Camp McClellan

The steward of the hospital at Camp McClellan begs leave, in behalf of the soldiers now sick at that place, to thank the citizens of Davenport and vicinity for their prompt assistance in furnishing cloths for bandages, plasters, &c., of which we have abundant supply.  There are now 19 on the sick list, 6 of whom belong to the 16^th regiment.  During the past week three deaths have occurred, Dennis Sullivan, of Herkimer county, N. Y.; John Johnson, residents unknown; and Ozias M. Davis, of Strawberry Point, Clayton county, Iowa, all of whom belonged to the 16^th regiment.  The sanitary condition of the hospital has much improved since it passed into the hands of Lieut. Cowles.

JOHN H. FULLER, Steward.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 28, 1862, p. 1

Deaths In Camp

The name of the private who died in camp last Thursday, was Lyman McNair.  He was from Robert’s Station, Jasper county.  Congestion of the brain was the cause of his death.

William Miller, Jackson county, died last Friday morning, also of congestion of the brain.  H was about nineteen years old.

H. B. McMicken, of Homestead, Iowa Co., died yesterday morning at half past one o’clock.  Congestive chills caused his death.  He was in apparently good health on Sunday morning, and died in a little over twelve hours after he was taken sick.  So many deaths following in such rapid succession is unprecedented for Camp McClellan.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 1

A Joyful Recognition

We are informed of a pleasant incident that occurred at camp the other day, which is worthy of being published.  A private of another company inquired incidentally of one of Capt. Newcomb’s company, if there were any boys of the name of Davis on their roll.  He was told there were two, Solon and Ozias.  He asked where Ozias came from, his age and other particulars, and soon became convinced that he and Ozias were brothers.  Of course a joyful recognition followed.  They had not met for seven years before coming into camp; there they had been on duty together, had met frequently and talked with each other, but had never discovered their relationship.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 1

The sick at Camp McClellan . . .

. . . are in need of cloths for mustard plasters, bandages, &c.  Any cast off cotton wearing apparel would be most acceptable to them.  Any person who can contribute any article for the hospital at the camp will be doing a good service to the sufferers, which will call forth their warmest gratitude.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 1

Dr. J. H. Camburn, of Cedar Rapids . . .

. . . has been commissioned Surgeon of the 16^th regiment, now under marching orders at Camp McClellan, this city.

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

Another Death

A private died at Camp McClellan yesterday.  He will be buried to-day.  He was one of Capt. Hendershott’s recruits; we did not learn his name.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 1

The 16th Under Marching Orders

Col. Chambers yesterday received a dispatch from Gen. Halleck, ordering the 16^th to be ready for marching orders.  When these men go, our camp will be destitute of troops, or nearly so, for the first time since it was established; and we think it will be a long time before as fine a regiment as the 16^th will be encamped here again.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 1

Death In Camp

A private of Capt. Merritt’s company, named Calhoun, died at Camp McClellan one day last week.  His complaint we believe was measles.  He was interred with appropriate solemnities.  He was about 40 years of age and was from Forestville, Delaware Co.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 1

The Sixteenth Regiment . . .

. . . had a dress parade on Saturday morning in honor of Adjutant-General Baker, who paid a visit to Camp McClellan.  The Adjutant-General expressed himself highly pleased with the appearance of the regiment, which he thought equaled, if not surpassed, that of any regiment which has left this State.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 10, 1862, p. 1

Sword Presentation

A unique little affair came off on Wednesday evening at the store of F. P. Erskine, Second street, viz: the presentation of a sword, belt and sash from a number of his friends, to our fellow citizens, E. S. Fraser, who has accepted a Captaincy in the 16^th regiment, now in Camp McClellan.  After the usual speeches on such occasions, which in this case were brief and to the point, the company adjourned for refreshments at the expense of the liberal donee.  We but express the belief of all who know the gallant Captain, that if he falls he will be found with sword in hand and face to the foe; and also the hope that he survive the ‘wars’ and long live to look upon the ‘weapon’ as a pleasant reminiscence of the past, and a relic of the dark days of 1862.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 1

Death At Camp

The Dubuque papers notice the arrival there of Lieut. Doyle in charge of the body of private H. Joy, who died at Camp McClellan, near this city, last Monday.  Mr. Joy was a member of the 16^th regiment, about twenty-one years of age, and a native of this State.  His company was very much attached to him.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 3, 1862, p. 1

16th Regiment

This regiment will soon be in a condition to take the field.  The following general order from Adj. Gen. Baker looks that way: – “All officers recruiting for the 16th Iowa Infantry, under commissions from this office, will report themselves with recruits at Camp McClellan, Davenport, forthwith.”

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

Consolidated

The German companies at Camp McClellan have been, according to expectation, consolidated with the 16th regiment.  This will bring the 16th up to within one hundred of the minimum standard, which it will soon reach.  It will not wait long thereafter for a movement.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

Addison H. Sanders

ADDISON H. SANDERS was born on the I3th of September, 1823, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His education was begun in a printing office of his native city and completed at Cincinnati College. In 1845 and again in 1846 he came to Davenport, where his brother, Alfred, was struggling to put his Gazette on a paying basis. During each of these visits he stayed several months, taking editorial charge of the paper and thus relieving his overworked brother, so that he might bring the business department into better condition. When the city had grown large enough to demand a daily paper, Addison H. removed to Davenport, in October, 1856, took editorial charge of the Daily Davenport Gazette and continued in that position until he entered the Union army. At the beginning of the Civil War no newspaper in Iowa had wider influence than the Daily Gazette of Davenport. Early in 1861, Add. H. Sanders was commissioned aid to Governor Kirkwood, serving with Judge Baldwin of Council Bluffs and later in the year he was placed in command of Camp McClellan, at Davenport, where the Union volunteers were mustering for the organization of regiments and for drill. The Sixteenth Regiment was organized early in the winter of 1862 and Governor Kirkwood was so impressed with the excellent work and superior qualifications of Add. H. Sanders, that he offered him the position of colonel of the new regiment. But having observed the disadvantage of placing inexperienced officers at the head of new regiments he declined the command, urging the selection of a regular army officer for the place. The Governor and General Baker realized the wisdom of such a selection and Captain Alexander Chambers of the Eighteenth United States Infantry was appointed colonel and Mr. Sanders was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. The regiment received its "baptism of fire" at the desperate and bloody battle of Shiloh and at Corinth, Lieutenant-Colonel Sanders was wounded very severely. He did gallant service during the war, often in command of the regiment. At the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, Colonel Sanders was taken prisoner, suffering everything but death in the Confederate prison and when exchanged was so low with starvation and fever that for a long time his recovery was doubtful. On the 2d of April, 1865, he was discharged from the service for disability, having been brevetted Brigadier-General for gallant conduct on many battle-fields. Upon his return home, he was appointed postmaster of Davenport. In 1870 he was appointed by President Grant Secretary of Montana Territory and became acting Governor. In 1872 he was appointed Register of the United States Land Office for Montana. He returned to his old home at Davenport where for many years he has done editorial work on several of the daily papers. As a writer, General Sanders has for a third of a century ranked among the ablest in the State.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 230-1

Battle at Williamsbugh

THE ENEMY ROUTED WITH GREAT LOSS.

The following is a despatch [sic] from Gen. McClellan to Secretary Stanton:

WILLIAMSBURGH, May 6.

I have the pleasure to announce the occupation of this place as the result of a hard fought action. Yesterday Hancock’s Brigade engagement had the effect to turn the left of the enemy’s line of works. The enemy abandoned their entire line during the night, leaving all his sick and wounded in our hands. Their loss yesterday was very severe. We have some three hundred men killed and more than one thousand wounded and prisoners. Their loss is heavy. Our victory complete. I have sent cavalry in pursuit. The conduct of our men was excellent, with scarcely an exception. The enemy’s works were extensive and exceedingly strong. Our loss in Hooker’s Division is heavy, but very little in other portions of the field. Hancock’s success, was gained with the loss of not over twenty killed and wounded. We have other battles to fight before reaching Richmond. The rebels are flying from Williamsburgh to Richmond.


McClellan telegraphs from Johnston’s headquarters as follows:

The weather is good to-day but there is great difficulty in getting up food on account of the roads. Very few wagons have yet come up. – Am I authorized to follow the examples of other Generals and direct the names of battles to be placed on the colors of regiments?

( Signed: )

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Comd’g.


{To Associated Press.}

WILLIAMSBURGH, May 6. – The enemy evacuated this place and their works in front last night. Their rear guard passed through about 6 o’clock, and at 9 o’clock Gen. McClellan and escort entered the town and took possession.

About 150 of the enemy’s wounded were left behind without any rations, medicines or surgeons. They also left a number of their dead unburied.

All of our wounded in yesterday’s engagement, who fell into their hands, were left behind. Col. Dwight of the Excelsior Brigade, who was severely wounded and taken prisoner, was also left.

In the engagement yesterday, the enemy suffered terribly. Gen. Rickets was killed.

The enemy had a force here yesterday of 50,000 men, and only decided to evacuate after the brilliant bayonet charge of Gen. Hancock.

A majority of the white inhabitants remain. The number of the enemy now in our hands will reach about 1,000, including the wounded.


WASHINGTON, May 7 – The Fortress Monroe boat, which left at 8 o’clock this morning, has arrived at Cherry Stone, bringing the following:

WILLIAMSBURG, May 7.

To Hon. E. M. Stanton,

Every hour proves our victory more complete. The enemy’s loss is great, especially in officers. I have just heard of five more of their guns being captured. Prisoners are constantly arriving.

( Signed: )

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3

Funeral Of A Soldier

The body of Mr. August Sharp, of Co. E, 2d cavalry, who died at St. Louis Last Monday, will be interred in Oakdale cemetery this (Sunday) afternoon. The funeral will take place from the residence of Mr. J. G. Spraker, on Jersey Ridge. A detachment of soldiers from Camp McClellan will from the escort.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1

A Thrilling Adventure

A letter from Fortress Monroe says:

We learn from Gen. Wool that there was an accident of a most thrilling nature at General McClellan’s headquarters yesterday. Gen. Fitz John Porter ascended in a balloon, for the purpose of making a reconnoisance. When high up, the rope broke, and off floated the balloon, directly over the enemy’s entrenchments. The officer was considered to be inevitably lost. The hearts that were wrung with the hardness and strangeness of his fate, were suddenly cheered as well as amazed with the spectacle of the return of the balloon over our own camps. It had ascended to a counter current of air, and was wafted with all its precious freight, back to safety. Once again over his own troops, the soldier aeronaut pulled the valve and discharged the gas from the balloon, and came down to the earth “by the run,” entirely unharmed. What he saw is for military use, and not for publication.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 24, 1862, p. 2

Camp McClellan

Mr. John J. Fuller, steward of the hospital at Camp McClellan, left yesterday with the recruits for the Tenth regiment, leaving the hospital in charge of Mr. John J. [Safeby]. Mr. Fuller, before going, desired us to express his thanks to the ladies of this city for their kindness and attention they have shown him and the sick under him; and he recommends his successor to their kind remembrance.

– Published in the Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday April 18, 1862