Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, March 18, 1862

We left the boats and marched out about two miles from Savannah. We pitched our tents near a big orchard. Details of men went to the timber with teams to get firewood for our camp.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 37

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, March 17, 1862

We received orders to disembark in the morning and everybody is rejoicing, for it is getting very tiresome on the boats — we have been on the boats seven days now. Details of men worked nearly all day at unloading our commissariat. The landing place is nothing but a jelly of mud — there are so many mules, horses and men passing back and forth.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 37

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, March 14, 1862

We left Fort Henry at dark last night, going on up the river, and arrived at Savannah, Tennessee, this afternoon. The river seems to be lined with transports loaded with troops going up-stream. There are two gunboats in our fleet, also two tugboats and several barges.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 37

James Dyer Welch . . .

. . . of Company K 14th Regiment, died on the 25th of March at Savannah, Tenn., of inflammation of the brain, aged 19 years and 6 months.  The deceased was a son of Mr. John D. Welch of this county, was in the battle of Fort Donelson and there as elsewhere, exhibited true courage and devotion.  He has given his life to his country.

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

The Great Tennessee River Expedition

Arrived at Savannah – Scenes at the Landing – Where the Expedition is – Furthest South of any of our Armies, excepting the Sea Coast Expeditions – Union Men Enlisting – Condition of the Troops – Rank of the Generals of Division – Smith Wallace – A Balaklava Hero.

(Special Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.)

SAVANNAH, Tenn., March 12.

THE FLEET ARRIVES AT ITS FINAL DESTINATION.

The greater part of the Tennessee river expedition arrived at Savannah, Hardin county, Tennessee, on the evening during the night of the 11th inst.  As the sun rose over the canebrakes that line the river banks, it is disclosed such a scene as neither that nor indeed any river on the continent ever witnessed before.  For nearly two miles up and down the stream lay the fleet.  More vessels were constantly arriving, the channel was filled with them, flying about in search of landings near their respective brigade headquarters, and the air was heavy with the murky smoke from hundreds of puffing chimneys.

The shores were covered with the disembarked soldiers, eagerly rushing everywhere and scrutinizing everything, with a genuine Yankee determination to see whatever might be worth seeing “away down here in Dixie.”  They early found the canebrakes, and the number of fishing poles carried aboard the boats to be sent up North and used in more peaceful times, was something astonishing.  Cotton fields were more distant, but long before noon plenty could be heard describing how the fields looked, and exhibiting scraps of cotton and handfuls of seed they had confiscated as specimens from the adjacent warehouses.  Officers were galloping over the bottoms, trying to get an idea of the country – not a few privates deemed it their duty to give the mules a little exercise by beating them into a jog trot through the country, too.

Half a dozen regiments were brought out on dress parade, and the delighted inhabitants of the pleasant little country town of Savannah crowded into the streets or peeped out behind the curtains of the second-story windows to see the unwonted sight, and convince their halting faith that, beyond peradventure, the Yankees were there at least to defend them in their ill concealed preference for the Union cause.  Conspicuous among the troops were the noted Eleventh Indiana and Eighth Missouri, of General Lew. Wallace’s division, whose steady tread and precision of movement was unexcelled by any equally numerous body of regulars our old army ever boasted; and amid all the shouldering and presenting of arms, the flashing swords, waving of banners, prancing of gaily caparisoned horses, and shouting of orders, there came wailing up thro’ this pomp and circumstance of glorious war the unutterable sorrow of the dead march in Saul, as with reversed muskets and measured tread of a squad of his companions bore a brave Buckeye boy to his lonely grave on the banks of the Tennessee.  Poor fellow, he had left Paducah, all life and hope; had sickened on the river and now – well, in a few minutes a regiment was deploying by companies almost over his grave.

A CONSULTATION.

Gen. Smith’s headquarters boat was landed at the Savannah wharf boat about 3 o’clock on the afternoon of the 13th, his yawl came across to Gen. Lew Wallace’s headquarters, on the opposite side of the stream, and the two Generals had a brief conference.

The group was one worth studying.  The two Generals – between whom certain newspapers have sought to foster rivalries and jealousies, though I happen to know that the most cordial feeling has existed between them all the time – presented a marked contrast.  Smith must be fifty, if not fifty-five years of age, has been twenty years in the regular army, and has allowed the regular army ways to become stereotyped with him – has grizzly hair and a noble white moustache, with a lion-like front, massive head, and imposing general physique.  Wallace does not look over thirty-five, is rather slight in figure, with black hair, full beard and moustache, a keen sparkling eye, and quick active movements.  A thorough tactician, and one of the very best drill officers in Indiana, he has not forgotten the arts of civil life, and though of few words and, when occasion demands, stern as the sternest, is a perfect pet among his men, who pride themselves especially on belonging to “Lew. Wallace’s fighting crowd.”  By their side sat a young aid of Smith’s you caught yourself fairly staring at.  His general appearance was that of a bedizened captain of a fancy city company in peaceful times; but you ceased to smile as you caught on the flashing decorations that crossed his breast, the word of glory forever – “Balaklava.”  He rode with the six hundred – what better title to immortality could any man show?

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

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

Gen. C. F. Smith's Operations

The army under Gen. C. F. Smith, (Paducah Smith, as he used to be called) which left Fort Henry several days ago, for an expedition up the Tennessee river, has disembarked at Savannah, 14 miles north of the State line.  Reports say that Gen. Lew. Wallace’s division had marched across to Purdy, McNairy County, which is six miles west of Savannah, burning a bridge and taking up the track of the railroad connecting Corinth, Mississippi, with Jackson, Tennessee.  The bridge destroyed we take to be a structure over the Hatchie river.  The railroad referred to must have been lately put in running order by the rebels, as it was still unfinished but a short time ago.  The destruction of the bridge and track seems to have been very timely, preventing a train of the Confederate troops, which Gen. Johnston was sending to the relief of Island No. 10, from going up.

We suppose the next move of Gen. Smith will be overland to Corinth, which is about twenty-two miles from Savannah, on the Memphis and Charleston railroad.  The distance from Corinth to Memphis, we observe is stated in some of the newspapers to be sixty miles, but the time table of the road itself makes it ninety-three.  The possession of Corinth will cut the communication between Johnston’s and Beauregard’s forces, and this will be all that Gen. Smith will need to do until the rebels fall back upon Forts Pillow and Randolph.  The Confederates are already hemmed in on three sides, so far as the Mississippi Valley is concerned, and it is a gone case with them. – Mo. Repub

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 2

Tennessee River Expedition – Official Report of Lieut. S. L. Phelps

U. S. GUNBOAT, “CONESTOGA,”

Tennessee River, February 10, 1862

Flag Officer H. H. Foote, U. S. N. Commanding

Naval Forces Western Waters

SIR – Soon after the surrender of Ft. Henry on the 6^th inst., I proceeded in obedience to your orders up the Tennessee river with the Tyler, Lieut. Commanding Gwin, Lexington, Lieut. Commanding Shirk, and this vessel, forming a division of the Flotilla, and arrived after dark at the railroad crossing, 25 miles above the Fort, having destroyed on the way a small amount of camp equipage abandoned by the fleeing rebels.  The draw of the bridge was found to be closed and the machinery for turning it disabled.  About one and a half miles above were several rebel transport steamers escaping up stream.  A party was landed, and in one hour I had the satisfaction to see the draw open.  The Tyler being the slowest of the gun boats, Lieut. Gwin landed a force to destroy a portion of the railroad track, and to secure such military stores as might be found while I directed Lieut. Shirk to follow me with all speed in chase of the fleeing boats.  In five hours this boat succeeded in forcing the rebels to abandon and burn three of their boats, loaded with military stores.  The first one fired (Samuel Orr) had on board a quantity of submarine batteries which very soon exploded.  The second was freighted with powder, cannon shot, grape, balls, &c.  Fearing an explosion from the fired boats (there were two together) I stopped at a distance of 1,000 yards, but even then our sky lights were shattered by the concussion, the light upper deck was raised bodily, doors were forced open and locks and fastenings everywhere broken.  The whole river for half a mile around about was completely beaten up by the falling fragments and the shower of shot, grape, balls, &c.  The house of a reputed Union man was blown to pieces, and it was suspected there was design in landing the rebels in front of the doomed house.  The Lexington having fallen astern, and without a pilot on board, I concluded to wait for both of the boats to come up.  Joined by them we proceeded up the river.  Liut. Gwin had destroyed some of the trestle work at the end of the bridge, burning with them a lot of the camp equipage.  J. N. Brown, formerly a Lieutenant in the Navy, now signing himself Lieut. C. S. N. had fled with such precipitation as to leave his papers behind.  These Lieut. Gwin brought and I send them to you, as they give an official history of the rebel floating preparations on the Mississippi, Cumberland and Tennessee.  Lieut. Brown had charge of the construction of gunboats. – At night on the 7^th we arrived at a landing in Hardee county, Tenn. Known as Cerro Gordo, where we found the steamer Eastport being converted into a gunboat.  Armed boat crews were immediately sent on board, and search made for means of destruction that might have been devised.

She had been scuttled, and the suction pipes broken.  These leaks were soon stopped.  A number of rifle shots were fired at our vessels, but a couple of shells dispersed the rebels.  On examination I found that there were large quantities of timber and lumber prepared for fitting up the Eastport, that the vessel itself, some two hundred and eighty feet long was in excellent condition and already half finished.  Considerable of the plating designed for her was lying on the bank and everything at hand to complete her.  I therefore directed Lieutenant Commanding Gwin to remain with the Tyler to guard the prize, and to load the lumber, &c., while the Lexington and Conestoga should proceed still higher up.  Soon after daylight we passed Easport, Mississippi, and at Chickasaw, farther up near the State line, seized two steamers the Sallie Wood and Muscle, the former laid up the latter freighted with iron destined for Richmond and for rebel uses.

We then proceeded on up the river, entering the State of Alabama and ascending to Florence at the foot of Muscle Shoals.  On coming in sight of the town three steamers were discovered, which were immediately set on fire by the rebels.  Some shots were fired from the opposite side of the river below.   A force was landed and considerable quantities of supplies, marked “Fort Henry” were secured from the burning wrecks.  Some had been landed and stored.  These I [secured], putting such as we could bring away on board our vessels, and destroying the remainder.  No flats or other craft could be found.  I found also more of the iron plating intended for the Eastport.

A deputation of the citizens of Florence waited upon me, first desiring that they might be able to quiet the fears of their wives and daughters with assurance from me that they should not be molested and secondly, praying that I would not destroy their railroad bridge.  As for the first, I told them that we were neither ruffians nor savages, and that we were there to protect from violence and to enforce the law, and with reference to the second that if the bridge was away we could ascend no higher, and that it could possess, so far as I saw no military importance, as it simply connected Florence itself with the railroad on the south side of the river.  We had seized three of their steamers, one the half finished gunboat, and had forced the rebels to burn six others loaded with supplies, and their loss with that of the freight, is a severe loss to the enemy.  Two boats are still known to be on the river, and are doubtless hidden in some of the creeks where we shall be able to find them when there is time for the search.  We returned on the night of the 8^th to where the Eastport lay.  The crew of the Tyler had already gotten on board of the prize an immense amount of lumber etc.  The crews of the boats set to work to finish it immediately, and we have brought away, probably 250,000 feet of the best quality of ship and building lumber, all the iron machinery, spikes, and plating, nails, etc., belonging to the rebel gunboat, and I caused the mill to be destroyed where the lumber had been sawed.  Lieut. Commanding Gwin, in our absence, enlisted some twenty-five Tennesseeans, who gave information of the encampment of Colonel Drew’s rebel regiment at Savannah, Tennessee.  A portion of the six hundred or seven hundred men were known to be pressed men and all were badly armed.  After consultation with Lieutenants Commanding Gwin and Shirk I determined to make a land attack on the encampment. – Lieutenant Commanding Shirk with thirty riflemen came on board the Conestoga, leaving his vessel to guard the Eastport and accompanied by the “Tyler,” we proceeded up to that place prepared to land 130 riflemen, and a 12 pound rifled howitzer.  Lieutenant Commanding Gwin took command of this force when landed, but had the mortification to find the encampment deserted.  The rebels had fled at 10 o’clock, at night, leaving considerable quantities of arms, clothing, shoes, camp utensils, provisions, implements, etc., all of which were secured or destroyed, and their winter quarters of log huts were burned.  I seized also a large mail bag, and send you the letters giving military information.

The gunboats were then dropped down to a point where arms gathered under the rebel (press) law had been stored and an armed party, under Second Master Goudy, of the Tyler, succeeded in seizing 70 rifles and fowling pieces.  Returning to Cerro Gordo, we took the Eastport, Sable Woods and Muscle in tow, and came down the river to the railroad crossing.  The Muscle sprung a leak, and all efforts failed to prevent her from sinking and we were forced to abandon her, and with her a considerable quantity of fine lumber.  We are having trouble in getting through the draw of the bridge here.

I now come to the most interesting portion of the report, one which has already become lengthy, but I trust you will find some excuse for this in the fact that it embraces a history of labors and movements day and night, from the 6^th to the 10^th of the month all of which details I deem it proper to give you.  We have met with the most gratifying proofs of loyalty everywhere across Tennessee, and in the portions of Mississippi and Alabama we visited. – Most affecting incidents greeted us almost hourly.  Men, women and children several times gathered in crowds of hundred, and shouted their welcome and hailed their national flag with an enthusiasm there was no mistaking.  It was genuine and heartfelt.  These people braved everything to go to the river bank, where a sight of their flag might once more be enjoyed, and they have experienced, as they related, every possible form of persecution.  Tears flowed freely down the cheeks of men as well as of women, and there were those who had fought under the stars and stripes at Moultrie, who in this manner testified to their joy.  This display of feeling and sense of gladness at our success, and the hopes it created in the breasts of so many people in the heart of the Confederacy astonished us not a little, and I assure you, Sir, I would not have failed to witness it for any consideration.  I think it has given us all a higher sense of the character of our present duties.  I was assured at Savannah that of several hundred troops there, more than one half, had we gone to the attack in time, would have hailed us as deliverers, and gladly enlisted with the national force.  In Tennessee, the people generally, in their enthusiasm, braved secessionists and spoke their views freely, but in Mississippi and Alabama what was said was guarded, “If we dared express ourselves freely, you would bear such a shout greeting your coming as you never heard.  We know that there are many Unionists among us, but a reign of terror makes us afraid of our shadow.”  We were told, too, “Bring us a small, organized force, with arms and ammunition for us and we can maintain our position and put down rebellion in our midst.”  There were, it is true, whole communities who, on our approach, fled to the woods, but these were where there was less of the loyal element.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. L. PHELPS,

Lieutenant Commanding, U. S. N.

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

From Louisville

LOUISVILLE, April 10.

Telegraphic communication opened between here and Savannah, Tenn., This P. M.

Forty physicians and nurses arrived from Frankfort this evening, and immediately left on the Steamer Autocrat for Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing.  Several other boats with similar aid are passing down the river from this city and elsewhere.

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

State Items

Great swells are reported in all the Iowa rivers.  A number of small bridges, and portions of dams have been carried away, playing mischief with telegraph poles.

A correspondent of the Waterloo Courier says that a number of Tennesseeans have joined the Iowa 12^th regiment at Savannah.

By the recent act passed by the Legislature, the Governor is authorized to appoint one assistant surgeon for each regiment now in service from this State.  The surgeons are also authorized to employ nurses to take care of the wounded.

William Geyer, of Brooklyn, met with a fatal accident in a saw mill at that place on the 1^st inst.  He was caught by the circular saw, mangling his leg frightfully, and cutting through the hip-joint, end entirely destroying about 3 inches of the bone.  He lived about forty-eight hours.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 2

Iowa Regiments in the Battle

By a letter received from rev. Mr. Whittlesey, Chaplain of the 11^th regiment, who accompanied the 16^th regiment from this city, we learn that the latter arrived at Savannah, Tenn., on the afternoon of the 4^th inst.  As the battle did not commence until the 6^th, this regiment no doubt was a participant.  We await with anxiety the details to learn the fate of our fellow citizens.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 1

From Tennessee

Special to the Tribune.

CAIRO, March 28.

A gentleman who has just returned from Pittsburg and Savannah, on the Tennessee river, reports that on Sunday and Monday last Gen. Sherman sent a reconnoisance in force to Pea Ridge, near the line of the Mobile and Ohio RR., where it had been reported the rebels were fortifying.  The reconnoisance was complete in every particular.  No enemy, however, was found in the neighborhood.  The expedition returned to Pittsburg on Tuesday.  Our forces at Pittsburg are being rapidly augmented, steamer after steamer arriving continually, loaded with fresh troops.

The latest advices from the rebel camp at Corinth give the strength of the rebel force there at 170,000.  Recent indications relative to the persistent efforts of the rebels to fortify the town of Corinth would seem to demonstrate an intention to make a vigorous resistance there.

It is, however, the general belief of all prominent officers of Gen. Grant’s command that the rebels will retire on our approach, but should a battle occur Corinth will doubtless be one of the hardest fought and bloodiest affairs of the present war.  On Sunday last information was received at the headquarters of Gen. Grant, that a considerable amount of pork was stored at a point on the river, called Nichols’ Landing, sixty miles south of Savannah, Tenn.  Maj. M. Smith, of the 45th Ill., with one hundred and fifty infantry and Capt. Osbonad’s Co., 48^th Ill. Cavalry, was dispatched on the steamer to secure said property.  Arriving at Nichol’s Landing information was given by contrabands, concerning the locality of the pork in question.  Within a circuit of fifteen miles, fifteen thousand pounds of fresh pork, forty-five thousand pounds cured hams, shoulders &c., were discovered and confiscated.  They were then placed on the steamer, brought to Savannah and turned over to the Commissary department.

Nichols’ Landing and vicinity has been a mart of the pork business for the C. S. A. for a long time.  Immense quantities have been sought and stored there for the use of the Confederate army.  Had information arrived two weeks earlier it would have secured to us two hundred thousand pounds of meat.  Within that time the rebels have transported large quantities southward by teams.

On Monday the gunboat Taylor ran up the river to the vicinity of Eastport, near which point masked batteries opened upon them at a distance of two hundred yards, one shot striking the smoke-stack of the Taylor.  A number of shots were exchanged, with what effect on the enemy’s works is unknown.  The engagement was extremely spirited while it lasted.  Upwards of fifty shots being fired.  The Taylor received no other injuries than those above stated, and nobody was hurt.

Captains Bedard and Carson of Gen. Smith’s scouts returned to Savannah from Nashville, overland, on Tuesday night, as bearers of dispatches from Gen. Buell.

Gens. Nelson’s, Thomas’s and McCook’s divisions of Buell’s column reached Duck River on Sunday last.

Capt. Bedard reports a strong loyal sentiment in several districts of Tennessee.

Between Columbia and Savannah he overtook certain bands of marauding rebels, but their identity not being suspected they were allowed to pass unmolested.  Union men live in extreme fear of these marauders, who are prowling about in the vicinity, and are anxious for the approach of Government forces.

A man named Morris, one of the Jessie Scouts, was hung at Savannah on Sunday for horse stealing and other depredations from private citizens thereabouts.

Gen. Grant has entirely recovered from his recent illness.  Gen. Smith is still confined at his headquarters, but convalescent.

A steamer arrived from the flotilla early this morning, and reports no change in the condition of affairs at Island No. 10.  The bombardment continues with but little intermission, but results are unknown.  No sign of evacuation by the rebels.

Rumors were current that rebel gunboats had passed Pope’s batteries at Point Pleasant from below, but they can be traced to no reliable source.  The story is undoubtedly a canard.

The rebels are impressing citizens of Kentucky and Tennessee into service, and arming them with axes and pikes.

Four rebels armed with Arkansas “toothpicks” were arrested near Charleston yesterday and brought to Bird’s Point.  They claim to be refugees from Tennessee, but their story is disbelieved.  They remain in close custody.

Gen. Strong visited the Island to-day.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 2

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 The Eighth Iowa Regiment

STEAMER WAR EAGLE,

Tennessee River, off Savannah,

March 17, 1862

To the Editor of the Gazette:– The 8^th Iowa left Sedalia last Thursday evening, March 11^th, and arrived at St. Louis the following evening.  We were to embark on the steamer War Eagle, which, beside our regiment and transportation, was loading on some 225 tons of Government stores.  All Thursday we lay in St. Louis.  While there, Col. Geddes obtained 600 Springfield rifled muskets, new, and of the very best kind.  Our flank companies were previously armed with Enflield Rifles, and the new Springfield will fully provide with first rate arms, those in our battalion companies which have been carrying the old “Tower Muskets”.”  We are now as well armed as we could wish.

About sundown our boat left the wharf at St. Louis.  The evening was calm and clear, and the air mild, our men in good health and fine spirits.  We floated down the Mississippi, with nothing to disturb the quiet of a river trip, except the merry songs and laughter of officers and men, and the roar of musketry for two or three hours Friday afternoon, when the boys were trying their new guns.  We stopped a short time at Cape Girardeau, then cam to  Bird’s Point where we touched a moment, and then over to Cairo.  We arrived at this latter place about dusk, and remained there till noon on Saturday unloading Government Stores.  From Cairo we proceeded up the Ohio to Paducah, thence up the Tennessee.

Sunday afternoon we passed what was Fort Henry.  Our boat stopped a few minutes here, and several officers and men went ashore to see the fort.  It was constructed of earth, thrown up in a circular form, and strengthened by “gunnies” filled with the same material.  The guns were so arranged as to command the river, and from appearances, were capable of making a strong resistance.  They were nearly all dismounted, some by shots from our gunboats, during the engagement, more by the troops left there after the capture.  Among the guns, I noticed the fragments of the rifled cannon which bursted; killing, it is said, a dozen or more of the rebels in the explosion; also the largest gun I have seen in the West, a 128 pounder.  This gun, I understand, opened on our gun boats but once.  It certainly looked as if it was capable of doing considerable damage if skillfully managed.

Since Friday morning the weather has been rainy and unpleasant until this morning, when it cleared off mild and bright. – We were sailing along as comfortably as was possible in so crowded a boat till about 2 P. M., when

THE WAR EAGLE WAS FIRED INTO.

Some rascally murderous rebels had secreted themselves in the rocks and timber along the shore, and as our crowded boat passed by their lurking place, fired into our bow.  The guards were filled with men, and some of the rebels’ shots unfortunately took effect.  Alex. Jenkins [sic], of Co. G, was instantly killed by a ball through the head; Martin Gentzer [sic], of Co. C, was shot through the left breast.  This wound is considered by the surgeons as mortal, though the young man is still living. – A third, Wm. Phillips, of Co. H, is severely wounded in the right thigh.  The ball went clear through, missing the bone, and inflicting a flesh wound.  Our boys returned the fire promptly, with what effect though is uncertain.  The rebels were well screened by rocks and trees, and showed themselves as little as possible. – One of the rebels was seen to spring in the air, drop his gun, throw up his hands, and fall upon his face, probably pierced by a ball from one of our Enfields.  For a few moments balls whizzed rather unpleasantly across the hurricane deck, but the three mentioned were the only casualties.  Poor fellows!  Though wounded and Killed by cowardly, skulking, murderous rebels, yet they suffered and died as truly for their country’s sake as though they had fallen at Henry or Donelson.

As we came up to this town, we saw before us a perfect forest of smokepipes.  A great number of boats loaded with troops have come up.  Some of the troops have gone ashore; many are still on the boats.  In the latter class are the 8^th Iowa.  Our Colonel has gone ashore for orders.  It is said some regiments have already been sent up the river towards Florence, Ala., and that fighting has been done to-day some 30 miles above here.  We begin to feel as if we were getting near the enemy in fact, and our boys are eager for an opportunity to try their guns.  If we can judge of men from such a surprise as we had to-day, and I assure you it is somewhat trying to one of weak nerves to hear bullets whizzing about his head, when there is no chance of getting away, or returning the compliment, our boys may be set down as of the right kind, for they stood up manfully, and whenever a “secesh” showed himself, a dozen bullets fell in unpleasant propinquity to the place he was last seen.  As we passed up the river we have frequently been greeted by those along the bank with shouts for the Union and waving of hats and handkerchiefs, mostly by women and boys.  The “Union sentiment” along the Tennessee seems somewhat mixed to us, and we rather doubt its strength and genuineness; while the women wave their handkerchiefs and hurrah for the stars and stripes, the men, perhaps their husband and brothers, fire into us!  We have been used to this kind of treatment in the State we have left.  The “great unwashed” in Southwestern Missouri are naturally “bushwhackers,” but we expected in this State a fairer and more honorable mode of warfare.  But “we shall see what we shall see,” and that before many days, I recon.

Our Colonel has just come on board with orders to proceed immediately eight miles further up the river; so there is no chance of mailing at the town of Savannah.

MARCH 18^TH. – During the night we came up eight miles above Savannah.  Here we found many boats.  Some have already unloaded their cargo of soldiers.  We are only waiting an opportunity to get near the land to debark.  I understand that Gen. Bragg is near this point reconnoitering.  A detachment under Gen. Sherman has been sent out by Gen. Grant.  I understand an honorable position in the advance is assigned out regiment.

The man of Co. C, mortally wounded yesterday, died during the night.

Yours, &c.

C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 2

Late News By The Mails

FROM GEN. GRANT’S ADANCE COLUMN.

Latest from Island No. 10, Saturday Night.

MORTAR FIRING STILL IN PROGRESS.

Prof. Steiner’s Balloon Reconoisance.

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, March 22.

A member of the 4^th Illinois cavalry, just arrived from Savannah, says, that on Sunday morning companies M. L and I, Maj. Bowman commanding, left their encampment at Pittsburg to make a reconnoisance in the vicinity of Purdy, which was being fortified by the enemy.

They proceeded ten miles through the forest and swamp, when they met a body of cavalry numbering one hundred, concerning whose presence in that vicinity they were previously informed by a rebel who mistook our forces for Confederates.  The rebels fired upon our boys when within a distance of two hundred yards, but did no damage, their shot going a long way overhead. – The squadron then formed in line of battle and gave the rebels a volley, upon which they retreated, with the loss of one of their captains.  Two hundred yards farther on they formed in line a second time.  Lieut. Chapin, of Chicago, was ordered to charge with Co. L., which he did with great gallantry, and the rebels were a second time routed.  Several attempts were made by the Confederate officers to induce their men to make another stand, but without success.  They were badly intimidated and uncontrollable.

Major Bowman, fearing that a further advance might lead his forces into ambuscade, ordered his men to retire to camp.

On Sunday evening the same companies, with a portion of the Ohio 5^th infantry, under command of Col. Taylor, were ordered to perfect the reconnoisance.  They commenced in the morning, and when about the same distance out, met a body of Confederate cavalry on their way to Pittsburgh, with the intention of surprising and cutting off our camp.  The rebels fired a single volley, as before, too high, and the three companies of the 4^th Illinois cavalry, under command of Capt. Dodge, were ordered to charge the enemy.  They did so, and delivered a well directed fire in their midst, with what result could not be ascertained on account of darkness.

The rebels retreated along the road which here runs diagonally, and when within a short distance from our left, where was stationed Co. I, halted, and saying to our boys, “for God’s sake don’t fire into your brothers,” immediately discharged a volley, killing none, but wounding four.

Company I returned their fire, and the rebels fled in great confusion.  Two of our boys were taken prisoners.  The casualties of the enemy are unknown.  The next day, on visiting the scene of the skirmish, there were found scattered over the ground hats, spurs, boots, sabres, pistols, dead horses, and the earth and leaves covered with blood, showing that our forces had done good execution in their midst.

The enemy removed their dead and wounded under cover of darkness.  While examining the battle field, the advance guard shot a fleeing rebel scout and captured two prisoners.

The Lexington arrived this morning from Tennessee river, and reports that our forces are scattering into the country round about Savannah, accomplishing nothing of importance besides the occasional capture of the enemy’s scouts, and the bring into our lines of prominent rebels charged with assisting the Confederates with money and provisions.

Our forces have entire possession of the Memphis and Charleston RR. In the vicinity of Savannah, and reinforcements cannot be sent to Memphis and other points threatened on the Mississippi by that channel of communications at least.

Gen. McClernand and his division were at Savannah.

Gen. Grant had established his headquarters at Pittsburgh.

LATER.

The New York Tribune correspondent has this moment arrived from Island No. 10, and reports that up to 11 o’clock to-day the firing was steady but less rapid than on previous days, and that it was confined to mortars almost exclusively.  The gunboats occasionally fired a shot, but nothing like a regular bombardment on their part was attained.

A well-directed shot from one of the mortars cut down the rebel flag flying from the upper battery.

To-morrow, Prof. Steiner, the aeronaut, makes an ascension with a view to ascertain the strength and the character of the enemy’s fortifications.

Gen. Pope has planted a battery on the Missouri shore, opposite Tiptonville, the rebel point of embarkation, five miles below Point Pleasant.

Well informed persons say Beauregard is in command at Island No. ten.  It is known that Bragg is at Corinth, Miss.

It is not expected that matters will culminate at the Island for several days.

CAIRO, March 23.

The gunboat Conestoga has just arrived from Island No. Ten, having left the fleet at dark last evening.  She returns in an hour.  She represents no change in the condition of affairs – the mortar and gun boats firing moderately.

Gen. Prentiss and staff arrived here this morning en route for Savannah.  He is ordered to report to Gen. Grant for duty, and will leave on the first boat for the Tennessee river.

The 2d Michigan Artillery and Capt. Powell’s Battery were sent up the Tennessee yesterday, as were also four transports with troops from Benton Barracks.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 1

Iowa Regiments In Tennessee

By reference to the letter of our correspondent, it will be seen that the 8^th Iowa regiment has reached Savannah, Tenn.  There were then four of our regiments at that point, the 6^th, 8^th, 11^th, and 13^th.  Savannah is the county seat of Hardin county, which borders on Alabama, and is located on the Tennessee river about 250 miles above its mouth.  It is a flourishing little village of about 500 inhabitants, and is about fifty miles, by river from Tuscumbia, through which town runs the Memphis and Charleston railroad.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 1

From Tennessee

CAIRO, March 21.

Direct and positive information has arrived from Gen. Grant, at Savannah, 210 miles up the Tennessee river, and 60 miles from Florence, Ala.  The troops are in fine health and spirits, with plenty of provisions and water.

Beauregard commands at Corinth, 15,000 troops from Pensacola.  Cheatham and Bragg have their divisions near.  Heavy forces are gathering on both sides.

There is a strong Union feeling at Savannah.  About 600 volunteers have been enlisted there recently in the Union army.

On the night of the 13^th, a division of the Ohio 5^th cavalry, under Wallace, but Cheatham’s forces to flight, and burned a railroad bridge across a slough.

The Federal army in the vicinity is divided into five divisions under command of Gen.s Sherman, Hurlbut, McClernand, Wallace and Lauman.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 22, 1862, p. 1

Returned

Lt. Flanagan, of company B, and Private Elijah Stone of Le Claire, belonging to the same company, arrived on the Eastern train yesterday afternoon.  They left their regiment at Savannah, on the Tennessee river, last Tuesday, with several other regiments, awaiting orders.  Gen. C. F. Smith was in command, but they met Gen. Grant going up the Tennessee to take command. – Both Lieut. F. and private Stone are sick, and have come home to recruit.  The departure of Lieut. Flanagan left Capt. Littler without any subordinate officer above Second Sergeant Oliver C. Lewis; they met Lt. Huntington at La Salle on his way to join the regiment.  They represent the indignation in the company, when they heard of reports current here about Capt. Littler as very great; and the men held an important meeting, at which they expressed their own views on the subject in emphatic terms.  Capt. Littler seems to be as popular with his men as he ever was, and they want to follow him whenever they have another fight.  Mr. Stone tells us that Capt. Littler was with the company in the skirmishes of the day previous to the famous charge at Fort Donelson, and showed that the music of bullets had no particular horror for him.  Lieut. Flanagan will probably be here two or three weeks.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 22, 1862, p. 1

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, March 16.

A special to the Democrat, dated on board the transport Alps, Hickman, Ky., 18^th, contains the following from Southern papers:

The Memphis Appeal says that two rebel transports ran Gen. Pope’s battery at Point Pleasant on Wednesday last.

A letter from New Madrid of the 11^th, pronounces the fort at that point impregnable; that it would be made the American Thermopylae.  This, however, did not prevent the rebels from evacuating the place as soon as Pope contracted his lines around it.

The Florence Gazette says that the Federals have landed a large force at Savannah, on the Tennessee river.

The Appeal also contains a dispatch dated Clarksville, Ark., 12^th, which says that Van Dorn and Price’s armies, with their baggage train, are save in Boston Mountains.

ST. LOUIS, March 14.

A dispatch from Savannah, Tenn., to the Democrat, says the expedition up the Tennessee river have nearly all arrived here, and the fleet is now on the point of proceeding further up the river.

The expedition is commanded by Gen. C. F. Smith, with Gens. Sherman, McClernand, Hurlbut and Wallace as division commanders.  The force is large and fully able to conquer any army the rebels can bring against it.

Gen. Grant remains in command at Fort Henry.

The enemy’s force in this section is variously estimated at from 30,000 to 100,000 men.

Gen. Wallace’s division went to Purdy, McMary county, yesterday, burned the bridge and took up the tracks leading from Humboldt to Corinth, Miss., cutting off a train heavily laden with troops, which arrived just as the bridge was burning.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

From Corinth

CAIRO, May 6. – Up to Monday night no general engagement hat taken place at Corinth. Orders had been issued to the troops to march on Sunday night but the movement was prevented by the condition of the roads which heavy rains had made impassable. On Sunday morning Gen. Pope, by placing a battery of artillery in open field at Farrington in sight of three regiments of rebels, succeeded in tolling them on to take the battery, and then took the whole force prisoners, numbering nearly 2,000. Several deserters came into our camp on Monday and [reported] that great dissatisfaction exists in the rebel army, both among officers and men. Beauregard had made a speech to some of his troops that he would make a desperate stand and force the Federal army to retreat, and appealed to them to stand by him. A band of guerrillas still maintain warfare on al passing steamboats, and on Sunday drove in our picket around Savannah, but fled on approach of our infantry. The gunboat Tyler is not plying between Clifton and Pittsburgh Landing, shelling the woods where the rebels are supposed to be located.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3