Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 21, 1862

At day break we loosed cable & started. 1½ Oc we got to Cairo reported & I had a good chat with my old neighbours Genl Tuttle¹ & Capt James Sample. 3 Oc left & 5½ we landed at Columbus. Capt Fee & Orderly Spooner & I got the countersign & visited the batterys & Brestworks &c, had an Introduction by our Col to Genl Davies commanding them, they are expecting an attact tomorrow at 11 Oc night we called our regiment up formed them in line and gave them each 40 rounds of catrages, they laid on their arms till morning 11 AM Wm Pearkins preached for us and at 3PM Walker preached for us

_______________

¹ James M. Tuttle was born in Noble County, Ohio, September 24, 1823, removed to Farmington, Iowa, in 1846, was a merchant, was sheriff of Van Buren County 1856-57, and treasurer and recorder 1838-61. He went out in May, 1861, as lieutenant colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry, was promoted to colonel September 6, 1861, to brigadier general June 6, 1862, and resigned June 14, 1864. He then removed to Des Mo'nes and engaged in real estate business, and later in pork packing. He was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1863, and for Congress in 1866. He was a representative in the General Assembly in 1872 and again in 1881. He was department commander of the Grand Army of Iowa in 1887. In 1886 Governor Larrabee appointed him a member of the lowa Soldiers Home Commission, and he was chairman of the commission when the home was built. His death occurred in Des Moines October 24, 1892.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, pp. 99-100

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 4, 1863

CAMP ON BEAR CREEK,

July 4, 1863.

Major-General GRANT:

MY DEAR GENERAL: The telegraph has just announced to me that Vicksburg is ours; its garrison will march out, stack arms, and return within their lines as prisoners of war, and that you will occupy the city only with such troops as you have designated in orders. I can hardly contain myself. Surely will I not punish any soldier for being "unco happy" this most glorious anniversary of the birth of a nation, whose sire and father was a Washington. Did I not know the honesty, modesty, and purity of your nature, I would be tempted to follow the examples of my standard enemies of the press in indulging in wanton flattery; but as a man and soldier, and ardent friend of yours, I warn you against the incense of flattery that will fill our land from one extreme to the other. Be natural and yourself, and this glittering flattery will be as the passing breeze of the sea on a warm summer day. To me the delicacy with which you have treated a brave but deluded enemy is more eloquent than the most gorgeous oratory of an Everett.

This is a day of jubilee, a day of rejoicing to the faithful, and I would like to hear the shout of my old and patient troops; but I must be a Gradgrind—I must have facts, knocks, and must go on. Already are my orders out to give one big huzza and sling the knapsack for new fields. Tuttle will march at once to Messinger's, Parke to Birdsong, and I will shift my headquarters to Fox's. McArthur will clear the road of obstructions made against the coming of the unseen Johnston, and as soon as Ord and Steele's columns are out, I will push ahead. I want maps, but of course the first thing is to clear the Big Black River and get up on the high ground beyond, when we move according to developments. I did want rest, but I ask nothing until the Mississippi River is ours, and Sunday and 4th of July are nothing to Americans till the river of our greatness is free as God made it. Though in the background, as I ever wish to be in civil war, I feel that I have labored some to secure this glorious result.

I am, with respect, your friend,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 472

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General William T. Sherman, June 22, 1863

NEAR VICKSBURG, MISS., June 22, 1863.

Maj. Gen. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, Comdg. Fifteenth Army Corps:

Information just received indicates that the enemy are crossing Big Black River, and intend marching against us by way of Bear Creek. They probably will start out to-morrow. I have ordered Parke to move out with four brigades to support his cavalry and hold the enemy as near Big Black River as possible until their position is clearly defined, when we can draw all our forces from Snyder's Bluff and the forces previously indicated here to their support. Tuttle's division should be marched out within supporting distance of Parke at once. You will go and command the entire force. Your wagon train can move from wherever you may be to Lake's Landing or Snyder's Bluff, whichever may be the most convenient for supplies and ordnance stores. When on the ground you can draw troops from Snyder's Bluff and the three brigades designated from McPherson's corps directly, without communicating through headquarters. Should any [further] forces become necessary, I can take them from our left by leaving that in the same condition it was before the arrival of Lauman and Herron.

U.S. GRANT.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 428

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, June 23, 1863—11 a.m.

AT McCALL'S, June 23, 1863—11 a.m.

DEAR GENERAL: Parke, with Smith's division and one brigade of his Yankee troops, is on the river road from Neily's to Post Oak Ridge, with orders to feel forward to the bridge across Bear Creek, 6 miles beyond Post Oak Ridge. My cavalry is now down at Little Bear Creek, on the Birdsong road. Tuttle's division is close up to the cavalry, and McArthur's is near here, and we are waiting for his troops to come up. I will put them on the Birdsong road. Parke and I can communicate by the ridge from McCall's to Neily's. After nooning I propose to go forward to the Big Black. I hear nothing of Johnston at all; no trace of him or signs of his approach. The country is ill-adapted to large masses. It is cut up by impracticable ravines, and all the roads are on narrow ridges, where a regiment will find difficulty in forming a front. A small force can oppose a large one, and as to getting at Johnston unless he crosses to this side of Big Black, I think it cannot be done. If he crosses Big Black and comes by any road, I shall, of course, meet him and oppose him, calling for all the help I may deem necessary. If he crosses Big Black, I think this is the place to fight him. Order Osterhaus to be certain to blockade all roads from Big Black toward Vicksburg, between Clear Creek and this road. After satisfying myself that there is, or is not, a purpose on his part to cross over, I will communicate the fact; but, no matter what his strength, he must come by narrow roads, and I have as many men as can be handled on such grounds. If I conclude he does not design to come in by Birdsong Ferry or the ford above, I will blockade it, so as to force him to come on the main ridge within striking distance of Haynes' Bluff, so that we won't care if he comes or not.

Yesterday four companies of my cavalry (Fourth Iowa) had gone to Big Black River on the road to obstruct it. They had felled many trees, and must have been off their guard when their pickets came in from three directions, giving notice of the approach of the enemy. Quite a fight ensued, in which our men got the worst, and were forced to fly. As soon as the news reached camp, Colonel Swan went to the ground with his regiment, and found 8 dead, 12 wounded, and about 20 missing. From the people he heard the attack came from Wirt Adams' cavalry, which had gone off in the direction of Mechanicsburg. Colonel Swan buried the dead, and brought off all the wounded except one, who was left well cared for at a house. He could hear of but about 12 prisoners in the hands of the enemy, so that he expects some 8 more will have gone down to Osterhaus, and will come in to-day.

The party lost that 2-pounder gun we captured at Jackson, but before abandoning it they disabled it by taking out the breech-pin. The fact of our coming out today is attributed by the secesh to our purpose to punish the perpetrators of this action.

I will send you positive intelligence to-night if Johnston be coming or not this side of Big Black River. On the best evidence now procurable, he is not coming this way, or at this time.

I take it for granted you do not want me to attempt to follow him across that river unless after a defeat. If he comes to this side, I can hold him till re-enforced, and then I know we can whip him. In the mean time look out toward Baldwin's and Hankinson's, though I do not believe he will put himself in such a pocket.

Yours, truly,

W. T. SHERMAN,        

Major-General, Commanding Expedition.

General GRANT.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 2 (Serial No. 37), p. 245-6

Major-General William T. Sherman: General Orders, No. 49, June 29, 1863

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 49.}

HDQRS. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,        

Camp at Bear Creek, June 29, 1863.

The following modifications of existing orders are made and will be executed at once:

I. General Osterhaus will continue, as heretofore, to hold the fortified position on Black River, at the railroad bridge, with patrols and guards, watching the river below as far as Baldwin's, and up as far as Bridgeport; his reserves at Clear Creek, near Bovina.

II. General McArthur will occupy Tiffin in force, with guards toward the Messinger ford, connecting with Osterhaus on the Bridgeport road, and his main guards occupying the main ridge up as far as Brant's.

III. Major-General Parke will leave a small guard at Milldale and Templeton's, sufficient to hold those points, and move all the troops of the Ninth Army Corps to the east side of Clear Creek, connecting his guards at Brant's with McArthur's, his center near Wixon's and his guards connecting with General W. S. Smith's, near Mrs. Nelly's.

IV. General Tuttle will hold his present position on the spur leading from McCall's to Markham's and Young's, and will entrench a position back of Trible's.

V. General W. S. Smith will hold as now his position at Oak Ridge Post-Office, with guards forward on the two Benton roads, and his right connecting with General Parke, at Mrs. Nelly's. General Smith, in connection with General Washburn, will effectually blockade all roads and paths coming from the north and lying between the ridge road and Yazoo Valley road.

VI. General Washburn will hold the fortified position at Haynes' Bluff, with Kimball's division, and will continue to strengthen the lines on the north front. That being our strongest front, we should invite attack in that quarter.

VII. This disposition of forces makes a connected line from the railroad bridge to Haynes' Bluff, by Tiffin, Wixon's, McCall's, Nelly's, and Oak Ridge. Each corps and division commander will proceed to entrench a position near his key-point, sufficient for two batteries and one brigade, commanding water, and looking to the east and north. All roads to the rear should be improved; a double track for wagons made by opening fences and trimming out woods. Lateral roads should also be looked to, to facilitate concentration and lateral movements. Roads to the front should be obstructed, except such as are necessary for our guards and our own use. The commanding general, after careful personal inspection, pronounces the points from which we have most reason to apprehend danger, to be the two fords at Messenger's, and about a mile below Birdsong, Wixon's, and Nelly's are the best points for concentration, and the ridges by Fox's and Markham's the best lines of operation.

VIII. All the cavalry not absolutely needed for orderlies and patrols will be massed under command of Colonel Bussey, Third Iowa, on Bear Creek, from Young's up to Harris', and is charged specially to watch the lower Benton road and the ford below Birdsong.

IX. All commanders of corps and divisions, and the chief of cavalry, will report by letter or staff officer daily to the commanding general at his bivouac near Tuttle's.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[L. M. DAYTON,]        

Aide-de-Camp.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 449-50

Major-General William T. Sherman: General Orders, No. 44, June 9, 1863

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 44.}

HDQRS. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,        

Walnut Hills, Miss., June 9, 1863.

To prevent communication between the enemy, now closely invested in Vicksburg, and their friends and adherents without, the following rules must be observed on the north front:

A continuous chain of sentinels must extend from the Mississippi River to the main Jackson road, along our front trenches. These sentinels will act as sharpshooters or pickets, and must be posted daily, and be instructed that no human being must pass into or out of Vicksburg, unless on strictly military duty, or as prisoners.

These sentinels must connect, one with another, the whole line; but division commanders may prescribe the posts, so that the length of line for each sentinel will depend on its nature.

All the ground, no matter how seemingly impracticable, must be watched.

The reserves and reliefs will be by brigades or divisions, according to the nature of the ground; but the post of his reserve must be known to each sentinel, and be within call.

I. General Steele will be held responsible for the front, from the Mississippi to the valley now occupied by General Thayer, to be known as "Abbott's Valley."

II. General Tuttle, from Abbott's Valley to the Graveyard road, at the point near the head of our "sap," to be known as "Washington Knoll?

III. General Blair, from Washington Knoll to where he connects with General McPherson's troops, at or near the point now occupied by General Ransom's advanced rifle-pits, to be known as "Ransom's Hill."

IV. The battalion of regulars, commanded by Captain Smith, will keep guards along all the roads leading to the front, and will arrest all soldiers absent from their regiments without proper authority, and turn back all officers not provided with written orders or passes from the commanders of their brigades or divisions.

Soldiers or citizens (not regular sutlers within the proper limits of their regiments) found peddling will be put under guard, and set to work on roads or trenches, and their wares turned into the hospital or distributed among the soldiers on duty.

Horses, mules, or any species of property found in possession of stragglers or absentees from duty, will be turned in to the corps quartermaster, a memorandum receipt taken, and sent to the corps inspector-general.

V. Colonel Eldridge, One hundred and twenty-seventh Illinois, will guard the Yazoo City road, at Chickasaw Creek, and also the bridges across the bayou, and will enforce at those points the same general orders as above prescribed.

VI. Colonel Judy, of the One hundred and fourteenth Illinois, will guard the road at the picket station near Templeton's, with vedettes on the by-roads leading therefrom north and east, and enforce similar general orders.

VII. In every regiment, troop, or company there must be at least three roll-calls daily—at reveille, retreat, and tattoo, and any commander who cannot account for every man in his command, at all times, will be liable for neglect of duty. He cannot shift his responsibility to an orderly sergeant.

The inspector-general of the corps may, and will, frequently visit camps, call for the rolls, and see that captains and colonels can account for every man.

VIII. Surgeons in charge of corps and division hospitals will notify regimental commanders of the admission and discharge of men at their hospitals, and furnish lists of men so admitted or discharged to the proper military commander.

Corps and division inspector-generals may, and will, frequently visit such hospitals, and satisfy themselves that no officers or soldiers are in hospital, except such as are admitted for treatment or regularly detailed as nurses.

IX. All commanders of divisions, brigades, regiments, and detached companies will be held responsible that their camps are not encumbered with surplus wagons, tents, horses, mules, tools, sutlers' trash, or anything that will prevent their raising camp at a moment's notice and taking up the march against an enemy to our front, flank, or rear.

X. The magnificent task assigned to this army should inspire every officer and soldier to sacrifice everything of comfort, ease, or pleasure to the one sole object, "success," now apparently within our grasp. A little more hard work, great vigilance, and a short struggle, and Vicksburg is ours.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

R. M. SAWYER,        

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 394-5

Captain Charles Wright Wills: September 22, 1863

Camp at Messenger's Ferry, Big Black River, Miss.,

September 22, 1863.

I wrote you a few lines from Vicksburg on the 18th inst. to notify you that I had escaped the perils of navigation (sandbar and guerillas) and of my safe arrival. I had a delightful trip down the river. A splendid boat, gentlemanly officers, not too many passengers, and beautiful weather. Major General Tuttle and wife and Mrs. General Grant were of our number. I think Mrs. Grant a model lady. She has seen not over thirty years, medium size, healthy blonde complexion, brown hair, blue eyes (cross-eyed) and has a pretty hand. She dresses very plainly, and busied herself knitting during nearly the whole trip. Believe her worthy of the general. Vicksburg is a miserable hole and was never anything better. A number of houses have been burned by our artillery firing, but altogether the town has suffered less than any secesh village I have seen at the hands of our forces. But very few buildings escaped being marked by our shot or shell, but such damage is easily repaired in most cases. No business whatever doing in the town, except issuing orders by generals, obeying them by soldiers and the chawing of commissary stores without price by the ragged citizen population. I was of the impression that I saw some rough country in Tishomingo County, Miss., and in the mountains in north Alabama, but after a day’s ride in the vicinity of Vicksburg and to our present camp, I find I was mistaken. They call it level here when the surface presents no greater angles than 45 degrees. I found only one officer to a company present here, and the colonel is also on leave. There is a great deal of sickness but the health of the regiment now is improving. We have lost a large number by disease since I left the regiment. Anyone who saw us in Peoria would open wide his eyes at the length of our line now, and think we'd surely passed a dozen battles. The greater part of the material this regiment is made of should never have been sent into the field. The consolation is that these folks would all have to die sometime, and they ought to be glad to get rid of their sickly lives, and get credit as patriots for the sacrifice. We are now in the 2d Brigade 4th Division 15th Army Corps, having been transferred from the 16th Army Corps. We are camped on the bluffs of Black river, which we picket. Our camp is the finest one I ever was in. There are two large magnolias, three white beeches, and a half dozen holly trees around my tent. I think the magnolia the finest looking tree I ever saw. Many of the trees are ornamented with Spanish moss, which, hanging from the branches in long and graceful rolls, adds very much to the beauty of the forest. Another little item I cannot help mentioning is the “chigger,” a little red insect much smaller than a pin-head, that buries itself in the skin and stings worse than a mosquito bite. Squirrels skip around in the trees in camp, and coons, owls, etc., make music for us nights. Capt. Gus Smith when on picket several nights, saw a bear (so he swears) and shot at it several times. The enemy's cavalry are maneuvering around on the other side of the river, constantly making it unsafe for our boys to straggle much over there. Sabbath evening we, our brigade, moved out across the river about four miles to meet a party of Rebels, but as usual they were not there. We ate our supper while waiting for them and returned by moonlight, 8 o'oclock p. m. We've had a brigade review and a short brigade drill, and I've eaten a very hearty supper since finishing the last period. I feel perfectly well once more. Much better than I did any day while North. Did I tell you that I had the ague for a week or so before I started South? My continued ill health more than anything else is what started me off for the regiment so suddenly. The general wanted me to stay until after the fair, but I wouldn't have done it for a horse. Altogether, I feel very happy over getting back to my company. The boys profess being very glad to have me with them again, and I assure you that such compliments do me good. I didn't know that I could take as much interest in any strange humans as I feel in these men of my company. While I was in Central Illinois I wished many times that this war was over, and that I could settle in one of the many good points I saw for trade. I know that I could do well selling goods in any of a half dozen towns that I visited there, and even in Decatur. But I know I could not be satisfied out of the army while this war lasts. I am glad to be out of staff duty for several reasons. One of the most important is that it costs all my pay to keep me. I did not make a cent while with the general, and have only two months' pay due me now. It has been very cold here. Night before last I had six blankets over me, last night five and will use four to-night. ’Twas quite warm this p. m., but the nights are very cold. We will have hot weather yet. There is a great deal of ague here.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 187-9

3rd Sergeant Charles Wright Wills: October 18, 1861

Bird's Point, October 18, 1861

We yesterday drew our overcoats, and splendid ones they are. The cloth is light blue and they reach nearly to our feet. They have capes on them that come over a fellow's head nicely nights. The weather is about like you have I expect, but I know we will be very comfortable with the clothing we have in any weather. I wouldn't have the war end before next spring for anything, for I want to try a winter out doors. Every one of the Canton boys is in excellent health and all very well satisfied. The boys are receiving letters almost every day that read “we have heard that so and so is sick,” and this morning John Wallace got one that said that Sam Nutt and three others were shot while on guard. You may know that such reports are always lies unless you see it with the names in the papers long before a letter would reach you from here. John Wallace is just one of the best boys in the camp. It would do you good to see how contentedly the boys all take things. There is more life and fun in our tent every night than we ever had at home. Sam and Fred Norcott make more noise and sport in an evening than all Canton can furnish in a week. We love and respect all our officers but one, and he is the best officer we have, but a little too much regular army about him. Our captain is what the girls would call a “dear old fellow,” though he does have his own way every time. It seems to be the right way always so we think the world of him. They are just burying some poor fellow. We have had several deaths in the regiment lately. They do not play the prettiest dead marches here. I have been detached from the company for a week acting as sheriff of a court martial. Colonel Marsh, Colonel Logan, Colonel Tuttle of the Iowa 2d, and a couple of captains form the court. I have four men a day to guard the prisoners and two orderlies to send errands for me, so I play big injun strongly. The prisoner murdered a comrade while we were down at Norfolk. Smote him on the head with a club. He is from Company B of our regiment. That company, besides this case, had a man shot dead the other day by one of their own company. An accident. This morning they had a man stabbed, and day before yesterday they confined one of their men for trying to kill two others. For all this they are really a good company of men. We had a review Tuesday this week of 6 regiments, 2 batteries and 400 or 500 cavalry. Very fine. I suppose you saw an account of the Pekin company of our regiment killing four or five Rebels that made an attack on them while they were guarding a bridge. Ten of them stood their ground against a large party, and held the ground too. We buried two secesh and they carried off four. We lost none. The best fight yet was ten miles below here the other day between 26 of our men and 160 Rebels. You've seen it in the papers. Sam Nutt and John Wallace stood guard two nights before at the place where the first fight was. Oh heavens, I hope I can date my next from somewhere else.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 37-8

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, October 13, 1863

Election passes off pleasantly. the regt vote for Stone 292, for Tuttle 46. Unwell most of day

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 499

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Monday, February 1, 1864

The weather is nice and warm today, as it has been for several weeks. A part of General Tuttle's Division arrived in camp from some point up the river. The Crocker Brigade (Third Brigade of the Fourth Division of the Seventeenth Corps) received orders to prepare to go with the expedition, taking twenty days' rations of hard-tack, salt, coffee and sugar. We are to start in the morning at daylight. Meridian is one hundred and sixty miles east of Vicksburg.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 165

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Brigadier-General Schuyler Hamilton, March 20, 1862

Executive Office, Iowa., March 20, 1862.

Schuyler Hamilton, Brig. Gen. U. S. A., St. Louis, Mo.:

Sir:—Your letter of the 7th inst., in reply to mine returning you certain papers concerning the 2d Regt. Iowa Vol. Infy., is before me.

I regret to perceive, as I think I do, by the tone of your letter, that you have taken offense at my action. I certainly did not intend to offend you, nor do I think my action properly understood can afford just ground for offense. You doubtless did what you deemed your duty in issuing the order sent by you and returned by me. I certainly did what I deemed my duty in returning it. I think you erred in issuing the order; you think I erred in returning it. I do not take offense that you differ with me, nor do I think that you should take offense that I differ with you, or think that my action is intended by me “as a rebuke” to you. This is a great mistake, unless you insist that an expression of difference of opinion is a rebuke.

You say that but for certain reasons you would publish, side by side, your “orders” and my letter. I have no objection to such publication at any time you may think advisable, either for your justification or my condemnation.

I shall not discuss further the matter in issue between us. Each of us is doubtless satisfied of the correctness of his position, and others must decide between us in the future. The flag that our 2d regiment could not carry open through the streets of St. Louis they did carry proudly through the storm of battle at Fort Donelson, and planted it first of all others on the intrenchments of that stronghold of treason. It now hangs on the chair of the speaker of the house of representatives, and will soon be deposited among the most sacred treasures of our state in our State Historical Society. I am content that what I have done in connection with it shall be so written that all who see may read the record. The “miscreants” of whom your order speaks either died in upholding it on that bloody day or helped to carry it over the entrenchments. They may not have entertained as high a regard for the property of a traitor and rebel, as was required by the orders of their superiors, and if punishment had fallen on them alone, I perhaps should not have complained, but when others, as guiltless as either of us, were punished because they either would not or could not point out those of their comrades who had violated orders or failed to obey them, the case is, in my judgment, very different.

I should not have troubled you with this long letter had it not been that I was satisfied from the tone of your letter that you had taken offense at my action. Permit me to again assure you that no offense was intended. I believed then, and from conversation with Col. Tuttle since, am fully convinced you did what you believed to be your duty, and that the performance of that duty was painful to you. I then believed and now believe none the less that you erred, and so said to you frankly. But I cannot admit that in this there is any cause for offense.

Very respectfully, your Obdt. Svt.,

Samuel J. Kirkwood

SOURCE: State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa Historical Record, Volumes 1-3, Volume 2, No. 3, July 1886, p. 324-6

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Senator James W. Grimes, March 24, 1862

How about our Brigadiers? You know I long ago recommended Crocker, Dodge and Perczel and I yet think them among our best colonels as you will find when they are tried. Dodge has been tried at Pea Ridge and has turned out just as I expected. I think him one of the very best military men in the State. Has Lauman been appointed? He acted manfully at Belmont and deserves it. Tuttles charge at Donelson is one of the most brilliant of this or any other war. I have been on the ground he charged over, and I believe that none but Iowa troops could have done it. Vandever did nobly at Pea Ridge, so far as I have learned, and all our colonels and all our men will do the same as they get the chance.

Can't we get some more Brigadiers? What is the situation about Washington generally? Don't things look more hopeful? Take time to write me a long letter showing just how things stand. I thank you for your speech on the navy and the gallant Foote. He is a man all over.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 214

Nathaniel B. Baker to Rush Clark, February 19, 1862

STATE OF Iowa, ADJUTANT GENERAL’s Office

February 19th, 1862.

HON. Rush CLARK,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SIR: I have just received the following despatch from Chicago:

CHICAGO, Feb. 19th, 1862.

To ADJUTANT GENERAL BAKER:

The Second Iowa acquitted themselves with great bravery at Fort Donelson — led the best and most successful charge —have suffered terribly. Besides the Second, there were the Seventh, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa Infantry in the fight. The friends of Cols. Tuttle, Lauman, Perczel, Hare, Wood and Shaw, will rejoice that the glory of the fight and the victory belongs, and is attached to their names, and to the brave officers and soldiers under them. Another glorious page has been recorded in the history of Iowa by her gallant troops in the field.

With great respect, I have the honor to rejoice in the glory of Iowa, and the triumph of Union men.

N. B. BAKER.

Adjutant General of Iowa.

SOURCES: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 207; Iowa House of Representatives, Journal of the House of the Ninth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, p. 342

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, November 8, 1863

No work today, only picket duty, and all is very quiet here. General Tuttle's division left Vicksburg this morning for Memphis.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 151

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, November 7, 1863

I was on fatigue duty again today. Two brigades of General Logan's Division went out to the Black river post to relieve General Tuttle's Division, which came in and is to take boat for points up the Mississippi river.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 151

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, October 14, 1863

General Tuttle's division left early this morning on their expedition, carrying eight days' rations. General Logan's Division is also in the command, and there is a total of about ten thousand men — infantry, artillery and cavalry. Our brigade moved into the tents of the Third Brigade of Tuttle's Division, the Eleventh Iowa occupying those of the Fifth Minnesota.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 147

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, October 13, 1863

This is election day for the soldiers of Iowa, they having been given the right to vote while in the army. No one is permitted to electioneer for his favorite candidate and those who persisted in doing so were arrested and put in the guardhouse. General Tuttle, the commander of a division, is from Iowa and is the candidate for governor of the State on the Democratic ticket, against Colonel Stone, formerly of the Twenty-second Iowa Regiment, who is the Republican candidate for governor.¹

_______________

¹ Stone was elected, even without the soldier vote, by a large majority. Mr. Downing has the distinction of having cast his first vote while in the service. — Ed.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 147

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, October 12, 1863

We remained here in bivouac all day, and shall probably continue at this place several days. Our brigade was sent here to relieve the Third Brigade of General Tuttle's expedition toward Jackson, Mississippi. It turned very warm today. It is raining this evening, and we have no tents in which to stay.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 147

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, July 5, 1863

We came in this morning at 10 o'clock from an all night picket along the Big Black river. We were relieved by General Tuttle's Brigade. Our brigade then fell back a mile and went into bivouac in heavy timber. The rebels all left last night, it is thought, for Jackson, Mississippi, with the forces of Sherman and Ord in pursuit of them. Sherman passed us, crossing the Big Black at Messenger's ford, while Ord's army crossed the river over the railroad bridge. There is great rejoicing in camp over the fall of Vicksburg and the boys are singing songs and celebrating.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 127

The remains of Adjutant Tuttle . . .

. . . of the 2d Iowa Regiment, who died in St. Louis, of fever, arrived here yesterday on the Packet and will be taken on to-day to Keosauqua by Col. Tuttle and his brother, who were here yesterday to received the dead body. – Keokuk Gate City, 15th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 2