Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Thursday, April 23, 1863

This morning the command "forward” is given to the impatient men, and they march briskly, their steps are firm. To-day we witness war's desolating scourge on the plantations. The devouring elements of fire are doing their work. The Alabama Union cavalry and the Kansas Jay-hawkers are on the war-path; their day has come—their day of retribution.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 150

Captian James Montgomery to George L. Stearns, November 20, 1860

[Mound City, Kansas, November 20, 1860.]

In the winter of ’59, after the second expulsion of Border-ruffians, a county meeting, duly advertised and largely attended, composed mainly of Democrats and conservative men, Bob Mitchell himself among them, passed a series of resolutions sustaining the jayhawkers, and condemning to perpetual banishment those violent men, who had been forcibly expelled. The resolutions passed unanimously, even Bob Mitchell voting in the affirmative.

In fact, it was plain to the common sense of every man that if it had been necessary to drive them out, it was necessary to keep them out. Such were their habits, and the violence of their character, that it were vain to think of living with them on peaceable terms. Our “Free-state” Democrats are, to-day, more venomous and less disposed to forgive and forget than their Border-ruffian brethren.

Cowardly and sneaking, they are the men to plan the schemes for assassination which they depend on the “Border-ruffians” to execute. Striking in the dark, and keeping their names and numbers concealed, they hoped to stampede the whole antislavery force of the territory Of the existence of this “dark lantern fraternity,” we have incontestable evidence.

We are in possession not only of their plans, but even their private signals, and, as in the case of More, we have evidence sufficient to warrant handling several of them individually.

We have had several additions to our colored population within the week, while several of our Democratic friends have left the country. A friend observed to me yesterday: “The Democrats are leaving and the Black Republicans are coming in.”

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 235-6

Diary of John Hay: April 18, 1861

The White House is turned into barracks. Jim Lane marshalled his Kansas warriors to-day at Willard's and placed them at the disposal of Major Hunter, who turned them to-night into the East Room. It is a splendid company, worthy such an armory. Besides the western jayhawkers, it comprises some of the best material of the east. Senator Pomeroy and old Anthony Bleecker stood shoulder to shoulder in the ranks. Jim Lane walked proudly up and down the ranks with a new sword that the Major had given him. The Major has made me his aid, and I labored under some uncertainty as to whether I should speak to privates or not.

. . . . All day the notes of preparation have been heard at the public buildings and the armories. Everybody seems to be expecting a son or brother or “young man” in the coming regiments.

To-night Edward brought me a card from Mrs. Ann S. Stephens expressing a wish to see the President on matters concerning his personal safety. As the Ancient was in bed, I volunteered to receive the harrowing communication. Edward took me to the little room adjoining the hall, and I waited. Mrs. Stephens, who is neither young nor yet fair to any miraculous extent, came in leading a lady, who was a little of both, whom she introduced as Mrs. Col. Lander. I was delighted at this chance interview with the Medea, the Julia, the Mona Lisa of my stage-struck days. After many hesitating and bashful trials, Mrs. Lander told the impulse that brought them. Some young Virginian, long-haired, swaggering chivalrous of course, and indiscreet friend, had come into town in great anxiety for a new saddle, and meeting her had said that he, and half a dozen others, including a dare-devil guerilla from Richmond, named Ficklin, would do a thing within forty-eight hours that would ring through the world. Connecting this central fact with a multiplicity of attendant details, she concluded that the President was either to be assassinated or captured. She ended by renewing her protestations of earnest solicitude, mingled with fears of the impropriety of the step. Lander has made her very womanly since he married her. Imagine Jean M. Davenport a blushing, hesitating wife!

They went away, and I went to the bedside of the Chief couché. I told him the yarn; he quietly grinned. Going to my room I met the Captain. He was a little boozy and very eloquent. He dilated on the troubles of the time, and bewailed the existence of a garrison in the White House, “to give éclat to Jim Lane!"

Hill Lamon  came in about midnight saying that Cash. Clay was drilling a splendid company at Willard's Hall, and that the town was in a general tempest of enthusiastic excitement. Which not being very new, I went to sleep.

SOURCES: Clara B. Hay, Letters of John Hay and Extracts from Diary, Volume 1, p. 8-11; The Diary Review: The witty, dapper Mr. Hay, posted July 1, 2015 and accessed October 21, 2016, which enabled me to fill in the names in the blanks in Clara B. Hay’s Letters sited above.

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Sunday, June 8, 1862

Started on our return at 8 o'clock, with drove of cattle and horses. Major and Purps went ahead, and a few miles from the road, to a deserted camp and got a secesh wagon, old style, hitched in four horses and had a gay time. Lead horses whirled after a time and broke the tongue, fixed it and with two horses drove through the camp. Horses balked several times, once in the river. Hadley and I undressed and helped across. Command stopped at Hudson's. Jayhawked the people badly. (“Purps”— nickname for noncommissioned staff.)

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 18

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Thursday, May 15, 1862

Archie and I cooked a respectable meal. Took our ease until five P. M. Then we marched again. Reached East Drywood at midnight. Capt. Stanhope and Lt. Rush were ahead and were chased by thirty jay hawkers. Column halted. I went on with the advance two or three miles, no sign of any men.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 15

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Thursday, May 15, 1862

Archie and I cooked a respectable meal. Took our ease until five P. M. Then we marched again. Reached East Drywood at midnight. Capt. Stanhope and Lt. Rush were ahead and were chased by thirty jay hawkers. Column halted. I went on with the advance two or three miles, no sign of any men.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 15

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Wednesday, May 7, 1862

At 2 A. M. prepared for another day's march. At 3 were on the way. Reached Sparlan's, a noted secesh, at nine A. M. Fed and ate breakfast. Jayhawked his store. They said the boys destroyed a great deal of property ruthlessly. Continued the march. During the day Orff and Purington had a fuss. Orff took his men and our wagons and turned east to Neosho. After going a few miles we got trace of a band of jayhawkers. Charged after three on horses. Quite a spirited time we had, but the men had a long start, getting on a high hill and in the woods. Scoured the woods, finding some suspicious characters but without arms. Kept eight prisoners. Encamped near by in the valley. They stole a horse during the night.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 14

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Sunday, April 20, 1862

Moved the camp over the creek. Heard the stories, pitiful indeed, of Union refugees driven from home by the jayhawkers. Wrote home.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 11

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: April 22, 1862

General Doubleday and bodyguard and a few officers came. In the evening a man came in saying Union man was shot by jayhawkers. Thirty men of Co. "D", Major, Adjutant, Assistant Surgeon and I, with three or four others started at noon for Horse Creek, twenty miles away. Took a backwoods road. Found no enemy. Orders from the General to burn the house. Major gave the wife and two daughters at home time to take out their valuables. Wife was sick. Declared her husband's innocence. Finally concluded for the women's sake not to burn the house. The scene of the women crying and the desolation the boys were spreading about the premises was painful. Two men from Price's rebel army came up and were taken prisoners. Their horses and arms were taken and they were told to leave. When not more than three rods off, the boys, instigated by Major Purington, commenced shooting at them. They ran. Boys mounted and gave chase, shooting. Lieutenant Pike probably fired the fatal shot. One of the fellows not killed, was brought into the house. Two daughters — one married. Feared her husband was killed. At 8 P. M. we started back. Arrived in camp at 3:30 A. M. Wednesday morning.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 12

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: March 13, 1862

Saw the boys jay-hawking from countryman who had apples, chickens, eggs, etc. They stole half he had. Read a chapter in Beecher's “Letters to Young Men.”

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 9

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: February 21, 1862

Continued our journey and reached Kansas City a little after noon. Arrested two men pretending to be secessionists — drunk. Encamped out on snow and ice a little distance from town. Major heard of a gang of jay-hawkers and secessionists at Independence under Parker and Quantrell. He detailed 150 men to go after them under Lieutenant Nettleton. Brownell and I got leave to go too. Was up nearly all night issuing cartridges and preparing to go.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, 7

Last Hours of a Noted Border Ruffian

DETAILS OF HIS ARREST AND DEATH.

__________

From the Leavenworth Conservative, 14th.

From Lieut. J. G. Harris, of the Kansas 6th, (Col. Judson) we learn the following facts in relation to the death of a man who has caused so much public commotion in this State during the last eight months.

Lieut. Walker, of the 6th, recently made the acquaintance of Cleveland for the purpose of securing his arrest.  He learned his plans, companions, and places of rendezvous.  Last Saturday, the 10th inst., while he was with Cleveland in Ossawatomie, he sent to his company for a detachment of men.

On Sunday morning Sergeant Morris reached Ossawatomie with ten men.  As soon as they had ascertained the whereabouts of Cleveland, they surrounded the house. – Morris knocked at the door, and asked if there was a man there by the name of Cleveland.  The redoubtable Jayhawker answered the summons in person.  He came to the door with a navy revolver in each hand, and one strapped about his body.

Morris – I have come here to arrest you.

Cleveland – That’s a thing that can’t be done by your or any other man.  You’re too short-waisted.  I have done a good many things in my life, but I fear no man nor set of men.

M. – I have come here to take your body, dead or alive, and I am going to do it.

C. – I have killed many a man, and will do it again if you attempt to drive me.

M. – Probably you’ve done a great many things more than I have, but you can’t scare me.  I am going to take you.

C. – How many men have you got?

M. – I have ten.

C. – I can raise more than that at a moment’s warning.

M. – You needn’t talk about raising men, for I am going to have you, dead or alive.

C. – I don’t like to go with soldiers.  Get a Lieutenant, and I’ll go with you.

Lieut. Walker was sent for and came down; he was unarmed.

C. – I will go with you, lieutenant, if you will go round by a friend of mine.

Lieut. Walker consented and mounted his horse.  Cleveland also mounted a horse, put spurs to him and broke away.  The soldiers were soon on their horses and in close pursuit of the flying fugitive.  Cleveland dismounted at the Pottawatomie, a branch of the Marie des Cygnes, and about a mile from town.  He turned, fired several shots out of a revolver, threw that and his watch into the stream and sprang down the steep bank.  As the soldiers began to close in on him, he fired shot after shot from the two remaining revolvers, but with such desperation and madness that none of them took effect.

As he was raising his hand the last time to fire, a private named Johnson pierced him with a Minie ball, which, entering his person under the left shoulder, tore through his heart and nearly perforated his body.  The arm dropped, the tall form fell almost instantly life was extinct.  The soldiers then carried the lifeless form to Ossawatomie and delivered it to the citizens, who have since given Cleveland a burial.

His band has never been large, and he often travelled alone.  His skill in disguising his appearance and voice was so great that even to those who knew him well he seemed each day a different man.  And this, too, although he was more than six feet in height, and had a form as straight as an arrow.  Some persons, blessed with more imagination than brains, believe he led a charmed life.  They called him the “Phantom Horseman of the Prairie,” and told strange stories of his prowess and good fortune.  How many men he had killed, how many horses he had stolen, how many houses he had plundered, no one can tell.

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

St. Louis Correspondence

ST. LOUIS, May 2, 1862.

ALFRED SANDERS, Esq. – Dear Sir:  Reading in the Weekly Gazette of yesterday your editorial on Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, I am induced to add a word.  I knew Gen. Grant in 1858, was a collector of house rents in this city.  He was then strictly temperate, but of inactive habits.  For coolness and perfect equanimity he is justly noted.  All West Pointers pride themselves on those qualities.  But one who estimates the General with impartial eyes will accord him the possession of even the qualities for “a third rate” commander.  Aside from habits of intemperance which have resumed their sway after an interregnum of some years, the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing have fully tested him.  And curious it is, and sad as curious, to note how the successful results of those fights, so far as successful, have been passed to his credit at Washington.

At Belmont, his utter neglect to protect his rear, and to station a few field pieces to prevent the enemy from crossing, led to a terrible reverse and slaughter of the best of troops, and the Iowa boys poured out their blood like water, in vain.

At Fort Henry Grant was to co-operate with Com. Foote, but failed to get his forces to the rear of the fort for four hours after the surrender.  The rebel infantry instead of being bagged, as they might, had abundant time to “skedaddle,” which they did effectually.

At Fort Donelson he was off the field during all the important part of that bloody Saturday.  His friends say he was conferring with Com. Foote; others say he was intoxicated, but his admirers are compelled to admit that he went to confer with Foote at two or three o’clock Saturday morning, a distance of four or five miles, and did not return to the field till late in the day, when the fortunes of the day had been turned by that advance which, the N. Y. Herald says, was ordered by Capt. Hillyer, of the staff – a mere civilian – on his own responsibility.  Gen. Grant’s ablest advocate says the roads were in such condition he could not return in time – four miles!

Yet, before the facts of the affair at Fort Donelson where known, except the surrender, the President nominates Grant a Major General!  Wittily, though, profanely, has it been said Providence ought to be made a Major General, for it had given us two victories for which Grant got the credit!

But the climax of incompetency – criminal incompetency – was yet wanting.  It was attained at Pittsburg Landing.  Against orders he placed his forces on the west side of the river, on the plea that no good position could be found on the other side, and against all rule he placed the rawest troops of his command in front, under command of Prentiss, a notoriously inefficient officer.  This, too, in the face of an active enemy, distant, at the farthest, only 18 miles.  Add to this that no pickets were kept out at any proper distance, and what more could Beauregard have asked for?

The attempt has been made to show that Prentiss, alone, had no pickets out, but this is disproved by the universal testimony that all the brigades were alike surprised.  None of them had any notice of the enemy’s advance.

I have the information from a rebel surgeon, who was in the advance of the rebel army, that on the Saturday evening before the attack of Sunday morning, he, from his position, saw within his glass the evening parade of one of our regiments, and heard the drums and usual noises of the camp.  He further says that the rebel advance was in readiness to begin the attack on Saturday, but did not, because the reserve were not in supporting distance.  This surgeon is known here by union men as a gentleman, and one who entered the rebel army merely for the purposes of professional advancement, and not for love of the cause.  He has no motive for falsehood, and is corroborated by his fellow prisoners.

Thus the army was surprised and the thousands slaughtered, for whom tears are flowing through half a continent.  It was in Halleck’s fitly chosen phrase, “the heroic endurance” of the troops on Sunday, which saved them from annihilation, that their fresh reinforcements of Monday, that rolled back, but did not rout, their enemies, already weary with slaughter.

Again, before the facts were known, Gen. Grant was officially commended by Mr. Secretary Stanton, who seems to have felt that as somebody had been hurt, somebody deserved praise, and so he caught upon the readiest name and praised it.

I am happy to say that no newspaper of this city has dared, editorially, so far as I know, to say one word in favor or exculpation of Gen. Grant on the field of Shiloh, beyond testimony to his personal bravery.  But enough of General Grant.  The country has had too much of him.  His advancement has been in the teeth of his unfitness, and demerits; his successes have been in spite of disgraceful blunders; let us hope that hereafter, Providence will give us greater victories with good generalship, than those which have been won without it.

General Halleck is in the field now, and his sleepless vigilance, instructed by the late battle, will not permit a second surprise.

The Lion of St. Louis just now is Colonel Jennison, sent here in close confinement by a drunken pro-slavery General of doubtful loyalty, and unachieved promotion.  I refer to Gen. Sturgis, who, after a winter spent at the bar of King’s saloon, alternating between treasonable talk to rebels, and swallowing brandy smashes, now has signalized himself by the attempted disgrace of the peerless foe of Border Ruffians, and bushwhacking secessionists.

Nothing has so stirred up St. Louis for a long time.  The rebels, open and concealed, rejoiced greatly to know that the noted Jayhawker was here in durance vile.  The Republican fairly shrieked for joy.  It counseled indictments, and I know not what treatment.  Here was a noted enemy powerless, and with true rebel cruelty to cowardice, the Republican began to trample on him.  The Union sentiment of the city stoutly demanded that Col. Jennison be allowed his parole, as well as the rebels who parade our streets.  It was soon granted.  The Republican at once softened its tone. – Soon came permission to Col. Jennison to report himself on his parole only by letter; the Republican is mute.  The morning, its last crumb of comfort is in the apologetic card of the cowardly Sturgis, who cowering under the storm of public indignation, now seeks to evade the responsibility of Jennison’s arrest, by showing that he had instigators to do a deed for which he has yet dared to state no reason, and prefer no charges.

Jennison takes matters coolly.  He is a wiry young man, with a keen eye, and a lip of iron; but of gentle manners, and such pleasant address that Gen. Sturgis wrote to the Provost Marshal General, to warn him of the “seductive manners” of his victim!

Jennison has spoken twice in the city.  Many Union men are prejudiced against him, and many fear to be identified with him on account of his fearless avowal that he is a “real fighting abolitionist.”  The Germans regard him highly.  Anti-slavery in their opinions before the rebellion, they are now abolitionists.  Jennison makes war after the fashion of their own hearts.  He says that “rebels have no rights which loyal men are bound to respect.”  No wonder the abused and vilified Germans admire him.

Right or wrong, Jennison has been shamefully treated.  If I mistake not, the country will see him righted.  It will not tolerate the conduct of Sturgis and Denver, and there is reason to suppose they will shortly be relieved of any responsibility for such warriors as Jennison and Montgomery.

Over the capture of New Orleans there is great rejoicing, for vast interests here depend on the resumption of commerce with that city, which must soon happen unless Farragut fails to follow up his success with energy, and does not send his gunboats to co-operate with Foote on Memphis.

The weather is excellent, and reports this morning from below indicate that Halleck is taking advantage of it, and will soon, if not now, be upon Corinth.

Yesterday regiment after regiment of infantry and cavalry moved through our streets, on their way to the transports in waiting to take them, as we suppose, to Pittsburg Landing.  Whence do so many come? is the current inquiry.

Business has revived to some extent, but still suffers.  It cannot prosper till the river is opened to New Orleans, to afford an outlet for our pork and grain.

Rents are rising, and real estate is also on the ascendant.

I hope to soon give you some items relative to the emancipation movement here, but lack time and space to-day.

Yours truly.

E.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

Three members of Co. C, 1st Iowa Cavalry Murdered in Missouri

The sad news of the death of three members of Co. C, 1st Iowa Cavalry, murdered by guerillas in St. Clair county, Missouri, was received here yesterday, casting a shadow over our people.  The news came in a private letter from W. A. Clark, of the same company, and the only one of the foraging party who escaped unhurt.  Harbach and Cameron were from Burlington, young men of much promise, twenty one or two years of age.  Higgins about the same age we think was from the northern part of the county.  Stoddard, also about the same age, is from West Point, Lee county.  He is wounded in the arm and will probably recover.  Young Harbach and one brother who was a member of the 1st Iowa – is now in the 11th Regulars with Gen. McClellan.  His father is Captain of 1st Iowa Battery, now with General Curtis in Arkansas.  Below we print Clark’s letter, written to his brother in law, Mr. Fullerton.  Although not intended for print we see no impropriety in publishing it.

__________

OCEOLA, St. Clair Co., Mo., May 28

BRO. NICK: – It becomes my duty to notify through you the friends of some of the wounded and dead of our Company that were shot yesterday while out foraging.  Wm. G. Harbach, dead, M. Higgins, dead, Josiah Cameron and A. Stoddard wounded.  My horse was shot, and two or three balls penetrated my clothes, and a fine come caved me.  I had a comb in my watch pocket, the ball struck it and glanced off and just grazed the skin.

I will give you the particulars.  We started out in the morning after forage, 12 miles.  We got out all right, loaded the wagons and started back, and were eight miles from camp when we stopped at a creek to water our horses.  Harbach and Cameron were sitting in the wagon.  Higgins, Stoddard and myself were setting on our horses by the side of them talking when some twenty Jayhawkers, concealed in the brush, fired into us, killing Harbach, wounding Cameron, Higgins Stoddard and I supposed that I was wounded, but I am happy to say that I was not hurt.  My horse was shot from his head back to his tail.  Several shots went thro my coat, pants and hat.  I run my horse after he was shot some two miles before he fell, I then jumped over into a field where there was a man plowing; I jerked the harness of the horse and jumped on him bare back and rode about four or five miles as hard as he could run, when I overtook another foraging party.  I sent two of the men to camp for help.  It was but a little while before our men could be seen on a full gallop coming to our assistance.  I went back with them.  We found Harbach dead, Cameron wounded in the leg, it has since been amputated above the knee, Higgins wounded, has since died, Stoddard wounded in the arm.

I intended to start with the body of Harbach home this evening but could not get ice, and therefore could not start, but will bury here for the present.  The boys propose to send to St. Louis for a metallic coffin.  I will then fetch the body home.

We take no more prisoners.  We are going to shoot every man that we catch in the brush.

P. S. – Since I wrote the above Josiah Cameron has died.  We will be obliged to bury them here for the present, as the weather is so warm and there is no ice here.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Des Moines Correspondence

DES MOINES, March 6.

The stage has at last reached here, but we have no Davenport mail yet since the storm.  Representative McCall, of Story county reached here yesterday, after three days traveling from Nevada, a distance of thirty miles.  He says he hasn’t seen the roads so bad for years.  The weather, after four or five as tedious days as any mortal need desire is moderating somewhat.  The wind has ceased to blow, and we are now expecting a thaw.

The Senate has passed the bill providing for the permanent location of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at this place.  The vote on its final passage stood: Yeas 31, nays 5.  It has now under consideration a bill providing for the erection at this place of a State Arsenal.  The State will be in possession of a large quantity of arms at the close of the war, and at present there is no suitable place to keep them.  The bill provides that a fire-proof building shall be erected at a cost not to exceed $5,000, in which the State arms shall be stored.  Some have objected to the location at this point, arguing that it should be on the river.  The majority, however, in consideration of the fact that the arms will be needed if at all, on the western, northern, and southern borders of the state, seem to favor the location at the Capital.

In the House, on Wednesday, fourteen bills were passed; many of them of local interest, others of minor importance, and a few worthy of note.  Stanton’s railroad bill was among the number.  It is so amended as to oblige the railroad companies in all cases to pay for damages done to live stock, instead of compelling them to fence their roads, this was deemed a necessary amendment.  It would be of a great tax on the companies to oblige them to fence at present.  The strict provision now inserted instead of the fencing clause will accomplish the same end, by insuring owners of cattle against loss.

To-day the House considered at some length, the Senate bill for a settlement with Messrs. Brown and Alexander of Van Buren county, providing for the payment by the State of $30,000 to these parties, on condition of their releasing the State from its obligation to keep up the dam in the river so as to furnish them with water power for thirty-nine years from the date of the contract, I think in 1852.  It lies over as unfinished business.  The amount to be paid by the state seems large, but it is the impression of those best informed on the subject that the State will be a gainer in the sum of $50,000, by making this contract, and thus obtaining a release from its obligations to these parties.  Should the dam wash away to-night the State is bound to build a new one, and if it doesn’t wash away it will require rebuilding once or twice before the time is out, and the expense each time would be about twice the amount proposed to be paid to these men.  The settlement thus becomes a matter of economy to the State.

The jayhawking bill was also fully discussed.  It provides for the punishment of jayhawking on the borders, and also attaches heavy penalties to the act of receiving the property of a rebel to prevent its confiscation.  The bill is drawn to meet the difficulties in Fremont county, but made applicable to all difficulties that may arise on the border.  It will probably pass as it now stands, being ordered engrossed for a third reading.

This evening Mr. Palmer, of the Register, gave a lecture before the Lecture Association on Alexander Hamilton.  It is spoken of in the highest terms, as a noble lecture, well conceived, ably written, and in every respect worthy of the vigorous min that originated it.

Mr. West of Henry County has been excused for the remainder of the session.  He is a Sergeant in Company I, 14^th regiment and a noble man at that.  Whenever the character of the soldiers whether officers or privates was spoken of in other than the most respectful language he rose to defend them.  He has proven himself faithful, earnest, and efficient as a Representative and now leaves on business connected with the regiment.  He was the only soldier in the House after the departure of Capt. Price of Jefferson county the first week of the session.  Now we have no soldier Representative, unless it be the gentleman from Decatur who has just returned from a trip to Fort Donelson.

The Governor and commissioners, who went down to look after our wounded soldiers have arrived, and report the soldiers cared for and doing well.

J. R. C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 1

From Missouri and Arkansas

ST. LOUIS, March 8.

I learn that a fight took place at Chain of Rocks, on Cuivere River, Lincoln county, Mo., between 100 rebels and a company of Col. Krekel’s cavalry.  The former were attacked by the latter and completely routed, with a loss of fifteen killed and wounded.  They were nearly surrounded and in danger of being all captured, but by desperate exertions managed to make their escape with the loss mentioned.  Col. Krekel had three men wounded, one of them mortally.  He had sent to St. Charles for an additional company of infantry to pursue the enemy.

It has been suggested that the party thus beaten and put to flight by Col. Krekel were organized horse-thieves and Jayhawkers from Calhoun county, Illinois, and Lincoln county, Mo., who were in search of plunder.

Correspondence from our army at Cross Hollow, Arkansas, dated March 1^st says:

“Price, whose retreat is acknowledged on all hands to have been ably conducted found refuge in the Boston Mountains. – From two deserters who came into camp yesterday, it is ascertained that he is encamped on the Cave Creek road while McCulloch is posted one mile and an half distant on the Lees Creek road.  The latter has burned down a beautiful little village, near the Indian frontier, known as Cane Hill.  The supplies of the rebel army are obtained from Van Buren.

“It is stated on good authority that Price and McCulloch had a violent quarrel before leaving Cross Hollows, in the house now occupied by Col. Carr.

“Major Cartright, of the Federal army says that Colonel Coffin, of Dade county, Mo., is in the vicinity of Pineville with five hundred men, and that he is recruiting forces there for the purpose of capturing our trains.

“The train which had gone forward this morning was within one mile and a half of Keitsville, when that place was attacked.  Capt. Montogmery very prudently turned it back, and covered the retreat to Cassville.”

Major Wright also sends word that he learns from reliable sources that there are 400 rebels at Stockton and 150 at White Horn, both places in Cedar county, Mo.  There are also 1,000 at King’s Point and 90 near Milville, in a fort, in Dade county, Mo.  These parties are committing depredations and swearing vengeance against the Union men.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

A Romantic Brigand

Quantrell is the name of a depredator in Kansas who, at the head of some thirty men armed with Sharpe’s rifles and navy revolvers, has made himself a terror of the whole region, neither the loyal men nor the secessionists claiming him to belong to them.  His men are mounted on the best horses in the country.  He makes his camp in the timber of the bottoms, and can travel twenty miles through the brush in hog paths unknown to any save his own men. – Every few days he robs the mail, and steals both stage coach and horses.  Some mounted volunteers from Kansas City recently had a hunt for him, and succeeded in killing six of his men and driving him thirty miles southwest, but he returned a few days after with more men and again robbed the mail, killed two Union men, and jayhawked all the Union stores at Westport, two miles from Kansas.  Quantrell is a tall, well proportioned, light haired man, wears a long handsome mustache, and like Cleveland, has his sweetheart to travel with him.  “Nancy Slaughter,” as she is called, is the daughter of a prominent citizen of Blue Spring, and has the reputation of being a widow of the “grass” sort.  She is a very stylish Amazon and sits her horse like a queen.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 2

The Leavenworth Conservative says . . .

. . . the real name of the great jayhawker, Cleveland was Metz.  He used to drive a stage out of Cleveland, Ohio and hence adopted that name.  He was born in that vicinity.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1

Election

ATCHISON, Kansas, May 5. – The municipal election to-day resulted in the election of most of the Union and anti-Jayhawkers tickets by a majority of 30.  The Council are Union.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4



A few days in the Camps of the Iowa First Cavalry

BUTLER, Bates County, Mo.
April 26th, 1862

Editors Missouri Democrat:

As a citizen and civilian of Iowa I feel some pride in the gallant First Iowa Cavalry, Col. Fitz Henry Warren, now stationed in this part of Missouri. In officers, material, discipline, equipment, efficiency, it is in my judgment, surpassed by none in the service. Though stationed here upon police duty, as it were, while others are permitted to participate in events more stirring and achievements which soldiers delight in, their services here are of less conspicuous, at least not undeserving of honorable recognition.

The regiment embraces much of the flower of Iowa’s most stalwart manhood, men of robust health, mental vigor and of high culture, not a few fitted to figure honorably in the legislative halls of any State. Naturally they chafe at a position where they are only conservators of the peace, in a district infested by predatory jayhawking bands, where they operate rather as detectives than a well organized and thoroughly disciplined regiment in every point fitted to combat with the regular forces of the rebels.

Yesterday, for example, Col. Warren with a small scouting party brought into this post twenty three jayhawking rebel prisoners, and captures of this inglorious sort are frequent - The sub-district which is placed under the military surveillance of Col. Warren, properly embraces the four counties of Bates, Henry, Saint Clair and Vernon, though detachments are also stationed at Sedalia, Pettis county and at Warrensburg, Johnson county. The four posts within the District are as follows:

Butler, Bates county – Under command of Col. Warren, Lieut. Cressy Provost, Companies E, Capt. Wm Thompson, I, Capt. J W Caldwell.

Clinton, Henry county – Under command of Major Gower, Capt. Heath, Provost. Companies H, Capt. Anderson, D, Capt. Bryan.

Oceola [sic], St. Clair county – Under command of Capt. Leffingwell. Capt. Freeman, Provost – Companies L, Capt. Leffingwell, K, Captain Freeman.

Montecello, Vernon county – Under command of Capt. Caldwell, Capt Chase, Provost – Companies C, Capt. Chase, M, Capt. Ankeny.

Two Companies – G, Capt. J D Thompson, and F, Capt. Elliott – are now at Sedalia and two more – A, Capt. McQuinn, and L, Lieut McIntyre – at Warrensburg, Johnson county.

Attached to the regiment are three companies of the Twenty-sixth Indiana and a battery of artillery under command of Capt. Murfey, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. these are employed chiefly as camp guards while the cavalry scouts the country and performs the more active work.

Col. Warren is most of the time in the field, leading in person all the principal expeditions during which times Capt. Wm. Thompson is left in command of the post.

During my short stay here I have seen evidences of the efficiency of this military occupation and of the energetic policy pursued by Col. Warren, in the number of men lately disloyal who daily come in to take the oath of allegiance, and give bonds for their fidelity. They are doing it with cheerful alacrity. Still there are bands of outlaws in the district, who under the guise of pretended military organization seek opportunities to plunder the peaceful inhabitants.

Our State has a just pride in this regiment and its accomplished commander who is one of her valued citizens. The duties assigned it here, though obscure, and not the class of services they aspired to engage in, are unquestionably important and they are most faithfully and efficiently performed. Justice would seem to dictate that this regiment should now be relieved and permitted to go into the field where their soldierly mettle and prowess may be tried. Certain I am it will not be found wanting.

The country about here has been [woefully] devastated by Jayhawkers on both sides. This town of Butler was burnt by Montgomery last winter and is now merely a camp. But the country about here, for natural beauty and natural advantages has no superior in the west.

IOWA.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 1