Two Ladies and a Boy Drowned

C. T. Sackett, of Garnavillo, informs us that on the evening of the 28th ult., Mrs. Carolina Taylor, wife of Marcellus Taylor, of Volga township, with an adopted son named Emmet, four years of age, and Edna Amsden, a young lady nineteen years of age, while returning from Garnaville and attempting to cross Cedar Creek, were turned out of the sleigh by the force of the water and drowned. Their bodies were not found until the next morning. – McGregor Times

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

New Regiments

Our Camps of instruction are alive with soldiers. The alacrity with which our people have rallied to the call of the Governor, is beyond all precedent almost. We should not be surprised if we have fifteen full regiments in camp in a month from this date. Several of these regiments have organized and elected their officers. An error having occurred in our notice of the No. of some of them, we give a correct list with the officers elected:

11th “Bethel Regiment re-organized.” – C. Leventhorpe, Colonel; W. A. Owens, Lt. Colonel, and Wm. A Eliason, Major.

43rd Regiment. – Junius Daniel, Colonel; Thomas S. Kenan, Lt. Colonel, and W. J. Boggan, Major.

44th Regiment. – G. B. Singletary, Colonel; R. C. Cotton, Lt. Colonel, and E. Cromwell, Major.

45th Regiment. – Junius Daniel, Colonel; J. H. Morehead, Lt. Colonel, and A. J. Boyd, Major.

46th Regiment. – E. D. Hall, Colonel; Wm. A. Jenkins, Lt. Colonel, and R. G. Mitchell, Major.

47th Regiment. – S. H. Rogers, Colonel; G. H. Faribault, Lt. Colonel, and Jno. A. Graves, Major.

48th Regiment. – R. C. Hill, Col.; S. H. Walkup, Lt. Col., and B. R. Huske, Major.

The above selections in the main are very good, and exhibit the capacity of the company officers to select good officers. To have succeeded in all respects is what could not have been expected. The responsibility of a commander is one of great importance and risk. No man who has a doubt of his capacity, ought to accept. Indeed, positions of such risk should never be sought. Nor is it enough to have a good Colonel to a regiment. Every officer should be the very best than can be obtained at the time, but we differ entirely with those who would place our volunteers in the war under the regime of the armies of Europe or the old United States army. This war, if we understand it, is a war of the people to be fought by them and for them. Hence the importance of having officers who possess both the confidence and the affection of their men. A very erroneous idea prevails, that officers who are elected cannot and will not enforce discipline. This is a contrary fact. No officers in the army are more strict disciplinarians than Gen. Hill, Col. Pettigrew and Col. Pender, and yet non are my beloved by their commands. Others are equally, so no doubt, but those names occurred to us, and we mentioned them. All that is requisite is for officers to know something of human nature – be strict and firm, but not austere and tyrannical. Let them be good soldiers and good commanders, but not forget that they are nothing but men themselves.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

A Skirmish

We understand that Capt. Boothe’s company, of Col Spruill’s Cavalry, had a skirmish with the enemy at Big Gully*, about 12 miles from Newbern, a few days ago, in which he killed three of the enemy and took nine prisoners. Capt. Boothe’s horse was killed under him.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

* See Correction

The Women of Iowa

A lengthy report of the Ladies’ Soldiers’ Aid Society at Keokuk, published in the papers of that city, concludes as follows:–

To the women of Iowa we would say, every breeze comes freighted with blessings for you from those you have so generously helped. Let us not pause in the work; but in our holy cause rather let us imitate the misguided zeal of Southern women who in the cause of treason and rebellion, sell their jewels and silver for the soldier’s comforts; who tear up their carpets for the solder’s blanket; who strip their silk dresses for the soldier’s banner, and who do the work of servants that they may contribute to the soldier’s aid. While our men from Iowa win, by their valorous deeds, the title of “Bravest of the Brave,” let them be able to say: “our Iowa women have strengthened us for the battle as well as hailed our victories with pride and joy.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

Col. Tuttle, of the 2d Iowa . . .

. . . arrived here on Sunday night, and went up Monday to Keosauqua. We regret to lean that he is very much disabled by rheumatism, brought on by his exertions and terrible exposures to inclement weather. We sincerely hope that the comforts of home may speedily restore him to his former health and strength. – {Gate.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

Impressment of Arms

Every citizen of the State who has a double-barrel gun or rifle, which can be used against the enemy, and which he can spare, should not hesitate a moment to sell or give it to the government. Gov. Clark has had agents all over the State, collecting such arms as the people could spare; and it is said that agents of other States and of the Confederate government have been doing the same thing. But we utterly deny the right of President Davis to “request” Maj. Ashe, or any one else, to enter the houses of our people and impress their arms against their will. The 13th and 15th clauses of section 9th of the Confederate Constitution are as follows:


“13. A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

15. The right of the people to secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue but on probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”


The above clauses contain principles as ancient as liberty itself. These principles ought never to be violated. From the beginning of free government until now, no people ever parted with liberty as a means of achieving liberty, without finding themselves in the end subjects of despotism. The world has seen but one Washington. Clothed at one time with supreme military power, he hastened, as soon as he had performed the work of liberating his country, meekly to lay down that power at the feet of civil rule. Jefferson Davis is not George Washington. He is scarcely warm in his seat, to which he was called by the general acclaim of the whole people, before he “requests” one of his agents to violate material portions of the Constitution which he as sworn to support. The government over which he presides is one of delegated powers. The power which he claims, of search and seizure, and which he has assumed to delegate to Maj. Ashe, is expressly forbidden by the Constitution to be exercised by him, but is “reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The “right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” – and “the right of the people to be secure in their person, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” – But Maj. Ashe says, “by request,” that if the arms are not forthcoming, he will seize them by force; and the Major furthermore declares in advance, “by request,” that those who do not promptly obey his call, are “cravens” and “disloyalists” – that is, cowards and traitors. Maj. Ashe expects the “true patriots” to send in their arms at once, but the arms of the cowards and traitors he will forcibly seize. Now we repeat, that every double-barrel gun and rifle which can be spared, should be promptly sold or given to the government; but there are instances and there are localities in which the people ought to retain their arms; and even if this were not so, and if all the guns and rifles could be spared, Mr. Davis must not attempt by force to disarm our people. We charge no improper motive on Mr. Davis or his agent, but we tell the people that they should not only protest against a violation of their Constitution, but resist the very beginnings of despotic rule. A people jealous of their liberties, and fighting as ours are against tyranny from without, should vigilantly guard against the possibility, not to say probability, of tyranny within. With sixty thousand of our troops as conscripts, under the control of the President, and with our home population disarmed, we should be at the mercy of any movement which radical and dangerous leaders might inaugurate. The whole character of our government might be changed, and though our people might protest against it, they would be powerless to prevent it. Orders to disarm the people have always been the forerunners of despotic military rule. Macaulay states that a favorite project with James the Second, was the disarming the population of Ireland, or rather that portion of them who disagreed with him in his peculiar views. Dick Talbot, earl of Tyrconell, who was given more to “wine and wassail” then he was to truth, justice and judgment, and who was charged with the military administration in Ireland, executed the “royal order which came from Whitehall for disarming the population.” This order was “Strictly executed as respected the English; and though the country was infested with predatory bands, a Protestant gentleman could scarcely obtain permission to keep a brace of pistols.” We leave it with our readers to say if there are not suspected persons in this State – suspected only because they did not prefer to break up the old government, and because they insist on a better administration of Confederate and State affairs as essential to the achievement of our independence, who are not regarded as “true patriots,” and the disarming of whom, whatever might be the indulgence shown to others, would be undertaken and accomplished with peculiar pleasure by certain persons. But however this may be, we protest against this order of the President to impress private property, as unnecessary, as insulting to our people as detrimental to the cause and also as a violation of the constitution. Our people have evinced no backwardness in this war. They have rushed to it as men crowd to a festival. They have given their money, their arms, and their blood without stint to the cause. But they are still free, and they will do nothing on compulsion. In the glowing account given by Mr. Bancroft, of the early settlers of North Carolina, he says – “Careless of religious sects, or colleges, or lawyers, or absolute laws, the early settlers enjoyed liberty of conscience and personal independence, freedom, of the forest and of the river:’ – and, he adds – “North Carolina was settled by the freest of the free.” The descendants of these settlers are just as free as they were. They regarded secession at will as the parent of anarchy, and coercion by the federal government as the parent of despotism; and they sought to avoid both. But they resisted and are resisting coercion, not so much on their own account as on that of others. Mr. Davis should remember this. We fought, and offered Mr. Davis all our treasure and blood, as soon as, and because his State was threatened. This consideration should induce him to treat us justly, if not generously.

We have nothing to say against Maj. Ashe personally. He is good-natured and cleaver to his friends, and public-spirited and active in the Southern cause; but it seems to us he might have executed his despotic mission with less of denunciation and threatening in advance than we find in his card. But his threats will alarm no one; and his own unselfishness will not shine with striking conspicuity when it is remembered that he holds two profitable offices – that of President of the Wilmington and Weldon Road, and Major in the Confederate service. The remedy of “peaceable secession” is likely to pay in his case indifferently well.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

From the 13th Iowa Regiment

We have been kindly permitted to publish the following private letter form Lieut. Col. Price to Hon. J. F. Dillon:

PITTSBURG, Tenn., April 8, 1862.

I am alive and whole skinned, though not perfectly well. We have had one of the hardest fights ever waged anywhere. It began Sunday morning, and while I write it is still progressing, although we have driven the rebels some eight or ten miles from our camp. It is estimated that there are about 5,000 of our men killed. Our regiment, the 13th Iowa, was ordered to their position in advance about 7 o’clock a.m. We made three different stands, and were driven back twice. At the second fight the Major (Shane) was shot through the shoulder and carried off the field. At the third stand I was slightly damaged by a shell, which cut the limbs from a tree over me, and one of the branches struck me in the small of the back and on the back of the head. A ball also struck me on the shoulder and one on the leg, but this (Tuesday) morning I am well enough, except that my back is still painfully weak. You know a year ago I had a very weak back arising from a sprain. I do not want you to allow any one to come after me, it is not necessary. Unless I get better of my back, I shall apply for a leave of absence. The firing has almost ceased, and is now becoming distant and indistinct. The victory is ours, although at the sacrifice of many lives. Oh the horrible sight of the battle-field!

Lt. Col. Hall, of the 11th Iowa, Col. Chambers of the 16th Iowa, Col. Crocker, 13th Iowa, Major Shane, 13th Iowa, and myself are wounded, myself the least. I think we have had 100 of our men (13th Iowa) killed, besides the wounded.

Yours, &c.,
M. M. PRICE

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

Returns from eleven Indiana regiments engaged . . .

. . . at Pittsburg show a loss of one hundred and fifty six killed, and nine hundred and sixty-two wounded. Several other regiments and a number of batteries were engaged from which we have no returns. – {Lafayette Jour.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 1

FIRST REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

Term of service three months.

Mustered into service of the United States at Keokuk, Iowa,
May 14, 1861, by Lieutenant Alexander Chambers, U S. A.

Mustered out at St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 21, 1861, by Captain
Albert Tracy, Tenth United States Infantry.

Roster of Field, Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Staff Officers at muster in of organization, together with subsequent appointments from civil life.


FIELD AND STAFF.

John Francis Bates. Residence Dubuque. Appointed Colonel. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861.

William H. Merritt. Residence Cedar Rapids. Appointed Lieutenant Colonel. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861.

Asbury B. Porter. Age 53. Residence Mount Pleasant, nativity Pennsylvania. Appointed Major. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See Field and Staff, Fourth Cavalry.

George W. Waldron. Age 35. Residence Dubuque, nativity New York. Appointed Adjutant May 13, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Wounded by rifle ball in leg below knee, Aug. 10, 1861, Wilson's Creek, Mo. See company I, First Infantry, also Field and Staff, Fourth Cavalry.

Theodore Guelich. Age 31. Residence Davenport. Appointed Quartermaster April 25, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company D, Forty-eighth Infantry.

William H. White. Residence Iowa City. Appointed Surgeon. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See Field and Staff, Twenty-second Infantry.

Hugo Reichenbach. Appointed Assistant Surgeon. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861.

I. K. Fuller. Residence Dubuque. Appointed Chaplain. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Charles E. Compton. Age 24. Nativity New Jersey. Appointed Sergeant Major April 18, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company A; also company I, Eleventh Infantry.

William W. Hughes. Age 30. Residence Iowa City, nativity Pennsylvania. Appointed Quartermaster Sergeant April 18, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company B; also company A, Twenty-second Infantry.

Samuel Holmes. Age 21. Nativity Pennsylvania. Appointed Hospital Steward April 18, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company A; also company B, Thirty-fifth Infantry.

Thomas M. Cummins. Age 22. Nativity Ohio. Appointed Drum Major April 18, 1861. Mustered May 14, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company A of this regiment.

Henry M. Kilmartin. Appointed Fife Major. Mustered May 24, 1861. Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861. See company E of this regiment.


LINE OFFICERS.

Names of company officers at muster in of their companies. Service record given opposite their names in the alphabetical roster following.

COMPANY "A"

Markoe Cummins, Captain.
Benjamin Beach, 1st Lieutenant.
George A. Satterlee, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY ''B"

Bradley Mahanna, Captain.
Harvey Graham, 1st Lieutenant.
Andrew Jackson Rians, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "C"

Alexander L. Mason, Captain.
William Pursell, 1st Lieutenant.
William F. Davis, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "D"

Charles L. Matthies, Captain.
Mathias Keller, 1st Lieutenant.
Joseph Enderle, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY"E"

George F. Streaper, Captain.
John C. Abercrombie, 1st Lieutenant.
George W. Peirson, 2nd Lieutenant.

COMPANY "F"

Samuel M. Wise, Captain.
George A. Stone, 1st Lieutenant.
Simeon F. Roderick, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "G"

Augustus Wentz, Captain.
Theodore Guelich, 1st Lieutenant.
Johannes Ahlefeldt, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "H"

Frederick Gottschalk, Captain.
Jacob Duttle, 1st Lieutenant.
Joseph Giger, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "I"

Frank J. Herron, Captain.
William H. Clark, 1st Lieutenant.
George W. Waldron, 2nd Lieutenant.


COMPANY "K"

Thomas Z. Cook, Captain.
John C. Marvin, 1st Lieutenant.
George W. Stinson, 2nd Lieutenant.

SOURCE: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers During the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 1, p. 9-11

Review: Artillery At Gettysburg

The Artillery of Gettysburg
By Bradley M. Gottfried, Ph. D

In many books written about the American Civil War and its battles the artillery is often relegated to a supporting role while the infantry takes the spotlight. Conversely the Battle of Gettysburg hogs the stage as the most written about battle of the war. In “The Artillery of Gettysburg” Bradley Gottfried has placed the artillery at center stage in the greatest battle ever fought on American soil.

In his forward, Mr. Gottfried introduces four key pieces of information that his readers will need to know: the first, regarding the organization and command structure of the Union and Confederate artilleries; the second, the different types of cannon used and their strengths and weaknesses; third a brief description of the different types of ammunition and their uses, and lastly a basic description of the job function of each man in the gun crew.

Using a chronological narration Mr. Gottfried leads his reader through the three day battle, describing the placement and the armament of each battery, their targets and their movements on the battlefield. No detail is spared of the horrible casualties caused to both men and horses by artillery fire, men are decapitated, arms and legs are ripped off, and bodies disemboweled, cut in half or literally blown to bits fill this book from cover to cover.

Mr. Gottfried, the author of “The Maps of Gettysburg” uses plenty of maps to illustrate the action on the field. In my opinion there can never be too many maps, and the one criticism I have, which I carry over from his previous above named work, is there is no time stamp on the maps. The author has also included two informative appendices: Order of Battle, Strengths and Losses of the Artillery at Gettysburg, and Characteristics of Civil War Cannon Used at Gettysburg.

This is not a book for the Civil War novice. This book is a book clearly for the Civil War aficionado who enjoys studying the minutia of a battle. Mr. Gottfried has written yet another indispensible book on the Battle of Gettysburg, and no student of the battle should be without a copy.

ISBN 978-1-58182-623-4, Cumberland House Publishing, © 2008, Hardcover, 352 pages, Photographs, Maps, Appendices, Endnotes & Index. $24.95

The Iowa Troops

Now that letters are being received from our correspondents we find that, as usual, the Iowa troops occupied the van both at Island No. 10 and in the terrible engagement at Pittsburg Landing. Mr. Diffenbacher, in his letter published this morning, says that the Iowa 2d Cavalry were the first to ender the rebel’s camp on Island No. 10. Gen. Pope, it seems, stole a march on Com. Foote and our Iowa boys had the satisfaction of being the first Federal troops to land on the Island after the surrender of the enemy.

Mr. Whittlesey, in his letter, which we also have the satisfaction of giving our readers this morning, says that the first serious check that the enemy received, when by stealth they came upon the Iowa troops, was from the 11th Iowa regiment and Taylor’s battery. For hours these troops kept the enemy at bay and had the former been relieved long enough to procure ammunition, the left wing of the rebels, though numbering six to one of our men, would have been turned and the whole rebel army been flanked and the terrible disaster of the day prevented.

Thus we see that the brave Iowa troops are never found wanting, but like men fighting for their country and all their harts hold dear, stake their lives and their honor on each contest and in every case come off victorious. Iowa has one a name in this war that we hope will remain undimmed until its close and encircle her with such a halo of glory, that no prouder title can be bestowed than that of being a citizen of the glorious Hawkeye State.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

The Charlotte Democrat

We had intended to reply to and thoroughly expose the Charlotte Democrat, but really, on reflection, we do not perceive that it is worth while to do so. That paper of the 1st instant indulges in nearly a column in reply to the Standard, in which it very grossly, and, we fear, deliberately misrepresents us. The whole purport of the Democrat’s article is unfounded and unjust, while its tone is petulant, ill-natured, and offensive.

The Democrat asks us why we have “dragged Judge Osborne’s name into the matter.” We have done no such thing. The Judge was in the meeting on whose proceeding we offered some comments, but those comments were not unkind, and under the circumstances, they were legitimate. But we are reminded, on reviewing the proceedings, that Judge Osborne addressed the meeting on the war, and not on the Governorship. His remarks were not political, and no doubt they were of service in stimulating his hearers, some of whom must have been, just then, depressed by the reverses which had befallen our arms; but the meeting nevertheless assumed a political aspect towards its close, by the nomination of Mr. Johnston for Governor. The Democrat will not succeed in making us do injustice to Judge Osborne by its injustice towards us. As a general rule Judge O. has shown as little of the partisan as any Judge on the bench, and much less of it, in deed, than one Superior Court Judge, whom we might name, if we chose to do so. We are satisfied that Judge O. did not regard the meeting referred to as political, and that he is not disposed to drag the judicial ermine in the muddy streams of party strife. It is natural that, under the circumstances, the Judge should have taken part in the meeting referred to, and that he should have remained in the meeting and acquiesced in or approved the nomination of his neighbor and former colleague in the Convention for Governor, whether he was his first choice for that office or not.

Nor have we assailed Mr. Johnston. We simply objected to his nomination because of its partisan character, and because of his manifest unfitness in this crisis, for the office.

We stated recently, that in our opinion the Charlotte Democrat and Wilmington Journal would not in any event, support any man for Governor who was for the old Union up to Lincoln’s proclamation. If these papers have replied to this statement, and attempted to clear themselves of the imputation of partyism, we have not seen their replies. Every one who goes with them in supporting their candidates is a no-party man; but those who differ with them are party men. This is a specimen of their fairness, and of their no-party views.

The Democrat is evidently alarmed at the idea of canvassing the State. That paper knows that Mr. Johnston is thoroughly identified with the administration at Raleigh, and that the conduct of the former and present administrations will not bear investigation and discussion. But discussion is the life of a free State. Honest men, and such as have done well as the servants of the people, do not fear it. Besides, discussion at this time will do good, by informing the people fully and accurately of their condition, and by encouraging unity of feeling on the basis of patriotism, and on the basis also of a constant and abiding respect for Constitutions and laws. In achieving our independence, we must not lose sight of, nor suffer to be trampled down, those safeguards to property and persons which are secured to us by our Constitutions, and without which independence itself would be but an empty name. The Democrat and those with whom it acts, are “at ease in their possessions,” and do not wish to be disturbed. It is their revolution, and they wish to conduct it in their won way, knowing that, in conducting it, they will enjoy the patronage and honors. The People will see about this, both in the campaign and at the polls. We repeat, honest men do not fear discussion before the people; and if the people cannot bear discussion, then have they ceased to be competent to govern themselves. It is only the selfish, the venal, and the guilty, who fear a fully and fair discussion of public affairs.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Why would the Confederates make good explorers of the North West passage.

Because they know so well Davis’ straits.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

300 More Wounded Coming

Dr. Hughes yesterday received a telegram from Brigade Surgeon Hoff, on board the steamer D. A. January, Cairo, 21st, notifying him to prepare for 300 more wounded soldiers to be here on Wednesday morning.

Accordingly rooms in the Estes House will be prepared to-day. – {Gate.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

7th Iowa Infantry - Company D

1862, Corinth, Mississippi

From The 16th Iowa Regiment

We received the following private letter last evening, and aware of the anxiety felt in regard to this regiment, take the liberty of publishing it:–

PITTSBURG, Tenn., April 7, 1862.

BROTHER ALFRED:

The “bloody 16th” has availed itself at an early day of an opportunity for its first battle – and the greatest battle has just been fought, or is now fighting, that ever occurred on this Continent. The forces engaged altogether amounted to perhaps 150,000 men, although the newspapers, will most likely gave each side that number. The rebels had the advantage in numbers the first day, but at the close of that day reinforcements commenced arriving from Buell’s army, conveyed across the river here by steamboats. But I can attempt no description of the great battle which some hours, raged fiercely at several far distant points at the same time. There are to-night thousands lying dead within a few miles of the place where I write, and some within a few yards.

The battle of Fort Donelson was a mere trifle in comparison with this, as I have been informed by two Generals where were at both places. In fact, there were more killed the first day here than all the time there – yet to-day, both sides largely reinforced, the battle raged still more fiercely than yesterday. The rebels gained a decided advantage yesterday, penetrating into our camp, destroying many tents, capturing a large number of prisoners, and seriously threatening the destruction or capture of our army. They fought bravely, and had a much larger number in the field than we had. The attack was sudden and able, Beauregard being their General, and for a time everything looked threatening. It was their last great desperate effort seemingly, and desperately fought out to the bitter end. This evening the rebel army is miles away, our army in pursuit, and our danger over – but the loss on both sides fearful. How far our Iowa regiments have suffered, and how many of their well known officers have been killed or captured, cannot now be told. There is every reason to believe the 12th and 14th regiments have been captured – others have lost severely in killed and wounded. I have just heard Lt. Col. Hall, of the 11th was slightly wounded. Capt. Bob Littler, of Co. B, 2d regiment, had one arm badly crushed by a ball, and it will likely have to be amputated. He did his duty nobly, and has effectually refuted the charges made against him on another occasion. Col. Reed [sic] of the 15th, was shot in the neck, but is not dangerously wounded. Col. Hare of the 11th, had his hand shattered. So it goes.

But I must tell you something of the 16th. We arrived here Friday night last, after a pleasant trip. It was, of course, very muddy. We had to make a road up a steep bluff to get out our wagons, mules, goods, &c. We were ordered to join Gen. Prentiss’ division, next to the advance line, nearly four miles out, and one of the first afterwards attacked by the enemy. We nearly succeeded in getting out there Saturday night. Had we done so, we would have lost all our property, and perhaps all our regiment. The move, however, was fortunately delayed till Sunday evening. – We then had everything ready to start when the booming of the cannon and volleys of musketry announced the battle. The 15th and 16th formed on the bluff, distributed ammunition, and by ten o’clock were on the march to battle – raw troops, only partially drilled, and utterly unpracticed in the use of arms. We ought never to have been put in the field under such circumstances – more especially in a battle between what proved between ourselves and experienced troops with a battery of sharpshooters. We marched out several miles – then a General, who, I don’t know, ordered us across an open field and partial return in the face of a battery. Our boys stood it very well for new soldiers, although bombshells burst over their heads, and several arms and legs were knocked off by cannon balls. He finally got them in what was designed as our “position” in an open space, near a battery, with their sharpshooters protected by large trees in open woods. It promised to be a clear case of butchery. The men laid down flat, half rising to fire. They did all they could, and held the position longer than more experienced troops probably would have held it. The regiments retired, but not in hurried confusion, when an attack was being made by a large body of troops in front and flank. Col. Chambers received a ball through is right arm, but only a flesh wound. Another ball shockingly tore his coat, struck the saddle, went into his coat pocket, tore several holes in his handkerchief, and then the ball was found in his pocket. I lost both my horses, Bally and Lettie, and my Wentz saddle and bridle – so am now on foot, but expecting hourly to confiscate a horse. Adj. McCosh rode Bally by special favor. The horse had his leg shattered, and was led off, but I suppose never got far. My Wentz mare received three balls before she fell, the last when I was trying to rally the 16th for a stand. – Before I arose the regiments were off the ground, and as I walked off, the bullets whistling around thick, I was the last man alive or unwounded on the ground. Dozens of regiments were broken [into] fragments during the day and men looking everywhere for their companies.

I rallied a portion of the regiment on our return, and led them out again. This time we were called with others to protect a battery, or series of them. Our men laid three hours under rushing cannon balls and bomb shells – nearly all fortunately aimed too high. These batteries of ours probably stemmed the rebel tide of victory for that day and kept them from planting a battery which would have been terribly destructive. From that position we were marched to the advance line, and there remained all night. From 7 a.m. till 11 p.m. I was in the saddle, excepting an hour when I had no horse to ride – had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours – sat up all night, the rain literally pouring down at intervals. I call that a pretty rough beginning, anyhow. To-day we were left to protect a battery, only needed in case of a reverse, and were not therefore in the fight.

Among our killed were Capt. Ruehl, of Dubuque, an excellent officer, and Lieut. Doyle, also of Dubuque. Capt. Zettler is dangerously wounded. Private Bowling, of Davenport is also badly wounded. Several non-commissioned officers, were killed; and a number of privates – among the latter Mr. Howell, Quartermaster’s Sergeant at Camp McClellan. I will try to send you the list that you may have it published.

But I must close. We have not had an opportunity yet of pitching our tents or getting to our baggage, and we will sleep in the rain and mud tonight uncovered except by our blankets, an single one each, and no overcoats, as they have been laid aside for fighting. We sleep just where we happen to be at night – and may be called on to march any day on the track of the flying but still hard fighting enemy. It is now late at night and I have had nothing to eat since breakfast, and that breakfast was a hard cracker, piece of fat bacon and coffee made out of coffee grains boiled whole. No chance for supper, although the boys have had theirs. But I rather like this life. It is novel anyhow, to me. I do not know when I can write to you again.

ADD. H. SANDERS

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1

List of Killed and Wounded of the 15th Regiment Iowa Volunteers, in the Battle of Pittsburg, Tenn., Sunday, April 6th, 1862

{OFFICIAL REPORT OF SURGEON DAVIS.}


FIELD AND STAFF.

Wounded - Col H T Reid, flesh wound in neck; Major Wm Belknap, do in shoulder; Adjutant G Pomety, do in thigh, severely; Sergeant Major Alex Brown, left hip, severely.


COMPANY A.

Killed – 2d Lieutenant J B Penneman; Privates P H Kennedy, Wm Wood.

Wounded – Corporals W J McLenahan, hip severely; John Kinbrough, arm do; M Rhynsburger, hand do; Wm Hershburger, head do; Wm E Elsroad side do; Privates E Hopkins, leg severely; C S Stewart hand do; D Rhynsburger head do; F Lambard groin slightly; John F Evans do slightly. J D Simms Thigh Severely;Jacob Sells Hand do; Jacob Brown breast do; Henry Bunn shoulder do; David Klemeck leg slightly; Sergeants Robert G Forgrave hand slightly; A Hatfield leg do L C Brainard hand do.


COMPANY B.

Killed – Private Conrad Wenzel.

Wounded – 1st Sergt Henry Moreland, head slightly; Privates M Barnes mortally; B F Stoughsen, head severely; John Payne, shoulder do; Henry Edmonds, arm do; Robert Campbel, arm do; L M Green, leg slightly; J M Rogers, leg do.


COMPANY C.

Killed – Private Chas W Bardrick.

Wounded - Privates C L Kirk, in the leg severely; David Haff, in the shoulder severely; J S Warner, breast do; Charles Johnson, arm do; D Devour, arm do; henry Barrell hand do; G T Limbert, thigh do; W H Brown thigh do; S P Otry, leg do; Eden Hunt, leg do; J Youngblood, thigh do/ J Love, leg slightly; L L Loyd, slightyly; N H Griffith, slightly.


COMPANY D.

Killed – 1st Sergt Chas Fowler; Privates Jos Rhyne; Frederick Frick.

Wounded – 1st Lieut J S Porter; Privates Jno Holloway; W B Grey; G S Baird; J S Massler; Andrew Clark; M Rayburn; John Engle; Wm Winter; E M Gephart; G W Zimmerman; A J Roack; Henry Elms; W S Mesind; John Wellman; Charles Shriven; Samuel Buchanan.


COMPANY E.

Killed – J W Fouts, John McCord, George Peyton, Wm Clark.

Wounded – Capt R W Hutchcraft, in arm, severely; 1st Sert’t Wm Muir, do slightly; Serg’t W C Strider, do do; Corp Melvin Sweet, shot in hand; corp Vear Porter, severe. Privates. – Aaron Clingman, Severe, Ben Davis do, George Dehart thigh, John Miller do, W D Carver wrist slight; Isaac B Thatcher do, Jonathan Porter do; Wm McCary do; Silas Grove severe.


COMPANY F.

Killed – B F Russell, M W Thayer, Isaac Troth.

Wounded – Capt E C Blackmar, 1st Lieut P H Goode, finger off; corp F Blackmar, in leg – Privates. A M McKee, neck, severe; D Scott do; Wm H Irvin do; Wm Blair, slightly; W R Cooper do, F M Harmon do; G B Burry do; W Tiefford do; T Kelley do; John Ryerson do; I M Parson.


COMPANY G.

Killed – Private Granville Feagins

Wounded - Corps C L Mathews, slight; Nath IL Hoyse, head; Privates Joseph Amon, head, severely; Oscar E Ford, side, do; Miles Judkins, arm amputated; John White, hand, severely; Daniel Fisher, slightly; Henry Hooten, face, slightly, Harrison Morris, do;; W Metcalf, do; Truman Stone, do; John Toveral; do; Jacob McVay, slightly; Steven Overson, do; corporal C H Web, do.


COMPANY H.

Killed – Private Aaron Crill.

Wounded – 1st Lieut L W King, left leg, severely; 2d Lieut J A Danielson, Hip; 1st Sergt F M Platt, through left leg, severely; Sergt I S Cole, thigh, do; corporals N G Boynton, do; H G Vinceent [sic], right leg, amputated, Privates James Clark, severely; Samuel Clark, do; Sam Dicus, slight; J W Ellis, shot through hand and wrist; Jonathan Johnson, shot through left foot left arm and head; David Knauss, slight; Andrew Mosier, leg, slight, Joseph Whaley, foot, do; L Streeter, slight, Henry Frantz, do.


COMPANY I.

Killed – 2d Lieut R W Hamilton. Privates M H Wilson, James Doyle.

Wounded - Capt James G Day, hip, severely; Lieut I M Reid, neck, slight; Serg’t H Scheevers, shoulder, severe; corp G H Kuhn do do; corp B F Keck, abdomen, sever. Privates. – Robert Brisbin leg; Eclamer Chandler do; Albert Homewood do slight; Geo Haner hand; J B Jones breast severe; H Morgan wrist; I M Murphy hip, mortally; Melvin R Palmer severe; H N Vandervall do; Jackson Gracy slight; Isaac Johnson do; J Hall do, Wm Ward hand, severe; A A Rogers hip and leg, slight.


COMPANY K.

Killed - Privates John Holmes; John Winkler.

Wounded – Corporals H B Wyatt, slight, A R Wilcox, do. Privates W Bealer, do; James Crismore, do; W R Edmonds, do. G L Hunt do; W S Grave, do, J Ketchum, do; James Long, do; L. M Randolph, do, J Smith, do, G W Wallace, shot through foot severely; M M Young, slight; G W Hammonds, do, Perry Bird, do.


Additional Wounded – Private Robt. Hardman, reported missing turns out wounded in the face badly; Private Charles m Weelock, co A, reported missing, turns out badly wounded in the thigh.


MISSING AND SUPPOSED PRISONERS

Company A – Private A L Palmer.

Company K – Capt J M Hedrick; Private _ Johnson.

Company G – 2nd Lieut Hezekiah Fisk, Private Albert U Crosby.


– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

Fall of Fort Craig

It will be recollected that after the late battle between Gen. Sibley’s forces and Col. Canby’s in New Mexico that Canby’s forces, the Federals, retreated to Fort Craig, and were surrounded by our troops. The New Orleans papers of the 1st inst. state that authentic news from San Antonio, affirms the surrender of the Fort. The surrender was unconditional. The Confederates are therefore the masters of New Mexico.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Review: The Mule Shoe

The Mule Shoe
By Perry Trouche

Many students of the American Civil War often wonder what it must have been like. What did a battle look and sound like? What sights, sounds and smells did the average Civil War soldier experience during a battle? What is it like to face hostile enemy fire, to face life on a second by second basis, where to move of a fraction of an inch could mean the difference between life and death? What goes through a soldier’s mind during a battle? What does it feel like? What does it do to you, to your mind?

Walt Whitman wrote, “Future years will never know the seething hell and the black infernal background of countless minor scenes and interiors, (not the official surface courteousness of the Generals, not the few great battles) of the Secession war; and it is best they should not—the real war will never get in the books.” To a large degree, Mr. Whitman was right. For nearly a century and a half students of the war have combed through archives and libraries, read soldiers diaries and letters, official reports and newspaper accounts; scholars have written thousands upon thousands of books about Civil War. From these sources we try to extrapolate what it was like for the fighting men of both sides. And yet what we think we know cannot possibly compare to the experiences of those who participated in it.

How did the war, where killing could be random and from a distance or at point-blank range during hand-to-hand combat, affect the mental capacities of the soldiers who fought it? It is a question that can never be fully answered. The American Civil War occurred in an era before modern psychiatry, and “post traumatic stress” would not be a clinically diagnosed disorder for the next one hundred years.

A Charleston, South Carolina psychiatrist, Perry Trouche, has attempted to answer the question of how the war affected the mental health of the fighting men, not through a scholarly dissertation or a medical journal article, but instead though a work of fiction. A historical novel can take its reader places where works of nonfiction cannot: the inner world and thoughts of its characters.

Mr. Trouche’s protagonist, Conner DuMont, is a Confederate soldier, the “new boy” in the 12th South Carolina Infantry, a regiment of veterans in Samuel McGowan’s Brigade. It is May, 1864 in Spotsylvania, Virginia and the regiment has just taken its position in the salient which gives Mr. Trouche’s novel its name, “The Mule Shoe.” Surrounded on three sides by the Federal Army, the Mule Shoe salient was the scene of severe fighting and thus Mr. Trouche has succeeded in placing Conner, whose mental status, from the very beginning of the novel, is questionable at best, in the vortex of hell.

Written in a first person stream of consciousness style “The Mule Shoe” is a fascinating view of a Confederate soldier whose mental stability is on an ever increasing downward spiral, while experiencing all the horrors that 19th century warfare has to offer.

Throughout the novel Conner hears voices and sees hallucinations. He both converses and interacts with them, and they offer a running commentary, evaluating Conner and his actions, and occasionally giving conflicting pieces of advice. At first the voices and visions are of relatives and friends of his past, but as the battle rages on, and death occurs all around him, others join in. Reality and delusion blur and blend together. Eventually Conner’s inner psyche comes to his rescue, pulling him back, literally and figuratively, from the horrible carnage of the Mule Shoe salient to a place of calmness and serenity, a place of safety, where the horrors of war have been removed, where he can begin to heal.

Mr. Trouche has masterfully written a novel blending history and psychiatry. His characters are artfully crafted, and though much of the dialog is written in dialect, it always rings true. He may not have written the real war as soldiers on both sides may have experienced it, but he has done something very much like it.

ISBN 978-1932842333, Star Cloud Press, © 2009, Hardcover, 230 pages, $29.95

Second Iowa Regiment

RECRUITING OFFICE.

ALL PERSONS WISHING TO ENLIST in this Regiment, which has already won a proud position, should apply at once to

LIEUT. J. G. HUNTINGTON,
Recruiting Officer,
No. 5 Franklin Block, over IOWA BOOK ROOMS.

mch 25-tf.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1