Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, September 21, 1861

We had company drill this morning. In the afternoon we had a big loyal mass-meeting in town, and we had speaking by Captain Stearns. He talked of our duty to sustain the Government. Quite a number enlisted as a result of the meeting, and it is hoped that the company may be completed so as to leave for Davenport in about eight days.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 10

John M. Ball

JOHN M. BALL, mayor of the city of Osceola, was born near Fairview, Guernsey County, Ohio, August 10, 1837. His parents, John and Charity (Ridgway) Ball, were natives of Maryland, each going to Ohio when very young and remaining in that State many years. They were the parents of nine children, John M. being the sixth child. In 1854 the family removed to Mahaska County, this State, settling on a farm. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and remained at home until he reached maturity.  At the outbreak of the civil war, in 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Eighth Regiment, Iowa Infantry, serving four years and nine months in the Army of the Tennessee and the Gulf. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh and held six months at Macon, Georgia, the transferred to Libby prison, at which place he was paroled. He then went to Annapolis, thence to St. Louis, Missouri, and finally joined his regiment. He participated in the battles of Grand Gulf, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, the siege of Mobile, and any others. He was mustered out in May, 1866. Mr. Ball volunteered as a private.  He was promoted to Second Sergeant, then First Sergeant, then Second and First Lieutenant, and was mustered out with the rank of Captain.  He then returned to Mahaska County, and in the fall of 1866 came to Osceola, when he purchased the livery stable owned by Murrey. He continued in this business two years, then became proprietor of an hotel known for many years as the Osceola House. Here he continued twelve years. Retiring from the hotel he next commenced dealing in agricultural implements, and took the contract of tiling the Des Moines, Osceola & Southern Railroad, from Leon to Des Moines. He then formed a partnership with P. S. Fowler in the real-estate and insurance business, which he still continues. He served ten years as member of the city council of Osceola, and was elected mayor of the city of Osceola in March, 1886.  In 1868 Mr. Ball was married to Miss Jennie Burrows, of this city. They have four children – C. Minor, Carrie L., Bessie F. and Gary L. Mr. Ball is a member of the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 95.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 245

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, September 20, 1861

Captain Stearns of Company A of the Eighth Iowa arrived today from Davenport, coming to encourage enlistments. Several new men enrolled today. We have a fine drillmaster in John F. Compton of New Liberty, Scott county. He is an Englishman, and has served five years in the Queen's Guards of England.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 9

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, September 9, 1861

Our company was disbanded this morning, since we could not get men enough to fill it up. Some of our boys enlisted in other companies of the Eighth Iowa. Captain Foster of Le Claire sent word to our captain, McLoney, that he would raise an entire company at Le Claire.¹

¹At the time some of us were greatly disappointed in not getting Captain Foster for our company, but I believe now that in the long run it was a good thing.—A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 8

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, September 5, 1861

Four men from Company A of the Eighth Iowa were drummed out of camp today. They had refused to take the oath to support the United States Government.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 7

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, September 1, 1861

We had our first preaching in camp today, both morning and evening, by the chaplain of the Eleventh Iowa Infantry. Quite a number of folks came out from town to attend the meeting. At 5 o'clock we had dress parade with the Eighth Iowa.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 7

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, August 31, 1861

Our men arrived from Keokuk this morning. They did not get into action with the "secesh" while at Keokuk as reported. The companies for the Eighth Iowa Infantry are almost completed and the regiment will be ready to leave for the South at a moment's notice. They are to receive the clothing and arms at St. Louis.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 7

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, August 30, 1861

No news of importance. There are still some companies arriving in camp for the Eighth Iowa, and they are still adding new recruits to the Second Iowa Cavalry, which is in camp at the Fair Grounds.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 6

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, August 21, 1861

We drew our army cooking utensils this morning and one day's rations, and then cleaned up our camp. Besides a part of the Eighth Iowa Infantry, there is a part of the Second Iowa Cavalry in camp. The first day of camp life is past, and we had our first experience of a night in camp, sleeping on straw for a bed.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, August 20, 1861

I went early this morning to Inland, where all who enlisted were to meet and go to Davenport.¹ Several of the friends came in to see us off. There were forty-five of us and at 9 o'clock we left in wagons for Davenport. After a hot, dusty ride we arrived at Davenport at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and marched out to Camp McClellan, where they received us very kindly. We had very fine barracks to go into and the boys of the Eighth Iowa had a good supper for us. It was our first meal in the army and consisted of boiled potatoes, fried bacon and baked beans. We have lots of straw to sleep on at night. We were to meet a part of a company from Le Claire under command of Captain Foster and together form one company in the Eighth Iowa Infantry. But Captain Foster did not come, and since there are only eight Le Claire boys here we have not enough to make a company.

¹ When I bade father good-by, he said: "Well, Alec, as you have made up your mind to go into the army, I want you to promise me that you will not enter into any of the vices that you will come in contact with while in the army, but try to conduct yourself just as if you were at home." Of course I was not an angel while in the army, but I always remembered father's advice, and to that I attribute what little success I have had in life — and this is my seventy-second year. Father was in his forty-sixth year, but he told me that if it were not for leaving the family alone, he would go with me. He was a strong Union man, and his father had served all through the war of the Revolution, in the command of General Wayne. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, August 18, 1861

This morning attended the Methodist church and Sunday school at Posten's Grove. Several Methodist brethren were received into the church. In the afternoon Mr. Wharton, the minister, delivered a patriotic speech and spoke of the war. He then called for volunteers and I put my name down to go for three years or during the war. About fifty-five boys enlisted and we are to go in Company E of the Eighth Iowa.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 4

St. Louis News.

ST. LOUIS. – Feb. 20. – Dispatches were received to-day to hurry repairs on the gun boat Lexington, and intimating that the evacuation of Columbus was the cause for the extra haste.

It appears that after all, very few wounded from the Fort Donelson fight will come here.  The Sanitary Commission sends its President, James E. Yeatmen, down the river this evening with extra hospital supplies, contributed under a supposition that the wounded were coming here early this morning.

The Steamers White Could, Empress and Emma Duncan, arrived here with three thousand prisoners from Ft. Donelson.  They landed at Bloody Island and leave immediately for Indianapolis and Chicago.  They came under guard of the 20^th Ohio and the 19^th Illinois.  They are a shabby lot of prisoners, no better clothed than the butternut prisoners who have been taken in Missouri.

The following named prisoners of war arrived last night by the Pacific Railroad from Sedalia in custody of Capt. Thompkin’s 8^th Iowa Infantry: Brigadier General Price, Col, Dorsey, Col. Cross and Captain Jude, of Maj. Gen. Price’s staff; also C. J. Cunningham, Stephen F. Roberts, L. D. Sloss, Daniel C. Rodman, Harman Smith, Franklin Motz, Wm. Ranney, H. A. Massey, and O. J. Ross.

Gen. Halleck has commuted the sentence of the bridge burners, and ordered as follows: – In consideration of recent victories won by Federal forces and of rapidly increasing loyalty of the citizens of Missouri who for a time forgot their duty to their flag and country, sentence of J. O. Tompkins, W. Forshey, J. Patton, T. M. Smith, S. Scott, G. H. Cunningham, P. B Crowder and G. M. Pulliam, heretofore condemned to death, to be provisionally mitigated to close confinement in the military prison at Alton.  If rebel spies again destroy Railroad bridges and telegraph lines and thus render it necessary for us to make severe examples, the original sentences against these men will be carried into execution.

No further assessments will be levied or collected from any one who will now take the prescribed oath of allegiance.

Boards of Commissioners will be appointed to examine cases of prisoners of war who apply to take the oath of allegiance, and on their recommendation orders will be issued from these headquarters for their release.

A letter from Lexington reports the 2d battalion of the 2^nd Iowa cavalry, Col. Botly, and the 7^th Missouri regiment of infantry, quietly stationed there.

Three companies of the Missouri 7^th, on the march from Warrenton, overtook some rebels en route for Price and in the chase ensuing shot one of them, whereupon the rest surrendered.  One prisoner is a notorious character named Hill, who robbed  some of Mulligan’s men after the surrender of Lexington.

Letters from Springfield state that refugee families are returning.

Gen. Ed. Price and the rebel Colonels captured at Warsaw by a detachment of the 1^st Iowa Cavalry, under Capt. Thompson, and Co. A, of the 8^th Iowa Infantry.  Gen. Price walked around to-day on parole.  All the others left for Alton.

The Mississippi prisoners to-day were told that they were going to Lincoln’s Wigwam at Chicago, which incensed them highly, though hundreds were glad to hear of it.  Some of the prisoners deny that over 3,000 prisoners were captured.  Considerable trading took place at the steamboat landing in Confederate scrip and shinplasters.

Col. Fitz Henry Warren of the 1^st Iowa Cavalry, who was under arrest, has been released, and resumed command of the Regiment.  Charges frivolous as they were, have been denied by every officer of the command, and the Major who made them has been requested to resign.

The rebel Surgeons captured by Gen.’s Sigel and Curits below Springfield, have been allowed their liberty in accordance with Gen. Halleck’s orders proposing to exempt Surgeons from the ordinary penalties of prisoners of war.

A tug boat has gone to Cairo, to tow the Essex to this point.  He is to be lengthened fifty feet, and her boiler dropped below the waterline. – Preparations are making to expedite matters as fast as possible.

A report was brought to head-quarters by a pretended refugee, who escaped from Columbus Tuesday night and reached Cape Girardeau yesterday morning, to the effect that Columbus and not been evacuated.

The 22d Missouri Infantry left for the seat of war to-day.

A mule dealer named Deith, was arrested to-day for defrauding the Government.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

A Lot of Rebel Officers Bagged by Capt. Stubbs

SEDALIA, Mo., Feb. 19. – Brig. Gen. Price, son of Sterling Price, Col. Phillips, Major Cross and captain Crosby were captured near Warsaw on Sunday night and brought to this place.  These prisoners were captured by Capt. Stubbs of the 8^th Iowa.  They had some five hundred recruits for Price in charge who had just crossed the Osage river, but as Capt. Stubbs has but a small force he did not follow them.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Late News

8th, 12th and 14th Regiments taken Prisoners.

CAPT. LITTLER LOST HIS LEFT ARM.

16^th Regiment in the Fight.

CAIRO, April 11.

TO EDWARD RUSSELL, Davenport Iowa:

The 8^th, 12^th and 14^th Iowa regiments were nearly all taken prisoners.  The 16^th was in the fight.  All our troops suffered severely.

Capt. Littler lost his left arm.

Twenty eight of our wounded are at Mound City – none of them from Scott Co.

Will leave to-night for the filed.

L. C. BURWELL.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 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

From The Eighth Iowa Regiment

CAMP PITTSBURG, TENNESSEE RIVER,

March 26, 1862.

I wrote you last on board the “War Eagle,” the transport which brought our regiment from St. Louis to this place.  However, as there is some doubt about your having received that letter – the mails being for military reasons retained at Paducah – I will at the risk of repetition narrate the one sad circumstance which cast a shadow over our otherwise pleasant and joyous trip.  For strange as it may appear to one unacquainted with Iowa soldiers, yet it is a fact, that though our boys were nearing a place of comparative safety, and hastening with the rapidity of steam to the very heart of Secessia, where severe fighting with its consequent wounds, sufferings and death, seem inevitable and not far distant, they were as cheerful as if returning to their quiet homes on the peaceful prairies of the Hawkeye State.

On Monday, March 17^th, when about twenty-five or thirty miles below Savannah, our boat was fired into by a murderous band of rebels concealed in the rocks and timber along the right bank of the river.  Our first intimation of this ambuscade was a volley of forty or fifty balls into our right bow and across the hurricane deck.  Three men fell – one, Alex Jenkins, Co. G, killed instantly by a ball through the head.  He was just inside the fore cabin and was in the act of picking up his gun when the fatal shot struck him.  Another was Martin Gentzler, of Co. C.  He had fired once and was reloading, when a rifle ball pierced his left breast.  He died in four or five hours.  The third, Wm. Phillips, Company H, was wounded by a rifle ball through the right thigh, missing the bone but inflicting a very severely flesh wound.  Many shots were fired at us after the first volley, but fortunately, except these three, none of our men were injured.

Our field officers were on the hurricane deck, and from the number of balls which whizzed around and past them, they were evidently particularly marked by the rebels.  They all displayed the coolness and courage which our boys believed them to possess.  Our Colonel continued his walk on the deck with the same composure as before the firing commenced, and gave orders to the boys with a calmness becoming one who has stood under shot and shell in several hard fought battles on the burning plains of India.  Our boys and company commanders displayed that coolness and bravery with which we have always accredited them.  Now it may seem a very small matter to be fired into by a few skulking rebels, but I assure you it is exceedingly trying to one’s nerves to have balls whistling around his head and see men fall, killed and wounded, by his side, from the shots of an enemy whose position is only known by the flash and smoke of his rifle.  In an affair of this kind there is nothing of the excitement incident to a general engagement, but our men on the boat were targets to be fired into “at will” by the concealed assailants.  To be conscious that one is thus a target, and yet to stand coolly upon the mark requires true grit and considerable of it.

Gen. Grant, after hearing of this attack, sent a detachment of cavalry to the place.  The cavalry brought back a number of prisoners, and found that the shots fired by our boys had taken some effect – killing four of the rebels and wounding twelve.

We are now camped in the timber about a mile and a half from the river.  Immense numbers of troops – infantry, cavalry, artillery and sharpshooters – are here, now, and boat loads more coming every day.  I have no idea how many men are here, but I know for miles in all directions the timber is full of camps.  I have been in the camps of the 2d, 3d, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 11^th, 12^th, 13^th and 14^th Iowa regiments.  They are scattered about within a circumference of three or four miles.  The 2d, 7^th, 12^th and 14^th Iowa are in Col. Lauman’s Brigade.  The other regiments are brigaded with Illinois, Ohio and other troops.  Our regiment belongs to the 3^rd Brigade, 2d division, now under command of Col. T. W. Sweeney, of the 52d Ill.  Our brigade is composed of the 7^th and 52^nd Ill., 8^th Iowa infantry, and a squadron of the 2d Ill. cavalry.

Orders have just been received from headquarters, to the effect that when ordered to march the transportation of each regiment shall be reduced to thirteen wagons and two ambulances.  Ten days provisions are to be taken – three days in haversacks and seven in wagons.  Each team is to carry its own forage for ten days.  Two Sibley or wall tents are allowed for the hospital.  This order means that all tents, officers and men’s, are to be left behind, and we are to lay out in the balmy night air of Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, till the rebellion is completely crushed out.  All baggage not absolutely necessary will be left.  This certainly looks like a forward movement, including a fight or two, was intended and expected.  We are expecting an order to advance every day.  The sooner it comes the better we will like it, for we are all persuaded that speedy and energetic action will give us the opportunity of a speedy return home.

I know nothing certainly of our movements, but I hope to date my next letter from Memphis or its vicinity; and if fighting must be done, to record a victory or two of the Union army of the Northwest, and the illustrious valor of the Iowa 8^th.

Yours truly,

C–.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 3, 1862, p. 2

The Eighth Iowa Infantry

This regiment was made up of companies raised in the counties of Clinton, Scott, Linn, Benton, Washington, Marion, Keokuk, Iowa, Mahaska, Monroe, and Louisa. It was organized at Davenport in September, 1861, and its first field officers were Frederick Steele, of the regular army, colonel; James L. Geddes, lieutenant-colonel, and John C. Ferguson, major. It numbered about 900 when it embarked for St. Louis and joined General Fremont's army. In its march through southwestern Missouri it lost many men from exhaustion and sickness. In February, 1862, Colonel Steele was promoted to brigadier-general, Geddes to colonel of the Eighth, Ferguson to lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. Joseph Andrews, major. On the 12th of March the regiment was sent to reinforce Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing. In the battle of Shiloh the Eighth regiment was in Sweeney's brigade, and when the battle began it was on the extreme left of General Smith's division, joining the right of Prentiss. Here it fought desperately for ten hours on that terrible Sunday, repelling charge after charge in supporting a battery. When finally assailed on three sides it slowly retreated, but was soon after surrounded by the advancing confederates and forced to surrender. It was one of the last to leave the field and left nearly 200 of its brave men among the killed and wounded. The regiment was reorganized at St. Louis early in 1863, and was in Grant's Vicksburg campaign, was in the assault of the 22d, and fought at Jackson. Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson died of sickness during the siege of Vicksburg. It was at Memphis in August, 1864, and helped to defend that city against the attack by General Forrest. In March, 1865, the Eighth was in the campaign against Mobile. On the 8th of April Colonel Geddes led the assault on the Spanish Fort, in which he commanded a brigade. The rebels were driven from their works, leaving many guns and prisoners in our hands. The Eighth Iowa alone captured several hundred of the enemy. This was the last important battle of the war, and in that campaign Iowa furnished the following regiments: The Eighth, Twelfth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty-third, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-fifth.

SOURCE, Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 95

From The Eighth Iowa Regiment

STEAMER WAR EAGLE,

Tennessee River, off Savannah,

March 17, 1862

To the Editor of the Gazette:– The 8^th Iowa left Sedalia last Thursday evening, March 11^th, and arrived at St. Louis the following evening.  We were to embark on the steamer War Eagle, which, beside our regiment and transportation, was loading on some 225 tons of Government stores.  All Thursday we lay in St. Louis.  While there, Col. Geddes obtained 600 Springfield rifled muskets, new, and of the very best kind.  Our flank companies were previously armed with Enflield Rifles, and the new Springfield will fully provide with first rate arms, those in our battalion companies which have been carrying the old “Tower Muskets”.”  We are now as well armed as we could wish.

About sundown our boat left the wharf at St. Louis.  The evening was calm and clear, and the air mild, our men in good health and fine spirits.  We floated down the Mississippi, with nothing to disturb the quiet of a river trip, except the merry songs and laughter of officers and men, and the roar of musketry for two or three hours Friday afternoon, when the boys were trying their new guns.  We stopped a short time at Cape Girardeau, then cam to  Bird’s Point where we touched a moment, and then over to Cairo.  We arrived at this latter place about dusk, and remained there till noon on Saturday unloading Government Stores.  From Cairo we proceeded up the Ohio to Paducah, thence up the Tennessee.

Sunday afternoon we passed what was Fort Henry.  Our boat stopped a few minutes here, and several officers and men went ashore to see the fort.  It was constructed of earth, thrown up in a circular form, and strengthened by “gunnies” filled with the same material.  The guns were so arranged as to command the river, and from appearances, were capable of making a strong resistance.  They were nearly all dismounted, some by shots from our gunboats, during the engagement, more by the troops left there after the capture.  Among the guns, I noticed the fragments of the rifled cannon which bursted; killing, it is said, a dozen or more of the rebels in the explosion; also the largest gun I have seen in the West, a 128 pounder.  This gun, I understand, opened on our gun boats but once.  It certainly looked as if it was capable of doing considerable damage if skillfully managed.

Since Friday morning the weather has been rainy and unpleasant until this morning, when it cleared off mild and bright. – We were sailing along as comfortably as was possible in so crowded a boat till about 2 P. M., when

THE WAR EAGLE WAS FIRED INTO.

Some rascally murderous rebels had secreted themselves in the rocks and timber along the shore, and as our crowded boat passed by their lurking place, fired into our bow.  The guards were filled with men, and some of the rebels’ shots unfortunately took effect.  Alex. Jenkins [sic], of Co. G, was instantly killed by a ball through the head; Martin Gentzer [sic], of Co. C, was shot through the left breast.  This wound is considered by the surgeons as mortal, though the young man is still living. – A third, Wm. Phillips, of Co. H, is severely wounded in the right thigh.  The ball went clear through, missing the bone, and inflicting a flesh wound.  Our boys returned the fire promptly, with what effect though is uncertain.  The rebels were well screened by rocks and trees, and showed themselves as little as possible. – One of the rebels was seen to spring in the air, drop his gun, throw up his hands, and fall upon his face, probably pierced by a ball from one of our Enfields.  For a few moments balls whizzed rather unpleasantly across the hurricane deck, but the three mentioned were the only casualties.  Poor fellows!  Though wounded and Killed by cowardly, skulking, murderous rebels, yet they suffered and died as truly for their country’s sake as though they had fallen at Henry or Donelson.

As we came up to this town, we saw before us a perfect forest of smokepipes.  A great number of boats loaded with troops have come up.  Some of the troops have gone ashore; many are still on the boats.  In the latter class are the 8^th Iowa.  Our Colonel has gone ashore for orders.  It is said some regiments have already been sent up the river towards Florence, Ala., and that fighting has been done to-day some 30 miles above here.  We begin to feel as if we were getting near the enemy in fact, and our boys are eager for an opportunity to try their guns.  If we can judge of men from such a surprise as we had to-day, and I assure you it is somewhat trying to one of weak nerves to hear bullets whizzing about his head, when there is no chance of getting away, or returning the compliment, our boys may be set down as of the right kind, for they stood up manfully, and whenever a “secesh” showed himself, a dozen bullets fell in unpleasant propinquity to the place he was last seen.  As we passed up the river we have frequently been greeted by those along the bank with shouts for the Union and waving of hats and handkerchiefs, mostly by women and boys.  The “Union sentiment” along the Tennessee seems somewhat mixed to us, and we rather doubt its strength and genuineness; while the women wave their handkerchiefs and hurrah for the stars and stripes, the men, perhaps their husband and brothers, fire into us!  We have been used to this kind of treatment in the State we have left.  The “great unwashed” in Southwestern Missouri are naturally “bushwhackers,” but we expected in this State a fairer and more honorable mode of warfare.  But “we shall see what we shall see,” and that before many days, I recon.

Our Colonel has just come on board with orders to proceed immediately eight miles further up the river; so there is no chance of mailing at the town of Savannah.

MARCH 18^TH. – During the night we came up eight miles above Savannah.  Here we found many boats.  Some have already unloaded their cargo of soldiers.  We are only waiting an opportunity to get near the land to debark.  I understand that Gen. Bragg is near this point reconnoitering.  A detachment under Gen. Sherman has been sent out by Gen. Grant.  I understand an honorable position in the advance is assigned out regiment.

The man of Co. C, mortally wounded yesterday, died during the night.

Yours, &c.

C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 2

Iowa Regiments In Tennessee

By reference to the letter of our correspondent, it will be seen that the 8^th Iowa regiment has reached Savannah, Tenn.  There were then four of our regiments at that point, the 6^th, 8^th, 11^th, and 13^th.  Savannah is the county seat of Hardin county, which borders on Alabama, and is located on the Tennessee river about 250 miles above its mouth.  It is a flourishing little village of about 500 inhabitants, and is about fifty miles, by river from Tuscumbia, through which town runs the Memphis and Charleston railroad.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 1

Eighth Iowa Regiment

An excellent letter will be found in to-day’s paper from our correspondent of the 8^th Iowa Regiment.  It was written at Sedalia, Mo., on the 10^th inst.  The regiment was then under marching orders and as the letter was mailed at St. Louis on the 12^th inst., we presume they left immediately for that city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1