St. Louis Correspondence

ST. LOUIS, May 2, 1862.

ALFRED SANDERS, Esq. – Dear Sir:  Reading in the Weekly Gazette of yesterday your editorial on Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, I am induced to add a word.  I knew Gen. Grant in 1858, was a collector of house rents in this city.  He was then strictly temperate, but of inactive habits.  For coolness and perfect equanimity he is justly noted.  All West Pointers pride themselves on those qualities.  But one who estimates the General with impartial eyes will accord him the possession of even the qualities for “a third rate” commander.  Aside from habits of intemperance which have resumed their sway after an interregnum of some years, the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing have fully tested him.  And curious it is, and sad as curious, to note how the successful results of those fights, so far as successful, have been passed to his credit at Washington.

At Belmont, his utter neglect to protect his rear, and to station a few field pieces to prevent the enemy from crossing, led to a terrible reverse and slaughter of the best of troops, and the Iowa boys poured out their blood like water, in vain.

At Fort Henry Grant was to co-operate with Com. Foote, but failed to get his forces to the rear of the fort for four hours after the surrender.  The rebel infantry instead of being bagged, as they might, had abundant time to “skedaddle,” which they did effectually.

At Fort Donelson he was off the field during all the important part of that bloody Saturday.  His friends say he was conferring with Com. Foote; others say he was intoxicated, but his admirers are compelled to admit that he went to confer with Foote at two or three o’clock Saturday morning, a distance of four or five miles, and did not return to the field till late in the day, when the fortunes of the day had been turned by that advance which, the N. Y. Herald says, was ordered by Capt. Hillyer, of the staff – a mere civilian – on his own responsibility.  Gen. Grant’s ablest advocate says the roads were in such condition he could not return in time – four miles!

Yet, before the facts of the affair at Fort Donelson where known, except the surrender, the President nominates Grant a Major General!  Wittily, though, profanely, has it been said Providence ought to be made a Major General, for it had given us two victories for which Grant got the credit!

But the climax of incompetency – criminal incompetency – was yet wanting.  It was attained at Pittsburg Landing.  Against orders he placed his forces on the west side of the river, on the plea that no good position could be found on the other side, and against all rule he placed the rawest troops of his command in front, under command of Prentiss, a notoriously inefficient officer.  This, too, in the face of an active enemy, distant, at the farthest, only 18 miles.  Add to this that no pickets were kept out at any proper distance, and what more could Beauregard have asked for?

The attempt has been made to show that Prentiss, alone, had no pickets out, but this is disproved by the universal testimony that all the brigades were alike surprised.  None of them had any notice of the enemy’s advance.

I have the information from a rebel surgeon, who was in the advance of the rebel army, that on the Saturday evening before the attack of Sunday morning, he, from his position, saw within his glass the evening parade of one of our regiments, and heard the drums and usual noises of the camp.  He further says that the rebel advance was in readiness to begin the attack on Saturday, but did not, because the reserve were not in supporting distance.  This surgeon is known here by union men as a gentleman, and one who entered the rebel army merely for the purposes of professional advancement, and not for love of the cause.  He has no motive for falsehood, and is corroborated by his fellow prisoners.

Thus the army was surprised and the thousands slaughtered, for whom tears are flowing through half a continent.  It was in Halleck’s fitly chosen phrase, “the heroic endurance” of the troops on Sunday, which saved them from annihilation, that their fresh reinforcements of Monday, that rolled back, but did not rout, their enemies, already weary with slaughter.

Again, before the facts were known, Gen. Grant was officially commended by Mr. Secretary Stanton, who seems to have felt that as somebody had been hurt, somebody deserved praise, and so he caught upon the readiest name and praised it.

I am happy to say that no newspaper of this city has dared, editorially, so far as I know, to say one word in favor or exculpation of Gen. Grant on the field of Shiloh, beyond testimony to his personal bravery.  But enough of General Grant.  The country has had too much of him.  His advancement has been in the teeth of his unfitness, and demerits; his successes have been in spite of disgraceful blunders; let us hope that hereafter, Providence will give us greater victories with good generalship, than those which have been won without it.

General Halleck is in the field now, and his sleepless vigilance, instructed by the late battle, will not permit a second surprise.

The Lion of St. Louis just now is Colonel Jennison, sent here in close confinement by a drunken pro-slavery General of doubtful loyalty, and unachieved promotion.  I refer to Gen. Sturgis, who, after a winter spent at the bar of King’s saloon, alternating between treasonable talk to rebels, and swallowing brandy smashes, now has signalized himself by the attempted disgrace of the peerless foe of Border Ruffians, and bushwhacking secessionists.

Nothing has so stirred up St. Louis for a long time.  The rebels, open and concealed, rejoiced greatly to know that the noted Jayhawker was here in durance vile.  The Republican fairly shrieked for joy.  It counseled indictments, and I know not what treatment.  Here was a noted enemy powerless, and with true rebel cruelty to cowardice, the Republican began to trample on him.  The Union sentiment of the city stoutly demanded that Col. Jennison be allowed his parole, as well as the rebels who parade our streets.  It was soon granted.  The Republican at once softened its tone. – Soon came permission to Col. Jennison to report himself on his parole only by letter; the Republican is mute.  The morning, its last crumb of comfort is in the apologetic card of the cowardly Sturgis, who cowering under the storm of public indignation, now seeks to evade the responsibility of Jennison’s arrest, by showing that he had instigators to do a deed for which he has yet dared to state no reason, and prefer no charges.

Jennison takes matters coolly.  He is a wiry young man, with a keen eye, and a lip of iron; but of gentle manners, and such pleasant address that Gen. Sturgis wrote to the Provost Marshal General, to warn him of the “seductive manners” of his victim!

Jennison has spoken twice in the city.  Many Union men are prejudiced against him, and many fear to be identified with him on account of his fearless avowal that he is a “real fighting abolitionist.”  The Germans regard him highly.  Anti-slavery in their opinions before the rebellion, they are now abolitionists.  Jennison makes war after the fashion of their own hearts.  He says that “rebels have no rights which loyal men are bound to respect.”  No wonder the abused and vilified Germans admire him.

Right or wrong, Jennison has been shamefully treated.  If I mistake not, the country will see him righted.  It will not tolerate the conduct of Sturgis and Denver, and there is reason to suppose they will shortly be relieved of any responsibility for such warriors as Jennison and Montgomery.

Over the capture of New Orleans there is great rejoicing, for vast interests here depend on the resumption of commerce with that city, which must soon happen unless Farragut fails to follow up his success with energy, and does not send his gunboats to co-operate with Foote on Memphis.

The weather is excellent, and reports this morning from below indicate that Halleck is taking advantage of it, and will soon, if not now, be upon Corinth.

Yesterday regiment after regiment of infantry and cavalry moved through our streets, on their way to the transports in waiting to take them, as we suppose, to Pittsburg Landing.  Whence do so many come? is the current inquiry.

Business has revived to some extent, but still suffers.  It cannot prosper till the river is opened to New Orleans, to afford an outlet for our pork and grain.

Rents are rising, and real estate is also on the ascendant.

I hope to soon give you some items relative to the emancipation movement here, but lack time and space to-day.

Yours truly.

E.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

CAIRO, May 4.

Intelligence from the army before Corinth has been received up to 6 o’clock Saturday night, at which time no engagement had yet taken place, but a battle was momentarily expected.

Gen. Halleck has removed his headquarters 12 miles toward the front.

Our advance was within two miles of the enemy’s outer works, and the entire column is still pressing forward.  Skirmishes with the advance of the rebels had been of daily occurrence – the latter making but a slight show of resistance, and then falling back.

On Thursday 400 Germans from a Louisiana regiment who had been sent out from the rebel camp on outpost duty, in two detachments, came into our lines in a body, with white flags on their guns, and gave themselves up as deserters.  From this fact arose numberless rumors to the effect that our divisions had been attacked by the enemy and that the latter had been repulsed with great loss, in killed and wounded, and over 1000 prisoners taken.

Gen. Mitchell was within five miles of Gen. Parker’s division.

Deserters report that Gen. Lovell’s advance was at Grenada, Miss., at the junction of the Central Mississippi and Memphis & New Orleans railroads, fortifying the place which is naturally a strong position.

Beauregard was being rapidly reinforced from all points of Gulf States – merchants and business men, in large numbers having closed their stores and flocked to his standard.

The steamer Lacrosse brought down the body of Gov. Harvey.  It was found forty miles below Savannah by an old negro and some children, who had taken it ashore and riffled his pockets of their contents, which were subsequently recovered.  The body had been interred, and is much decomposed.

Fifty-four prisoners arrived here, who have been taken on the outposts since the battle of Shiloh.  Most of them are Germans from New Orleans.

There is no news from the flotilla.  Com. Foote is awaiting certain movements of Gen. Halleck, when his plans will be consummated.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Wednesday, July 15, 1863

There was a rumor of another battle beyond the Potomac, this morning, but it has not been confirmed.

From Charleston we have no news; but from Jackson there has been considerable fighting, without a general engagement.                                                               

The Enquirer and Sentinel to-day squint at a military dictatorship; but President Davis would hardly attempt such a feat at such a time.

Gen. Samuel Jones, Western Virginia, has delayed 2000 men ordered to Lee, assigning as an excuse the demonstrations of the enemy in the Kanawha Valley. “Off with his head — so much for Buckingham!”

There is some gloom in the community; but the spirits of the people will rebound.

A large crowd of Irish, Dutch, and Jews are daily seen at Gen. Winder's door, asking permission to go North on the flag of truce boat. They fear being forced into the army; they will be compelled to aid in the defense of the city, or be imprisoned. They intend to leave their families behind, to save the property they have accumulated under the protection of the government.

Files of papers from Europe show that Mr. Roebuck and other members of Parliament, as well as the papers, are again agitating he question of recognition. We shall soon ascertain the real intentions of France and England. If they truly desire our success, and apprehend danger from the United States in the event of a reconstruction of the Union, they will manifest their purposes when the news of our recent calamities shall be transported across the ocean. And if such a thing as reconstruction were possible, and were accomplished (in such a manner and on such terms as would not appear degrading to the Southern people), then, indeed, well might both France and England tremble. The United States would have millions of soldiers, and the Southern people would not owe either of them a debt of gratitude.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 379

The Troops at Mill Spring Fight

The 10th Indiana, Col. Manson, who bore so noble a share in the Mill Spring battle were recruited in the vicinity of Lafayette, Indiana, and the intelligence that seventy five of the regiment are killed creates a profound sensation in that community.  The citizens of Lafayette have dispatched special messengers to the scene of battle.  The Courier says in passing along the railroad crowds of people flocked to the cars, in the hope of learning some additional particulars of the great battle at Somerset.  Many and eager were the inquiries.  An old man and his wife, who had walked five miles to the station asked in trembling tones for a copy of the Courier containing a list of the killed and wounded.  We were not surprised to learn that this venerable couple had two sons, a son in law and a nephew in the gallant Tenth.

Col. McCook of the 9th Ohio regiment who was wounded at the battle near Somerset, is the honored commander of one of the best regiments in the service.  It is composed in part of German veterans, all of whom have seen service in Europe.  They were in the three months campaign in Western Virginia, and are the same who, the day previous to the battle of Rich Mountain, while lying in front of the Rebel entrenchments at Laurel Hill, sent a formal request to Gen. McClellan for a permission to storm the breastworks at the point of the bayonet, assuring the General that they could do the work in a very short time.

Standart’s, Wetmore’s and Kinney’s Batteries were among the reinforcements that came into the fight near Somerset.  Standart’s Battery has been stationed at Somerset, Kenney’s Battery has lately been at Lebanon, Wetmore’s Battery has lately been at Danville but they all came up in time to take part in the fight. – The Batteries are all Northern Ohio Batteries.  Capt. Standart is of Cleveland, Capt. Kinney is of Geneva, Ashtabula county, and Captain Wetmore of Cuyahoga Falls, Summit county.  These batteries belong to Col. Barnett’s Regiment.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

Incidents of the Battle at Webb’s Cross Roads

While the body of Zollicoffer lay upon the ground in front of a Minnesota tent surrounded by soldiers an excited officer rode up exclaiming to the men, “What in h-ll are you doing here?  Why are you not at the stretchers bringing in the wounded?”  “This is Zollicoffer,” said a soldier.  “I know that,” replied the officer – “he is dead and could not have been sent to h--- by a better man, for Col. Fry shot him – leave him and go to your work.”

When the two Parrott guns were planted on the hill at Brown’s house overlooking the enemy’s camp, the peculiar wh-r-r-r of the shells was new to our astonished darkie who with hat off and eyes protruding, exclaimed to his sable companion, “Gosh Almighty Sam, don’t dat go howlin trou de wilderness?”

In nearly a direct line with the course we had marched from the battle field to the rebel works, is a bold elevation about three fourths of a mile this side of said works on which one of our batteries was immediately planted and commenced throwing shot and shell into their camp.  Several regiments had lain down upon the ground to rest from the fatigue of their march and as the rebels answered but feebly, with two guns their shot passed high over the heads of our men. – As the intervals grew longer and longer – watching the shot became a matter of amusement with them. – “Secesh ball!  Secesh ball!” they would cry out, while half a dozen would start and run after it – others calling out, “Run harder or you won’t overtake it.”  While this amusement was going on a rabbit sprang out of a bush between the lines when the cry, “Secesh ball!  Secesh ball,” and the boys took after it with better success, for they caught it.

Upon the high ground last referred to the rebels made a brief stand half an hour before we reached it, but were driven off by a few shots from Stannard’s Battery.  One of these six pound shots struck a poplar tree about two feet in diameter, directly in the center and some twenty feet from the General, passing entirely through the tree, tearing off splinters eight or ten feet long and passing on “thro de wilderness.” – Another shot struck a tree seven or eight inches in diameter directly beside the other but lower down cutting it off nearly as square as though it had been done with a saw.

Being among the first who entered the rebel fortifications I discovered a barrel which proved to contain apple brandy.  Pulling out the corn cob from the bung hole I turned it up and filled a canteen.  While doing this one of Bob McCook’s skirmishers came in and says, “vat you gets there?”  I replied that it appeared to be pretty fair apple brandy upon which the Dutch man ran to the door calling out furiously, “Hans!  Henrick! schnaps!  See come a rous!”  Upon which a dozen Dutchmen came in, and the brandy which was not spilled upon the ground was soon transferred to their canteens.  I said, “boys you had better look out – this is a doctor’s shop, and there may be strychnine in that brandy.”  They paused a moment to look at each other when one of them exclaimed, “Py Got, Hans, I tells you vat I do.  I drinks some and if it don’t kill me, den you trinks” – upon which he took a long and hearty pull at his canteen and smacking his lips a moment said, “All right, Hans, go ahead.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 1862

It is raining in this miserable city, – it has rained for more than two weeks.  The roads are almost impassable.  I understand the horses on the other side of the Potomac are suffering for want of forage, because it is impossible to carry it in sufficient quantities.  Fever and small pox are prevailing to an alarming extent.  Everybody gets vaccinated, but still everybody trembles.  And it is to this long spell of bad weather, that the wiseacres tell us the slow movements of the army are owing.  Gen. McClellan, they say, contemplated a grand movement of our entire army – the Burnside expedition, the Cairo expedition, the brilliant maneuver in Kentucky, Halleck’s advance in Missouri, that of Rosecrans in Virginia and that of the great army of the Potomac, were to be projected simultaneously.  The plan is frustrated by the weather.  I hope and believe it was so contemplated, for the pressure from the North and from Congress must have forced a forward movement of some kind, but I only give you the rumors, and you can judge.  And by the way, I hear that the member of the cabinet most strenuous for an immediate advance is the Attorney General., Mr. Bates.  Postmaster General Blair has heretofore occupied this position, but it is now occupied by a man whom we have been accustomed to consider and old fogy of the slowest kind.

The war will continue according to General McClellan’s policy, endorsed as it is by the President, and such men as Garrett Davis and Mr. Crittenden.  The story of a conversation between Jim Lane and Mr. Lincoln, in which the latter endorsed the former’s opinions is a most ridiculous hoax.

Judge Swayne of Ohio is appointed to the Supreme Bench to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Justice McLean.  The appointment will create some surprise as it was understood no immediate appointments were intended. – But it has been difficult sometimes to obtain a quorum of the Court, and hence the appointment now.  Judge Swayne is an Ohio man, of about fifty years of age, and a Republican of what they please to call conservative tendencies.  If the bill creating another Circuit in the West passes, Senator Browning or Secretary Smith will probably be created a Justice.

The expulsion of Bright is occupying the attention of the Senate.  The charge against him is similar to that of against our illustrious fellow-citizen Gen. Jones, of writing letters to Jefferson Davis, asking him as President of the Confederate States, friendly offices towards a Mr. Lincoln, a new inventor in fire arms.  He will hardly be expelled, (a two-thirds vote being required,) but a majority will probably be recorded against him.

The War Department under Secretary Stanton is at present very active and efficient.  But “as new broom always sweeps clean,” and the present is no indication of the future.  A bill has been posted up, allowing Congressmen Saturdays to transact their business, and the ungloved Public  Mondays, while for the rest of the week the Department is closed to outsiders. – Mr. Stanton says that without such an arrangement he cannot proceed.

A movement is in progress to make a Major General of Brig. Gen. Sigel.  I understand the President favors it as a recognition of the services of our German fellow citizens during the war; their regiments being acknowledged on all hand to be among the most efficient and the best drilled of the troops in the field.

XOX.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Doctors say that . . .

. . . the children of German parents in New York are more liable to dropsy.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 1

The German Regiment At Somerset

The Ninth Ohio, known as the German Regiment, under command of Col. Bob McCook, was in the battle at Somerset.  It was the 9th that decided the day by an impetuous, irresistible charge with the bayonet.  The Cincinnati Gazette remarks:

Cincinnati has had high hopes of this Regiment of her sons, and she is proudly gratified that her hopes are thus renewedly [sic] realized.  All honor to the German Ninth, and the well tried leader, and let their city, like the Roman matron preserve their names and fame among her brightest jewels.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 1

The Way They Do Things In Dixie

The Rockingham (Va.) Register, on the plea that the Union men in the border counties are giving information to the Union forces prejudicial to the Southern Confederacy, thus proposes to make short work of them.

“That we have such enemies, and a good many such, in the border counties of Loudon, Jefferson, Berkley, Morgan and Hampshire, is well known, and we think the sooner they are driven over the river, imprisoned, shot or hanged, the better for us.”

A correspondent of a Cincinnati journal, in the course of his remarks about matters and things in the Southwest, says:

“One item about the rebels.  The Physician of Rosseau’s – I disremember the doctor’s name – has been in possession a brand which has been used to mark suspicious men in the rebel army.  Numbers of Germans and Irishmen, to his own knowledge, have been marked with it.  The iron is heated, and the letters C. A. (Confederate Army) burnt on some parts of their body.  The purpose is to detect them should they try to desert.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 8, 1862, p. 2

Review: For Liberty

For Liberty:
My Ancestor’s Story of Immigration and the Civil War

By Larry B. Bramble

Larry Bramble in his book “For Liberty: My Ancestor’s Story of Immigration and the Civil War,” does what any good amateur genealogist, or family historian, should do.  He sets the lives of his ancestors in their proper context against the larger historical backdrop.  Unfortunately that is all that can be said about it.

Tracing the military history of his great-great-grandfather, Philip Lenderking, of the 5th Maryland Infantry, and his four brothers; Frederick, of the Fremont Body Guard and the 181st Ohio Infantry; Rudolph, of the 2nd Michigan Infantry; George of the 27th Michigan Infantry and Louis, of the 12th Maryland Infantry; as well as his great-great-grandfather Taugart Snyder of the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

The compiled service records of each featured soldier, and the pension records of Frederick and Philip Lenderking, all from the National Archives, and seven reports from the “Official Records” are the only primary source material I was able to unearth in Mr. Bramble’s bibliography, though there are excerpts from letters mentioned in his text they are not noted in the bibliography.  Mr. Bramble also sighted in his bibliography one magazine article and seven printed works, two of which were the King James Bible and Webster’s Dictionary.  The rest, and indeed a very large percentage of his research, was done online using a wide variety of websites, some more credible than others.  I counted 102 citations to online sources with 28 of them being Wikipedia articles.

Mr. Bramble relates the experiences of his ancestors in a linear narrative, chronologically as they happened.  But with so few primary resources to rely upon, Mr. Bramble is left to give a thumbnail sketch of each battle his family members participated in, gleaned in large part from only secondary sources, with a few statistics thrown in.

Throughout the book are many photographs, illustrations and maps.  Many of the maps are hand-drawn and had to be so reduced in size for publication that many of them are illegible, and therefore are not at all useful in supplementing the text.

What Mr. Bramble has attempted to do is admirable.  It is important to be able to set the lives of your ancestors against the backdrop of the historical past, by doing so you get a much clearer understanding of who they were and where they fit into the larger historical picture.  But with such scant primary resources to pull from, and such heavy use of online and secondary sources, Mr. Bramble has written a book that will only be useful to the members of his family.

ISBN 978-1257976003, Lulu.com, © 2011, Softcover, 268 pages, Maps, Photographs, Illustrations, Footnotes, Bibliography. $16.49.  To purchase click HERE.

Rebel News via Norfolk

BALTIMORE, April 2. – The following intelligence is from the special correspondent at Fort Monroe, of the Baltimore American:

The number of rebels in Fort Pulaski, as reported by deserters is five hundred.

Two German regiments at Fort Pulaski, had revolted and were in custody.

Gen. Sherman’s mortars and siege guns were so stationed that the guns of the Fort cold not reach them.

The rebels have withdrawn all their troops from the coast and abandoned their earth works, previously removing their cannon to Savannah.

The city of Savannah, however, is understood to be very strongly fortified, and all the approaches to it.  The force there is variously estimated, by refugees, at from twenty to fifty thousand men, probably 20,000, is more nearly correct.

A great despondency existed among the people and troops at Charleston.  The fall of Newbern created the greatest consternation.  The fire-eaters ridiculed the North Carolina troops, charging them with cowardice.

The shop keepers and bankers in Charleston had refused to receive North Carolina money, and there being two North Carolina regiments there at the time, a revolt was the consequence, and the shops were broken open, and the troops helped themselves.  These regiments refused to serve any longer, and were allowed to return home.

No information of the abandonment of Pensacola by the rebels has yet been received, but it was generally believed that our troops had crossed over from Santa Rosa Island and occupied the place.

The latest advices received from Norfolk by the underground railroad leaves no room to doubt that the Merrimac was thoroughly repaired and in commission and ready for another expedition against the wooden walls of the federal navy and river transports lying in the Roads. – The delay of the Merrimac in towing out is believed to be that she is waiting for ammunition for the heavy guns that have been placed on board her, and also for some infernal machines being constructed by bombasto Mallory.

The rebel steamers Jamestown and Yorktown were also getting strengthened and more thoroughly clad with iron to accompany the Merrimac.  There is also a rumor that two other steamers are being clad with iron at Richmond to join in the expedition.

As to the loss of life on the Merrimac in her conflict with the Monitor, we have now what is claimed to be positive information.  One of the recently arrived contrabands states that he was a nurse in the general hospital in Norfolk, and that before his departure he helped to shroud 32 of the crew of the Merrimac, and that both commander Buchanan and Lieut. Meyer are dead.  There are still a number of the wounded surviving.

The contraband also states that the last two shots of the Monitor were represented to be the only ones that seriously injured the Merrimac; those were thrown under her hold at the moment she attempted to run the Monitor down.

The military stationed at Norfolk from the Gulf States have been very severe on the Virginians.  Since their defeat at Roanoke Island even the Richmond Blues, the very pink of chivalry, have fallen in public estimation too.  All award bravery to Jennings Wise, but his father has so fallen in public estimation that he is proclaimed in Norfolk as a coward and poltroon.  In his escape from Nags Head he rode thirty miles on horse back, notwithstanding he had previously reported himself too ill to remain at Roanoke Island, at the head of his command.  Wise and Floyd now rank as the fleet footed.  My informant says that Wise would be hooted if he were to appear in the streets of Norfolk or Richmond.  He has retired to his farm in Princess Ann county.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

A Military Bank Robbery

A very adroit bank robbery was recently effected in St. Louis by a young rogue belonging to the 3rd Missouri volunteers.  It was effected in broad daylight.  Below is a protion of the statement of the young robber which shows how it was done:

OFFICE OF PROVOST MARSHAL,

ST. LOUIS, March 29, 1862.

I was born in St. Louis county; will be sixteen years old in May next.  I joined company H, Third Missouri Volunteers, in this city on the 4th inst., and went to Rolla soon afterwards. – On the 20th instant I arrived in this city from Rolla as one of an escort of prisoners of war – escort and prisoners being in charge of Colonel Shepherd, of said regiment.  On the 24th inst., I went to the office of Capt. Leighton (Provost Marshal St. Louis District,) and reported that a cavalry sabre was in possession of one Kuester, living on the Bellefontaine road, six miles from the city.  When I made this report I expected Capt. Leighton (Provost Marshal,) would give me authority to take the sabre, but I was merely informed that the matter would be properly attended to.  On the next day I went to the headquarters of the Eighth Missouri Militia, on Fifth street, near Franklin avenue; said I had been sent by the Provost Marshal to get a guard of five or six men.  The officer in charge gave me five men, and I went with them to the house of Keuster and got the sabre.  On going out I marched the guard to the terminus of the railroad at Bremen, and then took possession of an omnibus, telling the driver to take myself and the guard to the six mile house, on assuring him that the fare would be all right between him and Uncle Sam.  The driver did not object to the terms which I proposed.  After leaving Kuester’s I went to the premises of Col. McLaren and took therefrom a breach loading rifle, a musket, a shot gun, a navy revolver, and a few cartridges.  I then went to the house of John Jennings, and took from a box that I found therein about a dollar in silver.  Not finding any arms in Jennings’ house, in which I was very much disappointed, I directed him to send his wagon with myself and guard to the Six Mile House, which order he complied with.  The money which I obtained from Jennings was barely sufficient to pay the fare of the guard from the six mile house to the city.  I discharged the guard on the sidewalk in front of an eating house on Broadway, kept by on Crozier, sending it to headquarters on Fifth street under the care of one of them, whom I told to act as corporal. – The arms taken in this expedition were deposited by me for safe keeping in Crozier’s establishment.

On the next night between seven and eight o’clock, I proceeded to the headquarters of the City Guard, on Sixth street, and called for a guard of six men, and the same time presenting to Major McConnell an order purporting to have been written by Captain Leighten, Provost Marshal.  I wrote the order in an eating house on Broadway by Miller & True.  As I was quite nervous from the effects of liquor, I could not write very well, and asked Miller to write the order, but True said: “No, if you can do that it will get you and me into trouble; but Redman may write it here, and I will not say anything about it.”  I told True that I was going to get a guard and arrest the proprietors of the Broadway Bank, and that I would soon have money enough to go into partnership with him, to which he replied, “Bully for you; if you do, I will stick to you as long as life lasts.”  Both Miller and True had a pretty good idea of the adventure, although I had not given them the full particulars.  My intentions were, in case I obtained the guard, to rob the bank and arrest the proprietors that night.  Major McConnell refused to give me the guard, and I returned to Miller and True’s eating house, and stayed there that night.  Before retiring for the night, I told True to call me early in the morning, as I intended to arrest the proprietors of the above named bank, and he said he would do so.

An an early hour on Thursday morning, I went to the headquarters of the City Guard, and presented to the Lieutenant in charge another order purporting to be from Captain Leighton, for a guard of six men.  The Lieutenant said the order was not good and refused to place the guard under my charge.  I then went to Benton Barracks, and after a few judicious inquiries, learned that a German company attached to the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteers, was stationed in Barrack No. 68; so I informed myself of the Captain’s name and went to his quarters, and told him that I had been sent to him by the Provost Marshal for a guard of six men.  He said it was strange that I had not brought a written order, but gave me the guard quite readily.  My idea was that I could get the guard more surely from a German than from an American officer and the result showed that I had reasoned correctly.  Upon getting the guard I marched them to the Broadway Bank, arrested the proprietor thereof, and sent him under guard to the Broadway Garden; after which, finding I could not unlock the safe – it having a combination lock – I went to the Garden and told him he must come down and open the safe, as I had orders to see that all his papers were thoroughly searched.  He came down to the bank with me and opened the safe, and then I sent him back to the Garden, giving directions to have him kept in close custody until further orders were received from me.  After his departure I went to the safe and helped myself to quite a large amount of money – the exact sum I do not know.  I then locked the door of the Bank and gave the key to a sentinel which I had previously stationed on the sidewalk for the purpose of keeping the crowd back, telling him to deliver it to the sergeant of the guard, and to tell the sergeant not to let any one have it except myself or a commissioned officer.  I also gave the sentinel a ten dollar bill and told him to hand it to the sergeant of the guard, and have it spent for the benefit of the guard in the way of paying for beer and food.  I had previously paid the sergeant a dollar or two to pay the fare of the guard and that of my prisoner from the Bank to the Garden.

Upon leaving the Bank I stated to the crowd in front of the door that I had seized a quantity of counterfeit Treasury notes, and was going to take them to the office of the Provost Marshal, but I immediately started in search of a man named Jerry Welch, (who had previously been introduced to me by the name of Wetzel,) whom I found on Fifth Street, near the Melodeon.  We stepped into an alley, and I told him what I had done.  He said, “Bully for you; you have carried the thing out better than I have ever heard of anything being done before.”  I then gave him part of the money which I had taken from the Bank, and told him that I had two others to divide with.  I do not know how much I gave him.  I then divided with Miller and True, but do not know what sums I gave them respectively.  My opinion is that Miller got more of the money than True did.  I kept only a comparatively small amount.  The understanding was that Miller and True were to meet me in Chicago, where I intended to go the day following the robbery.

The idea of getting money from the Broadway Bank was original with me, but I spoke of it to Welch, Miller and True, and they encouraged it.  I told Welch that I thought of bringing a charge against the proprietors of the Bank, and have it investigated by the Provost Marshal.  Pending the examination, I expected to find time and opportunity to rob the Bank.  Welch said that scheme would not work, and advised me to get a guard and arrest the banker, and have him confined in some place where there were no commissioned officers.

The Broadway Garden being the only suitable place that I knew of, I selected it as a temporary prison for the banker, and expected he would remain there in confinement at least twenty-four hours.

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

Nicholas Hoffman

NICHOLAS HOFFMAN, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 33, Madison Township, is a native of Prussia, Germany, born on a branch of the river Rhine, December 8, 1840, a son of Matthias Hoffmann. Our subject came to the United States in 1853, and after living five years in Steuben County, New York, he came to Iowa, locating in Dubuque.  During the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company E., Twenty-first Iowa Infantry under Colonel Samuel Merrill, who afterward became Governor of the State of Iowa. He participated with his regiment in the battles of Hartville, Missouri, Port Gibson, Mississippi, Raymond, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, and others of minor importance, and through the Mobile campaign, returning to his home without receiving even a scratch.  July 25, 1865, Mr. Hoffmann was married in New York State to Katie Kirsch, a daughter of Michael Kirsch, deceased. Of the six children born to them five are living – Matthew, Hannah, Katie, Annie and John. Mr. Hoffmann came to Clarke County in the fall of 1865, and has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, his home farm containing 120 acres of choice land. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his religious views he is a Roman Catholic.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 253

What Refugees from Dixie Say

ST. LOUIS, March 11. – A special to the Democrat from Cairo says two Union men reached here from New Orleans to-day.  They left that city on the 26th ult., and by carefully traveling were enabled to get off in safety.  Both spent the winter in New Orleans, where the greatest excitement and distress prevails.  The approaches to the city on the south are pretty well defended; on the north fortifications run back from Carrrolton.  The only persons in the city not regularly enlisted are Germans and Jews. – The city is also full of secret Union clubs.  It is said that at least 12,000 of the citizens belong to clubs.  The condition of things is terrible.

The Memphis Appeal advocates burning the city, as a last resort, in case it is attacked, but the Mayor issued a proclamation that any person detected attempting to fire houses would be hung.  Beauregard had left.  Jackson was expected to take command at Island No. 10.  A large number of transports were lying at the foot of the Island to take off troops in case of defeat.

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

Arrest of Union Men in Richmond

On Saturday night Capt. Goodwin, by order of the Government, proceeded, with a party of select-men to the farm of John Minor Botts, and took him and all of his papers and private correspondence in custody.  Leaving an officer in charge of the papers and house of Botts, Capt. Goodwin brought him prisoner to this city, and lodged him in McDaniel’s negro jail, situated in Blankinship’s alley, some fifty yards north of Franklin street.

Captain Goodwin then went to the farms of Valentine Heckler and Franklin Stearns, and took both these well-known Union men, and all of their papers and letters, and brought them to this city.

Botts’s and Heckler’s letters and papers have not yet been examined.  Stern’s letters have undergone only a cursory and partial examination, and, so far, nothing of interest has been found among them, except several letters from his friend Botts, begging for money.

We are under the impression that, as yet, the Government is in possession of no positive information that would convict Botts of treason.  But he is known to be the recognized leader of the disaffected, all the low Germans of the Red Republican, Carl Schurz school, and the vile remnant of the Union party.

Against Stearns’ and Heckler’s loyalty the Government has been for a month in the possession of the most conclusive evidence; and it feels confident of its ability to prove that both of these men have been loud in their denunciations of what they have been please to term the “Rebellion,” and have, over and over again, expressed their willingness to sacrifice their entire property to restore the dominion in the South of the United States Government.

The man Wardwell, another party arrested, has, since the beginning of the war, been known to every citizen as a blatant and defiant Union man.

Miller, who has also been lodged in jail, is the chief or high priest of the secret Black or Red German Republican societies of Richmond, some of whose members, it can be proved, have since the reverse of our army at Fort Donelson, boasted that they had thousands of arms and abundance of ammunition concealed in the city, and that the men were enrolled who would use them on the first approach of the Yankee army.

An Irishman, named John M. Higgins, has also been arrested and put in the same prison.  Higgins is a connection of Col. Corcoran of the Yankee army.  Two of Higgins’ aunts married two of Corcoran’s uncles.  A letter from Corcoran to Higgins, advising the latter to send his wife and family North, and containing assurance that he (Corcoran) would have them safely conveyed under flag of truce, has recently been intercepted by our Government.  Whether our Government has any evidence of Higgins’ intention to follow Corcoran’s counsel, has not transpired.

It is said that Stearns, the whisky man, on approaching the prison, surveyed it with a most contemptuous expression, and remarked, “If you are going to imprison all the Union men, you will have to provide a much larger jail than this.”  Mr. Stearns will, we think, be not a little mistaken in his calculations.

It will be recollected that, on Thursday last, John Gold and Elias Paulding were arraigned for having made use of treasonable language, and that it appeared on investigation, that Gold had proclaimed himself a Union man, and announced that the stars and stripes would soon wave from the top of our capitol, and that Elias Paulding amended Gold’s announcement with an emphatic “That’s so.”  We stated in our last paper that the Mayor had turned both parties over to the Confederate authorities.  In this we were mistaken.  The Mayor had merely committed them for further examination, and they were accordingly brought into court on Saturday, and again committed till this morning. – {Richmond Examiner, March 3.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Election Day

Until a registry law be enacted by our Legislature the gravest abuses of the elective franchise will occur at every election held in the river towns of our State.  At Dubuque the recent election for municipal officer was the occasion of the most barefaced frauds.  About twenty deck hands from a steamer in port were marcher up to the polls and voted the Democratic ticket in a body.  A citizen was knocked down for challenging one of their votes.

“A skiff mounted on wheels,” says the Times, “and loaded with Mahony men, went up to the fifth ward, yelling for Mahony, Jeff. Davis and the Merrimac.  The loyal Germans pitched into them, and warmed their jackets for them beautifully.”

At night the streets became a perfect Pandemonium.  “Mahony’s crew were all as drunk as hogs.”

On a somewhat smaller scale such were the scenes that transpired on election day and evening in this city.  The Mahonyites here gloried in their victory, they hurrahed, got drunk and fairly Bedlamized the place.

Irishmen met brother Irishmen on the street corners and had a word to say as to how “dacently they used the Dootch to bate their own man and elect Darmoody and old Harve!”

It was sickening, yet the Democrat, like the Herald of Dubuque, gloried in it, and it was set down as a great Democratic victory and goes over the country so heralded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 2

Another Relief Meeting

A large number of citizens assembled at Le Claire Hall, on short notice, last evening for the purpose of taking measures for the prompt relief of the wounded.

Mr. Price, chairman of the Relief Association, called the meeting to order, and in the temporary absence of Mr. Claussen, Mr. D. N. Richardson was appointed secretary.

Mr. Price made a few remarks, explanatory of his speech the other night, in which he emphatically reaffirmed the sentiments of that speech.

Mr. McCosh, from the finance committee for the 5^th ward, said that he would report to the treasurer to-morrow morning before the departure of the cars.  Mr. Barkley, acting for the 4^th ward, reported that he had succeeded in collecting the sum of $61.75.

Rev. Mr. Kynett and Judge Dillon made short and eloquent speeches, urging prompt and liberal contributions for the aid of the sufferers from the late battle.

The finance committee went through the audience, and collected their contributions.  The whole amount collected, including the sums previously obtained, is about $250.

The following communication was read by the President, and ordered printed with the proceedings:

DAVENPORT, IOWA, April 9, 1862.

HIRAM PRICE, Esq., President of the Scott County Aid Society, Davenport –

Sir:  You are hereby notified that the German Ladies’ Aid Society of Davenport are now prepared to deliver to your Society, at a moment’s notice, 256 bandages, 2 packages of linen rags, 7 packages lint (large size,) and 2 packages lint (short size.)  All of which is now packed in a knapsack at the office of Der Demokrat, subject to your order.

Most respectfully,

JOHN T. STIBOLT,

G. LEMME,

BD. BETERS,

Executive Committee.

Any further orders for similar articles will be cheerfully complied with.

J. T. STITBOLT.

The meeting then adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 1

A Handsome Present

A sword is on exhibition in St. Louis that cost $1,000, which is intended as a present from the German citizens of the West to Gen. Fremont.  It is enriched with diamonds and ornamented with a small bust of the General in gold.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 8, 1862, p. 2

The War News

From Island No. 10.

The Fortifications Strengthened by the Enemy.

German Rebels Revolting.

20,000 Rebels at Savannah.

RIOTS AT CHARLESTON, S. C.

The Merrimac mounting more heavy Guns.

Newspaper Correspondents banished from the Army.

VIRGINIA CHIVALRY AT DISCOUNT.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 4, 1862, p. 1

Southern News

BALTIMORE, April 2.

The following intelligence is from the special correspondent at Fort Monroe of the Baltimore American: The number of rebels in Fort Pulaski, as reported by deserters, is 500.  Two German companies there had revolted and were in irons.  Sherman’s mortars and siege guns were so stationed that the guns of the fort could not reach them.  The rebels have withdrawn all their troops from the coast, and abandoned their earth works, previously removing all their cannon to Savannah.  The city of Savannah, however is understood to be very strongly fortified, and all the approaches to it.  The forces there is variously estimated by refugees at 20,000 to 50,000; probably 20,000 is more nearly correct.

Great despondency existed among the troops and people at Charleston, the fall of Newberne created the greatest consternation.  The fire-eaters ridiculed the North Carolina troops, charging them with cowardice.  The shopkeepers and bankers in Charleston had also refused to receive North Carolina money, and there being two N. C. regiments there at the time, a revolt was the consequence, and the shops were broken open and the troops helped themselves.

Three regiments refused to serve any longer, and were allowed to return home.

No direct information of the abandonment of Pensacola by the rebels has yet been received; but it was generally believed that our troops had crossed over from Santa Rosa Island and approached the place.

The latest advices received from Norfolk by the underground RR., leave no room to doubt that the Merrimac was thoroughly repaired, and in commission and ready for another expedition against the wooden walls of the Federal navy and river transports lying in the roads.

The delay of the Merrimac in coming out is belived to be that she is waiting for ammunition for the heavy guns that have been placed on board of her, and also for some infernal machies that are being constructed by Bobbust and Mallory.

The rebel steamers Jamestown and Yorktown were also getting strengthened and more thoroughly clad with iron, to accompany the Merrimac.

There is also a rumor that two other steamers are being clad with iron at Richmond, to join in the expedition.

As to the loss of life on the Merrimac, in her conflict with the Monitor, we have now what is claimed to be positive information.

One of the recently arrived contrabands states that he was a nurse in the general hospital at Norfolk and that until the time of his departure he had helped to shroud 32 of the crew of the Merrimac, and that both commander Buchanan and Lt. Mayer were dead.  There were still a number of wounded surviving.  The contraband also states that two shots of the Monitor were represented to be the only ones that seriously injured the Merrimac.  Shots were thrown under her shield at the moment she attempted to run the Monitor down.

The military from the Gulf States, stationed at Norfolk, have been very severe on the chivalry ever since their defeat at Roanoke Island.  Even the Richmond Blues, the very pinks of chivalry, have fallen in public estimation.  All award bravery to O. Jennings Wise, but his father has so fallen in the public estimation, that he is proclaimed, in Norfolk, a coward and poltroon.  In his escape from Nags Head, he rode thirty miles on horse back, notwithstanding he had previously reported himself too ill to remain at Roanoke Island, at the head of his command.  Wise and Floyd now rank as fleet-footed.  My informant says that Wise would be hooted, if he were to appear in the streets of Norfolk or Richmond.  He has retired to his farm in Princess Ann county.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 4, 1862, p. 1