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            FOR WIDOWS’ PENSIONS,

                        FOR BOUNTY OF $100.

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Agents and Attorneys for procuring Pensions, Bounties, &c., Davenport, Iowa

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– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 1

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, April 6 1864

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

NASHVILLE, TENN., April 6, 1864.

Dear Brother:

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Grant is as good a leader as we can find. He has honesty, simplicity of character, singleness of purpose, and no hope or claim to usurp civil power. His character, more than his genius, will reconcile armies and attach the people. Let him alone. Don't disgust him by flattery or importunity. Let him alone. . . . If bothered, hampered, or embarrassed, he would drop you all in disgust, and let you slide into anarchy. . . . Let us manage the whites and "niggers" and all the physical resources of the country, and apply them where most needed. Let us accomplish great results, leaving small ones to conform in due season. . . .

I have in hand three armies here, and one in Arkansas. All are in harmony, and all are willing to go and come at my bidding. I am also in perfect harmony with the civil authorities. I know their province and my own. I believe also our enemies have more respect for me than they have for Congress, so that I shall be ready with the spring. But I see with regret causes still at work North which should not be. States quarrelling about quotas, when we see their regiments here dwindling to mere squads. Absentees by the hundreds of thousands; and all efforts to get men, who have drawn large bounties and are drawing large pay still lingering at a safe distance, are vain, yet I hope that by the voluntary consent of the men themselves we shall have enough.

As our enemy fills his ranks by conscription, ours dwindle by sickness and furloughs. I am laboring hard to put all on the rolls into position, and still harder to put forward the stores on which they must feed as we advance. The country through which we have marched is cleared of all subsistence and forage, and everything must be sent forward by cars and wagons. It is estimated that there are now the carcasses of thirty thousand animals in the valley of the Tennessee. Not one cavalry soldier in ten has a horse, and on a recent visit to Schofield, out of forty-one thousand men who should have, I find but seven thousand in line of battle, but the furloughed men are returning, and I will see that by May 1st I have on the Tennessee one of the best armies in the world. You may look for the causes of these apparent incongruities not in the army, but among our people.

I shall be here about two weeks, and then to the front. Let me hear from you. I care no more for the squabbles about the Presidency than I do for the causes of the Schleswig-Holstein difficulty, and Grant cares still less. . . .

Your brother,

W. T. SHERMAN

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 225-7

Senator John Sherman to Major General William T. Sherman, March 26, 1864

Washington, D. C., March 26, 1864.

My Dear Brother:

Your movements have been so rapid of late that I scarcely knew where to address you. I have recently met with several officers who have been with you, among others General Grant and General Butterfield. General Grant is all the rage; he is subjected to the disgusting but dangerous process of being lionized. He is followed by crowds and is cheered everywhere. While he must despise the fickle fools who run after him, he, like most others, may be spoiled by this excess of flattery. He may be so elated as to forget the uncertain tenure upon which he holds and stakes his really well-earned laurels. I conversed with him but little, as I did not wish either to occupy his time or to be considered his flatterer. The opinion I form of him from his appearance is this, —  his will and common-sense are the strongest features of his character. He is plain and modest, and so far bears himself well. All here give him hearty co-operation, but an officer who does not like Halleck tells me that Halleck will ruin Grant with the President in sixty days, or on failure to do so will resign. . . .

We all here are disposed to take a hopeful view of the status in quo. The enormous Government bounties have been effective, but they are terribly severe on our finances. We can't forever endure such expenditures. Warning and caution to this danger are unheeded. Our people are so hopeful and energetic that they will bear more than any other. . . .

You are now in a position where any act of yours will command public attention. You will be unduly lauded and sharply abused. I hope you have seen enough of the base motives that dictate praise and blame to disregard both, but preserve the best of your judgment in utter disregard of flattery or clamor.

When any of your friends come to Washington, give them notes to me. I may be of service to them. At all events I like to see them.

Affectionately yours,

JOHN SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 224-5

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, December 29, 1863

LANCASTER, OHIO, Dec. 29, 1863.

My Dear Brother:

 . . . I hear you have gone on to New York, and therefore I must go off without seeing you. I have been off the line of communication since leaving Memphis, save a few hours at Bridgeport, during which I had hardly time to put my official signature to papers demanding my hand. I have made a report of our movements up to the return to Bridgeport and enclose it with this, a copy which I brought here, and which you may keep, only, of course, under the confidence of absolute secrecy until the War Department thinks proper to make the original public. . . .

I suppose you will read this report, and I invite attention to the part referring to the assault on Tunnel Hill. I know that Grant in his report will dwell on this same part. I was provoked that Meigs, looking at us from Chattanooga, should report me repulsed, and that Mr. Stanton should publish his letter as semi-official. Meigs apologized to me for using Thomas's name instead of mine throughout, which he charged to a copyist, but made no amends for the repulse. The whole philosophy of the battle was that I should get, by a dash, a position on the extremity of the Missionary Ridge, from which the enemy would be forced to drive me, or allow his depot at Chickamauga station to be in danger. I expected Bragg to attack me at daylight, but he did not, and to bring matters to a crisis quickly, as time was precious, for the sake of Burnside in East Tennessee, Grant ordered me to assume the offensive. My report contains the rest. Again, after the battle, Granger was ordered to push for Knoxville, but his movements were so slow that Grant, impatient, called on me, and my move was the most rapid of the war and perfectly successful. I could have gone on after Longstreet, but Burnside ranked me, and it was his business, not mine. So I reinforced him all he asked, and returned.

The Fifteenth Corps, now Logan's, and Dodge's division of the Sixteenth Corps are now at work on the railroad from Nashville to Decatur, and from Decatur to Stevenson, thus making a triangle of railroad which it is estimated will relieve the great difficulty of supplies which has paralyzed the Army of the Cumberland. This will take five weeks. I leave my headquarters at Huntsville, and go in person down the Mississippi to strike some lateral blows, to punish the country for allowing guerillas to attack the boats. I go on Friday to Cincinnati, and thence to Cairo, where with Admiral Porter I will concert measures to produce the result. I expect to send one expedition up the Yazoo, and go myself with another up Red River, levying contributions to make good losses to boats, and punish for deaths and wounds inflicted. I think we can make people feel that they must actually prevent guerillas from carrying out their threats that though we have the river, it will do us no good. My address will be Memphis, for a month, and Huntsville after. We can hardly fashion out the next campaign, but it looks as though we should have to move from the Tennessee River. I should prefer to take Mobile and the Alabama as well as the Chattahoochee, and move east from Montgomery and Columbus, Miss.

I wish you would introduce a bill in Congress increasing the number of cadets on this basis — one from each congressional district per annum. In districts not represented, vest the appointments in the Secretary of War out of boys not over eighteen in the armies in the field, to be selected in any manner that may be prescribed by law, or by the regulation of the President. This would hold out to young fellows the prospect of getting a cadetship. Last summer we were called on to recommend candidates, and I was amazed to find so many worthy applicants. All who came forward for examination preferred West Point to a commission. The great want of the army is good subordinate officers. The army is a good school, but West Point is better. It is useless to deny that a special preliminary education is necessary to the military officers, and the cheapest school is now at West Point and is susceptible of infinite increase. . . .

I think the President's proclamation unwise. Knowing the temper of the South, I know that it but protracts the war by seeming to court peace. It to them looks like weakness. I tell them that as they cool off, we warm to the work. That we are just getting ready for the war, and I know the effect is better than to coax them to come back into the Union. The organization of a Civil Government but complicates the game. All the Southern States will need a pure military Government for years after resistance has ceased. You have noticed the debate in Richmond, on the President's proclamation. That is a true exhibit of the feeling South. Don't fall into the error that the masses think differently. Of course property-holding classes South deplore the devastation that marks the progress of their own and our armies, but the South is no longer consulted. The Army of the Confederacy is the South, and they still hope to worry us out. The moment we relax, they gain strength and confidence. We must hammer away and show such resistance, such bottom that even that slender hope will fail them.

I still am opposed to all bounties. The draft pure and simple, annual, to fill vacancies in the ranks. Pay of men in the front increased to even forty dollars a month, and that of men at depots and to the rear diminished to a bare maintenance if not less. Four hundred dollars bounty is an absurd commentary where two-thirds draw bounty and remain absent from their rank and are discharged for disability without hearing a shot. Deal with the army as you would if you were hiring men for special work. Pay those who do the work high; those who are sick, unfortunate, or shirking, pay little or nothing. The same of officers from the major-general to lieutenant. The President must make vacancies for the rising officers, the "creations" of the war. I am willing to quit if a younger and better man can be found for my place. . . .

Your affectionate brother,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 216-9

Senator John Sherman to Major General William T. Sherman, November 14, 1863

MANSFIELD, OHIO, Nov. 14, 1863.

My Dear Brother:

. . . . . . . . . .

On Tuesday next I start for Gettysburg, to take part in the pageant of a dedication of the battle-field as a national cemetery. From thence I shall probably go to Washington, two weeks in advance of the session. The very first thing I mean to do is to press the enforcement of the draft. The long delay and the various shifts and subterfuges by which the execution of the law has thus far been defeated, is disgraceful, and very injurious to the cause. . . . I notice in some of the Southern papers that a hope is entertained that the draft cannot be enforced. This is idle. The war was never more popular than at this moment. The new call will fall lightly. Ohio must send thirty-five thousand, or one to fifteen of her voters. The apportionment has been made even to townships and wards, and in very many places the quota will be made by voluntary enlistments, aided by large gratuitous bounties from citizens. There is no lack of men or of a determination to send them. The wonderful prosperity of all classes, especially of laborers, has a tendency to secure acquiescence in all measures demanded to carry on the war. We are only another example of a people growing rich in a great war. And this is not shown simply by inflated prices, but by increased production, new manufacturing establishments, new railroads, houses, etc. . . . Indeed, every branch of business is active and hopeful. This is not a mere temporary inflation caused by paper money, but is a steady progress, and almost entirely upon actual capital. The people are prospering and show their readiness to push on the war. Taxes are paid cheerfully, and the voluntary donations for our soldiers and their families are counted by thousands. ... I confide in your success.

Affectionately,

JOHN SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 215-6

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, March 7. – HOUSE. – Mr. COLFAX concluded saying that while Fremont was hunting rebels his enemies in St. Louis were hunting evidence to overwhelm him.  As the gentleman from Missouri had preferred charges against Fremont, it was but just for the Secretary of War to put him on his defense.  The meanest man in the world was entitled to a fair hearing.

SENATE. – The Senate to-day confirmed as Brig. Gens. Bell, Paine, and W. A. Richardson of Illinois, W. T. Ward, Lockwood and W. K. Strong and St. George Cook.

WASHINGTON, March 10. – SENATE. – Mr. HARRIS presented a petition, asking that the Democratic newspapers, now excluded from the mails, whose editors are not convicted of treason, be allowed the same privileges as are allowed loyal newspapers.

Mr. SUMNER presented several petitions in favor of the emancipation of the slaves.

Mr. HOWE presented a memorial asking Congress to permit no abridgement of the freedom of the press.

Mr. COLLAMER, from the Committee on Post Offices, reported back the bill to provide for carrying the mails.

The House considered the Senate bill providing for the appointment of sutlers in the Volunteer service and defining their duties.

Mr. BLAKE made a successful motion to abolish such sutlership.

Mr. LANE, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill to provide for the payment of bounty and pensions to soldiers actually employed in the department of the West.

Mr. GRIMES offered a Joint Resolution, that in the opinion of the Senate, no person should be appointed commander of a division, except such as exhibit superior competency in the command of men, or gallantry in the conflict against the enemy.  Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. KING moved to take up the Cavalry bill.

Mr. GRIMES objected.

Mr. GRIMES offered a resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to Com. Foote.

Mr. KING objected, as the Senator had needlessly objected to the Cavalry bill.

Mr. GRIMES said he hoped it would go to the country that the Senator from New Jersey objected to giving thanks to a brave and gallant officer.

Mr. WILSON, of Mass., offered a joint resolution tendering aid to the States of Maryland and Delaware for favoring voluntary emancipation.

Mr. SAULSBURY objected.

The joint resolution was laid over.

On motion of Mr. WILSON the bill to encourage enlistments in the army was taken up.

The question being on the motion of Mr. Fessenden to amend by adding the bill to organize the Cavalry.  It was adopted.

On motion of Mr. THOMPSON the number of Cavalry Regiments was reduced to 30.

Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts said there was a story going abroad in the newspapers that there was something wrong in the bill.  The fact is the bill was reduced before to 37 Colonels, 37 Lieut. Colonels, 111 Majors, 450 Captains and 940 Lieutenants, making a saving of $2,900,000 to the Treasury.

The Senate passed the bill to encourage enlistments in the regular army, and the bill in relation to Staffs, and the bill to organize the Cavalry, put in as amendments.

The Senate then took up the confiscation bill, Mr. BROWNING speaking against it.

HOUSE. – The Sutler question was discussed a long time.  The bill passed after being amended.  It requires a schedule of articles permitted to be sold, together with prices thereof, to be prominently posted.  Sutlers are prohibited from leasing out their offices, nor are they allowed to sell to the soldiers an amount exceeding one-fourth their monthly pay, nor shall a sutler have lien on the same.

Mr. POMEROY asked leave to offer the following:

Resolved that the United States ought to co-operate with any State which may adopt a gradual abolishment of slavery, giving such State pecuniary aid, to be used by such State at its discretion, to compensate for inconveniencies, public and private, produced by such change of system.  Adjourned.

WASHINGTON, March 11. – HOUSE. – Mr. BAKER introduced a bill, which was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, for the establishment of National foundries at Chicago, Ill., Pittsburg, Pa., and Poughkeepsie, N. Y., for the fabrication of cannon and projectiles for the Government.  It proposes the appropriation of half million dollars for each foundry.  It also provides for the establishment of an Armory and Arsenal at Columbus, Ohio, appropriating half a million dollars therefore.

Mr. KELLOGG of Michigan, introduced a bill for the establishment of a Naval Depot and Navy Yard on the Lakes.  Referred to the Select Committee on Lake Defences.

The House concurred in the report of the Committee of Conference on the disagreeing Judicial appropriation bill.

Mr. STEVENS reported back from the Committee on Ways and Means, the bill to establish a Branch Mint at Denver City.  Referred to the Committee of the Whole.

The Speaker announced the next business in order to be the motion to postpone until Thursday the resolution introduced yesterday, providing for co-operation with any State for the abolishment of slavery, with pecuniary compensation.

Mr. CRITTENDEN of Ky., asked permission to make a statement.

Mr. STEVENS of Pa., and Mr. LOVEJOY of Ill., objected.

Mr. STEVENS said, if consent was given to Mr. Crittenden, the House would have to give similar consent to others.

The House refused to postpone the resolution till Thursday, by one majority.

The House, by two majority, refusing to postpone the resolution till Monday next, left the resolution open to debate.

Mr. BLAIR, of Mo., offered to following proviso that nothing therein shall be construed to imply that Congress will consent to any portion of the Territory now held by the United States, but that on the contrary it is again offered as the unalterable resolution of the House, to prosecute the war until the Constitution is restored to all supreme, every every State rightfully a part of the Union.

Mr. PENDLETON suggested an amendment which was read for information as follows: – And that Congress, in order to redeem this pledge at the present session, ought to pass a bill for the levying and collection of a tax within the current year for the payment of the pecuniary aid so tendered to the State.

Mr. WICKLIFFE, of Ky., Opposed the pending resolution as unwise and unconstitutional.

SENATE. – Mr. SUMNER presented a petition for emancipation.

Mr. LATHAM gave notice that he should introduce a bill to repeal all acts providing for foreign vessels carrying the mails to Panama and Aspinwall.

Mr. WILSON, of Mass., offered a resolution that the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to inquire into the late engagement with the rebels steamers near Fortress Monroe, and the destruction of property there, and all the circumstances.

Mr. HALE said he did not wish to make any objection, but so far as he knew or had reason to believe, since the commencement of the rebellion, no matter what disasters occurred on sea or land, that neither the War or Navy Department, except in a single instance, has made the least enquiry in regard to the matter.

Mr. WILSON said from his absolute knowledge, the attention of the Department has been called to the rebel ship Merrimac.  It has been known for months that she has been fitting out, and people everywhere felt anxious, and the notice of the Government was called to it over and over again, and he thought the matter ought to be looked into.

Mr. GRIMES said in regard to the disaster a Month of the Mississippi, Government had done all it could.  The responsibility of the late disaster rests on the Government for not long ago sending a military expedition against Norfolk.  Officers of the Navy had been ready at all times to break to Potomac blockade, and the flotilla was under orders for several days for that purpose, but the supineness of a military officer, who commanded all the forces provided for the expedition prevented, and the responsibility did not rest on the Naval Department.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, March 7.

SENATE. – The special message of the President was read, and referred to the judiciary committee.

Mr. Sumner presented a memorial, signed by many prominent merchants of N. Y., asking that immediate action be taken to provide for the transportation of the mails from N. Y. to Panama.

Mr. Wade moved to take up the bill to provide for the occupation and cultivation of the cotton lands.  The motion was agreed to, yeas 25, nays 11.

Mr. Davis said that some time since the Legislature of Kentucky passed a resolution requesting his predecessor and colleague to resign.  His colleague had not resigned, and fifteen days since the Senator from Minnesota offered a resolution for the expulsion of his colleague.  The Kentucky Legislature is not in session, and they want to know when that question is to be acted upon.  If he is to be expelled, the Legislature do not want to adjourn and allow a disloyal, traitorous governor to appoint any one to take the place of his colleague.

Mr. Trumbull said the committee were doing their best, and would make a report soon.

Mr. Powell said that he was a little surprised at the zeal of his colleague, but would only say that he (Powell) was anxious for an investigation to be had.  The action of the Kentucky Legislature was a matter between himself and that body.  He could make it plain to the Senate, and would do so that his action in the last Senate was entirely in accordance with the will of the people as expressed by the resolution, to-wit: to preserve a strict neutrality in Kentucky.  He (Powell) was perfectly willing to abide by the decision of the people of Ky. at any time.  He only intended to ask the attention of the Senate to a brief statement vindicating himself.

After the committee had reported and all the senators had spoken, Mr. Carlisle said he was sorry to see that the Senators were determined to press this bill.  He did not believe that the government held supreme control over all the lands of the country.  The bill proposes to substitute a government in place of the present masters of slaves, and to make the government one great lordly slaveholder, with a great brood of petty agents.  The provisions of the bill make human treatment of the slaves impossible.  There are also appeals coming here to us from thousands of the white race who have been turned out of their homes, and these appeals have more force for him (Carlisle) than any that could come from the negro.  This bill will take from the treasury immense sums of money, which could be better used in the scheme of colonization.

Mr. Pearce thought the bill impracticable, and a most extraordinary and political blunder.  The money that it would cost the government to provide for these indigent persons would make the treasury more indigent than themselves; when the bill was then passed by yeas [20], nays 14.

NAYS – Messrs. Browning, Carlisle, Cowan, Davis, Henderson, Kennedy, McDougal, Pearce, Powell, Rice, Saulsbury, Thomson, Wilson, of Mo., and Wright – 14.

HOUSE. – Mr. Gurley introduced a bill to secure to pilots, engineers, sailors and crews upon the gunboats and war vessels, their bounties and pensions.

The House then proceeded to the consideration of the bill to authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin, and for other purposes.

Mr. Pendleton inquired of Mr. Stevens whether in his (Stevens’) opinion it was necessary to authorize the sale of the five hundred million bonds recently authorized, in order to realize sufficient coin for the payment of the interest, which could not be by next July more than forty million.

Mr. Stevens did not think it necessary, but it was found by the Secretary of the Treasury that these bonds can’t be sold except at a great sacrifice, which he did not choose to make, hence he suggested the passage of the bill, so that the specie section of the recently enacted U. S. note law may not be repudiated.

Mr. Pendleton expressed himself satisfied with the explanation, and would vote for it.  He, however, offered an amendment, which was agreed to, asserting that the demand notes shall be receivable for duties on imports.  With this exception the bill was then passed as originally introduced.

Mr. Harding said that he had noticed in the newspapers, that the chairman of the committee on territories had reported a bill providing for territorial governments in the seceding States, and for their subsequent admission into the Union.  He (Harding) was at a loss to ascertain how this information was obtained.

Mr. Ashley, the chairman of the committee, informed his colleague thereon, that the committee authorized him to report the bill, and under instruction he had moved its printing and recommitment to the committee.

Mr. Harding said that the newspapers also said that the Senate committee on territories had concurred in the provisions of this bill.

Mr. Ashley replied that he was aware that the committee, with the chairman of which he had been in consultation, had not come to any conclusion on the subject.  If the newspapers had made a misstatement, the chairman of neither of these committees were responsible for it.

Mr. Harding said that only four out of nine members of the committee had agreed on this bill, and yet it was out as the report of the majority of the committee.

Mr. Ashley further explained that he gave printed copies to those who asked for them.

The bill to render valid and to authorize the extension of the patent granted to Jno. S Minie, for an improvement in the manufacture of lampblack, was passed by a vote of 73 against 30.

The House then went into committee of the whole on the state of the Union, the bill relating to the franking privilege being finally under consideration.  Mr. Blair proceeded to speak of the military department of the West under Gen. J. C. Fremont.

Mr. Blair said a very great pressure had been brought to bear through the newspapers, to force Gen. Fremont into a command, and to force the Administration against its judgment expressed after deliberation, to employ him in some one of the military departments.  He (Blair) had seen it stated in telegrams that Gen. Fremont had again and again demanded a trial.  This is not true.

Mr. Riddle, of Ohio, asked on what authority the gentleman made the last statement.

Mr. Blair, resuming, said no demand for a trial had been made, unless it has been done within the last two or three days.  Gen. Fremont had not made the demand at all, for he (Blair) had taken pains to satisfy himself of the fact, by inquiring at the office of the Adjutant General and that of the Judge advocate of the army.  It was most extraordinary that an officer of the army charged with the crime of mutiny and misconduct of the war, and deposed from his command in consequence of these charges should not ask a trial.  He ventured the assertion that, if General Fremont will demand a trial, the Administration will grant it.  It had also been heralded that the committee on the conduct of the war had demanded his (Fremont’s) restoration.  He (Blair) undertook to say that such was not the fact.  Blair said there were preliminary symptoms which foreshadowed an announced simultaneous appearance of the statement made by Gen. Fremont, in his defense before the committee and the speech of this aid-de-camp, Shanks, in this House.  The statements of the speech inaugurate a campaign and a new field, and the battle is to be fought with weapons far different than the rude instruments of war – with proclamations which up to this time in Gen. Fremont’s hands had no serious effect.

He (Blair) did not believe that Fremont was authorized to publish his statement which was extraordinary in its character.

Mr. Gooch, member of the committee on the conduct of the war, said that Gen. Fremont having presented a large number of documents, was requested by the committee to prepare a concise statement as to the administration of affairs in his department which Fremont did.  At a subsequent period, Gen. Fremont again appeared before the committee and was questioned.  When he was about to leave the room he was requested not to give information to anybody outside of what he stated to the committee.  He (Gooch) understood Gen. Freemont to acquiesce in this request, as he had in all others made by the committee.  He (Gooch) only wished to add that the publication was made without the knowledge and against the consent of the committee.

Mr. Blair – Was All published?

Mr. Gooch – His (Fremont’s) statement and documents and not the portion in response to the inquiries.

Mr. Blair said Mr. Fremont’s statement was extraordinary as the manner in which it found its way into print.  It was an apology for disaster and defeat, ingeniously suppressing important facts, and suggesting others which never existed.  In this he showed he is a better apologist for defeat than a general to achieve victories.  He then spoke at length of the disasters at Springfield and Lexington, to show that they were attributable to Fremont’s incompetency.

Mr. Blair also examined Fremont’s contract and other transactions.  He spoke for about two hours, the time having by unanimous consent been extended.

Mr. Colfax said while he differed with the administration in which he assisted in superseding Gen. Fremont, he desired to have it understood that no matter whom the administration put up or held down, he would sustain with all his heart and soul, and strength of mind, against the rebels in arms.  He apprehended that it would hereafter appear that the Gent’s (Blair’s) feelings had perverted his judgment.  He knew that all men were fallible.  Gen. Fremont was impulsive and impetuous, and he regretted that Fremont had suffered the publication to which reference was made with the obloquy heaped upon him with his retirement for six months.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 8, 1862, p. 1

37th Congress - 1st Session

WASHINGTON, May 21. – SENATE. – Mr. WRIGHT, of Indiana, offered a resolution that the Military Committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting at an early day a bill providing a suitable bounty for the soldiers enlisted for three months and one year, and also for pensions for the widows of soldiers who died in the service.  Adopted.

The bill donating lands for the benefit of Agricultural Colleges and Mechanic Arts was taken up.  The discussion was continued till 1 o’clock, when the special order being the Confiscation bill was taken up.

MR. FESSENDEN moved to take up the Tax bill.

Mr. FOSTER, of Connecticut, by consent, offered a resolution in regard to the impeachment of West H. Humphreys.  That the Senate will to-morrow resolve into a Committee of Impeachment on the case of West H. Humphreys, and the Vice President shall administer the following oath to the Senate: I solemnly swear, in all cases and things pertaining to the trial and impeachment of West H. Humphreys, late Judge of the United States for the several districts of Tennessee, that I will do impartial justice as a court of law; and the court being thus formed will receive the managers from the House, &c.  Adopted.

The Senate took up the Tax bill instead of the Confiscation, by a vote of – Yeas 33, nays 9.

The Senate Proceeded to the consideration of the [amendments] of the Committee on Finance, several of which were adopted, including one reducing the salaries of the commissioners from $5,000 to $3,500.

Senate went into Executive Session and adjourned.

HOUSE. – The House resumed the consideration of the Confiscation Bill.

Mr. VOORHES, of Indiana, reviewed the financial policy which has governed the Administration since it came into power, characterizing it as unsound, unwise and ruinous.  The criminals who have been plundering the Treasury have not been brought to justice, nor has honesty pervaded the Departments.  History will, on this subject, cause every love of his country to bow his head, while his cheek burns with shame because of the extravagance and shamelessness of expenditures at a time when the nation was struggling for life.  By means of mismanagement and fraud, the public debt one year hence will be one-sixth of the entire wealth of the country; now the proportion to every voter is two hundred dollars; twelve months from this time it will be four hundred dollars.  Where is the evidence that any other people have been so burdened within so short a time?  In conclusion he expressed the hope and predicted that the people would rise in their majesty and send hither representatives who would be governed by the teachings of the Bible and Constitution, and that the Union will be re-established on the principles of justice and liberty.

Mr. MORRILL, of Vermont, contradicted Mr. Voorhes figures as to expenditures.

Mr. BAILEY was severe upon Mr. Voorhes and accused him of sympathizing with traitors, saying that Floyd, Cobb and others were thieves under that gentleman’s party administration – The present condition of the country was the natural result of the treatment of the people, received at the hands of the Democratic party.

It made our country the plunderer of nations, provided they were feeble.  Filibustering became identified with Democracy during the two last Administration[s].  Considering all their co-operations, it did not lie in the mouth of those seeking to resuscitate the Democratic party to reproach the present Administration with dishonesty and fraud.  In further reply, Mr. Bailey said the labor of the country would pay the taxes.  Stephen A. Douglas truly said that there could be only two parties in the war, loyal men and traitors, and men must be for or against the Government.

WASHINGTON, May 22. – SENATE – Several petitions were presented from citizens of Maryland, asking for the better enforcement of the fugitive slave law in the District of Columbia, that they may secure a large number of slaves which are now in the district.

A resolution calling on the Secretary of the Navy for reports of the battles on the Mississippi was adopted.

Mr. SUMNER offered a resolution that the Committee on the District of Columbia be [directed] to enquire what legislation is necessary to protect persons of African descent from unconstitutional seizure as fugitive slaves, or seizure by disloyal persons.

Mr. POWELL objected to the present consideration of the resolution by the Senate.

The resolution was laid over.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

Iowa Items

Chickasaw county donates three dollars a month to every private in the army from that county while absent, while the wife or widowed mother of each has four dollars a month, and each child under twelve years of age one dollar during the same time. – The widow and children of a soldier killed or dying in the service of his country continue to draw the bounty.  So says a letter in the Dubuque Times.

The Supervisor system had a ventilation in the State Senate one day last week, and the general expression of opinion was decidedly favorable to it.  On what might be called a test vote, the House divided – 26 for to 11 against the system.

Delilah A. Tellyea has lately been on trial up in Clayton county, charged with complicity in the murder of her husband.  The jury were unable to agree in a verdict, and were dismissed.

A little child of G. W. Harlen, New Oregon, Howard county, fell into a kettle of boiling water, and died in a few hours from the effects of the scald.

The Ladies’ Sanitary Association of McGregor has made and donated $9,000 worth of supplies to relive the necessities of Iowa soldiers.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, February 15, 1862, p. 2

First Session – 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, April 15. – In the House to-day Mr. PORTER called up the bill reported by him from the Committee on Judiciary, amendatory of the act establishing a court for the investigation of claims against the United States. The bill was passed.

The bill organizing the Signal Corps in the army for the present war was passed.

The following resolution was adopted from the Judiciary committee:

Resolved, That the Government should not interfere with the free transmission of intelligence, by telegraph, when the same will not aid the enemy, or give some information concerning the military or naval operations on the part of this Government, except it may become necessary under the authority of Congress, to assume the exclusive use of the telegraph, for its own legitimate purposes, or to assert the right of priority in transmission of its own despatches.

Fourteen bills, with a general resolution relative to forfeiting the property of Rebels, and making it a penal offence for the Army or Navy to return fugitive slaves, and including kindred subjects, reported the 20th of March, with the recommendation from the Judiciary committee that they ought not to pass, came up to-day.

The question being on laying them severally on the table.

The proceedings were suspended by a report from Mr. MORRILL, of the committee of Ways and Means, of a bill appropriating$30,000,000 to pay Volunteers. Also, $100,000 for the pay of bounty and pensions to officers and soldiers of the Western Department.

Mr. Morrill’s bill was passed.

A message was received from the President, saying that he had signed the bill abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia.

The death of Mr. Cooper was announced, and eulogies were pronounced, and the customary resolutions adopted.

Mr. McDOUGALL commented on the course of the Committee on the Conduct of the War.

The confiscation bill came up.

Mr. POWELL approved it at length.

WASHINGTON, April 16. – After Mr. POWELL concluded, the bill was postponed till Friday.

The message of the President was received, giving his reasons for approving the bill abolishing slavery in the district of Columbia.

The death of Representative Cooper was announced. The customary resolutions were adopted, and the Senate adjourned.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

STATE OF ILLINOIS
STARK COUNTY

A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held at the Court house in Toulon on Monday, the first day of June, 1863.

Supervisors present, - Milton Atherton, of West Jersey; Joseph Atherton, of Goshen; Wm. M. Butler of Essex; Brady Fowler, of Toulon; Charles Stuart of Elmira; James M. Rogers of Valley; Samuel G. Avery, of Penn, and John Lackie, of Osceola.

John Lackie was chosen Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year.

The several supervisors made report of the amount of orders drawn since their last meeting on the “Military Relief Fund” of their respective townships, to aid the families of soldiers; which said amounts were ordered to be paid out of said fund, to wit:

West Jersey township............... $71,50
Goshen.............. “...................... 20,00
Essex................. “...................... 39,00
Toulon............... “...................... 88,00
Elmira................ “.................... 108,00
Valley................ “...................... 62,00
Penn.................. “.................... 103,75
Osceola............. “.................... 152,52

Amount of orders drawn on Treasurer and payable to the persons below named:

Liberty Stone.............................. $2,00
David McCance......................... 12,00
S. S. Kayshier............................ 35,00
P. & J. Nowlan.............................. ,80
P. M. Blair................................. 22,00
B. F. Fuller................................. 65,00
Culver, Page & Hoyne................ 58,00
Hewes White................................ 4,90
Nelson Prout.............................. 16,00
Wm. Nowlan................................ 2,00
H. Willett.................................... 13,27
Henry M. Rogers.......................... 2,00
E. G. Hill.................................... 18,00
S. M. Dewey & Co...................... 2,00
Hannah M. Rouse....................... 63,00
Pierce and Chamberlain................ 3,00
Jacob Emery................................ 2,00
Joseph Makings............................ 8,25
C. M. S. Lyon.............................. 2,00
Joel S. Wilson.............................. 4,00
Miles A. Fuller.......................... 125,00
Milton Atherton............................ 2,00
Joseph Atherton........................... 2,00
Wm. H. Butler.............................. 2,00
Brady Fowler............................... 2,00
Charles Stuart............................... 2,00
James M. Rogers.......................... 2,00
Samuel G. Avery.......................... 2,00
John Lackie.................................. 4,00
_______________________________
..................................................... 474,42

Francis D. Hotchkiss, keeper of the County Poor Farm, presented an account for keeping paupers, amounting to two hundred and four dollars and twelve cents, which was approved and ordered paid; and the Clerk was ordered to draw an order on the Treasure for payment – first deducting fifty dollars, the amount of rent due the County on said farm, for three months past.

Wm. Lawman presented one coupon for interest on Railroad Bonds, of sixty dollars, due July 31st, 1861, which was ordered to be paid.

Claudius Jones presented twenty-two coupons for interest on Railroad Bonds, of sixty dollars each amounting to thirteen hundred and twenty dollars, due July 31st, 1862. Ordered that the Clerk draw an order for that amount to said Jones, payable March 1st, 1864.

Ordered that the Board proceed to collect from David Rouse and John Rouse the amount for which they are liable for failure to provide for the support of their father, Paul Rouse, Sen., when notified to do so.

Ordered that Dr. Wm. Chamberlain be appointed County Physician.

Mr. Fowler moved that two hundred dollars be appropriated to aid in building a bridge across Spoon River, on the road leading from Toulon to Wyoming, and two hundred dollars to aid in building a bridge across Spoon River near Fuller’s Mill.

Motion Lost.

Nelson Prout made proposals to furnish the Court house and Jail with coal for the ensuing winter, at nine cents per bushel, which proposals were accepted by the Board.

Mr. Rogers moved that the sum of six dollars be paid as a bounty to each person being a resident of this County who enlisted in the military service of the United States under the first calls of the President for volunteers; and the sum of fifty dollars to each person; being a resident as aforesaid, who enlisted in the said service under the calls of the President for six hundred thousand additional volunteers., - whether such person enlisted in companies formed in this County or not: Provided such person has received no other bounty than that offered by the General Government.

On motion it is ordered that the consideration of the forgoing motion be postponed until the next meeting of this Board, and that the several Supervisors ascertain the names and number of persons entitled to bounties under the foregoing motion, and report the same to the next meeting of this Board.

Adjourned until the second Monday of September.

Attest, MILES A FULLER, County Clerk

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, June 4, 1863

Attention Volunteers!

The undersigned desires to fill up his Regiment to the maximum number, and he earnestly calls upon all persons, especially in the Counties of Henry and Stark, who feel disposed to volunteer, to come forward and enroll their names at once.

The President has called for 300,000 additional troops to aid in putting down the rebellion. They are needed in the field at once, and must be furnished either by volunteers or by draft. With that number to swell their ranks, the hearts of our brave soldiers already in the field will be encouraged and strengthened. With that number the power of this wicked rebellion – already so much weakened – will soon be crushed out and destroyed. Every consideration of honor and patriotism demands that you respond promptly and cheerfully to the call of the President. The bounty now offered is liberal - $302 for new recruits and $402 for veteran volunteers. I would urge, therefore, all who can, not to hesitate, nor wait for the draft, but to enroll their names without delay.

The 112th Illinois has been in the service more than a year, and as a Regiment has a good reputation. The people of Henry and Stark Counties have a deep interest in its welfare and in its success. It is composed of their own sons, brethren, friends and neighbors – men who are worthy of the confidence of their friends at home. Will not every patriotic [man] help to fill up their ranks and give to them renewed hope and strength? I sincerely trust they will and that the Regiment may be filled up with the maximum number.

Volunteers can choose the Company they may wish to join; and can enroll their names at the office of James S. Henderson, Esq. Toulon, Illinois.

Thomas J. Henderson
Col. 112th Illinois
Toulon, Nov. 6, 1863

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, November 6, 1863

The 2nd Iowa to the President

Whereas, the President having complimented the services of the veteran soldiers by tendering them an increased bounty, which has secured their services for another term of enlistment, it devolves upon us to return the compliment by issuing the following Proclamation, to wit:

We, the veteran soldiers of Co. G, 2nd Iowa Infantry, in camp, do hereby proclaim and make known to Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, that in case he will re-enlist as a veteran President for the term of four years or during the war, he shall be entitled to sixty days furlough with free transportation to and from his home in Illinois; also he will be entitled to a bounty of twenty five thousand dollars and a suit of veteran uniform – bounty and uniform to be drawn, upon being mustered into the service on the 4th of March 1865. And further – In case the office is not filled by volunteering, we order a draft to be made upon the suffrages of the people on the second Tuesday in November next, to enforce the call and fill up the quota.

Veterans of Co. G
2nd Iowa Infantry

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

To The Citizens of Clark Co.

I am still recruiting for the old regiments, and shall be till the first of March, 1864. The large bounty heretofore offered by the government will be still given to the first of March. There is another call for 200,000 over and above the 300,000 called for in Oct. last. Those townships that have already furnished their quotas, will have to furnish two-thirds as many more in order to clear themselves of the draft, of the 10th of March; for instance, a township that has furnished six under the Oct. call, will have to furnished now four men under this call. – It is hoped all the good loyal people of Clark Co. will get to work. We have done well so far in raising volunteers, and let us keep on with the good begun work. Volunteering is still going on finely. I am sending off from one to two loads per week. I will be in Oceola every Saturday, to receive volunteers. All that have any notion of going into the service can not find any better time to enlist than now.

A. Lyons
Recruiting Agent for Clark County Iowa

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

Recruiting

To the people of Clark County,

In as much as we have only about four weeks in which to raise our quota of men by volunteering, it is hoped that every citizen will see the importance of at once making a united effort to raise the quotas of the several townships of this county.

Let meetings be called and organized in each township, and while these meetings are being held for raising volunteers let arrangements be made for taking care of the families of those who now volunteer for the full period of three years, they will receive the whole amount of bounty remaining unpaid, the same as if the full term has been served – Veterans $402, and new recruits $302.

Shall we not have it to say that Clark is the first county in the distinct to raise the full quota? what township will first fill her quoto? Oceola has been first to respond.

I would say that I will be in Oceola every Saturday to receive recruits, and the balance of my time I will be traveling through the county; but don’t wait for me to come to you – but come up and volunteer. Have it to say, when this rebellion is wiped out “I fought for my country,” or let your children say ‘,my father fought for this government, (and be careful that you don’t have it to say I was drafted to fight for my country) for the 5th day of Jan., 1864, is the day set for the draft to commence, and every township that don’t [sic] furnish her full quoto by volunteering will be drafted, undoubtly [sic]. I hope that loyal Clark county will fill her quoto and escape this draft.

Oceola Cec–1st 1863.

A. Lyons.
Recruiting agent
For Clark County, Iowa

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 19, 1863 & December 26, 1863

Recruiting

To the people of Clark County,

In as much as we have only about four weeks in which to raise our quota of men by volunteering, it is hoped that every citizen will see the importance of at once making a united effort to raise the quotas of the several townships of this county.

Let meetings be called and organized in each township, and while these meetings are bing held for raising volunteers, let arrangements be made for taking care of the families of those who may vounteer.

Should the government not require the service of those who now volunteer for the full period of three years, they will receive the whole amount of bounty remaining unpaid, the same as if the full term had been served. – Verterans $402 and new recruits $302

Shall we not have it to say that Clark is the first county in the district to raise the full quota? what township will first fill her quoto? Oceola has been first to respond.

I would say that I will be in Oceola every Saturday to receive recruits, and the balance of my time will be traveling through the country; but don’t wait for me to come to you – but come up and volunteer. Have it to say, when this rebellion is wiped out, “I fought for my country,” or let your children say “my father fought for this government, (and be carful that you don’t have it to say I was drafted to fight for my coutry) for the 5th day of Jan., 1864, is the day set for the draft to comence, and every township that don’t furnish her full quota by volunteering will be drafted, undoubtly. I hope that loyal Clark county will fill her qunto and escape the draft.

A. LYONS,
Recruiting agent
for Clark County, Iowa.
Oceola Dec–1st 1863.

- The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, 5 DEC 1863