From the 11th Iowa Regiment

PITTSBURG LANDING, April 9, 1862

FRIEND SANDERS:– I send herewith a list of the killed and wounded of the Iowa 11th in the recent battle at this place. The whole number is not so large as reported to you yesterday, nor near so large as might have been expected, from the positions occupied, the great numbers opposed, and the length of time during which our men were under fire. It seems a miracle that any escaped. I will venture to say that no regiment fought more bravely. It is even said by those who ought to know, that the first serious check received by the enemy was given by the 11th Iowa, certain it is that before this regiment and Taylors battery, the enemy was held at bay for hours, and by it was twice driven back. There is every reason to believe that if the 11th could have been relieved by another regiment as resolute, long enough to procure ammunition, the left wing of the enemy – outnumbering us six to one – would have been turned; and with proper support the whole rebel army would have been flanked, and the terrible disaster of the day mostly have been prevented. There must have been great want of generalship somewhere. I am told by those on our extreme left, where the battle commenced, that there were no pickets out more than half a mile – no mounted pickets out at all. And this when Beauregard – a Frenchman, an admirer and pupil of Bonapart [sic], and a man known to be in favor of offensive operations – was, as all the country knew, within a few miles, with an army equal probably to our own! It is not surprising that this camp was taken by surprise – the enemy marching in the night through the timber almost within our lines, before anybody seemed to know or imagine that he could be coming. I do not of course, know that the fact concerning the pickets was as above stated, but such is the report by men who were well situated to know the facts in the case. But if such were the fact, and nobody here seems to doubt it – the fearful carnage of Sabbath last, and the almost total rout of this great Federal army, resulting as it might have done in prolonging the war for months and years, throws a responsibility on some one of no common magnitude.

It is also said, and there is too much reason to believe it, that the immediate commander-in-chief, of all these brigades and divisions, was at Savannah on Sabbath morning, and did not arrive until 10 o’clock a.m. – five or six hours after the battle commenced. How this was I cannot tell, but it was too evident that there was no general plan of battle on our side during the forenoon, and very little at any time on the Sabbath. Our tens of thousands of brave men – for none ever fought more bravely in such circumstances – came too near being driven pell mell into the river.

But thank God, night came, and Buell too, with his thousands who had not witnessed the defeat of April 6th, and a great victory has been achieved – so great it is believed here, that no other great battle will have to be fought in the West.

Of the comparative valor of different regiments I cannot speak particularly. I only know that the 11th did their duty nobly, being led into battle by their brave Lieut. Colonel, whose horse was killed almost at the first fire – at three different points, twice on the Sabbath, and once on Monday. Neither is it proper to institute comparisons between different companies and officers. The report of the commanders alone will be good authority on this point. All did nobly, so far as I can judge.

The 13th Iowa also, and two other regiments, who were brigaded with the 11th, but were led by Col. Hare, a little to our left, though recoiling at the first fire, afterward rallied, and did their part well.

If there were time I could mention many daring deeds of the 11th, such as the taking of a rebel flag, led by Capt. Foster’s company – a portion of which I inclose [sic] and many other acts of cool bravery. But of these perhaps more at another time.

I have been over the field since the battle, only a short distance. The scene is too dreadful. Miles and miles of the woods are literally covered with dead men, dead horses, broken carriages, guns, &c., &c.

As to the number of killed and wounded, no correct estimate can yet be made. Probably 20,000, perhaps more have fallen in this fearful conflict.

The wounded of our regiment were all brought off the field, and on Monday p.m. our dead were buried.

The scene at the landing as the wounded were brought to the boats or laid on the bluff, beggars all description. All available space on several large boats was occupied, and by 5 p.m. on Monday I judged there were at least 1,000 wounded men lying under the bluff, many in the mud and out in the rain for two days without covering – a most appalling sight. No adequate preparation has been made for such numbers of suffering men, as evidently no such battle was expected here. The whole scene, from Sabbath morning till Monday, and even Tuesday night, seems like some dreadful nightmare. And yet no one human eye has seen more than a tithe of it, and no finite mind can even comprehend it. May a God of infinite mercy spare our land from any more such scenes as this.

Yours most truly,
CHAPLAIN, ELEVENTH IOWA

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

MR. HOLDEN:–

A meeting of the people of Carey District, Wake County, will be held at the Store of Mr. Frank Page, on the fourth Saturday of April, to nominate candidates for the Legislature and for Governor; and we ask this space in our paper to give notice of the same.

MANY VOTERS.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Officers of the 36th Illinois Infantry

Photographs taken at Chattanooga, Tennessee

From The Second Iowa Cavalry

CAMP TIPTONVILLE, Tenn., April 9.

FRIEND SANDERS:– I wrote you hastily on the 8th inst from the rebel camp at Island No. 10, which you may or may not have received. The 2d cavalry marched to the river on Monday afternoon, April 7th. At 2 o’clock Tuesday morning Cos. K and L, of the 1st battalion, were taken across by one of the transports that had come overland from above Island No. 10, by the canal made by Col. Bissell’s engineer regiment. The balance of the regiment was on shore waiting to follow. At three we were landed, and lay down in a field to await the dawn. Just at break of day we were up and on the move. After passing a few miles through timber, we struck the river at a plantation. The first house we saw, and while yet in the woods, had a shirt that had once been white tied to a pole. On emerging into the open field, a battery of one gun greeted our view, but nary secesh to man it. Soon we could see Island No. 10 in the distance, and the river was covered with pieces of wrecks. We also noticed three steamers which had been scuttled and sunk, one was going to pieces, the others can be raised. Another steamer, the Red Rover, came floating along, being partially scuttled; she was afterwards secured. We soon reached the fortifications opposite Island No. 10. Three rebel boats lay tied up to the Island, and on the Island itself the white flag floated. We took charge of the Admiral, a fine boat tied to shore, with several prisoners aboard. Some of the rebels were holding high carnival, opening the fine trunks deserted by secesh, and imbibing therefrom until gloriously drunk. The prisoners were secured, and the “contraband” thrown into the river. We passed on through the camp and secured ninety-one prisoners. Half an hour after our advance guard, under Lieut. Col. Schneteger, entered camp, the Graham, from our fleet above, landed, and some of Col. Buford’s men came ashore. They succeeded in picking up more prisoners and two beautiful, but hateful secesh flags of fine silk, each having a large field of blue, with eleven starts of white forming a circle, and inside the circle of one, in gold letters, the words, “Mississippi Devils – Our rights. Presented by the ladies.” How correct; for most certainly the devil’s own imps marched under that flag. From fifty to one hundred guns were captured, and an immense quantity of ammunition, tents, stores, &c. The fleet and transport troops at the Island will doubtless feel bad that a cavalry force from Gen. Pope’s command, marching from New Madrid in the early morn, should first enter the rebel works; but the “early bird catches the worm,” and the 2d Iowa cavalry have the honor of being the first into the enemy’s camp and showing the fleet that they could venture in with safety.

I noticed a pile of the famous torpedoes. They are formed of boiler iron, about six feet long and fourteen inches in diameter, cone shaped at one end. Also some of the new style cannon projectiles, with wings, that expand on leaving the gun.

At noon we returned to our place of crossing, below New Madrid, but the balance of the regiment had not crossed, having been ordered to return to camp. – After feeding our horses we marched to Tiptonville, eight or ten miles down the river. The weather was fine; the forests have put on their full livery of green, fruit trees in full bloom, and all through the forest the abundance of the beautiful red-bud trees in blossom presented a fine sight.

After emerging from the woods and nearing the river, we passed several large fine plantations, much finer than those we found in Missouri. And here I may remark, that in all our travels in Dixie, I have not yet seen a single school house. We soon reached Tiptonville. Below it is a lake and swamp. At this point the rebels had intended to take boats south, but our gunboats had interfered with their arrangements, and our infantry and artillery having been grown into that point the previous day and night, they came to a halt, and finally surrendered. They were the same sort as are all secesh, though armed with a better class of arms generally. Six brass field pieces of Memphis manufacture were finer than I have noticed. They had plenty of ammunition, all the cartridge boxes for small arms being full. There were over 5,000 taken prisoners.

We proceeded on to a large plantation and camped. Just at night it commence to rain. We were without tents, and had only cold rations. It rained all night long, and in the morning got quite cold; though we had no sleep scarcely the night before, there was very little that night. One great consolation was, that our secesh prisoners were in the same fix. I think had a battle been on the [tapis] that morning, we could have whipped by the Southern rule five to one.

THURSDAY, April 10. – Yet in camp here waiting for transportation to New Madrid. The prisoners have all been sent up north, and the infantry are now being transported up to-day.

CAMP NEW MADRID, April 11. – We had orders at eight o’clock last night to march to the landing to take boat. On getting there she had het to be unloaded of Government stores. We picketed our horses and laid “around loose” until daylight, when we went aboard and landed here at 10 o’clock.

On our way up we passed the floating battery. Our boats could not tow here ashore, so they sunk her on a sand bar in the river: her steamworks and guns are above water. She has now eleven fine guns. We conversed with a prisoner form the rebel hospital, who had been on her – impressed at New Orleans. When she left there she had twenty guns; they distributed on fortifications all except ten. When being towed she was six feet out of water, and in five minutes, with her steamworks, she could scuttle so as to present but fourteen inches above water. He said the rebels hated to lose her. They had turned her adrift, no doubt thinking it would run our blockade and they catch her. They could have scuttled her in five minutes.

It is cold and raining hard. The infantry are embarking. Our regiment, except those who were away, have been paid off. The chaplain, Truesdell, has $10,000 to remit to “friends at home.” There is nearly as much more due – next payday being nearly around. He sells to our regiment monthly postage stamps to the amount of $150.

We have just received orders to hold ourselves in instant readiness with four days rations to march. Col. Hatch and Lieut. And Quartermaster Hannum secured a fine boat floating by scuttled on Tuesday morning, and saved her – the Ohio Belle. Expect to hear from me at Memphis soon. In haste,

DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

To Medical Students

Surgeon General Hughes requests us to notify medical students in Iowa that their services as nurses and attendants are much needed and will be accepted in the Hospital in this city. Application should be made at once to Dr. Hughes, Director of the Post. – {Gate

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

W. W. HOLDEN, ESQ:

My Dear Sir - As the names of some gentlemen have been suggested to the public as suitable men for Governor of our State at the present crisis, I shall take the liberty also of presenting to the public the name of a gentleman whom I think highly qualified to fill that important station. It is Gen. Samuel F. Patterson, of the county of Caldwell. – He was once clerk of the Senate, then State Treasurer, then President of the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, and has been Senator from the county of Caldwell several terms. All of these important stations he filled with distinguished ability, with great credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of the public. He was at one time thought of as a suitable man for an appointment in Fillmore’s Cabinet. He is a man of decided ability, of excellent judgment, firmness and energy, and great prudence. He has experience, also on his side, being now a little over sixty years of age. In time of great danger, when it is necessary that our most able, discreet and prudent men – men of wisdom and experience, should be at the head of affairs, I know of no man I would sooner trust in North Carolina, then Gen. Samuel F. Patterson. He is a man of high moral character, and nothing can be said against him, either as a private citizen, or as a public man. There is not a more loyal man to the South in the Confederacy, and no man has been more liberal in his donations to the support of the army, since this war commenced. I am making no idle boast, and using [no] exaggerated language; all that I say of Gen. Patterson is well known to the citizens of our county, and can be substantiated by undoubted testimony.

I am, very respectfully, yours.
CALDWELL.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Hawk-Eye Riflemen

Last Tuesday a company of 84 men, recruited in this section by Capt. W. Getchell, formerly of the Third Iowa, went into Dubuque to await further orders. Twenty-one more men are to follow in a few days. This company expected to go into the 17th Regiment, but that regiment having broke camp and left for Tennessee, it is uncertain where this company will go.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 25, 1862, p. 2

Our Rebel Prisoners

It appears that since the 1st of January last, and without counting those captured at Pittsburg Landing, we have taken over twenty-one thousand prisoners from the rebels as follows:

Feb. 8 – Roanoke Island, 2,527
Feb. 13 – Springfield, Mo., 600
Feb. 16 – Fort Donelson, 13,300
March 8 – Pea Ridge Ark., 1,600
March 14 – Newbern, 200
April 7 – Island No. 10, 5,500
Other places, 954
Total, 21, 781

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

WILMINGTON, N. C., April 8, 1862

MR. EDITOR: I scarcely know when I write a letter and mail it if it will reach you in time for your issue. A letter mailed to-day ought to reach Raleigh Thursday at the furthest, but there are nine chances now against it.

The mind of our whole people is agitated on the gun boat question. There is scarcely a day but what the Journal has to acknowledge the receipt of half dozen or more contributions. There is now waiting, I know, thousands of dollars for its structure, but of course can be put to no use until those who have been ordered by the government are built, and which I am happy to say are under way. In a few months the Cape Fear will have floating on its waters two as formidable gun boats as ever Mr. Burnside had command of. And should Mr. Burnside conclude to pay the fortifications commanding the entrance to our town a visit, I have no doubt but he will find both at New and Old Inlet an Island No.10.

Nearly all of the ladies and little ones have left town, and one who has been in the habit of enjoying the sight of them as they were wont to promenade Market street, feels himself rapidly degenerating into a barbarian. ‘Tis awfully dull – most miserably so. No goods – and plenty of shin-plasters.

It is reported here that there is now 20,000 stand of arms in the Capitol at Raleigh. I do not believe any such thing, though I have heard some people who ought to know about these things, say so. If it is so we can easily pardon the authorities for keeping them until now. Will you let us know if it is so?

WORRILL.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Gen. Hunter has divided his department into three districts . . .

. . . and has designated their commanders as follows: Gen Benham, headquarters and Beaufort; Gen Brannan, at or near Key West; Gen. Arnold, at Fort Pickens.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

The Navy Department has ordered . . .

. . . the casting of fifty 16-inch Dahlgreen [sic] guns at Pittsburgh. – the Draughts of moulds, &c., have been prepared by Capt. Dahlgreen, and it is understood that the guns will be much shorter and thicker that the 16-inch Rodman gun. Most of them will be smooth bored, and are designated for use on board of the new vessels of the Monitor style, and others, whose construction has been already directed by Secretary Wells [sic].

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

Ladies Association for the Defence of North Carolina

To the Ladies of North Carolina:

Our sisters of Alabama, South Carolina and Louisiana, have set us a noble example, by largely subscribing for the building of Gun-boats. Shall we, the Ladies of North Carolina, remain insensible to the dangers of our beloved State? Already the enemy has invaded our coast. Our fathers, husbands, brothers and sons are withstanding them to the death. Let us at once arise and pour in our freewill offerings. As military authorities have expressed an opinion that under the circumstances, Gun-boats in our waters cannot be very efficient, and that Artillery would most effectually contribute to the defence [sic] of our State, let our contributions be for that purpose. Shall there by any hesitation? All that is most precious to us in this world is now endangered. Unanimity and promptitude can do much. Let the ladies of each county open a subscription list, and send forward the amount at the earliest moment to the Cashier of the nearest Branch of the Cape Fear Bank.

The above is from an unknown source. Perhaps the author was not advised, that the ladies are contributing towards building a gunboat at Wilmington. It is also thought by some that iron-clad boats might be built at Norfolk and sent through the Canal to operate in Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. Our own idea however is that it is too late. Four good boats on the plan of the Merrimac, but smaller, if constructed early as they might have been, would have saved the expense of the fortifications at Hatteras, Beacon Island, Oregon, Roanoke Island, Washington and Newbern, and kept the enemy out of the sound entirely.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Our Boys In The Twelfth

Company E, Twelfth Iowa Regiment, was recruited in this vicinity. Below we give he loss to this company at the Pittsburg battle:

KILLED.

Privates – Wm. L Pawley and J. W. Fuller


WOUNDED.

Anthony Biller, bruise in ankle.
Charles Johnson, in back.
Jacob Howery, in hip.
Benj. Eberhart, right eye.
Thomas Porter, in leg.
Samuel Lichty, neck and leg.
J. P. Thompson, leg broken.


MISSING.

Capt. Wm. Haddock, 1st Lieut. John Elwell, 2nd Lieut. Rob’t Williams, Sergts. Jas. Stewart, O. P. Collins, Corps. C. V. Surfus, J. F. Smith.

Privates – M. V. B. Sunderlin, D. Craighton, Harvey Smith, Nelson Strong, Stephen Story, Hiram Hoisington, John [Ahrens], Allen E. Talbot, Milton Rood, Oliver Sharp, John Koch, A. B. Perry, Joshua Bird, C. D. Morris, Isaac Watkins, Wm. H. Sherman, J. Margetz, Seth P. Crohurst, W. Richmond, Thomas Porter, Joseph Johnson, Elias Moon, G. L. [Leber], Wm. O. Bird, John L Cook. George Holden.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 25, 1862

Terrible Conflagration in Cooperstown, N. Y. - - Loss $200,000

CHERRY VALLEY, April 11.

A Fire Broke out in Cooperstown, N. Y. last night, destroying twenty-five or thirty buildings, including Edwards’ cabinet shop, where it originated, Lewis’ Hotel, Carr’s Hotel, Walworth’s law office, Birge’s Hall, Phinney’s building, Peck’s Hotel, and the telegraph office.

Almost everything was lost. The loss cannot be less than $200,000.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

How We Were Surprised at Pittsburg

A Chaplain of an Illinois regiment stationed at Paducah, in mixing and conversing with the inhabitants of that place, who almost unanimously sympathize with the rebellion, discovered several days before the battle of Shiloh, that an attack in force was about to be made by Johnston and Beauregard upon our army.

The Secessionists at Paducah asserted that the rebel army at Corinth was rapidly being augmented to a force of 150,000 strong; that the plan of the rebel leaders as avowed in camp, and made known to their friends abroad, was to make a sudden and tremendous attack upon Gen. Grant, and annihilate his army.

The information gained by the Chaplain was so evidently reliable, and made such an impression upon his mind, that he left his post and went to Pittsburg Landing to lay the matter before Gen. Grant, and to urge him to make instant preparations to meet the attack which he was confident would take place. He reached Pittsburg on Friday, the 4th inst., and sought an interview with Gen. Grant.

It was a most unsatisfactory one. After giving the information that had made him so anxious and uneasy, the commanding officer, instead of exhibiting the interest in it that had been expected dismissed the Chaplain with the remark that he ought to be arrested for leaving his post without orders.

Disappointed in his interview at headquarters, the Chaplain sought the quarters of the division commanders, but found none of them at home, except Gen. Prentiss. To Gen. Prentiss he revealed the object of his visit, stated the information upon which he based his conviction of an impending attack, declared with emphasis that “the enemy would be upon us within forty eight hours,” and urged the vital importance of preparations to meet him.

But Gen. Prentiss hardly listened to him with patience, and repeated Gen. Grant’s rebuke, that he ought to be arrested for leaving his post without orders. Gen. Prentiss admitted that everything was in confusion, and that the army was in no condition for an attack; but when the Chaplain suggested that something might be done to place the camps in readiness, he dismissed the subject with the remark, “Let them come; we can whip them anyhow.”

On Sunday morning following, the Chaplain, who had slept on one of the transports at the Landing, rose up, with the subject still pressing heavily upon his mind. He felt confident that the attack would take place that day. All was quiet at the Landing, but when he ascended the bluff, and started to the front of our lines, about three miles distant, he heard, for the first time, the roaring sound of the enemy’s guns, and shortly afterwards saw the first lot of wounded soldiers borne past him. In a few hours, the victims were being brought in by hundreds, and laid upon the shore and upon the unladed vessels which had not been prepared to receive them.

The Medical and Hospital department was in the same confusion and disorder that characterized everything else; and the few Surgeons that made their appearance upon the boats, though laboring till the fell down with fatigue, seemed scarcely to make a beginning of the herculean work before them. – St. Louis News.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

Gen. McClellan’s department . . .

. . . now comprises only the peninsula between the York and James rivers.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

Bells

The following action of the Presbyterian Church has been handed us for publication:

RALEIGH, N. C., April 3, 1862.

Hon. G. W. Randolph, Sec’y of War: –

SIR: We, the undersigned, the pastor and Session of the Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, N. C., actin in the name and by the authority of the congregation, must cordially tender for the public service our Church bell, weighing almost one thousand pounds.

We believe that all Christians and patriots are called upon in this crisis to make every effort and sacrifice to sustain our government in the noble endeavor to repel the our invaders.

Invoking the blessing of heaven upon our arms and commending our just cause and oppressed people to the protection of the Most High, we cheerfully anticipate ultimate and complete success.

JOSEPH M. ATKINSON, Pastor.

Wm. PEACE, C DEWEY, J BROWN, Elders.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

MAJOR-GENERAL FREDERICK STEELE

FIRST COLONEL, EIGHTH INFANTRY.

Frederick Steele is a native of Delhi, Delaware county, New York, where he was born in the year 1819. He was the second regular army officer appointed to a field office from Iowa. Entering the West Point Military Academy in the year 1839, he was regularly graduated in 1843, and appointed a brevet 2d lieutenant in the 2d Infantry. He served with General Scott in the Mexican War, and greatly distinguished himself in the battles of Contreras and Chapultepec. He commanded his company at the capture of the City of Mexico, having been brevetted 1st lieutenant and captain, on account of gallant conduct in the two previous engagements.

On the declaration of peace, he reported, under orders, to General Riley, in California, and was made his assistant adjutant-general, which position he retained for several years. At the outbreak of the war, he was serving in Missouri, and, with the 1st Iowa Infantry, fought under General Lyon at the battle of Wilson's Creek. Captain Steele was commissioned colonel of the 8th Iowa Infantry, on the 23d of September, 1861; but his connection with this regiment was brief; for, his good conduct at Wilson's Creek coming to the ears of the War Department, he was, on the 29th of January, 1862, made a brigadier-general. If we except the time he served with Sherman around Vicksburg, in the spring and summer of 1863, and the time he served under General Canby, at Pensacola and around Mobile, in the spring of 1865, General Steele has, at all other times, held commands in Missouri and Arkansas. He was in command at Helena, Arkansas, in December, 1862, just before joining the expedition under General Sherman, which left that point in the latter part of that month for Chickasaw Bayou. On this expedition he commanded the 4th Division, 13th Army Corps; and, with two brigades of it, led the attack against the bluffs, over the long and narrow causeway that leads to the Walnut Hills from above the mouth of Chickasaw Bayou.

Immediately after this unfortunate affair, General Steele sailed with his command up the Arkansas River; and on the night of the 10th of January, 1863, marched to the rear of Arkansas Post, through the brushy swamps that were well-nigh impassable for infantry, and quite so for the ambulances and baggage-wagons. It is to the patience and valor of General Steele's troops that the country is chiefly indebted for the capture of these formidable works. We next find General Steele with Sherman, in command of his division on the final march against Vicksburg; and, after the fell of that city, on the second march against Jackson, in command of the 15th Corps. General Sherman approached Jackson in three columns, General Steele's command holding the centre, General Ord's the right, and General Parke's the left. On this march, "nothing worth recording occurred till the head of Steele's column was within six hundred yards of the enemy's line, on the Clinton road, when [July 9th, 8 A. M.] a six-inch rifle-shot warned us to prepare for serious work." Indeed, if we except the heedless affair of General Lauman, who commanded a division of General Ord's Corps, and the reconnaissance of Colonel, now General Corse, in command of the 6th Iowa and other troops, nothing of special interest occurred, during the eight day's siege of the city.

On the evacuation of Jackson by General Johnson, and after the destruction of the railroads and the rebel government property in and around the city, General Steele returned to Vicksburg; and, immediately after was appointed to the command of the Department and Army of Arkansas. He arrived at Helena on the 31st of July, 1863.

This was his first distinct and important command; and, for the manner in which he managed some matters of detail, he has been severely criticised. As a fighting-general, he proved himself all the loyal North could ask. It was the policy he adopted in governing the people of a subjugated district — nearly all of them bitter rebels—which lost him much of his early popularity; but, without questioning the wisdom of his plans, it is but just to say that, he was doubtless honest in his motives. He believed that the speedier way to bring a disaffected people back to a love of the Union was to treat them with kindness. He was right in principle: he only forgot that he was dealing with those who were rotten with treason, and totally destitute of principle.

General Steele left Helena for Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 10th of August, 1863, with an expeditionary army, numbering, of all arms, not quite twelve thousand men. On the 10th of September following, after forcing the enemy back step by step from Clarendon and across the Arkansas, he had compelled Generals Price and Marmaduke to evacuate Little Rock; and, on the evening of the same day, he received the city by formal surrender of the municipal authorities.

His successes were brilliant and, by General Grant, unlocked for; for, on the 12th of September, that general dispatched a seventeenth corps' division, (General John E. Smith's) from Vicksburg to reinforce him. News of the fall of Little Rock reached this division at Helena, and it marched to Chattanooga.

By this brief campaign, General Steele had restored to the Government nearly the entire State of Arkansas; for the enemy now disputed the possession of only a few counties in the south-western part of the State.

General Steele's next important move, which was made in conjunction with a similar one under Major-General N. P. Banks, was a failure, though history, I believe, will attribute it to no fault of the general. The object of this grand campaign was the capture of Shreveport, and the dispersion of the enemy in the Red River country, and, had General Banks escaped the serious disasters which overwhelmed his command at Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill, the object would doubtless have been attained.

General Steele left Little Rock on the 23d of March, 1864, and marching via Benton, Rockport and Arkadelphia, entered Camden at sun-down on the 15th of April. On this march he met and defeated the enemy under Price, Marmaduke, Shelby, Cabell and a score or more of others, of the ragged, epauletted chivalry, at Terre Noir Creek, Elkin's Ford, Prairie de Anne and north-west of Camden. When leaving Little Rock, it was doubtless General Steele's intention to march directly on Shreveport; for he crossed the Washita at Arkadelphia, and was directing his line of march nearly mid-way between Washington and Camden. Why did he enter Camden? On the 10th, 11th and 12th of April, he engaged the enemy at Prairie de Anne, and, from prisoners captured there, or from other sources, learned that the advance of Banks had not only been checked, but his whole command overwhelmed with disaster. The enemy, who at this point were in strong force in Steele's front, soon disappeared; and the general was not long in discovering that they were marching by a circuitous route to occupy Camden, and gain his rear. A race followed between himself and the enemy for Camden, which resulted, in the battle bearing that name. The battle was fought at the cross-roads, some seven miles west-north-west of the city.

Before reaching Camden, General Steele remained incredulous of the reports of General Bank's defeat; but after his arrival there he was convinced of their truth, and contemplated an immediate return to Little Rock. But, a large train of supplies reaching him in safety, he persuaded himself that he could maintain his position, and accordingly ordered the train to return to Pine Bluff for additional supplies. This is the train which was captured just north of the Moro Bottom; and this circumstance, some think, saved the balance of his army.

Having learned of the capture of his train, (and he had just before lost one sent out on a foraging expedition to Poisoned Springs) General Steele prepared for a rapid march back to Little Rock, where he arrived on the 2d of May. To show that fortune favored him, I give the following: After the capture of the train above referred to and the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Drake of the 36th Iowa, the rebel General Fagan was ordered to cross the Saline River, and intrench himself fronting Jenkin's Ferry, at which point Steele was to cross his army. For some reason, Fagan failed to comply with these orders, and, in consequence thereof, was relieved of his command and put in arrest. Had he complied with these orders, Steele must have surrendered to the rebel forces; for, without any enemy in his front, and after having burned the most of his own train, it was with the utmost difficulty he effected a crossing.

After General Steele's return to Little Rock, and during the entire time he was retained in command in Arkansas, he did little worthy of record. In January, 1865, he was relieved of his command, and ordered to report to Major-General Canby, at New Orleans. His last services were performed in the vicinity of Mobile. He was given a command, stationed at Pensacola, Florida, with which he marched against Mobile.

He took a prominent part in the capture of Fort Blakely; but a history of this affair will appear elsewhere.

General Steele is the smallest of the Iowa major-generals, or the smallest of the major-generals who have held colonel's commissions from the State; for he can hardly be called an Iowa man. He has a light complexion, lively, gray eyes, and hair, though originally brown, now heavily sprinkled with gray. He has a slender, wiry form, and a sharp, shrill voice. Nearly all army officers are occasionally profane: I know of but few exceptions, and General Steele is not one of them. He swears with precision, and with great velocity.

The general is passionately fond of a fine horse, and, in civil life, would be called a horse-jockey. It is reported that his horses have more than once appeared on the old race-course at Little Rock, where, competing with the steeds of the cavalry privates of his command, they have always borne off the stakes. The general, in his flannel shirt, would stand by a spectator of the sport, but nothing more.

General Steele is kind-hearted and humane, and easily approached, even by an humble private. It is this same kindness of heart, as I am informed, that tempered his rule while in command in Arkansas, and made him popular with the citizens and camp-followers, and unpopular with many in his army. In the field, he is really a fine officer; but he lacks firmness, and is unfit for a military governor. That which injured him not a little at Little Rock was his lack of judgment in selecting his staff officers. In this respect he was very unfortunate.

But he stands high in the confidence of General Grant, which is no common recommendation. The general is neat and tidy in his dress, and, when on duty, always appears in full uniform.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 179-84

Currency

The Cincinnati papers quote North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama money at forty percent discount. Cincinnati money don’t stand quite so fair even as that here, being worth about to cents a bushel.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

We learn, says the Richmond Enquirer . . .

. . . that Prince Polignac, who has been for some time on Gen. Beauregard’s staff, has under the act of Congress, taken the other of allegiance to the confederate States, and become a citizen of Virginia.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

BRIGADIER-GENERAL ELLIOTT W. RICE

SECOND COLONEL, SEVENTH INFANTRY.

Elliott W. Rice, a younger brother of the late General Samuel A. Rice, who died in the summer of 1864, of a wound received at the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 16th of November, 1835. In 1837, he removed with his father's family to Belmont county, Ohio, where he made his home till the year 1855. He was regularly graduated at Franklin College, Ohio, in 1854; and immediately after entered the Law University at Albany, New York. In 1855, he came West, and became a law-partner of his late brother at Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Early in the spring of 1861, General Rice enlisted as a private in the 7th Iowa Infantry; but was, on the 30th of the following August, promoted to the majority of the regiment. He served with his regiment with that rank till after the battle of Fort Donelson, when he was commissioned colonel, vice Colonel Lauman promoted to brigadier-general. This promotion was endorsed by the almost unanimous voice of the officers of his regiment, and was a high compliment to his military talent and worth. One of the brightest pages in General Rice's military history was made prior to the date of his colonel's commission, on the battle-field of Belmont. The enemy had been forced through the low, timbered bottoms that skirt the west side of the Mississippi above Columbus; they had been driven back to their encampment, and beyond, to the banks of the Mississippi below Columbus; their camp had been burned, and their flag—Harp of Erin —captured, when word came, "we are flanked." Colonel Lauman had already been wounded and taken to the rear. At the very moment that orders were received to fall back, the enemy rallied in front, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wentz fell, mortally wounded. Under these circumstances, Major Rice took command of his regiment to conduct the retreat. He had already been severely wounded, though he said he was not hurt. Placing himself at the head of his regiment, which he had hastily re-formed, (for all just then was confusion) he dashed through the lines of the enemy that had been interposed between the Federal forces and the landing, disregarding all calls of "surrender!" In the terrific enfilading fire through which he passed, his horse was pierced with twenty bullets; his sword-scabbard was shot in two; his sword-belt shot away, and his clothes riddled; but he saved a remnant of his regiment, and brought it safely back to the transports. His gallant conduct in this engagement made him the idol of his regiment.

The history of the 7th Iowa Infantry, subsequently to the battle of Fort Donelson, when Major Rice was promoted to colonel, is briefly as follows: — For three weeks after the battle, the regiment rested in rebel barracks, constructed by the enemy for winter quarters. Then, marching back to the Tennessee, it took the steamer White Cloud at Metal Landing for Pittsburg.

As already stated, the 7th Iowa fought at Shiloh with the 2d, 12th, and 14th Iowa regiments. It was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Parrott, and lost in the engagement thirty-four in killed, wounded and missing. Lieutenant John Dillin, a resident of Iowa City, was killed, and no other commissioned officer of the regiment was struck. After the fall of Corinth, and the pursuit of the enemy to Boonville, the 7th returned and established, with its brigade, what was known as Camp Montgomery. Here the regiment passed the chief portion of its time till the battles of Iuka and Corinth.

At the battle of Corinth, the 7th Iowa suffered severely, the list of casualties amounting to one hundred and twenty-three. In speaking of the conduct of his officers and men in the engagement, Colonel Rice said:

"I must make special mention of Lieutenant-Colonel Parrott, who, with great bravery and coolness, cheered and encouraged the men to renewed vigor. * * * It is with pleasure that I make favorable mention of almost all my officers who were engaged in the two day's battle. Major McMullen did efficient service until he was wounded and disabled, on the evening of the 3d. Captain Conn, although wounded, remained with his command through both day's battle. Captains Hedges and Mahon, left in camp sick, left their beds and came on the battle-field on Saturday, and did efficient service. Their companies were well commanded Friday by Lieutenants Dillon and Sergeant. Lieutenant Gale displayed great gallantry, and was severely wounded in the battle of the 4th, after which the company was bravely led by Lieutenant Morrison.

"Captains Irvin and Reiniger performed their duties nobly. I must also mention Lieutenants Hope, Loughridge, Irvin, McCormick, Bennett and Bess. Captain Smith, who was killed in the last hour of the battle of the 4th, was one of the most promising young officers of the service. He was brave, cool and deliberate in battle, and very efficient in all his duty. Color-Sergeant Aleck Field was wounded in the battle of the 3d: afterwards the colors were borne by William Akers of Company G, who was also wounded, when they were carried by George Craig, of Company B. All of the color-guard, with the exception of one, were either killed or wounded. Sergeant-Major Cameron, severely wounded, must not escape favorable mention for his brave and valuable services on the field.

"While it is a pleasure to report the noble and heroic conduct of so many of my officers and men, we mourn the loss of the gallant dead, and sympathize deeply with the unfortunate wounded. More than one-third of those taken into action are wounded, or lie dead beneath the battle-field. With this sad record, we can send to Iowa the gratifying word that her unfortunate sons fell with faces to the enemy. * * * * * "

For nearly a year and a half prior to the month of October, 1863, the 7th Iowa Infantry remained at and near Corinth, Mississippi; but, at the above named date, marched with General Dodge from Corinth to Pulaski. In the winter of 1863-4, the regiment re-enlisted and came North on veteran furlough, and, on its return to the field, marched to the front with the 2d Iowa, via Prospect, Elkton and Huntsville.

In Sherman's celebrated Atlanta campaign, Colonel Rice commanded his brigade, composed of the 2d and 7th Iowa, the 52d Illinois and 66th Indiana, (the same that he had commanded for nearly a year before) and, at the battles of Resaca, Lay's Ferry, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and Nick-a-jack Creek, distinguished himself. For his gallantry and promptness to duty, he was recommended by General Sherman for promotion to a brigadier-general, and was appointed and confirmed to that rank, his commission dating the 20th of June, 1864.

The engagement on Oostanaula River is worthy of special mention. Crossing his brigade in the face of the rebel General Walker's entire Division, he drove it in disgrace from the south bank of the stream, and secured a position which was generally believed to have necessitated the evacuation of Resaca.

Of the different regiments in his command, the 7th Iowa Infantry suffered the most severely in this engagement. The regiment was moving through heavy timber, when it was suddenly charged by a whole brigade of rebel infantry. The charge was gallantly sustained, and a counter-charge made, which resulted in driving the enemy from the field. The loss of the regiment here was between sixty and seventy.

The preliminaries to the battle of Dallas are briefly as follows: Having arrived at Kingston, a small railroad station about eighty miles south of Chattanooga, the enemy were found posted across the Etowah River, in the Allatoona Mountains. Their position, which was one of great natural strength, was to be carried by a flank movement; and General McPherson, moving south-west, reached and crossed the Etowah River, and marched directly for Atlanta. The enemy, when advised of the movement, abandoned their position on the Allatoona Mountains, and pushed for Dallas, some thirty-five miles south of Kingston. Hardee's rebel Corps, leading the advance, reached Dallas and strongly fortified itself before McPherson's arrival. What followed is well given by an officer of General Rice's command:

"At early dawn, on the 28th of May, the two contending armies were on the qui vive. All looked forward for the deeds the day might bring forth. Heavy skirmishing was kept up, which, at times, almost swelled into volleys; and, at short intervals, stretcher-men, with their precious burdens going to the rear, attested the accuracy with which the 'Johnny rebs' handled their long Enfields. At four o'clock P. M., the threatening storm burst out in all the fury of battle, just on the extreme right of Logan's Corps, where it sounded like the wind roaring through a pine forest. The breeze wafted it dismally toward us. On came the wall of fire, nearing us at every instant, until it broke in all its violence on our front. Here was the rebel right. Their assaulting column reached along the whole line of Logan's Corps, and over on to Dodge's front far enough to engage Rice's Brigade, which was posted hi the front line. The rebel forces consisted of Hardee's Corps—three divisions. Their men were told that we were one-hundred-day men; and their charge was a desperate one. In front of Rice's Brigade (two regiments being in line, the 2d Iowa and 66th Indiana) there was a brigade of the enemy, known as the Kentucky Brigade, consisting of the 2d, 3d, 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th Kentucky Infantry. They charged in columns six lines deep, and, as they neared our works, yelled in that unearthly style peculiar to themselves. They were met by men who were equal to the emergency. Not a man left the works, unless he was wounded. They stood there like a wall of iron, their comrades from the reserve carrying ammunition to replenish their exhausted supplies. Yet still the rebel hosts poured up to the works, those behind being cursed by their officers and rushed up so as to prevent those in front from falling back. Thus they continued, hoping against hope, and all the time being mowed down like grass by the fire of our brave veterans, and the grape and canister of Welker's Battery. Pushing forward till they were almost hand-to-hand, they continued the deadly struggle for one hour and a half; when, completely exhausted, they broke and fled, amid the loud huzzas of our splendid fellows. I never wish to know a prouder day than that.

"Our brigade that day fought for the first time behind breast-works. Although they had built miles of them, this was the first chance to use them. Too much praise can not be given to Colonel Rice, who was ever where the danger was the thickest, mounted on his magnificent gray. He looked the personification of the brave soldier. His example appeared to inspire the men: they fought as only the best and bravest of soldiers can fight, and never left the works.

"After the action, I noticed him riding to the different regiments to ascertain, I suppose, the extent of our casualties. He was everywhere met with loud and prolonged cheers; but he modestly attributed it all to them, and kindly thanked them for their great bravery. Such men as he are not made of the ordinary stuff. Though young in years, he is already a veteran-hero of nearly a score of battles; and has, since this campaign, made a reputation for himself and the brigade he so gallantly commands, unequalled by any in this army."

No one has been a warmer admirer of the gallantry of General Rice than myself, whenever it has fallen to his lot to meet the enemy; but still I think it hardly just to say that the reputation of himself or of his brigade was "unequalled by any" in that magnificent Army of the Tennessee. The general himself would not claim this; nor would the author, from whom I have quoted, on sober reflection. He wrote under the inspiration of recent victory.

General Rice, I believe, most distinguished himself on the memorable 22d of July before Atlanta. In that engagement, though assaulted by an entire division of Hardee's Corps, he held his ground firmly, and inflicted most bitter punishment upon the enemy. Besides capturing one hundred prisoners of war, and six hundred stand of arms, he buried in his front, on the morning of the 23d, one hundred and twenty of the enemy's dead, which is evidence that his brigade placed nearly one thousand rebels out of battle.

After General Dodge was wounded before Atlanta, the division to which General Rice's brigade was attached was assigned to the 15th Army Corps: since that time, the services of the general and, I may add, of the 7th Iowa, are the same as those of General Logan's command. Marching first in pursuit of General Hood back nearly to Dalton, and round through Snake Creek Gap, they then returned, and, with the other troops, pushed through to Savannah, and thence north, through South Carolina and North Carolina to Raleigh.

The operations of the 7th Iowa in rear of Savannah, are thus given by Lieutenant-Colonel Parrott:

"December 11, moved to the rear, and encamped on Anderson's plantation, where we remained in camp until the 21st, keeping up all the time a lively skirmish on the picket line. On the night of the 19th, my regiment was ordered to effect a crossing of the Little Ogechee. The regiment marched to the vicinity of the river, Company A, being detailed to carry boards for the purpose of crossing sloughs, and Company B to carry a boat for the purpose of crossing a detachment to reconnoitre the opposite bank. Major Mahon, with four picked men, crossed the river, and from his reconnoissance it was found impossible to cross the regiment on account of swamps and morasses on the opposite bank. At 12 midnight, the regiment was ordered back to camp.

"December 20th was quiet all day. December 21st, reports were in circulation, at an early hour, that the enemy had abandoned his stronghold on the Little Ogechee. The brigade was ordered to move to the front, and at 2 P. M. entered the city of Savannah without firing a gun, the enemy having made a hasty retreat."

The only time I ever saw General Rice was in the summer of 1862, and not long after he had received his colonel's commission. He was in company with Captain, now Major, Mahon, and on a visit to some Mends at Camp Clear Springs, Mississippi. He was dressed in a brand-new uniform, and I thought him a gallant and handsome looking officer.

He is a man of middle size, and has a fine form. His complexion, and the color of his hair and eyes, are much like those of his late distinguished brother. He Is reputed a more brilliant man than was his brother, but not so able. His neighbors say he has one of those minds that learn from observation, rather than from hard study. When he entered the service, he was so young that he had had little opportunity to gain distinction. He has made a brilliant record in the army; and his friends expect that his course in civil life will be equally brilliant.

Source: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 171-8

Illness of Gen. Sigel

The St. Louis Democrat of Monday says: The country will be pained to hear that Gen. Sigel returned from the southwestern army, is now lying at his residence in this city dangerously ill.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

Senator Grimes’ Speech

The Pittsburg Gazette says Senator Grimes’ excellent speech on Monday, against slave catching, directly or indirectly, by army officers, and in favor of garrisoning the Southern forts with blacks in order to save Northern lives during the sickly season, was listened to with marked attention. Its general views are understood to meet with the approval of most, if not all, the Republican Senators.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

A Severe Hail Storm

The Ashville News, of the 3rd inst., reports that section of country was visited on the Sunday afternoon previous by a severe store of hail and rain. Hail stones as large as partridge eggs fell.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

The late Constitutional Convention of Illinois . . .

. . . has so opportioned [sic] that State that if the Constitution be adopted, counties containing one-third the population of the state will elect a majority of the Legislature. This nice arrangement is for the benefit of the Egyptian Democracy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

Capital

Many people are hoarding up what means they have against a rainy day. Is this wise? Would it not be better to invest a portion of the capital now held by our wealthy men, in factories of different kinds, and produce ourselves the articles for which we have been so long dependent upon the North? Soap, candles, leather, edge-[illegible], farming utensils, shoe making, saddlery, woolen and cotton goods, cards, buttons, pins, needles, iron-ware, cutlery and earthen-war of all kinds, are all in demand, and their manufacture will doubtless pay, if properly managed, even after the war closes. Why is it that our wealthy men do not embark in every species of manufacture demanded by the times? The neglect to employ their capital in the production of necessary articles, weakens the Confederacy and renders it less able to carry on the war. Such a policy endangers every interest in the land and my conquer us. If so, what will stocks and promises to pay be worth? Let the people reflect.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

The Battle In New Mexico

A Signal Success Gained by the Federal Troops

From Major A. H. Mayer, late of this city, and Major elect of the Fourth Regiment New Mexico Volunteers, who just arrived direct from the seat of war, we are favored with the following interesting particulars of the late engagements near Santa Fe.

The main fight took place at Apache Canon eighty miles from Fort Union, and twenty from Santa Fe. Three battalions, one under Major Chivington, one under Capt. Lewis, regular, and one under Capt. Wynkoop, advanced to the canon on the 28th ult., when the pickets reported no enemy in sight.

The command then advanced, when shots were fired at them by the Texans, who were in ambush, and they succeeded in killing 4 of our privates. – Our men, under Slough, rushed on them, killing 20 or 30 Texans, wounding many of them, and taking 7 prisoners, 4 officers and 3 privates. – Major Chivington’s command, which went ahead and surprised the Texan pickets, taking 67 prisoners and 64 provision wagons, arrived, and a plan of action was determined upon – to meet the enemy in front and flank them at the same time.

About 12 o’clock on the 28th ult., the action became general, the Coloradians [sic] doing wonders. The battery under Capt. Ritter, and also the howitzer battery under Lieut. Claflin, cleaned the Texans and things generally. The fight lasted until 4 o’clock, when flags of truce were interchanged to bury the dead and care for the wounded. The enemy had about 2,000 men and one six pounder. We had 1,300 men and one each six and twelve-pounder and four howitzers. The enemy lost their entire train (64 wagons and provisions) and 230 mules, - about 150 killed, 200 wounded and 93 taken prisoners, among whom are 13 officers. Some of the latter have held commissions in the volunteer corps of the Territory.

Capt. Cook was wounded, but is doing well. His heaviest injury was sustained by his horse falling down and bruising his ankle. Lieut. Marshall, of Cook’s command, shot himself while trying to break one of the Texan guns lying in the field after the battle. Lieut. Chambers was wounded severely, and afterwards died. Lieut. Baker (or Becker) and Lieut. P. McGrath were also killed.

The Texans, when surprised, supposed it was Col. Canby’s force instead of ours that was coming.

The Texan officer in command, with two of his companies, made two different attempts to charge on our men and seize their batteries, but were each time repulsed with a tremendous loss on their side, and while daring, noble deeds were performed by our soldiers. At one time the Texan companies charged within a few yards of our batteries.

Captains Logan and Wynkoop were with Chivington when they seized the above wagons and prisoners. Capt. Sopris’ and Anthony’s companies, during the fighting in the canon, were situated so that their men sustained the heaviest disaster.

Our command fell back on the morning of the 30th, having done, as all say, wonders. Even the Texan officers and privates acknowledge this. The prisoners taken were sent to Fort Union. Col. Slough’s entire command marched on the 30th to San Jose, towards Fort Union, so as to be prepared for emergencies, on the reported arrival of Sibley with 600 men. Sibley is said to be on the march towards Pigeon’s Ranch, with the expectation of reinforcing the enemy, and waiting for either Col. Slough’s command or Col. Canby’s, whom he expected to intercept en route to Fort Union.

Our troops will remain for the present about San Jose, or Vernal Springs, so as to be on hand. No word was received, up to the hour of starting, from Col. Canby. Our wounded are doing well. The Texan officers in command were Col. Acarry, Col. Bailer, Capts. Carey, Enos and Chapin, Surgeon-General Bailey and Assistants Holden and Whittock – {Rocky Mountain News Extra, April 9.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

Iowa Dead at St. Louis

The following deaths of Iowa soldiers occurred at St. Louis last week:

April 6. – Lewis N. Ripley, Co. A, 12th; John Buchanan, Co. F, 16th; George VanCleave, Co. B, 15th.

April 7. – W. P. Leach, Co. E, 12th; Felix Conner, Co. G, 12th.

April 9. – Melvin Hempstead, Co. F, 12th.

April 11. – Henry Kirk White, Co. G, 2d Infantry.

April 12. – John Coffman, Co. K, 15th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

The Negro Question Handled by a Kentuckian

Col. Leonidas Metcalf recently made a speech at Carlisle, Nicholson county, Kentucky, of which we make the following extract. Had he made this speech in portions of Iowa he would have been denounced as an Abolitionist at least and perhaps worse:

I had started to pay my respects to the nigger lovers of the South. There has been no election since I can remember but the cry of nigger was raised. A constable, coroner, judge or president could not be nominated but the same old tune was ground. Law after law was passed to tighten the tenure by which we held them. State laws, fugitive laws, territorial legislatures might legislate a white man to the devil if they chose, if they had nary a nigger; but laws were passed to prevent them from legislating on the subject of nigger. A Republican Congress passed laws to prevent themselves from legislating on negroes in the territories, still the cry was more security, more concessions, until they require all to kneel to Gessler’s cap, or else they are not the Simon pure, or at least they are not the Simon Buckner pure. They swear that it is God’s institution, and that in his sublime wisdom he instigated the trader to the pious calling of catching and chaining the wild African in the hold of some gloomy ship to transport him from his native hills where his soul is in danger, to the cotton fields of America, all for the glory of God and the increase of his kingdom; that their pursuits and pleasure in Africa are loathsome to God; but when they are transported to the cotton fields and learned to raise six bales to the hand, great is his reward for he now pleaseth the Lord and shall have a seat in heaven; while traitors who have so long been protected in making black angels, quietly pocket the proceeds of the cotton. To all this you must solemnly promise and swear or you are an Abolitionist. – And some of these traitors are helping to populate heaven with angels only half black. – This is no joke; all this has been preached from the pulpit by the said sooty winged nigger satellites. They do not stop at insulting man, but blaspheme God with their obsequious dallying and pandering to a set of corrupt, fly-blown jackasses, who cannot see any other aim or object on earth through which pleasure or happiness can be secured but nigger; no other argument in politics but nigger; no other road to heaven but on a nigger’s back. They must have the Missouri Compromise, or they will break up the Government, then the Missouri Compromise must be repealed, it ain’t fair, or they will knock all the underpinnings from under Uncle Samuel.

Kansas must be allowed to do as she pleases – no intervention. Our sweet scented Beriah, who lives in the Governor’s palace and don’t rule the destinies of Kentucky exactly as he would wish to, made a speech in our county town when he was a candidate, in which he said that Congress [had] no power to legislate on Slavery, and must not intervene in Kansas affairs; that he would draw his sword and fight, before he would ask Congress to pass a pro-slavery or anti-slavery law for Kansas, for that would be setting the example that Congress had the right to intervene, and it might hereafter pass some law that we did not like, and if we complained they would tell us we must put up with it, because we asked them to open the door of intervention, and the point was settled, but behold! When Kansas herself attempts to settle her own business, they shift round and attempt to force her to be a slave State against her will. They are as unreasonable as a baby with a toy; cry if you give it to them, cry if you don’t give it to them; and like the spoiled child, they must now be spanked and put to rest. I have heard it preached ever since I can remember, that all we asked was to let us manage our own State affairs as we pleased, particularly our own peculiar institution; that the North wanted to take them away from us without compensation; that if the North would only acknowledge that there is such a thing as property in man we would be satisfied; now the President offers to us, to let us do just as we please. Buy our negroes, if we wish to sell, and if we do not want to sell, why, “keep them and that is the end of it,” and we will be protected with them thereby acknowledging that they are property, and thereby offering to defeat the abolitionists, in taking them without compensation; and also spoiling the grand argument of the disunionists, that Lincoln and his yankee hordes would take our negroes from us. They are mad at Lincoln for letting us do as we please; some of them denying the rebellion having anything to do with nigger and therefore, Lincoln is an abolitionist for bringing in the sacred name of nigger at this time. And some Union men are very hard to be please with anything the Government does, and such men rarely complain at the inequity being enacted by the rebels. If Jeff. Davis had come out with the same message, they would have pronounced it the most liberal, fair, impartial, statesmanlike document that was ever offered for the consideration of people of common sense. Oh! Consistency, thou are a jewel, made of gum elastic, and can be stretched to suit the conscience.

The cry of Abolitionist is the whip that is continually held up to scare the ignorant into the Democratic, and now the Secession ranks. – If you look at things with common sense, you are an Abolitionist. If you are for your country, and for the majority ruling, you are an abolitionist. It is time we put a stop to these insults. They cannot listen to reason. The only thing you can beat common sense into them with is a green sycamore club that will not bounce, or a bullet. A few wholesome truths may be bitter but never the less true. The accusation is very common that the North favors amalgamation. Now, to tell the truth, and shame old Nick, it is practiced to a fearful extent throughout the South and Kentucky. Go into any of our towns and see the different shades and colors.

Jet black, buff, and brown
Mongrel, puppy, whelp and hound.

But we will not speak loud on this. Somebody might be listening. You can know every traitor in the land as plainly as you can your hogs by the ear marks. They have a password, by which you can know them as well in the night as in the day time – that word is, Abolitionist. That is the sum total of all their argument.

I will relate an anecdote that shows a Virginian’s ideas on the nigger question and it is true. I heard it. Traveling in Virginia, I stopped at night at a house where they were holding a meeting, and any one seemed to have a right to tell what he knew. A spry young man took the pulpit, and let out on the crucifixion as follows “My brethren how meek was our Savior – they crucified him; they put a crown of thorns on his head; they stuck a spear in his side, and they drove nails through his hands, had he never said a word a bit more than if he had been a nigger.”

Fellow citizens, you all know that nigger is the raw head and bloody bones, the scarecrow, that is continually held up to your view, never ceasing agitation. You must stand sentinel all night, you must stand sentinel all day, with your musket, over your darling black angels, while they work in the field, to keep somebody from stealing them. And you must stand watch to keep down insurrection – eternal vigilance is the price of nigger. All of this hue-and-cry is kept up when there is not the slightest danger.

Well, gentlemen, does not all of this suggest to your mind a gleam of common sense? Does not the weary sentinel begin to ask himself, when will the relief come around? But no relief ever comes. Ah, me! When or how shall I ever find time to enjoy myself with my loved ones? Where is that happiness this sacred institution is to produce? When shall I rest? – Now I see this never ending clamor has at last beat it into my head that, I had better take the value of these gems from Afric’s burning sands, and invest in something that will not forever disturb my peace, use the musket on traitors, and take the hoe myself. Nigger and cotton has produced this rebellion, and should be made to foot the bill. There is a big nigger scare still on our Congress. They shrink, afraid to take the bull by the horns; it is not just that loyal men should fight out the battles to save their country from the iniquity of traitors, and then pay the damages they have caused. China had to foot the bill with England. Mexico had to come up to the captain’s office and settle, and the Swiss rebels had to pay for all the dishes they broke; and about twenty-five dollars per head on nigger, and two cents on cotton, will soon pay for educating the Southern mind.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

Two Ladies and a Boy Drowned

C. T. Sackett, of Garnavillo, informs us that on the evening of the 28th ult., Mrs. Carolina Taylor, wife of Marcellus Taylor, of Volga township, with an adopted son named Emmet, four years of age, and Edna Amsden, a young lady nineteen years of age, while returning from Garnaville and attempting to cross Cedar Creek, were turned out of the sleigh by the force of the water and drowned. Their bodies were not found until the next morning. – McGregor Times

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

New Regiments

Our Camps of instruction are alive with soldiers. The alacrity with which our people have rallied to the call of the Governor, is beyond all precedent almost. We should not be surprised if we have fifteen full regiments in camp in a month from this date. Several of these regiments have organized and elected their officers. An error having occurred in our notice of the No. of some of them, we give a correct list with the officers elected:

11th “Bethel Regiment re-organized.” – C. Leventhorpe, Colonel; W. A. Owens, Lt. Colonel, and Wm. A Eliason, Major.

43rd Regiment. – Junius Daniel, Colonel; Thomas S. Kenan, Lt. Colonel, and W. J. Boggan, Major.

44th Regiment. – G. B. Singletary, Colonel; R. C. Cotton, Lt. Colonel, and E. Cromwell, Major.

45th Regiment. – Junius Daniel, Colonel; J. H. Morehead, Lt. Colonel, and A. J. Boyd, Major.

46th Regiment. – E. D. Hall, Colonel; Wm. A. Jenkins, Lt. Colonel, and R. G. Mitchell, Major.

47th Regiment. – S. H. Rogers, Colonel; G. H. Faribault, Lt. Colonel, and Jno. A. Graves, Major.

48th Regiment. – R. C. Hill, Col.; S. H. Walkup, Lt. Col., and B. R. Huske, Major.

The above selections in the main are very good, and exhibit the capacity of the company officers to select good officers. To have succeeded in all respects is what could not have been expected. The responsibility of a commander is one of great importance and risk. No man who has a doubt of his capacity, ought to accept. Indeed, positions of such risk should never be sought. Nor is it enough to have a good Colonel to a regiment. Every officer should be the very best than can be obtained at the time, but we differ entirely with those who would place our volunteers in the war under the regime of the armies of Europe or the old United States army. This war, if we understand it, is a war of the people to be fought by them and for them. Hence the importance of having officers who possess both the confidence and the affection of their men. A very erroneous idea prevails, that officers who are elected cannot and will not enforce discipline. This is a contrary fact. No officers in the army are more strict disciplinarians than Gen. Hill, Col. Pettigrew and Col. Pender, and yet non are my beloved by their commands. Others are equally, so no doubt, but those names occurred to us, and we mentioned them. All that is requisite is for officers to know something of human nature – be strict and firm, but not austere and tyrannical. Let them be good soldiers and good commanders, but not forget that they are nothing but men themselves.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

A Skirmish

We understand that Capt. Boothe’s company, of Col Spruill’s Cavalry, had a skirmish with the enemy at Big Gully*, about 12 miles from Newbern, a few days ago, in which he killed three of the enemy and took nine prisoners. Capt. Boothe’s horse was killed under him.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

* See Correction

The Women of Iowa

A lengthy report of the Ladies’ Soldiers’ Aid Society at Keokuk, published in the papers of that city, concludes as follows:–

To the women of Iowa we would say, every breeze comes freighted with blessings for you from those you have so generously helped. Let us not pause in the work; but in our holy cause rather let us imitate the misguided zeal of Southern women who in the cause of treason and rebellion, sell their jewels and silver for the soldier’s comforts; who tear up their carpets for the solder’s blanket; who strip their silk dresses for the soldier’s banner, and who do the work of servants that they may contribute to the soldier’s aid. While our men from Iowa win, by their valorous deeds, the title of “Bravest of the Brave,” let them be able to say: “our Iowa women have strengthened us for the battle as well as hailed our victories with pride and joy.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

Col. Tuttle, of the 2d Iowa . . .

. . . arrived here on Sunday night, and went up Monday to Keosauqua. We regret to lean that he is very much disabled by rheumatism, brought on by his exertions and terrible exposures to inclement weather. We sincerely hope that the comforts of home may speedily restore him to his former health and strength. – {Gate.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

Impressment of Arms

Every citizen of the State who has a double-barrel gun or rifle, which can be used against the enemy, and which he can spare, should not hesitate a moment to sell or give it to the government. Gov. Clark has had agents all over the State, collecting such arms as the people could spare; and it is said that agents of other States and of the Confederate government have been doing the same thing. But we utterly deny the right of President Davis to “request” Maj. Ashe, or any one else, to enter the houses of our people and impress their arms against their will. The 13th and 15th clauses of section 9th of the Confederate Constitution are as follows:


“13. A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

15. The right of the people to secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue but on probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”


The above clauses contain principles as ancient as liberty itself. These principles ought never to be violated. From the beginning of free government until now, no people ever parted with liberty as a means of achieving liberty, without finding themselves in the end subjects of despotism. The world has seen but one Washington. Clothed at one time with supreme military power, he hastened, as soon as he had performed the work of liberating his country, meekly to lay down that power at the feet of civil rule. Jefferson Davis is not George Washington. He is scarcely warm in his seat, to which he was called by the general acclaim of the whole people, before he “requests” one of his agents to violate material portions of the Constitution which he as sworn to support. The government over which he presides is one of delegated powers. The power which he claims, of search and seizure, and which he has assumed to delegate to Maj. Ashe, is expressly forbidden by the Constitution to be exercised by him, but is “reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The “right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” – and “the right of the people to be secure in their person, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” – But Maj. Ashe says, “by request,” that if the arms are not forthcoming, he will seize them by force; and the Major furthermore declares in advance, “by request,” that those who do not promptly obey his call, are “cravens” and “disloyalists” – that is, cowards and traitors. Maj. Ashe expects the “true patriots” to send in their arms at once, but the arms of the cowards and traitors he will forcibly seize. Now we repeat, that every double-barrel gun and rifle which can be spared, should be promptly sold or given to the government; but there are instances and there are localities in which the people ought to retain their arms; and even if this were not so, and if all the guns and rifles could be spared, Mr. Davis must not attempt by force to disarm our people. We charge no improper motive on Mr. Davis or his agent, but we tell the people that they should not only protest against a violation of their Constitution, but resist the very beginnings of despotic rule. A people jealous of their liberties, and fighting as ours are against tyranny from without, should vigilantly guard against the possibility, not to say probability, of tyranny within. With sixty thousand of our troops as conscripts, under the control of the President, and with our home population disarmed, we should be at the mercy of any movement which radical and dangerous leaders might inaugurate. The whole character of our government might be changed, and though our people might protest against it, they would be powerless to prevent it. Orders to disarm the people have always been the forerunners of despotic military rule. Macaulay states that a favorite project with James the Second, was the disarming the population of Ireland, or rather that portion of them who disagreed with him in his peculiar views. Dick Talbot, earl of Tyrconell, who was given more to “wine and wassail” then he was to truth, justice and judgment, and who was charged with the military administration in Ireland, executed the “royal order which came from Whitehall for disarming the population.” This order was “Strictly executed as respected the English; and though the country was infested with predatory bands, a Protestant gentleman could scarcely obtain permission to keep a brace of pistols.” We leave it with our readers to say if there are not suspected persons in this State – suspected only because they did not prefer to break up the old government, and because they insist on a better administration of Confederate and State affairs as essential to the achievement of our independence, who are not regarded as “true patriots,” and the disarming of whom, whatever might be the indulgence shown to others, would be undertaken and accomplished with peculiar pleasure by certain persons. But however this may be, we protest against this order of the President to impress private property, as unnecessary, as insulting to our people as detrimental to the cause and also as a violation of the constitution. Our people have evinced no backwardness in this war. They have rushed to it as men crowd to a festival. They have given their money, their arms, and their blood without stint to the cause. But they are still free, and they will do nothing on compulsion. In the glowing account given by Mr. Bancroft, of the early settlers of North Carolina, he says – “Careless of religious sects, or colleges, or lawyers, or absolute laws, the early settlers enjoyed liberty of conscience and personal independence, freedom, of the forest and of the river:’ – and, he adds – “North Carolina was settled by the freest of the free.” The descendants of these settlers are just as free as they were. They regarded secession at will as the parent of anarchy, and coercion by the federal government as the parent of despotism; and they sought to avoid both. But they resisted and are resisting coercion, not so much on their own account as on that of others. Mr. Davis should remember this. We fought, and offered Mr. Davis all our treasure and blood, as soon as, and because his State was threatened. This consideration should induce him to treat us justly, if not generously.

We have nothing to say against Maj. Ashe personally. He is good-natured and cleaver to his friends, and public-spirited and active in the Southern cause; but it seems to us he might have executed his despotic mission with less of denunciation and threatening in advance than we find in his card. But his threats will alarm no one; and his own unselfishness will not shine with striking conspicuity when it is remembered that he holds two profitable offices – that of President of the Wilmington and Weldon Road, and Major in the Confederate service. The remedy of “peaceable secession” is likely to pay in his case indifferently well.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

From the 13th Iowa Regiment

We have been kindly permitted to publish the following private letter form Lieut. Col. Price to Hon. J. F. Dillon:

PITTSBURG, Tenn., April 8, 1862.

I am alive and whole skinned, though not perfectly well. We have had one of the hardest fights ever waged anywhere. It began Sunday morning, and while I write it is still progressing, although we have driven the rebels some eight or ten miles from our camp. It is estimated that there are about 5,000 of our men killed. Our regiment, the 13th Iowa, was ordered to their position in advance about 7 o’clock a.m. We made three different stands, and were driven back twice. At the second fight the Major (Shane) was shot through the shoulder and carried off the field. At the third stand I was slightly damaged by a shell, which cut the limbs from a tree over me, and one of the branches struck me in the small of the back and on the back of the head. A ball also struck me on the shoulder and one on the leg, but this (Tuesday) morning I am well enough, except that my back is still painfully weak. You know a year ago I had a very weak back arising from a sprain. I do not want you to allow any one to come after me, it is not necessary. Unless I get better of my back, I shall apply for a leave of absence. The firing has almost ceased, and is now becoming distant and indistinct. The victory is ours, although at the sacrifice of many lives. Oh the horrible sight of the battle-field!

Lt. Col. Hall, of the 11th Iowa, Col. Chambers of the 16th Iowa, Col. Crocker, 13th Iowa, Major Shane, 13th Iowa, and myself are wounded, myself the least. I think we have had 100 of our men (13th Iowa) killed, besides the wounded.

Yours, &c.,
M. M. PRICE

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

Returns from eleven Indiana regiments engaged . . .

. . . at Pittsburg show a loss of one hundred and fifty six killed, and nine hundred and sixty-two wounded. Several other regiments and a number of batteries were engaged from which we have no returns. – {Lafayette Jour.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1

FIRST REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

Term of service three months.

Mustered into service of the United States at Keokuk, Iowa,
May 14, 1861, by Lieutenant Alexander Chambers, U S. A.

Mustered out at St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 21, 1861, by Captain
Albert Tracy, Tenth United States Infantry.

Roster of Field, Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Staff Officers at muster in of organization, together with subsequent appointments from civil life.


FIELD AND STAFF.

John Francis Bates. Residence Dubuque. Appointed Colonel. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861.

William H. Merritt. Residence Cedar Rapids. Appointed Lieutenant Colonel. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861.

Asbury B. Porter. Age 53. Residence Mount Pleasant, nativity Pennsylvania. Appointed Major. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See Field and Staff, Fourth Cavalry.

George W. Waldron. Age 35. Residence Dubuque, nativity New York. Appointed Adjutant May 13, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Wounded by rifle ball in leg below knee, Aug. 10, 1861, Wilson's Creek, Mo. See company I, First Infantry, also Field and Staff, Fourth Cavalry.

Theodore Guelich. Age 31. Residence Davenport. Appointed Quartermaster April 25, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company D, Forty-eighth Infantry.

William H. White. Residence Iowa City. Appointed Surgeon. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See Field and Staff, Twenty-second Infantry.

Hugo Reichenbach. Appointed Assistant Surgeon. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861.

I. K. Fuller. Residence Dubuque. Appointed Chaplain. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Charles E. Compton. Age 24. Nativity New Jersey. Appointed Sergeant Major April 18, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company A; also company I, Eleventh Infantry.

William W. Hughes. Age 30. Residence Iowa City, nativity Pennsylvania. Appointed Quartermaster Sergeant April 18, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company B; also company A, Twenty-second Infantry.

Samuel Holmes. Age 21. Nativity Pennsylvania. Appointed Hospital Steward April 18, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company A; also company B, Thirty-fifth Infantry.

Thomas M. Cummins. Age 22. Nativity Ohio. Appointed Drum Major April 18, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company A of this regiment.

Henry M. Kilmartin. Appointed Fife Major. Mustered May 24, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company E of this regiment.


LINE OFFICERS.

Names of company officers at muster in of their companies. Service record given opposite their names in the alphabetical roster following.

COMPANY "A"

Markoe Cummins, Captain.
Benjamin Beach, 1st Lieutenant.
George A. Satterlee, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY ''B"

Bradley Mahanna, Captain.
Harvey Graham, 1st Lieutenant.
Andrew Jackson Rians, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "C"

Alexander L. Mason, Captain.
William Pursell, 1st Lieutenant.
William F. Davis, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "D"

Charles L. Matthies, Captain.
Mathias Keller, 1st Lieutenant.
Joseph Enderle, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY"E"

George F. Streaper, Captain.
John C. Abercrombie, 1st Lieutenant.
George W. Peirson, 2nd Lieutenant.

COMPANY "F"

Samuel M. Wise, Captain.
George A. Stone, 1st Lieutenant.
Simeon F. Roderick, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "G"

Augustus Wentz, Captain.
Theodore Guelich, 1st Lieutenant.
Johannes Ahlefeldt, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "H"

Frederick Gottschalk, Captain.
Jacob Duttle, 1st Lieutenant.
Joseph Giger, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "I"

Frank J. Herron, Captain.
William H. Clark, 1st Lieutenant.
George W. Waldron, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "K"

Thomas Z. Cook, Captain.
John C. Marvin, 1st Lieutenant.
George W. Stinson, 2nd Lieutenant.

SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 1, p. 9-11

Review: Artillery At Gettysburg

The Artillery of Gettysburg
By Bradley M. Gottfried, Ph. D

In many books written about the American Civil War and its battles the artillery is often relegated to a supporting role while the infantry takes the spotlight. Conversely the Battle of Gettysburg hogs the stage as the most written about battle of the war. In “The Artillery of Gettysburg” Bradley Gottfried has placed the artillery at center stage in the greatest battle ever fought on American soil.

In his forward, Mr. Gottfried introduces four key pieces of information that his readers will need to know: the first, regarding the organization and command structure of the Union and Confederate artilleries; the second, the different types of cannon used and their strengths and weaknesses; third a brief description of the different types of ammunition and their uses, and lastly a basic description of the job function of each man in the gun crew.

Using a chronological narration Mr. Gottfried leads his reader through the three day battle, describing the placement and the armament of each battery, their targets and their movements on the battlefield. No detail is spared of the horrible casualties caused to both men and horses by artillery fire, men are decapitated, arms and legs are ripped off, and bodies disemboweled, cut in half or literally blown to bits fill this book from cover to cover.

Mr. Gottfried, the author of “The Maps of Gettysburg” uses plenty of maps to illustrate the action on the field. In my opinion there can never be too many maps, and the one criticism I have, which I carry over from his previous above named work, is there is no time stamp on the maps. The author has also included two informative appendices: Order of Battle, Strengths and Losses of the Artillery at Gettysburg, and Characteristics of Civil War Cannon Used at Gettysburg.

This is not a book for the Civil War novice. This book is a book clearly for the Civil War aficionado who enjoys studying the minutia of a battle. Mr. Gottfried has written yet another indispensible book on the Battle of Gettysburg, and no student of the battle should be without a copy.

ISBN 978-1-58182-623-4, Cumberland House Publishing, © 2008, Hardcover, 352 pages, Photographs, Maps, Appendices, Endnotes & Index. $24.95

The Iowa Troops

Now that letters are being received from our correspondents we find that, as usual, the Iowa troops occupied the van both at Island No. 10 and in the terrible engagement at Pittsburg Landing. Mr. Diffenbacher, in his letter published this morning, says that the Iowa 2d Cavalry were the first to ender the rebel’s camp on Island No. 10. Gen. Pope, it seems, stole a march on Com. Foote and our Iowa boys had the satisfaction of being the first Federal troops to land on the Island after the surrender of the enemy.

Mr. Whittlesey, in his letter, which we also have the satisfaction of giving our readers this morning, says that the first serious check that the enemy received, when by stealth they came upon the Iowa troops, was from the 11th Iowa regiment and Taylor’s battery. For hours these troops kept the enemy at bay and had the former been relieved long enough to procure ammunition, the left wing of the rebels, though numbering six to one of our men, would have been turned and the whole rebel army been flanked and the terrible disaster of the day prevented.

Thus we see that the brave Iowa troops are never found wanting, but like men fighting for their country and all their harts hold dear, stake their lives and their honor on each contest and in every case come off victorious. Iowa has one a name in this war that we hope will remain undimmed until its close and encircle her with such a halo of glory, that no prouder title can be bestowed than that of being a citizen of the glorious Hawkeye State.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

The Charlotte Democrat

We had intended to reply to and thoroughly expose the Charlotte Democrat, but really, on reflection, we do not perceive that it is worth while to do so. That paper of the 1st instant indulges in nearly a column in reply to the Standard, in which it very grossly, and, we fear, deliberately misrepresents us. The whole purport of the Democrat’s article is unfounded and unjust, while its tone is petulant, ill-natured, and offensive.

The Democrat asks us why we have “dragged Judge Osborne’s name into the matter.” We have done no such thing. The Judge was in the meeting on whose proceeding we offered some comments, but those comments were not unkind, and under the circumstances, they were legitimate. But we are reminded, on reviewing the proceedings, that Judge Osborne addressed the meeting on the war, and not on the Governorship. His remarks were not political, and no doubt they were of service in stimulating his hearers, some of whom must have been, just then, depressed by the reverses which had befallen our arms; but the meeting nevertheless assumed a political aspect towards its close, by the nomination of Mr. Johnston for Governor. The Democrat will not succeed in making us do injustice to Judge Osborne by its injustice towards us. As a general rule Judge O. has shown as little of the partisan as any Judge on the bench, and much less of it, in deed, than one Superior Court Judge, whom we might name, if we chose to do so. We are satisfied that Judge O. did not regard the meeting referred to as political, and that he is not disposed to drag the judicial ermine in the muddy streams of party strife. It is natural that, under the circumstances, the Judge should have taken part in the meeting referred to, and that he should have remained in the meeting and acquiesced in or approved the nomination of his neighbor and former colleague in the Convention for Governor, whether he was his first choice for that office or not.

Nor have we assailed Mr. Johnston. We simply objected to his nomination because of its partisan character, and because of his manifest unfitness in this crisis, for the office.

We stated recently, that in our opinion the Charlotte Democrat and Wilmington Journal would not in any event, support any man for Governor who was for the old Union up to Lincoln’s proclamation. If these papers have replied to this statement, and attempted to clear themselves of the imputation of partyism, we have not seen their replies. Every one who goes with them in supporting their candidates is a no-party man; but those who differ with them are party men. This is a specimen of their fairness, and of their no-party views.

The Democrat is evidently alarmed at the idea of canvassing the State. That paper knows that Mr. Johnston is thoroughly identified with the administration at Raleigh, and that the conduct of the former and present administrations will not bear investigation and discussion. But discussion is the life of a free State. Honest men, and such as have done well as the servants of the people, do not fear it. Besides, discussion at this time will do good, by informing the people fully and accurately of their condition, and by encouraging unity of feeling on the basis of patriotism, and on the basis also of a constant and abiding respect for Constitutions and laws. In achieving our independence, we must not lose sight of, nor suffer to be trampled down, those safeguards to property and persons which are secured to us by our Constitutions, and without which independence itself would be but an empty name. The Democrat and those with whom it acts, are “at ease in their possessions,” and do not wish to be disturbed. It is their revolution, and they wish to conduct it in their won way, knowing that, in conducting it, they will enjoy the patronage and honors. The People will see about this, both in the campaign and at the polls. We repeat, honest men do not fear discussion before the people; and if the people cannot bear discussion, then have they ceased to be competent to govern themselves. It is only the selfish, the venal, and the guilty, who fear a fully and fair discussion of public affairs.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Why would the Confederates make good explorers of the North West passage.

Because they know so well Davis’ straits.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

300 More Wounded Coming

Dr. Hughes yesterday received a telegram from Brigade Surgeon Hoff, on board the steamer D. A. January, Cairo, 21st, notifying him to prepare for 300 more wounded soldiers to be here on Wednesday morning.

Accordingly rooms in the Estes House will be prepared to-day. – {Gate.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

7th Iowa Infantry - Company D

1862, Corinth, Mississippi