Hiram Price

HIRAM PRICE was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1810. He worked on his father's farm in boyhood, attending school during the winter months. He was a great reader, borrowing books of neighbors and thus acquiring an education. In 1844 he removed to Iowa, locating in Davenport, where he opened a store. In 1847 he was chosen School Fund Commissioner and a year later was elected recorder and treasurer of Scott County, holding the position eight years. Mr. Price was a radical advocate of temperance and was one of the founders of the order of "The Sons of Temperance." He was one of the framers of the first bill for the prohibition of the liquor traffic in the State, which was enacted into law by the Fifth General Assembly in 1854. He was the editor of the Temperance Organ, a State paper devoted to prohibition. He had been a Democrat in politics up to the time of the attempt to force slavery into Kansas when he left that party and was one of the organizers and founders of the Republican party of Iowa. Upon the enactment of the State Bank Law, Mr. Price was one of the organizers of the Davenport branch and was the second president of the State Bank officers. When the War of the Rebellion began he assisted in raising the money to enable Governor Kirkwood to equip the first two Iowa regiments. He was the first paymaster of Iowa troops and was untiring in his support and assistance to the Governor in raising men and money to meet the calls of the President. In 1862 he was elected by the Republicans of the Second District to Congress and for six years was one of the ablest members of the House. He was an earnest advocate of the most energetic war measures and of legislation to strengthen the credit of the Government. Mr. Price was one of the founders of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home. In 1876 he was again elected to Congress and served until 1880. In 1881 Mr. Price was appointed by the President Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in which position he served with distinguished ability for four years. He made many reforms where abuses had grown up in dealing with the Indians. He was one of the pioneers in railroad building in Iowa. In 1853, when the first railroad was being built from Chicago toward Iowa, Mr. Price was chosen to traverse the counties on the projected line through the State to the Missouri River to create an interest among the people and towns. In 1869 when a railroad was projected from Davenport in a northwesterly direction Hiram Price was elected president of the company which constructed the road. One of his last public acts before removing to Washington was to endow a free reading room in the public library of Davenport, his old home. He was a life-long and prominent member of the Methodist Church. He died in Washington, D. C., May 30, 1901.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 216-7

Reverdy Johnson . . .

. . . formerly Douglas Democrat, has published a letter in favor of gradual emancipation in Maryland! The day begins to dawn!

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 2

Rather Steep

The Davenport Democrat and News recently had the unblushing effrontery to assert coolly as a fact, in its editorial columns, that there are two Democrats in the Army to one Republican! We do not hesitate to denounce as disloyal, any journal that will assert such base falsehoods for such base purposes as were indicated by the connection in which it occurred in the Democrat and News. Such unscrupulous statements will only defeat their own design, for no newspaper reader is so ignorant as not to know that they are shamelessly false. – Marengo Review.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 2

General Sigel

This glorious hero recently received an intimation that some of his countrymen were desirous of contributing towards a testimonial for his benefit. His reply was one that only could have emanated from a man impelled by the noblest impulses that ever glowed in the human breast. He said that if his countrymen were desirous of doing something that would be appreciated by him, they could do nothing more fitting or appropriate than to raise some $20,000 or $30,000 for the benefit of the families of German volunteers. Noble Sigel! – Chicago Journal.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 2

William Vandever

WILLIAM VANDEVER was born in Baltimore, Maryland, March 31, 1817. He was educated in the schools of Philadelphia. In 1839 he went to Rock Island where he engaged in surveying public lands. For several years he was editor of the Northwestern Advertiser. In 1851 he removed to Dubuque and was employed in the office of the Surveyor-General. He afterwards became a partner of Ben M. Samuels in the practice of law. In 1856 he was a delegate to the convention which organized the Republican party of Iowa. In 1858 he was nominated for Representative in Congress in the Second District and elected over his former law partner, B. M. Samuels. He was reelected in 1860 but resigned his seat in 1861 to enter the military service and was appointed colonel of the Ninth Iowa Infantry. Mr. Vandever commanded a brigade at the Battle of Pea Ridge and won promotion to Brigadier-General. He served through the war with distinction in the armies of Grant and Sherman and was brevetted Major-General. Some years after the close of the war he removed to California where he was again elected to Congress. He died on the 23d of July, 1893.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 271-2

The Siege of Yorktown

It would not be strange if those who count on sudden and startling news from Yorktown should be disappointed. The strength of the rebel works and the array of men gathered behind them, are more formidable than have been concentrated at any other position. They evidently mean to contest the position with all their resources. Gen. McClellan, as it is stated and seems wise, proposes to subject them to a regular siege. This will occupy days, certainly, perhaps weeks. With such co-operation as will be accorded him, the result cannot be doubtful. Because Yorktown is not at once carried at the point of the bayonet, let no one believe that this is the scene of a Union defeat. – Wheeling, Va., Intelligencer.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 2

A Rebel Letter

A correspondent sent us from Fort Pillow the following copy of a letter picked up among the effects of the rebels at Island No. 10. We correct the authography somewhat, but the phraseology is the writer’s. We commend our neighbor of the Democrat the sentence in which the writer attributes this war to President Buchanan:

PUL. CO., Ark., Feb 17, 1862.

DEAREST SON:– It is with pleasure that I write a few lines to let you know how times are in this poor devoted place. This is certainly the most wretched of all the Southern States. My son, I don’t wish to discourage you while you are under the strong arm of military law, but we are lost. Your leaders have led you into an everlasting pit of dishonor and disgrace. The South is lost forever. Our own politicians are the parties to blame. It is not the people of the South, or at least a majority of the South, that is to blame, it was President Buchanan that brought the brilliant South into trouble. My son, if you can get outside of the guard lines, desert and come home to your father’s house, where you can have shelter form the dashing storms and be safe from the blood thirsty grey-hounds of the North. My son, the North will whip the South, though the South to be the strongest party by one-third, for when the Yankees take a notion to do anything, it will be done. I know some of the officers of the Northern army that will fight until the last man falls, or the foe is driven from the field or makes an unconditional surrender. One from Quincy, an old man with grey locks, who I learn is Colonel of the 16th Illinois regiment and Samuel Hayes is the major of the same regiment. I know them to be the true blue, and several more of the same king wasps. I am well acquainted with the 16th regiment. I found their names in the Quincy Herald. I paid $1.00 for the paper. It stated that Green had been driven out of Missouri by the bloody 16th Illinois volunteer regiment. My son, I hope you will not fall into the hands of the 16th, but if you do, go to Col. Smith and tell him your name, and beg him for your father’s sake to use you well. So this is all at present.

I still remain your father,

R. D. M. Penilton

To Francis R. Penilton, 12th Ark. Regiment, Co. G.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 2

New Orleans Taken!

The news flashed along the electric wire yesterday morning and communicated to our citizens the gratifying intelligence, that the Crescent City, the emporium of the South, had struck the villainous rag it has so long flaunted in the face of God and the Government, and succumbed to its inevitable destiny. The blood of the patriot courses quicker through his veins when he reads of such victories, and he feels that peace will soon return again to his country – a peace so dearly purchased as to be highly prized and not be sacrificed again to ambition of designing demagogues.

If it be true that New Orleans is in the hands of the Union forces, then Beauregard is in close quarters and must either surrender or fight desperately before he can escape. Gradually the anaconda is contracting his coils and crushing the traitors. A few more weeks and the rebels will not be able to concentrate sufficient force at any one point to stand against the Federal troops. Scattered throughout the country in little guerilla bands, the more desperate ones will annoy the Unionists until the strong arm of the Government suppresses them. This with the aid of the Provisional Governors, will soon be accomplished.

New Orleans taken, and the doom of Memphis is sealed. Beauregard’s army will be scattered, and that arch traitor be either a prisoner or fled, before troops can reach Memphis from New Orleans. With every flash along the telegraphic wires we expect to read that the conflict has already commenced at Corinth. It will be one of the most desperate struggles ever fought on our continent, and decisive in the west, of the rebellion that for one year has arrayed one part of our inhabitants against the other in deadly strife. If Beauregard has retreated on Memphis, then that fated city will be the battle ground, and it be added as another to the once beautiful, but now desolate spots, that attest to the horrors of civil war.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 2

James F. Wilson

JAMES F. WILSON was born at Newark, Ohio, October 19, 1828. His education was obtained in the common schools and he learned the trade of harness making in his youth. He soon decided to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1851. In 1853 he became a resident of Iowa, and locating at Fairfield opened a law office. In 1856 he was a delegate to the convention which organized the Republican party. In 1857 he was a member of the convention which framed the present Constitution of the State. Although one of the youngest members he took an active part in the work. In October of that year he was elected to the House of the Seventh General Assembly and was chairman of the committee on ways and means. In I860 he was a member of the State Senate and after serving through a regular and extra session was elected Representative in Congress to fill a vacancy in the First District. He was three times reflected, serving through the war and reconstruction periods until March, 1871. When Grant was inaugurated President in 1869 he tendered Mr. Wilson a place in his cabinet as Secretary of State which was declined. In the impeachment trial of President Johnson. Mr. Wilson was one of the managers on part of the House. He had originally opposed impeachment and as a member of the judiciary committee had made a minority report in which he gave an able review of the most important cases of impeachment in the British Parliament and Senate of the United States. His report forms a valuable treatise on the subject. He was the author of the joint resolution for amendment of the Constitution of the United States in 1864, abolishing slavery, and made one of the greatest speeches of his life on that subject. In January, 1882, Mr. Wilson was elected to the United States Senate for six years and was reelected, serving until March, 1895. Mr. Wilson died at his home in Fairfield in April, 1895.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 290

Later from Europe

ST. JOHNS, N. F., April 28.

The steamship North American, from Liverpool 17th, passed Cape Race Sunday. She was boarded by the news yacht, and a summary of her news obtained.

The Great Eastern had been got off the Gridiron at Milford in safety.

Consols closed at 93 7-8 a 94 for money.


GREAT BRITAIN. – A deputation from the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society waited on Mr. Adams, the American Minister, on the 16th, and presented an address in which the hope is expressed that the restoration of the Union would be founded upon the abolition of the true cause of the strife.

The reply of Mr. Adams is described as having been very satisfactory to the deputation. But the Times thinks it indicates the policy of Northern politicians, which is to have liberty to deal according to circumstances with the slavery question.


FRANCE. – The Prince De Joinville is about publishing a pamphlet on iron-plated [frigates]. This work, it is said, will present the subject under new aspects. He does not admit the invulnerability of the new vessels.

The Bourse was flat on the 14th and lower.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

DUBUQUE, April 28 [1862]

The river rose 24 inches in the last 48 hours, and still rising.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

KEWANEE, April 28 [1862]

A fire here yesterday morning at two o’clock burned six stores. Loss estimated at $12,000; insurance about 6,000.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

CLINTON, Iowa, April 28 [1862]

The water raised 14 inches since Saturday noon, and still rising rapidly.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

PHILADELPHIA, April 27 [1862]

Mr. Crump, for more than a quarter of a century connected with the press of this city, principally attached to the Enquirer, died this afternoon.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Mississippi Railroad Bridge Report

FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 19, 1862.

The number of footmen that crossed the bridge during the week was 1,609.

Number of boats up, 10; down, 10; rafts 4.

J. H. THORINGTON, Bridge Master.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Meteorological Observations

(Under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution)
Made at Griswold College, Davenport,
BY WM. P. DUNWOODY.

Latitude 43.30. North – Longitude 13.39 West – Height above the sea, 737 feet.

Mean height of Barometer, 29.36 inches; mean Temperature, 46 degrees; mean amount of clouds 5; general direction of winds, N. W and N. E.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

WASHINGTON, April 28.

The president pro tem presented a communication concerning the number and ages of the slaves, &c. in the District of Columbia. The Secretary said the statistics were compiled some years ago, and were perhaps not available now. The communication was referred to the committee on the District of Columbia.

Messrs. King and Sumner presented petitions in favor of the emancipation of the slaves.

Mr. Davis presented a petition from the tobacco manufacturers, asking for a reduction in the proposed tax on tobacco.

Mr. Wilson of Mass, from the military committee, reported back the bill for the organization of the signal department, and moved its indefinite postponement.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., offered a resolution that the Secretary of War be requested to inquire into the condition of the Harper’s Ferry armory – what damage has been done to it, what is the value of the property of the United States there, now and what amount is necessary, and whether it is expedient to restore the armory, and re-employ the workmen. Adopted.

Mr. Pomeroy introduced a bill to prevent the importation of adulterated liquors by providing a punishment therefor [sic].

On motion of Mr. Wilson of Mass., the resolutions of the Ohio Legislature in regard to rebels keeping their slaves at Camp Chase were taken up.

The resolutions were referred to the military committee.

On motion of Mr. Trumbull, the bill for the more convenient enforcement of the laws for security to keep the peace for good behavior, was passed, 35 to 3.

Mr. Wade presented several petitions, asking for a uniform system of taxation according to the population of a State, and protesting against the passage of the tax bill from the house.

The senate went into executive session.


HOUSE. – The speaker announced the following special committee on the committee on the confiscation of the rebel property: Olin, of N. Y.; Elliott, of Mass.; Noell, of Mo.; Hutchins, of Ohio; Mallory, of Ky.; Beaman, of Mich.; and Cobb, of N. J. Mr. Olin remarked that he had heretofore asked to be excused from serving on the committee, and he repeated the reasons for the request, which was now complied with.

On Motion of Mr. McPherson it was resolved that the Secretary of War transmit to the House copies of reports of the commanders of Regiment, brigades and divisions engaged in the battle of Shiloh, Tenn.

On motion of Mr. Gooch, the Senate bill for the recognition of Hayti and Liberia was referred to the committee on foreign affairs.

On motion of Mr. Colfax it was resolved that the Judiciary committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of punishing all contractors, guilty of defrauding the Government, with penalties similar to those of grand larceny.

Mr. Spaulding introduced a joint resolution, which was referred to the committee on Commerce, authorizing the appointment of commissioners to negotiate concerning the reciprocity treaty, and authorizing the President to give the necessary notice for terminating the present unfair treaty.

Mr. Ashley reported back from the committee on territories the bill to prevent and punish the practice of polygamy, and to annul certain acts of the territory of Utah, establishing the same.

Mr. Morrill, of Vt., said this bill was the same as introduced by him two years ago, with the exception of the omission of its applicability to the District of Columbia. The bill was passed.

The house resumed consideration of the report of Government contracts. The first resolution reported by them was postponed for two weeks. The next resolution in the series was taken up. It is as follows: “That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to adjust the claims of the Government on the five thousand Hall’s carbines purchased through Simon Stevens by Gen. J. C. Fremont on the 6th day of August, 1861, and afterwards rejected at the U. S. Arsenal at the City of St. Louis on the basis of a sale of such arms to the Government for $12.50 each, rejecting all other demands against the Government on account of the purchase of said arms.”

Mr. Stevens moved the following as a substitute for the above: “That nothing has occurred to lessen our confidence in the honesty, integrity and patriotism of Major Gen. Fremont.”

Mr. Washburne raised the point of order that the substitute was not germane.

Mr. Stevens maintained that the original resolution imposed censure on Gen. Fremont.

The Speaker maintained Mr. Washburne’s point of order.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

NEW YORK, April 28 [1862]

A letter from Edisto Island, S. C. 18th, reports a brilliant affair on St. John’s Island resulting in the total route of 200 rebel cavalry by about 60 of our men. The rebels lost about 50 in killed and wounded. No one on our side was killed.

The combined movement ordered by Gen. Fremont against the guerillas in Webster county, has proved eminently successful. Lieut. Lawson, with one detachment employed in this service, has returned, and others are returning. In a severe running fight Lawson Killed 17 guerillas, and took 10 prisoners.

The town of Addison – a small place, the only one in the [new] country – being deserted, was burned. It had been a guerilla haunt. A formidable organization in Braxton, Webster, and adjoining counties, in entirely destroyed, the leaders proposing to surrender. It is understood that the Guerillas taken will be promptly shot.

Gen. Milroy’s scouts, on the 23d inst., attacked the rear guard of the enemy, ten miles east of the Shenandoah mountains, the boundary of this department. They killed one Lieutenant and two men, and captured one Lieut. And one man. None of our men were hurt.

The rebel conscripts are deserting in large numbers and returning home.

Reports from Staunton say that the enemy’s sick and wounded, and large trains of soldiers, are passing eastward by rail.

Snow fell 18 inches deep at Monterey on the 24th inst.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Samuel R. Curtis

SAMUEL R. CURTIS was born in Ohio on the 3d of February, 1807. He entered the Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1831. At the beginning of the War with Mexico he was appointed Adjutant General of Ohio and soon after was commissioned Colonel of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served with distinction through the war and was military governor of several of the captured cities. In 1847 he removed to Keokuk, Iowa and was for several years chief engineer of the Des Moines River improvement. He became civil engineer for several railroads constructed in Iowa, Indiana and Illinois. In 1856 he was nominated by the Republicans of the First District for Representative in Congress and elected, serving until 1861, when he resigned his seat to enter the military service. He was the first colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry and was soon promoted to Brigadier-General. He commanded the Union army in the Battle of Pea Ridge where he won a brilliant victory over superior numbers. General G. M. Dodge, one of the ablest of the higher officers from Iowa writes of that battle:

"Probably no one had a better opportunity than I to judge of the battle. My command opened the battle, and I think was the last to fire a gun. General Curtis, the commander of that army, was entitled to the full credit of that great victory. The battle virtually cleared up the southwest and allowed all our forces to concentrate on or east of the Mississippi. General Curtis had under him as the division commanders several experienced, educated soldiers, who performed their duties with great ability, but it was General Curtis who met and defeated on their own ground, three hundred miles away from any base, twice his number. He was attacked in the rear and on the flank with great force, the fighting lasting three days, and he defeated, yes, virtually destroyed, Van Dora's army."

General Curtis was promptly promoted to Major-General in recognition of his great victory and given command of the Department of Missouri. After a vigorous campaign a clique of unscrupulous politicians of Missouri secured his removal and he was transferred to the Department of Kansas where he won additional honors. He was the first Major-General from Iowa, the only one who commanded an independent army. He was never defeated in battle and it was not creditable to the administration that a commander so able and successful should have been displaced from a Department where he had won enduring fame.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 66

From Harrisonburg

HARRISONBURG, April 25.

Last night a strong reconnaissance was made from New Market towards Staunton. On reaching Mount Crawford, 8 miles south of here, a bridge on a branch of the Shenandoah was found burned, and the stream too deep and rapid to cross. A bridge over another branch of the same stream was also burned last Monday by citizens. To-day one of our brigades passed through this town and took possession of one of the principal avenues leading from here.

[Deserters] from Jackson’s militia report him making very slow progress towards Gordonsville. 800 of his militia have deserted since he escaped. The Shenandoah bridge is not yet burnt, but pickets are stationed there ready to apply the torch on our near approach.


LATER.

Jackson is resting with his whole force about 16 miles hence. The state of the roads prevents our advance at present.


HARRISONBURG, April 27.

Yesterday morning the pickets of Col. Donelly’s brigade Stationed eight miles hence, on the Jordansville road, were at guard and driven back, and three of them wounded. The reserve of the 46th Pennsylvania and a section of Hampton’s battery then advanced and repulsed the rebels. They retreated to a wood where several of our shells burst in their very midst, and a wagon was seen gathering up and carrying off their dead and wounded. Owing to the bad state of the roads, Donelly has been ordered to take up a new position nearer the town, until the roads get better.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

James Harlan

JAMES HARLAN was born in Clarke County, Illinois, August 26, 1820. His father removed to Park County, Indiana, three years later where the son was reared on a farm. He graduated at Asbury University in 1845. In 1846 Mr. Harlan located at Iowa City where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1847 he was nominated by the Whig party for Superintendent of Public Instruction and was elected over Charles Mason, the Democratic candidate. In 1840, at the Whig State Convention, Mr. Harlan was nominated for Governor but not being eligible on account of youth, he declined, and another candidate was named by the State Central Committee. In 1853 he was chosen president of the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. At the session of the Fifth General Assembly in 1855, after a long and exciting contest for election of United States Senator, the Whigs and Free Soil members united upon Mr. Harlan and, casting their votes for him, he was declared elected for six years to succeed General Dodge. His election was contested in the Senate and the seat was declared vacant, in 1857. The Legislature being in session, Mr. Harlan was promptly reelected. In 1861 he was elected for a second term of six years. In March, 1865, he was invited to a seat in the Cabinet of President Lincoln as Secretary of the Interior but did not enter upon the duties of the position until May 15, when he resigned his seat in the Senate. In the meantime the President had been assassinated and was succeeded by Andrew Johnson. In September, Mr. Harlan resigned his seat in the Cabinet and in January, 1866, was again elected to the Senate for six years. During his long service in the Senate Mr. Harlan became one of the foremost leaders of the Republican party. Serving during all of the years in which the momentous issues of slavery, secession, rebellion and reconstruction were absorbing the profound attention of the ablest statesmen of America, he was called upon to assist in solving the most difficult problems that have arisen since the formation of our Government and was equal to the occasion. How wisely and ably he and his colleagues guided the Nation through its imminent dangers is recorded in history. Among the foremost statesmen of that period the name of James Harlan will always stand conspicuous. During the administration of President Grant, Senators Sunmer and Schurz, who were among the great leaders of the Republican party for many years, became alienated from the President and organized an opposition in the Senate which assailed the Administration and its chief measures, with great bitterness. President Grant had negotiated a treaty with the government of San Domingo, by which that island desired to be annexed to the United States on favorable terms to our Nation. Sumner, Schurz and a few other Senators dominated by their influence, formed a combination which was strong enough to defeat the ratification of the treaty. In a studied speech Sumner assailed President Grant personally in one of the most abusive speeches ever delivered in the Senate, in connection with this treaty. Senator Harlan in a calm, able and statesmanlike address, made a masterly reply in vindication of President Grant and his patriotic services to the country in civil and military affairs, and the wisdom of the policy that would have given to the Nation one of the most important and productive islands of the West Indies. This speech of the senior Iowa Senator made a profound impression upon the country and Europe and placed him in the front rank of patriotic American statesmen. As his third term drew to a close, a powerful movement was organized by the northern half of the State (which had long been unrepresented in the Senate) to secure the election of a member living in that section. William B. Allison was the candidate united upon and in the Republican caucus he was nominated over Mr. Harlan and elected. Senator Harlan had for nearly eighteen years served as the colleague of such eminent statesmen as Seward, Douglas, Sumner, Fessenden, Edmunds, Bayard, Jefferson Davis, Mason, Grimes and Henry Wilson. He was a trusted adviser of Presidents Lincoln and Grant. His knowledge of the affairs of government was unsurpassed. As a public speaker he was calm, deliberate, logical and impressive. After his retirement to private life, Mr. Harlan was, from 1882 to 1885, the Presiding Judge of the Alabama Claims Commission. He was one of the commissioners who erected the Iowa Soldiers' Monument. His last act in a public capacity was presiding at the laying of the corner-stone of the Iowa Hall of History, May 17, 1899. He died at Mount Pleasant on the 6th of October of the same year.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 118-9

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 26.

The President visited the French frigate Gassendi, to-day, it being the first time a President of the United States ever went aboard a foreign vessel of war. He was received with honors paid to crowned heads; such as are usually shown to an Emperor. The yards were manned by a crew who shouted vive la President. The Secretary of State and Capt. Dahlgreen [sic] accompanied the President. The French Minister was on board to receive the party.


NEW YORK, April 28.

The Washington Star says it is not only true that M. Mercier, the French Minister did not see or converse with Dr. Le Moine, in Richmond, on the occasion of his trip into Secessia, as alleged by the Richmond papers, and therefore did not hold out encouragement for perseverance in their insurrection through Dr. L., as they allege. It is also certainly true that while there he held no official communication whatever with any person except the Consuls of his own government, at Richmond and Norfolk. We learn that while there he conversed with many persons whom he had known in society here, including Judah P. Benjamin, but his intercourse with them was entirely of an unofficial character.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

NEW YORK., April 28, [1862]

The steam gunboat Connecticut arrived form the South West Pass on the 12th. The Connecticut brought the sick and wounded seamen from the squadron. When she left the Mississippi, all the ships of the expedition to New Orleans were inside the Passes and had sanded their decks, and well all ready for action.

Advices per the Connecticut, state that the rebel steamer Florida has been captured by the U. S. bark Pursuit.

Forts Barrancas and McRae have been evacuated by the rebels.

The Connecticut brought eight ex-members of the Galveston artillery, who escaped from imprisonment. Every fort, except Tampa, on the coast of Florida is evacuated by the rebels.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

From Fortress Monroe – Southern News

FORT MONROE, April 27.

A boat containing four black men and one white man arrived here this morning from Portsmouth. They report that the Merrimack will come out soon.

A dispatch in yesterday’s Richmond papers received by the flag of truce, dated Mobile, Friday, says that the Union gunboats passed Forts Jackson and St. Philip at 4 o’clock Thursday morning, and at 1 p.m. the same day were before New Orleans. A rumor was current in Norfolk last night, that New Orleans has surrendered.

But few troops were at Norfolk or in the vicinity. It was rumored that Com. Tatnall had been removed from command of the Merrimac.

It is stated by contrabands that the most intense excitement exists around Norfolk, and they have great fear of an attack by Burnside. Nearly all the troops have gone to South Mills to repel any advance he might make.

Contrabands state that the new prow on the Merrimac is 12 feet long, of wrought iron and steel pointed.

Many citizens of Norfolk are leaving the city.

The fall of New Orleans is conceded by everyone.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

James W. Grimes

JAMES W. GRIMES, third Governor of Iowa, was born at Peering, New Hampshire, October 20, 1816. At the age of sixteen he entered Dartmouth College where he graduated and began the study of law. In 1836 he came to the "Black Hawk Purchase," stopping at Burlington. He served as secretary to Governor Henry Dodge in September at a council held with the Sac and Fox Indians at Rock Island, in which these tribes ceded to the United States a tract of land on the Iowa and Missouri rivers. In 1837 Mr. Grimes was admitted to the bar and was soon after appointed city solicitor. He entered into partnership with W. W. Chapman, then United States District Attorney for Wisconsin Territory. When the Territory of Iowa was established in 1838, Mr. Grimes was elected a member of the House of the First Legislative Assembly at the age of twenty-two. He was appointed chairman of the judiciary committee and was one of the leaders in a conflict which the majority had with Governor Lucas over the respective powers of the executive and legislative branches of the Territorial government. He was the Whig candidate for member of the Council of the Third Legislative Assembly but was defeated. In 1843 he was again elected a member of the House. In 1852 he was elected to the House of the Fourth General Assembly and was the recognized leader of the Whig minority. He took an active interest in the improvement of the school system, the encouragement of railroad building, the promotion of temperance and opposition to the extension of slavery. In 1853 he helped to establish the first agricultural journal in the State and was one of its editors. It was named The Iowa Farmer and Horticulturist and was published monthly at Burlington by Morgan McKenny. Mr. Grimes had attained such prominence in the State that in 1854 he was nominated by the Whigs for Governor. His well-known antislavery views rendered him acceptable to all who were opposed to the extension of that institution. That issue was then becoming intense and while many conservative Whigs united with the Democrats, all classes who favored "free soil" united in the support of Grimes and he was elected. It was the first defeat for the Democrats since Iowa was organized into a Territory. In January, 1866, Governor Grimes wrote the call for the convention which, at Iowa City on the 22d of February, founded the Republican party of Iowa. After serving аs governor for the term of four years, Grimes was chosen United States Senator by the Seventh General Assembly. He became one of the leading members of that body and as a member of the naval committee was a power in sustaining the administration of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. He was one of the earliest advocates of the employment of slaves in the Union armies and of their emancipation. As chairman of the committee on the District of Columbia, in July, 1861, he secured the release from jail of all slaves held by their masters. In 1864 Senator Grimes was reëlected. After the overthrow of the Rebellion, Senator Grimes, as a member of the joint committee on reconstruction was one of the number who devised the terms upon which the union of the States was restored. He was largely instrumental in securing the National Arsenal on Rock Island and the construction of the canal for steamers around the Des Moines Rapids of the Mississippi River. On the trial of President Johnson in the impeachment proceedings, Senator Grimes rose above party clamor and, actuated by the highest considerations as a judge, voted "not guilty." Such was the clamor of Republicans for conviction that the great Senator was assailed with a storm of rage and abuse of the most malignant character, by his own party. Conscious of his own rectitude, he bore the reproaches with unshaken fortitude. He would not become a party to revolutionary methods of removing the Chief Executive of the Nation at the demand of his political friends. When the storm of rage and disappointment had passed and reason returned, the country realized that his courageous act in that momentous crisis was the noblest and most heroic of his official deeds. He was stricken with paralysis and made a journey to Europe hoping to restore his shattered health; but failing in that, resigned his seat in the Senate and returned home where he died on the 7th of February, 1872. Benton J. Hall, a life-long political opponent, said of him in the State Senate:

"Perhaps no other man had the opportunity, or used it with the avail that Senator Grimes did to form and mould the State and its institutions. He was one of the living men in the Territorial legislation and early State history. Afterwards we find the same master mind moulding the affairs of the National Government. I doubt whether any Senator ever impressed himself in a greater degree upon the Government in all directions. Whether in regard to the navy, or army, or foreign relations, he made himself master of the subject, and left his impress upon almost every page of the history of the Nation."


The veteran Congressman George W. Julian wrote of Senator Grimes, after his death:

"I was one of the many men whose partisan exasperation carried them headlong into the impeachment movement, in which the heroic conduct of Senator Grimes has been so gloriously vindicated by time; and no man is more ready than myself to do honor to the brave men who faced the wrath and scorn of their party in 1868."

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 109-10

Hospital for Wounded and Sick Soldiers

The committee of nine appointed at the meeting on Saturday last, had a meeting on Monday morning at 8 o’clock, and agreed upon the form of an application to Gen. Halleck for the establishment of a hospital at this place, which will be found appended.

Gov. Kirkwood was in town yesterday, and disposed to heartily second the movement, giving it as his opinion that Camp McClellan is an admirable spot for the hospital.

It is in contemplation to send one or more of our energetic citizens to St. Louis, with the memorial in hand and a letter from the Governor. Hence, if the matter is practicable we presume a hospital will be established in this place:


DAVENPORT, Iowa, April 28, 1862

To Major General H. W. Halleck, St. Louis, Missouri –

Sir: At a general meeting of citizens of Scott county, Iowa, held in Le Claire Hall, Davenport, on Saturday, the 26th day of April, 1862, Hiram Price, Esq., in the chair and Ernst Claussen secretary, the following resolution was adopted on motion of John L. Davies:

Resolved, That six persons be added to the committee appointed by the Executive Committee of the Scott County Relief Society on the subject of a hospital, and that said committee memorialize those in authority to establish a Government hospital in this place.

In accordance with the above resolution the committee unanimously agree and earnestly request that the Government shall establish in the city of Davenport, Iowa, a hospital for the sick and wounded of our State and others who may be brought to it. Our reasons for this request are as follows:

In the first place, our troops have been in almost every battle in the Southwest; and in common with others, have shared in the ordinary disasters of the camp and field. We therefore wish to co-operate with the Government in making all suitable provision for their comfort and safety.

Secondly. As other hospitals are now being filled, and in view of the battles pending will be crowded to excess, we wish to be prepared to meet the exigencies of the case and do what we can in the aid of the sick and wounded.

Thirdly. The climate and surroundings of Davenport are admirably adapted for a hospital, as it is healthy and salubrious, and the country abounds with everything to meet its demands.

Fourthly. The city of Davenport being situated on the Mississippi river, can be easily reached in all seasons of the spring, summer and autumn by steamboat, and in the winter and at all times by railroad, making it easy of access for the sick and wounded.

Fifthly. The distance from the scene of operations of our army in the Southwest is no greater than that of Cincinnati or Chicago, while at the same time the location combines equal, if not superior, advantages to both.

Sixthly. Our citizens of the State, who have friends and kindred in the army, would have the opportunity of visiting and caring for their sick and wounded if in Davenport, which is now denied them. The only hospital in the State is at Keokuk, in the extreme southeastern portion of it. The great number of the soldiers of Iowa in the field make it imperative that hospital accommodations should be provided for them as near to their homes as possible. The gallantry and self-sacrifice of our soldiers plead strongly in its behalf.

Seventhly. Suitable buildings, at very little expense, can be procured and fitted up for the hospital. Nurses, male and female, and medical attendance [sic] are at hand and all the means and appliances to put it into effect in a very short time. In this connection we would recommend Camp McClellan. This is situated near the Mississippi river, a short distance from the city limits, and is a fine, airy location, free from miasmatic or disturbing causes. The buildings on the ground are very substantial, covered with shingle roofs and in every respect well constructed to guard against external atmospheric influences. We feel satisfied they could be readily converted, at a small outlay, into hospitals for the accommodation of at least 1,000 men. – Situated on a handsomely wooded knoll, in full view of the river and the cities of Davenport and Rock Island, we cannot help regarding it as a highly favorable spot for the alleviation of suffering humanity, and presenting inducements almost unsurpassed for rapid convalescence. Three regiments have been quartered at one time on the grounds, extending through an inclement season of the year, and we have yet to hear the first word of complaint; and we would add, very little sickness occurred there during its occupancy by the soldiers.

Eighthly. The dead of Iowa from the hospital could be buried in their own State; and we doubt not but that it would be an additional stimulus to our soldiers in camp and in the field, to know that we have been mindful of the sick and wounded, at home, and have amply made provision for them. And as we know not how long the war may continue, the sick and wounded must be waited on during its progress and after its close; and in view of the approaching sickly season in the South, the number of soldiers on the sick list will be greatly increased, and we know not of any city or county in the Northwest which affords greater facilities or advantages for a hospital than those of Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa.

To show you the disposition of the citizens of this section of the country in relation to our wounded and sick soldiers, the following resolution, on motion of John Collins, was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, By the citizens of Scott county, in public meeting assembled, that the Governor of this State be and is hereby requested to procure steamboat accommodations to convey the wounded and sick soldiers from the battle field when and as often as it shall be necessary so to do, to such place or places as have been or shall be provided for their reception.

With the earnest hope that what is above set forth will receive such consideration as the wants of our suffering soldiers may demand, and that the granting of our request may be in concurrence with the policy of the military authority, we remain,

Your ob’t servants,

IRA M. GIFFORD,
A. J. KYNETT,
H. N. POWERS,
JNO. W. THOMPSON,
TH. J. SANDERS,
CHAS. E. PUTNAM,
JAS. CHALLEN
JAS. T. LANE
E. H. MACK.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Samuel Merrill

SAMUEL MERRILL, seventh Governor of the State, was born in Oxford County in the State of Maine on the 7th of August, 1822. He received a liberal education and when a young man taught school several terms in the south and in his native State. He removed to New Hampshire where he was elected to the Legislature in 1854, serving two sessions. In 1856 he came to Iowa, locating at McGregor, where he opened a general store. In 1859 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the House of the Eighth General Assembly. When the war began in 1861, Mr. Merrill took the contract to furnish three Iowa regiments with clothing before the Government could supply them with uniforms. In 1862 he was commissioned colonel of the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Black River Bridge and was so disabled that he resigned his commission. In 1867 he was nominated by the Republican State Convention for Governor and elected, serving two terms. He removed to Des Moines and, after the close of his second term, engaged in the banking business. With others he established the Citizens' National Bank. He was active in bringing about the great reunion of Iowa soldiers at Des Moines in the summer of 1870. Governor Merrill was for many years an influential trustee of Iowa College at Grinnell. He acquired great wealth in banking and railroad building and finally removed to California. The last years of his life were spent in Pasadena, where he died on the 31st of August, 1899. His funeral was held at DeSsMoines and was attended by many of the public officials and prominent men of the State.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 187-8

The St. Louis Christian Advocate . . .

. . . “Stole the livery of heaven” to serve the rebels in, and as a consequence has been suppressed by the Provost Marshal. It was a vile sheet, and if anything, surpassed the Dubuque Herald in furnishing aid and comfort to the enemy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

So soon as Memphis is taken by the Federal forces . . .

. . . one of their first acts should be to destroy the vile secession offices of the Appeal and Avalanche and hang their editors. Two more traitorous sheets do not exist in the whole Southern Conthieveracy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Com. Foote

The wound that this gallant officer received at Fort Henry has at last proved so serious that he has been obliged to tender his resignation to the Department. Aware that his valuable services cannot be dispensed with at this juncture, he is still retained in command, whale Capt. Charles H. Davis, of the U. S. Navy, has been appointed to do all the active work of the service and allow Com. Foote to enjoy more quiet until he recovers, which every loyal and Christian man in the nation, from the depths of his heart, will pray may be speedy. Capt. Davis is an experienced officer, having seen eighteen years’ service on the sea and fifteen on land. May he prove as faithful, upright and successful as the illustrious Com. Foote.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

For The New Gold Regions

The gold fever is again abroad in the land. It has broken out in this State, and is increasing in volume, new victims falling before it day after day. We have already spoken of the new field now exciting the cupidity and love of adventure of the people; near the head-waters of the Missouri and Columbia rivers. This existence of gold in this region has been suspected for a long time, and about three years ago a party from that country arrived at St. Louis, bringing gold with them, though it was said to be of an inferior quality, being, if we remember right, only about thirteen carats fine. The then prevalent Pike’s Peak excitement overshadowed all rival gold fields, and little was then thought of the new regions notwithstanding they were said to be very prolific in the mineral, such as it was. Subsequent discoveries seem to have confirmed the previous impressions of the abundance of the metal, which also appears to be much finer in quality than first reported. Hence the new mania for gold-hunting.

We have already mentioned that a party of Davenporters were preparing to start out for this land of promise. On Sunday afternoon, the last of the party started on the steamer Northerner for St. Louis. In addition to the persons we have already mentioned, Messrs. Joseph Milner, Peter Dedrick, and A. Casteel are now on their way to the gold regions. We wish them all abundant success and ample rewards for their enterprise.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

From Yorktown

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 26, 1862.

To Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

Early this morning an advance lunette of the rebels this side of Warwick, was carried by assault, by Co. H, 1st Massachusetts Regiment. the work had a ditch six feet with a strong parapet manned by two companies of infantry, but no artillery. The rebels broke and ran. Our loss is three killed, one mortally and twelve otherwise wounded. We took 14 prisoners, destroyed the work, and retired, in spite of the rain. Our work progresses well.

(Signed) GEO. B. McCLELLAN.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Local Matters

GENTLEMEN, if you wish for a fashionable suit of clothes, go to Erskine’s and have them made.

ALL IN WANT of Ready Made Clothing had better call on Erskine before buying elsewhere. He is selling very low.

SOMETHING NEW in the way of wall paper is coming, and will be opened at Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady street, in two or three days. Look out for the finest patterns ever seen in this part of the country.

COMING UP TOWN. – Der Demokrat, following the example of its cotemporaries, has taken a start up town. Yesterday the office of that paper was removed to the corner of Second and Main streets, in McManus & Shepherd’s building. Hey have more space and a more accessible location than formerly.

SHIPMENTS BY RAILROAD. – The shipments from Davenport by C. & R. I. RR. For the week, ending April 26, were as follows: flour, 2,400 brls.; wheat, 3,200; barley, 5,000 bu.; bran, 60 tons; onions; 600 bu.; live hogs; 160; tallow, 7,100 lbs. Value of shipments, about$16,000.

OFF FOR PIKE’S PEAK. – Our young friend, Mr. F. H. Impey, left for Pike’s Peak yesterday morning, to try his luck gold-hunting. – He goes with Mr. D. Barnes, of Rock Island, who has been at the Peak before. I number of persons from Davenport and Rock Island are in the party. We wish Frank good luck, and hope that he’ll come back with enough of the shining stuff to start a bank – not a rag-mill, but a specie paying concern.

A RICH SCENE occurred yesterday afternoon on Main street, near Third, at the Agricultural Machine manufactory. It appears one of our worthy constables levied on some machines, a portion of the materials in which had been levied on by the sheriff. One of the deputy sheriffs, hearing of it, came down to the place, and unlocked the door, which has previously been fastened whereupon the constable and assistant entered and manifested a disposition to remain. Supper cam, and Mr. Sheriff felt the gnawing of appetite, and wanted Mr. Constable to evacuate. Constable “didn’t see it” that way; in fact seemed disposed to abide permanently where he was. Deputy suggested forcible means might be adopted. Constable gave the world to understand that dothing short thereof would seduce him out at present. Deputy accordingly summoned assistance; Constable ditto; and both went to work, and pretty soon all parties found themselves outside the house, but soon got in again, each yelling lustily for a posse. A reinforcement of one soon arrived for each side and the war was renewed, when, after considerable tossing and tumbling, the Constable and his party were thrust into the street, vi et armis, and the establishment was locked up; leaving the constable to meditate on the declining glory of the sun and that of the constabulary at the same time.

MELODEONS. – By for the best Melodeons in the United States (and, for aught we know, in the world,) are those manufactured by Geo. A. Prince & Co., of Buffalo, N. W. This is the universal testimony of the public, and more especially of the musical portion of it. With wonderful genius and ingenuity, Mr. Prince has, year after year, adapted the capacity of his Melodeon to all of the new developments in the art of music. We can scarcely remember the list of his innovations – “Graduated Swells,” “Divided Swells,” “Improved Valves,” etc. The firm have a branch at 43 Lake Street, Chicago, to which we recommend all of those at the West who desire to buy an instrument which is the best.

HOUSE FOR RENT, containing seven rooms, good cellar, well and cistern; good barn and outhouses; large lot, plenty of shrubbery, &c. Inquire at I. W. Harrison, land agent. dlw.

MARRIED. At Quincy, Ill., on the 24th inst., by Rev. Joseph Warren, Mr. THEODORE T. DWIGHT, of this city, to Miss HELEN V., daughter of Hon. W. A. Richardson.

DIED. On Saturday, 26th inst., at North Davenport, of quick consumption, ISABELL, daughter of Franklin and Hannah Fearing, aged 21 years and 8 months.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

William M. Stone

WILLIAM M. STONE, sixth Governor of Iowa, was born in Jefferson County, New York, October 14, 1827. In 1834 his parents removed to Coshocton, Ohio, and for two seasons he drove horses on the canal and when seventeen was apprenticed to a chairmaker. At twenty-one he began to read law and in 1851 was admitted to the bar. In 1854 he emigrated to Knoxville, Iowa, and began practice. He purchased the Knoxville Journal and took editorial charge of it. Mr. Stone was a delegate to the convention which organized the Republican party and was nominated for presidential elector in the Fremont campaign of that year. He was an eloquent public speaker and won wide reputation. In April, 1857, he was elected judge of the Eleventh District. When the Civil War began he raised a company for the Third Infantry and was commissioned major of the regiment. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Shiloh and after his release was appointed colonel of the Twenty-second Infantry. He resigned in August, 1863, having been nominated for Governor by the Republican State Convention. He at once entered upon the campaign and was elected over Colonel James M. Tuttle the Democratic candidate, by more than 38,000 majority. He was reëlected by a reduced majority and during his term his private secretary in the absence of the Governor appropriated to his own use funds belonging to various counties of the State. An investigation by the General Assembly exonerated the Governor from any knowledge of or participation in the transactions. In 1877 Governor Stone was elected to the House of the Seventeenth General Assembly. In 1888 he was chosen one of the presidential electors and upon the accession of President Harrison he was appointed Assistant Commissioner of the Land Office at Washington and later was promoted to Commissioner. Governor Stone died in Oklahoma Territory, July 18, 1893.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 253

Samuel J. Kirkwood

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD, fifth Governor of the State, was born in Hartford County, Maryland, December 20, 1813. He was educated in Washington, D. C., and employed in a drug store. In 1836 his father removed to Richland County, Ohio, where for several years the son assisted him in clearing a new farm in the heavy forest. He finally studied law, and in 1843 was admitted to the bar. From 1845 to 1849 he was Prosecuting Attorney and was then elected to the convention which framed the present Constitution of the State of Ohio. Up to 1854 Mr. Kirkwood was a Democrat but when that party attempted to force slavery into Kansas he became alienated and favored the free soil movement. In 1855 he removed to Iowa and purchased an interest in a mill near Iowa City. In February, 1856, he served as a delegate in the State Convention which organized the Republican party of Iowa. In the fall of that year he was elected to the State Senate from the district consisting of Iowa and Johnson counties, serving in the Sixth and Seventh General Assemblies. He won such reputation as a legislator that at the Republican State Convention in 1859 he was nominated for Governor and was elected over General A. C. Dodge the Democratic candidate by over 3,000 majority. During his two terms as Governor it devolved upon him to organize and send to the seat of war more than 60,000 citizen soldiers. How ably he met and performed the arduous duties which a great war thrust upon him is recorded in the most stirring chapters of Iowa history. He won a place with the greatest "War Governors" of the Nation. In 1866 he was elected to the United States Senate to fill a vacancy of two years. In 1875 he was again chosen Governor; but the General Assembly of 1876 elected him to the Senate for a full term of six years and he resigned the office of Governor and returned to the Senate in March, 1877. Upon the inauguration of President Garfield, Governor Kirkwood was invited to a seat in the Cabinet as Secretary of the Interior which he accepted, resigning his position in the Senate. The death of the President terminated his service in the Cabinet after thirteen months and he retired to private life. During the quarter of a century that Governor Kirkwood was almost continually in public life, he possessed the confidence and esteem of the people of Iowa in as great a degree as any citizen who ever served the State. On the 28th of September, 1892, ten years after Governor Kirkwood retired to private life, at the suggestion of Governor Sherman, more than thirty of the old associates of Governor Kirkwood in official positions living in different parts of the State, assembled at his home at Iowa City to pay their respects to the "War Governor" who was then about eighty years of age. It was a remarkable gathering of distinguished men of both political parties, after time had obliterated the bitterness of a score of partisan conflicts. All met as old friends and joined in honoring the man who had earned undying fame in the most critical period of our State and National history. Governor Kirkwood died at his home near Iowa City, September 1, 1894.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 157-8

Twentieth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry

The ten companies which were assigned to the Twentieth Regiment were ordered into quarters by the Governor on dates ranging from July, 15 to August 15, 1862. The designated rendezvous was Camp Kirkwood, near Clinton, Iowa, and there the companies were mustered into the service of the United States on the 22d, 25th and 27th days of August, 1862, by Captain H. B. Hendershott, of the United States Army. The aggregate strength of the regiment at muster in was 904, rank and file [see note 1]. Like most of the regiments which had preceded it, the Twentieth had but a brief opportunity for instruction before leaving the State. It was armed with Enfield rifles, (at that time considered one of the most effective weapons,) was furnished with the usual equipment for active service, and, on the 5th of September, was conveyed down the river by steamboat to St. Louis, and upon its arrival there went into quarters at Benton Barracks, where it remained but a short time, and proceeded thence to Rolla, Mo., arriving there September 14th, and, two days later, started upon the march for Springfield, Mo., where it arrived September 24th, having covered a distance of 122 miles. In this, their first experience in marching, the men . suffered much hardship, because of the fact that they had not yet become inured to the exposure and fatigue of an active campaign. It was their first lesson in the hard school of the soldier in time of war. Fortunately for the regiment, Colonel Dye had been a Captain in the Regular Army and was a thoroughly trained soldier, and a few others among the officers and men had seen service as volunteers in other Iowa organizations. Having a leader with a military education and with the help of those who had had some actual experience in warfare, the officers and men made rapid progress in learning their duties as soldiers.

Upon its arrival at Springfield, the regiment was assigned to a brigade consisting of the Twentieth Iowa, First Iowa Cavalry, Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and one section of the First Missouri Light Artillery. This was the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Army of the Southwest, commanded by General J. M. Schofield. The division was commanded by General Totten, and the brigade by Colonel Dye, of the Twentieth Iowa, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Leake in command of the regiment. The Twentieth Iowa was now about to enter upon a campaign which was to put to the severest test the bravery, fortitude and discipline of its officers and men. The hardships to which they had thus far been subjected were slight in comparison with those they encountered while marching and counter-marching in pursuit of their elusive enemy. From the 30th of September to the 7th of December, on which latter date the battle of Prairie Grove was fought, the regiment passed through an experience, the details of which are described with great particularity in the history of the regiment written by Colonel Dye, and in the prefix to the official report of Lieutenant Colonel Leake, describing the conduct of his regiment in the battle of Prairie Grove [see note 2]. The following extracts taken from Lieutenant Colonel Leake's report will serve to show some of the great hardships endured by the regiment during this period of its service:

. . . On the 15th day of October, at Cassville, Mo., the army was reorganized and called the "Army of the Frontier," the First Division under command of General Blunt, the Second Division under command of General Totten, and the Third Division under the command of General Herron. . . . The First Iowa Cavalry was taken from Colonel Dye's Brigade and transferred to the Third Division, and in its place a battalion of the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, under command of Major Montgomery, was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division. General Schofield still commanded the whole. Thus organized as an army, on the 28th of October, we had penetrated as far south as Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, having driven the enemy before us. Beyond and south of that place, on the 30th of the same month, General Schofield retired from Fayetteville, and placed the army in position on the line of the road leading from Huntsville to Bentonsville, the First Division on Prairie Creek, six or seven miles west of Bentonsville, the Second division at Osage Springs, and the Third at Cross Hollows, to await the future movements of the enemy. The army remained in this position until the 2d of November, when, in pursuance of orders from Major General Curtis commanding the Department, the Second and Third Divisions commenced their return march to Missouri. The First Division under General Blunt retained its position west of Bentonsville. ... A few days afterwards intelligence was received that the post at Clark Mills, on the road from Springfield to Forsyth, garrisoned by five companies, three of State Militia, and two of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, had been surrendered, and that the enemy were marching in large force on Springfield, to protect which the Second Division was moved on the 10th to Ozark, making the march of thirty-five miles in twelve hours. . . . The Second Division moved on the 17th, the night of the 17th, and the 18th, through a drenching storm westerly thirty-six miles to Camp Lyon. . . . Up to this time the regiment had marched since leaving Rolla the distance of 520 miles. We rested at Camp Lyon from all our fatigues and exposure until the morning of December 4th. During the stay at Camp Lyon, the men were provided with everything needed for comfort except shoes and stockings. Only one hundred pairs of shoes, one hundred and eighty pairs of infantry boots, and one hundred and eight pairs of socks could be obtained. These were distributed through the regiment to those who were most in need of them. No shoes had been provided since the first pair obtained before leaving Iowa, and they were almost entirely worn out by the continuous marching over hundreds of weary miles of stony road, and through numerous creeks and rivers.


On the evening of December 3d, a courier arrived at Camp Lyon with a message from General Blunt, asking for reinforcements, his division being threatened with attack by a greatly superior force of the enemy. General Blunt was a skillful officer and, as his troops consisted mostly of cavalry and mounted infantry, he had been able to elude the enemy and avoid a general engagement, but the rebel forces had cut off his retreat and he was in a very critical position. The Second Division promptly responded to his call for assistance and made a most wonderful record of forced marches, which are thus described by Lieutenant Colonel Leake, in continuation of his report from which the previous extracts were made:

On the morning of the 4th of December, reveille was beaten at one o'clock, and at four o'clock the regiment commenced its march. Between four and five o'clock P. M. it encamped on Flat Creek, having marched 25 miles. The next day we moved at 5 o'clock A. M., passed through Cassville and Keitsville, and encamped one and a half miles beyond the latter place, having marched twenty-one and a half miles. On the morning of the 6th, we left camp at 5 o'clock, passed through Pea Ridge and Sugar Creek, and reached Cross Hollows, Ark., at about 5 o'clock P. M., twenty-six and a half miles. Here we halted for rest and supper. At eleven o'clock P. M. we moved on, marching all night, passed through Fayetteville after daylight, and halted one mile beyond, on the road to Cane Hill, for rest and breakfast. After the lapse of about an hour and a half, having learned of the capture of a portion of the train of the First Arkansas Cavalry, a few miles beyond, I was ordered to detail a company under the command of a reliable officer, to protect our train (in addition to the regular division, and brigade guards, already large,) to which duty I assigned company B, under command of Captain Coulter; so that company B was deprived of the privilege of being in the engagement. We then marched on rapidly, until we arrived at the battlefield between eleven and twelve o'clock on the morning of the 7th, a distance of nine miles. The regiment thus marched the distance of one hundred miles in eighty consecutive hours, the last fifty-three and one-half of which we accomplished in thirty-one hours. Very many of the command marched with shoes so much worn that their feet were upon the ground, and were badly bruised and cut up by the stony road. Many of the boots furnished at Camp Lyon fitted the feet of the men so illy that they became inflamed and blistered by the continuous marching, and a few carried their boots in their hands and marched to the field in their bare feet, whilst many fell out by the way, unable to march farther. Under these circumstances, we went into the engagement with only two hundred and seventy enlisted men, and twenty-three commissioned officers.


From the foregoing description of the energetic manner in which the Twentieth Iowa, with its brigade and division, pressed forward by day and night marches to the relief of General Blunt's command, it will be seen that they were the first troops to engage the enemy. Continuing his report, Lieutenant Colonel Leake describes minutely the positions of the opposing forces at the commencement of the battle. The enemy was posted upon a heavily wooded hill, the approach to which was across a prairie about 1000 yards wide. General Blunt states in his official report that he had been skirmishing with the advance of the enemy, holding them in check until his reinforcements should arrive, but the enemy got between him and the troops coming to his assistance, and the battle had been raging for several hours before his division came up and attacked the enemy in the rear. He, therefore, furnished the reinforcement, instead of receiving it. The compiler again quotes from the report of Lieutenant Colonel Leake, as follows:

. . . These dispositions having been made at one o'clock P. M. the engagement was opened by the firing of a gun from the battery under the command of Lieutenant Marr. At about two o'clock the order was given to advance the battery, and I received orders to advance the regiment forward in support. We advanced in this order across the open field, to within about two hundred yards of the foot of the hill, and in front of the house of H. Roger, when the battery was ordered back, and the regiment left in that position. I presently received orders from Colonel Dye, in pursuance of which the regiment moved to the right into the adjoining field and in front of the orchard on the left of the house of Wm. Rogers, to check a movement of the enemy to outflank us on the right. At this time the Twentieth was on the extreme right of the Second and Third Divisions. This movement was executed under a galling fire which we returned, advancing to within a few paces of the edge of the orchard. At this time a force appeared on our right advancing up the valley. Fearing that we were being outflanked by the enemy, I was ordered to fall back across the field and take position behind a fence in our rear, which was executed in good order under fire. I then threw out companies A and F, under command of Captains Bates and Hubbard, from the right wing as skirmishers. Shortly after, a cavalry force appeared upon our right and rear, whereupon the skirmishers were recalled and a change of front made toward the approaching force, to the rear behind a fence running at right angles to the one from which we moved. Colonel Dye having sent forward and ascertained that the cavalry were from General Blunt's command, the Twentieth at once changed front and resumed its former position behind the fence fronting towards the orchard. We had scarcely taken this position when an aide from General Blunt reported to me that the forces which had come up the valley, and were taking position in the field on our right, was the command of General Blunt. I at once directed him to Colonel Dye, who was about 200 yards to the rear and left of me, who immediately sent word to General Herron of the arrival of reinforcements under General Blunt. This took place at about three and a half o'clock, as nearly as I can fix the time. Before this time the Nineteenth Iowa and Twentieth Wisconsin had charged up the hill on the extreme left, and had been driven back; after which the Twenty-sixth Indiana and Thirty-seventh Illinois had been ordered up in nearly the same place, and with a like result, so that when General Blunt arrived no infantry was engaged on our left. General Blunt at once sent forward a part of the First Indiana regiment as skirmishers. Colonel Dye reported to General Blunt and ordered me to make a charge with the Twentieth up the hill and on the left of, and operating with the forces of General Blunt. I moved the regiment rapidly forward in line of battle across the field, obliquing to the left; crossed the orchard fence, drove the enemy through the orchard, and advanced beyond the upper orchard fence and through the woods a short distance. . . . Fearing that the troops on our left wing had ascended the hill and advanced to our front, I saw directly in front of us a mass of troops moving down upon us. At almost the same instant they fired a volley under which the left wing recoiled nearly to the orchard fence, where they promptly rallied at my command and renewed the firing with great rapidity and, I think, effect. I received orders to retire behind the fence at the foot of the hill, and hold if, which movement was promptly executed by the regiment in good order, climbing the fence under a galling fire, lying down behind it, and continuing the firing between the fence rails. The moment we crossed the fence the orchard was shelled by the batteries of General Blunt's forces on the right in the field, and by that under command of Captain Murphy in position at the point from which we entered the action, from the combined effects of which, and our own firing, the enemy were driven back. . . . As soon as the enemy was driven from the orchard I was ordered to retire in good order from the fence and form in the middle of the field. As we commenced to retire, Major Thompson having been wounded and the left wing, not receiving the order to halt, promptly retired nearly to the fence from which we had advanced, I rode down, and at the command they returned and formed at the place designated. . . . This ended our active participation in the contest. About the time we had retaken our old position, the rest of General Blunt's Division had become heavily engaged with the enemy on our extreme right and remained so engaged until darkness closed the contest. . . The next morning before daylight, I formed the line of battle, and awaited the renewal of the action.


Soon after daylight it was discovered that the enemy had fled during the night, thus acknowledging defeat. The Union troops were so worn and exhausted from forced marches and the hard fighting of the previous day that they were in no condition to pursue the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Leake in closing his report speaks in the highest terms of praise of the conduct of the Twentieth Iowa during the battle. He makes special mention of Major Thompson, who was wounded late in the action and, though suffering great pain, did not leave the field until the regiment retired. He also mentions the gallant conduct of Acting Adjutant, Lieutenant J. C. McClelland and Sergeant Major George A. Gray. Of the gallant Brigade Commander he says, "It will not, I trust, be improper for me to remark of my superior officer, Colonel William McE. Dye, commanding the Second Brigade, that by the entire self possession, the calm bravery, and the military ability he displayed on the field, he won the entire confidence of the regiment. Its affection he had gained before."

The loss of the regiment in the battle of Prairie Grove was 1 officer and 7 enlisted men killed; 5 officers and 34 enlisted men wounded. The Brigade Commander—Colonel Dye—warmly commended Lieutenant Colonel Leake for the excellent manner in which he handled his regiment during the battle, and also made special mention of Adjutant Lake of the Twentieth Iowa, who acted as Assistant Adjutant General upon his staff, and carried his orders to different points on the field under the fire of the enemy. While the subsequent record of the regiment is altogether an honorable one and deserves full description, the limitations prescribed for this historical sketch will not permit of the occupancy of much greater space in describing its future movements than has been devoted to its operations up to and including the battle just described. The compiler believes, however, that the events embraced in this period of the history of the regiment constitute a record not excelled for bravery and fortitude, and that it would have entitled the officers and men of the Twentieth Iowa to the lasting gratitude of the State and Nation had the record ended with Prairie Grove. The day after the battle the dead were buried with military honors. The wounded had received such care and attention as could be given in field hospitals, and they were subsequently removed to Fayetteville, where better facilities for their care were provided. The regiment remained in camp at Prairie Grove, enjoying a much needed rest, until the morning of December 27, 1862, when it again took up the line of march for Van Buren on the Arkansas river. The march was over the Boston Mountains, the cavalry leading the advance and skirmishing with the enemy, but, upon the approach of the Union troops, the enemy retreated across the Arkansas, and the town of Van Buren, a large quantity of supplies and several steamboats were captured. The boats and such portion of the supplies as could not be removed were destroyed, and the troops returned to their camp at Prairie Grove.

On Jan. 2, 1863, the regiment again took up the line of march, with its brigade and division. General Schofield had again assumed command of the Army of the Frontier. In the campaign which ensued, and which extended through the winter and into the spring, there was much hard marching, and the troops were exposed to alternate storms of snow and rain, marching over muddy and sometimes almost impassable roads, but everywhere the movements of the army as a whole, and in detachments, were directed against the rebel forces with the one purpose in view — that of driving the invaders from the State and placing the loyal citizens of Missouri in position to defend themselves from further invasion, and enabling the troops composing the Army of the Frontier to be withdrawn for the purpose of co-operating in the great expedition against Vicksburg. General Schofield's plans were successfully carried out, the rebel troops in his front being mostly withdrawn during the winter for the purpose of reinforcing their army in Mississippi, then preparing to resist the advance of the Union army under General Grant.

Towards the latter part of March, the regiment with its brigade and division was being gradually withdrawn from the Missouri frontier and moved towards the point where these troops had entered upon their first campaign. At length, on the 23d of April, 1863, the division marched into Rolla. The Twentieth Iowa had now been in active service about seven months. It had been engaged in many skirmishes and one hard fought battle. Its losses in killed and wounded, and from disease, had been heavy. April 24th the regiment was transported by rail to St. Louis. The following extracts from Colonel Dye's history of the regiment (heretofore alluded to in this sketch) describe its principal movements for a considerable portion of its subsequent service, beginning with its arrival in St. Louis:

Here we remained guarding the arsenal, and doing other important duties until May 15th. During a part of this time, First Lieutenant C. L. Drake, with company A, and a part of company F, embarked for Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he arrived in time to participate in the successful defense of that place against the assaults of the enemy. Companies D and G, Captains Torrey and Altmann, were also detached to quell mutinies at Benton Barracks. On the 1st of May the regiment arrived by rail at Pilot Knob, and remained there until June 3d. On the 5th, by hot marching arrived at St. Genevieve, and embarked with what remained of the regiment. ... A part of the Infantry and Artillery of the Second and Third Divisions, having now been organized into a division (detached from the Army of the Frontier) of two brigades, the Twentieth Iowa being a part of the First Brigade, proceeded on the 6th to reinforce the investing army at Vicksburg. We arrived at Chickasaw Bluff, on the Yazoo river, on the 11th. Returned and landed at Young's Point, crossed the peninsula to a point below Vicksburg, and took position on the 14th, on the extreme left of the investing forces, the First Brigade on the left, and the Twentieth Iowa, the second regiment from the right, where they remained until July 4th — the day of the surrender — participating in all the exposures and fatigues of that successful siege, being on duty in detachments almost continuously, either in the trenches or rifle pits; the troops not thus on duty standing to arms every day and night. Men were on duty as long as five successive days and nights, without other sleep than was stolen or involuntarily obtained under the guns of the enemy, while another relief was on duty. The regiment was very fortunate in losing during the siege by wounds only six enlisted men, three of whom died from their wounds.

At 9 a. m. on the 4th, part of the division, the Twentieth Iowa leading, marched into the works of Vicksburg, planting the first Union flag which floated over the extreme fort on the right of the enemy's works. As bad as the water used by our men was, the sickness was not so severe before the surrender, as when, by a relaxation of the system from the stimulant of excitement, intermittent and congestive fevers at once prostrated about one-third of the regiment. We remained in the works, collecting the surrendered material, until the 11th, when the division embarked with orders to reinforce the investing force of Port Hudson. When aboard, and about leaving, intelligence arrived of its surrender. The destination of the division was then changed to Yazoo City, where it arrived on the 13th, and by co-operation with the gunboats, (the De Kalb of which was destroyed by torpedoes,) captured the place, with a half dozen pieces of artillery, and a number of prisoners, after an ineffectual resistance of half an hour. On the 16th, we left to open communication with General Sherman, at Canton, Miss. This accomplished, we arrived on the 19th, on our return, at Yazoo City, and re-embarked. . . . By the 22d, we were again in camp within the works of Vicksburg, the regiment having lost by sickness about 280 men. Leaving the serious cases of sickness at Vicksburg, we embarked on the 24th of July, and arrived at Port Hudson on the 26th. During the siege of Vicksburg, the division had been attached to the Thirteenth Army Corps; it now became, and yet is, the Second Division of this corps. The troops remained on the boats until the 31st, when they were put into camp just in rear of Port Hudson. . . . We remained here until the 16th of August. During our stay, although about two-thirds of the men continued on the report for duty, probably three-fourths of the regiment were under medical treatment. On the 17th, arrived at Carrollton, La., losing, during our stay here, many of the men, from the protracted diseases of the summer. The regiment embarked here, without tents or knapsacks, and bivouacked, Sept. 7th, near Morganza, below the mouth of Red river. On the 8th, we marched to the Atchafalaya, driving the enemy to the opposite bank, a part of the division having a skirmish. We were absent but two days on this duty, yet the men suffered greatly from the heat (many being sun struck) and the want of good water. We remained at or near Morganza, almost constantly bivouacked, until October 10th. The knapsacks of the regiment did not arrive until about September 28th. Lieutenant Colonel Leake and two men (the former slightly wounded) were unfortunately captured, at Sterling Farm, Sept. 29th, While on duty, detached from the regiment [see note 3]. While at Morganza the men suffered alternately with heat and cold rains, being without shelter or change of clothing. On the 11th of October, encamped at Carrollton, La., where the regiment remained until October 23d, health much improved. . . . October 24th the division steamed out with sealed orders, and was overhauled by a severe gale, which was weathered by most of the vessels of the fleet November 1st, arrived in sight of Brazos de Santiago, (coast of Texas) and landed on the 4th, after making, with the Twentieth Wisconsin, an unsuccessful effort to land through the surf, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, in which seven out of ten surf boats, loaded with men, were either swamped or upset, losing, miraculously, however, only four men by drowning. A portion of the division, including company G, (provost guard of the division) proceeded to Brownsville, and a detachment of the regiment, under Lieutenant Carver, remained at the mouth of the river, whilst the regiment (with these exceptions) on the 6th crossed the Lagoon del Madre, to Point Isabel, where it remained, suffering from great scarcity of water, and want of cooking utensils and baggage, until the 13th. November 15th, the regiment re-embarked and landed, with a portion of the division, on the south end of Mustang Island, in the evening; At 9 a. m. on the 17th, it arrived at the north end of the island, (about 25 miles distant,) after a very fatiguing march, the men drawing by hand two pieces of artillery, carrying their knapsacks and sixty rounds of ammunition, this after about two weeks' confinement aboard ship. About one hundred of the enemy, with three pieces of heavy artillery, were at this end of the island, guarding the Aransas inlet. The enemy surrendered as soon as our forces appeared.


The regiment remained on Mustang Island about seven months. Out of wrecked lumber, procured on and near the island, they erected barracks. The monotony of garrison duty was varied somewhat by expeditions of detachments from the regiment to the main land. Some prisoners and a couple of schooners were captured, but no organized body of the enemy was encountered on these expeditions. It was the most restful period in the history of the regiment. On June 24, 1864, the regiment embarked at Mustang Island and was conveyed to Brazos Santiago, and from there it marched to Brownsville, Texas, where it remained, doing garrison duty until July 29th, when it started on its return to Brazos Santiago, and from there returned by sea to New Orleans, arriving there and going into its old camp at Carrollton, August 6th. Here it remained but a short time when it was conveyed by steamer to Fort Gaines, Ala., which, however, had surrendered before the arrival of the regiment. It disembarked at Mobile Point, and participated in the siege of Fort Morgan, which surrendered August 23, 1864. During all these movements Colonel Dye was detached from the regiment and in command of a brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Leake was still a prisoner of war, Major Thompson had resigned, and the regiment had alternately been under the command of Captains M. L. Thompson and Edward Coulter.

On September 7th the regiment proceeded by steamer to New Orleans and thence up the river to Morganza, La. During the voyage an accident occurred to the machinery of the vessel, and five men of the Twentieth Iowa were badly scalded by escaping steam; three of them jumped overboard and were drowned. At Morganza Lieutenant Colonel Leake rejoined the regiment, having regained his liberty by an exchange of prisoners. He received a glad welcome from the officers and men, who had become greatly attached to him and had complete confidence in his courage and ability. With full appreciation of this feeling towards him, he again assumed the command of the regiment

On the 12th of October orders were received to embark the command and move up the Mississippi to the mouth of White River, thence to Devall's Bluff, and disembark. There, and at Brownsville, the regiment was encamped until January, 1865. During this period of its service the Twentieth Iowa was part of the time engaged in scouting in the surrounding country, but was most of the time performing garrison duty and erecting fortifications. Many of its men were on the sick list, the prevailing disease being scurvy. A quantity of sanitary stores were sent to the regiment from Iowa, and were used with excellent effect, and when the regiment left Arkansas, on the 8th of January, the health of the men had greatly improved. Its next place of encampment was near Kennerville, La., where it remained until February 16th, on which date it embarked for Pensacola Bay, Florida, and, after a voyage without incident, went into camp at Florida Point, remaining there until the commencement of the Mobile campaign, in which it was an active participant. On the march to Mobile, which was very toilsome, the regiment attracted the attention of the Division Commander to such a marked extent as to cause him to make special mention of its conduct in a general order thanking all the troops under his command. The order is here quoted as follows:


General Orders No. 8.

Headquarters Second Division Thirteenth Army Corps.
In the Field Mar. 28, 1865.

I. The General commanding appreciates the ready and generous efforts of the troops in promoting this difficult march. These labors assure future success, and every patriot will feel grateful to the soldiers who have endured them. The General particularly thanks Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Leake, commanding the Twentieth Iowa Volunteers, for the valuable and rapid service of his regiment this morning, showing, by the amount done, how much can be accomplished by officers giving their personal interest and attention to their duty.

By order of Brigadier General C. C. Andrews,

GEORGE MONROE,
Assistant Adjutant General.


The regiment participated in the siege of Fort Blakely, performing all the duties assigned to it, but fortunately sustained only the single casualty of one man wounded. On April 14th, the regiment was conveyed across the bay to the city of Mobile, where it was engaged in the performance of provost guard duty until July 8, 1865, on which date it was mustered out of the service of the United States. The regiment was then conveyed to Clinton, Iowa, where it was disbanded July 27, 1865.

The record of the Twentieth Iowa is an honorable one. While the regiment was engaged in but one hard fought battle in the open field, it was no fault of its gallant officers and men that it did not participate in more of the great battles of the war. They went where they were ordered to go, and performed every duty required of them. They endured as much suffering upon the march, in bivouac, in camp and siege, as any regiment which the State of Iowa sent into the field. They are therefore entitled to the gratitude of every patriotic citizen of the State and Nation for the service they have rendered to both. Their names and the record of their service, contained in these pages, will be handed down to their posterity; and those who can trace their lineage to the brave and faithful men of the Twentieth Iowa may justly claim as proud a heritage as was ever bestowed upon the descendants of those who fought and suffered and died in a righteous cause.


SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.

Total Enrollment 1026
Killed and drowned 20
Wounded 52
Died of wounds 7
Died of disease 130
Discharged for disease, wounds or other causes 183
Buried in National Cemeteries 66
Captured . 13
Transferred 39


[Note 1.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, Vol. 1, 1863, pages 718 to 750, Original Roster of the Regiment.

[Note 2.] Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, Vol. 2, 1863, pages 826 to 830. Report of Adjutant General of Iowa, Vol. 2, 1865, pages 1113 to 1120.

[Note 3.] Lieutenant Colonel Leake was in command of the Nineteenth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Indiana at the time he was wounded and captured.


SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Volume 3, p. 341-8

Soldier's Aid Society

The ladies of this Society are requested to meet this afternoon, at 2 o’clock, at Odd Fellows Hall, for the purpose of making some arrangement for resuming the work of preparing Hospital comforts for sick and wounded Iowa soldiers.

Those who have not paid their last monthly dues are requested to do so, and any other contributions for this purpose will be thankfully received, as the Society is in want of funds to prosecute the work.

BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Gov. Kirkwood

This Gentleman was in our city yesterday, on his return from Cairo, whither he had been since the adjournment of the Legislature, attending to the wants of the Iowa Soldiers, in providing for the wounded, etc. The extraordinary rise in the Iowa river has washed away the Governor’s property and greatly injured him, financially, but amid the multiplicity of State cares resting on him, he has had to entirely neglect his private matters. He left for his home yesterday morning.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Dead

Mr. David Holmes, son of Alexander Holmes, of this city, died at St. Louis last week. He was formerly a resident of Davenport, but went South a few years since. Last spring he entered the Southern army (it is believed he was impressed into the service). He was in the battle of Pittsburg, was wounded there, taken prisoner, and brought to St. Louis, where he died, as stated above.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1


RESEARCHER'S NOTE: This is likely the David A. Holmes, Sgt. Confederate States Army, who died April 21, 1862 and is buried at Site 9880 in Section 66 of Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, in St. Louis, Missouri. Using the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, there are 2 possible matches: David N. Holmes, 2nd Lt., Co. K, 27th Tennessee Infantry or David H. Holmes, private, Co. C, 6th Mississippi Infantry.

Scott Co. Soldiers Killed

Dr. Asa Morgan, of the Iowa 7th, in a letter written from Pittsburg Landing says, that among the killed of Co. A, 7th regiment was George Haller of Dixon in this county.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

13th Iowa Regiment

We are indebted to Capt. Van Hosen for the official report of the killed, wounded and missing in this regiment, which will be found on our second page to-day.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Brig. Gen. Dodge, of Iowa . . .

. . . who was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, is stopping at the Deming House in Keokuk. Also, Capt. Chas. E. Compton, 11th Iowa, very sick.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

THE WAR NEWS

Rebels Evacuating Corinth for Memphis.

CONTRADICTORY REPORTS FROM THE TENNESSEE.

McDowell occupies Fredericksburg. YORKTOWN SHELLED.

Jennison Released.

DEAD SOLDIERS TO BE EMBALMED.

Death of Maj. Gen. Smith.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 28, 1862, p. 1