Local Matters

THE WEEKLY GAZETTE is published this morning.  It contains all the matter of the Daily during the past week, including correspondence, etc.  Send it off to your friends that they may learn Iowa is in the field with her brave troops, fighting for the stars and stripes.

SOMETHING NEW. – Ladies’ seamless vomp gaiters, new style, never before offered in this city, to be found only at Ordway’s new store, no. 26 Le Claire Row.  dlw

An extensive fire occurred in the town of Alexandria, Mo., opposite Keokuk, on Sunday morning last, consuming property to the amount of $45,000.  The Keokukers went over and assisted to extinguish the flames.

RELEASED. – Frank Collins, arrested by Officer Teagarden on Monday evening, on a warrant issued by Coroner Tomson, was yesterday released, there being no legal evidence to sustain the charge against him.

ALMOST A FIRE. – An attempt at fire occurred in a shed in the rear of Mr. R. E. Sickels’ residence, corner of Thirteenth and Main streets, night before last.  It was discovered and extinguished before any great amount of harm was done.

WILD RICE. – We are indebted to Mr. Jas. D. Hogarty for a package of wild rice, the native product of Wisconsin.  We have eaten of this rice and found it almost equal to the Southern production, being darker, more substantial and of different favor.  It is preferred by some to the Southern article.

CHARITY NOT NEEDED. – We published a not the day before yesterday, stating that Mrs. Knoeke, of this city was in an actual suffering condition.  We are informed since, by the woman herself, that such is not the case, nor is she in condition to appeal to the public for charity.

PROMPT ADJUSTMENT. – We are informed that Messrs. A. Green & Co., and C. E. Converse, who were losers of grain by the recent fire which destroyed the Elevator, have received from the New England and Lorillard companies full satisfaction for the losses sustained at that fire.

BOOTS AND SHOES. – Neighbor Todd returned home yesterday, after a trip to the East, where he has purchased an extensive lot of boots and shoes, ladies’ slippers, gaiters, and everything in his line, which he is receiving and opening at his store, Todd’s well-known corner.

NEW GOODS constantly arriving at Ordway’s, manufactured expressly for the retail trade, which he is selling at prices that will defy competition.  Every one in want of boots and shoes should call upon him before purchasing, for people do say that he is selling a good quality of goods cheaper than any other house in the city.    dlw

ROYAL ARCH-MASONS. – At a regular convocation of Davenport Chapter No. 16, Royal Arch Masons, held in Masonic Hall, on the evening of the 20th inst., the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: O. H. Watson, High Priest; Geo. H. French, King; P. L. Cone; Scribe; Samuel Perry, Captain of the Host; F. H. Griggs, Principal Sojourner; W. W. Parker, Royal Arch Captain; E. Y. Lane, Treasure; A. P. Luse, Secretary; R. D. Myers, Grand Master of the Third Veil; W. A. Remington, do Second Veil; J. J. Burtis, do First Veil; G. G. Jones, Guard.

Insurance against fire and the perils of inland transportation, and life insurance, can be had of W. F. ROSS, general insurance agent, Metropolitan building, who will not represent any but the most reliable companies.

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

Diary of Edward Bates, September 30, 1861

<Sept 30, 1861>⁵  The public spirit is beginning to quail under the depressing influence of our prolonged inaction. Our people are weary of being kept always and every where upon the defensive. The ardent spirit of our young men is checked and mortified because no scope is given to their enterprising boldness. We absolutely need some dashing expeditions — some victories, great or small, to stimulate the zeal of the Country, and, as I think, to keep up the credit of the Government.

I hear, on pretty good authority, that the enemy is so posted at several points along the Potomac, as to command, at pleasure, the navigation of that river.

Why is this allowed? Is it from sheer weakness on our part? It compromises our safety at home, and degrades our honor abroad. It isolates the Capital by closing its only outlet to the ocean, and

thus makes the impression upon both parties to the contest, and especially upon foreigners, that we are both weak and timid.

Are we to encounter no risk? Can war be conducted without any danger? I care not how cautious our commanders may be in securing certain important points (such as this city) which must, on no account, be put to hazard. But some gallant enterprizes are necessary to establish the prestige of the army and thus increase its positive strength. And I have no doubt that a few such enterprises — even at the hazard of some Regiments — some Brigades — would contribute largely to the general result, and accelerate our final success.⁶

It were easy to indicate several inviting theatres for such enterprises; and our army, both officers and men are eager for such active service.

I do trust that the naval expedition to the southern coast, will not be delayed much longer.

The whole coast, from Hat[t]eras to Fernandina,⁷ with the exception of some 2 or 3 points, lies absolutely, at our mercy. We should scour that coast—look into every bay and river — thread the passages among the islands, and make every planter along the coast feel that he is in our power.

The well-armed, light-draft, quick-moving steamers (of which we must by this time have a good supply) will be able to perform all this good service; while the larger ships can carry whatever troops may be needed to garrison the few places which we may desire to take and hold, and to make incursions into the country, when desirable, and at the same time may dominate the open sea.

I am credibly informed that along the coast — on the islands and on the main — between Charleston and Fernandina, there are from 3 to 4 millions dollars worth of Sea Island Cotton, now in course of harvest. To say nothing of the Rice plantations, which abound on the coast of Georgia — all this cotton is easily within our reach.  There are very few white people along that coast, but large plantations and many negro[e]s. The cotton already picked and ginned, is merchandize [sic], ready to our hand — and as to that still in the fields, there are plenty of negro[e]s there to pick and gin it for our use — and, with a little management by way of increased bonus for over work — they will do it quicker for us than for their masters.

I suppose it would not be hard for us to seise one or more of the Cotton Ports; and, in that case, we could easily get out enough cotton to make a full supply for home consumption, and some for

Europe.

A fair success in such an enterprise would, I think be attended by immediate and great results[.]

1.  It would, at least harras [sic] and alarm the enemy, weakening his resources, while it necessitates increased and more extensive action on his part.

2.  It would call back, for home defence, a large number of troops, now engaged at distant points, in aggressive operations against us.

3.  It would revive the spirit of the north, already beginning to droop under the depressing influence of our non action. That spirit will rise high, as soon as we shew that we have taken the affirmative, and mean henceforth to do something, and we have heretofore suffered all things.

4.  It Will restore and strengthen the public credit[.]

5.  It will satisfy foreign nations that we are in earnest, and willing and able to win success — and then, we will have little trouble about Blockade[.]⁸

___________

⁵ This whole entry was written on a double and a single letter sheet and inserted into the diary, with the date added later in pencil.

⁶ Bates, like Lincoln, had an early comprehension of the political side of military strategy.

⁷ i.e., from North Carolina to the northern boundary of Florida.

⁸ Bates, again like Lincoln, realized fully the importance of victories to the securing of

European confidence in Northern success and hence to the prevention of aid for the

South.

SOURCE: Howard K. Beale, Editor, The Diary of Edward Bates, published in The Annual Report Of The American Historical Association For The Year 1930 Volume 4, p. 194-195

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, November 19, 1862

I was detailed to help the general quartermaster draw supplies for the division. There were about one hundred men and we went with teams to La Grange, Tennessee. The supplies consisted of sugar, flour, pickled beef, pork, salt and vinegar, these all in barrels, with coffee and rice put up in sacks, and crackers or “hard-tack,” salt bacon, pepper, soap and candles in boxes. The feed for the animals consisted of oats and shelled corn in sacks, and hay in bales of four or five hundred pounds each. Loading these on the wagon was heavy work, especially the big bales of hay, which required the strength of all who could get hold to lift them. We got a taste of another phase of war.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 83

From Washington

WASHINGTON, May 6.

The U. S. gunboat Huron captured, on the 19th ult., off Charleston, the schooner Glide, of Charleston, while attempting to run the blockade.  She was bound to Nassau, and was loaded with 1,000 bales of cotton and five tierces of rice.  Her papers and logbooks were thrown overboard during the chase.

A number of members of the committees on military affairs of both Senate and House, accompanied by Gen. Clark, executive clerk of the Senate, and Mr. Smith, clerk of the House’s military committee, have gone to Ft. Monroe and the headquarters of Gen. McClellan, to prosecute enquiries touching the charges against Gen. Smith, and other matters of importance in the prosecution of the war.

Senator Wade’s bill, in aid of agricultural colleges, provides that the public lands shall be donated to the States and Territories which may establish colleges to teach the science of agriculture and the mechanical arts, in proportion of 30,000 acres for each senator and Representative.  The funds acquired by the sale of the lands to be invested in government or other stocks yielding at least five per cent.  One college at least must be endowed and supported in the State or Territory which received the donation.

The Senate committee on Finance has reported about 260 amendments to the House tax bill, after having heard delegations representing various interests.  Among the amendments, they have stricken out the tax on ale, and mixed and increased that on distilled spirits to 20 cents per gallon, to be collected at distilleries, but not to operate on stock on and previous to the passage of this act.  The tax on domestic wines is stricken out.  Lager beer and other malt liquors remain undisturbed.  3 per ct. is proposed on the gross receipts of railroads, steamboats, &c.; 30 instead of 5 cts. on cattle, adding 5 cts. on calves; tobacco 20 cts. per lb.; cigars from 10 to 35 cts. according to quality.  The tax of 1 ct. per lb. on cotton is stricken out, and schedule A, taxing pianos.

An order from John M. Casson, assistant P. M. General, directs that all letters for New Orleans should be sent to New York for transmission by government steamers.

The associated press agent gives some additional particulars from our advance near Williamsburg, dated Monday evening:  In the fight there our loss was 17 killed, and about 40 wounded.  80 rebels were left dead on the field, and 40 wounded.  We took nearly 200 prisoners.  Their dead were buried by us on the field.  A stand of colors, belonging to rebel cavalry captured are now on the way to Washington.

Gen. McClellan and staff arrived on the field at 5 o’clock.  He rode to the front greeted by cheers from the troops.  He immediately assumed command.

The rain has poured down in torrents all day.

Jeff. Davis was at Richmond at last accounts.

The enemy’s works [at] Williamsburg were very formidable, extending across the peninsula.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The report of the finance committee of the Senate upon the tax bill is accompanied by an amendment, offered by Senator McDougal, one of the committee, as a substitute for the whole bill.  The bill proposes to raise revenue from the following sources:  1st, capital active and circulating, to be reached by a tax on receipts of business, as hotels, &c., one hundred and ten millions.  2nd, capital fixed, and realized income duties on interests, from interest paying bonds and securities, ten millions.  3d, excises on spirits, malt liquor and manufactured tobacco, forty millions.  4th, duties on legacies and inheritances, granted from one to eight per cent., seven millions.  The system of payment by ad valorem stamps is adopted throughout.  The officials employed to be, 1st, a commissioner of internal revenue at Washington to supervise all.  2nd, inspectors in the several districts with deputies to be appointed by them.  3d, a stamp agent in each district, or more than one if necessary, for the disposal of stamps.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 2