From The 11th Iowa Regiment

FRIEND SANDERS:  In your issue of yesterday morning your types made two mistakes, rather mortifying to a correspondent.  Two say that two men were “mortally wounded,” while one of them still survives, with a fair prospect of recovery, is hardly correct.  I intended to say “mutually wounded.”  Instead, also of saying that certain ones “hug slavery as the dearest part of their souls,” it should read “dearest pet,” 8c.  Illegible manuscript was probably the cause of these mistakes.

The 11^th regiment has been again subdivided.  On Saturday evening last, an order was received by Col. Hare to send two companies, together with two companies of the 3^rd Iowa Cavalry, all under command of Major Caldwell, to take post at Mexico, on the North Missouri railroad.  The two companies of our regiment (D and F,) marched, of course, on Sunday as usual.  The cavalry followed next day, and all reached Mexico on Monday evening.

We had been informed by acting assistant Adjutant General Wm. T. Clark that the Iowa 6^th, 8^th, 11^th, and 13^th, together with a battalion of the 3^rd Iowa Cavalry and an Ohio battery, were about to be brigaded under Gen. McKean, and moved to Tennessee.  This was good news to the boys, and when the order above-named was made known all seemed disappointed.  It may be, however, that the forming of this new brigade is only temporarily delayed.  It is understood to be the plan of Gen. Halleck to move the Federal troops from Missouri just as fast as the State militia shall be organized.  The Union people of Missouri fear as to the results of this plan, inasmuch as so long as Price is alive and at large the secessionists will still consider their cause as hopeful, and these rebels have little respect for or fear of State troops.  One regiment from Iowa is more formidable in their estimation than four times their number of Missourians.

Secessionism is by no means dead in Missouri, but everywhere, in every neighborhood, rebels and desperadoes are ready at any moment, either singly or in bands, to pounce upon the property of Union men, and would not hesitate to take the life of any who should stand in their way.  Nothing short of the death or capture of Price, or the complete subjugation of the rebels in nearly or quite all the other States, will finish up the work in Missouri.

The health of the 11^th has greatly improved within the last month, though, I am sorry to say, there has been quite an increase in the number of cases of small pox.  This disease however, much as it is dreaded, has proved to be far less fatal with us, than measles or pneumonia.  We have lost 33 in all, and only 2 of small pox out of more than 50 cases.

I am at home – Durant – for a few days, on leave of absence, expecting to return, if improving health permits, about the 20^th of the present month, when I shall be happy to carry messages or tokens from friends to any of the boys or officers.

But “O my!” what a winter you are having up here in March.  On Monday last.  I road 15 miles in an open buggy, and found myself covered with mud.  Yesterday – Wednesday – I reached your city, and found the Railroad blocked with snow. – We had in Missouri, the week before Christmas, about four inches of snow, which lasted nearly a week, since which time the ground has scarcely been covered.  I saw but very little snow on Tuesday, on the line of the Chicago and St. Louis Railroad – much of the way none.  In several instances the farmers were dragging down the corn stalks preparatory to plowing. – But here in Iowa king winter reigns supreme.  Still I would rather live in Iowa than in Missouri.  To say nothing of society and other things, the weather is far more even, and the climate more healthy. – And so far as the state of society is concerned – morals, religion and everything which goes to make up good society – Missouri bears no comparison with Iowa. – Should our more southern sister ever get rid of slavery, as undoubtedly she will, the way will be opened for an improvement in many respects.  But a generation must probably pass away, and a large number of a different class of people must enter the State before she can overtake Iowa in many things most desirable.  In the matter of fruit raising, Missouri is ahead of us, and will remain so.  But all things considered, a residence in Iowa is and will be at least for one or two generations, for more desirable to right minded people than in Missouri.

Yours truly,

CHAPLAIN,

11^th Iowa Regiment.

DURANT, March 6, 1862

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 10, 1862, p. 2

From The 11th Iowa Regiment

FULTON, Mo., Feb. 4.

EDITOR OF GAZETTE. – Dear Sir: The portion of the 11th Iowa stationed here, are finally quartered in the deaf and dumb asylum – the hospital, commissary department, and prisoners’ room being all under the same roof. This building is large enough to accommodate comfortably a regiment of soldiers with their officers. The insane hospital near by, and standing empty, is large enough to hold four or five regiments. – These buildings were erected by the State, at an expense of perhaps three-fourths of a million dollars, and were occupied as designed until Claib Jackson undertook to fight Uncle Sam, and wanted money. The funds of these institutions being of more easy access than those in the pockets of the people, the unfortunate patients and pupils were left without support, and soon hurried off – some to comfortable homes and others to hovels or jail. These fine buildings standing empty and desolate, perhaps for years to come, will silently utter long and loud curses on the heads of those who dared to prostitute these sacred funds to purposes of rebellion. The hundreds of suffering ones who recently peopled these costly structures, now scattered all over the State, will follow the rebel governor with their maledictions wherever he may wonder, or attempt to hide.

The duties of the 11th Iowa at this post consist in holding the place, protecting the property and lives of Union families, taking and guarding the persons and property of rebels, &ct. The four companies of the Iowa 3d Cavalry – also stationed here have late done most of the scouting, and right earnest and hard working men are they. Scarcely a day passes in which they do not bag more or less game. I am happy to say, however, that these fearless men from Iowa do not steal, burn and kill as they go. So far as I can learn, they abuse nobody, but under the able direction of their commander – Maj. Caldwell – require all of suspected treason to take the oath or accompany them to headquarters. It speaks well for the forbearance and self control of these daring horsemen, that during all the excitement of their scouting and taking prisoners, they have shot but one man, and he a prisoner making his third attempt to escape from his captors.

There are, or were, in this county, many noted secession sympathizers and bridge burners. One of these – Henry Larimore – known to have been a ringleader at the recent destruction of property on the North Missouri railroad, deserted his home not long since, and his splendid property is now in possession of one company of the 11th Iowa, in behalf of Uncle Sam. His farms, stock, &c., are thought to be worth from sixty to one hundred thousand dollars. It is quite possible, however, that he has creditors enough among good Union men to require a large portion of this property to liquidate their claims.

How long the 11th will remain here is very uncertain. It seems to be the plan, so far as we can discover, to leave this State to the care of the Home Guards or State Militia, while troops from other States are moved farther South. It is thought by Union men here, that this plan will be disastrous for such localities as Calloway Co., inasmuch as it would revive domestic quarrels and embolden the rebels to new and desperate acts of aggression. I am told that the citizens of this place, through Maj. Caldwell, have petitioned to have the Iowa troops remain; but whether Gen. Halleck will heed the petition is not certain.

We have still considerable sickness, but have had no death since my last, and so far as I know, only one in the regiment for nearly two weeks. The whole number now dead is 26. At one time we were greatly in want of comforts and delicacies for the hospital. We are now well supplied by the kindness of friends and Aid Societies in Iowa. And from what we hear of boxes and packages on the way, the presumption is that we shall soon have more than enough, while possibly other Iowa regiments may be suffering, as we were at one time, for want of many good things found at home, but not found among Uncle Sam’s allowances to his soldiers. It is a pity that from the first a more perfect system was not devised for providing and distributing these good things. But, as in all things else, wisdom must be learned by experience, and experience requires time. – The benevolence and good sense of the soldiers friend will soon rectify all mistakes. Let me, however, correct one mistake, wherever your paper can reach it, i.e., that of sending fruit from Iowa to Missouri. We can buy apples – green and dried – and dried peaches here, and send them to Iowa for about the money that such things cost there; perhaps for less. Jellies, preserves, cordials and the like, so far as they are needed, will pay for sending. For our present good supply of these delicacies for the sick, as also for bedding, socks, &c. Our hospital inmates are under great obligations to the many donors in Iowa.

Enough for this time. I send you a picture of Fulton and of several public buildings in this vicinity.

Yours,
CHAPLAIN.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 12, 1862, p. 2

Colonel Henry Clay Caldwell

SECOND COLONEL, THIRD CAVALRY.

H. C. Caldwell, now judge of the District Courts for the District of Arkansas, is a son of the late Van Caldwell, who, in the early history of the State, was extensively known through South Eastern Iowa for his uncompromising whigism and his generous hospitality. Van Caldwell was one of the first settlers of that county, and deserves a passing notice. He was, at one time, a wealthy Virginia planter, but, meeting reverses in fortune, and losing the greater part of his estate, sold his ancient homestead and came to Iowa, which was then a Territory. His first claim was laid in what is now the town of Bentonsport, Van Buren county. After a four-years' residence here, he removed to Davis county, where he died. He was an old-style, Virginia gentleman.

Colonel Caldwell, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Virginia, and was born in Marshall county of that State, on the 4th day of September, 1832. Accompanying his father in his western migration, he remained with him till the fall of 1847, when he was received into the law office of Wright & Knapp, at Keosauqua, as chore-boy.

Colonel Caldwell is essentially an Iowa man — more so than any other officer whose sketch is here given; and for this reason the details of his early history may not be uninteresting. Before starting in life for himself, he did not have even the advantages of a common school education. He had attended school a few weeks at the old Indian Agency Station, now Agency City, where he might have learned to read, but nothing more. He was, however, a student at home; and it was here, by the fire-side of his father's rustic log cabin, where Judge Knapp first found him and learned his habits. The result was as has been stated.

In the fall of 1847, he left his home for a permanent residence in Keosauqua, having his entire worldly effects tied in a red cotton handkerchief. One year's schooling in Keosauqua completed his education; and this was only afforded by hard labor and the most rigid economy. In 1851, he was admitted to the Keosauqua bar, since which time his history is better known.

He first entered the practice as a partner of Judge Wright, (Judge Knapp being then on the bench) and later was a member of the firm of Wright, Knapp & Caldwell. Still later, on the election of Judge Wright to the Supreme Bench of Iowa, the firm was known as that of Knapp & Caldwell. He was the junior member of this firm at the time of entering the service, in the summer of 1861. The connection of Colonel Caldwell with this able firm was, for him, no ordinary good fortune. He would have succeeded by himself, poor as he was. Agreeable in manners, able, energetic and ambitious, he possessed every requisite of success; but his advancement was much more rapid from being associated with two such masterly minds.

In March, 1853, Colonel Caldwell married Miss Hattie Benton, an estimable lady and a niece of Judge Wright, and a sister of Mrs. Judge Knapp.

"Colonel Caldwell was always the pet of Van Buren county;" so many of her citizens have told me. With his appearance at the bar began his popularity. In the fall of 1856 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Van Buren county, by a majority of 180. He ran upon the Republican ticket, and was the only candidate in the county, of that shade of politics, who was elected. In 1860, he was elected to the State Legislature, and here again was the only successful candidate on his ticket in the county, the democrats electing the senator and the other members of the House. While a member of the legislature, he served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee; and by his counsels in the committee-room, and his nervous, off-hand speeches in the House, established the reputation of being an able lawyer and practical legislator. His geniality, moreover, secured the love and respect of every member of the House.

Mr. Caldwell entered the service in the summer of 1861, being in August of that year commissioned major of the 3d Iowa Cavalry. Subsequently to that time and till the 20th of June, 1864, when he was appointed judge of the district courts for the District of Arkansas, he followed the profession of arms. As a soldier, he met with his usual success. His military record is not as brilliant as are those of some others, and for the reason that the department in which he served did not chance to be the theatre of many hard-fought battles. The service which he saw comprised all the hardships and nearly all the dangers, but lacked the glory incident to the sanguinary campaigns in other departments. During his first year's service, Major Caldwell had a separate command, consisting of companies E, F, G and H—the 2d Battalion of the 3d Iowa Cavalry. On the 12th of December, 1861, he was ordered from Benton Barracks to Jefferson City, Missouri, and thence to Fulton, where he made his head-quarters, and from whence he led various scouting expeditions, during the Winter.

In the following Summer, in connection with a detachment of the Missouri State Militia and Merrill's cavalry command, he took part in the engagement at Moore's Mills, in Galloway county. This battle, though short, was fiercely contested, and, of all that were fought during that Spring and Summer, ranks highest in importance.

On the 5th of September, 1862, Major Caldwell was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 3d Iowa Cavalry, vice lieutenant-Colonel Trimble, resigned. In the winter of 1862-3, he served in the Army of the Frontier, and then joined General Davidson, at that time in command of the Army of South East Missouri. For several months, although only a lieutenant-colonel, he commanded a brigade. Subsequently, he was made chief of cavalry on General Davidson's staff, and served in that capacity till after the capture of Little Rock.

Colonel Caldwell most distinguished himself, I believe, in the Little Rock Campaign. At the head of his command, he was the first to enter the Arkansas Capital.

How Steele, having completed his reconnoissance, marched via Shallow Ford and Ashley's Mills to the Arkansas, and crossed the river some eight miles below the city, has been given elsewhere. The passage of Davidson's cavalry command across the Arkansas, and the march on Little Rock is thus given by General Steele:

"Two regiments of infantry passed over the river to drive the enemy's skirmishers out of the woods, and the cavalry division passed on without serious interruption until they reached Bayou Fourche, where the enemy were drawn up in line to receive them. The rebels held their position obstinately until our artillery on the opposite side of the river was opened upon their rear and flank, when they gave way and were steadily pushed back by Davidson, the artillery constantly playing upon them from the other side of the river. Our two columns marched nearly abreast on either side of the Arkansas."

Long before reaching the city, General Steele knew that the enemy were evacuating; for dense clouds of dust and smoke were seen rising in the distance, in the direction of the town, and soon small bodies of troops were seen hurrying hither and thither, like so many frightened sheep.

On approaching the city, Lieutenant-Colonel Caldwell, who had been given the advance, disposed his troops and charged through the streets; but the enemy, with the exception of some few stragglers, had fled. Soon after the cavalry took possession of the place, the infantry came up and marched through its deserted streets, after the music of the "Star Spangled Banner " and " Yankee Doodle." It was an inspiring scene, and will be recalled as a day of proud recollections by Steele's old command.

Lieutenant-Colonel Caldwell was commissioned colonel of his regiment, on the 4th of May, 1864, and, on the 20th of the following June, was promoted to his present office. In the spring of 1864, and before he was promoted to the colonelcy of his regiment, he had been recommended by both Steele and Davidson for promotion to a general officer; and, had he not been tendered his present position, he would have been made a brigadier-general, and in that case would have been the second officer from the State to receive like honor. I am told that, by the advice of his friends and through the solicitations of Governor Murphy, Senator Baxter, Doctor Kirkwood, and other prominent Union men of Arkansas, Colonel Caldwell waived a brigadier's commission, and accepted his present office. The position he now holds is both honorable and lucrative, and he deserves his good fortune.

Colonel Caldwell is tall and slender in person, and gentlemanly and pleasing in his address. His constitution is not very vigorous; that, at least, would be the judgment of a stranger ; for he has a thin, pale face, and is nervous and restless in his movements. The hardships of the service and his constant mental labors have conspired to make him an older looking man than he is. He is himself careless in dress, and never measures other men by their broad-cloth. In conversation, he is earnest and emphatic, and has a habit of constantly winking.

Though the colonel has first-rate ability, it is not of that voluntary kind that accomplishes wonders spontaneously. Through his whole life, he has been an untiring student. As a public speaker, he is off-hand, impressive and laborious, and. at the close of a long argument, seems nearly exhausted. While in the practice of his profession, he rarely took the time to make a short speech, in consequence of which his arguments were desultory. But he always had this excellent trait: he never talked because he wished to say something, but because he had something to say.

Colonel Caldwell's character as a soldier may be inferred from the following extract from General Davidson's official report of the capture of Little Rock.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Caldwell, whose untiring devotion and energy never flags during the night nor day, deserves, for his gallantry and varied accomplishments as a cavalry officer, promotion to the rank of a general officer."

Is it to be wondered that Iowa is proud of this distinguished young citizen and soldier?

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 591-6