Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Thursday June 4, 1863

Dr Parks succeeded in getting transportation for some 12 or 15 more of the sick to Keokuk. Boat up from Vicksburg with 93 deserters. Rained hard afternoon

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 490

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Edwin M. Stanton, June 23, 1863

Executive Office, Iowa,

Iowa City, June 23, 1863.

Hon. Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War,

Washington, D. G.

Sir: — I have received the letter of Brig.-Gen. Canby, A. A. G., covering copy of Surg.-Gen. Hammond's report on my application for the transfer of sick and wounded soldiers from Iowa to hospitals in that State, and confess that I am deeply mortified and much disheartened by their contents.

Surg.-Gen. Hammond reports that on the 27th of May last he reported to you that at hospitals then established, there were 40,000 vacant beds, that a compliance with my request would involve the construction of more hospitals, and therefore he disapproved it; and Gen. Canby's letter merely states that he has been instructed by you to enclose to me a copy of Surg.-Gen. Hammond's report.

I do not at all dispute the correctness of the facts in Surg.-Gen. Hammond's report, but I think you will be troubled, as I certainly have been, to discern the reason why these facts render my request an improper one, when I state to you another fact which certainly would be known to Surg.-Gen. Hammond, to-wit: That one of these hospitals in which these vacant beds are, is in the city of Keokuk in the State of Iowa. Immediately after the battle of Shiloh a hospital was established at Keokuk, and the same has been kept up continually until this time. There are now some 500 or 600 patients there, and “vacant beds” for at least 1,000 or 1,500 more, and when I apply to you to have our sick and wounded men sent there, backed as I suppose myself to be, either by a positive law or joint resolution of Congress, it is exceedingly mortifying and disheartening to learn as I do unfortunately, that the existence of this hospital is unknown at Washington, and that to comply with my request will require the construction of new hospitals. There is room enough in the hospital now established at Keokuk, and now in operation there, for all or nearly all our sick and wounded men, and thus the reason assigned by Surg.-Gen. Hammond for refusing my request being removed, permit me to renew that request and further urge it upon your consideration.

There is a great deal of ill feeling among our sick and wounded men and their friends at home on this subject. When men are suffering from wounds or disease, there is among them a natural desire to be as near home as possible and to see their friends if they can. If you, or Surg.-Gen. Hammond or I were sick or wounded, we would feel thus, and our friends would desire to have us near them so they could see us. Our sick and wounded men feel thus, and it is right that I should say to you plainly and frankly that the belief prevailing among our soldiers and their friends at home that the government refuses to gratify this natural and proper feeling of the soldiers and their friends, when as in this case it can be fairly and properly gratified, is producing results in the public mind unfavorable to the government and prejudicial to the cause of the country. When speaking on this subject men whose sons are in the army begin to say, and to say freely, that it would be well for the government to pay some regard to the feelings and wishes and opinions of those who have given all they have for the country, as well as to be careful to conciliate those who are doing much against it.

I therefore renew my request and base it on the following grounds:

1st. We have already hospital accommodations in the State.

2nd. Our people are well satisfied, and they are sustained in their belief by the best medical authority, that not only will our sick and wounded recover more rapidly in their own climate, but that many will recover if sent here who will die if kept below.

3rd. The sick and wounded can be as well guarded at Keokuk, as elsewhere, and returned to their regiments upon their recovery as well from that point as from any other.

4th. It will be a cause of heartfelt pleasure to many a poor fellow to be in a place where his wife, his sister, or his mother can go to see him and cheer him in his suffering, and will encourage their friends to stand by and support the government that shows a sympathy for those who are suffering for its preservation. Very respectfully

Your obedient servant,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 235-6

Among a large number of arrivals at . . .

. . . Keokuk Hospital, we find only two names from this neighborhood, viz: Corp. Samuel Campbell, Co. D, 11th Iowa Regiment, from Rock Island; and Wm. G. Schoen, Co. G, 16th, who is believed to belong to this city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Dead Soldiers

The following names soldiers died in the Keokuk Hospital on the 19th inst.: S. R. Dysart, Co. C, 15th Regt.; N. J. Ohmert, Co. K, 13th Regt.; and J. A. Fairman, Co. B, 11th Regiment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

C. C. Carruthers, Co. F, 2d Iowa . . .

. . .died at hospital in Keokuk on Friday last, aged 23 years. He was from Van Buren county.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 1

500 More Soldiers Coming

Dr. Hughes received yesterday a telegram stating that about 500 more sick and wounded soldiers will be here in a day or two. – Keokuk Gate City, 15th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 2

Henry Elmore . . .

. . . Co. D. 15th Iowa regiment, died at Keokuk Hospital on the 16th inst.

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


See Also:

• Henry Elmore's Headstone in Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa

From Gen. Halleck’s Army

CAIRO, May 14.

The division of Gen. Mitchell has formed a junction with Gen. Pope and now forms the extreme left of our line.

By the City of Memphis from Pittsburg, we learn there is great dissatisfaction among rebel troops; some want to go home, their time of enlistment being out, and others for being taken from their business by force.

No news from the fleet to-day.  The weather is getting very hot here.

The City of Memphis has three hundred and fifty sic; they are going to Keokuk under the charge of Dr. Turner.

Gen. Mitchell’s division has arrived at Farmington.

The story of the enemy’s lack for provisions, is denied by the deserters, who say that there is plenty of subsistence at Corinth.

On Tuesday Gen. Pope moved forward his column to retake the position lost in the skirmish of Friday last.  The result of this movement had not transpired at the time the steamer left Pittsburg.

A lamentable casualty occurred on board the steamer Gladiator.  As the steamer was passing up the Tennessee river, on Tuesday, with the 4th Minnesota regiment on board, just above Paris Landing, her upper works gave way, killing five and injuring several others.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 16, 1862, p. 2

Dead Soldiers

William T. Noell, Co. G, 17th Iowa, and Isaac M. Williams, Co. F, 8th Iowa, died in Keokuk hospital, on Tuesday last.  Henry Kennedy, Co. I, 15th Iowa, died at home in that city, the day previous.

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

Soldiers Deaths At Keokuk

The following named Iowa soldiers died at the hospitals in Keokuk last week:

J. E. Ross, Co. G, 17th regiment; Matthias Pearce, Co. F, 17th; J. E. Pressley, Co. G, 17th;  J. E. Neal, Co. A, 18th, and S. M. Randolph, Co. K, 15th regiment

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Keokuk Hospital

W. Patton, Co. C, 11th Iowa, and B. Bense, Co. K, 7th Iowa, died at the Keokuk Hospital on the 1st inst.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 1

Iowa Items

A large company, consisting of 43 persons, having with them 12 wagons and 116 horses, passed through Iowa City last week bound for California.  They were from Northern Illinois.

RESIGNED. – Maj. Brodtbeck, of the 12th regiment has resigned on account of ill health.  Gen. Grant refused him permission to return home when taken sick, but gave him the alternative of going to the hospital or resigning.  He tried the former, but finding his health not improving he gave up his commission.

D. A. Mahony & Co., of the Dubuque Herald, sued the postmaster of that city, at the late term of the U. S. Court, for a claim of $35, for publishing uncalled-for letters from April to December, 1861, and also for $2,000 for not publishing the letter list in the Herald.  The defendant demurred, and the Court sustained the demurrer, holding the plaintiff had no cause of action, and if he had the Court had no jurisdiction.  This is “rough” on Mahony, who had been threatening “starting developments” would be made when the U. S. Court met.

The following Iowa wounded were brought to Keokuk last Monday:

Jasper T. Hubbard, Co. H, 2d; R. H. Jones, Co. G, 6th; J. W. West, Co. G, 7th; Edward T. Lanning, do; R. Austin, Co. H, 7th; H. Nichols, Co. F, 13th; C. H. Martin, Co. G. 13th; M. T. Snyder, Co. K, 13th; H. Loomis Co. G, 14th.

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

Deaths among Iowa Soldiers

The following Iowa soldiers have died recently at the times and places mentioned:

John Luellan, Co. I, 2d, at St. John’s Hospital, Cincinnati, April 19, of wounds.

John Hall, Co. C, 13th, at same place, April 20.

A. J. Edwards, Co. C, 13th, at Fourth st. hospital, Cincinnati, April 20.

Patrick Looby, Co. K, 11th, at Keokuk, April 25.

Josiah Harris, Co. A, 13th, same place, April 26.

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

Deaths Of Soldiers

The following named Iowa soldiers died at Keokuk on the 27th inst.:  J. H. Nosler, Co. D 15th regiment’ S. Harrison, Co. K, 11th regiment; John Christian, Co. B, 8th regiment; and Lewis Kerk, Co, C, 15th regiment.

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

Meeting of the Ladies’ Aid Society

The Ladies’ Aid Society will meet in the Medical College at 10 o’clock this forenoon.  As some two hundred wounded soldiers are soon to be here, and must be provided for, it is hoped that there will be a full attendance of Ladies.  There is immediate need of the aid of all who can render it.

By order of the President.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862

There are forty-five sick . . .

. . . in the hospital at Keokuk, with accommodations for only forty.  So says the Gate City.  Mrs. Wittenmyer is needed at home.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 1

Elijah F. Uptergrove

Private, Co. D, 8^th Arkansas Infantry, C.S.A.

Keokuk National Cemetery

Keokuk, Iowa

Mr. Eads, private in the . . .

. . . 16^th [sic] regiment, and brother to Jas. D. Eads, former School superintendent of Iowa, died in the hospital at Keokuk on Tuesday last.

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

NOTE:  The Gazette is in error.  Archibald D. Eads was a member of Company I, 15th Iowa Infantry.  He died of measles Feb. 25, 1862.  See the Iowa Roster, Volume 2, p. 937

Charles Beekman

Born in Schoharie, New York, April 2, 1846; enlisted in Company B, 15th Iowa regiment, Oct. 11, 1861; died of typhoid fever, in hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, Dec. 23, 1861, aged fifteen years, eight months and twenty-one days. "He was a promising young soldier," says Captain Cross, "and while sick bore his afflictions with remarkable fortitude."

"Was a good and faithful man," says Captain Studer, "entered upon his duties with zeal; tried to learn and do whatever was required of him. Being of tender years, he died after a very brief term of service."

When his mother heard of his illness, she went immediately to Keokuk and watched by his bedside continually for three weeks, when he died. As soon as she saw that he could not get well, she said to him, — "Charles, if you should never recover, do you feel reconciled to go?" He replied, — "Mother, I do."

Charles was fond of a gun. As soon as the war began, his whole mind was taken up with the thought of being a soldier. His gun had been his delight since he was thirteen, though it was a severe shock to him when his friend and companion, Fenimore Cooper¹, was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, while standing right by Charles's side. This, however, did not eradicate from his mind his attachment to his gun and love of hunting, which is said to be miniature war.

"Mother," said Charles, one day, "may I go to war?" She replied, — "Charles, do you really want to go?"

"Nothing," said he, "would please me better; it is my whole thought." "Do you," said she, "think that you could be of any service to your country?" "Yes," he replied, "I know I can." "I did not know that they would accept such young boys," said she. "They will take me, mother," Charles answered. He had been to see the recruiting officers, and received their promise that they would accept of him, if he could gain his parents' consent.

"If you are determined," said he to his parents one day, "that I shall not go, I will give it up; but here are other boys of my age enlisting, and I know that I am as strong and able for duty as they are, and can do as much good in the army."

"He had been studying about it so long," says Mrs. Beekman, "and talked so manly, that pride for my son led me to give my consent." After he had been at Keokuk a few weeks, he was sent back to Des Moines by his officers to bring on some recruits. He knocked at his mother's door and came in, dressed in the uniform of the Union soldier; his proud and manly bearing led her to feel glad that she had let him go. He returned to camp with a glad heart.

He had always been very healthful. His sickness took a deep hold on him from the beginning, and baffled the skill of the physician, who manifested very great interest in him. The officers of his company felt great anxiety for his recovery, for he was much attached to them, especially to Captain Smith; and the Captain visited him often in his sickness, which comforted Charles greatly. He was a good boy; kind to his parents; dearly loved his mother; affectionate to his brother and sisters; generous to all. At school he made rapid progress in his studies.

¹Son of Mr. Isaac Cooper, an early resident of Polk County [Iowa].

SOURCE: Leonard Brown, American Patriotism: Or, Memoirs Of Common Men, p. 213-4

List of Iowa Sick Soldiers At Keokuk

We copy below the list of sick soldiers who arrived at Keokuk on Sunday by the City of Memphis, and sent to the General Military Hospital.  There were one or two too low to tive their names.  There were none wounded in this list:

Thos F Johnson, D 15^th

J V Lambert, D 12^th

P H Cambridge, B 8^th

I Newman, E 8^th

Cyrus Judd, I 8^th

J P Harding, corp I 12

B Hoover, G 14^th

Seth Paup, I 12^th

A Lumsden, I 12^th

James L Hoff, I 12^th

O W Patten, ser’g G 7

G H Brock, B 12^th

J H Shook, F 15^th

E Wortrobeck, D 12^th

J K Crane, mus’n I 12

J Wotrobeck, D 12^th

B F Crystal, D 2^nd

S W Anderson, A 2^nd

L B Clark, D 14^th

D W Tybee, E 14^th

Nelson Ralston, F 12^th

David Devour, C 15^th

Geo Egbert, F 15^th

W H Roberts, K 11^th

Theo Prescott, D 12^th

A C Blood, D 12^th

A J Davis, C 12^th

R F Rogers, C 12^th

D McCall, C 12^th

S S Blanchard, C 12^th

B D Campbell, H 12^th

Isaac Novett, E 14^th

Conrad Saums, G 11^th

F M Johnson, C 7^th

J E Denny, C 7^th

J Hartman, C 7^th

John W Guthrie, B 15

Christian Herr, D 15^th

Peter Bradshaw, E 11^th

Aaron Morlat, F 15^th

R W Oldham, C 15^th

Jos Howard, I 15^th

Wm Parker, K 15^th

Geo Hamer, I 15^th

Jas Gardner, D 8^th

M V Crouch, F 15^th

Wm Bruse, G 14^th

Geo W Bailey, E 12^th

Jos Shirley, F 7^th

A C Scriven, A 15^th

W H McKinley, D 15^th

W H Williams, K 15^th

David H Barr, G 11^th

P W Brown, E 14^th

Martin Reese, C 11^th

Harvey Bell, corp H 2d

Wm C Johnson, I 3d

L M A Roberts, K 13^th

Wm Fisher, B 13^th

Wm Young, G 14^th

J H Clark, serg’t E 11^th

Adam C Smith, E 11^th

F H Hesler, H 12^th

John F Brown, C 12^th

Frank Jordan, E 15^th

Jacob R Smith, C 12^th

P L McKinney, H 2d

Edward Lundy, C 15^th

A Mitchell, com ser 15^th

Wm R Moore, E 13^th

John J Smith, H 11^th

A J Sloan, H 12^th

Wm D Craven, H 15^th

W S Blanchard, E 7^th

Alva Hopkinson, H 11^th

A Nash, F 16^th

W A Bucher, ser G 14

David M Dick, H 11^th

R H Boyd, H 15^th

Isaac Cochran, A 7^th

R L Kiser, K 11^th

J H Trotter, E 3d

P R Buckham, F 15^th

Chas. McNall, H 7^th

Sickman Wyatt, I 15^th

J G Holloway, cor D 15

Jno Porter, E 15^th

R Ingersoll, ser H 11^th

A Lowrie, G 11^th

Zirni Troth, F 15^th

Geo Wiley, G 11^th

Thomas Shannon, D 8^th

P Lewellen, K 15^th

O E Thorson, G 12^th

F Rieson, G 12^th

Chas Skinner, G 12^th

E Engelrickson, G 12^th

A Gibberson, G 12^th

J V Bishop, B 14^th

Jas Austin, D 14^th

C Edwards, G 14^th

N Heald, D 14^th

C S Bucklan, A 12^th

Levi Dobbins, A 12^th

A H Powell, G 14^th

Isaac Green, B 3d

W H Conwell, B 3d

David Rockhill, B 11^th

Oliver Bidsoll, H 15^th

C W Noyse, H 15^th

Wm W Glenville, E 15^th

H H Bushwell, K 11^th

J A Waldo, B 15^th

Geo Palmer, F 11^th

W H Carlisle, H 7^th

R N Graham, H 7^th

Joseph Manners, C 11^th

A Mitchell, I 12^th

E Reniger, B 7^th

Lyman Kellogg, K 3d

R M Johnson, F 15^th

W W Stanfield, E 14^th

Sam Campbell, D 11^th

J F M Postlewait, B 11^th

Thos Frazier, corp D 14

Geo Roper, B 15^th

W K Goode, corp. C 15

A Homewood, I 15^th

Wm Long, F 8^th

John M Dunn, H 11^th

Lewis Gilber, E 12^th

Sam Jackson, A 12^th

R C Walter, G 11^th

Wm C Crouch, I 11^th

J W Donivan, K 13^th

R W Gross, Com. 15^th

W J Sheppard, B 3d

A S Bullard, B 3d

Geo Berryman, E 11^th

J H Cassell, D 15^th

Wm McGregor, H 15^th

Wm White, I 15^th

J H Hamilton, I 11^th

Wm Schoen, G 16^th

R D Nelson, F 11^th

W P Shelton, F 11^th

Chas C Grant, F 12^th

Sam Druse, E 8^th

J B Jones, I 15^th

Daniel F Brid, D 15^th

Thos Morgan, I 16^th

J Ritchey, G 13^th

Levi Hunt, C 15^th

W S Jackson, C 15^th

Wm Jackson, C 15^th

R H Whitenech, 2d Lt. A 15^th

J Parker, corp I 15^th

N Hasperhomart, K 13

Sam G Goff, H 3d

Wm Boorherts, 16^th

A N Stringer, 2^nd Lt. K 16^th

G G Robinson, K 12^th

A L Cocklin, I 13^th

W H Michael, B 11^th

Jon Dooley, C 13^th

G Longstraph, B 11^th

V W Andrus, 1^st Lt 13

R McLean, D 11^th

A C Boyd, A 13^th

H Moreland, ser B 15^th

A J Pyatt, A 15^th

A French, B 13^th

T J Burgoyne, corp I 7

C L Barnum, E 15^th

S R Dysart C 15^th

J A Firman, B 11^th

John Arnold, D 15^th

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 2