We presume that a
few items, in regard to the organization and movements of this regiment since
it has been in the field, will not prove altogether uninteresting to our
readers as there has been considerable interest taken in its welfare by high
military distinction and civilians. The Fifth first rendezvoused at Burlington,
Iowa and the most of the companies were mustered into the United States on the
fourteenth of July last. The field
officers commanding the regiment were W. H. Worthington, Colonel, of Keokuk, C.
L. Mathies, Lieutenant Colonel, of Burlington (formerly a Captain in the three
month’s service under General Lyon), W. S. Robertson, Major, Columbus City, and
J. P. Foley, Adjutant, from Bellevue, all of Iowa. The regiment left Burlington on the 3d of
August for Keokuk, where they were quartered for a couple of weeks and took
part in the memorable engagement at Athens.
On the eleventh of August left for St. Louis on board the Die Vernon,
and after a quick and pleasant trip, arrived there on the 13th. From there went to Jefferson City were after
spending some time were provided with tents and uniforms, our guns having been
delivered to us on our voyage up the river.
Much dissatisfaction was exhibited by some of the companies on receiving
the common muskets, for they had expected to get rifles. No blame was attached to our Colonel, however
for he had done all that mortal men could do and received the assurance, as
some say, that his men would not have to use them but thirty days. The time must be up now. While at Jefferson City, the most of the time
was spent in drilling and perfecting the troops in the manual of arms. Nothing occurred worthy of note here, unless
we except a trip made to Columbia, for the purpose of showing the people of that
place our new knapsacks. From thence, we
were ordered to the Osage – a small place, 8 miles below Jefferson – to guard
the R. R. bridge, on the St. Louis and Pacific Railroad, which the rebels,
instigated by Claib, had kindly endeavored to burn last spring. From there back to Jefferson City where we
remained for a while sweltering beneath the rays of powerful sun to which our
canvass tents offered but poor protection, and finally started for Boonville
aboard the War Eagle, which we reached on the 14th of September, ult. After being quartered at this place and
Glasgow for a number of weeks, we were ordered on the memorable march to
Springfield, departing on the 14th of October.
Of the trip and numerous incidents which befell us on our march to the latter
place I have not time to speak. Just two
months had elapsed ere we made our appearance on the Fair Ground of Boonville again,
and we were not sorry for all of the places we have seen in Missouri, Boonville
takes the lead in beauty, intelligence, and uniform kindness on the part of the
citizens. The other regiments, Illinois
37th and Missouri 9th, composing the brigade with us under Gen. Kelton, are now
quartered at Lamine bridge and if reports speak truly are not very well
contented. We had been in expectation of
being ordered into winter quarters either at Tipton or St. Louis, – and our
sick were sent to the latter place, – but our sudden departure for Boonville
coupled with the fact that the other three companies of our regiment left at
Syracuse, are to join us in a few days, would seem to indicate that we are to
spend the winter here. The Fifth
regiment numbers among its officers and privates some of the most intelligent,
enterprising and patriotic citizens of Iowa – men, who have forsook their farms,
offices and counting houses, to shoulder a musket – who enlisted from no
mercenary motives – but for the maintenance of the Union, the Constitution, and
the enforcement of the laws. But
although we have traveled to almost every point of note in the State where it
was rumored the secesh would make a stand we have been unsuccessful in getting
into an engagement. None of our boys
have been wiped out by the enemy’s bullets while few, comparatively, have
fallen victims to disease. So far the
regiment has been tolerably well clothed though in one instance clothing which
was destined for us, was forwarded to another regiment, giving us theirs, which
consisted of the despicable roundabout.
We are somewhat in need of a new stand of colors, and it is probably
that the patriotic ladies of Iowa will send us one ere long. The band is not quite so full as desirable
but, we understand that steps are being taken up to fill it up. Taking all things into consideration, we have
no reasonable ground for complaint, our regiment being fully as well equipped,
officered, and disciplined as any in the service. – {Boonville Register.
– Published in The
Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862,
p. 3
