Special to New York Papers

{Mercury’s Dispatch}

NEW YORK, April 13 – There is not 5,000 rebels between Gordonsville and Richmond.

The Rappahannock river is very high.

Port Royal advices of the 7th state an assault will be made on Savannah to-morrow. Our pickets were within eight miles. Other important movements are about to take place.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday April 15, 1862 & in the in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Latest from Fortress Monroe

WASHINGTON, April 13.– The last dispatch was received from Gen. Wool at 9 p. m., to Secretary Stanton:

“The Merrimac has not made her appearance to-day. I think her object is to prevent interference with the reinforcements from Norfolk to Yorktown.

Deserters from the rebel camp yesterday report that constant reinforcements are reaching the rebels from the direction of Richmond and Rappahannock.

(Signed) J. E. Wool, Maj. Gen. Com.

BALTIMORE, April 13.– An Old Point letter brings no later news except that the Merrimac was aground near Sewall’s Point. This is only surmise. The other rebel vessels are moving about. At 5 p. m., Merrimac’s position was unchanged, and from tide being down and tugs about her, looks pretty certain that she is hard aground.

WASHINGTON, April 12 – A dispatch to the Secretary of War from Fortress Monroe, 12th, says the Merrimac has been stationary all day near Sewall’s Point, in plain sight.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday April 15, 1862 & also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

IMPORTANT NEWS

Gen. Mitchell at Huntsville, Ala.

THE REBL R. R. LINE BROKEN.

The following despatch was received by the Secretary of War:

Headquarters Third Division,
Huntsville, Ala., April 10

After a forced march and incredible difficulty, leaving Fayettville yesterday, my advanced guards entered Huntsville this morning. The city was completely taken by surprise, no one considering the march practicable. We captured 200 prisoners, 15 locomotives, a large number of cars, telegraph apparatus and office and two Southern mails. We have at last succeeded in cutting the great artery of railway communication between the Southern States.

(Signed) O. M. Mitchell, Brigadier General

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday April 15, 1862 & also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862, p. 4, top of 1st column

A Well Earned Escape

The Nashville correspondent of the New York World gives the following account of the efforts made by an Alabama Unionist, now in Nashville, to Escape from the rebels:

In his absence at New Orleans the Confederate army arrived in Decatur. Upon his return he found the town and surrounding country under martial law – Col. Patten in command – and himself under the eye of suspicion, and the object of search. Consulting his safety, he resolved to escape. He applied to Col. Patten for a pass. Upon giving his name, the Colonel remarked: “Yes I’ve been notified of a man of your name. I think you are the man. Your neighbors are after you. Just stay here till I see a certain man about it.” The colonel went out. Mr. F. Stepped to the desk, wrote a pass, signed the Colonel’s name to it, and went out. It was night. His pass carried him through the lines without molestation. He traveled by rail and foot to within twenty-five miles of Nashville. He was arrested at that point by six Texan Rangers. They conducted him to the guard house, and put him under a guard of two. One of them left, and the other, laying aside his musket, squatted in the corner, and set a reading. Mr. F. seized the musket, and ordered the guard to arise and advance. He did so, and was propelled at the end of the bayonet a distance of four miles, when he was permitted to return. Mr. F. came to Nashville.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

The Rebel Governor Johnson Killed

LOUISVILLE, April 13. – The steamer Minnehaha [has] arrived to-day with about 230 wounded from Pittsburgh Landing.

A wounded rebel officer reports that George W. Johnson, Provisional Governor of Kentucky, had a horse shot under him on Sunday, while acting on Breckinridge’s Staff, and was himself killed on Monday, while fighting in a company of the 4th rebel Kentucky regiment.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862 & in the in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Col. Thomas W. Sweeny

The gallant Col. Thomas W. Sweeny, who, from the news just received, has again been wounded at the recent great battle at Pittsburg in the defence [sic] of his country’s flag and in the maintenance of its laws, was born in Ireland, and came to this country with his parents when about ten years of age. On the passage across the Atlantic he was washed overboard, but in the providence of God was saved. At an early aged he went to Patterson, N. J., where he was apprenticed to the printing business. He afterward came to this city, and was engaged as a compositor till the war with Mexico was declared. He was among the first to volunteer in the service of his adopted country in the capacity of Second Lieutenant. He was at the storming of Vera Cruz, and was twice wounded in the battle at the taking of the City of Mexico, losing his right arm. On Col. Sweeny’s return to this city he received the commission of Second Lieutenant, 2nd Regiment U. S. Infantry, and was soon ordered to California, where he performed many arduous duties, from which he never faltered; among the first of which was the taking a detachment of recruits in a state of disorganization across the desert, from San Diego to the interior, without losing a man. He was afterwards assigned to Fort Yumah, on the Colorado, with a command of ten men; and shut off for ten months from all communications with the settlements, and surrounded by a large band of hostile Indians, but for this watchfulness and indefatigable intrepidity would have been massacred before being relieved. From California he, with a portion of his regiment, was ordered to Fort Pierre, in Northern Nebraska, where he served as Aid to Gen. Harney; and when arduous duty was required he was always at his post. At the commencement of the rebellion Col. Sweeny was on the recruiting service, but was ordered to Newport Barracks, and soon afterward to the command of St. Louis Arsenal. This was previous to the time when Gen. Lyon took the command. He was second in command at the surrender of the notorious rebel Claib. Jackson, when Gen. Lyon being disabled by a kick from his horse, the negotiations were conducted by Col. Sweeny. He was afterward appointed Brigadier General of the Three months Missouri volunteers. Previous to the battle of Wilson’s Creek, when it was decided not to attack the Rebel General Price, Gen. Sweeny was so impressed that a retreat would be worse than a defeat, that he prevailed on Gen. Lyon to make the attack. In that battle he was again wounded and still carries the ball in his leg. At the close of the battle, when Gen. Sturgis assumed command, Gen. Sweeny was urgent in following up the retreating rebels, believing that had it been done, they would have been compelled to surrender. Gen. Sweeny is as noble and generous as he is gentlemanly and brave. Devoted entirely to his adopted country, when the rebellion broke out he expressed himself in a letter to a friend: “I will, through flood and flame, sacrifice, if necessary, any remaining limb in defence of my country’s flag.” Such merit as his is not likely to be overlooked by the Government. – {Tribune.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

From Fortress Monroe

Fortress Monroe, April 14. – The Merrimac remained in the same position all day yesterday until evening, when together with the rest of the rebel fleet, she returned to Norfolk. She is generally supposed to have been altered. – None of the rebel fleet have shown themselves to-day.

Several Captains of vessels in port testify in relation to three vessels captured by the rebel steamer Jamestown that they were ordered to move either outside of Fortress Monroe or inside of Hampton Bar. As the position of the vessels in question was inside the bar, the blame, if any one is accountable for their capture, should rest upon the Harbor Master, rather than on the captured vessels.

Mr. Twigg, a correspondent of the New York World, was arrested here this morning on a charge of having prepared matter for publication of a contraband character.

A Norfolk paper has been received here containing a dispatch from Beauregard in relation to the second day’s fighting at Pittsburg Landing. He claims a complete victory. He says that after capturing 36 of our guns and 8,000 prisoners, his force fell back upon his works at Corinth, which they are fully able to hold.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862 & in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862, p. 4

Gen. Beauregard Dead

WOODSTOCK, VA., April 13. – We learn from Jackson’s camp this forenoon that Beauregard is dead. The report comes direct form the rebel service. Nothing new to report regarding the enemy.

(Signed.) N. P. Banks, Maj. Gen.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862 & the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

From Yorktown

Yorktown, April 12. – McClellan has written a letter complimenting the Maine and Berdan sharp shooters, the latter now doing picket duty in front of the enemy’s works.

Capt. Spaulding of the 4th Michigan cavalry was wounded on Thursday, being shot in the shoulder.

Yorktown, April 13. – On Friday about 300 of the 12th N. Y. volunteers on picket duty were attacked by a rebel regiment, but after a volley from the 12th the rebels retreated, hiving several killed and wounded.

Later in the day the rebels advanced in considerable numbers from another point, driving in our entire pickets, and burning a dwelling that had been used by our troops.

During both skirmishes we had three men slightly wounded.

The 57th & 63d Pennsylvania regiments had a skirmish with the enemy on Friday, in which they had two killed and four wounded.

A balloon was sent up from the rebel lines this morning.

For the first time weather and roads are improving.

No artillery firing on either side yesterday.

The army is engaged in preparations for advancing.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

After the completion of his Eastern tour. . .

. . . Taylor went to London. He entered a shop to procure an article to cover his head. The purchase having been made, the shopman remarked: “Beg pard’n sir! an Hamerican gent, I hobserve; been in Hingland long?” “Why do you take me for an American?” asked Taylor, who rather prided himself upon being a cosmopolitan. “Yes, sir! beg pard’n sir! I hobserved that you said a Hat; beg pard’n, sir; but in Lunnon we commonly say han ‘at.”

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Monday, April 14, 1862

The Capture Of Richmond

The Richmond Examiner has the following editorial:

The Northern mind has settled down upon the purpose of overrunning Virginia and capturing Richmond, the Confederate capital, at every cost. In this enterprise all hearts are enlisted, and upon it all the energies of their Government are best. For this purpose they have assembled an army of 180,000 men, including that of Burnside, which they regard as one of the most formidable in machinery, discipline and equipment that ever took the field. Whatever be the grit and stamina of the men, there is probably no doubt of the fact that it possesses all the advantages which wealth and pains can give to troops.

It is certain that the North regards the demonstration against Richmond as the grand coup of the war, and we need not conceal from ourselves that the danger is serious and formidable.

It is believed that, while heavy bodies of troops will attempt to cross the country from different points on the Potomac, in conjunction with an army marching up the valley from Winchester, the heaviest columns of their forces will be landed from our river estuaries and a march attempted along our eastern peninsulas. No doubt remains that we are approaching momentous and decisive events, and that some of the most important battles that will have a place in history are soon to be joined.

It is not for us to speak of the heavy movements of our own troops that are constantly going on. It is sufficient to say that our Generals are cheerful and ready for the conflict.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Monday, April 14, 1862

Battle At Pittsburg Landing

{Correspondence of the Burlington Hawk-Eye}

Sunday morning, April 6th, whilst taking breakfast, we were startled by the rapid firing of cannon in the direction of our advance encampments. There had been a skirmish to our front the day previous, indicating the near presence of the Rebel forces. Yet it was deemed hardly possible that they would venture to attack us in full force. But the continuous roar of artillery, and the heavy vollies of small arms, soon dispelled all doubt, and convinced us that the great battle of the war had commenced. – Directly every camp was busy with the note of preparation. The long roll beat to quarters – ammunition was distributed – the men formed in line of battle, and advanced to support our front. Our camp was nearest the river, and our regiment, the 7th Iowa, was in the 1st Brigade of the 2nd division, (General William L. Wallace commanding,) Col. Tuttle commanded the brigade. When brought to the front, we were placed near the centre. To our left was Gen. Hurlbut’s division, to our right was the division of Gen. McClernand. As we advanced to the front, we were met by stragglers from the regiment that had been driven back, some bare headed – some without guns – some powder begrimed and wounded, and some helping others that were wounded. Army wagons loaded with baggage, and scattered parts of two or three batteries that had occupied a position nearest the advancing forces of the rebels, were mixed up promiscuously with the crowd of flying fugitives. Steadily onward through these advanced the 2d division to the relief of our hard pressed troops in front. We soon reached the point where it had been decided to make a stand. This was at nine o’clock. The fighting was then principally confined to the left wing of our forces. Very soon, however, the enemy attacked our position. To the left was an open field. One of our batteries was placed in position to command this. Gen. Lauman’s brigade, composed of the 31st & 44th Indiana, and the 17th & 25th Kentucky regiments, were ordered to support this, flanking it on the right, constituting also the right of Gen. Hurlbut’s division. The 2nd division occupied ground to the left of this, and was posted in the edge of the woods fronting an open field. These arrangements had hardly been effected before the rebels assailed our forces along nearly the whole extent of the line. The fight was opened by heavy cannonading, which was vigorously replied to by Willard’s Chicago, and Major Cavander’s Missouri batteries. Under cover of this fire, the rebel infantry advanced to the attack. Soon the whole line was one blaze of fire. Our men stood their ground firmly, and repelled four successive attacks. The storm of bullets was terrific. The most desperate charges of the enemy were against the position occupied by Gen. Lauman’s brigade. But not animated by his presence and example, his men behaved like veterans. He rode up and down the lines, perfectly calm, and stopping here and there to address a cheering word to his men. I could not but admire his noble bearing, though momentarily expecting to see him fall. The Major of the 31st Indiana, fell mortally wounded near my side. Assistant Adj’t General H. Schofield, was also disabled by a shot in the thigh. Colonel Crofts was wounded, Lt. Barnes, Aid to General Lauman, your correspondent, and Gen. Lauman himself, successively had our horses shot. But still the fight went on and the rebels were forced to retire. The underbrush in front of our line was literally chopped to pieces by the repeated volleys of rifled musketry, and the ground was covered by the rebel dead. It was now about two o’clock, P. M. The fighting had been heavy all day on both flanks, and now the left began to yield. Gen. Lauman was ordered to move to the support of our retiring troops. This he did; and by the most desperate fighting, and skillful handling of his brigade, saved the left wing from annihilation. But the moving of these troops left a gap in our lines, of which the rebels with their superior forces were not slow to take advantage. About this time the right also began to give way, and the 2d division was soon fairly flanked. The order was finally given for them to fall back, but it came too late to save all. The 8th, 12th and 14th regiments of Iowa volunteers were cut off, surrounded, and after desperate fighting, forced to surrender. – The remains of our army were now driven close to the river, and the prayer of all was, “would that night or Buell would come!”

The rebels were following up their advantages, and seemed on the point of cutting us off altogether. But most fortunately now, General Buell’s advanced forces came up, and ranged themselves in line of battle. Col. Webster, Chief of Gen. Grant’s Staff, had by this time, got some heavy siege guns into position, which began to pour a destructive fire upon the advancing columns of the enemy. They replied vigorously with both artillery and small arms, but were finally compelled to fall back. Night now closed upon the scene, and the forces on both sides slept on their arms.

The Gunboats Tyler & Lexington had taken part in the closing fight and continued to throw shell amongst the rebels at intervals of fifteen minutes during the entire night. The scene was grand, yet sad, for thousands of our brave fellows lay bleeding on the ground, and we knew that the morning’s light would see many more stricken down by the bullets of the enemy. During the night a heavy rain set in which completely drenched our exhausted troops laying out on the naked ground.

Before it was fairly daylight the next morning the battle was renewed by Gen. Nelson’s Division on the left, and Gen. Lew Wallace’ on the right. The rebels soon began to fall back, and were steadily followed up by Buell’s forces who were constantly arriving and immediately sent forward. All through the previous night the transports had been busy ferrying over his forces from Savannah, nine miles below, and also from the opposite side of the river. Gen. Buell everywhere inspired confidence as he rode along the lines and addressed words of cheer to his troops. His superior generalship completely foiled the rebels in all their maneuvres, and whilst he preserved his own line of battle intact, he completely broke theirs, driving them from one position to another until we had regained all the ground lost on the preceding day – captured several batteries, and pursued them far out on the road to Corinth. The troops belonging to Gen. Grant’s army that had fought on the previous day, including Generals McClernand, Sherman, Smith, Hurlbut, and Prentiss’ Division were organized into reserves, and hurried on to the support of Buell’s forces.

The fighting of the second day was principally done by the several divisions under General Buell’s immediate command. All feel that our salvation is due to him alone. He himself arrived at the scene in advance of his troops, and riding up to our men assured them final victory if they could only hold the enemy in check until his troops arrived. At 5 o’clock, p. m., he rode along the lines and said to our jaded and disheartened men, that if they would hold them in check two hours longer, he had men enough to engage them alone in the morning.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE BATTLE

First. That the rebel attack Sunday morning was a complete surprise to our army. We lay with our camps scattered about, perfectly unconscious of danger. The Friday evening previous there had been a skirmish in front of our lines, but it excited little comment, and was supposed to be only a scouting party from the rebel forces at Corinth. No special preparations were made to receive the enemy, and no one seemed to imagine that they were in force close upon our lines. And yet as facts have since shown, they lay camped for several days within striking distance – two miles – of our camp. The rear division of their army had left Corinth on the Monday preceding the battle. The distance from Corinth to Pittsburg Landing is twenty miles. Our camps extended along the main road about four miles from the river. But though they were so near us, and were nearly a week making final preparations for the battle, still the only feeling apparent on the part of our leaders was a fear least they should slip away from Corinth, and decline to give us battle.

Second. That our volunteer cavalry is shamefully inefficient. We have supposed all along that it was the business of the cavalry to keep us posted on the movements of the enemy, and to immediately advise the General Commanding of any change of position. Yet the rebels were allowed to make all their arrangements to attack us with perfect impunity, and in entire secrecy. Moreover, during the battle, they were worse than useless, I have yet to learn of an instance where they either made an attack upon the enemy, or stood a charge from them. As far as my own observation extended they always took special pains to keep out of the way of the enemy’s fire. Whenever a retreat took place they were the first to run, and in two separate instances on Monday and Tuesday, they were the means of creating a shameful panic amongst our troops, and a ludicrous stampede for the steamboat landing. Many of them remained near the river all day Sunday, not venturing out upon the field at all; and others were constantly exciting alarm by circulating reports of the successes of the enemy, and the discomfiture of our own forces. They are regarded here since the battle with a feeling of utter contempt; and if the immense sums of money spent in organizing and equiping [sic] these useless appendages to the army had been employed in fitting out infantry regiments, the result of Sunday’s fighting at least would have been very different in its effects upon the enemy.

Third. I have been more than ever convinced of the importance of discipline and drill in forming an efficient army. Those regiments that had brave and competent officers fought unflinchingly in the face of successive and desperate attacks from the enemy, and when ordered to retire, would do so in good order fighting as they moved back, and forming again into line at the word of command. Others would break and run at the first fire, and could not be rallied by the most strenuous exertions of their officers. One regiment of this sort was met by the 7th Iowa, as it was moving to the front during the fight of Monday. Their officers were incapable of rallying them, seeing which, Maj. E. W. Rice then commanding the 7th, ordered his men to charge bayonets upon the cowardly sneaks. And in this way alone could they be halted and brought into line. – Buell’s force was manifestly well organized and under excellent system of discipline and instruction. They were kept well in hand during the battle, and reflected high credit upon the General commanding. Many of our officers – from Colonels down to Second Lieutenants, openly deserted their posts and fled panic stricken from the field of battle. But notwithstanding all this, through the great mercy of God we were finally delivered from our perilous situation, and enabled to drive back the rebels in utter disorder. This battle is another instance of the vindication of the sanctity of the Sabbath by the Lord of battles and of Providence. The party commencing the attack on the Sabbath were ultimately worsted and failed in all their endeavors.

We expect another battle soon, either here or at Corinth. Gen Halleck has arrived, and is expected to take command in person. But a great deal of rain has fallen since the battle, and the roads are now almost impassible.

Many of the dead still lie unburied. The battle field was one of the most heart rending sights it was ever my lot to witness. For miles the ground was strewn with the mangled remains of the dead, and the dying, and those disabled by their wounds. The loss on each side can only be counted by thousands. The rebels took the most prisoners, but it is probable that their dead and wounded will far exceed ours. The fire of our artillery was terribly destructive to their ranks.

They fought as though the issue of the whole war depended upon their endeavors, and our men fought as knowing that defeat was captivity or death. Enclosed I send a list of the killed and wounded of the Iowa 7th.

C.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

List of Wounded Iowa Soldiers

The following is a list of the wounded Iowa soldiers from the Pittsburg battle field, brought up by the steamer Crescent City to St. Louis:

P Kinny, co F, 12th Iowa, face; W A Gordon, co H, 11th Iowa, thigh; J M Allen, co H, 11th Iowa; K S Miller, co I, 11th Iowa, arm; J H Ribley, co H, 11th Iowa, thigh; T G Lewis, co H, 11th Iowa, shoulder; B K Winter, co H, 11th Iowa, arm and leg; J Tolmer, co H, 11th Iowa; J H Hess, co B, 6th Iowa, righ side; John Locard, co C, 6th Iowa, left side; A Wilson, co K, 6th Iowa, pneumonia; A M Smith, co H, 6th Iowa, arm and body; Geo Godfrey, co H, 3d Iowa, thigh; Wm S Whitmore, co E, 6th Iowa, thigh; H. Junes, co B, 12th Iowa, thigh; O Adams, co b, 12th Iowa, forearm; Wm Maynard, co B, 12th Iowa, shoulder; C S Swain, co A, 12th Iowa, breast; Alex Presho, co A, 12th Iowa, leg; Geo Heart, co F 13th Iowa, forearm; F. Elliott, co H, 7th Iowa, side; Thos Nelson, co F, 12th Iowa, hand; G Eaton, co I, 12th Iowa, hand; Jas Cobb, co I, 12th Iowa, back; A T Garland, co H, 12th Iowa, sick; C E Christman, co E, 11th Iowa, left arm; A J Campbell, co C, 11th Iowa, right arm; Liet G W Barr, co G, 12th Iowa, right arm; Lieut Lewis Bond, co B, 16th Iowa, left leg; E A Ward, co H, 12th Iowa, legs; K Castor, co H, 16th Iowa, right thigh; J. M Seargent, co A, 13th Iowa; right ankle; W D Carpenter co F, 16th Iowa, sick; J W Scranton, co F, 16th Iowa, arm; Sergt J L Cook, co K, 6th Iowa, jaw; J A Clark, co G, 6th Iowa, shoulder; H P Carpenter, co F, 16th Iowa, left leg; W H H Renfro, co F, 16th Iowa, head; J Houbicke, co B, 15th Iowa, left knee; J W McDonald, co E, –th Iowa, left thigh, slight; T H Summers co E, 14th Iowa right shoulder; J H Clark, co E, 14th Iowa, right arm; J H Waddle, co E, 14th Iowa, right leg, slight; S P Plummer, co A, 6th Iowa, right arm; Sergt W K Arnold, co K, 6th Iowa, both thighs; Lieut M B Burton, co B, 8th Iowa, sick; M Rolf, co I, 12th Iowa, sick; L Park, co I, 12th Iowa, sick; B L Foot, co G, 6th Iowa; thigh; Thos McKenry, co K, 8th Iowa, groin, flesh, severe; Isaac Cooper, co K, 11th Iowa, ball through thigh; F M Crow, co H, 8th Iowa, arm; J B Somers, co D, 6th Iowa , leg; G F Stratton, co D, 9th Iowa, hand; J K Morey, co D, 6th Iowa, leg; Clark Trip, co F, 6th Iowa, left arm; Corp Andrew Byers, co F, 6th Iowa, right knee; J B Tiechnor, co B, 8th Iowa, thigh; Lieut E Tichner, co B, 8th Iowa, M W Stone, co H, 7th Iowa, shoulder; Spence L. Toll, co I, 2nd Iowa, shoulder breast and arm John S Herbrick, co, I, 2nd Iowa, thigh bone, severe; J J Woods, Colonel 11th Iowa, hand and leg, flesh.

Taken off at Paducah to Hospital, very sick.

A H Smith, co H, 6th Iowa; J W Dwegans co E, 11th Iowa;

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April, 19, 1862, page 3 middle of column 1.

Note: Due to Blogspot’s 200 character limitation in the lable field I am including a list of the Iowa regiments named in this article for searching purposes. They are as follows: the 2nd Iowa Infantry, 3rd Iowa Infantry, 6th Iowa Infantry, 7th Iowa Infantry, 8th Iowa Infantry, 11th Iowa Infantry, 12th Iowa Infantry, 13th Iowa Infantry, 14th Iowa Infantry, 15th Iowa Infantry & the 16th Iowa Infantry

British Civil Wars – War Debts

There are no less than thirty seven rebellions recorded in English history between the time of William the Conqueror, A.D. 1069, and the Irish outbreak in 1802. Several others have since occurred. The British foreign wars have been incessant, and their expenses enormous. That of the American revolution was six hundred and thirty millions of dollars, and the contest with the first Napoleon cost five thousand seven hundred and ninety-five millions.

The sympathy shown to the Confederates by England may thus in part be naturally accounted for, though considerable inconsistency is nevertheless yet to be explained in the want of it for the natives of India and the disenchanted population beyond the Irish Channel, who have been very anxious to possess and govern their own countries in their own way.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Culpable Carelessness

A correspondent writing from Ship Island, says of a late expedition to Biloxi, that the men landed without molestation, and were marching up to the town with unloaded muskets, when they came upon a party of mounted men and a piece of artillery, coming to receive them. The Colonel concluded that, under these circumstances, the better part of valor was to retreat, and gave the order accordingly.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Wednesday, April 9, 1862

It will be seen by the letters published to-day . . .

. . . that there were some Iowa troops in the Pittsburgh battle – several – that they did some hard fighting. We print a full and reliable list of casualties in the 7th Iowa and another list of wounded from the regiments, who have arrived at St. Louis. Our readers will not fail to read the account of the battle by our correspondent. A perusal of the letters which we print this morning with the accounts of the battle given by other correspondents who were present, will convince the reader that there was a lack of discipline and Generalship in Grant’s army which lost us many valuable lives and came very near losing a very important battle.

*~*~*~*~*

We are glad to find out that our loss at the great battle is not so large as apprehended. Two of our correspondents have turned up safe, as will be seen by the letters published to-day, and another has been heard from.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862

Weekly report of the Mortality among the Iowa Soldiers . . .

. . . in the Military Hospitals and Camps in the vicinity of St. Louis, Mo.

April 6
Lewis N. Ripley, co. A, 12th Iowa
John Burhanan, co. F, 16th, Iowa
Geo. Van Cleave, co. B, 15th Iowa

April 7
W. P. Leach, co. E, 12th Iowa
Felix Conner, co. G, 12th Iowa

April 9
Melvin Hempstead, co. F, 12th Iowa

April 11
Henry Kirk White, co. G, 2nd Iowa

April 12
John Coffman, co, K, 15th Iowa

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862

Hon. J. F. Wilson

We are glad to say a word in commendation of the worthy representative to Congress from this District. He is working his way surely to a position of honor and influence in the House before the country. While many representatives since the opening of the present session of Congress have yielded to the blandishments or menaces of the Slavery influence, which still predominates in “good” society at Washington, Mr. Wilson has pursued a straight forward course – evidently neither afraid nor ashamed to stand up for the principles of humanity, loyalty and justice. He originated the measure, which is now a law, forbidding the return of fugitives [sic] slaves by army officers or men. He was chiefly instrumental in exposing and defeating a scheme for building railroads in Southern States at the expense of Government, and for the subsequent advantage of communities now in rebellion. In connection with Mr. Bingham, of Ohio, he reported a bill confiscating the property of all rebels and emancipating their slaves. He has also drawn a bill declaring that no person shall be eligible to any office, civil, military, or naval, under the Government of the United States, who may have heretofore held office under either the General or State Governments, and who has held or may hereafter hold any office, civil, military or naval, under the pretended Government of the self-styled Confederate States, or either of them. Mr. Wilson regards treason as a crime, and he believes in crushing it in the most effective and thorough manner. – He has no reverence for Slavery and no fear of its advocates or apologists. We are quite sure that nine-tenths, perhaps ninety-nine-hundreths [sic], of those who voted for Mr. Wilson will cordially sustain him in his support of the vigorous and patriotic measure above alluded to. Our Representative has some admirable qualifications for a statesman in these times. He has back bone, he is a ready and logical speaker, a hard worker, and an honest man whose head and heart are in the right place. He has before him an honorable and distinguished career. We do not doubt his ability to maintain himself and to meet the expectations of his warmest friends. – {Oskaloosa Herald.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Wednesday, April 9, 1862

The Cultivation of Flax Seed

From a Prize Essay, by W. B. Colman, published in St. Louis, March 1862

The cultivation of Flax Seed is as simple as that of any crop we have. It requires no more labor to raise and harvest a crop of it than it does to raise and harvest a crop of oats or wheat, and it is less exhausting to the soil than a crop of wheat. It is generally thought that flax seed should be sown on moist rich land, such as creek and river bottoms. This opinion prevails, because the straw of flax grows more luxuriantly on such lands. When flax is sown for the fibre, it should be sown on moist rich land, but the seed is always inferior. The best seed, i.e. richest in oily matter, is produced upon rather dry, rolling, and only moderately fertile soil. The stalks are shorter, branch more, and the bolls fill better. When flax is cultivated for the fibre or the fibre and seed, the seed will always be inferior in quality to that sown exclusively for the seed on dryer land, and when not sown so thick as it must be when the fiber is made an object.

A better quality of seed is also obtained in a dry season than a wet one, the seed containing a larger per cent of oil. The straw does not grow so rank, and the bolls fill with larger richer seed.

SEED FOR SOWING.

“Like begets like” no more surely in the animal than vegetable world – therefore the very best quality of seed should be obtained. As flax seed is commonly raised it is better to sow a small piece, especially for the seed to by used [in] sowing For this purpose the seed must be sown very thinly over the surface – not to exceed a peck to the acre. Each stalk will then grow vigorously, branching to the ground, and the bolls will fill with large plump seed. All foul seed should be scrupulously separated from the flax seed before sowing. The price of flax seed is materially lessened when it contains seeds of mustard, rape, cockle, &c. If these cannot be separated in any other way they must be by a flax riddle. It is bad economy to sow seed from flax raised for the fibre. The stalks are long, spindling, and light colored, and it is impossible for such stalks to produce a large plump berry.

QUANTITY OF SEED PER ACRE.

Farmers differ very much in the quantity of seed they apply to the acre, some sowing only a peck, others as much as two bushels. If the soil is put in fine condition, and the seed is sown evenly, one peck per acre is sufficient. – Where seed is the chief object, not over half a bushel in any case should be sown. By thin sowing the stock will be stronger and throw out vigorous branches, which will produce large bolls filled with plump glossy seed, containing a very large per cent of oil. By thick seeding the plants are less strong, branch but little, the sun can strike only the top of the plants, and the seeds will be smaller, lighter, and will not contain within fifteen or twenty percent the amount of oil that seed will when raised by thin sowing.

WEEDING.

Pure seed being very important, it is highly necessary to go into the field and pull out all weeds that show themselves. The wild mustard and other weeds are very easily distinguished when in bloom. With a little labor at the proper time all weeds may be taken out and the seed left clean and pure.

CLEANING THE SEED.

Being chiefly used for the manufacture of oil purchasers are particularly anxious to obtain pure plump glossy seed. Dirt, Dust, foul seed, or any extraneous matter will distract from its value. It is therefore important to take particular pains in cleaning it and preparing it for market. A prime article for flax seed is always eagerly sought and a poor article will not be bought if a supply of prime seed can be obtained.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Wednesday, April 9, 1862 & in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862

Andrew Johnson and the Traitors

Col. Forney writes from Washington to the Philadelphia Press:

Andrew Johnson is as bold in denouncing treason in Nashville as he was in Washington. He does not hesitate, as some of our Northern politicians do, when seeking to find the authors of our calamities. In Tennessee he could safely locate this responsibility upon the abolitionists and Black Republicans; he could imitate the Breckinridgers of Pennsylvania and other Free States by criticizing and condemning Republican legislation. Disdaining all such shallow tricks, however, he tells rebels that it was not Mr. Lincoln and his friends who refused all compromise, but the Secession leaders, and that these latter could have carried the Crittenden proposition if they had not persistently determined to break up the Government and to dissolve the Union. When the day of reckoning comes, when the public stewards go before the people to render an account, Andrew Johnson’s words will drive the plausible falsehoods of the Breckinridgers away, like so much chaff driven by the whirlwind. – They will talk against the tax, against the Republicans, against confiscation and in favor of a dishonorable peace. He, and the millions who believe in him, will assume a high and manly ground – that, as the war was begun by the rebels, they must be made to feel the indignation of the Government they have assailed, and that they are no patriots, who, in their sympathy with the rebels, labor only to restore them to power by embarrassing and misrepresenting the Administration. This will be the ground of Johnson and the honest masses of the United States.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Wednesday, April 9, 1862