ST. LOUIS, April 29.
A gentleman of this city, just returned from Omaha, informs us that the recent troubles which the overland mail company have experienced were not occasioned by the Indians, but by the company’s own employees. It appears the drivers of the mail coaches and other persons in the employ of the company, have not been paid their wages for several months past. Being disgusted with the state of affairs; they determined to seize upon the company’s property, and thus obtain what belonged to them. Nearly all the available stock of the company has thus been taken away. Our informant says the Indians along the route are peaceably disposed, and thus far have done no injury to the mails or overland telegraph.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Overland Mail Troubles
From New Mexico
The through mail, with Santa Fe dates to the 11th, and Ft. Union 15th, arrived today. After the battle of Pyon’s Ranch, Col. Slough fell back to Ft. Union, when a dispatch was received from Gen. Canby, ordering a junction to be formed with him at Galveston. Maj. Paul was placed in command. The troops for the junction ordered by Gen. Canby arrived at Galesburg on the 9th, in advance of Gen. Canby, and learned that the Texans had abandoned Santa Fe, and were retreating from the territory.
Maj. Duncan of Gen. Canby’s command, who was in command of the advance guard had fallen in with a large party of Texans, when a fight occurred, the latter being routed. Maj. Duncan was slightly wounded. Gen. Canby reached Galveston on the 11th, and an immediate pursuit of the Texans was ordered, who were 30 miles south. No doubt was entertained of the speedy capture of Sibley’s command, as they were entirely destitute of everything having lost at the battle of Pyon’s Ranche [sic] all their baggage and supply trains, prisoners, &c. – The health of the rebel army was not good, and many had died. 100 sick and wounded had been left in hospitals at Santa Fe.
A large number of merchant trains were passed en route to this city.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Maj. Duncan of Gen. Canby’s command, who was in command of the advance guard had fallen in with a large party of Texans, when a fight occurred, the latter being routed. Maj. Duncan was slightly wounded. Gen. Canby reached Galveston on the 11th, and an immediate pursuit of the Texans was ordered, who were 30 miles south. No doubt was entertained of the speedy capture of Sibley’s command, as they were entirely destitute of everything having lost at the battle of Pyon’s Ranche [sic] all their baggage and supply trains, prisoners, &c. – The health of the rebel army was not good, and many had died. 100 sick and wounded had been left in hospitals at Santa Fe.
A large number of merchant trains were passed en route to this city.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
XXXVIIth CONGRESS – First Session
WASHINGTON, April 29.
Mr. Grimes introduced a bill to provide that the school tax collected from the colored people of the District be appropriated to the education of colored children.
On motion of Mr. Hall, a resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to discharge a contractor after fulfilling his contract, was, after some discussion on it, laid over.
Mr. Hale explained that, under the present law, the department can call for a large amount of work to be done at the same price.
Mr. Wilson of Mass., introduced a bill to amend the bill of last session confiscating slaves, so as to include the wives and children of slaves.
On motion of Mr. Powell, the resolution calling on the Secretary of State for the number and names of persons who have been arrested in the State of Kentucky and imprisoned in forts, etc., was taken up. Mr. Sumner moved as a substitute that the President, if not incompatible, will give any information in his possession, touching the arrest of persons in Kentucky since the 1st of September, 1861.
The President sent the Senate a communication avowing his responsibility for the arrest of Gen. Stone, and stating that the General cannot be tried at present, because the witnesses whose presence would be necessary are on the field.
The confiscation bill was taken up and Mr. Browning made a lengthy speech in opposition to it. Without taking a vote on the question the senate adjourned.
HOUSE. – Mr. Blair, of Mo., inquired of Mr. Potter on what authority he yesterday predicated his charge of disloyalty against Judge Pitts, of Northampton county, Va.
Mr. Potter replied – On the address of Judge Pitts to the Virginia Legislature at Richmond. The address was now read, in which Judge Pitts refers to the action of the Legislature to depose him without giving him an opportunity for defence. The consummation of this would be manifestly unjust. He could only plead not guilty of disloyalty to the South, and doubted not he could triumphantly vindicate himself from every charge his enemies and persecutors might bring against him. He protested against being removed from office by extra constitutional means.
The House then resumed the consideration of the report of the select committee on government contracts.
Mr. Roscoe Conkling thought this committee had done grave and irreparable injustice, both to individuals and classes. Mr. Davis had said there was indubitable evidence of fraud, well nigh in a single year as much as the current expenditures of the Government during the administration which the people had hurled from power on account of its corruption. He (Conkling) thought if this statement were true, the people would be justified in resorting to anything short of revolution to redress the wrong; but he was satisfied that Davis, on more mature deliberation, would recall it. The committee had proceeded on ex parte testimony; parties never were informed that they were to be tried, and convicted, and stigmatized, and hung up to festering infamy. As a case in point, he said the committee had clandestinely gathered evidence against Gen. Fremont, to blast his character as a citizen and a soldier, at the time he was in command of the army. – They never informed him that he was aspersed, or gave him the names of the witnesses against him, and they afforded him no opportunity of defense. What good had the committee done to offset the harm? He was not aware that one single fraud had been developed by the committee, which remained unearthed at the time they pretended to dig it up.
Mr. Conkling asked the Speaker what time remained to him.
The Speaker replied eighteen minutes.
Mr. Dawes – The time will be extended to the gentleman.
Mr. [Washburne] – I object to that.
Mr. Conkling – I know that, and do you know how I know it; because the member from Illinois is the only man in the House surly enough to interpose objections in such a case.
Mr. Washburne rose to reply, when Mr. Conkling called the member to order.
Mr. Washburne (excitedly) – I call the creature to order.
The Speaker demanded the preservation of order.
Mr. Conkling – The member from Illinois understands the rules of this House, and must understand that this is not the place for personal altercations. He knows the proper place for that is outside these walls.
Mr. Wasburne (excitedly) – Yes, I am ready for it.
Mr. Conkling – No individual in this House better knows than the member from Illinois that I stand by what I say until convinced that I am in error, and therefore there is no necessity for any interruption here.
Mr. Conkling in the course of his remarks said he regarded the committee as one of the ornaments to expensive under the circumstances to be indulged in. Mr. Conkling was severe on the committee, which he thought ought immediately to be disbanded.
Mr. Washburne spiritedly replied. He said Mr. Conkling was the instrument of the robbers, plunderers and thieves who had been holding high carnival in anticipation of the overthrowing of the committee.
Mr. Hickman vindicated the report of the committee, and referred to the subjects heretofore frequently repeated.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Mr. Grimes introduced a bill to provide that the school tax collected from the colored people of the District be appropriated to the education of colored children.
On motion of Mr. Hall, a resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to discharge a contractor after fulfilling his contract, was, after some discussion on it, laid over.
Mr. Hale explained that, under the present law, the department can call for a large amount of work to be done at the same price.
Mr. Wilson of Mass., introduced a bill to amend the bill of last session confiscating slaves, so as to include the wives and children of slaves.
On motion of Mr. Powell, the resolution calling on the Secretary of State for the number and names of persons who have been arrested in the State of Kentucky and imprisoned in forts, etc., was taken up. Mr. Sumner moved as a substitute that the President, if not incompatible, will give any information in his possession, touching the arrest of persons in Kentucky since the 1st of September, 1861.
The President sent the Senate a communication avowing his responsibility for the arrest of Gen. Stone, and stating that the General cannot be tried at present, because the witnesses whose presence would be necessary are on the field.
The confiscation bill was taken up and Mr. Browning made a lengthy speech in opposition to it. Without taking a vote on the question the senate adjourned.
HOUSE. – Mr. Blair, of Mo., inquired of Mr. Potter on what authority he yesterday predicated his charge of disloyalty against Judge Pitts, of Northampton county, Va.
Mr. Potter replied – On the address of Judge Pitts to the Virginia Legislature at Richmond. The address was now read, in which Judge Pitts refers to the action of the Legislature to depose him without giving him an opportunity for defence. The consummation of this would be manifestly unjust. He could only plead not guilty of disloyalty to the South, and doubted not he could triumphantly vindicate himself from every charge his enemies and persecutors might bring against him. He protested against being removed from office by extra constitutional means.
The House then resumed the consideration of the report of the select committee on government contracts.
Mr. Roscoe Conkling thought this committee had done grave and irreparable injustice, both to individuals and classes. Mr. Davis had said there was indubitable evidence of fraud, well nigh in a single year as much as the current expenditures of the Government during the administration which the people had hurled from power on account of its corruption. He (Conkling) thought if this statement were true, the people would be justified in resorting to anything short of revolution to redress the wrong; but he was satisfied that Davis, on more mature deliberation, would recall it. The committee had proceeded on ex parte testimony; parties never were informed that they were to be tried, and convicted, and stigmatized, and hung up to festering infamy. As a case in point, he said the committee had clandestinely gathered evidence against Gen. Fremont, to blast his character as a citizen and a soldier, at the time he was in command of the army. – They never informed him that he was aspersed, or gave him the names of the witnesses against him, and they afforded him no opportunity of defense. What good had the committee done to offset the harm? He was not aware that one single fraud had been developed by the committee, which remained unearthed at the time they pretended to dig it up.
Mr. Conkling asked the Speaker what time remained to him.
The Speaker replied eighteen minutes.
Mr. Dawes – The time will be extended to the gentleman.
Mr. [Washburne] – I object to that.
Mr. Conkling – I know that, and do you know how I know it; because the member from Illinois is the only man in the House surly enough to interpose objections in such a case.
Mr. Washburne rose to reply, when Mr. Conkling called the member to order.
Mr. Washburne (excitedly) – I call the creature to order.
The Speaker demanded the preservation of order.
Mr. Conkling – The member from Illinois understands the rules of this House, and must understand that this is not the place for personal altercations. He knows the proper place for that is outside these walls.
Mr. Wasburne (excitedly) – Yes, I am ready for it.
Mr. Conkling – No individual in this House better knows than the member from Illinois that I stand by what I say until convinced that I am in error, and therefore there is no necessity for any interruption here.
Mr. Conkling in the course of his remarks said he regarded the committee as one of the ornaments to expensive under the circumstances to be indulged in. Mr. Conkling was severe on the committee, which he thought ought immediately to be disbanded.
Mr. Washburne spiritedly replied. He said Mr. Conkling was the instrument of the robbers, plunderers and thieves who had been holding high carnival in anticipation of the overthrowing of the committee.
Mr. Hickman vindicated the report of the committee, and referred to the subjects heretofore frequently repeated.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
From McClellan’s Army
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC,
April 28 – 11 A. M.
Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
Nothing of interest has transpired during the night. No firing on our right, where the works proceed undisturbed. On the left the enemy fired a good deal, but hut no one, nor was the work interrupted. I have just sent a heavy field battery to silence a gun or two of the enemy that have been impertinent this morning, but have hurt no one. The weather has improved and we are making good progress.
(Signed,)
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
April 28 – 11 A. M.
Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
Nothing of interest has transpired during the night. No firing on our right, where the works proceed undisturbed. On the left the enemy fired a good deal, but hut no one, nor was the work interrupted. I have just sent a heavy field battery to silence a gun or two of the enemy that have been impertinent this morning, but have hurt no one. The weather has improved and we are making good progress.
(Signed,)
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Statement of a Scout
WHEELING, April 29.
A trusty scout, sent out by Gen. Milroy, went within nine miles of Stanton, and found there a rebel cavalry company, and learned that Johnston, shortly after leaving the Shenandoah, was ordered back, but replied that its occupation by 10,000 Yankees made it impossible. He was then ordered to join Jackson east of the Blue Ridge, which was being rapidly done.
The same scout reports the loss of a foraging party twelve miles from McDowell. While water bound, it was attacked by a guerilla band, the wagons and horses destroyed, some men badly wounded and some killed. This is a bad loss in view of the present transportation facilities.
Harper and Bennett, two notorious guerillas, have been sent to Wheeling.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Boston, April 28 [1862].
The war steamer Savannah was launched at the Portsmouth navy yard yesterday. She is the first and largest war vessel ever built at Portsmouth.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Saturday, April 10, 2010
New York, April 28 [1862].
Further advices by the Connecticut state that the sloops of war Richmond, Hartford, Brooklyn and Iriquois [sic] were protected with a heavy chain cable from their ports to a point below their waterline previous to their attack on the Mississippi forts.
The rebel steamer Florida was captured by the U. S. bark Pursuit.
The captain of the French war steamer Milan visited Fort Jackson under a flag of truce, with a view of assisting the French residents of New Orleans who might desire to get out of the way of the impending battle. He was seized and imprisoned over night, but released the next day, and returned to his vessel greatly enraged.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
The rebel steamer Florida was captured by the U. S. bark Pursuit.
The captain of the French war steamer Milan visited Fort Jackson under a flag of truce, with a view of assisting the French residents of New Orleans who might desire to get out of the way of the impending battle. He was seized and imprisoned over night, but released the next day, and returned to his vessel greatly enraged.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
From Washington
WASHINGTON, April 28.
The following has been received:
FORT MONROE, April 28.
TO HON. E. M. STANTON:– The news of the occupation of New Orleans by our forces is confirmed to-day. No other news.
(Signed,) JOHN E. WOOL,
Major General Commanding
Mr. Arnold, from the committee on roads and canals, reported in favor of the enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan canal. The report states that the work has been more than half completed by the State of Illinois, having expended thereon over $6,000,000. The canal has been in operation since 1858, and now yields an annual revenue of about $2,000,000. This will be greatly increased by the enlargement of the Illinois rover. The state of Illinois offers this canal and its revenue to the United States on condition that Congress will provide the means for enlarging it, so as to pass gunboats from the lakes to the Mississippi. This will place us on an equality with Great Britain, that power being able by her canal to pass war vessels from the ocean to the lakes.
The Senate in executive session to-day confirmed a large number of military nominations, including the following named, to be Brigadier Generals of volunteers: Col. Max Weber, of N. Y.; Col. Thos. J. Crittenden [sic], of Ill.; Col. Wm. P. Benton, Jeremiah Sullivan and John C. Newton.
By the steamer Connecticut, the Navy Department received dispatches from Com. Farragut and Capt. Porter to April 12th. The steamers Pamlico and Mississippi were over the bar, and the flotilla is moving to take their position.
Two Confederate schooners loaded with cotton were captured trying to run the blockade, bound for Havana.
Prisoners report there were several gunboats building at New Orleans and five already on the keel. Several lately went up the river with the steam battering ram and 10,000 men.
The schooner Columbia, of Galveston, with cotton, bound for Jamaica, had been captured by a party of men from the Montgomery. Not being able to bring her out, the schooner was destroyed.
On April 4 an expedition, en route for Pass Christian, consisting of the steamers New London, Jackson and Lewis, with troops, were attacked by the rebel steamers Oregon, Pamlico and Carondelet. The Lewis was withdrawn, owing to the crowded state of her decks. The others continued the fight one hour and forty minutes, when the enemy withdrew, apparently much injured. The expedition then landed at Pass Christian.
WASHINGTON, April 29.
The commission on ordnance supplies have, it is said, rejected all the foreign contracts and considerably curtailed those for the manufacture of arms in the United States. The ordnance office has issued proposals for manufacturing, within, on year, Springfield rifles and muskets and Harper’s Ferry muskets, together, with carbines, revolvers, sabres, swords and scabbards. The department reserves to itself the right to reject any bid and to consider none made through any broker or party other than the regular manufacturers.
Several days ago the House passed a resolution desiring the Secretary of War to communicate all the facts and circumstances within his knowledge relative to the late evacuation, by our troops, of Jacksonville. The Secretary replies, that he conceives it to be the province of the President to furnish information concerning military operations; but the President has directed him to say that the evacuation was for reasons not deemed compatible with the public interest to disclose.
Specials state there is a rumor that the Government is in possession of information which may possible lead to a cessation of hostilities. A mediation and compromise form the basis of the rumor.
It is rumored that Gen. Cadwallader is to take the place of Gen. Smith at the west.
Sedgewick, of N. Y., is appointed on the House committee on confiscation vice Olin, declined. It is stated that a majority of the committee favor a strong bill for the confiscation of rebel property.
The following was received to-day at the War Department:
NEAR MONTERY, Tenn., April 25.
Five companies of our cavalry had a skirmish with the enemy’s cavalry two miles in advance of here. The enemy retreated. Five of them were killed, on of them a Major, and eighteen prisoners, with their arms and horses, were captured and are in camp. One of the prisoners named Haughan was formerly foreman in the Louisville Demicrat office. We had none killed or wounded. – Our forces are in capital spirits. Prisoners say the enemy have upwards of 80,000 men at Corinth and will fight, and that they are entrenching and mounting large guns.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
From Tennessee
CAIRO, April 28.
Six refugees from Memphis arrived here this morning. They left on Sunday afternoon the 20th in a [skiff] and reached our fleet opposite Fort Pillow on Friday. Five of them are natives of Tennessee, and the other from Freeport, Ill. They crossed the Mississippi six miles below Rondo, making the rest of the way to Osceola through the backwater on the Arkansas shore. They represent the strongest union feeling existing in Memphis. Several union clubs meet nightly and are constantly increasing in numbers.
Gen. Prentiss and the federal prisoners taken at the Pittsburg landing were in Memphis 24 hours and taken to Tuscaloosa, Ala. They received marked attentions from Union citizens while in the city, who are becoming bolder daily.
Gen. Prentiss made a speech from the platform of a car, assuring the people they would all cheer for the stars and stripes in two or three weeks. Our prisoners united in singing the “Star Spangled Banner” and were loudly applauded by the people!
The refugees left Memphis to avoid being impressed, as the conscript act, recently passed by the rebel congress, was being enforced. Large numbers were daily leaving the city and making their way towards our fleet.
Van Dorn, Price and Jeff. Thompson are at Memphis with about 6,000 troops, partly equipped and most of their clothing in rags.
Gov. Harris is at Corinth.
Some 6,000 hhds. of sugar and between 10,000 & 15,000 bbls. of molasses were piled up below the city ready to be thrown into the river on the approach of the federal fleet, which was daily expected. It was generally conceded by rebels that our fleet would compel them to evacuate Fort Pillow, where Gen. Villippegue was still in command.
It was reported that Gen. Curtis’ scouts had reached the mouth of white river and that his advance was within a day’s march.
The gunboat Mallory has been in course of construction for some time, and was rapidly approaching completion. She is plated with railroad iron.
Rebel gunboats were continually plying between Memphis and Fort Pillow.
The fortifications near Memphis have been abandoned, there being no mounted guns on them.
Negroes had recently advanced considerably in value. At an auction sale two weeks ago, several were sold at prices ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Coffee 80c; rice 7 ½; butter 50c; bacon 25c; chickens $1 each; eggs 40c per dozen.
Boats from below report nothing new.
The mortars fire occasionally, but with what effect is not known.
Gen. Halleck is moving forward slowly.
A reconnoisance in force, commanded by Gen. Garfield, went out Friday and discovered the enemy’s advance some miles beyond our outposts, encamped on Pea Ridge.
The pickets are continually firing on each other.
Our heavy siege guns are being moved to the front as fast as the condition of the roads will permit.
Our army at Pittsburg is still gradually advancing, but everything is quite. A reconnaissance on Friday discovered the enemy in camp at Pea Ridge, some 12 miles beyond our lines of pickets, but we did not advance to attack them.
There is no news from Fort Pillow. The mortars fire occasionally.
CHICAGO, April 29.
The Tribune’s special from Cairo says that rebel cavalry have recently appeared in considerable force on the Tennessee river 20 below Savannah, and one of the gunboats had been sent down to watch their movements.
All boats leaving this point for above carry two brass pieces on the bow, one on each side, besides a guard on the hurricane deck.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Six refugees from Memphis arrived here this morning. They left on Sunday afternoon the 20th in a [skiff] and reached our fleet opposite Fort Pillow on Friday. Five of them are natives of Tennessee, and the other from Freeport, Ill. They crossed the Mississippi six miles below Rondo, making the rest of the way to Osceola through the backwater on the Arkansas shore. They represent the strongest union feeling existing in Memphis. Several union clubs meet nightly and are constantly increasing in numbers.
Gen. Prentiss and the federal prisoners taken at the Pittsburg landing were in Memphis 24 hours and taken to Tuscaloosa, Ala. They received marked attentions from Union citizens while in the city, who are becoming bolder daily.
Gen. Prentiss made a speech from the platform of a car, assuring the people they would all cheer for the stars and stripes in two or three weeks. Our prisoners united in singing the “Star Spangled Banner” and were loudly applauded by the people!
The refugees left Memphis to avoid being impressed, as the conscript act, recently passed by the rebel congress, was being enforced. Large numbers were daily leaving the city and making their way towards our fleet.
Van Dorn, Price and Jeff. Thompson are at Memphis with about 6,000 troops, partly equipped and most of their clothing in rags.
Gov. Harris is at Corinth.
Some 6,000 hhds. of sugar and between 10,000 & 15,000 bbls. of molasses were piled up below the city ready to be thrown into the river on the approach of the federal fleet, which was daily expected. It was generally conceded by rebels that our fleet would compel them to evacuate Fort Pillow, where Gen. Villippegue was still in command.
It was reported that Gen. Curtis’ scouts had reached the mouth of white river and that his advance was within a day’s march.
The gunboat Mallory has been in course of construction for some time, and was rapidly approaching completion. She is plated with railroad iron.
Rebel gunboats were continually plying between Memphis and Fort Pillow.
The fortifications near Memphis have been abandoned, there being no mounted guns on them.
Negroes had recently advanced considerably in value. At an auction sale two weeks ago, several were sold at prices ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Coffee 80c; rice 7 ½; butter 50c; bacon 25c; chickens $1 each; eggs 40c per dozen.
Boats from below report nothing new.
The mortars fire occasionally, but with what effect is not known.
Gen. Halleck is moving forward slowly.
A reconnoisance in force, commanded by Gen. Garfield, went out Friday and discovered the enemy’s advance some miles beyond our outposts, encamped on Pea Ridge.
The pickets are continually firing on each other.
Our heavy siege guns are being moved to the front as fast as the condition of the roads will permit.
Our army at Pittsburg is still gradually advancing, but everything is quite. A reconnaissance on Friday discovered the enemy in camp at Pea Ridge, some 12 miles beyond our lines of pickets, but we did not advance to attack them.
There is no news from Fort Pillow. The mortars fire occasionally.
CHICAGO, April 29.
The Tribune’s special from Cairo says that rebel cavalry have recently appeared in considerable force on the Tennessee river 20 below Savannah, and one of the gunboats had been sent down to watch their movements.
All boats leaving this point for above carry two brass pieces on the bow, one on each side, besides a guard on the hurricane deck.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Friday, April 9, 2010
13th Illinois Infantry
Organized at Dixon, Ill., and mustered into State service April 21, 1861. Mustered into U, S. service by Capt. John Pope May 24, 1861, being the first three years Regiment from Illinois mustered into U.S. service. Moved to Caseyville, Ill., June 16, thence to Rolla, Mo., July 5-6, being first Regiment to cross Mississippi River into hostile Missouri. Attached to Fremont's Army of the West July to October, 1861. District of Rolla, Dept. of Missouri, to January, 1862. Unattached, Army of Southwest Missouri, to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Southwest Missouri, to July, 1862. Helena, Ark., District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 11th Division, lath Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to April, 1864. Unassigned, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, to June, 1864.
SERVICE.--Duty at Rolla, Mo., till October 10, 1861. Fremont's advance on Springfield, Mo., October 10-November 7. Action at Wet Glaize October 13. Linn Creek October 15. Return to Rolla November 10, and duty there till March, 1862. Action at Salem, Mo., December 3. 1861. Ordered to join Curtis at Pea Ridge, Ark., March 6, 1862. March to Helena, Ark., April 8-July 14. Duty at Helena, Ark., till December. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 22, 1862-January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluffs December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young's Point January 17, and duty there till March. Expedition to Greenville, Miss., February 14-26. Expedition from Mlliken's Bend to Greenville, Black Bayou and Deer Creek, Miss., April 2-14. Demonstration against Haines' and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 1. Moved to join army in rear of Jackson, Miss., via Richmond and Grand Gulf, May 2-14. Jackson May 14. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Brandon July 19. Camp at Big Black till September 27. Movement to Memphis, thence to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 27-November 21. Operations on Memphis & Charleston R. R. in Alabama October 20-29. Cherokee Station October 21. Tuscumbia and Barton Station October 24-25. Bear Creek, Tuscumbia, October 27. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Battles of Lookout Mountain November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Captured flag of the 18th Alabama Infantry. Ringgold Gap, Taylor's Ridge, November 27. Stationed at Madison Station, Ala., till May, 1864. Action at Madison Station April 17. Resaca, Ga., May 13-15 (Detachment). Mustered out June 18, 1864.
Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 61 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 123 Enlisted men by disease. Total 192.
SOURCE: Dyer , Frederick H., A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1050
SERVICE.--Duty at Rolla, Mo., till October 10, 1861. Fremont's advance on Springfield, Mo., October 10-November 7. Action at Wet Glaize October 13. Linn Creek October 15. Return to Rolla November 10, and duty there till March, 1862. Action at Salem, Mo., December 3. 1861. Ordered to join Curtis at Pea Ridge, Ark., March 6, 1862. March to Helena, Ark., April 8-July 14. Duty at Helena, Ark., till December. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 22, 1862-January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluffs December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young's Point January 17, and duty there till March. Expedition to Greenville, Miss., February 14-26. Expedition from Mlliken's Bend to Greenville, Black Bayou and Deer Creek, Miss., April 2-14. Demonstration against Haines' and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 1. Moved to join army in rear of Jackson, Miss., via Richmond and Grand Gulf, May 2-14. Jackson May 14. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Brandon July 19. Camp at Big Black till September 27. Movement to Memphis, thence to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 27-November 21. Operations on Memphis & Charleston R. R. in Alabama October 20-29. Cherokee Station October 21. Tuscumbia and Barton Station October 24-25. Bear Creek, Tuscumbia, October 27. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Battles of Lookout Mountain November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Captured flag of the 18th Alabama Infantry. Ringgold Gap, Taylor's Ridge, November 27. Stationed at Madison Station, Ala., till May, 1864. Action at Madison Station April 17. Resaca, Ga., May 13-15 (Detachment). Mustered out June 18, 1864.
Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 61 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 123 Enlisted men by disease. Total 192.
SOURCE: Dyer , Frederick H., A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1050
Fall of New Orleans Confirmed, &c.
Times’ Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, April 28.
The President has received a special dispatch to-night form a source altogether different form that through which the information came yesterday, of the fall of New Orleans, confirming the same.
The news from the Rappahannock is important. Our forces have not yet occupied Fredericksburg, but stay in Falmouth, on the opposite side of the river.
Information recently received renders it pretty certain that there is a large rebel force in the neighborhood ready to dispute Gen. McDowell’s progress toward Richmond. Report places this force under command of Gen. G. W. Smith.
World’s Special.
The confirmatory news of the occupation of new Orleans by the Union forces has just been received. It removes very materially the doubts which existed in the minds of some as to the entire reliability of the rebel telegram.
There is reason to believe there has been a discussion at the Treasury Department respecting the policy of raising the blockade of Southern ports as they come into the possession of the Union forces. We are assured by a gentleman who is in constant communication with the Government, that there is little doubt the blockade of New Orleans will be raised immediately on the Union authority being re-established there.
Herald’s dispatch.
Rumors are in circulations that the rebels are preparing to evacuate Yorktown.
FORT MONROE, April 27.
A flag of truce to-day took dispatches and letters for the Union prisoners.
No newspapers came into the hands of the reporters for the press.
The city of New Orleans has been taken by the Union forces. The telegraph operator having left there as previously reported, no particulars have been received. It is however, stated that the operator subsequently attempted to return, but found the city in possession of the Union troops. It is probable the city surrendered without resistance after the fleet made its appearance.
There is a report that the enemy’s much-boasted war gunboat built there as a second Merrimac was destroyed while on its way by the U. S. steamer Pensacola.
The weather and tide to-day have been very favorable for the reappearance of the Merrimac here, but she has not been seen.
It is reported that some rebel gunboats in the James river attempted this morning to shell our forces this side of Warwick.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Scott County Medical Society
The regular quarterly meeting of the Scott County Medical Society was held at the City Hall, Davenport, on Tuesday, April 29, 1862.
In the absence of the President, Dr. Thos. Galt, of Princeton, was called to the chair.
The minutes of the last quarterly meeting were read and approved; also, those of the monthly meeting held on the 24th of February and 25th of March.
Dr. Tomson introduced for consideration the details of a case occurring in his practice; and an interesting series of remarks were made, in which Drs. Tomson, Baker, Galt and Witherwax participated.
Drs. Jas. McCortney, J. J. Tomson, J. W. H. Baker, J. M. Witherwax, Th. J. Saunders, Jno. M. Adler, Thos. Galt and W. H. Hosford were appointed delegates to the State Medical Society, to be held at Iowa City on the 28th of May, with the power to fill vacancies.
The above delegates were instructed to invite the State Medical Society to hold their meeting for 1863 in Davenport City.
Dr. Baker was excused as essayist and continued to next meeting.
The committee on prevailing diseases was appointed, consisting of Drs. Maxwell, Gamble and Adler.
The Monthly meetings were suspended for the next three months.
The Society then adjourned.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
In the absence of the President, Dr. Thos. Galt, of Princeton, was called to the chair.
The minutes of the last quarterly meeting were read and approved; also, those of the monthly meeting held on the 24th of February and 25th of March.
Dr. Tomson introduced for consideration the details of a case occurring in his practice; and an interesting series of remarks were made, in which Drs. Tomson, Baker, Galt and Witherwax participated.
Drs. Jas. McCortney, J. J. Tomson, J. W. H. Baker, J. M. Witherwax, Th. J. Saunders, Jno. M. Adler, Thos. Galt and W. H. Hosford were appointed delegates to the State Medical Society, to be held at Iowa City on the 28th of May, with the power to fill vacancies.
The above delegates were instructed to invite the State Medical Society to hold their meeting for 1863 in Davenport City.
Dr. Baker was excused as essayist and continued to next meeting.
The committee on prevailing diseases was appointed, consisting of Drs. Maxwell, Gamble and Adler.
The Monthly meetings were suspended for the next three months.
The Society then adjourned.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
The Sequel
Our readers will remember that some few weeks ago a detective from the northern part of Iowa arrested a citizen of this place named Peter W. Nowels, on the charge of being engaged in robbing the safe of the Treasury of Bremer county of $6,650. We published full particulars at the time, and were afterwards called upon by Mr. B. F. Spaulding, the detective, who regretted very much that we had done so, as he thought it might prevent him arresting another party who was an accomplice in the transaction. – We are happy to state, notwithstanding the article had general circulation over the State, that Mr. Spaulding has been successful in bagging his game. The accomplice’s name is Bemis, but, under various aliases, Mr. S. followed him from point to point, until he finally overtook and arrested him on the 10th inst., at McHenry, McHenry Co., Ill., where he had represented himself to be a poor man, a fact not supported by his recent purchase of two tracts of land – one in Missouri and one in Illinois, both of which were deeded to his wife. Nowels has been examined and held to bail in the sum of $4,000 to await trial. Bemis is also held in the sum of $8,000 to await examination, May 11th. Stevenson, the Supervisor, has taken flight, and suspicion naturally attaches to him as accessory to the robbery. In the conception and execution of his labors, Mr. Spaulding has shown many of the rarest qualities of a detective, and justly earned the reward offered.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Local Matters
If you want wall papers of the newest patterns, go to Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady st.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS can be realized by calling at Plummer’s and buying some of those new styles of wall papers.
DECORATE your dwellings with some of those recherché patterns of wall paper, which can be seen only at Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady street.
ANY PERSON wishing a good sewing machine for family or manufacturing purposes, should call on R. Krause, No. 35 West Second street, and examine Singer’s celebrated machines.
LANDLORDS, paper your houses with some of the beautiful paper hangings which can be found only at Plummer’s. Then on rent day, instead of being met at the door with a broomstick, you will be greeted with pleasant smiles.
WIDOW’S DOWER. – The omission of the words ‘on-third of,” after ‘a title in fee simple to,’ in the paragraph on widow’s dower, among the Iowa Items yesterday, made quite a change in the legality and sense of the same.
THE LARGEST, best and cheapest stock of dry goods in the city can undoubtedly be found at Wadsworth’s. Farmers especially should not make their purchases without first examining his stock. They will be sure to find goods they want, and of the best qualities.
A RUNAWAY in Rock Island last week will cost the owner of the team, so the Argus estimates, somewhere about $100 in fines and damages to be paid for property damaged by the runaway. The victims of the law were drunk at the time, and were consequently properly served.
WIRES DOWN. – The steamer Hawkeye State yesterday morning struck the telegraph wire across the bridge with her smoke-stacks, severing the wire. The operator, Mr. Stearns took prompt measures to have the damage repaired and to prevent a repetition of the occurrence.
A LIBERAL ACT. – Mr. P. L. Cable, of Rock Island, sometime since bought under foreclosure the Andrews estate in that city for $5,000 in gold. Subsequently he presented the widow with the deed of his own house and lot, with $500 in gold, beside $100 to her daughter; an act of liberality which finds too few parallels.
DAY LABORERS. – Nearly wore out our best pair of boots yesterday hunting up a laboring man to do a little job of digging. Found any number of idle men, but none who were willing to work. Upon a close calculation we have given, the present month, just $1.50 to poor, able-bodied men who protested they could find nothing to do and their families were suffering!
REPAIR YOUR SIDEWALKS. – That’s what the City Marshal says, and he talks as if he meant it. And there surely is abundant need for such a warning. On most every square of the city there are broken planks and places where planks have been; eyesores in the daytime, and man-traps at night. The Marshal only allows this week for the work to be done by owners of lots; thereafter the city will take it in hand, and the costs will accumulate. We notice some persons are attending to their premises, and have done the required work already. They are wise.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
GREAT EXPECTATIONS can be realized by calling at Plummer’s and buying some of those new styles of wall papers.
DECORATE your dwellings with some of those recherché patterns of wall paper, which can be seen only at Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady street.
ANY PERSON wishing a good sewing machine for family or manufacturing purposes, should call on R. Krause, No. 35 West Second street, and examine Singer’s celebrated machines.
LANDLORDS, paper your houses with some of the beautiful paper hangings which can be found only at Plummer’s. Then on rent day, instead of being met at the door with a broomstick, you will be greeted with pleasant smiles.
WIDOW’S DOWER. – The omission of the words ‘on-third of,” after ‘a title in fee simple to,’ in the paragraph on widow’s dower, among the Iowa Items yesterday, made quite a change in the legality and sense of the same.
THE LARGEST, best and cheapest stock of dry goods in the city can undoubtedly be found at Wadsworth’s. Farmers especially should not make their purchases without first examining his stock. They will be sure to find goods they want, and of the best qualities.
A RUNAWAY in Rock Island last week will cost the owner of the team, so the Argus estimates, somewhere about $100 in fines and damages to be paid for property damaged by the runaway. The victims of the law were drunk at the time, and were consequently properly served.
WIRES DOWN. – The steamer Hawkeye State yesterday morning struck the telegraph wire across the bridge with her smoke-stacks, severing the wire. The operator, Mr. Stearns took prompt measures to have the damage repaired and to prevent a repetition of the occurrence.
A LIBERAL ACT. – Mr. P. L. Cable, of Rock Island, sometime since bought under foreclosure the Andrews estate in that city for $5,000 in gold. Subsequently he presented the widow with the deed of his own house and lot, with $500 in gold, beside $100 to her daughter; an act of liberality which finds too few parallels.
DAY LABORERS. – Nearly wore out our best pair of boots yesterday hunting up a laboring man to do a little job of digging. Found any number of idle men, but none who were willing to work. Upon a close calculation we have given, the present month, just $1.50 to poor, able-bodied men who protested they could find nothing to do and their families were suffering!
REPAIR YOUR SIDEWALKS. – That’s what the City Marshal says, and he talks as if he meant it. And there surely is abundant need for such a warning. On most every square of the city there are broken planks and places where planks have been; eyesores in the daytime, and man-traps at night. The Marshal only allows this week for the work to be done by owners of lots; thereafter the city will take it in hand, and the costs will accumulate. We notice some persons are attending to their premises, and have done the required work already. They are wise.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Liberty At Work
Liberty township, which recently contributed $76 to the Scott Co. Soldier’s Relief Association, collected through the efficient efforts of A. M. Frost, Esq., the member of the Association’s finance committee for said township and his assistants, is preparing for still more liberal subscriptions in aid of our wounded. It is proposed to organize a Township Association auxiliary to that of the county, and by means of a small weekly contribution from each member to secure a permanent fund to be drawn upon by the parent Association as necessity may require. The plan is a good one, and is deserving of imitation all over the county. We are sure that the patriotic citizens of Liberty will demonstrate its feasibility and its practical value to the cause.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Review: The Wedding Gift
The Wedding GiftBy Marlen Suyapa Bodden
“The Wedding Gift” is the debut novel of New York lawyer, turned novelist, Marlen Suyapa Bodden. Set in antebellum Alabama, the focus of Ms. Bodden’s novel is the complex relationship between slaves and their owners.
Sarah Campbell, Ms. Bodden’s protagonist, is a light skinned slave who has dreamed of freedom her entire life. She is the product of a long term sexual relationship between her mother, Emmeline, a slave, and her owner, Cornelius Allen.
Cornelius, The Allen family patriarch, serves Ms. Bodden’s plot well as the antagonist of the story, he is manipulative, vindictive and at times physically violent. Interestingly enough, his manipulative machinations, vindictiveness and physical violence are usually focused on the females of Ms. Bodden’s novel, be they either black or white. When Emmeline stops going to him at night, Mr. Allen retaliates by selling Sarah’s sister Belle.
The Allen’s daughter, Clarissa is the engine that drives Ms. Bodden’s story forward. Sarah and Clarissa are both roughly the same age, and from childhood Sarah has been groomed to be Clarissa’s servant. As girls Sarah and Clarissa were playmates. Clarissa asked that Sarah be allowed to sit with her during lessons with her mother. Consequently Sarah learned to both read and write, at the time a crime for both the slave and the teacher. When Clarissa marries, Sarah is to go with her and act as her personal servant.
When Clarissa comes of age she is actively courted by two suitors; her unexpected pregnancy sets in motion a series of events which ultimately leads to Sarah’s freedom and the Allen family’s ultimate destruction.
A parallel theme in the novel is the subjugation of women in the American south. Sarah’s first person narrative alternates with that of Cornelius’ wife Theodora, juxtaposing the two women’s lives. On the surface Theodora Allen’s life seems genteel, she is a white woman of wealth in the south, but by highlighting the relationship between Cornelius, his wife and his daughter once Clarissa’s pregnancy is revealed, Ms. Bodden proposes that the role of a white woman in the south, is only slightly above that of the slave; that women and slaves are the property of their white male masters, and must obey them or suffer the consequences.
Ms. Bodden’s tome is well written and carefully researched. It is fully grounded on historical facts, though her narrative leans toward the melodramatic. Sarah and Theodora, her two narrators, seem to by fully fleshed out characters, but Cornelius is a caricature of the worst imaginable kind of slave owner.
Ms. Bodden’s title, “The Wedding Gift” is somewhat misleading. Sarah is groomed to be Clarissa’s servant from a very young age, and everyone acknowledges that when Clarissa marries Sarah will go with her. Sarah is never presented to Clarissa as a wedding gift.
Though the cover art was probably not within the realm of Ms. Bodden’s control, it is also a bit misleading as the big dipper is prominently displayed pointing the way north to freedom, but Sarah ultimately finds her freedom by going south. The big dipper, also known as the “drinking gourd,” looms large in slave literature and song is never once mentioned in Ms. Bodden’s text.
“The Wedding Gift” is a highly enjoyable novel. It should not be taken as an accurate representation of slavery in the American South. It is a novel, and as such it must follow the conventions of fictional storytelling. It is no more an accurate representation of antebellum life in the American south than are Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” or Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind.”
ISBN 978-1439269893, BookSurge Publishing, © 2009, Hardcover, 324 pages, $27.99
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Death of Mr. J. S. Christian
Mr. L. C. Burwell yesterday forwarded a dispatch to Mr. E. Russell, corresponding secretary of the Relief Association, announcing that the body of Mr. J. S. Christian will arrive to-day. This is the first announcement we have of Mr. Christian’s death, which comes rather unexpectedly, as it was hoped he would recover. Mr. Christian was a native of the State of New York, and was about 24 years old when he died. He has been for some time a resident of this city, where he was esteemed by all who knew him. He was a brother-in-law of Messrs. W. H. Pratt and A. W. Barber, of this city. His body will probably arrive on the Kate Cassell this morning.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1
Annie Turner Wittenmyer
ANNIE TURNER WITTENMYER, an Iowa woman who won the enduring gratitude of hundreds of soldiers during the Civil War, was born at Sandy Springs, Adams County, Ohio, on the 26th of August, 1827. She developed remarkable gifts for writing, before she was thirteen years of age. Her poetry at that time attracted attention and she became a regular contributor some years later to various publications. She was married in 1847, and three years later came with her husband to Iowa, locating in Keokuk. There were no public schools in the village at that time and Mrs. Wittenmyer opened a free school for children of the poor. With the help of other women this school was maintained for many years, accomplishing great good. When the War of the Rebellion began, she was one of the first to assist in organizing Soldiers' Aid Societies which did so much in relieving the wants of soldiers in the field and hospitals. She visited the army in the field early in 1861 and began to collect and distribute supplies for camps and hospitals. She wrote letters from the army to the newspapers telling the needs of the soldiers and soon had her entire time occupied in receiving and distributing the contributions of the generous people of the State. A record of her work during the war would fill a volume. She was appointed one of the State Sanitary Agents for Iowa and during her administration collected and distributed more than $160,000 worth of sanitary supplies. She was active in securing furloughs for sick soldiers in hospitals, thus saving many lives. When she found armies camped in unhealthy localities she managed in numerous cases to exert influence to get the camp removed to a healthier location. She was one of the originators of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home established in Iowa at Davenport for the care and education of dependent children. She projected the Special Diet Kitchens which were established at hospitals, where such special food was prepared for the sick as was recommended by the surgeons in charge. This was the beginning of a great and much needed reform in providing suitable food for sick and wounded soldiers, in the hospitals. The entire supervision of these kitchens was placed under the control of Mrs. Wittenmyer. The reform was warmly indorsed by General Grant and there is no doubt that hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives of suffering soldiers were saved by this salutary change in food. When this reform was fully organized, more than a million of rations were issued through it each month. In 1892 Mrs. Wittenmyer spent a large portion of the winter in Washington working with Congress to secure pensions for army nurses. For more than twenty years these worthy workers for the relief of suffering soldiers had applied in vain for any recognition by the Government for their invaluable services. But Mrs. Wittenmyer knew so much of their unselfish devotion in war times and told it so earnestly that a pension of twelve dollars a month was granted the nurses. Mrs. Wittenmyer was largely instrumental in securing the purchase and preservation of the grounds embraced in the Andersonville prison pen. Eighty-five acres have been secured under the control of the Woman's Relief Corps, including the "Providential Spring," and the grounds enclosed in the deadly stockade. After a long life almost entirely devoted to good works of a public nature, this noble woman died at her home on the 2d of February, 1900.
SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 292-3
SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 292-3
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