The People’s War

A principal reason why foreign writers and foreign politicians have failed to apprehend the real characteristics of the present war in America, and to prophecy correctly touching its issues, is, that they do not understand that the people are waging it. They speak of the government as if it were one of the European sort – a central power, residing in certain men, who possess certain prerogatives. When the government was so weak that fort after fort fell into the hands of the rebels without even an effort at resistance, they thought that the country was, even then, hopelessly ruined. What could a government do which had no army, no navy and no money? Nay, what could a government do which had no power except that which it derived from the people? And what could the people do when they were divided? They gave us over to political perdition, and they will not have it any other way.

The historian of this rebellion will notice this difference between the loyal and the disloyal powers, - that one is purely popular and the other purely political or personal. The rebellion was not a popular movement. It was initiated and perfected by politicians. To carry it into operation, and to carry it on, it has been necessary to resort to all the machinery of terrorism and conscription. The loans have all been forced loans. An irresponsible despotism has used the people simply as its tool for effecting its ambitions purposes. Now this was something that the European presses could understand and measure. This was after their own sort and style, and they did not perceive that their [sic] was to meet and master it. The power of a united people, using the machinery of the government for its purposes in crushing out rebellion, was something that it was not possible for them to appreciate. Their education, habits of thought and ideas of government rendered full appreciation impossible. The consequence is that all their reasoning and all their predictions have been wrong.

The uprising of the American people consequent upon the war opened by the rebels upon the national flag, was, in fact, the revivification of the government, and from that moment to this the people have carried it on. The people have told the government to borrow, and to promise in their name to pay. They have done this in good faith, and without the first thought of ever repudiating. The people have called upon the government to tax them, and the government is only too slow for them in this business. The people on the other side of the water have looked on and seen our government piling up its indebtedness, and confidently predicting that as soon as taxation should touch the people, it would destroy the government or dethrone its policy. But the people absolutely clamor to be taxed. We have never heard one word against it from any lip. On the contrary, we never hear the subject mentioned without impatience to get at its results at the earliest practicable moment.

It is the remark of the English officers who have recently visited our camps upon the Potomac that they have never, in any part of the world, seen so fine an army. Why? Simply because the men who compose it are men of intelligence – men who cam from the people armed with a great patriotic purpose. The armies of the United States are not composed of the off-scouring of great cities, and the poor and the helpless, or the dissipated and the vicious. There are some of all these classes represented in the army without doubt, but the masses are the bone, sinew and intelligence of the nation, who enlisted from a sense of duty, and who fight because they feel upon their own shoulders the responsibilities of the Government. These men understand what they are fighting for. They cannot be defeated. They went voluntarily into the field, their numbers limited only by the necessities of the service, and they will leave it if they leave it alive, to work in some sphere of industry to pay the debts which the war has rendered unavoidable.

So far as the United States are concerned, the war is emphatically a war of the people. The humblest plowman feels the same responsibility that the President does – the same in kind, if not in degree. The President and all the members of the Government were private citizens yesterday, and will again be to-morrow. To-day, they are only the instruments the people use to accomplish their purposes – their necessary executive machinery for carrying on war and providing means. Our neighbors across the water have looked for and predicted mobs, but the mobs will not appear, simply because the Government is the instrument of the people, and the people will not rise against the power which they institute, so long as it obey[s] their wishes. The taxes they are to pay are laid by themselves, and will not be resisted or quarreled with. If this war be carried through successfully, as the people are determined it shall be, it will be such a lesson in self-government as will shake all the old world thrones and theories to their foundations. – Springfield Republican.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

The Punishment of Traitors

EXTRACTS FROM THE SPEECH OF SCHUYLER COLFAX, OF INDIANA, ON THE CONFISCATION BILL.

The Catilines who sat here in the Council Chambers of the Republic, and who, with the oath on their lips and in their hearts to support the Constitution of the United States plotted treason at night – as has been shown by papers recovered at Florida, particularly the letter of Mr. Youlee, describing the proceedings of the midnight conclaves of these men to their confederates in the Southern States – should be punished by the severest penalties of the law, for they have added to their treason perjury, and are doubly condemned before God and man. Never, in any land, have there been more guilty and more deserving of the extremest errors of the law. The murderer takes but a single life, and we call him infamous. – But these men wickedly and willingly plunged a peaceful country into the horrors of a civil war, and inaugurated a regime of assassination and outrage against the Union men in their midst, hanging, plundering, and imprisoning in a manner that throws into the shade the atrocities of the French Revolution. Not content with this they aimed their blows at the life of the Republic itself; and on many a battle-field, in a carnival of blood, they sought not only to destroy the Union itself, but to murder its defenders. Plunging into still darker crimes they have bayoneted the wounded on the field of carnage, buried the dead that fell into their ands with every possible ignominy, and then to gloat their revenge, dug up their lifeless remains from the tomb, where even savages would have allowed them to rest, and converted their skulls into drinking cups – a barbarism that would have disgraced the Visigoths of Alaric, the barbarian, in the dark ages of the past. – The blood of our soldiers cries out against them. Has not forbearance ceased longer to be a virtue? We were told a year ago that lenicy [sic] would probably induce them to return to their allegiance, and to cease this unnatural war; and what has been the result? Let the bloody battle-fields of the conflict answer.

When I return home I shall miss many a familiar face that has looked in past years with the beaming eye of friendship upon me. I shall see those who have come home with constitutions broken down by exposure and wounds and disease, to linger and to die. I shall see women whom I have seen Sabbath after Sabbath leaning on a beloved husband’s arm as they went to the peaceful sanctuary, clothed now in widow’s weeds. I shall see orphans destitute, with no one to train them into paths of usefulness. I shall see the swelling hillock in the grave-yard – where, after life’s fitful fever, we shall be gathered, betokening that there, prematurely cut off by a rifle ball aimed at the life of the Republic, a patriot soldier sleeps. I shall see desolate and hearthstones and anguish and woe on every side. Those of us who come here from Indiana and Illinois know too painfully the sad scenes that will confront us amid the circles of our constituents.

Nor need we ask the cause of all this suffering, the necessity of all these sacrifices? They have been entailed on us as part of the fearful cost of saving our country from destruction. – But what a mountain of guilt must rest upon those who by their efforts to destroy the government and the Union, have rendered these terrible sacrifices necessary.

Why do we hesitate? These men have drawn the sword and thrown away the scabbard. – They did not hesitate in punishing the Union men within their power. They have confiscated their property, and have for a year past, without any of the compunctions that troubles us here. They imprisoned John M. Botts, for silently regaining a lingering love for the union in his desolate home. They hang Union men in East Tennessee for bridge burning, refusing them even the sympathy of a chaplain to console their dying hours. They persecute Brownlow because faithful among the faithless, he refused, almost alone, in his outspoken heroism, to bow the knee to the Baal of their worship. Let us follow his counsel by stripping the leaders of this conspiracy of their possessions, and outlawing them hereafter from the high places of honor and of trust they have heretofore enjoyed.

In no other way can we more effectually be felt throughout all the region where treason rears its blackened crest. The loyal Union men of all these regions will see in this legislation, and in the concurrent advance of our armies toward the Gulf, that we have put our hands to the plow, determined not to look back; that we have resolved that every man who raises his hand against the Union shall be punished; that those who remain loyal to the nation shall be protected; and that the retribution which shall follow the leaders of this rebellion for life, shall be so thorough and severe that no reptile flag of disunion will ever again be reared on the soil of this Republic. And they will at last all realize that the inducement to sympathize with secession (so as to save their property from rebel confiscation and to claim at the same time Union protection) no longer exists; that the time for this misplaced lenity has expired; that the property of the rebels is to be confiscated, and the armies of the republic sustained thereon in the regions which treason requires them to occupy.

Mercy to traitors, it has been well said, is cruelty to loyal men. I would not imitate their crimes or their barbarity, but I would imitate their resolution. The gentleman from Kentucky nearest me (Mr. Grider) told us, a month or two ago, that the rebel army had run off $300,000 worth of slaves of Union men from counties near his residence, and they have confiscated and taken slaves as sweepingly as anything else claimed or held by these men. Their own slaves work on their fortifications, from cannon, behind which our soldiers are mercilessly slain; they perform their camp drudgery, thus increasing the power of their army; they raise the produce that feeds their troops, and the crops on the faith of which their scrip is rendered current. If we wish to break the power of the rebellion let us strike it wherever we can weaken it, and strike it boldly and fearlessly as the justice of our cause fully warrants. And let us if there are but fifty or five hundred loyal men in a State, resolve that they shall be protected by the whole power of the Government, and clothed with all the advantages hereafter that their unfaltering allegiance during these dark hours so richly merits.

None of the confiscation bills before us are ex post facto in their operation. They operate only against those who, having been engaged in this rebellion continue in arms after this long legislative forbearance. I can vote for nearly every one of them, variant as their provisions are. Any of them is preferable to none. The clerk of this House, (Mr. Etheridge,) recently returned from Tennessee, tells us that in an extensive inquiry, he heard of but a single slaveholder of that State who was a private in the rebel army. This is a striking and significant fact. With that single exception, the slaveholders were either in office, civil or military, or at home. I have no doubt that four-fifths of all the slaves held by rebels belong to officers, civil or military under the rebel government. And we cannot longer doubt that there are thousands upon thousands of men who prefer the Union who have been absolutely forced by threats, by terror, by delusions, or by conscription, into the armies of the rebellion.

I am willing, therefore, to go for the bill known as Senator Sherman’s which confiscates the property and discharges the slaves of all the leaders of the rebel government; of all who had ever taken the oath to support the Constitution and had violated it, which would include all postmasters, mail contractors, Congressmen, Governors, members of the State Legislature, judges, &c.; all of who have taken an oath of any office of any kind under the rebel authority; and of all officers of the rebel army and navy. As to our manifest, palpable duty as to all these classes, it seems to me there can be no question. Another provision in his bill I favor strongly which declares that all persons, high and low, officers and privates, who continue in arms against the Union for sixty days after the passage of the act, shall be declared infamous, and shall never hold an office of trust, honor or profit within the United States. This bill cannot be considered extreme. It runs no hazard of injuring any one whose heart is not callous with treason. It gives the privates all the benefit of a doubt as to the willingness of their enlistment. It makes allegiance to the Union the test, not only of protection under the law, but of official advancement hereafter. It prevents the conspirators of this rebellion from returning to occupy seats here. And I cannot see why a majority cannot unite on this bill, if they cannot on any other more stringent and sweeping in its provisions.

But I am not wedded to the details of any bill. I will very cheerfully support Senator Trumbull’s bill, now pending in the Senate. – I plead only for action. Let our legislation respond to the appeal of Brownlow; and let us not by a conflict between bills looking to the same end fail to strike the blow that hundreds of thousands of patriot hearts demand at our hands.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

31st Indiana Infantry Monument: Shiloh National Military Park

31ST
REGIMENT
INFANTRY

COMMANDED BY
COLONEL CHARLES CRUFT
3RD BRIGADE – GEN. LAUMAN –
4TH DIVISION – GEN. HURLBUT –
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

INDIANA

31ST
INFANTRY

COMMANDED BY

COLONEL CHARLES CRUFT
(WOUNDED)

LIEUT. COL. JOHN OSBORN

THIS REGIMENT TOOK THIS POSITION SUNDAY, APRIL 6TH, 1862, AT 8:30 A.M., AND HELD IT AGAINST REPEATED CHARGES OF THE ENEMY UNTIL 2:30 P.M. DURING THIS TIME THE WOODS IN FRONT CAUGHT FIRE AND MANY DEAD AND WOUNDED WERE BURNED. THE REGIMENT WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE LEFT AND WAS ENGAGED EAST OF THE HAMBURG ROAD UNTIL 4 P.M. WHEN IT SLOWLY RETIRED TO THE SUPPORT OF THE SIEGE GUNS.

ON MONDAY, APRIL 7TH, IT WAS ENGAGED DURING THE DAY ON THE RIGHT CENTER OF THE ARMY.

CASULATIES: KILLED 2 OFFICERS AND 19 MEN; WOUNDED 4 OFFICERS AND 110 MEN; MISSING 3 MEN; TOTAL 138.

Parson Brownlow says . . .

. . . that Gen Fremont is the right man in the right place; and that he is the very man whom he wants to follow into East Tennessee to clean out the traitors. On the other hand our valorous contemporary who proposes to carry the war into Africa pronounces Fremont utterly unfit for any command.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862

The Battle In New Mexico

FORT UNION, NEW MEXICO,
April 4, 1862

We left Camp Well, February 22d, en route for Santa Fe. We had a fine time, good weather and good health throughout the regiment. – Every thing went smoothly until we got within 150 miles of Fort Union, when we heard that Col. Canby had had a battle with the rebels and was defeated, and that the rebels were marching on Fort Union. We marched 30 miles that day, stopped on Red river, got some supper, unloaded our wagons, and leaving a guard of 100 men to take care of the baggage and beef cattle we jumped into the wagons, and away we went as fast as mule flesh could carry us. We traveled until two o’clock, in the morning, stopped – made some coffee and took a bite, and away we went – traveled all day, came to a Mexican town, stopped and stayed all night – started in the morning before day light, heard that the rebels were in forty-five miles of Fort Union, we lost no time, and at sun down were landed in the Fort. We soon learned that there was not any danger – the men in the Fort got scared and got up this report. We remained in Fort Union until the boys we left back came up. We drew a suit of clothing and exchanged our old guns for new ones. We were beginning to get tired of staying in Ft. Union, when there was an order read on dress parade at night, that we should be ready to march in the morning with a pair of blankets to the man, and just the clothing we had on our backs. So we started with about sixty wagons of grub and ammunition, and four pieces of heavy artillery and four pieces of light. We traveled three days and camped, got news that the enemy were advancing upon us. So Major Chivington, at the head of about 300 men, started to meet them, (by the way, they were some forty miles ahead of the Major.) The enemy had taken their position in a canon [sic], one of the best positions in the world for defence. The Major marched into the canon, found the enemy ready for him, who fired their cannon and musketry, but did little damage, the shots going over their heads. So the Major ordered his boys to make a bold charge – no sooner said than done – the rebels saw the boys coming with blood in their eyes, got frightened, took to their heels and away they went, leaving their dead and wounded on the field – it is not known how many they lost, but it is supposed about seventy. Our loss was four. The Major gathered up all the guns they left behind, and broke them over the rocks. The rebels sent a flag of truce. The Major sent a dispatch to us, and retreated about eight miles, and took his stand. You can bet we were not long in getting ready. We marched all night, came to the Major’s camp before sun up, eat some breakfast, got ready and started to meet the devils. They had advanced on us, and taken their position, at a place called Pigeon’s Ranch, right in a canon, covered with trees and bushes; it so happened that my Company (or the company I belong to,) were detailed to support one of the batteries, and we had to march in rear of the battalion. We had not gone far before we could hear the booming of the cannon, and well knew the fun had commenced. My captain, (Wilder,) came riding up, and we took a double quick, and soon came to the scene of action – one of our batteries had taken its stand. As we came up to our battery, the bullets from the enemy whistled all around us, and one of our boys fell, shout through both legs. – We took our stand behind our artillery, which we were ordered to support. We laid down on our bellies, and the rebels would shoot over us every time. We could not see the enemy, the bushes were so thick – the devils undertook to flank around us, and come in and get our guns, so our Captain was ordered to take the first platoon of his men and go upon the hill and cut them off. I went with him. We took our stand upon the rocks, where we had a good chance to give them the contents of our guns. We were within 200 feet of them, and when they would stick their heads over the rock we would give them h—l. We lost one man at the rock, but he was not killed instantly, and two wounded, and on the side of the rock where the rebels were there were fifty killed and a great many wounded. It put me in mind of hunting squirrels. While we were peppering it to them at the rock, the other boys were giving it to them down in the canon. The devils made a charge on our battery, but our boys who remained back with the battery, made a rush at them and they run. There was a continued roar of cannon intermingled with musketry, when they made a rush at our battery – our gunners discharged their four guns in amongst them, and it mowed them right and left. After fighting six hours, we discovered about 300 Texans coming over the rock where we were, and our Captain thought it was useless for so few of us to fight hand to had; so he ordered us to retreat, and as we did so, they poured a volley of musketry into us, which wounded one of our boys, but they did not get him; I was by his side and helped him along. When we got down where our battery was, we found our men on the retreat. They retreated a little ways, made a stand and waited for them to come up, but they retreated the other way. So we went to camp, and the rebels sent a flag of truce; they wanted a truce for three days, but our Colonel would not grant it longer than to the next fore noon. The best of the joke was, that, while we were fighting, Maj. Chivington took between three and four hundred men, and went over the mountains, came to where they had left their train of sixty-four wagons of provisions, ammunition, clothing, &c., set fire to them and burnt them to ashes, killed a lot of mules and destroyed two pieces of artillery. The rebels who were guarding the train fired on the Major with both guns, but did no harm, and having accomplished his object, he returned to our camp. The loss of the enemy according to their own account was 400, but we think it was much larger. Our loss, in killed, was 32, and about 60 wounded, and 12 taken prisoners; besides the killed and wounded on the rebel side, we took 103 prisoners. We expected they would attack us again the next day, but as soon as they got their dead buried they left for Santa Fe.

Joseph Cramer is no coward in a fight. He fought bravely.

C. H. FARRAR.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

Iowa 2d Regiment

The letter of our correspondent on the second page was written previous to the receipt of the good news by the boys that they were so shortly to take up their line of march for the scene of conflict in Tennessee.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 1

From The Iowa Second Regiment

McDOWELL’S COLLEGE,
ST. LOUIS, February 6, ‘62

EDITOR GAZETTE: As it is some time since I wrote to you, I will with your permission through the columns of your valuable paper, let our friends in Iowa know how we of the 2d are getting along.

News is rather scarce in St. Louis at the present time, and reporters have to be constantly on the lookout if they wish to obtain an “item.” The regiment is in good health and spirits, and are well provided for, and when the time comes – if it ever will – for them to show their courage and valor, I think they will give a good report of themselves. Our quarters are much more comfortable than the ones we had at Camp Benton, and the men do not drill as much, but they have an extra amount of guard duty to do, and that makes it about the same. We have a dress parade each evening near the college, and to see the admiring crowds who assemble to witness them, makes each man try to outdo the other in drill. We have been here a good while, and the same thing over and over again naturally becomes an old song; but it seems that the more the people see our dress parade the more anxious they are to see it again. The crowd increases each day instead of diminishing, and it has become necessary to place a guard across the streets to keep the crowd back.

Company B is as usual “gay and happy.” We have our full complement of men, and nearly all of them are reported for duty – there being but few on the sick list. Capt. “Bob” has not changed a particle; he is the same “Bob” as he was when we left Davenport, and has but one interest in view – the welfare of his country, and the health, happiness and promotion of his company. They are his constant care, and the “boys” think he is the only man in the country to be loved and obeyed.

The Prisoners are well taken care of. – Their quarters and provisions are good. Yesterday, a great number of woolen sack coats, shoes, stockings, shirts, &c., were distributed amongst them. A considerable number have been discharged from custody upon their taking the oath of allegiance, and giving bonds for their future loyalty. – The twenty or thirty contrabands are kept at work, cleaning the streets about the quarters, chopping wood, carrying coal, &c. They are all under the charge of Lieutenant Flanagan, of Co. B, and he is very attentive to the wants and comforts ob both soldiers and prisoners.

Our brass band, under the leadership of Lieut. Ray, has gained great favor with the citizens of St. Louis. Their collection of music is excellent. Three nights of last week they played at Mercantile Library Hall, for a series of tableaux, given by the Ladies’ Aid Society. The hall was crowded to almost suffocation, and the music was loudly applauded. One gentleman arose in the audience, and proposed three cheers for the 2d Iowa brass band, and such a shouting and waving of handkerchiefs was, perhaps, never heard or seen in the Hall before. To-morrow evening, Miss Kimberly, the celebrated actress, who just terminated an engagement at the St. Louis theatre, gives a reading for the same benevolent purpose, and the band have again been invited, and will enliven the entertainment with their sweetest strains. I forgot to mention that the gentlemen managers of the Ladies’ Aid Society tendered an excellent supper to the band, after one of their performances, which was superb – oysters in every style, quails, rabbit, fish, and, in fact, every eatable in market, not forgetting a choice collection of drinkables and cigars. Mirth and music reigned supreme, until late at night, when we took our departure for camp.

Not wishing to occupy too much space in your paper, I will close. Before I do so, However, I must thank you for the papers we receive from you. The GAZETTE comes regularly, and is read and re-read by ever one in the Company, for which you will please accept all their thanks.

JULES

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 2

Punishing Bushwhackers

Three men, named respectively Henry Kuhl, Hamilton W. Windon and Conrad Kuhl, have been tried by court-martial in Western Virginia, and found guilty of murdering a Union soldier. The two first named were sentenced to be hung, and the third to wear a ball and chain, and perform hard labor during the war. Major General Fremont, in an order issued on the 25th inst., confirmed the findings and sentence of the Court. The hanging is to take place at Suttonville on the 9th of May; and the ball and chain rascal is ordered to Camp Chase, to satisfy the violated law in that locality. Some examples like these will put an end to bushwhacking. Halleck and Fremont know how to deal with this peculiar species of traitors.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

23rd Missouri Infantry Position Marker: Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.
23D MISSOURI INFANTRY,
PRENTISS’ (6TH) DIVISION,
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

THIS REGIMENT REPORTED TO GENERAL PRENTISS FOR DUTY AT 9 A.M. APRIL 6, 1862 AND WAS ENGAGED HERE UNTIL 4 P.M. WHEN IT FELL BACK 200 YARDS.

The Defunct States

(For the Burlington Hawk-Eye)

C. DUNHAM – Dear Sir: – I would say a few words about Mr. Thomas’ speech in congress, published in your paper of the 23d instant.

I assume that loyal people cannot act without the light of our Constitution. It has been our constant light, and the source of our political animation through our lives. But were we so idiotic as to look at, and into the Sun, (by the light of which we do our daily work,) we would be but dazzled and blinded, and do very little work by it. To look into the sun, is not to “work while the day lasts,” but it is idly to strike our feet into mire, and against rocks – Traitors will not perish this way, but we will, and our Constitution shine only for traitors, if it shine at all.

Let us never mind (now) what Mr. Burke says – it don’t apply to us – and besides, what any man says, who has not have the light of the Constitution, cannot be considered the best authority in our case.

We do not propose to shock the civilized world, nor excite their indignation, any more, notwithstanding that all Republicans, always do this very thing, whenever and wherever they defeat despotic designs.

We propose to hold our National Government to its duty of providing Government, and order over the whole arena of the Nation, thus preserving its own nationality, and the rights of the inhabitants who support it.

Where State Societies are formed upon National territory, order is established – on the remaining territories of the Nation, the Nation must provide a Government directly, for the different portions of it, which is called a Territorial Government.

We propose to re-settle the territory occupied by the eleven defunct States – that our Nation administer upon their estates – the interests and property be distributed to loyal bands – and until a State is re-formed, Territorial Governments provided for these portions of the National Territory.

There is no question in my mind, but that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and will be.

Of all men in the land, the loyal ones will be the last to deny their attachment to the Constitution, and it is in no wise disgraceful to them.

But the question to which we are coming, it seems to me, is, who are to be taxed, and who are to be protected in this Nation, which has life and Constitution left? Who is to pay the cost of this rebellion, endangering its life? How is this Constitution and life of the Nation to be maintained through our present circumstances? Is it by protecting loyalty, or protecting disloyalty to the Nation? Is it by entailing an everlasting debt upon loyalty, or by entering upon the estates of interstate disloyalty? Are the patriots of these times to be protected, or to be taxed? Are we to be taxed for to galvanize defunct States into a mechanical life, and work them as partners in an Government of the country, which they would only degrade?

There is no constitutionality or spirit in this nation for compelling a State to remain a State; and it cannot be done; for the moment we institute such a proceeding, we assume the government over it, the same as any Territory that has not State organization.

This being according to the forms of our Constitution, and former practice, I cannot see why we would wish to do different in the present case, or why we would wish to make an exception at this time.

I see that Mr. Thomas is as fond of assertions as the rest of us. He says that it is not constitutional for States to go out of the Union – “no door to go out,” and therefore they cannot go out. Now I submit it to Mr. Thomas, what we are to do, when we are powerless to prevent it, and they are “all abroad,” door or no door. I think he would say with us, we must do our plain constitutional duty – we must take care of the Territory thus evacuated by State governments, and re-establish governments there which would be territorial, and provide for the reformation of states on these Territories.

The existence of a State society, on any Territory of this nation, is the result of the actions of those composing that society, under the permission of the national Constitution.

The General Government can neither create or destroy a State. It can hold and govern its territory as territories, and when a State society is not in existence upon that Territory, it is the duty of the National Government to take charge of the Territory, before or after the existence of a State society thereon. Our National Government cannot hold up a State, and compel its existence, and in case of incapacity in the Territory for government, the duty of the General Government is equally plain. If Louisiana was inundated and the inhabitants swept off, all except five persons remaining, it could no longer maintain the character and society of a State – the State is destroyed, and the Territory which it occupied, calls for the care and aid of the General Government.

Rebellion has now destroyed these States, has disfranchised them as by pestilence, or flood, or any other judgment of God, and further than this the legal rights of these rebellions inhabitants on these Territories, are not now as good as were the rights of the aboriginal tribes that formerly inhabited these Territories.

The acts or decrees of the State follow the destruction of the State. Their titles and commissions are void and their penalties of slavery remitted.

If we have no better light to work by than the Constitution of our country, then we must not shrink form any duty which implies its preservation and the promotion of its activity; however serious and imposing this duty may appear to us.

J. B. P.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

Border Scouts --- A Thrilling Adventure

Among the most active and daring of the Union scouts in the Southwest are four young men known as the Norrises and Breedins. Acquainted with every cross road and by-way, they scour the country for a radius of seventy-five miles south and east of Fort Scott. Their very names are a terror to secession, and every plan that ingenuity could devise has been resorted to to affect their destruction. Not long since the younger Norris was wounded in a skirmish near Shanghaie, in which six out of a party of twelve under Lieutenant Lewis met with a similar fate while contending against treble their number of the enemy. He is in the saddle, again, however, and ready for the field. These men formerly lived in Garden Grove, Mo., fifteen miles beyond Lamar, in the direction of Greenfield. The elder Breedin has a wife and a family still living there.

A couple of weeks ago, being anxious to visit his family, he took with him a party of six well armed and determined men and went down. Their arrival in the settlement became known to some of his secession neighbors and a plan was instantly set on foot to “take them in.” On the third night, being apprehensive of an attack, they assembled at a house in the settlement, where, after making all necessary preparations, they betook themselves to sleep. About two o’clock they were awakened by the approach of the enemy. They quietly took their places behind the fence surrounding the house, ready to give the foe a warm reception. The secession force approached to within 30 yards, halted, and most of them dismounted for the attack. “Now” said the captain, “creep up cautiously, and when I fire the signal gun, make a rush for the house and surround it.” Breedin and his comrades lay quietly in their corners until the enemy were within a few yards of them, when they delivered their fire with terrible effect, just as the sesesh Captain was about to fire his “signal gun.” A prisoner whom the attacking party had with them shouted as he heard the discharge, “d—n it, gentlemen there’s a good many signal guns there.” For a few minutes the skirmish was a hot one, when four of our men, having emptied all their rifles and pistols, and fearing that they would be surrounded, retired past the house into the timber and made their way to fort Scott on foot, leaving Breedin, Carpenter and Jones still at the fence fighting. Jones had nothing but a rifle, but he made every shot tell. Carpenter a boy of eighteen or nineteen years, had left his revolver in the house. After firing his Sharpe’s rifle, he threw it down, ran into the house, got his revolver, and coolly closing the door after him, returned to his post at the fence. Astonished at the telling and rapid fire from the fence, the enemy became panic-stricken, and rushing to their horses with loud cries of “we’re whipped, we cant stand the Minies,” &c., fled in utter confusion on the Greenfield road, leaving two dead and six wounded – two of whom have since died – on the field. They continued their flight about three miles, when the captain succeeded in stopping a few of them; but the barking of some dogs started them again, and no more halts were made until they reached Greenfield. A messenger was immediately sent to Price for a regiment of troops to come and drive Breedin out of the country.

Eight horses were left by the enemy in their flight; these were captured by Breedin and his companions, and after scouring the country two days longer, they returned to Fort Scott, bringing two prisoners, the eight secession horses and the horses left by their own party. The distance is about seventy miles. The secession party, by their own account, numbered not less than one hundred and thirty men. Breedin’s whole force, as we before stated, was but seven. – Leavenworth Conservative.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

From Tennessee

A gentleman who has made his way from Nashville, through the lines of both armies has informed the editor of the Louisville Democrat that Zollicoffer was averse to attacking Thomas, and when ordered to do so by Crittenden he said with tears in his eyes that he might as well take his men and hang them.

By this gentleman we learn that Parson Brownlow’s health is very poor. His son stated that he doubted if his father would live to reach the Union lines; and if his health would permit, he did not believe the rebel guard would let him go. It is to be hoped, however, that the defeat of Crittenden’s army, the death of Zollicoffer, and the panic with evidently now prevails all through east Tennessee, together with Gen. Thomas’ advance, will open the way for the safe arrival of the parson in a land of freedom.

This gentleman is on his way to see Andy Johnson and reports that the rebels have seized Johnson’s house, and turned it into a hospital, and confiscating all his property; that in order to save his mother from the most fiendish persecution, one of Johnson’s sons had taken the oath to support the rebel cause, or at least not to furnish aid and comfort to the Unionists. Another son is hiding among the hills, and has been since last December, looking with eager longing eyes for the approach of the Union forces and the relieve from a life of wretchedness.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

Gen. Crittenden In Trouble

The Memphis Avalanche has a detailed account of treachery on the part of General Crittenden, of the Southern army, in endeavoring to transmit to the Northern army papers revealing the character of the rebel fortifications at Mill Spring, the number, and the troops, the amount of provisions on hand, &c. The papers, it says, were entrusted to a negro to deliver; the negro was pursued and shot, and the papers recovered. It says also that Crittenden was arrested and is now a prisoner. The Nashville Gazette attributes the defeat of the Confederates and the death of Zollicoffer to the drunkenness of Crittenden, and alluding to an investigation, says “We shall feel some little astonishment if this investigation does not also connect with Crittenden’s crime of drunkenness the greater sins of treason, treachery and cowardice.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

Since the breaking out of the rebellion . . .

. . . the southern confederacy have lost the following named rebel Generals:

Major Gen. David E. Twiggs, resigned.
Brigadier Gen. Henry B. Jackson, resigned.
Brigadier Gen. Robert S. Garnett, killed.
Brigadier Gen. W. H. T. Walker, resigned.
Brigadier Gen. Bernard E. Bee, killed.
Brigadier Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, resigned.
Brigadier Gen. Thomas T. Fauntleroy, resigned.
Brigadier Gen. John B. Crayson, died.
Brigadier Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer, killed.
Brigadier Gen. Philip St. George Cocke, committed suicide.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

A Scene At A Review

There was a beautiful instance of fine horsemanship displayed at a late review held at Vienna, up on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the military order of the Maria Theresa, when some thirty thousand cavalry were in line. A little child in the front row of the spectators, becoming frightened, rushed forward just as a squadron of hussars were charging at full tilt – swooping down with maddening velocity, nay, almost on the child. Terror paralyzed alike the spectators and the mother of the child, while the lovely and amiable Empress almost fainted with horror, for the child’s destruction seemed to be inevitable. The little one was almost under the horses’ feet – another instant would have sealed its doom – when a hussar, with out lessening his speed or loosening his hold, threw himself along his horse’s neck, and seizing the child, placed it in safety in front of his saddle, without so much as changing the pace or breaking the alignment in the least. A hundred thousand voices hailed with pride and joy the deed, while two voices could but sob their gratitude – the one a mother’s, the other that of her sympathizing and beloved Empress. – A proud moment that must have been for the hussar when his Emperor, taking the enameled cross of merit, attached it to his breast – a proud moment alike for the sovereign and the man.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

In Zollicoffer’s entrenchments . . .

. . . among Major General George B. Crittenden’s private baggage, Lieut. Colonel Kise of the 10th Indiana found a breastplate which the General either wore on the battle field and found to weighty to carry further, or else intended to put on and in the frenzy of his fear, forgot to make use of it. It is made of common sheet iron, of four thicknesses, riveted together, is about eighteen inches in length and fourteen inches broad. Lieut. Col. Kise has deposited it in the State Library at Indianapolis.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

Alonzo Luce, Private, Co. B, 19th Illinois Infantry - Compiled Service Record

Alonzo Luce, Pvt, Capt. Stuarts Co., 19 Reg’t Illinios Inf.† Age 23 years. Appears on Company Muster-in Roll of the organization named above. Roll Dated Chicago Ill. June 17, 1861. Muster-in to date June 17, 1861. Joined for duty and enrolled: When: June 17, 1861. Where: Chicago. Period: 3 years.

Alonzo Luce, Pvt, Co. B, 19 Reg Illinois Infantry. Company Muster Roll for June 12 to Aug 31, 1861. Joined for duty and enrolled: When: June 12, 1861. Where: Stark Co., Ill. Period: 3 years. Present or absent: Not stated.

Sep & Oct, 1861, Not stated.

Dec 31, 1861, Not stated.

Dec 31/61 to May 31, 1862, Not stated.

May 31 to Aug 31, 1862, Present.

Aug 31 to Dec 31, 1862, Present.

Jan & Feb, 1863, Absent. Absent sice at Nasville Tenn since Jany 1/63

Apr 10, 1863, Special Muster Roll, Absent. Absent sick Nasville Tenn since Jany 1/63

Mch & Apr, 1863, Absent. Absent sick Nashville Tenn Jan 1/63

May & June, 1863, Present.

July & Aug, 1863, Absent. Sick in field Hosp at Cowan Station Tenn since Aug 13/63.

Sept & Oct, 1863, Absent. Sick in Gen Field Hosp at Cowan Station Tenn since Aug 13/63

Nov & Dec, 1863, Absent. Sick in Gen F Hosp Cowan Station Tenn since Aug 13/63

Jan & Feb, 1864, Absent. Sice in Gen Hosp. #1 Nashville Tenn since Aug 1863

Mar & Apr, 1864, Absent. Sice in Gen. Hospital No. 1 Nashville since Aug 18 ‘63

Alonzo Luce, Pvt, Co. B, 19 Reg’t Illinois Infatnry. Age 23 Years. Appears on Co. Muster-out Roll, dated Chicago Ill. July 9, 1864. Clothing acct: Due soldier $22.76. Bounty paid $___; due $100.00

† This organization subsequently became Co. B, 19 Reg’t Ill. Inf.

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted all muster rolls are Company Muster Rolls.

Alonzo Luce, Private, Co. B, 19th Illinois Infantry - Medical Records

Alonzo Luce, Rank, Pvt, Co. B, 19 Reg’t Illinois Inf. Complaint, Catarrhus. Admitted Oct 14, 1862 to Regimental Hospital, 19th Illinois Infantry. Ill. Reg’ Reg. No. 271; page 89

Alonzo Luce, Rank, Pvt, Co. B, 19 Reg’t Illinois Inf. Complaint, Febris Int. Admitted Oct 17, 1862 to Regimental Hospital, 19th Illinois Infantry. Ill. Reg’ Reg. No. 271; page 90

Alonzo Luce, Rank Pt. Co. B, 19 Reg’t Illinois Inf. Regemental Hospital 19th Illinois Infantry. From Oct 17 to 21 (20 yrs. 21). Prescription Book, Ill. Reg’t Reg. No. 272

Alonzo Luce, Rank, Pvt, Co. B, 19 Reg’t Illinois Inf. Complaint, Catarrhus. Admitted to Regimental Hospital, 19th Illinois Infantry. Ill. Reg’ Reg. No. 271; page 100

Alonzo Luce, Rank, Pvt, Co. B, 19 Reg’t Illinois Inf. Complaint, Bronchitis Acuta. Admitted Dec 22, 1862 to Regimental Hospital, 19th Illinois Infantry. Ill. Reg’ Reg. No. 271; page 105

Alonzo Luce, Rank, Pvt, Co. B, 19 Reg’t Illinois Inf. Complaint, Diarrhorea Acuta. Admitted Jun 11, 1863, to Regimental Hospital, 19th Illinois Infantry. Ill. Reg’ Reg. No. 271; page 124

Alonzo Luce, Rank, p; Co. B, 19 Reg’t Ill. Complaint, Diarrhorea. Admitted Dec 28 1862 to No. 1 (New), U.S.A. , Gen’l Hosp. Returned to duty June 3, 1863. Tenn. Reg. No. 27; Hos. No. 526

Alonzo Luce, Rank, Pvt, Co. F, 19 Reg’t Illinois Inf. Complaint, Febris Intermitteus. Admitted July 11, 1863 to Regimental Hospital, 19th Illinois Infantry. Sent to G. H. Aug 11, 1863. Remarks: Field Hospital Cowan. Ill. Reg’ Reg. No. 271; page 127

Alonzo Luce, Rank, P; Co. B, 19 Reg’t Ill. Complaint Ch Diarrhorea. Admitted Aug 26 1863 to No. 13, U.S.A. Gen’l Hospital, Nashville, Tenn. Sent to G. H. Sept 7 1863. Remarks: Ward 6. Tenn Reg. No. 181; Page 28

Alonzo Luce, Rank P; Co. B 19 Reg’t Ills. Inf. Admitted Sept. 28, 1863, to No. 1, U.S.A. Gen’l Hosp. Nasville, Tenn from Convalescent Camp for Duty in Hospt. Admitted Sept. 28, 1863 to No 1 (new), U.S.A. Gen’l Hosp. Nashville, Tenn. Remarks: Detailed for Duty in Hospt. Sep. 25/63. Tenn. Reg. No. 27; Hos. No. 2698

Alonzo Luce, Rank, Pr; Co. B, 19 Reg’t Ill. Admitted Sept 28, 1863 to No. 1, U.S.A., Gen’l Hosp, Nashville, Tenn. Ret’d to duty May 14, 1864. Tenn Reg. No. 31; Hos. No 887

Alonzo Luce, Rank P; Co B, 19 Reg’t Ills. Inf. Admitted Sept 28, 1863 to No. 1, U.S.A. Gen’l Hosp, Nashville, Tenn. From Conv. Camp. Diagnosis Chronic Diarrhorea. Ret’d to Duty May 14, 1864. Tenn Reg. No. 35; Hos. No 887 Page 9

Alonzo Luce, Rank Pvt., Co. B, 19 Reg’t Ills. Admitted May 7, 1864 to U.S.A. Gen’l Hosp. Chattanooga, Tenn. From Field. Diagnosis Remittent Fever. Remarks: Age 24. Tenn. Reg. No. 393. Hos. No 4143

Alonzo Luce, Rank, Pr.; Co. B, 19 Ret’t Ill. Complaint, Remittent Fever. Admitted May 30 1864 to U.S.A. No 1 Genl Hosp., Nashville, Tenn. Returned to duty June 13 1864. Tenn. Reg. No 31; Hos. No. 6211

Alonzo Luce, Rank, p; Co. B, 19 Reg’t Ill’s. Admitted May 30, 1864 to No. 1, U.S.A.. Gen’l Hosp. Nashville, Tenn. From. G. H. Chattanooga. Diagnosis, Remittent fever. Ret’d to duty June 13, 1864. Ten Reg. No. 30 Hos. No.; 6211, Page 152

SOURCE: National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

Daring of Federal Officers

The New Orleans correspondent of the Charleston Currier gives the following interesting paragraph under the date of the 18th ult.:

We have a story in circulation, and it seems to be pretty well authenticated, that three officers from the federal fleet paid our city a clandestine visit, disguised as oystermen, on the 8th. What was to be accomplished by the hazardous adventure passes our comprehension, unless it was to communicate directly with the stationary spies here, of whom there are many, no doubt, and perhaps to witness the spectacle of the celebration of the anniversary, falling on Thursday, with a view of measuring our military strength. Before leaving, one of them dropped a note in the post office to a military officer, with whom he was formerly acquainted bantering him upon the laxity of our guard, and promising another call at an early day, under circumstances not constraining a masquerade.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

18th Wisconsin Infantry Position Marker: Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.
18TH WISCONSIN INFANTRY,
MILLER’S (2D) BRIG., PRENTISS’ (6TH) DIV.,
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

ABOUT 200 OF THIS REGIMENT WERE ENGAGED HERE, UNDER GENERAL PRENTISS, FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. APRIL 6, 1862, WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO RETIRE BUT WERE SURROUNDED AND CAPTURED WITH PRENTISS AT 5:30 P.M.

Thurlow Weed’s Letters from Europe

(Editorial correspondence of the Albany Journal.)

LONDON, Jan 9, 1862.

London was jubilant yesterday. I was in the city, among the bankers, at 3 o’clock, when a telegram from Queenstown announced as a “rumor” that the “Trent Affair is settled.” This gave instant life to the drooping stock market. In a few minutes information came that a dispatch in ciphers from Lord Lyons was going over the wires to the Foreign Office. Up went the stocks again! Then came a report that the rebel Commissioners were on their way to England in the steamer America, and another jump in consols.

With the very satisfactory intelligence I took a “Hansom” and came to the West End, stopping by the way to exchange congratulations with some friends, warmly with us for the Union. Soon after I reached my lodgings came Sir Henry Holland, Sir Emerson Tennant, Sir John Wilson, &c., &c., to exchange congratulations. And while at dinner, (my friend Terence McCulloch dining with us), came Commissioner Parkes to say that Earl Russell’s dispatch from Lord Lyons informed him that the Confederate Commissioners has been unconditionally surrendered, whereupon we repaired to the legation to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Adams. Here Mr. Adams added to the gratification which the peace news gave, by informing us that the United States steamer Tuscarora, Capt. Craven, had arrived at Southampton.

The peace news was announced at the Theaters, and was received with hearty cheers. In the London press, this morning, it is variously treated though by a large majority in a spirit creditable to both Governments.

There are two classes to whom the action of our government is distasteful, viz: the English who, from hatred or envy (and this is not a numerous class) wanted war; and the secessionist. Out of the Trent affair they hoped everything for the cause of rebellion. But the seasonable and happy adjustment of the difficulty will create a healthful reaction of feeling. It wall now be seen, that while England – Government, press, and people – takes fire when the honor of its flag is concerned, that question honorably settled, the popular current will set back strongly. While the Trent affair remained open and an impression prevailed that America intended to provoke a war, there was a united feeling against us here. That feeling will now give place to manifestations of regard and friendship.

I have met distinguished personages, members of the Ministry, the Government, and of Parliament, at dinners and breakfasts, with whom I have conversed fully on American questions, and while I am not at liberty to use names or publish conversations, I may say that the Union has many and strong friends here. And I am sorry to add that, although the Trent trouble is out of the way, we shall need all that those friends can do for us. The moment Parliament meets, agitation of American questions will commence. The blockade will be attacked from one quarter, while another section will demand a recognition of the Confederate States. Nor is it from England alone that this kind of pressure will come. France is even more restive than England under the blockade.

Mr. Sanford, our Minister to Brussels, who is indefatigable in efforts to aid our Government, has purchased a cargo of arms, saltpetre, clothes, &c., &c., and chartered the “Meleta,” an iron steamer, which he dispatches from Antwerp, on Sunday, under the command of Capt. Eastman, of Maine, a thorough sailor and devoted Union man, of whose experience and daring the Government will do will to avail itself.

Our Minister to this Court, Mr. Adams, is the “right man for the right place.” Beside his knowledge of the duties, and his ability to discharge them, both Mr. Adams and his family possess an eminent degree of the personal and social qualities which commend them to the high and refined circles and associations which surround them and in which they are moving. Nor did the change, in this regard, occur any too early, for I learn from unquestionable authority that the interests of the Government here, as in France were but indifferently represented.

T. W.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

Eight Great Blunders

The Religious Herald, a Baptist paper published in Richmond, Va., very candidly says, that the South has made eight great blunders, and enumerates them as below. The R. I. Argus copies the article with the remark, that “it shows so much more coolness of judgment and candor of mind than we are in the habit of finding in our Southern exchanges, that we deem it worthy of special notice.” We commend the fifth blunder enumerated to the Democrat of this city, which is still backing up the South in the maintenance of this wretched blunder into which its friends have fallen:

1. In firing upon Fort Sumter.

2. In believing there would be a divided North and an apathetic Federal Government.

3. In believing that they would have the hearty sympathies of Europe.

4. In believing that the bonds of their Confederacy would readily be taken in Europe.

5. In believing that the military power of the North would be directed in a crusade against slavery, rather than employed for the overthrow of treason and the establishment of the Union and Constitution.

6. In believing that Northern courage and physique were no match for Southern, or that in battle one Southerner equaled five Yankees.

7. In believing that the flag of the cotton oligarchy would wave above the capital at Washington, and the roll of slaves be called on Bunker Hill.

8. In believing that the fancied omnipotence of cotton would dominated over the commerce of the world.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

Iowa Hospital for the Insane

We are indebted to our attentive friend, Hon. T. H. Stanton, of the House, for the first biennial report of the Superintendent and Trustees of the Iowa Hospital for the Insane, from which we glean some interesting particulars.

It has now been seven years since the first appropriation was made by the General Assembly for the erection of an Asylam [sic] for the Insane. The plan of the building was conceived on a scale of philanthropy worthy of a great State. It was designed to be as perfect as that of any similar institution in America.

On the opening of the hospital the influx of patients was rapid. One hundred were admitted in less than three months. During the nine months between the first of March and first of December, there were admitted one hundred and seventy patients. Of this number, nineteen have recovered and been discharged; two have been discharged improved; two have been removed unimproved; one has eloped; and six have died. Of the admissions, forty-eight were recent cases, of less than one year’s duration; of this number sixteen have recovered; and of one hundred and twenty-two chronic cases, of a longer time standing, three have recovered. It is gratifying to observe that the hospital, at the outset of its career, furnishes as large a proportion of recoveries as the most successful institutions of the kind.

In accordance with the provisions of law, the trustees fixed the price of board and the care of patients, at two dollars and fifty cents per week at the opening of the hospital.

The report of the Treasurer and Steward, which accompanies this report, exhibits the receipts of the hospital at $17,960.69, of which amount $1,409.96 was received from patients, and the balance from the State. The expenditures have been $17,950.02, leaving the small balance in the treasure of $10.67.

Among the improvements being made at the hospital is an Artesian well, which has reached a depth of seven hundred and twenty feet, and no water yet.

The east wing of the building only is finished. It is capable of accommodating one hundred and fifty patients; as yet the number has not exceeded one hundred and forty. It was the original intention to devote one wing to the female, and the other to the male patients.

The grounds about the hospital have been left in a rough and broken condition. If there is a human being in the world in confinement, who ought to be soothed by the prospect of an agreeable landscape, it is one who is bereft of his reason; the trustees therefore recommend an appropriation of one thousand dollars for the purpose of beautifying the grounds around the institution.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

Review: Knoxville 1863

Knoxville 1863: A Novel
By Dick Stanley

By late November 1863 the fate of East Tennessee was held in the balance. A detachment from the Army of Northern Virginia under Lieutenant General James Longstreet was sent to Knoxville to prevent the Union Army of the Ohio under Ambrose Burnside from moving to support the Union forces at Chattanooga who were besieged by Braxton Bragg’s Confederate Army of Tennessee.

Union Engineers constructed several bastioned earthwork fortifications around Knoxville. One of these was Fort Sanders. Directly west of town, it was a salient in the line of earthworks which surrounded Knoxville on three sides. The fort was protected by a ditch that was twelve feet wide and eight feet deep with a vertical wall of red clay that rose nearly fifteen feet above the ditch.

It is during this time and at this place that Dick Stanley has set his second book, the appropriately named novel, “Knoxville 1863.” Mr. Stanley has taken a unique approach to telling the story of Longstreet’s failed attack on Fort Sanders. His narrative follows the linear chronology of the attack on and defense of the fort, but the story is told from several different view points: inside and outside the fort, civilian and soldier, from both the Union and Confederate points of view. This method of storytelling is both the novel’s greatest asset, as well as its greatest weakness, as it gives Mr. Stanley’s readers a multilayered understanding of what is happening at all points, but there is no one central character to follow through the narrative, which can overwhelm and loose its reader.

In his afterward, Mr. Stanley, takes the time to point out the real historical characters and summarizes what became of them. He also includes a brief discussion of the sources he used in researching the novel. Mr. Stanley has certainly done his homework; his novel rests on a solid foundation of historical facts. It is well written & a joy to read.

ISBN 978-1451580310, CreateSpace, © 2010, Paperback, 230 pages, $7.98

18th Missouri Infantry Position Marker: Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

18TH MISSOURI INFANTRY
MILLER’S (2D) BRIG., PRENTISS’ (6TH) DIV.,
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

ABOUT 100 MEN OF THIS REGIMENT WERE ENGAGED HERE UNDER GENERAL PRENTIS FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. APRIL 6, 1862 AND SURRENDERED WITH HIM AT 5:30 P.M.

The Bright Prospect

The news that comes to us from Tennessee fills the loyal heart with gladness. Since the rebellion assumed shape in South Carolina on the 12th of April last, at no time has the prospect of its speedy suppression been so encouraging. The skies are indeed bright, and it would seem as though the Federal forces had noting to do but to advance and seize upon the very strongholds of secessia. Better still, it appears as if it were the intention of our Generals to leave no hiatus in our victories, but all things being in readiness, to advance from one conquered post to another, until the rebels seeing the Government is terribly in earnest and altogether invincible, unconditionally surrender to the power that for ten long months they have outraged. – We rejoice not more in the subjection of the rebels, than we do for the release of the Union men and women all over the South, who have suffered so much indignity from the insurgents for refusing to aid them in their gigantic treason. What gladness will it bring to their noble hearts to learn that their sufferings will soon be at an end, and the miserable demagogues who have brought such affliction upon them will be punished as their monstrous crime so richly merits. God prosper the right, and hasten the day when the stars and stripes shall float triumphantly over every State in the Union, and extend the aegis of their protection to every man, woman and child who acknowledges allegiance to the glorious Government whose privileges they have so long enjoyed.

As for those rebel leaders who have brought upon our happy country so much distress and sent deep mourning into so many households, may no false sympathy enter the Federal heart to shield them from the fate of Haman. And their wretched, misguided followers, who have been lured by these specious, traitor leaders into an attempt to overthrow the Government of the United States, and establish a slave oligarchy upon the free soil of our common country, may they be punished with all the severity that the humanity of an enlightened nation can inflict, that the great lesson be enforced of the fearful penalty that awaits him who dares raise his fratricidal hand to subvert our liberties.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 2

The War News

Gen. Burnside’s Fleet Started for Roanoke Island.

GEN. NELSON’S DIVISION IS ADVANCING.

Jeff. Davis on Railroads.

THE GEN. LANE DIFFICULTY AT AN END.

The Rumor in Regard to French Intervention Denied.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1

Democrat On The Rebellion

In a headless, and we may add brainless, leader, in the Democrat of Saturday, the editor takes the position that the Republican party is responsible to the country for the rebellion now existing, and that the party now “presents the only real difficulty in the way of conquering a peace.” It represents the New York Tribune as having said that ‘whenever a considerable section of our Union shall deliberately resolve to go out, we shall resist all corrective measures designed to keep it in,’ and the GAZETTE and the Republican party as endorsing the sentiment. It is needless to say that it is all the creation of a beclouded imagination, that the GAZETTE nor the Republican party never endorsed such an idea. Our neighbor would compromise with treason under the garb of ‘conservatism,’ and laughs to scorn any attempt to subjugate the rebels that has [sic] a tendency to free their salves. But a few months since he was radical in his opposition to all attempts to ‘subjugate’ or ‘coerce’ the rebels under any circumstances. The phrases above quoted were as common and as glibly pronounced by him then as the word ‘conservative’ is now, but public sentiment has caused him to modify his views, and he now favors the subjugation of the South, provided in so doing you do not hurt the negro, nor interfere with his inalienable right of being a slave.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1

Local Matters

MEASLES. – We notice, in some of our exchanges, and unusual prevalence of this complaint in different parts of the State. It has prevailed to some extent in this city but in a very mild form.

THE REGULAR Semi-Annual Meeting of the Scout County Republican Club, for the election of officers, will be held at the Court House this evening (the 2d Monday in February) at 7 o’clock.

• JOHN COLLINS, Prest.
• J. W. GUITEAU, Secy.

AT THE Hawkeye, corner, Third and Brady, they have been buying a large lot of teas, coffees, sugars and pure liquors, for cash, and are now selling them off cheaper than any grocery in Davenport. Call at this great cheap grocery, and our word for it you will be satisfied. dw*

KIRKSOW & Co., of Rock Island, have on hand one of the largest stocks of dry goods, carpets, etc., ever brought to this part of the country. They were purchased when goods were down, and are selling at prices to suit the times. Now that we have a good bridge over the river, it will pay our citizens to cross over and take a look at their splendid stock.

LUMBER. – The excellent sleighing we have enjoyed for some time has brought in a number of teams from a distance, bearing grain and other produce. In return a great deal of lumber has been hauled from town, and some loads going as far as fifty miles out. – Teams have come here this winter from counties to the north, some of them passing two railroads to reach this place, showing that Davenport is one of the best markets in the State.

ALMOST A ROW. – Considerable excitement was created around the Post office Saturday evening by the threat of an irate citizen to use up the ‘clerk’ at the delivery, and the Post office generally, for which purpose, after a tempting offer from the irate individual, the whole party adjourned to the alley; but as only two of the officials made their appearance, Irate seemed to think there wasn’t enough to begin on, so he consoled himself with the reflection that said officials were not confirmed, and he’d see that they wouldn’t be.

GOT ANY EGGS? Is the question, and ‘Nary egg,” is the answer of the grocers about town, almost if not quite, unanimously given. – there seems to be trouble among the hens. It may be they are ‘secesh’ in principle, and are disposed to starve us out, by way of assisting the rebellion indirectly; or it may be they are indignant at the low prices which prevailed last season, and which hardly paid for the advertisement that cackled their wares to the world. As things are now, eggs are not quotable in this market, for the very good reason there are none to quote.

VALENTINES. – As St. Valentine’s day is approaching, the dealers in the missives which make that day conspicuous above all others, are opening out their stock of Valentines. Of course, they have the usual variety of sentimental effusions, done up in tinsel and relieve, with charming cupids and shivered hearts; while the supply of caricatures is equally varied. We notice the military come in for their share of complimentary notices of this character. We do not anticipate, however, a very lively business in this direction for the Post Office this year; a practice which has fallen into gradual desuetude of late years, is not likely to be revived much this season.

SLEIGHING. – The sleighing we have this season has been the longest continued for many years; and the use which has been made of it attests how welcome it was. – Large parties of enjoyment-seekers crowd into omnibus sleighs and drive over the country, winding up with a sociable at some farmer’s house, and coming home in the “small hours,” having obtained about as much of the enjoyment they sought as they can conveniently carry. Others, less gregarious in their habits, get a horse and cutter and one other occupant – just one other – and away they go, skimming over the snow like a bird. Of the two modes, it is hard telling which is the most enjoyable – they both are keenly delightful, notwithstanding the growl of some cynic, that he would enjoy himself as well with his feet in a bucket of ice-water, and rattling the shovel and tongs. He must have been fitted by some “charmer” on one of these adventures.

THE PRICE OF GAS. – Nearly every town in the State – our own not excepted – that boasts the possession of Gas works, is growling over the prodigious high rate exacted for the luxury of gas, while the citizens of many of them are repudiating it altogether and resorting to kerosene. The fact of it is that $4.50 per thousand feet and 25 cents per month for rent of meters is entirely too high. The latter item renders it equivalent in most families to $5.00. Kerosene is now as cheap and so good withal, that unless there be a reduction in the price of gas in our State the citizens will generally resort to its use. We should suppose it would be to the profit of the Gas companies to reduce the price, but presume they will study their own interest in the matter.

MR. SANDERS:– The people of Pleasant Valley and vicinity have been having a good time. The prosperous and happy community seem not to be affected at all by the hard times. Their benevolence and hospitality flows as freely as ever. Last Friday, some two hundred and fifty persons met at the M. E. Church, spread a sumptuous board, supplied the inner man to complete satisfaction and after having a general good time socially departed, leaving in their wake fifty dollars in cash, and thirty dollars in domestic necessaries, for the benefit of Rev. J. Z. Coleman, pastor of the church. May Heaven’s blessings rest upon the liberal sonis [sic].

RELIGIOUS NOTICE. – Edwards Congregational Church. – service will commence hereafter at 10 ½ o’clock a.m. and 5 o’clock p.m., instead of 7 ½ o’clock in the evening as heretofore. Seats free.

DIED. – On Saturday evening, Feb’y 8th, ROSE ANNA, infant daughter of JOHN F. and ANNA P. DILLON.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1

Public Lecture

Dr. Parry has kindly proposed to deliver a lecture for the benefit of the Soldier’s Aid Society, on next Wednesday evening, 12th inst., in the Congregational church, on the subject of ‘Camp Life.’ As the subject is an interesting one at the present time, and the lecturer capable of making it so, and the Society being much in need of funds, it is hoped there will be a good attendance. The admission fee will be small, and the entire receipts be appropriated to the Society.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1

Have You?

John W. Forney writing from Washington to the Philadelphia Press, makes the following pertinent inquiries: “Have you ever heard a secessionist talk politics who did not claim to be a Democrat? Have you ever heard a sympathizer with secession talk politics who did not boast of his Democracy?” Forney declares that the men who always tried to break down the Democratic party in its days of honor and loyalty are now seeking shelter under the name of Democracy, in order the more successfully to assist the rebels in arms against the Constitution and the laws.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday May 3, 1862, p. 2

Mrs. Wittenmyer at Work

A letter was received last evening from Mrs. Wittenmyer by the President of the Ladies Aid Society giving an account of her labors among the wounded at Pittsburg Landing. She writes: “I have been making and distributing soup all day to our poor, faint, and suffering soldiers. I have been going around with a bucket and dipper through the boats and tents administering to the wants of our brave men who are very weak and faint from long fasting and the pain [caused] by their wounds. Mangled bodies, wounded, dying and dead are lying around me in every direction. I am here to do all that I can; my goods are being rapidly used up by the hundreds of wounded around me, and I am wishing for more.”

She earnestly appeals to the Ladies of Iowa to prepare and forward supplies for the suffering volunteers with all possible Dispatch.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862

12th Michigan Infantry Position Marker: Shiloh National Military Park

U.S.

12TH MICHIGAN INFANTRY
PEABODY’S (1ST) BRIG., PRENTISS’ (6TH) DIV.,
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

ABOUT FIFTY MEN OF THE REGIMENT WERE ENGAGED HERE FROM 9 A.M. TO5 P.M. APRIL 6, 1862 AND WERE SURROUNDED AND CAPTURED WITH GENERAL PRENTISS.

Walter E. Partridge, Pvt., Co. F, 36th Illinois Infantry

W. E. Partridge, now living retired in Alta, is numbered among the old settlers of Buena Vista county and is one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil War. He is a native of England, born in Berkshire, June 3, 1833, a son of James and Anne (Edwards) Partridge, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a mechanic, being a wheelwright by trade, and he also engaged in farming. His family numbered thirteen children, of whom twelve grew to years of maturity.

W. E. Partridge, whose name introduces this review, spent the years of his boyhood and youth in his native land and when fifteen years of age accompanied a brother to the United States. He first located in Maryland and secured work on the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in that state, after which he spent two years working on the canal. He then took up his abode in Pennsylvania and from that state removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1882 when he came to Buena Vista county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 34, Nokomis township. This was an uncultivated and unimproved tract when it came into his possession but he at once began to develop the land, erected a good house, barns and outbuildings, and now has a well improved and valuable farm property, whereon he made his home for twenty-seven years. He planted a good orchard, which is now in bearing, and beautiful shade trees add to the attractive appearance of the place. In addition to general farming he engaged in raising stock, keeping registered shorthorn cattle and good grades of hogs. In 1908 he removed to Alta and is now living retired.

Mr. Partridge’s private affairs were interrupted at the time of the Civil War when, loyal to the best interest of his country, he enlisted September 9, 1861 at Aurora, Illinois, as a member of Company F, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, joining the regiment at St. Louis. From that city they made their way to Rolla, Missouri, and Mr. Partridge participated in many of the important battles, including Pea Ridge, Perryville, Chickamauga, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, and was with Sherman on his march to Atlanta. He was also for four months on duty at New Orleans, his regiment acting as guard to General Sheridan. After a hard service lasting four years and two months he was mustered out at New Orleans and was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois.

When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Partridge returned to Illinois and took up his abode in Kankakee county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he operated for sixteen years prior to taking up his abode in Iowa. It was prior to his enlistment for service in the war that Mr. Partridge was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Harriett Cottew, who was likewise born in England, coming to America when but two years of age. Their marriage was celebrated in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1860, and their union has been blessed with ten children: George, who follows farming in Nokomis township; Martha, the wife of William Miller, a farmer of Linn Grove, Iowa; Lizzie, the wife of Charles Reese, of Nokomis township; Charles who follows farming on the hold homstead in Nokomis township; Lincoln, who is engaged in farming in Minnesota; Ida, the wife of G. H. Tutt, a resident of Marathon, Iowa; Kate, the wife of John Sassman, who follows farming near Albert City, this state; Frank, who carries on farming near Marathon; Hugh; and William who died when eighteen months old.

Mr. Partridge gives his political support to the republican party and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He has held some township offices. He keeps in touch with his old army friends through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic at Alta, of which he has served as vice commander. He has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church at Alta for several years. His labors have contributed in substantial manner to the development and progress of Buena Vista county and not only as a worthy pioneer settler but also as a loyal defender of the Union cause he is well deserving of mention in this volume. His circle of friends is large and all esteem him for his genuine worth. In 1908 he had the pleasure of visiting his old home in England where he remained from July 12 until the 23rd of August.

SOURCE: Wegerslev, C.H. & Thomas Walpole, Past and Present of Buena Vista County, Iowa, S.J. Clark Publishing Co., Chicago, IL, © 1909, p. 279-280

David Andrew Griffith, Sgt., 11th Ohio Infantry

D. A. GRIFFITH - The retired farmers living in Winterset are highly esteemed and contribute not a little to the advancement of the community. Among them is D. A. Griffith, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 15th of April, 1841, a son of Isaac and Margaret (Archibald) Griffith, the former born upon the ocean in 1808 while his parents were crossing to this country from Wales and the latter born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1816. Isaac Griffith was a miller and shoemaker and followed those trades in Holmes county, Ohio. In 1843 he removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he ran a mill until he removed to Scioto county, that state, which was his home for ten years before his death. He died in 1848 and was survived by his wife for three years.

D. A. Griffith at the usual age entered the city schools of Portsmouth, Ohio, and there laid the foundation of his education. When he was eleven years of age, however, his parents died and he was taken by a family who mistreated him and he accordingly ran away. He became a farm hand and thus provided for his support and was so engaged until the outbreak of the Civil war. On the I5th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Captain Dan Parnell. The command rendezvoused at Columbus, Ohio, and Mr. Griffith was made first duty sergeant. After being three months with Company C he was transferred to Company D, of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served as sergeant in that command for a year, after which he was made first lieutenant. He was under fire in Virginia, at the battle of Charleston, Maryland, at Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and the siege of Chattanooga and accompanied Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. He was wounded by a bayonet thrust at South Mountain, Maryland, and lost his hearing at the battle of Antietam, as his regiment was for hours in the midst of eight hundred pieces of artillery. His regiment, which in that engagement lost five hundred men, together with the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, charged the Burnside bridge and took it. Colonel Coleman, who led the charge, fell pierced by seven bullets. Lieutenant Griffith succeeded in capturing some rebel cannon and his record throughout the war proved him a fearless and an able officer. He has a medal presented him by the state of Ohio for continuous and meritorious service. He was mustered out on the 3d of July, 1865, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later in that year removed to Fairfield, Iowa.

In 1870 he came to Madison county and began farming in Jefferson township, where he lived for five years. At the end of that time he removed to Union township and engaged in agricultural pursuits there until 1893. In that year he purchased two hundred acres of land in Douglas township on North river and gave his time and attention to the operation of that farm. He was very successful in all that he attempted, his energy, determination and knowledge of the best methods of agriculture making him one of the leading farmers in his township.

On the 4th of March, 1866, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Hester E. Miller, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, December 27, 1847, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Hillis) [sic] Miller. Her father was born in Germany in 1822 and upon emigrating to this country settled in Cincinnati, where he followed the blacksmith's trade until his health failed. He then removed to Brown county, Ohio, which remained his home until 1865. In that year he migrated westward and settled in Jefferson county, Iowa, near Fairfield. Nine years later he homesteaded land in Buena Vista county, where his death occurred in 1875. His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, passed away in Buena Vista county in 1904, having survived him for almost three decades.

Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are the parents of seven children: Anna B. gave her hand in marriage to Elias Van Scoy, of Logan county, Colorado, by whom she has four children. U. Grant, who was born May 7, 1868, died January 20, 1907. Isaac, born on the 5th of September, 1869, is a well-to-do farmer who is married and has three children, David A., Winifred and Hester. Jerome is represented elsewhere in this work. David T., whose birth occurred on the11th of July, 1879, is engaged in the implement business at Van Meter, Iowa. Linnie E., born November11, 1880, passed away February 4, 1890. Robert S. was born on the 16th of October, 1888.

Mr. Griffith is identified with the republican party and has always been as true to the best interests of his country in times of peace as he was when he led his command upon the battlefields of the south. None begrudges him the competence and the leisure which are now his, as they were won by industry and sound judgment.

SOURCE: History of Madison County Iowa and Its People, Volume 2, p. 285-7


NOTE: According to the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, David A. Griffith of Companies D & H, mustered in as a private and out as a sergeant. David A. Griffith is listed on page 148 of J. H. Horton & Solomon Teverbaugh’s A History of the Eleventh Regiment (Ohio Volunteer Infantry) as “an original member; promoted to Sergeant; veteranized, and was left at Chattanooga.”

Des Moines Correspondence

DES MOINES, Feb. 6, 1862.

This morning the Governor sent to the House a communication in response to a resolution of inquiry in regard to rebels of Missouri making an asylum of Fremont county. The citizens of said county a short time since sent a petition to the Legislature, through their representative, Mr. Mitchell, praying that some action be taken in this matter. Mr. Mitchell, after presenting the petition, offered a resolution calling upon the Governor, for all the information in his power bearing on this subject. To-day his excellency [sic] has favored the House with a communication of some length and nearly a dozen letters relating to the matter. From this correspondence it is easy to see that some parties down there need looking after. The Governor feels perfectly satisfied that many rebels who feared a retaliation on the part of the Union men of their own State for their lawless acts, and who also feared the confiscation of their property, have sought a refuge in this State, and have found an asylum with their sympathizers across the line. They have brought their horses and other property, and placed it in the hands of these friends for safe keeping. These friends have shielded this property and its owners from harm. This course has led to much lawlessness in the county of Fremont. The Governor is convinced that the recent disturbances there were occasioned by rebel sympathizers, and that those same persons are the ones who went over into Missouri and arrested Union men. From his message and from the accompanying letters it would seem that a state of affairs exists in said county very disgraceful indeed, and which will lead, unless promptly checked, to a border warfare. Senator English is mentioned in these letters as one of the most conspicuous of the rebel sympathizers. His case needs investigation. He was not accused of any surplus loyalty at the extra session, and these developments would seem to indicate that he has gone jus as far as he dare go in aiding the cause of the rebels. Perhaps he can clear his skirts; if so let him do it. We wish law-givers now who are above suspicion. Men who are obliged to prove their loyalty have no business in power now. It is to be hoped this matter will be thoroughly sifted, and that the Governor and Legislature will very shortly set things right down on the South-western border.

The message and accompanying correspondence were laid on the table and 5,000 copies ordered printed. This will enable the people of the state to examine the subject for themselves.

Mr. Stanton, of Washington, offered a resolution stating that while we do not endorse the views of the President on the slavery question as connected with the war, we desire our Congressional delegation to use all constitutional means to uphold the President in this or any other policy the exigencies of the case or the suppression of this rebellion may require. Like all similar resolutions that have preceded it, it created some excitement. The Democrats seem determined, if possible, to take the lead of the Republicans in supporting the President. They are bound to attach to every report or resolution, when it can be attached, some clause setting forth their endorsement of Abraham Lincoln’s slavery policy. There will be considerable wrangling on this subject before the season is over. The speeches will commence nest Tuesday evening. – A full and animated discussion of Federal Politics will ensue and these evening sessions will possess nor ordinary interest. We have men here who possess the ability to make good speeches; and most of these members feel a deep interest in this question, one way or the other. If feel anxious to have the time come. They wont hurt anybody, if they do no good. They will keep the discussion of these matters as much as possible out of the regular daily sessions, and hold evening sessions for their discussion. The resolution offered to-day was, after considerable sparing between Republicans and Democrats, and between radical and conservative Republicans, referred to the committee of the whole House on Tuesday evening next.

Mr. Hardie, of Dubuque, offered a resolution to-day, instructing the committee of ways and means to inquire into the expedience of imposing a tax of $10 per head upon bachelors over 25 years of age. If I hadn’t thought the gentleman was in sport, I would send in a protest against adding to the burdens and personal discomforts of this class of human beings.

The bill to prevent the spread of fire on the prairies was passed by a vote of 70 to 8. A bill providing for the vacation of town-plats was also passed; likewise, a bill to amend sec. 5066 of the Revision of 1860, in reference to taking a change of venue before the justices of the peace.

The Senate has been engaged in good part of the day on a bill relating to the manner of collecting the federal tax assumed by the State. The features of the bill I will give in a future letter.

This evening, Senator Schaffer read a humorous poem on Humbug before the Lecture Association. Not having been present, I cannot speak of its merits.

Gen. Baker, as you are aware, has been called home by [sickness] in his family. Several members of the House have been suddenly summoned home on similar errands.

J. R. C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1

WASHINGTON, February 8 [1862]

Neither Senate or House are in session, both Houses having adjourned over from yesterday until Monday.

The rumor in regard to French intervention is denied, to-day, by high authority. The rumor, however, excites much comment.

The Ericsson gun boat is in great favor here. It will be thoroughly tested in New York by the Navy Department.

The Senate finance committee is in session to-day, on the legal tender clause of the treasury note bill. It is thought there is a majority against it.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1

Herald’s Dispatch

The president of the American Telegraph Company leaves Washington for New York to-morrow morning. Frequent satisfactory interviews with the Secretary of War, have convinced Mr. Sanford that the measures adopted by Government in relation to the transmission of telegraphic dispatches, are imperatively demanded by the public welfare, and interfere with neither the private rights of citizens, nor the interests of the Telegraph company.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1

Times’ Correspondence

The Senate finance committee had a meeting to-day, for the purpose of considering the House treasury note bill. Enough was said to show that there is considerable opposition to the legal tender clause. They finally ordered the bill printed, and it will come up for final action at their meeting to-morrow.

Owing to the sickness of Mr. Covode, the projected interview with the President, in relation to the Lane expedition, will not take place to-day, and probably never will. Senator Pomeroy had an interview with him on the subject, but the President was unable to see any way out of the difficulty. He expected Gen. Lane to have arranged matters with Gen. Hunter on his arrival at Leavenworth. He reiterated that while he was willing that Gen. Lane should have a command of 10,000 or 15,000 men, he had no idea of his outranking Gen. Hunter of in any way interfering with his command. This is evidently the end of the Lane expedition.

This evening a son of Chancellor Walworth was arrested at the Kirkwood House in this city on a charge of treason. His trunks and papers were seized but not yet examined.

The various rumors to the effect that Secretary Stanton is to assume the active management of the army, leaving to Gen. McClellan the command of the army of the Potomac only, has this foundation: A week since, the staff of Gen. McClellan were notified to be in readiness for a movement across the river. They made every preparation for so doing, and Maj. E. M. Green, of their number, went to New York for the propose of purchasing certain personal supplies for their use. In consequence of the state of the roads they have not yet been ordered over, but they are ready to go, and when they do go Gen. McClellan will turn over to the temporary charge of Mr. Stanton the control of the entire army with the exception of the army of the Potomac.

It will be remembered that when Gen. Scott went to Mexico, he proposed a similar course, thus leaving himself free to attend to the more important matters in hand.

Gen. McClellan and Mr. Stanton are on the best of terms.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1