Showing posts with label H B Hendershott. Show all posts
Showing posts with label H B Hendershott. Show all posts

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Edwin M. Stanton, March 18, 1863

Executive Office, Iowa,
Iowa Citv, Mar. 18,1863.
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C:

Sir — I have to-day received the enclosed package of papers from Mr. Hoxie, United States Marshal of this State. There is no doubt there is a very unfortunate condition of affairs at this time in this State. A secret organization known popularly as the “Knights of the Golden Circle” is widely spread through the State, the object of which I am informed and believe is to embarrass the Government in the prosecution of the war, mainly by encouraging desertions from the army, protecting deserters from arrest, discouraging enlistments, preparing the public mind for an armed resistance to a conscription, if ordered, and, if possible, to place the State government at the next election in the hands of men who will control it to thwart the policy of the Administration in the prosecution of the war. Indeed, with the exception of advising desertions, the purposes above mentioned are openly advised and advocated by many persons in this State.

Lieutenant Henry came to me in regard to the matter mentioned in his letter to Marshal Hoxie, and, at my instance, Capt. Hendershott furnished him with a detail of ten armed men to go with him to his place of rendezvous, in Madison county, and remain with him. I also sent by him fifty muskets and some ammunition to place in the hands of loyal men. I have not heard from him since his return. There is undoubtedly a feverish and excited state of the public mind, and matters must be managed here prudently and firmly or a collision may ensue. I wrote you a few days since asking that you send me some arms, and also that you allow me to raise two or three regiuients as a ‘State Guard,’ not to leave the State. I regard these measures both as measures of precaution and prevention. Much that is said in regard to the resistance of the laws is no doubt mere bluster by self-important men of small caliber and small ambition to give themselves local importance and to secure for themselves petty offices, and who, if an outbreak were to occur, would not be in the way of danger.

But I also believe there are engaged in this work men of desperate fortunes, political and otherwise, who would have the courage to lead an outbreak, and who would rejoice in the opportunity. I think it extremely probable that there are in this and other Northern States paid agents of the Rebels, who are organizing machinery and using the means to effect the purposes herein attributed to the Knights of the Golden Circle; and there is real danger that the efforts of these men may so far operate on the minds of their honest but deluded followers in some localities as to cause a collision among our people. If we had arms in the hands of our loyal citizens, and a State Guard as I suggest, it might, and I think would, prevent this. The condition of things is, in my judgment, such that the Government can only make itself properly respected by convincing those disposed to be troublesome of its determination and ability to preserve the peace and enforce the laws. The dismissal of those “arbitrarily arrested,” as the phrase goes, has had a bad effect in this, that it has led many to suppose that the Government has not the power to punish. Let me impress upon you my conviction that in case of any armed resistance to the laws, the punishment be prompt, certain and sharp, as any thing looking like indecision or timidity would be disastrous.

I scarcely know what to advise in regard to these men who are “talking treason,” huzzaing for Jeff Davis, and organizing the Knights of the Golden Circle, etc. It would be worse than useless to arrest them, unless they can be tried and, if found guilty, punished. If arrests could be made, trials and convictions had and punishment sharply administered, the effect would be excellent. Has the United States District Attorney of this State had his attention called especially to this matter? It seems to me if it has not, it should be done, and he or the marshal furnished with the necessary money to detect arrest and punish some of these active scoundrels who are producing so much mischief.

I have already organized and armed a company in each of the southern tier of counties in the State. These have been placed under the orders of Provost Marshal Hiatt, of Keokuk, and will be placed under the orders of the new provost marshals in Congressional Districts as soon as I am advised of their names and appointment. I hope good selections have been made. I am now organizing a company in each of the second tier of counties from the south line, and, when organized and armed, I will also place them at the disposal of the Provost Marshals. If I had arms, I would organize companies in all the counties in the Stale where I think they may be needed. None of these companies would draw any pay or cause any expense except when called on by the proper authorities, except those in the southern tier, a squad of ten men, each of which is on duty all the time. I regard it as a matter of the first and most pressing importance to get a supply of arms and ammunition.  *  *  *

Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Samuel J. Kirkwood.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 240-2

Friday, October 31, 2014

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, January 1, 1863

Executive Office,
Jan. 1, 1863.
L. Thomas,
Adjutant General, U. S. A.

Sir: — In November last Capt. Parker had in camp and was filling up a company, the organization of which was commenced August 18. The company had been full, but by reason of delay in getting barracks, a number of the men had left. The county authorities of the county in which the company was being raised, in order to encourage enlistment and thus secure the county against the liability to a draft, were paying a county bounty of $50 to single and $75 to married men. The men had received this county bounty, but the company was not fully organized, nor had the men signed triplicate enlistment papers as required by General Order No. 75, 1862.

Under these circumstances Capt. Yates, 13th U. S. Infantry, recruited nine of these men for the regular army from the State camp, and the Adjutant General of the State refused to permit them to go into Capt. Yates' company. I learn that you have issued instructions to Capt. Hendershott at Davenport, to turn the men over to Capt. Yates, taking them from the company for which they enlisted.

I respectfully and firmly protest against this action; these men were not liable to enlistment in the regular service, because they had not then signed their enlistment papers; they were not liable to enlistment as citizens, because they had then volunteered and were in camp as part of an organized company, being raised by one of my recruiting officers to fill a requisition made upon me by the Secretary of War.

It is bad enough to have our volunteer organizations, raised with so much labor and mustered into the United States service, decimated to furnish commands for men who do not enlist men under them; but if these men are allowed to go among our incomplete organizations and take from them men who have been recruited by State recruiting officers, and who have received large, local bounties, it is proper I should say frankly, I shall not feel disposed to make any great exertion for the future to procure voluntary enlistments. In this particular case the company from which these men are taken is assigned to one of our old regiments, and with these men lacks three of having the minimum number. If these men are taken away this company will be still further delayed in its completion. The officers who have raised it have spent much time and money in raising the company, and plainly speaking it is an outrage on them to take the men from them. Capt. Hendershott. at my request, has delayed any action on the order issued to him till I can hear from you, and I earnestly request a careful consideration of the matter, as your decision must seriously affect further recruiting in the State. I cannot get men to undertake to recruit companies, if while they are engaged in the work officers of the regular army can seduce their men from them by promising the immediate payment of the bounty which is delayed to them as volunteers.

Very respectfully,
SAMUEL J. KIRK WOOD.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 237-8

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Executive Committee Meeting

An adjourned meeting of the Executive Committee of the Soldiers’ Relief Association, was held at Putnam & Rogers’ office last evening.  The several sub-committees were present.

Mr. Dow, from sub-committee appointed to procure hospital accommodations, recommended that Camp McClellan had been selected, the consent of Capt. Hendershott having been obtained.  He also reported the action of the committee in procuring fixtures, etc.

On motion, Mr. Huot was appointed a committee to make the necessary repairs and improvements on the buildings at Camp McClellan, under direction of the Surgical Committee.

Mr. Davies moved that the Surgical Committee be authorized to have the buildings put in immediate readiness.

Mr. Dow offered the following, which was adopted:

Resolved, That a committee of one be appointed, whose duty it shall be to furnish, under the direction of the Surgical committee, all necessary supplies for the Hospital, and if it be required, that a person so appointed be paid a reasonable compensation for his services.

The chair appointed Warrant Teale said committee.

On motion, John Collins, C. E. Putnam and Israel Hall were appointed an auditing committee, to whom all accounts against the society be presented for approval.

On motion the Rev. A. J. Kynett was added to the surgical committee.

Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 1

Monday, April 18, 2011

More Outrages On The Constitution

It is evident that the Baltimore Secesh, who undertook to rejoice and be merry over the disaster to the Federal arms on the Shenandoah, were roughly handled, unceremoniously knocked down and dragged out by their loyal fellow citizens.  This was an unquestionable violation of the freedom of speech and personal rights, - a high handed outrage upon the “Con-sti-too-shun,” – highly dangerous to the liberties of some folks, and if it should become general throughout the county a good many persons would have to keep very quiet or “wipe bloody noses.”  As this outrage happened in the military department of Gen. Dix, holding his office under the President, we suggest to the Vallandighammers to howl a little.  The Iowa Resurectionists ought to work this item up into effective shape.  It will also be observed that the Baltimore newspapers were all compelled to run up the Star Spangled Banner.  This was the hardest feature in the whole affair.  Let Father Mahoney, the amiable and exemplary Sheward, and the respectable Hendershot take it home to themselves, and give us a constitutional leader with a sensation head.  Charge it home on the Baltimore “Abolitionists” and “Radicals,” and then make President Lincoln and the Republican party carry the load.
                                                                                                    
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1

Friday, February 25, 2011

Headquarters Recruiting Depot

DAVENPORT, Iowa, Feb.18, 1862.

General Orders No. 3.

I.  The loss sustained by the troops from this State in recent actions, and other casualties, having probably reduced their strength considerably below the minimum standard, Recruiting Officers are required to prosecute their recruiting operations with the greatest activity and energy.

II.  On the application of Recruiting Officers, they will be authorized to establish branch rendezvous in counties adjoining those in which their principal rendezvous are located.  The application should state the proposed point, and its distance from the principal rendezvous, and the branch should, if practicable, be placed on some Railroad or Stage-line communication therewith.  These branch rendezvous will be placed under the charge of a non-commissioned officer in the recruiting party.  In no case will the price paid for board and lodging exceed that which is paid at the principal rendezvous; and no unnecessary expense will be incurred in travelling between branch and principal rendezvous.  Officers will visit their branch rendezvous once in ten days, and enlist all proper persons who may present themselves for enlistment.

III.  Tri-monthly reports will be promptly rendered to his office on the 10th, 20th and last day of each month, whether any enlistments have been made or not.  Returns of recruiting parties will be promptly made on the last day of the month.

By order,

H. B. HENDERSHOTT,
Captain, 2d Artillery, Sup’t Vol. R. S.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 1