From the 112th

In The Field, Atlanta, Ga.
July 26th, ‘64

Mr. O. White, Ed. News,

Dear Sir; – When I was at home in March last, you recollect that I told you I would subscribe for the News, but thought if I should, very few of the numbers would reach me after we left Kentucky. I did subscribe however, for a few months, and to my surprise, I have received every number, and every paper has been read by every man in Company “F,” and by a good many in Companys “B” and “E.” In fact it is read until it is entirely worn out. And now you may if you will, send it to me “during the war,” provided you will take the risk of getting paid. I have just five dollars in money, and of course cant send you any of that; but if I should have the good fortune to escape the missiles of death that our “erring brethren” are daily hurling at us, and Maj. Kennow gets around with greenbacks for the 112th, then all things shall be made right. I think I hear you say “that is a pretty risky business, but for the pleasure of the News will afford the boys I will take the risk, and book him for three years, or during the war.” Well, if I did not hear right, and you decline the risk, we will try and get along until the Maj. does come around, then we will make it come if greenbacks are legal tender in the office of the News.

On the 19th inst., the 23rd Corps, (Schofield’s) came around via Decatur, five miles east of Atlanta; drove the rebels out of that place, and turned their faces toward Atlanta. We stopped for the night about a mile from Decatur and four miles from Atlanta, entrenched ourselves and got a good night’s rest, were not disturbed by the firing of the Johnnies. On the morning of the 10th [sic] we advanced about a mile and came upon them. Our skirmishers drove theirs back very slowly. They appeared to be very stubborn, but after an hour’s skirmishing we were enabled to get a tolerable position, and formed our line. Our line fronted west and was joined by the fourth Corps, (Howard’s) their front being south and at right angles with ours. Sharp skirmishing was kept up during the day, and some artillery was used; but in our Division very few casualties occurred. On the morning of the 21st Corporal James E. Finley was shot through the thigh. Several pieces of bone were taken out, but he is doing finely. I saw him about a half an hour ago. He looked quite comfortable. I have been able to see him every day until now, but the hospital is moved two miles away, so that we will not have the opportunity of seeing him so often.

About noon our artillery made the rebel position rather uncomfortable and as soon as night came on, they left their breastworks and fell back toward Atlanta. At daylight on the morning of the 22d, about a hundred of the rebel skirmish line in our front, who hid themselves for the purpose, gave themselves up to our advancing skirmishers.

It was quite a puzzle to us to know why the rebs had given their works up so easily, but as soon as we got to them the mystery was solved; for the batteries of the 23rd Corps had been enfilading the rebel line confronting the 4th Corps, and their artillery enfiladed the line in front of us. We were now able to take a position about one mile from, and in sight of the long talked of city of Atlanta.

Our line was not yet formed when word came that the rebels were in Decatur, fighting the army of the Tennessee, in our rear (the15th, 16th and 17th Corps, commanded by McPherson.) So away went the first Brigade (ours) on the double quick, toward Decatur, to prevent the rebels from capturing our train and hospital, which were nearer to Decatur than the front. When we got there, everything was in the wildest confusion. The road was blocked up with teams, drivers were whipping and swearing at their mules, hospital attendants looked scared; but as soon as our brigade got into position, quiet again reigned in the hospital, and the poor mules ceased to hear such horrid oaths. They must have been greatful [sic] to us for thus stopping their torments. We have occupied this position ever since. The affair was a very serious one. The fight between McPherson and Hood was desperate. McPherson was killed and our loss is now put at ten thousand, killed wounded and prisoners. The rebel loss, it is said, cannot fall below fifteen thousand. They had to yield and fall back to their former position.

How long it will be before we take Atlanta, I am not going to say; but am confident we can and will do it, whenever General Sherman gives the word.

Yours Truly,
J. G. Armstrong

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, August 11, 1864

British Civil Wars – War Debts

There are no less than thirty seven rebellions recorded in English history between the time of William the Conqueror, A.D. 1069, and the Irish outbreak in 1802. Several others have since occurred. The British foreign wars have been incessant, and their expenses enormous. That of the American revolution was six hundred and thirty millions of dollars, and the contest with the first Napoleon cost five thousand seven hundred and ninety-five millions.

The sympathy shown to the Confederates by England may thus in part be naturally accounted for, though considerable inconsistency is nevertheless yet to be explained in the want of it for the natives of India and the disenchanted population beyond the Irish Channel, who have been very anxious to possess and govern their own countries in their own way.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

The Salary Bill

In another place in the columns of the REGISTER will be found the reasons assigned by Governor KIRKWOOD for withholding his approval from the bill for reductions of salaries of District and Supreme Judges, District Attorneys and Officers of State. They are based exclusively upon the consideration that the bill, so far as it relates to certain Judicial officers, would be a plain violation of the Constitution. The facts are presented in a clear, comprehensive manner, and on reflection we think the General Assembly will thank the Governor for assuming the responsibility of exercising in this instance the important negative power which the Constitution has placed in his hands. If the provision relative to the Judges had been omitted, we think it probable that the bill would have received the signature of the Executive, however much he might have differed with the members of the General Assembly as to the policy of their particular measure of redaction in other respects.

As a matter of relief to the State Treasury, the bill would have been of very little consequence, even had it become a law. It would have taken $400 from the annual pay of each of the three Supreme Judges; $300 from the salaries of each of the State officers, save the Governor, and $400 from his; and reduced the compensation of District Judges and District Attorneys respectively from $1,600 to $1,200, and from $800 to $600. It would have added a little more than $8,000 in the aggregate to the revenue of the State Treasury, by taking it from the income of the officers above enumerated, while the great mass of men receiving lucrative salaries from corporations and other sources were passed by unnoticed. The House Income Tax Bill would have reached all classes alike, raised some $30,000 for the State revenue, and been a measure of visible relief. Inasmuch as that failed of becoming a law, we believe the People will have reason to be thankful that the substitute for it has also failed, not only because of the embarrassment and injustice it would work to faithful present incumbents, but because of the premium it would offer to incompetent and consequently unprofitable public officers.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862

Obituary: Catherine Priscilla Smith

Died in this place, April 29th 1863, Catherine Priscilla, daughter of E. J. and J. E. Smith, aged 13 years 11 months and 20 days:

Alas! how mournful come life’s changes
O’er every heart!
Grief haunts the fields where pleasure ranges.
Never apart.
That one short day ah! who had thought
Would such a fearful change have wrought
Disease to thee so deathly fraught –
Little Priscilla?

O, sad the lot to mourn unblest;
But Jesus saith
That he will give the mourner rest
From sin and death.
‘Tis done! ‘tis Past! the bolt hath riven,
And yet this honor God hath given
That you should have a child in heaven
Little Priscilla.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, May 2, 1863

Samson’s Riddle

Samson was on an errand of love. He was interrupted by a lion, which he slew; for love is stronger than any lion. He gained his suit; but alas! everything went by contraries thereafter. The woman whom love was at first sweeter to him than honey, betrayed him. She was his lion. Whereas on his way to her he found that bees had possession of the real lion’s carcass, and had filled it with honey. And so, in the end the lion was better to him than his wife. – But how full of suggestions is this incident. Who would have looked for honey behind a lion’s paws? While he was yet roaring and striking at Samson, there seemed very little likelihood of his finding a honeyed meal in him. But if lions bravely slain yield such food, let them become emblems! The bee signifies industry among all nations; and honey is the ideal of sweetness. To-day war is upon us. A lion is in our path. But, being bravely met in its track shall industry settle, and we shall yet fetch honey from the carcass of war. H. W. Beecher.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, November 12, 1863

Culpable Carelessness

A correspondent writing from Ship Island, says of a late expedition to Biloxi, that the men landed without molestation, and were marching up to the town with unloaded muskets, when they came upon a party of mounted men and a piece of artillery, coming to receive them. The Colonel concluded that, under these circumstances, the better part of valor was to retreat, and gave the order accordingly.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Wednesday, April 9, 1862

It will be seen by the letters published to-day . . .

. . . that there were some Iowa troops in the Pittsburgh battle – several – that they did some hard fighting. We print a full and reliable list of casualties in the 7th Iowa and another list of wounded from the regiments, who have arrived at St. Louis. Our readers will not fail to read the account of the battle by our correspondent. A perusal of the letters which we print this morning with the accounts of the battle given by other correspondents who were present, will convince the reader that there was a lack of discipline and Generalship in Grant’s army which lost us many valuable lives and came very near losing a very important battle.

*~*~*~*~*

We are glad to find out that our loss at the great battle is not so large as apprehended. Two of our correspondents have turned up safe, as will be seen by the letters published to-day, and another has been heard from.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862

From St. Louis

St. Louis, July 13. – The Democrat learns from Fort Leavenworth that Platte City, Missouri, is occupied by 200 bushwhackers, who have been joined by most of the so called Paw-Paw Militia under Thornton. They planted [the rebel] flag, and boast of expected [missing text] Quantrel [sic].

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 16, 1864

Didn’t Know The Tune

On election day in Newburg, Uncle Barzelius Burke, aged 75, a hero drummer in the war of 1812, was on hand with his old drum. An old man in the town, of copperhead persuasion, by the name of McGee, was talking loudly for Vallandigham, and in the course of his disloyal remarks, said “it would suit him just as well to have the South whip the North.” This was too much for the old patriot drummer of 1812. “McGee,” said he, “let me play you a tune,” and the old man rattled away with more than common power. McGee heard, and complimented him with – “That’s good.” Uncle B. indignantly reported – “You d----d old copperhead that is the Rogue’s March. Why don’t you march?” and the drum rolled out again when McGee did march away amid the shouts of the bystanders.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, November 12, 1863

The Copperheads of Indiana . . .

. . . met in convention Tuesday last.

Joseph E. McDonald was nominated for Governor and David [Surfae] for Lieutenant Governor. Some think they will adopt a moderate, slow and easy war policy.

Resolutions were passed denouncing arbitrary arrests, suppression of the writ of habeas corpus, and the press, and favoring a speedy peace and prompt payment of the soldiers and complimenting the troops.

A resolution endorsing Vallandigham and pledging the State to stand by him was lost amid much confusion and a substitute adopted pledging the Democracy to maintain civil and personal liberty at all hazards.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 16, 1864

Weekly report of the Mortality among the Iowa Soldiers . . .

. . . in the Military Hospitals and Camps in the vicinity of St. Louis, Mo.

April 6
Lewis N. Ripley, co. A, 12th Iowa
John Burhanan, co. F, 16th, Iowa
Geo. Van Cleave, co. B, 15th Iowa

April 7
W. P. Leach, co. E, 12th Iowa
Felix Conner, co. G, 12th Iowa

April 9
Melvin Hempstead, co. F, 12th Iowa

April 11
Henry Kirk White, co. G, 2nd Iowa

April 12
John Coffman, co, K, 15th Iowa

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862

Washington, D. C., July 9.

Official dispatch from [General] Wallace states that a battle took [place] between our forces under his command and the rebels at Monocacy to-day, commencing at 9 o’clock and continuing until 5. Our forces were at length overpowered by superior numbers of the enemy and were forced to retreat in disorder. He says Brigadier General Tyler was taken prisoner and that the enemy’s forces number at least 20,000 men. Our troops behaved well, but suffered severe loss. He is retreating toward Baltimore.

(Signed) [STANTON]

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 16, 1864.

[Note: There were several small holes in this article, causing a few words to be partially or entirely missing. The words in brackets are my best guess to the content and meaning of the article.]

From The First Iowa Cavalry

Correspondence of the State Register

Sedalia, Pettis Co., Mo.

Lest you should conclude that the First Iowa Cavalry is defunct, I have taken it upon myself to give you some intimation of its whereabouts and present occupation; and in order to do this satisfactorily, it will be necessary to speak of what we have been doing.

We arrived here on the 26th of January, since which time our headquarters have been here, and we have been engaged in suppressing the various guerilla bands that infest the western counties of this State. We have visited successively Saline, Fayette, Benton, Sinclair, Bates, Henry and Johnson counties, dispersing and capturing the different squads of “bushwhackers” who lurk in the dense thickets and deep “canons” peculiar to this section of country, which afford them protection, and from whence they sally out to commit deeds of rapine and murder at which humanity shudders and mercy weeps, and which must remain a stain upon the 19th century.

On the night of March 27th, about 11 P.M., we received orders to march to the relief of Major Foster at Warrensburg, in Johnson county, who commands that post occupied by the State Militia. Accordingly, companies A, F and G of the 1st Iowa Cavalry (the balance of the regiment being at Clinton in Henry county,) and two pieces of the 1st Mo. Battery, all under the command of Capt. J. D. Thompson, started for Warrensburg, where we arrived on the evening of the 28th. The following morning we proceeded up the Blackwater River, in search of Quantrill’s band which was threatening to attack and burn the town of Warrensburg. We expected to find them encamped at an old mill on a small creek that empties into the Blackwater just above Murray’s Ford, on the Clinton and Lexington road. We advanced upon the mill by three different routes, but failed to find any signs of “Secesh.” We had proceeded about two and a half miles on our way home, Co. F. in advance, when we came suddenly upon a body of armed rebels, about 60 in number, commanded by one Col. Parker. No sooner did they discover the uncomfortable proximity of the “Feds” than they gave leg bail, and we (Cos. F and G) gave hot pursuit, Co. A having gone another road to attempt cutting off their retreat. The Secesh dashed into the brush as usual, and of course we followed through chapparal [sic], brush, bogs, mud, sloughs, gulches and creeks and over hills, logs, ravines and rocks, for about four miles, they firing as they ran, and we replying with revolvers whenever they permitted us to get within range. They were well mounted and were familiar with the crossings of the creeks, so they had a decided advantage over us, and it was only our best mounted men who were able to keep up with our chivalric but nomadic foes. The chase was a quite exciting one, stirring even the current of my phlegmatic nature. The road, or rather path, through the brush was strewn with hats, caps, blankets, shot-pouches, shot-guns, pistols, sabres, Springfield muskets and Enfield rifles, abandoned by the Southern bloods to facilitate their hegira. Some of the last mentioned articles almost tempted me to dismount and appropriate one to my own immediate use, but want of time and the idea that they were of course empty, prevented me from so doing. I afterwards learned that many of the guns thrown away were still loaded. After crossing the creek at the old mill the rebels struck across the hill to the river at a point that had formerly been fordable, but now obstructed by drift-wood, when they scattered in all directions except the one they came. “Twas here the brave Jirard, of Co. F, fell, being so close upon the enemy that his face was burnt with the powder that sped the fatal buck-shot. A part of the rebels ran up the river, a part down the river, and a few through the river, but not being able to get their horses up the opposite bank, which was steep and miry, they abandoned them and turned to the strength of their own legs for the balance of the journey, while not a few of them ensconced themselves beneath logs, sought retirement from this troublous world in tree-tops and tangled underbrush, or courted modest obscurity by sinking quietly into some friendly gutter near by. Of this latter class was the gallant Col. Parker, who was brought back to a consciousness of existence by the announcement that if he didn’t “get up out of that he would be shot.” We killed 10 of the rebels, captured 15 prisoners, about 20 horses, a lot of arms, equipments, &c. One of our men was killed, one (Corporal Johnson) severely wounded, thigh shattered and leg broken below the knee; one man wounded in the foot, accidentally.

Several incidents occurred, of interest to us, but probably would not prove as interesting to you. We returned to Sedalia last night, bringing the prisoners with us.

H. H.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862

The Dedication of the M. E. Church . . .

. . . in our village sabbath last, was not only very well attended, but attended by a very liberal audience. The discourse preached on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Winans, was very able and interesting and was attentively listened to.

At the conclusion of his discourse, Mr. Wilson stated to the audience, that the building cost about $5,000, that the society was then in debt for some $1,700; that parties whom $900 of this was due, agreed to donate their claims, if the audience would raise the remaining eight hundred. The collection, and subscription that followed this announcement exceeded the amount required – by how much we are not informed.

The liberality displayed on the occasion is worthy of the highest praise. To erect edifices for worship, and education speaks well for the religious and moral sentiments of the country. Give us a good school building next.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 16, 1864

A Modest Request

It is related of President Lincoln, that recently a farmer applied to him to secure his assistance in collecting a bill against the Government for damages done by troops passing through his premises. The President referred him to the proper officer, whose duty it was to attend to such matters. But the man was anxious that Mr. Lincoln should examine the case personally, and give an order to have it settled. “Then,” said he, “they will attend to it at once; otherwise I may have to wait a long time.” “But I may have no leisure to look after such things,” said the President. “It won’t take but a few minutes,” urged the man. “You remind me of what occurred to a friend of mine on the Mississippi river,” said the President. “He was a captain of a steamboat, and when passing through the rapids, he always took the wheel, and steered the boat himself. One day when he was in the most difficult part of the stream, a boy came blubbering up to him crying ‘Captain, Captain!’ ‘Well what do you want?’ “O! do stop the boat, I’ve lost my apple overboard!’” The farmer saw the point of the story, and wisely concluded to collect his bill in the usual routine manner.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, November, 12, 1863

Robert Toombs of Georgia...

...having taken a commission in the Rebel Army, Dr. John W. Lewis, late Superintendent of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, has been appointed Confederate Senator in his place.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862

Which Is the Best Way...

...to obey the law and get a Public house license at the expense of three dollars and thirty-three cents, or disobey the law, and be compelled to pay the license and Forty Dollars and eighty-six cents cost, as did Mr. Alex Wilson, of this county last week?

P. G. Goss, Esq. played the same tune and the expense of about Fifty-two Dollars over and above the license.

Better come up, hereafter, and give Uncle Samuel a cheerful support in his affliction. How can you be so ungratful [sic] to your old Uncle, when you know you are indebted to him for all you possess? Why a dog will seldom bite the hand that feeds him. Can it be that man is more ungrateful than the soulless beast? Reform, gentleman, and be good earnest Union men. Nobody wants to believe you disloyal; it's your devlish [sic] foolish actions that forces people to such conclusions.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 16, 1864

Hon. J. F. Wilson

We are glad to say a word in commendation of the worthy representative to Congress from this District. He is working his way surely to a position of honor and influence in the House before the country. While many representatives since the opening of the present session of Congress have yielded to the blandishments or menaces of the Slavery influence, which still predominates in “good” society at Washington, Mr. Wilson has pursued a straight forward course – evidently neither afraid nor ashamed to stand up for the principles of humanity, loyalty and justice. He originated the measure, which is now a law, forbidding the return of fugitives [sic] slaves by army officers or men. He was chiefly instrumental in exposing and defeating a scheme for building railroads in Southern States at the expense of Government, and for the subsequent advantage of communities now in rebellion. In connection with Mr. Bingham, of Ohio, he reported a bill confiscating the property of all rebels and emancipating their slaves. He has also drawn a bill declaring that no person shall be eligible to any office, civil, military, or naval, under the Government of the United States, who may have heretofore held office under either the General or State Governments, and who has held or may hereafter hold any office, civil, military or naval, under the pretended Government of the self-styled Confederate States, or either of them. Mr. Wilson regards treason as a crime, and he believes in crushing it in the most effective and thorough manner. – He has no reverence for Slavery and no fear of its advocates or apologists. We are quite sure that nine-tenths, perhaps ninety-nine-hundreths [sic], of those who voted for Mr. Wilson will cordially sustain him in his support of the vigorous and patriotic measure above alluded to. Our Representative has some admirable qualifications for a statesman in these times. He has back bone, he is a ready and logical speaker, a hard worker, and an honest man whose head and heart are in the right place. He has before him an honorable and distinguished career. We do not doubt his ability to maintain himself and to meet the expectations of his warmest friends. – {Oskaloosa Herald.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Wednesday, April 9, 1862

Rebel Raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania

{From Hawk-Eye}

BALTIMORE, July 11.– Some rebel cavalry burned the residence of Governor Bradford this A. M., four miles from this city. The family were ordered out, and only permitted to take a few valuables, when their residence was fired. The Governor was at the city at the time.

Also the mansion of General Cadwallader near Magnolia.

John Muns Gen. Superintendent of the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. sends the following dispatch:

“I was conductor of No. 17 train. The rebels attacked the train at Magnolia. – After we had stopped they went through the train capturing all the officers, among whom was Major Gen. Franklin. They robbed most of the passengers of money and Jewelry, then unloaded the baggage and burned the train.

A rebel deserter, representing himself to be a native of Indiana, states that the rebel force invading the North is very large. – There are three brigades of cavalry and Breckenridge’s, Rhodes’ and another division of Infantry. Their movements were kept a profound secret.

The Star says: The numbers and purpose of the rebel invading force is confusing and conflicting; we give elsewhere the opinion entertained by many around us. The rebel force is not sufficient strength to under take a serious attack upon the fortifications of Washington, and that is not their purpose. Per contra, we have just received the following, from a sources [sic] of great intelligence and reliability, one that has on repeated occasions given the most accurate information of the rebel movements in Virginia. The information received from this quarter is as follows: The rebel army of invasion, marched down the valley 45,000 strong, including 8,000 cavalry, under command of Breckenridge, Ransom, Imboden, and McCausland and Longstreet was at Gordonsville on Tuesday last, with additional forces to join the rebel invasion and propose that the army was to attempt the capture of Washington by surprise.

The Virginia central Railroad is repaired and running from Richmond to Stanton.

NEW YORK, July 12. – The President of the Inland Telegraph Company telegraphs from Philadelphia, that the raiders have destroyed the lines of the Independent Telegraph Company, and such of the lines of the American Telegraph Company as were along the turnpike between Philadelphia and Baltimore.

PHILADELPHIA, July 12. – The Baltimore American of last evening says Gen. Tyler escaped from the rebels, and had reached Ellicott’s mills.

Fighting was reported seven miles from Washington on the 11th.

Parties from Blair, sixteen miles from here report 1,000 rebel cavalry there last evening.

There is no doubt of the immediate necessity for heavy reinforcements to Washington.

Telegraphic and Railroad communications between Baltimore and Washington which had been disturbed by the raiders were reestablished on the 12th.

The report of the capture of General Franklin, on the cars is doubtless correct, as Col. Mitchell was present at the time and afterwards made his escape.

The raiders have destroyed 450 feet of the Gunpowder railroad bridge, and have damaged 500 feet more.

BALTIMORE, July 12. – We have nothing from Washington but idle street stories – no despatches – no papers – no trains.

The American has just received information from Fredrick, that yesterday the rebels were again driven out of that city, and that the old flag again waves over it. – About nine o’clock yesterday morning the advance of Coles cavalry came dashing in and a fight took place in the streets between our troops and the small rebel guard left there, only one hundred men. The rebel Captain was killed and the balance were driven and pursued in the direction of Monocacy. The rebels had demanded a contribution of $20,000 in greenbacks. A committee of citizens was appointed to negotiate with them for the safety of persons and property, and a pledge was finally given that if the money was paid, none would be molested – which pledge was given and the money paid down. The only property destroyed was the government stables, which were fired on Sunday. During the time of the rebel possession, the foraging parties sent out into the country to secure horses and cattle, came in with large droves of cattle pigs and sheep, and at times the main streets were literally filled with horses and cattle, all of which were driven to the ford and sent across to Virginia.

Our informant states that he came to the city by the Baltimore pike, and the only rebels he met on the road were some fifteen cavalry, near Carroll’s manor, fourteen miles from Baltimore. The inquired of him if he knew anything of the whereabouts of Bradley, of Johnson’s cavalry. He replied that he did not, but shortly after learned that Johnson had crossed the pike at Caroll’s manor at 9 o’clock yesterday with an immense train of captured horses, going towards the Potomac. As he had command of the raiders in this vicinity it may be presumed they have all gone towards the Potomac.

The rebels did very slight damage to the Monocacy iron bridge. The conductor of the 9 o’clock train reported that there had been no fighting up to one o’clock the telegraph was cut.

I learn from Annapolis Junction that the rebels obtained possession of the road at Bellville and Blandensburg about one o’clock, and up to the latest advices till hold it, amusing themselves by destroying bridges and tearing up track. They are said to be in considerable force.

LATEST.

NEW YORK, July 13 – A steamer has just arrived here from Fortress Monroe with Gen. Baldy Smith and staff on board.

The Herald’s special from headquarters Department of Western Virginia, says Gen. Sullivan’s division occupied Martinsburg without opposition, and restored railroad communication, which is now open thence to Wheeling.

Gen. Howe has assumed command at Harper’s Ferry.

BALTIMORE, July 13 – Gen. Tyler is safe; also reported, and believed to be well founded. Gen. Franklin escaped from capture, and on Monday the rebels spent the most of the day trying to find him, but where unsuccessful.

The rebels left 400 of their wounded in hospitals at Fredrick.

NEW YORK, July 13. – A gentleman from Baltimore informs the Evening Post that the battle on the Monacacy, though a defeat, was invaluable in its results to Baltimore, as it held in check the rebels till the authorities could make arrangements to repel attacks if any were made.

Gen. Brodford’s call was responded to by thousands. At midnight the bells were rung, and 6,000 men were hastened to the place of meeting, among them 14 veterans of the war of 1812, who aided in repelling the British invaders. All the treasure of the city was placed in boats under the guns of the forts.

Gen. Pickets is stationed outside the city. Heavy fighting had taken place at Brookville, 12 miles northwest of Washington. There are no fears of the safety of the [capital].

The news from Hunter’s [missing text] encouraging. His troops are [missing text] and in fine condition. He [missing text] forced by volunteers from [missing text] holds the route by which [missing text] crossed the Potomac, and the [missing text] by the lower fords.

Grant has not reduced his fo[missing text] surrender of Petersburg is ho[missing text].

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 16, 1864

The Cultivation of Flax Seed

From a Prize Essay, by W. B. Colman, published in St. Louis, March 1862

The cultivation of Flax Seed is as simple as that of any crop we have. It requires no more labor to raise and harvest a crop of it than it does to raise and harvest a crop of oats or wheat, and it is less exhausting to the soil than a crop of wheat. It is generally thought that flax seed should be sown on moist rich land, such as creek and river bottoms. This opinion prevails, because the straw of flax grows more luxuriantly on such lands. When flax is sown for the fibre, it should be sown on moist rich land, but the seed is always inferior. The best seed, i.e. richest in oily matter, is produced upon rather dry, rolling, and only moderately fertile soil. The stalks are shorter, branch more, and the bolls fill better. When flax is cultivated for the fibre or the fibre and seed, the seed will always be inferior in quality to that sown exclusively for the seed on dryer land, and when not sown so thick as it must be when the fiber is made an object.

A better quality of seed is also obtained in a dry season than a wet one, the seed containing a larger per cent of oil. The straw does not grow so rank, and the bolls fill with larger richer seed.

SEED FOR SOWING.

“Like begets like” no more surely in the animal than vegetable world – therefore the very best quality of seed should be obtained. As flax seed is commonly raised it is better to sow a small piece, especially for the seed to by used [in] sowing For this purpose the seed must be sown very thinly over the surface – not to exceed a peck to the acre. Each stalk will then grow vigorously, branching to the ground, and the bolls will fill with large plump seed. All foul seed should be scrupulously separated from the flax seed before sowing. The price of flax seed is materially lessened when it contains seeds of mustard, rape, cockle, &c. If these cannot be separated in any other way they must be by a flax riddle. It is bad economy to sow seed from flax raised for the fibre. The stalks are long, spindling, and light colored, and it is impossible for such stalks to produce a large plump berry.

QUANTITY OF SEED PER ACRE.

Farmers differ very much in the quantity of seed they apply to the acre, some sowing only a peck, others as much as two bushels. If the soil is put in fine condition, and the seed is sown evenly, one peck per acre is sufficient. – Where seed is the chief object, not over half a bushel in any case should be sown. By thin sowing the stock will be stronger and throw out vigorous branches, which will produce large bolls filled with plump glossy seed, containing a very large per cent of oil. By thick seeding the plants are less strong, branch but little, the sun can strike only the top of the plants, and the seeds will be smaller, lighter, and will not contain within fifteen or twenty percent the amount of oil that seed will when raised by thin sowing.

WEEDING.

Pure seed being very important, it is highly necessary to go into the field and pull out all weeds that show themselves. The wild mustard and other weeds are very easily distinguished when in bloom. With a little labor at the proper time all weeds may be taken out and the seed left clean and pure.

CLEANING THE SEED.

Being chiefly used for the manufacture of oil purchasers are particularly anxious to obtain pure plump glossy seed. Dirt, Dust, foul seed, or any extraneous matter will distract from its value. It is therefore important to take particular pains in cleaning it and preparing it for market. A prime article for flax seed is always eagerly sought and a poor article will not be bought if a supply of prime seed can be obtained.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Wednesday, April 9, 1862 & in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862

Goshen Township Farmer’s Union

MINUTES OF MEETING

The second regular meeting of the Goshen Township Farmer’s Union was held Friday evening Feb. 20th pursuant to adjournment. Jacob Fall was called to the chair and Wm. Nowlan elected Sec’y. Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted.

The committee on constitution reported two drafts of constitutions together with the proposed constitution for Township Leagues, adopted by the State society at Otawa.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

The society then proceeded to the adoption of a constitution; the articles were taken up separately, discussed and adopted.

On account of extremely unfavorable weather and the consequent small attendance, it was decided to postpone the election of officers till the next meeting. Moved and carried that when we adjourn, we adjourn to meet here (school house, dist. No. 8,) two weeks from this evening at 7 o’clock. Moved and carried that the proceeding of this meeting will be furnished the STARK CO. NEWS for publication. Adjourned.

Wm. Nowlan, Secretary
JACOB FALL, Chairman

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, February 26, 1863

From Island No. 10

Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.

Cairo, April 6, 1862

ON BOARD THE U. S. GUNBOAT CARONDELET, NEW MADIRD, APRIL 5 – At last the blockade is passed – the gauntlet is run. The navigation of the Mississippi is proved possible in spite of rebel guns and rebel fortifications. The U. S. Gunboat Carondelet, Captain H. Walke, arrived this morning at one o’clock having past the fortifications at Island No. 10 and the batteries upon the main land opposite, and now lies safely moored under the guns of the upper fort at New Madrid.

The Carondelet left the fleet last evening at ten o’clock, during a terrific thunder storm, and having taken a barge in tow laden with hay and coal, to serve as a protection from the enemy’s balls, extinguished her lights, put on steam and rapidly sailed down the river. The first intimation the rebels had of the attempt to run the blockade was the fire which issued from the burning chimney of the gun boat, and immediately thereafter it was greeted with a shower of balls from infantry stationed at the upper battery, the same which was so effectually spiked a few days since by Colonel Roberts.

A signal rocket was sent up, and in an instant the entire line of batteries were a blaze of flame. Four batteries on the Kentucky shore and one on the point of the Island fired in quick succession, but the Carondelet passed them all in safety, and unmindful of the leaden and iron hail which fell around, passed through the fiery ordeal unhurt. Not a man was injured, and excepting a few musket balls which struck the iron plated sides of the gunboat, she was untouched. The floating battery is located three miles below the Island, and bestowed a parting shower of blazing compliments as the Carondelet glided quietly by.

The Hollins ram Manassas did not open.

Officers and men acquitted themselves with admirable courage and fidelity. Owning to the intense darkness, the officers could not make an extensive and satisfactory reconnaissance of the batteries, but the enemy probably did his best. The fire was tremendous.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, April, 11, 1862

Andrew Johnson and the Traitors

Col. Forney writes from Washington to the Philadelphia Press:

Andrew Johnson is as bold in denouncing treason in Nashville as he was in Washington. He does not hesitate, as some of our Northern politicians do, when seeking to find the authors of our calamities. In Tennessee he could safely locate this responsibility upon the abolitionists and Black Republicans; he could imitate the Breckinridgers of Pennsylvania and other Free States by criticizing and condemning Republican legislation. Disdaining all such shallow tricks, however, he tells rebels that it was not Mr. Lincoln and his friends who refused all compromise, but the Secession leaders, and that these latter could have carried the Crittenden proposition if they had not persistently determined to break up the Government and to dissolve the Union. When the day of reckoning comes, when the public stewards go before the people to render an account, Andrew Johnson’s words will drive the plausible falsehoods of the Breckinridgers away, like so much chaff driven by the whirlwind. – They will talk against the tax, against the Republicans, against confiscation and in favor of a dishonorable peace. He, and the millions who believe in him, will assume a high and manly ground – that, as the war was begun by the rebels, they must be made to feel the indignation of the Government they have assailed, and that they are no patriots, who, in their sympathy with the rebels, labor only to restore them to power by embarrassing and misrepresenting the Administration. This will be the ground of Johnson and the honest masses of the United States.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Wednesday, April 9, 1862

Southern Iowa Soldier Fair

Burlington, September 26th, 1864

The Ladies’ Union Aid Society of Burlington, commenced their labors for our Soldiers at the outbreak of the Rebellion, when they came together with busy hands and made clothing for Companies D. and E. of the Iowa First. From that day to the present, they have given unintermitted [sic] attention to the care and comfort of our sick and wounded, have sent forward hundreds of boxes of sanitary stores for their relief, and disbursed many thousand dollars. They have co-operated with the Western Sanitary Commission at St. Louis, with the United States Commission, with the Christian Commission and with the Sanitary Agents of our own State, and will continue to employ the same channels for the disbursement of funds and stores.

The Exhibition of the State Agricultural Society in this city in the month of September which will bring many thousand together, has suggested the duty of improving that occasion for one grand and general effort by the people of Southern Iowa in the cause of patriotism and humanity. It is therefore proposed to hold a Fair for the relief of our Soldiers, in the City of Burlington, during the week of the State Agricultural Exhibition. The Fair will be opened on Monday, September 26th, and will continue through the week until Saturday, the 1st of October. The Officers named below, with an executive committee have been appointed to make all the necessary arrangements.

In carrying forward this enterprise, we appeal with confidence, to the people of Southern Iowa, and to our fellow citizens throughout the United States, for their zealous and generous cooperation. Our immediate field is the Southern half of Iowa. But our Iowa Soldiers are fighting the battles of the Nation, and we appeal to every part of the Union for contributions and help.

In behalf of Ladies’ Union Aid Society.
Mrs. C. B. Darwin, President
Mrs. J. L. Brown, Secretary
Burlington, Iowa, June 17th, 1864

1. Contributions of every kind and sort are solicited. All products of Industry, from farms and garden, and shop and house may be disposed of, and may be made to carry relief to the sick and wounded soldiers.

2. Let every county in Southern Iowa, and every town and village and neighborhood be represented by one or more stands in this patriotic Festival.

3. Soldiers Aid Societies, Loyal Leagues, Churches, Schools, Benevolent Associations and other organizations, are invited to furnish stands or tables and will have every facility for exhi[bits] [missing text].

Those desiring to accept this invitation, are requested to give early notice to the Corresponding Secretary.

4. Donors are requested to affix to each article its estimated value.

5. Owners of articles forwarded to the Agricultural Exhibition, are solicited to make donations of them to the Soldiers Fair. Where practicable, such articles will be forwarded to our soldiers. In other cases the proceeds will be appropriated for their benefit.

6. No raffling or lottery will be allowed.

7. All contributions will be suitably acknowledged. A record and history of the fair will be published.

8. All goods and packages should be distinctly marked with the name of the donor, and the place from which sent, and directed to “John G. Foote, Burlington, Iowa, for Southern Iowa Soldiers’ Fair.” Notice of the shipment should at the same time be sent by mail to the Corresponding Secretary.

9. Donations of money are solicited, and should be sent by mail to the Treasurer.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 16, 1864

Fred. H. Whitaker’s Letter

Knowing the reports to the effect that he was opposed to the war policy of the Administration and the proclamation of the President, have been in circulation since his return to the army, we cheerfully give place to a letter from Fred. H. Whitaker in our columns, believing that it is but just to allow him the privilege of correcting such misrepresentational one in his own language and over his own signature. Every one who conversed with him on political topics during his visit home must know that he is [illegible]ly opposed to any propositions for peace, except upon the unconditional surrender of the rebels, and that he declared himself fully satisfied with the emancipation proclamation and all other war measures of the Administration. How such reports got into circulation we are unable to say, but presume it is part of the secesh programme to make the people at home believe the soldiers are dissatisfied with the object of the war, and by that means prejudice their minds against the Administration.

There is another fact revealed in Fred’s letter, and we are sorry to have it said of citizens of our town: He was advised to desert the army by men in Toulon. Is it possible we have men in our quiet law-abiding town, who willfully and deliberately advise local soldiers to desert? It must be true. Fred is honest, frank, generous and loyal, and we cannot believe he would utter a falsehood upon his fellow townsmen. But what shall we say of those who advised him to desert? Our vocabulary fails to furnish words of sufficient power to express our contempt for [illegible] miserable, cowardly traitors [illegible] at heart, and not [illegible] in a free country under such a beneficent Government as we are trying to save from destruction. If the law makes it criminal to discourage enlistments, what should be done with the men who encourage desertions? It is well for such men that they keep a good distance from the lines of a Federal camp, with their vile treason, if they have no fancy for hempen collars.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, February 28, 1863

See Also: Fred H. Whitaker’s Letter

Fall Of Island No. 10

The Telegraph column this morning is full of joyous intelligence. Another stronghold of the enemy after a persistent siege of 20 days has fallen, and the nation is thrilled with great joy! Island No. 10 is ours! Immense quantities of stores and ammunition have fallen into our hands. Cotton is dethroned forever, and the Lord Omnipotent reigneth!

In one respect the capture of Island No. 10 eclipses all other achievements of the War. The victory was bloodless and yet overwhelming! There was no sacrifice of life on the part of our brave soldiery. The country, in this memorable conquest, is not made to mingle lamentations with rejoicings! No ghastly list of dead and wounded comes up to mar the great triumph. Our soldiers fell at Mill Springs, at Donelson, at Pea Ridge, and Newbern and at Winchester. The shouts of victory were intermingled with the groans of the dying; but in this last achievement, the glory of a signal triumph is not obscured by the ordinary casualties and horrors of war.

We now wait to hear of the success of the Federal Arms on the Tennessee river. If the rebel army has made a stand, the decisive battle of the war is now in progress. The capture of Island No. 10, and the defeat of the grand army of the Confederacy, at Corinth, will be followed immediately by the fall of Memphis, and the occupation of the lower Mississippi by the Federal forces. New Orleans will offer no serious resistance to the advance of the victorious army of the Republic; and the next stand made by the Confederate Chiefs will probably be in the Gulf of Mexico.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862

Mr. Bacon Explains

Editor [illegible]: In your issue of last week you copied a couple of paragraphs from the Burlington Hawk-Eye in which my name is used in connection with certain transactions which are made to appear not altogether on the “square,” and you have accorded me the privilege of explaining. I will do so briefly.

The fact may not be known to all your readers, yet it is no less strange than true, that there was one grand swindle concocted in the city of Burlington, for the benefit of the Jay-hawkers of that good city, with the intent of making money out of the Government. The scheme was to raise and equip a company of Lancers to be located in Burlington. Said company flourished to a heavy extent, until it became quite evident to all that the object of the company was more for the purpose of placing money in the pockets of the citizens of Burlington that it was for the good of the country. – When the Government saw fit in its wisdom, to disband this company, then came the rush for the “loaves and fishes.” Bills were made out for all manner of articles, each one striving to make out the largest – and Dunham, of the Hawk-Eye, was among the balance, to ring in one as large as possible – and all urging their claims to be paid by the Government without a why or a wherefore. But Col. Chambers, the General Paymaster of the State, appointed by the Government, was sent to Burlington to audit said claims; and because he refused to allow each and every claim, the wrath of many, and Dunham among the balance, was showered down upon him, and a great cry was heard among the victims of “misplaced confidence.” And when they found they could not succeed in swindling the Government to their heart’s content, they commenced on each other, and undertook to swindle those whose claims had been allowed. – When we visited Burlington the other day the highest price paid for these claims was 70 and 75 cents on the dollar payable in goods, and because we saw fit to offer 80 and 85 cents for the same, we were cried down, and posted in that exemplary sheet, the Hawk-Eye as endeavoring to skin the citizens. Now sir, if paying 85 cents on the dollar for these clams is ‘skinning,’ how are they to escape who paid but 70 and 75? Dunham speaks of an “Ethiopian” (which I judge to be a latin word for a “Nigger in a wood pile” being concealed in this matter. I can’t “see it,” from the fact that we made no secret of our business at Burlington, knowing that we were engaged in a legitimate business. I must conclude, therefore, that the nigger lies concealed at his own door, as it is evident that he has taken this method to score Col. Chambers over our shoulders, because the Colonel did not allow his claim.

And here let me add that I exonerate Colonel Chambers from any blame that can be attached to him in this matter, as I have not seen or corresponded with him since said claims were audited. I consider the insinuation in the Hawk-Eye as a low, gross insult to Col. Chambers’ integrity and emanating from a man who has never been charged with having a high and noble character, but on the contrary from a low debased and unprincipled demagogue ready to sell himself, body and soul, for the “Almighty Dollar.”

As for myself, I will inform Mr. Dunham that it is pretty well conceded that “Bacon knows his Biz,” and he will endeavor to attend to his own affairs without the aid and assistance of said Dunham, and if paying 85 cents for an article that others are paying but 75 cents is swindling, why, so mote it be.

Yours truly,
J. H. Bacon

REMARKS. – The above explanation is a very pretty document, take it as it stands. Every statement in it is false, from the first to the last. Unless he can do better than this he should let Capt. Chambers take care of himself and save his own “bacon.” The citizens of Burlington had nothing to do with the getting up of the Lancer regiment except to be outrageously swindled by it. The editor of this paper never presented an account to Capt. Chambers for printing for the Lancers, nor to the government – never had an account except for so trifling an amount that he did not care to present it. Col. Pleyel came to Burlington having in his pocket the letter of the Secretary of War authorizing him to raise a regiment of Lancers. Upon this letter the regiment contracted many debts, a very small part of which Capt. Chambers audited and allowed. Bacon and his companion, who, we take it is a better and more sensible man because he holds his peace, came to Burlington with a list of these audited claims, and undertook to buy them up at 15 to 20 percent discount, upon the lying pretense that they wished to use them in buying Government horses and Rock Island.

The reason why citizens of Burlington suspected there was something wrong in this matter we will again state with the disclaimer that personally we had not one dollar’s interest in it and not a single personal feeling or grievance connected with the Lancer business. Mr. Warley, who came with this fellow Bacon, is known to be an intimate acquaintance and friend of Capt. Chambers, being a clerk at the Burtis House, where Capt. C. makes or made his home or headquarters. These persons, Warley and Bacon, had a list of the audited claims; and not only a list but had a knowledge of one fact that must have been obtained from the auditing officer. There was a small error in an account of a citizen of South Burlington, discovered after it had been audited. Unable to see this person and take up his erroneous account, Capt. C. made a new and correct one and left it at a business house for this man, leaving word that he would not pay the old one. Bacon and Warley had a knowledge of this circumstance and refused this first claim although it was upon its face, as legal and just a claim as regularly audited as any of the others.

These are the suspicious circumstances. They are not conclusive and positive evidence against Capt. Chambers and we did not and do not wish to be understood as saying so. But they are suspicious circumstances which out to be explained. No amount of abuse of the people of Burlington or of the editor of this paper will make the matter look any better. We want to know, and a good many people here want to know, how these men came by the list which they had, how they came to know the circumstances above narrated, and why they came here to buy Government claims. There are several interesting facts which have not yet been published that will come out at the proper time.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Wednesday, April 9, 1862

From the Iowa Second

Pittsburgh Landing Tenn.
April 8, 1862

Mr. Editor:– The storm has fallen unexpectedly upon us. The rebels inspired by the name and eloquence of Beauregard assisted by abundance of powdered whisky, [attacked] us with the fury of demons last Sunday morning. The battle raged all day Sunday. Buell, whose reinforcements the enemy dreaded, arrived on the opposite side of the river during the day and commenced crossing in the evening. Our outposts had all been abandoned and the enemy were within cannon shot of the larding at dark, when the firing ceased. Col. Tuttle’s brigade, consisting of the Iowa 2nd, 7th, 12th & 14th, were surrounded and the last two taken prisoners. A few of each Regiment escaped. I saw to-day Sam Fullinwinder, C. C. Proctor, W. Tilton, and Gillett of Captain Campbell’s company from Des Moines County. All the rest are supposed to be taken.

Yesterday a terrible artillery duel for several hours, the enemy were forced to give way and dearly all our camps secured before night. The artillery taken from us has nearly all been retaken.

This morning McDowell’s Brigade was attacked and driven in, but Buell was soon there and after them, and swears he will have our boys back if he has to march to New Orleans. We had no General nor Generalship until he came. Grant is played out most decidedly.

Our Mortality list is awful. Particulars soon.

H. S.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & also in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

We a few days since read a letter...

...written by Mr. Meeks of Auston, Nevada Territory, to Mr. James Polly of this village, which contained some items of general interest, one of which was related as follows:

A bet was made between a Republican and a Copperhead on the city election. If the Copperheads carried the city, the Republican was to carry a sack of flour to the Cop – some two miles distant – on his back, accompanied by a band playing “Dixie;” and if the Republicans were successful, the Cop was to carry the flour to the Republican, the band to accompany playing “John Brown.” The Republican won the bet, and the Cop came to time, according to contract. The affair was witnessed by an immense crowd. After the flour was delivered, it was sold by the Republican, at auction, for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission. The purchaser resold it for the same charitable purpose, and his example was followed by others until the flour had brought fifty dollars.

Pretty well done, that.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 16, 1864

News Summary

The Chicago Journal (Republican) says that the Congressional Apportionment Bill was passed at the recent session of the legislature, though not equalizing the districts as well as it might have done, is fully as fair as could have been expected. Stark County is in the 11th District composed of the following counties: Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Bureau, Stark, Whiteside, and Lee. Population 231,183: Political status at last election, 15,777 Republicans,7,186 Demcrats, Republican majority 8,250.

The rumor comes through rebel sources that the gunboat Queen of the West, which ran the rebel blockade at Vicksburg, on the 3d inst., has been captured while attacking Fort Hudson, a few miles below that city up the Red River.

It is rumored that the government intend suppressing the circulation of all political papers among the soldiers and that it has already been done on the Potomac, a sensible movement.

A Washington dispatch announces the arrival there of a large number of civilian prisoners from Camp Chase, Ohio, to be exchanged and sent south.

The discovery of precious metal in Nevada warrant the belief that it will in a few years surpass California.

It is said that $23,000,000 have been stolen in the quartermaster’s department in the last few months.

Thurlow Weed, the great whig leader of Albany, N.Y., and now a conservative Republican, has been to Washington at the instance of the President, he has been in consulting with him the offshot of which is being watched for with no little anxiety.

Maj. Gen. Cassius M. Clay it is said is about to return to Russia.

Montana is the name of a new Territory which is about being organized by Act of Congress in the unorganized part of old Oregon.

The new Stafford projectile is making extraordinary havoc with iron-clad targets. Previous experiments with these projectiles prove conclusively that targets of 9 inch iron plates, back by 21 inches of hard wood can be readily penetrated. Its peculiarities of construction are kept a secret.

The spirits have predicted in Andrew Jackson Davis’ paper that France will be soon fighting for the Confederacy and England for the United States. Mr. Davis has weekly war despatches [sic] by spiritual telegraph.

The London correspondent of the Chicago Journal (probably its polite editor Charles Wilson who is sec’y of legation) says, that the ladies must be prepared to hear before many months of the abolishment of one of their daring institution – Crinoline –.

MARRYING BY TELEGRAPH. – The Syracuse Journal as the announcement of the marriage of C. S. Gardiner a soldier stationed at Washington to a Miss Palmenter of N. Volna N. Y. by telegraph, Rev. W. H. Carr officiated as the clergyman. The parents of the bride objected and this mode was planed to cheat the old folks.

The cultivation of sugar beets as well as sorghum, is attracting attention at the West and the prospect is that large amounts of beet sugar will soon be made.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, February 26, 1863

A Rifled Shot

Mr. O. R. Burnham of this city has shown us some shot of a new description. Some of them have four air holes extending from the front of the shot spirally backward and coming out of the sides near the base. The air rushing through these holes is intended to give the shot a spiral motion, even when fired from a sooth-bore gun, and when fired from a rifled gun, to insure its continuous point first, a point in which the Parrott gun is found to be defective. A few of the shots are cylindrical, say three inches thick of metal in an 11-inch shot with a 5-inch hole down the center. Along the sides of this hole are four spiral flanges, extending an inch inward. These shots are to be fired under water at the Merrimac; it is supposed that their form will offer less resistance to the water than the ordinary form in proportion to the weight of the shot. The flanges will certainly give them a rotary motion. The shots shows us were mainly 11-inch, and were shipped for Fortress Monroe yesterday. –{Tribune.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Saturday April 19, 1862

Some of the Fort Donelson Secesh prisoners...

...confined at Chicago, have written a letter to the Nashville Patriot which they request the Tennessee papers to copy in which they say:

We want to say to our wives, fathers, mothers and children, not to run away from their homes and firesides, as others have done, even if the Federal forces should come in their midst; nor grieve themselves unnecessarily on our account. We know not (if we are detained long) how our wives and children will live but we are prisoners of hope, and we have formed a better opinion of the Northern people and the army than we had been accustomed to hear. We are short of clothing, and particularly of money.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862

Caught In Their Own Trap

An incident that occurred to the rebel forces stationed in the shore batteries at Island No. 10, illustrates how easily, fortuitously, or perhaps we ought in this case to say providentially, an army may be caught in a position from which it is impossible to escape. About five thousand men were stationed in and [a]bout the shore batteries.

On Sunday night, as soon as they saw the Pittsburgh run the blockade in safety, and knowing that the transports to convey Gen. Pope’s forces across the Mississippi had been got thro [sic] the slough, and that very soon a strong force would be in their rear, they abandoned their camp and all its contents on Monday afternoon, and left for Tiptonville, only five miles below by land, but by the river, fifteen miles below New Madrid, hoping thence to escape by their transports. But on reaching the little town what was their surprise to find the gunboats Carondelet and Pittsburg moored to their shore. On the left was a swamp through which runs the outlet of Reelfoot lake; in the front were the gunboats; on the right was the Mississippi, and they found when too late, Gen. Paine, with a strong force, posted in their rear. The rebels were caught in a trap from which there was no possible escape. A bloodless victory, with two thousand prisoners, was the immediate result. Great numbers fled to the swamps, but were soon gland to surrender, raising the whole number of prisoners taken there, at the Island and other places, to near five thousand men. Thus what the rebels acknowledged to be the key of the Mississippi, a position strong by nature, and fortified with consummate skill and great expense, and defended by five thousand men, and a hundred and twenty-five cannon in battery, most of them very heavy, and numbers of them rifled, was taken, and the whole army captured by Com. Foote and Gen. Pope, without the loss of a single man. History will record it as taken all in all, the most wonderful and brilliant achievement of the war.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & also in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday April 17, 1862

Specials To New York Papers

New York, April 28. – The Tribune’s Hilton Head, [S. C.], correspondent under the date of the 20th represents that the monitors and army are ready for another movement and indeed one seems actually in progress. He says before the close of this week all the iron clads will be again over the bar; and an attack must soon come off. This time in [co-operation] with the land forces.

The rebels are hard at work strengthening the defenses south of Charleston Harbor. Troops have been sent from [illegible] assist them there.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, May 2, 1863

Iowa Items

The Hawkeye states that the Mississippi river is rising with a rapidity never known to the oldest inhabitant. The old Father of Waters in assisting the Federal Government in squelching out the rebellion. The Lower Mississippi is threatened with inundations of several characters “respectively.”

Lieutenant Colonel Gallighan of the 4th Iowa Infantry has resigned his commission and gone home.

Brigadier General Dodge, and Col. Bussey were in St. Louis on the 4th.

There were 7,575 letters sent from the Tipton Post-Office during the last quarter.

Three bridges have been swept away on the Skunk river in Story and adjacent counties.

Mr. Lindsey Lewis and Miss Rebecca Elizabeth Ward of Hamilton county, were married the other day in a sled, in a storm, out on the prairie! The Story county Advertiser gives us the above gratifying intelligence.

At a meeting held in a school house in Greenfield, [Adair] county, it was resolved that the effort on the part of the Federal Government to put down the rebellion is “unconstitutional.” Iowa traitors are not all dead yet!

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862

From New Orleans

New York, April 27. – The steamer Blackstone, from New Orleans 18th, and Key West 23d, has arrived.

The [steamer] Circassian, at New Orleans from Galveston, brought a number of prisoners recently captured by our blockaders off Sabine Pass; among them Com. Fowler, who commanded the steamer which captured the Northern Light and Victory.

On the 14th an expedition form General Doubleday’s brigade had crossed the point of land opposite Port Hudson, and communicated with Admiral Farragut. The latter’s secretary accompanied the expedition. They found the Admiral in good spirits, and believing the enemy had but four days supplies at Port Hudson.

The ram Switzerland in company with the Hartford and Albatross is blockading Red River, and the movement of Banks towards the same point will tend materially to cut of rebel supplies from Texas and West Louisiana.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, May 2, 1863

A Remarkable And Disgraceful Fact

It is a fact disgraceful to State that two persons have been engaged in recruiting for the rebel army in the town of Iowaville, county of Van Buren and State of Iowa. They were suspected, watched and finally arrested and passed thru this city yesterday on their way to St. Louis. – Abundant evidence was found on them to prove clearly that their business was recruiting for the rebels. One of them had just posted a letter saying that they found many men of the right stripe there – that there were but few Abolitionists in that vicinity and he thought he could raise seventy recruits for Jeff. Davis army.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Saturday April 19, 1862

Richmond Prison Association

Four officers of the Richmond Prison Association had a pleasant reunion and Willard’s last week, it being the first occasion of their meeting since they were released. The party was composed of Hon. Alfred Ely, President; Hon. E. Taylor of Cincinnati, Secretary; Chaplain Mines, Second Maine Regiment, Sergeant-at-arms; and Quartermaster Hart, Twentieth Indiana Regiment, Page.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 9, 1862 & in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862

Letter From T. A. Trent

Sgt. Co. D. 39th Iowa, Corinth, April 11.

Mr. Caverly:– It being rainy this evening I will pass the time by telling you some of the doings of the Corinth braves.

On the 7th of this month word was given out by Gen. Dodge, - who, by the way is beloved by all the troops here – that we would celebrate that day, it being the anniversary of the battle of Shilo [sic].

We raised a fine pole about 100 feet high for the flag, and all the troops were ordered to parade for a review at one o’clock, P.M.

The troops were up to time, and when the old flag was thrown to the breeze, the shouts of the Boys were scarcely less loud than the roar of the artillery. The Band then [struck] up the Star Spangled Banner, and if [ever] I felt like fighting it was then.

The next thing was a prayer by the Chaplain, after which Col. (acting Brigadier General) Bane, who lost his arm at the battle of Shiloh, gave us a stirring, patriotic speech. – He encouraged the soldiers and rebuked the copperheads in scathing terms. At the conclusion the Band again played, and the boys cheered with a will. The review then commenced led off by the 10th Missouri cavalry, well armed and [equipped], and going through the exercises as well as infantry.

The infantry also came up in fine style, as did the artillery that brought up the rear. – It was near night when the exercises were through, and as I left for my tent, I felt proud that I was an American soldier, fighting for a government like ours.

Company D are doing well as could be expected under the circumstances, having [built] them nice split log huts, neatly covered with boards; the Captain’s being sided and roofed with clapboards. We have plenty of provisions. If we could have the smiles of our wives and mothers to great our comings and to cook us a clean bite, I believe we could enjoy ourselves for a while.

Health of the Company is good with a few exceptions, and the spirits of both officers and men, high, with the best of feelings between each other. I am detached from the Company and belong to a Pioneer Corps, but am with them often.

Hoping that God will help the right, and enable us to whip in every fight and to attend to the copperheads at home, when we return, I bid you a good night.

Yours,

T. A. Trent

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, May 2, 1863

Dead Letter System Abolished

On the 21st of January, 1862, the President approved an act passed by Congress authorizing the Post Office Department to return all dead letters to their writers. The Post Master General was of the opinion that the revenue derived from a charge of double postage on such letters would more than equal the expenditure caused by an extra clerical force in the Department. Thus far the new system (which is like the English one) works very smoothly, and all letters not reaching their destination, instead of being burned by the cart load, are now carefully sent to the writers, and double postage collected. – Of course many non-valuable letters are returned, but of their value the writer, not the Department, should be the judge. The following notice on the envelope inclosing the dead letter to the postmaster explains the further object of the new law:

“The inclosed letter is sent to the writer, under an act of Congress, approved January 21, 1862. If not delivered, and double postage collected, as required by this new law, it must be returned to the Third Assistant Postmaster General within one month, with the reasons for non delivery indorsed on it, according to section 199 of Post Office Regulations.

“If retained a longer period the Postmaster will be held accountable for the postage, whether delivered or not. The date of receipt at the post office must be marked on the letter.

“The postmaster will not allow the envelope to be opened before receiving the postage.”

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 9, 1862 & the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862

In Camp Near Murfreesboro, Tenn.,

Feb. 18, 1863

Mr. Editor:– About two months ago I left camp Hamilton five miles from Nashville, and directed my steps toward the noble state of Illinois, for the purpose of visiting my friends in Toulon. I remained at home about four weeks. And now Mr. Editor, I wish, through the columns of your paper to communicate a few thoughts in reference to a class of men in the north commonly called “Copperheads,” whose main object is to oppose the Administration and the President in everything they do for the suppression of the rebellion, and to discourage the soldiers now in the field.

I noticed, while in Toulon, that there was quite a number of this class of men in that place, several of whom advised me not to return to my regiment, giving as a reason that the war was being carried on a different principle from what it had been formerly. I, myself, own that the war is now being carried on different from what it was six months ago, for the Government now seems to be in greater earnest in putting down the rebellion that it was at that time. But they – the “copperheads,” – pretend to say that it is just the opposite; that the President is doing his best to destroy the Constitution and the Union. Now, what is the opinion of the soldiers in regard to this class of men? Why, they consider them black hearted traitors who ought to be strung by the neck without mercy, for advocating the doctrines they do, and we will give them the proof of this, if some of them will only come down here and give it out that they belong to the “Copperhead” school. If the [soldiers] are tired of war they will not listen to such doctrines for closing it as are being advocated by those traitors in the north. We would all be glad to see the war ended, but not by dishonorable peace propositions; rather than this, we would see the war last ten years if necessary. These northern traitors complain of suffering in consequence of the war. I wonder what their sufferings are compared to the thousands who are now bearing arms in the defense of the Union. Comparatively nothing! But yet they are willing to concede everything to the South for the purpose of ending the war, honorable or dishonorable while the soldiers – the greatest sufferers – treat with disdain any such proceedings. – I was a little surprised to find in Toulon, men who would advise (as some of them did me) soldiers to desert the army; but such is the case, disgraceful though it is.

I have written these few lines, Mr. Editor, to let my friends know my opinion as regards to the prosecution of the war, having heard that some few there reported that I belonged to the “Copperhead” school, you can publish this if you think proper, and oblige your humble servant.

F. H. Whitaker

– Published in the Stark County News, Thursday, February 28, 1863

Obituary: Warren G. Middleswart

Died in the hospital at Corinth Miss. April 18th 1863 of Chronic Diarrhea W. G. Middleswart, aged 25 years 6 months.

Bro. Middleswart was a member of Capt. L. Bennett’s Co. 39th regiment Iowa Vol.

He felt it to be his duty to go in to the service of his Country, and after having enlisted though falling sick, he was unwilling to recall his name, and was sworn into the army when unable to sit up in his bed. He was a member of the M. E. church in Oceola, and was a consistent Christian, taking an active part in all the enterprises of the Church. Especially was he faithful in, and fond of the Sabbath School. Many who read this will doubtless drop a tear, when they remember that Warren will be seen there no more. After an illness of about three months, he was discharged from the militant church and army below, to join the blood-washed throng in heaven.

“Servant of God, well done;
They glorious warfare’s past;
The battle’s fought, the race is won,
And thou art crowned at last.
O, happy, happy soul!
In ectacies [sic] of praise,
Long as eternal ages roll,
Thou see’st thy Savior’s face.

E.B.H.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, May 2, 1863

Russell’s Opinion of Mr. Seward

Although Mr. Seward is described to be somewhat uneasy on the score of intervention, the relations between the State Department and the British Legation are more easy than they have been for some time past, even before the Trent affair, and the American Minister expresses a regard for Great Britain which is inconsistent with the opinions perhaps so erroneously attributed to him. For myself, I must say, that having had several opportunities of hearing Mr. Seward speak of Great Britain it struck me that at the bottom of his heart there was a profound respect for the traditions, literature and power of England, mingled with a disposition to regard certain of her institutions as deplorable weaknesses, and that, next to the favor of his own countrymen, he coveted the notice of England, and would attract it, if it could be done in no other way, by a slap in the face. The letter in which he as renounced all claim to the Presidency has produced no impression; but I believe that, if Mr. Seward were in that office, he would be less hostile to Great Britain than many of his brother politicians, though he would not hesitate to encounter any risk except that of war a l’outrance in defending a pet syllogism or expressing a political paradox in a neatly rounded sentence.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 1, 1862

A member of the 38th Ill. regiment...

...named Gavin, was shot and fatally wounded in Louisville on Saturday. Gavin was passing a hotel at the time an officer of an Indiana regiment was coming out, and his musket lightly hitting the officer, let to an affray in which Gavin was probably fatally shot, and the officer received a bad bayonet wound.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, February 28, 1863

“This Side Up With Care”

Yesterday the steamer Cataret of the American Line of steamers under the Charge of that most [illegible]ular commander, Captain Ledyard, st[illegible]ed at Kingston, C. W. from Ogdensburg, to take on freight and passengers. In the articles transferred to the hold of the boat was a box marked as follows:

“For the American Glass Co. Pearl Street, New York.
Glass this side up with care”

As the company are partially responsible for this class of freight, great care was bestowed in handling it and the hands were instructed to go careful which they did.

When the boat arrived at Sackett’s Harbor, one of the hands, wishing to wipe off some oil from his hands commenced to pull at a wisp of hay protruding from a knothole in the aforesaid package, when to his amazement the side of the box flew off, and out rolled two soldiers, who quickly gathered themselves up and without obstruction from the thunder struck witnesses of the transaction, bolted for the shore, and the last that was seen of them they were making tracks up town.

In the box was found a collar marked “4th Battallion [sic], 10th Brigade, Royal Ardtillery [sic], Market Barracks, Kingston.” – From this it would seem that they were deserters from the British army, and that some kind of friend had boxed them up, giving them an opportunity to kick the cover off, and pop out when they reached the United States of America. They were both large, able-boddied [sic] men, and could not have had much room to stir about, - {Rochester Express.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 30, 1863

Military Items

We have learned at the Adjutant General’s Office, that 14 men of the 4th Iowa Regiment, wounded at Pea Ridge, have died since the battle. Names not yet returned to the Adjutant General’s Office. A list will soon be forwarded which will appear in the monthly return. – The Adjutant General has received the monthly returns of the 4th up to March 1st, and a list of casualties at Pea Ridge in said Regiment.

Capt. Granville Berkley of Company F, 2nd Iowa Cavalry, was mustered out of the service on March 29th.

Fifty-eight men of the 4th Infantry on furlough have been ordered to join their regiment at once.

Samuel M. Wise, a Captain in the Iowa 2nd Infantry, has been commissioned Major of the 17th Regiment, Col. Rankin. – {Des Moines Register

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 9, 1862

Army Correspondence

The following letter from the army was received by Rev. A. C. Price sometime last week, from a cousin who is in Gen Rosecrans’ army. It speaks for itself:

Murfreesboro, Tenn., Feb 19, 1863

It appears that you and I are doomed to continual disappointment in our correspondence. I received yours of Aug. 15th, 1862 by the road-side just out of Nashville, when we were on our way north in pursuit of Bragg, to assist him in the prosecution of his favorite scheme of “invading the north,” or “carrying the war into Africa.” They lost their goal, and I lost your address – your letter not reaching me for 2 months after date, and then it was two months longer before I had an opportunity of writing, having left our knapsacks, cooking utensils, camp equipage and everything but blankets, haversacks, and canteens, with the train. We marched through to Louisville and encamped, or bivouaced [sic] on the Island next to the Falls, and were as much secluded as though we had been in a wilderness. After resting a few days, we started again in pursuit of the enemy, whose pickets we came upon a few miles from the city, and a series of skirmishing again commenced, which was kept up between our advance and their rear, through from Nashville to Elizabethtown, where the enemy flew the track, and we having been almost without provisions, except green corn, and what we could pick up along the road, (and having but little time or chance for that) went through to Louisville to satisfy the cravings of hunger, and exchange our rags for clothing. The skirmishing was kept up through Bardstown, and on through to the mountainous part of the State, in the south east corner, within a few miles of Cumberland Gap. Almost every day, numbers of prisoners were taken, paroled, and sent back. The only brush of any note that we had with them, was at Perryville, the results of which you are well acquainted. Our Brigade was sent from Wild Cat Mountain across to Cross Roads, (the junction of a mountain ridge road, with the old Cumberland Gap road,) where we came upon a force left by Kirby Smith to guard that point, and took their outposts without firing a shot, drove in their pickets, and routed them before they had time to reform in line of battle; took a number of prisoners, and several hundred beef cattle, &c. From here, we went through to the Virginia line, and destroyed 5 salt manufactories, with 23,000 bushels of salt. While in the mountains, snow fell ten inches deep, and many of the soldiers marched though it without shoes. I was taken very sick one night with the cholera morbus, and left with the alternative of lying in the mountains without medical, or other assistance; or making my way eleven miles to the convalescent camp on Rock Castle River. I chose the latter, and made the camp, but I and another poor fellow of our company laid out without blankets the night before in the snow storm. But enough of this. We returned to Nashville via Mt. Vernon, Columbia, Glasgow, and Gallatin, after a march of [650] miles, made doubly long by the precautions necessary in the presence of the enemy. Our regimental train came up to us at Columbia, on the 1st of Nov., two months after leaving us at Murfreesboro. During this time we had had no change of clothes, (except those that drew ones at Louisville) and but few chances to wash them. I suppose you would think it rather a novel modus operandi to see us take off our clothes, wash them in a stream, and if we had time , thank them on a bush and wait for them to dry; if not put them on and let them dry on us as we marched along. When our train did come up and was unloaded, it was a sorry looking sight. Our baggage was the picture of what had fallen among thieves. Instead of the well filled knapsacks left behind, there was a pile of trash, and twelve knapsacks would have held the baggage of the regiment. I took my stand on a box and watched them as they were overhauled by the officers, and one after another recognized the sorry looking remains of what he had left behind, until they were all gone, but nothing was left for me to tell that I had ever belonged to the 2nd Kentucky Regt., and in disgust I turned away. Clothes, books, papers, letters and diary (from Jan. 1st to Sept. 1st) were all gone. But there was “no time to cry for spilt milk.” The next day, we again took up the line of march, and at Glasgow we pitched our tents for the first time since starting in pursuit of the fugitives at Corinth the 1st of June. Soon after Gen. Resecrans superceded [sic] Buell, he organized a Pioneer and Engineer corps from the army of the Cumberland, by selecting two privates from each company, and a corporal, sergeant, and one commissioned officer from each regiment. The detachment from each Brigade forming a company, the whole under command of Capt StClair Morton of the regular army, and formerly of McClellan’s Engineer corps, a man of true grit. I had the good fortune to be the sergeant selected from our regiment. Soon after our organization, we were mustered at Nashville, and a battalion sent to Gallatin to build a fort to protect the depot and other property there, that being one of John Morgan’s places of rendezvous. It was while building it that the shameful surrender of Hartsville took place, early one cold Sunday morning. We heard the fighting. About 2,000 men were employed night and day for two weeks in building it; and a few days after we left, Morgan made a dash on it and got beautifully cleaned out, loosing a number of men. We returned to Nashville and encamped two and a half miles south of the city on the Franklin pike, in one of the finest districts of country I ever saw. The country is naturally beautiful, and it here presents a series of grassy knolls, rising above the rich table land, embellished with that admirable feature of southern landscape, “splendid groves,” and often crowned with the most magnificent mansions I ever saw. On one of these knolls stands the stately residence of the late rebel Gen. Zollicoffer, but not much like it was last spring when we passed here on our way to Shiloh. The red flag floats in front of it and many a sick “Yankee” lingers in pain in its spacious halls. The exquisitely wrought fence and splendid grove has disappeared before “free labor.” In fact, almost everything in this section has changed since last spring. Ft. Negby is built on one of the heights near the city, and commands every avenue from the south. Groves, buildings, &c., which might afford shelter for an approaching enemy, have been leveled with the ground.

We pulled up the stakes here and started for Murfreesboro on the 26th of Dec. Our progress was slow, the advance fighting all the way, the road was strewn with dead horses in many places. Came upon the enemy’s works at Stone River before daylight, Dec. 30th. Cannonading and skirmishing along the line all day. The Pioneers were set to work cutting roads through dense cedar forests, to get ambulances, artillery, &c., through, but the joke was, the rebels drove us out of these early the next day and kept them during the fight. That evening we went to the rear, slept in our tents and were out early next morning to go to work bridging Stone river, but the ball opened in earnest on the right wing – were soon in line with the tents struck – baggage and camp equipage in the wagons, and on our way to the scene of action. The storm of battle kept growing fiercer and nearer, and soon crowds of cowardly dogs and stragglers were seen breaking to the rear. Before we got into line and our battery planted on one side of a field the enemy were coming in at the other close on the heals of our flying skirmishers. We laid low until our men got out of the way – raised up and a sheet of fire and lead flashed along the whole line, followed by several quick volleys, and then a charge which sent them back across the fields faster than they came. Many (besides prisoners) never got back. We took a position on a raise about the middle of the field and kept it. They crossed again to our right and got away to our rear. We wheeled around, gave them a thrust in the flank, and they went howling back to their jungle. New Year’s eve was very cold, but we had to lay in line of battle in front, without food, fire, or blankets. At one o’clock, our company were sent out on picket. I almost froze. New Year’s morning dawned clear and cold. Soon old Sol showed his fiery disk above the horizon red as blood, as if angrily contemplating our bloody scenes. All was still as the grave, until Gen. Rosecrans rode out toward a point of timber in front of our lines, when “Fire, fire, G-d D—m you, every one of you, fire.” was heard in the angry tones of Southern chivalry, followed by a volley which whistled around and past the general and his escort and over us. Our battery (the Chi. Board of Trade Battery) opened out, and with the fire from our Brigade, soon cleaned them out. We held our position all day, although annoyed continually by their sharp shooters, whose balls spattered around us in the mud, and whistled over us, wounded several, but killing none. We had to lie flat on the ground all day. We were relieved at 10 P.M. – went to the rear, slept by a fire, but were disturbed next morning while at breakfast by solid shot plunging and blowing up the ground in our midst. We got to our arms, (which were stacked close in mass,) without much delay. One shot passed my face, the force of which stunned me slightly, and took off the head of Sergt. Burke on my left, who had leaned forward in the act of stepping, just an instant before me. The next cut the man in two, who belonged behind me. We soon got up to the front, expecting a grand charge but it did not come till late in the afternoon and away to our left; then they got enough of it, and would have got more if we had had a little more day-light. I tell you our (Chi Board of Trade) battery is a splendid one. -- You ought to see them firing on a charge, running one gun ahead of another. During the hottest of the fight, Gen. Rosecrans rode out in front of the farthest gun, and cheered the gunners at their hard and dangerous toil. Thomas Kimble (Major 87th Ind.) had his horse shot under him. I got a ball though my haversack. We are making Murfreesboro a very strong place. The cars are running regularly. What do you think of northern traitors? I think the President’s proclamation will work like a charm, and it promises permanent peace. My health is good. We are working almost every day on fortifications, and are having a rainy time of it. – You have no idea of how much mud an army can make. It is beginning to look like spring here. The buds are swollen. The sun shines warm, (when it does shine,) and the birds sing as merrily as if there was no war. How I would like to see peace and enjoy civil life again. But I do not want it at the sacrifice of principle. My comrades are all asleep around me. The town clock is striking 11 and the sentinel is pacing his lonely beat, in the drenching rain, just back of my tent.

Your’s Truly,
Jacob W. Price

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, March 26, 1863

Letter From Lieut. King

Headq’rs 15th Iowa
Holmes’ Plantation
May 7th, 1863

Mr. Caverly:

My long silence arises less from a want in my desire to communicate with you, than from a succession of extraneous circumstances, over which I had no control, and which so completely occupied my time, that little pleasure, like epissolating [sic] with old friends – not to be overlooked, nor underrated – had to be waived, for the transaction of more important business, coming legitimately under the head of “Military necessity,” which it is understood must be performed at all hazzards [sic], or “red tape” is brought to sufferance. But I am not going to tell you all that press upon us of late, nor half of it. An idea or two is all that the brief time allotted to me will admit of narration.

I think I wrote you of our departure from Providence and arrival at Milligan’s Bend [sic]. – Leaving the bend on the 26th of April, the 28th found us at our present camp, 25 miles south of the former, having performed the march under the most difficult circumstances. Sun, rain and mud, and each in the greatest profusion, combined to make it at once the most tedious, difficult, disagreeable march we have performed in many months. The 26th was extremely warm. The 27th it rained and stormed furiously. The 28th – the last day of the march, the mud was so deep and expansive that the teams and artillery and provision trains floundered badly. It was with no little satisfaction that we found ourselves pleasantly situated on the grounds, said to have been formerly occupied by the rebel General Holmes, and his horde of “contrabands.” It was not known how long we might remain here, but it was generally conceded that the time would be brief. None ever dreamed of staying ten days, and if any person had been bold enough to have made such a prediction, he would have been regarded as a prophet of lies. But though we have remained this far from the “bloody strife,” raging furiously in front, we have not been idle. Ammunition had to be transported forward for the use of those engaged in action; trains had to be guarded and working parties protected. We have performed our share of this work. In the meantime those not engaged in the manner described, have been perfecting themselves in the art of war, to be the better enabled to perform the grave task before them. It is now generally understood that Grand Gulf is ours, together with 455 prisoners with their guns and accoutrements, and 12 pieces of cannon. The prisoners passed here for Chicago on the 5th inst. Another drove of two hundred passed here to-day. Thirteen hundred more are reported on the way and will be here to-morrow.

The latest news from the front was to the effect that Gen. Crocker, commanding the 7th Division – Quimby’s formerly – had Pt. Gibson invested, and would give it a terrible pounding unless soon surrendered; and that Gen. Logan had a gang of rebels surrounded and was preparing to give them ‘grief’ summarily. From the character of these Gen’s and their commands, it is not improbably that success will crown their efforts.

Of other events we know but little and that little in so uncertain a way that it may be reasonably doubted whether we know it at all.

Although we had begun to think our Division destined to bring up the rear of the mighty column now demonstrating in the vicinity of Vicksburg, rumors are afloat that Grant has ordered our Brigade to the front. – The order it is asserted, has been transferred to the Brigade Headquarters and that the line of march will be resumed on the 9th inst. This rumor is not without foundation, for everything not actually necessary to the health and comfort of the soldier, and such of these as cannot be packed on six wagons, must be sent back to the river tomorrow, as it will be the only opportunity for doing so while in the present camp. One tent to the company for the protection of rations from the storm, together with rations and ammunition, is all we have now. It is hard to conceive how we can turn more over and still have enough for the actual necessities of the march.

I will close as the waning candle bespeaks an early return to darkness, with out a supernumerary to supply the place of the flickering taper, thus enshrouding me in the general gloom.

But I have told you something, and would tell you much more which I am confident you will never hear – but my light is gone out and left me in mid-night darkness, without a soul away to help me enjoy it.

Sinking into the embraces of Morpheus, without one single ray of light to guide my feeble [bark], I resign my pen and take to my blankets.

Yours in Somber,
E. H. King

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 30, 1863

For The Year 1863

The Chicago Evening Journal
Daily, Weekly & Tri-Weekly

The year now closing has been one of unprecedented succes [sic] for the Journal. Its circulation has doubled, and doubled again, and is still increasing at a rate that encourages us in the anticipation that it will double for the third time before the year ends.

We attribute this increasing prosperity to the fact that we have neglected no means or opportunity to make The Journal a wide awake newspaper, and an honest, straight forward advocate of every right cause. We have spared and shall spare no expense or, effort to make it

The Leading NEWSPAPER of the Northwest.

And as in regards to questions of the War and of Public Policy, we aim to do justice, and promote the best interest of the people, and of our imperiled Union. We have no enemies to punish while this war lasts, except those who are the enemies of the country. We shall stand by our soldiers in the field faithfully, representing their cause while they are fighting for a cause that is ours and yours as well as theirs.

As we said a year ago, so now repeat: we believe that the rights of all loyal men, everywhere, should be protected, and that traitors, everywhere, should be destroyed from off the face of the earth, and all their property confiscated to the Government which they are seeking to overthrow.

In the Commercial, Local, and News Departments of The Journal, we will not permit ourselves to be surpassed by any newspaper in the West – and in every respect we shall continue to make it a reliable public journal, representing the best interest of the people, and devoted heart and soul, to the cause of Justice, Humanity, and the Nation.

RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION:

Daily 1 year: $9.00
Daily 6 Months: $5.00
Daily 3 Months: $2.50
Tri-Weekly 1 yr.: $5.00

WEEKLY:
Single Copy: $2.00
Four copies: $7.00
Ten Copies: $15.00
Twenty copies: $30.00
And one copy to the Gether up of a Club of 20.

Papers to Clubs made up in one package and sent to one address.

All subscriptions payable in advance.

JOHN L. WILSON, Publisher

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, March 12, 1863