Meteorological Observations

(Under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution)
Made at Griswold College, Davenport,
BY WM. P. DUNWOODY.

Latitude 43.30. North – Longitude 13.39 West – Height above the sea, 737 feet.

Mean height of Barometer, 29.36 inches; mean Temperature, 46 degrees; mean amount of clouds 5; general direction of winds, N. W and N. E.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

WASHINGTON, April 28.

The president pro tem presented a communication concerning the number and ages of the slaves, &c. in the District of Columbia. The Secretary said the statistics were compiled some years ago, and were perhaps not available now. The communication was referred to the committee on the District of Columbia.

Messrs. King and Sumner presented petitions in favor of the emancipation of the slaves.

Mr. Davis presented a petition from the tobacco manufacturers, asking for a reduction in the proposed tax on tobacco.

Mr. Wilson of Mass, from the military committee, reported back the bill for the organization of the signal department, and moved its indefinite postponement.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., offered a resolution that the Secretary of War be requested to inquire into the condition of the Harper’s Ferry armory – what damage has been done to it, what is the value of the property of the United States there, now and what amount is necessary, and whether it is expedient to restore the armory, and re-employ the workmen. Adopted.

Mr. Pomeroy introduced a bill to prevent the importation of adulterated liquors by providing a punishment therefor [sic].

On motion of Mr. Wilson of Mass., the resolutions of the Ohio Legislature in regard to rebels keeping their slaves at Camp Chase were taken up.

The resolutions were referred to the military committee.

On motion of Mr. Trumbull, the bill for the more convenient enforcement of the laws for security to keep the peace for good behavior, was passed, 35 to 3.

Mr. Wade presented several petitions, asking for a uniform system of taxation according to the population of a State, and protesting against the passage of the tax bill from the house.

The senate went into executive session.


HOUSE. – The speaker announced the following special committee on the committee on the confiscation of the rebel property: Olin, of N. Y.; Elliott, of Mass.; Noell, of Mo.; Hutchins, of Ohio; Mallory, of Ky.; Beaman, of Mich.; and Cobb, of N. J. Mr. Olin remarked that he had heretofore asked to be excused from serving on the committee, and he repeated the reasons for the request, which was now complied with.

On Motion of Mr. McPherson it was resolved that the Secretary of War transmit to the House copies of reports of the commanders of Regiment, brigades and divisions engaged in the battle of Shiloh, Tenn.

On motion of Mr. Gooch, the Senate bill for the recognition of Hayti and Liberia was referred to the committee on foreign affairs.

On motion of Mr. Colfax it was resolved that the Judiciary committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of punishing all contractors, guilty of defrauding the Government, with penalties similar to those of grand larceny.

Mr. Spaulding introduced a joint resolution, which was referred to the committee on Commerce, authorizing the appointment of commissioners to negotiate concerning the reciprocity treaty, and authorizing the President to give the necessary notice for terminating the present unfair treaty.

Mr. Ashley reported back from the committee on territories the bill to prevent and punish the practice of polygamy, and to annul certain acts of the territory of Utah, establishing the same.

Mr. Morrill, of Vt., said this bill was the same as introduced by him two years ago, with the exception of the omission of its applicability to the District of Columbia. The bill was passed.

The house resumed consideration of the report of Government contracts. The first resolution reported by them was postponed for two weeks. The next resolution in the series was taken up. It is as follows: “That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to adjust the claims of the Government on the five thousand Hall’s carbines purchased through Simon Stevens by Gen. J. C. Fremont on the 6th day of August, 1861, and afterwards rejected at the U. S. Arsenal at the City of St. Louis on the basis of a sale of such arms to the Government for $12.50 each, rejecting all other demands against the Government on account of the purchase of said arms.”

Mr. Stevens moved the following as a substitute for the above: “That nothing has occurred to lessen our confidence in the honesty, integrity and patriotism of Major Gen. Fremont.”

Mr. Washburne raised the point of order that the substitute was not germane.

Mr. Stevens maintained that the original resolution imposed censure on Gen. Fremont.

The Speaker maintained Mr. Washburne’s point of order.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

NEW YORK, April 28 [1862]

A letter from Edisto Island, S. C. 18th, reports a brilliant affair on St. John’s Island resulting in the total route of 200 rebel cavalry by about 60 of our men. The rebels lost about 50 in killed and wounded. No one on our side was killed.

The combined movement ordered by Gen. Fremont against the guerillas in Webster county, has proved eminently successful. Lieut. Lawson, with one detachment employed in this service, has returned, and others are returning. In a severe running fight Lawson Killed 17 guerillas, and took 10 prisoners.

The town of Addison – a small place, the only one in the [new] country – being deserted, was burned. It had been a guerilla haunt. A formidable organization in Braxton, Webster, and adjoining counties, in entirely destroyed, the leaders proposing to surrender. It is understood that the Guerillas taken will be promptly shot.

Gen. Milroy’s scouts, on the 23d inst., attacked the rear guard of the enemy, ten miles east of the Shenandoah mountains, the boundary of this department. They killed one Lieutenant and two men, and captured one Lieut. And one man. None of our men were hurt.

The rebel conscripts are deserting in large numbers and returning home.

Reports from Staunton say that the enemy’s sick and wounded, and large trains of soldiers, are passing eastward by rail.

Snow fell 18 inches deep at Monterey on the 24th inst.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Samuel R. Curtis

SAMUEL R. CURTIS was born in Ohio on the 3d of February, 1807. He entered the Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1831. At the beginning of the War with Mexico he was appointed Adjutant General of Ohio and soon after was commissioned Colonel of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served with distinction through the war and was military governor of several of the captured cities. In 1847 he removed to Keokuk, Iowa and was for several years chief engineer of the Des Moines River improvement. He became civil engineer for several railroads constructed in Iowa, Indiana and Illinois. In 1856 he was nominated by the Republicans of the First District for Representative in Congress and elected, serving until 1861, when he resigned his seat to enter the military service. He was the first colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry and was soon promoted to Brigadier-General. He commanded the Union army in the Battle of Pea Ridge where he won a brilliant victory over superior numbers. General G. M. Dodge, one of the ablest of the higher officers from Iowa writes of that battle:

"Probably no one had a better opportunity than I to judge of the battle. My command opened the battle, and I think was the last to fire a gun. General Curtis, the commander of that army, was entitled to the full credit of that great victory. The battle virtually cleared up the southwest and allowed all our forces to concentrate on or east of the Mississippi. General Curtis had under him as the division commanders several experienced, educated soldiers, who performed their duties with great ability, but it was General Curtis who met and defeated on their own ground, three hundred miles away from any base, twice his number. He was attacked in the rear and on the flank with great force, the fighting lasting three days, and he defeated, yes, virtually destroyed, Van Dora's army."

General Curtis was promptly promoted to Major-General in recognition of his great victory and given command of the Department of Missouri. After a vigorous campaign a clique of unscrupulous politicians of Missouri secured his removal and he was transferred to the Department of Kansas where he won additional honors. He was the first Major-General from Iowa, the only one who commanded an independent army. He was never defeated in battle and it was not creditable to the administration that a commander so able and successful should have been displaced from a Department where he had won enduring fame.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 66

From Harrisonburg

HARRISONBURG, April 25.

Last night a strong reconnaissance was made from New Market towards Staunton. On reaching Mount Crawford, 8 miles south of here, a bridge on a branch of the Shenandoah was found burned, and the stream too deep and rapid to cross. A bridge over another branch of the same stream was also burned last Monday by citizens. To-day one of our brigades passed through this town and took possession of one of the principal avenues leading from here.

[Deserters] from Jackson’s militia report him making very slow progress towards Gordonsville. 800 of his militia have deserted since he escaped. The Shenandoah bridge is not yet burnt, but pickets are stationed there ready to apply the torch on our near approach.


LATER.

Jackson is resting with his whole force about 16 miles hence. The state of the roads prevents our advance at present.


HARRISONBURG, April 27.

Yesterday morning the pickets of Col. Donelly’s brigade Stationed eight miles hence, on the Jordansville road, were at guard and driven back, and three of them wounded. The reserve of the 46th Pennsylvania and a section of Hampton’s battery then advanced and repulsed the rebels. They retreated to a wood where several of our shells burst in their very midst, and a wagon was seen gathering up and carrying off their dead and wounded. Owing to the bad state of the roads, Donelly has been ordered to take up a new position nearer the town, until the roads get better.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

James Harlan

JAMES HARLAN was born in Clarke County, Illinois, August 26, 1820. His father removed to Park County, Indiana, three years later where the son was reared on a farm. He graduated at Asbury University in 1845. In 1846 Mr. Harlan located at Iowa City where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1847 he was nominated by the Whig party for Superintendent of Public Instruction and was elected over Charles Mason, the Democratic candidate. In 1840, at the Whig State Convention, Mr. Harlan was nominated for Governor but not being eligible on account of youth, he declined, and another candidate was named by the State Central Committee. In 1853 he was chosen president of the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. At the session of the Fifth General Assembly in 1855, after a long and exciting contest for election of United States Senator, the Whigs and Free Soil members united upon Mr. Harlan and, casting their votes for him, he was declared elected for six years to succeed General Dodge. His election was contested in the Senate and the seat was declared vacant, in 1857. The Legislature being in session, Mr. Harlan was promptly reelected. In 1861 he was elected for a second term of six years. In March, 1865, he was invited to a seat in the Cabinet of President Lincoln as Secretary of the Interior but did not enter upon the duties of the position until May 15, when he resigned his seat in the Senate. In the meantime the President had been assassinated and was succeeded by Andrew Johnson. In September, Mr. Harlan resigned his seat in the Cabinet and in January, 1866, was again elected to the Senate for six years. During his long service in the Senate Mr. Harlan became one of the foremost leaders of the Republican party. Serving during all of the years in which the momentous issues of slavery, secession, rebellion and reconstruction were absorbing the profound attention of the ablest statesmen of America, he was called upon to assist in solving the most difficult problems that have arisen since the formation of our Government and was equal to the occasion. How wisely and ably he and his colleagues guided the Nation through its imminent dangers is recorded in history. Among the foremost statesmen of that period the name of James Harlan will always stand conspicuous. During the administration of President Grant, Senators Sunmer and Schurz, who were among the great leaders of the Republican party for many years, became alienated from the President and organized an opposition in the Senate which assailed the Administration and its chief measures, with great bitterness. President Grant had negotiated a treaty with the government of San Domingo, by which that island desired to be annexed to the United States on favorable terms to our Nation. Sumner, Schurz and a few other Senators dominated by their influence, formed a combination which was strong enough to defeat the ratification of the treaty. In a studied speech Sumner assailed President Grant personally in one of the most abusive speeches ever delivered in the Senate, in connection with this treaty. Senator Harlan in a calm, able and statesmanlike address, made a masterly reply in vindication of President Grant and his patriotic services to the country in civil and military affairs, and the wisdom of the policy that would have given to the Nation one of the most important and productive islands of the West Indies. This speech of the senior Iowa Senator made a profound impression upon the country and Europe and placed him in the front rank of patriotic American statesmen. As his third term drew to a close, a powerful movement was organized by the northern half of the State (which had long been unrepresented in the Senate) to secure the election of a member living in that section. William B. Allison was the candidate united upon and in the Republican caucus he was nominated over Mr. Harlan and elected. Senator Harlan had for nearly eighteen years served as the colleague of such eminent statesmen as Seward, Douglas, Sumner, Fessenden, Edmunds, Bayard, Jefferson Davis, Mason, Grimes and Henry Wilson. He was a trusted adviser of Presidents Lincoln and Grant. His knowledge of the affairs of government was unsurpassed. As a public speaker he was calm, deliberate, logical and impressive. After his retirement to private life, Mr. Harlan was, from 1882 to 1885, the Presiding Judge of the Alabama Claims Commission. He was one of the commissioners who erected the Iowa Soldiers' Monument. His last act in a public capacity was presiding at the laying of the corner-stone of the Iowa Hall of History, May 17, 1899. He died at Mount Pleasant on the 6th of October of the same year.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 118-9

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 26.

The President visited the French frigate Gassendi, to-day, it being the first time a President of the United States ever went aboard a foreign vessel of war. He was received with honors paid to crowned heads; such as are usually shown to an Emperor. The yards were manned by a crew who shouted vive la President. The Secretary of State and Capt. Dahlgreen [sic] accompanied the President. The French Minister was on board to receive the party.


NEW YORK, April 28.

The Washington Star says it is not only true that M. Mercier, the French Minister did not see or converse with Dr. Le Moine, in Richmond, on the occasion of his trip into Secessia, as alleged by the Richmond papers, and therefore did not hold out encouragement for perseverance in their insurrection through Dr. L., as they allege. It is also certainly true that while there he held no official communication whatever with any person except the Consuls of his own government, at Richmond and Norfolk. We learn that while there he conversed with many persons whom he had known in society here, including Judah P. Benjamin, but his intercourse with them was entirely of an unofficial character.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

NEW YORK., April 28, [1862]

The steam gunboat Connecticut arrived form the South West Pass on the 12th. The Connecticut brought the sick and wounded seamen from the squadron. When she left the Mississippi, all the ships of the expedition to New Orleans were inside the Passes and had sanded their decks, and well all ready for action.

Advices per the Connecticut, state that the rebel steamer Florida has been captured by the U. S. bark Pursuit.

Forts Barrancas and McRae have been evacuated by the rebels.

The Connecticut brought eight ex-members of the Galveston artillery, who escaped from imprisonment. Every fort, except Tampa, on the coast of Florida is evacuated by the rebels.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

From Fortress Monroe – Southern News

FORT MONROE, April 27.

A boat containing four black men and one white man arrived here this morning from Portsmouth. They report that the Merrimack will come out soon.

A dispatch in yesterday’s Richmond papers received by the flag of truce, dated Mobile, Friday, says that the Union gunboats passed Forts Jackson and St. Philip at 4 o’clock Thursday morning, and at 1 p.m. the same day were before New Orleans. A rumor was current in Norfolk last night, that New Orleans has surrendered.

But few troops were at Norfolk or in the vicinity. It was rumored that Com. Tatnall had been removed from command of the Merrimac.

It is stated by contrabands that the most intense excitement exists around Norfolk, and they have great fear of an attack by Burnside. Nearly all the troops have gone to South Mills to repel any advance he might make.

Contrabands state that the new prow on the Merrimac is 12 feet long, of wrought iron and steel pointed.

Many citizens of Norfolk are leaving the city.

The fall of New Orleans is conceded by everyone.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

James W. Grimes

JAMES W. GRIMES, third Governor of Iowa, was born at Peering, New Hampshire, October 20, 1816. At the age of sixteen he entered Dartmouth College where he graduated and began the study of law. In 1836 he came to the "Black Hawk Purchase," stopping at Burlington. He served as secretary to Governor Henry Dodge in September at a council held with the Sac and Fox Indians at Rock Island, in which these tribes ceded to the United States a tract of land on the Iowa and Missouri rivers. In 1837 Mr. Grimes was admitted to the bar and was soon after appointed city solicitor. He entered into partnership with W. W. Chapman, then United States District Attorney for Wisconsin Territory. When the Territory of Iowa was established in 1838, Mr. Grimes was elected a member of the House of the First Legislative Assembly at the age of twenty-two. He was appointed chairman of the judiciary committee and was one of the leaders in a conflict which the majority had with Governor Lucas over the respective powers of the executive and legislative branches of the Territorial government. He was the Whig candidate for member of the Council of the Third Legislative Assembly but was defeated. In 1843 he was again elected a member of the House. In 1852 he was elected to the House of the Fourth General Assembly and was the recognized leader of the Whig minority. He took an active interest in the improvement of the school system, the encouragement of railroad building, the promotion of temperance and opposition to the extension of slavery. In 1853 he helped to establish the first agricultural journal in the State and was one of its editors. It was named The Iowa Farmer and Horticulturist and was published monthly at Burlington by Morgan McKenny. Mr. Grimes had attained such prominence in the State that in 1854 he was nominated by the Whigs for Governor. His well-known antislavery views rendered him acceptable to all who were opposed to the extension of that institution. That issue was then becoming intense and while many conservative Whigs united with the Democrats, all classes who favored "free soil" united in the support of Grimes and he was elected. It was the first defeat for the Democrats since Iowa was organized into a Territory. In January, 1866, Governor Grimes wrote the call for the convention which, at Iowa City on the 22d of February, founded the Republican party of Iowa. After serving аs governor for the term of four years, Grimes was chosen United States Senator by the Seventh General Assembly. He became one of the leading members of that body and as a member of the naval committee was a power in sustaining the administration of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. He was one of the earliest advocates of the employment of slaves in the Union armies and of their emancipation. As chairman of the committee on the District of Columbia, in July, 1861, he secured the release from jail of all slaves held by their masters. In 1864 Senator Grimes was reëlected. After the overthrow of the Rebellion, Senator Grimes, as a member of the joint committee on reconstruction was one of the number who devised the terms upon which the union of the States was restored. He was largely instrumental in securing the National Arsenal on Rock Island and the construction of the canal for steamers around the Des Moines Rapids of the Mississippi River. On the trial of President Johnson in the impeachment proceedings, Senator Grimes rose above party clamor and, actuated by the highest considerations as a judge, voted "not guilty." Such was the clamor of Republicans for conviction that the great Senator was assailed with a storm of rage and abuse of the most malignant character, by his own party. Conscious of his own rectitude, he bore the reproaches with unshaken fortitude. He would not become a party to revolutionary methods of removing the Chief Executive of the Nation at the demand of his political friends. When the storm of rage and disappointment had passed and reason returned, the country realized that his courageous act in that momentous crisis was the noblest and most heroic of his official deeds. He was stricken with paralysis and made a journey to Europe hoping to restore his shattered health; but failing in that, resigned his seat in the Senate and returned home where he died on the 7th of February, 1872. Benton J. Hall, a life-long political opponent, said of him in the State Senate:

"Perhaps no other man had the opportunity, or used it with the avail that Senator Grimes did to form and mould the State and its institutions. He was one of the living men in the Territorial legislation and early State history. Afterwards we find the same master mind moulding the affairs of the National Government. I doubt whether any Senator ever impressed himself in a greater degree upon the Government in all directions. Whether in regard to the navy, or army, or foreign relations, he made himself master of the subject, and left his impress upon almost every page of the history of the Nation."


The veteran Congressman George W. Julian wrote of Senator Grimes, after his death:

"I was one of the many men whose partisan exasperation carried them headlong into the impeachment movement, in which the heroic conduct of Senator Grimes has been so gloriously vindicated by time; and no man is more ready than myself to do honor to the brave men who faced the wrath and scorn of their party in 1868."

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 109-10

Hospital for Wounded and Sick Soldiers

The committee of nine appointed at the meeting on Saturday last, had a meeting on Monday morning at 8 o’clock, and agreed upon the form of an application to Gen. Halleck for the establishment of a hospital at this place, which will be found appended.

Gov. Kirkwood was in town yesterday, and disposed to heartily second the movement, giving it as his opinion that Camp McClellan is an admirable spot for the hospital.

It is in contemplation to send one or more of our energetic citizens to St. Louis, with the memorial in hand and a letter from the Governor. Hence, if the matter is practicable we presume a hospital will be established in this place:


DAVENPORT, Iowa, April 28, 1862

To Major General H. W. Halleck, St. Louis, Missouri –

Sir: At a general meeting of citizens of Scott county, Iowa, held in Le Claire Hall, Davenport, on Saturday, the 26th day of April, 1862, Hiram Price, Esq., in the chair and Ernst Claussen secretary, the following resolution was adopted on motion of John L. Davies:

Resolved, That six persons be added to the committee appointed by the Executive Committee of the Scott County Relief Society on the subject of a hospital, and that said committee memorialize those in authority to establish a Government hospital in this place.

In accordance with the above resolution the committee unanimously agree and earnestly request that the Government shall establish in the city of Davenport, Iowa, a hospital for the sick and wounded of our State and others who may be brought to it. Our reasons for this request are as follows:

In the first place, our troops have been in almost every battle in the Southwest; and in common with others, have shared in the ordinary disasters of the camp and field. We therefore wish to co-operate with the Government in making all suitable provision for their comfort and safety.

Secondly. As other hospitals are now being filled, and in view of the battles pending will be crowded to excess, we wish to be prepared to meet the exigencies of the case and do what we can in the aid of the sick and wounded.

Thirdly. The climate and surroundings of Davenport are admirably adapted for a hospital, as it is healthy and salubrious, and the country abounds with everything to meet its demands.

Fourthly. The city of Davenport being situated on the Mississippi river, can be easily reached in all seasons of the spring, summer and autumn by steamboat, and in the winter and at all times by railroad, making it easy of access for the sick and wounded.

Fifthly. The distance from the scene of operations of our army in the Southwest is no greater than that of Cincinnati or Chicago, while at the same time the location combines equal, if not superior, advantages to both.

Sixthly. Our citizens of the State, who have friends and kindred in the army, would have the opportunity of visiting and caring for their sick and wounded if in Davenport, which is now denied them. The only hospital in the State is at Keokuk, in the extreme southeastern portion of it. The great number of the soldiers of Iowa in the field make it imperative that hospital accommodations should be provided for them as near to their homes as possible. The gallantry and self-sacrifice of our soldiers plead strongly in its behalf.

Seventhly. Suitable buildings, at very little expense, can be procured and fitted up for the hospital. Nurses, male and female, and medical attendance [sic] are at hand and all the means and appliances to put it into effect in a very short time. In this connection we would recommend Camp McClellan. This is situated near the Mississippi river, a short distance from the city limits, and is a fine, airy location, free from miasmatic or disturbing causes. The buildings on the ground are very substantial, covered with shingle roofs and in every respect well constructed to guard against external atmospheric influences. We feel satisfied they could be readily converted, at a small outlay, into hospitals for the accommodation of at least 1,000 men. – Situated on a handsomely wooded knoll, in full view of the river and the cities of Davenport and Rock Island, we cannot help regarding it as a highly favorable spot for the alleviation of suffering humanity, and presenting inducements almost unsurpassed for rapid convalescence. Three regiments have been quartered at one time on the grounds, extending through an inclement season of the year, and we have yet to hear the first word of complaint; and we would add, very little sickness occurred there during its occupancy by the soldiers.

Eighthly. The dead of Iowa from the hospital could be buried in their own State; and we doubt not but that it would be an additional stimulus to our soldiers in camp and in the field, to know that we have been mindful of the sick and wounded, at home, and have amply made provision for them. And as we know not how long the war may continue, the sick and wounded must be waited on during its progress and after its close; and in view of the approaching sickly season in the South, the number of soldiers on the sick list will be greatly increased, and we know not of any city or county in the Northwest which affords greater facilities or advantages for a hospital than those of Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa.

To show you the disposition of the citizens of this section of the country in relation to our wounded and sick soldiers, the following resolution, on motion of John Collins, was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, By the citizens of Scott county, in public meeting assembled, that the Governor of this State be and is hereby requested to procure steamboat accommodations to convey the wounded and sick soldiers from the battle field when and as often as it shall be necessary so to do, to such place or places as have been or shall be provided for their reception.

With the earnest hope that what is above set forth will receive such consideration as the wants of our suffering soldiers may demand, and that the granting of our request may be in concurrence with the policy of the military authority, we remain,

Your ob’t servants,

IRA M. GIFFORD,
A. J. KYNETT,
H. N. POWERS,
JNO. W. THOMPSON,
TH. J. SANDERS,
CHAS. E. PUTNAM,
JAS. CHALLEN
JAS. T. LANE
E. H. MACK.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Samuel Merrill

SAMUEL MERRILL, seventh Governor of the State, was born in Oxford County in the State of Maine on the 7th of August, 1822. He received a liberal education and when a young man taught school several terms in the south and in his native State. He removed to New Hampshire where he was elected to the Legislature in 1854, serving two sessions. In 1856 he came to Iowa, locating at McGregor, where he opened a general store. In 1859 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the House of the Eighth General Assembly. When the war began in 1861, Mr. Merrill took the contract to furnish three Iowa regiments with clothing before the Government could supply them with uniforms. In 1862 he was commissioned colonel of the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Black River Bridge and was so disabled that he resigned his commission. In 1867 he was nominated by the Republican State Convention for Governor and elected, serving two terms. He removed to Des Moines and, after the close of his second term, engaged in the banking business. With others he established the Citizens' National Bank. He was active in bringing about the great reunion of Iowa soldiers at Des Moines in the summer of 1870. Governor Merrill was for many years an influential trustee of Iowa College at Grinnell. He acquired great wealth in banking and railroad building and finally removed to California. The last years of his life were spent in Pasadena, where he died on the 31st of August, 1899. His funeral was held at DeSsMoines and was attended by many of the public officials and prominent men of the State.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 187-8

The St. Louis Christian Advocate . . .

. . . “Stole the livery of heaven” to serve the rebels in, and as a consequence has been suppressed by the Provost Marshal. It was a vile sheet, and if anything, surpassed the Dubuque Herald in furnishing aid and comfort to the enemy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

So soon as Memphis is taken by the Federal forces . . .

. . . one of their first acts should be to destroy the vile secession offices of the Appeal and Avalanche and hang their editors. Two more traitorous sheets do not exist in the whole Southern Conthieveracy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Com. Foote

The wound that this gallant officer received at Fort Henry has at last proved so serious that he has been obliged to tender his resignation to the Department. Aware that his valuable services cannot be dispensed with at this juncture, he is still retained in command, whale Capt. Charles H. Davis, of the U. S. Navy, has been appointed to do all the active work of the service and allow Com. Foote to enjoy more quiet until he recovers, which every loyal and Christian man in the nation, from the depths of his heart, will pray may be speedy. Capt. Davis is an experienced officer, having seen eighteen years’ service on the sea and fifteen on land. May he prove as faithful, upright and successful as the illustrious Com. Foote.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

For The New Gold Regions

The gold fever is again abroad in the land. It has broken out in this State, and is increasing in volume, new victims falling before it day after day. We have already spoken of the new field now exciting the cupidity and love of adventure of the people; near the head-waters of the Missouri and Columbia rivers. This existence of gold in this region has been suspected for a long time, and about three years ago a party from that country arrived at St. Louis, bringing gold with them, though it was said to be of an inferior quality, being, if we remember right, only about thirteen carats fine. The then prevalent Pike’s Peak excitement overshadowed all rival gold fields, and little was then thought of the new regions notwithstanding they were said to be very prolific in the mineral, such as it was. Subsequent discoveries seem to have confirmed the previous impressions of the abundance of the metal, which also appears to be much finer in quality than first reported. Hence the new mania for gold-hunting.

We have already mentioned that a party of Davenporters were preparing to start out for this land of promise. On Sunday afternoon, the last of the party started on the steamer Northerner for St. Louis. In addition to the persons we have already mentioned, Messrs. Joseph Milner, Peter Dedrick, and A. Casteel are now on their way to the gold regions. We wish them all abundant success and ample rewards for their enterprise.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

From Yorktown

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 26, 1862.

To Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

Early this morning an advance lunette of the rebels this side of Warwick, was carried by assault, by Co. H, 1st Massachusetts Regiment. the work had a ditch six feet with a strong parapet manned by two companies of infantry, but no artillery. The rebels broke and ran. Our loss is three killed, one mortally and twelve otherwise wounded. We took 14 prisoners, destroyed the work, and retired, in spite of the rain. Our work progresses well.

(Signed) GEO. B. McCLELLAN.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

Local Matters

GENTLEMEN, if you wish for a fashionable suit of clothes, go to Erskine’s and have them made.

ALL IN WANT of Ready Made Clothing had better call on Erskine before buying elsewhere. He is selling very low.

SOMETHING NEW in the way of wall paper is coming, and will be opened at Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady street, in two or three days. Look out for the finest patterns ever seen in this part of the country.

COMING UP TOWN. – Der Demokrat, following the example of its cotemporaries, has taken a start up town. Yesterday the office of that paper was removed to the corner of Second and Main streets, in McManus & Shepherd’s building. Hey have more space and a more accessible location than formerly.

SHIPMENTS BY RAILROAD. – The shipments from Davenport by C. & R. I. RR. For the week, ending April 26, were as follows: flour, 2,400 brls.; wheat, 3,200; barley, 5,000 bu.; bran, 60 tons; onions; 600 bu.; live hogs; 160; tallow, 7,100 lbs. Value of shipments, about$16,000.

OFF FOR PIKE’S PEAK. – Our young friend, Mr. F. H. Impey, left for Pike’s Peak yesterday morning, to try his luck gold-hunting. – He goes with Mr. D. Barnes, of Rock Island, who has been at the Peak before. I number of persons from Davenport and Rock Island are in the party. We wish Frank good luck, and hope that he’ll come back with enough of the shining stuff to start a bank – not a rag-mill, but a specie paying concern.

A RICH SCENE occurred yesterday afternoon on Main street, near Third, at the Agricultural Machine manufactory. It appears one of our worthy constables levied on some machines, a portion of the materials in which had been levied on by the sheriff. One of the deputy sheriffs, hearing of it, came down to the place, and unlocked the door, which has previously been fastened whereupon the constable and assistant entered and manifested a disposition to remain. Supper cam, and Mr. Sheriff felt the gnawing of appetite, and wanted Mr. Constable to evacuate. Constable “didn’t see it” that way; in fact seemed disposed to abide permanently where he was. Deputy suggested forcible means might be adopted. Constable gave the world to understand that dothing short thereof would seduce him out at present. Deputy accordingly summoned assistance; Constable ditto; and both went to work, and pretty soon all parties found themselves outside the house, but soon got in again, each yelling lustily for a posse. A reinforcement of one soon arrived for each side and the war was renewed, when, after considerable tossing and tumbling, the Constable and his party were thrust into the street, vi et armis, and the establishment was locked up; leaving the constable to meditate on the declining glory of the sun and that of the constabulary at the same time.

MELODEONS. – By for the best Melodeons in the United States (and, for aught we know, in the world,) are those manufactured by Geo. A. Prince & Co., of Buffalo, N. W. This is the universal testimony of the public, and more especially of the musical portion of it. With wonderful genius and ingenuity, Mr. Prince has, year after year, adapted the capacity of his Melodeon to all of the new developments in the art of music. We can scarcely remember the list of his innovations – “Graduated Swells,” “Divided Swells,” “Improved Valves,” etc. The firm have a branch at 43 Lake Street, Chicago, to which we recommend all of those at the West who desire to buy an instrument which is the best.

HOUSE FOR RENT, containing seven rooms, good cellar, well and cistern; good barn and outhouses; large lot, plenty of shrubbery, &c. Inquire at I. W. Harrison, land agent. dlw.

MARRIED. At Quincy, Ill., on the 24th inst., by Rev. Joseph Warren, Mr. THEODORE T. DWIGHT, of this city, to Miss HELEN V., daughter of Hon. W. A. Richardson.

DIED. On Saturday, 26th inst., at North Davenport, of quick consumption, ISABELL, daughter of Franklin and Hannah Fearing, aged 21 years and 8 months.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1862, p. 1

William M. Stone

WILLIAM M. STONE, sixth Governor of Iowa, was born in Jefferson County, New York, October 14, 1827. In 1834 his parents removed to Coshocton, Ohio, and for two seasons he drove horses on the canal and when seventeen was apprenticed to a chairmaker. At twenty-one he began to read law and in 1851 was admitted to the bar. In 1854 he emigrated to Knoxville, Iowa, and began practice. He purchased the Knoxville Journal and took editorial charge of it. Mr. Stone was a delegate to the convention which organized the Republican party and was nominated for presidential elector in the Fremont campaign of that year. He was an eloquent public speaker and won wide reputation. In April, 1857, he was elected judge of the Eleventh District. When the Civil War began he raised a company for the Third Infantry and was commissioned major of the regiment. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Shiloh and after his release was appointed colonel of the Twenty-second Infantry. He resigned in August, 1863, having been nominated for Governor by the Republican State Convention. He at once entered upon the campaign and was elected over Colonel James M. Tuttle the Democratic candidate, by more than 38,000 majority. He was reëlected by a reduced majority and during his term his private secretary in the absence of the Governor appropriated to his own use funds belonging to various counties of the State. An investigation by the General Assembly exonerated the Governor from any knowledge of or participation in the transactions. In 1877 Governor Stone was elected to the House of the Seventeenth General Assembly. In 1888 he was chosen one of the presidential electors and upon the accession of President Harrison he was appointed Assistant Commissioner of the Land Office at Washington and later was promoted to Commissioner. Governor Stone died in Oklahoma Territory, July 18, 1893.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 253

Samuel J. Kirkwood

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD, fifth Governor of the State, was born in Hartford County, Maryland, December 20, 1813. He was educated in Washington, D. C., and employed in a drug store. In 1836 his father removed to Richland County, Ohio, where for several years the son assisted him in clearing a new farm in the heavy forest. He finally studied law, and in 1843 was admitted to the bar. From 1845 to 1849 he was Prosecuting Attorney and was then elected to the convention which framed the present Constitution of the State of Ohio. Up to 1854 Mr. Kirkwood was a Democrat but when that party attempted to force slavery into Kansas he became alienated and favored the free soil movement. In 1855 he removed to Iowa and purchased an interest in a mill near Iowa City. In February, 1856, he served as a delegate in the State Convention which organized the Republican party of Iowa. In the fall of that year he was elected to the State Senate from the district consisting of Iowa and Johnson counties, serving in the Sixth and Seventh General Assemblies. He won such reputation as a legislator that at the Republican State Convention in 1859 he was nominated for Governor and was elected over General A. C. Dodge the Democratic candidate by over 3,000 majority. During his two terms as Governor it devolved upon him to organize and send to the seat of war more than 60,000 citizen soldiers. How ably he met and performed the arduous duties which a great war thrust upon him is recorded in the most stirring chapters of Iowa history. He won a place with the greatest "War Governors" of the Nation. In 1866 he was elected to the United States Senate to fill a vacancy of two years. In 1875 he was again chosen Governor; but the General Assembly of 1876 elected him to the Senate for a full term of six years and he resigned the office of Governor and returned to the Senate in March, 1877. Upon the inauguration of President Garfield, Governor Kirkwood was invited to a seat in the Cabinet as Secretary of the Interior which he accepted, resigning his position in the Senate. The death of the President terminated his service in the Cabinet after thirteen months and he retired to private life. During the quarter of a century that Governor Kirkwood was almost continually in public life, he possessed the confidence and esteem of the people of Iowa in as great a degree as any citizen who ever served the State. On the 28th of September, 1892, ten years after Governor Kirkwood retired to private life, at the suggestion of Governor Sherman, more than thirty of the old associates of Governor Kirkwood in official positions living in different parts of the State, assembled at his home at Iowa City to pay their respects to the "War Governor" who was then about eighty years of age. It was a remarkable gathering of distinguished men of both political parties, after time had obliterated the bitterness of a score of partisan conflicts. All met as old friends and joined in honoring the man who had earned undying fame in the most critical period of our State and National history. Governor Kirkwood died at his home near Iowa City, September 1, 1894.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 157-8