Colonel James M. Tuttle to his father, James Tuttle, February 18, 1862

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 18, 1862.

Dear Father: Long before you get this, the telegraph will inform you of the particulars of the capture of this very important post, and also the part the Second Iowa took in it. I do not know how the reports will reach you at home, but here we are covered with glory. I have been very busy since the battle, attending to the burying of the dead, and taking care of the wounded. I could find no time to write sooner.

I thought of nothing, while climbing the hill on “double quick” to storm the fort, but to keep my men in order and prevent confusion. When I saw my gallant boys scaling the earthworks and putting the Rebels to the bayonet, and shooting them down with still greater fatality than they had us just before, I felt like clasping each one of our brave boys in my arms. Our loss was very great, but theirs much greater. After the battle was over it was, and still is, terrible to think of. Joel and I were side by side most of the time. He fought bravely, even a little rashly sometimes. He was not touched. I was grazed by a ball which passed through my coat-sleeve and glove, hitting the hilt of my sword and knocking it over my head. The sudden wrenching of it out of my hand, paralyzed my arm during the rest of the engagement. I was afterward standing on a log, beckoning to another regiment behind us to come on, when a cannon ball struck the log, forcing it from under me. I fell backward on a limb, injuring my back very much; I cannot straighten it yet. Tell the Des Moines folks that their company did nobly. Capt. Mills and I were close together most of the time. He fought bravely. Lieuts. Ensign and Godfrey also did bravely. Sergt. Doty was among the bravest of the brave, and died like a hero. George Morse, of Farmington, also died bravely. He was one of the best sergeants of the regiment. We lost some noble young men, one out of every three, either killed or wounded. I was over the battle field to-day, and don't see how any of us escaped alive.  * * * * *

J. M. TUTTLE.

SOURCES: Samuel H. M. Byers, Iowa In War Times, p. 107

Iowa Legislature

(Special to Burlington Hawk-Eye.)

DES MOINES, March 10, 1862.

In Joint convention to-day E. A. Layton was re-nominated Warden of the Penitentiary.  Thos. Agne, of Tama, W. B. Brookford, of Jefferson and J. W. Ellis, of Davis, were re-nominated Bank Commissioners; E. T. Edginton, of Lucas, Richard Bronson of Dubuque, and Readin Noble, of Clayton, were re-nominated Directors of the State Bank.

T. H. S.

DES MOINES, March 11.

HOUSE. – The House passed a resolution to adjourn sine die on Tuesday April 1st.  Also passed an important bill taxing salaries and incomes of five hundred dollars and upwards twenty percent.

Adjourned to take part of the funeral ceremonies of Weeks and Doty, soldiers of company C. 2d Infantry, killed at Fort Donelson.  The Governor and Staff, General Assembly, Military and Civil Authorities, were present and participated.

T. H. S.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

From The Capitol

(Correspondence of the Hawk-Eye.)

DEAR HAWK-EYE.  Another week of the allotted time of the Ninth General Assembly has passed away, and the session is evidently drawing to its close.  From all I can glean, I conclude that it will adjourn on or about the 1st or 2d of April, though circumstances may arise to prolong the session another week.

The main question of interest during the past six days has been the defeat, in the House, of the bill for the relief of the securities of James D. Eads.  His bill originated in the Senate, which body it passed by a fair majority; but it was doomed from the start in the House.  As heartily as a majority would have been pleased to relieve the necessities of the unfortunate individuals who were “wheedled in” by that great scoundrel, they did not deem it safe to establish the precedent of relieving the securities of the defaulting public officers.  Once establish the fact that such relief can be had at the hand of the General Assembly, and where, pray, will the practice end?  There is in fact, hardly a county which does not contain men who have abused the confidence of their securities, and once establish the precedent that they are to be released from liability when their principal proves himself a thief or a rascal, and the Legislature would find its whole time engrossed in that field of charitable occupation.  Better, in my opinion, hold every man and his securities to a strict accountability – even if in some instances the State loses the whole debt.

The bill for the protection of sleep from the ravages of dogs, passed the House to-day by three votes more than the required constitutional majority.  In its general features it is almost an exact copy of the Massachusetts law on that subject.  It is very stringent on the canine race.  “Male dogs” are taxed $1 per head, and “female dogs” $3.  Each owner of a “dog” is required to have the same “registered” and “collared.” – Juvenile “pups” under the age of three months are exempt from the provisions of the act.  Dogs which are caught without their “credentials,” will be treated like heretics in the days of the Inquisition; in fact, “a price is set upon their heads,” and their luckless owners are to be mulcted in heavy damages for neglect of duty in the premises.  The bill now goes to the Senate, and what its fate will be there remains to be seen, though I think it will go through.

A goodly number of bills have passed both Houses during the first week – some of them of a local character – some providing amendments in the Revision of 1860, and some for filling up little rat-holes and gaps in the Supervisor system; but none of them are of sufficient importance to justify elaborate elucidation.

The coming week promises to be one of deep interest.  The ball is opening for the biggest railroad fight yet.  The different questions at issue were presented in my last letter and need not be stated again.  The various interests outside of the General Assembly have marshaled their clans; the last thunderbolt has been forged – the last appeal poured into ears detained by persistent “button-holing” the columbiads of the press have hurled their last paper bullets of the brain,” and the best oyster supper has been digested.  Now comes the tug of war up- [here the bottom of the newspaper was cut off during microfilming] interest is “Lay on MacDuff,” &c.  But for one or two reasons, Hawk-Eye, I would tell you exactly how this fight will come out; First, the thing is considerably mixed up, and it would be really a stretch of prophecy which your most veracious correspondent hesitates to indulge in least perchance, he might be mistaken; and second, if I did make such a venture at this time certain good folk would say that the Hawk-Eye or its correspondent, was “bought up” by that party to which he seemed to incline.  Hence, I will only say that believing to some extent in Pope’s assertion that “whatever is, is right,” I believe that the questions at issue will be settled in a way that the people will cordially endorse.

While newspaper correspondents are praising various men with a seat among the “assembled wisdom,” I desire to bestow a few merited words upon the House delegation from your county. – Just hold your breath a moment, while I “fire at the heap.”  I can most cordially congratulate the people of your county upon the admirable choice they made at the last election.  It would be exceedingly difficult to find three men more thoroughly useful or attentive members.  Mr. Wilcox is the chairman of the Committee on Domestic Manufactures, and a member of one or two others; Mr. Williams is one of the most useful members of the Committee on Ways and Means, and also of the committee on Public Lands; and Mr. Jackson is a member of the committee on Expenditures, Public Buildings and Property and Des Moines Improvement. – They are all practical, honest and experienced men – belong to the “wheel-horses” of Legislation – who, without ostentation or display contribute in a large degree to the prompt and proper dispatch of the business, seldom occupying the floor in debate, and never inflicting purposeless speeches upon unwilling ears, they are among the hardest workers in committee – where good legislation is hammered out and shaped – and have striven by every meads in their power to perform faithfully the work before them, and adjourn at as early a day as the interests of the State will admit.  Each one has introduced important bills, which I doubt now will find their places upon the Statute book.  That their published record, their arduous labors, and their sound and consistent action generally, will meet with the hearty approval of their constituency, I have not the slightest doubt.

Gov. Kirkwood, together with the gentlemen who went down to look after the wounded at Donelson, have returned; but with health so impaired that he has not yet been to the Executive office in the Capitol.  A big pile of bills awaits his signature.

The remains of Weeks and Doty, the brave boys who were slain at Donelson, will arrive to-morrow.  The funeral which will take place on Tuesday at Ingham Hall, will in every respect be a fitting testimonial to the high worth and noble service of the fallen brave.  The oration will be delivered by D. O. Finch, Esq., who as a fervid and impassioned orator, has few equals in the State.

In my hurried resume of the business of the past week, I forgot to state that the Railroad bill of Hon. T. H. Stanton, (the young printer member from Washington county, whose spicy “specials” were lately so eagerly devoured by the readers of the Hawk-Eye,) also passed the House, and is now under consideration in the Senate.  It prescribes the privileges and duties of such corporations, and will be found to be a complete code upon that subject – what the State has long needed.

Speaking of Stanton, allow me to say that he is, (as the Hawk-Eye knows) one of the most talented and promising young editors west of the Mississippi – wide-awake, always “posted,” and as energetic and untiring as a steam-engine – and possessing a mind highly cultivated and well balanced – he bids fair to occupy one of the highest places in his honored and useful profession, in which (with a single exception) is centered all his hope and pride.  The great end and aim of his life is to become an excellent journalist – and no one who knows and appreciates “the boy” has a single doubt that he will attain the object of his hope.  Such is the estimate, not only of appreciative “dry goods,” but every body else.

DACOTAH

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2

Theodore G. Weeks & Nathan W. Doty

Were the first of this company [Co. D, 2nd Iowa Infantry] to fall in battle. In the charge at Donelson the Second Iowa was led by as brave a man as ever led soldiers into battle, and braver soldiers never followed a leader. Mills says, in a letter written to his brother in Des Moines shortly after the battle : —

"Colonel Tuttle loomed up tall in front, waving his sword and stepping firmly and proudly. Men were seen dropping out of the ranks killed and wounded. Theodore G. Weeks, the ardent fellow, was killed by a ball in his head when he got to the inside of the earthworks. The line was there reformed, and we fired awhile at the retreating rebels. We then advanced to the main entrenchments. Here the fight was desperate and we lost many good men Sergeant Nathan W. Doty, who had won a great many friends in the regiment by his intelligence and amiability, was killed near by me."

When the remains of Weeks and Doty were brought home they were buried with most imposing ceremonies. The Mayor and City Council of Des Moines took charge of the solemn exercises. All the business houses of the city were closed, and business was suspended from 11 A. M. to 3 P. M., and both Houses of the General Assembly, then in session, adjourned in honor of the occasion; and the members, accompanied by the Governor of the State and his staff, and the United States and State officers, and the officers of both Houses, attended the funeral in a body, and with the lodges of Freemasons and Odd Fellows and Good Templars, and the military, and the largest concourse of citizens ever assembled in Des Moines, listened to the eloquent eulogy pronounced by Hon. D. O. Finch, in honor of the dead.

To show the interest that was then felt in the martyred soldiers, and the honor then thought not unworthily bestowed upon them, I will here present an account of the entire proceedings of that day, commencing with a complete programme of the exercises, premising that, if these two noble, generous, and patriotic youths who gave their lives a willing sacrifice — the first offered of the residents of this community — merited, as they certainly did, these solemn honors, should not the 280 martyrs from this city and county also receive from our hands some handsome mark of our appreciation of their services and sacrifices?

HONOR TO THE BRAVE.

The funeral of Nathan W. Doty, and Theodore G. Weeks, members of Company D, 2d Iowa Regiment, who were killed at the battle of Fort Donelson, will take place at Ingham's Hall, Tuesday, March 11,1862, 12 o'clock M.

ORDER OF EXERCISES.

Voluntary

By the Choir

"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden,

And I will give you rest — I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn of me;

For I am meek and lowly of heart,

An ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

His yoke is easy and his burden is light.”

Prayer	By Rev. Thompson Bird
Reading	By Rev. Edward W. Peet
	XVth Chapter Of Corinthians
Voluntary	By the Choir

"As for man his days are as the grass; his days are as the grass;

As a flower of the field so he flourisheth; so he flourisheth;

For the wind passeth over it and it is gone; it is gone;

And the place thereof shall know it no more, shall know it no more."

Funeral Oration	By D. O. Finch
Prayer	By Rev. J. M. Chamberlain
Voluntary	By the Choir
	"Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb; Take this new treasure to thy trust, And give these sacred relics room To slumber in the silent dust; And give these sacred relics room To slumber in the silent dust. "Nor pain, nor grief, nor anxious fear Invade thy bound — no mortal woes Can reach the peaceful sleeper here, While angels watch his soft repose. "Break from his throne illustrious morn! Attend, O earth! his sovereign word; Restore thy trust — a glorious form Shall then arise to meet the Lord; Restore thy trust — a glorious form Shall then arise and meet the Lord."

Chief Marshal J. N. Dewey will form the procession.

Assistant Marshal.	CHIEF MARSHAL.	Assistant Marshal.
	BRASS BAND.
	MILITARY ESCORT.
	PALL BEARERS – CITIZENS.
Body Guard,		Body Guard,
Soldiers	HEARSE.	Soldiers
of Second Iowa.		of Second Iowa.
	MOURNERS.
	ASSISTANT MARSHAL.
	CLERGY AND ORATOR.
	GOVERNOR AND STAFF.
	ASSISTANT MARSHAL.
	LIEUTENANT – GOVERNOR AND SPEAKER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
	OFFICERS OF UNITED STATES AND STATE OFFICERS.
	MILITARY COMMITTEES OF SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
	MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE.
	MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF DES MOINES.
	ASSISTANT MARSHAL
	STRANGERS.
	MASONS.
	ODD FELLOWS.
	GOOD TEMPLARS.
	CITIZENS ON FOOT.
	ASSISTANT MARSHAL.
	CITIZENS IN CARRIAGES.
	CITIZENS ON HORSEBACK.
	ASSISTANT MARSHAL.

ORATION.

"There is that in the holy solemnity of the occasion which has called us together, which renders any near approach by me to the expectations which the subject would naturally inspire, a moral impossibility.

"The mere contemplation of death, upon the basis of theory alone, is attended with such manifold evidences of a dreadful something, that it causes a tremor to creep over the frame of old and young, rich and poor, Christian and infidel. We read the heart-rending details of the distant battle-field, of pools of brains and streamlets of blood, and an increased horror fills our souls, the cold sweat stands from the brow, and untold agonies centre round the heart. But alas! when we enter the chamber of death itself, and behold in the cold forms of dear friends now dead, living evidences by which conceptions are converted into realities — what language can express, what tongue can speak the intensity of anguish which fills our souls! We would all, dictated by nature, fetter the tongue, drop the pen, and let the heart speak in its own deep and impressive language, the silent but potent tear, as it glitters at the outlet of its unsearchable caverns.

"A few months since, these two noble specimens of enlightened humanity were among us. Health was emblemized by their ruddy cheeks, mirth beamed in their eyes, jollity danced on their lips; and each exterior emblem was a talisman of the social virtues and honest purpose which drew around them, when living, the host of friends who now attest their due appreciation of their merit by performing these last sad duties to their tenantless clay. That they were good boys, we knew; that they were worthy the respect of the society in which they moved, none doubted then, and none doubt now. And yet how little did we know of them then!

''When, on the wings of the lightning, sad messages were borne to us that combinations and conspiracies were forming for the purpose of destroying this fair fabric of government, the mourning which only mantles the hero's brow, decked not less theirs than that of the veteran. And when at last the long-dreaded period arrived when our flag, hitherto respected by the world, was insulted in the home of its birth; when, within sound of the last resting-place of Marion and of Sumter, it was wantonly and maliciously assailed; when, as it were, the reverberations of the foulmouthed cannon whose missiles had rent the emblem of our nationality, struck the ears of Weeks and Doty, it affected them as it did all true patriots. The smile gave way to the frown, the merry song gave place to the justifiable oath, and they were among the first to place their lives subject to the order of the government.

"No nobler men have engaged in the holy cause of our country than the company of the Second Iowa Regiment of which those we now mourn were members; and I think I may say, without disparagement to any member of that company, that those we mourn would compare favorably with any of their companions.

"We know not ourselves, and very little indeed do we know of those around us, until by the application of immutable tests, we become enlightened as to both. We cull glittering sands with joy, but we turn with disgust from the dross left in the crucible. We tread daily upon jewels because they chance not to sparkle as we pass. We live near neighbor to the great and do not know it; we court and praise cowards in our daily intercourse with the world and know it not.

"How fortunate indeed are they who have bequeathed to friends a name, a character of which there can be no doubt, which has passed through the furnace of severest trial, and been left a spotless legacy to his race. Such are the characters our friends have bequeathed, not alone to those in whose veins circulate the same blood, but to us all. We all claim a share in the rich legacy to which, by their unwritten and unspoken will, we are justly entitled. Their will was their blood, and it was shed for the country, and as loyal citizens of it, no surrogate can by edict deprive us of our rightful inheritance.

"The memory of the departure from our city of that noble band, will not soon be effaced from the minds of our people. How the heart almost choked the 'God speed' in the throat of the fond father. How the tear-dimmed eye of the doting mother spoke the gentle 'good-by.' How endless seemed the sister's fond embrace when, breaking from the joys of home, the endearments of congenial companionship, and all the ties that cement the soul to familiar scenes, they left our midst to mingle in carnage and in blood. What noble emotions must have struggled in their bosoms for mastery over the selfish inclinations of human nature, and how grand indeed the bloodless victory, evidenced by the baring of their youthful breasts to the bayonets of the traitors, that the godlike principle of self-government might yet survive the most gigantic rebellion ever inaugurated by human ingenuity or urged to success by human power.

"Influenced not alone by the enthusiasm of the moment, these young men, possessed of intelligence and forethought, entered upon the arduous struggle before them with full conviction of the high duty which beckoned them from the unruffled bosom of civil life to the more hazardous field of war. It was after a calm deliberation upon the momentous issues involved in the fearful contest, and beholding as they did but one right and one wrong, fidelity upon the one side to the cardinal principles of free government, and upon the other the most accursed treason against not only the letter of constitutional law, but against the spirit, aye, the vital spirit of our institutions, they chose as only true men can choose, buckled on the armor of the soldier, and exposed themselves to the chances of war. While we all accord credit, but few, if any, who have not themselves experienced, can truly comprehend the magnitude of that great moral victory fought on the battle-field of the soul.

"Upon the one side are hung out as inducements to the young mind, all the allurements of comparative ease, the elegancies, the luxuries in many cases, and in all, the indescribable pleasures and comforts of home, the companionship of parents, brothers, and sisters, and not unfrequently, that of souls wedded by spiritual ties not weaker in their claims and more irresistible in their effects; and upon the other, a deadly conflict, to enter which, by all past experience, the mind as well as the body is wholly untutored. Fatigue, labor, and total absence of bodily comfort or mental recreation, encounter them at every step; and last, but not least, the grim monster, Death, stalks boldly into their midst. He comes not to the brow when moistened by the tears of love. He comes not to the well attended sick bed, where half his terrors are shorn by seraph voices, and ministering angels whisper the soul to kindlier regions, but he comes with stolid step, and with unassuaged pestilence; he treads the funeral bier with iron heel, and drives the unwilling soul into the immediate presence of God who gave it. When we fully contemplate the inducements on the one side, and the seeming terrors on the other, how can we find language to express our admiration of that patriotism which enables the youth to forego all the pleasures of the one, and willingly yoke himself to all the perils of the other.

"Your hearts speak the eulogy which lips cannot utter, and the tear only — the angel's pen, can translate the soul.

"We witnessed their departure, and now we welcome the return of the clay which then enveloped their noble souls. But who shall truly write of the intervening time? Who paint the joys, the woes? Who follow with the pen their weary limbs in the midnight march? Who tell the thoughts which occupied the mind of the lonely sentinel, as for long and tedious hours he paced his accustomed beat with no witness to his fidelity but God and the stars? Who conceive the dreams of home, of friends, of victory, of honor, which have sometimes tortured, sometimes consoled their frozen couch? And where the pen that can truly paint the glow of laudable pride, when they have gazed upon the bright stars of a vindicated flag? Such tasks, I have not the presumption to undertake; but the record which in their humble way they have impressed upon the historic page, warrants me in saying that they were incapable of any neglect of the responsibilities which attached to their position.

"Exposed to all the changes of season, to the miasmas of the low lands, and the cutting breezes of the mountain, to contagions, and diseases of the most dangerous and the most disgusting nature, without a murmur they performed their duties in the tedious campaign which resulted in redeeming our neighboring State from the pestilential breath of secession. The contagions which affected the body entered not the pure atmosphere of the soul. Warded off by a devotion as patriotic as it was deep, bodily ills were made to yield to spiritual determination, and they were called to a field of more arduous, more hazardous duty, and to a service of more intense importance to our cause and our country; and in this new sphere the already signaled valor of the Hawkeye soldier became a fully solved problem, and its result is recorded in the history of the most tempestuous days of our Republic. At Wilson's Creek, the Iowa First had demonstrated that the Iowa soldier was not a soldier for fun. They remained by the gallant Lyon, when by all law and by all obligation of contract, they could have returned to their homes and their friends. They were patriots. Love of country, and the highest sense of honor, prompted them to remain. To what purpose, you all know. They led one of the most gallant charges, and covered one of the most brilliant retreats of which the military history of the world can boast.

"The gallant Iowa Seventh at Belmont added another wreath to the brow of the Iowa soldier. For miles, over hill and dale, through woodland and swamp, they fought their way to the goal of their hope, and on their weary return cut their pathway of death through fresh foes. Their gallant dead have a choice niche in our memory, and the surviving brave are among the dearest objects of our individual and our State pride; but by mandates of fortune, it was reserved for the Iowa Second to crown the wreath.

"Fort Henry had yielded to the patriot band, — but Donelson frowned with her huge breastworks, her hundred eyes with leaden balls, her rifle-pits and loud-mouthed batteries, upon Freedom's advancing host. This was the barricade to the land of Jackson, where those who had inherited the true spirit of his noble words and more noble example, were waiting deliverance from a worse than Egyptian bondage. This must be overcome. Sage commanders so ordered. The six starred flag floating from the bulwark, and flaunting a falsehood to every breath of American air that bent its uncomely stripes, appealed not in vain to determined hearts. The siege was laid. For three long days was waged a bloody warfare against advantage. So thick were strewn the dead and dying that the very earth might have been deemed the mother of misery and the generator of death. On the afternoon of the third day, victory or a failure hung upon the result of one mighty effort. The breastworks must be stormed and the intrenchments gained. Where could attention with more propriety be turned? Where could confidence more implicitly rest at this critical and trying moment, than upon the well-drilled delegates of that State, whose representatives had never failed upon any battle-field to prove themselves fully equal to the great exigencies of the most important occasions.

"The Iowa Second were ordered to the front — the object of intensest desire pointed out. In the concentrated intensity of the hour, was centered the hopes of millions. The scale of destiny was balanced for the moment. To falter was to dishonor for the time, perhaps forever, the flag and the cause; one quivering nerve might unnerve the whole; one faltering voice, one tremulous accent might shatter hope; but fear not. With an alacrity unexcelled save by the undaunted courage which beamed in every eye and sat firmly on each determined feature, they sprang to the post of honor and of danger. With fixed bayonet, with rapid, yet regular tread, they bent themselves to the mighty work, on, up the rugged hill-side, over rock and fallen tree, over dead and dying, amid the buzzing cloud of death's leaden messengers, still on they go. Many pause, but only at the order of Deity; but those spared this invitation to himself, still press forward; the point is won; the breastworks are mounted; the intrenchments are gained; the enemy is forced to retire; peal upon peal of enthusiastic joy roll out upon the evening air; the exultations of victory are heard by Weeks and Doty, and the shouts of triumph inspire the last emotions of their souls, as, just inside the intrenchments of the enemy, they sink to the sleep of the brave dead. From the heat of this deadly charge their souls took flight to the bosom of a God who invites to his mansion the souls of the virtuous and the brave. What a death! Who would not release his claim to the last two thirds of the allotted period of life, thus to live, and thus to die? These young men, one not yet having arrived at the age of majority, and the other having just entered the period of manhood, are about to fill, and fill well, the veteran's grave.

"You relatives, and we friends, mourn that we no more this side of eternity can enjoy their companionship; but could they now witness the imposing ceremonies which attend the march of their ashes to their narrow house in the cemetery, to which they have oft with mourner's tread followed the loved dead — could they listen to the silent eulogy which each heart is paying to their fearless patriotism — could they witness the pride with which the citizens of our State lisp their names, as a portion of her representatives upon the battle-field of constitutional liberty — could they witness the conscious pride which keeps company to the mournful tear, as it courses the cheeks of the denizens of our own city when we reflect that they were part of us, they would never again hazard a reappearance upon earth, and take the risk of finding in the vicissitudes of the future another as glorious spot to die.

"Why then should we mourn? By the prayers of the loyal, let us wing away their souls, and with willing hands we will consign what remains to our own earth. As an emblem of the purity in which they lived, we will enshroud their bodies in virgin white, and as a symbol of the glory which crowned their death, we will wrap their coffin with the noble banner in the defense of which they died, deposit them in the quiet grave, and by example teach those who may come after us to moisten with patriot tears the sod which covers the mortal remains of these youthful martyrs to Freedom.

"They have erected their own monument, and it is located in our hearts. This manifestation of our respect is highly appropriate. Let it go forth that to the brave living and honorably discharged, Iowa extends her most cordial welcome, and as to these, so will she always do honor to the ashes of the brave dead. And by our acts at home, as by those of our soldiers in the field, it will become as proverbial as it is true, that this is not the home of cowards, or the asylum of traitors.

"These imposing ceremonies cannot fail to leave deeply impressed upon our minds lessons of the greatest magnitude. By them we are again reminded of the feebleness of that thread upon which hangs our hopes of continued earthly joys. By them we are reminded that the time is unimportant, when compared with the manner in which we live; that in fact it is quite immaterial at what time and in what manner the grim monster, Death, approaches us, so that he finds us bent to the performance of sacred duties, and engaged in godlike pursuits.

"May our hearts not reject the lessons so laden with holy consolations, and my fervent prayer is that when death shall come to our eyes, — whether with leaden messengers we may be borne down beneath the chastening shadow of our flag, or whether by slow and stealthy step he creeps to our languishing sick-bed, — it may find our minds filled with as holy desires as those which must have actuated the souls of Theodore G. Weeks and Nathan W. Doty, as they sacrificed themselves upon their country's altar on the bloody field of Donelson."

Thus may the brave ever receive honor in this capital! Des Moines and Polk County will, I trust, ever cherish and revere the memory of the fallen from this community; and I hope that the people of no section of the Union will ever neglect or forget the patriot dead.

Doty was born in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., July 1, 1839. His father moved to Michigan, where Nathan was sent to the University and received a good education, — could read and speak the German language with facility, having learned it at school. "He was always," says his mother, "thirsting for knowledge." He loved the study of history — was well informed on almost every subject — would converse with the most learned — had great argumentative powers — and he wrote beautifully. His letters, written when he was a boy at school, were greatly admired by persons of good taste and education. It could hardly be credited that they were written by one so young.

He loved the green fields, the prairies and hills, and beautiful rivers. He says, writing from Keokuk, June 1st, 1861 : "We are now in our new quarters, which are the best in the city . . . It is a most lovely day, and as I sit here on the top verandah, my eye roams over some of the finest scenery I ever beheld. We have a fine view of the old Mississippi for several miles, as it moves along, glittering in the bright sunlight; the prairies of Illinois rolling far away in the distance — the bluffs of Missouri covered with trees and verdure of every kind — so delightful! — I am almost willing to say that I could live here always and cheerfully put up -with the privations of a soldier's life."  His heart was all aglow with love of his country. "I am determined," said he to his mother, "to see this Rebellion crushed or die in the cause." He had just returned from a short furlough to his home in Michigan, when the battle of Donelson occurred. He says: —

"LOCKPORT, Jan'y 10, 1862.

"Dear C– : I am all right in our old home. I made up my mind that I would like some better to come and see the folks here than to go to Des Moines, inasmuch as I had not seen this place in five years. I left home in Colon yesterday noon and arrived here this morning at 4 o'clock — have not yet been out of town; but shall go soon and visit all the folks. I shall go back to Colon in two weeks and expect to start for the regiment in one week from that time. "

Little did he think that so soon after his visit to his "old home," he must pass to his home where the angels dwell. On the l5th of February, 1862, he fell fighting bravely for the "old home," with the "God bless you" of his many relatives and friends still warm in his heart.

It is sometimes said of those who die on beds of tranquillity at home, "They died happy." Doty died triumphant. Just at the moment he was struck, he was urging on his comrades, crying, "On, on boys, the day is ours!" The ball passed through his heart. He did not speak afterwards; but (says Captain Marsh, in whose arms he died), "A bright smile beamed on his countenance."

He said to his mother when he parted from her for the last time, "I will put my trust in God." He left home with gloomy forebodings; but he said he would rather the greatest evil should befall him than miss going with his regiment. If he had delayed at home a half a day longer he could not have been at the battle of Donelson. He reached St. Louis just as the regiment was embarking.

Colonel Turtle says in a letter published in the "Iowa State Register," shortly after the battle of Donelson, "I don't know how reports will reach you at home, but here we are all covered with glory. Sergeant Doty was amongst the bravest of the brave, and died like a hero."

The following tribute written by D. C. R. appeared shortly after the death of N. W. Doty : —

" 'Onward, hurrah, onward, my boys,

The Second Iowa leads the van.'

And marching, bravely, firmly on,

Young Doty fell. No coward heart,

No faltering there; the cannon's roar,

The whistling bullet, bursting bomb,

Had not a sound to pale his lip

Or blanch his cheek.  How sweet the smile

That o'er his features calmly spread,

As victory seemed within his grasp.

Why weep ye, friends?  His soul has fled

To realms of beauty, there to raise

New anthems to his Maker's praise."

Weeks was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, on the l5th day of August, 1842. The following well written account of this boy was prepared by his father, Dr. John G. Weeks, and recorded in copies of the Bible purchased with the back pay due Theodore at the time of his death. These were presented by Dr. Weeks to each of his surviving children to commemorate their fallen brother.

DR. WEEKS' ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF HIS SON.

. . . . "Upon the appearance of President Lincoln's first proclamation calling for volunteer soldiers to aid in putting down the Rebellion of 1861, he embraced the very first opportunity to enlist as a private soldier, very much to our surprise, as he had lost two fingers from his right hand, thus rendering him forever free from any military service under a draft. He insisted so strongly that it was his duty to go, that we gave our consent, though he was under our control, being still a minor. On the mustering of his company at Keokuk, Iowa, he was rejected by the U. S. mustering officer for disability. Still determined to serve his country he, with the assistance of an officer (General Crocker), appealed from the decision of the mustering officer to the War Department of the United States. While awaiting the decision of the Department a much better position, pecuniarily, came within his reach, but he declined, saying that he would only go into the army to fight for his country. The decision of the Department was favorable to his wishes, and he was mustered into the service of the United States. This is the only instance that has ever come to our knowledge of an appeal to the War Department for the privilege of serving in the capacity of a private soldier.

"Shortly after entering active service he wrote in his journal, 'The world owes fame and position to all who earn it; and I will have just so much of its emoluments as I can win by honorable means, and no more; for I would rather live and die in obscurity than sacrifice the noblest attribute of man, my honor, till now untarnished. This is my platform, and, by the help of One who controls the actions of all, I will never accept any other.' After several months' service, Sept. 13th, 1861, he wrote, 'I am determined to remain in the service of my country until her rights are established and her wrongs avenged, and if the chances of war require my life, it shall be a willing sacrifice on the altar of Liberty!'

"After months of trials and hardship and severe sickness, he is found doing his duty with his regiment at Fort Donelson. At the time of the order for the Second Iowa to make the ever memorable charge upon the enemy's works, he was at his place and ready for duty. Without a word spoken to any one he went forward with his regiment under the terrible fire of the enemy, up the hill and into the enemy's outer works. Here, after about a half hour's engagement, he was instantly killed by a rifle-ball in his temple. He fell at the age of nineteen years and six months. He was not permitted to know that he aided materially in gaining one of the greatest victories of the war. He died for his country!

"In his pocket Bible found after the battle, his captain, (who was afterwards himself mortally wounded in the battle of Corinth), wrote the following tribute to his memory: —

" 'Fort Donelson, Feb. 20,1862.

" 'I wish here to record my testimony that the owner of this Book, during his connection with my company, was a good soldier, always ready to do his duty, as he understood it. He was ever active, energetic, and intelligent, and died bravely in his place, while fighting with his company and regiment at the charge of the Second Iowa, which was followed by the surrender of this fort to the Union forces.

"'NOAH W. MILLS,

“'Capt. Co. D., 2d Iowa Infantry Volunteers.' "

The following reminiscences concerning Theodore Weeks may not be uninteresting in addition to what has been given.

During the night before the charge, the men were lying on the ground before little fires they had made to keep themselves from freezing. Some one said to Theodore: "Weeks, you are burning your coat." "O," he replied, "that is no matter; I shall not want it long."

He was very strong and active, and had saved two men from drowning by his expertness in swimming. There were few better marksmen. He could fire right and left, and was selected as a sharp-shooter. He was popular among his companions; every one was his friend. He enlisted at the first meeting in Des Moines to raise troops; was very temperate in his eating and drinking, and exemplary in his deportment. A chaplain who conversed with him a short time before the battle of Donelson, says: "Weeks thought earnestly of religious matters, and his conduct was that of an exemplary Christian."

SOURCE: Leonard Brown, American Patriotism: Or, Memoirs of Common Men, p. 31-48

Journal of the Senate of the Ninth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, March 10, 1862

The President laid before the Senate the following communication from the Mayor of the City:

DES MOINES, IOWA, March 10, 1862.

HON. J. R. NEEDHAM,

President of the Senate of Iowa

:

DEAR SIR: — The funeral services of N. W. Doty & T. G. Weeks, (two Brave Boys of Company D, 2d Iowa Regiment, who sacrificed their lives for their Country, at the storming of Fort Donelson,) will take place to-morrow (Tuesday) at 12 o’clock, M. Please announce this to your branch of the General Assembly. As a token of respect to the memory of these brave men, the Legislature is hereby respectfully invited to attend and take part in the ceremonies on the occasion.

An appropriate position has been assigned the Legislature in the procession, by the Committee of Arrangements.

I have the honor to be,

Respectfully yours,

IRA COOK, Mayor.

Mr. Hatch offered the following resolution which was adopted:

Resolved by the Senate, That as a mark of respect, this Senate will adjourn to attend the Funeral on to-morrow of Sergeant N. W. Doty and Theodore G. Weeks, members of Company D, Second Iowa Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, who fell while nobly defending the Flag of our Country in the gallant charge of the Iowa Second at Fort Donelson.

Mr. Woodward offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That a Committee of two be appointed by the President, to inform the City Council or other proper authorities of the foregoing resolution of the Senate.

The President announced as the Committee to communicate the action of the Senate to the City Council, Messrs. Redfield and Gray.

On motion of Mr. Holmes the Committee were authorized to make such arrangements as might be necessary.

SOURCE: Journal of the Senate of the Ninth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, Volume 9, p. 317

Letter FromThe Capital

DES MOINES, Feb. 24.

DEAR HAWK-EYE: – The legislation of the present session will be, when complete, of a more important, tangible character, (especially that which bears upon the subject of taxation,) than that of any of its predecessors since our State emerged from the territorial regime.  The new obligations which “the state of the Union” has devolved upon us will give hue and shape to nearly everything which passes from the hands of our law-makers.  Greater labors and responsibilities than have ever before presented themselves have had to be faced by the Committee on Ways and Means, and they have come fairly and squarely up to the work.  Hon. W. H. Holmes, the able and well known Senator from Jones county, (an able legislator, by the way, and a model of legislative ability, business, prudence, integrity and industry,) as at the head of that Committee in the Senate; while the house Committee is “called from refreshment to labor” by Hon. E. G. Bowdoin, of Floyd County, a member of the last House, and a gentleman to whom “Linkensale” paid on of his finest tributes in the columns of the Hawk-Eye, at the last regular session.  He was then Chairman on Schools and State University, and has now been advanced to the leading position among his compeers of the house – a place for which his education and business habits abundantly qualify him – (I might say, parenthetically, or in a whisper, perhaps – if you won’t tell anybody – that both these gentlemen are mentioned by their friends in connection with higher and more responsible duties, before they are many months older.)

Financially, the “Ways and Means” have taken four highly important steps, in the presentation of the following bills, all but one of which have passed both Houses and are now the law of the State – while the remaining one only needs the concurrence of the Senate in a few merely verbal amendments.  These measures are as follows:

1st.  An Act by which the State assumes annually the assessment and collection of her portion of the National Tax, amounting this year to the sum of $452,088.

2d.  An Act authorizing the State and County Treasurers to pay out, and receive for all taxes and for the principal and interest of the School Funds, the demand Treasury notes of the United States, and the bills of the Branches of the Iowa State Bank, the latter so long as they are redeemed in specie.

3d.  An Act authorizing the Governor to apply our claim against the General Government in payment of the Federal tax, as far as it will go, and for levying immediately, in addition to the tax of 1861, on the valuation of that year, a tax of two mills on the dollar, to raise money to pay the balance of the Federal tax after the application aforesaid, and to pay the Warrants issued and to be issued on the War and Defence Fund, amounting to some $250,000.

4th.  An Act authorizing the reception of the Warrants on the War and Defence Fund in payment of State taxes and the Federal tax just levied; also providing that large Warrants may be returned to the Auditor, and that he may issue new ones in lieu thereof, in sums of one, two and three dollars.

These Committees have further agreed on and will soon report a bill for an act providing for the better collection of taxes, by making either township collectors or assistant collectors in each township.

It is also proposed, and with much probability of its passage, to provide for taxing for State purposes all salaries and incomes from whatever source derived, where the property from which income is derived is not subject to taxation.

This last act is intended to apply to all the officers of State, Supreme and District Court Judges, County Treasurers, Bank officers, private brokers, &c., and, in fact, to all persons who derive a valuable or stated income from any source not already subject to taxation.

The citizens of this town are now deploring the loss of two noble boys – Weeks and Doty – who fell in that gallant Charge of the Iowa 2d, at Fort Donelson.  Fifteen of the Company (B) were wounded – some of them badly.  It is reported that Edgar Ensign, 1st Lieutenant, fell so severely wounded that his life is in great danger.  He will be remembered by most visitors to the Capital as the very obliging and gentlemanly deputy of State Treasure Jones.  A slightly built and retiring youth, he did not seem to be fitted or destined for the stern duties of the battle-field; but it is stated that the noble fellow was shot down far in advance of his men, while waving his sword and shouting to the Company to follow him!

I suppose, Hawk-Eye, that you saw that article from the Springfield (Mass.) Republican in relation to the alleged oppressive taxation in the northwestern part of the State.  Well, I only allude to it for the purpose of saying that my big-hearted friend, Doc. Cutler, of Wright county, called the attention of the House to the fact and moved the appointment of a Committee of Investigation.  The motion prevailed and the Committee are now at work, and the slander will ere long be wiped out, or the means adopted to dry up the above.

The other day the question of repealing the Supervisor system was up in the Senate, and after a great deal of discussion, pro and con, the subject was indefinitely postponed.  Bills and resolutions to the same effect lie upon the table of the House, but as soon as they are reached they will likewise be sent to the tomb of the Capulets.  The Supervisors can, therefore, safely rely upon carrying their heads upon their shoulders another two years at least.

As a good deal is said about the congressional apportionment, let me guess how the districts will be arranged – though I do not know but you have published something approximating to the same opinion.  I guess the Districts will be as follows.

1st District – Allamakee, Winneshiek, Howard, Mitchell, Floyd, Chickasaw, Fayette, Clayton, Butler, Grundy, Bremer, Blackhawk, Buchanan, Delaware and Dubuque.

2d District – Jackson, Jones, Linn, Johnson, Cedar, Clinton, Scott and Muscatine.

3d District – Washington, Louisa, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Davis, Lee and Van Buren.

4th District – Appanoose, Wayne, Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Marion, Mahaska, Keokuk, Iowa, Poweshiek, Jasper, Marshal, Tama and Benton.

The 5th District will embrace all the remainder of the State, part of Nebraska and Dacotah, the Pembina District of Minnesota and several other terra incognitos too numerous to mention.  The idea of such a big district to canvass, is rather appalling to some of the candidates for Congressional honors, but Eaton, the Chairman of the Committee, says they have got to stand it.  The order of numbering the Districts may be change[d], but I think they will be organized as I have stated.

I enclose you a list of the acts which have been enrolled up to this date.  The number may seem small, but a great many bills are either engrossed for a third reading or in an advanced state of preparation in the hands of committees.

DACOTAH.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 2

Des Moines Correspondence

DES MOINES, March 11, 1862.

Good news has to-day reached us from Arkansas.  Many brave boys have doubtless fallen, but the victory is complete.  Our city has certainly one company in that battle, and we shall perhaps be called upon again to mourn the loss of friends and acquaintances.  But who would not rather die in active service than with the diseases of camp?  Who would not rather have a friend die, when his death tells upon the destiny of the war, than to see him waste away in a hospital, where his death can be of no service, and where it possesses none of the glory of the death upon the battle-field?

This day we have consigned to their last resting place the bodies of two of Des Moines’ noblest, bravest sons.  They fell in the charge of the Iowa Second at Fort Donelson.  Sergeant N. W. Doty and Theodore Weeks were both noble young men, and our city has testified its respect for them, and its approbation of bravery manifested by them, by a public funeral such as has never before been witnessed in our young city.  The ceremony took place at noon, and both Houses of the Legislature adjourned over and attended in a body.  D. O. Fitch delivered the oration.

The Senate has passed a good many local bills since last I wrote.  It has also been engaged one half day on a township collector bill.  A bill creating that office will probably pass the Legislature; though it may be defeated.  There is considerable opposition.

Yesterday both houses met in joint convention, for the purpose of electing a warden of the penitentiary, three bank commissioners and three bank directors.  The present incumbents were all re-elected.

In the afternoon the House took up the revenue bill, agreed upon by the joint committee of ways and means.  It is an important bill, and lies over for further consideration.  It provides for the levying of the Federal tax, as well as of the State and county tax; reduces the compensation of the assessor to $1.50; makes it obligatory upon Boards of Supervisors, at their regular meeting to classify the several descriptions of property for the purpose of equalizing assessment, and to take copes of such classified lists home with them for the use of the respective assessors, thus saving the expense of fending these officers up to the county seat after them; makes it the duty of the clerk of the Board of Supervisors to furnish to the State Auditor, in addition to what the law now requires, an abstract of the aggregate value and number of cattle, horses, mules, sheep, and swine.  In addition to this, it provides that the State Auditor shall prepare for the use of clerks, collectors and treasurers, directions and forms according to which they shall keep their revenue accounts; increases the penalties where property is allowed to be sold for taxes; and provides for the taxing of railroad property in each county through which a road may pass.  This last provision was originally in Stanton’s railroad bill, but was transferred to this bill as its appropriate place.  This section may not pass.  It is hard telling yet what will be done with the various railroad companies of the State.  The railroad interest is will represented here, and its influence will be tested in a few days.

The House has not acted on the liquor question yet.  To-morrow evening is fixed upon for a discussion of the question.  There are three parties – license men, those in favor of striking out the lager beer clause of the present law; and those who desire a more efficient prohibitory law, but who think the German should enjoy his lager unmolested. – A pretty warm discussion will take place but the result is uncertain.  A license law cannot be had.  The next move will be for the Democrats to join with those Republicans who favor the repeal of the lager beer clause of the law, repeal it if possible and then make as much political capital as possible out of this act of a Republican Legislature.

To-day the House passed a joint resolution in favor of adjourning on the first day of April.  A good deal of business is yet on hand.  They must work hard if they make time.

The income tax bill passed the House to-day; the same in its essential features as when it was under the consideration a few days since.

J. R. C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 1