Mortally wounded on April 6, 1862.
Died of wounds April 8, 1862.
Shiloh National Cemetery
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Albert Hobbs
Capt., Co. B, 3rd Iowa Infantry
Mortally wounded on April 6, 1862.
Died of wounds April 8, 1862.
Mortally wounded on April 6, 1862.
Died of wounds April 8, 1862.
From Tennessee
MONTEREY, TENN., May 6. – Rain has fallen in torrents for the past thirty hours, putting the roads in horrible condition.
Yesterday the commanding General arrived from camp near Pittsburg, having encamped near here.
Our pickets can distinctly hear the drums beat and the locomotives whistle at Corinth.
Because of the horrible condition of the roads, the army has not moved.
The enemy are receiving heavy reinforcements daily. On Sunday last Bragg made a speech to his troops, avowing that it was the intention of Beauregard and his Generals to give battle at Corinth.
Great dissatisfaction prevails among the 12 months men, on account of the conscription law.
The roads are improving fast.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
Yesterday the commanding General arrived from camp near Pittsburg, having encamped near here.
Our pickets can distinctly hear the drums beat and the locomotives whistle at Corinth.
Because of the horrible condition of the roads, the army has not moved.
The enemy are receiving heavy reinforcements daily. On Sunday last Bragg made a speech to his troops, avowing that it was the intention of Beauregard and his Generals to give battle at Corinth.
Great dissatisfaction prevails among the 12 months men, on account of the conscription law.
The roads are improving fast.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
Postal
WASHINGTON, P. O. Dept., May 6. – All letters for New Orleans should be sent to New York for transmission by Government Steamer.
(Signed.)
JOHN A. KASSON,
Assistant P. M. General
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
(Signed.)
JOHN A. KASSON,
Assistant P. M. General
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
Printers’ National Union
NEW YORK, May 6. – The Printers’ National Union elected John M. Farquer, President, Wm. A. Montgomery, First Vice President, James H. Walker, Second Vice President, Thos. J. Walsh, Secretary of Treasury, and Theodore Volge, Corresponding Secretary. Ten States were represented in convention.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
From Corinth
CAIRO, May 6. – Up to Monday night no general engagement hat taken place at Corinth.
Orders had been issued to the troops to march on Sunday night but the movement was prevented by the condition of the roads which heavy rains had made impassable.
On Sunday morning Gen. Pope, by placing a battery of artillery in open field at Farrington in sight of three regiments of rebels, succeeded in tolling them on to take the battery, and then took the whole force prisoners, numbering nearly 2,000.
Several deserters came into our camp on Monday and [reported] that great dissatisfaction exists in the rebel army, both among officers and men.
Beauregard had made a speech to some of his troops that he would make a desperate stand and force the Federal army to retreat, and appealed to them to stand by him.
A band of guerrillas still maintain warfare on al passing steamboats, and on Sunday drove in our picket around Savannah, but fled on approach of our infantry.
The gunboat Tyler is not plying between Clifton and Pittsburgh Landing, shelling the woods where the rebels are supposed to be located.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
From Cairo
CAIRO, May 6. – the steamer Ella, from Pittsburg Landing, with advices of the 5th has arrived.
Gen. Halleck has issued an order restraining civilians and all others from visiting the army.
The steamers going up the Tennessee during the past week have been crowded with civilians, going to gratify their curiosity by the sight of a battlefield. None of these have been allowed to pass the lines.
Four deserters came in on Sunday and reported that the enemy had not evacuated Corinth but on the contrary had been largely reinforced of late. Other deserters, however, report that Beauregard has withdrawn the greater part of his forces. It has been impossible to ascertain which of these reports are correct.
The guerrilla Morgan, again, made an attack upon our pickets at Savannah on Saturday, but was driven back after a slight skirmish.
The steamer Brown reached here this morning from Fort Pillow, but brought nothing of interest.
The rebel fleet had not made its promised attack, but preparations were quietly making for an active bombardment of the rebel stronghold.
At the election held here to-day, for member of Congress from the 9th Congressional District, votes were cast as follows:
Judge Allen of Williamson county, 210; Haynie, 83; Marshall 29; Dougherty 22; Stone 1.
The nomination of M. V. Strong, for Assistant Adjutant General, on the staff of General Strong, now in command of this post, has been confirmed by the Senate.
The steamer Brown which arrived here this p.m., from above, brought intelligence that a party of Capt. Hafen’s company of Flying Artillery, while out on a scouting excursion near Paducah, last night, were captured by a company of rebel guerrillas.
CAIRO, May 7. – No intelligence from Pittsburgh Landing has been received within the last twenty four hours.
Arrivals from Commodore Foote’s flotilla report no change in the movements below.
A number of our cavalry from Fort Herman were attacked by a force of rebel cavalry while out on scouting duty and driven into Paducah.
Fugitives report that several of their comrades had been taken prisoners. But little credit is given to the report that two of them made their way to Columbus, and it is suppose that others have by this time returned to their camp.
All the fortifications on the Mississippi have recently been strengthened under the supervision of Lieut. Col. Duff, 2d Illinois artillery so that they command the river from below as well as above.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
Medical View Of The Condition Of The Iowa Troops At St. Louis
(By D. L. McGugin, M. D., Surgeon and Medical Inspector, Benton Barracks.)
( Concluded. )
The mumps came among the men to assert their right to inflict pain and suffering and as if to cap the climax of eruptive diseases, there have been a number of cases of small pox and varioloid. From this last the regiments from Iowa have escaped thus far, and as they have all been vaccinated it is hoped they are fully protected.
It is a subject of wonder to me that so many aft attained to their majority without having contracted the measles. It is curious to observe that an equal proportion of each regiment have taken the disease, which leads me to the conclusion that vital statistics would show a certain per cent, greater than is supposed, who have never suffered from the disease, in every community.
In my desire to afford all the satisfaction in my power, I have been compelled to resort to some medical terms, the better to convey the information so much desired on the part of the people of the State. Almost every intelligent individual is, or ought to be informed in some degree of the anatomy and physiology of the lungs and of respiration and therefore will pardon me if I may not have expressed myself as plainly as I could have done. In looking over what I have written I do not see that I could have resorted to simpler terms that would have been as expressive on the conditions, with all the particular circumstances.
Such then were the chief agents in the production of so much disease and death among the soldiers, and which has startled and surprised the friends, relatives and neighbors of those who have enlisted and are now in the service. If you will but obtain a record of the sick and then compare the mortality, the latter will not appear so startling after all. For instance, in the 3d Michigan there are in quarters in one day reported to me 265 sick and in Hospital 50, and that regiment has averaged 250 in all during the past month. I have not at hand the statistics, but when they come to be examined it will be found that the result will not prove so startling after all.
And yet it is sad to witness even the amount we have had and I am free to believe that it could not be averted. The regimental hospitals, some of which are in private dwellings which were the property, in some instances, of rebel sympathizers and aiders and abettors of treason, were not calculated for hospitals, although large and fine residences. They could not be regulated very well, and it was very difficult to get the nurses to understand their duty and to perform it even when they knew it. Men nurses are not as neat nor as thoughtful as the females, either in keeping the apartments or apparel clean, or in preparing food properly for the patients. And yet, after much care and instruction they are now in such a condition as to call forth the highest encomiums from the President of the Sanitary Commission of St. Louis as regards their condition.
I have enumerated some of the diseases which in their several forms have seized upon the soldiers and have carried many of them to their silent tombs. I have seen a number stricken down with disease and die, who had fought bravely upon the battle field and escaped the balls and shot of the enemy. I witnessed a touching spectacle in which the hospital of the 7th Iowa Infantry, (Col. Lauman’s,) which had covered itself all over with the glory in the bloody struggle of Belmont. Two brave young men had languished for some weeks with pneumonia, and upon my daily visits I was particularly interested in them. They appeared to be about twenty years of age, but their countenances, although changed by disease, still wore an expression of intelligence and refinement. One day I left them without hope of recovery for them, although Surgeon Witter had exerted every effort in their behalf. Their youthful vigor had made a strong stand against disease, but they were drawn down lower and lower, until finally the great conqueror Death triumphed. Upon my visit next morning I found they had both died within an hour of each other, and their comrades were performing the sad duty of preparing them for their place in the silent sand. There they lay; their lungs had ceased to breath – the heart to propel the vital current, and all was still and death quiet and stony stillness marked their finely moulded forms: for despite their lingering illness, they still preserved more or less of the fineness of outline and symmetry of proportion which characterizes the form of youth in healthful vigor. I thought, as I looked with admiration upon their lifeless forms, what retribution was in reservation for those who had caused the necessity for such multiplied and great sacrifices. Poor fellows; I thought, too, of their mothers, sisters and friends; what great sacrifices they had made for their country, in giving these youths that our country and its institutions may be restored and perpetuated.
“They now sleep their last sleep – they have fought their last battle. No sound can awake them to glory again.”
From the spirit of the synopsis of the lecture of the reverend Gentleman, I was led to the inference that he thought a reformation was needed among the officers in the matter of caring for the men. In this I may be in error; but, if not, I deem it my duty to say that our officers displayed a most commendable interest in the well being of the men, from the lowest to the highest in command. But it was impossible for them to avoid the silent and intangible agents, which have been so potent and active in predisposing and exciting disease. – My opportunities for observation are equal to those of any other in the cantonment; and I cannot now see when I look back how these silent agencies for mischief could have been thwarted, unless the commanders of regiments had disobeyed orders, and taken their men upon some knoll, and there pitched their tents, and thus to suffer a violation of general orders making them liable to be put under arrest and tried by a court martial. Those that were sent from these barracks to the field, and the parts of regiments that had leave to erect their tents and take their quarters in them, have comparatively escaped disease, proving clearly and conclusively the correctness of my opinion, some time since embodied in a report to headquarters. Men in time of war must obey their superior officers. The Colonel has his power; the Brigadier General controls and commands him; the Major General holds the reins upon him again; while he again is subject to supreme command. It is a little despotism from beginning to end, and it is necessary that it should be so, otherwise all would be commanders and all would be leaders.
Another fact must be observed and considered, and that is, that this government has done more in the same space of time to raise, equip, and supply an army of its immense size than any nation has ever done; and that, too, under the most embarrassing circumstances. The magnitude of this work would not allow it to provide such comforts and accommodations as the majority of the men who compose it find at home. I am proud to know that the government has been able to accomplish so much, and carry out so grand a scheme. Where its management had to be entrusted to men inexperienced in military matters and the wants of the soldiers, it could not be very reasonably expected that every part would be perfect, or that every defect would be foreseen by those who are wanting in experience, for by this we learn facts which cannot be gained by any other means.
I therefore think it unfair for those who have little to do in the labor, toil, and responsibilities of so great an undertaking, to find fault when they themselves do not suffer any of the discomforts, and speak disparagingly of the conduct of others, when they know so little of the circumstances by which they are surrounded and the difficulties which they encounter. Persons enjoying the comforts of a happy home, with every blessing around them, a blazing cheerful fire in the winter’s cold to defend against the howling blasts which are provoked into “angry soughs” because they are not permitted to enter in; who sleep upon soft beds or couches of ease; who have every delicacy, and enjoy the liberty of going and coming at all hours without interruption, whose actions are free and untrammeled; who are enjoying the security purchased and preserved by the sacrifices of those in the service of their country; it is quite an easy matter for these to find fault, exaggerate, and misrepresent. – Look at the soldier! He is out early in the morning whether it rains or shines, whether it is calm or stormy, whether it is wet or dry, he must be abroad, and whatever betide he must endure it. He tramps, tramps, tramps, whether the mud be knee deep, whether it be frozen and therefore rough – whether it be a glare of sleet or ice, he must endure it until the hour comes when he is allowed to prepare his dinner, without the show of silver plate, china, fine steel knives and three pronged silver forks with napkins and their rings to boot. Tin cups and tin plates, pot-metal knives and forks, accompanied with iron spoons are refinements in the army. The sound of the bugle or the roll of the drum calls them out again, and it is drill again. The night may be passed on guard, and no matter how pitiless the storm, they must endure it, because the sleepless guardians of the night. At nine the “taps” put out the few lights, and they retire to sleep upon their hard bunks, or if in tents, upon the ground, to rise again at dawn of day to partake of their crude food, and then to drill or parade again. And yet these men complain less than those at home, and find less fault, because they know more about everything and readily understand the whole ponderous machinery.
Some of the papers in our state have belched forth invectives against the officers connected with the regiments, and in a particular manner the medical officers. I do not deny that there as some medical men in the service who dishonor it and their profession. The reason is, that they are very often selected by men who are not always competent to judge of medical acquirements. But in the main, the medical men in this cantonment will compare favorably with those in any department of the service; and most certainly they have been attentive faithful and laborious in their application to duty. I have had opportunities afforded me with their efforts, their constancy and fidelity to the trusts imposed upon them. The people should know that the surgeon of a regiment, if he [does] his duty faithfully and well, has the heaviest responsibility imposed upon him of all the officers in the army. The commander may lead his men into battle and win a victory, and have his name inscribed high in the lists of fame, yet not a word is said of the surgeon who has dressed the wounds and saved the flickering spark of life as it was fast oozing out of some torn artery or large vein. These mangled limbs, these mutilated forms have purchased the victory and paid the highest price ever paid for the fame and renown of their leader; and yet he who saves to life, the world, and their families, these precious materials, although maimed and deformed, rests from his labors and his name is not even mentioned. – “The Surgeons were busy with the wounded” is the alpha and omega of all that is said of them. They are a class of men desirable only from necessity. Officers high in command, will here their suggestions and adopt what their own limited conception of the sanitary laws may appear to them as necessary. And yet the secular world are too prone to reflect upon those who, on the one hand has to contend against a secret, and intangible enemy, who only shows that he is abroad by the number of victims shown by the way, and on the other, their hands are tied while making the attempt.
To defend the commanding officers and surgeons, and to show what causes existed for so much sickness and mortality, that the people may know and understand; have been the motives which have dictated this communication, which I regret is quite too long. I have been sure that the people did not comprehend the reason because they had been taught to know that these barracks have cost such large sums of money, and per consequence the comforts were in proportion. This should have and might have been, and yet not one officer in all these barracks had a finger in their construction.
I trust your lecturer has recounted these facts, and if he have not, because it was not in the immediate sphere of his duties, you will please give this to the people through your columns, and you will satisfy those who may confide in the views and the conclusions, and oblige.
Yours very respectfully,
D. L. McGUGIN
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
NOTE: This is the second of a two part article. For its first part, please click HERE.
( Concluded. )
The mumps came among the men to assert their right to inflict pain and suffering and as if to cap the climax of eruptive diseases, there have been a number of cases of small pox and varioloid. From this last the regiments from Iowa have escaped thus far, and as they have all been vaccinated it is hoped they are fully protected.
It is a subject of wonder to me that so many aft attained to their majority without having contracted the measles. It is curious to observe that an equal proportion of each regiment have taken the disease, which leads me to the conclusion that vital statistics would show a certain per cent, greater than is supposed, who have never suffered from the disease, in every community.
In my desire to afford all the satisfaction in my power, I have been compelled to resort to some medical terms, the better to convey the information so much desired on the part of the people of the State. Almost every intelligent individual is, or ought to be informed in some degree of the anatomy and physiology of the lungs and of respiration and therefore will pardon me if I may not have expressed myself as plainly as I could have done. In looking over what I have written I do not see that I could have resorted to simpler terms that would have been as expressive on the conditions, with all the particular circumstances.
Such then were the chief agents in the production of so much disease and death among the soldiers, and which has startled and surprised the friends, relatives and neighbors of those who have enlisted and are now in the service. If you will but obtain a record of the sick and then compare the mortality, the latter will not appear so startling after all. For instance, in the 3d Michigan there are in quarters in one day reported to me 265 sick and in Hospital 50, and that regiment has averaged 250 in all during the past month. I have not at hand the statistics, but when they come to be examined it will be found that the result will not prove so startling after all.
And yet it is sad to witness even the amount we have had and I am free to believe that it could not be averted. The regimental hospitals, some of which are in private dwellings which were the property, in some instances, of rebel sympathizers and aiders and abettors of treason, were not calculated for hospitals, although large and fine residences. They could not be regulated very well, and it was very difficult to get the nurses to understand their duty and to perform it even when they knew it. Men nurses are not as neat nor as thoughtful as the females, either in keeping the apartments or apparel clean, or in preparing food properly for the patients. And yet, after much care and instruction they are now in such a condition as to call forth the highest encomiums from the President of the Sanitary Commission of St. Louis as regards their condition.
I have enumerated some of the diseases which in their several forms have seized upon the soldiers and have carried many of them to their silent tombs. I have seen a number stricken down with disease and die, who had fought bravely upon the battle field and escaped the balls and shot of the enemy. I witnessed a touching spectacle in which the hospital of the 7th Iowa Infantry, (Col. Lauman’s,) which had covered itself all over with the glory in the bloody struggle of Belmont. Two brave young men had languished for some weeks with pneumonia, and upon my daily visits I was particularly interested in them. They appeared to be about twenty years of age, but their countenances, although changed by disease, still wore an expression of intelligence and refinement. One day I left them without hope of recovery for them, although Surgeon Witter had exerted every effort in their behalf. Their youthful vigor had made a strong stand against disease, but they were drawn down lower and lower, until finally the great conqueror Death triumphed. Upon my visit next morning I found they had both died within an hour of each other, and their comrades were performing the sad duty of preparing them for their place in the silent sand. There they lay; their lungs had ceased to breath – the heart to propel the vital current, and all was still and death quiet and stony stillness marked their finely moulded forms: for despite their lingering illness, they still preserved more or less of the fineness of outline and symmetry of proportion which characterizes the form of youth in healthful vigor. I thought, as I looked with admiration upon their lifeless forms, what retribution was in reservation for those who had caused the necessity for such multiplied and great sacrifices. Poor fellows; I thought, too, of their mothers, sisters and friends; what great sacrifices they had made for their country, in giving these youths that our country and its institutions may be restored and perpetuated.
“They now sleep their last sleep – they have fought their last battle. No sound can awake them to glory again.”
From the spirit of the synopsis of the lecture of the reverend Gentleman, I was led to the inference that he thought a reformation was needed among the officers in the matter of caring for the men. In this I may be in error; but, if not, I deem it my duty to say that our officers displayed a most commendable interest in the well being of the men, from the lowest to the highest in command. But it was impossible for them to avoid the silent and intangible agents, which have been so potent and active in predisposing and exciting disease. – My opportunities for observation are equal to those of any other in the cantonment; and I cannot now see when I look back how these silent agencies for mischief could have been thwarted, unless the commanders of regiments had disobeyed orders, and taken their men upon some knoll, and there pitched their tents, and thus to suffer a violation of general orders making them liable to be put under arrest and tried by a court martial. Those that were sent from these barracks to the field, and the parts of regiments that had leave to erect their tents and take their quarters in them, have comparatively escaped disease, proving clearly and conclusively the correctness of my opinion, some time since embodied in a report to headquarters. Men in time of war must obey their superior officers. The Colonel has his power; the Brigadier General controls and commands him; the Major General holds the reins upon him again; while he again is subject to supreme command. It is a little despotism from beginning to end, and it is necessary that it should be so, otherwise all would be commanders and all would be leaders.
Another fact must be observed and considered, and that is, that this government has done more in the same space of time to raise, equip, and supply an army of its immense size than any nation has ever done; and that, too, under the most embarrassing circumstances. The magnitude of this work would not allow it to provide such comforts and accommodations as the majority of the men who compose it find at home. I am proud to know that the government has been able to accomplish so much, and carry out so grand a scheme. Where its management had to be entrusted to men inexperienced in military matters and the wants of the soldiers, it could not be very reasonably expected that every part would be perfect, or that every defect would be foreseen by those who are wanting in experience, for by this we learn facts which cannot be gained by any other means.
I therefore think it unfair for those who have little to do in the labor, toil, and responsibilities of so great an undertaking, to find fault when they themselves do not suffer any of the discomforts, and speak disparagingly of the conduct of others, when they know so little of the circumstances by which they are surrounded and the difficulties which they encounter. Persons enjoying the comforts of a happy home, with every blessing around them, a blazing cheerful fire in the winter’s cold to defend against the howling blasts which are provoked into “angry soughs” because they are not permitted to enter in; who sleep upon soft beds or couches of ease; who have every delicacy, and enjoy the liberty of going and coming at all hours without interruption, whose actions are free and untrammeled; who are enjoying the security purchased and preserved by the sacrifices of those in the service of their country; it is quite an easy matter for these to find fault, exaggerate, and misrepresent. – Look at the soldier! He is out early in the morning whether it rains or shines, whether it is calm or stormy, whether it is wet or dry, he must be abroad, and whatever betide he must endure it. He tramps, tramps, tramps, whether the mud be knee deep, whether it be frozen and therefore rough – whether it be a glare of sleet or ice, he must endure it until the hour comes when he is allowed to prepare his dinner, without the show of silver plate, china, fine steel knives and three pronged silver forks with napkins and their rings to boot. Tin cups and tin plates, pot-metal knives and forks, accompanied with iron spoons are refinements in the army. The sound of the bugle or the roll of the drum calls them out again, and it is drill again. The night may be passed on guard, and no matter how pitiless the storm, they must endure it, because the sleepless guardians of the night. At nine the “taps” put out the few lights, and they retire to sleep upon their hard bunks, or if in tents, upon the ground, to rise again at dawn of day to partake of their crude food, and then to drill or parade again. And yet these men complain less than those at home, and find less fault, because they know more about everything and readily understand the whole ponderous machinery.
Some of the papers in our state have belched forth invectives against the officers connected with the regiments, and in a particular manner the medical officers. I do not deny that there as some medical men in the service who dishonor it and their profession. The reason is, that they are very often selected by men who are not always competent to judge of medical acquirements. But in the main, the medical men in this cantonment will compare favorably with those in any department of the service; and most certainly they have been attentive faithful and laborious in their application to duty. I have had opportunities afforded me with their efforts, their constancy and fidelity to the trusts imposed upon them. The people should know that the surgeon of a regiment, if he [does] his duty faithfully and well, has the heaviest responsibility imposed upon him of all the officers in the army. The commander may lead his men into battle and win a victory, and have his name inscribed high in the lists of fame, yet not a word is said of the surgeon who has dressed the wounds and saved the flickering spark of life as it was fast oozing out of some torn artery or large vein. These mangled limbs, these mutilated forms have purchased the victory and paid the highest price ever paid for the fame and renown of their leader; and yet he who saves to life, the world, and their families, these precious materials, although maimed and deformed, rests from his labors and his name is not even mentioned. – “The Surgeons were busy with the wounded” is the alpha and omega of all that is said of them. They are a class of men desirable only from necessity. Officers high in command, will here their suggestions and adopt what their own limited conception of the sanitary laws may appear to them as necessary. And yet the secular world are too prone to reflect upon those who, on the one hand has to contend against a secret, and intangible enemy, who only shows that he is abroad by the number of victims shown by the way, and on the other, their hands are tied while making the attempt.
To defend the commanding officers and surgeons, and to show what causes existed for so much sickness and mortality, that the people may know and understand; have been the motives which have dictated this communication, which I regret is quite too long. I have been sure that the people did not comprehend the reason because they had been taught to know that these barracks have cost such large sums of money, and per consequence the comforts were in proportion. This should have and might have been, and yet not one officer in all these barracks had a finger in their construction.
I trust your lecturer has recounted these facts, and if he have not, because it was not in the immediate sphere of his duties, you will please give this to the people through your columns, and you will satisfy those who may confide in the views and the conclusions, and oblige.
Yours very respectfully,
D. L. McGUGIN
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
NOTE: This is the second of a two part article. For its first part, please click HERE.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Book Review: The First Assassin
The First AssassinBy John J. Miller
The Secession Winter of 1861 had drawn to a close, and the United States stood upon the precipice of civil war by the time president elect, Abraham Lincoln, arrived at Washington, D. C. on February 23, 1861. Seven states had already left the Union and more were sure to follow. For John J. Miller, this is the perfect backdrop for his debut novel, “The First Assassin.”
After the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as the sixteenth president of the United States, Miller’s protagonist, Colonel Charles P. Rook, who previously under the direction of General-in-Chief, Winfield Scott, had been tasked with organizing the security detail to protect Mr. Lincoln, ignores the direct order of General Scott to cease and desist his clandestine efforts to uncover those who may not wish Mr. Lincoln well.
Rook’s investigations lead him to the front door of the home Washington socialite and Southern sympathizer, Violet Grenier. Rook and his small network of observers and informants soon find themselves embroiled in a cat and mouse game with Ms. Grenier, and Mazorca, an alien assassin hired by South Carolina planter, Langston Bennett, to kill Lincoln.
A parallel thread follows Portia, a fugitive slave fleeing from Bennett’s South Carolina plantation, as she makes her way north to Washington D. C. She has been sent on a mission by her grandfather to deliver a photograph of the assassin, Mazorca, to none other than Abraham Lincoln himself.
Miller’s narrative is nicely paced, switching between Bennett, Rook, Grenier, Mazorca and Portia, but as the bloody body count rises Miller’s tome doesn’t quite rise up to the merits of being labeled a thriller. His dialogue falls a little flat, and any one who is familiar with a few of Lincoln’s stories and quotes, may find one or two that he might recognize. What he does do exceedingly well, is give his readers a sense of place. His novel is very well researched and Civil War era Washington, D. C. emerges from the dust of nearly one hundred and fifty years.
All in all, Miller’s “The First Assassin” is an enjoyable novel to read, in that sense the author has accomplished his task well.
ISBN 978-1935597117, AmazonEncore, © 2010, Paperback, 448 pages, $14.95
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thomas S. Heller
Company G.
Thomas S. Heller, Menomonie, Wisconsin, was born in Salona, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1840. He went to Burlington in 1857, where he attended a commercial college. He went to Reed's Landing, Minnesota, the following year and kept the books of T. B. Wilson & Co., then a branch of the lumber firm of Knapp, Stout & Co., for about one year. He then became a student of Alleghany College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he remained about one year. He came to Dunnville, then the county seat of Dunn county, in Wisconsin, in 1860, and kept the hotel known as the Painter House, and was deputy county treasurer that year, doing the business for his father, who was county treasurer. He went east, attended the first inauguration of President Lincoln in 1861, and returned home with war fever, and desiring to join a cavalry regiment closed out his successful business and went to Burlington, Iowa, where he enlisted in the First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, being mustered in with his regiment in July, 1861. He took violently ill in Fremont's march to Springfield, and was left with many other sick soldiers in a church on the Osage river, many of whom quickly died with the raging fever, and want of proper care. He, being fortunate in reaching the hospitals at Sedalia and St. Louis, finally recovered, and then rejoined his company in the field, where he served until in June, 1863, when he was detailed on special service by command of Major General Schofield, as clerk at the headquarters Department of the Missouri, at St. Louis, and to report to Major A. G. Brackett, Asst. Com. of Musters. He was married to Mary Helen Tillotson, of Terre Haut, Indiana, in May, 1864, and was at work in the office of the Provost Marshal General when ordered to be mustered out of service, July, 1864, his term of three years having expired. He came to Menomonie, Wisconsin, at the expiration of his term of service, and kept the Menomonie House for one year; thence to Chicago for a year or two. Has been a resident of Menomonie, Wisconsin, since that time. He was assessor in 1870, town clerk for four or five years, and elected mayor of Menomonie in 1887. He does a large fire insurance business, representing many of the best companies in this country and in England. He has six children — two sons and four daughters. One daughter is married; his wife is dead.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 343
John H. Smith
2nd Sgt, Co. E, 3rd Iowa Infantry
Killed in action April 6, 1862
Killed in action April 6, 1862
Shiloh National Cemetery
The Constricting of the Anaconda
The Richmond, Va. Papers are becoming excessively frightened in view of the constricting of the coils of the great anaconda which has encircled them within its folds. The only consolation that the Enquirer can find is, that if you pen up even a coward he will fight; that the very means taken by the Government to suppress the rebels will cause them to fight more desperately. True, but very many of them have no faith in their cause and would avail themselves of the earliest opportunity presented – as we have a notable case in Kentucky – and lay down their arms. The Enquirer gives in detail examples of men thus penned up and fighting their way through in Scott’s army in Mexico, which with all its communications cut off, with the enemy behind and before and on each had, yet triumphed. The Enquirer must remember that it has no pusillanimous Mexican soldiers to fight now, but men, armed with the right, men who will fight as desperately as the foe against whom they contend. Scott with ten thousand men fought Santa Anna with thirty five thousand soldiers and a hundred pieces of heavy ordnance and took a city of one hundred and eighty thousand men, hence the Enquirer argues, that the South can successfully contend against the avalanche of soldiers that will come upon it from the north. The comparison is an extreme one and the reasoning absurd. The northern soldiers will find no Churubuscos, or Chapultepecs in Virginia; no Thermopylaes among its mountain vastnesses where a hundred men can put ten thousand to flight. Its Richmond may rather prove a city of Mexico and the rebel forces that environ it, be made to strike the treasonable rag they have so long flaunted in the eyes of freedom, to numerically inferior force.
The Enquirer may have “learned to despise its enemy,” as it asserts, but the men of the South are not all cast in the same mould. Gladly would many of them, aye the great mass of them, return to allegiance if they felt sure of being guaranteed in the possession of the rights they enjoyed before the demagogues of the South entailed upon their fair country this miserable rebellion – an instance of this has been given within a few days by the loyalty and manifestations of joy exhibited by the Southerners, as the Federal gunboats passed up the Tennessee river even into the State of Alabama. Willingly would they ground their arms and beat the sword into the pruning hook, if not urged on by the specious traitors who feel that for themselves there is not alternative but victory or the gallows. Men fight desperately, most true, when their lives, their houses, all their hearts hold most dear are at stake; but when contending against a Government whose protection they have so long enjoyed and which has guaranteed them the social and political privileges that no other people on the face of the globe have possessed, and when assured that by laying down their arms they shall still be fully protected in their rights, they have not the heart to fight with enthusiasm. The Enquirer may appeal to the people of the south by all the force of rhetoric that a bad cause can command, but it will not avail; the spirit of its soldiers is broken by delay and an inglorious and fruitless war, and all the oratory of its rebel statesmen and Generals cannot again rouse up the war feeling in their breasts. The doom of treason is sealed and the pour, misled soldiers of the South feel that they have been deceived.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
The Enquirer may have “learned to despise its enemy,” as it asserts, but the men of the South are not all cast in the same mould. Gladly would many of them, aye the great mass of them, return to allegiance if they felt sure of being guaranteed in the possession of the rights they enjoyed before the demagogues of the South entailed upon their fair country this miserable rebellion – an instance of this has been given within a few days by the loyalty and manifestations of joy exhibited by the Southerners, as the Federal gunboats passed up the Tennessee river even into the State of Alabama. Willingly would they ground their arms and beat the sword into the pruning hook, if not urged on by the specious traitors who feel that for themselves there is not alternative but victory or the gallows. Men fight desperately, most true, when their lives, their houses, all their hearts hold most dear are at stake; but when contending against a Government whose protection they have so long enjoyed and which has guaranteed them the social and political privileges that no other people on the face of the globe have possessed, and when assured that by laying down their arms they shall still be fully protected in their rights, they have not the heart to fight with enthusiasm. The Enquirer may appeal to the people of the south by all the force of rhetoric that a bad cause can command, but it will not avail; the spirit of its soldiers is broken by delay and an inglorious and fruitless war, and all the oratory of its rebel statesmen and Generals cannot again rouse up the war feeling in their breasts. The doom of treason is sealed and the pour, misled soldiers of the South feel that they have been deceived.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
Mortality of Iowa Soldiers
The following list comprises the names of Iowa Volunteers who have died in the vicinity of St. Louis at the dates named. – For further information, apply to John A. Smithers, 113 Chesnut street, St. Louis:
Feb. 2 – W. D. Ellsworth, Co. G, 12 Iowa.
Feb. 3 – Edward Brown, Co. G, 2d Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 4 – Augustus Sharp, Co. E, 2d Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 4 – G. L. Church, Co. M, 1st Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 4 – Richard Garland, Co. I, 2d Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 5 – Elzay E. Clark, Co. G, 7th Iowa.
Feb. 5 – Charles L. Treat, Co. A, 12th Iowa.
Feb. 7 – Levi Carey, Co. F, 2d Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 7 – O. W. Judson, Co. F, 12th Iowa.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
Feb. 2 – W. D. Ellsworth, Co. G, 12 Iowa.
Feb. 3 – Edward Brown, Co. G, 2d Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 4 – Augustus Sharp, Co. E, 2d Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 4 – G. L. Church, Co. M, 1st Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 4 – Richard Garland, Co. I, 2d Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 5 – Elzay E. Clark, Co. G, 7th Iowa.
Feb. 5 – Charles L. Treat, Co. A, 12th Iowa.
Feb. 7 – Levi Carey, Co. F, 2d Iowa cavalry.
Feb. 7 – O. W. Judson, Co. F, 12th Iowa.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
Death of Mr. Harlan’s Child
We deeply sympathize with Senator Harlan in the affliction he as sustained in the loss of a beautiful little daughter. It was our melancholy allotment to sustain the same bereavement a twelvemonth since, and our heart is yet softened beneath the terrible affliction, and alive to the kindred sorrows of others. A correspondent of the Hawkeye thus alludes to the death of the little daughter of Mr. Harlan: –
“The family of one of our Senators – Mr. Harlan – are at present in deep affliction. A beautiful promising daughter of some six years old has been suddenly stricken down by a mysterious disease. In the very height of health and bloom of beauty, when no concern, no thought of danger was entertained, the Destroyer claimed her for his own. So sudden, so strange was her sickness and her death, that even in the last moments of dissolution her parents could not realize that she was in danger, and only after the pulse had ceased to beat and the bosom to heave, did the painful truth come home to them. The funeral occurs today. The body, still fresh and beautiful as in life, has been embalmed and will be ultimately laid in the soil of Iowa.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
“The family of one of our Senators – Mr. Harlan – are at present in deep affliction. A beautiful promising daughter of some six years old has been suddenly stricken down by a mysterious disease. In the very height of health and bloom of beauty, when no concern, no thought of danger was entertained, the Destroyer claimed her for his own. So sudden, so strange was her sickness and her death, that even in the last moments of dissolution her parents could not realize that she was in danger, and only after the pulse had ceased to beat and the bosom to heave, did the painful truth come home to them. The funeral occurs today. The body, still fresh and beautiful as in life, has been embalmed and will be ultimately laid in the soil of Iowa.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Edward J. Brown
Company G.
Edward J. Brown was born in Wayne county, Michigan, May 10th, 1842. Educated at the State Normal School, Ypsilanti. Came with his parents to Dubuque, Iowa, January, 1854, and there lived until the war broke out, when he enlisted, June 13th, 1861, under Lieutenant H. H. Heath, (afterwards Captain Company L.) Company G, First Iowa Cavalry. After three years' and three months' active service, he was mustered out at Davenport, September 9th, 1864. After the war he engaged in the insurance business for several years, and is now located at Quincy, Illinois, where he has been engaged in the business of dealer in nursery stock for the last twelve years.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 342-3
Edward J. Brown was born in Wayne county, Michigan, May 10th, 1842. Educated at the State Normal School, Ypsilanti. Came with his parents to Dubuque, Iowa, January, 1854, and there lived until the war broke out, when he enlisted, June 13th, 1861, under Lieutenant H. H. Heath, (afterwards Captain Company L.) Company G, First Iowa Cavalry. After three years' and three months' active service, he was mustered out at Davenport, September 9th, 1864. After the war he engaged in the insurance business for several years, and is now located at Quincy, Illinois, where he has been engaged in the business of dealer in nursery stock for the last twelve years.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 342-3
John M. Skiff
7th Corp., Co. H, 3rd Iowa Infantry
Killed in action April 6, 1862
Killed in action April 6, 1862
Shiloh National Cemetery
12th Illinois Cavalry
Companies "A," "B," "C," "D," "E" and "G" organized at Springfield, Ill., and mustered in February 24, 1862. Captain Gilmore's Company of Cavalry, Company "A," 32nd Illinois, organized at Camp Butler December 31, 1861; assigned as Company "F." Captain Sheerer's and Captain Barker's Companies, McClellan Dragoons, organized at Chicago, Ill., October, 1861; assigned as Company "H." Captain Brown's Company, McClellan Dragoons, organized at Chicago, Ill., October, 1861; assigned as Company "I." Companies "K," "L" and "M" organized at Springfield, Ill., December 30, 1863, to January 12, 1864. Duty at Camp Butler, Ill., guarding prisoners, till June, 1862. Ordered to Martinsburg, W. Va., June 25. Attached to District of Martinsburg, W. Va., to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to October, 1862. Defences Upper Potomac, 8th Army Corps, Middle Dept. to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to November, 1863. Chicago, Ill., to February, 1864. District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to March, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1864. District of LaFourche, Dept. of the Gulf, to August, 1864. 4th Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, August, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to July, 1865. Dept. of Texas to May, 1866.
SERVICE.--Duty at Martinsburg, W. Va., and on the Upper Potomac to September, 1862. Near Martinsburg September 3. Bunker Hill September 3-4. Martinsburg September 6. Darkesville September 7. Williamsport, Md., September 11. Martinsburg September 11-12. Defence of Harper's Ferry, W. Va., September 13-14. Regiment cut way through enemy's lines on night of September 14. Antietam, Md., September 16-18. Hagerstown, Md., September 20. Duty on Upper Potomac September 20 to December 8. Williamsport September 21. McCoy's or Russell's Ferry and near Green Springs Furnace October 10. Reconnoissance from Bolivar Heights to Rippon, W. Va., November 9. Dumfries, Va., December 26-27. At Falmouth, Va., till April 1863. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 8. Stoneman's Raid April 29-May 8. Tunstall Station May 4. Aylett's May 5. Raid from Yorktown into Matthews County May 19-23. March to Falmouth, Va., Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Upperville June 21. Expedition from Yorktown to South Anna Bridge June 23-28 (Detachment). South Anna Bridge June 26 (Detachment). Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Williamsport, Md., July 6. Bronsboro July 8. Benevola or Beaver Creek July 9. At and near Funkstown July 10-13. Falling Waters July 14. Chester Gap July 26. Kelly's Ford July 31-August 1. Brandy Station August 1-4. Near Fairfax Court House August 6 (Detachment). Brandy Station and Culpeper Court House September 7-8. Near Bristoe Station September 12. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Culpeper Court House September 13. Raccoon Ford September 14-16. Stevensburg September 17. Reconnoissance across the Rappahannock September 21-23. Jack's Shop, Madison Court House, September 22. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Raccoon and Morton's Fords October 10. Brandy Station October 11-12. Oak Hill October 15. Rappahannock Station October 27. Moved to Chicago, Ill., November 20-28, and duty there till February, 1864. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., February 9, thence moved to New Orleans, La., March 15-April 1. Moved to Red River April 20, arriving at Alexandria April 23. Actions at Alexandria April 28-May 5-8. Bayou Teche, La., May 5-8. Wilson's Landing May 14. Avoyelle's or Marksville Prairie May 15. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 17. Morganza May 20. Arrived at New Orleans, La., June 1. Moved to Napoleonville June 11, and duty there till October, engaged in picketing and scouting. Near Napoleonville July 29 (Co. "L"). Expedition from Paincoursville to Natchez, Miss., with skirmish August 15-21 (Cos. "I," "L"). Expedition to Grand Lake, Grand River and Lake Natchez September 7-11. Expedition from Napoleonville to Grand River and Bayou Pigeon September 26-30. Moved to Baton Rouge, La., and duty there till November 14. Liberty November 18. Davidson's Expedition against Mobile and Ohio R. R. November 27-December 13. Expedition from Baton Rouge to Clinton December 23-24. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., thence to Memphis, Tenn., and to Gaines' Landing, Ark., January 7-26, 1865. Osban's Expedition through Southern Arkansas and Northern Louisiana January 27-February 14. Duty near Memphis, Tenn., till June. Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., into Northern Mississippi March 3-11. Moved to Alexandria, La., June 15-22, thence marched to Hempstead, Texas, August 8-26. Duty in Eastern Texas till May, 1866. Mustered out May 29, 1866.
Regiment lost during service 38 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 192 Enlisted men by disease. Total 234.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1029
SERVICE.--Duty at Martinsburg, W. Va., and on the Upper Potomac to September, 1862. Near Martinsburg September 3. Bunker Hill September 3-4. Martinsburg September 6. Darkesville September 7. Williamsport, Md., September 11. Martinsburg September 11-12. Defence of Harper's Ferry, W. Va., September 13-14. Regiment cut way through enemy's lines on night of September 14. Antietam, Md., September 16-18. Hagerstown, Md., September 20. Duty on Upper Potomac September 20 to December 8. Williamsport September 21. McCoy's or Russell's Ferry and near Green Springs Furnace October 10. Reconnoissance from Bolivar Heights to Rippon, W. Va., November 9. Dumfries, Va., December 26-27. At Falmouth, Va., till April 1863. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 8. Stoneman's Raid April 29-May 8. Tunstall Station May 4. Aylett's May 5. Raid from Yorktown into Matthews County May 19-23. March to Falmouth, Va., Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Upperville June 21. Expedition from Yorktown to South Anna Bridge June 23-28 (Detachment). South Anna Bridge June 26 (Detachment). Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Williamsport, Md., July 6. Bronsboro July 8. Benevola or Beaver Creek July 9. At and near Funkstown July 10-13. Falling Waters July 14. Chester Gap July 26. Kelly's Ford July 31-August 1. Brandy Station August 1-4. Near Fairfax Court House August 6 (Detachment). Brandy Station and Culpeper Court House September 7-8. Near Bristoe Station September 12. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Culpeper Court House September 13. Raccoon Ford September 14-16. Stevensburg September 17. Reconnoissance across the Rappahannock September 21-23. Jack's Shop, Madison Court House, September 22. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Raccoon and Morton's Fords October 10. Brandy Station October 11-12. Oak Hill October 15. Rappahannock Station October 27. Moved to Chicago, Ill., November 20-28, and duty there till February, 1864. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., February 9, thence moved to New Orleans, La., March 15-April 1. Moved to Red River April 20, arriving at Alexandria April 23. Actions at Alexandria April 28-May 5-8. Bayou Teche, La., May 5-8. Wilson's Landing May 14. Avoyelle's or Marksville Prairie May 15. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 17. Morganza May 20. Arrived at New Orleans, La., June 1. Moved to Napoleonville June 11, and duty there till October, engaged in picketing and scouting. Near Napoleonville July 29 (Co. "L"). Expedition from Paincoursville to Natchez, Miss., with skirmish August 15-21 (Cos. "I," "L"). Expedition to Grand Lake, Grand River and Lake Natchez September 7-11. Expedition from Napoleonville to Grand River and Bayou Pigeon September 26-30. Moved to Baton Rouge, La., and duty there till November 14. Liberty November 18. Davidson's Expedition against Mobile and Ohio R. R. November 27-December 13. Expedition from Baton Rouge to Clinton December 23-24. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., thence to Memphis, Tenn., and to Gaines' Landing, Ark., January 7-26, 1865. Osban's Expedition through Southern Arkansas and Northern Louisiana January 27-February 14. Duty near Memphis, Tenn., till June. Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., into Northern Mississippi March 3-11. Moved to Alexandria, La., June 15-22, thence marched to Hempstead, Texas, August 8-26. Duty in Eastern Texas till May, 1866. Mustered out May 29, 1866.
Regiment lost during service 38 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 192 Enlisted men by disease. Total 234.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1029
The Richmond (Va.) Examiner . . .
. . . in a long editorial bewailing the condition of the rebel cause says, “We have a thousand proofs that the southern people are not sufficiently alive to the necessity of exertion in the struggle they are involved in. The most recent proof is that given by the people along the Tennessee river, where the gun boats ascended from Fort Henry to Florence. [That proof was decidedly] convincing that the hearts of the Southern people are not in the struggle!
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
Proposed Reorganization of Secessia
Several Senators are now engaged in maturing legislation, by which those States which have set themselves in rebellion against the General Government will be deprived of the governments which have acted in defiance of the Constitution, and be reorganized as territories, that the provisions of the Constitution may be fully and lawfully carried into effect.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 2
Died
Of Diptheria, on Saturday morning, May 3d at the Whitman House in this city, LEWIS BENNETT, in the 22d year of his age. Native of Canada West.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Married
At the McCutcheon House, on the 6th inst., by Rev. J. H. Power, Mr. CHARLES DOWNS and Mrs. REBECCA BALDRIDGE, both of Louisa County, Iowa.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
James H. Ewing
Pvt., Co. E, 3rd Iowa Infantry
Killed in action April 6, 1862
Killed in action April 6, 1862
Shiloh National Cemetery
J. W. Krapfell
Company G.
The subject of this sketch was born on March 30th, 1842, in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, and is the youngest of a family of six children. In 1846 the family emigrated to America, arriving at St. Louis, Missouri, in the early spring of that year. In the same year they departed for Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1847 located on some Government land in Dubuque county. He first attended school at New Wine, going a distance of three miles on foot daily with an older brother. In 1853 he returned to Dubuque and finished his studies in the public schools of that city. At the commencement of the war he was a clerk in the general merchandising firm of O'Farrell, Patterson & Co., of Dubuque.
On June 13th, 1861, he with his friend Ed. J. Brown enlisted under Captain H. H. Heath in Company G, First Iowa Cavalry, as private, and served in company in that capacity until after the battle of Prairie Grove, when ho was detailed by General Herron for service in the commissary department. After the departure of General Herron farther south, and the breaking up of his division at Prairie Grove, he returned to his company and remained with it until after the capture of Little Rock, when he was detailed as clerk in the commissary department under Captain Arden R. Smith. Quartermaster of the Seventh Army Corps, at Little Rock, which position he held until the expiration of his term of enlistment.
On September 9th, 1864, he was mustered out of the service at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Dubuque, where in the fall of that year he entered the service of Messrs. Woods & Jackson, dry goods merchants, remaining with them until September 19th, 1867. He then took a position with the German Savings Bank of Dubuque, and remained with that institution until May, 1871. On May 21st, 1871, he located at Waterloo, Iowa, and took a position as bookkeeper in the National Savings Bank, and has ever since been connected with banking institutions in that city. In 1876 he was elected assistant cashier of the First National Bank. In 1879 he was promoted to cashier, in which capacity he is now serving that organization.
The ties of friendship existing before the war between Ed. J. Brown and the subject of this sketch were strengthened during their service to their country. During their entire service, with the exception of when either one was sick, they bunked together and slept under the same blankets. Both were on detached service at the same time under General Herron and Captain Arden R. Smith. The meeting of such comrades at the triennial reunions of the regiment is truly a source of great pleasure; it revives in their memories and rekindles in their hearts the scenes around the camp-fires, and the joys and sorrows of those days which will ever remain green in their memories.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 341-2
The subject of this sketch was born on March 30th, 1842, in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, and is the youngest of a family of six children. In 1846 the family emigrated to America, arriving at St. Louis, Missouri, in the early spring of that year. In the same year they departed for Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1847 located on some Government land in Dubuque county. He first attended school at New Wine, going a distance of three miles on foot daily with an older brother. In 1853 he returned to Dubuque and finished his studies in the public schools of that city. At the commencement of the war he was a clerk in the general merchandising firm of O'Farrell, Patterson & Co., of Dubuque.
On June 13th, 1861, he with his friend Ed. J. Brown enlisted under Captain H. H. Heath in Company G, First Iowa Cavalry, as private, and served in company in that capacity until after the battle of Prairie Grove, when ho was detailed by General Herron for service in the commissary department. After the departure of General Herron farther south, and the breaking up of his division at Prairie Grove, he returned to his company and remained with it until after the capture of Little Rock, when he was detailed as clerk in the commissary department under Captain Arden R. Smith. Quartermaster of the Seventh Army Corps, at Little Rock, which position he held until the expiration of his term of enlistment.
On September 9th, 1864, he was mustered out of the service at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Dubuque, where in the fall of that year he entered the service of Messrs. Woods & Jackson, dry goods merchants, remaining with them until September 19th, 1867. He then took a position with the German Savings Bank of Dubuque, and remained with that institution until May, 1871. On May 21st, 1871, he located at Waterloo, Iowa, and took a position as bookkeeper in the National Savings Bank, and has ever since been connected with banking institutions in that city. In 1876 he was elected assistant cashier of the First National Bank. In 1879 he was promoted to cashier, in which capacity he is now serving that organization.
The ties of friendship existing before the war between Ed. J. Brown and the subject of this sketch were strengthened during their service to their country. During their entire service, with the exception of when either one was sick, they bunked together and slept under the same blankets. Both were on detached service at the same time under General Herron and Captain Arden R. Smith. The meeting of such comrades at the triennial reunions of the regiment is truly a source of great pleasure; it revives in their memories and rekindles in their hearts the scenes around the camp-fires, and the joys and sorrows of those days which will ever remain green in their memories.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 341-2
The Letter H
Allow me to recommend an excellent [aitch] bone. The English cockney’s practice of rejecting this letter from its proper place and inserting it where it does not belong is a source of no small amount of ridicule, particularly with Americans. We who has not laughed until his sides ached over the H-aitches of Binney [sic] in the American Cousin? Ridiculous as we make such blunders appear, the English are themselves in advance of us in efforts to correct the errors.
In a quite profusely illustrated work published by Ackerman, London, entitled “The Alphabet Annotated,” a page has an ornamental border of rare ingenuity. At first sight it appears only an aggregation of figures and objects with a profuse sprinkling of this unlucky letter; but on a closer inspection one half the design is devoted to driving it out of its place and the other half forcing it where it does not belong. Commencing at the top, a troop of angels are expelling it from ‘eaven, and another class of spirits are thrusting it out of ‘ell. It is falling out of ‘ailstorm, driven from the ‘ippodrome, dragged out of an ‘op-field, worried from a ‘unt by dogs and riders, removed from a bee-‘ive, an ‘aystack and an ‘ouse, and ‘eraldry. An undertaker is dragging it out of a ‘earse, while a butcher sticks a ‘og. A [rabid] animal drives it off his ‘orns, one with a stick pokes it off a ‘ippopotamus, another leaves it off an ’en, a groom brushes it from ‘orse, while a pack of ‘ounds vainly attempt to run away from it; a lady removes it from her ‘arp, while another assisted by a gentleman, beats it out of a ‘andkerchief, and four ladies armed with a scrubbing brush, parasol, poker, and fire shovel, knock it off a ‘eart; a middy cuts it from a ‘awser, while one sailor shakes it from the end of a ‘arpoon, and his companion, with clenched fists, beats it out of his’ammock; an ‘ibernian kicks it from his ‘od, it is cut from a ‘am, driven from an ‘ammer, ‘atchet, and an ‘ull of a ship; it is dragged from a ‘amper, a ‘ermit drives it from his cell; a ‘yena is bereft of it, while two [pantomime] characters hold an ‘arlequine, and Columbine drags it from his back, a soldier cuts it from his ‘elmet and throws it from his ’and.
On the opposite side of the page the fugitive takes refuge in the Hark on Mount Hararat, slide on the Hice, and plants itself before the great Hexhibition of 1851. A Hindian shoots it on Harrow at a flying Heagle. A hunter pursues a Hostrich with it at the Hend of a spear. It appears on the stage in grand Hopera, and the Harmy. It is being put on the Horgan and the Hamazon. A young lady holds a Halligator by the tail, while a young man pokes an H at him. A painter is drawing it on a Heasel, to decorate a Hidol. It is mounted on a Helephant, a Hox and a Hass. The infant ‘Ercules has taken it off himself and shakes it at a Hadder. It is mounted on a Harch and thrown into the water of a Hinlet, thrust into a Homnibus and among the Happles; taken away from the ‘en and put into a basket of Heggs. An old woman puts it into a Humbrella: others place it on a [statue] of Prince Halbert. It is being forced into Hale, at which it makes a very wry face. As a finale, three priests are forcing it up to a Haltar.
In the body of the work is another device touching this point. A Romish prelate kneels in worship, while another dangles from a gibbet. The lettering below is “The priest is at the (H) altar,” and the lines of text explain it.
“No difference to us in the sin
Of leaving out or putting an H in.”
Boston Transcript.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
In a quite profusely illustrated work published by Ackerman, London, entitled “The Alphabet Annotated,” a page has an ornamental border of rare ingenuity. At first sight it appears only an aggregation of figures and objects with a profuse sprinkling of this unlucky letter; but on a closer inspection one half the design is devoted to driving it out of its place and the other half forcing it where it does not belong. Commencing at the top, a troop of angels are expelling it from ‘eaven, and another class of spirits are thrusting it out of ‘ell. It is falling out of ‘ailstorm, driven from the ‘ippodrome, dragged out of an ‘op-field, worried from a ‘unt by dogs and riders, removed from a bee-‘ive, an ‘aystack and an ‘ouse, and ‘eraldry. An undertaker is dragging it out of a ‘earse, while a butcher sticks a ‘og. A [rabid] animal drives it off his ‘orns, one with a stick pokes it off a ‘ippopotamus, another leaves it off an ’en, a groom brushes it from ‘orse, while a pack of ‘ounds vainly attempt to run away from it; a lady removes it from her ‘arp, while another assisted by a gentleman, beats it out of a ‘andkerchief, and four ladies armed with a scrubbing brush, parasol, poker, and fire shovel, knock it off a ‘eart; a middy cuts it from a ‘awser, while one sailor shakes it from the end of a ‘arpoon, and his companion, with clenched fists, beats it out of his’ammock; an ‘ibernian kicks it from his ‘od, it is cut from a ‘am, driven from an ‘ammer, ‘atchet, and an ‘ull of a ship; it is dragged from a ‘amper, a ‘ermit drives it from his cell; a ‘yena is bereft of it, while two [pantomime] characters hold an ‘arlequine, and Columbine drags it from his back, a soldier cuts it from his ‘elmet and throws it from his ’and.
On the opposite side of the page the fugitive takes refuge in the Hark on Mount Hararat, slide on the Hice, and plants itself before the great Hexhibition of 1851. A Hindian shoots it on Harrow at a flying Heagle. A hunter pursues a Hostrich with it at the Hend of a spear. It appears on the stage in grand Hopera, and the Harmy. It is being put on the Horgan and the Hamazon. A young lady holds a Halligator by the tail, while a young man pokes an H at him. A painter is drawing it on a Heasel, to decorate a Hidol. It is mounted on a Helephant, a Hox and a Hass. The infant ‘Ercules has taken it off himself and shakes it at a Hadder. It is mounted on a Harch and thrown into the water of a Hinlet, thrust into a Homnibus and among the Happles; taken away from the ‘en and put into a basket of Heggs. An old woman puts it into a Humbrella: others place it on a [statue] of Prince Halbert. It is being forced into Hale, at which it makes a very wry face. As a finale, three priests are forcing it up to a Haltar.
In the body of the work is another device touching this point. A Romish prelate kneels in worship, while another dangles from a gibbet. The lettering below is “The priest is at the (H) altar,” and the lines of text explain it.
“No difference to us in the sin
Of leaving out or putting an H in.”
Boston Transcript.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
At a called meeting of . . .
. . . “The Monroe County Army Sanitary Committee,” held April 26th, 1862, the following resolutions were passed:
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, to remove from our midst, by death, Mrs. MARY A. DULL, a worthy member and officer of this Society, therefore,
Resolved, That in the death of Mrs. Dull, this Society has lost a punctual, efficient and valuable member, who wearied not in well doing, the soldier a devoted friend, society a member ever alert in duty, the church a communicant, whose daily life attested to the vitality of christian principles.
Resolved, That while we deeply deplore the painful loss which this mysterious Providence brings to us, we accept the chastisement as sent in infinite wisdom and directed by Infinite Love.
Resolved, That while this unhappy struggle still exists in our hitherto favored land, we, as a society, pledge ourselves by the open grave or four dear sister, to be more self-sacrificing, more thoroughly in earnest in the good work we have begun, and to emulate, at all times, the active virtues of our lost friend.
Resolved, That we tender to the friends of the deceased, our sympathy for them in their deep bereavement.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Albia Gazette and Daily Hawk-Eye for Publication, and that a copy be also presented to the family of the deceased.
HANNAH ATHERTON, Pres’t.
MARY A. K. COUSINS, Sec’y.
Albia, May 1, 1862.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, to remove from our midst, by death, Mrs. MARY A. DULL, a worthy member and officer of this Society, therefore,
Resolved, That in the death of Mrs. Dull, this Society has lost a punctual, efficient and valuable member, who wearied not in well doing, the soldier a devoted friend, society a member ever alert in duty, the church a communicant, whose daily life attested to the vitality of christian principles.
Resolved, That while we deeply deplore the painful loss which this mysterious Providence brings to us, we accept the chastisement as sent in infinite wisdom and directed by Infinite Love.
Resolved, That while this unhappy struggle still exists in our hitherto favored land, we, as a society, pledge ourselves by the open grave or four dear sister, to be more self-sacrificing, more thoroughly in earnest in the good work we have begun, and to emulate, at all times, the active virtues of our lost friend.
Resolved, That we tender to the friends of the deceased, our sympathy for them in their deep bereavement.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Albia Gazette and Daily Hawk-Eye for Publication, and that a copy be also presented to the family of the deceased.
HANNAH ATHERTON, Pres’t.
MARY A. K. COUSINS, Sec’y.
Albia, May 1, 1862.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Northern Conservatives Denounced
The Richmond Dispatch says –
The people of the North are divided into two parties, in the present war, as in the peace that preceded it – the conservatives and destructives. The latter are our old enemies, the Abolitionists, who are crazy people – honest, perhaps, in their fanaticism, but fit only for a straight jacket. The former are our old friends, who used to declare that they loved us better than themselves, and that before an army of invasion should march against the South, it should march over their dead bodies. It seems to be supposed that they have changed their character, and been merged by the war into one seething cauldron of abolitionism. This, however, is a great mistake. The war has not changed their character, but only discovered it to the world. It has shown them to be the falsest, the most treacherous and hypocritical of mankind. But for conservative money and conservative men, it could not be carried on a single day. Conservative cities have provided the cash and the soldiers; conservative Generals have lead their armies; conservativism has, in time proved the most formidable of our enemies. We are not aware of a single Abolitionist General who occupies a conspicuous position in the Federal hosts. McClellan, Rosecrans and others are somewhat ultra in their conservatism; and McCook, who said that if he had an Abolitionist in his army he would cut off his ears, is the same who proclaims, “The South must be subdued or exterminated.”
The conservatism of these men is still, however, conservatism only it does not mean, as we formerly supposed, the preservation of the Constitution and the rights of the States, but the conservatism of Northern commerce and manufacturers, at any cost whatever to the South – at the cost of every life and hearthstone in its limits – at the cost of converting its whole territory into one vast scene of blood and tears. That is what Northern conservatism means, and nothing else. It is, in a word, the most detestable avarice – a love of money so passionate and absorbing that it would murder a whole people to fill its pockets. That is Northern conservatism! In what is better than Abolitionism!
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
The people of the North are divided into two parties, in the present war, as in the peace that preceded it – the conservatives and destructives. The latter are our old enemies, the Abolitionists, who are crazy people – honest, perhaps, in their fanaticism, but fit only for a straight jacket. The former are our old friends, who used to declare that they loved us better than themselves, and that before an army of invasion should march against the South, it should march over their dead bodies. It seems to be supposed that they have changed their character, and been merged by the war into one seething cauldron of abolitionism. This, however, is a great mistake. The war has not changed their character, but only discovered it to the world. It has shown them to be the falsest, the most treacherous and hypocritical of mankind. But for conservative money and conservative men, it could not be carried on a single day. Conservative cities have provided the cash and the soldiers; conservative Generals have lead their armies; conservativism has, in time proved the most formidable of our enemies. We are not aware of a single Abolitionist General who occupies a conspicuous position in the Federal hosts. McClellan, Rosecrans and others are somewhat ultra in their conservatism; and McCook, who said that if he had an Abolitionist in his army he would cut off his ears, is the same who proclaims, “The South must be subdued or exterminated.”
The conservatism of these men is still, however, conservatism only it does not mean, as we formerly supposed, the preservation of the Constitution and the rights of the States, but the conservatism of Northern commerce and manufacturers, at any cost whatever to the South – at the cost of every life and hearthstone in its limits – at the cost of converting its whole territory into one vast scene of blood and tears. That is what Northern conservatism means, and nothing else. It is, in a word, the most detestable avarice – a love of money so passionate and absorbing that it would murder a whole people to fill its pockets. That is Northern conservatism! In what is better than Abolitionism!
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Benjamin F. Skinner
Company G.
Ben. F. Skinner was born in Middleburg, Indiana, December 3d, 1842, and lived there until he was eleven yearn old. The family then removed to Delaware county, Iowa. His father was a shoemaker by trade. After arriving in Iowa his father entered a large tract of land and went to farming. This did not suit the taste of the boy Ben, so he was apprenticed to the tinner's trade, at which he was at work when he enlisted as a private in Company G, First Iowa Cavalry, at Burlington, Iowa, August 15th, 1861. During his term of service was on duty at General Herron's headquarters for nine months. Returned to his company when the expedition to capture Little Rock was organized. Was sunstruck at Clarendon, Arkansas, and nearly lost, his life. The Camden expedition nearly used him up, as he was sick nigh unto death until discharged at Davenport, Iowa, September 9th, 1864, as high private, and then he thanked God his soldier days were over. He is now a robust G. A. R. man, a tinner by trade, and lives at Manchester, Iowa; and if any of old Company G pass his way, he invites them to be sure and call.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 341
We learn from private correspondence . . .
. . . from Northern Iowa, that Pitt Cook, of Sandusky, Ohio, is at Fort Dodge, and has bid off all the delinquent non-resident lands in Webster county. He has bought up all the lands delinquent for taxes in most of the adjoining counties to the amout of about $100,000. – {State Register.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
A Fatal Shell
On the night of the battle of Pittsburg, a rebel Georgia regiment drew up in line near the river to make a terrible charge on our ranks. Unluckily for them one of our gunboats got in range with the regiment and fired a large shell. The shell struck fairly on the end of the line and ploughed its way through the living wall until it came to the centre, where it exploded, making the most awful havoc and slaughter. The rebels broke into a precipitate flight.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
John L. Woods
Pvt., Co. E, 3rd Iowa Infantry
He received a mortal wound through the body, April 6, 1862, while attempting to carry the lifeless body of Sergeant Mulvana off the field. He died of his wounds April 9, 1862.
He received a mortal wound through the body, April 6, 1862, while attempting to carry the lifeless body of Sergeant Mulvana off the field. He died of his wounds April 9, 1862.
Shiloh National Cemetery
Fashionable Intelligence
Commodore Porter, after a series of balls at Fort Jackson and St. Phillip, is holding [a] levee at New Orleans.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Four To One
It is a suggestive consideration that of the five soldiers from this place who were killed in battle or died from their wounds four were republicans and one was a Democrat. The four republicans were Theodore Weeks, N. W. Doty, E. W. Barnum and John Watson. The democrat was Andrew Slatten. The four Republicans to one Democrat, will hold good in the 21 Regiments organized in this State. It is natural that this should be so, when it is understood that there are democrats in this and every other community who have done their best to dissuade their loyal political brethren from engaging as soldiers in the service of their country. Time and again we have heard these Democrats of the Magnolia Hill stripe, urge passionately that this was “Lincoln’s war – a d----d black Abolition war, and the Republicans might fight it out!” These appeals have had their effect; and we have a practical illustration of this effect at home in the circumstance that such a disproportionate number of Republicans from Des Moines have fallen in defense of their country. –{Register.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
From the New Orleans Fleet
The following letter is from William Sells, addressed to his father, the Secretary of State. – It gives us pleasure to publish it:
U. S. STEAMER MIAMI,
MOUTH MISSISSIPPI RIVER, April 6, ’62.
DEAR FATHER: – I have heard nothing from home since I left Baltimore, which was last of February. I have written you several letters since, one from Port Royal, one from Key West, and one from Ship Island. The great battle has not yet taken place, but will, quite soon, as the vessels are nearly all here. It may take place in the next 10 days, or sooner. Gen. Butler has landed some of his troops (about 6,000) at Biloxi, but for what purpose I cannot tell. The general impression here, is, that this will not only be the greatest battle of the war, but the greatest naval engagement on record. The Forts mount about 400 guns. Fort Jackson, the first, has two tiers of casemated guns, and one of barbette guns. One half mile above Fort Jackson is Fort Phillipi [sic], with one tier of guns.
Just below Fort Jackson there is an immense chain across the river buoyed on six schooners filled with wood so they cannot be sunk. At each end of the chain is a land battery but the worst place is above the chain at Englishtown. There they raked us four times; but land batteries are easily shelled out. But to take these place we are amply prepared, I think. There are some in the fleet that think we will be whipped; but I have no such thoughts. I think the men that have charge of the expedition, know their business. We have 21 bomb schooners, each carrying a 13-inch mortar, and will throw a shell three miles, and are very accurate and desperate. The shell contains 7 pounds of powder in addition, we will have about 30 war steamers, some of our best sloops and gunboats, including the Mississippi, Pensacola, Richmond, Hartford, Iroquois, Brooklyn, Harriet Lane, &c., including four New York ferry boats with immense power to tow schooners. – We have now two 9-inch guns, one rifle, four 24-puonders, and the best gunners in the fleet. For a while we did not practice much; but of late, the captain has taken hold personally.
We are to have for the fight, four more 6-inch guns from the frigate Colorado. She can’t get over the bar. Also 80 more men, which will give us a crew of 200 men. But we expect to come out of the fight with much less. All the large vessels carry a twelve pound howitzer “in the top” of each mast. They expect to go within three hundred yards of the forts and drive the gunners from their guns.
The captain of the Colorado, as he can’t get his vessel in, has volunteered to cut the chain. I have volunteered to take charge of our powder division, which is 30 men. They are also pikemen and boarders, and here, each man leads his men. –{Des Moines Register.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
U. S. STEAMER MIAMI,
MOUTH MISSISSIPPI RIVER, April 6, ’62.
DEAR FATHER: – I have heard nothing from home since I left Baltimore, which was last of February. I have written you several letters since, one from Port Royal, one from Key West, and one from Ship Island. The great battle has not yet taken place, but will, quite soon, as the vessels are nearly all here. It may take place in the next 10 days, or sooner. Gen. Butler has landed some of his troops (about 6,000) at Biloxi, but for what purpose I cannot tell. The general impression here, is, that this will not only be the greatest battle of the war, but the greatest naval engagement on record. The Forts mount about 400 guns. Fort Jackson, the first, has two tiers of casemated guns, and one of barbette guns. One half mile above Fort Jackson is Fort Phillipi [sic], with one tier of guns.
Just below Fort Jackson there is an immense chain across the river buoyed on six schooners filled with wood so they cannot be sunk. At each end of the chain is a land battery but the worst place is above the chain at Englishtown. There they raked us four times; but land batteries are easily shelled out. But to take these place we are amply prepared, I think. There are some in the fleet that think we will be whipped; but I have no such thoughts. I think the men that have charge of the expedition, know their business. We have 21 bomb schooners, each carrying a 13-inch mortar, and will throw a shell three miles, and are very accurate and desperate. The shell contains 7 pounds of powder in addition, we will have about 30 war steamers, some of our best sloops and gunboats, including the Mississippi, Pensacola, Richmond, Hartford, Iroquois, Brooklyn, Harriet Lane, &c., including four New York ferry boats with immense power to tow schooners. – We have now two 9-inch guns, one rifle, four 24-puonders, and the best gunners in the fleet. For a while we did not practice much; but of late, the captain has taken hold personally.
We are to have for the fight, four more 6-inch guns from the frigate Colorado. She can’t get over the bar. Also 80 more men, which will give us a crew of 200 men. But we expect to come out of the fight with much less. All the large vessels carry a twelve pound howitzer “in the top” of each mast. They expect to go within three hundred yards of the forts and drive the gunners from their guns.
The captain of the Colorado, as he can’t get his vessel in, has volunteered to cut the chain. I have volunteered to take charge of our powder division, which is 30 men. They are also pikemen and boarders, and here, each man leads his men. –{Des Moines Register.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Monday, September 6, 2010
Thomas Mulvana
5th Sgt., Co. E, 3rd Iowa Infantry
Killed in action April 6, 1862.
Private John L. Woods of Co. E, 3rd Iowa Infantry received a mortal wound through the body while carrying the body of Sgt. Mulvana off the field. He died of his wounds April 9, 1862.
Killed in action April 6, 1862.
Private John L. Woods of Co. E, 3rd Iowa Infantry received a mortal wound through the body while carrying the body of Sgt. Mulvana off the field. He died of his wounds April 9, 1862.
Shiloh National Cemetery
The Fall of Fort Pulaski
(From the Savannah Republican, April 28.)
Corporal Law arrived in the Fort, in company with the signal man, whom he went to pilot, at five o’clock Friday morning – the day of the surrender. He remained inside the works during the whole time of the bombardment on that day, and left as the flag was lowered, making his way to the South wharf as the enemy’s steamer was approaching the North landing. When the bombardment commenced on Thursday none of the enemy’s batteries on Tybee were visible, except from the smoke, which pointed out the different localities to our garrison. The shot and shell from the fort soon removed all obstacles of trees and sand, when all were discernible. There were four in number – two mortar, one rifle, and one parrot gun, the last mentioned being a short distance above the chimneys, opposite to King’s Landing. They all bore chiefly on the Southeast angel of the fort.
The firing of the enemy on Thursday was not so effective as to create any apprehension that the work would fall. The enemy were obtaining the range of their guns for the operations of the night and the day following. Most of their shells fell outside the fort, tearing up the earth in every direction. The yard of the V, or demiloon, on the west side, was plowed up as if dug into pits, by the shell which went over the fort. Still a large breach was made in the wall and the rifled guns poured shot and shell thro’ it, utterly demolishing the bomb-proof timbers and damaging the officers’ quarters. The north east casements were all in which the garrison could bunk with any security whatever, through Thursday night, though but little sleep was enjoyed, as the enemy threw twelve shells every hour into the fort until daylight. These facts were obtained from the officers of the garrison.
Corporal Law witnessed the whole of Friday’s fight for himself, mingling freely with the garrison throughout the terrible scene. It is impossible to give his account on paper. The firing on both sides was equally rapid and destructive as far as could be ascertained. On the part of the enemy, one mortar battery was completely silenced a portion of the rifle battery, and seven out of the ten guns of the Parrott battery dismounted. One mortar had been planted on the northwest corner of the Cockspur on the night of Wednesday, but this was silenced early in the fight and seven kegs of powder captured.
At the close of the fight all the parapet guns were dismounted except three – two 10 inch columbiads known as “Beauregard” and “Jeff. Davis,” but one of which bore on the island, and a rifle cannon. Every casemate gun in the southeast section of the fort, from No. 7 to 13, including all that could be brought to bear on the enemy’s batteries except one, were dismounted, and the casemate walls breached in almost every instance to the top of the arch, say between five and six feet in width. The moat outside was so filled with brick and mortar that one could have passed over dry shod. The officers’ quarters were torn to pieces, the bombproof timbers scattered in every direction over the yard, and the gates to the entrance knocked off. The parapet walls on the Tybee side were all gone, in many paces down to the level of the earth on the casemates. The protection to the magazine in the northwest angle of the fort had all been shot away, the entire corner of the magazine next the passage way was shot off, and the powder exposed, while three shots had actually penetrated the chamber; of this Corporal Law is positive, for he examined it for himself before leaving.
Such was the condition of affairs when Col. Olmstead called a council of officers in a casemate, and without a dissenting voice, they all acquiesced in the necessity of a capitulation, in order to save the garrison from utter destruction by an explosion, which was momentarily threatened. Accordingly, at 2 o’clock P. M. the men were called from the guns and the flag lowered.
Early in the day Col. Olmstead had no doubt of his ability to silence every battery on the Island, and to this end he determined, when night came, and the enemy’s fire was slackened, to change the position of all his heavy guns, so as bring them to bear on the enemy. As the day progressed, however, his situation became desperate, and he was forced to yield under the circumstances stated.
Corporal Law witnessed the whole fight of Friday, and says a braver and more determined garrison are not to be found in the annals of history. Every man did his duty with alacrity, and there being few guns that bore on the enemy, there was a continued contest as to who should man them. When volunteers were called for to perform any laborious duty there was a rush of men from every company in the fort. All did their duty and did it fearlessly, throughout the engagement, and to the very moment of the capitulation. Among the last guns fired were those of the parapet, and the men stood there exposed to a storm of iron hail to the last. All this,, our informant says, Col. Olmstead and his officers will verify when they have an opportunity of being heard.
Corporal Law saw the wounded. A member of the Wise Guards had one leg shot off, and the other badly crushed. One Oglethorpe lost an arm, and had the other badly shattered, and shoulder badly damaged – thinks he could not have survived. Another Oglethorpe lost a hand. A member of another company not recollected, lost a foot. He intended getting a list of names and particulars to bring up at night, not anticipating so early a surrender. – Sergeant-Major Lewis told him none of the Savannah boys were seriously hurt. Col. Olmstead also told him he would send up a report of the day’s operations, but the enemy’s movements toward the fort were so rapid, after the flag was lowered, he being under no obligation to remain, not being a member of the garrison, he had no time to wait for it, and then made his escape.
It may be considered strange that, under the circumstances, no more damage was sustained by the garrison. It is a mystery, but not incredible, after the experience of Moultrie and Sumter.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Corporal Law arrived in the Fort, in company with the signal man, whom he went to pilot, at five o’clock Friday morning – the day of the surrender. He remained inside the works during the whole time of the bombardment on that day, and left as the flag was lowered, making his way to the South wharf as the enemy’s steamer was approaching the North landing. When the bombardment commenced on Thursday none of the enemy’s batteries on Tybee were visible, except from the smoke, which pointed out the different localities to our garrison. The shot and shell from the fort soon removed all obstacles of trees and sand, when all were discernible. There were four in number – two mortar, one rifle, and one parrot gun, the last mentioned being a short distance above the chimneys, opposite to King’s Landing. They all bore chiefly on the Southeast angel of the fort.
The firing of the enemy on Thursday was not so effective as to create any apprehension that the work would fall. The enemy were obtaining the range of their guns for the operations of the night and the day following. Most of their shells fell outside the fort, tearing up the earth in every direction. The yard of the V, or demiloon, on the west side, was plowed up as if dug into pits, by the shell which went over the fort. Still a large breach was made in the wall and the rifled guns poured shot and shell thro’ it, utterly demolishing the bomb-proof timbers and damaging the officers’ quarters. The north east casements were all in which the garrison could bunk with any security whatever, through Thursday night, though but little sleep was enjoyed, as the enemy threw twelve shells every hour into the fort until daylight. These facts were obtained from the officers of the garrison.
Corporal Law witnessed the whole of Friday’s fight for himself, mingling freely with the garrison throughout the terrible scene. It is impossible to give his account on paper. The firing on both sides was equally rapid and destructive as far as could be ascertained. On the part of the enemy, one mortar battery was completely silenced a portion of the rifle battery, and seven out of the ten guns of the Parrott battery dismounted. One mortar had been planted on the northwest corner of the Cockspur on the night of Wednesday, but this was silenced early in the fight and seven kegs of powder captured.
At the close of the fight all the parapet guns were dismounted except three – two 10 inch columbiads known as “Beauregard” and “Jeff. Davis,” but one of which bore on the island, and a rifle cannon. Every casemate gun in the southeast section of the fort, from No. 7 to 13, including all that could be brought to bear on the enemy’s batteries except one, were dismounted, and the casemate walls breached in almost every instance to the top of the arch, say between five and six feet in width. The moat outside was so filled with brick and mortar that one could have passed over dry shod. The officers’ quarters were torn to pieces, the bombproof timbers scattered in every direction over the yard, and the gates to the entrance knocked off. The parapet walls on the Tybee side were all gone, in many paces down to the level of the earth on the casemates. The protection to the magazine in the northwest angle of the fort had all been shot away, the entire corner of the magazine next the passage way was shot off, and the powder exposed, while three shots had actually penetrated the chamber; of this Corporal Law is positive, for he examined it for himself before leaving.
Such was the condition of affairs when Col. Olmstead called a council of officers in a casemate, and without a dissenting voice, they all acquiesced in the necessity of a capitulation, in order to save the garrison from utter destruction by an explosion, which was momentarily threatened. Accordingly, at 2 o’clock P. M. the men were called from the guns and the flag lowered.
Early in the day Col. Olmstead had no doubt of his ability to silence every battery on the Island, and to this end he determined, when night came, and the enemy’s fire was slackened, to change the position of all his heavy guns, so as bring them to bear on the enemy. As the day progressed, however, his situation became desperate, and he was forced to yield under the circumstances stated.
Corporal Law witnessed the whole fight of Friday, and says a braver and more determined garrison are not to be found in the annals of history. Every man did his duty with alacrity, and there being few guns that bore on the enemy, there was a continued contest as to who should man them. When volunteers were called for to perform any laborious duty there was a rush of men from every company in the fort. All did their duty and did it fearlessly, throughout the engagement, and to the very moment of the capitulation. Among the last guns fired were those of the parapet, and the men stood there exposed to a storm of iron hail to the last. All this,, our informant says, Col. Olmstead and his officers will verify when they have an opportunity of being heard.
Corporal Law saw the wounded. A member of the Wise Guards had one leg shot off, and the other badly crushed. One Oglethorpe lost an arm, and had the other badly shattered, and shoulder badly damaged – thinks he could not have survived. Another Oglethorpe lost a hand. A member of another company not recollected, lost a foot. He intended getting a list of names and particulars to bring up at night, not anticipating so early a surrender. – Sergeant-Major Lewis told him none of the Savannah boys were seriously hurt. Col. Olmstead also told him he would send up a report of the day’s operations, but the enemy’s movements toward the fort were so rapid, after the flag was lowered, he being under no obligation to remain, not being a member of the garrison, he had no time to wait for it, and then made his escape.
It may be considered strange that, under the circumstances, no more damage was sustained by the garrison. It is a mystery, but not incredible, after the experience of Moultrie and Sumter.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
A Gallant Exploit
From the Louisville Journal.
Lieut. Col. Spears, of Bird's 1st Tennessee regiment, now stationed near Somerset, is in our city. He brought as prisoners John L. Smith, his two sons, Joseph M. and Calvin, and two other active secessionists, who were arrested by a refugee Tennesseean named John Smith, who is now in the patriot ranks of our State. John Smith, when called upon to decide between the Union und the Confederacy, lived in or near Huntsville, and loyally determined to adhere to the Stars and Stripes.
Jeff. Davis' proclamation warning all to leave the Confederacy who did not sympathize with the rebellion, induced him to sell his property preparatory to leaving, and he converted the proceeds into gold. But about the same time came the blockade order of Gov. Harris, forbidding any one to quit the State. John Smith was then seized by the five men who are here as prisoners, aided by some secession cavalry, and scourged and abused in various demoniac ways, until he revealed where his money was concealed. Upon telling where it was, his trunk was broken open and robbed of its contents, and a parcel of counterfeit bank bills inserted in the place. He was then sent on to Knoxville, where he was charged with treason and passing counterfeit money.
After being imprisoned some time, he was tried before a military court, with no forms of law, and as they could make out no case against him, he was discharged, minus a valuable mare and all his money. After incredible difficulty the unswerving patriot reached our army, and joined one of the Tennessee regiments. He obtained permission from his commanding officer to take twenty mounted volunteers, who went as far at the State line. Upon reaching there they resolved to penetrate into Tennessee, and knowing the country well, by unfrequented paths they went to Huntsville, which is about 60 miles from our camp, whence they started. Pushing boldly into the town, John Smith and his comrades succeeded in capturing the five prisoners, and immediately commenced their retreat; rescue was threatened and attempted, but the pursuers were never able to overtake the captors until they returned into our lines with some of the wretches who had acted so inhumanly. The secession robbers were transferred to this city, and John Smith has gone into Tennessee again with a squad of Union soldiers, where he hopes to make more captures. He has all the elements of a successful partisan, and his feats of desultory warfare are noble episodes in our Southern campaigns.
– Published in the Weekly Times, Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, January 2, 1862, p. 1; this article is also included in The Rebellion Record, Vol. 3, p. 56
Lieut. Col. Spears, of Bird's 1st Tennessee regiment, now stationed near Somerset, is in our city. He brought as prisoners John L. Smith, his two sons, Joseph M. and Calvin, and two other active secessionists, who were arrested by a refugee Tennesseean named John Smith, who is now in the patriot ranks of our State. John Smith, when called upon to decide between the Union und the Confederacy, lived in or near Huntsville, and loyally determined to adhere to the Stars and Stripes.
Jeff. Davis' proclamation warning all to leave the Confederacy who did not sympathize with the rebellion, induced him to sell his property preparatory to leaving, and he converted the proceeds into gold. But about the same time came the blockade order of Gov. Harris, forbidding any one to quit the State. John Smith was then seized by the five men who are here as prisoners, aided by some secession cavalry, and scourged and abused in various demoniac ways, until he revealed where his money was concealed. Upon telling where it was, his trunk was broken open and robbed of its contents, and a parcel of counterfeit bank bills inserted in the place. He was then sent on to Knoxville, where he was charged with treason and passing counterfeit money.
After being imprisoned some time, he was tried before a military court, with no forms of law, and as they could make out no case against him, he was discharged, minus a valuable mare and all his money. After incredible difficulty the unswerving patriot reached our army, and joined one of the Tennessee regiments. He obtained permission from his commanding officer to take twenty mounted volunteers, who went as far at the State line. Upon reaching there they resolved to penetrate into Tennessee, and knowing the country well, by unfrequented paths they went to Huntsville, which is about 60 miles from our camp, whence they started. Pushing boldly into the town, John Smith and his comrades succeeded in capturing the five prisoners, and immediately commenced their retreat; rescue was threatened and attempted, but the pursuers were never able to overtake the captors until they returned into our lines with some of the wretches who had acted so inhumanly. The secession robbers were transferred to this city, and John Smith has gone into Tennessee again with a squad of Union soldiers, where he hopes to make more captures. He has all the elements of a successful partisan, and his feats of desultory warfare are noble episodes in our Southern campaigns.
– Published in the Weekly Times, Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, January 2, 1862, p. 1; this article is also included in The Rebellion Record, Vol. 3, p. 56
The Louisville Democrat . . .
. . . is well acquainted with democracy in all its phases. It has been the aim of its whole life to take whatever of good it found in Democracy and urge it upon the people for its adoption and practice; and whatever of bad it found in the same party, it always set it on a hill so that all might see it and avoid it. As an exemplification of this is supported the administration of Jackson and Polk so far as they stuck to the old issues, and refused to support Buchanan and Breckinridge when they tried to make Democracy synonymous with wrong, disorder and treason. Now, when a discussion has been entered upon the propriety of reorganizing the democratic party, the editor naturally enough wants to know what is meant by it. If it is to bring back into power Breckinridge, and Mason and Slidell, and Benjamin and Bright, and Hunter and Davis and Buchanan, &c., he is against it. In our judgment this is exactly the gist of the whole movement, and if it does not have that effect, we will soon have another rebellion from the same discontented and disappointed patriots! The first effect will be that the new democratic party will find in its ranks every sympathizer with the South, without one solitary exception. That will be a beautiful element – will it not? It will exhibit the interesting spectacle of many a man who has in gone-by times been considered a Whig, chambering in close communication with men who have been plotting the destruction of the Government of the United States – sticklers for the Constitution so long as it protects treason, but against it when it undertakes to arrest and punish it.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Home Appreciation of John B. Floyd
Considerable amusement has been furnished us on the flotilla by an old copy of the Richmond (Va.) Examiner, containing an editorial on John B. Floyd, in which he is mentioned as “the hero of thirty battles.” I never knew a Richmond paper to be wittingly guilty of a joke of any sort; but that appellation applied to the notorious fugacious thief must certainly have been intended as a jest. Floyd – who not only never had any martial success, but ran away from a fight whenever he had an opportunity – the “hero of thirty battles!” Is not this exceedingly droll?
Speaking of Floyd reminds me of what a gentleman from Memphis, now on his way there, told me of the unprincipled ex-Secretary’s reputation in the vicinity where he lived for a number of years. My informant was traveling to Lynchburg, Va., and discovered that Floyd was on the cars. After arriving at the hotel, he found that the “distinguished son of the South,” as the Rebel journals have dubbed him, was also stopping there, and he noticed during the day, that all the persons who called on or conversed with him were of the most unprepossessing appearance, and disgustingly coarse and profane in speech. The Gentlemen remarked to the proprietor of the hotel, the singularity of Floyd’s associations, and wondered that so important a personage should not attract a better class.
The reason is, Sir,” replied the landlord, “that Floyd is known here. He lived in Lynchburg a number of years, and a greater scoundrel never escaped the penitentiary, where he ought to have been long ago. There are hundreds of men in the Richmond Prison who are honest compared with Floyd. Everybody despises him in this city and county. He never had a transaction with any one, whom he did cheat or attempt to cheat.
“He is an infamous liar and villain, and never was anything else. He could not obtain credit for five dollars unless he would leave his watch as a pledge; and if he did that, I would believe the watch stolen. He has swindled hundreds of people in this town, and he will do more injury to our cause – I am a strong advocate of Southern Rights – than a dozen of our best men will do it good. Confound him, I hope the Yankees will catch him and hang him; for he deserves it.”
On further inquiry, the Memphis merchant learned that the opinion of the hotel-proprietor had expressed of Floyd was general, and that he was as much despised as a pickpocket or a thimble-rigger. Floyd himself looked quite venerable, but looked care-worn and prematurely old, with a stoop in his shoulders (as if he had been trying to carry a small portion of what he had stolen on his back) and a very unprepossessing manner. He was generally quiet in manner and reticent; corroborating the idea that great scoundrels are usually silent, for fear of exposing their principles or misdeeds.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Speaking of Floyd reminds me of what a gentleman from Memphis, now on his way there, told me of the unprincipled ex-Secretary’s reputation in the vicinity where he lived for a number of years. My informant was traveling to Lynchburg, Va., and discovered that Floyd was on the cars. After arriving at the hotel, he found that the “distinguished son of the South,” as the Rebel journals have dubbed him, was also stopping there, and he noticed during the day, that all the persons who called on or conversed with him were of the most unprepossessing appearance, and disgustingly coarse and profane in speech. The Gentlemen remarked to the proprietor of the hotel, the singularity of Floyd’s associations, and wondered that so important a personage should not attract a better class.
The reason is, Sir,” replied the landlord, “that Floyd is known here. He lived in Lynchburg a number of years, and a greater scoundrel never escaped the penitentiary, where he ought to have been long ago. There are hundreds of men in the Richmond Prison who are honest compared with Floyd. Everybody despises him in this city and county. He never had a transaction with any one, whom he did cheat or attempt to cheat.
“He is an infamous liar and villain, and never was anything else. He could not obtain credit for five dollars unless he would leave his watch as a pledge; and if he did that, I would believe the watch stolen. He has swindled hundreds of people in this town, and he will do more injury to our cause – I am a strong advocate of Southern Rights – than a dozen of our best men will do it good. Confound him, I hope the Yankees will catch him and hang him; for he deserves it.”
On further inquiry, the Memphis merchant learned that the opinion of the hotel-proprietor had expressed of Floyd was general, and that he was as much despised as a pickpocket or a thimble-rigger. Floyd himself looked quite venerable, but looked care-worn and prematurely old, with a stoop in his shoulders (as if he had been trying to carry a small portion of what he had stolen on his back) and a very unprepossessing manner. He was generally quiet in manner and reticent; corroborating the idea that great scoundrels are usually silent, for fear of exposing their principles or misdeeds.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Peter M. Hart
Pvt., Co. B, 3rd Iowa Infantry
Killed in action April 6, 1862
Killed in action April 6, 1862
Shiloh National Cemetery
NOTE: This headstone misidentifies Peter M. Hart as his older brother, William F. Hart, who had been promoted to 8th Corporal of Co. B, 3rd Iowa Infantry one week before being severely wounded during the Battle of Shiloh himself. William F. Hart, went on to win several promotions, the last being 1st Sgt., on May 1st, 1864. He was killed during the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864.
Ex-President Buchanan . . .
. . . according to a Washington letter-writer, took with him from the White House the pictures of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and other member of the royal family Presented to the President by the Prince of Wales.
– Published in the Times Weekly, Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, January 2, 1862, p. 1
– Published in the Times Weekly, Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, January 2, 1862, p. 1
Down The Mississippi
EFFECT OF THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.
The refugees corroborate the statement that the battle of Shiloh, though claimed as a triumph, is regarded throughout the South as a great calamity by the leaders and abettors of the rebellion; and that the people, though deceived at first by the press, have, from interviews with the wounded soldiers, learned what was so carefully sought to be concealed. There is no doubt that Shiloh has been a terrible blow to the enemy, and one from which they can hardly recover.
LIBERTY OR DEATH.
Within the past three months a large number of slaves have been sent further South and sold to new masters; and the scenes in the auction marts have been often harrowing to witness – families being separated without the least regard for humanity, or that kind of external decency which the slave-owners frequently affect to observe.
A week or two since, a large and rather intelligent mulatto was taken from his wife and children and sold to a Texas planter at James’s mart. He, poor fellow, was greatly depressed, and seemed for a time unconscious of everything passing around him. At last he aroused himself from his introspection, and asked if he had been sold, and to whom? The name of his planter was given, and the location of his plantation.
An expression of agony, succeeded by a cloud of despair, passed over the man’s face; but without speaking, he walked quietly into the middle of the street, and before any one could divine his motive, or anticipate his intentions, he drew a pistol, which he had concealed upon his person, and placing the muzzle to his forehead pulled the trigger.
The upper part of the mulatto’s head was fairly blown off; and he fell a mangled corpse in the mist of the crowded thoroughfare.
The bondsman was free. Suicide had saved him from slavery.
The crowd, ever curious, but rarely sympathetic, especially when a negro is the sufferer or the victim, gathered for a moment about the body; but no one pitied, no one bestowed more thought upon the heart-broken, self-slain husband and father than if he had been a butchered ox.
A few asked, “What the devil was the matter with the nigger?” Others observed: “The d----d cursed darkey. I could have sold him for two thousand dollars. I’m just so much out of pocket. If he’d come to life again, I’d give him forty lashes.”
But the crowd went hurrying on, and the negro, and the great tragedy, deeper, and grander and more awful than “Othello,” were forgotten; and the heroic martyr was hauled away like a poisoned dog.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
The European Grain Crop
It is of importance to our farmers to know that there is likely to be an immense call for their aid abroad. The German papers indicate that the production of cereals on the continent is likely to fall far below the actual necessities of its vast population. The tremendous floods which lately devastated some of the finest grain growing regions of Germany and the Netherlands have diminished the possibilities of successful culture there, while in other directions the unusually inclement weather has done equal damage. In England, heavy rains continued throughout March far into April and the fields are still so saturated that, altho’ the vegetation is of fine appearance, it promises more hay and straw than grain. As late as April 14th white frost in the morning was followed by intense heat at noon. In France the prospect is better, but by no means satisfactory. In the North rain is too abundant; in the South the rapid succession of heat and cold has killed much of the whole sowing. Accounts from Italy, through Austrian channels, are nearly as bad, and even in Algeria, whence Europe has within a few years drawn copious supplies, the sirocco has laid waste to the grain fields. America then, will be more entitled during the coming year than ever, to be called the Granary of the World.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
Thrilling Discovery
The following wonderful story is told by the London correspondent of the Dublin Evening Mail: – “This is the age of discoveries, and one of such a startling nature has just been made in an English county that it seems out of place in the region of sober fact, and belong purely to the atmosphere of the three-volume novel. Here are the circumstances: the names for the moment I am not at Liberty to indicate. The earl of _____ married not long ago, and brought his bride home to one of the old family mansions which members of the English aristocracy regard with an affection amounting to veneration. The lady, however, being more continental in her tastes, after a short residence in the apartments appropriated to her use, expressed a wish to have a boudoir in the vicinity of her bed room. The noble earl would gladly have complied with the request, but upon examination, it was found that rooms, as sometimes happens in antique buildings were so awkwardly distributed that by no conceivable plan or re-arrangement could the desired boudoir be fitted in. – Thereupon it became necessary to invoke professional assistance, and an eminent architect was summoned from London. He examined the house narrowly, and said there seemed to be nothing for it but to build, though at the same time he could not resist the impression that there must be another undiscovered room somewhere in that wing of the mansion. The noble earl laughed at the idea; the eldest servants and retainers of the family were questioned, and declared that they never heard even a rumor of its existence. The ordinary methods of tapping, &c., were resorted to, but without effect. Still the architect retained his conviction, and declared himself ready to stake his professional reputation on the result. The earl at last consented to let the walls be bored and when the opening had been made, not only was the room found, but a sight presented itself which almost defeats attempts at description. The apartment was [fitted] in the richest and most luxurious style of 150 years ago. A quantity of lady’s apparel lay about the room, jewels were scattered on the dressing table, and but for the faded aspect which everything wore, the chamber might have been tenanted half an hour previously. On approaching the bed the most curious sight of all was seen, and it is this which affords the only clue to the mystery. The couch held the skeleton of a female, and on the floor underneath the bed, half in and half out, lay another skeleton, that of a man presenting evident traces of violence, and proving that, before he expired in that position, he must have receive some dreadful injury. The secret connected with this tale of has been well kept, for not merely had all tradition of the scene faded away, but even the existence of the room itself was forgotten the survivors, probably walled up remained hermetically sealed up till the present day when according to the best calculation after the lapse of a century and a half, daylight had accidentally penetrated into this chamber of horrors, which to the surprise of all concerned, has been discovered in one of the noblest mansions in the country.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2
S. W. Trenchard
Company G.
Was born in Steuben county, New York, on the 27th of June, 1836. When ten years old his parents moved to Wisconsin, and in 1852 he moved to Delaware county, Iowa, and lived on a farm until 1858, when he learned the carpenter's trade. Received a common school education, and when the war broke out, on the 13th day of June, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, First Iowa Cavalry, serving three years and three months. Mustered out as corporal at Davenport, September 9th, 1864. Has followed contracting and building ever since.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 341
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Death Of Iowa Soldiers
The Following Iowa soldiers died in the hospital and camps at St. Louis, between Dec. 21 & 28th:
Thomas Lunen, Co H 2d Cavalry
Thomas H. Hough, Co E 3d Cavalry
Henry J Chapman, Co F 14th Infantry
S Woodworth, Co A 8th Infantry
Leroy Bowen, Co G 14th Infantry
W A Hammond, Co L 3d Cavalry
James Smith Co K 13th Infantry
J J Miner, Co B 12th Infantry
Thomas Cochran, Co G 3d Cavalry
D C Weaver, Co A 13th Infantry
James W Miller, Co B 2d Infantry
J H Roney, Co B 6th Infantry
Benjamin Starry, Co D 5th Infantry
James fox, Co B 3rd Cavalry
– Published in The Weekly Times, Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, January 9, 1862, p. 1
Thomas Lunen, Co H 2d Cavalry
Thomas H. Hough, Co E 3d Cavalry
Henry J Chapman, Co F 14th Infantry
S Woodworth, Co A 8th Infantry
Leroy Bowen, Co G 14th Infantry
W A Hammond, Co L 3d Cavalry
James Smith Co K 13th Infantry
J J Miner, Co B 12th Infantry
Thomas Cochran, Co G 3d Cavalry
D C Weaver, Co A 13th Infantry
James W Miller, Co B 2d Infantry
J H Roney, Co B 6th Infantry
Benjamin Starry, Co D 5th Infantry
James fox, Co B 3rd Cavalry
– Published in The Weekly Times, Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, January 9, 1862, p. 1
Lieutenant E. A. Klingenberg
Company G.
Ernest A. Klingenberg was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 11th day of January, 1844. Being the seventh son he was named after the King of Hanover, thereby procuring the privilege of obtaining a military education by the government. Unfortunately the father met with an accidental death when Ernest was but three years old, and the mother died when he was but eleven years old. Being left an orphan at eleven, and his relatives in America, the guardian received instructions to send him over to them, which he did in September, 1855. Received private instructions for one year in St. Louis and Dubuque, after which he attended the public school until fourteen years of age, when he took employment as grocer's clerk: and at the age of seventeen years and five months, on the 13th of June, 1861, enlisted in Company G, First Iowa Cavalry. Commissioned First Lieutenant in same company, January 3d, 1865, and mustered out at Austin. Texas, February 15th, 1866.
After returning home at Dubuque he took a course in Bayliss Commercial College, after which he started into the grocery business; and in the summer of 1868 the Rev. James S. Rand, former Chaplain of the First Iowa Cavalry, paid Dubuque a visit, and persuaded Ernest to go into the insurance business, in which business he is up to date, having removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1874. His family consists of a wife, son and daughter, the latter married in 1887.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 340
Ernest A. Klingenberg was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 11th day of January, 1844. Being the seventh son he was named after the King of Hanover, thereby procuring the privilege of obtaining a military education by the government. Unfortunately the father met with an accidental death when Ernest was but three years old, and the mother died when he was but eleven years old. Being left an orphan at eleven, and his relatives in America, the guardian received instructions to send him over to them, which he did in September, 1855. Received private instructions for one year in St. Louis and Dubuque, after which he attended the public school until fourteen years of age, when he took employment as grocer's clerk: and at the age of seventeen years and five months, on the 13th of June, 1861, enlisted in Company G, First Iowa Cavalry. Commissioned First Lieutenant in same company, January 3d, 1865, and mustered out at Austin. Texas, February 15th, 1866.
After returning home at Dubuque he took a course in Bayliss Commercial College, after which he started into the grocery business; and in the summer of 1868 the Rev. James S. Rand, former Chaplain of the First Iowa Cavalry, paid Dubuque a visit, and persuaded Ernest to go into the insurance business, in which business he is up to date, having removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1874. His family consists of a wife, son and daughter, the latter married in 1887.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 340
Thomas Lee Molesworth
Pvt., Co. B, 3rd Iowa Infantry
Died April 11, 1862 of wounds received during the Battle of Shiloh.
Died April 11, 1862 of wounds received during the Battle of Shiloh.
Shiloh National Cemetery
11th Illinois Cavalry
Organized at Peoria, Ill., and mustered in December 20, 1861. Duty at Peoria till February, 1862. Moved to Benton Barracks, Mo., February 22-March 3, and duty there till March 28. Moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 25-April 1. (1st Battalion to Crump's Landing and joined Lew Wallace's 3rd Division, Army Tennessee.) Attached to 3rd Division, Army Tennessee, to July, 1862. 6th Division, Army Tennessee, to July, 1862 (2nd and 3rd Battalions). District of Memphis, Tenn., to September, 1862, and District of Jackson, Tenn., to November, 1862 (1st Battalion). District of Corinth, Miss., to September, 1862, and District of Jackson, Tenn., to November, 1862 (2nd and 3rd Battalions). Cavalry Brigade, District of Jackson, Left Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. Cavalry Brigade, District of Jackson, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. Mizner's Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1863. 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to August, 1863. Winslow's Cavalry Brigade, 15th Army Corps, to December, 1863. Winslow's Cavalry Brigade, 17th Army Corps, and District of Vicksburg, Miss., to December, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to June, 1865. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to September, 1865.
SERVICE.--Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7, 1862. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Purdy April 29. Pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 12. Coldwater Station, Miss., June 21 (3rd Battalion). Salisbury, Tenn., August 11. Bolivar, Tenn., August 30. Davis Bridge, Hatchie River, Tenn., September 25. Battle of Corinth, Miss., October 3-4. Pursuit to Hatchie River October 5-12. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. Lexington, Tenn., December 18, 1862. Salem Cemetery, near Jackson, Tenn., December 19. Huntington, Tenn., December 29-30. Parker's Cross Roads, Red Mound, December 30-31. Near Yorkville, Tenn., January 28, 1863. Dyersburg January 30. Operations in Northwest Mississippi June 15-25. Near Holly Springs, Miss., June 16-17. Hudsonville and on Helena Road, Miss., June 21, Bolivar, Tenn., July 10. Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., to Grenada, Miss., August 12-23. Grenada August 17. Expedition from LaGrange to Toone Station September 11-16. Ordered to Vicksburg, Miss., and duty in that District till December, 1864. Expedition from Big Black River to Yazoo City, Miss., September 27-October 1, 1863. Brownsville September 28. Morris Ford, near Benton, September 29. Expedition to Canton October 14-20. Canton Road near Brownsville October 15-16. Near Clinton and Vernon Roads October 16. Bogue, Chitto Creek, October 17. Robinson's Mills, near Livingston, October 17. Livingston Road, near Clinton, October 18. Near Natchez, Miss, December 7. Meridian Campaign February 3-March 2, 1864. Champion's Hill February 4. Jackson February 5. Hillsborough February 6. Brandon February 7. Morton February 8. Meridian February 9-13. Hillsborough February 10. Meridian February 13-14. Canton February 29 (Detachment). Brownsville March 3. Expedition from Vicksburg to Yazoo City May 4-21. (Detachment). Benton May 7 and 9. Expedition from Vicksburg to Pearl River July 2-10. Clinton July 5. Clinton and Jackson July 7. Expedition from Vicksburg to Rodney and Fayette September 29-October 3 (Detachment). Expedition from Natchez to Woodville October 4-11 (Detachment). Woodville October 5-6. Operations in Issaqueena and Washington Counties October 24-31. Expedition from Vicksburg to Gaines Landing, Ark., and Bayou Macon, La., November 6-8. Expedition from Vicksburg to Yazoo City November 23-December 4. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., December. Grierson's Raid on Mobile & Ohio R. R. December 21, 1864, to January 15, 1865. Franklin Creek December 21-22. Egypt Station December 28, 1864. Franklin January 2, 1865. Expedition from Memphis to Marion, Ark., January 19-22. Marion, Ark., January 20-21, 1865.
Duty on Memphis & Charleston R. R. between Memphis and Grand Junction, Headquarters at LaGrange, Tenn., January to September, 1865. Expedition from Memphis to Brownsville, Miss., April 23-26. Mustered out September 30, 1865.
Company "G" served detached as Headquarters Guard, 17th Army Corps, and participated in following: Movements on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30, 1863. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Messenger's Ferry, Big Black River, May 29-30 and July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. In Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign June 8 to September 8, 1864. About Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Chattahoochie River July 3-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Little Ogeechee River December 4. Station No. 5, Georgia Central R. R., December 4. Siege of Savannah December 10-21.
Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 32 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 8 Officers and 237 Enlisted men by disease. Total 279.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1029-30
SERVICE.--Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7, 1862. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Purdy April 29. Pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 12. Coldwater Station, Miss., June 21 (3rd Battalion). Salisbury, Tenn., August 11. Bolivar, Tenn., August 30. Davis Bridge, Hatchie River, Tenn., September 25. Battle of Corinth, Miss., October 3-4. Pursuit to Hatchie River October 5-12. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. Lexington, Tenn., December 18, 1862. Salem Cemetery, near Jackson, Tenn., December 19. Huntington, Tenn., December 29-30. Parker's Cross Roads, Red Mound, December 30-31. Near Yorkville, Tenn., January 28, 1863. Dyersburg January 30. Operations in Northwest Mississippi June 15-25. Near Holly Springs, Miss., June 16-17. Hudsonville and on Helena Road, Miss., June 21, Bolivar, Tenn., July 10. Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., to Grenada, Miss., August 12-23. Grenada August 17. Expedition from LaGrange to Toone Station September 11-16. Ordered to Vicksburg, Miss., and duty in that District till December, 1864. Expedition from Big Black River to Yazoo City, Miss., September 27-October 1, 1863. Brownsville September 28. Morris Ford, near Benton, September 29. Expedition to Canton October 14-20. Canton Road near Brownsville October 15-16. Near Clinton and Vernon Roads October 16. Bogue, Chitto Creek, October 17. Robinson's Mills, near Livingston, October 17. Livingston Road, near Clinton, October 18. Near Natchez, Miss, December 7. Meridian Campaign February 3-March 2, 1864. Champion's Hill February 4. Jackson February 5. Hillsborough February 6. Brandon February 7. Morton February 8. Meridian February 9-13. Hillsborough February 10. Meridian February 13-14. Canton February 29 (Detachment). Brownsville March 3. Expedition from Vicksburg to Yazoo City May 4-21. (Detachment). Benton May 7 and 9. Expedition from Vicksburg to Pearl River July 2-10. Clinton July 5. Clinton and Jackson July 7. Expedition from Vicksburg to Rodney and Fayette September 29-October 3 (Detachment). Expedition from Natchez to Woodville October 4-11 (Detachment). Woodville October 5-6. Operations in Issaqueena and Washington Counties October 24-31. Expedition from Vicksburg to Gaines Landing, Ark., and Bayou Macon, La., November 6-8. Expedition from Vicksburg to Yazoo City November 23-December 4. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., December. Grierson's Raid on Mobile & Ohio R. R. December 21, 1864, to January 15, 1865. Franklin Creek December 21-22. Egypt Station December 28, 1864. Franklin January 2, 1865. Expedition from Memphis to Marion, Ark., January 19-22. Marion, Ark., January 20-21, 1865.
Duty on Memphis & Charleston R. R. between Memphis and Grand Junction, Headquarters at LaGrange, Tenn., January to September, 1865. Expedition from Memphis to Brownsville, Miss., April 23-26. Mustered out September 30, 1865.
Company "G" served detached as Headquarters Guard, 17th Army Corps, and participated in following: Movements on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30, 1863. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Messenger's Ferry, Big Black River, May 29-30 and July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. In Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign June 8 to September 8, 1864. About Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Chattahoochie River July 3-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Little Ogeechee River December 4. Station No. 5, Georgia Central R. R., December 4. Siege of Savannah December 10-21.
Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 32 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 8 Officers and 237 Enlisted men by disease. Total 279.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1029-30
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Flight of the Rebel Congress
From the Richmond Examiner, April 23.
“If there be any modern so outrageously brave that he cannot admit of flight under any circumstances whatever, I say (but I whisper that softly without intention to give offence to any brave man in the nation) I say, or, rather, I whisper that he is an ignorant fellow, and hath never read Homer nor Virgil, nor knows he anything of Hector and Turnus; nay, that he is unacquainted with the history of some great men living, who, though brave as lions, aye, as tigers, have run away, the Lord knows how far, and the Lord knows why, to the surprise of their friends and the entertainment of their enemies.”
By such reasoning does the immortal Fielding justify the “falling back” of a favorite here and in searching a good plea for the dispersion of our Confederate – but not Roman – Senate, we can find none better. They, too, have been brave as lions, aye, as tigers; and alas! They, too, have run away, “the Lord knows why, to the surprise of their friends and the entertainment of their enemies.”
It would be amusing, if it were not sad, to read and hear their protests that the opinion they ran from “apprehension” was altogether an “outside idea” and their adjournment was due to the simple fact that Congress adjourned because Congress had ‘no more business to do,’ while their record shows that the tariff hung in [nediss], while one hundred and forty-nine military commissions lay unopened on the table, and while listening to a message from the President declaring that he retuned unsigned a number of bills the titles of which he had not the leisure to relate nor Congress the time to inquire.
Want of occupation certainly was not the reason of the scampering adjournment, and if “apprehension” had nothing on earth to do with it, as we are bound in politeness to believe, then the Lord knows why Congress is gone, and the Lord knows when Congress will come back to us.
We hope that all other persons in Richmond who intend to prefer flight to fight should they ever be in danger, will do what they do in that way like Congress – without “apprehension” of panic. If Richmond fails, it will not be a sudden stumble. There is not the least danger that their precious carcasses will be caught under a mashtrap. Abundant time for an adjournment will always be afforded by the operations of such officers as both parties have in the field. No large city, defended by extensive lines and several great armies, ever was or can be surprised. Richmond will always be open one side, and those who want to get out of it can do so at any time. It is hoped that here at least the Confederate armies will not bounce off after burning a steamboat or two and a bridge the moment they learn the enemy are in the neighborhood, without knowing how many there are, or whether they are not worse frightened than themselves.
Again we repeat, the falling of Richmond, if it takes place at all, will be a slow process, and we shall know all about it long before it comes to pass. Let no one, therefore, get out of breath before the race. If the Confederate government is worth a rush it will defend Richmond to the last, for the leaving of it, though it will give up to ruin many thousand of its citizens, will not be less fatal to the government itself. Nothing will remain for the heads of that government but speedy resignation to escape a load of execration and infamy such as would crush the greatest conqueror and despot that has ever ruled the world. They had better seek death on the field that will decide the fate of the capital than attempt to prolong a nomadic resistance at Montgomery. Though the people of the city and the country would lose terribly by the occupation of Richmond, the members of the government would suffer more than any other individuals, and, if they have a grain of common sense, they know it. Hence it may be safely predicted that they will defend this place with all the force they can command. We have no doubt but the arrangements of Mr. Randolph are efficient, and our armies are competent to meet the demand of the crisis. Soldiers and officer knew the stake and will play for it accordingly. Many a nation has owed its redemption to a decisive victory before the walls of its capital.
– Published in Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862
Captain A. W. Hosford
Company G.
A. W. Hosford was born June 14th, 1839, in Lorain county, Ohio, where he resided until the spring of 1855, when, with a determination to do and dare for himself, he packed his grip and started for the far west, arriving at Dubuque, Iowa, March 17th of that year. At this date no railway had penetrated the northwest as far as the Father of Waters, the terminus of the Illinois Central railroad then being Galena, Illinois. At this place he took stage for Dubuque, Iowa, a lively town of about eight thousand inhabitants. Having been brought up on a farm he sought employment as a farm hand; failing to find immediate employment in this line, he worked in a brick yard for three months, when he engaged with a farmer, receiving a man's wages, twenty dollars per month, though but sixteen years of age. Here he remained, working at whatever he could find to do, until August, 1857, when he concluded that to fight successfully the battle of life required a better education than he had yet received. So, gathering up his effects, which amounted to two hundred and fifty dollars, he returned to Oberlin, Ohio, where his mother then lived — entering college at this place, pursuing special studies until the spring of 1859, when with a depleted treasury he returned to Dubuque, Iowa. Here he at once secured a position as teacher in a public school near Reed's Chapel, where he had formerly worked. After teaching this school one term, he was appointed teacher at Rockdale, near Dubuque, which position he held until the breaking out of the rebellion.
The disaster to the Union arms at the battle of Bull Run removed all doubt from his mind as to his duty to the Government he had early been taught to love and reverence. So he immediately enrolled his name in the cavalry company then forming in Dubuque, which became Company G, First Iowa Cavalry. In this company he served till its final muster out, February 15th, 1866. He was appointed corporal October 1st, 1861; promoted sergeant May 11th, 1863; re-enlisted December 9th, 1863; commissioned Second Lieutenant, April 4th, 1864, and placed in command of detachment of Company G composed of non-veterans and recruits. This detachment he commanded until the return of the veterans from their furlough and Missouri campaign, when he was placed in command of the company. Was promoted Captain January 3d. 1865. Served as Provost Marshal on General Thompson's staff during the Texas campaign under General Custer.
After his muster out he returned to Dubuque, married Miss Sidonia Nailer, settled down on a farm, followed this avocation till the spring of 1874, when he sold out, and with his family visited Europe, where his youngest surviving child was born. Returning home a year later, he bought an interest in the Rockdale flouring mills, which with his partner he continued to operate until the autumn of 1884. The succeeding two years he improved and operated his farm at Manchester, Iowa,
January 1st, 1887, he opened a real estate, loan and insurance office, where at this writing, September 5th, 1890, he may be found, at the southeast corner of Main and Eighth streets. Dubuque, Iowa. He occupies a pleasant house with his wife and three children. Amanda L., Richard W. and Ida F., in the suburbs of Dubuque, Iowa, Here he expects to remain till he shall conquer his last enemy and be gathered to his fathers.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 339-40
A. W. Hosford was born June 14th, 1839, in Lorain county, Ohio, where he resided until the spring of 1855, when, with a determination to do and dare for himself, he packed his grip and started for the far west, arriving at Dubuque, Iowa, March 17th of that year. At this date no railway had penetrated the northwest as far as the Father of Waters, the terminus of the Illinois Central railroad then being Galena, Illinois. At this place he took stage for Dubuque, Iowa, a lively town of about eight thousand inhabitants. Having been brought up on a farm he sought employment as a farm hand; failing to find immediate employment in this line, he worked in a brick yard for three months, when he engaged with a farmer, receiving a man's wages, twenty dollars per month, though but sixteen years of age. Here he remained, working at whatever he could find to do, until August, 1857, when he concluded that to fight successfully the battle of life required a better education than he had yet received. So, gathering up his effects, which amounted to two hundred and fifty dollars, he returned to Oberlin, Ohio, where his mother then lived — entering college at this place, pursuing special studies until the spring of 1859, when with a depleted treasury he returned to Dubuque, Iowa. Here he at once secured a position as teacher in a public school near Reed's Chapel, where he had formerly worked. After teaching this school one term, he was appointed teacher at Rockdale, near Dubuque, which position he held until the breaking out of the rebellion.
The disaster to the Union arms at the battle of Bull Run removed all doubt from his mind as to his duty to the Government he had early been taught to love and reverence. So he immediately enrolled his name in the cavalry company then forming in Dubuque, which became Company G, First Iowa Cavalry. In this company he served till its final muster out, February 15th, 1866. He was appointed corporal October 1st, 1861; promoted sergeant May 11th, 1863; re-enlisted December 9th, 1863; commissioned Second Lieutenant, April 4th, 1864, and placed in command of detachment of Company G composed of non-veterans and recruits. This detachment he commanded until the return of the veterans from their furlough and Missouri campaign, when he was placed in command of the company. Was promoted Captain January 3d. 1865. Served as Provost Marshal on General Thompson's staff during the Texas campaign under General Custer.
After his muster out he returned to Dubuque, married Miss Sidonia Nailer, settled down on a farm, followed this avocation till the spring of 1874, when he sold out, and with his family visited Europe, where his youngest surviving child was born. Returning home a year later, he bought an interest in the Rockdale flouring mills, which with his partner he continued to operate until the autumn of 1884. The succeeding two years he improved and operated his farm at Manchester, Iowa,
January 1st, 1887, he opened a real estate, loan and insurance office, where at this writing, September 5th, 1890, he may be found, at the southeast corner of Main and Eighth streets. Dubuque, Iowa. He occupies a pleasant house with his wife and three children. Amanda L., Richard W. and Ida F., in the suburbs of Dubuque, Iowa, Here he expects to remain till he shall conquer his last enemy and be gathered to his fathers.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 339-40
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