For President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln

Our President – 1864

Abraham Lincoln knows the ropes!
All our hopes
Center now about the brave and true.
Let’s us help him as we can;
He’s the man,
Honest for the country through and through.

Others good, perhaps, as he,
There may be;
Have we tried them in the war time’s flame?
Do we know if they will stand,
Heart in hand,
Seeking for the Right in heaven’s name?

Let the nation ask him then,
Once again,
To hold the rudder in the stormy sea,
Tell him that each sleepless night,
Dark to light,
Ushers in a morning for the Free.

Let us not forget our rude
Gratitude!
But lend our servant the poor crown we may!
Give him four more years of toil,
Task and moil,
Knowing God shall crown him in has day!

(Independent.

Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 7, 1864

Soldiers’ Aid Society

A meeting of the citizens of Oceola was held, at the Protestant Methodist Church, on Tuesday May 3d, 1864, for the purpose of assisting the Soldier’s Aid Society in raising means to furnish material for the Society to forward to the Hospitals.

Judge Rice was appointed President of the meeting, which was then opened by prayer by Elder Fleming. The meeting was then addressed in a very able manner by Rev. H. B. Heacock, Elder Elliott, and Elder Fleming. A collection was then taken to raise money to buy materials for the Society to make into clothing and other necessary comforts for a sick room, to be sent to the hospital were Soldiers are suffering from sickness and wounds. The congregation were liberal with their means, which the members of the Society will be thankful for, and the Soldier that gets hem will be made comfortable. May they warm his body, raise his drooping spirits, and cheer his soul.

The Scurvy is raging in many portions of the army, and the best relief for it is vegetables. The Society therefore makes an earnest appeal to the good citizens through the county to send the Society such vegetables as they can spare, and they will send them away, as arrangements are already made so that transportation does not cost anything to the Sanitary Commission – Vegetables that may be sent will be properly taken care of and forwarded to the hospitals.

W. G. Kennedy, Sec.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 7, 1864

A Warning to Snuff Takers

Lately a gentleman traveling through England entered a first class carriage, where he found a person comfortably scaled, who soon entered into conversation, and civilly offered his new acquaintance a pinch of snuff, which was accepted, but had no sooner entered his nostrils that it produced the effect of a powerful narcotic, of which the weary traveler soon took advantage by relieving his companion of three thousand francs in bank notes, three thousand francs in other money, besides his watch, chain and ring, with which valuables, it is needless to say, he escaped undetected

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 14, 1864

Good Place For Copperheads

The last news publises [sic] a letter from Idaho, a portion of which must be very comforting to persons of the Copperhead persuasion who contemplate emigrating to that country. The writer gives notice that there is no restraint upon Copperheads, and they can express their sentiments openly without let or hindrance. He also says that there is no recruiting there, and that a draft will not be submitted to. – Also, that there are plenty of gamblers and lots of whiskey, and bad women are on the increase. Certainly Idaho must be a very Heaven for Copperheads. No volunteering, no draft – plenty of whiskey – and can talk and do as they please – what more could a butterhead or coppertail wish? – [Keosuqua Re.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 14, 1864

From the 1st Iowa Cavalry Co. D

Little Rock Arkansas,
April 22d 1864

Friend Caverly: -

I will now attempt to inform you of my whereabouts. The reason I have not done so before this, we are not assigned to any Company yet, but think that we will go in Company D, The Reg. was gone when we came here with General Steele to Shreveport on the Red River expedition. I suppose that we will start to the Reg. in a few days.

The boys are in good health that came from Clark Co. We just came off picket this morning – everything is quiet on the lines. There is not anything of importance going on at this post. The 18th of the present month will be a day long remembered by natives of this place. That was the day the Governor delivered his Address to the citizens and soldiers, and great was the rejoicing of the Darkies.

I must close.

Send me the Sentinel if you please

Yours,
J. W. Miler

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 14, 1864

Obituary of J. M. Campbell

Died in Oceola, Iowa, December 2nd, Mr. J. M. Campbell, in the 52nd year of his age.

The deceased was born in Christian Co., Kentucky, where he was raised by respectable parents. At the age of 22 years he removed to the State of Indiana, where he was united in marriage, December 24th, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth J. Burton, whose, companionship he was permitted to enjoy but a few brief years. In 1846 he was married to Nancy Davis, who, with a family of seven children is called to mourn her irreparable loss.

Mr. Campbell, as a man, was respectable in his appearance – kind, courteous, and obliging in his manners. As a Husband and Father, his devotion to the welfare of this family has been surpassed by few.

He held the responsible office of Treasure and Recorder of this (Clark) County, for five years after his removal to Iowa, discharging his public duties with promptitude and fidelity, and dying in office, respected, honored, and lamented by his constituents.

The Christian Religion experimental and practical, enjoyed and lived for nearly 30 years, was the crowning excellence of his character and life. He professed faith in Christ, and united with the M. P. church in the 25th year of his age, continuing to be a worthy and useful member of said Church while he lived, and dying in the responsible position of Leader of the Society of the above order meeting in this place. The power of Christianity which he so long professed, sustained him in the dying hour, and inspired him with a hope which threw the sunlight of Immortality over the gloom of the grave.

His disease was Bilious Pleurisy, from which he suffered much, but was resigned, calm, hopeful, and his final end was “peace.”

A large and deeply affected audience attended his funeral. The writer tried to improved [sic] the occasion, by a discourse from Prov. 14-32, - The Righteous hath hope in his death.”

May the family, friends, and all follow his example and meet him in the “better land.”

A. S. Elliott
Oceola, Dec. 22, 1863

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Dec 26, 1863

Married

At Portland, Oregon, Nov. 4th, by Rev. Mr. Rutledge, Mr. D. B. Weterhouse of Oregon to Miss Jennie Rhea formerly of Oceola.

As Miss Rhea, and Mr. Waterhouse formerly resided in our village, we append the following which is taken from a letter to Mrs. Rhea.

Dear Mother

Jennie arrived at Portland, on the steamer Pacific, on the night of Nov. 3d. On the following morning I met her at the boat, and at 8 o’clock we were married by Rev. Mr. Rutledge of the M. E. Church, at the Temperance House. We were waited upon by our landlord to a very nice supper prepared expressly for the occasion. Several young gentleman and ladies were introduced to the wedded couple, and partook of the refreshments with seeming delight. Mrs. Waterhouse and myself will remain here a short time and then remove to our future home for the winter.

From your Son,
D. B. Waterhouse

That’s the way the gals go and “pop goes the weasel.” If they keep on in this way, there wont be any chance for an old bachelor in this world. Whose turn comes next?

Oh I wouldn’t be a married man,
No I wouldn’t if I could,
But I needn’t fret about it,
For I couldn’t if I would.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 26, 1863

Letter from Capt. Samuel Denny

St. Louis Mo.
Nov. 18, 1863

Dear Brother: -

In order that you may know some of my trials since I have been in the service, I will commence by saying that I made up a company of men in about 15 days and led them into the field; and I believe they were as good and brave as any set of men that ever used a gun; but poor fellows, a number of them are now in their graves. We have been in several hard fought battles, and were at the siege of Vicksburg. From the first of December to the middle of May I lost 23 men, and have lost several since. My company numbered only 42 the last time I heard from it. Owing to not being able for field duty I was sent to Madison Ind. To take command of the post there. After about three months I was transferred from that post to the Invalid corps and ordered to this city and put in charge of a compan[y] of 80 men. We are now ordered to C[olum]bus, Ohio, for which place we shall probably leave in a few days.

In intend to come and see you when the war is over, though I am now commissioned as a U.S. Officer and can remain in the service after the war is over if I choose, which I may do if I feel it my duty. It was from a sense of duty that I shut my Bible, closed up my business, left my family and the church, and went forth in defence [sic] of my country; and though I have shed my blood and suffered a great deal in the cause, I do not regret the hour I started.

There is nothing pleasant about the service, though I do not dislike it as much as I thought I should. Money however, could not tempt me to leave a comfortable home and happy family for the hardships of war. But my country demands my services and [I] intend she shall have them until this re[bellion] is closed up, - until the last gun is

[The rest of the letter is fragmented & illegible.]

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 26, 1863

The Cincinnati Times tells this good story:

The boarders at a certain boarding house in this city, being dissatisfied with the house, resolved the other day to desert in a body. – They accordingly looked up new quarters intending to leave on a certain day. The landlady, it appears, got wind of the intended stampede. On the morning of the day they were intending to leave (one of the number was deputize[d] to inform her of the movement, but had not yet,) she entered the breakfast room wearing a look of mingled pain and perplexity. Says she: “Gentlemen and Ladies, I regret very much to be compelled to ask you all to find another boarding place – this very day, if possible. – I have been so annoyed by help – my cook left me this morning. – that I have resolved to shut up shop.” The madam beat the boarders that time.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 26, 1863

Great Telegraphic Feat

The President’s Message, which contained nearly eight thousand words, was transmitted by the American Telegraph Company from Washington, and a copy dropped at Philadelphia and Baltimore, in exactly fifty two minutes. The copy of the Message had to be delivered at the Telegraph office after its reading had commenced in the House, and yet it was all in New York City, and a portion in the hands of the press, a half hour before the reading of it was finished in the House. It was at once pushed forward for all the cities between this and Boston, and was all in Boston in one hour and thirty minutes from the time it started from Washington. While this was being done the regular business of the Office was not seriously delayed.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 26, 1863

Women’s Relief Corps Monument

Located in Section 5 of Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola, Iowa. This obelisk, erected in 1903 by the Osceola Women’s Relief Corps, is “In Memory Of Our Heroes 1861-1865.”

The following soldiers are buried near the monument:

Merrill Paris
Co. F. 123rd Ohio Infantry

W. S. Busick
Co. A 24th Indiana Infantry

Sgt. J. D. Burr
2nd Minnesota Infantry

Amon Wheeler
Co. B 116th Illinois Infantry

Z. T. Pettit
U. S. Soldier

Jos. Brease
Co. E 25th Iowa Infantry

Samuel Peter
Co. A 1st Nebraska Cavalry

C. C. Hargis
Co. B. 18th Iowa Infantry

Corp. Leonard S. Wilson
Co. L 3rd Iowa Cavalry

Samuel Fink
Co. D. 33rd Wisconsin Infantry

George Davis
Co. C 121st Ohio Infantry

Thos. Turk
Co. D. 5th U.S.C. Cavalry

Confiscation Of Rebel Property

The tory party in the North who have waged so fierce and unrelenting a war upon the Administration of Mr. Lincoln, have made the confiscation of Rebel property a pretext for so doing. Union men and families in the Border States, whose property was confiscated by the Rebel authorities, for opinion sake, where right, and are denied the sympathies of these traitors!

We hold that the property of all Rebels in arms, should be confiscated; and the infernal necks of the leading Rebels should be confiscated at the end of a rope. The loss of property, and the right to hold office of honor and profit, on the part of the guilty participates in the rebellion, is not enough in the way of retaliation to be visited upon them for their crime. The later should have been summoned from the star, to do its appropriate work. And we repeat now, what have we said from the beginning --- that winding up this rebellion without hanging the leaders, is showing to all the generations to come after us, that our war against the Rebels was a failure.

Parson Brownlow.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 26, 1863

Mr. Ashely of Ohio...

...will introduce to-day an important bill, providing in accordance with the suggestion of the President: a Message and Proclamation for the establishment of a provisional military government over that district of country in rebellion, and for authorizing the loyal citizens of such districts to organize the such State governments. The bill also confers upon the president power to appoint for every district in rebellion a military governor, who is to have the civil administration until a State government can be formed and Senators and Representative[s] to Congress elected. Whenever the people desire the reorganization of the state governments, the Military Governor is to order an enrollment of the loyal electors, and as soon as the number of the latter will be equal to one-tenth of the votes cast at the Presidential election in 1860, the Military Governor shall order an election of a State Convention, which shall be authorized to form a State Government, provided it shall not be repugnant to the Constitution of the United States or the President’s Proclamation of Jan. 1st, 1863, and that Slavery be forever abolished and prohibited. The new constitution to be submitted to the people, and after its adoption Senators and Representatives may be chosen. All laws of the former constitutions of these districts making a distinction between black and white persons are abrogated, and any infringement of individual freedom to be punished as kidnapping.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 26, 1863

Memorial Service At McGavock Confederate Cemetery

Earlier today, in observance of Tennessee's Confederate Decor-ation Day (June 3rd, Jefferson Davis' birthday), I attended the annual commemoration by the United Daughters of the Confederacy at McGavock Confederate Cemetery on the grounds of Carnton Plantation in Franklin, TN, in . Kraig McNutt has a nice write up of the service on his blog. You can even see me in the 2nd picture in the article, standing just left of center, in the blue plaid shirt with the yellow t-shirt underneath. Included in the service was the reading of a poem, We All Drank From The Same Canteen. Another nice blog entry about the service can be found at the McGavock Confederate Confederate Cemetery At Carnton blog.

Being a transplanted Iowa Yankee, this was the first event of this kind that I have attended. Though I must say, I found it a bit odd to recite The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, and then immediately thereafter to recite a pledge to the Confederate flag. There is, however, something so very poignant about Amazing Grace played on bagpipes in a cemetery followed by Taps. It's hard, if not impossible, not to be moved by such ceremonies, no matter the color of the uniform.

After the service Carnton historian, Eric Jacobson, led a brief ceremony to dedicate a bronze marker honoring Maj. Gen. William W. Loring and his division of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana troops and their role in The Battle of Franklin.

Flag for the sixth Iowa.

The notice in the Hawk-Eye of the 14th Inst., calling attention to the propriety of presenting the Sixth Iowa Infantry a National banner, suggests to the writer a few incidents that may not be uninteresting to your readers.

The regiment in question went into service from this place, without any provision for their usefulness or comfort having been made, further than such marks of respect or friendship as were tendered to the several companies by the respretive [sic] communities in which they were organized.

There were some five, or six companies in the regiment that had been presented with flags by their friends, but Company I from Des Moines county commanded by Capt. Brydolf was, I believe, never thus honored. When ascertained that a stand of colors could not be procured from the Government, Co. B. of Lucas county, tendered their flag to the regimental use – the other flags being sent by the respective companies to the donors for safe keeping, as orders prohibited the use of more than one flag in the organization.

The flag of Co. B was not a “regulation National color,” being smaller, and bearing on one of the stripes some words the exact report of which I forget. However if not [illegible] the men recognized it as the stars and stripes, and though not of proper dimensions or of the best material, would as willingly die in its defense.

This banner was borne through all the affairs in North, Central and South Missouri in which the command participated and [illegible] was completely riddled at the battle of Shiloh.

The young man who bore the flag during the two days fight at Shiloh, Sergeant Roberts, [illegible] was slightly wounded and the staff was shot away three times while in his hands. He finally carried it by the [illegible] and bore it through the entire conflict, in the language of his comrades, “without ever flinching.”

This flag, I believe was carried to Memphis and from thence sent to the Historical Society in Iowa City. At Memphis the regiment obtained the first stand of colors from the Government. Serg. Roberts was made Color Sergeant for his gallant conduct at Shiloh, and took charge of the national colors. That banner was borne through the celebrated Central Missouri campaign and all of the engagements in which the 6th Iowa participated in South Tennessee and North Mississippi, was carried through the Vicksburg and Jackson campaign, was furled on Lookout Mountain near McLemore Cove before the battle of Chattanooga, and has the honor of being the first flag planted on Mission Ridge in that celebrated battle, On the 25th of November during the assault on Tunnel Hill, it was literally shot into ribbons, and only by wrapping the remnants around its Staff could its identity as a flag be preserved.

The gallant Roberts, still Color Sergeant, was hit six times by ball and fragments of shell, and towards the end of the conflict was injured as to be compelled to relinquish his banner, and was borne to the rear. As soon as he recovered from the shock he left the hospital, returned to the Color Company in time to join in the pursuit of the enemy, carrying the remnants of his beloved banner through the entire chase, thence up to Knoxville, where the 6th went to aid in relieving Gen. Burnside.

In this connection it is eminently proper that mention should be made of the gallant Sergeant Edwards, who has carried the Regimental colors since the battle of Shiloh, with great credit to himself and honor to the command.

The Company from Burlington, Company I, commanded by Capt. Clune, is the Color Company, and will accept with great pride the National color at the hands of their friends at home.

Contributions for the purpose of raising a new flag for the above Regiment will be received at the Book Stores of J. L. Course and J. P. Brown.

[Hawk-Eye

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 26, 1863

Obituary of Benjamin Garretson

Died, at his residence in Oceola, on the morning of the 27th of November, Benjamin Garretson, in the 72nd year of his age.

He died as the Christian only can die. He exemplified in his death the Saving power of that righteousness of which he had been a preacher for more than forty years.

His Death has widowed his aged companion with whom he had lived in uninterrupted affection for more than half a century. He was the father of Eleven children, only four of whom survive him.

He was a native of Pennsylvania. He was converted to the Christian Religion an[d] joined the M. E. Church in 1820. In 1822 he was licensed by that church to preach, which he did not only by precept, but by example also. Twenty-one years since, being strongly in sympathy with the Mutual Rights Reform in church government, he attached himself to the M. P. Church, in which he lived, and to which he was much attached until the hour of his death, which was another triumph of our holy christianity.

An appropriate funeral discourse was preached at this place by the Rev. A. S. Elliot, – text 2nd Samuel, 14th chapter, and 14th verse – after which his body was removed to the cemetery at Wintersett [sic], and there deposited with the remains of other members of the family, to await the Second coming of Christ.

His family, and a large circle of friends greatly mourn his loss, but they mourn not as those having no hope.

N. W. G.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 19, 1863

The Official Records: Duplicate Volumes For $ale Or Trade

Listed below are the duplicate volumes of The Official Records that I mentioned in a previous post which I would like to offer for sale or trade. If you wish to purchase them I’m asking $10 per volume + $4 for shipping. Please note these are the 1985 Reprints from The National Historical Society, not the originally published volumes.

Series 1
Volume 8, Serial No. 8
Volume 9, Serial, No. 9
Volume 10 Part 2, Serial No. 11
Volume 12 Part 1, Serial No. 15

Volume 20 Part 2, Serial No. 30
Volume 25 Part 2, Serial No. 40
Volume 28 Part 2, Serial No. 47
Volume 38 Part 4, Serial No. 76

Volume 45 Part 2, Serial No. 94
General Index, Serial No. 130

However, I will gladly & happily trade any of the volumes above for any of the below listed volumes. If you are either interested in purchaseing one of the above volumes or would like to trade please email me HERE.

Series I
Volume 24 Part 3, Serial No. 38
Volume 25 Part 1, Serial No. 39
Volume 26 Part 1, Serial No. 41
Volume 32 Part 1, Serial No. 57
Volume 34 Part 1, Serial No. 61
Volume 38 Part 2, Serial No. 73
Volume 38 Part 4, Serial No. 75
Volume 40 Part 2, Serial No. 81
Volume 41 Part 4, Serial No. 86
Volume 42 Part 2, Serial No. 88
Volume 43 Part 1, Serial No. 90
Volume 43 Part 2, Serial No. 91
Volume 46 Part 2, Serial No. 96
Volume 46 Part 3, Serial No. 97
Volume 47 Part 1, Serial No. 98
Volume 47 Part 3, Serial No. 100
Volume 48 Part 1, Serial No. 101
Volume 49 Part 1, Serial No. 103
Volume 49 Part 2, Serial No. 104
Volume 51 Part 1, Serial No. 107
Volume 51 Part 2, Serial No. 108

Series II:
Volume 2, Serial No.115
Volume 3, Serial No.116
Volume 4, Serial No.117

Series III:
Volume 3, Serial No.124
Volume 5, Serial No.126

Series IV
Volume 1, Serial No.127

Died

In this town on the 12th inst. Nancy Winkler of Bilious Pneumonia

Also in Oceola on the 13th inst Mrs Wm. Adams.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 19, 1863

The Chicago Journal says...

...there is almost a universal feeling among the members of Congress at Washington in favor of abolishing the first and Second class clause in the enrollment act.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 19, 1863

An Atlas Of A Battle

The Maps of Gettysburg:
An Atlas Of The Gettysburg Campaign,

June 3 - July 13, 1863
By Bradley Gottfried

I can’t begin to tell you how many descriptions of Civil War troop movements I’ve been frustrated by: this brigade moved here or that regiment moved there. I am a visual person, I learn best when I can visualize things… therefore I, by my nature, am a map person. Most books on Civil War battles contain only enough maps to cover the most basic aspects of troop movements in a particular battle. There are never enough maps for me.

Bradley Gottfried understands me and others like me and has authored nothing less than an atlas of the Gettysburg campaign. Like an oasis in the middle of the desert, The Maps of Gettysburg: An Atlas Of The Gettysburg Campaign, June 3 - July 13, 1863, has quenched my thirst for maps.

Mr. Gottfried’s book contains 29 maps map sets, each containing between 2 & 21 maps, covering the advance to Gettysburg, the battle and the Confederate retreat. In all the 136 maps give nearly an hour by hour account of the three day battle that changed the course of American History. At last I am able to see and understand the fighting back and forth across the unfinished railroad cut on July 1st, the bloody, awful fighting in the Wheatfield and Peach Orchard on the 2nd and the breathtaking and awe inspiring lines of the Picket-Pettigrew-Trimble charge as they moved across the Emmitsburg Road on July 3rd.

Each map is accompanied on its left facing page by a descriptive text detailing the specificities of troop movements at the corps, division, brigade, regimental and some times even down to the company level.

My one and only criticism of Mr. Gottfried’s book is there is almost no reference to time. A date/time stamp on each map would have been helpful, when moving from one map set to another in identifying events that were taking place on different areas the battlefield at approximately the same time. That is but a small flaw in an otherwise nearly perfect book.

The Maps of Gettysburg is without a doubt, an indispensable work on the Gettysburg Campaign. No library, Civil War historian or student of the war should be without a copy.