Letter from Adjt. King.

Head Quts. 15th Iowa Vols.
Vicksburg, Miss. Sept. 23d 1863

Mr Caverly:

Forty days absence from the army, enjoying the hospitalities of home and friends, has the effect of making me engage languidly in the generous and somewhat monotonous duties of the camp. Yesterday at 10 o’clock A. M. I arrived at the Regt. Traveling twelve days from home. It was a tedious, but rather pleasant trip. The river is very low, which, with the fog nights and mornings, caused us to make slow progress. The “sights” along the way, were interesting and various, though but few of them can be introduced in this narrative. In St. Louis I saw many friends, among whom was the estimable S. B. Clapp of Oceola [sic], “homeward boned” from Pilot Knob where he has been employed by the Government for some time past as an artificer. He was at the Everett House completely prostrated from information [sic] of the bowels. Leaving St. Louis, on the evening of the 15th, took lodging in the Worsborn House remaining two days from want of transportation. Memphis is a live city, and the theater for the performance of the vilest actions in the power of human sagacity to invent. Every nook and corner of the city is filled to overflowing with assassins, burglars, pick-pockets, scamps and traitors of every description and pretension. Drunken officers, soldiers and citizens were to be found on every corner and avenue while the Hotels seemed perfect denizens of swaggering wisky [sic] tubs.

Here we parted with Mrs. Carter, who was “enroute” for Corinth to visit her husband in the 39th Iowa.

The gallant and glorious 2nd Iowa Caverly [sic] is stationed here and doing “Picket” duty for Memphians. No beter Cavalry Regt.is in the service than this. Its career thus far has been highly successful and honorable, both to state and nation.

Leaving Memphis on Steamer John Warner, on the evening of the 18th, and making an exceedingly slow trip. I arrived in Vicksburg as above stated on the 22d much rejoiced to be again with my comrades of the old Fifteenth. Sickness abounds in camp. Seventy five cases is about the average number on hand each day, in the Regt. A large number have gone north on sick leave among whom I may mention Wm. Day and John Davenport, of Co. “I.” Surgeon Gibbon is also on his way north to recruit his health.

The expedition to Monroe La. Is prepresented to have been the hardest march ever performed by the 3d Brigade. Hundreds gave out from heat and thrist. Large numbers took sick and some have died.

An attack from Cavalry, has been expected here for a few days. The rebels are said to be active and vigilant beyond Black river and near the right of our position. Everthing is ready and they are at liberty to fight us at Vicksburg whenever it suits their convenience. Large numbers of troops are leaving this point, going northward – perhaps to reinforce Rosecrans. Gen. Smith’s division had reached Halena [sic] on the 15th. Gen. Austerhous’ divison and one other divion are embarking today, and will be off very shortly. The troops from Natchez are expected here in a few days. What disposition will be made of division and corps is the merest conjecture, of course. Rumor has it that Gen. McPherson is ordered to duty with Gen. Rosecrans. Gen. McArthur comands the post of Vicksburg. Col. Chambers of the 16th Iowa, has been made a Brig. Gen’l and commands the 6th Division.

If I were a politician, I would inform you how Stone and Tuttle respectfully would run for Governor of Iowa with the members of this Regt., as I would know all about it, of course. The boys will vote for their candidate without fear or favor, and will do their own thinking and acting, efforts to the contrary notwithstanding. There is but little of interst transpiring in camp, nothing indeed, beyond the ordinary details for fatigue and guard duty, which is quite arduous at present. Cool nights, warm days, and dusty roads is the order of things here just now. With plenty to eat, drink and wear, that is pleasant to the taste and beneficial to the body, we are having good times, in high spirits, and hope soon to be able to report the health of all fully restored and things moving in the good, old way.

Respectfully adieu
E. H. King.

The following, we are permitted to take from a letter of Mr. King’s to Lieut. Sigler writen since the above.

Any sick soldiers you may see at home contemplate obtaining medical certificates of disability, and remaining at home, please tell them it is of no use to do so. The Government requires them, when unable to return to the Regts. to report to the nearest Hospital. This rule is invariable. Those who remain at home on medical certificates will be reported as deserters, and treated accordingly.

Lieut. Kirkpatrick and the boys in Co. “I” are well. All Enjoy excellent spirits.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, October 10, 1863

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Ensign H. King

Chaplin, Co. I, 15th Iowa Infantry

Born in Pennsylvania. At the time of his enlistment he was 23 years old and resided in Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa. He enlisted with the rank of 1st Sergeant on November 4, 1861 and was mustered in January 24, 1862. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on July 4, 1862, 1st Lieutenant on December 10, 1862, and again on April 22, 1863 to Adjutant.

On March 27, 1864 in a ceremony performed by the Rev. H. B. Heacock Adjutant Ensign H. King married Fidelia C. Wilson in the home of her father in Clarke Co., Iowa.

Ensign H. King was promoted to Chaplin of the 15th Iowa Infantry on September 19, 1864. At the close of the war he was mustered out on July 24, 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky.

Sometime between 1875 & 1880 Mr. & Mrs. King, with their four children, Pereival S., Lyman M., George C. & Mary M. removed to Dutch Flat, Placer Co., CA. They were enumerated there in the 1880 Federal Census.

Sources: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System; Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 2, p. 972; 1880 Federal Census for Dutch Flat, Placer Co., CA; "Married," The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 2, 1864

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Letter from Lieut. King - March 28, 1863
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Married -March 27, 1864

Letter from E. H. King

Head Qarters 15th Iowa Vol’s.,
Before Vicksburg Miss.
June 15th 1863

Mr. Caverly:

Since writing you at Grand Gulf Miss. Our Regt. And Brigade have passed through a great many vicissitudes of hardship and danger, nearly always moving, though we have been spared the misfortune of engaging, very extensively in any of the hard and terrible battles in the rear of Vicksburg. It was not until the evening of the 19th of may, we received orders to join the gallant band, that had marched triumphantly from Port Gibson to Jackson, thence back to the stronghold at Vicksburg, which has proved, thus far a successful barrier to the destruction or capture of the rebel Mississippi army. – Since arriving here we have marched forward and backward, and once and a half around Vicksburg, besides innumerable little marches, and a march of six days into the Yazoo county – an expedition consisting of six Brigades under command of F. P. Blair – to capture or disperse a band of rebels said to be gathering for the purpose of harassing our army in the rear, which, of course, we did effectually, though our captures were meager as to member [sic], It is hoped no one will deny but that the enemy was effectually scattered, as but few could be found, after having met them on the 29th of may at Mechanicksburg, and engaged them with our skirmishers.

At any rate, we were ordered back to Vicksburg, by the way of Haine’s Bluff, which place we reached about 10 o’clock P.M. of the 31st.

Remaining there until the 4th of June the line of march was again resumed, and the 3rd Brigade of the 6th Division was for the first time, after leaving Milliken’s Bend, placed in proper position with its division and Corps. We now enjoy the luxory of a camp, in one of the many valleys, lying deep among the hills and bluffs whicy surround Vicksburg. Being the reserve of our Division, we are under orders to be in readiness to march at any moment, wherever the emergencies require it. In the mean time, there are many dangerous and onerous duties to perform. We furnish details for Picket, fatigue and sharpshooting almost every day, thus making requisitions on the Regiments for 150 and 200 men per day.

This from a regt. Numbering only about 400 men present for duty, is heavy, certainly.

Our rations are abundant and substantial, not withstanding the variety is very limited. Hard crackers, baon, sugar and coffee comprizes the whole, except an occasional intermixture of potatoes, which the good people of Iowa and other states furnish through their Sanitary agents.

As an item of news, we hear that there is heavy fighting in our rear in the direction of Mechanicsburg. This town is 20 miles from Yazoo City in the Direction fo Vicksburg, I have not heard as to the forces engaged, or the success attending either party. This rear attack, may prove an occasion of considerable annoyance and possibly of disaster and defeat, but we feel perfectly cool about the matter, as yet, knowing that our position is strong, and our army confident.

Our forces, usually keep up a continuous fire, at regular intervals, with artillery, night and day, but tonight, ten P.M. not a gun has been fired. This seems strange to us, our ears having become accustomed to the noise and thunder of artillery.

Health in the Regt. is tolerably good. In Co. I, there are none seriously ill, though a few are slightly unwell. Spirits are good, and I assure you, the detestation of Northern Copperheadism; is universal. – How could it be otherwise? When fighting for their country and flag, far from home and friends, men should unite together to defeat their efforts and desolate their homes and firesides. I will close, bidding you a kind good night.

Respectfully;

E. H. King

- The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, 4 JUL 1863

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Letter from Lieut. King

Camp 15th Iowa
Near Providence, La
March 28th 1863

Mr. Caverly:

My promise to keep you and your readers posted as to the doings of our Regiment and Army, as far as it lay in my power, is my only apology for intruding another brief missive on your notice. Brief I say, because I could not reasonable be expected to prepare an essay for your perusal of any considerable length when the events transpiring within the circle of by observation, are so little calculated to excite the interest or curiosity of the reader. The letting of the water into the canal, the overflowing of the country opposite and below, and our removal of camp in consequence, are the only incidents tending in the least to interrupt the common routine of duty in camp life in the field. On the 21st inst., we left our beautiful camp on the lake and pitched our tents four miles further up the river, in an old cotton field which a three days rain compelled us to evacuated on the 26th, the morning of the 27th found us sailing rapidly down “the father of waters.” Three miles south of Providence, by order of Gen._____, she “hove to” and we again stepped on terra firma and pitched our tents. The ground here is higher and dryer than any previously occupied in Louisiana, a fact especially gratifying to the soldier, whose health and comfort are greatly enhanced thereby. Cattle, sheep, hogs, chickens &c., abounded to some extent on our arrival, but their number has already become “beautifully less” on the rigid application of army practice which the boys enforce to the extent of their hungry palates. Everything edible or which will enhance to the comfort of the soldiers, belonging to rebels, is taken and applied to the benefit of the Confiscator. Thus the soldier contrives to make both ends meet. If there is any immorality in this manner of procedure, it is to be charged to the account of the instigators and abettors of the rebellion.

The weather is warm and cloudy, inclining to rain. The boys are prepared for inclemencies [sic]. Health moderately good and improving. No news of importance from Vicksburg. Look with interest for news from the Yazoo expedition. All are anxious for its success; as they also are for the speedy and honorable tremination [sic] of the war.

Hoping that our arms may prove all victorious, and our cause be speedily, signally and triumphantly vindicated. I bid you a kind farewell.

Yours respectfully,

E. H. King

- The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, 18 APR 1863

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