The War in North Missouri

Quincy, Ill., April 8. – Col. Glover has at last commenced meting out justice to the North Missouri rebels. We learn from reliable authority that a man named Jones, whom he arrested last summer in Monroe county, and released upon his taking the oath, was again arrested by him about two weeks since in violation of his parole. He was brought to Shelbyville, and last Thursday was shot by the Colonel’s order.

A portion of Capt. Benjamin’s company, attached to Col. Glover’s regiment, while out on a scout near Walkersville, Shelby county, were fired upon by a party of bushwhackers concealed in a thicket, killing two soldiers and a citizen of that county who happened to be riding with them. They returned the fire and charged upon the seceshers, who skedaddled, leaving three of their number dead upon the ground. They did not take any prisoners, that game being about played out, rebel oaths thus far having proved poor property.

– Published in Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 10, 1862 & also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

How General Wadsworth Got Shoes For His Soldiers

The following characteristic anecdote of the fallen hero, from the pen of one of the Editors of The New York Evening Post, will be read with interest.

“He had a reputation in the army for the excellent care he took of those under his command. He would not let them suffer if thoughtfulness, providence and ingenuity could prevent it.

“Make out a requisition for extra shoes,” we heard him say to one of the Brigadiers; “about one pair of shoes for ever two men. I think we can get them of the Quartermaster, but I will see to it, that at any rate they are got. They will not be heavy to carry, and we shall find [t]he value of them before we get through.”

“I remember,” he added, “during the march through Maryland, before the battle of South Mountain, we passed over a tract of country extremely rugged and stony, and I saw not only men, but officers walking along with bleeding feet. The Men’s shoes gave out entirely. It hurt my feelings more than I can tell you, to see the good fellows trudge along so. We came to a town on the line of march, and I, who was riding at the head of the column, spurred ahead to see if there were not some shoe stores where I could purchase what was needed for the men. All the shops were closed, the first men I saw were two sitting outside a closed shop.

“Are there any shoe stores in this town?” I asked. They replied, in a gruff way, that they could not tell, there might be and there might not. I told them that I wanted to buy shoes for my troops, who were barefooted. They replied they guessed I wouldn’t get many.

“At that,” said the General, “I got angry. Said I there are two pair of shoes at any rate which I see on your feet. Take them off instantly! I shouted to them. They were obliged to do it. I went through the town and took the shoes off every man’s feet I could see; and thus I raised about two hundred pairs in all. One fine old fellow, a miller, whom I met, I did not deprive of his own pair; I rode up to him and asked if he and any old shoes he could spare me, describing the pitiful condition of my men. The old man said, “I don’t know if there’s any shoes in the house or not, but,” looking down at his feet – “here’s a pair you’r[e] welcome to at any rate.” I would not let him take them off, but he gave me some from his house. All the rest I stripped.”

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 28, 1864

Cure For Spavin

Add two table-spoons for melted lard, one of cantharides, made fine or pulverized, and a lump of corrosive sublimate as large as a pea – all melted up and applied once a day till used up, confining it to the callous. This quantity is for one leg and may be relied on as a cure. It will make a sore, and the joint will be much weakened while applying the medicine. No need of alarm, it will all be right when healed up. [Farmer and Mechanic

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 28, 1864

Rare Civil War Spur Found At Harding House Site

Sweltering temperatures, pesky bugs and blisters brought on by combating the hard battlefield soil weren’t enough to discourage volunteers who, for the second weekend in a row, braved the 94-degree heat to participate in the Harding House Civil War History Survey on July 19-20.

The project, which is a geospatial/archaeological project conducted this month on land slated for development in August, was initiated by Dr. Tom Nolan and archaeologist Zada Law, both members of MTSU’s geosciences faculty, with assistance from Dr. Hugh Berryman, director of the MTSU Forensic Institute for Research and Education, as well as members of Middle Tennessee Metal Detectors, MTSU anthropology and public history students, Gib Backlund and Jim Lewis from the National Park Service, and developer Stonegate Commercial.

“We're having to do this work in a really short time frame in one of the hottest and most humid parts of the year,” remarked Law of the all-volunteer effort. “The heat, actually the humidity, was brutal out there.”

In spite of the heat-related conditions, “We completed a systematic metal detecting survey of the surface of almost the entire development tract,” she noted. “And we also conducted a pedestrian archaeological reconnaissance of the field where the Harding's brick kiln is reported to have been located.”

As a result, the final weekend of the July survey yielded historically valuable finds, said Nolan, director of MTSU’s Laboratory for Spatial Technology, who credits and praises project volunteers for the recovery of not just farm implements, bullets, shell fuse and shell fragments, but also for the weekend’s most celebrated Civil War artifact—and one which brought cheers from the exhausted survey teams.

“Right by where we had parked our vehicles, we found a Civil War-period spur, with a silver rowel, which is the small wheel of a spur that has sharp edges,” Nolan related, with excitement. “It even had the chain and buckle that had held it on (its owner’s boot) … and you could see how it had been lost, because one of the attachments on it broke.”

The volunteer-motivating discovery, which was located on Saturday, July 19, was one that once belonged to “a cavalry soldier or an officer,” he noted.

Regarding the horseshoe, Backlund, chief of operations for Stones River National Battlefield, said, “It’s cavalry, but it’s United States as opposed to Confederate States. It also has a mark on it that may indicate the maker. We’re not sure of the dates exactly, but it’s Civil War era … and we have museum technicians looking at the marks on it now.”

As for the weekend’s artifact tally, “The team of volunteers from the metal-detecting club made it possible for us to do a metal detecting survey over almost all the tract,” Law said. “I think between Saturday and Sunday, we may have had perhaps 30-40 individual fragments including things like shell fragments that are possibly Civil War era.

“It's so hard to tell with the clay dirt still clinging to them, and because the clock is ticking down to development, we focused on collecting the artifacts and getting their locations and moving on,” she continued. “We may have collected some non-Civil War pieces (such as farming equipment and fence wire), but experts in this era of material cultural can sort that out later.”

Backlund confirmed that the July 19-20 survey effort yielded more “minie balls, round shot … and pieces of horseshoes.” Moreover, he said he’s hopeful the teams will be able to “go out again” to further continue the survey, even though the past weekend marked the volunteers’ final survey activity for July.

“None of this would have been possible without the great volunteer response, and that’s the truth,” Nolan observed. “We couldn’t have done it without them, and I am so pleased that the anthropology students were willing help. They conducted all the GPS data collection and bagging in the field. … (And) Middle Tennessee Metal Detectors was a pleasure to work with. They systematically covered the ground, worked well with the GPS and photography teams, and were very knowledgeable about the artifacts they recovered.”

“We had six new volunteers this past weekend,” Law added. “One man and his grade-school son came from Wisconsin to help. Our crew on Saturday numbered about 25 and about 12 on Sunday. Plus, students from MTSU's public history program and anthropology program were out photographing, GPSing location coordinates and creating a field inventory of the artifacts we found.”

Heralding the Harding House Civil War Survey as a true partnership for historic preservation, Law said this project differed from other such efforts she’s participated in, because of the cooperative aspect of the developer and other participants.

“Much of my archaeological survey work has been connected with projects that have some type of regulatory requirement that historic sites, including archaeological sites, be taken into account before development,” she explained. “What is different about the Harding House survey is that there is no regulation or legislation that requires the developer to allow scientific community to collect historic data before development.

“Of course, once the construction equipment starts pushing dirt around, the location of the artifacts and other archaeological signatures of the conflict will be destroyed and data that may allow us to better understand this day of the battle and where troops were positioned will be gone forever,” she noted. “So we're really grateful that the developer has allowed us to go on his land prior to construction to conduct this survey.”

Overall, Nolan said the volunteer partnership gleaned small amounts of ammunition and other artifacts that will aid in helping historians better pinpoint the location of the troops on the first day of the Stones River conflict. Additionally, he said he remains hopeful that volunteers will be allowed to return to the site after construction crews begin grading the area for development.

“We made positive connections between metal-detecting club members and members of scientific community, working together to capture and identify the historic information that is contained in the ground resulting from this conflict before development,” Nolan confirmed.

About the Harding House Site

Owned by Giles Scales Harding and destroyed by fire in the 1870s, the Harding House/brick kiln site is reported to be the locale of heavy fighting during the initial Confederate attack on Stones River Battlefield, where Confederate Col. Arthur M. Manigault and Brig. Gen. J. Patton Anderson attacked the forces of both Union commanders Brig. Gen. Joshua Sill and Col. George Roberts.

Prior to being the scene of heavy fighting, the home was made a field hospital by and for Union troops, dubbed “Hospital Harding,” and at one time had about 150 wounded. The home’s owners and family were forced to evacuate the home and did not return until after the war. However, at one point the home was hit by cannon fire that killed four of its wounded occupants and reportedly broke the legs of the Harding family’s piano. When the family returned, one Union soldier, to weak to travel, remained. Giles’ wife, Mary Hollowell Blackman, assigned the couple’s daughter, Ellen Amy, to tend to the ailing man until he departed, leaving Ellen a $2 ½-dollar gold piece minted in 1851 as a show of his gratitude

Findings from a 1999 study prepared for the National Park Service denote the Harding House as being among the most significant sites and actions of the Battle of Stones River, coming in at No. 6 of 23 locales on or near the national park’s 570-acre boundary.

– Originally published HERE in The Murfreesboro Post, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 1:10 p.m., July 21, 2008

A Letter from Adj. E. H. King

Head Quarters 15th Iowa Inft.
Clifton, Tenn., May 11, 1864

Mr. Caverly :–

Again we are “in the field,” again enjoying the hardships of “Camp life,” again luxuriating in the pleasures derived from eating “hard tack and bacon,” and retrospecting the scenes of the past few weeks, are prone to remember, that, at home, it is not so. It is happiness to reflect upon our “welcome home,” after enduring two and a half years service upholding the “Starry banner,” suffering the carnage of many hard fought battles, and pestilential diseases.

The tender greetings, the fervent blessings, the cordial and extending welcomes given us together with the abundant and substantial hospitalities bestowed upon us on every occasion, can only be remembered with feelings of pleasantness and gratitude for all these demonstrations of kindness to us, and sympathy with us, in enduring the hardships and privations of a soldier’s life, and for all those other feelings and sentiments of regard, which words and actions fail to express; we tender you, the people of Oceola, of Clark Co., and of the glorious State of Iowa, – our most heart felt thanks.

Our brief sojourn in Keokuk, – from the 22nd until the 27th of April, – I am proud to say, was a continuance of that kind regard bestowed upon us everywhere. And now that we are again in a country desolated by the hand of “grim visaged war,” and where instead of meeting friends, we are confronted by a relentless enemy, ready at all times to destroy life. We look back upon those scenes and pleasures, as constituting an “Oasis” in the desert of life in the army, and dwell upon them with pride and comfort

Our regiment arrived a[t] Clifton, Tenn. at 2 o’clock P. M. The 6th Inst., per steamer “Henry Von Phull,” having left Paducah, Ky. On the 5th at 8 A. M., and Cairo, Ill. At 2 A. M. on the 2nd. Nothing of note transpired on the trip, expecting an occasional shot from guerillas along the Tennessee River which failed to damage any one. Our stay at Paducah, was occasioned by a threatened attack on that place Forrest [sic]. Perhaps from a knowledge of our presence, (there were 8 regiments of Inft. And 2d [sic] batteries of artillery, all commanded Brig. Gen. Forrest in the detachment,) the attack was not made, and we passed to Clifton without serious molestation. The fleet carrying us thither consisted of eleven transports, and two gunboats, creating a magnificent spectacle in the mind of the beholder, sailing one hundred and fifty yards apart.

The Tennessee river is a deep clear and narrow stream, with no variety of scenery in Kentucky, but nearing Clifton, becomes picturesque and romantic.

Clifton contains but few people, and in the “palmy [sic] days of the Republic” obtained some importance from the Cement and Iron manufactories in its vicinity. The most important buildings have been burned. The people are mainly loyal, and have given twenty five hundred troops for the Government within the space of a few miles, being, our general says, a larger ration of troops according to the population, than has been furnished by any district in the northern States. In consequence thereof, foraging from the country is prohibited. A rumor has been current for a few days in camp, that Gen. Grierson has attacked and routed Forrest’s command making Forrest himself prisoner and two hundred of his men. To offset this came a report this A. M. that Gen. Grant and Staff have been captured by the rebels. As we do not know the facts, these stories are discredited.

The weather has been very warm until today, which is wet and cold. Health is quite good, though a few of the “New Recruits” are having the measles.

Yours truly;

E. H. King

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 28, 1864

Harding ‘Evidence’ Bolsters Stones River Battlefield Accounts

By Mike West, Managing Editor

Artifacts found last weekend near the site of the Harding House attest to some of the key moments of the Battle of Stones River.

Dr. Tom Nolan, director of MTSU’s Laboratory for Spatial Technology, along with archaeologist Zada Law, led the all-volunteer team on its first day of the survey at the Harding House site off Wilkinson Pike. The site, which is near Medical Center Parkway, is scheduled for development.

Among the 40 to 50 discoveries included lead shot, minie balls, canister shot and a Civil War-era horseshoe.

Many of the Confederate troops with the Army of Tennessee were armed with inaccurate, outmoded muskets that fired lead balls. Union troops, in many instances, were using state-of-the-art rifled muskets that fired minie balls.

Fighting near the Harding House was an artillery battle with Confederate Capt. David D. Water’s Alabama Battery trying to suppress the fire of Union cannons including Capt. Asahel Bush’s 4th Indiana Battery.

Water’s unit was placed a few hundred yards east of the Harding’s brick kiln.

Bush’s unit was supporting Brig. Gen. Joshua Sill’s Brigade. Sill had just been shot dead in the fighting on a ridge near the Harding family’s brick kiln. He had led a charge in an attempt to break the Confederate advance.

“In this charge the gallant Sill was killed; a rifle ball passing through his upper lip and penetrating the brain,” Sheridan wrote in his memoirs.

It was a rifle ball not unlike the one discovered last weekend by the archeological team.

With the Union infantry running low on .69-caliber minie ammunition, artillery was key at this point of the battle.

Waters, firing 12-pound Napoleon cannons, tried to knock out the Union armaments by firing spherical case rounds. If correctly placed, the rounds exploded in the air, showering the enemy with rifle balls and shrapnel. The rounds were often very effective against artillery emplacements.

The Napoleon, cast in bronze, was the most popular smoothbore cannon used during the Civil War. It was a safe, reliable artillery piece that was especially effective at close range.

Bush was equipped with more powerful Parrott rifled cannon. Cast from iron, the Parrotts were extremely accurate, but had a tendency to explode, killing or maiming its gun crew

The Indiana artillery was firing the deadliest round used during the Civil War, canister shot, which transformed cannon into giant shotguns that would cause a wide swath of destruction.

The canister fire drove one section of Water’s guns from the field, wounding several Confederate gunners, wrecking a caisson and disemboweling some artillery horses.

Rebel Private Sam Watkins, who was troops making the final Confederate charge against Sheridan, counted some 80 dead horses in the area between the Harding house and across Wilkinson Pike.

Weather permitting, the historic survey of the Harding house site is expected to continue this weekend.

“I think what we found the first day was gratifying,” said archeologist Law. “I had no expectations, but I had hopes, so I was so gratified that we found some Civil War artifacts.

“I think what we did locate demonstrates our methods worked well,” she added, “and that our approach to this project is one that will yield results … and help identify where the troop locations were.”

We are so appreciative of everyone who came out to help and support this survey,” survey leader Nolan said. “Dr. Hugh Berryman of MTSU anthropology department and his daughter, along with Gib Backlund and Jim Lewis from the National Park Service showed up on their day off. Everyone was very enthusiastic and seemed to have fun in spite of the intense heat.”

Because the Civil War artifacts were “buried pretty deep and the ground was so dry and hard, the volunteers definitely had to work hard,” Nolan said. “But their efforts were time and energy well spent.”

Law said finding the artifacts was thrilling.

“And I am just so glad so many people gave up their time to come help us with this work on behalf of historic preservation,” she said.

“Just like all of us, I think the volunteers were grateful to the developer, Stonegate Commercial and its president, Tommy Smith, to let us be out there and excited to be part of a systematic study of the property ... (where what they find) will be synthesized and added to our understanding of this long-ago battle,” Law said.

– Originally published HERE in the Murfreesboro Post, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 9:00 am, July 20, 2008

The Harding House Survey

Thank you to Lisa Rollins, Director of Special Media Projects News and Public Affairs at Middle Tennessee State University for sending along photographs from the Harding House Survey

About 25 volunteers from MTSU’s anthropology program and Middle Tennessee Metal Detectors gather July 12 at the Stones River Battlefield to begin searching for Civil War artifacts near the Harding house site. The purpose of the geospatial/archaeological survey, led by Dr. Tom Nolan, director of MTSU’s Laboratory for Spatial Technology, is to recover and map artifacts from the battlefield and create a permanent spatial record of their locations for future study.

Dr. Hugh Berryman, director of MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education, watches as MTSU anthropology student Tyler Parrott, left, readies his GPS equipment to record locations at the Stones River Battlefield. The pair was part of an all-volunteer team that began conducting a geospatial/archaeological survey July 12 for artifacts and mapping purposes near the historic Harding house site, which is slated for development this summer.

This Civil War-era lead shot, deformed from an impact, was among the items recovered July 12 by an all-volunteer team working to survey the Harding house site near the Stones River Battlefield. The geospatial/archaeological project, dubbed the Harding House Civil War History Survey, was rained out July 13, but will continue later this month.

This Minié ball—or minie ball—was recovered July 12 as part of a geospatial/archaeological survey near the Harding house site, which was led by Dr. Tom Nolan of MTSU’s geosciences faculty. Nolan said the find is “the type of projectile fired by the majority of Civil War rifled muskets.”

This horseshoe remnant was among the 40-50 items recovered July 12 as part of the Harding House Civil War History Survey near Stones River Battlefield. The horseshoe’s age is consistent with the Civil War era, but there is no way to know if it was once on a horse used by cavalry or on a farm horse, observed Zada Law, archaeologist and adjunct professor for MTSU’s geosciences.


This “canister shot,” which behaves like a giant shotgun shell when fired, was one of 40-plus items recovered July 12 as part of a geospatial/archaeological survey led by Dr. Tom Nolan, director of MTSU’s Laboratory for Spatial Technology, to recover and map artifacts from the Harding house/battlefield area and create a permanent spatial record for future study. Nolan said this find represents part of an artillery round that was used “when the artillery needed close-range fire power.”

The revivifying effects of Spring...

...are becoming evident in the increased business aspect of our streets, while merchants generally are rolling in their new supplies for spring trade and framers are thronging our streets with their surplus produce. Our artisans too are refitting and laying a foundation for a summer campaign. All in all, it appears that business men are getting tired of the cry “All quiet on the Potomac.”

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

Spotted Fever

This disease is still in the south eastern part of this county. Mr. Kyte, three days since informed us of eleven deaths there within the last six or eight days, and of some other cases, that would probably prove fatal. The following is a list of deaths by this disease which he gave us.

Mrs. Robert Moyers, Mrs. Wm. McCoy, Mrs. J. Headly and child, Mr. Sanders, for of John McCoy’s children, tow of McCartney’s and Mr. Kirby’s wife.

We have hears of no cases in other parts of the county.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

Civil War Artifacts Uncovered At Harding House Site

Some 40-50 artifacts were recovered July 12 near the Stones River Battlefield on the first day of the Harding House Civil War History Survey, a geospatial/archaeological project that is being conducted this month on land slated for development this summer.

Dr. Tom Nolan, director of MTSU’s Laboratory for Spatial Technology, along with archaeologist Zada Law, led the all-volunteer team on its first day of the survey, which yielded Civil War-era artifact finds such as lead shot, a minie ball and a canister shot, among other battle-related discoveries.
Some 25 selected volunteers, including MTSU anthropology and history students, as well as members of Middle Tennessee Metal Detectors, used metal detectors and GPS equipment to survey and map the area around the Harding House site, where Brig. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s Union division held up the Confederate advance during the first day of the Battle of Stones River on Dec. 31, 1862.

“I think what we found the first day was gratifying,” remarked Law. “I had no expectations, but I had hopes, so I was so gratified that we found some Civil War artifacts.

“I think what we did locate demonstrates our (research) methods worked well,” she added, “and that our approach to this project is one that will yield results … and help identify where the troop locations were.”

Although the team’s second planned survey day was rained out, Nolan said the “good volunteer turnout” on its first day set the project on a successful course.

“We are so appreciative of everyone who came out to help and support this survey,” he said. “Dr. Hugh Berryman of MTSU anthropology department and his daughter, along with Gib Backlund and Jim Lewis from the National Park Service showed up on their day off. Everyone was very enthusiastic and seemed to have fun in spite of the intense heat.”

Because the Civil War artifacts were “buried pretty deep and the ground was so dry and hard, the volunteers definitely had to work hard,” Nolan said. “But their efforts were time and energy well spent.”

Heat, hard work and rain aside, “Anytime you find anything that takes you back to the past, it's just a real thrill,” added Law, who said she was inspired during the search when a lead shot was recovered.

“To pick up that lead shot that came out of the guns so long ago just really took me back in time,” she remarked. “And I am just so glad so many people gave up their time

to come help us with this work on behalf of historic preservation.”
An adjunct professor for MTSU’s geosciences department, Law said the volunteers—like the survey’s leaders—also seemed gratified by the initial finds.
“Just like all of us, I think the volunteers were grateful to the developer, Stonegate Commercial and its president, Tommy Smith, to let us be out there and excited to be part of a systematic study of the property ... (where what they find) will be synthesized and added to our understanding of this long-ago battle.”

Nolan and Law plan to continue the project, known as the Harding House Civil War History Survey, this month and hope their volunteer turnout stays high.

“We are going to continue our same methods and hope we will have as many, if not more volunteers, as before,” Law said. “ The park service has been so helpful and cooperative to us, as has the developer, and we are so, so grateful for this chance to recover pieces of the past (before the land is commercially developed).”

According to findings from a 1999 study prepared for the National Park Service, the Harding House was determined to be among the most significant sites and actions of the Battle of Stones River, coming in at No. 6 of 23 locales on or near the national park’s 570-acre boundary. In fact, the Harding House/Brick Kiln Site is cited as being the locale of heavy fighting during the initial Confederate attack as Confederate Col. Arthur M. Manigault and Brig. Gen. J. Patton Anderson attacked the forces of both Union commanders Brig. Gen. Joshua Sill and Col. George Roberts.

“Once the area is developed, this historic record will be gone for good so it’s vital that we work to recover historically significant artifacts and identify the location of the Harding house and any outbuildings to further an existing GIS study on regimental positions and movements during the Battle of Stones River,” Nolan observed.

– Publushed HERE, in The Murfreesboro Post, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Posted: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 3:28 pm

A House Divided: A Review of "Two Brothers"

Two Brothers: One North, One South
By David H. Jones

With the coming of the American Civil War many families found themselves torn apart by conflicting ideologies and loyalties. Fathers and sons, uncles and nephews, brothers and cousins sometimes faced each other on opposite sides across a field of battle. Often times, and certainly with more frequency the families most severely divided came from the border states of Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland. The Crittenden and the Todd families are but two examples on a lengthy list one might compile of families that were split apart by the war. The Prentiss family of Baltimore, Maryland is a family that could also be enumerated on just such a list.

In his novel, “Two Brothers: One North, One South,” David H. Jones tells the story of the Prentiss family. Clifton, the older brother, fought for the Union cause and rose to the rank of major in the 6th Maryland Infantry, while his younger brother, William served in the Confederate Army with 2nd Maryland Battalion. Both were mortally wounded minutes and yards apart at Petersburg, Virginia in the closing days of the Civil War.

After the battle the brothers were taken to Armory Square Hospital in Washington, D.C. where they are cared for in separate wards. One of the volunteers in the hospital was Walt Whitman who frequently visited William, and upon William’s passing located Clifton to inform him of his brother’s death. Two other Prentiss brothers, John & Melville, arrive soon after, and Whitman tells the three siblings what he has learned about William’s service with the Confederate Army.

Unfortunately Mr. Jones’ novel has a few serious flaws. The title of the book, “Two Brothers,” is somewhat misleading, as Clifton’s storyline is often overshadowed by that of his younger brother. The story is told from the opposing viewpoints of Clifton and William; however William’s story is filtered through Walt Whitman, which brings me to the narration.

There is not a central narrator in Jones' novel. Clifton Prentiss tells his part of the story and Whitman is left to relate William’s. There are several times throughout the book, especially at the beginning of chapters where it is not all together clear as to who exactly is narrating, Clifton, Whitman, or a literary 3rd person narrator. Whitman’s narration is particularly flawed as he relates details that he did not have first person knowledge of and most certainly could not remember with such clarity. This is problem when the novel wanders off with the secondary characters of sisters Hetty and Jenny Cary and their cousin Constance Cary, in which Whitman is giving third hand information to the surviving Prentiss brothers. Whitman was not present for any of the events related, and for some of them neither was William. How did Whitman come to know of such things? Many of the episodes involving the Cary’s are tangential in reference to William’s story and should have been judiciously pruned from the novel.

There is far too much exposition in the book. There is a writer’s axiom that states: “Show, don’t tell.” Jones spends too much time telling the story, and instead of showing it through the eyes and actions of his characters. I got the impression that Mr. Jones, knows a lot about the Civil War, and just couldn’t help inserting his knowledge into the story… for one example, the book is set in June of 1865, at one point the author makes a reference to Lew Wallace and notes that he would later gain fame as the author of “Ben Hur” which would not be published for another fifteen years.

The dialogue does not ring true, especially when it is weighted down, as it often is, with exposition relating details to the reader that would have been common knowledge to anyone during the war.

The characters are two dimensional, there is no character development. The war years were years of turmoil and angst for any and all who lived through them. There is plenty of room for Mr. Jones to have taken literary license and given motive to his characters actions, or gone into their heads, to see the story through their eyes, to show us what their motivations and how they felt about things. It was an opportunity missed, and therefore the reader is left not caring about the characters. As for John and Melville Prentiss, they serve absolutely no function in the book at all. The character of Walt Whitman is used solely as a literary device to tell the story, and is also never fully fleshed out as a character.

There is much to like about Jones’ novel, negating its structural and narrative problems, it is a great story, and I enjoyed reading about the Prentiss brothers and the Cary Sisters. But unfortunately even the most beautiful house cannot remain standing when it is placed upon a weak foundation.

A Soldier's Party At Hopeville

There was another soldier’s Party at Hopeville, on last Monday evening, given by Mr. Newton the worthy postmaster of that place. There were about 125 present at supper, after which they adjourned to a neig[h]boring Ball Room, to trip to the measures of the many dance[s].

We are glad to see that our neighbors of Hopeville are still inclined to show their patriotism by the kind feeling they display to our returned soldiers and Veterans, who have been so long deprived of the social enjoyments to which a thankful and loyal people say, they are now entitled.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

From The 18th

A late letter from Capt. Duncan, Co. B. of this reg., to Mrs. Duncan, says the regiment was at Boonville, near the Red River, marching on Arkadelphia, where they expected to have a fight, as Gen. Price was entrenching himself at that place evidently preparing for battle. Health of the boys was good. The recruits who started for the regiment some six weeks ago had not reached them at the time of the writing.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

We learn that...

...all those engaged in the execution of Carnes, the murderer of Prather, a member of the 4th Iowa, after a preliminary examination were discharged.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

Notice…

…is hereby given that Elder Barnhill Polly will hold a series of meetings, at the Court House, commencing on Friday Evening, at early candle lighting, being the 22d inst. and continuing over first day; On First Day, services to commence at half past ten o’clock. All are invited to attend.

April 15th, 1864

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

Battle Destroyed Giles Harding’s Dream of Grandeur

By MIKE WEST, Managing editor
Posted: Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:51 am

Giles Scales Harding had big dreams.

He wanted to build a bigger and better home than his first cousin, William Giles Harding, had constructed in 1853 outside of Nashville on a plantation developed by his father John Harding.

At the time, Giles and his wife, Mary Hollowell Blackman, lived in a large two-story log home near Wilkinson Pike. Her father was “Squire” Alfred Blackman, a member of the Rutherford County Court. Blackman community was named in his honor.

Giles’ dream was quite ambitious because few, if any mansions in Tennessee exceeded the Greek revival home built by his cousin William. His fancy, brick home was called “Belle Meade.”

In the late 19th century, Belle Meade encompassed 5,400 acres and was one of the largest private estates in Nashville. The farm was a thoroughbred stable famous for breeding and training championship race horses. Recent Kentucky derby winners like Funny Cide and Barbarro, even racing legends like Secretariat, can trace their bloodlines back to the breeding stock at Belle Meade.

Yet, Giles and Mary persevered.

They build a kiln for firing bricks formed from clay soil on site. The clay was mined, hand molded into bricks, which were sun dried, and then stacked into a kiln where they were burned until rock hard.

Making sufficient bricks for a huge mansion was time consuming since the walls were two to three feet thick requiring many courses of brick. Until the Hardings had accumulated enough bricks for their project, they were storing them at the kiln on the backside of their property on Harding Lane off of Wilkinson Pike.

Secession and the Civil War brought the Harding’s project to a halt and the Battle of Stones River brought it to an end.

Their plantation was between Union and Confederate lines when the armies lined up outside of Murfreesboro. By the ending of Dec. 29, 1862, Confederate pickets were lined up near the brick kiln.

On the morning of Dec. 30, 1862, the 19th Illinois moved onto the Harding place and drove the Confederate troops back. The 18th Ohio and the 21st Michigan were also moved into the area as the Union right wing formed its battle line that covered the triangle of roadways formed by Franklin Road, Gresham Lane and Wilkinson Pike.

The Harding’s bricks were quickly commandeered for use in building breastworks for Union troops.

As Union Brig. Gen. Philip Sheridan aligned his Third Division, Brig. Gen. Joshua Sill’s brigade was moved into Harding house area.

Sill and Sheridan were close friends who had been classmates at the U.S. Military Academy. Sill was third in the class of 1853; Sheridan was 34th in his class of 52 cadets.

Sill convinced Sheridan that the Confederates were massing for an attack early on the morning of Dec. 31.

“At 2 o'clock on the morning of the 31st General Sill came back to me to report that on his front a continuous movement of infantry and artillery had been going on all night within the Confederate lines, and that he was convinced that Bragg was massing on our right with the purpose of making an attack from that direction early in the morning,” Sheridan wrote.

While the rest of the Union right was unprepared, Sheridan’s division was ready for battle. That may have saved the day for Gen. William S. Rosecrans’ Army of the Cumberland.

“Long before dawn my division breakfasted, and was assembled under arms, the infantry in line, the cannoneers at their pieces, but while we were thus preparing, all the recent signs of activity in the enemy's camp were hushed, a death-like stillness prevailing in the cedars to our front. Shortly after daylight General Hardee opened the engagement, just as Sill had predicted, by a fierce attack on Johnson's division, the extreme right of the Union line,” Sheridan wrote.

While most of the Union right turned and ran toward the Gresham house, Sheridan’s division held but had to reposition, pivoting to the north to keep a line of retreat intact.

“In the meantime the enemy had also attacked me, advancing across an old cotton-field in Sill's front in heavy masses, which were furiously opened upon by Bush's battery from Sill's line, and by Hescock's and Houghtaling's batteries, which had an oblique fire on the field from a commanding position in rear of my centre,” Sheridan wrote.

“The effect of this fire on the advancing column was terrible, but it continued on till it reached the edge of the timber where Sill's right lay, when my infantry opened at a range of not over fifty yards. For a short time the Confederates withstood the fire, but then wavered, broke and fell back toward their original line,” he said.

Then came the fateful moment.

Sill ordered his brigade to charge at the retreating Confederates.

“In this charge the gallant Sill was killed; a rifle ball passing through his upper lip and penetrating the brain,” Sheridan said.

Sill’s men, falling back, attempted to retrieve their leader’s body from the battlefield, but had to abandon him. His body was found by Confederate troops who buried him near where he died at age 31.

The devastation at the Harding farm still wasn’t over.

Determined to dislodge the Federals, Confederate Capt. D.D. Waters’ Alabama battery was pulled into the line a few hundred yards east of the brick kiln and opened up in support of Col. A.M. Manigault’s charge.

The 88th Illinois commanded by Col. Francis T. Sherman and the 36th Illinois commanded by Col. Nicholas Greusel took the brunt of the attack at the Harding house.

Greusel, who took control of the brigade when Sill fell, was replaced in the field by Maj. Silas Miller.

On the 88th’s right, the 36th Illinois helped repulse Manigault’s charge, using up nearly all of their ammunition as result. Miller ordered the 36th to retire from the line and fall back toward the Wilkinson Pike in search of the ammunition train. As the regiment fell back, Miller was wounded, and command of the regiment fell on Captain Porter C. Olson. The regiment, Olson informed Sheridan, would be ready for action as soon as he found some .69-caliber ammunition.

Only 140 men of the 36th were ready for duty. The rest lay dead, dying or wounded among the limestone outcroppings east of Harding lane.

Sheridan was forced to withdraw both Greusel’s (Sill’s) brigade and that of Col. Frederick Schaefer.

The 88th Illinois and 21st Michigan pulled back to the outbuildings of the Harding farm. Schaefer finally pulled his command across the Wilkinson Pike and formed a new line of battle.

Bush’s 4th Indiana Battery fought a running battle as it pulled back, firing canister and engaging Water’s Alabama battery in an ongoing duel.Bush’s battery drove one section of Water’s guns from the field, wounding several Confederate gunners, wrecking a caisson and disemboweling some unfortunate artillery horses.

The Indiana artillery took up a position near the Harding. Meanwhile, Houghtaling took up position on the right of Wilkinson Pike, just at the edge of a cedar grove.

Meanwhile, Manigault reformed and was moving against Sheridan with Brig. Gen. George Maney’s Tennessee brigade in support.

Col. George Roberts, commanding Sheridan’s 3rd Brigade saw the Confederate buildup. He ordered his brigade to unfurl flags and charged with bayonets fixed.

“These regiments,” Col. Luther P. Bradley wrote, “went forward at the double-quick, and cleared the wood in front of our lines, the enemy giving way before we reached him.”

The gallant Roberts was shot and killed, but the charge gave Sheridan time to withdraw his troops to safety.

Even before the start of the battle Harding house was pressed into service by Union trips as a field hospital. A Union chaplain wrote:

“This building, or rather series of buildings, is what we called ‘Hospital Harding,’ and was our place of residence for over a week, where we had the care of upwards of 150 wounded. The house was a third rate frame building, with the log cook-house, &c., attached and surrounded by negro cabins, as is the custom here, while at a little distance was a barn, cotton gin and all the appliances of a cotton plantation.

“The owner was evidently a man of considerable wealth, owning about fifty negroes, and having an extensive plantation. There were evidences on the premises of considerable refinement, a well cultivated garden and good pianoforte being respectively the external and internal representatives of it. Mr. Harding was at home, and two or three negroes.

“At the time we took possession they had sought safety in the cellar. But the rest of the family, white and black, had been removed to the other side of Murfreesborough, the secesh commanders having informed him a few days before that the battle would be fought on his land. He looked with anything but complacency upon the Federal army, and indeed there was nothing peculiarly attractive in a body of men taking forcible possession of a man’s house, covering his floors, carpet, beds and bedding with bleeding men, and appropriating anything within reach that might be made servicable.”

Cannon fire struck the field hospital at one point, killing four of the wounded and breaking the legs of the Harding’s piano. The soldiers quickly dubbed it the “wounded piano.”

Union troops did make off with the Harding’s livestock, chickens and geese. All the horses were taken except for Mrs. Harding’s favorite one.

The family was forced to evacuate the home and didn’t return until the war was over. When they returned, one Union soldier remained because he was still too weak to leave.

Mrs. Harding made her daughter Ellen Amy tend to the recovering man by bringing him food and water. He rewarded her with a 2-½ dollar gold piece that was minted in 1851.

The house did survive the Civil War, but the Harding family continued to be beset by tragedy including the loss of two children. The log house burned in the 1870s during a fire caused by a cedar bucket full of hot ashes. It was replaced with a nice, but modest two-story frame home.

– Published HERE in The Murfreesboro Post, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, July 13, 2008

The Supper

In another place will be found a notice of a supper to be given next Tuesday evening at Mr. Wm. [Gustin’s?] for the purpose of finishing the inside of the M. E. Church. The object is a good one and everyone should be glad to welcome the completion of this building. Build churches, build school-houses, sustain your religious and literary institutions, and the Republic will stand; fail to do this and the Union is gone.

There is no better place to have a good quiet entertainment than the one selected. Let every one be on hand.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

The 2nd Iowa to the President

Whereas, the President having complimented the services of the veteran soldiers by tendering them an increased bounty, which has secured their services for another term of enlistment, it devolves upon us to return the compliment by issuing the following Proclamation, to wit:

We, the veteran soldiers of Co. G, 2nd Iowa Infantry, in camp, do hereby proclaim and make known to Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, that in case he will re-enlist as a veteran President for the term of four years or during the war, he shall be entitled to sixty days furlough with free transportation to and from his home in Illinois; also he will be entitled to a bounty of twenty five thousand dollars and a suit of veteran uniform – bounty and uniform to be drawn, upon being mustered into the service on the 4th of March 1865. And further – In case the office is not filled by volunteering, we order a draft to be made upon the suffrages of the people on the second Tuesday in November next, to enforce the call and fill up the quota.

Veterans of Co. G
2nd Iowa Infantry

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

The Battle of Stones River: A Driving Tour

Winter Lightning: A Guide to the Battle of Stones River
Matt Spruill & Lee Spruill

In the library of Civil War literature the Battle of Stones River, December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863, is one of the most under represented large scale battles of the war. One can easily count the number of volumes dedicated solely to the battle on the fingers of one hand.

Having moved to Murfreesboro nearly five years ago I am a regular visitor to Stones River National Battlefield, but I have never been able to make much sense of the battle by my battlefield visits, even when using the park brochure’s guided tour. I suppose my confusion about the battle stems from the fact that the park’s current 600 acres represents only about 15% of the total area where fighting took place.

Matt & Lee Spruill have come to my rescue with their book, Winter Lightning: A Guide to the Battle of Stones River. With twenty-one tour stops (as opposed to the National Park’s six) the Spruill’s lead you on a driving tour over the ground, both outside and inside of the park, where the three day battle between the Confederate Army of the Tennessee with General Braxton Bragg at its head, and the Federal Army of the Cumberland under General William S. Rosecrans.

The evening of December 30, 1862 found both armies facing each other northwest of Murfreesboro, Tennessee in opposing lines of battle, stretching diagonally from the town’s west to its north, and each preparing to attack the other’s right. Which ever side to launch their attack first would have the advantage. At sunrise, Bragg and his Confederate Army was the first to strike.

The Spruill’s follow the battle chronologically as it progressed, following the action as the Confederate troops rolled up the Federal right and sending Union regiments, one after another, fleeing to the rear, to the Federal’s stand at The Round Forrest, and finally to the fighting at McFadden’s Ford on January 2nd. At each stop we are provided narration by the authors, giving the reader an overview of what happened, and then we are presented with a balanced view of the action from both sides with first hand accounts from the soldiers who were there, usually from official reports, but some times from diaries or letters.

The book contains 41 maps, which vary widely in scale from theater maps down to maps on the regimental level, depending on the situation or topic being covered. One only reading the book may find the maps a little cumbersome as north is not always oriented to the top of the page. This book was intended to be a tour guide, and the maps are presented to the reader at each of the stops as the reader would see the landscape that is in front of him. Therefore if you are directed to look to the southeast, southeast would be oriented to the top of the page. Not only do the historic roads appear in the maps but also the roads of the present and are clearly marked, for example: “Medical Center Pkwy (today).”

Not only have Matt & Lee Spruill added a book to the small library shelf dedicated to the battle, they have also given me a greater understanding of it. I can now point to a spot of land just south of the present day Medical Center Parkway and say with confidence that is where my great great grandfather, Walter E. Partridge (Company F, 36th Illinois Infantry) was during the battle.

Announcements

The “Hand-Book of Standard Phonography” is the title of the work spoken of at the Teacher’s Institute by I. T. Osmond.

The 2nd Quarterly meeting for Oceola Circuit, M. P. Church, will be held in the Chapel in Oceola, commencing Feb. 17th, at candle-lighting.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

Married

At the residence of the bride’s father, January 31st, by Elder B. Polly, Mr. Daniel Glunt, to Miss Rebecca Barstow, all of Oceola township.

Now a word of advice to you, Mr. Glunt
To your “dear little wife” say naught that is blunt;
Let every note belong to a vow
Declaring how much you dote on your frow.

May the one you have taken so fondly to love,
Be ever as constant, as true as a dove,
Be never so careful her temper to screen,
Be placid and lovely as dumplings in cream.

Right here the machine refuses to grind any more for the want of a little oil to do away with the friction. We very much regret it, for we were never so full of rhyme before since the world began with us. With fifty cents worth of lubricator we could paint a lovelier picture than ever graced the palace of a king.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa February 6, 1864

To The Citizens of Clark Co.

I am still recruiting for the old regiments, and shall be till the first of March, 1864. The large bounty heretofore offered by the government will be still given to the first of March. There is another call for 200,000 over and above the 300,000 called for in Oct. last. Those townships that have already furnished their quotas, will have to furnish two-thirds as many more in order to clear themselves of the draft, of the 10th of March; for instance, a township that has furnished six under the Oct. call, will have to furnished now four men under this call. – It is hoped all the good loyal people of Clark Co. will get to work. We have done well so far in raising volunteers, and let us keep on with the good begun work. Volunteering is still going on finely. I am sending off from one to two loads per week. I will be in Oceola every Saturday, to receive volunteers. All that have any notion of going into the service can not find any better time to enlist than now.

A. Lyons
Recruiting Agent for Clark County Iowa

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

At the Scotch festival...

...recently held in Dubuque, a toast to the United States of America brought forth the following patriotic response from Mr. John Morrison.

We are proud of being Scotchmen, but doubly proud of being Americans also. Proud of Scotland, that never was conquered, and proud of the United States that can never be conquered, either by foreign foes or domestic traitors. We love our native country; and you native Americans and others appreciate our love of country, for year after year you associate with us around this festive board, where we meet in honor of the plough-boy poet. But our love of our native land does not diminish our love of the United States, and now we are more proud of her than ever before, because we have more reason to be proud of her. Heretofore our national song was true only in part, but hereafter, or at least very soon, we can sing with redoubled pleasure and without reservation, that heart stirring song of the “Land of the Free and the Home of the brave.”

[Dubuque Times.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

News

Governor Gamble of, Missouri, died January 31st.

A dinner was given to Gen. Grant, at St. Louis on the 29th inst.

The new State Constitnution, adopted by the convention lately held at Little rock for the [the rest of the article has been torn away…]

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

A Serious Mistake

Buffalo, Jan. 30. – Last evening, at the Central Depot, as some substitutes were about leaving for the West, under charge of soldiers belonging to the New Hampshire Invalid Corps, a boy belonging in Buffalo was shot and almost instantly killed by one of the corps, under the impression that he was a substitute trying to escape. There was great excitement for a time and great indignation against the Soldier.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

From North Carolina

If the war should continue twelve months longer, with no greater success to our arms, there is great danger that the institution of slavery will be hopelessly destroyed.

Gov. Vance of North Carolina, comes out in a card in the Raleigh Standard against the taxation of State property for the Confederacy.

Dr. J. G. Leach [sic], the Conservation Member elected to the new Confederate Congress, which meets in February, says in the Raleigh Standard of the 16th inst. North Carolina now claims the fulfillment of the compact, or the right to depart from the Confederacy in peace.

The Raleigh State Journal says: The proposition for a State Convention, so close on the heels of Mr. Lincoln’s Proclamation to let one tenth of the people form a State Government, has a very strong odor of distrust and treason about it.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

500,000 Men Wanted

Washington, Feb. 1. – It is ordered that a draft for Five Hundred Thousand men, to serve for three years or during the war, be made on the 10th day of March next, for the military service of the United States; crediting and deducting there from so many as have been enlisted or drafted into the service prior to the first day of March, and not heretofore credited.

Signed, Abraham Lincoln.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

Archeologists To Pinpoint Harding House / Brick Kiln Site

Dr. Tom Nolan, director of MTSU’s Laboratory for Spatial Tech-nology, will lead the way in conducting a geospatial archaeological survey this month to recover and map artifacts from the Battle of Stones River and create a permanent spatial record of their locations for future study.

Dubbed the Harding House Civil War History Survey, the project will be conducted two weekends in July, on the area around the Harding House site, where Brig. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s (pictured on the right) Union division held up the Confederate advance during the first day of the Battle of Stones River on Dec. 31, 1862.

According to the findings from a 1999 study prepared for the National Park Service, the Harding House was determined to be among the most significant sites and actions of the Battle of Stones River, coming in at No. 6 of 23 locales on or near the national park’s 570-acre boundary.

Specifically, the Harding House/Brick Kiln Site is cited as being the locale of heavy fighting during the initial Confederate attack as Confederate Col. Arthur M. Manigault and Brig. Gen. J. Patton Anderson attacked the forces of both Union commanders Brig. Gen. Joshua Sill and Col. George Roberts.

A member of MTSU’s geosciences faculty, Nolan (pictured left) will team with Zada Law, archaeologist and geosciences adjunct professor; Gib Backlund and Jim Lewis of the National Park Service; staff from the Stones River National Battlefield; Dr. Bren Martin, MTSU history professor; graduate students in MTSU’s public history program; and members of a local metal detectors club to enact the survey prior to the land’s development by Stonegate Commercial and its president, Tommy Smith.

“Basically, what I’ve proposed is to conduct a surface archaeology survey using metal detectors on the Harding House tract,” Nolan said. “Any artifacts recovered would be mapped using GPS with 50-centimeter accuracy, photographed, catalogued, identified and incorporated into a GIS database.”

As the principal investigator in charge of mapping, Nolan explained, “I have already done a good bit of work on this with historic maps of the battle and incorporating past work by NPS historians, including Edwin Bearss. Also, I think this project provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate cooperation between MTSU, the NPS and economic developers for the preservation of historically significant information without conflict and for the common good.”

Both Nolan and colleague Law, who will supervise the archaeology side of the study, reported that the survey, which include metal-detector searches and artifact identification by local relic hunters recruited by the NPS, will not interfere with planned construction activities.

“Once the area is developed, this historic record will be gone for good so it’s vital that we work to recover historically significant artifacts and identify the location of the Harding House and any outbuildings to further an existing GIS study on regimental positions and movements during the Battle of Stones River,” Nolan said.

From an archaeological standpoint, Law said, “If it hasn’t yet been torn up by the plow, I think we can find remnants of the brick kiln and I am hoping to find the house’s foundation or some archaeological representation of that. “I hope the metal detector will help us pinpoint on the ground where troop locations were and help validate the veracity of the Ed Bearss map,” she said.

“This (study) will help us anchor down locations on the modern locations and tie them to historic events, actual places. We want to be able to show not that we think this is where something was, but rather, we want to know this is the place—right here.”

Nolan said all of the survey’s participants, including the developer, have pledged to work together and volunteer their time and expertise to achieve a common goal.

“I think the Harding House Civil War History Survey will not only demonstrate the utility of MTSU, the National Park Service and the developer working together for historic preservation,” he said, “but will also show the role of MTSU as catalyst for cooperation on behalf of historic preservation as well as the value of geography as a tool for this process.”

Referring to the upcoming Harding House study, Law said, “Once you destroy things, they are gone, and this is important. We can’t save every place, but we can save information digitally.

“The best history is in our own backyards, and even if this land is developed, I hope that when people drive down the (site’s) road they will think about what activities happened. What I really want to do out of my work,” she confirmed, “is get people to think about what happened in the past. Through our efforts, I want what may now seem like a vacant lot to come alive, because we know its history.”

– Originally published HERE in The Murfreesboro Post, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, July 2, 2008, and HERE in The Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, July 5, 2008

Letter From T. A. Trent

Hayes Mill
April 2d 1864

Mr. Editor:–

Having a little leisure time, and none of the fair sex to talk to, I will inscribe a few of the strange ideas that are passing through my head.

You know the Yankees are, or have the name of being a very inquisitive set of people, and also have the credit of knowing all that is worth knowing. Be that as it may, I think the army, or some of the Yankees in it, will come near filling the bill on their part. For instance, a foraging party went out near here, last winter to get a supply of pork. They came up to a farm, owned by a man by the name of Reed. Said Reed was rich and had negroes and Hogs in abundance. When they demanded his pork some one told him that he ought to have hid it. “Hide from a Yankee! If I was to dig a hole in the middle of my field, and put it there, they would find it before tomorrow morning.”

Now, being one of these inquisitive “Blue Coats,” I will make some inquiry concerning the relation of the contending armies. The copperheads are making an awful fuss, especially in Kentucky, because the government is making a draft of the negroes, to fight their Southern Copperhead Brethren. Now it is evident, if they have brethren in Dixie, they also have Cousins. If you will go to Uncle Sam’s army, you can see any quantity of those with Blue Coats, some drilling; some standing guard, some driving teams, and some as white as their copperhead Cousins. I would rather fight a Brigade of Copperheads than a regiment of these cousins. But it looks hard for traitors to fight against their own sons. This is the reason they are so vindictive against the officers of Colored Regiments. Now the best remedy for this, is for them to fill the Ranks of our armies, and by filling all the calls of the President, increase our army to such an extent, that defeat shall be out of the question, then crush the rebellion, letting the Yankees return to their homes and gaining for themselves a name which their great grandchildren with thank them for.

But on such men as stay at home, abuse and cry down all efforts to put down this accursed rebellion, may the curses of a thousand generations fall, is my prayer.

T. A. Trent.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 16, 1864

2nd Alabama Colored Infantry

Organized at Pulaski, Tenn., November 20, 1863. Attached to 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps, Dept. Tennessee, to January, 1864. Garrison at Pulaski, Tenn., Dept. of the Tennessee, to June, 1864.

Designation changed to 110th U.S. Colored Troops June 25, 1864.

SOURCE: Dyer , Frederick H., A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 997

110th U.S. Colored Infantry

Organized June 25, 1864, from 2nd Alabama Colored Infantry. Attached to District of North Alabama, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. Defences of Nashville & Northwestern Railroad to March, 1865. 3rd Sub-District, District of Middle Tennessee, to September, 1865. Dept. of the Tennessee to February, 1866.

SERVICE.--Garrison duty at Pulaski, Tenn., and guard duty on railroad in North Alabama till February, 1865. Forest's attack on Athens, Ala., September 23-24, 1864. Larkinsville, Ala., January 8, 1865 (Detachment of Co. "E"). Guard Nashville & Northwestern Railroad till June, 1865. At Gallatin, Tenn., and at various points in the Dept. of Tennessee till February, 1866. Mustered out February 6, 1866.

SOURCE: Dyer , Frederick H., A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1739

News

The 12th Michigan, and 3d Minnisota [sic] have re-enlisted and, gone home on furlough.

The Steamer J. Patton was burned last night at Walker’s Bend, on the Mississippi river; loss $25000 to $30000.

Guerrillas are getting troublesome on the river.

Gen. H. H. Buckland is appointed to the command of the District of Menphis, and Gen. H. T. Ried [sic], assumes command of the District of Cairo.

A boy at Buffalo, being mistaken for a substitute trying to escape, was shot by one of the soldiers having the substitutes in charge.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

A New Volume in the Gettysburg Library

One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg
and the Pursuit of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia
July 4-14, 1863

By Eric J. Wittenberg, J. David Petruzzi and Michael F. Nugent

Gettysburg. Say it and one is immediately reminded of the cataclysmic three day battle between the Army of the Potomac, commanded by George Meade, and the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Robert E. Lee. Three days, July 1-3, 1863, that changed American History forever. Thousands of books and articles have been written about the battle which took place in the tiny hamlet of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I dare say you could fill an entire room in a library with nothing about books devoted to this one battle alone.

But what happened after the battle? Lee’s retreat from Gettysburg, and Meade’s failure to destroy the Army of Northern Virginia before it crossed the Potomac River to the safety of Virginia is sometimes given the briefest of mentions, but more often is treated as a single chapter, or epilogue in a work covering the battle or the whole of the Gettysburg Campaign. Books devoted entirely to the retreat itself can easily be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Eric J. Wittenberg, J. David Petruzzi and Michael F. Nugent have successfully corrected this omission from the historical library with their book, “One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863.” Drawing on a wealth of first hand accounts: letters & diaries, many of which until now have remained unpublished for 145 years, as well as contemporary newspaper articles and previously published primary and secondary sources, the trio of authors have written a dynamic and engaging volume, that is easily read and hard to put down.

During its retreat the Army of Northern Virginia clashed in nearly two dozen skirmishes & major engagements with the Army of the Potomac, including fighting at Granite Hill, Monterey Pass, Hagerstown, Williamsport, Funkstown, Boonsboro and Falling Waters. There was so much fighting going on between the opposing forces that Privet L. T. Dickinson of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry to described the ten day retreat as “one continuous fight.”

The book covers in detail the movements of the armies; however the first chapter is devoted entirely to Imboden’s “Wagon Train of the Wounded,” which I found compelling to read.

Mead has often been accused of letting Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia slip from his grasp at the moment when he had the ability to crush them in the palm of his hand. After the titanic three day struggle on the fields of Gettysburg, was Meade derelict in not following up on his victory? Did he move too slowly or too cautiously? Could Meade have done more? Or was the blue-clad Army of the Potomac as used up as their brothers clad in butternut and gray? From the title of their book alone, the authors dispel nearly 145 years of finger pointing, and accusations and in their conclusion they give a fair and balanced view of exactly who, if any one, was at fault.

Included at the end of the book are two driving tours: The Retreat from Gettysburg and The Wagon Train of the Wounded, both contain GPS coordinates and detailed driving directions so the reader can follow in the footsteps of history. Of course, if you want the full experience, I’d encourage you to don a wool uniform, strap on a backpack, pick up your rifle and walk the routes in the ninety degree heat of July. If you chose to do so I’ll wave at you from the comfort of my air conditioned car as I drive by.

Are there too many books about the Gettysburg Campaign? In a word, yes. Is there still anything left unwritten about the campaign & battle? Absolutely, and this book is but one example. It is a must have for any student of the Civil War, and especially for a student of the Gettysburg Campaign.

From New Orleans

New Orleans, Jan. 24. – The Free State Convention for the nomination of the candidates for State officers will be held here on Feb. 1st.

General Banks has pledged himself to the Free State Committee to such a modification of the Constitution, as to exclude the negroes from the representative basis.

The Veteran troops in this department are re-enlisting with great unanimity.

A Rebel force 10,000 strong is reported at Brazos, 15 miles inland on the Brazos river.

The Federal gunboat Siota [sic], and Steam Ship monongahela destroyed a cotton clad rebel gunboat on the 31st at Port Cavallo.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

A Captured Letter. Sweet but Sensible.

Magnolia Vale.

My Own Darling Herbert:

Dearest one, once more I resume my pen to transmit a few thoughts to my best loved in reply to his very kind and acceptable letter of the 7th of last month, which was this day received. I am thankfully dearest, beyond my feeble power of expression, that your precious life and health has been spared thus far, trusting in faith that you will be permitted to return to the fond passionate embraces and loving caresses of your warm hearted Amelia, to the enjoyment of what you were pleased to term her charms. I would thank you, my Herbert, for the many kind and affectionate expressions on our last evening, for the continuance of your love for one who feels deeply her unworthiness of the priceless boon. If I had language at my command sufficiently powerful to convey an idea of the intensity of the affection I bear you, I might attempt to tell you of the length, breadth, and depth of my love, but dearest, language is powerless to portray my feelings, and I must leave you to judge, darling one, of your Amelia’s affections so deep and lasting that a life’s time will not be sufficient to prove its strength.

Notwithstanding, dear Herbert, you attempt to present the situation of our beloved country in as favorable light as possible, my hopes for success are dead. I cannot in the present aspect of affairs perceive the slightest ground for hopes. If, as you say, the circumstances of our situation are flattering, why is it that a proud and exultant enemy is permitted to occupy the heart of our territory? Why has he been allowed to sweep our commerce from our Rivers, to blockade our seaports till every article of comfort or necessity which we do not produce has become a novelty purchasable only at fabulous prices? Why has he been allowed to sit down quietly and undisturbed in our fairest cities converting the palatial residences of the noblest of our land into Hospitals for the reception of his low and vulgar soldiery? The truth, dear Herbert, though humiliating, is apparent; our means are inadequate for the performance of the task we have undertaken, a task which time and experience has proved our inability to perform and every day while it reduces our strength, increases that of the enemy. If such is not the case why do foreign nations who sympathize naturally in instinctively with us, hesitate to acknowledge our independence. Is it for any other reason than because they see our situation in the true light and know that we shall not succeed? You will not, dear Herbert, change your Amelia with disloyalty, or want of heart in the good cause. Dear Herbert, you know that I have sacrificed too much to subject myself to such imputations; you know that the material aid I have furnished and the losses I have sustained. You know that when the war commence I rejoiced in a fond father and two loving brothers, high minded, chivalrous, and magnanimous gentlemen, the very soul of honor, as true knights as ever laid a lance * * * * * rest in defense of insulted virtue. Where are they now? Alas! The victims, and to me the sad evidence of the irresistible power of the government we have attempted to overthrow. I know that I am but a woman, and that my opinion on affairs of state are of but little worth, nevertheless, dearest Herbert, I will appeal to you to hear my request. Resign your commission, return home and enjoy the charms of your own Amelia, whose life is bound up in her adored Herbert. Now please don’t refuse me, my precious one; you know that I am alone in the world, and oh! How lonesome. Come back while there is hope of appeasing the terrible power you have defied, come while the day of probation lasts, or I shall die. Do come home. You are exempt under the negro act from conscription, and if you will can return and enjoy the delights of home. I have enough to support us in affluence and luxury. Come, then and for time and eternity you shall have the undivided affections of your

Amelia

Co. D 5th Regt, Georgia Cav.
To Lieut. H. M. Preston

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, January 30, 1864

Letter from Adjutant E. H. King

Headquarters, Iowa Inft. Vol’s
Vicksburg Miss. Jan. 4th 1864

Mr. Caverly. –

Thick clouds overspreading the sky. The rain is falling in gentle showers, and has been all day. Water and mud are every where. Still this has been a gala day in camp. “Veteran Enlistment” is the rage at present. Every energy is being spent for the consummation of this grand object. Gen. McPherson visited the camp to day and made a speech to the Regiment on the subject which was received with sound applause. Col. Belknap also made a speech which was well received, and “all is passing merry as a marriage feast” in spite of the threatening elements. The ball is moving. The heroes of many battles, show a willingness to “Rally round the flag,” for another three years if the rebellion should last so long.

From present indications, a majority of the Regiment will reenlist – perhaps three fourths. – Co. “I” has led the van in this matter, and already three fourths of the men present have enlisted, which by the stipulations of the order entitles them to a furlough of thirty days within the State. If the remaining nine companies do as well, our friends in Iowa may expect our presence among them at no distant day.

With the exception of this matter of Veteran enlistment, things remain about as they were at my last writing. Health is very good, with few exceptions. There are four cases in the Regimental Hospital, only one of which is of a serious nature.

The first, and only snow of the season fell on the last day of the old year, perhaps to lend a more graceful whiteness to his locks as he was merging in to the past, or may-be to add freshness and vigor to the face of the new, as he came to receive his greetings. Whatever the cause, there was not sufficient to cause us thoughts of Sleigh-riding even if the appliances were on hand for that purpose.

But, I must close. I only write to tell you that there is a prospect of the 15th Iowa investing and laying siege to the State of Iowa in a month or two or three, and the people thereof would better prepare themselves for an “Unconditional Surrender.”

Good bye! Your, &c.
E. H. King

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, January 30, 1864

Fight in East Tennessee

Washington, Jan. 30. – The following has been received at headquarters here.

Nashville, Jan. 29. – Gen. Foster telegraphs from Knoxville, 29, 9 a.m. – I have the honor to report that the cavalry under Gen. Sturgis, gained a victory over the enemy’s cavalry near the Fair Ground 10 miles east of Severville. McCook's division drove the enemy about two miles after a stubborn fight lasting from daylight until 4 p.m. We captured two steel rifled guns and over 150 prisoners. The enemy’s loss was considerable, 65 being killed and wounded in the action. Gerrad and Welford’s Divisions came up in time to be pushed in the pursuit.

(Signed,) John A. Rawlins,
Brig. Gen. Com.

Headquarters, Nashville, Jan. 29. – The enemy, 600 strong, attacked the garrison at Athens, but after six hours fighting were repulsed. Our loss was twenty – the enemy’s must have been greater. On the 27th Col Miller had a severe fight this side of Florence, repulsing the enemy. Our loss was 15 killed and 17 wounded.

(Signed:) John A. Rawlins.
Brig. Gen’l Com’d’g

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, February 6, 1864

From the 8th Iowa Cavalry (W. D. K.)

Camp on the N. W. R. R., Tenn. Dec. 31, 1863. – Mr. Editor: – Being in camp today, and having nothing to read, I have concluded to enclose you a dollar greenback for which I wish you to send me your paper, as we get but few newspapers in this God-forsaken land of treason.

Our Battalion (the 3d) have just returned to camp after being on a four days’ scout. We went from here to Fort Donelson and made a raid back through a portion of country in which it was reported a large force of guerrillas made they headquarters, but could get no fight out of them. We are stationed here to guard the Railroad and the workmen who are repairing it, and to clean out the various bands of guerrillas that infest this country. We have taken a great many of them prisoners and treated them as prisoners of war, and in return they have taken some of our boys prisoners, and we have just heard that they have shot them. The boys say they will have revenge – they are exasperated, and woe be to the guerillas they capture hereafter, for death will be their portion. These guerillas are a set of men, who, under the name of Confederate soldiers, murder every Union soldier they can capture and every Union man they can find in this country.

This is one of the poorest countries I ever saw. I would not give one county of Iowa for all of this State, and I have seen a good portion of it.

The intelligence of the people is in unison with the country. A poorer set of ignorant devils I never saw in any country. We have seen grown men and women who never saw the flag of our country and looked upon it with astonishment. They believed that Iowa Soldiers were a set of cutsthroats [sic] who would kill all the women and children we came across. Such a thing as a school-house does not exist here. And this is the kind of material Jeff Davis and the Copperheads of the North have deluded with the doctrine of coercion – men who cannot read – men who never read the Constitution of the country – men who never traveled outside their own township. Poor deluded wretches who do as the leaders of this infernal rebellion bid them.

We have had no general engagement as yet. The material we have to fight are too cowardly to come out and fight like men but fire on us from behind logs and rocks and then run like deer before the hounds.

The health of the Regiment is now very good.

Yours respectfully,

W. D. K.
Co. F, 8th Iowa Cavalry

[Hawkeye.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, January 30, 1864

Advertisements

If you want a good Cast Steel mould board or Double Shovel Plough go to the

B. H. Ive.

__________________________________________________________________________________
Sassafras Bark For Sale at the

B. H. Ive.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, March 19, 1864

A compositor on the Linn county Patriot...

...who is a bachelor, got a hint the other evening, which, if he don’t take, he ought to be kicked sure. He was at a social gathering, and the conversation happened to turn on sewing machines, their cost, &c., when a rosy-cheeked damsel looking up timidly into his face said: “Pa has two sewing machines to give away.”

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, March 19, 1864

From the 8th Iowa Cavalry (H. F. Mc.Manis)

Waverly Tenn. Jan 13th 1864.

Editor Sentinel : –

Thinking that some of your readers would like to hear from this little band of Hawk-eyes that started out in freedom’s cause, I drop you a line which you may publish if you think it worthy a place in your paper.

We – the first battalion – have gone into winter quarters here, within ten miles of the Tennessee river, on the Nashville and Rendelsburg road. The 2nd battalion is fifty miles east of here, and the 3rd twenty-one miles east. The road is finished and cars running 40 miles, and they expect to finish to the river by May.

As the 8th Iowa were the first Federals in this part of the state the Citizens were much surprised on our arrival. The secesh heard that we were coming and burned the jail two days before our arrival. The day before we arrived, we came on the guerrilla, Capt. Phillips, and some of his men while at dinner. They escaped leaving two horses and three mules. We have taken a number of prisoners since we came here. Bands of guerrillas composed of the ignorant classes lurk around our camp at night, fire on our pickets, and then run away to their homes; when our scouts call on them they are good loyal men, “Constitutional Democrats,” and neither arms nor ammunition can be found. They are like some of the traitors of Clark Co. **** Such men are prolonging this h–l born rebellion.*** The secesh here acknowledge their cause to be hopeless. Their money is worthless, requiring 75 dollars of it to pay for a pair of boots.

The health of the regiment is good – only some 20 in the hospital. The boys are anxious for an engagement, feeling confident in such an event of success, for we are commanded by as good officers as any Iowa regiment. We have some refugees in camp from west Tenn. They say there are enough loyal men in Tenn. to whip the secesh, if they had arms.

Uncle Sam has called for 300,000 more men and he must have them. Shall the little State of Iowa be disgraced by a Draft? I feel confident that it will not.

Yours &c.
H. F. Mc.Manis

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, January 30, 1864

DVD Review: The Battle of Stones River

The Battle of Stones River: The Fight For Murfreesboro
Wide Awake Films, © 2006

After its defeat at Perryville, Kentucky on October 8, 1862 the Confederate Army of the Tennessee led by General Braxton Bragg retreated to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to reorganize, while William Rosecrans’ Army of the Cumberland followed their Confederate counterparts as far as Nashville. In the last week of December 1862 Roscrans’ 44,000 man army left Nashville to battle Bragg’s 37,000 rebel soldiers at Murfreesboro. The resulting three day fight along the banks of the Stones River, December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863, resulted in a tactical stalemate and nearly 19,000 men killed and wounded. Since the Confederate Army retreated from the field, The Battle of Stones River is viewed historically as a Union Victory.

Among Civil War battles, Stones River has a low profile, and is often overshadowed by other battles such as Shiloh, Antietam, or Gettysburg. It is also generally overlooked by historians, usually getting the briefest of mentions in the overall history of the war. Wide Awake Film’s 2006 documentary release, “The Battle of Stones River: The Fight for Murfreesboro,” places the battle in its rightful place along side her sister battles.

Using narration over a background of film footage of “one of the largest reenactments ever held in Tennessee,” period photographs of the participants and a few maps, the film attempts to create an impression of the battle. Sadly the impression it creates, and not a good one.

The 50 minute documentary is narrated entirely by Eben Fowler. Mr. Fowler’s narration seems distantly removed from the action on the screen. Though not monotone, his narration is reminiscent of films shown in your high school history classes of the 1950’s through the 80’s. Even when quoting from letters and diaries, Mr. Fowler’s narration lacks verve and vigor. Different voices, especially when quoting from period texts would have added layers of depth to this aspect of the film. There are several large gaps in the narration itself, in some cases lasting well over a couple of minutes, when nothing is heard but the cacophonous sound of battle. These gaps would have been better used by adding additional narration to tell the viewer more about the battle.

The footage of the reenactment seems often times at odds with the narration. Nothing is recognizable, and I found the use of a Hollywood-like set-piece of the shell of a burned out house (without a roof or windows and 2x4 braces visibly holding up the walls) laughable. With over 5,000 reenacters the screen was filled with soldiers, both blue and gray, but none of them were ever identifiable as Bragg, Hardy, Rosecrans, Thomas, Sheridan, etc.

Taken for what it is, this DVD, with its narration over a generic battle reenactment, is an acceptable introduction the battle and its participants. The disk also contains a two bonus features; footage of the 1992 reenactment (a video scrapbook for its participants, but of no redeeming use for anyone who wasn’t there), as well as a “Battlefield Park Tour” with noted Civil War Historian Ed Bearss, which isn’t a battlefield tour at all, but merely one stop on the tour: The Round Forest.

Another Wedding

Married on the 8th inst. at the residence of Mr. E. B. Gibson, Jacksonville, this county, by Esq. Proudfoot, Mr. Ira Billings of Liberty township, to Miss Lizzie Bute, of Young America, Warren Co., Illinois.

Our Correspondent writes us that Miss Bute has been spending the winter with Mr. Gibson, her uncle, and has concluded to take a Hawk-Eye back with her to Suckerdom. He also writes us that Mrs. Gibson got up a supper on the occasion, unequaled before in Jacksonville. Many guests were present who tested its excellence, and who united in pronouncing the affair one of the happiest of the happy.

Now Billings, a word in regard to the bird,
That you have avowed you will love,
Procure her a cage, a purse and a page,
And, my Word, she’ll be gentle’s a dove;
But fail to do this, and instead of a kiss,
Her looks will be colder than lead
And a hundred to one, of you are not “mum”
She’ll kick you some night from the bed.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, March 19, 1864