Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Sunday Morning, September 15, 1861

Bright and beautiful. Three Comps. arrived this morning making out Regt. complete Each Cap. drew co. letter this morning by lotery out [sic; possibily our] Capt. drew letter C. Situation of each Co. has been changed a little to conform with the lettering Dress Parade this evening Our new Chaplain introduced.¹

_______________

¹See Eddy, The Patriotism of Illinois, II., pp. 53-54. The 27th Illinois was raised for the most part in the counties of Adams, Scott, Pike, Madison, Jersey, Mason, Macoupin, Mercer, Jackson, Henry and Morgan. Eddy states that it was mustered into service at Camp Butler on the 10th of August, 1861. Some of the officers who will be mentioned in this diary are: Colonel, N. B. Buford; Lieutenant-Colonel, F. A. Harrington; Adjutant, Henry A. Rust; Quartermaster, David B. Sears; Chaplain, S. Young McMasters; Captain W. A. Schmitt of Company A; Captain Jonathan R. Miles of Company F, who later becomes Colonel of the regiment. The officers of Company C, of which our diarist was a member, at this time were: Captain, Lemuel Parke; 1st Lieutenant, Lyman G. Allen; 2nd Lieutenant, Laommi F. Williams.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 226

Edwin M. Stanton to Napoleon B. Buford, September 26, 1863 – 2:10 p.m.

WAR DEPARTMENT,         

Washington City, September 26, 1863 — 2.10 p.m.

General BUFORD,

Commanding at Cairo:

I am informed that there are at Cairo 44 box and flat cars, 5-foot gauge. I want them at Louisville. Can you send them up immediately to be put on the road to Nashville? If it be possible, do so with the utmost speed, and report.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 30, Part 3 (Serial No. 52), p. 871

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: May 11, 1862

Corinth and Hamburg Road, Miss., May 11, 1862.

You remember that in my last I spoke of a reconnoisance our people made on the 8th inst. On the 9th Beauregard returned it with interest, driving our advance back some two miles and almost scaring this wing of the Eagle. He appeared on our left flank, where I think Pope thought it impossible for him to reach, and drove Paine's division from the front like a drove of sheep. Tis said that a charge made by the 2d Iowa Cavalry was the salvation of both of Paine's brigades. The charge, if we hear correctly, was one of the most gallant things of the war. One of our battalions was out yesterday examining our left to see if the Rebels were still there. They found no signs of them, but on their return to camp were fired into by some of General Buford's artillery, and one man killed by a 6-pound solid shot from Company A. There is almost incessant firing along the front but too light and scattering to forbode an immediate fight of itself, although 'twould surprise no one to hear of the dance commencing at any hour. Corinth is a tremendously strong place, very difficult to approach, and holding a force that our officers think much superior to our own. This is kept from the army, though I don't think now that we have more than 80,000 fighting men here. They must have over 100,000, and this conscription act is pouring in reinforcements to them by thousands. But, notwithstanding this, I think the superior discipline of our men will give us a victory when the fight does come. The strongest evidence that I see of Halleck's weakness is his delaying the battle so long We are in distance to strike any day; roads splendid, army in better condition every day than it will be the next day, weather becoming too hot for men to endure much longer, and yet we wait. What for, I don't know, unless 'tis for reinforcements. They say Curtis and Siegel are coming. I hope they'll get here to-night and finish the thing up to-morrow. The weather is taking the vim out of the men remarkably. To-day there is a good stray breeze, and yet a man can hardly get enough of the rarified stuff they call air here to fill his lungs. Plenty of chestnuts in this country. Plenty of hills and plenty of woods but a great scarcity of about everything else. There is no more soil on the earth here than you'll find on any Illinois school house floor, and 'tis a question which would grow the best crops.

The colonel is anxious to have the regiment in the battle when it comes off, while your brother thinks if they can do the work without us he won't be at all angry. I like skirmishing pretty well but am dubious about the fun showing itself so strongly in a battle. I guess I had a dozen shots thrown at me individually on the 8th at from 100 to 450 yards, and I got my return shot nearly every time and some extra ones, but rather think they all got off as well as I did. The carbines are not very correct shooters, and your brother is a ditto, so I have the satisfaction of knowing that I haven’t killed anybody yet.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 88-9

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, April 2, 1862.

Mrs Browning and Emma went this morning to Mount Vernon, with a party from the Presidents

*I was in the Senate all day At night I went up to the Presidents and had a talk with him about Genl McClelland whose loyalty is beginning to be questioned in some quarters I asked him if he still had confidence in McClellands fidelity. He assured me he had, and that he had never had any reason to doubt it. That he had now gone to Fortress Monroe with his Command, with orders to move on Richmond without delay, and that only on yesterday when McClelland came to take leave of him preparatory to marching, he shed tears when speaking of the cruel imputations upon his loyalty, and defending himself against them The President added that Genl Scott, and all the leading military men around him, had always assured him that McClelland possessed a very high order of military talent, and that he did not think they could all be mistaken — yet he was not fully satisfied with his conduct of the war — that he was not sufficiently energetic and aggressive in his measures — that he had studied McClelland and taken his measure as well as he could — that he thought he had the capacity to make arrangements properly for a great conflict, but as the hour for action approached he became nervous and oppressed with the responsibility and hesitated to meet the crisis, but that he had given him peremptory orders to move now, and he must do it.  *Whilst we were in conversation Secretary Stanton came in.

Supposing he had private business I proposed to leave, but both he and the President insisted that I should remain, and I did so. Stanton then commenced a conversation about McClelland, saying that there was a very general distrust of his loyalty growing up in the Country. He then took from his pocket a letter, which he said he had just received from one of the first men of the Nation, who was known to both the President and myself, but whose name he would not mention, and read from it a passage stating that McClelland some time in 1860 had been  initiated as a Knight of the Golden Circle by Jeff Davis — that Davis still had great power and influence over him, and that he would do nothing against the rebels which would be inconsistent with his obligations as a Knight of the golden Circle, and that disaster would come upon us as long as he was continued in the Command. Stanton added that he did not believe these* imputations of disloyalty, but they were believed extensively and did us injury¹ When we left the President Stanton took me in his carriage and brought me home. As we rode down the Avenue he expressed the opinion that McClelland ought to have been removed long ago, and a fear that he was not in earnest, and said that he did not think he could emancipate himself from the influence of Jeff Davis, and feared he was not willing to do any thing calculated greatly to damage the cause of secession, *and that if I would propose to the President to appoint Col N B Buford of Illinois, a Majr Genl. and give him the Command of the army here he would second my application.

He said that when McDowell was appointed he was greatly dissatisfied — thought him unfit for the place, and when he lost the battle of Bull Run he denounced him fiercely; but since he became Secy of War, and had had much official communication with McDowell, and heard his explanations of the battle of Bull Run he was satisfied he had done him injustice, and with shame

for having said it, he took back all he had said That he was now satisfied that he was an able officer, more able than any on the Potomac, and an earnest, gallant man intent upon doing his duty &^c.

__________

¹ From various sources suggestions may be derived connecting McClellan with the treasonable organization known as the "Knights of the Golden Circle." In the diary of Edward Bates, under date of October 28, 1864, there is inserted a pamphlet entitled "General McClellan's Record: His Sympathy with the South — Read for Yourselves." This pamphlet consists of twelve pages and is made up of communications from various parties denouncing McClellan as a traitor and comparing him with Benedict Arnold. Says a correspondent of the Cincinnati Times, October 20, 1864: "It is rumored that McClellan is known to be a member of the . . . Knights of the Golden Circle and that after due deliberation by that order they decided that Mac should fight for the South on free soil, that Mac said he never intended to order an engagement . . . that Mac received Rebel letters during the engagement at Antietam and was in Lee's lines," etc. On the same date Bates pastes in his diary a newspaper clipping which is evidently taken from the Cincinnati Times. It is a communication to "Mr. Editor," signed by Edgar Conkling and dated Cincinnati, October 24, 1864. The writer mentions the "conclusive testimony . . . of General McClellan's treason," and demands a full publication of the facts in order to defeat the "election of the traitor to the Presidency." Bates writes this comment in the margin: "These fierce denunciations do no good, but great harm. McClellan has faults enough, both negative and affirmative, and his party is in the same condition. These charges of treachery and treason, not well established by proof, do but take off the edge from other accusations which cannot be defended, thus discrediting the best-founded objections against him, and exciting a popular sympathy for him as a persecuted man." It should be added that membership in the Knights of the Golden Circle, if such membership antedated the Civil War, would not necessarily imply treason. A convention of the "Knights," held at Raleigh, N. C, in May, 1860, issued an Address to Citizens of the Southern States, which shows that the order originated at Lexington, Ky., July 4, 1854, and that its early purpose was to combat emigrant aid societies and similar abolition activities, to anticipate the North in the settlement of Mexico, and to acquire that country for the purpose of increasing the area of the South which otherwise could no longer hope to obtain beneficial laws through Congress. For the privilege of examining the diary of Edward Bates in manuscript the editors are indebted to the courtesy of Miss Helen Nicolay, of Washington, D. C. The Address to Citizens of the Southern States, issued by order of a convention of the Knights of the Golden Circle, Raleigh, N. C, May 7-11, 1860, is to be found among the broadsides in the Manuscripts Division of the Library of Congress, Washington.

SOURCE: Theodore Calvin Pease, editor, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning: Volume 1, 1850-1864, p. 537-9

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, April 4. – HOUSE. – The House went into Committee of the Whole on the States of the Union, Mr. Webster in the Chair.

On motion of Mr. STEVENS, the bill to establish a branch Mint at Denver, in Colorado Territory, was taken up, and debate limited to five minute speeches.

Mr. VALLANDIGHAM said an allusion had been made in the Senate recently, to a Democratic conference held last week.  As to what took place there, he had no right to speak, but the injunction of secrecy did not apply to the call – which was in these words:

Democratic Conference. – We, the undersigned, members of the Democratic party, of the United States, determined to adhere to its ancient principles, and maintain its organization unbroken under all circumstances, as the party able to maintain the Constitution, to restore the old Union of the Sates, do hereby united in this call for a conference of all who may sign the same approving the objects indicated.

This call was signed by some thirty-five members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Mr. STEVENS asked who signed it.

Mr. VALLANDIGHAM &c.  He continued, all of them are able to read and right.  No one made his mark.  If this did not refer to a political organization, he was not capable of understanding language.  The movement thus commenced would go on, and it was the determination of some that the organization should be completed.  Beyond this he was not able to speak.  His name was appended to the call.

The Committee rose and the bill for the branch Mint ad Denver passed.

The House went into committee of the whole.

Mr. BEAMAN expressed his views in favor of establishing Territorial Governments in the so-called Confederate States.

The committee rose and the House adjourned till Monday.

Several bills relating to the District of Columbia, were passed, and after Executive session the Senate adjourned till Monday.

WASHINGTON, April 8. – HOUSE. – Mr. VALLANDIGHAM offered a resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, proposing with the consent of the Senate to adjourn on the third Monday in May.

Mr. ARNOLD read a dispatch from Com. Foote to Secretary Wells, dated Island Nol. 10, saying that two officers of the rebel Navy from Island 10, boarded the Benton yesterday, offering to surrender the Island.  The dispatch was received with rounds of applause.

The House resumed the consideration of the amendments to the tax bill.  Among other amendments concurred in, are the following:

Every person owning a dog to pay a tax of one dollar; pleasure or racing vessels, under the value of six hundred dollars, shall pay a tax of five dollars, when not exceeding one thousand dollars in value, ten dollars, and for every thousand dollars additional, ten dollars; organs and melodeons kept for use [or on] sale, according to value, from 60 cents to $6.  All dividends in scrip or money or sums of money hereafter held due or payable to the stockholders of any railroad company, as part of the earnings, profits or gain of said companies, shall be subject to pay a duty of 3 per cent on the amount of all such interest or coupons or dividends, whenever the same shall be paid.

Duties of dividends of life insurance shall not be deemed due until such dividends shall be payable by such companies, banks, trust companies or savings institutions.

Insurance companies are authorized and required to deduct and withhold from all payments made to any persons or parties on account of any dividends or sums of money that may be due and payable as aforesaid from the 1st of May next, the said debt or sum of 3 per cent.

Foreign bills of exchange or of credit drawn in, but payable out of the United Sates, if drawn singly, or if drawn in sets of more than one according to the custom of merchants and bankers.  For every bill of exchanged State or drawn on any Foreign country, but payable to the United States, where the sum made payable shall not exceed five hundred dollars, or the equivalent thereof, in any foreign currency, in which such bills may be exposed according to the standard value fixed by the United States, shall pay a stamp duty of five cents; the manifest of a part of a cargo of any vessel or custom of clearance shall pay a duty of twenty-five cents; a manifest in the custom house entry or clearance of the cargo of any ship, vessel or steamer, if the registered tonnage does not exceed three hundred, shall pay a duty of $1; upon every protest of every note, bill of exchange, acceptance, check or draft, in any marine paper, whether protected protested by notary public or any other officer who may be authorized by the law of any State to make such protest, there shall be paid a duty of 25 cents.

The proceedings were agreeably interrupted by Mr. COLFAX sending up to the clerk’s desk to be read:

______ Landing, Tenn., April 8, 8 p. m.

To Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

The enemy evacuated Island No. 10 last night.  It is occupied by Col. Buford of the 27th Illinois regiment.  Gen. Pope will capture all that remains on the high lands to-day.  The movement on the rear has done this work.

(Signed.)

THOMAS A. SCOTT.

This was received with loud applause and cries of good.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Surrender of the Rebels at Island No. 10!

CHICAGO, April 8, P. M. – Island No. 10 surrendered last night to Com. Foote.  No Particulars yet.

CAIRO, April 8. – The Steamer Alps has just arrived from below with the cheering announcement that Island No. 10 is ours.  It was surrendered at midnight last night to Com. Foote, and Col. Buford’s forces now occupy it.  The rebels’ guns, transports, stores and provisions on and around the Island are in our possession. – The number of prisoners and guns taken is not yet ascertained.

Nothing from the Tennessee river, but news of a battle at Corinth is now anxiously looked for.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Report of Com. Foote

WASHINGTON, April 9. – The following was received at the Navy Department, this morning:

“Flag Ship BENTON, Island No. 10,

April 8, 1862.

“To Hon. G. Wells [sic] Sec’y of Navy

“I have to inform the Department that since I sent the telegram last night, announcing the surrender to me, of Island No. 10, possession has been taken both of the Island and the works upon the Tennessee shore, by the Gunboats and the troops under command of General Buford. – Seventeen officers & 368 privates, besides on hundred of their sick, and one hundred men employed on board the transports, are in our hands unconditional prisoners of war.

I have caused a hasty examination to be made of the forts, batteries and munitions of war captured.  There are 11 earth works, with 70 heavy cannon, varying in caliber from 32 to 100-pounders, rifled.  Their magazines are well supplied with powder, and there are large quantities of shot and shell and other munitions of war and also great quantities of provisions, four steamers afloat, have fallen into our hands and two others, with the rebel gunboat “Grampus,” are sunk, but will be easily raised.  The floating battery of 16 heavy guns, turned adrift by the rebels, is said to by lying on the Missouri shore, near New Madrid.

The enemy upon the main land appear to have fled with great precipitation, after night, leaving many instances, half prepared messes, in their quarters, and there seems to have been no concert of action between the rebels upon the Island and those occupying the shore, but the latter fled, leaving the former to their fate.

These works, erected with the highest engineering skill are of great strength, and with the natural advantages would have been impregnable if defended by men fighting in a better cause.

A combined attack of the naval and land forces would have taken place this p. m., or to-morrow morning, had not the rebels so hastily abandoned their stronghold to mature the plans of attack, which absolutely required 23 days of preparation.

Gen. Pope is momentarily expected to arrive with his army at this point, he having successfully crossed the river yesterday under a heavy fire, which no doubt led to the hasty abandonment of the works.

I am unofficially informed that the two gunboats which so gallantly ran the fire of the rebel batteries a few nights since, yesterday attacked and reduced a part of the works opposite, dismounting eight heavy guns.

The following is a copy of an order of Gen. McCall on assuming command of the Rebel forces on the 11th inst.

Soldiers:  We are strangers, Commander and commanded, each to the other.  Let me tell you who I am.  I am a General made by Beauregard.  A General selected by Beauregard and Bragg for this command when they knew it was in peril.  They have known me for twenty years.  We have stood together on the fields of Mexico.  Give me then, your confidence.  Soldiers, the Mississippi Valley is entrusted to your care.  Exhibit the vigilance and coolness of last night and hold it.

(Signed.)

W. D. McCALL,

Brig. Gen. Commanding.

I regret that the painful condition of my feet, still requiring the use of crutches, prevented me from making a personal examination of the works.  I was therefore compelled to delegate Lieutenant Commanding Phelps of the Flag Ship Benton.

(Signed.)

A. H. FOOTE,

Flag Officer Commanding.

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

From Cairo

CAIRO, April 1. – The rebel camp at Union City has fallen into our hands.

Col. Buford with 1800 men, composed of the 27th Illinois, a detachment of the 2nd Illinois cavalry, and part of the 15th Wisconsin proceeded to Hickman by transports and thence to Union City, where they fell upon the rebel camp yesterday, and completely routed the enemy.  They destroyed all his tents, camp equipage, stores, &c., and brought off one hundred prisoners and one hundred and fifty horses.  The rebels are supposed to have numbered two thousand, and were under command of the notorious H. Clay King.  Their loss is stated at 20 killed.  Our transports on their return to Island No. 10, had rebel flags flying under the Union flags.

There was very heavy firing yesterday, at Island No. 10.  It is supposed our gunboats are at work in earnest.

The weather is clear and war.  River Falling.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

Tornado at Cairo

(Special to Chicago Evening Journal.)

CAIRO, April 2. – The most terrific tornado that has visited this locality for several years, came upon us at 3 o’clock, this morning.  The storm came up from the south, wind, rain, hail, thunder and lightning.

Nearly all the transports, barges, steam tugs and floating property were torn from their moorings on the Ohio levee, and blown across the river.  The slate roof on the St. Charlet [sic] Hotel was scattered over the town.

Several rods of barracks were leveled with the ground, but happily they were not tenanted, or the loss of life would have been terrible.

The Cairo and Columbus wharf boat lays high and dry on the Kentucky shore opposite here.

The steamer Illinois had both her chimneys and upper cabins torn away in the falling of which four or five lives were lost.

Capt. Carroll of the steamer Sallie had his leg broken, and several others were badly injured.  Several barges which had been carried over and were being used for store houses broke loose and floated down the river.

The large piles of Government lumber on the Ohio levee were blown into the river.

The wooden barracks at Bird’s Point caught the gale about midship and caved in largely, also Ft. Holt.  No loss of life at either of the last two points.

Much anxiety is felt for our fleet down at Island No. 10.

We have no news to-day from below, except that the gun-boats and mortars are firing semi-occasionally and the rebels reply just when they please.

Buford’s capture at Union City amounted to seven prisoners and about forty horses, and mules instead of 100 prisoners and 500 horses as before telegraphed.

The water soaking through the levee in Cairo raised five inches last night and is still rising. – Both the steam pumps are working, however – The stench increases and is becoming intolerable, and much sickness must follow this flood.

Many gentlemen tell me that over 200 distinct different odors were ascertained to exist yesterday, several wards yet to hear from and classify.

The coal oil and turpentine trade on the Cumberland river has nearly ceased, of course owing to high water.

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

Cairo Budget

CHICAGO, March 25, FROM CAIRO 24. – The Steamer Pollard just arrived from Island No. 10 with intelligence from the flotilla up to 8 o’clock Sunday evening.  The same old story – matters remain in statu quo.

Saturday night the gun-boat Mound City exchanged shots with the main land battery with considerable effect.  An officer of the Mound City tells me that with a glass he counted five men killed at a single shot.  On Sunday morning fired with great certainty but the results were not ascertained owning to the unfavorable condition of the weather.

The expected balloon reconnoisance did not take place.

The Pollard narrowly escaped destruction under charge of a drunken pilot.  She was allowed to float half a mile below where the Mound City was stationed, and was made the recipient of rebel favors in the shape of shot and shell from main land batteries with flew all around her, fortunately without effect.

Col. Buford arrested the captain and mate of the steamer Hall, of Memphis, for treason.  They were ordered to land troops at Hickman, Ky., in the night, but passed by and landed them in day time, they giving the enemy notice of their arrival.

Steamers are searched at Paducah on their way to Tennessee river, and correspondents and others without passes are turned back.

The steamer Thomas just from Savannah landing, in Tennessee river, says large Union forces continue at that point.  8,000 men under Gen. Wallace, on Tuesday visited a camp eight miles from the landing where a large body of the secessionists were reported to be concentrated, arming.  They found the birds had flown.

The rebels were impressing every able bodied man into service, and citizens were fleeing to the forest to avoid impressments.  A strong Union sentiment prevails in that region.

A regiment composed of loyal Tennessee men exclusively, was offered to Gen. Grant.

A resident of Paducah has just returned from New Orleans, which place he left a week ago last Tuesday.  His loyalty being undoubted he was passed to Jackson by the rebel authorities, when he escaped to the Federal lines and reached his home in safety.  He reports that the rebels are constructing at New Orleans thirteen large iron clad gun-boats, one of which is intended for sea service and the rest for river.  The largest is built by Murray and armed with 30 guns.  The projector is confident that with it alone he will be able to drive the Lincoln fleet from the Mississippi.  They are finished by this time and are probably now on their way to Island No. 10.  They are encased with railroad iron and considered invulnerable.

Armed troops are concentrating at Corinth, Miss., where a stand is to be made.

Our re-inforcements are being sent to Decatur.

At Memphis my informant states rebel stores are being removed to a place of safety in event of an attack by Union forces.

But little was known of movements at Island No. 10 outside of military circles.

The superintendent of the Mobil and Ohio Railroad had placed thirteen locomotives and two hundred cars at the disposition of General Polk for the transportation of troops to Corinth.

Beauregard was at Jackson, Tennessee, on Tuesday week.

Gen. Polk’s headquarters were at Lagrange.  Our boys were in high spirits at the report of an advance.

The bridge across Turkey creek on the Ohio and Mobile Railroad, was burned by the Union forces.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

From Island No. 10

ST. LOUIS, March 27. – A special to the Republican dated near Island No. 10, the evening of the 27th, says only 30 shells were thrown by the mortars to-day to which no response was made by the rebels.

This morning Col. Buford sent a reconnoitering party of 20 men of the 27th Illinois ashore.  They arrested three prominent residents who report 2,000 negroes are employed on the Island and at the batteries along the Island and at the batteries along the Kentucky shore; that 65 rebel troops including two Lieutenants and four negroes have been killed by shells; that the upper shore battery is abandoned but the others are being rapidly strengthened; that the enemy is 15,000 strong and that their encampment has been moved entirely out of the range of our guns; the rebels are confident of success and they have a good road to Trenton and other points by which they can retreat whenever they choose – they have plenty of provisions.  The rebel steamers loaded with troops were sent to watch the shore to prevent communication; the number of the enemy’s transports are eleven.

Two balloon ascensions were made by Capt. Steiner but the weather was too thick for favorable observation.

A partly finished gunboat building at Memphis was fire[d] the other night but extinguished before much damage was done.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

From Cairo

CAIRO, Feb. 18. – Gov. Yates, Lieut. Governor Wood, auditor Dubois and many prominent citizens from all parts of Illinois are here to look after the wounded Illinois soldiers from Ft. Donelson.

Gov. Morton and many prominent citizens of Indiana are also here for a like purpose on account of the gallant men of that State who participated in the battle.

A salute of fifteen guns was fired this morning by order of Brig. Gen. E. A. Paine in honor of the arrival at this place of Governor Yates, commander-in-chief of Illinois troops.  It was answered at Bird’s Point at 2 o’clock P. M.

His Excellency held a public reception at the St. Charles Hotel, and all of the officers paid their respects to the Governor.  He was received by Col. Buford and the officers of the 27^th Illinois, and the officers of each regiment came up in a body lead by their several regimental bands.  Col. Beauford [sic] said they came to welcome the man who had so supplied the wants of the Illinois boys and so nobly cared for all the troops he had sent forth to avenge the wrongs and injuries of our country.

Gov. Yates responded briefly but with deep feeling, paying a handsome tribute to the memory of the fallen at Fort Donelson, and congratulating their brethren in arms for the achievement of this late victory of our arms over a traitor foe.

About 7,000 of the rebel prisoners from Fort Donelson have arrived here and departed up the Mississippi river to be disposed of by Gen. Halleck.  The question of what to do with them was discussed among the Commanding officers here last night, and the conclusion seems to be that they will be divided, a portion going to Alton, another portion to Chicago, and probably a third portion going to Fort Wayne and Detroit.

Troops are continually arriving and departing for the seat of war, and our army will soon again be in readiness to advance.

It is believed, that if permitted to do so, very many of the rebel prisoners would gladly take up arms on the side of the Union.  The privates, almost to a man, declare that they have seen quite enough of the secession elephant. – The officers, however, are generally very morose and bitter in their expressions relative to the North.

In addition to the list of killed and wounded previously reported, are the following:

46^th Illinois, Commissary Sergeant Traverse, Killed; Lt. Col. Maltby, ball in the leg; Cornelius Shay, flesh wound in the thigh; Lieut. H. H. Boyce, severely wounded in the hip from a Minnie ball; George P. Appleton, severely wounded in the foot.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

CAIRO, April 8 [1862].

The steamer Alps has just arrived from below with the following announcement:

Island No. Ten is ours.  It was surrendered at midnight last night to Foote and Buford’s forces.  The rebel transports, stores and provisions on and around the Island are in our possession.

The number of prisoners and guns taken is not yet ascertained.

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

WASHINGTON, April 9 [1862].

The following was received at the navy department this morning:

FLAGSHIP BENTON,

ISLAND NO. 10, April 8.

HON. G. WELLES, Secretary of Navy –

I have to inform the department that since I sent the telegram last night announcing the surrender to me of Island No. 10.  Possession has been taken both of the Island and the works upon the Tennessee shore by the gunboats and the troops under command of Col. Buford.  17 officers and 368 privates, besides one hundred of their sick and one hundred men employed on board the transports, are in our hands, unconditional prisoners of war.

I have caused a hasty examination to be made of the forts, batteries and munitions of war captured.  There are 11 earthworks, with 70 heavy cannon, varying in caliber from 35 to 100-pounders, rifled.  The magazines are well supplied with powder, and there are large quantities of shot, shell and other munitions of war; and also great quantities of provisions.  Four steamers afloat have fallen into our hands, and two others, with the rebel gunboat Grampus, are sunk, but will be easily raised.  The floating battery of 16 heavy guns was turned adrift.

The rebels are said to be lying on the Missouri shore below New Madrid.  The enemy upon the main land appear to have fled with great precipitation after dark last night, leaving in many cases half-prepared meals in their quarters, and there seems to have been no concert of action between the main shore, but the latter fled, leaving the former to their fate. – These works erected with the highest engineering skill, are of great strength, and with their natural advantages would have been impregnable if defended by men fighting in a better cause.

A combined attack of naval and land forces would have taken place this P. M. or to-morrow morning, had not the rebels so hastily abandoned this stronghold.  To mature the plans of the attack it absolutely required twenty-three days of preparation.

Gen. Pope is momentarily expected to arrive with his army at this point, he having successfully crossed the river yesterday under a heavy fire, which no doubt led to the hasty abandonment of the works.

I am unofficially informed that the two gunboats which so gallantly ran the fire of the rebel batteries, a few nights since, yesterday attacked and reduced a fort of the enemy opposite, dismounting eight heavy guns.

The following is a copy of the order of Gen. McCall, on assuming command of the rebel forces on the 11^th inst.:

SOLDIERS – We are strangers, commander and commanded, each to the other.  Let me tell you who I am.  I am a General made by Beauregard; a General selected by Beauregard and Bragg for this command when they knew it was in peril.  They have known me for twenty years.  We have stood on the fields of Mexico.  Give them your confidence now; give it to me when I have earned it.  Soldiers, the Mississippi valley is entrusted to your patience; exhibit the vigilance and coolness of last night and hold it.

(Signed.)

W. D. McCALL,

Brig. Gen. Commanding.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 1

Capture of the Rebel Camp at Union City

100 Confederates taken Prisoners

Union City taken by the Federals

CAIRO, April 1.

The rebel camp at Union City has fallen into our hands.  Col. Buford, with 1,800 men, composed of the 27^th Ill., a detachment of the 2^nd Ill. cavalry, and part of the 15^th Wis., proceeded to Hickman by transports from vicinity of Island No. 10, and crossed to Union City, where they fell upon the rebel camp yesterday, and completely routed the enemy without the loss of a man.  They destroyed all the tents, camp equipage, stores, &c., and brought off over 100 prisoners and 150 horses.

The rebels are supposed to have numbered 2,000, and were under command of the notorious Clay King.  Their loss is stated at 20 killed.

Our transports on their return to Island No. 10 had the rebel flags flying under the Union flags.

There was very heavy firing yesterday at Island No. 10.  It is supposed our gunboats are at work in earnest.

Weather warm and clear.  River falling.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 3, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

Special to Chicago Journal.

CAIRO, April 2.

The most terrible tornado that has visited this locality for several years, came upon us at 3 o’clock this morning.  The storm came up from the south, with rain, hail, thunder and lightning.

Nearly all the transports, barges, steam tugs and floating property were torn from their moorings on the Ohio levee, and blown across the river.  The slate roof of the St. Charles Hotel lies scattered over the town.  Several rows of barracks were leveled with the ground, by happily they were untenanted, or the loss of life would have been terrible.

The Cairo and Columbus wharfboat lies high and dry on the Kentucky shore opposite here.  The steamer Illinois had both her chimneys and upper cabins torn away, in the falling of which four or five lives were lost.  Capt. Carroll, of the steamer Sallie Wood, had his leg broken, and several others were badly injured.

Several barges which had been covered broke loose and floated down the river.

The large piles of government lumber on the Ohio levee were blown into the river.  The wooden barracks at Bird’s Point caught the gale about midships and had to cave in largely.  So also Ft. Holt.  No loss of life at either of the last two points.

Much anxiety is felt for our fleet down at Island No. 10.  We have no news to-day from below, except that the gunboats and mortars are firing semi-occasionally, and the rebels reply just when they please.

Buford’s capture at Union City amounted to seven prisoners and about forty horses and mules, instead of 100 prisoners and 150 horses, as before telegraphed.

The water soaking through the levee in Cairo rose five inches last night, and is still rising.  Both steam pumps are working however.

The stench in Cairo is intolerable, and much sickness must follow this flood.  Medical gentlemen tell me that over two hundred distinct and separate odors were ascertained to exist yesterday, with several wards to hear from and classify.

The coal oil and turpentine leads on the Cumberland river, have nearly ceased, owing, of course to the high water.

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

Lieut. Col. Ransom has been appointed Colonel of the 11^th regiment to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Col Wallace to a Brigadiership.

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

Brig. Gen. John Cook, of the 7^th regiment, is here en route for the theater of operations in Tennessee.  It is a very singular fact that those who have resigned are invariably those who have escaped unharmed, while the wounded ones are invariably returning to their duties.  Comment is unnecessary.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 3, 1862, p. 1

From Island No. 10

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, March 27.

An agent who arrived on the Conestoga this morning with intelligence from Island No. 10 up to two o’clock Wednesday p.m., reports as follows:  Col. Buford sent a force to make a reconnaissance of the Kentucky shore on Wednesday night, which succeeded in capturing six prisoners belonging to a Tennessee cavalry force.  They report the strength of the enemy near Island No. 10 at 15,000.  Gen. Bragg is in command.  1,500 reached it, having come from Humboldt to a point on railroad only fifteen miles distant.  Still larger reinforcements were expected by the same route last night.  Measures have been taken to intercept this means of communication.

Capt. Stanford of the mortar fleet succeeded in landing several shells right into the batteries on the Island.  After a close reconnaissance in a skiff, two shots were fired from the Island batteries yesterday morning, one of them aimed at one of our boats, but fell far short.  The firing at Point Pleasant on Wednesday morning lasted an hour and ten minutes.  It is supposed that one of the rebel gunboats in attempting to pass up the river was exploded.  The bloating battery still lies moored alongside the Island.  There is not later intelligence from the Tennessee.  Troops are constantly departing and movements are doubtless on the tapis [sic] there of intense interest.

CAIRO, March 28.

A copy of the Memphis Appeal, of date March 25^th, was received last night.  It is barren of military intelligence, and made up of extracts from Northern newspapers.  A statement is made editorially that during the first four days of the bombardment at Island No. 10, only one person, and he a citizen of Memphis, was killed.  The Appeal indulges in no comments and expresses no opinions as to the result.

Special to Chicago Times.

An agent who has been some time connected with the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, arrived here to-day.  He says Gens. Polk and Cheatham have left Humboldt with their forces to join Beauregard, who is concentrating his forces at Corinth, the junction of the M. & O. and Memphis and Charleston Railroad.  Their pickets extend to within eighteen miles of our forces at Savannah.

The superintendent of the mortar boats has gained some very valuable information by the balloon ascension, which is invaluable.

A steamer has just arrived from the Tennessee river with a lot of prisoners taken near Pittsburg, Tenn.

A large number of troops continue to arrive and depart from this place.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 2

From Island No. 10.

ST. LOUIS, March 28.

The Democrat’s Cairo dispatch says that heavy and rapid cannonading at Point Pleasant, was heard at the fleet night before last.

Capt. Maynadier and Col. Buford, who accompanied Prof. Steiner on his balloon reconnoisance, on Tuesday, discovered that shells from our mortars have generally fallen beyond the enemy’s batteries.  The elevation of the mortars and charge of powder both being too great.  This will be remedied immediately and a greater execution may be hereafter expected.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 1

From Island No. 10

ST. LOUIS, March 27.

A special to the Republican, dated near Island No. 10, evening of the 26^th, says only three shells were thrown by the mortars to-day, to which no response was made by the rebels.

This morning Col. Buford sent a reconnoitering party of 20 men of the 27^th Illinois down the Missouri shore.  They arrested three prominent residents, who report that 2,000 negroes are employed on the Island and at the batteries along the shore; that 65 rebel troops, including 2 Lieutenants and 4 negroes, have been killed by our shells; that the upper battery is abandoned, but the others are being rapidly strengthened; that the enemy is 15,000 strong; and their encampment has been moved entirely out of range of our guns.  The rebels are confident of success and say they have a good road to Trenton and other points, by which they can escape whenever they choose.  They have plenty of provisions.

Rebel steamers loaded with troops were seen, watching the shore to prevent communication from here.

The total number of the enemy’s transports are eleven.

Two balloon ascensions were made by Capt. Steiner, but the weather was too thick for favorable observation.

One partly finished gun boat, building at Memphis, was fired the other night, but was extinguished before much damage was done.

The new Tennessee levies were disbanding – they refusing to fight with picks, the only weapon offered to them.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 28, 1862, p. 1

From Cairo

CAIRO, March 7.

There is little news worth telegraphing to-day.

Transports are constantly arriving and departing with troops and subsistence.

The highway of travel up the Cumberland and Tennessee is now thoroughly established, and boats are running regularly, and making daily trips.

Everything is quite at Columbus.  No further danger of attack is feared, the town being guarded by gunboats, mortar boats and troops.

It is expected that the rebels will make a stand at Island No. 10, and to this end they are strongly fortifying it.

Nothing has been heard from Gen. Pope.

A large number of new boats are coming in from St. Louis and other points up the river, in view of the facilities afforded by the opening of the rivers.

It was the 42d Illinois regiment and not the 52d that accompanied the Columbus expedition.

The body of Sergeant Major Smith of the 14^th Iowa regiment, killed at Fort Donelson, passed through here last evening

14 deserters from the confederate army found concealed in cellars at Columbus, where brought here last night by Col. Buford.

Large gangs of men are engaged upon the repairs of the gunboats.  A short time will see them repaired.

The utmost activity prevails in every part of Commodore Foote’s fleet.

Capt. Duff’s Battery went to Columbus last night.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 10, 1862, p. 1