The Clinton Journal

We have received a little paper with the above title, printed at Clinton, Henry county, Missouri.  On the outside it is secesh and printed by Richard E. Day.  After the outside form was in type, Day left at the approach of the 1st Iowa Cavalry and Frank Pease as Editor and Samuel Marchant as publisher continue the paper.  Col. Warren as commander of the Post; Wm. Thompson, Acting Major of 3d Battalion; Capt. Heath, Provost Marshal.  Below are a few items from the local column.

FOR ST. LOUIS. – Last Tuesday fifteen prisoners were sent to St. Louis from this place – men who were found in arms against the Government.  How they will be dispose of we are not unable to say, but they will no doubt have justice don them.

THE HOSPITAL. – This post is provided with an excellent building for the accommodation of sick and wounded soldiers.  There are not many, however, occupying the building as yet.  We have a few sick and wounded of our own men there, besides some wounded secesh.  All are receiving excellent care at the hands of those having them in charge; and most of them will soon be themselves again.

PRISONERS. – Not a day passes without a fresh installment of secesh prisoners being brought to town, by various scouting parties of the Iowa First.  Our boys have also taken a supply of guns, which for variety, eclipse Mrs. Toodles’ assortment of sundries in the old garret.  These fellows are required to take the oath of allegiance, and give heavy bonds for their future good conduct.  The presence of the Iowa First in this locality is having a salutary effect.

“OLD PI.” – We have about a bushel and a half of pi, that is of no earthly use to us, unless we conclude to remain here and publish a paper just for the “fun of the thing,” but as we do not propose doing that, we’ll let some one have it to “distribute” on shares.  Our office looks as if the former occupants had taken French leave, and like the kangaroo going into the mountain had kicked the sand and gravel behind them.  They left the “pi” referred to, some rusty “sticks,” a few “chases,” seven pieces of “riglette,” a stove pipe hole, an empty bottle of whiskey, a sardine box full of “quods,” a jackass cut – also a small cut representing a runaway nigger.  With this outfit, which we regard as a “fat take,” we are doing Uncle Samuel’s job printing and find work sufficient to keep three printers busy day and night.

MORE PRISONERS. – Just as we go to press we learn that the detachment under Col. Warren which left here last Monday, is returning from the scout in the direction of Monigaw Springs with from 40 to 50 prisoners.  There was no chance to bring the rebels into an engagement, but a little skirmishing took place in which a few were wounded.  We have no room for particulars.

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

Letter from the 7th Iowa Cavalry

Fort Kearney
Feb. 17th, 1864

Mr. Editor :–

It seems somewhat strange that something from the Seventh Iowa Cavalry does not oftener appear in your columns. The Seventh by some has been lightly spoken of. But by old regulars, I am authorized to say that it will compare favorably with almost any other regiment in the field for good discipline, or in any other respect, though I must say there is yet room for improvement. As far as fighting is concerned the Seventh has not played much of a hand. We may yet have a change to show our fighting propensities, and I do not know of a boy in the regiment who would not welcome the day that sends us South. The companies are scattered almost from one end of Nebraska Territory to the other. Companies G and F being stationed at Cottonwood Springs, A, D and H at Fort Reamey [sic, should read Kearny], and the other companies on the Missouri River at different points above Omaha City. I don’t suppose there is another regiment in the field that guards more territory than the Seventh Iowa Cavalry. Its daily performed line of duty, too, is excessive. The civil law being of little force, the ordinary duties of the civil authorities are naturally devoted upon the military. Co. B, I understand, has recently had some difficulties with the Indians up about St. James, but I have not been able to learn the result.

A Word on our career since leaving Iowa. After crossing the muddy Missouri River we were stationed in camp for a few days, near the village called Omaha City. After having recruited our horses &c. we found that we were to be scattered to the four winds over Nebraska Territory. It fell to the lot of three companies A, D and H, to go to Fort Kearney. About the last of August, all things being ready, we gathered up our traps, turned our horses’ heads to the far west and commenced our wearisome journey. Not however without first getting the example of Lot’s wife, casting our eyes back towards home and its endearments. Our march was not accompanied with anything very adventurous. I might however say that we were one night aroused by the sound of the sentinel’s carbine and the report was instantly afloat though camp that the Indians were upon us. The boys were instantly under arms, falling into line with the speed scarcely imaginable for new troops. But no Indians. Nothing of the kind could be found, and after an hours scouting through the brush on the Platte, the boys returned to camp much dissatisfied at their novel disappointment. We arrived at Fort Kearney in due time and found it a very commodious home for the soldiers, though somewhat lonesome. The boys soon made themselves quite proficient in hunting, as the buffalo were quite plenty here at that time. Most of the boys have become excellent riders. The Nimrodian laurels belong to on John A. Guy who soon became so will skilled that while riding at full sped he brought down two large buffaloes in fifteen minutes time.

Platte River is about one mile wide, sometimes exceeding that, but seldom falling short of it. The channel is so shallow that it can be forded in almost any place. It is interspersed with numerous low islands which are covered with thick underwood and grape vines forming a good retreat for wolves &c. The one thing most remarked about this river is that in the summer season while it has plenty of water with heavy current, in others there is none. At the crossing at Fort Kearney when we came here, there was not a drop of water in the channel, but in a few weeks after our arrival the water came down with all the violence of a mill race, yet no rain had fallen to produce this effect.

The health of the three companies stationed here is very good. Some few cases of fever have occurred, but thanks to the care of Dr. A. J. Willy, none have died. The moral condition of the soldiers here is not as good as it might be. We have not been favored with a chaplain, from what reason I am not able to say. I suppose Uncle Sam thought we were coming out west where there was no danger, and consequently would not need a spiritual overseer. The post is at present under the command of Major H. H. Heath, who spares no pains to keep the soldiers under him in good discipline causing a thorough inspection of arms once a week. The horses and horse equipage are in excellent condition, although the former have several times been jaded by extensive scouting.

Solic[i]ting pleasant dreams for the Editor, his subscribers, and the good citizens of the very interesting and business city of Oceola, I am yours, and a prisoner yet.

Soldier.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, March 12, 1864