Diary of 1st Lieutenant Joseph Stockton, July 31, 1862

Until today I have been making my arrangements to leave; resigned my position at Clark & Co.'s, disposing of such things as I did not need, recruiting men for the Hancock Guard, etc. I received this morning my commission from the adjutant general (A. C. Fuller) of the state as 1st lieutenant "Board of Trade Regiment," there being no number assigned as yet to the regiment now forming. As I was riding to Camp Douglas on horseback I met Captain Christopher in a buggy with a lady and there on the open field he mustered me into the service of the government of the United States. I was offered the adjutancy of the regiment but declined the same, not having experience for such a position. We are now encamped in a grove near the enclosure of Camp Douglas, the men reporting there as soon as enlisted.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 1

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: January 14, 1864

Mr. A. ——, editor of the ——, recommends the Secretary of War to get Congress to pass, in secret session, a resolution looking to a reconstruction of the Union on the old basis, and send Commissioners to the Northern Governors. Meantime, let the government organize an army of invasion, and march into Pennsylvania. The object being to sow dissension among the parties of the North.

A letter from a Mr. Stephens, Columbia, S. C, to the President, says it is in his power to remove one of the evils which is bringing the administration into disrepute, and causing universal indignation—Gen. Winder. The writer says Winder drinks excessively, is brutish to all but Marylanders, and habitually receives bribes, etc. The President indorsed on it that he did not know the writer, and the absence of specifications usually rendered action unnecessary. But perhaps the Secretary may find Mr. S.'s character such as to deserve attention.

Captain Warner says it is believed there will be a riot, perhaps, when Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, may be immolated by the mob. Flour sold to-day at $200 per barrel; butter, $8 per pound; and meat from $2 to $4. This cannot continue long without a remedy.

The President has another reception to-night.

A Yankee Account Of The Treatment Op Confederate Prisoners.—The Chicago Times gives the account which follows of the treatment of our soldiers at Camp Douglas.

It is said that about four weeks ago one of the prisoners was kindling his fire, which act he had a right to perform, when one of the guard accosted him with, “Here, what are you doing there?” The prisoner replied, “That is not your business,” when the guard instantly drew his musket and shot the fellow dead. It is said also that a mulatto boy, a servant of one of the Confederate captains, and, of course, a prisoner of war, who was well known to have a pass to go anywhere within the lines, was walking inside the guard limits about a day after the above occurrence, when the guard commanded him to halt. He did not stop, and was instantly killed by a bullet.

It is also charged that, at the time the discovery was made of an attempt on the part of some of the prisoners to escape, a party of three or four hundred was huddled together and surrounded by a guard; that one of them was pushed by a comrade and fell to the ground, and that instantly the unfortunate man was shot, and that three or four others were wounded. It is further stated that it is no uncommon thing for a soldier to fire on the barracks without any provocation whatever, and that two men were thus shot while sleeping in their bunks a week or two ago, no inquiry being made into the matter. No court-martial has been held, no arrest has been made, though within the past month ten or twelve of the prisoners have been thus put out of the way. Another instance need only be given: one of the prisoners asked the guard for a chew of tobacco, and he received the bayonet in his breast without a word.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 128-9

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: June 29, 1862

Headquarters 1st Brig. Cav. Army of the Miss.,

Rienzi, Miss., June 29, 1862.

What the deuce this army is trying to do, I cannot guess. Buell's corps moved off in an easterly direction two weeks since. Grant's is, I think, between Corinth and Memphis, and the headquarters of Pope is about four miles south of Corinth, while his army is scattered for 75 miles west of here. The left wing, Plummer's and Jeff C. Davis' divisions moved through here yesterday, bound for Holly Springs, 60 miles due west. General Ashboth's reserve division, stationed here, have thrown up quite extensive works, fronting the enemy, who are not in any force, within 75 miles of us. Our cavalry division is doing the outpost duty on a line 40 miles long, running east and west, and about 20 miles south of Corinth, with videttes out eight or ten miles further, and scouting parties go 15 miles below the videttes. We are losing about two men a day skirmishing. I noticed a statement in the papers that 20,000 new-made graves could be seen between Corinth and the Tennessees, caused by the swamp miasmas, etc., during our approaching the enemy. We don't believe that there have been 400 deaths from disease since the battle of Shiloh, and 250 will cover the number of deaths from wounds received since that fight. You know there have been an immense number of sick men furloughed, but that was to satisfy the State governnors more than necessity. For instance, John Shriner went home on sick furlough and you know his condition. There were thousands of such cases. I think the health of our army never was better than now. I notice that our Illinois troops stand this climate very much better than the men from Michigan and Iowa. Do not think we have more than one-third the sickness in our regiment that the troops from the last named States have. There is a prospect of our brigade's being ordered to Ripley this week. I am well satisfied here, but have no doubt will flourish equally well there. They charge outrageous prices for eatables throughout the country. Half-grown chickens 25 cents each, eggs 25 cents per dozen, buttermilk 20 cents per quart, etc. We keep a cow for our headquarters, though, that supplies us with milk, and we have six hens that lay as many eggs every day, and my colored boy plays sharp and buys new potatoes, peas, beans, etc., for half what I can, on the strength of his chumming it with colored folks of the farms. There was a regiment raised in this country that are now flourishing in Camp Douglas. A lady played the piano and sang for me last night that has a husband and brother residing in said camp. Mourning goods are quite fashionable here, and I see limping around town several that lost a limb, each, in some of the early battles. There are a few that I have met who were taken prisoners by our troops, one of them at Manassas, and paroled. Deserters come in yet every day. An intelligent man that belonged to an Arkansas regiment came in yesterday. He says that he thinks the main body of the Southern Army started for East Tennessee, via Chattanooga the day after he left them. Breckenridge's brigade has gone to Vicksburg, etc. I would like to send you some of the late orders issued by Rosecrans, if it were not so much trouble to copy them, in relation to police of camp and discipline. He looks after the health of men more than any general I have served under

People here are very indignant about our taking all their provisions away from them, and then appealing to the North to contribute to keep them from starving. There is some truth in the idea, but not much. They certainly do need eatables here, and the North will have to furnish them free or take scrip. Dinner: Blackberry jam, pie and raw berries. Oceans of them here. Day before yesterday the Rebels surprised one of our picket parties and captured 1st and C men, and yesterday they captured another. But Company K (Nelson's) followed them 12 or 15 miles and I think got the prisoners back with one Rebel, several horses and lots of traps. I got a letter from you a few days since relating the affecting parting scene between those spirits who left home, etc., for three months, and the sweet spirits that wept so heart breakingly thereat. I think your ideas were not unsound in regard to the parting scenes, and if you had boxed a few ears and pulled a little hair belonging to the ninnies that so abused the noble art of crying that day, you would have been excusable in my eyes. I must take a nap as quick as my boy comes back to keep the flies away.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 108-10

67th Illinois Infantry

Organized at Camp Douglass, Chicago, Ill., June 13, 1862, for three months. Assigned to guard duty at Camp Douglass till October. Mustered out October 6, 1862.

Regiment lost 12 by disease during service.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1076

Senator Grimes’ Speech

Our limited space forbids the publication of the whole of Senator Grimes’ recent speech on the surrender of slaves by the army, but we give a lengthy extract containing the gist of it.  How marked the contrast in the course pursued by Gens. Hunter and Hooker in regard to fugitive slaves!  The former, with the independence of a man, declares that every slave who touches his lines becomes a freeman.  In the words of Plunkett, he stands “redeemed, regenerated, and disenthralled by the irresistible genius of universal emancipation.”  Gen. Hunter goes forth with the sword in one hand, and liberty in the other.  He slays the traitor, and frees the oppressed.  Not so with Gen. Hooker.  In one hand he holds slavery, and in the other a – scabbard.  The traitorous emissary crosses his lines in search of his property – not his horse, but his negro – spies out his enemy’s strength, and returns to report at headquarters. – When will our Generals learn wisdom?  Learn that such things cannot be practiced with any hope of a speedy conclusion to the war?  But to the extract:

There seems to be a purpose in some quarters to do by indirection what cannot be done directly.  The object being to serve slave holders, whether loyal or rebel, (and they are generally rebels,) there seems to be a disposition to the part of some officers to travel around a law which they dare not break through.  Unable any longer to compel the soldiers to engage in the search, capture, and rendition of slaves, they now authorize slave-hunters, armed with pistols and military orders, to traverse their camps in search of their prey, and, by threat of military punishment, attempt to compel the soldiers to remain quiescent witnesses of the atrocities that may be committed.  There is no controversy about the fact, the evidence is overwhelming and is to be found on every hand.  Only last week, General Joseph Hooker, a native of Massachusetts, in command of a division of our army, issued an order, of which the following is a copy.

HEADQUARTERS, HOOKER’S DIVISION, CAMP BAKER,

LOWER POTOMAC, March 26, 1862.

To Brigade and Regimental Commanders of this Division:

Messrs. Nally, Gray, Dummington, Dent, Adams, Speake, Price, Posey and Cobey, citizens of Maryland; have negroes supposed to be with some of the regiments of this division; the Brigadier General commanding, directs that they be permitted to visit all the camps of his command, in search of their property, and if found, that they be allowed to take possession of the same, without any interference whatever.  Should any obstacle be thrown in their way by any officer or soldier in the division, they will be at once reported by the regimental commanders to these headquarters.

JOSEPH DICKINSON,

Asst. Adjutant Gen.

It will be observed that this order authorizes nine person, citizens of Maryland, to visit the camps of Hooker’s division, without any judicial or other process other than this military order, and there search for slaves “without any interference whatever,” and “should any obstacle be thrown in their way, by any officer or soldier in the division,” they are threatened with an instant report to headquarters and a consequent court martial and punishment.  The appearance and conduct of this band of marauders produced precisely the result that might have been anticipated.  In describing it, I use the language of the officer in command of one of the regimental camps which they visited and attempted to search:

HEADQUARTERS SECOND REGIMENT,

EXCELSIOR BRIGADE, CAMP HALL, March 27.

Lieutenant:  In compliance with verbal directions form Brigadier General D. E. Sickles, to report as to the occurrence at this camp on the afternoon of the 26th instant, I beg leave to submit the following:

At about 3:30 o’clock p. m., March 26, 1862, admission within our lines was demanded by a body of horsemen (civilians) numbering perhaps, fifteen.  They presented the lieutenant commanding the guard with an order of entrance from Brigadier General Joseph Hooker, commanding division (copy appended), the order stating that nine men should be admitted.  I ordered that the balance of the party should remain without the lines, which was done.  Upon the appearance of the others, there was visible dissatisfaction and considerable murmuring among the soldiers, to so great an extent that I almost feared for the safety of the slave owners.  At this time Gen. Sickles opportunely arrived, and instructed me to order them outside the camp, which I did, amid the loud cheers of our soldiers.  It is proper to add, that before entering our lines, and within about seventy-five or a hundred yards of our camp, one of their number discharged two pistol shots at a negro who was running past them, with an evident intention of taking his life.  This justly enraged our men.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Your obedient servant,

JOHN TOLEN,

Maj. Comdg. 2d Regt., E. B.

Mr. President:  Are such scenes as were witnessed in this camp calculated to promote discipline, and to inspire respect for the officers in command, or affection for the Government that tolerates them?  Doubtless such officers will find methods to gratify their tastes in this direction, but I trust that they will not long be permitted to torment better men than themselves, who happen to be their inferiors in rank.  Is it unreasonable to ask the Government to see to it, that the spirit of the law of Congress shall not be evaded by indirection; and that examples of passion and violence and murder shall not be exhibited in our camps with the connivance or under the authority of our military officers?

The Senator from Ohio made to us, a few days ago, a most extraordinary statement of the condition of affairs at the capital of his own State.  In one of the military camps in the city of Columbus are several hundred rebel prisoners of war.  Some of them are attended by colored servants, claimed as slaves.  These servants have been transported at Government expense, fed, clothed, and doctored by the Government; and while the rebel officers are allowed the freedom of the city upon parole the servants are strictly guarded and confined in camp by our own soldiers.  The free State of Ohio is virtually converted, by the order or by the assent of a military commander, and against the wishes of the people, into a slave State; and that order is enforced by men in our employment and under our pay.  And this state of things does not exist in Columbus alone.  Much indignation was felt and expressed in the State of Illinois, where the same practice was allowed to prevail among the prisoners captured at Fort Donelson.  The greater part, if not all, of these prisoners, who had slaves attending them at the camp near Chicago, where transferred soon after arrival there, the Government paying the cost of transporting both whites and blacks. – Whether this transfer was prompted by a knowledge of the popular indignation that had been excited, and a fear lest the tenure by which the prisoners held them as slaves was hourly becoming more and more insecure, I will not undertake to say.

How long, think you, will this method of dealing with the rebels be endured by the freemen of this country?  Are our brothers and sons to be confined within the walls of the tobacco warehouses and jails of Richmond and Charleston, obliged to perform the most menial offices, subsisted upon the most stinted diet, their lives endangered if they attempt to obtain a breath of fresh air, or a beam of God’s sunlight at a window, while the rebels captured by those very men are permitted to go at large upon parole, to be pampered with luxuries; to  be attended by slaves, and the slaves guarded from escape by our own soldiers?  Well might the General Assembly of the State of Ohio ask, in the language of a committee of their Senate: “Why were those slaves taken at all?  They were not, and had not been in arms against the Government – their presence at Fort Donelson was not even voluntary.  Why are they retained in prison?  They have done no wrong – they deserve no punishment.  Is it to furnish rebel officers with servants?  And was it for this they were transported at the expense of the Government and are now subsisted at her cost?  Is our constitutional provision thus to be made a nullity, and slavery practically established in Ohio?  And this under the protection and at the expense of the Federal Government.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 1, 1862, p. 2

Who Is The Disloyal Officer?

One of the editors of the Transcript, while in Chicago last week, paid a visit to the rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas.  During his stay in camp he overheard a subordinate Union officer deliberately state to a group of prisoners that this war was the work of Northern fanatics, and that they must be “cleaned out” before peace could be restored.  The name of this scoundrel we do not know, but he is a worse enemy of the Republic than any rebel prisoner at Camp Douglas.  What stronger assurance of sympathy could be given than the declaration that Northern men drove the South into rebellion?  Better send to Jeff. Davis for half a dozen rebel missionaries, and turn them loose among the prisoners, with full license to say just what they please.  Their words could not do more harm to our side than the words of this traitor in Federal livery.  They would have less influence, for they would be looked upon as coming from men interested in promoting rebellion.  No wonder the people of Chicago are astonished at the growing boldness and impudence of the prisoners.  Why should not the rebels exult in their treason when they are openly justified in it by our own officers? – Peoria Transcript.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 2

Further News from Fort Donelson

3,000 Rebel Prisoners ask to be Armed and Enrolled in the Armies of the Union.

Clarksville Evacuated.

WHITE FLAGS FLYING AT NASHVILLE.

TENNESSEE VIRTUALLY REDEEM’D

CAIRO, Feb. 20. – Only sixteen remain of company G., 11^th Illinois regiment, who are not killed, wounded or taken prisoners.

Gov. Yates and staff left for Fort Donelson last evening.

The Wounded officers of the 11^th Illinois are Lieut. Col. Ransom, Lieut. Churchill, Co. A, Lieut. Wilcox, Co. B, Lieut. Dean, Co. D., Capt. Andrews, Co. D, Lieut. Duncan, Co. H, and Lieut. Blackstone, Co. I.  The killed are Capt. Shaw, Co. B, Lieut. Boyce, Co. G.  The Missing are Lieut. Kenyon, Co. K, and Lieut. Vore, Co. E.  Not over 100 effective men are left of the 11^th regiment.  The wounded are partly at Mound City and the rest at Fort Donelson.  It is thought that this regiment will return to their old quarters at Bird’s Point.

One thousand secesh prisoners left for Camp Douglas last evening, via the Illinois Central Railroad.  More will follow to-day.  Those sent yesterday were Mississippians and Texans.  Two boat loads have arrived and will be forwarded immediately.

The 2^nd Michigan Artillery arrived last evening by steamer City of Alton.

Jas. Friedeman of Co. D, 8^th Wisconsin was buried today at Bird’s Point.

A rebel officer states that the exaggeration of Major Post of the 8^th Illinois who was taken prisoner before the surrender of Fort Donelson materially aided in preventing any further resistance on their part.

The body of Lieut. Colonel White of the 31^st Illinois has just arrived.

Three thousand rebel prisoners at Fort Donelson have asked to be allowed their arms and enrolled in the army of the Union.

A special order was issued to-day forbidding the issue of passes to Fort Donelson and other points on the Ohio river above Cairo.

The report is current and uncontradicted that Clarksville is evacuated.

It is reported that Gov. Harris has convened the Legislature of the State of Tennessee to repeal all laws passed by the Confederate Legislature inconsistent with the Federal Constitution.

White flags are flying at Nashville, and Gen. Grant has been invited to occupy Clarksville. – If this is true, Tennessee can be counted out of the Southern Confederacy.

The casualties among the officers of the 18^th Illinois, are, Killed, Capt. J. S. Craig, company A, Lieut. John Mauseur, Company C.

Wounded – Col. Lawler, Capt. D. H. Brush, company K; Capt. H. S. Wilcox, company B; Capt. J. W. Dillon, company C; Capt. P. Lawler, company D.

Supposed to be taken prisoners – Lieut. Tole, company D; Lieut. Kelley, company E; Lieut. Thompson, company F; Capt. Cruise, company G; Lieuts. Lawrence and Conner, company K.

The whole number of killed in the regiment is 50, wounded 150.

There is an awful flutter at Columbus, but we hear nothing decisive.

Brig. Gen. John Pope arrived from St. Louis, to-night.

The number of field pieces taken is much larger than heretofore telegraphed.  We have at least 70 guns.

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

Rebel Pirisoners

Up to Sunday night last eighty-three of the rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas, Chicago, had died.  There are now about 350 in hospital.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 22, 1862, p. 2

A Rock Island Rebel

Yesterday morning, after the arrival of the morning train from Chicago, John A. Quinlan was discovered airing himself by promenading in Rock Island.  Being recognized, he was at once nabbed.  John had the misfortune to be taken prisoner at Fort Donelson, and was brought to Camp Douglas, whence he escaped and came to Rock Island yesterday morning.  There was where John ‘put his foot in it.’  It appears he is suspected of having forged a large quantity of county orders in Rock Island a year or two ago, and this is considered a fine opportunity to ‘haul him over the coals’ for it.  Quinlan was formerly a deputy sheriff in Rock Island county.  Subsequent to joining the secession army, he wrote our sister city, and expressed a desire to see some of its soldiers down South, so that he could scalp them.  John will be cured of his blood-thirstiness by the time the people of Rock Island get through with him.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

Additional from Fort Donelson

CAIRO, Feb. 17.

A dispatch from Gen. Grant says that the fort surrendered unconditionally on Sunday night.

Our cavalry are in hot pursuit of the great thief, Floyd, and hope to capture him and the rest of the flying rebels.

This great victory gives us Tennessee within a week, the old star-spangled banner will float over Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville.  The backbone of the rebellion is broken, the Union is saved, and the Illinois troops are entitled to the chief-share of the glory.

Col. C. C. Marsh, of the 20th Ills., formerly of the Chicago Light Guard, was made a Brigadier on the field for his exhibition of desperate valor.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 18.

The Republican’s Fort Donelson correspondent gives the following account of the fighting on Saturday:

Yesterday morning, just at daylight, a heavy sortie was made by the garrison from the left portion of their works.

This attack was made upon the extreme right wing of the Union army where it was weakest.  During the night the enemy could be heard busily at work, but what at, it was impossible to tell as thicket woods encompassed the union troops on every side, rendering the view in any direction almost impossible.  At daylight a large body of the enemy suddenly appeared on the extreme right wing of Col. Oglelsby’s command and opened a terrible fire with cannon from their redoubts, firing at the same time upon our forces from guns placed in position on the night previous.

The camp of the 29th and 31st Ill. Was most exposed, and the whole brigade was at once formed into line as follows: The 18th Ill. Held the extreme right; the 8th Ill. Next; the 30th Ill. next; then the 29th Ill. Supporting on the right of Capt. Schwartz’s battery; the 31st Ill. defending the artillery on the left.  From the firing of the first gun until 9 o’clock, the battle raged unremittingly and with fearful loss on both side[s].  Again and again our troops drove the enemy back, but they were afterwards reinforced, while our troops had, owing to the extended lines of the army and also their position on the extreme right, to fight unassisted.  More gallant fighting never took place than that of the union troops exposed to the terrible firing of treble their number.  They stood their ground until in some regiments every officer was killed or wounded.

At last, and reluctantly, regiment by regiment, they slowly fell back, leaving Schwartz’s battery and 3 of McAllister’s guns in the rebels’ hands.  Retiring a few hundred yards, they again made a stand, and Gen. Smith arrived with reinforcements, and at once drove the enemy again into their works.  In the first of the battle was also Gen. Wallace’s brigade, the 12th, 17th and 18th; also Col. McArthur’s brigade, all of which troops suffered severely.  Opposed to them were 12,000 rebels supported by guns carefully in position.

Gen. Grant, having command of a division, drove the enemy back with reinforcements, and gained the lost ground.  He at once ordered an advance by Gen. Smith on the left, charging under a hot fire up the steep hill on which was the out redoubt. – Our troops gained the high breastworks, and with hardly a pause, went over them, planting the Stars and Stripes over the walls. – Under a most galling fire they formed and charged, and drove the rebels back, until they fell into a new position behind some batteries.  When evening came the Union troops had been victorious at every point, having gained back the ground lost in the morning; and got within part of the enemy’s works.  Our troops held their position during the night, repelling the repeated assaults.

The scene within the captured fort, after the surrender, showed how terribly the rebel garrison had suffered.  Everywhere were lying fragments of shells, and round shot half buried in the earth.  Tents were torn to pieces, gun carriages broken, and blood scattered around.

In the left redoubt, where the assault had taken place, the dead bodies lay thickly.  Abundant evidence of the stern resistance and gallant attack was visible.

On the extreme right, half a mile distant, where the desperate sorties were made by the garrison, similar scenes were visible.

The gallantry of the Union troops has been well and severely tested, and they have proved more than equal to the task before them.

As the fleet approached the fort this morning a salute was fired, and loud cheers went up when the American flags were visible.  No officer in the army had an idea of Fort Donelson’s defences [sic] until they had been gained and examined.

Several regiments when out of ammunition rushed forward, and although exposed to the full fire of the rebel artillery, gallantly drove their foes back with the bayonet and captured their guns.  The following are the names of some of the rebel officers captured: Col. Garset, Col. Voorhees, Col. Forrest, Col. Brown and Col. Abernathy.

CAIRO, Feb. 17.

The steamer Memphis arrived from Fort Donelson this evening, bringing a Miss. Regiment prisoners, and 50 or 60 wounded soldiers, who were left at Mound City.  Eight or more other boats are on their way with rebel prisoners.

The rebels who escaped are supposed to have gone to Nashville, where or at Clarksville it is supposed the rebels will attempt to make another stand.  This evening a great light was seen for several hours in the direction of Clarksville.  It is supposed the rebels either burned the town or their steamboats in the river to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Federals.  Rebel officers admit that if we take Nashville, the rebellion in Tennessee is gone up.

The prisoners will probably be brought to camp Douglas, Chicago.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 1

We are told that General Jones . . .

. . . although making very earnest inquiries, has failed to learn the cause of his imprisonment at Fort Lafayette!  He has a hopeful son also deprived of his liberty, being confined at Camp Douglas, Chicago.  Has the General been able to learn why he is imprisoned by the ‘Lincoln despotism?’

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2

Drowned

CAIRO, May 6. – A skiff containing a Mrs. Depostor and her two sons together with some groceries &c, which they had just purchased, while putting out towards the Kentucky shore this p. m., was capsized in the current and driven against the bow of the steamer Red Rover at the Naval Depot causing it to swamp.  The two men were fished out but the woman was drowned.  She had just returned from Chicago where She had been to visit a son who is a prisoner at Camp Douglas, taken at Ft. Donelson.  The reside opposite Island No. 1 some six miles below, and were all good Union citizens except the youngest son who was persuaded to join the rebel army and is now a prisoner.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4

From Nashville

Arrival of Secession Prisoners from Huntsville – Outrages of Rebel Banditti in Tennessee.

Special Correspondence of the Chicago Times

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 1.

On Sunday last an installment of General Mitchell’s prisoners taken at Huntsville, Ala. Arrived here on the cars. The crowd presented a motley appearance, being composed of jaundice faced fellows, who looked as if they had [obtained] their “rights” and been tanned in them. But it was not hard to discover in their cadaverous countenances that they were glad to end a glorious campaign as prisoners of Uncle Sam. The humane guard detailed to accompany them seemed to have their deference and confidence if not their friendship. After halting about fifteen minutes in front of the Rev. Elliott’s secession Female Academy now occupied by Col. Matthews, Provost Marshal, as a barracks for his guard, the 51st Ohio, they were marched to the Tennessee State Hospital – a spacious building with a considerable park around it. Thence, I suppose they will be conveyed northward. The prisoners were evidently more than contented with their condition, but our stiff necked and perverse secessionists drew as near to them as they might with due regard to their own safety, and vented their spleens in low conversation and fierce gesticulation.

Yesterday, five companies of Wolford’s Kentucky Cavalry, who had been scouring Overton and Fentress counties, in this State, arrived in Nashville bringing twenty two prisoners. They were composed of McHenry’s and Bledsoe’s Tennessee rebel cavalry, and independent banditti acting with them. Dr. Overstreet, a brother-in-law of Colonel Bramlett, of Kentucky, and Messrs Garrett and McDonald, loyal gentlemen, residing in that portion of Tennessee, came to the city with them. These gentlemen who are altogether reliable, state that marauding bands of rebels in those counties, and portions of Kentucky near to them, are daily committing the most shocking outrages on those suspected of loyalty. In one instance they caught a lad 12 years of age, the son of a Union man, bound him to a tree and with a knife literally split his body from the throat to the abdomen, letting his bowels fall upon the ground.

One of the prisoners brought in by Wolford’s Cavalry is a desperado by the name of Smith, who has been acting in concert with one Champ Ferguson of Clinton county, Kentucky – a scoundrel so infamous that some account of him may be interesting. When his comrade, Smith, was taken, he was hotly pursued and the party declare they hit him six times with pistol and rifle balls, and saw the dust fly from his clothing. – They are confident, therefore, he has a casing of some kind which resists bullets.

Some time in September, 1861, this man Ferguson went to theresidence of a Union man in Clinton county, Ky., Mr. Frogg, who was sick and in bed, and shot him in the mouth. As this did not produce instant death he next shot him in the brain remarking that he wished him to die easy. On the 2d day of October he went to the house of Mr. Reuben B. Wood, another citizen of Clinton county Kentucky, who was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church – a very useful, popular man in his neighborhood, – and, having called him to his gate, shot him in the bowels, inflicting a wound which produced death in two days. Ferguson’s reason for the murder was, that Wood had paid a visit to Camp Dick Robinson. Assassinating loyal citizens has been merely a pastime with Champ Ferguson. His chief business, since the rebellion broke out has been horse stealing. Besides Smith, who was brought here, he has associated with him one Hamilton, of Jackson county, Tennessee, and nine or ten others. In March last, Hamilton and his associates went over into Monroe county, Kentucky, and assassinated in one day James Syms, Alexander Atterbury, and Thomas Denham, three quiet, will disposed gentlemen, simply because they were suspected of loyalty to the government. When Atterbury was shot, Hamilton informed his weeping mother that he intended to kill all the Union me he could find, and, if he could not find men, he would kill their boys in their stead. When mild Uncle Samuel catches Ferguson and Hamilton, what do you suppose he’ll do to them? I suppose he’ll send them to Camp Douglas, or some other place, to be fed on Federal rations.

Hon. Chas. [Ready], of Rutherford county, was arrested and brought to the city yesterday. Charles was in Congress once, your readers will remember him.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 1

Brevet Brigadier-General G. W. Clark

BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL G. W. CLARK.

COLONEL, THIRTY-FOURTH INFANTRY.

George Washington Clark, the original colonel of the 34th Iowa Infantry, is a native of Johnson county, Indiana, and was born on the 26th day of December, 1833. He was educated at Wabash College, Indiana, and resided with his father's family at the place of his nativity till the year 1856, which is all that I know of his early history. In the spring of 1856 he removed to Iowa, and became a resident of Indianola, Warren county, where he has since made his home. He is a lawyer by profession. Subsequently to his removal to Iowa, and prior to the spring of 1861, when he entered the service, he practiced his profession in Warren county. He was, I am told, a successful lawyer, and had, at the time of entering the service, a paying practice.

At the outbreak of the war, General Clark was the first man in Warren county to enroll himself a volunteer. In May, 1861, he assisted in raising Company G, of the 3d Iowa Infantry, which was the first company that went out from Warren county. He was commissioned a first lieutenant, and, on the organization of his regiment, was appointed regimental quarter-master, which position he held till the first of September, 1862, when he was commissioned colonel of the 34th Iowa Infantry. For meritorious services, he was, in the spring of 1865, made a brevet brigadier-general.

Up to the time of the capture of Arkansas Post, the history of the 34th Iowa is not very dissimilar from those of the 25th, 26th, 30th and 31st Iowa Infantry regiments. Late in the fall of 1862, these regiments had all, under orders, arrived at Helena, Arkansas, at which point General Grant was concentrating troops preparatory to making a descent on Vicksburg by way of Chickasaw Bayou. The expedition, which started late in December, under command of General Sherman, was a failure; but through no fault of the troops; for, during the three days' struggle in the brush and swamps that border Chickasaw Bayou, soldiers never fought better. The fact is, General Sherman did not succeed, simply because the obstacles to be overcome at that point were insurmountable. Had General Grant maintained his line of communication, and threatened Vicksburg from the east, the result would doubtless have been different; for he would have drawn a large portion of the rebel army out from the Walnut Hills.

Immediately after the unfortunate operations at Chickasaw Bayou, the Arkansas River Expedition was organized, which terminated in the capture of Arkansas Post. This brilliant affair was accomplished on the 11th of January, 1863, and partially atoned for previous disasters. The capture of these formidable works, in which the 34th Iowa took a prominent part, was a great disaster to the enemy in Southern Arkansas, and disconcerted him in his previously arranged plans of harassing the flank and rear of General Grant in his operations against Vicksburg. The following is from Colonel Clark's official report of the part his regiment took in the capture of this strong-hold:

"We had just returned from the bloody battle-field of Chickasaw Bayou, where we had been repulsed with terrible slaughter. Sherman's entire fleet came out of the Yazoo River on the 3d of January, and on the 9th steamed up the Arkansas River, to operate against Arkansas Post, arriving near there the same day. The following day was occupied in reconnoitering and skirmishing. Our (Steele's) Division marched all that night through the woods and swamps, through which it was impossible to take baggage-wagons or ambulances. At day light the next morning we found ourselves within range of the enemy's guns, from which he immediately opened on us. Our batteries were soon put in position, and commenced a vigorous reply. The artillery continued until about 12 o'clock M. At this time I received an order from General Steele to move my regiment rapidly to the front, which was promptly obeyed. I moved the regiment forward in line of battle, to a point within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's intrenchments."

This position was held till the place surrendered, and during this part of the action the gallant Captain Dan H. Lyons fell.

During the three weeks that followed the capture of Arkansas Post, the 34th Iowa saw their hardest service. After the capitulation, Colonel Clark was detailed with his regiment to escort the captured prisoners from that point to Camp Douglas; and, on the way, both the prisoners and their escort suffered untold hardships. Only three miserable transports were allowed the colonel, in which to convey his own command and the prisoners (numbering between five and six thousand) from the point of capture to St. Louis. It was mid-Winter, and on the trip the small-pox broke out. The boats were so densely crowded that they could not be policed, and became shockingly filthy; and in this accumulation of filth this loathsome disease was raging, adding each half-hour one to the list of mortality. The scene was most wretched and revolting. In writing to a friend Colonel Clark said: "During those two weeks, I witnessed more human suffering, than I had seen in all my life before."

On returning from Chicago to St. Louis, Colonel Clark was ordered with his regiment, in the early part of April, to Pilot Knob, to anticipate the reported movement of General Marmaduke on that place. For two months after, he commanded the Post and District of Pilot Knob and then joined the command of General Herron, which was en route for Vicksburg. General Herron arrived at Vicksburg on the 11th of June; and was assigned a position on the extreme left of General Grant's army. The 1st Brigade of his Division, to which the 34th Iowa belonged, was stationed near the Mississippi, which position it held till the surrender of the city.

On the morning of the 11th of July, General Herron's Division was embarked on transports, with orders to report to General Banks, at Port Hudson; but news now arriving of the surrender of that place, these troops sailed up the Yazoo River, constituting the force which captured Yazoo City, and subsequently marched out across the Big Black River, to Canton, to make a diversion in favor of General Sherman before Jackson. These operations closed, Colonel Clark sailed with his regiment down the Mississippi River; since which time he has served in the Gulf Department and the trans-Mississippi.

During the latter part of the fall of 1863, and through the following Winter, the history of the 34th Iowa savors somewhat of romance. Stationed at Fort Esperanga on Matagorda Island, which lies at the head of the Gulf of Mexico, and at the mouth of the Guadeloupe River, the men, when off duty, passed their time in wandering on the beach, and gathering curious shells. They even talked of associating Ceres and Flora, as consorts with their patron war-god, Mars. But these scenes closed on the opening of the Spring Campaign under Major-General Banks.

The troops, who joined in the Red River Campaign, have never had full credit for their heroic endurance of the perils and hardships they encountered, which may be attributable to the fact that, the campaign was only fruitful of disaster.

In the battles that were fought near Alexandria, the 34th Iowa took an active part, and sustained itself with credit; but the sufferings of the regiment in these battles and in the early part of the campaign, were not to be compared with those experienced on the memorable nine days' retreat to Simmsport and Morganzia. During these nine days and nights, there were no halts for rest and sleep, or only such as were required for repairing the roads, and constructing pontoons.

On the 28th of May, 1864, the 34th Iowa left Morganzia for Baton Rouge, where it remained till the latter part of July, when it sailed with the command of General Granger against the rebel forts at the mouth of Mobile Bay. The operations of Rear-Admiral Farragut and General Granger against Forts Powell, Gaines and Morgan were brief and brilliant; and the troops who joined in these operations may well feel proud of their achievements. On the 2d of August, 1864, General Granger effected a landing on Dauphin Island, and within twenty-one days from that time, each one of these forts was in the possession of our forces. The 34th Iowa was the first regiment to disembark on the west point of Dauphin Island. It was soon joined by the 96th Ohio, and a colored regiment; when the entire force, under command of Colonel Clark, with skirmishers well advanced and extending from shore to shore, marched forward in the direction of Fort Gaines. The night was dark and stormy, and an east wind beat a drenching rain directly in the faces of the troops. To any but soldiers, the occasion would have been dismal; but these brave fellows, trudging on through the mud and rain, were jocose and merry. Colonel Clark advanced about six miles, and to within two miles of the fort, when he halted and rested his command in line of battle. At day-light he was joined by the 67th Indiana, the 77th Illinois and the 3d Maryland; when, after slight demonstrations, the fort surrendered.

In the reduction of Fort Morgan Colonel Clark with his command also took a conspicuous part; and on its capitulation, on the morning of the 23d of August, led the escort, composed of his own regiment and the 20th Wisconsin, which was marched out to receive the garrison as prisoners of war. Subsequently to February, 1864, he has commanded a brigade. With this command, he distinguished himself at the battle of Middle Bayou, and was highly complimented for his coolness and bravery.

The Fall and Winter following the operations at the mouth of Mobile Bay were passed by the 34th Iowa on the Gulf coast and along the Mississippi. In January, 1865, the regiment was consolidated with the 38th Iowa Infantry, and under the new organization retained its old name and colonel.

For many months, the 34th Iowa was stationed at Barrancas, Florida: from that point, it marched with General Steele against Mobile, and took part in the assault and capture of Fort Blakely.

General Clark is a little above six feet in hight, and has a fine, well-developed form. He is a fine looking man, though, when I saw him, he was a little too fleshy; but at that time he was just from his home, and on the way to re-join his regiment.

General Clark is a man of gentlemanly deportment, and, I am told, has good ability, and much shrewdness. He has a good military record. One who has visited all the Iowa troops in the Gulf Department, speaks thus of him: "Colonel Clark stands high, and, with the officers in general, seeks not only the highest military efficiency, but also a good moral character for his regiment." The general took great pride in the drill and discipline of his old regiment. His regiment were proud of their name, and designated themselves the "star regiment."

In politics, General Clark is a Republican; though, I am told, he was never a political aspirant.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 501-6