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
