The Waste of War

The Boston Journal has a letter from Pittsburg Landing, dated April 26^th, wherein the writer says:

“It is raining hard to-day.  Yet as I look along the river bank, I see thousands of sacks of meal and barrels of bread exposed to the rain.  Near by is a quantity of mouldy coffee, wet in some former shower and poured upon the ground.  Many of the sacks of meal have burst by handling, and bushels are wasted. – Yesterday I noticed a teamster give a half bushel of oats to a mule.  The animal ate perhaps four quarts and the remainder was wasted.  He had had enough oats, or as the farmers say, he was cloyed and refused them.  It is waste everywhere.  No one thinks of economy.  No one cares to save anything.  So from millions of streams flows the treasure of the people.  O, ye thrifty farmers and mechanics of New England, who are taught to know that if you take care of the pence, the pounds will take care of themselves, who practice economy as a virtue, that you may have to go to him who needs, one glance at war – at the camps – at the riches trodden in the mire – wasted by neglect and destroyed ruthlessly – if you could but see the broken wagons, the dead horses, the harnesses, saddles, equipments, the tents, baggage kicked about, knocked about, stripped, torn, battered, thrown aside abandoned – you would raise one universal cry of indignation.  But let me inform you that indignation amounts to nothing.  What does an irresponsible teamster care for mules?  It is his prerogative to thrash them, to pound them over the head, to cut them up with his tremendous whip, to bang wagons over logs and stumps regardless of consequences.  No body calls him to account.  What does a soldier detailed from the ranks to carry corn care if the sack bursts open when he tosses it upon the ground.  Nothing.  It is not his corn.  He did not enlist to carry corn.  What does a Lieutenant care of the men under his command do waste the stores?  He is after military glory!  So with the captain, so with the Major, the Colonel, the Brigadier.  It is not their business to look after the little details.  They have other matters in hand.  Besides, ever before the eyes of a military commander shines the dazzling delusive light – glory in the field.  There is patriotism at home, but it is modified in the army.  Understand me.  Our soldiers, our officers will fight bravely, heroically, victoriously, but underneath all the bravery is the pride, the desire for renown, which makes men, officers especially, selfish, jealous, which stifles patriotism, and which, if not guarded against, leads to a sacrifice of public interests for private advancement.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

Proclamation of the Act to Suppress Insurrection

July 25, 1862

By the President of the United States of America,

A proclamation

In pursuance of the sixth section of the act of Congress entitled ``An act to suppress insurrection, and to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate property of rebels, and for other purposes,'' Approved July 17, 1862; and which act, and the Joint Resolution explanatory, thereof, are herewith published; I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim to, and warn all persons within the contemplation of said sixth section to cease participating in, aiding, countenancing, or abetting the existing rebellion, or any rebellion, against the government of the United States, and to return to their proper allegiance to the United States, on pain of the forfeitures and seizures, as within, and by said sixth section provided.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh.

By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

WILLIAM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

SOURCE: Roy P. Basler, editor, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 5, p. 341

We learn that some of the Lincolnites . . .

. . . hereabouts have put off the coming of the Federal army into East Tennessee until frost.  They say from the signs of the times it would not be healthy at present for them to come.  Tennessee will always be too warm for their perfect good health.  But they can come if they have a mind to – if we can’t entertain them in a hospitable manner we will try to do it in a hostile way.  They shall be attended to. – Cleveland Banner.

– Published in The Daily Rebel, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Saturday, August 9, 1862, p. 1

A Contraband Story

On the Arkansas side of the river, is a large plantation, owned by an active rebel, who “skedaddled” after the surrender of Island No. 10, leaving an old negro or two in charge of the premises, taking with him of course, all his “likely” chattels and other movable “property.”  A few days ago a captain in the 47^th Indiana, one of the two regiments left here by Gen. Pope, observed a strange negro about the place, and questioning him closely elicited the following story:

The contraband said he had been a body servant to an officer in Fort Pillow, for some time past, and that he had made his escape a night or two previous by means of a stolen skiff. – Crossing the river to the Arkansas side, he cautiously approached the almost deserted plantation, where he had since been secreted and fed by one of the old negroes on the place.  He said the rebels at the fort had learned of the fall of New Orleans the day before he left, and at once began to make preparations for evacuating the place.  They were greatly depressed by the news, and freely admitted that their cause was now hopeless.  One of the officers in the language of the contraband said “Gemmen I tells you what it is, dere’s no use contendin’ any longer.  De Yankees hab got the Mississippi ribber sure, and de sooner we git from here de better.  De fac’ is, de Souf is about played out.”

This deserter, who is more than ordinarily intelligent for one of his class, amused the Indiana captain immensely.  He said that Lincoln had been represented to him as a huge monster, with one great eye in his forehead, eight arms and an immense [tool].  Our worthy Chief magistrate was further said to be especially fond of negroes as an article of food, and always had three or four roasted for breakfast.  “But lord bress you [massers],” said the contraband with a merry twinkle in his eye, as if apologizing for repeating such an absurd story, “I knowe’d better dan dat.  Dey couldn’t fool me wid any such stuff.  I know’d Massa Lincum was a mighty fine man and I’se got a heap o’ things I want to tell him too.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

A Democratic Address at last.

(From the N. Y. Post)

After a month’s labor Vallandigham (whose name is blessed, they tell us, south of the Potomac) has persuaded thirteen other members of Congress to join him in his Sisyphean labor of rolling the “Democratic” stone to the top of the hill.  He has succeeded in getting the National Intelligencer to publish two columns of antiquated political gabble which he calls a “Democratic Address.”  Three Representatives from Illinois, five from Ohio, two from Indiana and two from Pennsylvania, assist in the ungracious service, but strange to say, Powell of Kentucky, whom his colleagues recently tried to expel from the Senate for treason, Starke of Oregon who is about to be expelled for the same reason, and Wood of New York, whose newspapers [sic] was stopped because its chief supporters had enlisted in the secession ranks, though all good ‘Democrats,’ do not sign the document.  Their names are perhaps reserved from the motives of prudence, “to be annexed to the pamphlet,” or private edition of the address which is announced.

Other “Democratic” names would have been added, also, but for the military exigencies which now control the country.  Their bearers are engaged in the Southern army, fighting the soldiers of the Union, and have neither time nor opportunity to join their colleagues in this agreeable duty.  Mr. Jefferson Davis, President of the rebel Confederacy, is one of these “Democrats” who would have been delighted to put his name at the head of the list.  Messrs. Mason and Slidell, who are now abroad engaged in a painful effort to get the monarchies of the old world to make war on the republic, will be dreadfully chagrined not to have been able to co-operate with their old friends.  The eleven ‘Democratic’ Governors of States in open rebellion, who are furnishing Beauregard with ammunition and men, and urging Johnston and Lee to kill our brave brothers on the Peninsula with torpedoes and infernal machines, if they cannot be met in fair and manly battle, would doubtless have taken part in conclaves by which the Address was prepared, but that the roads are obstructed and somewhat complicated.  Major-General Gustavus W. Smith was unhappily prevented from participating by the stubbornness of McDowell, and the gallant General Lovell was too much occupied by the inconsiderate movements of Captains Farragut and Porter at New Orleans.

A pensive tone of despondency pervades the address in consequence of the absence of these powerful coadjutors.  But the most delicate regard for their feelings is shown.  Not a word is said in denunciation of the hideous rebellion of which they are masters and leaders. – A stranger to public affairs, on reading it, would learn that the republic was in the midst of a gigantic effort to save its own life from destruction by parricidal hands, only by rebukes administered to the Government which is making the effort.  The plot to overthrow the republic is nothing, but the energy which strives to defeat the plot is tyranny and wrong.  An infamous revolt against the established order, which arrests the [prosperity] of thirty millions of people, which plunges them into an abyss of bankruptcy and ruin, which has robbed the nation [of] the flower of its youth, and desolated thousands of once happy homes, does not provoke a single phrase of reprobation but the few acts of a loyal administration which may have leaped the doubtful boundaries of the law in a strenuous endeavor to rescue the nation, are branded as despotism.  The men who have not only violated the Constitution, but who have taken up arms to annul the Constitution, are suffered to pass in silence or under the gentle pseudonym of fellow citizens while the defenders of the Constitution, in a time of unexampled embarrassment and peril, are sneeringly berated as enemies of the republic, who would undermine its liberties and overthrow the barriers of Constitutional government.

It is consistent with the other conduct of this squad of fourteen, that while they spare the sensibilities of their absent co-workers, and make no allowances for the extremities in which the government has been placed, they should refrain from all allusion to the noble men who are periling their lives on land and sea in their country’s defense.  They can indulge without stint in laudations of humdrum political parties at home, dwell with beaming complacency on the tap rooms won and the polls carried by assault, exhaust the vocabulary of rhetoric in recounting the sixty years of Democratic electioneering triumphs, but for the glorious deeds of the rebel Democrats of the land – at Mill Spring, Carthage, Henry, Donelson, Pea Ridge, Hilton Head, Pulaski, Roanoke, Newbern, New Orleans, Shiloh and Williamsburg – they find no tongue Ellsworth and Baker, and Winthrop and Lyon, Wallace and Peabody, and a hundred others, might dwindle into utter forgetfulness for all that they say, and the armies of Halleck and McClellan, Banks, Hunter, Curtis, Fremont, Butler and McDowell, now drawing the last folds over the face of dying Rebellion, might perish where they stand, without a voice of sympathy or cheer from these model representatives of Democracy.  Their eyes are so intently fixed upon the reconstruction of the battered machinery which formerly carried them into political power that they cannot see the tremendous conflict which is waged under their very eyebrows.

This self chosen committee talk volubly of the constitution, of the rights of the States, of popular supremacy, of economy and reform of national banks and of protective tariffs, which were in former years the shibboleths of party organization but they use the words as a blind for the defense of human slavery.  The sum and substance of their address is, without all disguise that slavery shall forever rule the Republic.  All their babble of constitutional obligation and State rights has this meaning and no more unwarned by the events of the war, they fondly imagine that the people will go back to the times and issues which preceded the war they dream that our stupendous civil struggle has no significance, that our losses, our expenditures, our trials and our sorrows have taught us nothing and that slavery which has been the cause of them all, may yet go forth conquering and to conquer, just as it did before six hundred thousand patriots took up arms to repel and punish its insolent pretensions.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

Louisiana's Ordinance of Secession

AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the union between the State of Louisiana and other States united with her under the compact entitled “The Constitution of the United States of America.”

We, the people of the State of Louisiana, in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That the ordinance passed by us in convention on the 22d day of November, in the year eighteen hundred and eleven, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America and the amendments of the said Constitution were adopted, and all laws and ordinances by which the State of Louisiana became a member of the Federal Union, be, and the same are hereby, repealed and abrogated; and that the union now subsisting between Louisiana and other States under the name of “The United States of America” is hereby dissolved.

We do further declare and ordain, That the State of Louisiana hereby resumes all rights and powers heretofore delegated to the Government of the United States of America; that her citizens are absolved from all allegiance to said Government, and that she is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which appertain to a free and independent State.

We do further declare and ordain, That all rights acquired and vested under the Constitution of the United States, or any act of Congress, or treaty, or under any law of this State, and not incompatible with this ordinance, shall remain in force and have the same effect as if this ordinance had not been passed.

Adopted in convention at Baton Rouge this 26th day of January, 1861.

A. MOUTON,

President of the Convention.

Attest.

J. THOS. WHEAT,

Secretary of the Convention.

SOURCE: The War Of The Rebellion: A Compilation Of The Official Records Of The Union And Confederate Armies, Series IV, Volume I, P. 80

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times . . .

. . . of the 6^th, has the following notice of an imposition on the President:

THE CONFIRMATION OF ZERMAN – You were informed last night that J. Napoleon Zerman, an exiled Austrian, lately on Gen’l Fremont’s Staff, had been confirmed by the Senate as a Brigadier General.  This fact has astounded the knowing ones of Washington, and especially the foreign diplomatic corps.  Count Mercier avers that when he was with the French Embassy at Madrid, he knew Zerman as a detected adventurer and imposter at that court, that his career, if romantic, as stated in the dispatches, has simply the romance of crime, that he is a convicted swindler and forger, who has served in the galleys and pined in the jails of Europe so often that such facts ceased to be novelties worth mentioning.  At the Navy Department, to-day, I learned that Gen. Zerman, a short time since, would have gladly accepted a position as master’s mate in our naval service, with the moderate stipend of $40 a month, but he was spared this obscure fate to rejoice in the star of an American Brigadier.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

The Pacific Bill

The Pacific Railroad Bill, which passed the House by a handsome majority, establishes a company to be called “The Union Pacific Railroad Company,” with a huge body corporate, composed of men from the several States, and five commissioners to be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.  Its capital stock will consist of one hundred thousand shares of one thousand dollars each, all the persons named in the bill are styled a Board of Commissioners, eleven constituting a quorum for the transaction of business, the first meeting to be held in Chicago within three months from the passage of the bill, there are to be a President, Secretary and Treasurer, and fifteen Directors, two of which to be selected by the President of the United States, a right of way is to be granted to the company through the public lands, they are also to receive every alternate section of land as a present from the government, and the road is to be built on the most direct, central and practicable route.  The various grants, provisions and powers of the bill are set forth in nineteen sections, but, as it has not yet got through the Senate, it is hardly worth while to specify further particulars.  The members of the house have done their duty, and it remains to be seen whether the Senate will do its duty.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

The Fall Of New Orleans

We are at last authoritatively informed that this large and flourishing commercial emporium of the South has fallen into the hands of the Yankee vandals, who by means of gunboats and hay bales, accomplish on water what they can never do my land.  We have thus far received very brief particulars, but they are enough to satisfy us that the city has been evacuated by our troops, and is now in possession of the enemy.

The gunboats succeeded in passing the forts, distant some sixty miles below New Orleans, at an early hour Thursday morning, before or just about day dawn.  We hear that they were completely enveloped in bales of hay, the bales being first saturated with water, and thus proving an effectual barrier to both hot and solid shot.

As soon as it was ascertained that the boats had passed the forts, the excitement in the city naturally became intense, but we are pleased to hear that General Lovell, who was in command, possessed complete control over his troops, and caused [all] his orders to be promptly executed.

All the government stores were removed, as was also the ammunition.  What little cotton and sugar remained were destroyed – the former by application of the torch, and the latter by the waters of the Mississippi.  All the bullion in the banks was secured, and on Friday night, Gen. Lovell, at the head of his army, marched out carrying all the small arms.

With the enemy’s gunboats lying directly in range the defense of New Orleans was of course out of the question.  Such batteries as had been erected were constructed with reference to the approach of the enemy by the river.  In regard to the iron clad steamers about which we have heard so much, and which are so confidently relied upon to destroy the piratical craft of the enemy, should they succeed in passing forts we have many rumors, but nothing entirely reliable.  It is said that the Mississippi was on the stocks, in an unfinished condition.  She had not been launched, nor had any attempt been made to launch her.  We have good reason to believe that she was entirely destroyed before our troops left.

The Louisiana, mounting twenty two guns, is said to have been sunk by the heavy steel pointed conical shots of the enemy’s guns.  It is also stated that she proved too heavy to be easily managed.  Her sides were perpendicular – not angular like the Virginia – and therefore far less capable of resisting the terrible fire of the enemy.  As to the Lady Polk, the Manassas and other iron clads which have been at New Orleans, we know nothing.  Rumor assigns them a position near Fort Pillow, where of course they could not have rendered any service in the defense of New Orleans.

It is useless to disguise the fact that the fall of New Orleans is a severe blow, but we do not consider it at all irreparable, as some faint-hearted croakers would endeavor to make us believe.  It is an utter impossibility to defend any city after the enemy has reached it with his formidable gunboats.  Our battles with the enemy have to be fought in the interior, where, by help of God, we hope to continue to thrash him.  East of the Mississippi we have a country larger than any upon the European continent, save Russia, and here we can never be subdued.  But it will not do for any energy to be now relaxed, or for any man who is capable of bearing arms to stay at home.  All must lend a helping hand, and a bold, decisive stroke may push the war into the enemy’s country, and cause him to leave quickly every foot of Southern territory he now holds.  In this way, and this only, can the war be now speedily brought to a close. – {Petersburgh Express, April 28

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

The Capture Of New Orleans

U. S. FLAG SHIP HARTFORD

OFF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS,

April 25, 1862

DEAR SIR – In the excitement of the last few days you must not be surprised if I leave undone many things which I ought to do, and one of which was to write to you on the occasion of my taking this city.  But thank God it has been done, and in what I conceive a handsome style.  I had two Union men on board who had been forced into the Confederate service at Fort Jackson as laborers.

They informed me that there were two forts near the city, and as we approached the locality I tried to concentrate the vessels, but we soon saw that we must take a raking fire for two miles.  So we did not mince the matter, but dashed directly ahead.  They permitted us to approach within a mile and a quarter before they opened on us.  Capt. Bailey on the Cayuga, Lieut. Commanding Harrison, was in advance, and received most of the first fire, but although the shooting was good, they did not damage his little vessel

The Cayuga then fell back and the Hartford, took her place.  We had only two guns which I had placed on the top gallant forecastle, that could bear on them, until we got within half a mile.  We then steered off, and gave them such a fire “as they never dreamed of in their philosophy.”

The Pensacola ran up after a while, and took the starboard battery off our hands, and in a few minutes the Brooklyn ranged up and took a chance at my friends on the left bank but they were silenced in, I should say, twenty minutes or half an hour, but I cannot keep a note of time on such occasions.

I only know that half of the vessels did not get a chance at them.  The river was too narrow for more than two or three vessels to act with advantage, but all were so anxious, that my greatest fear was that we would fire into each other, and Capt. Wainwright and myself were hallooing ourselves hoarse at the men not to fire into our ships.

This last affair was what I call one of the elegancies of the profession – a dash and a victory.  But the passing of the Forts Jackson and St. Philip was one of the most awful sights I ever saw.  The smoke was so dense that it was only now and then you could see anything but the flash of the cannon and the fire ship or rafts, one of which was pushed down upon us (the Hartford) by the ram Manassas, and in my effort to avoid it, ran the ship on shore, and then the fire raft was pushed alongside, and in a moment the ship was one blaze all along the port side, half way up the main and mizzen tops, but thanks to the good organization of the fire department by Lieut. Thornton, the flames were extinguished and at the same time we backed off and got clear of the raft, but all this time were pouring the shells into the forts, and they into us, and every now and then a rebel steamer would get under our fire and receive our salutation of a broadside.

At length the fire slackened, the smoke cleared off, and we saw, to our surprise, we were above the forts, and here and there a Rebel gunboat on fire, as we came up with them, trying to escape.  They were fired into and riddled, so that they ran them on shore, and all who could, made their escape to the shore.

I am told, I do not know how truly, that Gen. Lovell had gone down that evening to make an attack with thirteen gunboats, a large ram of 18 guns, and the Manassas.  The Manassas and the Mississippi made a set at each other at full speed, and when they were within 30 or 40 yards the ram dodged the Mississippi and run on shore, when the latter poured her broadside into her knocking away her smoke stack, and then sent on board of her, but she was deserted and riddled, and after a while she drifted down the stream full of water.  She was the last of the seven we destroyed, but the large ram was till at Fort Jackson, but they say here she was sent down before she was ready, and that she will have to surrender with the forts, which I hope will be to-day or to-morrow.  I will give them my attention as soon as I can settle the affairs of the city.

I demanded the surrender of the city yesterday of the Mayor, through Capt. Bailey, as the second in command.  His reply was that the city was under martial law, and he would consult Gen. Lovell.  His lordship said he would surrender nothing, but at the same time he would retire and leave the mayor unembarrassed.

This morning the Mayor sent his secretary and Chief of Police to see me, and say that they would call the City Council together at 10 o’clock, and give me an answer.  That the General had retired, and that he had resumed the duties of his office as Mayor, and would endeavor to keep order in the city, and prevent the destruction of the property.

I sent him by his Secretary the letter No. 1 (copy inclosed).  I also sent him a letter demanding the surrender of the city, in conformity with the demand made by me yesterday through Captain Bailey, copy No. 2.  This morning, at 6 o’clock, I sent to Captain Morris, whose ship commanded the Mint, to take possession of it and hoist the American flag there on, which was done, and the people cheered it.

At 10 o’clock I sent on shore again, and ordered Lieutenant Kortz of the Navy, and Brown, of the Marines, with a marine guard, to hoist the flag on the Custom, but the excitement of the crowd was so great that the Mayor and Councilmen thought it would produce a conflict and great loss of life.  At 11 a signal was made to the fleet for divine service, under a general order, copy No. 3.

April 26, in the afternoon having been informed that there were two forts eight miles above the city at a place called Carrolton, I determined to take a look at them and demolish them.  We accordingly ran up, but to our surprise we found the gun carriages all on fire and upon examination found the guns all spiked.  It was a most formidable work for Foote to encounter on his way down – a long line of defenses extending back from the river to Lake Pontchartrain, both above and below the city, on which were 29 and 30 guns each.

Immediately on my getting above the forts I sent Captain Boggs, who is now deprived of a command by the sinking of his ship which he had so nobly defended, down to Captain Porter, through the bayou at Quarantine, directing him to demand the surrender of the forts.  His demand was at first refused, but the soldiers told their officer that we were in their rear, and that they would not be sacrificed.  So, this morning, 29^th, the gallant Bailey brought us the intelligence, in the Cayuga, Captain Harrison, that the forts had surrendered, the ram blown up, and that the American flag floats over both forts.

I have sent down for Gen. Butler’s troops to come and occupy this city, and will soon be off for Mobile.  Depend upon it we will keep the stampede up.

I send Captain Bailey home as bearer of dispatches.  He has done his work nobly, and that while suffering under an infirmity which required attention and repose.

I am, very truly and respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

D G FARRAGUT

Flag Officer West Gulf Block’ng Squad’n

To G V Fox, Esq., Ass’t Sec’y of Navy

U S SHIP HARRIET LANE,

April 29, 1862

SIR – The morning after the ships passed the forts I sent a demand to Col. Higgins for a surrender of the forts, which was declined.  On the 27^th I sent Lieut. Col. Higgins a communication, herewith inclosed [sic].  On the 28^th I received a communication from him stating that he would surrender the forts, and I came up and took possession, drew up articles of capitulation and hoisted the American flag over the forts.

These men have defended these forts with a bravery worthy of a better cause.  I treated them with all the consideration that circumstances would admit.

The three steamers remaining were under the command of Commander J. K. Mitchell.  The officer of the fort acknowledged no connection with them, and wished in no way to be considered responsible for their acts.

While I had a flag of truce up they were employed in towing the iron floating battery of 16 guns, a most formidable affair, to place above the forts and while drawing up the articles of capitulation in the cabin of the Harriet Lane, it was reported to me that they had set fire to the battery and turned it adrift upon us.  I asked the General if it had powder on board or guns loaded.  He replied that he would not undertake to say what they Navy officers would do.

He seemed to have great contempt for them.  I told him, “we could stand the fire and blow up if he could,” and went on with the conference, after directing the officers to look out for their ships.  While drifting down on us, the guns, getting heated exploded, throwing the shot above the river.  A few minutes after, the floating battery exploded with a terrific noise, throwing the fragments all over the river, and wounding one of their own men in Fort. St. Philip, and immediately disappeared under water.  Had she blown up near the vessels she would have destroyed the whole of them.

When I had finished taking possession of the fort, I got under way in the Harriet Lane, and started for the steamers, one of which was still flying the Confederate flag.  I fired a shot over her, and they surrendered.  There was on board of them a number of naval officers and two companies of marine artillery.

I made them surrender unconditionally and for their infamous conduct in trying to blow us up while under a flag of truce, I conveyed them to close confinement as prisoners of war, and think they should be sent to the North and kept in close confinement there until the war is over, or they should be tried for their infamous conduct.  I have a great deal to do here, and will send you all the papers when I am able to arrange them.

I turned over the force to Gen. Phelps.  Fort Jackson is a perfect ruin.  I am told that over 1,800 shells fell and burst over the center of the fort.  The practice was beautiful.  The next fort we go at we will settle sooner, as this has been hard to get at.  The naval officer sunk one gunboat while the capitulation was going on, but I have one of the others, a steamer, at work, and hope soon to have the other.

I find that we are to be the “hewers of wood and drawers of water,” but as the soldiers have nothing here in the shape of motive power, we will do all we can.  I should have demanded unconditional surrender, but with such a force in your rear, it was desirable to get possession of these forts as soon as possible.  The officers turned over everything in good order except the walls and building[s], which are terribly shattered by the mortars.

Very respectfully,

D D PORTER,

Commanding flotilla.

To Flag Officer D G FARRAGUT

U S STEAMER HARRIET LANE,

Mississippi River, April 30, 1862

I inclose herewith the capitulation of forts Jackson and St. Phillip, which surrendered to the mortar flotilla on the 28^th day of April, 1862.  I also inclose in a box, forwarded on this occasion, all the flags taken in the two forts, with the original flag hoisted on Fort St. Phillip when the State of Louisiana seceded – Fort Jackson is a perfect wreck.

Everything in the shape of a building in and about it was burned up by the mortar shells, and over 1,800 shells fell in the work proper, to say nothing of those which burst over and around it.  I devoted but little attention to Ft. St. Phillip, knowing that when Jackson fell St. Phillip would follow.  The mortar flotilla is still fresh.  Truly the backbone of the rebellion is broken.

On the 26^th of the month I sent six of the mortar schooners to the back of Fort Jackson to block up the bayous and prevent supplies from getting in.  Three of them drifted over to Fort Livingston, and when they anchored the fort hung out a white flag and surrendered. – the Kittatinny, which had been blockading there for some time, sent a boat in advance of the mortar vessels, and reaching the shore first, deprived them of the pleasure of hoisting our flag over what had surrendered to the mortar flotilla.  Still the fort is ours, and we are satisfied.  I am happy to state that officers and crew are all well and full of spirits.

I have the honor to remain,

Your obedient servant,

David G [sic] PORTER

To Hon. G. WELLES

Burlington, Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

A Paris letter in the New York Commercial says: –

The Southern People in Paris are jubilant over the divisions in the North, and seem to rejoice that the long hoped for state of anarchy has now come.  They expect soon to see Mr. Lincoln deposed from office and the independence of the South recognized by the North.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

Reliable information represents the rebels . . .

. . . as having withdrawn from Granada toward Jackson.  The indications are that Pemberton’s forces are to be concentrated within supporting distance of Vicksburg, where a great battle will soon be fought, unless all signs fall.  It is not likely that Vicksburg will be abandoned without a desperate struggle; and it is quite certain that the attack on that city will soon be made.  Within a short time the question of opening the Mississippi and cutting the Confederacy in two will be decided.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

The war news of this week . . .

. . . are [sic] of but little importance.  Gen. Foster has fought a battle in North Carolina and whipped the enemy.  Report says, that there will be a great battle fought a Vicksburg in a few days; also that Gen. Rosecrans will attack the enemy shortly.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

Gen. Butler . . .

. . . whose conduct in his official career at New Orleans has been universally applauded throughout the North, has been superseded by Gen. Banks.  We have not learned the cause.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

Reconstruction of the Old Democratic Party

The Democratic members of Congress have issued an address to the democracy of the United States, urging the reorganization of the Democratic party, and opposing the union of the people, and the sinking of party divisions, for the support of the Government in establishing the authority of the Constitution and laws. – While over six hundred thousand Northern soldiers are offering their lives in the field to suppress this most formidable rebellion against constitutional government and hundreds of them are falling daily in battle, and from the diseases of camp and of climate, the Democratic members of Congress issued their circular, urging a party reorganization to cripple the government in the war and to make terms with the enemy.

There is in this address no word of condemnation for rebels who have covered the land with slaughter, and brought the nation to the brink of destruction, but it charges that the people who voted the traitors out of the Government which they had broken down by treason, were the cause of the rebellion.  The means which it purposes for restoring the democratic party, are nothing less than to crush, under the name of Abolitionism, the sentiments of the entire people who do not regard Slavery as a moral and religious right, and are not willing to submit to it as a supreme political power in this Government, and to make terms with the Southern rebels, so as to restore them to the control of this nation.

In this specification, the cloven footed separation, and then detaching the Northwest and taking it into the Southern confederacy, so as to establish the supremacy of the Cotton States by a Confederacy which shall leave New England out, is still apparent.  Even with all the glittering generalities of restoring the Democratic party under the name of restoring the Union this address cannot omit that feature of the original conspiracy.  It need not have made its relationship with the original Secession plot any plainer.  It says “Armies may break down the power of the confederate Government in the South, but the work of restoration can only be carried on through the political organization and the ballot in the North and West.

The meaning of this is, armies may defeat the Confederates in the field, but the Union cannot be restored except by putting a party in power in the North and West which will restore the rebels to political power.  But why not as well by political organization and the ballot in the East, where this reorganization has quite as good chances as in the North and West?  Simply because, even in this Democratic regeneration of all the Free States could be effected, it would not carry out the original plot, nor satisfy the southern demand.  It must be a Confederacy with a majority of Salve States.  This condition was declared by Mr. Pugh in his speech at the Washington birthday banquet at the Burnet House in 1861.  He declared that the equal power of the South in the United States Senate must be restored, otherwise the union would never be restored.  But his premises went even further than this he declared that when the Union was formed nearly all were Slave States, and he assumed that this status of slave representation in the Senate was one of the compromises of the Constitution, which had been violated by the modern preponderance of Free States in the Senate.  Therefore his premises would require a large preponderance of Slave States, in order to restore the Union.  It is supposed that a Confederacy leaving out New England, will make this preponderance, and when once made, the South will see that it is maintained.

That this plot is still entertained by those who adhere to the Democratic organization, anyone can see by the persistent attempts of their organs to excite sectional hostility between the West and East, and this condition of restoration laid down in this address, is the unmistakable ear mark of the original conspiracy.

The address predicates the necessity of the restoration of the Democratic party upon its past history, therefore its past history is the lesson of its future expectation, and the purposes.  The restoration of the Democratic party is the restoration of the rebels to power, for every rebel leader was a leader in the Democratic party.  It is the resurrection of a party which died of treason in Buchanan’s Administration, which the Cabinet officers were transferring the Government arms and property to the conspirators, disabling its forts so that they might be seized by traitors, robbing its treasury and even its sacred trust funds, sending its vessels to distant seas that it might be utterly defenseless, delivering up its navy yards and arsenals to rebels and bullying an imbecile President into driveling submission to the seizure of forts, arsenals, custom houses, post offices and public vessels.

The President of the Confederates was a Democratic Secretary of War, appointed and sustained by the Democratic party when his secession sentiments were as well known as they are now.  Their Vice President was a Democratic leader in the House of Representatives in Congress.  Their Cabinet officers were leading members of “the old Democratic party.”  Their generals have nearly all been accustomed to command in the Democratic party.  Their foreign agents are all democrats.  Their Congress is ancient Democratic.  Their principles are the same they held in the old Democratic party – the old Democratic Cabinet officers, foreign Ministers, Senators, Representatives and party leaders are, with few exceptions, among the confederate rebels, where they hold similar positions.  But a remnant is left.  There is where the old Democratic party has gone, and nothing less than a restoration of them to power will be the restoration of the old democratic party.

The “Old Democratic party,” is now the rebel confederacy, having carried into the operation the logical result of its doctrines.  The only way that the Democratic party can be restored, is for the Government and the people to submit to the government of Jeff Davis.  That is the feast to which the people are invited by this address of the remnant of bereaved democratic sympathizers in congress – this tag end of treason which astounded the world, and disgraced Republican institutions in the eyes of all mankind.

The Government almost throttled with treason, bound hand and foot and delivered up to traitors, the nation exposed to the insolence of foreign powers, because weakened by insurrection, the land covered with blood and devastation, thousands of Northern sons slaughtered on Southern soil, the country [shrouded] in morning, the loyal people of the South suffering barbarities which have hardly been paralleled in history, which inflict remorseless destruction on the property of every man suspected of fidelity, and spare no provision for helpless women or tender infancy, the mass of the people of the South, incited to a fiendish fanaticism that revels in the most horrible atrocities, both on living and dead, and which, if they could reach the north would delight in the indiscriminate massacre of the people, and the general devastation of their property, fierce sectional hate which may outlast generations, all the demoralization of war, millions of northern property robbed in the South, burdensome taxation, and a thousand millions of debt – these are the assets of the “old Democratic party,” these are a few of the items which that party has cost the country, and it is to such a history that this remnant of mourners for that organization appeal to show the necessity for its resurrection from a death of treason and a memory of infamy – {Cin. Gaz.

– Published in The Burlington, Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

Capt. Geo. N. Barr

Died October 24th, 1884, at Princeton, Illinois. He joined the regiment in 1861, as a private, enlisting in Company B. He soon attracted attention as a drill master and acted in that capacity for some time — it being conceded by men high in rank that he was a natural soldier and in fact was the best posted soldier in tactics in Camp Bureau. A vacancy occurring in the company, George was unanimously elected to the position of First Lieutenant, and he filled that position with ability. When the time came for re-enlistment, he walked promptly forward and enlisted for three years more or during the war. Before the close of the war he was commissioned as Captain of Company B, and remained with the company until final muster out, July 7th, 1865, having served three years and eleven months.

One more widow and orphan,

One more comrade asleep,

One more soldier gone,

For whom all comrades weep.

WHEREAS, in view of the loss we have sustained by the death of our comrade, Capt. Geo. N. Barr, of Company B, 57th Illinois Infantry, and of the still heavier loss sustained by those who were nearest and dearest to him. Therefore be it

Resolved. That it is but a just tribute to the memory of the departed, to say that in regretting his removal from our midst we have lost one who had served his country in its hour of peril as a true soldier of the Union; showing to us that we too must sooner or later answer the call of our Supreme Commander.

Resolved, That we sincerely condole with the family of our comrade, which it has so pleased our Great Commander to afflict and who orders all things for the best.

SOURCE: William W. Cluett, History Of The 57th Regiment: Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 109

The New Rebel Flag

Imagine a red handkerchief with a broad white bar stretching diagonally across it from one corner to the other and a similar bar crossing the first from the opposite corners, with a blue shield at the point of the intersection, on which a yellow spot represents the sun, and you have the flag.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862 p. 1

The New York Herald’s Washington correspondence says . . .

. . . the Democratic address has fallen still born in the midst of exciting military news.  Its appearance under the particular auspices of Vallandigham, makes it an object of suspicion, to be generally avoided.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862 p. 1

Dr. Milton A. Isaacs

Died at Corinth, Miss., in July 1862. He was the son of Mr. Isaacs, of Ohio Township, Bureau County, Illinois, and was about twenty-four years old. At the time of his death, he was acting as Assistant Surgeon of the regiment. Surgeon Zearing being absent part of the time, and the doctor's anxiety and incessant labor for the welfare of the men doubtless contributed, if they did not cause his untimely death. It was his intention to become the Assistant Surgeon of the regiment, he having passed a satisfactory examination before the Medical Examining Board. He had been at Corinth about two months, at the time of his death. The officers and men paid him the most marked respect at his burial, with all the honors of war.

At a meeting of the officers of the regiment, in the field, July 30th, 1862, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, It hath pleased Almighty God to remove from our midst by sudden death, Dr. Milton A. Isaacs, who was temporarily associated with us as Assistant Surgeon of our regiment, and by his faithful and energetic labors in behalf of the men in our commands, had won theirs and our affection, and while we bow with humble submission to the decrees of Divine Providence,

Resolved, That by the decease of Dr. Milton A. Isaacs, the profession which be had chosen lost an active, efficient, and promising practioneer — society an intelligent and accomplished gentleman — our country a devoted and sincere patriot, and our regiment a disinterested and faithful friend.

Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with those to whom he was bound by the ties of consanguinity and nature, in their heavy affliction — while we have the pleasing assurance that their loss is his gain.

G. A. BUSSE, Capt. Co. G,

F. BATTEY, Capt. Co. F,

J. T. LARKIN, Lieut. Co. B,

Committee

MAJ. E. FORSE, Prest.

LIEUT. H. PAGE, Sec’y

SOURCE: William W. Cluett, History Of The 57th Regiment: Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 108

Additional Gunboats

The Chicago Post states that, in addition to the iron clad gunboats of Commodore Foote’s flotilla, there have been for some time in the course of building a fleet of eight steam rams, to be added to the Mississippi fleet.  Six of them are on the stocks at Pittsburg, the others at St. Louis.  They were formerly used as tow boats and are the best and strongest craft on the river.  The hulls and machinery are nearly new.  They are to be overhauled and strengthened, the hulls by additional bulkheads and solid beams of immense strength.  The bows will be rendered almost a solid mass of timber and iron and provided with a projecting ram, which will demolish anything with which it may come in contact.  Two or three of these formidable war vessels are already launched, and nearly ready for service.  What armament they are to carry is not stated, but their speed and strength will render them more than a match for any of the fabulous rams we hear of from Memphis and New Orleans.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862 p. 1

A Rebel Ruse

A correspondent before Yorktown writes as follows:

A few days since one of our gunboats discovered a long building on the shore, just below Gloucester, with a hospital flag flying from the top.  They also saw a large number of troops at work around it, and supposing that they were building a battery in the rear of this building, they fired upon the soldiers whenever they appeared at either end, but were careful not to let a shot touch the house, as it might be what it was represented, when lo and behold the building was one day in flames, and in the rear was a battery of heavy cannon!  But it was doomed to stand only for a short time, for eighteen 186 pound solid shot thrown from the midship gun of the Penobscot destroyed their works, and caused the rebels to disappear.  Such are the tricks the rebels resort to, and which they consider honorable warfare.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862 p. 1

Washington Correspondence

WASHINGTON, May 9, 1862

It has been the subject of much fear that the national arms might fall in consequence of so large a proportion of incapables having been put in the lead.  Compared with the character of our men under arms, the generals are, as a mass, scarcely equal – perhaps not equal – to the average of the men in the ranks, and are totally unworthy to lead such an army to the field.  This could hardly be otherwise, in the manner that our army was, something like of necessity, made up.  Certainly it was to have been expected.  The appointment of officers was a strife and scramble, when they had to be made so rapidly that proper scrutiny was hardly possible, in good part they were appointed because they could offer regiments and brigades, when regiments and brigades were immediately needed and greedily taken on any terms while the balance were made chiefly on the recommendation of politicians who had friends to pay off, to conciliate or to secure.  One gentleman on the War Committee, who in no degree partakes of the sensation character, who is unlikely to be either depressed or elated without sufficient reason, who is not prone to speak without consideration, and who, in his position, having had nearly every officer of distinction in this quarter and very many from other quarters of the country before him for examination, told me that he utterly despaired of the country, its fortunes having been placed in the hands of a body of men so weak in character and capacity.  Not having seen it he said no evidence would have made him believe none could have made him realize the incapacity of the body of men whom the lives of our army and the fortunes of the country were turned over.  I think anyone who has seen much of our leading commanders, has measurably received the same impression.  And yet we succeed.  One thing our croakers and our thoughtfully despairing men have overlooked. – We of the loyal side had, as a class quite as good material to select from as the rebels, and were not at all less likely to select with discretion than they for the circumstances with them necessarily rendered the clutch for office quite as confused as impudent and selfish as with us.  If we have fools, there was quite as great reason why they should have them and they actually have eclipsed us in this respect.  Hence, on that score there never was anything to fear, as events have demonstrated.  Yet, if incapacity has not seriously periled our cause it has needlessly and deplorably sacrificed thousands of our brave and patriotic soldiers – has carried desolation and despair to thousands of homes that yet should be bright with joy.  Another gentleman upon the same committee, a man of as much penetration and talent as anyone on it, tells me that of all the leading men of the army who have been before it, Gen. McClellan is the weakest.  He said he could not realize that he was the head of the army.  He was the lightest, the most effeminate, the least competent of all.  In his examination he seemed lost, uncertain, unsteady – a man for home the term effeminate was the fittest that could be used.  And this is the man who was to turn Congress out of doors, the “man on horseback” whom Dr. Russell was dreaming about, the young Napoleon who was to lead the American army like an avalanche against the rebels!  But, said my friend, on the other hand, no man has appeared before the committee of whose talents and military capacity I have formed so high an opinion as of General Stone.  That gentleman he considers the most qualified to command of any in the army, and greatly regretted his disgrace he individually having do doubt as to his actual treason. – Gen. Stone was a schoolboy companion of my own.  I knew him well in days long past, and I do not think this judgment of his talents and military attainments is far out of the way.

The disposition made of the case of Mr. Vandever you will have seen.  Had it been brought to a vote, I have no doubt but that the result would have been as I think I indicated in my last – a decision against the power to hold a commission in the army and a seat in the House at the same time.  But there was a disinclination to decide the question against members who are patriotically serving in the field and a hope was indulged that the difficulty might be got over by the close of the war before December – at least there was a ready willingness that they might be continued in the possession of all honor and influence as long as possible.  In all there are eleven members who hold commissions in the army, that I can count up.  There may be still more.

IOWA.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862 p. 1

Dr. Geo. W. Crossley

Died at his home, in Princeton, Illinois, August 31st, 1877. He was born in Clermont County, Ohio, February 14th, 1835. He came to Bureau County, Illinois, in 1854. During the exciting events of the late war, he believed it was his duty to offer his services to his Country. Having made up his mind to this effect, and a vacancy occurring in the 57th regiment. Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he went forward and joined it as Assistant Surgeon, just before the battle of Shiloh, and continued with the regiment until the close of the war. He performed the duties of Surgeon until mustered out, with marked ability and gained the confidence and respect of the entire command.

As a citizen, his character was equally well established. It is safe to say, that in the whole range of his acquaintances no man ever doubted his honesty, and it can be truthfully said, that he has left us, without leaving a personal enemy behind him. On all important questions, whether connected with his profession or of a political or social character, he thought for himself and acted upon his own judgment, but he had a profound respect for the opinions of others, and while he might not be able to agree with them, he always treated them with due respect. He thus established himself in the community as a man whose integrity was above suspicion and whose opinions were entitled to respect.

"Gone before us, O our brother.

To the spirit land!

Vainly look we for another,

In thy place to stand.”

SOURCE: William W. Cluett, History Of The 57th Regiment: Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 107

The Homestead bill. . .

. . . giving every man who will settle upon, and cultivate it, a free farm from the public lands, which passed the Senate by a vote of 33 to 7, had previously passed the House, and now only awaits the signature of the President to become a law.

It is a beneficent measure, and will do much to hasten the settlement and development of the free territories of the West.  Every poor man can now, if he chooses to avail himself of the Government’s free gift, become the possessor of a farm.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

McClellan Stock Rising

The Washington correspondent of the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser says –

“McClellan stock has risen rapidly since the General commenced his operations before Yorktown.  Men who up to that time seemed unable to grasp fully his grand design and to understand the steps towards its consummation now unequivocally and in public avow themselves among the warmest admirers of the man whom at one time they were afraid fully to trust.  I have it on the highest authority – one that admits of no error or misrepresentation – that whatever may have been the bearing of certain members of the Cabinet hitherto towards Gen. McClellan, they are now unanimous in giving him an implicit confidence.  I may go further and say that the highest military authority in this city openly declares that Gen. McClellan’s demonstrations before Yorktown, which he has professionally visited and inspected, are those of a master in military strategy.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1

Capt. David B. Kenyon

Was born in Yonkers, N. Y., August 27th, 1836. He came west in 1856 and engaged in business in Chicago. In the early days of the fire department, he used to run with the machine. At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted as a private, in the three months service in Company A, 12th Illinois Infantry, being mustered in May 2d, 1861 and was mustered out August 2d, 1861. He re-enlisted September 24th, 1861, in Company E, 57th Illinois Infantry and was made First Sergeant. April 6th, 1862, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and in May 1863 to Captain. He was finally mustered out in November, 1864. He was in all the engagements and battles that his regiment participated in up to that time, receiving his first baptism of fire on Shiloh's bloody field. In the fall of 1868 he joined the city paid fire department. In November 1872, upon the organization of the colored fire company, he was appointed its Captain, which position he filled up to a short time before the accident of October 3d, 1884, when he was appointed acting fire marshal. While responding to an alarm of fire on the above date, his buggy collided with one of the engines, throwing him out and seriously injuring him. He fought stubbornly for life, but death conquered October 25th, at 1:40 p. m. At the time of his death, he was commander of George A. Custer Post, No. 40, of this city. He was beloved and respected by all who knew him.

HEADQUARTERS 57TH ILLINOIS VETERAN ASSOCIATION,

Chicago, October 27th, 1884.

MR. PRESIDENT:

Your committee, who was appointed to draft resolutions of respect to our departed comrade, Capt. D. B. Kenyon, beg leave to submit the following:

WHEREAS, this society has learned with deep regret of the death of comrade David B. Kenyon, late Captain of Company E

Resolved, that in his death, this society loses a true, noble and valued friend, whom we all learned to love and respect through our associations with him in camp and field, and later in our relation with him in civil life, and whose services during the dark days of our country's trial, deserves an honorable recognition. And while we bow in humble submission to the will of him who ruleth over all, our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the family and friends of our deceased comrade, assuring them that though he has passed from earth, his memory will always be cherished by the surviving members of the 57th Illinois

Resolved, that these resolutions lie spread on the minutes of this society and a copy of the same be transmitted to his family and the daily papers.

Respectfully,

WM. S. SWAN,

HARLAN PAIGE,

WM. W. CLUETT,

Committee.

Approved:

F. A. BATTEY, Prest.

WM. W. CLUETT, Sec’y.

SOURCE: William W. Cluett, History Of The 57th Regiment: Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p.105-6

Marion Morrison, Chaplain

Was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 2d, 1821. He was trained as a farmer, receiving a common school education. In the Spring of 1841, he commenced the study of Latin, preparatory to the ministry. In October. 1842, he entered the Freshman class in Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and graduated August, 1846. He studied Theology, at the A. R. Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Oxford, Ohio, and was licensed to preach, by the A. R. Presbyterian Presbytery of Chillicothe, Ohio, in the Spring of 1849. He was ordained and installed Pastor of the A. R. Presbyterian Congregation of West Fork, Adams County. Ohio, in the Spring of 1850. Was elected Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science in "Monmouth College," June, 1856. Resigned the charge of his Congregation, and removed to Monmouth, Illinois, in the Summer of 1856, and-entered upon his duties as Professor, September of the same year. He had the financial charge of “The Western United Presbyterian,” published in Monmouth for several years. In June, 1861, he assumed the entire responsibility of that paper, financial and editorial, and soon after united it with "The Christian Instructor," published in Philadelphia. He continues an Associate Editor to the above paper. In the Summer of 1861, he resigned his position as Professor in Monmouth College, and was engaged as Financial Agent of the College, until July 30th, 1863, when he was commissioned as "Captain of Cavalry, and Chaplain of the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry." Was mustered into the service, and entered upon the duties of Chaplain, September 4th, 1863. Has been with his Regiment ever since, except during January, 1864, when he was sent to Illinois on orders. Rejoined his Regiment February 1st, 1864.

SOURCE: Marion Morrison, A History Of The Ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 94-5

The Kind Of Men Fremont Hangs

It has already been announced that Gen. Fremont has approved the verdict of the Court Martial sentencing to be hung two Secession marauders, Henry Kuhl and Hamilton W. Windon, for the murder of a young man, not a soldier, attached to one of our camps in Braxton county, Va.  The Kanawha Republican says:

The victim had been working for a farmer for a few weeks, and was on his return to camp, and on his way stopped at Kuhl’s house to rest.  Mrs. Kuhl went to the meadow, where her husband and son and Windon were mowing and told them there was a Union soldier at the house.  The murdered man was not a soldier.  The elder Kuhl told her to go back and tell the soldier to come out to the meadow to them.  In the mean time his murder was decided upon by the elder Kuhl and Windon, the young Kuhl not consenting.  When the young man came out to the meadow, the old man Kuhl approached him scythe in hand and with a single blow severed his head from his body.  He and Windon then ripped open his bowels and thrust in the head and then threw the body into a ditch near by and covered it up.  This is the substance of the old man’s confession, as to the murder. – When asked by the provost Marshal what induced him to murder the inoffensive young man, he replied, “I suppose the Devil made me do it.”

The Execution was fixed for May 9.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862 p. 1