Soldiers' Pay

The Russian soldier receives annually only thirty-six dollars per year as pay, and his rations consist solely of black bread. – The soldier in the French army receives fifty-six cents a month.  The pay of our soldiers is twenty times greater.  The estimate in the French budget for 1860 was $64, 687,500 for an army on a war footing of 762,766 men, and in addition, a reserve militia, on a peace footing of 415,746 men.  It costs the United States nearly three times as much to maintain a soldier as it does the British Government; and it must be remembered that the British Government can get money at three per cent interest, while it cost us six percent or more.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 1

From Island No 10

Special to the Chicago Times.

CAIRO, April 6.

The most exciting event of the siege occurred on Friday night.  At ten o’clock P. M. the gunboat Carondelet, under command of Capt. Walker ran the blockade, and escaped safely the fire of the enemy’s batteries, arriving at New Madrid at daybreak.  She was prepared for the event by mooring alongside on the side towards the batteries, a barge loaded with bales of hay, which were so arranged as to protect her from shot.  The night was excessively dark and stormy.  The sky became overcast at about 10 o’clock, and a storm of wind and rain arose, accompanied with vivid and incessant lightning.  The wind was not very strong but the darkness and the lightning were intense.

The Carondelet passed the first battery before she was discovered.  The second opened upon her as soon as its guns could be brought to bear, but owing to the darkness, and the speed with which she moved, the fire was totally harmless.

The 3d battery concentrated its fire upon her, but not a shot struck the boat. – The effect of the vivid lightning was blinding to the gunners, and the speed of her movements rendered an aim extremely difficult.  She continued her course unchecked, and ran by the fourth and fifth batteries with the same fortunate result.  Fifty-three shots were fired at her, but not one struck her.

The battery on the head of the Island was the most formidable, but none of its guns took effect.

About three miles below the Island the rebel floating battery opened on her and delivered its fire as long as she continued within range, but not a single shot took effect.  However, a continuous fire of musketry was kept up from the shore, and many bullets struck the boat, but all hands were below, and nobody was hit. – This fire is described as very hot.  All the troops on the line of the shore poured in their fire as fast as they could load and discharge.

The Carondelet did not discharge a gun during the entire passage.  She pursued her way in silence, and with ports closed.  She passed the last battery about an hour after she left the fleet.  The cannonading was distinctly audible, and all awaited with intense anxiety for her signal of safety and success.  It came finally in the form of three guns, fired at intervals of five minutes, followed by a repetition of the same after a lapse of ten minutes.  The sound of the signal was received with wild enthusiasm throughout the fleet, and shouts went up which waked the echoes of the night.  The success of the attempt was thus established, and the details were looked for with the greatest interest.

Yesterday Col. Phelps returned and communicated the cheering fact that the Carondelet was uninjured, and is now safely moored at New Madrid.  She laid by after running by the batteries, and waited for daylight for fear of our batteries at New Madrid, which, not knowing what she was, would have fired into her.  She was received at New Madrid with the greatest rejoicing, and congratulations were tendered to her brave officers for their successful achievement.

Gen. Pope and Mr. Scott, assistant secretary of war, visited Capt. Walker on board his boat, and escorted him ashore where he was received at headquarters with many cheers.  The sailors were welcomed with extravagant demonstrations.

Exciting news may be expected soon.  The enemy seem to be very much irritated at the various successes that have attended our cause within the past week.  The spiking of the guns of the upper battery has not been removed.  The battery seems to be effectually silenced, though they were engaged in mounting a new gun at that place yesterday.  A sharp firing was kept up all day yesterday, to which the rebels replied vigorously, showing their irritation.  The Benton succeeded in lodging a shell in the rebel steamer Izel, causing her to run hastily under cover of the island.

Their wharf boat was also dislodged, and sent down stream.

Four or five shells from one of the mortar boats exploded in the midst of their upper encampment.

Heavy cannonading has been heard all day in the direction of New Madrid, indicating that the Carondelet has not failed to find plenty of work.

Of Gen. Pope’s movements we have no news.

Our mortar boats are firing occasionally to-day, but get no response from the enemy.

6 P. M. – very heavy firing continues to be heard in the direction of New Madrid.  It is thought that the Carondelet is engaged with some rebel gunboats.  From one to eight heavy reports are heard per minute.  Whatever the occasion, the engagement at this writing is a desperate one.

Official dispatches have been received by the flag officer, announcing that the Carondelet escaped the rebel batteries uninjured.

A single musket ball struck the rail, but otherwise she was untouched.  Her escape is attributable to the fact that she hugged the shore of the island closely.

It was impossible for the rebels to depress their guns sufficiently to hit her.

There is a great rejoicing throughout the fleet at her signal escape.

Special to Tribune.

NEW MADRID, April 4.

A severe storm passed over camp this A. M., and during its continuance, we heard nothing of artillery practice at Island No. 10.

This afternoon the roar of the mortars is heard continually.  A furious bombardment is progressing.

The entire army will be paid off this week.  The paymaster escorted by two companies of cavalry arrived to-day from Sikeston with the necessary funds.

A teamster who has just returned from Commerce, reports that S. G. Kitchen of the rebel Thompson’s band of thieves is in the swamps back of that post, with a squadron of rebel cavalry, estimated at 200, and that fears are entertained that Union men in the vicinity will be subjected to fresh persecutions.

Another report is current this evening that Jeff. Thompson has assembled a force of considerable strength at Holcomb’s Island at the terminus of the blank road extending westward form Point Pleasant, about twelve miles from this camp.  His position is represented by scouts as exceedingly strong, and his defenses are so arranged that with insignificant force he can withstand almost any army we can bring against him.

The entire country hereabouts is strongly secession.  The women are particularly violent, and denounce the army and Government in unmeasured terms.  The men from motives of prudence keep quiet tongues in their heads.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 8, 1862, p. 2

Swindling Iowa Soldiers

“A Soldier in the Field” writes the following communication to the Hawk-Eye, which embraces some pertinent and important enquiries:

EDITOR OF HAWK EYE:– As the Legislature is in session and will undoubtedly be investigating several things relative to the conducting of the war, it might perhaps be well enough for the Investigating Committee to enquire how it came that the troops at Camp McClellan, Davenport, were paid off in a kind of scrip or certificates signed by the Quartermaster General Price; which certificates could only be cashed by the soldier at from 15 to 50 percent. discount.  They were so cashed at the State Bank and other shaving shops.  Somebody will make what the soldier lost.  Who is it, and by whose authority were the soldiers so paid?  The pay rolls of the soldiers are made out from the time they enlisted, and if they had not been put through this shaving operation, they would have been paid by the United States Government at their first payment the full amount of gold or convertible funds.

– Published in The Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 7, 1862, p. 1

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, May 14 – SENATE – Mr. WRIGHT presented a petition form citizens of Indiana asking Congress to leave off the agitation of the negro question, and attend to the business of putting down the rebellion.  He said he believed those were the sentiments of a very large majority of the people of his State.

On motion of Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, the resolution to suspend the payment of troops actually employed in the Department of the West was taken up.  He stated that under the act, it has been reported that great frauds have been perpetrated, and the only remedy is to have a Commission appointed to investigate the claims.  After a discussion the resolution was laid over.

The resolution by Mr. POWELL, asking the Secretary of State for the number and names of prisoners arrested in Kentucky, how long imprisoned, why they are, &c., was taken up.

The question was on the amendment by Mr. SUMNER that the President be requested to inform the Senate, if compatible with the public interests, concerning the arrests in Kentucky, which was adopted, yeas 30, nays 7.

Mr. POWELL offered an amendment to Mr. Sumner’s amendment, which the Chair said was substantially the same as the original resolution, therefore it was not in order.

Mr. POWELL appealed from the decision of the Chair.

The decision was sustained, 34 to 1.

Mr. POWELL read a letter concerning an interview by the citizens of Kentucky with the Secretary of State, when he refused to give them any information, and said he did not care a damn for the opinion of Kentucky, but meant to hold her in the Union, &c!

The resolution, as amended, was adopted.

Mr. CLARKE, from the special Committee on Confiscation, reported a bill.

Mr. TRUMBULL offered a resolution that the President inform the Senate, if consistent with the public interests, of any information he may have of any design on the part of any foreign Power to interfere in the contest now existing, and whether any foreign nation has made any arrangement with the insurgents or has it in contemplation to do so.  Laid over.

After consideration and amendment of the Indian Appropriation Bill the Senate went into Executive Session.  Adjourned.

HOUSE. -  Mr. WALTON, of Vermont, reported back from the Committee on Printing the joint resolution requiring the Superintendent of the Census to keep records of the names of adults, heads of families and free holders.  The subject was discussed.

Mr. ELLIOTT, from the Select Committee on Confiscation, reported two bills.  He said the time for the restoration of this subject ought not to be much longer postponed.  He suggested that it be made the special order for Monday next.  The first bill provides that all estates, property and money of persons holding, or hereafter holding, office under the so-called Confederacy be forfeited to the United States, and that the President be requested to issue a proclamation giving sixty days.

Mr. PHELPS, of Missouri, suggested that it made the special order for Tuesday, after the morning hour, and the rest of the week be given for debate.

Mr. ELLIOT acquiesced in this, and further that the vote be taken on Monday week on both sides.

Mr. SHELLABARGER offered a resolution calling on the Secretary of the Interior to inform the House what retrenchments can be made in the expenditures.  Passed.

Mr. WICKLIFFE had ineffectually endeavored to offer an amendment, calling on the Secretary of War, to state whether he had provided arms and clothing to arm the fugitive slaves in the South.

The house went into Committee on the Army Appropriation bill.

Mr. CRISFIELD made a speech against confiscation.

Several amendments were offered to the army bill.  One by Mr. Calvert, that no portion of the appropriation should be appropriated to keeping, supporting or equipping fugitive slaves for service in the army.

After debate it was rejected.

The Army Appropriation bill passed without amendment.

Adjourned.

WASHINGTON, May 15. – Mr. WADE presented petitions in favor of confiscation.

Mr. GRIMES presented a petition for a ship canal from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River.

Mr. WADE, from the Committee on Territories, reported back the house bill to provide for the temporary government of Arizona.

Mr. WILKINSON, from the same Committee, reported back a bill to amend the act for the government of Colorado.  The bill makes the Governor’s veto qualified instead of absolute. – The bill was passed.

Mr. BROWN, from the same committee, reported back the House bill to secure freedom to the people of the Territories, with an amendment which changes the language of the bill to that of the ordinance of 1787.

HOUSE – On motion of Mr. FENTON, the House proceeded to the consideration of the bill introduced by him for the adjudication of claims for loss or destruction of property belonging to loyal citizens, and the damage done them by the troops of the United States during the present rebellion.

The bill provides for the appointment by the President of three Commissioners, together with a Clerk and Marshal.  The commissioners are prohibited from taking cognizance of claims for slaves, while the bill is guaranteed to prevent disloyal citizens from being benefitted by the act.  The claims ascertained are to be reported to Congress, to the end that provisions may be made for their relief, as may be deemed just and proper.

Report agreed to 24 to 28.

A message was received from the President recommending a vote of thanks to Com. Farragut and other officers in his expedition.

The Conference Committee on the homestead bill made a report which was agreed to.

A resolution was offered calling on the Secretary of the Navy for the number of iron clad gunboats under contract, their armaments and when they will be ready for service.  Laid over.

Mr. HARRIS offered a resolution asking the Secretary of State what were the rights and obligations of the United States and Great Britain in regard to the maintenance of armaments on the Lake.  Laid over.

The Indian appropriation bill was taken up and discussed.

A message was received from the House announcing the death of Geo. F. Barley, of Massachusetts.

Mr. SUMNER paid a brief tribute to his worth, &c.

The customary resolutions were passed.

Adjourned.

Mr. FENTON said this bill had been materially considered by the Committee on Claims and was based on the principle of equity and justice.  While sincerely desirous of indemnifying Union men for the losses they had sustained, he was anxious that congress should pass a confiscation bill, denouncing special pains and penalties against the leaders of the rebellion, who having plundered loyal men and sequestrated their estates, shall not escape punishment.  Their property and substance should be used to pay the expenses incidental to the suppression of the most wicked and causeless rebellion.

Mr. WEBSTER moved an amendment making it the duty of the Commissioners to take cognizance of the losses of slaves, which the bill, as reported, prohibits.

Mr. MORRIL, of Vermont, moved the postponement of the bill till Monday.  The bill should be maturely considered, as it involved the expenditure of $100,000.  If passed it might supercede the amount of claims.

Mr. FENTON explained that all adjudicated claims have to be reported to Congress, which is to control the appropriation.

Mr. MORRIL’S motion was adopted.

The House passed the Senate bill authorizing the appointment of medical store-keepers for the army, and hospital chaplains.

Among the measure passed on are the following:

The Senate bill setting apart 10 per cent of the taxes paid by the colored persons to be appropriated for the education of colored children of the District.

The Senate bill requiring the oath of allegiance to be administered to persons offering to vote whose loyalty shall shall [sic] be challenged.

The House bill requiring the oath of allegiance to be taken by attorneys and solicitors in Court within the District of California.

Mr. POTTER from the Conference Committee on the homestead bill, made a report which was adopted.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 3