Ben McCulloch

Ben McCulloch is finally dead.  This time there is no mistake.  The fact is confessed by his own friends, and made the subject of a special order.  His “last moments” are described as having been ludicrously tragic.  He would not believe that his time had come – swore and raved terribly – vowed that it wasn’t in the power of the Yankees to kill him.  Finally feeling himself going, and being told he had but a few minutes to live, he exclaimed, “Ho, Hell,” turned his face away and expired.

His death rids the earth of a great scourge.  He was a man of infamous principles and infamous life.  Few had done more to foster lawlessness – few had done more to corrupt the people.  He was one of the leading spirits of the rebellion in the Southwest; and his voice and example were potent in spurring his half savage followers to deeds of violence and brutality.

And yet we are told he had little of the ruffian in his appearance.  In his normal moods he was the

 – “Mildest mannered man

That ever scuttled ship or cut a throat.”

He was soft of speech, [illegible] and could enact the polished gentleman to the life.  It was only when his passions were aroused that the desperado shone forth. – Albany Evening Journal.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862, p. 1

Newspapers . . .

. . . with less than two thousand circulation, or whose receipts are less than one thousand dollars per annum for advertisements, are excepted from any advertising tax.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862, p. 1

Human Life

Men seldom think of the great event of death until the shadows fall across their own path, hiding forever from their eyes the traces of loved ones, whose living smiles were the sunlight of their existence.  Death is the great antagonist of life, and the bold thought of the tomb is the skeleton of all feasts.  We do not want to go through the dark valley, although its passage may lead to paradise; and with Charles Lamb we do not want to lay down in the muddy grave, even with kings and princes for our bed-fellows.  But the fiat of nature is inexorable.  There is no appeal from the great law which dooms us to dust.  We flourish and fade as the leaves of the forest; and the flowers that bloom and within in a day have not a frailer hope upon life than the mightiest monarch that ever shook the earth with his footsteps.  Generations of men appear and vanish as the grass, and the countless multitude which fills the world to-day will disappear as the footsteps on the shore.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862, p. 1

Hawk-Eye Riflemen

Last Tuesday a company of 84 men, recruited in this section by Capt. W. Getchell, formerly of the Third Iowa, went into Dubuque to await further orders. Twenty-one more men are to follow in a few days. This company expected to go into the 17th Regiment, but that regiment having broke camp and left for Tennessee, it is uncertain where this company will go.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 25, 1862, p. 2

Our Boys In The Twelfth

Company E, Twelfth Iowa Regiment, was recruited in this vicinity. Below we give he loss to this company at the Pittsburg battle:

KILLED.

Privates – Wm. L Pawley and J. W. Fuller


WOUNDED.

Anthony Biller, bruise in ankle.
Charles Johnson, in back.
Jacob Howery, in hip.
Benj. Eberhart, right eye.
Thomas Porter, in leg.
Samuel Lichty, neck and leg.
J. P. Thompson, leg broken.


MISSING.

Capt. Wm. Haddock, 1st Lieut. John Elwell, 2nd Lieut. Rob’t Williams, Sergts. Jas. Stewart, O. P. Collins, Corps. C. V. Surfus, J. F. Smith.

Privates – M. V. B. Sunderlin, D. Craighton, Harvey Smith, Nelson Strong, Stephen Story, Hiram Hoisington, John [Ahrens], Allen E. Talbot, Milton Rood, Oliver Sharp, John Koch, A. B. Perry, Joshua Bird, C. D. Morris, Isaac Watkins, Wm. H. Sherman, J. Margetz, Seth P. Crohurst, W. Richmond, Thomas Porter, Joseph Johnson, Elias Moon, G. L. [Leber], Wm. O. Bird, John L Cook. George Holden.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 25, 1862

High Water

Last Friday the Cedar river commenced rising and continued to raise until about 4 o’clock, Monday morning, when it was at its greatest highth [sic], being some 10 or 11 feet higher than at ordinary stages. About noon on Sunday [it] was discovered that the water was cutting away the [abutment] at the north end of the bridge, and nothing [but] the most prompt and energetic action saved at least [the abutment] from destruction, and perhaps the entire structure. The same day about 8 P.M., the south end commenced giving away, and a delay of twenty minutes would probably have been sufficient time for the water to have swept away that portion of the bridge. Sunday night just before 12 o’clock, the race bridge went off with a fearful crash. At this point had been erected a sort of temporary dam to prevent the water inundating the mills below. Against this vast quantity of logs and drift-wood collected and the pressure proved too great for the structure, and away it went. The road leading to Cedar City, which is formed by an embankment thrown up through a slough jutting out of the river is cut through and [through] by the water, so as to be impassable. – the [railroad] pile bridge just east of the depot is destroyed – the water cut the piling out, and swept it away leaving the stringers which are only supported by their [extreme] ends which rest on the banks. Also the bridge [still a] little further east, by the tank house, is severely [illegible] and one pile taken entirely out. The damage to the railroad is such that no freight can be received or shipped at this point until the damage is repaired.

The race embankment on the river side, just above the mills was cut through, and the water continues to pour through the gap in great volumes. We hear of no other damage to private property other than the loss of some lumber and logs which were swept away from the mill when the race bridge went. C. Bozarth lost 2,000 feet, John Keller sixty dollars worth, and several others were losers in small quantities.

Sunday afternoon the waters rose with fearful rapidity and when night set in presented a rather appalling aspect. Though it was apparent to all that should the water continue to rise during the night as rapidly as it had during the day, the danger to the bridge and several buildings was imminent, yet but three men thought it worth while to stay and watch the freaks of the angry waters, and from ten till four o’clock these men were unceasingly employed in fighting back the devastating flood. They undoubtedly saved the river bridge from being swept away. During the night they discovered that the water had again commenced cutting away the abutment, and only with great difficulty succeeded in stopping the break. The water also commenced running over the road leading to the bridge and had they not been there to throw up an embankment to turn the water back, it would have swept away Barnum and Melendy’s new warehouse. The names of these three men are P. Melendy, Byron Culver, and Daniel Willard, and they deserve great credit for their exertions that night. The two latter had no personal interest at stake whatever, and deserve all the more credit on that account. It was a trying position in which to place three men, when there was work enough for fifty, and where so many interests were at stake. Yet they were true to their trust and during all of that long night, the battled for the victory and gained it. The bridge leading into town being gone, they could not go for help.

The water lacks a little of being within three feet as high as during the great flood four years ago. It is providential that we have had no rains, for if we had the business part of the town would surely have been inundated.

Thursday morning the water again commenced to rise, this morning being as high as at any previous time during the freshet. In consequence of there being no flood gate at the head of the race the water continues to pour through there with a constantly increasing force. The banks on either side of the race are slowly, but surely being cut away from the swift current. The damage already sustained must be near eight hundred or a thousand dollars. Mr. Henry’s new building and Darrah’s grocery store are in great danger of being undermined and swept down stream. The race must be damned [sic] at its head before the ravages of the water can be prevented to any extent. Maggarth’s blacksmith’s shop on the north bank of the race is about to take a dive; Barnum & Melendy’s warehouse has been in danger, but it is now thought to be averted by the forming of the breakwater out of tree tops, logs, brush, etc. Stead and Huffman saved their dry house by removing it.

The cause of the swift current through the race and the attending danger and loss, was the breaking away of the embankment just above the mills and the destruction of the bridge and temporary dam which were depended upon to keep the water back. Unless steps are immediately taken to shut off the water at the head of the race, we are afraid that we have as yet experienced but a small part of the damage which will result from allowing the water to pour through the channel uninterrupted – Cedar Falls Gazette.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 1

From the Third Iowa Infantry

Pittsburg, Tenn., April [13th], 1862

The smoke of the battle of the 6th and 7th has passed away; the wounded have been cared for and many of them sent to northern hospitals. For a few days past it has been pleasant and roads are now becoming dry, and the army are [improving] it in getting out their transportation and arranging for a forward movement. Daily batteries are being brought in and sent towards the outer lines, and when all arrangements are completed the army will move upon Corinth. Our lines at present are but little in advance of what they were previous to the battle of Pittsburg, and I presume the line will not be pushed forward until we are ready to follow it up with such energy as to be able to overcome all obstacles. The possession of Huntsville by our troops has broken the R. R. line of communication between the East and West.

The telegraph has been completed to this place. The wires pass over our camp and have their termination a little beyond us in the woods.

The rebel Gen. Johnston is buried about one mile form our camp (3d Iowa) and has a fence around his grave. The General was dressed in disguise. His coat was the common gray of the rebel soldiers, and he war a slouched hat.

Dr. Edwards is no longer a member of the Iowa Third. He did not choose to stand a trial and a proposition came from some one that he would resign if the charges were withdrawn. The resignation was sent in when the charges against him were withdrawn, the resignation accepted, and the Dr. took his departure from Tennessee.

There is a strong feeling here among the soldiers against Gen. Grant for allowing the surprise which happened on the 6th. I notice that some of the papers are trying to cast blame upon Gen. Buell for not being here sooner but any one that knows the state of the country through which Gen. Buell marched his army will doubt not that the Gen. got his forces through with all the haste possible. Of course the friends of Gen. Grant will endeavor to cast the responsibility upon some one else; but if Buell was behind time, it was no excuse for Grant not using due precaution in guarding against a surprise. On the contrary, he should have used extraordinary precaution. It is sheer nonsense to make excuses for being surprised by an army of 100,000 strong. Had our army been properly formed during Saturday night, and the older troops placed in the front instead of the new troops, some of which had had their guns but a few weeks, our army would have held their ground and the enemy been repulsed upon the first day.

St. Charles

– Published in the Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, May 2, 1862

The Next Battle

Gen. McClellan was before Yorktown on Sunday last, where the rebels were in large force and well fortified. We may expect by the next mail, news of a battle, if not more bloody than that in Tennessee, fully equal to it. We await the receipt of further news with great anxiety. Yorktown is probably before this, in our possession, and our triumphant troops marching “Forward to Richmond!”

– Published in the Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862

Young Iowa

In every fight Iowa bears a distinguished part. At Wilson’s Creek, at Belmont, at Fort Donelson, at Pittsburg, her gallant sons were in the thickest of the fray. Brave, willing, and with rare powers of endurance, they have made a record for that young Stat that will never fade. No where have her men faltered. No where have they failed to claim the post of danger; they have claimed it because it is the post of honor. At Donelson the charge of the Iowa Second was the crowning feat of the assault – the one that elicited the highest commendations from the superior officers. At Pittsburg the Iowa regiments engaged did nobly; although in the first onset, parts of three were surrounded and taken prisoners, they contended against superior numbers and the disadvantages of ground until their courage was again nobly vindicated. In the encomiums that are heaped upon Indiana and Illinois, for they too have done nobly, let Iowa, not less heroic and patriotic be remembered. In fact, West of Ohio how shall we discriminate, when we begin to praise? Where all did so well, who shall say who did the most?

– Published in the Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 25, 1862 & the Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Some of the furious she-rebels of Nashville . . .

. . . are ugly, scrawny, lank and toothless old girls who can’t attract the notice of the Union soldiers. They are the worst of the rebels, “with out an if – or a but.” – Nashville (Tenn.) Patriot

– Published in the Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 25, 1862

From the Third Iowa Infantry

Near Pittsburgh, Tenn.
Up The Tennessee, March 27, 1862

We are still in status quo, encamped upon the banks of the now swollen Tennessee. – The condition of the troops is not as we could wish. The long voyage here and the river water which at this season of the year is bad, has produced a distemper in the camps. – From this distemper, which exhibits itself in diarrhea, probably not more than one in five escapes. Officers and men alike, are subject to it. We are all patiently waiting for the command “Forward March” but expeditions of the size of this cannot move suddenly. – We are busy getting transports off the boat and getting our positions. Go down to the landing any day and you will see the ground covered with the mule teams and the muleteers with their everlasting one line and shouting to their teams.

For a few days past the weather has been fine and the roads are fast improving their condition. To-day Surgeon Edwards was ordered under arrest and I understand that he will have a speedy trial.

There have not been many fatal cases of sickness as yet in the army here, and none in our regiment. I noticed a few days since the grave of an Illinois volunteer, which had been kindly cared for by his comrades. Upon the board at the head of his grave was the simple but expressive epitaph: “He was much loved by his fellow soldiers.” The grave is situated upon a high bluff overlooking the Tennessee. Sadly it brought to mind my own dear brother who sleeps upon the banks of the Mississippi in a soldier’s grave.

There are plenty of rumors about camp that the enemy are in large force between Corinth and Florence and occupying a line of some fifteen miles. Of the truth of these rumors I am unable to inform you, but presume there is some reliance to be placed upon the statement. There are here one hundred and thirty regiments and rumor says a portion of Buell’s army besides. Report says that many Tennesseans and Alabamians are getting away and joining our regiments that are not full.

I presume that the people of Iowa are congratulating themselves that in a few days the war will be at an end and your volunteers will soon be at home, but you must be patient; the war is not yet over and a single failure may prolong the war for months. In the mean time let us hope that no such failure will happen and that victory will continue to crown our arms. Meantime, too, let the people of Iowa provide a good supply of provisions, for those of us that live to get back will be a set of desperately hungry fellows, that is if we stay much longer in Tennessee.

Our gunboats that are not ironclad have received a pretty severe raking from the rebel battery up the river. The range of the rebel guns seems to be greater than the range of those of our gunboats.

March 28th. – We are still in camp. The weather is fine and the roads are fast drying up. We have orders to leave our tents when we move from here. Last night we moved our camp at least one mile and are now encamped in a little opening where the ground is dry, with water near by.

March 29th. – The weather is still fair. – We continue to lie in camp waiting for the storm gathering for us somewhere. We have received papers from home containing the latest news by telegraph: “Attack upon Ft. Henry; Probable Advance upon Fort Donelson; Rumored Evacuation of Columbus; Move upon the Potomac,” &c.

Here where so many troops are congregating many friends meet each other for the first time during the war, and some for years. A few days since as we were standing upon the Steamer [latan] a German jumped aboard and hurriedly exclaimed, “are there any of the 3d Iowa here?” His acquaintance with our boys had been short, but of that kind which is always remembered. We had seen him standing the last man at his gun at Blue Mills when the leaden hail was showering around him, - he, too, was the last man at his gun at Fort Donelson – all alone he gave a farewell shot at the enemy, and left, and Swartz’s Battery for a time was in the hands of the enemy. It seems as though we had known him for years, and the grasp of his hand was that of a friend. We shall always remember him as a brave man, though his name may not go forth to the world in the public prints. Only a portion of Swartz’s Battery is with us, for their loss at Fort Donelson was so heavy that there were not men enough left to properly man a full Battery.

St. Charles.

– Published in the Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862, page 1 column 4