1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: April 12, 1862

Camp New Madrid, Mo., April 12, 1862.

I have the extreme happiness to inform you that there is at last a hope of my dating the next letter from Memphis or vicinity. Our regiment has for several days been alone at Point Pleasant and we enjoyed it very much. When we are under a general of an infantry division we are run to death or thereabouts, for whenever anything is to be done the cavalry is sure to be called on. Yesterday we were ordered to report here immediately to General Granger, commanding cavalry division which numbers full 4,000. There are two brigades in this division; Colonel Kellogg commands the 1st brigade and therefore is now a brigadier general. There have been about 25 steamboats arrived here since 4 p. m. yesterday and the army will probably commence embarking to-day. It will take full 60 boats to hold us all. The rain has been falling in torrents ever since we started from the Point yesterday, and you can imagine the time we had pitching tents in a cornfield, and yet we are comfortable now as we can wish. I have faith to believe that they (or anybody else) can't keep me from being comfortable under any circumstances, if my hands are loose and I can walk. I think that Pope's hurry is caused by his fear that Grant and company will reach Memphis before him. We hardly think that the Rebels will make a stand at Pillow, Randolph or Memphis if the news from Corinth is correct. I'm almost afraid to look over the list of dead that fight was made. Sid. says he is sure Billy Stockdale is killed. We received papers of the 10th last night but are not sure the victory is a complete one yet. I can't think of the point where the enemy will make another stand i they are perfectly whipped at Corinth.

I know as many people here as in Fulton, almost, and I have yet to hear the first insulting speech or word to me; “What are they going to do with Island No. 10 I wonder; I am afraid that Commander Foote and his gunboats are a humbug!” Aren't you ashamed of that speech? Damn the New York Tribune. I do believe in, McClellan and nearly all the rest of our leaders. If those Tribunes, big and little, were where any regiment in this army could get at them they wouldn't stand fifteen minutes. McClellan knows his business and we don't know a thing about it. Now old Pope here is as mean a man as ever lived, curses every man that comes within a hundred yards of him and nobody knows a thing of his designs, but we all have the utmost confidence in him. I've never seen him and wouldn't go in sight of him for a horse, but he's my man for a’ that.

Orders have just arrived for embarking this p. m. Will be under way down the river to-night Wish us a pleasant voyage.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 81-2

Diary of William Howard Russell: June 17, 1861

If it was any consolation to me that the very noisy and very turbulent warriors of last night were exceedingly sick, dejected, and crestfallen this morning, I had it to the full. Their cries for water were incessant to allay the internal fires caused by “forty-rod” and “sixty-rod,” as whiskey is called, which is supposed to kill people at those distances. Their officers had no control over them — and the only authority they seemed to respect was that of the " gentlemanly" conductor, whom they were accustomed to fear individually, as he is a great man in America and has much authority and power to make himself disagreeable if he likes.

The victory at Big or Little Bethel has greatly elated these men, and they think they can walk all over the Northern States. It was a relief to get out of the train for a few minutes at a station called Holly Springs, where the passengers breakfasted at a dirty table on most execrable coffee, corn bread, rancid butter, and very dubious meats, and the wild soldiers outside made the most of their time, as they had recovered from their temporary depression by this time, and got out on the tops of the carriages, over which they performed tumultuous dances to the music of their band, and the great admiration of the surrounding negrodom. Their demeanor is very unlike that of the unexcitable staid people of the North.

There were in the train some Texans who were going to Richmond to offer their services to Mr. Davis. They denounced Sam Houston as a traitor, but admitted there were some Unionists, or, as they termed them, Lincolnite skunks, in the State. The real object of their journey was, in my mind, to get assistance from the Southern Confederacy, to put down their enemies in Texas.

In order to conceal from the minds of the people that the government at Washington claims to be that of the United States, the press politicians and speakers divert their attention to the names of Lincoln, Seward, and other black republicans, and class the whole of the North together as the Abolitionists. They call the Federal levies “Lincoln's mercenaries” and “abolition hordes,” though their own troops are paid at the same rate as those of the United States, This is a common mode of procedure in revolutions and rebellions, and is not unfrequent in wars.

The enthusiasm for the Southern cause among all the people is most remarkable, — the sight of the flag waving from the carriage windows drew all the population of the hamlets and the workers in the field, black and white, to the side of the carriages to cheer for Jeff Davis and the Southern Confederacy, and to wave whatever they could lay hold of in the air. The country seems very poorly cultivated, the fields full of stumps of trees, and the plantation houses very indifferent. At every station more “soldiers,” as they are called, got in, till the smell and heat were suffocating.

These men were as fanciful in their names and dress as could be. In the train which preceded us there was a band of volunteers armed with rifled pistols and enormous bowie-knifes, who called themselves “The Toothpick Company.” They carried along with them a coffin, with a plate inscribed, “Abe Lincoln, died ——,” and declared they were “bound” to bring his body back in it, and that they did not intend to use muskets or rifles, but just go in with knife and six-shooter, and whip the Yankees straight away. How astonished they will be when the first round shot flies into them, or a cap-full of grape rattles about their bowie-knives.

At the station of Grand Junction, north of Holly Springs, which latter is 210 miles north of Jackson, several hundreds of our warrior friends were turned out in order to take the train north-westward for Richmond, Virginia. The 1st Company, seventy rank and file, consisted of Irishmen, armed with sporting rifles without bayonets. Five sixths of the 2d Company, who were armed with muskets, were of the same nationality. The 3d Company were all Americans. The 4th Company were almost all Irish. Some were in green, others were in gray, — the Americans who were in blue had not yet received their arms. When the word fix bayonets was given by the officer, a smart keen-looking man, there was an astonishishing hurry and tumult in the ranks.

“Now then, Sweeny, whar are yes dhriven me too? Is it out of the redjmint amongst the officers yer shovin' me?”

“Sullivan, don't ye hear we're to fix beenits?”

“Sarjent, jewel, wud yes ayse the shtrap of me baynit?”

“If ye prod me wid that agin, I'll let dayloite into ye.”

The officer, reading, “No. 23. James Phelan.”

No reply.

Officer again, “No. 23. James Phelan.”

Voice from the rank, “Shure, captain, and faix Phelan's gone; he wint at the last depôt.”

“No. 40. Miles Corrigan.”

Voice further on, “He's the worse for dhrink in the cars, yer honor, and says he'll shoot us if we touch him;” and so on.

But these fellows were, nevertheless, the material for fighting and for marching after proper drill and with good officers, even though there was too large a proportion of old men and young lads in the ranks. To judge from their dress these recruits came from the laboring and poorest classes of whites. The officers affected a French cut and bearing with indifferent success, and in the luggage vans there were three foolish young women with slop-dress imitation clothes of the Vivandière type, who, with dishevelled hair, dirty faces, and dusty hats and jackets, looked sad, sorry, and absurd. Their notions of propriety did not justify them in adopting straps, boots, and trousers, and the rest of the tawdry ill-made costume looked very bad indeed.

The train which still bore a large number of soldiers for the camp of Corinth, proceeded through dreary swamps, stunted forests, and clearings of the rudest kind at very long intervals. We had got out of the cotton district and were entering poorer soil, or land which, when cleared, was devoted to wheat and corn, and I was told that the crops ran from forty to sixty bushels to the acre. A more uninteresting country than this portion of the State of Mississippi I have never witnessed. There was some variety of scenery about Holly Springs where undulating ground covered with wood, diversified the aspect of the flat, but since that we have been travelling through mile after mile of insignificantly grown timber and swamps.

On approaching Memphis the line ascends towards the bluff of the Mississippi, and farms of a better appearance come in sight on the side of the rail; but after all I do not envy the fate of the man who, surrounded by slaves and shut out from the world, has to pass his life in this dismal region, be the crops never so good.

At a station where a stone pillar marks the limit between the sovereign State of Mississippi and that of Tennessee, there was a house two stories high, from the windows of which a number of negro girls and young men were staring on the passengers. Some of them smiled, laughed, and chatted, but the majority of them looked gloomy and sad enough. They were packed as close as they could, and I observed that at the door a very ruffianly looking fellow in a straw hat, long straight hair, flannel shirt, and slippers, was standing with his legs across and a heavy whip in his hand. One of the passengers walked over and chatted to him. They looked in and up at the negroes and laughed, and when the man came near the carriage in which I sat, a friend called out, “Whose are they, Sam?” “He's a dealer at Jackson, Mr. Smith. They're a prime lot of fine Virginny niggers as I've seen this long time, and he wants to realize, for the news looks so bad.”   

It was 1:40 P. M. when the train arrived at Memphis. I was speedily on my way to the Gayoso House, so called after an old Spanish ruler of the district, which is situated in the street on the bluff, which runs parallel with the course of the Mississippi. This resuscitated Egyptian city is a place of importance, and extends for several miles along the high bank of the river, though it does not run very far back. The streets are at right angles to the principal thoroughfares, which are parallel to the stream; and I by no means expected to see the lofty stores, warehouses, rows of shops, and handsome buildings on the broad esplanade along the river, and the extent and size of the edifices public and private in this city, which is one of the developments of trade and commerce created by the Mississippi. Memphis contains nearly 30,000 inhabitants, but many of them are foreigners, and there is a nomad draft into and out of the place, which abounds in haunts for Bohemians, drinking and dancing-saloons, and gaming-rooms. And this strange kaleidoscope of negroes and whites of the extremes of civilization in its American development, and of the semi-savage degraded by his contact with the white; of enormous steamers on the river, which bears equally the dug-out or canoe of the black fisherman; the rail, penetrating the inmost recesses of swamps, which on either side of it remain no doubt in the same state as they were centuries ago; the roll of heavily-laden wagons through the streets; the rattle of omnibuses and all the phenomena of active commercial life before our eyes, included in the same scope of vision which takes in at the other side of the Mississippi lands scarcely yet settled, though the march of empire has gone thousands of miles beyond them, amuses but perplexes the traveller in this new land.

The evening was so exceedingly warm that I was glad to remain within the walls of my darkened bedroom. All the six hundred and odd guests whom the Gayoso House is said to accommodate were apparently in the passage at one time. At present it is the head-quarters of General Gideon J. Pillow, who is charged with the defences of the Tennessee side of the river, and commands a considerable body of troops around the city and in the works above. The house is consequently filled with men in uniform, belonging to the General's staff or the various regiments of Tennessee troops.

The Governors and the Legislatures of the States view with dislike every action on the part of Mr. Davis which tends to form the State troops into a national army. At first, indeed, the doctrine prevailed that troops could not be sent beyond the limits of the State in which they were raised — then it was argued that they ought not to be called upon to move outside their borders; and I have heard people in the South inveighing against the sloth and want of spirit of the Virginians, who allowed their State to be invaded without resisting the enemy. Such complaints were met by the remark that all the Northern States had combined to pour their troops into Virginia, and that her sister States ought in honor to protect her. Finally, the martial enthusiasm of the Southern regiments impelled them to press forward to the frontier, and by delicate management, and the perfect knowledge of his countrymen which Mr. Jefferson Davis possesses, he is now enabled to amalgamate in some sort the diverse individualities of his regiments into something like a national army.

On hearing of my arrival, General Pillow sent his aide-decamp to inform me that he was about starting in a steamer up the river, to make an inspection of the works and garrison at Fort Randolph and at other points where batteries had been erected to command the stream, supported by large levies of Tennesseans. The aide-de-camp conducted me to the General, whom I found in his bedroom, fitted up as an office, littered with plans and papers. Before the Mexican War General Pillow was a flourishing solicitor, connected in business with President Polk, and commanding so much influence that when the expedition was formed he received the nomination of brigadier-general of volunteers. He served with distinction and was severely wounded at the battle of Chapultepec and at the conclusion of the campaign he retired into civil life, and was engaged directing the work of his plantation till this great rebellion summoned him once more to the field.

Of course there is, and must be, always an inclination to deride these volunteer officers on the part of regular soldiers; and I was informed by one of the officers in attendance on the General that he had made himself ludicrously celebrated in Mexico for having undertaken to throw up a battery which, when completed, was found to face the wrong way, so that the guns were exposed to the enemy. General Pillow is a small, compact, clear-complexioned man, with short gray whiskers, cut in the English fashion, a quick eye, and a pompous manner of speech; and I had not been long in his company before I heard of Chapultepec and his wound, which causes him to limp a little in his walk, and gives him inconvenience in the saddle. He wore a round black hat, plain blue frock-coat, dark trousers, and brass spurs on his boots; but no sign of military rank. The General ordered carriages to the door, and we went to see the batteries on the bluff or front of the esplanade, which are intended to check any ship attempting to pass down the river from Cairo, where the Federals under General Prentiss have entrenched themselves, and are understood to meditate an expedition against the city. A parapet of cotton bales, covered with tarpaulin, has been erected close to the edge of the bank of earth, which rises to heights varying from 60 to 150 feet almost perpendicularly from the waters of the Mississippi, with zigzag roads running down through it to the landing-places. This parapet could offer no cover against vertical fire, and is so placed that well-directed shell into the bank below it would tumble it all into the water. The zigzag roads are barricaded with weak planks, which would be shivered to pieces by boat-guns; and the assaulting parties could easily mount through these covered ways to the rear of the parapet, and up to the very centre of the esplanade.

The blockade of the river at this point is complete; not a boat is permitted to pass either up or down. At the extremity of the esplanade, on an angle of the bank, an earthen battery, mounted with six heavy guns, has been thrown up, which has a fine command of the river; and the General informed me he intends to mount sixteen guns in addition, on a prolongation of the face of the same work.

The inspection over, we drove down a steep road to the water beneath, where the Ingomar, a large river steamer, now chartered for the service of the State of Tennessee, was lying to receive us. The vessel was crowded with troops — all volunteers, of course — about to join those in camp. Great as were their numbers, the proportion of the officers was inordinately large, and the rank of the greater number preposterously high. It seemed to me as if I was introduced to a battalion of colonels, and that I was not permitted to pierce to any lower strata of military rank. I counted seventeen colonels, and believe the number was not then exhausted.

General Clarke, of Mississippi, who had come over from the camp at Corinth, was on board, and I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance. He spoke with sense and firmness of the present troubles, and dealt with the political difficulties in a tone of moderation which bespoke a gentleman and a man of education and thought. He also had served in the Mexican war, and had the air and manner of a soldier. With all his quietness of tone, there was not the smallest disposition to be traced in his words to retire from the present contest, or to consent to a reunion with the United States under any circumstances whatever. Another general, of a very different type, was among our passengers, — a .dirty-faced, frightened-looking young man, of some twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, redolent of tobacco, his chin and shirt slavered by its foul juices, dressed in a green cutaway coat, white jean trousers, strapped under a pair of prunella slippers, in which he promenaded the deck in an Agag-like manner, which gave rise to a suspicion of bunions or corns. This strange figure was topped by a tremendous black felt sombrero, looped up at one side by a gilt eagle, in which was stuck a plume of ostrich feathers, and from the other side dangled a heavy gold tassel. This decrepit young warrior's name was Ruggles or Struggles, who came from Arkansas, where he passed, I was informed, for “quite a leading citizen.”

Our voyage as we steamed up the river afforded no novelty, nor any physical difference worthy of remark, to contrast it with the lower portions of the stream, except that upon our right-hand side, which is, in effect, the left bank, there are ranges of exceedingly high bluffs, some parallel with and others at right angles to the course of the stream. The river is of the same pea-soup color with the same masses of leaves, decaying vegetation, stumps of trees, forming small floating islands, or giant cotton-tree, pines, and balks of timber whirling down the current. Our progress was slow; nor did I regret the captain's caution, as there must have been fully nine hundred persons on board; and although there is but little danger of being snagged in the present condition of the river, we encountered now and then a trunk of a tree, which struck against the bows with force enough to make the vessel quiver from stem to stern. I was furnished with a small berth, to which I retired at midnight, just as the Ingomar was brought to at the Chickasaw Bluffs, above which lies Camp Randolph.

SOURCE: William Howard Russell, My Diary North and South, p. 302-8

What a reliable Gentleman Says

CHICAGO, March 29. – A special dispatch to the Journal from Cairo says two gentlemen have arrived here from Memphis.  They report great preparations are being made at Fort Randolph; they talk of evacuating Fort Pillow.  At Memphis their great reliance is Island No. 10.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

Gen. Buell's Movements

The Telegraph has mentioned the arrival of Generals Nelson’s Thomas’ and McCook’s Divisions of Gen. Buell’s Column at Duck river, Tennessee, and the correspondence of a Cincinnati paper informs us of the passage, on the 22d, of Gen. Mitchell’s division through Murfreesboro.  But of course only these whose business and privilege it is to be posted, can tell the destination of these troops.  Duck river is an affluent of the Tennessee, and the point referred to by the telegraph as the one to which the main body of Gen. Buell’s army had reached, is doubtless in the neighborhood of Columbia, forty-six miles south of Nashville.

The plans of Gen. Buell’s operations are doubtless based upon hypotheses of the movements of the enemy.  It is not now known what relation Gen. Johnston’s forces at Chattanooga are to bear to the proceedings of Beauregard.  If Johnston has been greatly weakened, as is probable, by requisitions upon him for the defense of Corinth, Gen. Mitchell may be thrown forward to observe and menace him, whilst the other divisions may march to cut off the retreat of Beauregard, Polk, and Bragg, simultaneously with advance of Gen. Grant from Savannah and Pittsburg.  Or if Johnston has been or is likely to be, reinforced from Virginia – a chance exceedingly doubtful – active operations may be turned against him.  The rebels must know very well that if Buell’s divisions had been ordered to the direct support of Grant, as for instance, to attack the left wing of the Confederates at Jackson, he would have transferred his forces by the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers to Decatur, Tennessee, and not overland. – But it is evidently not the purpose to operate on the left flank of the enemy, which would merely result in driving it back to Forts Pillow and Randolph, but to turn and overwhelm the right at the same time barricading the whole like of retreat, thus investing a whole army and compelling it to capitulate.  This would of itself capture the rebel forts between Island No. 10 and Memphis, when Com. Foote would at once advance with his flotilla.

It is idle, however, to speculate upon events the reality of which must soon be presented. – Everybody seems, by mutual consent, to regard a great conflict as near at hand, and as we have heretofore said, some of the finest strategic and tactical operations may be anticipated on both sides. – {Mo. Rep.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

From Dixie

CHICAGO, March 25. – The Tribune’s Special from Cairo says that a gentleman just from Memphis brings the following information:

Memphis is in a state of agitation and terror.  The Fair grounds are for a camp, every one capable of bearing arms being impressed into the service.  Men are even dragged from their beds.

The proclamation of the Mayor in regard to burning the city has no influence.  The majority of the Aldermen, in connection with the leading military officers, decided at a meeting held a fortnight ago, to burn the city when they evacuate in spite of the mayor.

There are no fortifications at Memphis.  The news of the battle of Pea Ridge caused great depression.  Federal gunboats expected daily. – Two hundred and five Union prisoners in the city, who are made victims of much abuse at the hands of the guards.  One of them was shot at for looking out of a window.  Three gun boats are on the way at Memphis, but it will take a long time to finish.

At Randolph only four guns are mounted, but at Ft. Pillow, however, there is a strong fortification, mounting 25 sixty-fours and thirty-twos.  There are about 7000 troops there.  At Union City there are only 450 troops.

Gens. Beauregard, Cheatham, Polk and Clark went to Corinth, Mississippi, a fortnight ago. – The rebels have a force of 38,000 men there and expect to make a stand either at Corinth or below.  It was the general impression that this battle would be the decisive one of the campaign, and that the fortunes of the South would hang upon its result.

At Memphis and other large points, even at New Orleans, considerable Union feeling prevails.  Southern papers do not represent the feelings of the mass of people.  They as well as everything else are under control of politicians and the military.

At New Orleans thirteen gunboats are on the ways to be plated with railroad iron.

Fort Pike represented to be in our possession was only a temporary structure mounting only three or four guns.

The report that the South is well supplied with provisions is absurd; they have not stock enough on hand to last three months.  Clothing, shoes, &c., are all very difficult to obtain.  No confidence is felt in southern currency, southern politicians or southern military leaders.  Jeff. Davis was universally denounced as incompetent.  Floyd is everywhere considered an arrant knave.

Mr[s]. Buckner had arrived at Memphis.  She complained of not being allowed to go further north than Cairo.  In the parlor of the Gaiso House she attracted the universal attention by her bitter denunciation of Pillow and Floyd.  The former is reported to have said that he would shoot Floyd whenever he met him.

It was the general opinion at Memphis that no stand would be made at Island No. 10, but that a battle would be risked at Fort Pillow. – At the latter place, however, retreat is cut off by land, as the country in the rear is inundated and swampy.

A detachment from Jeff Thompson’s band under the command of rebel Kithen made a demonstration in the vicinity of Bloomfield, Stoddard Co., Missouri, (about 12 miles north of the Cairo & Fulton Railroad) and succeeded in arresting two ladies residing there – the wife of Lieutenant McCall of Powell’s battery and Mrs. D. Basfort, of Bloomfield.  The ladies have been taken to Commerce Island, seventy miles below Bloomfield, near Arkansas, where Jeff’s camp is located.

Col. Michael Foley, of the 18th Illinois, who was wounded at Benton Barracks, arrived to-day en route for Pittsburg.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

First Day’s Fight at Island No. 10

CAIRO, March 17, on board the Benton, Island No. 10, March 16. – Got under way at daylight this a.m. and dropped down to within range of the upper battery and commenced to arouse them with the rifles of the Benton, while the mortar boats were trying to wade into position.  Only a couple of shots were fired, when a white flag was seen to wave from the works and to continue waving until answered by a white flag from the flagship.

Of course firing ceased, as did also all operations, even the moving of the mortars, while a tug carried Lieut. Bishop down to see what was wanted.  On arriving at the work he was answered that they were signaling their works down the river and did not wish to communicate with us; a mere subterfuge to gain time, which was followed up by the Grampus, with a white flag, steaming towards the tug from the Island.  Lieut. Bishop was of the opinion that time enough was lost and did not wait for the Grampus, but steamed off for the Benton and the Grampus hauled down the white flag and ran back under cover again.

Up to this time no rebel colors had been shown from the battery, but now it went up and the preparations to get it down regularly in the approved method went on with renewed vigor.- Eight mortar boats were soon in position and engaged in throwing 13-inch shell.

Lieut. Bishop disgusted at the bad taste of the rebels who did not wish to communicate with so gallant and good-looking officer, by permission of the flag-officer and Capt. Phelps, he opened directions by guns of the [Benton’s] rifled 74; with such style that the rebels ran from the work and their flag was covered with dirt and mud.

The firing was kept up steadily though slow until 5 P. M.  The mortars exploding 210 shells and the Benton 41.  The heart of every man in the flagship was saddened by sympathy with the grief of our beloved flag officer Foote, who received by the dispatch boat at noon intelligence of the death of his second son, a lad of 13 years, of exceeding promise, of whose illness the Commodore had no previous intelligence. – To-morrow will see the reduction of one or more of the enemy’s works and the close investment of the whole.

The place is very strong – four our point of view we could see forty-four guns in position and negroes were busily at work on the battery out of our reach, on which to-morrow we shall probably find heavy guns mounted.  With all these notes of preparation and all these premonitions of a hard fight, some incredulous people will suspect that the troops marching across the woods from Island No. 10, to Maryweather’s landing on the Mississippi below Point Pleasant, a distance of only 5 miles from the Island over a practicable road, and that when they are embarked on the fleet of boats, the smoke of which has plainly been seen all day at Maryweather’s, we shall find the next empty and the river clear of rebels to Randolph of Fort Pillow.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 4

Gen. C. F. Smith's Operations

The army under Gen. C. F. Smith, (Paducah Smith, as he used to be called) which left Fort Henry several days ago, for an expedition up the Tennessee river, has disembarked at Savannah, 14 miles north of the State line.  Reports say that Gen. Lew. Wallace’s division had marched across to Purdy, McNairy County, which is six miles west of Savannah, burning a bridge and taking up the track of the railroad connecting Corinth, Mississippi, with Jackson, Tennessee.  The bridge destroyed we take to be a structure over the Hatchie river.  The railroad referred to must have been lately put in running order by the rebels, as it was still unfinished but a short time ago.  The destruction of the bridge and track seems to have been very timely, preventing a train of the Confederate troops, which Gen. Johnston was sending to the relief of Island No. 10, from going up.

We suppose the next move of Gen. Smith will be overland to Corinth, which is about twenty-two miles from Savannah, on the Memphis and Charleston railroad.  The distance from Corinth to Memphis, we observe is stated in some of the newspapers to be sixty miles, but the time table of the road itself makes it ninety-three.  The possession of Corinth will cut the communication between Johnston’s and Beauregard’s forces, and this will be all that Gen. Smith will need to do until the rebels fall back upon Forts Pillow and Randolph.  The Confederates are already hemmed in on three sides, so far as the Mississippi Valley is concerned, and it is a gone case with them. – Mo. Repub

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

From Tennessee

LOUISVILLE, March 10. – An intelligent gentleman who left Memphis on Wednesday last, reports that the citizens are greatly alarmed and are relying on Fort Pillow, Near Fort Raldolph for defence.  There are very few troops at Memphis.

The Legislature succeeded, after several ineffectual attempts to transact business.

Gov. Harris is greatly excited, and is flying about from one southern point to another with little probability of succeeding in his efforts to rally the people to his aid.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

A gentleman direct from Memphis . . .

. . . who spent several days there lately, assures us that the state of trepidation among the people there is utterly beyond description.  Most of them expect that the Union forces will soon have possession of the town.  Since Nashville has fallen into Union hands, they have no faith in their ability to resist “manifest destiny.”  The majority of the people, he says, feel that if they had assurances that they would not be damaged in person or property, they would willingly see the city surrendered to the Federals, and trade and commerce re-opened with the North.

Our informant says the general impression among the rebels down the river is that Gen. Polk will make a stand at Island No. 10, and then as a last hope at Fort Randolph. – {Chicago Journal.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

CHICAGO, March 29 [1862].

A special dispatch to the Journal from Cairo says that two gentlemen have arrived direct from Memphis.  They report that great preparations are being made at Fort Randolph.

The talk of evacuating Fort Pillow at Memphis.  Their great reliance is on Island No. 10.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 1

The President takes Another Step.

Our excellent President has taken another step in the right direction; he has given his unqualified approval to an additional article of war, which goes into operation immediately, discharging from service any officer, military or naval, who shall be found guilty of employing any of the force under his command for the purpose of returning fugitive slaves.  That is good, “firm as rock he stands on the Constitution.”  As the Tammany men say, “he will prove himself a good democrat before the expiration of his present term.”  If this be democracy, commend us to it.  It is a bitter pill to the pro-slavery press, but it is used to such doses – it can sugar coat and swallow it without a wry face.  The ambidextrous prestidigitator who presides over the Democrat of this city, can convert it into a sweet morsel and roll it under his tongue, all the time disguising his groans with shouts for the man who “stands like a rock on the Constitution.”

Good again, say we; but where are the defenders of Gen. Stone, the admirers of Col. Oglesby, and the worshippers of “Order No. 3” of Gen. Halleck?  Gen. Fremont’s policy was right, so said the President, but the time he thought had not arrived to adopt it, the hold of slavery was yet too strong on the country, the pro-slavery press of the North would rebel, the Border States might forget their allegiance – but the time has now come, there stands the article approved by the President and who dares say nay?

Standing firm as a rock on the Constitution, and taking one more step and the policy of Gen. Lane will be that of the Government, and the death-knell of slavery and the rebellion will resound throughout ever swamp and bayou of the South.

The telegraph informed us, a few days since, that “large gangs of negroes have been set to work on Forts Randolph and Pillow.”  Previous to the approval of the above order if any of those negroes had escaped from either of those forts, and sought the Federal army from protection, it was the policy of the Government to send them back to work to strengthen those fortifications!  That this was done is an absolute fact.  Early in September last, about four hundred slaves were set to work in erecting the fortifications at New Madrid.  Three of these slaves deserted, bearing with them important intelligence, and made their appearance at Bird’s Point, and offered their services to our Government.  Col. Oglesby, then commanding, ordered their return to their disloyal masters, and they were driven back to assist in building the breast works and fortifications, to rebel the Federal army, when it should make its attack on that point.

Slaves were used in building the fortifications at Columbus.  Seven of them, mounted on horses, escaped to our ranks one at a time.  The horses were retained and the slaves driven back!

Is it not time, full time that an order was promulged throughout the country, prohibiting such inconsistency in future?  It is, and the man who would oppose the adoption of such an order is a sympathizer with the rebels.  The Government has already sacrificed enough at the shrine of slavery; and while the people of the North are willing to give their service, their money, and their lives for the preservation of the Union, they are unwilling to prolong the war a single hour to preserve slavery.  They would rather see it sink, and all cause for future hostility removed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

The Next Point of Attack

The rebels having been defeated at Forts Henry and Donelson, and abandoned their strongholds at Bowling Green and Columbus and fled from Clarksville and Nashville, the next question is, where will they make a stand?  It is reported that they have retreated to Fort Randolph and not as first rumored to Fort Pillow or Island No. 10, in the Mississippi river.  The Mo. Democrat says, “In the minds of our military men, the Columbus fortifications were the only formidable impediments to the easy descent of the Mississippi River.  No other point can be made so strong against the attacks of Com. Foote’s flotilla.  Island No. 10, Fort Pillow and Memphis will be completely at the mercy of our mortar boats and gun boats.”

Fort Randolph is eligibly located at the town of Randolph in Tipton county, Tenn., on a bluff bend of the Mississippi river, some thirty of forty miles above Memphis.  Above it is Fort Wright and below it is Fort Harris.

According to the Memphis Avalanche the troops at Fort Pillow and New Madrid were to concentrate at Memphis, making an army of about 50,000 strong.  Memphis is the city of Tennessee, and by far the most important point in it – that taken, and the rebellion will be effectually quelled in the State.  From all the information at hand we are inclined to the impression that that will be the next point of attack, and we are confident in the opinion that it must succumb, as from its location it would seem hardly possible to fortify it so strongly as was Fort Donelson.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 2

From Tennessee

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 10.

An intelligent gentleman from Memphis on Wednesday, reports that the citizens are greatly alarmed, and are relying on Ft. Pillow, near Ft. Randolph, for defense.  Very few troops are at Memphis.

The Legislature scattered after several ineffectual attempts to transact business.

Gov. Harris is greatly excited, and is flying about from one southern point to another, with little prospect of succeeding in his efforts to rally the people to his aid.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, March 4.

Gen. Halleck in a general order says – On the recommendation of the Governor and several Judges of the State, it is directed that all licensed attorneys, counselors, and proctors, be required to take the oath of allegiance prescribed in the sixth section of the ordinance of the State Convention, passed Oct. 16^th, 1861.  Judges of State courts will refuse to permit any one to practice in their courts who refuse or neglect to take such oath.

The board of assessment in the city of St. Louis for the benefit of suffering families driven from Southwest Missouri, having completed its labors and rendered its final report, is hereby dissolved.

A special to the Republican from Cairo the 3d, says that Columbus has been evacuated and burned by the rebels.  The gunboat Benton, with Gen. Cullum and Com. Foote, went down the river to-day on a reconnoisance, and found that the rebels had fled, having removed their guns and laid the town in ashes; everything destroyed that could not be carried away.  The rebels retreated to Fort Randolph.  The whole town of Columbus is nothing but ruins.  The guns have also been removed from the island below.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, May 21. – The steamer Newton arrived from the Tennessee river this morning.  She brings no news of importance.

A large squad of expelled correspondents came down as passengers.  The others will follow immediately.

Memphis papers of the 17th, announce the arrival of the Federal fleet at Vicksburg.  It was moving up the river, and had been successful.  Ft. Adams is about 100 miles below Vicksburgh, and the presumption was that a fight had taken place there.

The news of the evacuation of Ft. Pillow, and the retreat of the Rebels to Randolph, is received here with every demonstration of delight.  The impression prevails that the defences of Randolph were constructed last summer and are very extensive and formidable, the armament having been replaced so hastily, the place will not long withstand the Federal assault.  Probably the move was only made as a step towards the final evacuation of the river.

OFF FT. PILLOW via CAIRO, May 21. – Specials say that it was made apparent yesterday that it was clearly evident that the enemy had evacuated Fort Pillow and fallen back on Fort Randolph, a strong fortification on the 3d Chickasaw bluff, 12 miles below their former position. 

Officers of the flotilla who went down the river yesterday, with a flag of truce, returned with the startling intelligence that neither troops nor gunboats were visible, and that Ft. Pillow and the river below, as far as the eye could reach, were deserted.  The flag of truce was sent down for the purpose of completing an exchange of prisoners, which was begun some time ago at Corinth.

Preparations were immediately entered into for a reconnaissance by the gunboats to the vicinity of the Fort.  Towards evening, however, a rebel craft made its appearance around Craighead point, with a flag of truce.  The steamer Kennett, having on board the rebels soldiers to be released, then went to meet her.  No explanation was offered, and although our own flag of truce was not answered in the morning, the prisoners were given up and the steamer returned.

Taking all the circumstances into consideration, there is not the least doubt but that the Rebels have evacuated Fort Pillow.

In their new position, they can maintain a more thorough defense, and be less exposed to the deadly fire of our mortars.  Ft. Randolph as the Rebels call it, or more properly Ft. Wright, consists of a succession of long earth works and batteries on the 2d Chickasaw bluff, 65 miles above Memphis, and just opposite the southern extremity of Island No. 34.  The fortifications were constructed early last autumn, but the guns were subsequently removed to Ft. Pillow.

It is expected that to-day, a reconnnoissance of our gunboats will be made, with a view of ascertaining the new position of the rebels.

CAIRO, May 22. – Two refugees from Corinth arrived to-day.  They state that there about 130,000 rebel troops at Corinth, - that Beauregard was there ten days ago.  They report a scarcity of provisions and forage.  There are no fortifications at Granada or Grand Junction.  [Recruits] raised by conscript act are reinforcing Beauregard.

Large numbers of Union citizens are making their way North, mostly on foot, suffering great privations.

The report of the evacuation of Fort Pillow has been confirmed, but the opinion is general among naval officials that the rebels retired to Ft. Randolph.  Their gunboat[s] have retired down the river.

No arrivals from Pittsburg Landing.

The Desoto, from the flotilla, arrived this morning, but brings no additional news of importance.  A flag of truce came up from the rebel fleet yesterday morning, and returned and came up again in the afternoon, but the object of the mission was not ascertained.

The opinion still prevails that Fort Pillow has been evacuated, although nothing definite has been divulged to determine facts.

Twenty two refugees from Corinth arrived this morning – one of them left the Rebel camp last Wednesday.  He reports that Gen. Beauregard was still in command, and had about 130,000 men, of whom 30,000 are held in reserve, under command of Breckinridge.

The rebels are suffering greatly from sickness.  An average of 600 being sent from camp over the Memphis and Charleston road daily, of whom, many die on the passage.

Houses in towns along the Railroad are used as hospitals.

The army is greatly demoralized; the terms of enlistment of many regiments expiring daily, but the men are forced to remain under the conscript act.  Beauregard is continually among his troops, making speeches and using ever effort to encourage his troops.  The troops are subsisting on half rations slat beef of miserable quality is issued once a week.

Price, Van Dorn, Brag, Polk and Cheatham command division in front of rifle pits around Corinth, around all approaches to the Mobil and Ohio Railroad, and are 13 miles long.

The rebels are making extraordinary efforts to procure guns of which they acknowledge they have but poor supply.

Beauregard’s headquarters are in the rear near Corinth.

All cavalry that have been scouring the country north of Corinth, have been dismounted, except 700 stationed at Trenton on the Mobil and Ohio railroad, which is a depot for forage, of which there is a great scarcity.

It is reported that 60 Federal prisoners, taken at Dresden by Clay King’s gang, were released on parole by Beauregard, after being confined at Jackson, Mississippi.

Major Lovell’s army is reported to have arrived at Corinth.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

Important from Below

FT. PILLOW EVACUATED!

The Federal Fleet at Vicksburgh.

(Special to the Burlington Hawk-Eye.)

CAIRO, May 21.

Fort Pillow is evacuated.  The Rebels have retreated to Fort Randolph, 12 miles below. – The fact was ascertained by the Steamer Kennett which went with a flag of truce to exchange prisoners, and found the Rebel works deserted, and not a gunboat was to be seen.  Some half hour afterwards a rebel boat came round the point with a flag of truce – they would make no explanations.

Capt. Davis has not yet occupied the fort.

Memphis papers of the 17th says that the Federal fleet was opposite Vicksburg bound up the river.

Fifteen reporters from Pittsburg Landing arrived here to-day.

STREET.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

New York, April 15, [1862]

Specials state that Western dispatches received at Washington report that Fort Randolph is being strongly fortified by the rebels.

The Committee on the Conduct of the War are about to investigate the cause of the late surprise at Pittsburg Landing.

Several civilians have been captured by the rebels while curiosity hunting around Manassas.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862

From Cairo

Times’ Special.

CAIRO, April 21

The Ohio and Mississippi rivers at this point are still gradually rising. Should a heavy wind arise the levee would be broken, and the town be flooded, in which event the citizens and government could scarcely escape a great loss of life and property. Fears were generally prevalent last evening that the levee could not long withstand the flood, and there was a general stampede to Mound City and other places of refuge. Yet the night passed and without the recurrence of the calamity of 1857.

The waters were slowly ebbing over some portions of the levee Sunday evening, when Gen. Strong, who is ever efficient amid a multiplied diversity of army cares, ordered out a force of men, who raised the levee and prevented the disaster so imminent.

The hospital steamer City of Memphis reached here this morning from New Madrid. She had on board 515 sick soldiers from the army of Gen. Pope. Among them were a number who have been discharged from the service on account of incurable maladies and physical inability. The hospital steamer has left for Evansville, Ind., where the patients are to be removed to more comfortable quarters in the hospital at that place.

Capt. Polk, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Pittsburgh, is among the sick, being wounded in both legs. He is the nephew of President Polk, and served in the battle as captain of a rebel battery from Memphis.

A large number of soldiers have passed this place on transports from St. Louis during the last two days, and are now on their way to reinforce Gen. Halleck.

The unprecedented rise of water in the Ohio, besides interfering with railroad operations at this place, has also carried away the telegraph poles, cutting us off from telegraphic communication with the North and East.

On Saturday last the Adam’s Express from this place was used to the exclusion of all other business, and in transmitting money packages from soldiers to their families. – Over $170,000 were sent away.

The postoffice [sic] at this place has been undergoing a thorough examination, under the supervision of Asst. P. M. Armstrong, of Chicago. When he came here he found upwards of 70,000 letters awaiting transmission. These have been hurried forward and no accumulation of letters is now permitted. An additional clerical force has been supplied, and the office si now fully equal to the enormous business required of it. All the letters from the army in Tennessee pass through here. An idea of the great number of letters mailed at the Caro office may be obtained from the fact, that one mail from our army brought from 75,000 to 100,000 letters.

There are no items from New Madrid or guerilla, Jeff. Thompson.

Major Steward, of Gen. McClernand’s staff, heretofore reported killed, proves only to have been wounded and is now at Savannah, where he is doing well.

News from the flotilla off Ft. Pillow unimportant. Affairs there remain in statu quo as previously telegraphed. The mortar boats throw occasional shots, and the rebels respond at irregular intervals. It seems to be no part of the programme to fully invest the stronghold until the battle at Corinth has transpired.

It is reported that the rebels are fortifying Ft. Randolph in the strongest manner, and that a large force of negroes is engaged in throwing up entrenchments. This is hardly probably, from the fact the Randolph was originally the strongest fortified place between Columbus and Memphis.

The Steamer Mussleman arrived to-day from Pittsburg landing, having left that place Saturday evening. She brings no news of special importance, but a passenger reports that the Tennessee has again commenced rising [rapidly], and that the roads in the vicinity of Pittsburg are in wretched condition, by reason of the late fall of rain.

Forage can only be distributed by being hung on the backs of mules, and the army wagons are stuck fast in the mud.

In view of the present condition of the roads around Pittsburg, it is fair to infer that the great battle which has been momentarily expected the last week, will not transpire in at least a week to come.

Our army at Pittsburg is in excellent fighting condition. The regiments that were so frightfully decimated at the lat contest are being reorganized, and, thanks to the activity of Gen. Halleck, every division, brigade, regiment and company is prepared to meet the enemy with an unbroken front.

Our scouts penetrate directly to the enemy’s lines and bring back intelligence. – Beauregard, who is chief in command, is actively engaged in throwing up entrenchments along his whole line, planting batteries and preparing for a systematic defence. Their intelligence may be deemed reliable, inasmuch as the statements of scouts are corroborated by those of deserters.

It is thought that the rebels will act merely on the defensive, and that the aggressive attack will be made by Halleck and that too at an early day as possible. It is known Beauregard has been greatly reinforced, and that forced levies of troops are continually swelling his ranks.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 2

The Fortifying of Ft. Randolph, &c.

NEW YORK, April 15.

Specials state that Western dispatches received at Washington report that Fort Randolph is being strongly fortified by the rebels.

The committee on the conduct of the war are about to investigate the causes of the late surprise at Pittsburg Landing.

Several civilians have been captured by rebels while curiosity hunting around Manassas.

– Published in the Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Special to New York Papers

{Herald’s Dispatch}

WASHINGTON, April 13. – The rebellious ladies, Greenhow, Morris and Roxbury, have not yet packed their trunks for the South, as they are required to do, under the direction of the Commissioners and the order of the Military Governor. They are allowed to remain until their propositions are completed. Mrs. Greenhow is quite oracular in reference to the campaign. She predicts that Gen. McClellan will not be able to strike a blow at Yorktown for many days, and when he does he will be defeated by the rebel army which will be 125,000 strong.


{Tribune’s Dispatch}

Further information from Pittsburg Landing shows there was terrible carnage among the Illinois troops, of whom many regiments were in the battle. There were 4,000 troops from the 1st District (Washburne’s.) They lost two Colonels, Wise and Davis, Major Goddard, and many other officers. Many more known to have been wounded.

The Tribune’s special correspondent with Gen. McDowell’s command, reports all quiet on Cedar Run. Fifteen miles beyond Manassas, the railroad bridge at that point, destroyed by the rebels, will be reconstructed this week. The railroad track beyond Wayne will also be repaired. Rebel scouts are constantly hovering about our camps, and occasionally a straggler is picked up by our cavalry.

Two privates of Gen. Blenker’s Division, who said they had just returned from the Rappahanock, report that Gen. Blenker and his bodyguard had been surrounded by rebel cavalry and captured.

WASHINGTON, April 14 – Gen. Mitchell reports that he has occupied two other points on the Railroad – Decatur to the west and a station at some distance to the east of Huntsville.

The bill for emancipating the slaves in the District of Columbia was laid before the president at 4 o’clock this evening.


{World’s Dispatch}

An officer of the 77th New York regiment reports that four of Gen. Banks’ men have been found tied to a tree with their head shot off. – the story is not credited.

Specials state that Western despatches [sic] received at Washington reports that Fort Randolph is being strongly fortified by the rebels.

The Committee on the Conduct of the war are about to investigate the cause of the late surprise at Pittsburg Landing.

Several civilians may have been captured by the rebels while cursorily [hunting] around Manassas.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862