Robert Blake

ROBERT BLAKE. Contraband on board of the U.S.S. Marblehead in the engagement with the rebel batteries on Stono River, December 25, 1863; serving as a powder-boy, displayed extraordinary courage, alacrity, and intelligence in the discharge of his duties under trying circumstances, and merited the admiration of all.

SOURCE: Government Printing Office, Record of Medals of Honor Issued to the  Bluejackets and Marines of the United States Navy 1862-1910, p. 11

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, May 31, 1865

I got a pass and went to the city again. I spent most of the day in the patent office and in the Smithsonian Institution. I also got my watch repaired, which cost me $3.00. The city seems to be astir; new buildings are growing up all over and some of the Government buildings are being improved. Except for the presence of so many soldiers in the city, no one would think that a four years' war had just ended. The city needs most of all paved streets, for in wet weather they get very muddy and the city looks no better than a country town. The Washington monument is not yet finished and from a distance it looks like a large smokestack with the top lacking. A part of the Fifteenth Corps left for Louisville today, but all men whose time is out by October 1st were left here to be mustered out at once. All of the eastern men in Sherman's four corps are to remain in Washington for the present. We had a temperance talk here this evening by William White Williams. I bought a medal of honor from him. Everything is going along fine.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 279

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, September 15, 1864

Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, September 15, 1864.

General Grant went this morning to Harper's Ferry to visit Sheridan. There were some indications of a movement on Lee's part yesterday, but nothing occurring this morning, he went off. He is to be absent, I believe, some five or six days. What Grant meant by the rebels deserting at the rate of a regiment a day, referred, I presume, to their desertions in all parts of the field, and to the present diminished size of their regiments. This would make a daily desertion of about three hundred. I have no means of knowing what proportion of this amount is drawn from the returns of other armies; but, in the Army of the Potomac, ten a day would be a liberal estimate of the deserters who have come into our lines for some time past. I think Grant was a little hyperbolical in the expression he used. He is of a very sanguine temperament, and sees everything favorable in a strong light, and makes light of all obstacles. In some respects this is an admirable quality, if it is not carried to extremes.

I don't think that I told you that, day before yesterday, I presented to some soldiers of the Fifth Corps medals of honor, conferred upon them for good conduct on the field of battle. There was a great ceremony on the occasion, and I made a few remarks, which I presume will appear in print. The weather, after being cool, has again become warm. Sickness is beginning to show itself.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 227-8

Review: The Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor:
A History of Service Above and Beyond

by The Editors of Boston Publishing Company

The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military honor.  It is awarded by the President of the United States in the name of the United States Congress to U. S. military personnel for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

Since its creation in 1861 the Medal of Honor has been awarded to nearly 3,500 men and 1 woman, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, from the Civil War to the present. “The Medal of Honor: A History of Service Above and Beyond” from The Editors of Boston Publishing Company and published by Zenith Press is a gorgeous book detailing the history of the medal and the persons to whom it has been bestowed upon.  It is a history told in deeds, of self-sacrifice and acts of valor, for which of the Medal of Honor has been awarded.

The book has been divided into seven chapters; one for each period of active conflict involving the United States Military, beginning with the Civil War and traveling through The Indian Campaigns, the Wars of American Expansion (Korea and China in 1871 & 1900, Latin America 1898-1933 and the Philippines and Samoa 1899-1913, and encapsulating the Spanish-American War), World War I, World War II, and the Cold War (the Wars of Korea and Vietnam).  The final Chapter titled “new Enemies, New Conflicts, covers the Persian Gulf War, The Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.

Each chapter begins with a brief historical overview of its assigned era and sets the stage for the following stories of unreluctant heroism in the face of mortal danger, of men reluctant to call themselves heroes: of such men as Second Lieutenant Edward M. Knox who rushed his cannon ahead of the Union Lines during the 2nd day of fighting during the Battle of Gettysburg; Sergeant Benjamin Crisswell who recovered the body of Lieutenant Hodgson from the banks of The Little Big Horn River; Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson who guided the USS Merrimac into Santiago Harbor under heavy Spanish fire before He and his crew were captured and held as prisoners of war; Marine Gunnery Sergeant Earnest A. Janson who received two Medals of Honor under two different names; Major John Jerstad who volunteered for the Ploieşti raid even though he had flown enough missions to be eligible to return home; Private First Class Joseph R Ouellette who braved enemy fire to retrieve ammunition; Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez, Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines who was killed in the fight to retake Hue; Master-at-Arms Michael A. Monsoor and Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis who both jumped on grenades to save the lives of their fellow soldiers; and Lieutenant Michael Murphy who was killed trying to save his fellow SEALs while fighting in Afghanistan.  These are but a few of the deeds of heroism featured in “The Medal of Honor.”

The Medal is often awarded posthumously, and those who have lived to wear it say it is much harder to wear than to earn.

In a final tribute to those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, “The Medal of Honor: A History of Service Above and Beyond,” concludes with a Register of the Recipients of the Medal of Honor from 1861 to June 2014.

The Editors of Boston Publishing Company and Zenith Press have produced an impressive book. “The Medal of Honor” is contains 70 color and 218 black and white photographs and illustrations.  It is a book that they should be justifiably proud of authoring and publishing.

ISBN 978-0760346242, Zenith Press; New Edition, © 2014, Hardcover, 11.2 x 9.5 x 1 inches, 304 pages, Maps, Photographs & Illustrations, Appendix: Register of Recipients, Bibliography, Photo Credits & Index. $40.00.  To purchase this book click HERE.

XXXVIIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, May 19.

SENATE. – Memorials from the merchants of New York and Philadelphia, asking for a general bankrupt law, were presented.

Mr. Grimes offered a resolution that the Secretary of War report to the Senate the names of the persons appointed to the staffs of the different officers, where now employed on the staff, of what officer and by whose recommendation appointed.  Adopted.

Mr. Grimes introduced a bill for the relief of Robt. Small and others, (colored,) who recently delivered the rebel vessel Planter to Com. Dupont’s squadron.

The bill provides that the Planter, with all the cargo, appurtenances, &c, be appraised by a competent board of officers and that one-half the value thereof shall go to Rob’t Small, and his associates who assisted in the rescue of the Planter, with the provision that the Secretary of the Navy may invest the same in United States stocks.  The interest to be paid to Small and his associates, or heirs.  The bill was taken up and passed.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., called up the resolution providing for the presentation of medals of honor to men who distinguishes themselves in battle. Passed.

Mr. Davis offered an amendment to the 3d section, which disqualifies persons guilty of offences named in the bill, such persons also forfeit all claims to citizenship.  Rejected – 12 against 26.

Mr. Powell moved to strike out the 11th section, which authorizes the President to employ and organize persons of African descent, as he may deem necessary, to suppress the rebellion.  Rejected – 11 against 25.

Mr. Henderson moved to strike out the first section and insert as a substitute, that any person hereafter convicted of treason shall suffer death or imprisonment, and forfeit all property during life.

The Confiscation bill was taken up, and Mr. Sumner proceeded to speak at length in favor of the principle of confiscation and emancipation of the slaves of rebels and urging the adoption of his substitute.

HOUSE. – Mr. Bingham, from the special committee of the House, reported articles of impeachment against West H. Humphreys, judge of the District Court of the United States for the several districts of Tennessee.  There are several separate charges in the name of the people of the United States, involving gross neglect of official duty, violation of the laws, endeavoring to excite revolt and rebellion, publishing the ordinance of secession of Tennessee, endeavoring to absolve the people from their allegiance, combining with Jeff. Davis and other evil minded persons to overthrow the authority of the United States, &c.; and demanding that Humphreys may be put to answer the high crimes and misdemeanors charged against him; and that proceedings be taken for his examination and trial, as may be agreeable to law and justice.  The report was agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Bingham a resolution was adopted appointing five managers to conduct the impeachment, and that the Senate be acquainted with the action of the House, with the view of concurrent action.  The House then went into committee of the whole, Washburn in the chair, and took up the navy appropriation bill.  Mr. Hutchins advocated the bill heretofore introduce by him, to equalized and reduce the various incongruous rates of postage.  He advocated two cents postage, the money order system, and the abolition of the franking privilege.

Mr. Richardson spoke against legislation, which discouraged Union sentiment, while the effort was making to place the negro on an equality with the whites.

Various minor amendments were discussed and adopted.  $48,000 was appropriated for rent and expenses of the Naval Academy at Newport.  The bill was finally reported to the House and passed.

Adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

Voltaire P. Twombly

VOLTAIRE P. TWOMBLY is a name that will ever stand prominent on the "roll of honor" among the heroic young soldiers of Iowa who, in the War of the Rebellion, brought imperishable renown to the "Hawkeye State." Mr. Twombly was born near Farmington, Van Buren County, on the 21st of February, 1842, and received his education in the common schools, finally taking a course in a commercial college at Burlington in 1865. As a boy of nineteen he enlisted under the first call for volunteers, after the firing on Fort Sumter and was mustered into the United States service as a private in Company F, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, on the 27th of May, 1861. October, 1861, young Twombly was promoted to seventh corporal and detailed as color bearer. At the Battle of Fort Donelson, the first great Union victory, the Second Iowa was pronounced by Major General Halleck, to have "proved itself the bravest of the brave," and had the honor of leading the column which first entered Fort Donelson. In one of the most brilliant charges of the war the Second Iowa swept everything before its resistless charge, losing forty killed and one hundred sixty wounded. As the storm of shot and shell rained on the advancing column, Sergeant H. B. Doolittle who was bearing aloft the colors, fell pierced with three bullets; Corporal G. S. Page caught up the flag and soon fell shot through the head; Corporal J. H. Churcher seized the trailing banner and bore it forward but he was shot through his arm; Corporal H. E. Weaver sprang forward and held aloft the stars and stripes, but soon fell mortally wounded; then Corporal J. W. Robinson, without a moment's hesitation seized the fatal flag and waved defiance to the enemy, when he too was shot down; then Corporal Twombly caught it up and on swept the invincible Iowa regiment through a deadly storm of missiles, never stopping to fire a shot, when down went the flag again, as its youthful bearer was prostrated by a partially spent ball; the next moment he was on his feet bearing aloft the colors, as with a mighty rush the regiment mounted the enemy's earthworks and fired its first volley into the ranks of the terrified and panic stricken enemy. The day was won, and the "unconditional surrender" came the next day. Twombly was promoted to lieutenant for his heroic conduct on the bloody field of Donelson, having carried the colors in the terrible Battle of Shiloh. At Corinth he was severely wounded and again at Jonesboro, in August, 1864. In June he was promoted to adjutant of the regiment and in November he became captain of Company K and in 1865 was acting Inspector General in the Fifteenth Army Corps. He was in Sherman's "march to the sea" and was at the final surrender of the Confederate army under General Joseph E. Johnston, which substantially ended the war. He was at the "Grand Review" of the Union armies at Washington, D. C, on the 24th of May, 1865, and was mustered out on the 12th of July, 1865. In 1880 he was elected treasurer of Van Buren County and at the close of his second term was nominated by the Republican State Convention for State Treasurer and elected, serving by reeleetions, three terms, to 1891.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume 4: Iowa Biography, p. 270-1

First Session - 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, May 16. – SENATE – Mr. TRUMBULL moved to strike out the 1st section which he said was merely to lighten the punishment of treason and was unconstitutional.  He contended that this was not a confiscation bill at all. – He claimed that Congress had the power to take the property of a rebel and his life in war, but cannot bring him into court and take his property and life , under the Constitution, which provided against attainder and the taking of the property of the traitor from his heirs – yet the first section proposes as a punishment for treason to take the property of the rebels forever.

After further discussion,

Mr. DAVIS moved to amend the first section by striking out all the clauses freeing the slaves and to add a provision for the imprisonment at hard labor for not less than five nor more than twenty years.

Mr. DAVIS said he had no objection to the confiscation of slaves, if they were treated like other property, and the proceeds put into the Treasury.

Mr. CLARKE asked if Congress could allow a horse to go free if it were confiscated.

Mr. DAVIS thought not.  He thought it the duty of the Commissioners to appropriate property or use it.  He (Davis) said that the legal definition of forfeiture implied that you must take the property and use it.

After further discussion, Mr. Davis’ amendment was rejected, ayes 7, nays 31.

The question then recurred on Mr. Trumbull’s motion to strike out the first section.

Mr. LANE, of Kansas, thought it would be better to offer the original as a substitute, and not attempt to resuscitate the bill.  He (Lane,) was in favor of the original bill but if the Senate was determined to have this bill, he wanted to take it as it was.  Mr. Trumbull’s amendment was rejected, ayes 10, nays 29.

Mr. HOWARD moved to strike out the second section, which provides for the forfeiture of property and the freedom of the slaves of those who incite, engage in, or aid in the insurrection against the United States.

He spoke at some length against this section of the bill as simply mitigating the punishment of treason.  The second section was amended by inserting by imprisonment not exceeding ten years also as to make it forfeiture and imprisonment, both at the discretion of the court.

Mr. HOWARD’S amendment was rejected, 33 against 5.

Mr. SUMNER offered a substitute for the bill, which was ordered printed.

Executive session.  Adjourned till Monday.

HOUSE. – BEN WOOD had leave granted to print a speech, in which he anathematized Abolitionists, saving their chief desire is to continue the war to emancipation, while an honorable peace was within their grasp.

Private bills were then considered.

Adjourned till Monday.

WASHINGTON, May 19. – HOUSE. – Mr. BINGHAM, from the Special Committee of the House reported articles of impeachment against West H. Humphreys, Judge of the District court of the United States for the several Districts of Tennessee.  There are several separate charges in the name of the people of the United States, including gross neglect of official duty, violation of the laws, endeavoring to excite revolt and rebellion, publishing the ordinance of secession of Tennessee to absolve the people of the State from their allegiance to the United States, combining with Jeff Davis and other evil minded persons to overthrow the authority of the United States &c. and demanding that Humphreys may be put on trial to answer to the high crimes and misdemeanors charged against him and that proceedings be taken for his examination and trial as may be agreeable to law and justice. – The report was agreed to.

On motion of Mr. BINGHAM a resolution was adopted appointing five managers to conduct the impeachments and that the Senate be acquainted with the action of the House with the view of the concurrent action.

The House then went into Committee of the Whole, Washburne in the Chair, and took up the Navy Appropriation Bill.

Mr. HUTCHINS advocated the bill heretofore introduced by him to equalize and reduce the present various incongruous rates of the age.  He advocated low postage, the money order system and the abrogation of the franking privilege.

The Confiscation bill was taken up and Mr. SUMNER proceeded to speak at length in favor of the principle of confiscation and emancipation of the slaves of rebels and urging the adoption of his substitute for the bill.

Mr. RICHARDSON spoke against legislation which discourages Union Sentiment, while the effect was making to place the negro on an equality with the whites.

SENATE. – Memorials from the merchants of New York and Philadelphia asking for a general bankrupt law were presented.

Mr. GRIMES offered a resolution that the Secretary of War report to the Senate the names of persons appointed to the staffs of the different officers, where now employed, on the staff of what officers and by whose recommendation appointed.  Adopted.

Mr. GRIMES introduced a bill for the relief of rebel slaves and others, colored, who recently delivered the rebel vessel, Planter, to Commodore Dupont.

The bill provides that the Planter, with all the crop appurtenances &c., be appraised by a competent board of officers, and that one half the value thereof shall go to Robert Small[s] and his associates who assisted in the rescue of the Planter, with the provision that the Secretary of the Navy may invest in United States stocks.  Interest to be paid to Small or his heirs.  He bill was taken up and passed.

Mr. WILSON of Massachusetts called up the resolution providing for the presentation of medals of honor to enlisted men who distinguished themselves in battle.  Passed.

WASHINGTON, May 19. – HOUSE. – Various new amendments were discussed and adopted.

Forty eight thousand dollars for rent and expenses of the Naval Academy at Newport.

The bill was finally reported to the House and passed.  It appropriates about $38,000,000.

Adjourned.

SENATE. – Mr. DAVIS offered amendment to the 3d section which disqualified persons guilty of offenses named in the bill, that such persons also forfeit all claims to citizenship.  Rejected, 8 against 28.

Mr. DAVIS offered another amendment providing that all property forfeited by the bill shall be bound by all debts to loyal persons.  Rejected 12 against 26.

Mr. POWELL moved to strike out the 11th section, which authorized the President to employ and organize persons of African descent as he may deem necessary to suppress the rebellion.  Rejected, 12 against 25.

Mr. HENDERSON moved to strike out the 1st section and insert as a substitute, that any person hereafter convicted of treason shall suffer death or punishment and forfeit all property during life.

WASHINGTON, May 20. – SENATE. Messrs. HARRIS and KING presented petitions from merchants of New York for a general Bankrupt Act.

Mr. WADE presented petitions for an efficient Confiscation Act.

Mr. SUMNER gave notice that he should to-morrow call up the resolution for the expulsion of the Senator from Oregon (Starke).

Mr. McDOOGAL [sic] moved to take up the Pacific Railroad bill.

The Pacific Railroad bill was taken up, by yeas 23, nays 16.  But before the ready was finished the morning hour expired and the confiscation bill was taken up.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky proceeded to speak at length upon it.

HOUSE. – Mr. BLAKE reported from the committee on Post Offices a bill to establish certain post route and bridge partly constructed across the Ohio River abutting on the Virginia shore to be a lawful structure, a public highway, and establishes a post route for the purpose of transmitting the mails, and that the Steubenville and Indiana railroad Company and the Holiday Cave Railroad Company them, or either of them, are to have maintained and open said bridge, when completed.  Draws are to be provided for the passage of boats.

Mr. BLAKE said the bridge would not materially interfere with the navigation of the Ohio River.  The bill was then passed.

Mr. COLFAX, from the Post Office Committee, reported back the Senate bill, providing that no person by reason of color shall be disqualified from carrying the mails, with the recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. COLFAX said that not a single person of any color, from any State, had ever petitioned for this repeal.  No postmaster General had ever recommended it.  No public opinion demanded it.  It could not only allow negroes to be mail contractors, and therefore officers of the Government but Indians and Chinese also.  It would impair the security of the mails for in some States blacks, Indians and Chinese are not allowed to testify against whites, and if robbed while in their lands we could not procure legal testimony as now against the robbers and mail carriers.  It would also release holding contractors for the employment of slaves as mail carriers for them instead of whites, whom they are now compelled to employ.  And money would thus be paid out of our post office treasury, for the labor of slaves which is now impossible.  And as this bill could not even indirectly aid in crushing out the rebellion, which he thought the main duty of Congress, or crippling the power which sustains this treasury.

A large majority of the Post Office Committee concurred with him in recommending that it do not pass.

Mr. DAWES referring to an objection stated by Mr. Colfax, inquired by way of an answer whether the latter supposed mail depredations were tried in State or United States Courts, and whether he, himself, did not assist in making the laws.

Mr. COLFAX replied that not being a lawyer he could not fully understand the matter, but he understood that in such cases, the Federal court was governed by the rules of the State in which the trials took place.

Mr. WICKLIFFE approved of the decision of the Committee.  He had been informed that this bill had been introduced into the Senate to remove the disability of distinguished men.  If the negroes were to be made aliens, we had better carry out the whole programme and in addition to making them soldiers and sailors, we had better throw open the door here and admit them as members of Congress.

Mr. COLFAX moved to lay the bill on the table, but the hour fixed for the consideration of the confiscation bill having arrived, the vote goes over until to-morrow.

Mr. ELLIOT, Chairman of the Select committee, who reported the Confiscation bills, said the war originated in the rebel States, and is carried on by rebel citizens against the Government of the United States.  This is precisely the character of the war.  Appropriate legislation may soon be demanded concerning the Rebel States.  These bills concern the property not the per[sons] of the Rebels and Congress may make the property of the Rebels aid in paying the expenses incurred in crushing the rebellion.  The lands owned by the Rebels are used for carrying on the war and their unwilling slaves are made to toil that our Government may be overthrown.  Their lands and slaves are made instruments for carrying on the war.  Deprive them of these and the war must come to an end and our immense debt balked of increase.

The rebels owe $30,000,000.  Every dollar of that debt has been confiscated by their Government – repudiated by rebel debtors to whose honor the constituents  of the gentleman trusted.  He repeated that as slaves are being used by the traitors they should be confiscated.  As the pending bills proposed, these were as much enemy’s property as if they owed allegiance to a foreign power.

Mr. ELLIOTT supported his remarks by legal arguments.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4