Letter from G., May 13, 1864

BELLE PLAIN, VA., May 13, 1864.

On the S. C. boat, pulling up to the shore Government flatboats of horses and cavalry recruits. There are no docks and the army supplies are being landed from barges connected by pontoons with the shore. A constant stream of contrabands passing with bags of grain and barrels of pork on their shoulders. Dr. Douglas and Dr. Agnew are here. Good Dr. Cuyler is here. Senator Pomeroy is on board going down to bring up General Bartlett of Massachusetts who went into the fight with a Palmer leg and was wounded again. Col. —— tells me there has been great anxiety at the War Department. Mr. Stanton said to him, “When we have a victory the whole North shall know it.”—“And when there is silence?” said Col. ——. “Then,” said the Secretary, “there is no communication with the front.” We have a Feeding-Station on shore and are putting up another two miles away, on the hill, where ambulance trains halt sometimes for hours, owing to obstructions in the road. The mud is frightful and the rain is coming on again. We are directed to take the return train of ambulances for Fredericksburg.

Just as I finished, the train from Fredericksburg arrived. Nothing I have ever seen equals the condition of these men. They had been two or three days in the ambulances; roads dreadful; no food. We have been at work with them from morning till night without ceasing; filling one boat, feeding the men; filling another, feeding them. There is no sort of use in trying to tell you the story. I can scarcely bear to think of it. All the nurses and cooks from the Invalid Corps of our Hospital, who marched off that day, Sullivan, Lewis and the rest, armed with muskets again, are down here guarding prisoners. Yesterday a squad of rebel officers was marched on board a boat lying by ours. I had to pass through their ranks to get supplies from our boat, and shook hands with our boys and saw the officers; Stewart and Bradley Johnson among them; strong well-fed, iron looking men, all of them. There's no give in in such looking men as these. Our soldiers from the front say the rebels stand— stand—in solid masses, giving and taking tremendous blows and never being shoved an inch. It is magnificent!

No words can express the horrible confusion of this place. The wounded arrive one train a day, but the trains are miles long; blocked by all sorts of accidents, wagon trains, bad roads, broken bridges; two, three days on the way, plunged in quagmires, jolted over corduroy, without food, fainting, starving; filthy; frightfully wounded, arms gone to the shoulder, horrible wounds in face and head. I would rather a thousand times have a friend killed on the field than suffer in this way. It is worse than White House, Harrison's, or Gettysburg by far. Many die on the way. We found thirty-five dead in the ambulances yesterday, and six more died on the stretchers while being put on board the boats. The boats are anything that can be got hold of, cattle scows, anything. Barges of horses are landed by the side of the transports and the horses cross the deck where the helpless men lie. Mules, stretchers, army wagons, prisoners, dead men and officials as good as dead are tumbled and jumbled on the wretched dock which falls in every little while and keeps the trains waiting for hours. We fed the men at once. We fed all the five boats that got off yesterday. There is no Government provision for this, beyond bread; no coffee, no soup, no cups or pails, or vessels of any kind for holding food. The men eat as if starving. These had been three days without food. We are ordered to Fredericksburg today to report to Dr. Douglas, as there is more misery there than here.

SOURCE: Jane Stuart Woolsey, Hospital Days, p. 150-1

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Barnett Smith, April 9, 1863

Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Div.,

Fifteenth Army Corps,

“Young's Point,” La., April 9, 1863.

My Dear Bessie:

How is the little baby brother? I think of him a good deal, and how anxious you all must have been for his recovery. I have had something to worry me here too in my other great family. I have a good many children to look after here, and many of them get sick and some of them die. Perhaps mother will recollect a letter she received from my aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Seeds, a letter, I think, she did not answer, but which was written just after the battle of Chickasas Bluffs to apprise her of my safety. The writer was a brave, gallant young man of singular beauty and fine address, a graduate of Delaware College, who had enlisted in my old Zouave regiment as a private and from principle, for his father was rich. A long time I sought promotion for him, and at last succeeded, and when I had obtained his commission, I placed him on my staff to have him near my person. He rode well and boldly, with a firm seat and a light hand and in both battles staid by my side, never leaving me but to take an order. At Arkansas Post he was so dashing and conspicuous as to bring cheers from both armies. Well, when we debarked at “Young's Point” I was harassed with much responsibility, and far in front had to fight the enemy, and the elements, and the great Mississippi River, and for two days and two nights hardly dismounted save to change horses. I forgot or was careless to think that my aides were not iron, or steel, or capable of my own endurance, and instead of changing them as I changed my horses, let them stay with me, and the third day they sickened, and poor Frank never got well. He pined and weakened day by day — wouldn't give up, game to the very last — and I nursed him as best I could in his tent, but it was very cold and wet, raining almost every day. His disease was typhoid, not much pain, but wasting fever, and the poor fellow would come out with his overcoat and sit shivering by the camp fire between the showers; couldn't drink whiskey, or smoke tobacco, our only luxuries; couldn't eat, and would lie awake all night, and listen to the shells hissing over us (for we were close to the canal and within range of it, and in those early days of the siege they harassed us) and look up at me with his great eyes glistening with fever. I had no comfort for him, only a word of cheer, but I didn't think he would die, and so at last when we thought he was a little better, and he had been sick four long weeks, I had him carried down to the boat on a stretcher, placed on what they call a hospital boat — that is, a steamer with the whole cabin fixtures taken out, no state rooms, but in their place, long lines of cots, and some boats carry a thousand. There I disposed him as comfortably as I could and took leave, he weeping, for he was tenderly attached to me, and I gave him letters to you all, told him to go to the house and you would nurse him and when he got well to come back, and we would ride together again in battle, saw that he had some money and left him, and to-day they write me he is dead. He only got as far as Memphis; relapse, hospital, and — “he has fought his last battle.”  Only twenty-five, tall, finely formed, beautiful bright chestnut hair, red chestnut, frank open countenance, the soul of honor; and so they drop away from me, and all my best men, all I love most, are shot down or die.

Did I write you about the flowers and the birds, the sweetest, most eloquent birds you ever heard, and the prince of all of them, the mocking bird, sings all the day and of a verity all the night long. You couldn't hear the mocking bird in perfection anywhere but here, and wild; I ought not to say wild, either, for the pert, game little rascal is as tame as a chicken; he’ll just hop out of your way, and that's all — but what a flood of song he pours forth! There's one fellow who has built his nest not far off upon the topmost limb of a fig tree, a little way from my tent, and there he has whistled since before reveille this morning everything that any bird ever whistled before him, making the welkin ring with his melody. He has to help the thrush and the red bird and the black bird and the rice bird; but altogether. They have a royal time of it while the figs are ripening and the roses bloom; the delicate sweet roses, we used to cultivate with so much care, pout their lips and ask for kisses in March, and keep on blooming on great bushes till December. All the monthlies, the Giant, Marie Antoinette, Souvenirs, beautiful white roses, such as you rarely see, and all, almost without cultivation, perfume the air, with woodbine and every variety of honeysuckle all out now. The weather is perfectly delicious, neither too warm nor too cold, just right for a blanket or two at night, a dashing gallop in the morning, a cool walk on the parade at eventide; moonlight such as you never dreamed of, and oh, such sunsets! I used to think they could get up a pretty fair performance of this kind at Mac-o-cheek, when I was young and romantic, and before you were thought of, but a sunset on the Mississippi is beyond compare; and to stand by the broad river side at night, when its surface is glassy and still, and by the clear moonlight see the reflection in the water, is worth several days' journey. This sunny South is very sweet; its clime almost genial. No one can wonder they love it, and my theory of the war now is just to go on and take it. I approve of colonizing as we go, open the crevasse and let the Northern hordes flood through, and like the waters of the great river spread over the plain not to return again to the parent rills, but to fertilize and fructify the earth.

I have been quiescent and still for eight or ten days, a good while for me, and am disciplining and drilling my soldiers in a beautiful and most convenient camp. Upon so spacious a plain I can pitch the tents of my whole brigade in the rear of a continuous color line, when all the regiments are out on dress parade. I assure you it is a pleasant sight these pleasant evenings. In the intervals of drill, the men play ball, the whole plain is carefully polished and smooth as a floor. How long we shall enjoy our pleasant rest nobody knows. I suppose we must look out for the gallinippers next month. We had already one or two little tastes of their quality.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 285-8

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, March 1, 1863

Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Division,

Fifteenth Army Corps, March 1, 1863.

My Dear Wife:

I am much indebted to the Sisters of St. John for their prayers in my behalf, and you must so tell them from me. Ask them to take good care of our poor wounded soldiers. We have no Sisters in this army. Is not this strange? I have seen some two or three women on the hospital boats, but they are poor concerns. Catholic Sisters would be a mercy in ministering to our hospital. No tongue can tell or mind conceive the anguish and neglect and suffering of the sick and dying soldiers in camp — and their graves! such graves! I fear from your remark of Sergeant White that he reports me as being profane. I trust not. I sometimes do get a little mad, and they say I make the fur fly, and swear the hair off the men's heads, but the recording angel sheds tears so copiously in these sad times that a few must fall on my page of errors.

I can't help being amused when I hear the officers and orderlies ask outside my tent if the old general is in, or how is the old general to-day. I think my heart and feelings are fresh yet, though they are circumscribed.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 278

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, February 4, 1863

Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Division,

Fifteenth Army Corps,

“young's Point,” Before Vicksburg, Feb. 4, 1863.

My Dear Mother:

I could write much on these army matters and the course of events here if it were proper for me to do so; but, of course, my lips are sealed and my pen tabooed. You must rest assured that all the newspaper accounts you have seen of the late battles, and the movements of the Army of the Mississippi, are basely, utterly false. So much has been admitted by the correspondent of the New York . . .  in my presence to General Sherman. Courts martial will develop strange facts. All that you read in the newspapers will only serve to mislead you and confuse your mind. Great plans cannot be revealed. Few of the generals themselves know them. The newspaper men, dangerous to the army as spies giving information to the enemy, closely restricted and carefully watched, nevertheless manage to mingle undetected with the residue of the horde of base camp followers who are always at the heels of the army. Provoked at the restrictions placed upon them, by common agreement they hound down with infamous slander the generals from whom the orders against them emanate. Thus the scoundrel . . . the correspondent of the New York . . . has admitted by letter to General Sherman, as well as verbally in my presence, not only that his article was false, and malicious, and based upon false information received from parties interested in defaming General Sherman and his command, but that he renewed the old story of his insanity for the purpose of gratifying private revenge. . . .  Our country is in an awful condition ; we are verging rapidly upon anarchy. Government has almost ceased to exist save in name. An immense army will be demoralized and crumble by its internal opposing forces. A united people have only to fold their arms and calmly bide the event. God help us, and forgive that political party which sowed the wind, the fruits of which we now reap. This much and this alone I have to say. A soldier has naught to do with politics; the nearer he approaches a machine, an animal without volition, the more valuable he becomes to the service, and perhaps the greater part of our present difficulties grow out of the fact that our soldiers are too intelligent, for they will talk and they will write, and read the papers. Our Army of the Mississippi, and particularly our gallant “Old Division,” have the firmest faith and the most implicit reliance upon Sherman and Grant. Sherman is a splendid soldier, a most honorable gentleman, a pure patriot. Would to God we had more like him to battle for the right. I earnestly pray God he may not be sacrificed. This new infusion I know nothing about. McClernand has been sent off; he is out of place here. Brigadiers have come and are coming. I shall soon be superseded by some one of them, or General Stuart will be compelled to give way and I to him. No change of this kind will be cheerfully submitted to by my command. I have the most substantial evidence that I possess their affection and confidence. You speak about my resigning; it would be utterly impossible for me to resign, if I desired to do so, and an effort on my part to have my resignation accepted would ensure my lasting disgrace. An officer cannot resign in the face of the enemy. But I do not want to resign. With all its terrible hardships and privations, greater than tongue can tell, or pen describe, the life of a soldier is dear to me. I love its dangers and excitements. I am proud of, and delighted with the applause which even a temporary success meets. I am relieved of the miserable, wretched chicanery that surrounds the civilian. I rejoice in the free air. I take kindly to the nomadic life that a field service compels. The romance of chivalry is realized, the ideality of my youth and early manhood brought into actual being. The war horse and the sabre, the glitter of the soldier's trappings, the stirring strains of martial music, the flashing eye, the proud, high bearing, the bivouac fire, the canteen, the song and jest, the perilous scout, the wary picket, the night march, all familiar — this is my life. What I read of, till my cheeks tingled and my eyes suffused, I now do and my comrades do, and like Harry Percy, feel able to “pluck bright honor from the pale-faced moon.”

How long we shall stay here, God knows; it is a horrid place now, what it will be in the spring, none can tell; a long fiat swamp a foot above or below — I can't tell which —  the level of the Mississippi, which we are fighting to keep out. That portion not covered with a growth of brake and timber is completely so by cockle burr, that grows to an enormous height and presents an almost impenetrable mass of those little prickly burrs that get into the manes and horsetails, the same kind we have at home, but fearfully exaggerated in size and numbers. It is not quite the season, but after a very little while we shall be enlivened by the pleasant society of alligators and mocassin snakes, mud turtles and their coadjutors. Meanwhile we have every conceivable variety of lice and small-pox, measles and mumps, and other diseases incident to women and children. There is a species of moss you have often heard of and which abounds in this climate — a long hanging and beautiful moss when seen close at hand, but which waving in the forests presents a dreary funereal aspect. It is an article of commerce, and when properly prepared is a material for the stuffing of mattresses. Of course the men, when we camped near where it grew, eagerly sought it to make their beds, and were much disgusted to find it filled with lice. It has to be boiled and bottled to clean it from vermin. So, with the moss, and the transport boats filthy in the extreme, many of which had been hospital boats, the troops were pretty thoroughly infected with the plagues of Egypt, all but the frogs; and the first sun, I reckon, will make them tune their pipes.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 268-71

Major-General George B. McClellan to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, August 12, 1862 – 11 p.m.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Berkeley, August 12, 1862 – 11 p.m.

Your dispatch of noon to-day received. It is positively the fact that no more men could have been embarked hence than have gone, and that no unnecessary delay has occurred. Before your orders were received Colonel Ingalls directed all available vessels to come from Monroe. Officers have been sent to take personal direction. Have heard nothing here of Burnside’s fleet.

There are some vessels at Monroe, such as Atlantic and Baltic, which draw too much to come here. Hospital accommodations exhausted this side of New York. Propose filling Atlantic and Baltic with serious cases for New York, and to encamp slight oases for the present at Monroe. In this way can probably get off the 3,400 sick still on hand by day after to-morrow night.

I am sure that you have been misinformed as to the availability of vessels on hand. We cannot use heavily-loaded supply vessels for troops or animals, and such constitute the mass of those here which have been represented to you as capable of transporting this army.

I fear you will find very great delay in embarking troops and material at Yorktown and Monroe, both from want of vessels and of facilities of embarkation. At least two additional wharves should at once be built at each place. I ordered two at the latter some two weeks ago, but you countermanded the order.

I learn that wharf accommodations at Aquia are altogether inadequate for landing troops and supplies to any large extent. Not an hour should be lost in remedying this.

Great delay will ensue that from shallow water. You will find a vast deficiency in horse transports. We had nearly two hundred when we came here; I learn of only twenty provided slow; they carry about 50 horses each. More hospital accommodations should be provided. We are much impeded here because our wharves are used night and day to land current supplies. At Monroe a similar difficulty will occur.

With all the facilities at Alexandria and Washington six weeks, about, were occupied in embarking this army and its material.

Burnside's troops are not a fair criterion for rate of embarkation. All his means were in hand, his outfit specially prepared for the purpose, and his men habituated to the movement.

There shall be no unnecessary delay, but I cannot manufacture vessels. I state these difficulties from experience, and because it appears to me that we have been lately working at cross purposes because you have not been properly informed by those around you, who ought to know the inherent difficulties of such an undertaking. It is not possible for any one to place this army where you wish it, ready to move, in less than a month. If Washington is in danger now this army can scarcely arrive in time to save it. It is in much better position to do so from here than from Aquia.

Our material can only be saved by using the whole army to cover it if we are pressed. If sensibly weakened by detachments the result might be the lees of much material and many men. I will be at the telegraph office to-morrow morning to talk with you.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major General.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D.C.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 11, Part 1 (Serial No. 12), p. 87-8

Cairo, Ill., May 15, [1862].

CAIRO, Ill., May 15, [1862].

A. J. KYNETT AND E. RUSSELL, SEC’Y., &c.:

We just arrived at this place, and through the assistance of Gen. Strong, got passage on the steamer City of Alton, (hospital boat) for Hamburg.  We think it fortunate, as the next boat does not leave till Saturday.

I saw Rev. Folsom, he does not know what is most needed, but says that there is a great scarcity of thin drawers.  Would it not be best to suggest the same to our ladies, that they may make up some.

I purchased a dozen essence ginger and some ale, but have no time to look around here after the sick.  Gen. Strong tells me he has made arrangements to send them all home.  We met a very sick man at Centralia of the 14th Iowa, lives in Wisconsin, name H. J. Matthews, Co. H., and assisted him to food and some funds.  We are both well and confident of being able to do great good.  Thanks to Folsom and Gen. Strong.  Boat off – good bye.

Yours, &c.,

IRA M. GIFFORD

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 1

From Halleck’s Army

CAIRO, May 8.

No engagement had occurred at Corinth up to yesterday noon.  The army was still gradually advancing, and our forces were at an average distance of three miles from the enemy’s advance.  The enemy were acting strictly on the defensive, and for three days had sent out no reconnoitering parties.  The advanced lines of the rebel army have thus far slowly retired from the advancing movements of the different divisions.  Indications point strongly to the belief that Corinth has really been evacuated.

The roads are in bad condition owning to a late fall of rain.

It was reported that three brigades from Buell’s army had seized that part of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad which lies midway between Corinth and Grand Junction, thus cutting off communication between the two points.  It is also reported that a detachment of Pope’s army has seized upon the railroad south of Corinth.  It is highly probably that these two achievements have been performed.

Every steamer that arrives brings reports of the evacuation of Corinth.

The steamer Desoto reached here to-day from Fort Pillow, but brought no later news than that already telegraphed.

A rebel spy had been captured while endeavoring to cross the Mississippi at night in a skiff.  He had copies of the Chicago Times of the 4th inst., St. Louis Republican of the 5th inst., and N. Y. Times of the 1st.  He was arrested and placed in close confinement.

The steamer Sam Gaty passed her to-day en route for Pittsburg, with a number of physicians, nurses, and a large quantity of hospital supplies on board.  She has on board nearly four hundred sick soldiers, who are to be taken to St. Louis.

The railroad track between here and Mound City is being repaired so that the trains will run regularly.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 1

Surgeons's Report

MR. EDITOR:  In order that the following report be rightly understood by your readers, it may be necessary to say that, though the whole is signed by Drs. Maxwell and Gamble, it is a joint report only up to the 29th ult., from which date it is continued by Dr. Maxwell alone, Dr. G. having entered the U. S. service as surgeon of the Iowa 3rd Infantry.  It is also proper to state that Dr. Maxwell is now in the employ of the State, and is therefore no longer under the direction of the Scott Co. Soldier’s relief Association, but is now acting under Dr. Hughes, Surgeon General of Iowa.  Respectfully,

EDWARD RUSSELL, Corres. Sec.

To H. Price, President Scott County Soldiers Relief Society; Rev. A. J. Kynett, Corresponding Secretary Iowa Sanitary Commission:

The undersigned surgeons, deputed by your respective societies to visit the scene of the late sanguinary conflict at Pittsburg Height, Tenn., beg leave to report:

We, together with Messrs. Burwell and Brown, as nurses, left Davenport on Thursday morning, April 11th, by railroad, and arrived at Cairo on the morning of the 12th, at 6 o’clock’ where we immediately reported to Dr. Taggart, medical surveyor, and Gen. Strong, commander of the post; also to Dr. Douglas, agent for sanitary commission.  The medical surveyor tendered us the position of surgeons in charge of rebel prisoners on their way to Columbus, Ohio.  This position, as well as several others of a similar character which would have interfered with our special mission, we respectfully declined.

To facilitate the purpose for which we were sent, at 8 o’clock on the morning of Friday we held a consultation with Gov. Yates and the Surgeon General of Illinois, at the St. Charles Hotel, Cairo, which resulted in many fair promises on their part, but which promises were afterwards studiously evaded by his Excellency and suit.

At 9 o’clock a. m., by order of Gen. Strong, we proceeded to Mound City Hospital, to care for about seven hundred wounded soldiers, just arrived from Pittsburg on board the steamer “City of Memphis.”  Here we were tendered the position of ward surgeons, by contract, but deeming the position incompatible with your instructions to us, we declined the same.  Among the wounded on board the Memphis, your committee labored several hours in dressing wounds and supplying the immediate wants of such Iowa troops as we could find on board – of which there were about seventy.  A full list of their respective names, regiments and the character of their wounds was also obtained.  Here Dr. Maxwell, by detail, remained until the next day, to assist in several surgical operations; and when he left the troops were all in comfortable quarters in the hospital.  And by special request, Dr. Cottle, of Albany, Ill., promised to see such as needed particular attention.

Dr. Gamble and Messrs. Burwell and Brown returned to Cairo and took passage on the steamer Empress for Pittsburg. – They arrived at Savannah on Sunday morning, and learning that there were many wounded soldiers there, and in need of surgical aid, Dr. Gamble remained whilst Messrs. Burwell and Brown proceeded up to Pittsburg.  At Savannah were found about three thousand wounded and sick solders, among whom were about four hundred Iowa troops.  Among these Dr. Gamble labored assiduously until Tuesday, rendering such professional and pecuniary assistance as could be conferred under the circumstances.  Here were found several regimental surgeons, with whom we most cheerfully co-operated.  It is but right that we should here state, that the regular as well as the volunteer surgeons were seriously embarrassed in their efforts to relieve the wounded, by the want of material to dress wounds, and also the want of medicines and proper food for the sick. – The preparation for the sick and wounded was very imperfect.  They were crowded into any and every place without regard to location or comfort, and often left for days together without medical aid, or even the common attentions of camp life.

On Tuesday your committee met at Pittsburg and reported to Dr. Simons, Medical Director, and solicited and obtained transports to remove our wounded and sick soldiers to a more northern clime.  We also spent a portion of our time in visiting the several Iowa regiments then in camp – Ascertaining the names of the wounded, their condition and the character of the wounds, and also the location of such as had been removed previous to our arrival.  In our efforts to obtain transportation for the wounded, we were ably assisted by Mrs. Wittermyer [sic] of Keokuk, and by Mrs. Senator Harlan, of Iowa; also, by our fellow citizen, Hiram Price of Davenport, and Mr. E. Clonky, of Iowa City.  By the steamer D. A. January we removed nearly all our wounded remaining at Pittsburg, and all at Savannah except about one hundred.

On Thursday we returned to Savannah, and have since been diligently laboring in the various hospitals, which number about thirty, among the wounded and sick, rendering such aid as we could.  We have also labored most assiduously, day and night in getting our wounded men on board transports on their way north.  Those remaining here will be removed as soon an opportunity offers.

On our way up from Cairo, care was taken to visit all hospital boats, and make inquiries as to the condition and destination of the troops on board; and when opportunity offered, accurate lists of the names, regiments, and casualties, were made.  At Cairo a meeting of the surgeons, nurses, and citizens of Iowa there present, was held, and Dr. Emeis, of Iowa, at his on request, was delegated to remain and visit all the hospital boats arriving at that point, and obtain the names, destination, and character of the wounds of such troops as were on board. – This was done that none should be overlooked.

While at Savannah, we co-operated with the Wisconsin delegation, at the head of which was Gov. L. P. Harvey, whose suite consisted of some of the most eminent men of that State; among them were general Broadhead, Quartermaster General; Gen. Wadsworth, Com. General; and Dr. Wolcott, Surgeon General of the State.  In them we found accomplished gentlemen, and active and efficient co-laborers.  Our intercourse served but to create an unusual respect for them, which will long be remembered with pleasure.  This intercourse was suddenly terminated, on the evening of the 19th, by the accidental drowning of Gov. Harvey.  While we were sitting in the cabin of the steamer Dunleith, counseling as to the best plans for accomplishing our humane mission, the steamer Hiawatha came alongside, and the Governor stepped out to obtain passage for a portion of his suite.  A moment after, we were startled by the cry of “A man overboard!”  Immediate investigation proved it to be the Governor. – Prompt and heroic efforts were made to render him assistance, but in the extreme darkness of the night, the rapid current, and amidst steamboats and barges, all proved useless. . .  Gov. Harvey, the accomplished gentleman, the friend of suffering humanity, and the devoted practical Christian, was thus in a moment taken from his field of usefulness to his reward.

Mr. Brown, being sick, was put on board the Hiawatha for home; Mr. Burwell had previously left on the D. A. January, with our wounded for St. Louis.

What of the future?  In view of coming events, your committee would earnestly recommend that efficient agents be appointed, by authority of the State, and be assigned to positions with the army, and at the nearest post hospitals, whose duty it should be to take charge of the sanitary goods, and be on hand and ready at all times to render immediate and efficient aid to our forces in the field, and to the sick and wounded of the battle.  They should also be required to communicate with our State officers and communities, from time to time, and advise them of the particular wants of the sick and wounded.  After the battle, and until the wounded soldier is removed to the hospital, is when assistance is most needed – immediate and efficient aid then would save hundreds of lives.  Here let us most earnestly protest against States, or cities sending large delegations, calculated to interfere with the operations of the army near the scene of conflict.  This is worse than useless.  A few efficient agents can do great good, but a multitude does great harm.

When it is practicable, the State should have a large, well-ventilated steamer. Properly furnished for hospital purposes, and provided with able surgeons and practical nurses, to visit the nearest navigable point to the scene of the battle.  This course, your committee think, would prove more beneficial to the soldiers and meet more directly the intentions of the people than any other; and in a pecuniary point would not be objectionable.  The States that have adopted this plan have done much more for their men than those who have relied entirely upon government transportation.

Your committee having thus given you a brief memoranda of their labors, deem it but just to themselves to state some of the difficulties with which they have had to contend.  From the time of leaving Iowa they have fared as the common soldier.  They have been obstructed at almost every step by official arrogance and egotism – more especially was this the case by the Regular Army Medical Staff.  While traveling on boats they have had to furnish their own provisions and bedding, and when on land, they have traveled through drenching rains and deep mud – the latter such as only Tennessee can produce.  At night they have frequently slept on the ground with only a thin blanket for a covering.  When they did rely on the public for accommodations, the charges were enormous, and the fare most miserable.  Your committee, however, do not regret their hard fare, as amidst it all, many were cheering evidences of kind appreciations received from the suffering soldiers, and many the kind and gentlemanly courtesies tendered them by the surgeons of the volunteer regiments, among whom we take pleasure in mentioning Drs. Gibbon, of the 15th; Nassau, of the 2d; Staples of the 12th, and Watson and Loyd of the 11th Iowa regiments.  Also Dr. Leggitt, of the Ohio 15th.  To Dr. Taggart, Medical Purveyor, and Dr. Douglas, Sanitary Agent, of Cairo, we are also under obligation for many gentlemanly courtesies.

On the 24th we proceeded to Pittsburg Landing, to visit all Iowa regiments, to learn their condition, and found men and officers of the 7th, 11th and 13th in good spirits.  The 8th, 12th and 14th were somewhat dissatisfied, having been, contrary to their wishes, forced into a “Union Brigade” with the 28th Ill. regiment, and commanded by a Captain of that regiment, being rank officer.  I think it, however under the circumstances, the best that could be done.

On the 25th, by the kindness of Capt. G. Dodge, of Port Byron, of the 4th Ill. Cavalry, we were provided with horses and equipments to visit regiments.  We were able to find all but the 15th and 16th – they being on the front lines, we did not reach them.  There are not less than 500 sick in our regiments – 200 in hospitals here – principally camp fever.

On the 26th, Dr. Gamble, with a view of being assigned to the 3d Iowa regiment, which was without a surgeon, entered the U. S. service by contract; since which, I have operated single-handed in both the field and hospitals.  On my return to Savannah, I found the steamer Tycoon taking on the wounded.  I succeeded, by the politeness of Dr. Woods, of Cincinnati, in getting on, in comfortable quarters, all of the Iowa’s sick and wounded here that would come under the general order, in all 30 – destination Cincinnati.  During our absence on the 25th, a number of sick and wounded were taken by the City of Memphis to St. Louis.

29th. – Visited all hospitals here and had our remaining sick and wounded put into the best hospitals, being about thirty still here.  I. H. Work hand his leg amputated, on the 24th, and died 28th.

May 1st. – I visited, by order of Dr. McDougal, of Gen. Halleck’s staff, Hamburg, six miles above Pittsburg Landing, and aided in establishing hospitals for the convalescing soldiers.

2d. – Returned, after putting into quarters 3,700 sick; and having everything in running order under surgeon Vairous of N. Y.  But few Iowa sick are there, but those that are there are in good condition and fair quarters.

3d. – This morning I have the promises from surgeon in charge of Black Hawk to take on a few of our worst cases here and leave them at Quincy, Ill.  I have to report to Dr. McDougal this morning.

On the 2st inst. I received Adj. Baker’s orders, and Mr. E. Russell’s of the 12th ult. – the only communication, save the telegraph dispatch to remain here until otherwise ordered.  I am doing all I can to relieve our sick and wounded.  You will see by my financial report I have expended but little money safe for board and traveling expenses.  This owning to the fact that I used in all cases, when I could get them, sanitary supplies for soldiers.  I have reported by letter to Prof. Hughes for instructions, &c.  Below I give you the character and number of Iowa wounded:  Head 27, face 39, neck 21, chest 107, abdomen 13, back and spine 31, upper extremities 422, lower extremities 381, large joints, 52.

Respectfully submitted.

A. S. MAXWELL, Chn.

JAS. GAMBLE

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 9, 1862, p. 2

More Wounded From Pittsburg

The steamer Tycoon arrived at Cincinnati last week from Savannah, Tenn., which place she left with 140 wounded and 60 sic, of which number four died on the passage.  We find the following Iowa names among her list of passengers:

Dan. A. McCleary, Co. A, 3d infantry; wounded in right arm.

Jas. R. Smith, Co. B., 6th, right leg.

Henry Z. Howler, Co. E, 8th, left arm.

M. Schellaberger, Co., A, 11th, shot in right arm.

John Ramsey, Co. B, 11th, right arm.

H. B. Moon, Co. A, 12th, diarrhea and typhoid fever.

John Dolloson, 12th, typhoid fever.

____ Heallison, Co K, 12th, bilious fever.

J. Darth, Co. G, 13th, shot in left arm.

Wm. J. Jackson, Co. G, 13th, left arm broken.

Thos. B. Pearce, Co. A, 16th, lung fever.

Thos. G. Stockdale, Co. B, 16th, rheumatism.

Aug. Shultz, Co. B, 16th, gathering in the head.

Peter Esmoil, Co. C, 16th, left hip.

Joshua Carbin, Co. D, 16th, typhoid fever.

Daniel Holcomb, Co. D, 16th, left elbow.

Gabriel Miller, Co. D, 16th, kidneys affected.

Henry Biscall, Co. I, 16th, wounded in left arm and side.

Ira Rhodes, 16th, chronic diarrhea.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 2

From Pittsburg Landing

PITTSBURG, Tenn., May 3. – 9 P. M.

Six deserters arrived yesterday, and 10 to-day.  All confirm the capture of New Orleans.  A few days ago, one Tennessee, and one Mississippi regiment of 12 month men, stacjed their arms, their time having expired, and refused to serve any longer though required by the Conscript-law.  Beauregard put 2 regiments to guard them.

20 deserted yesterday and numbers are leaving daily.

All rumors of a battle here or in vicinity unfounded in fact.  Weather clear, roads will be [passable] in a day or two, so the army can advance.

Hospital boats and stores are arriving [daily].  Gen. Finnell of Ky. and a host of surgeons and nurses arrived to-day.

PITTSBURG LANDING, via Louisville,

May 3.

The following dispatch, dated near Farmington, has been received at headquarters:  A reconnoissance sent towards Farmington found the enemy 4,500 strong, with four pieces of artillery and some cavalry, occupying a strong position near the town.  Our forces advanced at once to the assault, and after a short skirmish carried the position in handsome style.  The enemy left their dead on the field; also tents and baggage.  The cavalry are pursuing them.  The whole affair was very handsome – our regiments charging the battery and their line of infantry at double quick.  The enemy fled in wild confusion.  A regiment of cavalry sent through to Boonville took possession of the town, tore up the railroad track, and destroyed two bridges.  We have a good many prisoners; can’t tell how many yet.  Our loss was two killed and twelve wounded,

Signed,

JOHN POPE,

Maj. Gen.

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

From Cairo

CAIRO, May 2.

The river is stationary, and eight inches higher than was ever before known.

The news from Pittsburg is of the highest importance, but its transmission over the wires is prohibited.

The bombardment of Fort Pillow is continued by mortars, at short intervals.  It was generally believed that a simultaneous attack would be made by the fleet before the close of the week.

Deserters say that the entire rebel gunboat fleet, under command of Hollins, had arrived at Fort Pillow, and would make an attack on Com. Foote as soon as preparations were complete.

A Memphis paper of the 24th April says a meeting held the night previous had concluded to burn the city in case of the approach of the Federal fleet.

The fall of New Orleans is referred to, but no particulars are given.

An editorial urgently calls on the people to reinforce Price at Fort Pillow, as the only hope of salvation of the city.

Gov. Yates left here to-ni9ght for Pittsburg, with the steamer Champion, fitted up to accommodate 400 wounded Illinois soldiers.  He also takes up a large quantity of sanitary stores for distribution among the Illinois hospitals.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 2

The Great Eastern

The grand mogul of sailing craft – is to be converted into a bathing house or floating hospital.  It is died of plethora, or what Carlyle styles a kind of “too-muchness.”

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

Further Particulars Of The Fight

CAIRO, April 10. – Particulars are arriving hourly bringing more accounts of the great battle.  The Chicago Batteries gained new laurels in the struggle.  Taylor’s Battery did fatal execution; their praise is in the mouth of every one.  Waterhouse’s battery was in the first attack and was badly cut up and mostly killed.  Taylor is said to have practiced his men by particular movements that dealt destruction to the enemy.

Company A, Chicago Light Artillery, under command of Peter Wood was in the hardest of the fight and performed wonders.  Their feats could not have been surpassed.

Taylor’s Battery followed the enemy within four miles of Corinth.

The 20th Illinois regiment was badly cut up.  Col. Marsh was slightly wounded; his Aid was killed.

The 15th Illinois regiment, under command of Col. Ellis, was badly cut up; most of its field officers killed, among them Col. Ellis, Major Godard, Capt. Wayne, and others.

Col. Davis, of Freeport, was shot through the lungs, but is still alive.

Gen. Wallace was shot through the head, the ball entering back of  the left ear and coming out at the nose, taking out one eye, but he is not dead as reported.

Gen. Johnson [sic] was certainly killed.

General Halleck and staff, have just passed here, en route for the Tennessee river, on the steamer Continental.

Gen. Cullom has arrived here to look after the river defences.

Gen. Strong and Secretary Scott met General Halleck on the boat and had a conference.  Gen. Halleck did not come ashore.

Col. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War, has gone down to New Madrid.

The list of prisoners captured at Island No. 10 foots up to 4,346, rank and file.  Transports have gone down to bring the prisoners to Cairo.  What disposal will be made of them is unknown.

The value of property captured at No. 10 amounts to over two millions of dollars.

As the Continental rounded to at Cairo this morning, Gen. Strong had a salute of 10 guns fired in honor of Maj. Gen. Halleck.

ST. LOUIS, April 10. – Two steamers, fitted up as floating hospitals, left here yesterday for the Tennessee river.  Large contributions of all kinds and supplies are being made to-day, to furnish more steamers, which will leave this evening.

The Western Sanitary Commission are moving earnestly and energetically with this matter, and every effort will be made for the speedy relieve of our wounded soldiers at Pittsburg Landing.

Col. Kellon, 1st Adj. General, and General Ketham are in charge here, while Gen. Halleck is in the field.

EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 10. – The steamer Charley Bowen left here at 11 a. m. for, for Pittsburg Landing, with a delegation of Surgeons and nurses, and a full supply of hospital stores from Indianapolis and Warwick county, Indiana.  They will take on board another delegation of Surgeons and supplies from Posey county, and Mount Union.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

Provisions for the Sick and Wounded

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 9. – A large meeting of the citizens, the mayor presiding, was held to make arrangements for taking care of the sick and wounded from Corinth.  Thirty-five hundred dollars were contributed, and any further amount desired offered.

The steamer Commercial left for the Tennessee river to-night, with medical stores and other supplies.  The steamer Dullent will leave tomorrow with nurses and supplies.

Any amount of hospital accommodations in this city were offered.

CINCINNATI, April 9. – A boat has been commissioned to take physicians, nurses and stores to the scene of battle in Tennessee.

A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held and a committee of five appointed to take subscriptions to buy food and other necessaries for the wounded, and a large amount was raised in an hour.  Capt. Dickinson is authorized to pay for the boat.

The Committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce will go to Columbus to-night, to urge the legislature to make an appropriation to charter other boats and procure necessary supplies.  It is probable that three or four boats will leave here this week for Tennessee.  A large number of nurses have offered their services.

BOSTON, April 9. – Gov. Andrews [sic] telegraphs to headquarters to-day tendering the services, without compensation, of a number of Massachusetts surgeons, ready to go west and aid the wounded.

INDIANAPOLIS, April 9. – A special train with surgeons, hospital stores and supplies for the wounded at Pittsburg Landing, leaves here to-night.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

Particulars of the Surrender at Island No. 10

CAIRO, April 8, 8 p.m. – I have been able to gather a few more particulars from Island No. 10.  Four hundred and seventy-eight prisoners, including seventeen officers, seventy pieces of artillery, a large amount of ammunition, muskets and small arms, were captured on the Island.  It is said our mortar shells proved very destructive; wherever they struck and exploded, great execution was made in the earth.

It is reported that the Confederates had become perfectly demoralized; in many cases entire regiments would refuse to obey orders. – Much ill feeling prevailed among the officers and none, including the soldiers, had any confidence in their commanding officer.

No farther information has been obtained in reference to the number of prisoners captured on the Tennessee shore, and it will be impossible to get anything further before morning.

Much excitement prevails here over the news of the battle at Pittsburgh.  It is regarded as most fortunate that Gen. Buell came up as he did, with one Division to reinforce Gen. Grant.  It evidently was the expectation of Beauregard to fight the battle before Gen. Buell could form a junction with Gen. Grant.

We hope to get further particulars to-morrow.

At one o’clock, last night a boat came to the flag-ship with a messenger carrying a letter from the commanding officer at Island No. 10 to Flag Officer Foote, proposing capitulation for the surrender of the Island.  Flag Officer Foot replied that he would accept no other terms than an unconditional surrender.  At one o’clock this morning the enemy surrendered unconditionally to Com. Foote.  Several transports and it is supposed one or two gunboats, the celebrated floating battery, cannon, ammunition and stores have thus fallen into our hands.  Too much praise cannot be awarded to the Flag Officer and the gallant officers under his command for this brilliant achievement in capturing the Gibraltar of the Mississippi river, without the loss of a single life.  We have no information at this time as to details, but it is supposed that most of the rebel troops on the Tennessee shore have effected their escape.  It is supposed they commenced leaving soon after the Carondolet succeeded in turning their batteries, as that destroyed all hope of their maintaining their position.  Fleet Captain Hennock, who has achieved wonders in fitting out and repairing gunboats and transports, and furnishing supplies to the fleet, ahs reason to believe that our mortars did terrible execution among the rebels.  It is reported that Gen. Pope had 18,000 troops across the river from New Madrid last night, ready to march and bag the enemy but is believe that he was too late.

Boats commenced running to New Madrid to-day.  The river has fallen four feet within the last two days, greatly facilitating the operations of Gen. Pope opposite New Madrid.

Hon. Jesse Dubois is here en route for the Upper Tennessee.

Hon. Emerson Etheridge has telegraphed to three hundred citizens of Bourbon county, Tennessee, driven out by the rebel troops, to come down and return with him.  They will probably leave to-morrow.

Reliable reports from Jeff. Thompson a week ago place him in the swamps, some eighty miles from here, with a few hundred marauders.  Several men who have heretofore been in his army from the vicinity of Charleston, eight miles from here, in Missouri, have petitioned Gen. Strong for privilege to take the oath and return to their allegiance.  The General authorized the County Clerk, a good Union man, to take and administer the oath.

Dr. Simpson, of the Medical Department leaves this evening for the Tennessee with two large hospital boats most completely fitted out under direction of J. E. Yeatman, Esq., of the St. Louis Sanitary Commission.  They contain 800 beds for the wounded.  The hospitals here have accommodations for 1,400.

Dispatches from New Madrid have been received.  The gunboats Carondelet and Pittsburg, yesterday morning shelled and silenced the batteries on the opposite shore, when Gen. Pope ordered the troops across.  It was effected without loss.

The rebels fled towards Lisbon sinking several of their transports, among others the Grampus.

The floating battery of the rebels, mounting ten guns, drifted down last night, and is aground near Point Pleasant.  It will be recovered with its armament.

The Belle West covered Gen. Paine in the advance on the batteries.

Gen. Pope at once took the Pittsburg and Carondelet, and with a part of his army, turned to and attacked the enemy this morning, and took 2,000 prisoners, mostly from Arkansas and Louisiana.  He will probably get as many more before night.

The rebels fled to the swamps in great consternation.

The victory is complete and decisive.  Great quantities of stores, cannon, and ammunition have fallen into our hands.  All their baggage and supplies are taken.

Gen. McCall, of the rebel Adjutant General’s department, is a prisoner.

The country between New Madrid and Island No. 10, on the east side of the river, is being scoured by our troops.  Many prisoners will doubtless be taken there.

Gen. Bissell, with his transports, is ordered down to Tipton by Gen. Pope, which is twelve miles below New Madrid, to bring cannon and other property up to New Madrid.

Divisions of our army are pursuing the fleeing rebels in all directions.  Their entire force at and about Island No. 10, is either taken prisoners or utterly routed and demoralized.

Hon. Emerson Etheridge has just arrived from Paducah.  To him the news of our success is especially gratifying.  His residence is thirty-five miles south of Hickman.  Gen. Strong will send an escort with him to his home to insure his safety.  Thousands of his former friends will great his arrival with a glorious welcome.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, 2. P. M. April 2. – Brig. Gen. John A. Logan has so far recovered from his wound received at Fort Donelson as to be able to rejoin his brigade, and to-day started for the seat of war on the Tennessee.  His wound is still very painful.

Lieut. Col. Ranford has been appointed Colonel of the 11th regiment to fill the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of Col. Wallace to Brigadiership.

Lieut. Col. Dunlap of the 29th regiment has resigned and arrived [at] Cairo, as have also several other officers of a lesser grade.

Brig. Gen. John Cook, of the 7th regiment is here, in route, for the theater of operations in Tennessee.

It is a very singular fact that those who have resigned, are invariably those who have hitherto escaped unharmed, while the wounded ones are as invariably returning to their duties.  Comment is unnecessary.

Gen. Strong is absent to-day, at Island 10.

The Hospital boat, Louisiana, started for the Tennessee river with a full compliment of doctors and nurses on board.

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

For the Tennessee

ST. LOUIS, April 10.

Two steamers fitted as floating hospitals left here yesterday for Tennessee river.  Large contributions of all kinds and supplies are being made to-day to furnish two more which will leave this evening.  The Western Sanitary Commission are moving earnestly and energetically with the matter, and an effort will be made for speedy relief of our wounded soldiers at Pittsburg landing.  Col. Kelton, 1^st adjutant, and Gen. Ketchum are in charge here while Gen. Halleck is in the field.

EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 10.

The steamer Charley Bowen left here at 11 a.m. for Pittsburg landing with a delegation of surgeons and nurses and a full supply of hospital stores from Indianapolis and Warwick county, Ind.  They will take on board another delegation of surgeons and supplies from Posey county, Ind., at Mt. Vernon.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 1

CHICAGO, April 9 [1862].

The Tribune’s special from Cairo, of the 8^th says:

Boats commenced running to New Madrid to-day.  The river has fallen four feet within the last two days, greatly facilitating the operations of Gen. Pope opposite New Madrid.

H. Jesse K. Dubois is here, en route for the upper Tennessee.

Hon. Emerson Etheridge has telegraphed to three hundred citizens of Bourbon county, Tenn., driven out by the rebel troops, to come down and return with him.  They will probably leave to-morrow.

Reliable reports from Jeff. Thompson a week ago, place him in the swamps some eighty miles from here, with a few hundred marauders.  Several men who have heretofore been in his army, from the vicinity of Charleston, twelve miles from here, in Missouri, have petitioned Gen. Strong for privilege to take the oath and return to their allegiance.  The general authorized the county clerk, a good Union man, to take bonds and administer the oath.

Dr. Simons, medical director, leaves this evening for the Tennessee with two large hospital boats, most completely fitted out under the direction of J. E. Yeatman, of the St. Louis Sanitary Commission.  They contain eight hundred beds for the wounded.  The hospitals here have accommodations for 1,400.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 2

From Island No. 10

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, March 20 – 3 P. M.

I left the fleet above Island No. 10 yesterday at 1 o’clock p. m. the firing was only moderate from the Benton and Mound City, at intervals of fifteen minutes each, the object being to reduce the upper battery, two guns only of which were left standing, from which occasional shots were fired.

One of these struck the water close astern the transport Lewella, and within fifty feet of the tug on which was your correspondent.  The distance was at least two miles, showing that the rebel guns are not only rifled, but of their first class.  This arm of the service is fully meeting the expectation of the officers, and with a little more practice will make rapid work with the rebel fortifications.  Their range is three and three and a half miles.  The sixteen now in place ready to open will make fearful inroads in the ranks of the enemy.

The works at that point, both on the main land and the Island, are much more extensive than is generally supposed, as there are at least eighty heavy guns, and over 20,000 troops.  I saw ten regiments at one time on dress parade, on the main land.  These have moved their quarters out of the reach of the mortars, but the island is pretty will covered with tents.  The guns are many of them the largest size, and several rifled.

Our gunboats and mortars will drive this force out.  More mortars will be sent down, if required, but the officers think the present number enough to make it altogether too hot for the rebels, as these monster shells reach all parts of the works, dealing death and destruction in their pathway.  It is evident, however, that all of the rebel batteries have enough bomb proof casements for the men, as they can be seen to disappear when our shells fall into the batteries.

As soon as the upper fort or battery is reduced, then the gunboats will advance on the others in detail, and thus reduce them one by one with little danger or loss to themselves.  On Tuesday night the Mound City kept up a steady fire on the upper battery, preventing the rebels from making their usual nightly repairs, and the result was, that early in the morning they commenced removing their dead and wounded from the casemates of the fort.  Large numbers were carried out and taken back into the woods on stretchers, showing the deadly effect of the shot from the well aimed guns of the Mound City.

On Monday over 900 shots were fired from the gunboats, mostly shell, besides three hundred shell from the mortars.  The effect, as witnessed by the spectators, was grand and sublime, but to the rebels most terrific.  On Tuesday the Commodore directed that the fuses be cut down, with a view to destroy the works, and dismount the guns, and the result was most satisfactory.

The last guns of the rebels are in the two batteries below the bend; a distance of over two miles from the gunboats, and which threw their shot beyond them.

The old Pelican dry dock mounts fifteen guns and is iron-plated, but has not opened fire to show the range and size of her guns.  A masked battery near her has been by some mistaken for her.

The Pelican is an ugly looking customer, but she has no propelling power she cannot other was than fall a victim to tour ponderous mortars so soon as they can be brought to bear on her.

Gen. Halleck has sent a hospital boat sufficient to accommodate 300 patients.

As yet but one man has been killed by the enemy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 22, 1862, p. 1

Cairo Correspondence

CAIRO, Feb 28, 1862.

MR. EDITOR:– I presume the different members of your city relief committee now in this vicinity, have kept your readers fully posted in regard to what is to be done, and what is being done, by them and others to relieve the sufferings and wants of the brave defenders of our country. – Therefore I propose, briefly, to give you some special incidents and descriptions of cases; believing it will give your readers a more accurate knowledge of the late daily scenes in Cairo and its vicinity than can possibly be derived from reading general descriptions.  Steamboats have daily and sometimes hourly arrived from Fort Donelson, freighted with the sick and wounded, dirty and filthy, to an extent absolutely sickening.  In very many instances this cannot be avoided owing to the profuse suppurations of wounds and the bad odor caused.

As an example I propose to give you an outline of the nature of the wounds and diseases on board of the steamer “John H. Dickey.”  It had on board 125 persons, about half of which were wounded, the balance sick and with a very few exceptions very sick.  This boat was sent from Cairo to St. Louis, in charge of Dr. White of Iowa City, with whom you are acquainted – assisted by Dr. Johns, of Decatur, Illinois – (Ex-President of the Illinois State Agricultural Society.)  He is an active man, and judging from the dispatch and tenderness with which he dresses wounds, we think him a good Surgeon.  His kind and unceasing attentions called forth many an expression of gratitude from those upon whom he waited.  Dr. W. was also assisted by Dr. Bartlett of Marengo and Dr. A. B. Turner of Tipton – both attentive Physicians and good nurses – both have the kind remembrance of those upon whom they attended.

R. L. Powers, 21 years old, a member of Co. B, 18^th Ill. Regiment.  Shot through the left thigh, by a minie ball.  The wound large and suppurating profusely – at least a pint every 12 hours.  Properly attended, will recover.

J. G. Brill, Co. G, 29^th Ill. Regiment. – Shot under the left arm, ball passing through the heavy muscles of the chest and the external portion of the lungs and coming out near the spine; also shot through the lower portion of the fore-arm and one of the bones broken – both wounds suppurating profusely – recovery doubtful.

John Dickery, 22 years old, Co. D, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot ten times in as many different places through the fleshy portions of the legs, arms, sides of the body and head, not a bone broken.  Recovering rapidly, will undoubtedly be able for duty again soon.

James M Wealthy, 21 years old, Co. C, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot obliquely through the left thigh, carrying away a portion of the bone.  Suppurating profusely, doing well, but recovery doubtful.

George Harris, 21 years old, Co. C, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot through both ankles of the lower jaw and tongue, separating the anterior portion of the jaw from the posterior, complete loss of speech.  Will probably recover to a certain extent the use of jaw and speech.

Meady D. Dupont, Co. C, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot through the external portion of the left knee; a bad wound.  Will probably lose the leg, perhaps his life.

Michael O’Connor, Co. E, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot through the left shoulder, passing through the shoulder blade and coming out near the spine.  Not suppurating much; after a long while may recover the use of the arm.

Talbot Horseley, a rebel prisoner from Sumner county, middle Tennessee, a member of the 30^th Tenn. Regt. Vol. under Col. Murphy, 63 years old.  Shot in the knee, breaking knee-cap; a dangerous wound.  Is a particularly good-hearted man and deeply regrets ever taking up arms against the Union; often speaks feelingly of the marked kindness he has uniformly received since he fell into our hands, and hopes to live to see the old flag floating over every court house in the Southern States; blames a few political leaders for grossly deceiving him and others as to the feeling and intentions of the Northern men.

Isaac W. Likens, 37 years old, 29^th Illinois regiment.  Shot about four inches below the knee, both bones broken, the larger badly split up, with a large external wound on both sides of leg.  On the appearance of mortification, Dr. White amputated the leg about three inches below the knee; patient comfortable and doing well.

John Madden, 17 years old, Co. E 29^th Illinois, shot in the left arm, ball passing in above the elbow up the arm and coming out near the spine.  He says he was in the act of shooting when he was shot, his arm being extended.  The ball passed about eighteen inches before coming out.  It is doing well.

One of the most remarkable cases on this boat was that of a boy who, like Geo. Harris, was shot through the lower jaw and tongue with like results, with the addition of being shot through the muscles on the side of the head, just above the ear.  Another ball entered the ankle and broke the small bone of the leg; another ball entered the other foot – the ball being still imbedded in the small bones of the foot, but not yet to be reached with a probe.  His case is a curious one.  His general health is good and his wounds are healthy.

The diseases were mostly pneumonia, (or lung diseases,) measles and typhoid fever.  There were at least thirty of the former.  Most of the patients’ expectoration was very excessive and of a bloody brick-dust character.  Each of these, as well as others requiring it, were supplied at Cairo with small tins to spit in.  These diseases were mostly caused by the great exposure while on the battle-field, and the continued changes they had to endure before reaching a hospital or permanent place to rest.

The patients were placed in the lower berths of the state rooms, while the cabin floor was covered from one end to the other, their heads toward the state rooms, leaving just room enough to pass the head of each patient and up and down through the boat.  All were mixed in together, rebels and Federals, just as they happened to be carried on to the boat.  As far as practicable, and as the good of the patient would permit, Dr. W. had those of the same disease placed together.

Two deaths occurred on the boat soon after landing – Sergeant Van Meter, so jusdged from the fact that there was found in his pocket a needle cushion with Van Meter marked on it, and because he had on the sleeves of his coat a Sergeant’s straps.  Died from inflammation of the brain.  Also John S. Short, of Co. C, 18^th Ill. Regiment.  Coffee was burnt and hourly carried through the cabin, to kill the bad odor, the stench being almost unbearable even to physicians.  Just such sights and just such disagreeable stench was noticeable on every boat.  It must be seen to be realized. Your friend, *

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 2