History repeats itself; and in the siege now in progress before Yorktown, we have on a much large scale, the repetition of the siege of 1781, to result, we cannot doubt, in like manner – in the triumph of Liberty over its enemies.
On the 28th of September, 1781, Gen. Washington marched from Williamsburg, on the peninsula between the James and York rivers, for the even then old Yorktown. He was accompanied by Rochambeau, Chatelleux Du Porteall of the French army. Lafayette was already in advance, and the Count de Grasse lay off with the French fleet in Lynhaven Bay. The allied army, including militia, amounted to about 16,000 men. The English army did not number more than 7,500.
The main body of the English, under Lord Cornwallis, was encamped in the open ground around the town, within the range of outer redoubts and field works calculated to command the peninsula, while a detachment of 600 or 700 men held Gloucester Point, projecting from the opposite shore far into the river, and narrowing it to the space of one mile. Communication between was protected by the batteries and English ships-of-war lying under the batteries.
The allied army advanced upon the town – the Americans having the right and the French having the left – and pressed on so eagerly that in the night of the 30th, Lord Cornwallis withdrew from his outer lines, and the works he had evacuated were the next day occupied by the besieging army which invested the position in a semicircle; 2,000 men were stationed on the Gloucester side for the purpose of keeping up a rigorous blockade, which after a sharp skirmish, terminating unfavorably for the British, they made no further attempt to interrupt.
On the night of Oct. 6, the first parallel was opened within 600 yards of the British lines, and by the evening of the 9th several batteries and redoubts were completed, and the fire of the allies became very effective, compelling the enemy in many cases to withdraw his cannon from over the town, set fire to the Chaser frigate, of 44 guns, and several transports, which were entirely consumed.
The second parallel was opened on the night of the 11th, within 300 yards of the British lines, when finding that it was flanked by two advance redoubts in front of the British works, it was determined on the 14th to carry them by storm, and accordingly two attacking parties, one American, led by Lafayette, with whom served Alexander Hamilton, as Lieut. Colonel, the other French, led by the Baron de Viomenil, toward the close of the day rushed upon their works, and, though receiving a hot and rapid fire, returned not a single shot, but carried them at the point of the bayonet – Hamilton leading the American column with his battalion of light infantry. These captured works being now included in the second parallel, the fire upon the fort became so fierce that surrender seemed unavoidable. A vigorous sortie, led by Lieut. Col. Abercrombie, was made on the 16th of October, but was triumphantly repulsed, and Lord Cornwallis then conceived the desperate plan of passing his force over to Gloucester Point, and thence, mounting them as best he might by impressed horses – to force his way through Maryland to Philadelphia. A part of the army were actually thus transferred, when a storm arose, which put an end to the transportation of the rest of the army, and as soon as possible those sent over were brought back. On the morning of the 17th the fire of the allies became so hot that the place was no longer tenable, and Lord Cornwallis asked a cessation of hostilities for twenty-four hours, and the appointment of Commissioners to treat of surrender.
Gen. Washington replied that only for two hours could he consent to suspend hostilities and transmitted at the time such articles of capitulation as he would be willing to grant. Commissioners were appointed in conformity, on the 18th on both sides – Viscount de [Noailles] and Col. Laurens on the side of the Allies, Colonel Dundas and Major Ross, on behalf of the English. They agreed upon certain articles, of which a rough copy only a rough copy was made, but this General Washington transmitted to Lord Cornwallis early on the 19th, expression his expectations that the terms would be agreed to and signed by 11 o’clock, and that the garrison would march out by 2 p.m. Accordingly at that hour the posts of Yorktown and Gloucester Point, with their garrisons, and the ships in their harbor with their seamen, were surrendered to the land naval forces of America and France. The army, artillery, arms, military chest, and public stores of every kind, were surrendered to Gen. Washington – the ships and seamen to Count de Grasse; the total number of prisoners, excluding seamen, rather exceeded 7,000 men, among whom were two generals, thirty-one field officers, three hundred and twenty-six captains and subalterns, &c.
The negotiation of surrender was opened on the eleventh day after breaking ground, and the capitulation was signed on the thirteenth day.
The military and naval forces surrender as “prisoners of war – the artillery, arms, accoutrements, and military chests and public stores of every denomination, to be delivered up unimpaired – the garrison to march out at 2 o’clock, to a place appointed in front of the post, with shouldered arms, colors cased, and drums beating – they are then to ground their arms and return to their encampment – officers to retain their side-arms, and officers and soldiers to keep their property, and no part of their baggage or papers to be subject to search or inspection.” The spot on which this memorable surrender was made is well known. It is designated in a plan of the siege, and is soon, we may trust to be rendered more memorable by a like surrender of a much larger army – and thus combine in one glorious memory two great victories on the same ground. – {N. Y. Tribune, 17th.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2
Thursday, October 8, 2009
An Historic Battlefield – The Siege of Yorktown in 1781
That very large and splendid stock of goods . . .
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 18, 1862, p. 1
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
BRIGADIER-GENERAL WM. VANDEVER
Of General Vandever's early history I have been able to learn but little. I do not even know his native State. I first find him at Rock Island, Illinois, where he was employed in a news-paper office. Iowa was then a Territory. From Rock Island, he removed to Dubuque, and entered the Surveyor General's office at that place. Still later, he studied and practiced law in Dubuque. In 1858, he was nominated for Congress from the Dubuque District, there being, I am told, no stronger man of his party, who would accept the nomination, on account of the almost certain prospect of defeat. But the general made a good canvass; and, to the surprise of all, was elected. He was distinguished in Congress, for his dignity and taciturnity; two traits, which would embellish the records of many, who have worn Congressional honors.
Mr. Vandever was commissioned colonel of the 9th Iowa Infantry, on the 30th of August, 1861; and in the winter of 1862-3 was made a brigadier-general. As a military man, he has gained less distinction than any other public man who has entered the service from Iowa.
The 9th Iowa Infantry was enlisted principally from the counties of Jackson, Dubuque, Buchanan, Jones, Clayton, Fayette, Bremer, Blackhawk, Winneshiek, Howard and Linn. Its first field of service was Missouri, and its first hard-fought battle, Pea Ridge, Arkansas. At Pea Ridge, the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel, now Major-General Herron; for Colonel Vandever was in command of the brigade to which it was attached. In the march from Rolla to Cross Hollows, it had several skirmishes with the enemy, but suffered, I think, no loss. From Cross Hollows it marched with its brigade on an expedition to Huntsville, Arkansas, an account of which is thus given by Colonel Vandever:
"On the morning of the 4th instant [March 1862] I left Camp Halleck, at Cross Hollows, in command of an expedition in the direction of Huntsville. The forces consisted of three hundred and fifty of the 9th Iowa Infantry, one hundred and fifty from Colonel Phelps' Missouri Regiment, one battalion from the 30th Illinois Cavalry, one section of the Dubuque Battery, (light artillery) and one section of Brown's Mountain Howitzers. We prosecuted the march and arrived at Huntsville at noon of the 5th instant, without incident. A portion of the enemy's stores was captured at their camp, three miles beyond Huntsville, and several prisoners taken. From the prisoners I obtained information that the enemy was marching in force toward our lines, for the purpose of attack, which information I immediately transmitted to head-quarters, and then prepared to retrace my steps. I moved out of Huntsville, and camped three miles distant. At two o'clock in the morning, I received your [General Curtis] orders to return and Join the main body at Sugar Creek. At three o'clock A. M., I resumed my line of march, and, at dusk the same evening, arrived in camp, having accomplished a forced march of forty miles in a single day."
The next day, the seventh, the severe fighting at Pea Ridge opened; and early in the morning Colonel Vandever marched his brigade out in the direction of Elkhorn Tavern. His command fought that entire day, on the left of the brigade of Colonel Dodge, which, it will be remembered, held the extreme right of General Curtis' army. It is stated elsewhere that the division of Colonel Carr, to which both Dodge and Vandever were attached, did the severest fighting at Pea Ridge. In speaking of the conduct of his own regiment in this engagement, Colonel Vandever says:
"Major Coyl of the 9th Iowa acted with distinguished valor, until disabled by a severe wound, and compelled, reluctantly, to leave the field. Adjutant William Scott also deserves great praise. Lieutenant Asher Riley, of Company A, my acting assistant adjutant-general, deserves particular mention. Upon the fall of Captain Drips and Lieutenant Kelsey, both distinguished for their bravery, Lieutenant Riley gallantly took command, and remained with the company throughout the action. Captain Carpenter and Lieutenant Jones, of Company B, also acted with great bravery, leading their company in the face of the enemy, and bringing off one of our disabled pieces and a caisson.
"Captain Towner and Lieutenant Neff, of Company F, were conspicuous for their bravery. Both of these officers were severely wounded, when the command devolved upon Lieutenant Tisdale, who gallantly led the company through the remainder of the action. Captain Bull and Lieutenant Rice of Company C also deserve particular mention, the latter of whom was killed near the close of the day, while the former was severely wounded. Captain Bevins of Company E, was killed upon the field, and the command devolved upon Lieutenant Baker. He acquitted himself with great credit. Captain Washburn and Lieutenants Beebe and Leverich of Company G, Lieutenants Crane and McGee of Company D, Captain Moore and Lieutenant McKenzie of Company H, Captain Carsakaddon and Lieutenant Claflin of Company K, and Lieutenant Fellows, commanding Company I, also Lieutenant Inman, were all conspicuous for bravery, under the hottest fire of the enemy. Many instances of special gallantry occurred among non-commissioned officers and privates. All did their duty well. I should also mention Sergeant-Major Foster of the 9th Iowa, and other members of the noncommissioned staff, who did their duty nobly."
After nearly a month's rest in the vicinity of the battleground, Colonel Vandever joined in the march of General Curtis across the Ozark Mountains to Batesville. While at Batesville, General Steele joined Curtis with a division from Pilot Knob; but here, also, the general lost the commands of Davis and Asboth, which were summoned by Halleck to Corinth. Early in June, the Army of the South West was re-organized into three divisions, commanded by Steele, Carr and Osterhaus. Colonel Vandever remained in Carr's Division, and retained the command of his brigade. The hardships of Curtis' march from Batesville to Helena, which was made in mid-summer, have already been enumerated; but not the different points at which the enemy were met: they were Searcy Landing, Sillamore, Waddell's Farm, Jeffries' Mills, Cashe River Bridge, Stuart's Plantation, Pickett's Farm, Grand Glaize and Round Hill. The last was of the most importance: less than six hundred defeated two thousand Texan Rangers, inflicting on them a loss of more than two hundred.
Colonel Vandever remained at Helena for several months, when, being appointed a brigadier-general, he was ordered to report to General Curtis at St. Louis, and given a command in Central Missouri. In the early part of April, 1863, he commanded the cavalry force, which, leaving Lake Springs, Missouri, marched against Marmaduke, and drove him from the State. It was this command that, at mid-night of the 26th of April, charged the enemy's camp on the Dallas road, near Jackson, routing the enemy, and afterwards pursuing them to St. Francis River.
General Vandever accompanied General Herron to Vicksburg, in command of one of his brigades; and, after the fall of the city, sailed with him up the Yazoo River to Yazoo City. For his services on this expedition, he was thus complimented by General Herron:
"I desire to return my thanks to Brigadier-Generals Vandever and Orme, my brigade commanders, for their unceasing efforts to carry out all my plans, and aid in the success of the expedition."
Since that time, and up to the spring of 1864, General Vandever served in the Department of the Gulf, but during the march on Atlanta he was ordered to report to General Sherman by whom he was assigned a district command with head-quarters at Rome, Georgia. He retained this command till after the fall of Atlanta, when he was ordered to Louisville, and assigned to duty on a court-martial. After the fall of Savannah he reported to General Sherman at that city, and was assigned to the command of a brigade in the 14th Corps which he commanded till the arrival of the Army of the Tennessee at Washington, when he was assigned to the command of the 2d Division of said corps. This command he accompanied to Louisville.
During the march from Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Goldsboro, General Vandever distinguished himself. The history of the march is as follows:
Crossing Cape Fear River, opposite Fayetteville, on the 15th of March, General Sherman "ordered Kilpatrick to move up the plank road to and beyond Averysboro. He was to be followed by four divisions of the left wing, [the 14th and 20th Corps] with as few wagons as possible; the rest of the train, under escort of the two remaining divisions of that wing, to take a shorter and more direct road to Goldsboro. In like manner, General Howard [commanding 15th and 17th Corps] was ordered to send his trains, under good escort, well to the right toward Faison's Depot and Goldsboro, and to hold four divisions light, ready to go to the aid of the left wing, if attacked while in motion. The weather continued very bad, and the roads had become a mere quag-mire. Almost every foot of it had to be corduroyed to admit the passage of wheels."
Prosecuting this line of march, the left wing fought the battle of Averysboro, and then turned east in the direction of Goldsboro; for Hardee had fled, "in a miserable, stormy night, over the worst of roads," in the direction of Smithfleld. The feint on Raleigh did not deceive Johnson, and Sherman, contrary to his expectations, had to fight the old rebel before reaching Goldsboro. While the left wing was on the march through the marshy, timbered bottoms that lie near Bentonville, Johnson, hurrying down from Smithfleld, threw himself on the front and left flank of Jefferson C. Davis' Corps, which was in the advance. Disaster threatened to overwhelm the leading division, and indeed the whole left wing, and Sherman became anxious; but the great courage and endurance of the troops held the enemy at bay till the right wing was brought up. Then, with their left flank and rear threatened, the enemy retired, and Sherman entered Goldsboro. In this engagement General Vandever distinguished himself.
Mr. J. Thompson, a member of the 1st Iowa Cavalry, who served for several months under General Vandever, writes thus of him:
"General Vandever is a man of medium hight, dark hair and wiry constitution. There is nothing remarkable in his features or organization, to impress one with the belief that there is any true greatness about him, either as a man or a general. He lacks both the will and the energy, but more, the ability of a successful leader. The history of his military life is a history of the man — tame and unromantic, exhibiting nothing striking or remarkable—never sinking below, nor yet rising above his chosen level. Such he is as a general, and such would be your opinion of him were you to see him."
From what I have been able to learn of General Vandever, I am persuaded Mr. Thompson does him hardly justice. Though in no respect brilliant, yet he is a man of good judgment and of great perseverance. He is not of a social, communicative nature. He minds his own business, and this, I believe, has been to his disadvantage in the army; for rapid promotion has depended not less upon hard begging, than upon hard working, especially if the officer in question holds a subordinate position. Can one in any other way account for so many worthless field and general officers?
SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 195-200
Emancipation in the District of Columbia
The President has signed the bill. Those who importuned him not to do so should read over the record here unveiled, and cover their faces to hid the confusion produced by their own consciences. The abolition of slavery here will not cause it to be removed elsewhere – This was not the design nor the desire of the majority of those who voted for it. But it will be productive of good consequences. It will call into use and culture our now deserted lots and suburbs. It will employ our unsurpassed water powers. It will build factories and machine shops along our wharves. It will prevent men from speculating in slaves; women from rejoicing over the birth of slaves as so much more money in their own pockets, and will cleanse the community of those sympathizers with treason who have infested this ten miles square for so many years. I wish my Northern readers, especially those who have allowed these objections to the removal of slavery from the capital of their country to effect their minds, could see for themselves what slavery has done in this single spot.
There has been no prosperous middle class in Washington. Society here has been divided, or rather separated, by the partition between the very rich and the very poor. Property is not held here by mechanics who have earned their money and worked their way to wealth in their own avocations, but by successful operators, slaveholders, place-men and lobby-agents. The slave traffic, though prohibited by law, has been successfully carried on in various ways. The business of slave-breeding has enriched more than one pious and praying Secessionist, and the youth of both sexes have in many cases been reared to rely on the profits of slavery, directly and indirectly, and not upon their own talents or labor. The product has been an haughty, overbearing and dictatorial spirit, a contempt for all industry and economy, and a readiness to accept secession as an escape from contact with the undaunted and go-ahead masses of the free States. If those who read these letters could see these things for themselves, the scales would fall from their eyes, and in spite of party feelings, they would thank God that Washington at last, was purged from a blot which has long been a cancer at the heart of the Republic, and a stain upon our country among the nations of the earth. – {Wash. Cor. Philadelphia Press
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2
Relief Association
At a meeting of the executive committee of the Scott County Soldiers’ Relief Association, April 17, 1862, the report of the surgical committee, stating that Messrs. L C. Burwell and J. J. Brown were employed as nurses to our wounded at Pittsburg Landing at $2 per day, and Dr. Maxwell, as surgeon, for a compensation at the rate of $100 per month and expenses paid, was received, and on motion
Resolved, That said report be referred back to the committee, with instructions to employ those surgeons and nurses only, who are willing to go gratuitously upon payment of their expenses, if they can be procured.
Resolved, That the present committee sent to Pittsburg Landing be notified of this action of the Relief Association, and requested to make immediate report of their action, and that they be allowed compensation for their time of service up to the receipt of said notice, in accordance with the terms agreed upon by the surgical committee.
The Recording Secretary reported as received by him and paid over to the treasurer, $73.30,
In absence of the Treasurer the Corresponding Secretary reported as received from various ward and township finance committees, $324.10.
The Treasurer acknowledged the receipt of $100 from Rev. M. Kynett, on behalf of the Iowa State Sanitary Commission, to be used in defraying expenses of committee sent to Pittsburg Landing.
Messrs. G. L. Davenport and J. S. Connor were appointed a committee to administer relief to wounded and sick soldiers reaching this point on their journey home. On motion it was
Resolved, That the Scott County Soldiers’ Relief Association hold a public meeting at Le Claire Hall on Saturday, the 26th day of April, at 1 o’clock p.m., to consider matters of interest in advancing the objects of the Society, and also that of establishing a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers in Davenport. The people of the respective townships are requested to be present by delegate or otherwise.
The burial committee were instructed to defer all action till a report of the surgical committee about the assistance needed by our wounded and the number of killed from Scott county, is received.
ERNST CLAUSSEN, Rec. Sec’y
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 18, 1862, p. 1
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Recruits
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 18, 1862, p. 1
Vandalism
A dispatch from Norfolk, dated the 7th inst., to the Petersburg Express, says:
“Three private dwellings on the shore opposite Old Point were fired at yesterday by the Federals from the Rip Raps. A shell exploded in an out house of a private citizen, killing a bullock and doing other damage."
– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2
At Island No. 10 . . .
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2
Mr. Theodore F. Woolsey of Ct. . . .
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2
Monday, October 5, 2009
Review: Shenandoah 1862
Shenandoah 1862By Peter Cozzens
Aside from Robert E. Lee the most venerated figure to emerge from the gunpowder haze shroud of the American Civil War is Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson. His military successes are the stuff from which legends are made. And yet until now, there as been no single volume written about one his most famous campaigns: the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Many books have, however been written about the various battles, individually, which made up the campaign, and many of those cover their topics mainly from the Confederate viewpoint. With his book, “Shenandoah 1862” not only has Peter Cozzens given us a single volume to cover the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862 in its entirety, but he has also given us an evenly weighted volume of the campaign which equally views the events from the Union and Confederate viewpoints.
In most books where “Stonewall” Jackson appears he, as a character, tends to dominate. Cozzens’ has done his best to keep General Jackson from overwhelming his narrative. The author has, in fact, strayed from the cult of Jackson and has given us a reevaluation of Jackson as a commander, unflattering as it may occasionally be. Cozzens’ points to two particular flaws in Jackson’s character: his secretiveness, and when defeated his tendency to place blame on his subordinates.
Jackson kept his plans so secret that even his second in command did not know them. Cozzens points out the error of this secrecy and uses the Battle of Kearnstown to illustrative example. Cozzens goes on to point out that Jackson was a very religious man who never failed to credit the blessing of God with a victory on the battlefield, but when defeated Jackson found no fault with God, or himself for that matter, but instead often found a scapegoat in one of his subordinates.
Cozzens’ also highlights Jackson’s inefficiency in his tendency to send troops into a battle in a piece-meal fashion, choosing several small attacks instead of one massive and concentrated movement against the enemy. By choosing to fight a battle in such away, Jackson unnecessarily increased the number of Confederate casualties.
Conversely to Jackson, Union commander, Nathaniel Banks, benefits from Mr. Cozzens revisionism. Previously Banks had been painted as a lack-luster and inept political general, but in “Shenandoah 1862” the author points out that in Banks fought a delaying action from Winchester in order to provide enough time for his supply train time to escape. So successful was this delaying action that Banks lost only about 100 of his five hundred wagons.
In conclusion, Jackson emerges triumphant, though his star has been dimmed a bit. He succeeded in his goal of diverting Federal troops from the Army of the Potomac, on the Peninsula in front of Richmond, and fighting them in the valley of the Shenandoah River instead.
“Shenandoah 1862” is Cozzens’ sixteenth book in eighteen years. The subjects of books have covered the American Civil War and the Indian Wars of the American West. Mr. Cozzens is an officer in the U.S. State Department, and does a great deal of his research from abroad, as well as on trips home. Considering the depth and breadth of his research in his books, this feat is nothing less than extraordinary. Cozzens’ hefty tome is a well researched, well written and evenly balanced account of Jackson’s 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. No student of Stonewall Jackson or his Valley Campaign should be without a copy.
ISBN 978-0807832004, The University of North Carolina Press, © 2008, Hardcover, 640 pages, Photographs, illustrations, Maps, Appendix, Endnotes, Bibliography & Index. $35.00
Sunday, October 4, 2009
COLONEL JAMES LORAINE GEDDES
SECOND COLONEL, EIGHTH INFANTRY.
James L. Geddes, of the 8th Iowa Infantry, is a Scotchman, and was born in the city of Edinburgh, on the 19th day of March, 1827. "When ten years of age, he emigrated with his family to Canada; but, at the age of eighteen, returned to Scotland, and, in the following Winter, embarked for the East Indies, where he entered the British Military Academy at Calcutta. After studying at that Institution for about two years, he enlisted in the British service, and was a member of the Royal Horse Artillery. He was connected with the British service seven years, and, during that time, served under Sir Hugh Gough, Sir Charles Napier, and Sir Colin Campbell. Under Gough, he took part in the celebrated Punjaub Campaign, and with Napier fought in the battle of Kyber Pass. He was also engaged under Sir Colin Campbell in the campaign against the Hill Tribes of the Himalaya. For his services in India, he was awarded a medal and clasp.
After leaving the British service, he returned to Canada where, being commissioned by Queen Victoria a colonel of cavalry, he organized a cavalry regiment; but, as he himself expressed it, he soon became disgusted, and resigned his commission. He came to Iowa in the fall of 1857, and purchased a farm in Benton county, on which he has since lived.
In August, 1861, Colonel Geddes enlisted a company in Benton county, for the 8th Iowa Infantry, and was commissioned its captain; but, on the organization of his regiment, he was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and, with that rank, he entered the field. He was promoted to the colonelcy of the 8th Iowa, on the 7th of February, 1862, vice Colonel Steele, who had been appointed a brigadier-general.
The first campaign on which the 8th Iowa Infantry marched was that of General Fremont, from Jefferson City to Springfield. The regiment's first battle was Shiloh. The part it took in this engagement is the first point of interest in its history. It was attached to the division of General C. F. Smith, which, in the absence of that general, was commanded by Wallace. The camp of the regiment was, therefore, in rear of the line first assailed by the enemy.
Early in the morning of the 6th of April, and soon after the enemy opened fire on the divisions of Prentiss and Sherman, Colonel Geddes ordered his regiment under arms and formed it in line of battle in front of its camp. In the meantime, the firing at the front was increasing rapidly, and the colonel, convinced that the enemy were advancing in force, ordered the baggage to be loaded on the wagons and driven back in the direction of the Landing. This done, his regiment was ordered to the front. The other regiments of the brigade, which was commanded by Colonel Sweeney, of the 52d Illinois, were, on the arrival of the 8th Iowa, already in position. Forming his regiment on the left of his brigade, Colonel Geddes remained in this position for about an hour, in support of a battery in his front, and during this time suffered from a galling fire of the enemy's artillery.
He was now separated from his brigade and ordered to the left, and still further to the front: and the position which his regiment now took up was in that line, portions of which were held so obstinately until about four o'clock in the afternoon. The 8th Iowa in this position was the connecting link between the division of General Wallace and that portion of General Prentiss' which had not stampeded at the first onset of the enemy. On the left of General Prentiss was the division of Hurlbut, which had just come into position. It was now nearly eleven o'clock, and every thing promised well for the Federal cause; for the enemy in their first successes had been effectually arrested.
Hardly had the 8th Iowa been aligned and drawn a long breath, when it was assaulted by a battalion of the enemy, advancing to turn Prentiss' right flank. A most determined struggle followed of nearly an hour in length. The enemy, flushed with their first successes, which surprise as well as their valor had contributed to win, would not yield the contest until they had left nearly half their number upon the field. The 8th Iowa held its ground steadily, and, like the 14th Iowa on its right, charged and bore down the enemy whenever they approached too closely. Finally they retired, after which there was a respite of nearly an hour.
In the meantime General Prentiss had placed a battery in position immediately in front of the 8th Iowa, and ordered the regiment to hold and defend it at all hazards. It was now about one o'clock in the afternoon, the hour when the fiercest fighting of the whole day began; for the enemy had completed their reconnoissances, and were advancing at nearly every point along the line. The battery placed by General Prentiss in front of the 8th Iowa opened upon the advancing columns of the enemy, under the direction of the general in person, and so accurately and rapidly was it served that it soon became to them an object of special attack. "To this end {I quote from the statement of Colonel Geddes to Governor Kirkwood} they concentrated and hurled column after column on my position, charging most gallantly to the very muzzles of the guns. Here a struggle commenced for the retention and possession of the battery, of a terrific character, their concentrated and well-directed fire decimating my ranks in a fearful manner. In this desperate struggle, my regiment lost one hundred men in killed and wounded. The conspicuous gallantry and coolness of my company commanders, Captains Cleaveland, Stubbs and Benson on the left; Captains McCormick and Bell in the centre; Captains Kelsey, Geddes and Lieutenant Muhs, on the right, by reserving the fire of their respective companies until the proper time for its delivery with effect, and the determined courage of my men, saved the battery from capture; and I had the satisfaction of sending the guns in safety to the rear."
And thus the conflict raged along the line, but at few points with as great fury as in front of the 8th and 14th Iowa. Finally, after the struggle had lasted nearly two hours, the enemy retired, leaving the troops at this point masters of the field. But they had not been equally unsuccessful at other points. They had broken the line on the right, and had forced back the left and centre of Prentiss' Division and the right of Hurlbut's. Heavy volleys of musketry were now heard to the left and rear of the 8th Iowa, where Prentiss, having rallied his troops, had formed a new line. This line was at nearly right angles with his former one, and the enemy were promptly engaging him in this new position. At this time, about half-past three o'clock, there was no enemy in front of the 8th Iowa, or on its immediate left; but, to conform with Prentiss' new line, Colonel Geddes threw back the left of his regiment, and dressed it on the right of the 58th Illinois, the right regiment of Prentiss' Division.
The rest is soon told. Prentiss' new line gave way and fled in terror to the Landing, and the enemy, meeting with no further opposition, swung round to the rear of the 8th Iowa; and thus it was that the regiment was captured. The 58th Illinois stood nobly to the last, and was captured in like manner. General Prentiss was near these troops, and was also made prisoner. It has been asserted by many, that, had all the troops at Shiloh fought with the same determination as did the 58th Illinois, the 8th Iowa, and the four other Iowa regiments on its right, the first day's battle would not have been disastrous to our arms. Some have blamed General Prentiss for holding his position so long; but, had he abandoned it sooner, who can tell the calamities that might have followed; for, with all the delay he and the Iowa troops on his right occasioned the enemy, the Federal forces barely escaped capture, and the day closed with little hope.
Of the conduct of Colonel Geddes and his regiment at Shiloh, General Prentiss, in his official report, says:
"He acted with distinguished courage, coolness and ability. His regiment stood unflinchingly up to the work the entire portion of the day, during which it acted under my orders."
The loss of the regiment in this engagement was nearly two hundred. Captain Hogin was shot dead early in the day, and soon after the regiment took up its position on the right of General Prentiss' Division. Captain Palmer was at nearly the same time severely wounded. Later in the day, and at the time the conflict was going on for the retention of the battery in his regiment's front, Colonel Geddes was wounded in the leg. Major Anderson was at the same time severely wounded in the head. Among those mentioned for special gallantry was Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson, who, throughout the day, was reckless in the exposure of his person to the enemy.
The history of that portion of the 8th Iowa Infantry which escaped capture is to be found in the record of the Union Brigade. This brigade, which was organized immediately after the battle of Shiloh, and which retained its organization until the 17th of the following December, acted an honorable part in the battle of Corinth, in the fall of 1862, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Coulter of the 12th Iowa Infantry. On the morning of the 18th of December, 1862, the detachments of the 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa regiments, which had served in the Union Brigade for upward of eight months, left Corinth, by order of General Dodge, to report at Davenport, Iowa, for re-organization in their respective commands. This, it will be remembered, was at the time of Forest's raid through Tennessee into Kentucky; and, on the arrival of these troops at Jackson, Tennessee, they were ordered by Colonel Lawler, Commandant of the Post, to assist in defending the place against the threatened attack of the enemy, who were reported to be in strong force, and supported by artillery. But Jackson was not attacked. The enemy's demonstrations before that city were only intended to divert the Federal forces, while they in the meantime destroyed the railroad north in the direction of Columbus; and this work they effectually accomplished. Forest now fled the State, and Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter proceeded with his command to Davenport.
Subsequently to the re-organization of the 8th Iowa Infantry and up to the spring of 1864, the history of the regiment is similar to that of the 12th Iowa. It joined General Grant's army at Milliken's Bend in the spring of 1863, and was assigned to the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, l5th Army Corps, which it accompanied in all its long and tedious marches through Mississippi. But when that corps left Vicksburg for Chattanooga, in the fall of 1863, the 8th Iowa with its division was left behind. The regiment remained at Vicksburg until the following Winter, when, having re-enlisted, it was sent North on veteran furlough. On its return, it was ordered to Memphis, since which time it has served under Major-General A. J. Smith.
When Forest made his dash into Memphis, late in August, 1864, the 8th Iowa was stationed in the city on garrison-duty, and took an important part in driving out, and dispersing the forces of the guerrilla chief. "Sergeants Ostrander, and privates A. M. Walling, Charles Smith, I. F. Newman and Perry Clark, watched their opportunity, and fired a volley on the flank of the enemy, killing the rebel Captain Lundy and wounding several others." Lieutenant-Colonel W. B. Bell commanded the 8th Iowa in this affair; and, before the enemy were dispersed, the regiment suffered severely. Lieutenant A. S. Irwin was mortally wounded and died soon after. Lieutenants J. A. Boyer and J. S. Tinkham were also wounded. Among those mentioned for good conduct, are Captain Geddes, and Lieutenants Stearns and Campbell.
The 8th Iowa has recently and most signally distinguished itself, in the operations of General Canby around Mobile.
The arrival of A. J. Smith's Corps at Barley's Mill on Fish River, and the march to Spanish Fort and its investment will appear elsewhere. The 8th Iowa Infantry was attached to this Corps, and its position in front of the fort was to the extreme right of the Federal line. The brigade to which the regiment was attached, was commanded by Colonel Geddes, and the division by General E. A. Carr.
Of Spanish Fort, which is situated on Blakely River, and nearly east from Mobile, one who was on the ground writes thus:
"At Spanish Fort, there were several lines of inferior rifle-pits for skirmishers, outside the principal works. A formidable ditch added to the strength of the position; the most elaborately constructed abattis presented its sharp points to an enemy; a line of chevaux de frize intervened between the ditch and the abattis; the trees were felled and laced together for an area of many acres around, and the ground everywhere was pretty thickly sown with torpedoes. Artillery, of all kinds and calibres, bristled along the walls, and three thousand men with muskets held the interior of the fort."
Spanish Fort was crescent-shaped in form, its right and left defenses swinging back to near the river. Just at the northern extremity of these defenses, a deep ravine puts down to the river, dividing the high bluff along its eastern bank. On the north-eastern side of this ravine was the brigade of Colonel Geddes in position, and, on the opposite one, the northern extremity of Spanish Fort. At the mouth of the ravine was low bottom-land, not long since covered with dense and heavy timber; but this had all been felled, to enable the rebel gun-boats to sweep it from the river. This was the point selected from which to carry Spanish Fort.
In speaking of the charge of the 8th Iowa, which led the advance, the same correspondent goes on to say :
"For nearly an hour and a half the bombardment continued, before Colonel Geddes judged it expedient to move; and the sun was just sinking below the western horizon when the signal to advance was given. Instantly the men of the 8th Iowa sprang to their feet, and the company of skirmishers, followed by the entire regiment, threw themselves among the Mien and matted timbers in the swamp, and urged their way, as rapidly as possible, across the mouth of the ravine. A loud shout from the rest of the division, as if the whole were about to charge, distracted the attention of the enemy, while the bold advance of the 8th Iowa seemed to strike him with dismay. Such of his men as were posted behind the log breast-work, (that which extended from the bluff down across the low ground to the river) fired a scattering, hesitating volley, and ran for their lives. But from the extreme left of the rebel rifle-pits, a heavy fire was poured upon our boys, until the foremost of them, mounting the bluff, came full upon the rear of the enemy.
"It was just here that Lieutenant Vineyard, the gallant leader of Company G, fell dangerously wounded. Some of his men halted a moment where he lay. 'Pay no attention to me,' he said; 'move on;' and they did move on. The frightened rebels seeing the boys still clambering over the bluff, and not knowing what force there might be behind, threw down their arms. Three hundred were made prisoners on the spot. Others retreated rapidly toward the centre of the fort, and a line of battle was now formed by the enemy to check the further advance of our troops into the fortress. For more than three hundred yards, the brave 8th fought its way toward the enemy's centre; but it was now dark, and, in obedience to orders which they had received, the victorious Hawkeyes halted, and hastily constructed a line of rifle-pits."
At about eleven o'clock at night, it was learned that the enemy were evacuating, when, nearly an hour later, the whole Federal line moved against the fort. There was little resistance made; for nearly all the enemy had left. Of all the prisoners captured, there were less than six hundred; but, besides large quantities of ammunition, nearly fifty pieces of artillery fell into our hands. The 8th Iowa Infantry should be permitted to inscribe on their banner, First at Spanish Fort. The troops with which the 8th was brigaded were the 81st, the 108th and the 124th Illinois.
Of the scenes inside the fort after its evacuation, the author from whom I have quoted goes on to say:
"For several hours on Monday morning, I wandered about over the interior and battlements of the deserted fortress. Objects and localities of interest abounded. Here was the point where the 8th Iowa effected its entrance; the swamp covered with fallen timbers through which it had clambered; the huge ravine whose mouth it had passed; the bluff up which it had climbed; the line of rifle-pits which it had thrown up after gaining a lodgment. Here lay a huge columbiad, dismounted during the bombardment on the 4th. One of the heavy iron trunnions was knocked off, and lay beside the gun. Down there was the formidable water battery, from which you could, with ease, see Mobile and the entire upper part of the bay, with all of its rivers and shores and indentations. That cabin there, was occupied as the quarters of the general commanding this fort, Randall E. Gibson. Surely, it could have been no enviable residence; for the trees all around it were torn to pieces with shot and shell, and the timbers of several similar cabins in the immediate vicinity had been shivered and splintered by the fiery missiles.
"Other effects of the terrible bombardment to which the fort had been subjected were plainly and painfully visible. Haversacks and clothing crimsoned with blood were scattered over the ground. In several places gory streams had run for a considerable distance along the trenches, and the little pools of it, which even the thirsty sands had not yet drank up, were standing here and there. At other points the life-blood from the bosoms of the rebel soldiery along the lines had spurted upon the walls, dying them even a deeper red from the head-log to the foot of the rampart. Oh, it was a sickening sight! Gun-carriages shivered to pieces; hundreds of iron fragments of missiles which had burst; solid shot and unexploded shells that had been flung from grim-mouthed cannon; great holes in the earth, dug out in an instant by some ponderous projectile ; immense rents in the earthworks, through which the fiery bolts had ploughed their way — all these were every where visible. The bombardment of the evening before must have indeed possessed every feature calculated to terrify the souls of those who lay within the fort."
Colonel Geddes is a small, slender man, weighing about one hundred and thirty-five pounds. He has thin, sharp features, fine, brown hair, and large, hazel eyes. He is active and Intelligent, and has much general information. As an officer, I am told, he was always held in high esteem by his men. He has most certainly enjoyed the full confidence of his superiors.
SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 185-94
From the 11th Iowa Regiment
FRIEND SANDERS:– I send herewith a list of the killed and wounded of the Iowa 11th in the recent battle at this place. The whole number is not so large as reported to you yesterday, nor near so large as might have been expected, from the positions occupied, the great numbers opposed, and the length of time during which our men were under fire. It seems a miracle that any escaped. I will venture to say that no regiment fought more bravely. It is even said by those who ought to know, that the first serious check received by the enemy was given by the 11th Iowa, certain it is that before this regiment and Taylors battery, the enemy was held at bay for hours, and by it was twice driven back. There is every reason to believe that if the 11th could have been relieved by another regiment as resolute, long enough to procure ammunition, the left wing of the enemy – outnumbering us six to one – would have been turned; and with proper support the whole rebel army would have been flanked, and the terrible disaster of the day mostly have been prevented. There must have been great want of generalship somewhere. I am told by those on our extreme left, where the battle commenced, that there were no pickets out more than half a mile – no mounted pickets out at all. And this when Beauregard – a Frenchman, an admirer and pupil of Bonapart [sic], and a man known to be in favor of offensive operations – was, as all the country knew, within a few miles, with an army equal probably to our own! It is not surprising that this camp was taken by surprise – the enemy marching in the night through the timber almost within our lines, before anybody seemed to know or imagine that he could be coming. I do not of course, know that the fact concerning the pickets was as above stated, but such is the report by men who were well situated to know the facts in the case. But if such were the fact, and nobody here seems to doubt it – the fearful carnage of Sabbath last, and the almost total rout of this great Federal army, resulting as it might have done in prolonging the war for months and years, throws a responsibility on some one of no common magnitude.
It is also said, and there is too much reason to believe it, that the immediate commander-in-chief, of all these brigades and divisions, was at Savannah on Sabbath morning, and did not arrive until 10 o’clock a.m. – five or six hours after the battle commenced. How this was I cannot tell, but it was too evident that there was no general plan of battle on our side during the forenoon, and very little at any time on the Sabbath. Our tens of thousands of brave men – for none ever fought more bravely in such circumstances – came too near being driven pell mell into the river.
But thank God, night came, and Buell too, with his thousands who had not witnessed the defeat of April 6th, and a great victory has been achieved – so great it is believed here, that no other great battle will have to be fought in the West.
Of the comparative valor of different regiments I cannot speak particularly. I only know that the 11th did their duty nobly, being led into battle by their brave Lieut. Colonel, whose horse was killed almost at the first fire – at three different points, twice on the Sabbath, and once on Monday. Neither is it proper to institute comparisons between different companies and officers. The report of the commanders alone will be good authority on this point. All did nobly, so far as I can judge.
The 13th Iowa also, and two other regiments, who were brigaded with the 11th, but were led by Col. Hare, a little to our left, though recoiling at the first fire, afterward rallied, and did their part well.
If there were time I could mention many daring deeds of the 11th, such as the taking of a rebel flag, led by Capt. Foster’s company – a portion of which I inclose [sic] and many other acts of cool bravery. But of these perhaps more at another time.
I have been over the field since the battle, only a short distance. The scene is too dreadful. Miles and miles of the woods are literally covered with dead men, dead horses, broken carriages, guns, &c., &c.
As to the number of killed and wounded, no correct estimate can yet be made. Probably 20,000, perhaps more have fallen in this fearful conflict.
The wounded of our regiment were all brought off the field, and on Monday p.m. our dead were buried.
The scene at the landing as the wounded were brought to the boats or laid on the bluff, beggars all description. All available space on several large boats was occupied, and by 5 p.m. on Monday I judged there were at least 1,000 wounded men lying under the bluff, many in the mud and out in the rain for two days without covering – a most appalling sight. No adequate preparation has been made for such numbers of suffering men, as evidently no such battle was expected here. The whole scene, from Sabbath morning till Monday, and even Tuesday night, seems like some dreadful nightmare. And yet no one human eye has seen more than a tithe of it, and no finite mind can even comprehend it. May a God of infinite mercy spare our land from any more such scenes as this.
Yours most truly,
CHAPLAIN, ELEVENTH IOWA
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2
MR. HOLDEN:–
MANY VOTERS.
– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1
Saturday, October 3, 2009
From The Second Iowa Cavalry
CAMP TIPTONVILLE, Tenn., April 9.
FRIEND SANDERS:– I wrote you hastily on the 8th inst from the rebel camp at Island No. 10, which you may or may not have received. The 2d cavalry marched to the river on Monday afternoon, April 7th. At 2 o’clock Tuesday morning Cos. K and L, of the 1st battalion, were taken across by one of the transports that had come overland from above Island No. 10, by the canal made by Col. Bissell’s engineer regiment. The balance of the regiment was on shore waiting to follow. At three we were landed, and lay down in a field to await the dawn. Just at break of day we were up and on the move. After passing a few miles through timber, we struck the river at a plantation. The first house we saw, and while yet in the woods, had a shirt that had once been white tied to a pole. On emerging into the open field, a battery of one gun greeted our view, but nary secesh to man it. Soon we could see Island No. 10 in the distance, and the river was covered with pieces of wrecks. We also noticed three steamers which had been scuttled and sunk, one was going to pieces, the others can be raised. Another steamer, the Red Rover, came floating along, being partially scuttled; she was afterwards secured. We soon reached the fortifications opposite Island No. 10. Three rebel boats lay tied up to the Island, and on the Island itself the white flag floated. We took charge of the Admiral, a fine boat tied to shore, with several prisoners aboard. Some of the rebels were holding high carnival, opening the fine trunks deserted by secesh, and imbibing therefrom until gloriously drunk. The prisoners were secured, and the “contraband” thrown into the river. We passed on through the camp and secured ninety-one prisoners. Half an hour after our advance guard, under Lieut. Col. Schneteger, entered camp, the Graham, from our fleet above, landed, and some of Col. Buford’s men came ashore. They succeeded in picking up more prisoners and two beautiful, but hateful secesh flags of fine silk, each having a large field of blue, with eleven starts of white forming a circle, and inside the circle of one, in gold letters, the words, “Mississippi Devils – Our rights. Presented by the ladies.” How correct; for most certainly the devil’s own imps marched under that flag. From fifty to one hundred guns were captured, and an immense quantity of ammunition, tents, stores, &c. The fleet and transport troops at the Island will doubtless feel bad that a cavalry force from Gen. Pope’s command, marching from New Madrid in the early morn, should first enter the rebel works; but the “early bird catches the worm,” and the 2d Iowa cavalry have the honor of being the first into the enemy’s camp and showing the fleet that they could venture in with safety.
I noticed a pile of the famous torpedoes. They are formed of boiler iron, about six feet long and fourteen inches in diameter, cone shaped at one end. Also some of the new style cannon projectiles, with wings, that expand on leaving the gun.
At noon we returned to our place of crossing, below New Madrid, but the balance of the regiment had not crossed, having been ordered to return to camp. – After feeding our horses we marched to Tiptonville, eight or ten miles down the river. The weather was fine; the forests have put on their full livery of green, fruit trees in full bloom, and all through the forest the abundance of the beautiful red-bud trees in blossom presented a fine sight.
After emerging from the woods and nearing the river, we passed several large fine plantations, much finer than those we found in Missouri. And here I may remark, that in all our travels in Dixie, I have not yet seen a single school house. We soon reached Tiptonville. Below it is a lake and swamp. At this point the rebels had intended to take boats south, but our gunboats had interfered with their arrangements, and our infantry and artillery having been grown into that point the previous day and night, they came to a halt, and finally surrendered. They were the same sort as are all secesh, though armed with a better class of arms generally. Six brass field pieces of Memphis manufacture were finer than I have noticed. They had plenty of ammunition, all the cartridge boxes for small arms being full. There were over 5,000 taken prisoners.
We proceeded on to a large plantation and camped. Just at night it commence to rain. We were without tents, and had only cold rations. It rained all night long, and in the morning got quite cold; though we had no sleep scarcely the night before, there was very little that night. One great consolation was, that our secesh prisoners were in the same fix. I think had a battle been on the [tapis] that morning, we could have whipped by the Southern rule five to one.
THURSDAY, April 10. – Yet in camp here waiting for transportation to New Madrid. The prisoners have all been sent up north, and the infantry are now being transported up to-day.
CAMP NEW MADRID, April 11. – We had orders at eight o’clock last night to march to the landing to take boat. On getting there she had het to be unloaded of Government stores. We picketed our horses and laid “around loose” until daylight, when we went aboard and landed here at 10 o’clock.
On our way up we passed the floating battery. Our boats could not tow here ashore, so they sunk her on a sand bar in the river: her steamworks and guns are above water. She has now eleven fine guns. We conversed with a prisoner form the rebel hospital, who had been on her – impressed at New Orleans. When she left there she had twenty guns; they distributed on fortifications all except ten. When being towed she was six feet out of water, and in five minutes, with her steamworks, she could scuttle so as to present but fourteen inches above water. He said the rebels hated to lose her. They had turned her adrift, no doubt thinking it would run our blockade and they catch her. They could have scuttled her in five minutes.
It is cold and raining hard. The infantry are embarking. Our regiment, except those who were away, have been paid off. The chaplain, Truesdell, has $10,000 to remit to “friends at home.” There is nearly as much more due – next payday being nearly around. He sells to our regiment monthly postage stamps to the amount of $150.
We have just received orders to hold ourselves in instant readiness with four days rations to march. Col. Hatch and Lieut. And Quartermaster Hannum secured a fine boat floating by scuttled on Tuesday morning, and saved her – the Ohio Belle. Expect to hear from me at Memphis soon. In haste,
DIFF.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2
To Medical Students
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2
W. W. HOLDEN, ESQ:
I am, very respectfully, yours.
CALDWELL.
– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1
Friday, October 2, 2009
Hawk-Eye Riflemen
Last Tuesday a company of 84 men, recruited in this section by Capt. W. Getchell, formerly of the Third Iowa, went into Dubuque to await further orders. Twenty-one more men are to follow in a few days. This company expected to go into the 17th Regiment, but that regiment having broke camp and left for Tennessee, it is uncertain where this company will go.
– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 25, 1862, p. 2
Our Rebel Prisoners
Feb. 8 – Roanoke Island, 2,527
Feb. 13 – Springfield, Mo., 600
Feb. 16 – Fort Donelson, 13,300
March 8 – Pea Ridge Ark., 1,600
March 14 – Newbern, 200
April 7 – Island No. 10, 5,500
Other places, 954
Total, 21, 781
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2
WILMINGTON, N. C., April 8, 1862
The mind of our whole people is agitated on the gun boat question. There is scarcely a day but what the Journal has to acknowledge the receipt of half dozen or more contributions. There is now waiting, I know, thousands of dollars for its structure, but of course can be put to no use until those who have been ordered by the government are built, and which I am happy to say are under way. In a few months the Cape Fear will have floating on its waters two as formidable gun boats as ever Mr. Burnside had command of. And should Mr. Burnside conclude to pay the fortifications commanding the entrance to our town a visit, I have no doubt but he will find both at New and Old Inlet an Island No.10.
Nearly all of the ladies and little ones have left town, and one who has been in the habit of enjoying the sight of them as they were wont to promenade Market street, feels himself rapidly degenerating into a barbarian. ‘Tis awfully dull – most miserably so. No goods – and plenty of shin-plasters.
It is reported here that there is now 20,000 stand of arms in the Capitol at Raleigh. I do not believe any such thing, though I have heard some people who ought to know about these things, say so. If it is so we can easily pardon the authorities for keeping them until now. Will you let us know if it is so?
WORRILL.
– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1