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

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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 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.

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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.

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 12, 1863

After A night of watchfulness in which I did not alow myself to steep the morning dawn is welcomed with glad harts by us all & the merry chatter of the squerrel & the multitude of the various kinds of the fethered songsters mingling in sweet strains of musick & verberating on hiltop & in the valleys so delight the ears that with the pleasing sight of their buisey wings in flight from limb to limb & their frolicksome persuit of each other on swift wings almost removes from us the thought of our wearied night of watchfulness. At 11 Oc our relief came & we return to town & find the Reg moved & more pleasantly situated than we have been since we left Benton Barracks. Capt & I have a cabbin about 12 by 16 feet floored & a good brick fireplace & we feel at home & know that for soldiers we are well fixed

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 104

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 1, 1862

7 Oc Amandus Mullen & I took the cars for St. Louis arived 8 we then went to the arsenal & to[ok] a view of all the preparations there for war then took the cars & went to Corondelet took a view of the gun Boats building & the big guns. took dinner with Anthony Lobsinger then took the cars for the citty then took the Street Cars & came to Benton Barracks I was on Dress perade A Mullen staid with us the night

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

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 15, 1862

9 Oc I went on duty as officer of the Guard had some rough costomers to tend to in the guard house in the Western division Benton Barracks I got along verry well

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, pp. 98-9

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 19, 1862

At daylight I visited our sick in the hospitals talked & consoled them all I could bid them good bye at 7½ Oc we took leave of Benton Barracks marched to the packet landing & took passage on the packets Warsaw & Jenny Dean for Helena Arkansaw & at 3¼ Oc we started from the levve at St. Louis, our Co is on the Warsaw we laid up for the night 20 miles below St Louis near the Sulphor Springs

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, November 27, 1862

8½ Oc we left the packet and formed in line on the levvy St Louis 10 Oc we started for Benton Barracks had a verry Dirty time 12 Oc we arrived had stoves put up & found every convenience we could ask in camp life & all agreed that Genl Fremont is worthy of great praise for the excellent arrangements of the Barracks. evening I spent with Friend LeeRoy Mayne at the head quarters & we had a fine oyster supper

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 96

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, November 29, 1862

By 10 Oc the snow is all gone. I started from Benton Barracks & went in the street car to the citty spent the day in the citty & was over the two gun boats building at the upper end of the levvy they are formidable looking things 4 Oc crossed into Illinois & at 5 Oc took the cars for Belleville at 6 Oc arrived at Brotherinlaw JK Mullen's & found him and his Bride well took tea & went & spent part of the evening with H A Mullen found his family well. returned & staid the night with JK & left with Amandus

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 96

Diary of Captain Luman Harris Tenney: July 12, 1865

Immediately after breakfast packed up and went around to bid my friends goodbye. Felt sad as well as happy. God bless the friends at Benton Barracks. Got paid. Saw Will B. Off at 4 P. M. Made several acquaintances. Can hardly realize that I am going back home to stay.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 169

Brigadier-General William T. Sherman to Ellen Ewing Sherman, December 18 or 19, 1861

St. Louis, Dec. 17 [18 or 19], 61¹

Dearest Ellen,

I arrived here today at noon without interruption—saw Halleck at once and the copy of the letter he wrote to me, and which you will see.²  My movement at Sedalia was premature, the Same that is now going on save that I think Price should be attacked in his camp at Osceola.  Pope has been intercepting parties of recruits bound to prices camp and is on his way back to Sedalia.  I cannot see that affairs here are materially changed in my absence.  Charley is at the Barracks, and I suppose will be up in a day or so.  I will drop him a note, for he complained to Hammond³ that neither I or you wrote to him.

Matters here look gloomy & unnatural.

Thomas was not on the list, but Mr. Lucas was, but got off on some representations.  He I suppose would not like to be classified as a Secessionist lest it affect the body of his property.

I am not yet assigned a command and hardly know whether to push it or take it easy, leaving Halleck time to assign me.  I will try to be more punctual in my duties to you, who really deserve a better husband than I have been.  How I envy the bawling crowd that passes by that care not for the morrow.  If I could see any end to this war, save ruin to us all, I could occasionally feel better, but I see no hope at all.  You can trust in Providence, and why he has visited us with this terrible judgment is incomprehensible.  As soon as I know my destination I will write again.

Affectionately.

W. T. Sherman

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¹ Misdated. Halleck's letter to Sherman is dated December 18, 1862.

² Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Brigadier-General William T. Sherman, December 18, 1861.

³ Captain John Henry Hammond (1833-1890), a member of Sherman’s staff.

SOURCES: Brooks D. Simpson, Jean V. Berlin, Editors, Sherman's Civil War: Selected Correspondence of William T. Sherman, 1860-1865, p. 170-1; William Tecumseh Sherman Family Papers, Archives of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, Box 1, Folder 140, image #’s 02-1020 & 02-1020

Brigadier-General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, January 4, 1862

Head-Quarters, Camp of Instruction,

Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Jan. 4, 1862

Dear Brother,

I am so sensible now to my disgrace from having exaggerated to force of our enemy in Kentucky that I do think I should have committed suicide were it not for my children.  I do not think that I can again be entrusted with a command—Buell remarked to me in Kentucky that I should be Qr. Mr. genl.—this I do not think though I do believe myself better qualified for a Disbursing Department—Suppose you see McClellan and ask him if I could not serve the Government better in such a capacity than the one I now hold.  I do not feel confident at all in Volunteers.  Their want of organization, the necessity to flatter them &c. is such that I cannot prosper with them Telegraph me what you think and would do—

Affectionately

W. T. Sherman

SOURCES: Sherman, William T. William T. Sherman Papers: General Correspondence, -1891; 1861, Dec. 12-1862, Mar. 5. 1861. Manuscript/Mixed Material.   https://www.loc.gov/item/mss398000011/, image no. 45, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.; Brooks D. Simpson, Jean V. Berlin, Editors, Sherman's Civil War: Selected Correspondence of William T. Sherman, 1860-1865, p. 174; 

Diary of Captain Luman Harris Tenney: June 8, 1865

About 8 o'clock started for Benton Barracks. One lady ran out with flag and said “Welcome home.” Learn that we are not to go to Texas. Went out on foot. Got a pleasant boarding place near camp. Chet and I near together.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 167

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: January 19, 1862

Moved over the river in afternoon, found our barracks (Benton) occupied and unfit. Camped out in the fair grounds. Men occupied the amphitheatre.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 5

Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Jan. 25 [1862]

EDITOR HAWK-EYE.

SIR, - I noticed in your issue of the 22d inst. an article in answer to a letter from a Mr. King of Kossuth relative to the sending home of Robert Barn’s remains undressed in uniform.  I assisted the bereaved father of the deceased (also a member of Co. k, 2d Iowa Cavalry) in expressing the remains of his son home and would say to inquirers that Mr. B. did not decide to send the body home until after it was prepared for burial by the government and it was then too late to dress it in uniform because of the delays which would be caused in making out the papers necessary for obtaining the clothes from the Hospital officers.  I will further add for the benefit of those having friends sick in the army, that the sick are well attended to in very comfortable hospitals, and the dead decently buried, though not in uniform.  The graves all are numbered and a record kept, so that friends can find the graves of the deceased relatives should they ever desire to do so.

Yours,

L. B. PIERCE

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

The Flag Of The Red, White And Blue

Additional Verses to an Old Song.

BY REV. J. G. FORMAN.

I.

Blest banner of Freedom! Thy pinion

Floats wide o’er the land and the sea;

The emblem of peaceful dominion,

Our eyes turn with rapture to thee.

Though war-clouds and danger are o’er us,

Thy folds are still dear to our view;

With the flag of our country before us,

We march to the Read White and blue,

We march to the Read White and blue,

We march to the Read White and blue;

With the flag of our country before us,

We march to the Read White and blue.

II.

The glorious ensign ne’er sever,

Let it float in the ether above,

Its stars the bright symbol, forever,

Of Union and Freedom and Love.

May they never grow dim in their shining,

Nor fade from their colors so true,

The stars and stripes still entwining,

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue.

III.

Though traitors shall meet and dissemble,

And armies of Rebels shall rise,

Our banner shall cause them to tremble

As it waves in the bright Southern skies;

And millions of patriot voices

Shall the chorus of Freedom renew,

And shout as the nation rejoices,

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue.

Benton barracks, St. Louis, Feb. 1862.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

A Military Bank Robbery

A very adroit bank robbery was recently effected in St. Louis by a young rogue belonging to the 3rd Missouri volunteers.  It was effected in broad daylight.  Below is a protion of the statement of the young robber which shows how it was done:

OFFICE OF PROVOST MARSHAL,

ST. LOUIS, March 29, 1862.

I was born in St. Louis county; will be sixteen years old in May next.  I joined company H, Third Missouri Volunteers, in this city on the 4th inst., and went to Rolla soon afterwards. – On the 20th instant I arrived in this city from Rolla as one of an escort of prisoners of war – escort and prisoners being in charge of Colonel Shepherd, of said regiment.  On the 24th inst., I went to the office of Capt. Leighton (Provost Marshal St. Louis District,) and reported that a cavalry sabre was in possession of one Kuester, living on the Bellefontaine road, six miles from the city.  When I made this report I expected Capt. Leighton (Provost Marshal,) would give me authority to take the sabre, but I was merely informed that the matter would be properly attended to.  On the next day I went to the headquarters of the Eighth Missouri Militia, on Fifth street, near Franklin avenue; said I had been sent by the Provost Marshal to get a guard of five or six men.  The officer in charge gave me five men, and I went with them to the house of Keuster and got the sabre.  On going out I marched the guard to the terminus of the railroad at Bremen, and then took possession of an omnibus, telling the driver to take myself and the guard to the six mile house, on assuring him that the fare would be all right between him and Uncle Sam.  The driver did not object to the terms which I proposed.  After leaving Kuester’s I went to the premises of Col. McLaren and took therefrom a breach loading rifle, a musket, a shot gun, a navy revolver, and a few cartridges.  I then went to the house of John Jennings, and took from a box that I found therein about a dollar in silver.  Not finding any arms in Jennings’ house, in which I was very much disappointed, I directed him to send his wagon with myself and guard to the Six Mile House, which order he complied with.  The money which I obtained from Jennings was barely sufficient to pay the fare of the guard from the six mile house to the city.  I discharged the guard on the sidewalk in front of an eating house on Broadway, kept by on Crozier, sending it to headquarters on Fifth street under the care of one of them, whom I told to act as corporal. – The arms taken in this expedition were deposited by me for safe keeping in Crozier’s establishment.

On the next night between seven and eight o’clock, I proceeded to the headquarters of the City Guard, on Sixth street, and called for a guard of six men, and the same time presenting to Major McConnell an order purporting to have been written by Captain Leighten, Provost Marshal.  I wrote the order in an eating house on Broadway by Miller & True.  As I was quite nervous from the effects of liquor, I could not write very well, and asked Miller to write the order, but True said: “No, if you can do that it will get you and me into trouble; but Redman may write it here, and I will not say anything about it.”  I told True that I was going to get a guard and arrest the proprietors of the Broadway Bank, and that I would soon have money enough to go into partnership with him, to which he replied, “Bully for you; if you do, I will stick to you as long as life lasts.”  Both Miller and True had a pretty good idea of the adventure, although I had not given them the full particulars.  My intentions were, in case I obtained the guard, to rob the bank and arrest the proprietors that night.  Major McConnell refused to give me the guard, and I returned to Miller and True’s eating house, and stayed there that night.  Before retiring for the night, I told True to call me early in the morning, as I intended to arrest the proprietors of the above named bank, and he said he would do so.

An an early hour on Thursday morning, I went to the headquarters of the City Guard, and presented to the Lieutenant in charge another order purporting to be from Captain Leighton, for a guard of six men.  The Lieutenant said the order was not good and refused to place the guard under my charge.  I then went to Benton Barracks, and after a few judicious inquiries, learned that a German company attached to the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteers, was stationed in Barrack No. 68; so I informed myself of the Captain’s name and went to his quarters, and told him that I had been sent to him by the Provost Marshal for a guard of six men.  He said it was strange that I had not brought a written order, but gave me the guard quite readily.  My idea was that I could get the guard more surely from a German than from an American officer and the result showed that I had reasoned correctly.  Upon getting the guard I marched them to the Broadway Bank, arrested the proprietor thereof, and sent him under guard to the Broadway Garden; after which, finding I could not unlock the safe – it having a combination lock – I went to the Garden and told him he must come down and open the safe, as I had orders to see that all his papers were thoroughly searched.  He came down to the bank with me and opened the safe, and then I sent him back to the Garden, giving directions to have him kept in close custody until further orders were received from me.  After his departure I went to the safe and helped myself to quite a large amount of money – the exact sum I do not know.  I then locked the door of the Bank and gave the key to a sentinel which I had previously stationed on the sidewalk for the purpose of keeping the crowd back, telling him to deliver it to the sergeant of the guard, and to tell the sergeant not to let any one have it except myself or a commissioned officer.  I also gave the sentinel a ten dollar bill and told him to hand it to the sergeant of the guard, and have it spent for the benefit of the guard in the way of paying for beer and food.  I had previously paid the sergeant a dollar or two to pay the fare of the guard and that of my prisoner from the Bank to the Garden.

Upon leaving the Bank I stated to the crowd in front of the door that I had seized a quantity of counterfeit Treasury notes, and was going to take them to the office of the Provost Marshal, but I immediately started in search of a man named Jerry Welch, (who had previously been introduced to me by the name of Wetzel,) whom I found on Fifth Street, near the Melodeon.  We stepped into an alley, and I told him what I had done.  He said, “Bully for you; you have carried the thing out better than I have ever heard of anything being done before.”  I then gave him part of the money which I had taken from the Bank, and told him that I had two others to divide with.  I do not know how much I gave him.  I then divided with Miller and True, but do not know what sums I gave them respectively.  My opinion is that Miller got more of the money than True did.  I kept only a comparatively small amount.  The understanding was that Miller and True were to meet me in Chicago, where I intended to go the day following the robbery.

The idea of getting money from the Broadway Bank was original with me, but I spoke of it to Welch, Miller and True, and they encouraged it.  I told Welch that I thought of bringing a charge against the proprietors of the Bank, and have it investigated by the Provost Marshal.  Pending the examination, I expected to find time and opportunity to rob the Bank.  Welch said that scheme would not work, and advised me to get a guard and arrest the banker, and have him confined in some place where there were no commissioned officers.

The Broadway Garden being the only suitable place that I knew of, I selected it as a temporary prison for the banker, and expected he would remain there in confinement at least twenty-four hours.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, December 8, 1861

Reveille sounded this morning at 2 o’clock. We jumped out of our bunks, packed our knapsacks, and got started for the railroad station by daylight. As we left the barracks and entered the main street leading down to the city, the sun away to the southeast, just above the hills, showed its face — a regular ball of fire. How glorious it was! I think I shall never forget it. Arriving at the railroad yards, we stacked arms and went to loading our commissariat onto the cars — coal cars. At noon we boarded the train for Jefferson City, riding in box-cars and open cars, and reached our destination at 6 p. m.

While loading our train at St. Louis, we heard the church bells calling the people to worship. It made many of us think of home and I wonder if the folks at home were thinking of us boys here at the seat of war. For here there is no church for us, and when we get orders to go, there is no stopping for Sunday.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 22

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, December 7, 1861

The Eleventh Iowa received marching orders today, and we are to carry forty rounds of extra ammunition, besides our cartridge box of forty rounds. There was no drill or dress parade today on account of an all-day rain.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 21

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, December 6, 1861

Very warm and pleasant. There are soldiers drilling almost all the time. Our drill ground is level but well drained, so that even after a heavy rain it is soon dry again.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 21

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

No news of importance. There are troops from all of the western states here in camp and working together in harmony.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 21