SEDALIA, Mo., March 10, 1862.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAVENPORT GAZETTE. – The time we have been wishing to arrive has, I believe, come at last. An order has been received by our Col. ordering our regiment to the seat of war. Orders of this kind are you know, usually exceedingly brief – simply stating the fact, and leaving the point of destination in interesting and exciting obscurity, thus giving ample scope for those in camp who have to speculate on the unseen and unknown, to exercise their speculative features. I believe the present order commands our regiment to proceed to St. Louis so soon as railroad cars for men, baggage, mules, horses, wagons, &c. shall have been sent here in sufficient number for our removal. When we reach St. Louis we shall probably learn more definitely where we are bound for. From what I have been able to learn from authentic sources, it seems a brigade of Iowa troops is soon to be formed, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. McKean, and designed to take an active part in the fighting which is expected to be done in Kentucky, Tennessee or further South. This brigade is to consist of the 6th, 8th, 11th and 13th Iowa Infantry, all of which are now stationed at different points along the Pacific RR. One regiment will probably get off to-morrow evening or the next morning. Our boys are all rejoiced at the prospect of meeting the enemies of our country and flag in open and fair field fight. We are quite willing to leave “bush wacking,” for the more honorable civilized mode of warfare. Remembering the caution, “let not him that putteth on his armor boast himself as much as he that taketh it off;” we make no promises or protestations, further than that we will do what we can to maintain in undimmed brightness, and if we are able add to the luster of that glorious halo which already surrounds the arms of the State of Iowa. We have full confidence in our field and line officers, none less in the valor and patriotism of our men.
The order to march was received by our Col. – sent on to him by an express from Sedalia – while on
A SCOUTING EXPEDITION.
Information had been brought by refugees that an organized band, variously estimated at from 300 to 1,000, under the command of Jackman and Marchbank, recruiting officers holding the rank of Captain in Price’s army, was stealing, robbing and murdering in Bates Co. and the lower portion of Henry Co. This information being regarded as reliable, Col. Geddes determined to pay his compliments to these armed marauders in a way they would be likely to remember. Last Monday morning, Mch. 3d, he left Sedalia for the purpose of executing this determination. The force which he commanded in person, consisted of the 1st battalion 1st Iowa cavalry, under Maj. Torrence, five Cos. 8th Iowa infantry, under Lieut. Col. Ferguson and Maj. Andrews, three Cos. 26th Indiana and two of the 6th Missouri, under Maj. Clark (this battalion was sent up from Otterville,) and one section 1st Mo. light artillery, under Lieut. Marr. The weather was exceedingly cold, the wind blowing strong and freezing across the prairies and directly in our faces. Nothing of interest occurred the first day out. The second day, in temperature and wind, was like unto the first. We passed through the village of Belmont, formerly very strongly “secesh,” now almost deserted, and thence onward to Clinton, the county seat of Henry Co., When near this place the advance guard was ordered to charge on the town, and guard every load leading out. This order was promptly and well executed. When the command came up we found about 40 persons “corralled.” A motley group this; clothed in various colored home-made linsey, divers[e] and curious head rigging in the shape of what were or had been hats and caps, with blankets white and blankets grey thrown over their shoulders and ingeniously fastened about the neck. We had come upon the town unexpectedly, and with a rapidity which gave the fellows from the country, who were in town, no chance for escape. Doubtless most of those we caught had been in Price’s army – perhaps some belonged to Jackman’s band. – One man was taken on a Government horse branded U. S., with a Government saddle; two we took along with us and have brought into Sedalia. The balance, as nothing could be proved against them, were sworn en masse and turned loose. – It was a novel sight, that – forty men, more or less, with uncovered head and right hand uplifted, swear allegiance to the Constitution and the “Old Flag,” and to repudiate the Jefferson D. confederacy. I fear they will not all keep that oath. That night we went on to the Deep Water, and lay out in the timber on its bank. We were well sheltered from the wind, but the ground was frozen hard, and where I lay down not very smooth. Next Morning we were up by daylight, and by sunrise we were on our way to one Rickey’s store, a notorious stronghold and headquarters of the thieving rebel band where we expected to meet the enemy in force. In this we were disappointed. The rebels by some means found we were too strong for them, and ran for their hiding places like rabbits. As we approached the store, we could see mounted men on all sides, hastening with all dispatch across the prairie to the timber. They were too far from us, and too near the timber, to send out cavalry in pursuit. Soon as the command came up to the store, skirmishers of infantry were sent out through the timber, and scouts of cavalry over the prairies in different directions. Some of our skirmishers had the pleasure of exchanging shots with the rebels, and returned late in the afternoon, with a diversity of fire-arms, and many prisoners. The cavalry were out all night, and next morning brought in between 20 and 30 prisoners and arms in proportion. Among the prisoners was Capt. Marchbank. The scouting party which took him got after Jackman, but he, being acquainted with the country, and well mounted, while our horses were jaded with the three days’ and one night’s hard riding, escaped their grasp. Next evening our command started from Round Prairie, taking an occasional prisoner and fire-arm as we passed along. Soon as the men could get at it, skirmishing and scouting parties were sent out. Cos. C & K had a very interesting skirmish with some rebel pickets, killing one and capturing several of their horses. We had by this time 60 or 70 prisoners, about as many firearms – rifles, muskets, shot guns, carbines, &c., - three kegs of powder, and several pounds of shot. The afternoon and evening at headquarters were very busily occupied in examining the prisoners and administering the oath, requiring bonds, and then turning them loose, or remanding them again to the charge of our soldiers for safe conduct to this place. – Thinking that perhaps some of your readers may be curious to know what we make the fellows swear I send you a copy of the
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
“Without mental reservation, I do most solemnly swear, in the presence of God whom I call to witness my sincerity and fidelity, that I do, and will hereafter continue to bear true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States and to the old flag, ‘the stars and stripes;’ that I do, and will forever repudiate all allegiance to, or sympathy with the so-called Confederate States of America; and that I will never aid or abet, or render any assistance or comfort by word or act, or in any way or manner to the so-called Confederate States of America, so help me God.” This oath was gotten up by one of our number for the occasion, and was taken by no less than thirty-six, whose names and places of residence I have carefully recorded.
While at Round Prairie the order to go South reached our Colonel. It was his intention to give the rebels in that neighborhood a longer benefit, but the order cut our visit short.
Friday morning we took the back track, bringing along with us several Union refugee families whose neighbors would not allow them to remain. This action of the refugees – coming away under the protection of our command – excited still more the ire of their enemies, who hung in squads about our rear threatening an attack, which, however, they were prudent enough not to attempt. This afternoon information was brought Col. Geddes that a band of about 150 rebels were skulking in some timber a little off our line of march. He immediately sent out a detachment of cavalry who engaged in a skirmish with them, but neither killed or captured any. In this skirmish a man was slightly wounded in the neck by two buckshot, and his horse was killed. This was the only casualty in our command. We went in camp Friday night having marched that day 34 miles.
Saturday we came on to Sedalia. The command came in about 4 P. M., making 36 miles. It will be seen that in less and two days we marched 70 miles. This, I think, will be admitted on all hands, as very good marching for Infantry, even though they did ride in wagons drawn by mules. The aggregate distance was about 150 miles, exclusive of the extra miles, and they were many – travelled by skirmishers and scouting parties.
We brought in with out about 30 prisoners, who in due time will be tried, and some of them, I think, sent to the penitentiary at Alton.
The country through which we passed was very fine indeed. I cannot conceive of a better agricultural country. Our course was southwest through broad rich prairies, well supplied with timber and streams of water.
It has not yet transpired what Infantry regiment will take our place here. Nearly all the 1st Iowa Cavalry are now here, the balance will be in a few days.
I hope to write you again before many days, and to have the satisfaction of dating my letter many miles south of Sedalia. I trust the onward movement may be pressed with activity and vigor, till secessionists are swept from “Secessia” into the Southern Gulf. Let us nail to the flag-staff a red flag on which is emblazoned in indelible characters the watchword “Forward to victory,” and bear it in advance of the glorious old “Stars and Stripes,” till this revered ensign floats triumphantly over the tomb of Rebellion, and the dishonored ashes of traitors.
Yours, &c.
C.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1
