Leefingwells⁸ expence I was told, We arrived at Burlington about 10 oclock P. M. Was marched through the dust to Camp Warren a distance of 1½ mile from town, we were met by Isaac's⁹ company and after many hearty cheers went in quarters with them for the night. This camp is very comfortable although they are nothing but shanties most of the boys sleep on the ground because they did not know how hard it would be in wet times Friday first day in Camp Warren it rained all day so we had to stay where we could untill we could get and put up our tents. friday night it rained very hard and about midnight I found my self swiming in water, with a number of others. I concluded to take quarters on a table where I took a wet but a good sleep Saturday we put up our tents and dug ditches around them so they are water proofe. Sunday today is comparatively quiet though I hear the Band play a part of the time as the guards have to be changed. I have not been to preaching to day but they say that next Sunday there will be preaching on the ground. We have plenty to eat here and can trade Pork and Beef for all the nicnacks we want. We draw as rations Pork Beef Rice Potatoes Bread sugar Coffee tea molasses vinegar Soap & candles Salt Pepper &c not all at once but all we need as evry other day for a change we have a good mess the Best one in the crowd to my notion. [illegible] myself and 3 other Carpenters one Telegraph operator 3 Mt. Vernon students Fred Wilkes¹⁰ one stone mason besides two other common laborers, mess together We are all well suited and all good cooks Tell Peter¹¹ that Gorum [Josiah Gorhem] the wagon maker at Clinton is in our mess. There is now a full Regiment of Cavalry here a great many of them want horses sadles and equipments besides us, they get them as soon as can be, but no telling when Isaac's Company with some others look well when mounted, as they have theyr saddles.

That money you sent me I thought I would not nead it so I sent it back with John, I also sent you some apples and peaches half what John brought home, I sent them because I new they would come good and becaus I could. I would have sent something more but I did not know that we would have to go to Burlington so soon.

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³ John Schuyler was the oldest son of Peter and Lorrette Schuyler and therefore was William's nephew although he was about the same age. He later enlisted and died in camp.

⁴ Lyons is a town of about 6000 population, two and one-half miles directly north of Clinton, Iowa. Here Company B of the First Iowa Cavalry was organized about May 1, 1861, under the leadership of Judge William E. Leffingwell of Lyons, its first captain. Samuel S. Burdett of DeWitt, 1st lieutenant, was later promoted to captain. —Lothrop's A History of the First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers (Lyons, Ia., Beers and Eaton, 1890), p. 20.

⁵ Camp McClellan, at Davenport, served as a concentration point for the additional companies permitted by an Act of Congress of July 29, 1861. This act increased the number of companies constituting a cavalry regiment from ten to twelve. This permitted the addition to the First Cavalry of Company L, mustered into the service on September 23rd; and Company M, which went into quarters at Camp McClellan on September 2nd and was sworn into service on September 12th.

⁶ Henry W. Lee, of Davenport, was bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Iowa from 1854 until his death in 1874. He was instrumental in the founding at Davenport of Griswold College and the building of Trinity Cathedral. He also carried to a successful conclusion a money-raising campaign which made possible the purchase of 6000 acres of land by the Iowa diocese.— Downer's History of Davenport and Scott County (Chicago, S. J. Clark, 1910), Vol. I, p. 590.

⁷ The Burtis Opera House, 413 Perry St., Davenport, Iowa.

⁸ Captain (Judge) William E. Leffingwell organized Company B, First Iowa Cavalry, under the name of the "Hawkeye Rangers". This was the first full company of equipped cavalry in the State. It numbered 98 officers and men, according to the Lyons City Advocate of July 27, 1861. It is significant that Capt. Leffingwell raised this company and procured its equipment without aid either from the State or Federal government. At different times before and after the war Leffingwell was a Presidential Elector, Judge of the Eastern Iowa District Court, and President of the Iowa State Senate. He was an able lawyer, and was distinguished for his scholarly attainments.

⁹ Isaac Gulick of Company B, a cousin. He re-enlisted in 1864 and survived the war. He afterwards moved with his parents to State Center, Marshall County, Iowa, and according to latest reports, he is still living there.

¹⁰ Fred Wilkes (Frederick R. Wilkes) also of Company M was William Gulick's most intimate friend and "buddy" until the death of the latter in September, 1863. He had come to Clinton County from Indiana before the war, and joined Company M with the original enlistment in September, 1861. He re-enlisted in 1864 and served out the war.

¹¹ Peter Schuyler, a brother-in-law to Gulick, had married Lorrette, William's oldest sister.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 201-4

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 5, 1862

Forenoon we was on battallion drill after noon Co drill, no Dress perade about sunset just when the 23 Mo Inft dismissed their dress perade one of their boys snapped his gun at the croud not knowing it was loaded it went of killed one man dead dangerously wounded one & one slightly Evening I attended preaching by one of the 1st Iowa Cavalry to the paroled prisoners text to be spiritually minded is life & peace

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 97

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Wednesday, February 15, 1865

Start at 2 A. M. Rowena passed us in the night. touched at St Charles at 8. A. M. negro Regt. there & fortifications Landed at mouth of White river at 1. P. M. & camped 12 mile from river at 2 P. M. carried all our water from the river 126th Ill & detachment of 1st Ind Cav garrison this Post under comd of Genl ———. Liu Wm Wallace arrives from Pine Bluffs with F. I. & K cos of 1st Iowa Cav enroute for Memphis. Some 6 or 8 boats here Weather Pleasant.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, January 22, 1865

Morning drizzly, over to Amb. C. & to see Lt Sharman who is better before day. Regt to St Johns Square at 9 a. m. all there at 11.30 and start. 1st Mo cav. 1st Iowa cav 43d Ill Inft. 50th Ind Inft. 28th Wis Inft 9th Wis Inft 33 Iowa Inft. 2 secs. of 25th Mo battery, all light order. Roads rough. Camp at 4. P. M. at Mill burned by Webs jeorillas 8 miles from town. Snow from 3.30

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 571

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Wednesday, February 15, 1865

Start at 2 A. M. Rowena passed us in the night. touched at St Charles at 8. A. M. negro Regt. there & fortifications landed at mouth of White river at 1. P. M. & camped ½ mile from river at 2 P. M. carried all our water from the river 126th Ill & detachment of 1st Ind Cav garrison this Post under comd of Genl ——. Liu Wm Wallace arrives from Pine Bluffs with F. L & K cos of 1st Iowa Cav enroute for Memphis. Some 6 or 8 boats here Weather Pleasant.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 1st Sergeant John S. Morgan: Sunday, January 22, 1865

Morning drizzly, over to Amb. C. & to see Lt Sharman who is better before day. Regt to St Johns Square at 9 a. m. all there at 11.30 and start. 1st Mo cav. 1st Iowa cav 43d Ill Inft. 50th Ind Inft. 28th Wis Inft 9th Wis Inft 33 Iowa Inft. 2 secs, of 25th Mo battery, all light order. Roads rough. Camp at 4. P. M. at Mill burned by Webs jeorillas 8 miles from town. Snow from 3.30

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 571

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Wednesday, October 14, 1863

Feel tolerably well visit 1st cav. in evening stay all night.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 499

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, July 28, 1863

10. Ill cav. up. 2 co. of 1st Iowa from Davidsons comd who is 80 miles out in this A. M. Troop reported up White river in transport

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 493

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Milton B. Cochran, January 5, 1863

Executive Office, Iowa,

Iowa City, Jan. 5, 1863.

M. B. Cochran, Surgeon First Regiment Iowa Cavalry,

Acting Medical Director 3d Division Army of Frontier.

Sir: — I returned from Washington on the 2nd and found your letter of 13th December this morning. I am truly rejoiced to hear from you and am both grateful and grieved to hear the particulars of the hard fought battle of Prairie Grove. Iowa as usual did her share of the lighting, and did it nobly, but also as usual lost heavily. I regret the loss of McFarland very much. He was a noble man. How is Thompson doing? *Please write me how he is. He is a gallant fellow. I need not impress on you the necessity of doing all that can be done for our brave boys. Let me say one thing: Don't let them lack for anything, “red tape” or no “red tape;” see that they have all that they need. Please write often.

Very truly your friend,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

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* Wm. G., [Maj..] of the 20th Reg’t

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 234

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, May 14.

The steamer Emilie left this port to-day with 250 passengers, bound for the Bitter-Root Valley gold regions in Washington and Oregon Territories.

Among the passengers were the Treasurer and Directors of the American Mining and Exploring Company, who propose to commence mining operations in that region immediately on their arrival.

Andrew J. Vallandigham, a brother it is said, of the belligerent member of Congress from Ohio, is in custody of Col. Fitz Henry Warren, of Clinton, charged with horse-stealing, robbing and driving out Union Men, and marauding, Bushwhacking and jawhawking generally.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 1

Adjutants And Quartermasters

A number of Adjutants and Quartermasters have recently been mustered out of service.  Among the most recent are Quartermaster M. L. Morris and Adjutant J. C. Stone, of the 1st Cavalry.  The Iowa City Republican says they were mustered out because of an informality in their appointment, the regulations requiring that they should be appointed from the list of lieutenants of the regiment, which was not done in their case.  If this rule is strictly adhered to, it will throw out a good many Adjutants and Quartermasters for nearly every regiment which went from Camp McClellan had such officers thus irregularly appointed.  The regimental adjutants and battalion quartermasters of the cavalry have all been mustered out of service, as been too much of a fifth wheel, and consequently, an unnecessary expense.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 16, 1862, p. 1

Thirty-Five Pounds of Chains

A fellow citizen sends us for publication a couple of letters from the Jefferson (Pa.) Star written by a worthy citizens of the county in which that paper is printed, giving his reasons for being under arrest.  The second letter, which we omit, states that Mr. Jenks is no longer under arrest, but is in command of a company and doing good service for the Union.  The gist of the matter is that the Major Leffingwell alluded to so honorably in this connection, is none other than Judge Leffingwell, of Clinton county, Iowa, well known for his strong pro-slavery sentiments.  Like every conscientious Democrat, who has enlisted in defense of his country in her hour of peril, he has had his eyes opened to the enormity of slavery and now refuses to lift a hand in furtherance of the cause of all our national troubles.  Good for the Judge! May he return home thoroughly reformed:

LEXINGTON, MO., Feb. 28, 1862.

DEAR BROTHER: You will, no doubt, be surprised to learn that I am under arrest.  The reasons are as follows:  Yesterday I was informed that there was a negro in irons about three miles from town.  Last night I called at the house, accompanied by a few of my own men.  I found the negro with chains on him weighing thirty-five pounds!  I brought him into camp; Lieut. Burdell, a sergeant of Company B, and myself, took the chains off him.  Col. Stephenson of the Seventh Missouri, ordered Major Leffingwell to arrest me.  This he refused to do, but said he would call me in, which he did, and the following conversation took place:

Colonel – “Lieut. Jenks, did you go to the country, get a negro and bring him into the camp last night?”

Answer – “I did.”

Colonel – “Are you aware that you have violated an order of Gen. Halledk?”

Answer – “I am not, Sir.”

Colonel – “By whose order did you act?”

Answer – “I acted on my own responsibility, and by order of suffering humanity.”

Colonel – “You will return the negro immediately.”

Answer – “Colonel, that is impossible; I do not know where he is.”

Colonel – “you may then consider yourself under arrest – bring me your saber.”

Answer – “Very well, sir.”

So I am arrested for daring to take the chains off a human being – a man who has a soul like our own.  He was chained because he dared to attempt to escape from the hellish bondage in which he was held.  This man had done what he could for the Union cause in the battles at this place.  Now, brother, I feel that I have done right in the sight of Heaven, and with the blessing of heaven, I fear not what man can do with me.

Your brother,

JAMES D. JENKS.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 14, 1862, p. 2

Iowa Items

Pitt Cooke, Esq., of Ohio, took the entire non-resident delinquent tax list at the late sale in Franklin county, amounting to near 60,000 acres, and producing a revenue of about 7,000.  This amount put all the county finances in a flourishing condition.

The 4th Iowa Cavalry reached the camp of Billows Creek, Taney county, Mo., about the 17th ult.

The Tipton Advertiser suggests the 10th of September next as the time, and Tipton as the place, for holding the Republican Congressional convention for this district.

Patrick Donegan, an industrious citizen of Dubuque, was killed on Wednesday night last by falling into a mineral hole.  He left a wife and four children to mourn his untimely death.

One Vowell, of Keokuk, is threatening to demolish the editor of the Gate City for speaking disparagingly of secession sympathizers.  Which Vowel is that, friend Howell?  We presume he is one of the numerous family of i. o. u’s.

John Sherfey brought into town yesterday the head of a cold born two or three days since, which had but one eye, and was minus the upper jaw.  The single eye was located in the most approved Cyclopean style – right in the center of the forehead, and was very large.  The upper jaw being non est, the lower one protruded far out like the nose of a shovel fish.  Barring these two little discrepancies the animal was otherwise all right.  It lived but one hour. – Muscatine Journal, 3d.

Maj. Perry, of the 3d Iowa cavalry, has taken command at Lebanon, Mo., in place of Col. Warren who rejoins his regiment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

Another Account of the Murder of Harbach, Cameron and Higgins

We are permitted to copy the following private letter:

OSCEOLA, MO., May 29th.

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

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